Curiosities and Treasures: The Gadgets We Crave and the Ones We Can’t Quite Understand

Clear televisions. Robot vacuums that can climb stairs. AI-infused everything. Just another January at CES, the expo for consumer gadgets that was previously referred to as the Consumer Electronics Show. I’m participating from a distance, which means I’m analyzing this year’s happenings — with significant assistance from the team at Engadget, who are on-site with their feet on the ground in Las Vegas. (To get a sense of what it feels like to be there, check out their ongoing CES 2025 live blog.)

As is customary, CES hosts a goldmine of technological innovations — some exciting, some mediocre, others just plain odd. (I will forever remember the WheeMe rolling robotic back massager from a few years back. Surprisingly, that product never reached stores.)

Below, I’ve compiled a list of the most unusual technological gadgets from CES 2025, along with some delightful ones that genuinely excite me. (Please note that this list is continuously evolving; I will be adding more intriguing products as days pass.)

The most unusual tech gadgets from CES 2025

EcoFlow Power Hat

Major kudos to Engadget’s Daniel Cooper for this opening remark: “Another CES, another chance for the tech industry to launch a trebuchet’s worth of molten lead at the remnants of my dignity.”

Because how else can one articulate a product that resembles Crocs for your head? The EcoFlow Power Hat is a fashion catastrophe, something I would not be caught dead in — unless I wanted to shield my face from the sun and keep my phone charged.

Because, let’s acknowledge it, your head is the ideal place for solar panels, and the beach generally lacks AC outlets. The Power Hat retails at $129 and is currently available (with a $40 discount coupon!)

Samsung Ballie

Initially revealed at CES 2020, Ballie (sounds like “WALL-E”, a hint there) is Samsung’s AI-driven rolling robot that, um, performs tasks. What tasks? Uncertain. It features both a camera and a projector, the latter capable of displaying films — assuminga fitting location to park itself. (Let’s hope you have some available wall space and ample room in front of it.)

The compact ‘bot is capable of responding to voice directives, managing smart-home devices, and much more — akin to your smartphone or various other gadgets. One intriguing feature aimed at accessibility is the floor-projected “buttons” that you can step on to interact with an object or make a choice.

Samsung has yet to disclose pricing or a release date (other than “sometime in 2025”), but it did showcase the product at CES. Aside from the “Aw, how adorable!” reaction, it remains unclear what practical benefits Ballie might actually offer in a household.

Spicerr

Measuring out a variety of spices can undoubtedly hinder your recipe preparation. Spicerr is an automatic dispenser that accommodates six interchangeable spice cartridges. With just a few taps on its touchscreen, you could sprinkle, for instance, a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon or a tablespoon of paprika.

I… suppose? The Spicerr does not grind; it merely dispenses. It depends on exclusive, sealed capsules; it appears you cannot refill them with your own spices. And if you often have to change out cartridges to meet specific recipe requirements, are you genuinely saving any time?

The product’s pricing has not yet been revealed, but the company intends to initiate a Kickstarter campaign post-CES. My assumption is that it will be priced in the hundreds of dollars, with spice cartridges retailing for about $15-20 each. I believe I’ll stick with my measuring spoons, thank you.

Swippit Hub

Ever think it would be convenient to place your iPhone into something that looks like a toaster and have it pop out with a new battery? That’s the essence of the Swippit Hub, though it doesn’t replace the internal battery (which would be impossible); it substitutes the battery within a specialized iPhone case.

The cost for all of this? The hub itself is priced at $450 and comes with five batteries; the case will set you back another $120.

Hard pass. The most resolute of passes. The case is cumbersome and unattractive, and if I’m going to encumber my phone with something like that, I believe I can manage replacing batteries myself, thank you.

The remarkable tech inventions of CES 2025

Circular Ring 2

To rephrase a sentiment from Beyonce, if you appreciate living, you should adorn yourself with a Ring 2. Circular’s innovative wearable not only provides typical health-monitoring features but also includes ECG monitoring and FDA-approved AFib detection — implying it could potentially save your life.

It all initiates with Circular’s application, which can measure ring size directly from your phone, ensuring you receive the correct fit when purchasing. That’s pretty neat, and so is this: The Ring 2 can operate for up toeight days per charge.

Offered in four styles and priced at $380, the Ring 2 is projected to ship by March of this year.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable

Do I really require a laptop with a screen that can unfurl itself to become nearly 50% taller? Perhaps not. Do I desire a laptop that effortlessly generates additional visible space for spreadsheets, Word documents, web pages, and similar content? Absolutely.

It is not surprising that you will incur a significant cost for this wizardry: The Rollable is anticipated to launch at around $3,500 later this year. Discover more about this crazy concept made real.

PocketBook InkPoster

I’m completely onboard with the concept of an art television, which also serves as a painting display when not in use for Netflix marathons. Nonetheless, they are costly, their screens aren’t particularly like a canvas, and they come with power cords that must be managed.

That’s why I’m thrilled by PocketBook’s new InkPoster collection: framed color e-paper displays that operate on battery. Anticipated to be available in sizes of 13.3-, 28.5-, and 31.5 inches, they can showcase either curated artworks or your personal digital photographs. And PocketBook estimates you’ll achieve up to a year on a charge, so connecting a power cord should only be an annual task.

There are several unresolved inquiries, including “when?” and “how much?”, but I hope this category gains significant traction. Despite the flaws of my current art television, it brings me immense joy. I desire these items throughout my residence.

Shokz OpenFit 2

The initial Shokz OpenFit made our compilation of top open-ear headphones, so it goes without saying that I’m excited to witness (and experience) its successor.

The company had already developed arguably the most comfortable headphones in this emerging category; the OpenFit 2 seeks to rectify the mediocre sound quality (by integrating both a woofer and tweeter in each earbud) and limited touch controls (by incorporating multifunction buttons).

Also on the agenda: Bluetooth 5.4, a significant enhancement (and one that should resolve the audio/video lag problems I encountered during testing).

Available in black or beige and retailing at $180, the Shokz OpenFit 2 is ready for immediate purchase.