The world’s most spectacular technology exhibition is currently taking place in Las Vegas, and our correspondent on the scene (CB’s review editor, Erlingur) has been updating us on some of the most bizarre gadgets we were unaware we needed.
One of the eccentric and exceptional creations showcased at CES this year is a tiny robotic feline developed by Yukai Engineering that possesses the capability to save you from scalding your tongue on steaming coffee. This has happened to me multiple times with hot chocolate, yet not so frequently that I would consider it necessary to have a robotic solution for the issue.
From rolling laptop screens to new Ring doorbell innovations, we’ve compiled a list of tech highlights from CES below. To be honest, my primary fascination has always been with robotics, and it takes quite a lot to captivate me. Check out some of the smart home robots that won me over at IFA earlier this year, including a demonstration of the Samsung Ballie which I am eagerly anticipating to purchase in 2025.
A toaster for your smartphone??
(Image credit: Swippitt)
Everyone at CES is buzzing about the Swippitt charger. If your morning routine tends to be chaotic and hurried, then what better gadget exists than a toaster-shaped hub that can fully recharge your phone in mere seconds?
There’s actually much more to it than that – the Swippitt entails swapping out an external battery linked to specialised phone cases for your device, which are replaced with freshly charged batteries when you place your phone into the hub via a mechanical process.
In essence, this means you may essentially never have to connect your phone to a wall outlet ever again, though this CES debut gadget comes at a steep price of $450 for the hub, and $120 for the compatible phone casing. Yikes.
Our preferred art TV now features Pro capabilities
(Image credit: Samsung)
Arguably our most beloved TV of all time at Creative Bloq is the Samsung Frame TV, with its stunning matte screen, elegant frame bezel, and collection of magnificent artworks from various corners of the globe. Samsung has launched a new iteration of its beloved Frame TV series at CES, unveiling the Frame Pro TV.
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Nonetheless, while the Samsung Frame TV excels in home decor, it has historically fallen short in image quality. This new variant is altering the landscape, featuring Neo QLED mini-LED technology for enhanced HDR and contrast, along with an improved variable refresh rate of 144Hz, making it an ideal TV for gaming.
But that’s not the end of it. With The Frame Pro, you also gain a Wireless One Connect external connection box (which bears a surprising resemblance to a PlayStation 2 console). This is beneficial for minimalist households that prefer to keep all wires and cables hidden. With the Wireless One Connect, you can mount The Frame Pro TV on the wall with just a power cord and nothing else.
As close as we’ll get to a bee simulation
(Image credit: Wonder / Bird Buddy)
Cameras designed for bird feeders are extremely popular among photographers and nature enthusiasts – but currently, bird watching has taken a backseat, and bug observing is predicted to be the new trend for 2025 (at least at CES). From the company that introduced us to the Bird Buddy camera comes a new collection of products, including the Petal camera and Wonder Blocks, a modular habitat system.
This is quite groundbreaking for those keen on bug-watching, introducing models like a Bee Hotel and camouflaged platforms for stacking the modules. The Petal boasts a fantastic design, featuring artificial leaves that double as solar panels, along with a 12MP camera equipped with a 1/1.9-inch sensor cleverly camouflaged as an orange flower on a flexible stem.
I have never truly identified as a bug enthusiast (and I have a phobia of spiders) but observing them from a distance seems like a delightful trade-off. As a photographer with an interest in Macro, I would certainly be intrigued to experiment with this ecosystem (apologies for the pun).
Acer’s portable Nitro Blade 11
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(Image credit: Acer)
(Image credit: Acer)
(Image credit: Acer)
Acer has broadened its gaming handheld lineup with two remarkable new Nitro Blaze 8 (8.8-inch) and substantial Nitro Blaze 11 (11-inch) handheld consoles, driven by AMD Ryzen 8040 Series processors. These handhelds are scheduled for a Q2 2025 launch and are anticipated to retail at $900 and $1100 for the larger model.
The Acer Nitro Blaze 11 has taken the spotlight at CES, featuring a stunning 144 Hz display and high-performance hardware that makes it weigh three times more than a Nintendo Switch. But no worries, it includes detachable controllers and a kickstand at the back, offering your wrists a respite and making tabletop gaming enjoyable.
Personally, I tend to favor the design of Acer’s Nitro Blaze 7, yet the enhanced performance of the new Nitro Blaze 8 and 11 variants (where are models 9 and 10?) with Hall effect sticks and an exceedingly large display should be sufficient to compete with the Steam Deck and attract gamers to Acer.
Headphones featuring a touchscreen remote
(Image credit: JBL)
Another unprecedented concept at CES this year is the JBL SMART Tx touchscreen audio transmitter (a sleek remote control). This can be utilized with the company’s leading Tour One M3 over-ear headphones to stream music and audio from virtually any source, and easily share it with others via Auracast.
I personally have never considered needing a touchscreen remote for my headphones, given that Bluetooth typically manages the connectivity for me. However, this concept is genuinely innovative and CES is certainly the ideal venue for creativity. The US price for this technology will be $399.95.
Noteworthy mentions: I couldn’t omit these
CES is absolutely packed with technology that it’s unfeasible to cover everything. Nonetheless, I just had to highlight these additional products that I would unquestionably purchase if I had unlimited budget.
Levoit Pet Odor & Hair Air Purifier
First on the list: the air purifier from Levoit that can autonomously detect and disguise unpleasant odors. I own a Goldendoodle and, while I’m fortunate she doesn’t shed, she adores rolling in fox urine during our outings. I also have a fiancé who stubbornly refuses to acknowledge that he may be lactose intolerant. This innovative air purifier from Levoit can automatically identify “key substances” such as smells including sweat, pee, and farts. Do I need to elaborate?
A waterproof beach umbrella that is solar-powered and can simultaneously charge your gadgets? Take my payment. We don’t receive much sunlight in the UK, but if this item is compact enough for travel, I would use it diligently on our beach trips.
Lately, I’ve been increasingly interested in smart glasses, but some of the most stylish smart specs I’ve encountered are the Halliday smart glasses, which come equipped with a miniature screen and AI (naturally). I appreciate the subtly rounded appearance of these glasses, and to the casual observer, they certainly do not resemble advanced technology on your face.
I attempted to learn guitar at 14 but couldn’t manage it. I particularly found that the strings would really hurt my fingers, and I disliked the concept of having to develop calluses to master specific chords. This C1 stringless guitar from LiberLive appears to be a game-changer, and it looks fantastic too.
