The Most Memorable Flops: Gadgets That Missed the Mark at CES 2023

These are the least repairable, least private, and least sustainable products, according to technology professionals at the most influential tech event in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS: Much of the technology featured at CES, the premier tech event globally, consists of devices designed to enhance consumers’ lives — whether through AI that creates tools for greater efficiency, crafting companions to alleviate loneliness, or offering resources to assist individuals with mental and physical well-being.

However, not all advancements are beneficial, as stated by a panel of self-proclaimed dystopia authorities who evaluated certain products as “Worst in Show.” This is an award no enterprise desires to receive, categorizing the “least repairable, least private, and least sustainable products displayed.”

“We’re witnessing an increasing number of these devices embedded with surveillance technology, allowing for impressive capabilities,” Liz Chamberlain, sustainability director at the e-commerce platform iFixit informed The Associated Press. “But it also signifies that we now have microphones and cameras in our washing machines, refrigerators, presenting a significant issue for the entire industry.”

The fourth annual contest revealed its findings on Thursday.

A new smart ring every few years?

Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, designated the Ultrahuman Rare Luxury Smart Ring as the “least repairable.”

The rings, available in shades like dune and desert sand, retail for $2,200. Wiens commented that the item “appears stylish but conceals a serious issue: its battery endures only 500 charges.” He further remarked that the most concerning aspect is that changing the battery is impossible without entirely demolishing the device. “Luxury items may be transient, but two years of usage for $2,200 is a new low,” he remarked.

Ultrahuman did not promptly reply to a request for feedback.

An AI-powered smart crib?
Bosch’s “Revol” crib utilizes sensors, cameras, and AI technology that the company claims can assist in monitoring vital signs such as an infant’s sleep patterns, heart rate, respiratory rates, and more. The crib can also rock gently if the baby requires assistance in falling asleep and alert parents if an object like a blanket is obstructing breathing.

EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn stated that the crib exploits parents’ anxieties and “gathers excessive information about infants via a camera, microphone, and even a radar sensor.”

A representative from Bosch informed The Associated Press that all data is encrypted end-to-end and stored on Bosch-controlled servers, “with all resting data safeguarded locally using individual data encryption keys.”

Too much waste?

Even though AI is omnipresent at CES, Stacey Higginbotham, a policy Fellow at Consumer Reports, believed that SoundHound AI’s In-Car Commerce Ecosystem, powered by its Automotive AI, takes it to unnecessary extremes.

The feature “boosts energy use, promotes wasteful takeout habits and distracts drivers—all while adding minimal value,” Higginbotham stated. This led the in-car system to be labeled as “least sustainable” on the list.

SoundHound AI’s platform allows drivers and passengers to order takeout for pick-up straight from the vehicle’s infotainment system. The company did not respond to a request for feedback.

Vulnerable to hacking

TP-Link’s Archer BE900 router was recognized for being the “least secure” at CES. The company ranks among the top-selling router brands in the US. However, its products are susceptible to hacking, according to Paul Roberts, founder of The Security Ledger.

“Under Chinese law, TP-Link is required to report security vulnerabilities to the government before notifying the public, posing a considerable national security concern,” he noted.

In an email reply, TP-Link Systems disputed the report. “TP-Link Systems Inc is a US-based company and does not provide any such security reporting to China as mentioned by iFixit,” said the company.

“TP-Link Systems maintains a secure, vertically-integrated, and US-owned international supply chain. Nearly all products sold in the United States are produced in Vietnam.”

Who requested this?
The awards also include a category named “who asked for this?” Leading that list was Samsung’s Bespoke AI Washing Machine, which Nathan Proctor, senior director of US PIRG, a consumer advocacy organization, remarked is filled “with features that no one requires,” including the capability to make phone calls.

“These extra features only increase the appliance’s cost, fragility, and difficulty in repairs,” he stated. Samsung did not respond to a request for feedback.

The worst overall
Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of The Repair Association, described the LG “AI Home Inside 2.0 Refrigerator with ThinkQ” as the worst product overall. The refrigerator includes “flashy features,” according to Gordon-Byrne, such as a display screen and internet connectivity.

“However, these come at a cost,” Gordon-Byrne noted. “Reduced software support, higher energy usage, and costly repairs diminish the fridge’s practical lifespan, leaving consumers with an expensive, wasteful device.”

Christopher De Maria, director of public relations at LG Electronics, disagreed.
“Naturally, like any new development, there will be critics, but we believe that once we launch this product, consumers seeking to enhance their kitchen experience will value its innovative features, ease of use, and performance.”