Out There Tech

Feb. 1, 2015

If the Consumer Electronics Show proves anything each year, it’s that human innovation seems to have no limits. A dazzling array of gear, gadgets and new technologies share space at the show, offering everything from music players to cameras, smartphone gear to wearables, many with features you’ve never seen – or even thought of – before. Here’s some of the most interesting, yet affordable, brand-new tech out there right now.

OCULUS CRESCENT BAY

The latest iteration of the Oculus Rift was perhaps the most talked about item at the Show. Virtual reality has finally emerged in the present and is no longer just a future possibility. Much of the virtual reality displayed at the Show was close to release, but the standout remains the Oculus. While the goggles are a bit bulky, what they do is positively amazing. With the video running, you’re immersed in the visual environment to such a degree that you find yourself physically dodging, or trying to step around, things that aren’t there in real life – hence, they demo the Oculus in a padded room. Enhanced by surround sound, it’s an incredible virtual experience for immersive moviegoing, armchair traveling and, most of all, video gaming. INFO: www.oculus.com. SUGGESTED RE- TAIL PRICE: current Rift is $350. The Crescent Bay is not yet priced.

SENGLED SMART BULBS

What’s so innovative about a light bulb? If you’ve seen Philips’ LED Hue series, then you already know. Their bulbs glow in a wide range of colors and can be programmed to automatically interact with different parts of your house and activities like waking and watching TV. Now, Sengled is positioning themselves as a Philips competitor with their own series of bulbs. The Sengled Pulse bulbs are probably the coolest. Each smart bulb has a JBL stereo wireless speaker inside so that you can stream music and control your LED lighting at the same time. The Sengled Boost is a WiFi booster light bulb that increases the signal range of your home network and the Sengled Snap functions as a high-res camera, microphone and speaker, acting as a subtle home monitoring video system that can be viewed from afar on a phone or tablet. INFO: www.sengled.com. SUGGESTED RE- TAIL PRICE: Boost $60, Pulse $80-$170, Snap price to be announced.

JINS MEME GLASSES

These look pretty much like regular glasses – and that’s the point. Jins Meme glasses from the Japanese eyewear manufacturer are meant to work beneath the surface via three sensors installed in the frame that connect with the face as you’re wearing them. Blending electrooculography (the measurement of eye movement and blinking), an accelerometer and a gyroscope, the data gathered by the sensors is sent to your smartphone to give you information about eye fatigue, your posture, mental tiredness and even the speed at which you’re walking. This information could prove invaluable to your exercise program, concentration at work or night driving awareness. INFO: www.jins-jp.com. SUGGESTED RE- TAIL PRICE: not yet announced, but rumored around $600.

ION SNAPCAM

Many of us are used to having a camera available at all times via our smartphones, but beating even those carryables with sheer convenience is the new SnapCam, which measures a miniscule 1.5 inches square and weighs about an ounce. With a single tap, the SnapCam captures an 8-megapixel photo; two taps, and it’ll start recording 720-pixel HD video. Still want more? Three taps instructs the SnapCam to start live-streaming video using built-in Bluetooth or WiFi. You get to choose from three colors too: black, white or gunmetal. You’ll never miss a photo op again. INFO: usa.ioncamera.com. SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $150

THE MELOMIND

The Melomind may seem similar to the Jins Meme glasses, but the difference is that one is collective and the other is reactive. This helmet-styled wearable from myBrain also utilizes electrodes, which measure your brain waves, and the data also connects to your smartphone. But, the Melomind aims to adjust your mood in real-time by sending brainwave-compatible music in response to the data, so, if you’re stressed, you can mellow out. The calmer you become, the more the music decreases in tempo and energy. MyBrain says that the Melomind can help you learn how to de-stress, over time, similar to meditation. The accompanying visual charts log your progress. It’s like a big mood ring for your brain. INFO: www.melomind.com. SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $299

TRACKR BRAVO

If you tend to lose certain items, big or small, the new TrackR Bravo is a gadget for you. The smart little waterproof tracking device is the size of a quarter and can be attached to just about anything from your keys or wallet to your computer or even a dog’s collar via a key ring, string or adhesive tab. It’s only 3.5mm thick with a solid anodized aluminum exterior, so it can take a lot of wear and tear. When paired with its iOS or Android app, the TrackR really shows its stuff; you can choose from an item ringer, distance indicator or separation alert, which will warn you before you leave something behind. If the situation really gets desperate, it’s got crowd GPS to crowdsource the finding of your item.

INFO: www.thetrackr.com. SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $29 for 1 or $58 for 3