There's one inevitable truth about the world of consumer electronics: A lot of it is just plain odd
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Lepro
LAS VEGAS — For every big screen TV and head-turning AI model that emerged out of CES this year, there was a company trying to find a market for something that was just plain odd — at best. Part of the joy of walking the Consumer Electronics Show's increasingly large floor is stumbling across gadgets that make you stop, stare and, ask "whut??"
Some are prototypes, designed specifically for that reason. Some are the dreams of an entrepreneur who was looking for a new market. They're both glorious and baffling. Here's a look at a half-dozen that raised our eyebrows this year.
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Dreame's giant blow dryer is a C-shaped hairdryer that stands about as tall as a floor lamp. The company says it not only dries hair, but is also designed to care for your follicles, with a red light to revitalize the scalp and a protective mist. But when you're properly coiffed, it can also be used as a floor lamp and mood light. Dreame says it will release this summer. Oh, and it will cost $700. Who's the target audience? No idea! Does it adequately dry hair? Couldn't tell you! (It wasn't plugged in at the show.) Do we care? Not at all. This is the sort of absurdity that makes CES interesting.
AI was ubiquitous at CES, meaning it was lots of places it just shouldn't have been. Glyde's smart hair clipper wasn't the worst offender, but it certainly raised questions. It comes equipped with an AI hair-cutting coach as well as an automatic fade trimming, letting you be your own barber. (Of course, you can be your own barber with a Flowbee, but that doesn't make it a good idea.) Glyde users will also have to wear an incredibly dorky looking face band, so the clippers know where they are on your head.
Curious if your dog hops on the sofa when you're not home or if your cat is planning world domination? The Vex is a small robot that will follow your pet around through the day, capturing videos and attempting to play with them. It will even edit the videos together for you — using AI, of course. The Vex is still in development, though, so it doesn't have a price or release date.
Chef's knives are a valuable tool in the kitchen. And Seattle Ultrasonics' C-200 UltraSonic Chef's Knife, is hoping you'll find its value to be at least $400. The knife sends ultrasonic vibrations into the blade, which are meant to make cutting easier. And admittedly, it does seem to make it easier to slice into items. That could help people with arthritis, but $400 for a knife you not only have to keep sharp, but also have to plug in (oh.. want a wireless charging station? That's another $149) is a lot to ask.
Bone conduction is a unique technology that some headphone manufacturers have been exploiting for a while. By transmitting sound as vibrations through your cheekbones and jaw to your inner ear, bypassing the eardrum, you can enjoy your tunes and still hear the environment around you. The makers of Lollipop Star have blended that with candy. You can enjoy a sucker while listening to one of a half dozen or so songs (from Ice Spice, Armani White or other artists — you won't find Taylor Swift's songs). Each sucker costs $10.
China-based Lepro might have had the oddest/most terrifying item at the show. The company happily displayed a desktop OLED screen that houses an AI "soulmate" for folks. Lepro says the companion is empathetic and connects with users on a deep level. Pretty much everyone else just called it hella creepy.
