Good morning, CES attendees!
Straighten those badges, spritz that perfume, and grab a light jacket. It’s expected to be a cool 57ºF (14ºC) outside, and inside we’ve got two full days left for tech-assisted meditation, massage, and surveillance.
Yesterday, Quibi, the short-form video startup from Meg Whitman and Jeffrey Katzenberg, finally revealed its proprietary technology: Turnstyle. During its keynote speech, the company demoed the feature, which it hopes will provide mobile users with an easy transition between portrait and landscape views.
Quibi emphasized partnerships with Google, Pepsi, and T-Mobile, whose 5G network could (eventually) help it deliver the data-heavy, dual-viewing experience. Simultaneously, Katzenberg teased clips from shows it plans release at launch in April. We like the look of Barkitecture, a show about dog house design.
Whether or not Quibi’s mobile emphasis sets it apart—is the ability to fast forward/rewind vertically that enticing?—there’s a lot of big business hoping this succeeds. And the company’s dedication to A-list celebrities and content could help it carve out a home in the crowded media landscape. Indeed, Quibi’s embrace of advertisers and its experimentation with new moviemaking formats may give it the early adopters a startup craves. We’ll have to wait and watch.
Since CES’s cars and robots get lots of attention, today we’re diving into parts of the floor where the crowds are decidedly lighter.
Babies, kids, and attempts to create them
Battle of the bassinets. Anyone with a crying baby and disposable income is likely to throw it at 4moms, the robotics company for high-end baby gear. They’re at CES with a new sleep bassinet that features all the classic movements from their popular Mamaroo bouncer in a mesh bassinet compliant with American Academy of Pediatrics standards for infant sleep.
The most adorable thing we’ve seen so far stems from a collaboration between Kakao Friends (South Korea) and Nendo design studio (Japan). They’re slated to release seven cute, smart-home products this year—from lamps to humidifiers—with creative, playful designs that fit right into a kid’s space.
It’s surprising we haven’t seen more fertility-focused devices on the floor, considering all the vitals-tracking tech. Daysy’s algorithm may be from the ‘80s, but its tracker isn’t; the device measures your basal body temperature and history to help track ovulation, sending data via Bluetooth to its app.
Body boosters
HeartHero gives the shock of a lifetime (pending FDA approval). The portable automated external defibrillator possesses 170 shocks, and it strives to prevent deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest. The Denver-based company plans to launch the device in Europe in August.
The Smart Belt Pro, from Korea’s WELT (Wellness Belt), now detects posture and gait imbalances. But it does that best for people with a normal stride as their baseline, not those who may need fall prevention the most. Like the previous model, it also tracks your waistline.
The best part is it’s a hat. HairMax says its $2,000 laser-shooting baseball cap will regrow your hair. “I wouldn’t stare at [the inside] though,” said the company rep.
Advances in pleasure
Sex-tech makes a CES comeback this year and is sprinkled throughout the health and wellness area of the Sands Expo’s second level. We went in search of the latest developments in intimacy technology.
Lora DiCarlo says it has pre-sold 10,000 units of Osé, the device at the center of last year’s controversy, netting the company almost $3 million. This year, the company is showing off two new prototypes.
Vibrating rings for couples are notoriously clunky. Trust us on this one. OhMiBod set out to solve that with a softer solution, shipping this spring, designed to fit between a variety of body shapes. Like the OhMiBod’s iPod-connected original, the blueMotion Nex 3 pulses to music.
Can we write “strapless strap-on?” When it comes to female anatomy, once size does not fit all. XR Brands is using inflatable technology to custom-fit its Strap U Ergo-fit for its users. Available in pink.
Quartz membership
Arun Paul used to work in resorts. But when he realized his Indian American parents wouldn’t enjoy most senior communities, he founded Priya Living, offering senior housing for immigrant populations. It’s a new model for senior living that’s likely to become more common. Read more about it in our latest field guide.
Traffic tip
Slow, ice ahead. If you’re headed out on the roads early this evening, might give yourself extra travel time. You’ll be joined by hockey fans catching a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile arena. Puck drops at 7 pm.
Seen and heard
“I really should have packed my camping stool.”—said sadly in a long line for morning coffee
“We’ve had a lot of conversations with Costco because that’s an easy way to blitz the world with machines.”—rep at the food tech event last night
“Cheaper than a boyfriend!”—woman visiting the Lora DiCarlo booth after a rep said one of the sex toys was $290
“Bro, you can’t flatten the attendees.”—security guard to his overzealous buddy
News from around the world
Tesla’s market value became greater than GM and Ford’s combined. A jump in Tesla’s stock on Wednesday took its valuation to $89 billion, above GM’s $50 billion and Ford’s $37 billion, even if Tesla ships a fraction of the millions of cars sold by the auto giants. Tesla is buoyed by a surprisingly good third-quarter and rapid progress on its new Shanghai plant.
China said it will send a representative to sign an initial trade deal with the US. China’s vice premier and chief negotiator Liu He travels to Washington next week for a signing ceremony with US president Donald Trump. The first phase of the trade deal involves the reduction of tariffs and an increase of Chinese purchases of US products, but it avoids key issues of the trade spat.
Japan hit back at Carlos Ghosn’s remarks. After the former Nissan-Renault chief condemned the Japanese legal system as “brutal” in his first public remarks since his daring escape from Tokyo, Japan’s justice minister launched a counterattack and said Ghosn’s decision to flee was “unforgivable.”
Matters of debate
The UK’s first black royal has walked away from it all. Meghan Markle struggled with the media scrutiny for years.
Hollywood is rotting. The industry can’t seem to quit franchises that have run their course.
Awards are meaningless. We’re happier and more productive when we give rankings less weight.
Surprising discoveries
Athletes’ beds during the Tokyo Olympics will be made of cardboard. Sturdy Olympians should not fear: the beds can take up to 200 kgs (440 lbs).
Justin Bieber revealed that he has Lyme disease. He hit back at people who said he looks as if he’s on meth.
Air filters in classrooms helped raise test scores. An economist found that improving air quality in schools boosted student performance.
Our best wishes for great day in Las Vegas. Please send any news, conference hacks, adorable lamps, and laser-powered hats to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android, and becoming a member.