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AUSTIN, Texas — Part of the focus of the NEXT conference in Austin this fall is on new technology for the home, so here we’ve highlighted some of the most interesting home-based tech that came out of the CES conference in Las Vegas, held earlier this year. Read on for details on breakthrough (and break-the-bank) products of 2018.
Lenovo Smart Display
Voice-controlled devices that manage home electronics and connect to the Internet are some of the most popular electronics to appear in the last several years. The new Smart Display devices from Lenovo feature a small (8- or 10-inch) screen that embeds artificial intelligence via Google Voice. The displays, which compete with Amazon’s Echo Show, include a vertical, 10-watt speaker on the side of the HD touchscreen display, along with a built-in camera for video calls. The Smart Displays can act as a hub for the home, where they can be used to pull up recipes, set timers, play music or control lighting, thermostats, cameras or other WiFi-based electronics around the house. The displays, which will ship this summer, sell for $200 (8-inch) and $250 (10-inch).
Kohler Verdera Voice Lighted Mirror
Another interesting new IoT device is Kohler’s Verdera, a lighted bathroom mirror with Amazon Alexa embedded. The mirror’s voice control lets you adjust its dimmable LED lighting, and a motion sensor can trigger a nightlight when you enter the bathroom. Like the Amazon Echo or Dot, you can tell Alexa to play the weather, get a traffic report, play music or a podcast on its stereo speakers, or start the coffee maker when you hop out of bed. The 24-by-33-inch Verdera Voice is expected to ship in late May and runs just under $1,000.
ShadeCraft Sunflower
Robots made an appearance at CES, including ones rolled out by LG and Honda. But one of the more interesting takes on robotics was the ShadCraft Sunflower, an outdoor umbrella that tracks the sun’s movement to protect you from UV rays, while using that same solar energy to charge up your phone and other gadgets. The Sunflower also has built-in Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers and a microphone that allows you to control the device with voice commands. An HD camera can be used for snapshots or to keep an eye on the yard. And it’s smart enough to shut itself down in high winds to avoid damage. The device can be pre-ordered through March for just under $8,000. After that, this high-powered parasol will set you back another $700.
Toto Floating Tub
One of the most unusual products on display at CES (and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show) was the high-end Toto Flotation Tub, which employs a series of jets to create the sensation of zero gravity. LED lights along the bottom make the entire tub appear as if it’s floating. In addition to taking a load off, the jets also provide a quiet massage for your back and feet. This tub is not for small apartments; it’s about twice the size of a regular tub. And its space-inspired tech comes at a cost — about $19,000 — and should be available later this year.
Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector
At this year’s CES, Sony introduced its top-of-the-line home laser projector, the LSPX-A1, which displays video in stunning detail and with a price tag that’s not for the faint of heart. The ultra-short-throw projector sits less than 10 inches from the wall where you’re showing a 4K image. The cinema-quality projection can range from 85 to 120 inches. Organic glass tube tweeters and a powerful subwoofer below the projector offer 360-degree sound. The cost? Just $30,000, or about $4,000 more than the most expensive model Sony showed off at last year’s CES.
Discover and discuss more cool new tech for the home at the NEXT conference Sept. 24-26, 2018 in Austin, Texas. For more information and to register now, visit www.pbmnext.com
