Curiosities at the CES 2024

The CES in Las Vegas offers a comprehensive programme of important products and innovations. However, there are also smaller products at the annual technology trade fair that have their charm. You can find a collection of them here.

Your quiet place in smart: PureWash E930

The PureWash E930 from Kohler is an upgrade for your toilet. The format is universal. The bidet seat can be operated by voice control and via an app. This is possible thanks to its compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. The functions include a bidet water jet, a warm air dryer and UV cleaning. The good thing about voice control: you don't have to touch anything.

The PureWash E930 also has a remote control, seat heating, adjustable water temperature, adjustable water pressure and various spray modes. Kohler has even thought of a gentle children's mode. Last but not least, of course, there is also LED lighting. So you can find your way to the toilet even at night.

The toilet upgrade costs just over 2,000 US dollars (the equivalent of 1700 francs or euros).

My name is Rabbit R1, I know everything

An AI assistant as a curious retro gadget. The special feature: Rabbit R1 can access your apps to book flights and order pizza. Otherwise, the Rabbit R1 works like ChatGPT: it answers your questions or puts together a programme for your next holiday.

It's not entirely clear why an entire device is needed for this, but the Rabbit R1's software seems to react quite quickly and also has a 360-degree camera built in, just in case.

The smart rabbit can be pre-ordered for just under 200 US dollars (the equivalent of 170 francs or euros). The first batch of 10,000 units has already been sold on sale and will be delivered in the USA in February.

Smart door lock from Philips: your hand as a house key

The fact that our hands are unique is something that Philips is capitalising on with its latest prank. The door lock, originally called "Wi-Fi Palm Recognition Smart Deadbolt", has a built-in scanner that scans the palm of your hand

According to Philips, the scanner can store up to 50 hands. If you prefer to use your PIN or house key from time to time, this is still possible. The door can also be opened with the "Philips Home Access" app.

The Philips scanner lock can also be used as a doorbell. A bell button under the keypad notifies you via the app when someone rings the doorbell. The somewhat different house key costs just under 360 US dollars, the equivalent of 306 francs or euros, and is set to be released in the first half of the year.

The Soundburger: designer piece for your records

Not completely new, but a limited edition of a 40-year-old model, Audio Technica presented its Soundburger 2022 with modern standards. It was sold out after a few days. The manufacturer has now resumed production and sales. It is definitely worth a look.

The wireless record player clamps the disc like a burger patty between two buns. You can play records at 33 ⅓ and 45 revolutions per minute. The internal battery should provide up to twelve hours of playback time. You can connect speakers via a Clinch audio cable or use Bluetooth. The extraordinary gadget is available for 230 francs or euros directly from Audio Technica.

Ballie: new version of Samsung's whizzing robot

Samsung is presenting a new version of the Ballie robot at CES 2024. At CES 2020, it was still more of a concept than suitable for everyday use. Now the rolling speedster can actually do a few things. Almost like R2D2 with holograms, Ballie projects content onto various surfaces, albeit in 2D.

The bowling ball-sized robot is controlled via voice commands and text messages. As it can communicate with smart devices, Ballie can also be used to operate light switches and the like. If your TV does not have a smart function, the robot operates it via a built-in infrared transmitter. Last but not least, Ballie can remind you of things. For example, when appointments are due or the washing is ready to be hung up.

It's not yet clear whether Ballie will make it to series production. I like the look of him.

Sound Drive: becoming a car DJ with will.i.am

Singer and songwriter will.i.am is taking disco in the car to the extreme with his newly launched company Sound Drive.

MBUX Sound Drive is designed to generate a soundscape in the car that is customised to what you are doing and the environment you are in. The system creates new playlists for each journey, which are also remixed depending on the situation.

That sounds very abstract at first. But it is possible based on the data exchange in modern cars. Everything is recorded, from the throttle of your car to the turning manoeuvre and brake pressure. This data is linked to the Sound Drive system. Instead of the two turntables and microphone used by DJs, the tools here are the two foot pedals and the steering wheel.

The song adapts to the speed of the car, for example, but does not reward excessively high speeds. will.i.am's vision of the future with Sound Drive certainly sounds creative. The concept is to be expanded, for example, with the option of geotagging samples. If you have been to a certain location, you can create a song route based on the tags. This way, you'll remember what music you listened to in that place and, at best, associate the sound with great memories.

Sound Drive will also be used as an open music platform. Musicians can generate their own musical landscapes and tracks for various driving functions.

In the summer, the function will be available as an app in Merzede's EQ models and in models from the AMG subsidiary - including ten compatible tracks. Other manufacturers will be added later. The songs demonstrated include "Scream & Shout" by will.i.am and Britney Spears and Doja Cat's "Woman".

GL.iNet: Is this still a router or already art?

Wi-fi routers are rarely the eye-catcher of a home. The company GL.iNet wants to change that. The Marble Wi-Fi 6 OpenWrt router looks like a small framed work of art. You can set it up or mount it on a wall and display your favourite work of art on the screen. The router achieves Wi-Fi speeds of up to 3000 megabits per second and has three Ethernet ports.

If you would like to be notified when you can order the router, sign up on the GL.iNet page. It is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of this year.

Practical: Physical keyboard for the iPhone

I like to use my mechanical keyboard on my PC every day. I also prefer typing on real keys on my tablet. I sometimes miss that on my smartphone. However, the situation for new smartphones with keyboards doesn't exactly look rosy. The startup Clicks Technology has now come to the rescue. Their keyboard can be clipped onto your iPhone like a case. This means you still have the full display in view, but can type mechanically. However, the smartphone becomes quite long with the Clicks Creator keyboard.

The keyboard is compatible with iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. The shortcuts function is practical. Command + H, for example, takes you to the home screen and the space bar can be used for scrolling the web. And there is a button for voice messages.

The keyboard will be available for the iPhone 14 Pro in yellow and grey from 1 February. You will need a little more patience for the 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max.