CES 21 opened ysterday. The Las Vegas based tech show went low key under the circumstances. Nevertheless, many brands debuted some curious devices.
Devices that peaked my curiosity.
LG and TCL Rollable Smartphones
Lenovo AR glasses for conferences
Dycaco Fitness Device
Roboruck Vaccum
Stay Tuned for complete coverage. I am waiting for brand press releases.
CES runs from 11th to the 14th of January.
Steven Jobs became a religious like figure in the world of tech. Credited with changing the way consumers view technology. His imprint on modern culture has been written. Introducing products that changed the way humans interact with each other. With every new gadget release legions of followers waited outside in rain, sleet, snow, or sun to be the first to get their hands on what would become the “must have” device. Apple became the first $1 trillion company in value mainly because of the iPhone. The company set the standard for consumer electronics morphing from a corporation to cultural.
As a person who has covered tech the fear mixed with awe of this brand is like like seeing a lion in the wild. Any type of critique met with bewilderment or a stare of a person who is mentally handicapped. I would say “one day Apple will not be on top”, “Rome fell, so can the house Steve built.” The company was a one trick pony. The iPhone boosted 60% of the brand’s profit, a pretty dangerous act for a multi product corporation without a back up plan. Few bothered to look beyond that simple detail because like all faiths, if you examining too closely the belief does not hold up to scrutiny.
January 2019, 5 days before CES in Las Vegas, the faithful got hit back into reality. The company issued a profit warning, the first since 2002, along with a 10% stock drop. Blaming slowing sales in China, trade wars, hurricanes, snowstorms, and volcanos. A case of pride goes before the fall combined with hubris. The privilege of success comes with a downside. Tim Cook, while no Jobs, is a affable, but facts are facts, Apple has been cruising for a long time. They forgot what made people desire their products. Cook is a corporate head, Jobs was a visionary with many flaws.
Instead of innovating the iPhone, the X series just costs a lot. This shocked me. Even the marketing campaign seemed dated from 2012. Who waits out in the cold for minor upgrade? Judging by the line consisting of 5 people at the store on the first day of sales, not a lot. The Apple watch, need I say more. I considered this wearable waste of resources, an ugly design with the excitement level of buying a new refrigerator. A substandard flawed product for a brand that once made the iPod. When a products best feature is it maybe or could help you prevent a heart attack. A glorified pacemaker. Calling June Allyson! Why not call an over the hill out of work actor to peddle it like Depend Diapers for seniors?
What products are in the pipeline? So far nothing trailblazing. An Apple streaming service to compete with Netflix. Content production is a different culture from producing hardware, just ask Sony. How did to come to this? Has Apple become a normal tech company with overpriced gadgets?
Apple can get its groove back by doing what it does best, being risky, inspiring or maybe making something other than an iPhone.
The Age of Wearable Technology is upon us. REALLY?!
Wearable Technology, also known as wearables and wearable tech, is a mobile, non-stationary computing device fitted for the body providing communication, interaction, and information to the user. The two main categories of wearables are smartwatches and smart clothing. Wearable technology will affect our appearance as well as public interaction. The potential market for wearable technology is massive but questions remain: Is there a real need for wearable technology or is it just the latest tech hype looking for the next Big Thing? Are wearables a form of futurism that may never come? As of 2016 wearable tech feels more like concepts or unfinished blueprints rather than solid products. In order for wearable devices to become successful brands should consider combing the wearer’s needs, desires, social status, and usefulness instead of focusing on technical possibilities or the next killer application compatibility aspects. So far tech and style are still struggling to meet the challenges of personalisation, obtrusive size, wearer needs, and the strange user public interaction.
Reasons for Doubt
Technology is accepted for two reasons, first, they create a new need. Secondly, the performance of the device is overwhelmingly better than others. So far, neither of these criteria’s have been met in the wearable fields. Better, faster, and smaller are the ethics for devices.The continued miniaturization of technology means smart devices, in particular smartwatches, will get smaller but usage issues remains. Who can forget the image of Apple Watch user holding his device to his ear or Google Glasses required the wearer to blink or motion the head for a command a function. In public these interactions look embarrassing. Wearable Technology involving direct connection to the body, biological upgrading with technology of blending physical with digital will connect all. Man and machine interfacing as one. Motion detected clothing reacting to movements and gestures as well as data collection to make the wearer a more efficient person are new possibilities with intelligent fabrics that change colors and patterns are also on the horizon. Big tech companies are aspiring for looks integrating technology with clothing. Results have not been positive. Buyers appear hesitant, a lack of excitement. Their expectations and desires have not been met by what is currently available. Could wearable technology become the next Betamax or Segway? Time, design, style, and consumer taste will tell.
The authors of this article do not suffer from techophobia nor are they anti-wearable, just two people waiting for a compelling reason to buy something wearable.
Stylish. Compact. Powerful. Practical. We tested the new Xtorm Power Banks Essential 12.000 and the Elegant 5.000.
The Essential carries enough energy to fully charge two devices at once. The 3A output means charging is fast, additionally there is USB-C connection. This is perfect for recharging the latest MacBooks.
The Elegant 5.000 is housed in a flat chic Champagne Case. It is the perfect device for charging your phone 2.5 times with the USB/AC outputs. As a recharger accessory the Elegant comes in handy because it fits comfortably in your bag, briefcase or pocket.
The 12.000 and 5.000 are convenient for using away from home either on a holiday or just sitting in a local cafe.
For more information go to: www.xtorm.com