By: Fredwill Hernandez
Excitement and anticipation were in the air for the start of the CES [2019], this year turning 52, which took place Jan. 8 – 11, [2019], where over 180,000 electronic enthusiasts and those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies from over 140 countries came to Las Vegas, and converged [primarily] at the Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center [LVCC], and a few other hotels [such the Wynn, Aria, and the Venetian] for the trade show.
With so “much floor to cover” and “new things to see,” it is really up to each attendee’s personal taste and preference.
Drones who in the past four years have taken off and seen an explosive consumer demand with a sale’s [forecast] expected to reach 3.4 million units (8 percent increase) and just over $1 billion in revenue (4 percent growth) in 2018, according to the Consumer Technology Association [CTA], which owns and produces the CES, were without a doubt one of the main attractions.
One of those companies which plans and has capitalized on those numbers is Yunnec [USA], who introduced and unveiled the unique and [also a] CES 2019 Innovation Award Honoree Mantis Q drone, which has “voice control and facial detection” technology.
According to Yunnec, the drone reacts to [voice] commands such as “Wake up” for powering on, or “Take a picture,” “Record Video,” or “Take a selfie.” Due to its energy-efficient design it can stay in the air for 33 minutes while shooting 4K [Ultra HD] video at 30 fps [“but” without stabilization], HD video with stabilization or 13MP still photos. Priced at $499, the foldable drone which weights 1 lb., includes a [remote] controller, one set of [extra] propellers, a battery, a three-port charger, and [also] a power and USB cable.
As I walked through the show floor, a few other things stood out and caught my attention.
One of those items was the “newly [CES] unveiled” Canon EOS R “full-framed mirrorless” camera with a newly designed RF mount system [for faster and lighter lenses with higher performing optics] which features a “30.3 megapixel” CMOS sensor powered by its DIGIC 8 image processor, allowing it to shoot up to “8 frames” per second. Available now, the body “by its self” is priced at $2,299, or a body-and kit lens kit [with the “new” RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens] for $3,399.
At the Sennheiser booth I ran into the small, cool, and “impressive” Momentum True Wireless earbuds.
The [Sennheiser] MOMENTUM True Wireless Bluetooth earbuds provide an immersive and consistently comfortable listening experience with their 7mm dynamic drivers, two-mic noise cancellation beam technology for high-quality voice pick-up even in noisy conditions and fingertip control of calls, music, and [through their] voice assistant can also activate Google Assistant or Siri — with a convenient single tap on the right earbud. The earbuds are equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 interface to provide hassle-free connection and low latency for perfect audio and video sync, and offer up to 4 hours of listening “per charge” with 2 additional charges via a stylish charging case that extends battery life for up to 12 hours.
According to Sennheiser, MOMENTUM True Wireless earbuds are sweat-and splash-resistant with an “IPX4 rating” which provides protection from sweat, [or in my opinion even light rain] so one can easily wear headphones [for example] while working out, and through their “transparent hearing” listening mode [by tapping the right earpiece twice to activate] also keeping one aware of their surroundings, allowing you to easily listen and chat without having to remove your earbuds, and [also] though their built-in microphone which enables simple hands-free chatting via a compatible device. The earbuds “in-ear design” fits securely and directs [107 dB sensitivity] music into your ears for full uninterrupted audio, and they can [also] be controlled via [Sennheiser’s] Smart Control app, [free] for either iOS or Android which offer a user-adjustable EQ. Available now, the earbuds have a price of $299.
At CES, Sonarworks, who has been in the “forefront of sound monitoring” through their proprietary software [also] unveiled their “true-fi technology” apps for either iOS or Android.
“We are releasing new and very important technology [here] at CES. We are delivering the ultimate sound to listeners via mobile apps, looking at what “ultimate sounds” means, it means we deliver first the studio reference sound which is the same sound use in recording studios globally, and [actually] we at Sonarworks are the leading technology in studios, 30,000 studios globally use “our tech.” [So] we know how studio sound [should be] when music is created, so first we deliver studio sound, it also allows [for a] personalized experience [through our apps] or for the user’s preference,” explained Janis Spogis, Partner, and VP Products, Sonarworks. “The way our [proprietary] technology works is by correcting frequency response, we [for example] measure each headphone model to find out how it sounds, and we can tell and hear how it differs from studio reference sound, and use high-definition filters of 4k to 16k points to bring the sound [frequency response] of headphones back to studio reference, so that way we ensure whenever you listen to your favorite music with [Sonarworks] true-fi on, it’s “as close to” the way it was created.”
As my journey through the show floor continued Lego type [line and block coding] building blocks toys [for kids], one reminiscent of a Honda ATC250R [three-wheeler], built by Tinkamo, caught my attention.
“We are a technology start-up from Shanghai, China and San Francisco, we have designed a product called Tinkamo smart-building blocks, it’s a set of wireless programmable building blocks designed for kids 5+ [up], so kindergarten kids can easily get their hands on coding [making] and problem solving. Our product is totally wireless and Lego compatible, so it’s very easy to use at home or in schools and we have developed our original line coding application which is very intuitive and graphic coding language for kindergarten kids,” eloquently explained Jam Zhang, Founder & Chief Inventor, Tinkamo. “We have successfully funded our Kickstarter last year and we have just shipped by Christmas, and manufactured our products. Right now we are selling on Indiegogo on demand, and we will soon get on Amazon and other channels. The price range starts from [only] $39 dollars for the [small or starter] Motor kit made up of five smart modules, $105 for the Play kit or $210 for the [larger] Tinker kit which is made-up of fifteen smart modules.”