This is only my fourth year at CES, and you don’t have to be in Las Vegas to see just how much vaporware is flooding the show floor.
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At this point, it’s pretty much expected that the flashiest, most promising products at the show will either never launch or cease to exist within a few years. When that happens, the focus for companies large and small will shift to: The next big industry buzzword.
But if you put all that skepticism aside and look at CES as if it were QVC’s week-long program, here are three products that make me scream, “Take my money!”
1. Mcon MagSafe Phone Controller
The rise of MagSafe (and magnetic) accessories is nothing short of amazing. Android smartphone manufacturers are adopting similar technology to tap into a rich ecosystem of useful, creative, and useful accessories. King’s CES product is called Mcon, and while it’s not a kickstand or battery pack, it does offer a flick-out controller pad that turns the handset into the ultimate portable gaming device.
I wouldn’t call myself a hardcore gamer, but I’ve recently found comfort in running emulators on my phone to relive childhood memories and kill time, especially on cross-border flights like CES. I feel it. Cell phones have become so powerful that some of the best phones come with some sort of thermal cooling and up to 16 GB of RAM. It almost seems like a waste not to play games with this.
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The Mcon controller is of interest to me because I can simply snap my phone onto the magnetic base pad and flick it open to reveal a nearly complete set of control keys, including a clicky, drift-resistant Hall-effect stick. They will respond. You can connect the accessory to your phone via USB-C or Bluetooth and sync input. King is currently Mcon is on Kickstarterpledgers can pre-order the accessory for $99. The company told Lifehacker that final pricing will range from $99 to $150.
2.Kirin electric salt spoon
Was this too obvious? Kirin’s Electric Salt Spoon generates a gentle electric current to enhance the saltiness of the food you eat with it. You can also adjust the strength of saltiness and umami.
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What about the prey? The handle is the thicker part that houses all the technology that powers the gadget (including the battery). For everything to work properly, you need to place food directly above the current distribution sensor and press the sensor on the back of the spoon. For impatient people, this may make or break the dining experience. Ergonomics may require you to feed like a baby holding a spoon for the first time.
But if the Kirin Spoon works, this innovative device could be of great benefit to people on low-sodium diets and those watching their calorie intake. I would easily consider purchasing one for myself, family, or friends, as long as I accept the learning curve.
3. LG indoor gardening appliances
LG’s new indoor gardening appliance was one of the few announced at CES that didn’t catch everyone’s attention, so we were even more excited when we spotted it on the show floor. You see, I’m having a bit of a problem with houseplants. Almost every room of mine has a potted plant to help purify the air quality, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve concentration. By the way, these are just some of the scientifically supported reasons.
Also: We looked at LG’s StanbyMe 2 TV, and it’s better than its much-talked-about successor in almost every way.
LG indoor gardening equipment acts as a lamp shade with height-adjustable LED grow lights that can be used for a variety of plants such as leafy vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits. LG says the latest model can sustain the production capacity of up to 20 plants and 4 seed kits. Hidden out of sight is a 1.5-gallon water tank to keep the plants hydrated.
According to the live demo I saw, the lamp itself is no larger than a typical side table, so it will fit into most home or office decor. And since it’s a smart appliance, you can pair the device with the LG ThinQ app to set growing schedules, adjust lighting settings, and track plant growth.
