Mac|Life INVESTIGATES
The Consumer Electronics Show proves there’s more to Las Vegas than the Sphere and casinos. Here are some of the highlights
For tech watchers, January means one thing and one thing only: the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and a trip to Las Vegas. Once there, attendees can discover all kinds of weird and wonderful gadgets, spot emerging tech trends and discover what some of the world’s biggest companies plan to waggle under our noses over the year ahead. As usual, Apple was conspicuous by its absence, but that didn’t stop it from being the talk of the show — and not just because it announced the on–sale date of its new Vision Pro (see p4) just as CES delegates were gathering.
Across the booths of CES were all kinds of devices that will either work with your Apple gear, or have been designed to compete with it (like the Rabbit R1, left). Plus there was the usual mix of jaw–dropping TVs, smart home innovations, robots, car stuff, and even personal electric aeroplanes —you’ll find our favorites over the next three pages. So grab a questionable liquid from your new AI–powered juicer and let’s begin…
Rabbit R1
Artificial Intelligence (AI) was one of the bigger draws at CES, with the Rabbit R1 attracting particular attention. Designed to work as a virtual assistant, its big idea is simplicity, being equipped with only a combined scroll wheel/push–to– talk button plus a rotatable camera. Instead of using apps to perform tasks, you simply ask the Rabbit to do them instead. It’s a neat idea that goes way beyond Siri.
LG Signature OLED T
When is a TV not a TV? When it’s see–through, of course! LG’s incredible 77–inch transparent TV was undoubtedly a highlight of the show, wowing everyone who saw it.
Currently only available as a prototype, it nevertheless shows the shape of televisions to come —even if that shape also includes shelves for the touristy knickknacks you picked up on your trip to Las Vegas.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Apple’s own AirPods may be impressive, but there are plenty of takers for the true wireless crown. Witness these $300 versions from Sennheiser, which build on the company’s audio credentials by boasting even better sound quality, longer battery life and Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, a new technology that should make it easier to overcome ambient noise.
LG S95TR
If you’re upgrading your TV, you may be in the market for a soundbar too. And there were plenty of those at CES 2024. LG launched three, including the range– topping S95TR. An updated version of last year’s S95QR, it packs in an incredible 15 speaker drivers —including five up–firing ones —to give it a total surround sound output o
