Here's a roundup of highlights from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas:
Razer rolls out VR headset and Android box
Gaming accessories company Razer is preparing a new suite of peripherals for 2015, led by a Virtual Reality headset, an Android microconsole, and platform agnostic software that permits streaming from a PC to any Android-powered set-top box.
With the OSVR headset and Cortex: Stream app, Razer is associating itself with principles of open development.
The headset might not be as powerful as the Samsung and Oculus equivalents, but instead it boasts compatibility with a wide variety of programs and controllers, positioning itself as a developer and hobbyist alternative.
With a proposed release date of June 2015, specs for the headset will be made available for free allowing enthusiasts to source or fabricate their own parts, while the finished retail kit has a budget-friendly price tag of $199, equal to that of the Samsung Gear VR.
Similarly, Razer's new Android-powered box, the Forge TV, comes in at $99 and enters a niche well populated by the Kindle Fire TV, Nexus Player, and Snail Games' CES 2015 showing named OBox.
But it makes use of the company's previous experience by way of an associated Xbox-style games controller, the Serval ($79, or $149 with the Forge), and a new app called the Razer Cortex: Stream.
The app comes bundled with the Forge, the Serval, or a brand new wireless keyboard and magnetic mouse combo called the Razer Turret, or as a standalone for $39.
It lets users stream games from a more powerful PC to the Forge -- or any other Android microconsole -- and onto their TV screens.
That allows it to combine elements from Steam's In-Home Streaming, which requires a second computer to display images from the first, and Nvidia's Shield handheld and Gamestream tech, which depends on the use of an Nvidia graphics card in the host machine.
Epson America unveils golf swing analyzer at CES
Marking its debut in the sports wearables market, Epson America announced Monday at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas its M-Tracer MT200GII Golf Swing Analyzer, a gadget that's not worn by you but by your clubs.
Designed to improve the game of players at all skill levels and regardless of age, the company promises highly accurate and detailed swing data for unprecedented insight that they say will be easy to interpret.
Containing high-resolution sensors, the M-Tracer categorizes all aspects of the swing, breaking it down to the minute details, according to Randy Bergstedt, the manager of Epson America's new line called Epson Active.
The accompanying app renders the swing in 3D, allowing the user to view it from all angles by rotating it on the screen of their smartphone, and it offers the opportunity to compare your swing to that of a professional.
The gadget, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, captures its data from the golf club grip to which it attaches and sends it to a corresponding app in real time at the rate of 1,000 frames per second.
"Golf is a highly technical sport where the smallest details and adjustments can make all the difference in getting the best out of your game," says David Leadbetter, world-renowned instructor and Golf Digest Teaching Professional. "The Epson M-Tracer provides real-time feedback and immediate solutions that help golfers develop a more efficient and powerful swing. This information empowers golfers to improve their swing in an easy and intuitive manner, ultimately resulting in lower scores and more fun."
The M-Tracer will be available in March with a MSRP of $299.
Sony aims for audiophiles with new aluminum Walkman
As part of its 2015 International CES press event, Sony has taken the wraps off a new flagship portable music player that could be the perfect device for those that put as high a premium on design as on the quality of their audio playback.
Milled from solid aluminum alloy and packed with gold-plated copper wiring and circuitry to cut electrical impedance and boost sound quality, the Walkman NW-ZX2 supports all of the major 24-bit audio formats including FLAC and Apple Lossless for offering better than CD-quality playback. And there's 128GB of disk space on board so there's plenty of room for storing high-resolution music files, plus a MicroSD slot for adding up to 128GB more. So, that's enough space for up to 1700 tracks in 24-bit format (roughly 150mb each).
However, the internal disk plus the beefiness of the internal components mean that the Walkman -- which also runs Android and has a touchscreen interface -- weighs in at 235g and is 131.2mm tall, 65.1mm wide and 18mm thick. So, it's not the sort of device that can be slid simply into a trouser pocket before heading out and about.
However, once a safe place to store the device has been found -- either on your person or in a bag, the device's battery is good for 33 hours of high-resolution 24-bit music playback.
As well as lossless formats, the Walkman will also support standard MP3 formats and ripped CDs which is good seeing as most music lovers, no matter how dedicated, will have a collection made up of a host of different physical and digital file formats. And, thanks to the S-Master digital internal amplifier plus a new type of processing, the Walkman should be able to boost the quality and reduce the compressed sound of some of these files, too.
Other features that show Sony has really thought about potential owners and their needs, is support for something called the LDAC codec. What it means is that the Walkman can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to headphones, speakers or a full hi-fi system without a drop in music quality. The LDAC codec make transferring data wirelessly three times more efficient.
It's also why as well as a headphone jack, the device supports USB audio output for connecting to headphone amplifiers and DAC amps for wired use at home and can connect via wi-fi for listening to tracks via music streaming services, a number of which are starting to offer tracks in hi-resolution audio.
Sony has not confirmed how much the NW-ZX2 will cost but has confirmed that it will be launching this spring, initially in Europe.
Microsoft launches two Nokia phones for under $30
Far from the media frenzy at CES in Las Vegas, Microsoft has presented the Nokia 215 and 215 Dual-SIM, two very affordable 2G phones intended primarily for emerging markets.
Since they are only able to connect to the internet at low 2G speeds, the two devices come pre-installed with a range of adapted programs, including the Opera Mini browser and the Bing search engine, as well as Facebook, Messenger and Twitter.
In terms of technical specs, the Nokia 215 comes with a 2.5-inch screen (320x240 pixels), a 0.3MP camera, 8MB of RAM and a micro SD card slot. The phone also has an FM tuner and can even be used with a Bluetooth headset for wireless listening anywhere.
The Nokia 215 has a battery life of around 29 days in standby mode (21 days for the Dual-SIM version), 50 hours of audio play or 20 hours of calling.
The Nokia 215 and 215 Dual-SIM will be available in certain markets in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa starting in Q1 2015 for the equivalent of $29 plus tax. This makes the new phones the most affordable in the Redmond-based company's line-up. Interestingly, Microsoft chose to maintain the Nokia brand name with these entry-level devices.
Meanwhile, its Windows Phone terminals have shed the Nokia label and are now sold under the Microsoft Lumia banner.
Swarovski puts its first wearables on display
Crystal accessories brand Swarovski has teamed up with Misfit for its first step into the world of wearable technology.
Unlike the sportier styles currently on the market, Swarovski has taken a typically sparkling approach with the new Swarovski Shine collection.
It's all built around an Activity Tracking Crystal created with Misfit which counts steps, tracks sleep, measures calories burned and distance covered, and syncs via a Swarovski smartphone app.
The tracking crystal (sold for $149) fits into a series of nine different accessories, from bracelets to watchbands and pendants, with the different prices starting at $69 for a crystal wrap bracelet, and going up to $249 for the crystal as well as the pendant and sportband.
"We were able to bring our strong jewelry styling point of view, developing versatile pieces which can work with this very practical device to really address modern and multifaceted women,” said Creative Director Nathalie Colin.
The range is set to be fully unveiled this week at CES in Las Vegas, and will go on pre-sale Tuesday via misfit.com. It will then hit more retailers in the spring. Later in the year, Swarovski will unveil a further innovation with a vibrant violet version containing a solar cell meaning that the tracker will not require any charging or battery changes.
New-generation thermometers for children track temperatures
Why take regular readings when you can wear a device that allows you to observe the pattern of your or a loved one's body temperature? That's the question that three new products introduced at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas are asking.
TempTraq is a soft, adhesive patch thermometer that monitors body temperature for up to 24 hours and provides the data on a corresponding app, eliminating the need for parents to disturb a child who is sleeping or cranky.
The single-use patch is said to be durable and claims to provide highly accurate readings of temperatures between 86 degrees F and 108.3 degrees F, which converts to 30 degrees C and 42.3 degrees C.
TempTraq is currently pending FDA pre-market review and is not available for sale; to receive notifications pertaining to its availability check here.
VivaLnk also unveiled a flexible adhesive patch in the form of a friendly teddy bear cartoon that works similarly, providing parents with Garmin’s new fitness band ups the style quotient
The eSkin thermometer, a battery-less product, is said to be able to communicate the child's temperature in less than three seconds and to incorporate a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip from NXP Semiconductors for highly accurate readings.
According to the company, a limited number of samples will be available for interested partners this month; see this website for more information.
China-based Linktop Technology introduced the BonBonBear to the CES crowd, a Graphene-based cloud thermometer that it claims is a world first.
Like the others, it's designed for kids, although the Graphene approach adds a new twist, for the highly conductive material transmits temperature information to the corresponding app.
Priced at $59, the BonBonBear is currently available in a limited release.
Garmin’s new fitness band ups the style quotient
On Monday Garmin announced a new version of its vivofit wearable tracker that aggressively combats inactivity by means of alerts that continue their nagging until you get up and walk. The vivofit 2 will be compatible with a series of chic interchangeable band choices including some by renowned potter and designer Jonathan Adler.
When the tracker's red inactivity meter reaches a certain point, alerts will sound, prompting you to get moving and maybe prompting loved ones who wish you were more active to chime in too.
Not even turning out the lights will suffice to keep you in the dark about that lazy Sunday you want to deny forever because the display now has a backlight, unlike that of its predecessor, the vivofit.
The tracker, which features one-year battery life, measures steps taken, calories burned, hours slept and sleep quality, and the LCD screen remains on.
Users can sync their MyFitnessPal accounts to the Garmin Connect app and take part in challenges that provide the opportunity to earn badges that measure how far you've come in your fitness.
Meanwhile to further encourage you to wear it all the time, a bevy of band options featuring Adler's signature patterns will be available and interchangeable with the original vivofit as well as the vivofit 2, with the goal of making the gadget too appealing to discard. Other strap options in different finishes and colors are available in the brand's Signature Series range.
The device will be available this quarter on its own or bundled with the accessory bands, with suggested retail prices starting at $129.99.
The Jonathan Adler bands are also sold separately in three-pack bundles for $39.99, while three-pack bundles of the Signature Series bands retail for $24.99.data on a corresponding app.
Panasonic teases 4K Blu-ray player
Although only a prototype, the new player could soon solve the problem of finding and watching native content on ultra-high definition television sets.
Panasonic claims that the new technology is a true breakthrough in that it represents the world's first capable of supporting playback at 3,840 x 2,160 pixels and at 60 frames a second and as such is a major step towards simplifying how consumers watch 4K Ultra HD content in their homes.
However, there is a catch. The player might already work but it's built on principles and standards that are yet to be officially confirmed. The development of the technology behind each generation of the Blu-ray Disc is overseen by the Blu-ray Disc Association and it is yet to finalize the standards that the next iteration of the disc will adhere to.
But Panasonic isn't some eccentric tech maverick, rather it is a founding member of the association and like Sony has been one of the driving forces behind the format's continued development over the past 13 years.
The sooner the standards can be agreed upon, the better because even two years after ultra-high-definition televisions came to market, finding native content -- either via legal downloads or streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video or DirectTV -- is still a challenge, especially for consumers with less than top-notch internet broadband connecting their homes.
According to data published by the Consumer Electronics Association -- the organization that hosts the International CES, the market for 4K Ultra-high definition TVs and computer displays is poised to grow by over 200% over the coming year.
One third of US consumers are expected to snap up a TV or computer monitor that supports the technology over the next three years, and in 2015 alone, four million UHDTVs or displays will ship.
"4K UHD is our future, and the future is now," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "Consumers recognize that 4K Ultra HD is the next step forward in a long line of outstanding high-definition televisions and displays."
