CES 2022: What’s Happening in Las Vegas That Doesn’t Stay in Las Vegas

TCL Smart TVs

TCL launched new smart TVs with updated technology and features at the show today. TCL launched the first dynamic video motion ecosystem along with new Roku smart TV, mini-LED powered TVs, the XL Collection (big screens) and the newest Smart TV with Google TV built-in.

Hisense

Hisense announced new smart TVs for 2022. The U9H Series has the best of everything TCL has to offer in a TV. It’s the company’s new premium mini-LED smart TV lineup with stunning HDR performance with a bright picture, vivid colors, and excellent contrast. The U8H Series is TCL’s best all-around Smart TV. It comes with a Mini LED upgrade paired with Hisense’s ULED technology and Quantum Dot, the U8H delivers vibrant colors, impressive contrast, and its trademark bright picture for a fantastic HDR experience.

Lastly, the company announced new smart TVs for gamers, Google TV and Laser TVs. They also have TVs for the price conscious buyers who want all the latest features at an attractive price. Here is a breakdown on the availability for all the smart TVs and products Hisense announced today:

• U9H is available Late-Summer 2022 for $3,199.99 (75”) MSRP.
• U8H is available Mid-Summer 2022 starting at $1,099 MSRP and available in 55”, 65”, and 75” screen sizes.
• U7H is available Mid-Summer 2022 starting at $799.99 MSRP and available in 55”, 65”, 75”, and 85” screen sizes.
• U6H is available Summer 2022 starting at $579.99 MSRP and available in 55”, 65”, and 75” screen sizes.
• A7H is available Spring 2022 for $1,699.99 MSRP in an 85” screen size.
• A6H is available Spring 2022 starting at $299.99 MSRP and available in 43”, 50”, 55”, 65” and 70” screen sizes.
• A4H is available in Spring 2022 starting at $199.99 MSRP and available in 32”, 40”, and 43” screen sizes.
• PX1-Pro TriChroma Laser Cinema is available now for $3999 MSRP.
• The L5G 4K Smart Laser TV is available now for $4,499 (100”) and $4,999 (120”) MSRP.
• U5120G is available in fall 2022.
• U5120GW+ is available in spring 2022

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Ottonomy - Autonomous Delivery Robots Working Inside and Out

When we think of autonomous vehicles, we just assume they will be roaming around in the streets. But what about when they are moving around inside? How would that work and why would we want robots running around inside? Because it would help make our lives easier and business more profitable. Today, we learned about Ottonomy, a US startup providing contactless deliveries using fully autonomous robots.

Ottonomy’s system is different from all the other autonomous delivery vehicles. They don’t use cameras with a live feed to deliver your packages or dinner. Their navigation is done using 3D mapping with Lidar and then localize it to provide a safe delivery to you, whether it be in a store or the last mile (i.e. curbside). They currently are in the Cincinnati airport and will be coming to a neighborhood near you in 2022.

Today the company announced a new partnership with Presto Partners, a leading provider of restaurant labor productivity technologies. Presto customers will be able to get curbside or parking lot deliveries from Ottonomy vehicles.

Homey – New Smart Home Ecosystem coming to US Market

How would you like to take all your smart devices, no matter what wireless protocol it works on and have them work in tandem from one app? One company we met with today, Homey, can make this happen. They have two new affordable smart home products coming to the US. Homey App and Homey Bridge. The Homey Bridge is a hub that connects with your devices in the cloud. The Homey app which is free from App Store or Google Play works with the hub or as a standalone app to customize and automate your entire smart home experience based on personal habits and preferences. It can also connect seamlessly with devices on any of the major wireless protocols: Zigbee,Z-Wave Plus, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 433MHz and Infrared.

The Homey Bridge is available for purchase on the Homey website, Amazon, Best Buy and other big-box retailers.

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John Deere – Robots on the Farm

I know it’s surprising writing about a farm equipment company who presented at CES but it was a great show. When you think about autonomous driving, farms don’t come to mind. You think of the open road and state regulations. John Deere has figured out a way to use autonomous vehicles on the farm to provide three benefits to farmers: timeless, efficiency and quality of life. Their new robot vehicles can help farmers spend more time on the things they like to do and less on the chores they don’t want to do, like sitting on a tractor for 12 hours in the field. Now the tracker can do all the planting with better precision than a farmer 24 hours a day. Their technology can help a farmer do this faster and provide accurate geospatial data insights for nearly 20 years. The autonomous tractor comes with over 300 sensors and 140 controllers and can process 15,000 measurements per second per machine. What does this translate too? A farmer will be able to plant 700 corn seeds and 2,800 soybean seeds every second. And process five to 15 million sensor measurements every second.

In the end, John Deere’s autonomous tractor will help farmers keep up with the increasing global food demand while also being able to spend time with the family. Nice move John Deere.

LG Nova

LG announced the next phase of its incubation program, LG Electronics North American Innovation Center, LG NOVA. The program focuses on Connected Health, Energizing Mobility, Smart Lifestyle, the Metaverse and Innovation for Impact. The company is allocating more than $1 million in initial funding to selected winning companies from LG NOVA Proto Challenge. The Proto Challenge was a preliminary competition set-up as a precursor to LG NOVA’s large-scale global challenge competition, Mission for the Future. The companies receiving funding in this round are slated to advance forward in the Mission for the Future challenge program launching in January with additional selected companies from the application process that closed on Oct. 27, 2021.

Home Connectivity Alliance - New Association for Interoperability

Home Connectivity Alliance is a new forum created by leading appliance manufacturers to help provide buyers with more choices for their new connected home. Member companies included Samsung, Haier, GE Appliances, American Standard Heather and Air Conditioning, Arcelik, The Electrolux Group and Trane Residential. The goal for the new organization is to help solve interoperability and support the compatibility of devices across brands, specifically for smart appliances, HVAC systems and televisions. Anxious to see how this organization works with the existing associations, like Z-Wave Alliances and Matter.

New Ring Glass Break Sensor

Ring announced the Ring Alarm Glass Break Sensor, the first sensor of its kind from Ring. Ring Alarm Glass Break Sensor enables households and businesses with Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro to monitor glass windows or doors for break in attempts. The Ring Alarm Glass Break Sensor leverages AI technology to accurately detect valid glass break events like windows being smashed or cracked and dismiss false alarms like jingling keys or clattering dishes. It is available for Pre-Order today, January 5 and will be available for purchase on February 16 for $39.99.

MoonBikes Unveils the World’s First Electric Snowbike

MoonBike unveiled the world’s first electric snowbike at the Consumer Electronics Show 2022. This is the world's first ever electric snowbike. MoonBikes brings an unparalleled response to the challenges of modern mobility, creating a veritable revolution in the snow mobility market. Eco-friendly, perfectly silent and easy-to-ride, this unique mobility solution intends to change the face of winter seasons for years to come. The MoonBikes' snowbike is only two-thirds the size of the average snowmobile. It gives its users the freedom of an e-bike, with the power of a motorcycle. Moonbikes are also eco-friendly, perfectly silent and easy-to-ride. They are unique and plan to change the face of winter seasons for years to come.

Roborock Launches New S7 MaxV Ultra Robot Vacuum

Last year we saw robot vacuums come to market that could either mop your floors or vacuum. And some could even empty their dirt collection on their own. But you had to intervene when you wanted your robot vacuum to either mop or vacuum the floor. No longer needed with the new Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra robot vacuum. This new robot vacuum features a multipurpose dock that empties, washes and refills itself. Roborock also unveiled a mid-range product line to make self-emptying a staple in robotic cleaning no matter the type of robot vacuum. All good features added to important smart devices for today's smart home.

GE Lighting Expanding Outside of Smart Lighting

GE Lighting unveiled new smart devices for their new brand, Cync. These new devices include a smart thermostat, smart temperature sensor, new outdoor smart security camera and of course, more new smart lighting options. The company mentioned they will be adding a lot of new smart devices in 2022 under the Cync brand. We also discussed their commitment to Matter, the new wireless protocol. The Matter protocol will allow Cync to have all their smart home devices work together with other smart device manufacturer's products regardless of the wireless platform. It will enable Cync customers's products work securely, reliably and seamlessly with other Matter connected devices and ecosystems tomorrow. We like how they are going down a path to make things easier for new and existing customers.

Victrola – Introducing New Innovative Portable Record Players and Retro-looking Bluetooth Speakers  

An interesting new smart device among music lovers is the portable record player. These new music boxes can also function as Bluetooth speakers. Victrola has been one of the leading manufacturers of turntables in the home for over 100 years. At CES this year, the company unveiled a few new devices. The first one we saw was Re-Spin, a brand-new all-in-one record player with an array of unique technologies and unique color finishes that champions design, superior sound quality, and sustainability. Re-Spin’s retro-style aesthetic and upgraded internal speaker reimagine the suitcase record player marketplace. Much like a great album, the story behind embodies Victrola’s commitment to be more eco-friendly and the company’s mission to create lifelong music memories for everyone.

What makes Victrola’s portable record player so unique when compared to others? Victrola’s new anti-vibration speaker enclosure technology. First introduced in two CES 2022 Innovation Award Honoree products, Victrola’s dual-speaker enclosure enables delivery of enhanced sound performance while eliminating vibrations for a skip-free, bass delivering, vinyl listening experience unrivaled by previous generations of suitcase record players. With its elevated sound quality and push towards sustainable design, the Re-Spin is a retro-inspired record player of the future.

Another new device was Victrola Premiere V1 Turntable Music System. This is the first of its kind to incorporate a premium turntable, powerful internal stereo speakers, and a wireless subwoofer. It's also a CES Innovation Award Honoree.

The V1 Music System meets listeners' needs for a stereo quality audio system within an all-in-one, high-performance turntable with internal stereo speakers. A signature illuminated dial enables simplistic selection of inputs for easy user interaction. Users can crank up the volume on the illuminated knob to experience rich bass and clear highs on their favorite songs with no disturbances or needle skips—thanks to the patent pending anti-vibration technology and the included S1 wireless subwoofer creating an impactful, visceral audio experience. As a complete system, V1 is compact and easy to set up in the comfort of your home, requiring only a single button to pair and begin creating music memories in your home.

Re-Spin will be available in Q3 2022 for $99.99 in blue, green, gray, and red at www.victrola.com and major retailers. The V1 Music System is available today on Victrola's site, Amazon and Costco with a MSRP of $499.99.

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