This is my last CES blog which describes some of the products that I would use.
Keymitt (keymitt.com) will retrofit your door lock to make it controllable from your smartphone. By turning on auto-lock/unlock feature, Keymitt will recognize your phone and will unlock the door when you are approaching (eg with your hands full of bags) and lock automatically it when leaving, without even touching your smartphone. In addition, it tracks who entered and left. You can grant access to your friends, babysitter or caregivers even if you are not home. The company is based in Luxembourg, and the device is made in Germany. It costs €175, and the basic device will be available this coming March. Plans are for iPhone compatibility is projected for is May 2020. I will be following the development of this product.
Smartguide https://smart-guide.org/?utm_source=leaflet&utm_medium=print&utm_content=b2b_content
is a tool for travel planning as well as a virtual tour guide. It provides information and recommended tours for 370 destinations around the world, though only two in Canada (Toronto and Quebec City). According to their press release, “SmartGuide is a digital tour guide with offline navigation for travellers who want to explore at their own pace, listen to immersive stories, prepared by local guides and discover hidden gems.” The app can help with travel planning before you leave and can also be used once you arrive at your destination. In addition to tours and local information, the app can answer questions like what is the statue on the left. The app is free for now, I tried it in Las Vegas and found it easy to use and the information provided was interesting and added to the travel experience.
Smart mimic https://themimicgo.com provides for security while travelling by securing your room, luggage and protect your valuables anywhere. It provides instant text alerts if anyone opens a drawer that the device is in. It also alerts you when you lose or forget an item. The battery in the device lasts for 3 months and is rechargeable. It may be useful for frequent travellers like me. It sells for $69, with a $49 CES special rate. It is planned to be available this March.
Qi wireless charger from Kew labs ( https://www.kewlabstech.com) It offers a device that transforms a chosen piece of furniture to also become a charging space for your smart phone. This device can be installed under the table to make a charging spot. It is attached with a strong tape rather than with screws and requires no drilling to install and delivers Apple and Samsung Fast Charge through what they call Intelligent Power Communication™ (IPC) Technology. IPC allows the charger to communicate with a phone’s firmware to enable a reliable Fast Charge. It costs $105 and can be installed on anything that is not metal and will be available in Q1 2020.
Meater (https://meater.com/) is a smart wireless meat thermometer. It remotely monitors the meat while cooking as well as estimates how long it will take to cook for perfect results. You can use it while cooking in a pan, oven, grill or rotisserie to measure the food’s internal temperature. There are three versions of the Meater: the basic one is $69, the version with wider Bluetooth coverage is $99 and the deluxe version which has a longer reach (up to 165 ft) and four probes is $269. They are all available on their website now.
Smart ball from Inside coach ( https://www.insidecoach.com) lets you be your own soccer coach when you are practicing on your own. The ball is similar to a real soccer ball. It weighs and plays the same as a premium soccer ball with the ability to seamlessly capture and analyze the ball motion. The player receives realtime coaching cues through a wireless headset. It detects things like the spin of the ball so the player can improve the kicking angles. It is available now at a cost of $179. Later on this year it will go for $199.
Roybi (roybiRobot.com) is an educational robot that teaches kids through games, songs and lessons to improve their vocabulary, reading and math skills. They can learn about such things as emotions, science concepts such as water evaporation, as well as learn more about various animals and their habitats. Its target audience is kids ages 3-7 and goes for $199. Up to 3 kids can use Roybi at the same time and through facial recognition Roybi recognizes each user. Time magazine selected Roybi as one of 100 best inventionsfor 2019.
Omron watch
https://omronhealthcare.com/ekg/ measures blood pressure and monitors heartbeats (like an EKG) on one device. It has received FDA clearance as a medical device and was launched in the U.S. in May 2019. It is aimed at people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) or a family history of irregular heartbeats. It is a unique device because it monitors two critical risk factors for stroke – AFib and high blood pressure and people can do it at home. Of course I had to try the EKG part and the test came out as normal. The blood pressure monitor is $499 and the EKG part of the device is on special at $159 (usually $199). Both are available now on their website and on Amazon.
And this is my last blog from CES. Hope you all enjoyed my CES picks.