As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, this year’s CES was once again different from previous years—some in-person events took place in Las Vegas as planned, but several big names in the tech world, including Google, Intel, and Microsoft, made their announcements virtually instead.
Still, CES 2022 was not without its share of high-tech splendor. Those who attended in person or viewed the virtual announcements were treated to innovations ranging from BMW’s color-changing SUV to Razer’s cutting-edge modular PC concept.
BMW Electric iX
BMW’s new electric iX Flow uses e-ink technology to completely change its colour scheme from black to white and anywhere in between, like something out of a James Bond movie; it can also showcase complex patterns and designs. While the IX Flow’s colour options are limited to the same grayscale gamut as your e-ink reader, the technology has advantages that go beyond the cosmetic: On a hot day, drivers could lower the interior temperature of their vehicle by changing from black to a more reflective white option.
The TP-Link AXE200
Mesh network routers are the new media darling when it comes to home internet, but have you considered a router that physically moves its antennae to provide the best signal? All four antennae on TP-new Link’s AXE200 router move based on which position provides the best signal, making it look like something out of a Christopher Nolan film. In theory, it’s a fantastic idea, and we’re excited to put it to the test in practise. The AXE200 also has some serious networking power. It’s tri-band (supporting 5GHz, 2.4GHz, and 6GHz) and can be plugged into a mesh network that supports it. It also includes Wi-Fi 6E, the most recent Wi-Fi Alliance standard, which means the AXE200 Omni can increase speeds and decrease latency for supported devices.
Sony PS VR
Sony is resurrecting a cult favourite among gamers at CES: the PlayStation VR platform. Sony’s new PlayStation VR2 headset and Sense controller, designed for the PlayStation 5, will take advantage of the new console’s processing power to provide a higher-resolution experience than the previous model. The new headset is loaded with high-end features such as a 4K OLED HDR display and eye tracking for enhanced realism. Meanwhile, Sony’s new Sense VR controllers, which are similar to the controllers found on Facebook’s Oculus Quest 2 VR headset, provide more tracking fidelity without the need for a camera pointed at gamers (though Sony says the PlayStation VR2 will require a cable).
Razor Project Sophia
Razer’s new cutting-edge Project Sophia PC concept, a desk with embedded modular components, would allow users to swap parts and modules such as displays, USB hubs, and wireless chargers. It’s not the first time the company has attempted to make the PC more modular—last year, it demonstrated a more practical design based on Intel’s miniature NUC, which is essentially a tiny CPU and motherboard combo. And its 2014 PC concept, Project Christine, showed us a possible PC future in which upgrading major components was as simple as changing a roll of toilet paper.
General Motors’ Silverado, Equinox and Blazer EVs
If you’ve been looking for a low-cost, no-compromise electric vehicle, General Motors has you covered. The company announced a trio of all-electric vehicles with similar looks and range to their gasoline counterparts at CES this year: the electric Chevy Silverado pickup truck, as well as the Chevy Equinox and Blazer, two electric SUVs set to arrive in 2023.
What’s the best part? The costs. The Equinox will cost around $30,000, which is not the cheapest car on the market, but it is an affordable electric model that competes with more expensive options such as Tesla’s Model X and Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. It’s also not bad to look at, which may encourage more adoption.