Watch: Transparent TV and 7 other cool gadgets unveiled in the first month of 2024

Transparent TV, screen that can follow you all around the house and several other eye popping gadgets were showcased at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at Las Vegas in the US recently. These cool gadgets are not just eye candy but can change the way you use some of the popular current gadgets and consumer electronic appliances. Here’s a look.

The Rabbit R1 is a standalone AI device that looks like a small console and has the potential to replace smartphones in the coming years. The device sports a 2.88-inch touchscreen, a rotating camera for taking photos and videos, an analogue scroll wheel for navigation and a built-in assistant for voice commands. Priced at $199, it requires no subscription and features a 2.3GHz MediaTek processor, backed by 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The device runs on Rabbit OS which is based on a “Large Action Model.” This device comes with a SIM card slot and supports USB-C charging. The R1 is available for preorder now and the company’s CEU Jesse Lyu said that the device will start shipping in March.

LG announced the OLED Signature TV at CES 2024. The OLED T’s 77-inch transparent panel has a contrast film in the back that can be raised to make the TV look like any regular OLED or lowered to see what’s behind the screen with the touch of a button. The TV has custom widgets that take up only a lower section of the screen. LG seems to have carried over this idea from its rollable TV. The latest TV runs a custom webOS interface that’s optimised for the unique display.

Samsung introduced a new version of its AI home companion robot Ballie at CES 2024. First introduced at CES 2020, Ballie has been revamped with new advanced features to help users intelligently navigate their lives. This device Ballie acts as a personal home assistant, autonomously driving around the home to complete various tasks. By connecting to and managing home appliances, Ballie can help users in various situations. It also learns from users’ patterns and habits to provide smarter, more personalised services. Ballie can send video updates of pets or loved ones to users’ devices when they’re away from home. Ballie can also set the mood for any home activity whether users are exercising, working or relaxing. It can also project workout videos on the wall or floor in an optimal size to playing music and answering phone calls.

At CES 2024, Samsung also introduced the Flex In & Out Flip concept smartphone that can fold in both directions. Unlike the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and other flip phones that are available in the market, the new concept phone can fold completely backwards and offer users a 6.7-inch screen even when the device is shut. The company claims that it tested the concept device’s durability by folding it in extreme temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius and bouncing basketballs on its foldable panels.

Smart rings are not a new innovation as many brands have already introduced or are working on their respective smart rings. However, Evie’s latest smart ring which was launched at CES 2024 is designed specifically to track women’s health. Apart from heart rate and SpO2, the smart ring can track menstrual cycle, sleep quality and multiple physical activities. The company claims that the smart ring will offer over four days of battery life and needs 60 minutes to get fully charged. It comes in an open, scratch-resistant design and with a portable charging case that can recharge the ring for over 10 times. The Evie smart ring is available in three colours -- Rose Gold, Gold and Silver and is priced at $269.

Asus launched the new Zenbook DUO dual-screen laptop at CES 2024. The device houses two 14-inch Lumina OLED touchscreens and it comes with built-in kickstand and a detachable wireless keyboard. The laptop is powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, backed by up to 32 GB RAM and 2TB SSD storage. For connectivity, the laptop offers multiple I/O ports and supports Wi-Fi 6E.

Phillips introduced the world's first deadbolt with palm recognition at CES 2024. The Phillips 5000 Wi-Fi palm recognition smart deadbolt can also be unlocked with a key, PIN code, or the Philips Home Access app. Priced at $360, the lock automatically illuminates the doorbell button to remind guests standing at the doorway to ring it. When pressed, it sends notifications via the Philips Home Access app. The doorbell works with an included wireless chime, so that users don’t miss any visitors when pressed. This easy-to-install smart lock connects with the home Wi-Fi and supports voice assistant.

iPhone accessory partner Belkin introduced a new auto-tracking iPhone stand at CES 2024. The latest Auto-Tracking Stand Pro is the first-ever accessory to work with the proprietary object location-tracking technology, DockKit. DockKit helps the stand to follow subjects on camera as they move around their space with 360 degrees of pan and 90 degrees of tilt. The company has confirmed that the new Stand Pro provides automatic, silent, motorised, camerawork using iPhone’s built-in camera. Belkin claims that this is the perfect accessory for immersive video calls or recording interactive content that involves a lot of movement. The stand pairs with iPhones through MagSafe to capture users as they move. When plugged-in the stand can also charge the iPhone with fast wireless charging of up to 15W. The latest Auto-Tracking Stand Pro is priced at $179.99 (nearly Rs 15,000) and will soon be available through Belkin.com and select retailers worldwide.