CES 2017 Wrap-Up by Starpower
This year, CES celebrated its 50th anniversary. CES is the largest global gathering of innovation and connectivity. The event once again took over the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sands Expo & Convention Center and many hotels throughout the Vegas strip. This year, CES broke its previous record by filling up 2.6 million net sq. ft. of showroom floor with products and demos from over 3,800 companies. As we walked through miles of incredible tech, we were blown away by the array of connected devices and impossibly thin TV displays.
CLEDIS – Our Top Pick of CES 2017
Want to turn your entire wall into one big TV screen? CLEDIS is a totally new tiling LED display using Sony’s unique visual technology. A CLEDIS display unit is sized at 17 7/8″ by 15 7/8″. Put each panel together and you have a huge screen. The panels blend in with each other seamlessly with no bezel in sight. This is something that must be seen to truly appreciate.
Hey Alexa! Exciting Amazon Alexa Integrations Ahead
It’s official. You can control your entire home with your voice. More products than ever are now offering compatibility with systems like Amazon Alexa.
We saw Alexa support from everything including lighting, DVRs, refrigerators, robot vacuums, home security systems, and even Whirlpool’s 2-in-1 washer and dryer system. Whirlpool announced many of its smart appliances will respond to Alexa commands starting in “early 2017.” Plus, Sony’s BRAVIA Android TV’s will get voice support from Alexa and Google Home by the end of March.
Want more than a voice-controlled smart home? Hyundai is integrating Alexa into its self-driving car and Huawei’s new Mate 9 smartphone will be the first smartphone to come with Alexa pre-installed.
Rejoice! OLED is Here to Stay
Sony Announces New OLED TV
Sony is going full OLED! On Wednesday, Sony revealed its XBR-A1E Bravia 4K OLED TV, the company’s new flagship TV. OLED allows for incredible black levels, lifelike color, dynamic contrast, blur-less image, and a wide viewing angle. Sony has truly impressed us and CES attendees alike with their all-new design, new sound technology and an improved X1 Extreme processor. One of the most amazing features on this TV is the fact that it does not have any visible speakers. Sony has literally made the screen the speaker. Two actuators are mounted to the back of the display and vibrate the display to produce the sound. Our demo included the beginning of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and we were blown away at the sound level and sound quality. Not to mention, the deep black levels and vibrant colors of the space battle scenes.
LG’s Signature OLED TV W: Wallpaper Thin OLED TV
TVs don’t get much thinner than this! LG’s Signature OLED TV W is a jaw-dropping wallpaper thin OLED display that is both light-weight and bendable. It’s impossibly thin yet still displays incredible lifelike color, image quality, and contrast. The brains of the TV are hidden within the soundbar which is capable of bringing Dolby Atmos cinema sound to your room. This is the first TV of its kind to bring both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos together.
Bring on the 4K Blu-ray players
Sony has announced its first consumer 4K Blu-ray player, the UBP-X800. It supports Ultra HD Blu-ray as well as HDR and 4K video streaming. The player will also support both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround sound. The player can handle “virtually every optical disc format,” including DVD, CD, SACD, and 3D Blu-ray. Prepare to see more and more content roll out on 4K Blu-ray throughout the year.
LG Floating Speakers
You read that right! Floating Speakers! Want music to fill your room or outdoor space? Or maybe you want a wireless speaker that floats in mid-air? LG showcased its new line of wireless speakers including the innovative PJ9 levitating speaker. What’s cooler than the PJ9’s levitating act is that the new line of speakers all offers 360 degrees of omnidirectional sound. Plus, they are waterproof for up to 3 feet and have 10-hours of battery life.
Klipsch Heritage Line
Klipsch took a different approach with their speaker design. Instead of futuristic, Klipsch showed off their Heritage line which mixes styles of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Don’t let the retro style fool you. These speakers still pack Klipsch’s incredible sound technology and offer Bluetooth connectivity at the flick of a switch. What’s in store for the future at Klipsch? They are working on some new titanium speakers that will rock your world.
Mark Levinson Joins the Turntable Revolution!
Audiophiles rejoice! Mark Levinson has announced its first turntable in its 45-year history! The No. 515 is for true audio lovers. This $12,000 record player features a triple belt drive, a vibration-damping polymer core, and 20-pound aluminum platter.
Welcome to 2017: The Year of 3D Printing
3D printing is nothing new at CES but Polaroid has made it much easier to use and more accessible. The company has introduced a line of 3D printers and 3D pens which allows you to easily create tools, artwork, jewelry or whatever you can imagine. The printers have an expected MSRP between $499 and $799 and the pens have an MSRP between $129 and $149.
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