CES 2024 is here! The TechCrunch team is in Las Vegas this week to take in all the action and decipher what it means for you. You already know what to expect, so sit back, relax and stay tuned all week as we bring you the products, announcements and launch news you need to know.
Kicking off the first day there are some bigger announcements from companies including Nvidia, LG and Samsung. Here are all the ways you can watch live.
And here’s how you can follow along with our team’s coverage.
Kia’s new range of modular EV vans
The Kia PBV Concept range
Kia’s new EV trucks come with modular twist. In addition to using a modular powertrain, the vehicles will also have modular roofs that allow for many different cabin options. However, they remained vague on pricing, specifications and expected release dates for this new fleet of commercial EVs. Read more.
Samsung brings back Ballie. renews the green initiative
Image Credits: Samsung
Meet the new and improved Ballie, Samsung Electronic’s home robot, which it previewed today. It’s about the size of a bowling ball with a battery designed to last two to three hours. Ballie has a spatial lidar sensor that helps it navigate rooms and obstacles, as well as a dual-lens 1080p projector that allows the robot to project movies and video calls even as a second computer monitor. Learn more.
Expanding beyond cute, rolling robots, Samsung unveiled its broader connected home initiatives. In addition to the expected UI and feature updates to its existing SmartThings home automation platform, Samsung introduced a “map view” for users, which creates an interactive home map that even includes animated avatars of residents and pets. Learn more.
Samsung also dedicated part of its keynote address to its commitment to sustainability. “We’re starting by incorporating recycled materials into some of our most beloved products, like the recycled fishing nets in our Galaxy,” said Inhee Chung, Samsung’s Vice President of Corporate Sustainability. “Smartphones, recycled plastic in our TVs and recycled aluminum in our special fridges. Recycled plastic accounted for 14% of the total plastic used in our products in 2022. And we are working to increase this amount.” Read more.
X1 Interpreter Hub: A new real-time translator
Image Credits: timer
Timekettle has announced the X1 Interpreter Hub, a more powerful solution designed for meetings. Timekettle calls it “the world’s first multilingual simultaneous interpretation system.” The system works out of the box, without the need to download a separate application. For face-to-face meetings, two devices are touched together to initiate conversation translation. The wearables have headphones, similar to previous Timekettle products. In total, the X1 can support up to 20 people simultaneously in five different languages. Read more.
LG’s transparent TV
LG Signature OLED T. Image Credits: LG
TVs are not naturally beautiful or used as design features, but LG Electronics is about to change that perception. Today, the consumer tech giant unveiled what it touts as the “world’s first” wireless transparent OLED TV. The LG Signature OLED T combines a transparent 4K OLED display with LG’s wireless video and audio transmission technology.
Breathe easy with handcrafted houseplants
Neoplants at CES 2024. Image Credits: Haje Kamps / TechCrunch
French startup Neoplants is showing off its progress with its houseplants that act as air purifiers designed for the home. The bioengineered plants can, according to the company, replace 20 “normal” indoor plants, as measured by how many pollutants the plants can remove from the air.
More from Samsung: bigger, envelopes, more scrollable screens
Image Credits: Samsung
Ahead of Samsung Electronics’ press conference later today, we’re taking a look at some of its product plans that include a “new generation of products that can be folded inward and outward,” along with foldable and sliding “screen-sized” OLEDs. Samsung also revealed a “Transparent MICRO LEDShow for the first time.
Nvidia is upping its game
GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER. Image Credits: Nvidia
Today, Nvidia is getting into AI in a big way with its unveiling GeForce RTX, including the GeForce RTX 40 Super series of desktop graphics cards. Many of these are for games, and Nvidia said 14 titles will get the RTX upgrade treatment, including Horizon Forbidden West, Pax Dei, and Diablo IV. The RTX 4080 Super starts at $999.
More chip updates from AMD
Speaking of chips, AMD debuted its news Ryzen 8000G desktop processors, with a strong focus on their AI capabilities.
Bosch eye tracking in the car
Image Credits: Bosch
Bosch is showing off two technologies this week in eye-tracking while driving: One will see if your eyes are tired and ask if you need an espresso when you get home. If so, its connection technology will tell your fancy machine to have one ready. The other is a bit more complicated as it’s developed to track what you’re looking at as you drive.
Smart cooking
Image Credits: Haje Kamps (opens in new window) / TechCrunch (opens in new window)
We’ve got a collection of small kitchen appliances, from grills to smart microwaves and everything in between, sure to get you cooking this year if you haven’t already.
ChatGPT at Volkswagen
Image Credits: Volkswagen
The German automaker plans to add an AI chatbot to all Volkswagen models equipped with its IDA voice assistant. Currently, it is not available in the US
Apple Vision Pro will be released on February 2nd
Image Credits: apple
And Apple, in a surprise announcement that prompted CES, stole some of the show by announcing that the Vision Pro will be available in the U.S. The consumer electronics giant has confirmed that the Vision Pro will be available in the U.S. starting February 2. Pre-orders for the $3,500 spatial computing device open Friday, January 19.
Some companies made announcements ahead of the big event. See what’s already made the headlines:
Withings’ new polyscope device checks vitals for telehealth visits
Invoxia has a new smart collar suitable for both cats and dogs
This app allows restaurants and cafes to charge for bathroom use
Aurora and Continental clear first major hurdle in commercial autonomous truck deal
This startup is bringing a ‘voice frequency absorber’ to CES 2024
For just $139, this starter turns your iPhone into a relic of the BlackBerry era
Qualcomm’s next-generation XR chip promises up to 4.3K resolution per eye
Urbanista integrates Powerfoyle technology with solar-powered headphones
Moonwalker robotic shoes are getting lighter and smarter
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