CES 2016: 6 things the good people of the internet are already getting excited about

11 months ago

For technology nerds and non-technology nerds alike, the first week of January is an exciting one.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has set up camp in Las Vegas as both big and small technology firms pitch us their new creations.

Although the show floor isn’t open until Wednesday, there have still been a few unveilings – and that’s been more than enough to get people excited.

1. You can now control BB-8 using the force (sort of)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was one of the biggest movies of 2015 and BB-8, a droid featured in the film that pretty much stole the show, was one of the best selling toys over Christmas.

But if you happened to buy BB-8, made by Sphero, for someone in your family, they might soon be asking for an upgrade. In 2016 BB-8 will be controlled by The Force itself, rather than your phone. Well, by a wearable called The Force Band at least.

2. There’s a new electric car in town

Tesla has discovered just how difficult it is to break into the automotive industry over the last few years, but Faraday Future, a California-based startup, are ready to have a crack at it.

The company unveiled a concept, the FFZero1, and there’s no denying how striking it is. On top of its looks, the concept has 1,000 brake horsepower thanks to four electric motors at each wheel.

This won’t be Faraday’s first production car – that will instead likely be a model similar to Tesla’s Model S – but the unveiling was meant to show off some of the technology they’re producing. Faraday have big investment from Chinese firm LeTV, which hopes electric cars can help with China’s pollution problems.

3. The thermometer every parent will want

No child likes having their temperature taken, and they like it even less if you have to wake them up to do it. Enter the Withings Thermo thermometer – which uses 16 infrared sensors to measure your temperature when pressed against the side of your head.

With it being 2016, Thermo is obviously wi-fi enabled and connects to your phone – allowing you to create different profiles in a dedicated app and track temperatures over days, weeks and months.

It will have a big price tag when it’s released, $100 (£68) in the US, but some people may find that acceptable for its extra capabilities.

4. The fact that drones are still improving

You’d be forgiven for thinking the hype around drones would die out in 2016, but it seems there’s still a lot of innovation left in them.

5. That our shoes are now smart

Apparently we’ve maxed out the amount of wearables we can attach to our upper body, and now tech firms are looking to capitalise on the rest of the body.

Digitsole’s Smartshoe 01, claimed to be the world’s first smart shoe, will warm your feet and tell you how many steps you’ve taken.

We’re not entirely sure that model will catch on, but it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if in a few years similar technology was found in slightly better looking shoes – much like what has happened with smart watches.

6. The inevitable rhetoric that will accompany every announcement

We can’t all be industry disruptors, guys. Oh, what’s that, you are? TEQUILA!