CES 2024 has wrapped up, teaching us a valuable lesson: it’s probably best not to stick our hands in wearable ovens or engage in any untoward behavior in smart showers. On a more serious note, the event provided intriguing glimpses into the future of tech in 2024. From innovative gadgets to potential life-changing advancements, this year’s CES showcased the exciting possibilities ahead. In this roundup, we’ve captured those insightful moments, offering a peek into how these technologies might shape our lives in the coming year.
In a nutshell, get ready for another thrilling and dynamic year in the tech world. Brace yourself for a few minor inconveniences, like the omnipresence of ChatGPT in every nook and cranny, and manufacturers enticing us with gigantic TVs that may be a tad out of our budget. However, amidst these quirks, anticipate some genuinely exciting changes. Keep an eye out for the debut of genuine AI hardware and the rise of game-changing technologies like Bluetooth Auracast and neural headphones. It’s shaping up to be a year filled with both challenges and breakthroughs in the tech landscape.
While the transparent TVs and personal robots at CES 2024 were undeniably entertaining, we’ve opted to steer clear of the more exuberant flourishes in the list below. Instead, you’ll discover a compilation of trends and technologies poised to genuinely influence your tech life in 2024 – whether for the better or worse. So, take a breather from your wavering tech resolutions and join us on a journey through this year’s most significant tech trends, as forecasted by CES.
Mini-LED TVs are set to make a huge impact with their impressive size!
TVs consistently steal the spotlight at CES, and this year, one of the major trends revolved around the truly colossal mini-LED models. TCL, sharing a staggering 600% growth in its ultra-large TV category from the previous year, wowed attendees with the unveiling of the QM891G – a monstrous 115-inch mini-LED model. Adding to the excitement, TCL’s upcoming QM8 TVs will hit the market in sizes ranging from an impressive 75 to 98 inches. The era of massive, high-tech displays is undoubtedly upon us.
Going head-to-head, Hisense made a bold move with a striking 110-inch addition to its premium ULED X lineup, flaunting an eye-popping 10,000 nits of peak brightness. The wallet-friendly twist to this display showdown is the anticipation that these expanding mini-LED sets will be relatively affordable in 2024, providing a more budget-conscious alternative to the upscale OLED counterparts. So, as the screen sizes get grander, the price tags might just stay within reach for many tech enthusiasts.
In 2024, Hisense is rolling out a wallet-friendly 100-inch QLED model, making big-screen dreams more affordable than ever.
| Brand | Model | Size | Technology | Brightness | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL | QM891G | 115 inches | Mini-LED | 5,000 nits | Sizes from 75 to 98 inches |
| Hisense | ULED X lineup | 110 inches | Mini-LED | 10,000 nits | Relatively affordable in 2024 |
| Hisense | QLED model | 100 inches | QLED | 10,000 nits | Wallet-friendly in 2024 |
The Apple Vision Pro
Apple may have skipped CES 2024, but the buzz around its Vision Pro headset was hard to miss. The official confirmation that Vision Pro will hit US shelves on February 2, with preorders starting on January 19, created a stir at the convention. CES turned into a battleground for ‘Vision Pro rivals,’ with Xreal boldly positioning its Air 2 Ultra glasses as an affordable alternative in the face of Apple’s offering.
Asus joined the fray with its AirVision M1 smart specs, lacking the same mixed-reality prowess but sporting a name that echoes Apple’s style. Meanwhile, Sony’s VR headset for the “industrial metaverse” hinted at challenging Apple in the professional sphere, though the cost remains undisclosed. Brace yourself for a flood of Vision Pro competitors in 2024, each boasting affordability in contrast to Apple’s hefty starting price of $3,499.
Certainly! Here’s the revised table focusing only on Apple’s Vision Pro:
| Brand | Model | Features | Competitors (Apple only) | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Vision Pro | High-end VR headset | Xreal’s Air 2 Ultra, Asus AirVision M1, Sony’s VR headset for the “industrial metaverse” | Preorders starting January 19, 2024 | Starting at $3,499 |
Next-gen voice assistants are arriving with the help of AI gadgets.
Smartphones have reigned supreme, but 2024 might see a comeback for handheld gadgets, especially with the intriguing Rabbit R1 making waves at CES. The gadget hints at a shift in the tech landscape, sparking curiosity about the role of handheld devices in the future.
A surprise standout, the mysterious handheld gizmo aims to revolutionize app interaction with natural language, signaling a potential shift away from endless phone swiping.
The Rabbit R1 has set a trend for AI gadgets in 2024, and we’re optimistic that others will follow its functional and stylish blueprint, especially the sleek design by Teenage Engineering.
Smart rings are gearing up to replace smartwatches
CES 2024 witnessed a shift towards smart rings, marking a surge in interest and potential competition, including the awaited Samsung Galaxy Ring, signaling a changing trend in wearables.
CES showcased the Amazfit Helio Ring, impressing with its health-tracking capabilities, alongside the return of the Evie smart ring, which debuted last year. Notably, smart rings aren’t solely focused on monitoring sleep or steps; the Lotus ring, for instance, stands out as a wearable controller designed to operate home appliances, specifically those manufactured by Lotus. This diversity in functionalities highlights the evolving landscape of smart ring technology.
Smart rings are gearing up to match the popularity of smartwatches in 2024, intensifying competition in the wearable tech market.
Qi2 wireless charging
CES 2024 showcased Qi2 wireless chargers, a promising tech standard with a minimum 15W charging capability, aligning with Apple MagSafe and providing a significant advancement in wireless charging technology, particularly beneficial for Android smartphones.
Despite the current lack of Qi2 support in most smartphones, CES 2024 assures a plentiful selection of wireless chargers when these devices inevitably adopt the technology later this year.
Several Qi2 products made a splash at the show, and our standout choice is the Satechi folding 3-in-1 model (pictured above). This versatile charger is set to hit the market in Q2, between March and May, with a price tag of $130 (approximately £105 / AU$195). The Satechi offering not only showcases the advancements in wireless charging but also introduces a practical and foldable design for added convenience.
Here’s a condensed table with the key details from the information you provided:
| Product | Satechi Folding 3-in-1 Qi2 Wireless Charger |
|---|---|
| Charging Standard | Qi2 Wireless Charging |
| Charging Capability | Minimum 15W |
| Compatibility | Aligned with Apple MagSafe, Beneficial for Android smartphones |
| Availability in Smartphones | Currently limited, expected adoption later in 2024 |
| CES 2024 Highlights | Qi2 wireless chargers showcased, promising tech standard |
| Key Feature | Practical and Foldable Design |
| Expected Release | Q2 2024 (Between March and May) |
| Price | $130 (Approximately £105 / AU$195) |
E-Ink is set to personalize our laptops and phones.
While E-ink and its application on laptop covers aren’t groundbreaking, CES 2024 suggested the concept has matured for mainstream adoption. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 SPE concept laptop (pictured above) showcased this evolution, leveraging E-Ink Prism tech to allow users to not only pictures but also animations on the cover. The innovation makes traditional stickers seem a bit outdated, signaling a potential shift in how we personalize and interact with our devices.
Infinix, a Chinese accessories company, took a cue from the same technology, utilizing E-Ink to create concept smartphone covers capable of changing and retaining colors without additional power consumption. While both Lenovo and Infinix’s applications are currently in the conceptual phase, the industry anticipates more fully realized implementations of this technology in the coming year. The promise of color-changing, energy-efficient smartphone covers suggests a potential wave of innovation in the accessories market.
Get ready for neural headphones that can read your mind
Headphones have evolved beyond delivering top-notch audio quality, boasting immersive sound stages, effective active noise cancellation, and comfortable designs. The focus has shifted towards integrating exciting new features, with the spotlight on neural technologies this year. This innovation aims to add a new dimension to the headphone experience, promising advancements that go beyond traditional audio capabilities.
Indeed, at CES 2024, mind-reading headphones took center stage. The Naqi Neural Earbuds, positioned as a safe and non-invasive alternative to brain implants, caught attention with their promise of providing full control over a Windows or Mac computer. Leveraging gyroscopic, muscle, and brainwave sensors, these earbuds offer an intriguing prospect, allowing users to navigate the internet and play games merely through neural signals. This innovation hints at a future where technology interfaces seamlessly with our thoughts, paving the way for more intuitive and immersive user experiences.
In 2024, neural tech is making its mark in headphones, with products like Naqi Neural Earbuds and MyWaves Technologies Pebble offering mind-reading capabilities and personalized sleep playlists, hinting at a future where technology seamlessly integrates with our neural signals.