There was no shortage of smart-home devices, smart robots, smart cars, smart TVs and smart digital assistants at this year’s annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. There was even a smart toilet. But how much of the tech cornucopia would be smart to buy?
Bottom Line Personal asked veteran consumer electronics journalist Jonathan Takiff to sort through all the new tech at the show and pinpoint which products are more than just novelties and would be worth our readers’ money…
Voice-controlled TV sound bar: Polk Command Bar. This two-piece TV speaker system (including a wirelessly connected subwoofer) has the Amazon voice-controlled digital assistant, Alexa, built right in. That means you not only can simply speak to adjust the volume of the show you’re watching—you also can ask the sound bar to check your e-mail messages, play music or look up information, just as you would any other Alexa device. And the sound bar’s clear, rich sound makes it easy to understand Alexa’s responses. It’s due out this spring for $299. PolkAudio.com/products/command-sound-bar
Bathroom digital assistant: Kohler Verdera Voice Lighted Mirror with Amazon Alexa. With this wall mirror, you could ask Alexa for weather or traffic updates…to review your e-mails…to play music while you shave or dry off after a shower…or to adjust the mirror’s LED lights, all without cluttering up your bathroom with a stand-alone Alexa device. And unlike most stand-alone devices, it offers stereo sound and is designed to withstand the high humidity of a bathroom. The mirror itself is stylish, 33 inches tall and available in 24-, 34- and 40-inch widths. It’s due out this spring, with prices yet to be announced. US.Kohler.com
Front door security system that requires virtually no installation: Remo+ DoorCam. There are numerous digital security systems available that let you see a video image of the person at the door of your home. DoorCam stands out because you don’t have to drill any holes in the door or run any wires to use it—simply clip DoorCam over the top of the door and connect it via Wi-Fi. That’s ideal for renters who are not allowed to install permanent systems…people who want security when they stay in vacation rentals…and those who don’t want to fuss with installation. It features a wide-angle, motion-sensing, night-vision high-definition camera plus a two-way intercom. It’s already available for $199. RemoPlus.co
Wireless monitor for heating and air-conditioning filters: Breezi AirPulse. This small, wireless device attaches easily to your heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning system’s filter and then sends warnings to your Apple or Android device (or through an Alexa-enabled device) when it identifies an air pressure differential that suggests that the filter is clogged and needs to be replaced. Especially if your filter is in a hard-to-see location, this is a potential money saver, since a clogged air filter can make an HVAC system as much as 15% less energy efficient. AirPulse also warns of mold-promoting humidity and unhealthful airborne volatile organic compounds. It will reach the market late this year with a price around $50. Breezi.io
Versatile voice-translation device: Pocketalk. This pocket-size gadget can translate spoken words in 63 languages almost instantly. There are other pocket translators and apps available but none that handles such a wide range of spoken languages so seamlessly—with Pocketalk, you truly can have a conversation with someone who doesn’t speak your language. The only catch: It requires a Wi-Fi or mobile data signal. Available in May for $199. Pocketalk.net
Camera that records video of things that already happened: Roader Time Machine Camera (as shown in the headline). Ever wish you’d filmed something that just occurred? This small digital camera, which is designed to be worn around the neck like a lanyard, can do just that. It is constantly buffering video—that is, temporarily saving it—so when you tap its button, Roader can upload digital video of the prior 10 seconds plus the following 10 seconds to your Bluetooth-connected Apple or Android phone. That way you have a record of the hit-and-run accident you just witnessed…or the funny thing your cat just did. It will be available in the spring for $199. Roader.com
Airbag for falls: Helite Hip’Air. Airbags aren’t just for cars anymore. This French-made belt is worn around the waist and automatically deploys a pair of airbags to cushion your hip bones when it senses that you’re falling. The idea is that it could prevent a hip fracture, a very serious injury. Hip’Air’s battery can last up to 15 days between charges, and unlike car airbags, its airbags can be repacked and reused after they deploy. This device weighs about two pounds. It will be available by the end of 2018 for about $800. Hip-Air.com/en
Hearing aids that are heard but not seen: Eargo Max. These hearing aids are so tiny that the only part that extends outside the ear canal is an almost-invisible clear plastic strand that’s there so wearers have a way to remove them. Eargo Max feels almost like it isn’t there, too, because it does not fill the ear canal—instead it “floats,” supported by numerous gentle flexible fibers. The rechargeable batteries can last a day. Eargo Max already is available for $2,500 per pair, and there’s a 45-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. Eargo.com
Better white noise machine: Nightingale. This device plugs into a wall outlet so that it can convert that wall into a resonance chamber that blankets the room in soothing white noise. Tests conducted by Harvard Medical School researchers found that Nightingale helps people fall asleep 38% faster, on average, which is comparable to prescription sleeping pills. Nightingale, which is only a little larger than a standard wall outlet itself, can be controlled with an Apple or Android device. It’s already available for $149 (appropriate for bedrooms up to 150 square feet) or $249 (for up to 300 square feet). MeetNightingale.com
