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VIVA CES! continued

TECH FEATURE

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SOUND NEWS

HEALTH, FITNESS, AND TECH! One of the more intriguing health tech devices on show came fromWithings, who offer an impressive range of personal health products such as smart scales, blood pressure monitors, and more. They’re adding to their canon a Wi-Fi connected puck-like device that they’re calling U-Scan. It’s a urine tester that’s installed in your toilet much like one of those dangling freshener devices and, when anybody demonstrated many handy features of their SmartThings connectivity, with an impressive look at how it can help look after the elderly, enabling them the freedom to stay in their family home. Named Samsung Senior Care, it can use a TV’s microphone and camera in concert with an elderly user’s Galaxy Watch in order to monitor and send real-time alerts to family members in the case of an emergency. Samsung are also developing Remote Medical Care. Once up and running, the service aims to let users see doctors remotely, syncing and sharing health data with their physician. Chop, chop! Ever wondered why your chopping board isn’t smart? No, us neither, but with the BLOK Smart Cutting Board it’s a thing. Combining a digital display with a wooden chopping area and docking station, it aims to help us learn to cook via on-demand classes, keep in touch as we cook, and more. WEIRD, WONDERFUL, AND WIRED! whose details are within the accompanying app answers nature's call, the results are analysed for various health metrics, such as nutritional deficiencies. Meanwhile, Samsung keenly

One of the most eye-catching audio announcements this year came from JBL, who showed off a range of a wood and brushed metal aesthetic retro-looking components with up-to-date capabilities, including their first ever turntable, the TT350. Coupled with a new integrated amp, CD player (that’ll also play all the popular audio formats via USB), and an internet connected music streaming unit, you can have old school looks with now technology. That’s not it for JBL, however, with a Bluetooth turntable also announced. The JBL Spinner BT is a smart-looking black and orange affair, which can stream vinyl wirelessly to supported devices such as soundbars and headphones. Speaking of soundbars, JBL also unveiled the Bar 1300X, which changes the game somewhat with speakers that can be detached and mounted separately if

desired. It’ll deliver Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support via 15 audio

channels, including one from its wireless subwoofer, and packs in a

whopping 21 drivers. LG also unveiled a new soundbar range,

designed to work in harmony with their TVs. One of the coolest features has been dubbed “Wow Orchestra”,

and it enables the soundbar and TV speakers to work in tandem to create a larger soundstage, also with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support via triple up-firing speakers. In other personal audio

news, Sennheiser revealed their IE 200 earbuds, which aim to deliver the features that the company is known for in a more budget-friendly package. For those after a more feature-packed pair of earbuds, Sennheiser’s high-end Conversation Clear Plus can also work as a form of hearing aid via what the company is calling “advanced speech enhancement technology”. This is designed to separate voices from general noise in loud

environments, and then amplify them for easier understanding. Looping around to where we started, other exciting JBL news is seven new models of earbuds. Running to all budgets, the standout is the Tour Pro 2, which as well as ANC and spatial audio, also packs a 1.45-inch screen into the charging case, offering better access to everything from connected music to call notifications and messages without having to dig out your phone.

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH Every CES has certain trends come to the fore, and this year the most significant was sustainability. All the major players highlighted their eco credentials, from increased energy efficiency through to environmental concerns such as using recycled plastics, helping to reduce microplastics, and beyond.

76 FEBRUARY 2023

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