Swarovski Optik AX Visio smart binoculars identifies wildlife species, take photos and videos for instant sharing

Riding the wave of AI and smart functions, the good old binoculars now seem to have been hit by the trend. Now, Swarovski Optik (a division of Swarovski Group based in Austria) has unveiled their smart binoculars at CES 2024 and we’re impressed. The timing is perfect as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the group, and they’re helping themselves with the world’s first truly smart pair of binoculars dubbed AX Visio.

The binoculars are loaded with an NPU that enables AI functions primarily for animal spotting in the wild. In conjunction with the app, the pair can identify more than 9,000 species of birds and wild animals in a given wilderness. This will be particularly helpful for beginners who have a hard time identifying different bird species.

Designer: Swarovski Optik

They’ve been developed in collaboration with Marc Newson, and it took the team of developers five years to come up with the final product. The main USP of the binoculars is their smart feature for image shooting, video recording and uploading them to the connected phone. There’s also an interesting function that allows for live sharing of content via the Live View Function.

Weighing just 1100 grams the binoculars can be accompanied on wildlife trips for a comprehensive experience. They are made out of 390 individual parts including Swarovski’s 10×32 optic systems that enable 10 times magnification capability. The 32-millimeter objective lens makes possible a 112m/1000m field of view. Also, they have an in-built camera for clicking shots and recording videos on the go. This eliminates the need for a DSLR or smartphone, making your wildlife exploration more manageable.

Other smart functions come in the form of sharing content on the fly, tagging the location of particular species, or guiding other AX Visio users to a particular location via the smart guidance prompts on the lens overlay. The design of the binoculars is minimalistic, hiding all the advanced sensors and tech on the inside. In particular, the 13MP lens with a 4208 x 3120 pixels resolution. As per the official details, these smart binoculars are good for about 15 hours in normal operation and 2 hours in intensive mode on a single full charge.

According to Swarovski Optik CEO, Stefan Schwarz, “The AX Visio is not only a flagship project with which we are demonstrating Swarovski Optik’s technological leadership in the sport optics market, but it also marks the beginning of a new technological era for us. The AX Visio is not only a flagship project with which we are demonstrating Swarovski Optik’s technological leadership in the sport optics market, but it also marks the beginning of a new technological era for us.”

For a price tag of $4,799, these binoculars sure aren’t cheap but if they fit a nature observer’s set of requirements, they’re well worth the investment!

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TV For Your Kitchen That’s Easy To Install And Keeps You Entertained While You Cook

In the evolving domain of modern kitchens, having a dedicated entertainment system can transform your cooking and dining experience. Sylvox introduces its 15.6″ Smart Under Cabinet TV, a sleek and intelligent addition to your culinary space. Let’s delve into the features that make this kitchen TV a must-have for cooking enthusiasts and entertainment lovers alike.

Designer: Sylvox

Transform your kitchen into a digital culinary hub with the Sylvox Under Cabinet TV’s Android operating system. Imagine having easy access to your favorite cooking apps, such as recipe databases, instructional videos, and nutritional guides. This feature empowers you to browse cooking blogs, stream online cooking classes, or even catch up on the latest culinary trends without leaving your kitchen.

The TV is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band WiFi, which ensures seamless connectivity for various entertainment options. For instance, effortlessly stream your curated cooking playlist from your smartphone or mirror a cooking tutorial video for a hands-free cooking experience. Whether you’re an Android or Apple user, the Sylvox TV caters to both, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience for everyone in the kitchen. The coolest and most convenient feature is the integration of Google Assistant which adds a futuristic touch, allowing you to control the TV with simple voice commands while your hands are occupied with cooking.

Bid farewell to awkward viewing angles with the Sylvox TV’s flexible design. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have the TV angled perfectly for easy visibility while you chop, stir, or bake? Whether installed under the cabinet or on the roof, this TV adapts to your kitchen layout effortlessly, ensuring you never miss a moment of your favorite cooking show, TV show, or any other sports event.

Even during the times when you’re in the midst of cooking, and your hands are covered in flour or sauce, with this TV’s waterproof touch keys, you can easily pause, play, or adjust the volume without worrying about damage. The durability and ease of cleaning add practicality to the TV, making it an ideal companion in the dynamic environment of a kitchen.

You even get the leverage of setting a timer on the TV for each cooking phase, from prep to baking, without fumbling with your smartphone. The LED clock display and timing function ranging from 15 to 60 minutes ensure your culinary creations are perfectly timed. The TV will alert you when it’s time to move to the next step or savor your finished dish.

View the vibrant and sharp visuals of 1080P Full HD resolution, allowing you to see every detail clearly. Whether you’re following a cooking tutorial, watching a sports event, or simply enjoying a movie, the wide viewing angle of 170° ensures everyone in the kitchen has a perfect view.

The Sylvox TV can seamlessly be integrated into your kitchen’s aesthetic with its all-metal housing, ultra-slim profile, and easy-to-clean white finish. The straightforward installation, requiring only a few screws and a screwdriver, means you can enjoy your new kitchen entertainment hub in less than 30 minutes. Fold it down during use and up when you’re done for a clutter-free look.

You even have the option to elevate the entertainment experience by adding a Fire Stick or Roku Stick to the Sylvox TV. This opens up a world of streaming services and apps, allowing you to customize your entertainment options based on your preferences. Whether it’s cooking shows, music, or movies, the Sylvox TV becomes a versatile entertainment center in your kitchen.

Priced at $399.00, the Sylvox 15.6″ Smart Under Cabinet TV offers a premium entertainment solution that won’t break the bank. Consider it an investment in both convenience and style for your kitchen. Upgrade your culinary space with Sylvox and enjoy the perfect blend of technology and elegance.

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TV For Your Kitchen That’s Easy To Install And Keeps You Entertained While You Cook

In the evolving domain of modern kitchens, having a dedicated entertainment system can transform your cooking and dining experience. Sylvox introduces its 15.6″ Smart Under Cabinet TV, a sleek and intelligent addition to your culinary space. Let’s delve into the features that make this kitchen TV a must-have for cooking enthusiasts and entertainment lovers alike.

Designer: Sylvox

Transform your kitchen into a digital culinary hub with the Sylvox Under Cabinet TV’s Android operating system. Imagine having easy access to your favorite cooking apps, such as recipe databases, instructional videos, and nutritional guides. This feature empowers you to browse cooking blogs, stream online cooking classes, or even catch up on the latest culinary trends without leaving your kitchen.

The TV is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band WiFi, which ensures seamless connectivity for various entertainment options. For instance, effortlessly stream your curated cooking playlist from your smartphone or mirror a cooking tutorial video for a hands-free cooking experience. Whether you’re an Android or Apple user, the Sylvox TV caters to both, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience for everyone in the kitchen. The coolest and most convenient feature is the integration of Google Assistant which adds a futuristic touch, allowing you to control the TV with simple voice commands while your hands are occupied with cooking.

Bid farewell to awkward viewing angles with the Sylvox TV’s flexible design. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have the TV angled perfectly for easy visibility while you chop, stir, or bake? Whether installed under the cabinet or on the roof, this TV adapts to your kitchen layout effortlessly, ensuring you never miss a moment of your favorite cooking show, TV show, or any other sports event.

Even during the times when you’re in the midst of cooking, and your hands are covered in flour or sauce, with this TV’s waterproof touch keys, you can easily pause, play, or adjust the volume without worrying about damage. The durability and ease of cleaning add practicality to the TV, making it an ideal companion in the dynamic environment of a kitchen.

You even get the leverage of setting a timer on the TV for each cooking phase, from prep to baking, without fumbling with your smartphone. The LED clock display and timing function ranging from 15 to 60 minutes ensure your culinary creations are perfectly timed. The TV will alert you when it’s time to move to the next step or savor your finished dish.

View the vibrant and sharp visuals of 1080P Full HD resolution, allowing you to see every detail clearly. Whether you’re following a cooking tutorial, watching a sports event, or simply enjoying a movie, the wide viewing angle of 170° ensures everyone in the kitchen has a perfect view.

The Sylvox TV can seamlessly be integrated into your kitchen’s aesthetic with its all-metal housing, ultra-slim profile, and easy-to-clean white finish. The straightforward installation, requiring only a few screws and a screwdriver, means you can enjoy your new kitchen entertainment hub in less than 30 minutes. Fold it down during use and up when you’re done for a clutter-free look.

You even have the option to elevate the entertainment experience by adding a Fire Stick or Roku Stick to the Sylvox TV. This opens up a world of streaming services and apps, allowing you to customize your entertainment options based on your preferences. Whether it’s cooking shows, music, or movies, the Sylvox TV becomes a versatile entertainment center in your kitchen.

Priced at $399.00, the Sylvox 15.6″ Smart Under Cabinet TV offers a premium entertainment solution that won’t break the bank. Consider it an investment in both convenience and style for your kitchen. Upgrade your culinary space with Sylvox and enjoy the perfect blend of technology and elegance.

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Lenovo Mechanical Energy Harvesting keyboard-mouse combo channels your fidgety into limitless power

Solar-powered keyboard and mouse are nothing new to the industry, but Lenovo wants to take the gauntlet further. At CES 2024, the Hong Kong-based consumer electronics giant revealed a unique keyboard and mouse combo that uses mechanical movement and solar irradiation to power things up. That means, no need to worry about changing batteries or exposing your peripherals to natural light.

The concept props up from the limitation of solar panels on cloudy days or in darker rooms without much ambient light. The mouse comes with a crank at the bottom while the keyboard has a kinetic dial on the top left corner. So, as you read an article on the internet you could channel your anxious vibes into charging the battery of the combo peripherals.

Designer: Lenovo

Still in the concept stage, the creation dubbed “Mechanical Energy Harvesting Combo” also gets solar panels on the keyboard to take advantage of natural or room light. I find the spinning dial on the keyboard to be more practical than the crank on the mouse which required more conscious effort. According to Lenovo, for five minutes of spinning, the keyboard gets another 30 minutes of added battery charge.

Lenovo has got all bases covered as there is a USB-C port on the back for times when you prefer the surety of manual wired charging. Other than that there is a customary three-position switch for toggling the RF dongle, wired USB, or Bluetooth connection.

For the mouse, Lenovo chose an embedded ring on a pivot that can be raised and then rotated for the crank motion. A minute of winding gives around 30 minutes of charge time. Quite an effort though, but still something different that Lenovo has tried to create. As for the regular specifications, the software-programable mouse to 12,800 dpi has a good in-hand feel. There are the scroll buttons, side snipping button, resolution switcher, shortcut buttons and toggle switch.

There is no word yet if this concept combo will make it to the commercial market, still, it’s highly plausible if Lenovo manages to fit in more functionality and hardware innovation. I’m pretty sure the keyboard seems like a good bet but the mouse crank motion needs to graduate into something more practical.

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BlueAnt Soundblade Hands-on at CES 2024: Revolutionizing the Desktop Audio Experience

As I roamed the show floor of CES 2024, I was captivated by the BlueAnt Soundblade, an under-monitor soundbar that promised to revolutionize the desktop audio and visual experience. Its sleek and modern design immediately caught my attention, blending seamlessly with any workspace.

Designer: BlueAnt

BlueAnt’s Soundblade soundbar boasts an elegant design that combines aesthetics with functionality. It’s a perfect fit for any desktop, and its sleek form adds to any setup’s overall visual appeal. It’s clear that the designer paid close attention to detail when crafting this product. Stuart Ralston, Chief Technology Officer for
BlueAnt, informed me that their target audience is the ‘Gen Z’ demographic. This is mainly because the colors of their products match Apple’s iMac. In fact, based on his observation, the pink one was extremely popular among women.

The Soundblade looks great and delivers an impressive audio experience that makes you feel like you are part of the action. The 120W peak power output ensures that every sound, from dialogue to sound effects, is crystal clear and full of detail. The 2.1 channel sound configuration, built-in 80mm neodymium subwoofer, and dual full-range neodymium drivers produce a rich, immersive audio journey.

I was particularly impressed by the Soundblade’s ability to bridge the gap between monitor speakers and the visual experience. Whether I was watching a movie, playing a game, or indulging in AI-generated media, the soundbar transported me into the heart of the action. The auditory details were so vivid that I could feel the intensity of cinematic storytelling and the thrill of being “in the game.” The Soundblade truly elevated the overall gaming and streaming experience.

In terms of specifications, the Soundblade boasted an array of impressive features. Its compatibility with PC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Bluetooth, and AUX seamlessly integrates with various devices. The connectivity options, including USB-C, Bluetooth 5.3, and a 3.5mm auxiliary input, ensured versatile usage across different tech ecosystems.

The device measures 584 x 218 x 54mm (23 x 8.58 x 2.13in) and weighs 1.7kg (3.75 pounds), making it a compact and unobtrusive addition to any desktop setup. It has a remote control for easy operation and offers three built-in EQs tailored explicitly for different media types: Games, Movies, and Music.

Overall, my hands-on experience with the BlueAnt Soundblade at CES 2024 left me thoroughly impressed. Its stunning award-winning design, HD audio quality, and powerful performance make it an ideal choice for design enthusiasts seeking a superior desktop audio solution. Whether you’re a movie buff, a gaming enthusiast, or someone who appreciates high-quality sound, the Soundblade will elevate your desktop audio experience to new heights.

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Lightweight XREAL Air 2 Ultra glasses deliver advanced VR experience at a fraction of price of the Apple Vision Pro

Talk of AR glasses and the first names that come to mind are Apple Visions Pro and Meta Quest 3. Priced exorbitantly, given their early stage of development, a lesser-priced alternative is bound to attract attention. That’s exactly what the $699 XREAL Air 2 Ultra is with a shipping date slated sometime in March 2024 for early adopters.

The wearable accessories are a cross between AR glasses and smart spectacles, making them highly practical for real-life situations. At the ongoing event, we got a chance to experience the Air 2 Ultra with its directional audio technology and were impressed by the experience. Also, we resonated well with the vision of bringing augmented reality (AR) to everyone. No doubt they won our “Best of CES 2024” award at the mega event!

Designer: XREAL

These new fashion-forward glasses are lighter at 72 grams compared to the 80 grams of the earlier version. The display like the Air 2 is 1080p at a refresh rate of 120Hz and 500 nits brightness. A worthy upgrade comes in the form of 52 degrees FOV and the 42 pixels per degree which is even better than the Apple Vision Pro. It has also been improved to get an additional pair of cameras on each side for six degrees of freedom and positional tracking. This enables interaction with both hands for a surreal experience and applications like 3D mesh creation and future-proof AI capabilities.

Talking of the mixed reality experiences that developers can create, the company has laid much focus on the spatial computing aspect. To that accord, the Air 2 Ultra comes with a suite of tools for developers like the Nebula, an in-house developed AR environment launcher and the latest SDK. Given their smaller size, comfortable form factor and new in-frame sensors; the developers will be more than eager to put that hardware to use for unique mixed-reality applications.

XREAL has also proactively partnered with Qualcomm Technologies, BMW Group, NIO, Quintar, and Forma Vision to create niche spatial computing interfaces. These come in the form of navigation instructions, hazard warnings, holographic meetings, or entertainment content.

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2024 Bon Voyage Trailer is LG’s foray into designing intelligent life solutions

LG has been a force to reckon with at CES 2024. Especially with the amazing set of TVs it has brought to Vegas. This includes the show-stopper 77-inch wireless, transparent OLED TV that lets you use it as a décor item you can peep beyond, when you’re not enjoying your regular dose of entertainment on it.

Of course, new speakers, TVs and other forms of consumer tech are expected from the South Korean tech company. What is really not a given is a micro-housing solution for adventurers. But that’s what LG Labs, the company’s marketing division for innovative products – has on exhibit at CES in the form of 2024 Bon Voyage camping trailer.

Designer: LG Labs

The Bon Voyage trailer is, frankly then, LG’s foray into designing intelligent life solutions for the masses. This trailer is based on the bigger tiny living solution – with the same name – released back at the Wanderlust Korea 2023. It was a duplex home built with 20sq meter of living space comprising diagonal corridors and ergonomic stairs.

The idea behind creation of the Bon Voyage was to understand the trends in housing culture and to gauge what people wanted. Through the received feedback, LG Labs has now scaled down the Bon Voyage – showing off at CES – into the size of the towable trailer which can be trailed behind your electric vehicle.

Designed as a cozy personal space on the road, the new Bon Voyage trailer is 7 feet high, 6.6 feet wide, and over 12 feet long. In this little space, LG has managed to stuff a range of furniture, storage, and a bed. It makes the living space well-lighted with the use of large glass windows and a side entry.

The basic construction is done with the use of low-carbon steel materials presumably, and it features a flatter roof for limited headspace. With the sleeping space tucked toward the front, the tailgate has a functional kitchen stocked up with an electric stove, water purifier, and refrigerator. From how things appear, there is no bathroom, but we would like to believe LG has a portable toilet and a section for bathing within. The battery-powered Bon Voyage trailer doesn’t have a price or availability going its way at the time of writing, but the battery-powered camping solution, should be apt for off-grid tours with an option solar panel set-up.

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AI-powered cat door stops your feline companion from bringing home dead gifts

Cats are notorious for many things, with curiosity at the top of that list. They can and will pounce on small critters, sometimes with undesirable consequences. If that wasn’t bad enough, cats that have owners have a tendency to bring home the spoils of war, whether for themselves or as a gift to their humans. Either way, those unwanted and unmoving critters are sure to create unhealthy and unsavory circumstances at home, often discovered only after the fact. At CES 2024, a rather curious solution is being presented, utilizing those hot AI powers to stop your cat from entering your abode until they finally let go of their lifeless package.

Designer: Flappie

Flappie wouldn’t be the first smart pet door to grace the market, but it is probably the first to be so laser-focused on a very specific use case. The fact that it needs to only pay attention to cats and a very specific scenario means its designers and developers can also pour resources only into things that matter. In this case, that means it’s only concerned about recognizing cats and whether they have prey in their mouths before entering your house.

Like other smart doors, Flappie has sensors, specifically a camera, facing the outside world. When your cat approaches, it uses AI to identify whether it’s bringing home prey or just some other inanimate object. If it indeed carrying some previously living thing, the smart door will won’t open up and prevent your cat from entering. Only when the cat has figured out that it can’t go in without dropping its payload first will the AI door finally let it have access and resume living in the safety and comfort of its indoor abode.

The idea for this kind of specialized security system is to hopefully train the cat to not bring in dead things (or other things) and drop them off at the door before coming in. It’s not a foolproof method, but one that the designers believe is more effective than manually monitoring the cat. They are confident that the AI has a 90% accuracy in identifying dead prey like mice, birds, and even snakes, and it will only get better as it learns over time.

Flappie also has other functions besides training your cat to be respectful when coming back home. Those same cameras can be used to capture your feline’s precious moments and even share them on social media. You could control it remotely via an app, but there are also manual controls in case things get a little out of hand. The smart door can also be connected to your cat’s chip, presuming it has one, so that it will only let your own cat in and keep curious strangers out.

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realme 12 Pro wraps a premium telephoto camera in a luxurious watch design

Almost all smartphone makers try to advertise their design-centric processes and products, but few actually live up to the expectations they set. Of those few, realme has had a track record of teaming up with big names in the industry to come out with a variety of designs that target different audiences, from youngsters to travelers to connoisseurs. This year, it seems that realme is aiming to tickle the fancy of watch lovers with a flagship that takes deep inspiration from these masterpieces of design and craftsmanship. Of, the realme 12 Pro isn’t just a pretty face and promises to also elevate your mobile photography with a new premium telephoto camera.

Designer: realme x Ollivier Savéo

In the past, smartphone telephoto cameras could only use digital tricks to get closer to a subject, but the development of periscope-style lenses finally enabled true optical zoom without bulking up the phone too much. With the realme 12 Pro, the brand is taking that to the next level with a combination of innovative elements and engineering to deliver a premium telephoto experience. In addition to a state-of-the-art periscope telephoto lens, the flagship phone utilizes the latest OmniVision OV64B, a 64MP 1/2-inch sensor that’s twice as large as your typical telephoto camera, including the one on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. These two pieces work together to provide not just 3x optical zoom but also 6x in-sensor (hybrid) zoom, getting you close and personal without the usual degradation associated with simple image cropping.

Of course, the realme 12 Pro’s main camera isn’t going to be left behind. With a 50MP Sony IMX890 1/1.56-inch sensor, the primary wide shooter promises rich details even at night. This is further enhanced by the MasterShot algorithm developed in collaboration with Qualcomm, enabling the phone to process RAW images directly, among other process-intensive capabilities. Along with the ultra-wide shooter, this camera system supports a wide range of lossless zoom levels, from 0.6x to 6x, similar to that of more expensive handsets.

Although the cameras are a focal point of the realme 12 Pro (pun intended, the phone’s design takes its cue from a different kind of luxury product. Teaming up with luxury watch designer Ollivier Savéo, the phone bears the aesthetic and tactile hallmarks of an elegant and premium timepiece. A fluted bezel wraps the circular camera island, giving the semblance of a classic watch face, while the vegan leather material that covers the phone’s back is akin to the leather straps of these luxurious accessories.

The realme 12 Pro takes this a step further with a 3D jubilee bracelet, similar to a metallic strap, that runs down the middle of the phone. With its three-dimensional rhomboid precision splicing, this minute detail adds a new texture and a touch of class to an already stylish phone. The realme 12 Pro is set to launch this month, with availability details and exact specs still to be disclosed.

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