The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas kicked off yesterday. The coolest and WEIRDEST products this year include Lego Smart Bricks . . . talking picture frames . . . a robot vacuum that climbs stairs . . . and lollipops that play music in your head when you bite down.
1. Lollipops that play music. The brand is called Lollipop Star. Each flavor plays a different song using "bone conduction technology." The music plays inside your head. You can only hear it when you bite down. They'll cost $9 each.
2. Color-changing fingernails. A company called iPolish is behind them. They're press-on nails that change colors with a special device you have to buy. They say you can choose from 300 different shades. The starter kit is $95.
3. Talking A.I. picture frames. A company called Vinabot came up with digital picture frames that can talk and have conversations with you. They were inspired by the talking paintings in "Harry Potter". They'll cost around $300.
4. Vibrating kitchen knives. They're like your grandma's old-school carving knife you still use on Thanksgiving. But they vibrate 30,000 times per second to cut through stuff more easily. $400 at SeattleUltrasonics.com.
5. A.I.-powered hair clippers. Choose a hairstyle in the app . . . like "Crew Cut" or "Side Part" . . . and the blade automatically adjusts while you use it. (That one was also at last year's show. Still no word on price.)
6. Gaming headphones that read your mind. They scan your brainwaves to track focus, reaction speed, and cognitive load.
7. A.I. gaming and work companions. Razer showed off a desktop hologram that watches you game and gives tips. A Chinese company has a similar product that just sits on your desk and "simulates emotional intimacy." They claim it's like having an "A.I. soulmate."
8. Lego Smart Bricks. They light up and make different sounds depending on what you build. Like if they're part of a car, they'll make an engine sound.
9. A toilet that calls for help. A company called VoVo has a new smart toilet for seniors. If they don't use it for eight hours, it alerts their family in case they fell or need help. (But can it bring me more toilet paper?)
10. A.I. mirrors. There's one that helps you do your make-up, and another that scans your face to monitor your health.
11. A portable food allergy detector. Bring it to restaurants, and it can tell you if your meal is safe to eat.
12. A robot vacuum that climbs stairs. It looks like a normal robot vacuum, but the base it lives in has legs.
13. A clip-on device that remembers your conversations. It's small enough to clip onto your shirt. It can summarize work calls . . . or settle that argument when your spouse claims, "No, that's not what I said."
