Best of CES-2014

The Very Best of CES 2014

Razer's Modular Desktop PC

People have been building their own desktop computers for ages, but Razers Project Christine makes takes the tried and true hobby to an awesome height of ease. Snapping in parts like Legos seems like a joy, and each module is liquid cooled by default for extra coolness. And even though this is probably vaporware-Razer is just testing the waters and looking for reactions-its damned cool.

Sony's Close-Up 4K Projector

Curved or flat, flexible or not, 4K TVs are beautiful. But they e also expensive, huge, and just TVs. High res is fun but *yawn*. Sonys Life Space UX Ultra Short-Throw 4K Projector, on the other hand, is a more novel take on the 4K craze, and mercifully easy to move. Of course it will cost a small fortune, and who knows if it will ever really make it to market, but damned if we all don want one right now.

Mophie's Storage-Supplementing Battery Pack

Theres no MicroSD expansion slot on an iPhone, and they e harder and harder to come by on Androids too. But Morphies solution-a battery pack that also adds storage-is a perfect solution for digital hoarders everywhere who suddenly decided they need more storage after buying the device. Its not the flashiest gadget ever, but it solves a persistent problem pretty elegantly. And thats super dope in its own subtle way.

FLIR Thermal Camera iPhone Case

Want Predator-vision? You got it. FLIRs thermal camera for the iPhone is exactly that. Thermal imaging is far from new, but this implementation is cheap(ish), convenient, and super want-able. You can tell me that you don want that on your phone right now, even if you might not want to pony up the (comparatively cheap) $350 for it. If that doesn make a killer CES gadget I don know what does.

Audi Quattro Concept Car

A car with laser-cannon headlights? Sure, why not. Audis crazy-awesome Quattro is just a concept, and probably not destined for roads any time soon if ever, but that doesn mean its any less of a tech marvel. And while the Quattro itself pre-dates CES, we didn find out the true glory of those laser headlights until last week, and frankly they could make this list on their own.

The WWE's New Network

Yes, the WWE is getting its own network, and yes it was one of the best things at CES. Whether you e into wrestling or not, the WWEs new all-you-can-stream buffet-style offering is a shot at what the future of television could and should be for every channel and interest. So shirtless men throwing each other around while wearing spandex or not, this is fantastic.

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The Luci Inflatable Solar Lantern Gets a Colorful Follow-Up

 

What was originally conceived as a cheap rechargeable LED light for parts of the world where the power grid wasn't reliable, turned out to be a huge hit with consumers all over the world after it was unveiled at CES last year. So this year MPOWERD is introducing a slightly more extravagant model of its inflatable lantern called the Luci Aura that features color-changing LED lights and a new frosted plastic giving it a softer glow.

Where as the original Luci was all about maximizing brightness, the Aura is more about setting a mood and is designed to be a fun camping accessory, or the perfect way to decorate a dorm room. It's got the same solar panel on the underside as the Luci, as well as the original's rechargeable battery that promises up to 12 hours of illumination after eight hours under a light source.

But besides the snazzy colors, and a $25 price tag that's about $10 more than the original, the Aura is actually made from a new environmentally-friendly plastic that's actually biodegradable. There's no word on how long it will take for the Aura to disintegrate, but it will certainly give you many years of loyal service long before it starts to rot away.

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