CES 2016: The inside scoop on HTC Vive, Fitbit Blaze and more
CES 2016, the huge annual consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, officially opens today, but our partners at CNET have already gotten a sneak peek at some of the most talked-about new technology on display.
With 2.4 million square feet of exhibit space and thousands of companies showing off their wares, it takes a knowledgeable guide to sort through it all. CNET Editor in Chief Lindsey Turrentine is there and highlights some of the cutting-edge gadgets and innovations that could move the market and change our lives in the future.
HTC Vive
Virtual reality is a huge trend at CES this year, and the HTC Vive headset is one of the items leading the pack. Like the Oculus Rift and other VR devices, it immerses the user in a 3D video experience. But what distinguishes the HTC Vive is that it has a built-in camera in the front. "So it solves one of those weird problems with virtual reality, which is that it lets you see the walls so you don't run into them while you're maybe playing a game or wandering around the room," Turrentine told CBS News.
"We've ben waiting a long time for virtual reality headsets, but that's given the manufacturers some time to figure out some of the problems."
Drones
Of all the drone devices on display, Turrentine says the Parrot Disco stands out. "The reason it's interesting is that it's not a quadcopter - it's not like a helicopter-style drone - this is like an airplane, it has fixed wings. It can go up to 50 miles an hour," she said. You can pair it with a VR headset to get a bird's-eye view of the action.
"We're also going to see a lot of drones that are trying to figure out how to avoid obstacles," she noted. That safety advance will be essential before drones can become as widespread as developers hope.
HTC Styler
This high-end home dry cleaning appliance isn't for everyone, but it may appeal to the well-dressed tech aficionado who has everything. "It looks like a refrigerator for your suits," Turrentine said. "It takes up a lot of space." The price has not been announced, but it's likely to be well over $1,000, Turrentine said.
High-tech refrigerators
What will they think of next? New fridge models on display at CES offer features like a sensor that makes the doors see-through, and an automatic internal camera that snaps pictures you can access remotely, allowing you to see what's in the refrigerator while you're at the grocery store.
Fitbit Blaze
The new Fitbit Blaze is "Fitbit's attempt to compete with the Apple Watch," Turrentine said. It looks more like a watch than other Fitbits and lets users swap out different watchbands. "It looks really stylish. It's about $200. And this is sort of an example of how wearables are evolving to be more fashionable, which we're going to see a lot more of at this show."
Watch the video above to find out more about what Turrentine is most excited about at CES.
CES 2016 runs from Jan. 6 through Jan. 9. CBSNews.com will have updates every day, and you can get complete coverage on our partner site CNET.