Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, this year’s CES was again different from years past, but several big names in the tech world went on as planned in Las Vegas.
Still, that doesn’t mean CES 2022 wasn’t without its share of high-tech splendor. Those who were there in person or logged on to the virtual announcements, we’re treated to innovations ranging from BMW’s color-changing SUV to Razer’s modular PC concept. Here’s TIME’s Best of CES 2022:
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The BMW iX Flow
BMW’s new electric iX Flow uses e-ink technology to change its color scheme from black to white completely and anywhere in between; it can also show complex patterns and designs. On a hot day, drivers could reduce the car’s interior temperature by changing from black to a more reflective white option, thanks to the IX Flow’s color tech.
The TP-Link AXE200
CES is known for its innovation and tech, but this year was no different. Check out the top innovations at CES right here! You’ll find everything from BMW’s all-color SUV, to Razer’s modular PC concept, to a whole bunch of other high-tech stuff.
The AXE200 Omni can boost speeds and reduce the time it takes for a device to respond, thanks to the newest standard in the wi-fi alliance. It can be dropped into a compatible mesh network with 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 6 GHz support. The AXE200 is packing some severe networking heat as well.
Sony PlayStation VR2
Sony is bringing back a favorite gaming platform: the PlayStation VR. The new PSVR2 headset uses the new PlayStation 5’s processing power to offer a more high-resolution gaming experience than the original model. It has a 4K OLED display, eye tracking, and a built-in camera. PlayStation’s new Sense VR controllers offer more tracking fidelity without the need for a camera pointed at gamers, similar to the controllers found on Facebook’s Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. But you’ll need to use a cable to connect the PlayStation VR2 to your TV.
Razer Project Sophia
A desk with embedded modular components, Razer’s new cutting-edge Project Sophia PC concept would allow users to swap parts and modules like displays, USB hubs, or wireless chargers. It’s not the first time the company’s tried to make the PC more modular—last year, it showed off a more practical design using Intel’s miniature NUC, essentially a tiny CPU and motherboard combo. And its 2014 PC concept, Project Christine, gave us a glimpse at a possible PC future that made upgrading major components as easy as changing a roll of toilet paper. Well, no, this is only a concept for now.
It’s not that I don’t want a cutting-edge modular PC. What I’m saying is that this is only a concept for now. I’m sure that as long as it meets the standard of the CES, we’ll be getting one soon.
General Motors’ Silverado, Equinox, and Blazer EVs
General GM has one for you if you have been looking for a relatively affordable, no-sacrifices electric vehicle. The company announced a trio of all-electric cars with similar looks and range as their gasoline counterparts: the electric Chevy Silverado pickup truck, along with the Chevy Equinox and Blazer, and two electric SUVs set to arrive in 2023. The best part of the whole thing? The prices are what they are.
The Equinox is not the cheapest car, but it is an affordable electric model comparable to more expensive options like the Model X and Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. It is also not bad to look at, leading to further adoption.
Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED
This is the best laptop for watching movies. The OLED display is gorgeous, and it folds up in such a clever way that you could probably use it as a stand-up tablet. The new 15.6-inch Zenbook Flip 3:10 is a great 2-in-1 laptop for on the go, whether you want to carry it in a carrying case or keep it detached from the computer so you can use it as a tablet.
Nvidia RTX 3050 Graphics Card
Nvidia, the chipmaker that powers everything from gaming consoles to self-driving cars, used CES 2022 to introduce the next iteration of its consumer-friendly graphics cards. The RTX 3050, relatively affordable at $249, fills a significant gap in Nvidia’s lineup. And it makes cutting-edge graphics technology like ray tracing more accessible to those who can’t fork over more than twice that amount for top-of-the-line cards. It’s true; graphics cards are no longer cheap. They can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but if you are looking for the best deals on graphic cards, check out this list of the best graphics card for gaming from AMD, Nvidia, and Sapphire.
Samsung’s NFT TVs
NFC tokens are on the upswing these days. They’re used in many smart-wallet applications to enable easy crypto exchange for fiat currencies. With Samsung’s new lineup of TVs, you can also use your phone to display them, just like Samsung’s latest TVs.
LG OLED EX
The company has found a way to use deuterium (also known as “heavy water”) to improve its OLED technology, improving brightness and picture quality while keeping energy consumption low.
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector
After you’ve seen the Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K projector in action, you’ll know exactly what I mean. This projector has 2,400 lumens of brightness, making it perfect for watching movies at night or during the day on a sunny patio, and the built-in 30-watt speakers make for a fantastic movie experience. At $2,200, it’s not cheap, but since when have suitable projectors been affordable? There are two main reasons why a projector would have a built-in operating system. The first is that you can stream content from an Android or Chromecast device, which means that you don’t need to hook it up to your television. The second reason is that the projector can also be used as a media center. The Android or Chromecast OS will let you play media files directly on the screen without hooking the projector up to your television.
