Some gadgets work better in theory than practice. Many are concepts, designed more for the “whoa” factor or to make a point about the state and potential of technology in our world, than for practical use.
Here and there, though, a contraption that wows also works for everyday life. It catches you off guard with some capability you never thought you needed, or a level of customization or functionality you never knew was possible. Suddenly, you have to try it for yourself.
At CES, the exhibition halls are littered with tech that promises to track us, help us save money, time and resources and reflect our own lives back to us in ever-higher definition. They tap into trends of optimization -- tailoring every aspect of our lives to our personal circumstances -- as well as increasing peace of mind in a world where you can now answer your door or play with your pet, even when you’re not home.
Click through the slideshow to discover up-and-coming toys and tools that can enhance your life in subtle ways with potentially big payoffs.