The Las Vegas Convention center buzzed with excitement as tech companies unveiled their latest innovative ventures at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) hosted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) from Jan. 7 to Jan. 10.

From experienced companies like Intel to startups like Kolibree, innovators across the world debuted vast new collections with products ranging from cars to wearable devices. CES serves as an annual platform for these companies to announce their latest technologies and for consumers to keep aware of ongoing innovations.

Vamsi Gadiraju (11) expects that many of the products coming out this year and in the near future will deal with connecting devices to the Internet.

“I read articles about how the Internet of things is becoming larger, so one of the priorities of these companies is probably attaching all devices to the Internet, like refrigerators that can access the Internet,” he said. “I think that’s just a great step forward because now you have the access to understand truly where our energy is used and be able to minimize energy use in that way as well.”

Kilian Burke (12) also anticipates technology that will allow users to connect across their various electronic devices.

“I think tech companies should be focusing on how people can use the devices they already own to interact between themselves, like how can my phone interact with my car or my house?” he said.

The next CES will take place in Las Vegas from Jan 6. to 9, 2015.

Kolibree Smart Toothbrush:

Dubbed “the world’s first connected toothbrush,” Kolibree came out with a smart toothbrush, which uses sensor technology to track user’s daily brushing habits.

The brush can also sync to smartphones to show data on what areas of the mouth a user may be missing and includes games encouraging users to brush better next time. The app encourages families to use the technology together by allowing five users to share one account.

Neymika Jain (9) voiced her displeasure with the product idea.

“You already have electronic brushes that are really, really high performance. You don’t really need to have that constant thing, ‘Oh am I brushing right?’ That’s for perfectionists,” she said.

The company has not specified the release date of the product.

Lumolift

LumoBodyTech came out with the Lumolift, a chip sized gadget designed to improve posture.

The device clips on magnetically and can be worn anywhere around the chest area as jewelry or hidden below clothing. With the help of a smartphone app, it keeps track of when the wearer is slouching and can be set to vibrate as a reminder to stand up straight. The Lumolift also records a user’s steps, calories, and mileage.

Divya Rajasekharan (9) doubts the product will gain a significant user base.

“That’s pretty cool if you really care about your posture maybe, but I don’t think anyone else would really use that. While posture may be important, I wouldn’t want to go through that all day,” she said.

The product will be available in late spring for around $59 to $79.

June:

The latest in wearable technology, the June created by Netatmo intends to protect users from sun damage by monitoring exposure and suggesting ways to prevent UV damage, all while disguised as jewelry.

Users can check their sun exposure on an app that connects with the bracelet in order to “be sun savvy,” as Netatmo says.

Available in three colors with a detachable centerpiece, the June can be worn as a bracelet or a brooch.

Netatmo has not released information regarding the release of June.

Intel Smart Bowl:

The Intel Smart Bowl offers a way to wirelessly charge electronic devices with magnetic resonance technology.

Although the ten-inch diameter bowl currently works only for Intel’s new smart headset, the company plans to expand its uses to phones, tablets, and other devices.

Proclaimed one of the stars of CES, the bowl has received primarily positive attention.

“I need one now. But seriously that is futuristic, we are in the future now, that is something that needs to be mass produced, something that needs to be out there and done. Give it to people because it is a really smart idea,” Conor Martin (9) said.

Raymond Xu (9) voiced why he doesn’t believe there is a need for the product.

“Intel should spend its time doing better stuff. I don’t think it’s that great of a product,” he said.  “I don’t think anyone’s going to want to carry a bowl everywhere they go.”

Intel has not released any details surrounding when the bowl will be released.

Eyelock myris Iris Scanner:

            The Eyelock myris is a biometric security device that scans your eye to allow you access to your electronics.

Compared to fingerprint scanners, this computer mouse-size scanner has a much higher accuracy rate and a lower risk of hacking with a one in two trillion chance of a false match.

Zahra Budhwani (9) does not see the need for such a product, although she acknowledges its technological prowess.

“I think that’s really cool, but I’m not sure how well that would work with the general public. The general public usually doesn’t need such high security on their computers, but it’s still a pretty ingenious idea,” she said.

The product will be released in this coming year.

            Ford Solar-Powered Car:

Taking a new step in the production of environmentally-friendly cars, Ford has created the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept car, which can recharge its batteries under the sun in eight hours.

While the company has designed an aluminum canopy to concentrate sunlight onto the panels, it still needs to resolve other issues, such as how the car would function in areas with tall buildings or little sunlight.   

            Having these solar cells on top of the car will also eliminate the need for consumers to charge their cars or go to a gas station.

As the car is still in prototype stages, it will be a while before consumers can buy the vehicle.

This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on Jan. 27, 2014.