The 2022 Consumer Electronics Show was a challenge to attend this year with its hybrid setup, but that didn't stop plenty of companies from showcasing exciting new technology. While we missed exploring the venue and chatting face-to-face on the show floor, we still discovered top-quality tech, from headliners to hidden gems. The following iPhone Life Best of CES 2022 Awards go to our favorite gear hitting the shelves this year, from tiny drones, to smart faucets, to trackable backpacks.
Sony Airpeak S1 ($8,999.99)
Available now
This little drone has big potential. Sony boasts this is the “world’s smallest drone that can carry a full frame Alpha series mirrorless camera.” What this means is the camera capabilities are next-level, offering the potential for high-quality pictures and videos on a super portable frame. The drone’s stabilizing technology purportedly keeps it steady in winds up to 44 mph, opening new possibilities for different weather conditions. Repeat Flight Pattern mode takes the drone over the same course it flew before, an exciting option for monitoring seasonal changes, different times of day, or the coming and going of wildlife along a specific route. Smaller devices doing bigger things is certainly a theme we’re seeing a lot of.
Samsung The Freestyle Projector ($899.99)
Pre-order through January 23; ships February 11
Portability is the name of the game. This little projector can be transported easily, and its 180-degree design lets you angle it to fit most surfaces. Want to host a movie night out in the barn? Or watch a galaxy show on your ceiling? The potential for all that and more is there with this one, plus it has smart TV-enabled features, meaning you can stream pretty much anything anywhere, only this time you don’t actually need a screen. Its 360-degree sound gives you more seating options, too, cutting out dead zones for those who chose the wrong spot.
Moen Smart Faucet with Motion Control (Starting at $675)
Available in April
We've all grown warier of germs over the past couple years, and motion control sinks seem more brilliant than ever. I turn on the faucet before I wash my hands. Why on earth would I ever want to touch that thing? Moen is now offering a line of motion-activated faucets, saving you from the horrors of manual faucet control. Plus, the smart control allows you to set the temperature and more through your iPhone, opening up possibilities for exact water temperature that includes precise cooking instructions and making sure warm water doesn't scald your hands, especially helpful if you have small children who learn how to use the motion activation.
Targus Cypress Hero Backpack with Apple Find My Technology ($149.99)
Available spring/summer
While trackers that we can attach to our belongings have been on the rise for some time now, Targus takes it to the next level with their full-on trackable backpack. While a loose tracker has the potential to fall out of your bag or be removed by someone with malicious intent, the Cypress Hero Backpack has tracking technology built in so you don't have to worry about the tracker being separated from the device. Aside from helping you keep track of the backpack itself and the belongings inside, this backpack also adds an extra safety measure for hiking and travel. If you allow a friend or loved one to view your backpack's location, you'll have someone keeping track of you if you end up lost or off route.
Jabra Enhance Plus (Price TBA)
Coming Soon
These earbuds are designed for those who have mild to moderate hearing loss but aren't yet ready to transition to full hearing aids. It has four main features that come together for an enhanced hearing experience: Warp Compressor, which is meant to analyze and process sound in a way similar to how the human ear does, leading to a more natural experience; Digital Noise Reduction, which makes sure all the unnecessary background noise is filtered out for a cleaner sound; Digital Feedback Suppression which, as you might have guessed, manages and suppresses feedback; and Binaural Beamformer which provides sound isolation to help the listener hear and focus on the more important sounds around them. There is currently no release date or price available, but hopefully we'll see these hit the market soon. Whether or not they'll be affordable to an average consumer remains to be seen.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus ($449.99)
Available Now
Other smartwatches are catching up to the Apple Watch fast, and they're doing it in style. The Garmin Venu 2 Plus has an elegant, rounded shape that more closely resembles a wristwatch than any of Apple's offerings, and this new model allows you to take calls and use your voice assistant, making it easy to create and send text messages without having to use the screen. When it comes to health tracking, the Venu 2 has shot ahead of the pack, offering metrics you won’t find on the Apple Watch such as health snapshot, Body Battery energy monitoring, stress and hydration tracking, "fitness age" analysis, and a 9-day battery life Apple can’t compete with. Plus, it comes with more than 25 pre-loaded sports apps to keep you moving, which is a favorite feature of any smart watch.
