Smarter phones for tech show reveal

Smarter, faster phones? Check. Technology you wear on your body? Yes. Massive TVs with mind-boggling resolution? Of course.

If you can imagine it, it will likely be on exhibit this week in Las Vegas as tech geeks from all over the world descend upon Sin City for the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show.

It will feature more than 3,200 exhibitors unveiling the latest consumer tech products across 15 categories. This includes products from the biggest tech companies such as Microsoft and Samsung, as well as innovations from budding entrepreneurs showcased in the Eureka Park TechZone.

CES formally kicks off tomorrow with a keynote presentation from Sony Corporation president and CEO Kazuo Hirai, who is expected to discuss the latest innovations “occurring at the intersection of content and hardware”.

One interesting exhibitor this year is Boston-based Bounce Imaging, which develops low-cost, throwable sensors and cameras. These bouncing camera balls appear to have real-world applications for first responders and perhaps the military.

There is also a lot of speculation about which new phones might be unveiled at CES this year. South Korea’s LG will likely have the LG G Flex smartphone on display. LG says this phone is curved to follow the contour of the human face. It also comes with “self-healing” technology that LG says helps eliminate scratches to the back cover.

The company will also be exhibiting a 105-in curved Ultra HD television. Not to be outdone, Samsung said it will be unveiling a curved, 105-in, ultra HD TV of its own. The price tag? $150,000 (€110,400).

According to the BBC, with Google Glass still awaiting a sensible-priced release, smaller firms will be showing off their own tech-enhanced eyewear.

GlassUp will show off a pair that superimposes smartphone alerts, directions, and other app information over the user’s right eye. Much of the other wearable tech will be focused on fitness.

Lebanese start-up Butterfleye is at CES with Instabeat, a waterproof heads-up monitor that attaches to swimming goggles to show the wearer’s heart rate. LG will have a new fitness tracking wristband. The firm unveiled an earlier model at CES in 2013, but never put it on sale.

Mr Hirai could also use his keynote address to spell out his vision for wearable tech after mixed reviews for his company’s smartwatches.

The massive growth in 3D printers will also be visible, with about 30 firms showing off their wares. New entrants include Pirate3DP and its Buccaneer printer, following a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign that raised over €1m.

The firm suggests its machine is less likely to jam than others when building up plastic objects layer by layer.