CES 2024: The Unnecessary Tech Parade
Let's talk about CES 2024 - an event that felt like the Met Gala of the tech world, except instead of Lady Gaga in a meat dress, we got a fridge that probably knows more about my diet than I do. Consumer Electronics Show is an annual trade show for tech enthusiasts. Imagine a fashion show, but instead of clothes, we've got gadgets and gizmos getting weirder and more wonderful as the years fly by.
CES 2024, held in the buzzing city of Las Vegas, was nothing short of a futuristic fashion show where technology wore its most extravagant outfits. Imagine walking into a room where pillows and office chairs are smarter than Kenya's PLO Lumumba, thanks to AI.
The runway was filled with robots doing everything from mixing drinks to customer service. I low-key hoped to see a video of a robot doing taxes while giving life advice but I guess that's not a first-world problem.
The car segment was no less, with autonomous cars and EV concepts that made me think of a Sci-Fi movie set. CES showcased vehicles that make our current cars look like ancient chariots. From Honda's autonomous vehicles to Kia's electric taxi concept, it's clear that the future of transport is here. And let's not forget Hyundai's Mobis car that spins 360 degrees - solving the worldwide problem of parallel parking.
But wait, it gets better. The sensory overload included giant LED walls and transparent displays, giving the event a vibe that screamed, 'We're in 2024, but we're partying like it's 3024'. And in case you thought your beer-making skills were top-notch, there is now a home beer making system. Because, why not?
Next is a $200,000 foldable TV that doubles as a piece of fancy furniture. Imagine buying a Picasso, but instead of hanging it on the wall, you watch Netflix on it. And what about the AI-controlled lights that change with your mood? Because who needs therapy when you have mood lighting, right?
Amidst all this tech-tacular display, a question looms: Are we focusing on what we need, or are we just making fancy toys for the rich and bored? As much as we ooh and aah over the latest gadgetry, the real winners in the tech world will be those innovations that address real-world problems. It's about necessity trumping luxury. Sure, a transparent TV is cool (especially if you're a cool, rich kid), but what about tech that makes life easier, safer, and more sustainable for the average Joe?
In the end, CES 2024 was a dazzling display of what's possible, but let's not forget what is necessary. After all, what's the point of having a robot that can mix the perfect martini if we're living in a world where the ice caps have melted, and the only place to enjoy that drink is on a raft? Just because you can put AI in something, doesn't mean you should. Why oh why do we need an AI-powered toothbrush...?
