CES 2022 displays innovation despite Omicron ommissions

Beamforming technology that can be used at home for videoconferencing calls, a tabletop version of a holographic display booth, and the latest in OLED TV technology are among the latest products to appear at this year’s CES show.

The show kicked off this week, officially bringing together more than 2,300 exhibiting companies, despite big names such as Microsoft, Meta, Google and Amazon cancelling their in-person presence.

Making a splash was Kickstarter-funded firm Noveto which says it is using smart audio beaming technology to create an immersive binaural audio experience that doesn’t require headphones. The firm even claims that its technology is like wearing ‘invisible headphones’.

The effect is produced by the Noveto N1 device which looks like a soundbar but which produces sound designed only to be heard by the user’s own ears. This is achieved through a 90% (20dB) reduction in sound one metre away from the listener.

For more information: https://noveto.com/product-n1.html

Also revealed at the show is a product described as the world’s first tabletop holographic communication and media device, the PORTL M.  Launched by the company behind lifesize holographic booths that have been used in live events, broadcasting and medical education, the PORTL M tabletop device can be used in landscape or portrait mode.

For more information: https://www.portlhologram.com/m/

Among major manufacturers, LG announced the worlds first 97-inch OLED TV, together with higher brightness to provide ultra-realistic images with greater clarity and detail through OLED evo technology. An updated webOS also provides users with personal profiles to set up fast access to streaming services, get tailored content recommendations and get real-time alerts about sports teams.

For more information: https://news.lgdisplay.com/global/2022/01/ces2022-display-your-universe-with-lg-display/

At CES 2022, Sony announced that its 2022 BRAVIA XR TV line-up would feature an XR Backlight Master Drive for Mini LED to provide an unprecedented dynamic range with dazzling lights and deep blacks as well as beautifully natural mid tones with almost no flare or halos around highlights. A Cognitive Processor XR also powers a new OLED panel with XR Triluminos Max which delivers Sony’s widest colour palette. Sony also announced a firmware update which adds 360 spatial sound mapping capabilities first premiered in a home theatre system to its premium HT-A7000 soundbar.

For more information: Sony BRAVIA XR and T-A7000 premium soundbar

Attracting the attention of gaming enthusiasts at CES 2022 was a 55-inch curved 4K Samsung Ark display which can be used vertically as well as horizontally. A wireless controller allows the user to play with different aspect ratios, adjust the window size and throw up multiple feeds on the screen at the same time. so users can play games, video chat with friends and watch gaming videos at the same time.