CES 2021 is over. Here are 3 things we learned



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Brett Molina

| USA TODAY

Welcome back, Talking Tech readers! It’s co-host Brett Molina here to bring you the latest tech headlines.

It’s January, which means CES season. The tech bonanza, previously known as the Consumer Electronics Show, provided a glimpse into the future of tech, both immediate and along the way (sorry, no flying cars this year).

Now that the bots have powered off and CES wraps up another year, here are three things we’ve learned:

1. Make you more comfortable at home

As you will remember, CES was completely virtual this year, thanks to the pandemic. With tech makers well aware of how much time you spend at home, there were plenty of products to make you feel comfortable. Can’t go to the movies? Consider the wide selection of televisions that seem to be growing day by day for your own home theater. Need help keeping your home tidy? Here’s a handy robot that’s capable of loading the dishwasher and letting you put your feet up while they pour a glass of wine (or beer or whatever beverage you choose).

2. Tech to ensure your safety too

We live in an age with smart toothbrushes, so it’s no surprise that CES is offering a way to improve the masks we wear in the midst of the pandemic. For example, the AirLoop featured a sensor that measured the air around you and your breathing rate. Another mask, the Maskfone, combines a mask with wireless buttons. But it goes beyond what you wear on your face. There are backpacks to help keep germs away and robots roaming indoor spaces zapping pollutants into the air with ultraviolet light.

3. Hands off this technology

In these days of worrying about germs, what better technology than the contactless variety? Companies like Kohler and Moen have unveiled a variety of touchless products, including a faucet with a pre-programmed handwash feature to make sure you keep those hands clean.

If you need more information about CES, our colleagues at Review.com are here for you. If you’re ready to move on:

Other tech news this week:

• Here is a new challenger, the iPhone 12! Samsung announced the Galaxy S21, as well as the S21 + (larger screen) and S21 Ultra (five cameras). They launch on January 29.

• Following the Capitol Riot, social media sites cracked down on QAnon-linked accounts. As a result, Republican lawmakers have lost thousands of Twitter followers, according to USA TODAY analysis.

• Beware, Ring doorbells owners: A security breach with the Neighbors app exposed users’ home addresses and their locations.

This Week’s Talking Tech Podcasts

Lots of CES and lots of Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Co-host Mike Snider and I discussed robots, COVID technology and TVs. Plus, tune in this weekend to hear about the CES gadgets we’d actually buy and the strangest stuff from this year’s show.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @ brettmolina23.



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