GADGETS GALORE

Each January, the very latest electronic gadgets are showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. From large-screen TVs to flying cars, and everything in between, thousands of new releases compete for the attention of the early adopters and industry professionals who flock there in their thousands. Though the town may be better known for its casinos, the gamble here is to be the product that will change the world for consumers in the year ahead.

The biggest trend to come out of this year’s show was integration of digital assistants into products. Google showcased upgrades to its assistant, most notably the new interpreter mode, which allows text and voice translation in 27 languages, and is already being trialled at hotel concierge desks in the US (see p.38 'Hotel tech').

Amazon’s Alexa appeared in a host of new products, from