I admit I don’t know much about technology. Letter and number combinations that name items make little sense to me, and the speculation of future inventions has never been my interest. That said, I still found myself intrigued by the products showcased at the CES (International Consumer Electronics Show) that took place in Las Vegas this month.

Beginning with its first 1967 show in New York,  CES unveils the latest and greatest advancements, many of which appeal to even the most “technologically impaired.”

CES draws in a wide range of people. For example, for car lovers, smart phone apps can be integrated into vehicle systems. Another cool app tracks your luggage, which would end some struggles and fears of travelling. Smaller cameras stream photos directly, using Wifi. For custumers who seek immediate hard copies, new polaroids are being developed.

The intriguing Green Category contains developments to improve our ecosystem and make our daily lives more in-tune with Mother Nature. The Parrot Flower Power watches over plants and uses bluetooth to take care of them. The Smart Body Analyzer WS 50 calculates weight and body fat percentage. More eco-friendly ways of powering electronics include the Eton Boost Solar battery pack, which uses the sun to power electronics and to recycle old batteries by turning them into bluetooth devices.

The gadgets, while not having a real practical use, were awesome, such as the giant mechanical snake. Other eclectic gizmos range from vests that massage you based on the music you play. The Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses let you watch TV from a little screen on the top corner of your head. On the Martian Passport, you can call and text from your watch. On the Nvidia Grid, you can play 3D games from the Apple “cloud.”

Whether you are a tech junkie or if you marvel bewilderedly at what appears to be magic, events at CES remind us all just how innovative people are and how specific devices can make our world a bit better.

Written by Hannah Wexner’14