This week, the tech industry gathered in Las Vegas for CES 2024. From AI-enabled home appliances to cutting-edge gaming hardware, the trade show had a gadget to offer every type of tech enthusiast. Samsung showed off its own VR gaming monitor, which doesn’t require a headset.
On the environmental side, scientists reported that 2023 was officially the hottest year in a century and a half. And in space, Astrobotic’s attempt at the first commercial moon landing went awry following a fuel leak in its rocket.
Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top tech stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.
CES 2024 Showcased Over 4,000 Exhibitors in Las Vegas
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The majority of tech product announcements and previews stemmed from the annual Consumer Electronics Show. Taking place in Las Vegas over the past week, CES 2024 played host to 4,000 exhibitors, from names such as LG and Samsung to smaller startups.
Among the trends that dominated CES this year was advancements in AI. Baracoda Daily Healthtech showed off its BMind Smart Mirror. The device looks like a regular mirror but is in fact engineered to help improve one’s self-worth and mental health. The smart mirror uses a camera to analyze an individual’s facial and gesture recognition, as well as their voice commands and will respond with affirmations and recommendations to improve their day based on the measured level of well-being.
Astrobotic’s Attempt at the First Commercial Moon Landing Derailed Following a “Critical” Fuel Loss
Astrobotic
Space travel’s Astrobotic had a lofty goal to pull off the first-ever moon landing carried out by a commercial company. The Vulcan Centaur was carrying the Peregrine lunar lander and on its way to the Moon when the mission went awry.
First, technical difficulties prevented Peregrine from turning its solar panels to face to Sun, so the lander couldn’t charge its batteries. After that issue was resolved by scientists, the rocket sprung a leak, leading to a “critical loss of propellant.” With only 40 hours of fuel left, there was no chance of the rocket making it to the Moon’s surface.
“At this time, the goal is to get Peregrine as close to lunar distance as we can before it loses the ability to maintain its sun-pointing position and subsequently loses power,” Astrobotic said.
Samsung Has a 3D, VR Gaming Monitor That Doesn’t Require a Headset
Samsung
Samsung headed to CES 2024 to debut a VR gaming monitor that doesn’t require a headset. Currently known as simply the Samsung 2D/3D Gaming Monitor, the device contains two cameras the track eye and face movement. The monitor can also be used in a 2D mode but when set to 3D, it adjusts where graphics come from on the screen to create the multi-dimensional effect.
The company says that the monitor is compatible with Steam VR. While it’s ahrd to gauge how immersive the screen actually is without trying it firsthand, the device was awarded “Best of Innovation in Gaming and eSports” at CES.
2023 Was Officially the Hottest Year on Record
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2023 was the warmest year in a century and a half, according to a new report conducted by the European Union climate monitor and published by The New York Times. The publication says that “averaged across last year, temperatures worldwide were 1.48 degrees Celsius, or 2.66 Fahrenheit, higher than they were in the second half of the 19th century.”
The news is tragic but not surprising to many, particularly those who live in regions heavily affected by climate change. Canada, for instance, experienced its worst wildfire session in history in 2023, with 45 million acres of land burned.
