While all of the “big” CES announcements are either made pre-show or during a flashy press conference on day one, day two is far from a write-off. For a start, it’s an opportunity to go hands-on with some of the major stuff you can’t quite get to on the first day. Then there’s an opportunity to walk the show floor and unearth a few hidden gems.
So coming up, we have a glimpse at one of this year’s most anticipated luxury vehicles, some high-tech custom footwear, and a way people who are bad at mathematics can brighten up their barroom.
Mercedes teams with Dolby to take car audio to the next level
Dolby has brought its Atmos audio to cars, and it’s pretty mindblowing. If you use one of the streaming services that offers Atmos audio (which includes Apple Music and Tidal, but not Spotify at this time), then you’re in for a bit of an experience. It takes full advantage of your car’s speaker system, so symbols will crash on one speaker while guitars wail across others. More fun is in store if you’re into audiobooks, with Atmos aptly ramping up the atmosphere. It doesn’t work with movies at this time, but I’m told this is something that is actively being worked on.
The demonstration took place inside the new all-electric Mercedes GLC, which further elevated the whole experience. I can’t tell you how it drives, but based on my time inside it, I can confirm the interior is exceptional. The seats are comfortable, leather clads almost every surface you come into contact with, and there’s a wonderful snakeskin-like pattern breaking up the various elements. However, that all fades into the background when you spot the infotainment system. Mercedes has opted for a full-dash display, which is becoming a popular option amongst modern luxury OEMs. Where the “39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen” stands out is in the height department. It’s far taller than competing systems, which makes it easier to use and more comfortable to watch. Despite its size, it doesn’t look out of place or obscure your view of the road. It’s somehow massive, practical, and perfectly fitted to the vehicle.
As with similar systems, the passenger is free to watch a movie on their own, generously sized section of the display when the car is in motion. For safety reasons, a small camera is keeping track of the driver while the passenger portion of the display is playing things. If the driver glances across, the movie stops. Dolby Atmos is not exclusive to Mercedes; however, the new GLC is a pretty perfect platform for it. The Burmester speakers offer perfect surround sound, and you may have a better time chilling out in the car than you do in your own living room. There’s a lot more to come with the 2027 GLC, and if the other features match its comfort and infotainment offerings, Mercedes is on to a winner.
Meet your new virtual cordwainer
They’re 3D printing everything these days, apparently, and that includes shoes. Fitasy offers 3D printed footwear in whatever size you are, with pairs available to purchase online. However, for a little extra cash, you can ditch standard sizing and have a truly custom pair made. You use the company’s app to snap a few shots of each foot, then enter some details like your height and weight into a short form. A pair made to perfectly fit your plodders is then printed and shipped out to you in a few weeks.
The shoes themselves are pretty comfortable. The slightly elastic material grips your feet perfectly, but is soft enough to slip out of when you need to. There’s an airy, cushioned feel to the soles, while the mesh adds an odd but not unpleasant texture. I couldn’t give them a full test as it’s hard to judge footwear when you’re several days into a trade show. But when the bloodied stumps that used to be my feet heal up, I’m looking forward to giving my custom pair a crack.
Darts without the annoying math
Technology is there to improve your life and make things easier. This concept extends to the bar room, so here’s a pretty good accessory if you’re fond of chucking pointy things at a big circle.
The aptly named “Target” Omni is a system that keeps track of your dart score and allows you to concentrate on hitting the board. It uses a series of cameras to determine exactly where your dart has landed and instantly does the math for you. Before you start, you select what game you want to play (501, 301, cricket, etc.) and then you’re off to the oche.
In addition to the scoring, the ring functions as a light. So you can actually see what you’re aiming at. If you’re still bad at darts and hit your $600+ contraption, don’t worry. It’s pretty robust. The booth attendant showed me the evidence of previous misses, and aside from a few little blemishes on the plastic it was fine. The cameras are well shielded, too, so it would take a spectacularly unlucky rebound to tag one.
