Our unofficial, silly and meaningless CES 2025 awards, just for fun

CES (previously the Client Electronics Present) is the largest tech conference of the yr. It helps set the stage for all the wonderful gadgets we will see over the subsequent 12 months. Nonetheless, amongst all of the quadcopters, questionably benevolent robots and units with fancy versatile screens, there’s plenty of small issues that go into making CES a one-of-a-kind occasion. To focus on a number of the foolish, silly and infrequently healthful issues we encountered on the present this yr, we humbly current the very unofficial Dumb Enjoyable awards for CES 2025.

Cutest digger – Komatsu PC01E-2

Komatsu’s PC01E-2 appears to be like like a youngsters’s playground toy, besides that it really works and is de facto goddam cute. You virtually need to stroll over and pinch that little bucket till it turns pink. But it surely’s not all enjoyable and video games as a result of this little digger is supposed to assist excavate issues — even in tight areas. The truth is, it’s sufficiently small to slot in most elevators, so in the event you run right into a scenario the place that you must get some digging achieved, say, on the roof, Komatsu’s received you.

Almost definitely to be vaporware – FX Super One

We usually attempt to be optimistic about new tech. However ever since Faraday Future introduced its first concept car back in 2016, the corporate has made lower than 20 automobiles in complete. And for the huge accomplishment of manufacturing lower than two dozen autos, Faraday Future’s founder and CEO went and gave themselves raises. Now at CES 2025, the corporate is making an attempt to make a comeback with its new line of FX EVs, besides that it could not even be bothered to color them. That particular camouflage automakers use is often meant to assist cover a automobile’s design earlier than it will get introduced, not make it appear like a half-finished product at its personal press occasion. That mentioned, calling it 50 p.c achieved might be means too beneficiant. So whereas there’s all the time an opportunity an organization turns it round, don’t be stunned in the event you by no means see a FX Tremendous One on the highway.

If you happen to ever want somebody to sacrifice their sartorial magnificence for a narrative, he’s your man. And but, even with a floppy photovoltaic-equipped, mess of a head decoration, there’s nonetheless little question he’s probably the most dapper Dan.

Everyone seems to be all the time apprehensive about when our robotic overlords are going to come back and conquer us. Besides it’s the people we must always in all probability be apprehensive about probably the most. That’s as a result of throughout a demo for Unitree’s robotic, its homo sapien operator fumbled the controller, ensuing within the robotic principally tackling our very personal Karissa Bell. Human or robotic, that’s simply not OK.

Loveliest – Mirumi

Initially this listing was meant to focus on fascinating issues we noticed at CES that did not get plenty of reward (or hate) elsewhere, however then the Mirumi went and won an award. I don’t care, although. This robotic is designed to do one factor — maintain onto your arm and stare cutely at issues as you stroll round. It is principally a puffball with eyes and a clingyness that may’t be denied. And I’ll shield and cherish it with my life.

Look, taking good care of your pores and skin is essential. It’s the biggest organ in your physique in any case! But when conventional moisturizers, lotions and exfoliants aren’t sufficient for you, I’m not satisfied Shark’s crimson mild masks is the reply. If I’m at house and my important different comes out of the lavatory trying like goddam Physician Doom, I’m not getting in mattress. I’m operating out the door and calling Reed Richards for assist.

Chillest sales space: AARP

The AARP describes itself as “the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan group devoted to empowering Individuals 50 and older to decide on how they reside as they age.” So as an alternative of encouraging individuals to hustle round from sales space to sales space whereas trying out all of the new-fangled devices throughout CES, the AARP went and determined to put in a whole-ass pickleball court docket proper on the present ground. Naturally, attendees each younger and outdated stepped as much as the online and causally batted balls backwards and forwards with everybody seemingly having a calming time within the midst of the most important tech conference of the yr. Good on y’all.

Firm with probably the most FOMO – Jackrabbit

Las Vegas is an affront to Mom Nature. It’s an unwalkable metropolis in the midst of the desert full of all method of temptations and sufficient neon lighting to soften your mind. So when an organization doesn’t really feel like flying in to attend CES, we get it. However that doesn’t imply you possibly can attempt to weasel your means into the highlight by sending e-mail pitches about being “excellent for CES, however good sufficient to skip it.” Both cease fence sitting and undergo with the remainder of us or shut up. So hey Jackrabbit, you say you’re nice not being at CES. That’s cool, we really feel the identical means.

You understand what sounds protected? An electrical moped that turns right into a quadcopter, however provided that you place the propellers and arms your self. The bottom mannequin additionally solely has about 25 minutes of flight time. Whereas the corporate claims there are a selection of security options, there’s additionally a built-in parachute. Don’t get me mistaken, I’m not saying we are able to’t have air taxis and different hybrid aerial autos. However this factor doesn’t encourage confidence. Nonetheless, in case you have extra guts and than sense, please give it a try to tell us the way it goes.

Not each laptop half must be about pumping out increased framerates and MSI proved that this yr by making a CPU cooler with a built-in turntable. What’s the purpose, you ask? Properly take a look at that comfortable little dragon sitting atop its throne. Simply take a look at him. However actually, you may put something up there that makes you cheerful. The one unhappy half is that this water block is merely an idea and MSI has no precise plans to place it on sale. What a bummer.

We couldn’t determine which one was extra outrageous, so we ended up with a tie on this class. For Dell, its new unified branding is essentially nice. In spite of everything, nobody actually cares about strains like Latitude, Inspiron and Optiplex. However killing off the XPS identify, which is the one Dell sub-brand that has actually ever meant one thing, is a step too far.

In the meantime, in an try to woo youthful patrons who may not have an affinity for its traditional black laptops, Lenovo made a ThinkPad with no carbon fiber or a Trackpoint nub. That’s downright sacrilegious. Admittedly, in the event you’re youthful than 50 you may not care, however any nerd who grew up utilizing rotary telephones might be pissed.

Horniest sales space: Helpful

CES is house to all types of intercourse tech, however even amongst all of the vibrators and numerous toys, the Helpful sales space one way or the other managed to be hornier than another. That’s as a result of along with having a number of kinky devices on show, the corporate had company lining as much as spin a wheel for the prospect to take house a prize of their very own. And if individuals eagerly awaiting an opportunity to remove a pleasure system to allow them to get their rocks off isn’t sexy, I don’t know what’s. Simply perhaps hold it in your pants till you get house.