7 Types of New Gadgets That Will Define 2016

7 Types of New Gadgets That Will Define 2016

Imagine an umbrella letting you know not to forget it. Or an infant car seat that wants to make sure your baby is going to have the safest ride ever. These are just two of the highlights from 2016'sConsumer Electronics Show — the exhibition that defines technology trends and showcases gadgets for the year ahead.
Compared to recent years, the show's big themes weren't much different — there was still an emphasis on ideas like the smart home, virtual reality, and fitness gadgets. What was different was a greater push from companies to make these ideas more accessible to the average person with practical gadgets. Other areas of life, like beauty and parenting, broke out more high-tech possibilities than ever before. For instance, this year saw the first-ever Beauty Tech Summit at CES.
Ahead, check out our picks for what we think will define tech in 2016. Don't be surprised if you find yourself a few months from now thinking about buying a smart fridge or high-tech thermometer.

1Kids toys are getting more creative with technology.

Sure, kids can pick up a tablet or smartphone, but the true innovative toys are those that combine high tech and simplicity. The Moff band collaboration with Pac-Man is a perfect example of this. Kids wear the Moff band and swing their arms to play Pac-Man through an app — making them physically active while using a smartphone or tablet.

2Everyday items are getting smarter.

Another trend picking up at CES? Turning common products into smart gadgets. Take theoombrella, for example. The smart umbrella lets you know when it's going to rain and reminds you not to leave it behind. It might not be the most necessary thing in the world, but it's pretty impressive.

3Women's health is going high tech.

It's about time women's health took the floor at CES. Sure, we've had fitness trackers that appeal to women, but seeing products like the Pregnancy Pro stick by First Response that focus on reproductive health marks a step forward. It's the only test that connects via Bluetooth and offers several features in an app to take you through the steps of using it.

4Virtual reality is becoming more accessible.

Whether you're really into virtual reality or not, you can't deny it's going to become part of our lives. While Oculus Rift certainly has most of the world talking, other virtual reality products are making their way to the everyday person. For example, popular smartphone case company Speck announced its own line of Pocket VR ($70), complete with a phone case. The gadget lets you easily turn your smartphone into a way to use virtual reality without hurting your wallet.
5Urban commuters are getting better options to move around.

Last year, the "hoverboard" was a hit at CES. This year, we're seeing the rise of portable electric scooters for urban riders — like URB-E (pictured here) and Xcooter — that are sleek and compact and can be folded up to fit in a small apartment.

6Common health and wellness products are more advanced than ever.

Say goodbye to simple health products. These days, it's getting capabilities that connect to WiFi or Bluetooth. One item that stood out? The Withings Thermo. Not only does it read your temperature in two seconds, but it also keeps track of it on an app — all via WiFi.

7Practical beauty gadgets are hitting the market.

Beauty finally has a place in tech, although it still had a smaller presence at CES than other trends. Companies like FOREO are leading the way in connecting the two industries with itsIRIS Illuminating Eye Massager. The gadget is tiny enough to carry anywhere and works to massage your eye area.