The biggest tech expo of the year drew to an end with some remarkably strange, weird, and in some cases entirely pointless gadgets, gizmos, and technologies.
1. Hyundai lets you unlock your car…with your watch
Hyundai's latest invention is installing your car keys…on your wrist - and for no other reason than because it can. Before the end of the year, the carmaker wants to allow its users to control basic functions of its car from a wearable. The upshot is that it's coming to both Android watches and the Apple Watch later this year. [Hyundai Blue Link]
2. Lamborghini's 88 Tauri will drive you into bankruptcy
If you can't shell out a few hundred thousand dollars for a Lamborghini, you could always shell out just a few thousand instead for the Lamborghini phone. If you need a US$6,000 Android-powered phone, this one's for you. Aside from its 1080p high-resolution 5-inch screen, it comes with Android 4.4. "KitKat" and a 20-megapixel camera. Besides that, there's not much more. You'll just be walking around with an expensive phone. [Lamborghini 88 Tauri]
3. Belty, a new kind of weird wearable
Who needs a ridiculous-looking belt that slims or expands to adjust to your ever-growing post-holiday waistline? Exactly. (The keyword was "ridiculous.") [Belty]
4. Solar-powered wearable? Awesome. Shame about the bling
Swarovski's Shine is one of the more interesting devices on the list, as the wearable charges through solar power. The Misfit Swarovski Shine is a bejewelled fitness tracker that aims to add fashion and functionality. It may look pretty, but if tacky and expensive "for the laughs" is your thing, then look no further. [Swarovski Shine]
5. Ring, a chunky plastic ring that turns lights on. And other things
The Ring - that's all it's called - is a gesture-controlled…ring…for your finger. And you can make it do things by assigning tasks on your phone to in-real-life gestures. You could waggle your finger in the air to make a phone call, or you could draw words in the sky and take a photo. What's the point? Nobody knows. And it's probably going to cost you US$130 for the pleasure of finding out. [Ring]
6. Petcube makes you wonder why you got a pet in the first place
Petcube is seen as a baby monitor, but for your pets. There's a laser, a camera, and a speaker so you can talk to your pets. And, it's controllable through your iPhone or Android device. Fine, for dogs, they could do with a little entertaining. But if you're a cat owner, look no further than this waste of expense. Because your cat will blissfully sleep through the day and mock this talking cube as it saunters its way to the cat box. [Petcube]
7. HP's tiny PC will make you long for a more powerful desktop friend
Who needs a tiny desktop computer that comes out late to an already-established market, and offers half the power than its rivals? Meet HP's latest invention, the Pavilion Mini Desktop. It may have up to 1 terabyte of storage, and up to 8 gigabytes of expandable memory - and yes, it can run two monitors effectively. But why when you can just buy a Mac Mini? (You're welcome, by the way.) [HP Pavilion Mini]
8. Last but not least: selfie-sticks, mankind's worst invention?
Sister-site CNET recently asked if selfie sticks have "gone too far." No, but the owners have, clearly if they are seen in public with the extendable photo pole. CES 2015 was all about the selfie stick. It's not clear why, but what it's the sort of pointless gadgetry that would have Darwin spinning in his grave.
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