IFA 2024: In the nearly 30 gigantic halls of the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin, one gets lost admiring devices already glimpsed elsewhere and unreleased products, previews of concepts with great potential and seemingly outlandish ideas. Every year at IFA, the path is long and full of special encounters, but this time, instead of talking about the latest from the best-known brands, I want to dwell on little-known devices, often hidden in small booths or hosted in a corner by brands aiming to highlight something else. That’s why it’s likely that of the 5 items below, you will know little or nothing; this is a good opportunity to discover products that can help improve your home and your days.
TCL 50 NXTPaper
It is not very popular in Europe, although it has been in the global top 3 for market share among TV manufacturers for a few years now. Like many other Chinese companies, TCL also does a lot of other things, including smartphones and tablets. It does so by setting itself apart from others through a technology it has been working on for some time and continues to advance for the benefit of users. NXTPAPER allows users to enjoy excellent visual quality in any environment without straining the eyes and impairing vision.
On the TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper smartphone and Pro version, the technology adapts the display to different lighting conditions, minimizing blue light and reducing glare, both indoors and outdoors. Certified by TÜV, SGS and Eyesafe, and equipped with a built-in Eye Care Assistant, smartphones and other devices integrating NXTPaper promote healthy visual habits by suggesting breaks and adjusting settings to protect eyesight, ensuring a safe and satisfying experience even during long usage sessions. Equipped with AI features, the smartphones automatically adjust the colour temperature according to the time of day to ensure comfortable viewing in any situation. Also, to change the face of the display, there is a physical button on the side, which replicates the monochrome effect typical of an e-ink display.
Overall, these entry-level phones are interesting for those who are mainly looking to safeguard their eyes: the TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper 5G is on sale for €279.90; the TCL 50 NXTPaper costs €229.90.
SwitchBot Air Purifier Table
The 2-in-1 that brought laptops and tablets closer together is also finding its way into the smart home, with companies combining different functions and uses in one product. An interesting example is one of the innovations shown at Messe Berlin by SwitchBot, which combined three different functions in the Air Purifier Table. The initial idea was to make a purifier, which, in this case, operates at 20Db and lets air pass through a prefilter layer, a HEPA filter, and a carbon filter. But then the goal was to add something that could prove useful in the home, such as a table on top of the purifier-a small but useful space to rest wallets, earphones, and smartphones, which, if compatible with the Qi standard, can be recharged wirelessly.
But that’s not the end of the story because between the table and the purifier is a light that illuminates the room unobtrusively. It can change colour about air quality (red, blue, green) and allows a choice of 10 different colours and 3 levels of illumination (intense, moderate, soft).
SwitchBot Air Purifier Table is on sale for $269.99, while the version that integrates a small cat kennel instead of a table costs $219.99. Both models can be managed via app and voice commands.
Plaud Note Pin
I include it in the list because it represents a sign of innovation, despite the fact that recently, AI-based devices presented as game changers have not lived up to their promises, at least so far. Plaud NotePin’s good thing is its willingness to focus on a single function, without flights of fancy and promises to change the world.
The idea is to help the wearer by taking notes during a meeting, taking advantage of AI and the built-in microphone to record conversations (with a light that alerts the interlocutor) and the cloud to summarize what was said and then make a text transcript of the dialogue. Small in size, it can be worn as a pendant for necklaces, bracelets, and a brooch. According to Plaud.AI, the device can record up to 20 hours of conversation and is on sale for $169, although some AI features are available by paying a monthly fee.
The surveillance camera with the solar panel
Amidst increasingly larger televisions, electric brooms, robots, and kitchen accessories, surveillance cameras are also finding their way into homes. Not least because they are a deterrent against burglars and allow real-time observation of what is happening within the home, including what animals are up to as they stroll between rooms and halls.
There were many proposals seen in Berlin, but one smart eye that intrigued me was that of IMOU, a Chinese company that develops solutions and services for the Internet of Things, which made its mark with a series of wireless, battery-powered products. What makes them interesting is AOV PT, a security technology that uses battery power to provide continuous recording for up to 15 days, thanks in part to the integration of a solar panel, which allows it to store energy. It should be added that, to make up for the difficulty of charging at low temperatures, IMOU‘s cameras can operate effectively even in temperatures as low as -10°C, but without driving up power consumption.
The other notable addition is Aurora Low-Light Imaging technology, which enhances night vision to provide more safety in the home and peace of mind when away.
Ninja Slushi
We have seen many machines used to make juices and smoothies over the past few years; machines that give slushies, milkshakes, and frozen juice are rarer. But they are there, as evidenced by Ninja Slushi, one of the novelties shown in Berlin by SharkNinja. The precise name is Ninja Slushi Professional Forze Drink Maker. Still, the interesting aspect is that it takes only 15 minutes to make a frozen drink, maintaining the temperature for several hours. All without using ice.
Made after 16 months of testing, Slushi consists of two parts and requires pouring only the liquid of interest, which freezes evenly. To get the drink, simply choose one of five preset programs, and to rinse the machine, simply place its two removable parts in the dishwasher. The great thing is that with Slush, you can try anything you want: an iced coffee in the morning, lemonade, margaritas, strawberries, watermelon, and soda. In short, it all sounds easy to enjoy iced drinks on the couch at home: all it takes is $299.99.
