To have or not?
THEY are hailed as the gadgets that will revolutionise our lives – or those of our pets. But just how many of us will consider these hi-tech innovations as must-haves is open to question.
They range from a toothbrush that can clean your teeth in ten seconds to a feeding bowl that can recognise your cat and send pictures of it eating.
Other gadgets on show this week at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas include “walking” emergency vehicles that could be deployed in rough terrain in areas devastated by earthquakes or floods.
Then there is a hand-held wand that takes close-up pictures of the face and applies tiny amounts of make-up serum to cover any imperfections such as broken veins or age spots.
And, in a sign of the times, there are even sex toys that link to your Amazon Alexa or Apple Watch devices.
DREAMLIGHT (R706.89 TO R4 153)
With orange lights to ease you to sleep and green to wake you up, this eye mask and headband claims to be able to send insomniacs into a deep slumber. It feeds data to an app, telling users how much sleep they have had.
The mask claims to ease jet lag and remove puffiness.
Y-BRUSH (R1 767.23)
This cleans your teeth in just ten seconds. The battery-operated tray comes in four different sizes.
It fits over the teeth and, as it vibrates, fine nylon bristles clean them, using normal toothpaste.
After five seconds on the top, the tray is flipped over for five seconds on the bottom. For the best results, users should make a chewing motion.
VOLO GO (R5 568.98)
This is a cordless hair dryer with a rechargeable battery in the handle that allows it to run for around 20 minutes on a medium heat.
Unlike traditional corded hair dryers, which rely on blowing air across a metal coil that has been heated by having electricity passed through it, the relatively heavy Volo Go uses quartz infrared bulbs to create radiant heat.
LG HOMEBREW
This device, looking like a large coffee machine, makes 4.7 litres of beer in a fortnight using three espresso podstyle capsules that contain the malt, flavouring and hop oil. It can brew pale ale, stout or lager and is selfcleaning.
Price and release date have not been announced.
TETRA (R5 568.98)
A portable dishwasher the size of a cardboard box and weight of a small suitcase, it washes the dishes using just four litres of water. With its own reservoir, it can be used anywhere that has an electrical socket.
THE MOOKKIE (R2 651.89)
This smart feeding bowl uses facial recognition to unlock access for your cat, preventing a rival from stealing their food while keeping out flies. Its wi-fi link allows the owner to watch via phone as their pet tucks in.