Best of CES 2018

The Most Forward-Thinking iOS Gadgets from the Consumer Electronics Show

Our award winners for most innovative iOS products from this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

Every year, we make our pilgrimage to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to find the coolest new tech for your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Braving the crowds of more than 180,000 attendees, we found for you the most forward-thinking, creative, and useful iOS-related gear coming to market this year.

Please note that while a couple of the award winners are also iPhone Life sponsors, the editorial award selection process was independent of our advertising department.

Coros Omni Smart Cycling Helmet ($199)

In spite of the obvious dangers, many cyclists enjoy listening to music and taking or making calls while riding their bikes. With the Omni Smart Cycling Helmet, Coros has cleverly minimized the dangers. The helmet delivers audio via bone conduction, allowing cyclists to enjoy music while staying aware of their surroundings. A remote mounted on the handlebars allows riders to take calls and use other functions without pulling out their phones or taking their hands off the handlebars. Rear lights improve visibility to drivers. Riders can also track their rides via Omni's companion app.

Omron HeartGuide Blood Pressure Smart Watch (TBD)

Omron, a trusted brand in blood pressure monitors, is awaiting FDA approval for its latest endeavor: a smartwatch that will check your blood pressure throughout the day so you can get an accurate picture of your health. The color-coded readings let you see whether or not you're at a healthy level at a glance, and the watch also lets you check notifications, monitor your daily activity, and even track your sleep quality. The free Omron Connect app will allow you to compile all of the information and even share it with your doctor.

Polaroid Pop Instant Digital Camera ($199.99)

This camera is Wi-Fi enabled and spits out prints like an old-fashioned Polaroid but also connects to an app on your iPhone so you can keep digital copies of your snapshots. While it's easy to love the instant gratification of physical prints, it's hard to keep track of them or share them with friends and family. Now, you can just connect the Pop to your Wi-Fi network, open the Polaroid app on your iPhone, and all the pictures will be there. A 20-megapixel sensor and 1080p video recorder mean you get high-resolution photos and videos with the retro charm of a real Polaroid.

Jabra Elite 65t True Wireless Earbud Line ($169.99– $189.99)

With Jabra's new line of true wireless earbuds, users can choose the features they want, all while enjoying the excellent audio quality, comfort, secure fit, and consistently reliable Bluetooth connection Jabra is known for. The Elite 65t and Elite Active 65t come with Siri capabilities, a 15-hour battery life, four microphones that provide ambient noise reduction, and the ability to customize music playback with the Jabra +Sound app.

Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Stands & Pads (Prices TBD)

Belkin's lineup of wireless charging stands and pads are perfect for families with both Apple and Android devices. The Boost Up Dual Wireless Charging Pad can even charge an iPhone and an Android phone simultaneously at the proper wattage for each. And the Boost Up Wireless Charging Stand lets you charge your phone while using it in a vertical position. Additionally, Belkin has expanded its color offerings beyond the utilitarian black and white to include pink and blue.

Libratone Zipp & Zipp Mini with Amazon Alexa Integration (Free)

Are you eager to get on the smart speaker bandwagon and make Amazon's personal assistant Alexa part of your life? Well, good news! If you already have a Libratone Zipp or Zipp Mini speaker, there's no need to go out and purchase a new speaker with Alexa capabilities. Late last year, Libratone released a firmware update that made its Zipp speakers compatible with the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot speakers. And now, Libratone has released a free firmware update for existing Zipp speakers that turns the speakers you already own into speakers with Alexa skills.

Catalyst Waterproof Case for AirPods ($29.99)

This soft silicone case is a musthave for any AirPods owner, fitting snuggly over your AirPods' charging case while still providing access to all its features. The top easily folds over to give you access to your wireless earbuds without having to remove the case, and the bottom has a notch that provides access to the charging port. The case is waterproof up to 3.3 feet and dropproof up to four feet. It also includes a carabiner so you can securely clip your AirPods to your belt, purse, or backpack.

LifeProof Aquaphonics Speaker Line ($99.99– $299.99)

We couldn't choose just one, so we decided to give a nod to the full line of LifeProof Aquaphonics speakers. Available in three different sizes, the entire line is waterproof, drop-proof, dirt-proof, and snowproof. The AQ9 pictured here is the most compact version at $99.99. With its built-in carabiner, it's the perfect speaker to clip on your backpack before hitting the trails. It's lightweight and features an impressive 16-hour battery life. The entire line is able to Bluetooth pair with up to eight devices, has a mic for taking calls, is submersible up to 1 meter for thirty minutes, can survive drops from 1.2 meters, and is sealed from the elements in order to withstand any adventure.

Libratone Track+ Wireless In-Ear ($199)

We tested a lot of great earbuds on the CES showroom floor, and these were our feature web writer Conner Carey's favorite pair by far. Not only did the Track+ earbuds sound amazing, they also had adjustable noise cancellation that automatically adapted to your environment. The band that connects the earbuds was the softest and most bendable cord you could possibly ask for, while still housing an impressive eight-hour battery. Plus, the earbuds automatically go to sleep when you set them down, so no battery life is wasted. The Track+ Wireless In-Ears are sweatproof and splashproof (IPX4) too.

Ember Ceramic Mug ($79.95)

Ember's 10-ounce ceramic mug is an innovative product for coffee and tea lovers that keeps any hot liquid at the ideal temperature for you. Through Ember's iPhone app, you can set your drink to your preferred temperature and wait for the app to let you know once it's warmed up for you. You can save your favorite presets in the app, so it's easy to get to the setting for your morning coffee or evening chamomile tea.

Remo+ DoorCam ($199)

Have you been eyeing a smart security system for a while, but don't want to bother with a time-intensive setup? Or are you a renter and don't have permission to tamper with existing hardware? The Remo+ DoorCam is a smart camera that solves a lot of these problems. To install, just hang the camera over the top of your front door. You won't need to get a drill out or pay a professional to do it for you! And if you're renting, you'll be able to easily take the DoorCam with you when it's time to move on to a new apartment. The DoorCam comes with a motion detector and HD camera so you're alerted if anyone approaches your home and you can chat with whoever's at your door in real time. We hope this is the first of many renter-friendly smart home products to come!

iDevices Instinct Smart Switch (Prices TBD)

Smart switches are nothing new, including those controllable by Amazon's Alexa, but the Instinct from iDevices goes further. The Instinct has Alexa built in, so you can access the voice assistant in any room where the wall switch is installed. This is a great way to make your whole house smarter without requiring an Echo device taking up table space and power outlets.

Quantum Storey Company

Whether you think augmented reality or virtual reality is the future, Quantum Storey Company has a fun and educational offering. The company offers original children's books that help teach a lesson using both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The pages come to life using AR and you can use the VR goggles sold in special packaging (or bring your own) and interact with the characters from the story. These books are reasonably priced and more stories are on the way.

WT2 Earphone Translator from Timekettle ($199)

If you've read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, you will remember the Babel Fish, a tiny creature that sits in your ear and translates other languages in real time. That is basically what the WT2 from Timekettle does with help from your iPhone. Two people who speak different languages can each wear a WT2 earbud and the phone translates to and from each party's native language. It translates almost instantly and is quite handy for travelers. It could also be used for hearing impaired users as a way to caption a speaker as their words are also shown on the phone.

Other Award Winners Include: Speck Presidio Mount Case, Scosche MagicMount Wireless Charging Line, Zagg InvisibleShield Glass+ Luxe 360 ($69.99), Fuse Chicken Shield Lightning cable ($35), Powercast Remote Wireless Charging.