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| Staying Active in Physical World |
The latest CES really had two major themes: things to make you healthier, and things to make you less healthy.
From column A, we have a number of wearable devices, like the Spark wearable fitness tracker. This can be worn and then plugged into a PC or device via USB to help keep you up to date on your progress and where you could stand to improve. There are eye glasses for computer uses to protect their eyes during long hours of coding, bracelets to track sun exposure, and devices to gamify exercise to keep kids interested.
From column B, we have more curved monitors and televisions than you can shake a stick at, creating a more immersive gaming experience. We have consumer grade drones, which will help to revolutionize delivery and shipping so you might never need go out to eat again. 3D printers will allow you to shop for consumer goods right at your desktop. Self driving cars ensure that you can play on your phone while you head to work.
Theoretically, using the tech shown at 2014's CES, you could telecommute to work, have food delivered, 3D print anything you need, and never leave your house. Just make sure to get a little fresh air by popping a window open now and then, and you can live a totally encapsulated lifestyle. With curvable monitors, you could even enjoy sitting in your swivel chair for, well, forever.
We live in interesting times. Some theorize that we may eventually transcend the corporeal world, we may one day be strings of data floating through space-bound computers in some far-future version of the internet. We're not there yet, but we are looking at the infancy of a new wave in human evolution. Within the next few years, we may be looking at a world where nobody ever really needs to go outside of their homes. Even houses can now be 3D printed with large devices.
Unfortunately, right now, we still need our corporeal forms. Right now, we don't have the technology to keep our bodies in great shape while we sit in our recliners and zone out to Netflix and Xbox Live. Right now, exercise, proper diet and health care are as important as ever.
An interesting note: while this year's CES brought as many ways to stay in shape as to laze out, the health and fitness devices demand as much effort as staying in shape ever has.
We're not looking to preach. Likely you're here to read insights on new technology, not to be told to put down the potato chips. That said, it is worth noting that it is easier than ever to live a sedentary lifestyle, using the internet to stay in contact with friends and family and using advanced tech to help meet our basic daily needs. Simply put, it is easier than ever to fall into bad habits. The health hazards that come with long periods of sitting are very real, however. Simply by working at a job that demands 23 hours of sitting a week, we find ourselves at a much higher risk for heart disease than those who spend more time on their feet.
"It is worth taking a moment to consider whether we're more excited about new technology for its own sake," said technology entrepreneur Jason Hope, "or for how it can benefit and enrich our lives."
Again, we're not looking to preach, only to point out that CES brought with it just as many reasons to start a serious workout routine as distractions to keep us from living the lives that we truly want to live.
About Author:
Amy Taylor is a technology and business writer. Amy began her career as a small business owner in Phoenix, Arizona. She has taken that knowledge and experience and brought that to her unique writing capabilities. She really enjoys new business related issues that are tied directly to technology.
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