CES 2014: 14 Tech Toys We'd Love to Play With

Gaming, TVs, speakers, more that caught our eye at the Consumer Electronics Show
By Jon Chase
Updated January 10, 2014 at 05:00 PM EST

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Alienware Steam Machine

Credit: Alienware

The veteran gaming PC maker led the pack of more than a dozen announced ''Steam Machines,'' a new breed of game consoles that transport PC gaming off of desktop computers and onto our giant HDTVs. (alienware.com; price TBA; late 2014)

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Typo Keyboard iPhone Case

Credit: Typo

A standout from the gazillions of cases, Typo's model adds a physical keyboard to your touchscreen smartphone that bears a striking resemblance to BlackBerry's beloved keypad (in fact that company agrees — and has already filed a lawsuit). Fun fact: Typo is co-founded by Ryan Seacrest. (typokeyboards.com; $99; January)

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Sony LifeSpace UX Projector

Credit: Sony

Estimated to cost upwards of $30,000 when it debuts later this year, Sony's cabinet-like ''short-throw'' projector beams a towering 147-inch image (12-plus feet diagonal) onto a wall or screen just a few feet away, even in brightly lit rooms. It also packs in interactive capabilities and modular audio options making it the screening room setup of the future — for very rich people. (sony.net; price TBA; summer 2014)

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Pebble Steel

Credit: Pebble Steel

Wearable tech was everywhere at CES, with companies trying to find the sweet spot between sleek, smart, and functional. Pebble, the Kickstarter juggernaut that sold more than 85,000 of its original smartwatch last year, introduced Steel, which eschews the plastic-y style of the first in favor of a more traditional look along with upgraded guts. (getpebble.com; $249; February)

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LG's 77-inch Flexible UHD TV

Credit: LG

So-called 4K or UltraHD televisions, which offer four times the resolution of today's 1080p sets, were the celebrities of the show, and LG's 77-inch monster topped the A-list. Not only is its OLED screen stunning, it's also flexible — at the push of a button its edges curl in for an IMAX-like viewing experience. Expect to drop major bucks to experience it at home. (lg.com; $30,000; second quarter 2014)

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Lacie Christofle Sphère

Credit: Lacie

Backup drives tend toward the squat and frumpy, but Lacie's Sphère is a stunner and is just the kind of quirky reinvention that makes CES fun. It's a silver orb packed with a gigantic 1TB hard disk that works like any other drive, but looks far better. (lacie.com; $490; January)

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Asus Transformer Book Duet TD300

Credit: Asus

Tablets continue to be a CES mainstay, but ASUS's new Duet was a standout: A dual boot laptop with a pop-off tablet screen that can switch between Windows and Android at the touch of a button. (asus.com; $600; late second quarter 2014)

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Clearview Audio Clio Clear Speaker

Credit: Clearview

Bluetooth speakers come in every shape and size, but we've never seen or heard anything like Clearview's Clio, a crystal clear panel that is a functional speaker. We only wish we'd spend more time in physics class so we could understand how it works. (clearviewaudio.com; $349; late March)

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Sony Xperia Z1s

Credit: Sony

With seemingly as many models of Android phones as there are CES attendees, Sony's new Z1S is among the most well-rounded. Its guts are positively musclebound as is its powerful 20.7 megapixel camera and full-day battery, and we love that it's waterproof down to 5 feet. (sonymobile.com; T-Mobile, $22/month for 24 months; Jan. 22)

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PrioVR Full Body Tracking Suit

Credit: PrioVR

Keeping up the Kickstarter trend from last year, PrioVR came to CES with a prototype to hype its crowdfunding campaign. And it worked: Its clever system of sensors and straps that turn your body into a precise controller is a diehard gamer's dream. (priovr.com; price TBA; June)

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3DSystems ChefJet

3-D printing continues to garner buzz everywhere, but few products were as instantly appealing and understandable as 3DSystems' niche printer, which lets professional chefs print out three-dimensional, edible confections for topping cakes and pastries. No word on whether they can do Ho Hos. (3dsystems.com; price TBA; second half 2014)

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Sharp SD-WH1000U WiSA-Compliant Universal Player

Credit: Sharp

Wireless everything is the perennial CES dream, and Sharp's super home theater box is a giant leap forward. It transmits audio- and cinephile quality sound and video wirelessly to WiSA-equipped speakers and HDTV (including surround-sound audio and full 1080p video). You'll pay for the pleasure, however. (sharpusa.com; $4,000; early 2014)

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Razer Project Christine PC

Cool in concept as well as style, Razer's modular PC will let owners customize and upgrade it by slipping in new components — GPU, processor, storage, power, whatever — making it the ultimate gaming rig. Did we mention how good it looks? (razerzone.com; price and release TBA)

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Audi Smart Display

Credit: Reviewed.com

The auto company has had a relationship with Google for years now, but its announcement of a custom Android tablet that mounts in its cars was a surprise. In addition to controlling the entertainment and navigations systems, it has all the functionality of a regular tab, including Internet access via AT&T service. (audiusa.com; price and release TBA)

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By Jon Chase