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VEGAS INC C OV E R STO RY Video game companies make an appearance CES, FROM PAGE 1 well. The curved display features four times the resolution of HDTVs and is designed to mimic the feel of 3D IMAX screens — minus the pesky glasses. But what to watch on these flatscreen behemoths? Netflix is expected to launch a streaming-in-4K feature, so get ready to get up close and personal with the next season of "House of Cards." GAMING Video game companies typically skip out on CES for conferences such as E3, but a few stopped by to flex their tech muscles. Software developers Valve hinted at their foray into hardware at 2013 CES and finally unveiled the first wave of its Steam Machine gaming system this month. The company announced an array of systems based on its Steam platform, which has about 65 million users, being built by 14 PC manufacturers. The systems will include a Linuxbased operating system (it will be able to run Windows, as well), unique controllers and high-powered hardware to run the 250 games that Valve and its publishers already distribute on the Steam game network. The 13 machines, which are expected to hit shelves this year, are $499 to $6,000 apiece. Elsewhere, Sony unveiled its new PlayStation Now cloud-based gaming service, which will give users immediate access to older generations of Sony game consoles, including PlayStation 2 and 3. The service is in beta testing and is expected to roll out this year. PrioVR may soon have gamers bidding farewell to button-pushing with its full-body wearable PC gaming suit. STEVE MARCUS BE THE GAME: YEI Technology's Chris George plays a computer game with PrioVR, a virtual reality gaming accessory, during a media preview event of CES. The system hooks up to a player's head, chest, arms and legs and uses sensors to move a game's character and react to its environment. The device, touted to be the most accurate motion-sensing controller of its kind, is still raising funds through Kickstarter, though developers are aiming for a full suit retail price of $400. SMART APPLIANCES Ever wish your refrigerator could tell you what to cook for dinner? Turns out we're not too far from that. LG's new Home Chat smart platform allows users to control their LG home appliances, including refrigerators, vacuums and washing machines via text and voice commands. You can even ask your fridge what groceries it's out of — in person at home and through text while at the supermarket — ensuring that you'll never forget to buy milk again. Other cool household gadgets include the Belkin Crock-Pot WeMo Smart Slow Cooker, which can be controlled remotely via smartphone and hits shelves in March, and the Kolibree Internetconnected toothbrush, which helps track your brushing habits over time through a smartphone app for maximized minty freshness. WEARABLE TECH Smartwatches and fitness trackers were all the rage at 2013 CES, and this year the field of wearable tech has expanded well beyond jogging gear. In- tel's new batch of microprocessors are expected to power a fleet of new smart devices, including a Bluetooth headset with a Siri-like assistant feature, earbuds with fitness tracking sensors and watches with "geo fencing" technology that help parents keep track of their children in a given area. If you can't be parted from your smartphone, the Razer Nabu smart band is a next step up that tracks activity such as movement, sleep and location, as well as delivers texts and email alerts — all with an estimated seven to 10 days of battery life. For sports enthusiasts, the new $149 Zepp sensor helps improve your game in golf, tennis and baseball by using 3D tracking to measure and analyze your swing. The device snaps onto your glove, club, bat or racket and is available at Zepp.com or at Apple stores. ROKU TV Roku — best known for its Internet-toTV streaming device — has its first foray into smart-TV territory with Roku TV. In a similar vein to Xbox One, the device streamlines the streaming experience by consolidating entertainment content, including TV shows, video games, streaming content, Blu-ray content and streaming music, to a single device. Its remote will have about half the buttons of other devices and provide access to 1,200 channels of TV shows, live sports, news and other programming on its Roku Channel Store. The set also can be controlled via a Roku app for Android and Apple devices. The TVs, which are 32 to 55 inches, hit stores this fall. FLUSTERED 'TRANSFORMERS' DIRECTOR WALKS OFF STAGE AT CES By Richard N. Velotta senior staff writer This year's CES may best be remembered as the one in which Hollywood film director Michael Bay fell victim to the machines. Bay, who has made millions with his "Transformers" series of films, melted down and left the stage during an onstage presentation for Samsung, which introduced a 105-inch curved-screen ultrahigh definition television at this year's show. During an onstage demonstration, a teleprompter for the speakers failed and Bay froze, stammered and walked offstage. It may have been the biggest CES meltdown since Bill Gates endured a computer crash in mid-demonstration of his Win- 16 20140120_VI01_F.indd 16 STEVE MARCUS UNPROMPTED: Hollywood director Michael Bay speaks during a Samsung Electronics news conference at CES. dows operating system at the 2005 show. Video of the cringe-worthy incident at circulated on social media sites almost immediately. Bay wrote about the experience on his blog the next day. "Wow! I just embarrassed myself at CES," the post said. "I was about to speak for Samsung for this awesome curved 105-inch UHD TV. I rarely lend my name to any products, but this one is just stellar. "I got so excited to talk that I skipped over the exec VP's intro line and then the teleprompter got lost. Then the prompter went up and down — then I walked off. I guess live shows aren't my thing." | 20 JANUARY 2014 | 1/16/14 1:39:18 PM

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