Skip to main content

Samsung C-Lab debuts smartglasses, portable speakers, and a breathing device

[CES 2018]S-Ray (Sound-Ray)
From smartphones to televisions to
Recommended Videos
refrigerators, it’s difficult to find technology today that doesn’t sport the Samsung name. And now, the conglomerate is stretching its innovation muscles even further with its C-Lab, or Creative Lab, program. At CES 2018, we can expect to see three new projects from Samsung’s special team, including a portable directional speaker, a device to help folks breathe better, and a pair of smart visual-aid eyeglasses.

“Since launching five years ago, our C-Lab program has gained exciting momentum across Samsung, helping foster an innovation culture, and providing an avenue for our creative, talented employees to pursue innovative new projects,” said Jaiil Lee, vice president and head of the Creativity & Innovation Center at Samsung Electronics. “We will continuously introduce innovative projects through our C-Lab program.”

First up is the S-Ray, or Sound-Ray, an entirely mobile speaker that will bring its directional features just about anywhere you’d like. Offering to be smaller, lighter, and more affordable than existing directional speakers, the S-Ray promises the same quality of sound (and privacy) as earbuds. These speakers are said to transmit sound more directly to the listener, which means that you’ll be able to hear your music without distracting those around you.

Then there’s the GoBreath, described as “a recovery solution for people who have experienced lung damage and suffer from postoperative pulmonary complications after general anesthesia.” The device comes with a companion mobile app that claims to enable patients who have undergone surgery due to lung pain how to recover faster. The device is said to teach patients breathing techniques including inspiration, coughing, and deep breathing. Moreover, patients can look into exercise guidelines and observe their lung progress by way of the companion app, and send this information to their doctors for constant monitoring.

Finally, C-Lab is debuting the Relúmĭno glasses, which are designed to help those with visual impairments see images or objects more clearly. The companion Relúmĭno app was first introduced at Mobile World Congress 2017, and Relúmĭno glasses provide the hardware component. These spectacles pair with the app, utilizing a smartphone’s processors and batteries. The smartphone actually processes images from videos that are received through the camera of the glasses, and the processed images are then retransmitted to the display of the Relúmĭno glasses.

We’ve yet to see these new inventions in action, but will be able to do so in just a few short days.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
The best folding phones in 2024: the 6 best you can buy
Someone opening the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Folding smartphones are a fairly mature market in 2024. When they first launched, foldables were futuristic and exciting, albeit buggy. With time, they have been refined and improved to cater to everyday use. Their prices are gradually decreasing as the technology advances, but they still remain expensive purchases, making it crucial to make the right buying decision.

Currently, there are two types of folding smartphones available on the market. The first type resembles a regular non-folding phone, but can be unfolded into a larger tablet-like device. The second type is similar to the classic Motorola Razr clamshell phones, where a normal-sized phone can be folded in half to become more compact and pocketable. Although both use the same screen and hinge technology, they cater to different needs.

Read more
The best phones in 2024: our 15 favorite smartphones right now
The Pixel 9 and OnePlus 12 held at angles.

Navigating the sea of smartphones in 2024 can feel like a daunting task. With many excellent options from both Apple and Android brands, pinpointing the perfect device for your needs might seem overwhelming. But don't worry; we're here to simplify your search.

We've meticulously curated a list of the top-performing smartphones available, considering everything from raw processing power and camera capabilities to battery life, display quality, and overall design. Whether you prioritize a blazing-fast processor for demanding tasks, a cutting-edge camera system to capture life's moments, or a long-lasting battery to keep you connected throughout the day, we're confident you'll find your ideal match on our list.

Read more
Early Black Friday Apple Watch deals 2024 — Better than Prime Day?
A person wearing the Apple Watch Series 10.

Update 10/23/24: This starts our coverage of the Apple Watches for the upcoming Black Friday, and we're already seeing breakout deals, especially on the Ultra model available below.

Black Friday is weeks away, starting officially on November 29 this year, but we don't have to wait until then for great deals to start. At present, we're looking at Apple Watch deals that have hit the major sites earlier than usual. This means that you can go ahead and get one of the best smartwatches (and, by extension, best fitness trackers) at a discounted price before the holiday even begins. Sometimes early deals, like the ones on this page, are even better than the deals we see during the event itself, as deals that are "too good" can get bought up or "corrected" by companies as time goes along. So, feel free to shop these early smartwatch deals covering one of your favorite Apple products. From the very latest to older models and from 'SE' to 'Ultra,' you'll find every good deal available on Apple Watches here.
Apple Watch SE 2 [GPS 40mm] — $189 $249 24% off

Read more