Gallery: WIRED's Top Picks From CES 2015
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED01150108-best-of-ces-01
__Sony 4K Action Cam__ Surfers and daredevils aren't the only ones who love tiny POV cameras. Drone pilots love them, too. They're light, weatherproof, and durable, and the latest models can capture 4K video. Sony's newest [4K Action Cam](http://store.sony.com/4k-action-cam-zid27-FDRX1000V/W/cat-27-catid-All-Action-Cam) goes one step further to appease the drone crowd: its unique image stabilization engine is tuned to mitigate high-frequency motor vibration and "Drone shake." $500
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED02150106-CES-Sandsexpo-gallery-05
__Mercedes-Benz F 015__ The German automaker's CES contribution was [a radical concept](https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/innovation/research-vehicle-f-015-luxury-in-motion/) for a self-driving car. Outside, it looks a little bit like a space-age bar of soap. The interior is more intriguing. The front seats swivel 180 degrees, transforming the car's center into a lounge-like communal space. It's a bold rethinking of the driving (and riding) experience.
Alex Wasburn/WIRED03unnamed-1
__Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Moment__ The [Moment](http://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/sound/sound-systems/beosound-moment-signup) is a centralized music system that sends tracks and playlists from your collection and streaming services to your speakers. Our favorite bit: on the back of the touchscreen info display is a touch-senstive oak panel, complete with a wooden wheel. Leave it facing outward and you've got a music control that, refreshingly, looks nothing like a typical smart home device.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED04150108-best-of-ces-02
__Bionic Bird__ Of all the drones we saw at CES, this was our favorite: [The Bionic Bird](http://www.mybionicbird.com/). Brought to market by the grandson of the man who created the colorful plastic [Tim](https://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/schylling/tim_bird_.cfm) Bird wind-up toy, the Bionic Bird has a Bluetooth radio inside and can be controlled with a smartphone. To charge it, you connect it via magnets to a white plastic egg. And unlike many tech-minded toys, it works best outdoors. $139
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED05oven-composite
__Samsung Flex Duo Dual Door Oven__ On tonight's menu is a roasted duck, with a pear tart for dessert. That'll be tricky. Cook one before the other? Talk a neighbor into letting you borrow her oven? The best solution is [Samsung's](http://www.samsung.com/us/appliances/oven-ranges) newest Flex Duo oven—it has a hinged door and a horizontal slide-in divider. Cook two things at once at different temps, and open only the top door without disturbing the temperature of the bottom chamber.
Alex Washburn/WIRED06LG4ktv-AW
__LG 77-inch 4K Flexible OLED__ If [LG's massive television](http://www.lg.com/us/experience-tvs/lg-ultra-hd-4k-tv/index.jsp) were to go on sale today, it would be insanely expensive—$20K-plus. But the concept shows a clear picture of TV's future. First, it's an OLED. Quantum Dot tech looks great, but OLED looks better. Also, it's 4K, soon to be the standard for streaming content. Lastly, it does both curved and flat: the screen transforms, bending at the press of a button.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED07150108-best-of-ces-07
__Netatmo__ Of the home security devices we saw this week, [Netatmo's Welcome camera](https://www.netatmo.com/en-US/product/camera) was the most innovative, and also the most handsome. It has facial recognition capability, so it sends you a smartphone notification when Betty arrives home from school, or when David pops in to walk the dog. You can access an HD livestream and maintain a local history on SD cards. All this in a sleek anodized aluminum case that doesn't scream *1984*.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED08150108-best-of-ces-03
__Acer Chromebook 15__ Once solely the domain of early tech adopters, Chromebooks have hit the big time. Really big. [Acer's 15.6-inch Chromebook 15](http://stag-mantis.wired.com/2015/01/acer-chromebook-ces-2015/) has an HD display and Intel's Broadwell-series processor, all in a more productivity- and entertainment-friendly size. It's one of the most luxe Chromebooks to date. Pricing starts at $250 for the 720p screen, but consider upgrading to the 1080p IPS display.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED09150108-best-of-ces-06
__Parrot RNB 6__ This auto infotainment unit from [Parrot](http://blog.parrot.com/2015/01/05/ces-2015-parrot-rnb6-the-most-advanced-in-vehicle-infotainment-system/) has maps, voice controls, maintenance alerts, and it can stream and record video from any front and rear cameras you attach. Best of all, it supports both Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay out of the box—anyone in your family can connect to it regardless of what kind of phone they own, and your car's in-dash system won't determine whether your next mobile is an iPhone or a Moto X.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED10150108-best-of-ces-04
__Withings Activité Pop__ Most wearables? Too techie, not comfortable, and unpretty. Not Withings' handsome and colorful [Activité Pop](http://www.withings.com/us/withings-activite-pop.html). It's been drawing raves, and for good reason. This full-featured activity tracker wins on looks, fit, quality, and functions. Choose between a black, tan, or teal face and myriad band options to personalize your look. And at $150, it won't crush your bank account.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED11150108-best-of-ces-05
__Naim Audio Mu-so__ The [Mu-so](https://www.naimaudio.com/mu-so) is simply one of the best wireless speakers we've ever listened to. Inside are six speakers and 450 watts of amplification. It comes with every connectivity option you could want. And OMG the knob. You will not be able to stop touching it. Knob feel = A+. It's just a spectacularly built, spectacular-sounding wireless speaker—so nice to see in a consumer audio market saturated with mediocrity. $1,354.
What’s Worse Than Romance Scams? Adoption Scams
This week in WIRED Book Club, we recap the final chapters of The Yahoo Boys.
Kate Knibbs
Beatbot’s New Pool Robot Cleans Itself (Mostly)
The AquaSense X brings self-cleaning technology to pool robots for the first time, but is it worth nearly twice the price of Beatbot’s flagship cleaner?
Christopher Null
Skylight’s Touchscreen Calendar Got my Whole Family on the Same Page
The Skylight has become the informational and organizational hub of my household. My touchscreen-native kids have also gained more agency over our family activities.
Jaclyn Greenberg
The Samsung Micro RGB R95H Is a Good, Not Great TV
There’s a new fleet of TVs using new mini and micro RBG display tech, and Samsung’s R95H model isn’t as impressive as it should be.
John Brandon
AI Found a Root Bug in Linux That Everyone Missed for 15 Years
Plus: The Pentagon is training amateurs to become part of its hacker army, a Flock license plate reader error led to cops surrounding a car reviewer, and more.
Dell Cameron
We Make Lovely Home-Cooked Meals for Ourselves. Why Not Do the Same for Our Dogs?
More dog owners have begun cooking for their canine companions in recent years. When my own dog fell ill, I became part of this growing group.
Alicia Kennedy
The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure
From strenuous hikes and serious summits to weekend rambles in the park, these boots help you make the most of your time outdoors.
Chris Haslam
China’s Tianwen-2 Space Probe Has Rendezvoused With Earth’s Quasi-Moon
The probe sent back the first pictures of the asteroid Kamo’oalewa. Next step: landing on the surface and collecting samples to send back to Earth.
Ritsuko Kawai
El Niño Is Already Wreaking Havoc on Pacific Fisheries
As the climate phenomenon sends warm water surging across the eastern Pacific, some parts of the fishing industry are suffering—but other regions are seeing a windfall.
Joseph Winters
Exclusive: How Jay-Z Pulled Off a Surprise-Filled Show During New York’s Wildest Summer
Summer 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Jay-Z’s debut Reasonable Doubt. To honor it, he put on a massive concert at Yankee Stadium—complete with performances from Beyoncé, Nas, and Alicia Keys.
Angela Watercutter
OpenAI’s Head of Safety Is Leaving the Company
Johannes Heidecke’s departure comes as OpenAI tries to further integrate its research and safety teams.
Maxwell Zeff
Microsoft Reports a Massive 25 Percent Jump in Emissions
Data centers are driving up the company’s use of electricity—and carbon pollution.
Molly Taft