Simplicity in the city of excess at CES 2013

After Qualcomm’s lavish and somewhat uncomfortable keynote speech at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, I should’ve realized this year’s show might miss its mark. Usually, tech innovators pride themselves on logic, function and integration. The best products are seamlessly incorporated into one’s routine; their value innate.

Perhaps this year’s attendants simply caught the Vegas bug, but I found most of the products and prototypes to be anything but innately valuable. Big, bigger and biggest was instead the operating mantra, and I was often confused as to what problems these products wanted to solve and how I would use them when/if they came to market.

So instead, I scanned coverage of CES for the exceptions. I wanted to find the simple products—those that solve a clear need, and do so in an unexpectedly fresh and compelling manner. Here are my chosen finalists. Any others you think should join the list?

Simplicity on the road with Qi wireless chargers

The Qi website boldly touts, “Simplify your life,” and after reading the one sentence explanation of the company’s wireless charging technology, it’s immediately clear how much this technology would simplify mine. As the owner of a constantly drained droid, I’d love to be able to charge my phone on the go, without struggling to find an outlet. Add the benefits of no cords or adapters and a single charger for all my devices— I’m hooked!

 

Simplicity for the mind with Muse’s Brain Sensing Headband

If productivity or mindful meditation were part of your 2013 resolutions, this product is for you. There are only two settings on the lightweight headband: relaxation and focus. Both can help you be more efficient with your time. Through mental games that train your mind to quickly calm thoughts or increase focus, this headband improves brainpower and mental control.

Simplicity in the family with Ibitz activity tracker

Even with all the family time during the holidays, I continue to hear parents complain about inactive children who can’t stop texting, instagramming or playing on their phones, tablets and gaming consoles. They just want their kids to go outside and unglue their eyes! Enter Ibitz, a Bluetooth connected physical activity tracker that unlocks digital access. The more physical activity the children complete, the more privileges they gain. Sounds pretty simple to me!

Simplicity during meals with HAPIfork by Jacques Lépine

Another resolution helper, the HAPIfork hopes to change unhealthy eating behavior by slowing down our meals, which has been shown to improve digestion and decrease caloric intake. This electronic fork records bites taken per minute, the interval between bites and the meal’s total duration. The fork buzzes during meals if you’re eating too fast. After meals, the information is synced with a HAPIfork online dashboard that lets you track progress and view tips from a coaching program. It’s a simple way to improve habits that combats them at the source.