It’s early January. what meaning, don’t you? We’re curing hangovers from New Yr’s Eve events, committing to a brand new set of resolutions, and making an attempt to recollect the best way to work after a number of lengthy weekends.
For folk within the tech area, it additionally signifies that it’s time for the Shopper Electronics Present — higher referred to as CES. CES 2024 is correct across the nook, and after masking the occasion remotely for the previous few years, I’m lastly going again to cowl it in-person — my first time doing so since CES 2017.
To deal with a busy week of press briefings, conferences, and a lot of strolling, I’m taking a wholesome quantity of tech to make sure my protection goes off and not using a hitch. There can be plenty of stuff in my bag, but it surely all has a spot and function.
iPhone 15 Professional Max
Having a dependable smartphone is important for any work journey, particularly one as busy as CES. That’s why the iPhone 15 Professional Max can be my go-to smartphone whereas tackling CES 2024.
Why the iPhone 15 Professional Max? There are plenty of causes. I need a large display screen to take a look at Telegram messages and Outlook calendars, however I additionally don’t wish to carry round a brick all day. Apple’s change to titanium on the iPhone 15 Professional Max has been a game-changer after utilizing the iPhone 14 Professional Max and its stainless-steel physique final 12 months. I now get an enormous display screen in a physique that’s surprisingly light-weight and comfy to carry. It could look like a small cause, but it surely’s an essential one.
Extra importantly, the iPhone 15 Professional Max is a dependable smartphone. The cameras are constantly nice; I can belief it to get a robust 5G sign, and — in fact — there’s the iOS aspect. As a MacBook and iMessage consumer, there’s a reputable advantage of utilizing an iPhone over an Android telephone, particularly once I’m touring.
Google Pixel 8 Professional
However that doesn’t imply I’m going to CES with out an Android telephone. Whereas the iPhone can be in a single pocket, my different pocket will carry the Google Pixel 8 Professional.
The Pixel 8 Professional has been my Android telephone of selection because it was launched in October. I really like the design, the cameras are excellent, and Google’s Android 14 software program has been a deal with to make use of.
The primary cause I’m bringing the Pixel 8 Professional to CES with me, nevertheless, is Google’s Recorder app. A lot of my time at CES can be spent in briefings, conferences, and visiting numerous firm cubicles. Whether or not I’m having a 1:1 interview with somebody or wish to ensure that I keep in mind every part from a bigger briefing, Google’s Recorder app is my go-to for these conditions. The app interface is simple to make use of, it routinely detects and organizes completely different individuals talking, and it’s simple to edit/share recordings. It’s the very best recorder app you will get on a smartphone in 2024, and I don’t wish to be at CES 2024 with out it.
OtterBox Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe
As a lot as I really like the iPhone 15 Professional, there’s one downside with it: battery life. It’s ok to get me via a full day once I’m working from house, however CES will demand a lot extra from it. From calling Ubers, incessantly checking my calendar for upcoming appointments, and being on the go for principally the complete day, I don’t belief the battery to final. That’s why I’m taking OtterBox’s Wi-fi Energy Financial institution for MagSafe.
It’s a easy accent that attaches to the again of any MagSafe-supported iPhone to wirelessly cost your telephone wherever you’re. The 5,000 mAh battery inside presents loads of additional juice on prime of the iPhone’s battery, and the USB-C port on the underside means it’s simple to cost with all of my different units. It’ll keep in my bag once I start every day, however once I discover myself needing extra juice, I can slap it on the again of my iPhone and carry on trucking with out lacking a beat.
Anker 747 Charger
Whereas the OtterBox energy financial institution can be useful for charging my iPhone on the go, I additionally want a dependable charger for all of my units. That’s the place the Anker 747 is available in.
I’ve been utilizing the Anker 747 since 2022, and it’s remained my favourite charger. Not a lot bigger than Apple’s 30W charging adapter, the Anker 747 has three USB-C ports and one USB-A port and is able to a complete energy output of 150W.
With this collection of ports, I can simply cost my iPhone 15 Professional Max, Google Pixel 8 Professional, MacBook Air, and my Apple Watch Extremely 2 — all from the identical energy adapter. Along with the large port and energy choice, the Anker 747 can be good. For those who plug in a number of units, it is aware of which one(s) have the bottom battery remaining and prioritizes them with the quickest cost speeds potential.
Chargers are a dime a dozen in 2024, however the Anker 747’s mixture of energy, comfort, and portability saved it in my backpack all through all of 2023, and I can’t think about going to CES 2024 with out it.
Apple Watch Extremely 2
Identical to I can’t go to CES and not using a trusty smartphone, I can also’t think about going to the commerce present and not using a good smartwatch. For CES 2024, the smartwatch that can be on my wrist is the Apple Watch Extremely 2.
I used plenty of smartwatches all through final 12 months, however the Apple Watch Extremely 2 is the one I hold coming again to. I really like the large, vivid show, the battery life is nice, I obtain all of my notifications reliably, and I just like the cumbersome, rugged design. I would like a smartwatch that’ll make it via lengthy days, present me essential notifications proper once I have to see them, and helps journey apps like Flighty and Tripsy. That’s why the Apple Watch Extremely 2 can be on my wrist all through CES 2024.
Whoop 4.0
With the Apple Watch Extremely 2 on my left wrist, my proper wrist can be house to the Whoop 4.0. The Apple Watch’s health/well being monitoring suite is nice, but it surely’s not one I’ve ever been in a position to stick with for very lengthy. Some individuals love closing their rings, however I would like extra out of my health tracker.
I began sporting the Whoop 4.0 in early December, and to date, it appears to be every part I’ve been looking for in a devoted health wearable. Over the previous month, it’s helped me push myself to realize my health objectives, get into higher sleeping habits, and determine actions that assist/damage my physique’s restoration.
Though I’m unsure how a lot time I’ll have to go to my lodge’s gymnasium whereas I’m in Vegas, I’m fascinated with seeing how hours upon hours of strolling, conferences, and different work impression my physique this week. I’ve just a few trackers that might do that, however I belief the Whoop 4.0 probably the most to provide me the info I wish to see.
AirPods Max
My flight to Las Vegas from Michigan is a little bit over 4 hours. Once I’m listening to music/watching films on the airplane journey, I’ll use my trusty pair of AirPods Max.
I’ve been utilizing AirPods Max since 2021, and though they aren’t excellent, they’re my favourite pair of airplane headphones. Why? The lively noise cancellation is so rattling good. They block out speaking passengers and engine sounds with ease, and it nonetheless amazes me at this time simply how good the impact is. The AirPods Max are additionally very cozy, and the transparency mode stays the very best I’ve used on any pair of headphones. I don’t love that I have to convey a Lightning cable to cost them, but it surely’s a sacrifice I’m prepared to make.
M1 MacBook Air
Final however not least, there’s the pc I’ll be working from whereas at CES 2024: the M1 MacBook Air.
Is it the most recent, flashiest, or strongest MacBook you should buy at this time? Completely not. However for what I have to do on a laptop computer — writing in WordPress, chatting on Microsoft Groups, and a few mild photograph modifying with Darkroom and Affinity Photograph — it powers via it like a champ. It’s additionally simple to suit into just about any backpack, the keyboard is comfy to sort on, and it really works seamlessly with my iPhone. It’s one of the vital boring laptops, however I believe it’s nonetheless among the finest in its class.
CES 2024 is sort of right here
Now that you realize what gear I’m taking with me to CES 2024, it’s time for me to begin packing all of it and fly off to Vegas to cowl the present. CES is at all times an enormous spectacle of what’s to return within the client tech world — from TVs, computer systems, headphones, smartphones, and every part in between.
CES is a busy, hectic, and tiring week, and I can’t wait to dive proper again in after a seven-year hiatus. And, hopefully, all of the devices I’m bringing will make it simply a little bit simpler.
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