CES 2017: Sleep-aid devices on the up; Samsung to debut first smartphone since Note7

Elsewhere, major tech brands like Sony, LG and Samsung are to show off new products, with the latter introducing its first smartphone since the Galaxy Note7 which was recalled soon after release after some models spontaneously caught fire. 

The annual Las Vegas-based event will have a dedicated ‘sleep tech marketplace’ for the first time when it opens on Thursday, with sleep trackers and sensors, smart alarms and even connected beds due to be on display.

Gary Shapiro, chief executive of CES organiser the Consumer Technology Association, (CTA) said the event was seeing “huge growth” in wearable devices aimed at improving sleep, health and fitness as well as sports tracking.

Among the sleep products on display will be Nightingale, an ambient sound generator designed to block out external noise such as traffic that could wake people up during the night.

The new sleep tech area is being supported by the National Sleep Foundation in the US.

The trade show, which marks its 50th anniversary this year and traditionally serves as an agenda-setter for the coming 12 months, will be the biggest yet, the CTA says. More than 850 companies are exhibiting products at the event for the first time and 600 start-up firms looking for investment will also be in attendance.

Sleep and wider health technology is becoming increasingly central to the event, with products on show this year including a smart bracelet called Ava that is claimed to be able to alert women to when they are most fertile.

In addition, a system called Trak Fertility will be demonstrated that allows users to analyse sperm samples in conjunction with an app that tells men how to boost their sperm count.

Meanwhile, Samsung is to launch new versions of its Galaxy A series - the A3 and A5 - two mid-range phones designed to be more affordable than the company’s flagship Note and Galaxy S ranges.

Samsung was forced to recall and then discontinue the Note7 in October after multiple reports of the phone exploding.

The new phones, which come with 4.7-inch and 5.2-inch displays respectively, will be available to pre-order in the UK from 20 January, the tech giant said.

DJ Koh, the president of Samsung’s mobile business, said: “At Samsung, we are always trying to ensure our customers have the most advanced products on the market.

“The latest Galaxy A series is a testament to this. We integrated our unique approach to design as well as the features Galaxy customers have come to love to provide added performance without compromising on style.”

The company has yet to confirm pricing for the two devices.

Both the Galaxy A devices are water and dust resistant for the first time and will come with 16-megapixel front and rear-facing cameras. A special selfie mode has also been added that enables users to tap anywhere on the screen to take a photo using the front-facing camera.