5 best gadgets from CES 2013 Innovations list

Ahead of the annual Consumer Electronics Show next January, the organisers have released a list of products tagged as extra-special “Innovations” to look out for. According to the official judging criteria, these are the expo’s next-big-thing wantables, scored on important factors like build quality, aesthetics, and function, or basically how freaking rad they are.

The CES panel’s votes are in, and these are some of the things you’ll have to have in 2013 if you want to be trendy and cool:

S.T.R.I.K.E.7 Professional Gaming Keyboard

You know this keyboard means serious business because it has the word “professional” in it. It also looks like something you’d expect to find onboard the SSV Normandy, and has a mysterious red button on it that I’m sure (probably) launches nukes from orbit, so that’s a useful bonus feature if Reapers attack.

[Mad Catz]

It’s also big enough to use as a blunt weapon in dangerous LAN situations.

M100 Smart Glasses

Speaking of Mass Effect 3, this Android-powered “hands-free personal communication system” hooks you and your smartphone up to the cloud for text, video, audio and recalibration coordinates on the go.

[Vuzix Corporation]

“Garrus, I’m keeping the headset.”

Apex HD+ Snow Goggles

These goggles are designed and marketed for skiiers and snowboarders, but there’s nothing stopping you from replacing your regular sunglasses with a pair of Apex HDs. A 135-degree rotating wide angle camera lens with full HD recording and playback? Check. Wi-Fi streaming to iOS or Android smartphones? Check. Built-in sound? Check.

For $499, you could start a whole new career as an international spy.

[Liquid Image Co]

SpareOne

The world’s first phone powered by a single AA battery, the SpareOne can remain in standby for up to 15 years until you need to make that one life-saving emergency call. Don’t be caught in a zombie apocalypse without one! And don’t be caught in a zombie apocalypse without adequate cellphone coverage.

[SpareOne]

The SpareOne – designed for “emergencies”; they may as well just say: “for the zombie apocalypse”

Ultra-Definition CINEMA 3D Smart TV

At 84-inches, it’s claimed to be the world’s biggest ultra-definition TV. Ultra-definition – that’s a resolution four times higher than so-last-week’s high-definition, and it’s the only reason you need to buy it.

[LG]