November 9, 2024
A MacBook, AirPods Max, Apple Watch, iPhone, Google Pixel, and Anker charger all lying next to each other on a desk.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

It’s early January. You recognize what which means, 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 how you can work after a number of lengthy weekends.

For folk within the tech house, it additionally signifies that it’s time for the Client Electronics Present — higher often known as CES. CES 2024 is correct across the nook, and after overlaying 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 might be numerous stuff in my bag, nevertheless it all has a spot and objective.

iPhone 15 Professional Max

iPhone 15 Pro Max lying on the ground surrounded by leaves.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

Having a dependable smartphone is crucial for any work journey, particularly one as busy as CES. That’s why the iPhone 15 Professional Max might be my go-to smartphone whereas tackling CES 2024.

Why the iPhone 15 Professional Max? There are numerous causes. I desire a large display screen to have a look at Telegram messages and Outlook calendars, however I additionally don’t wish to carry round a brick all day. Apple’s swap 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 a giant display screen in a physique that’s surprisingly light-weight and cozy to carry. It might look like a small cause, nevertheless it’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 powerful 5G sign, and — after all — there’s the iOS component. As a MacBook and iMessage person, there’s a authentic advantage of utilizing an iPhone over an Android telephone, particularly after I’m touring.

Google Pixel 8 Professional

Someone holding the blue Pixel 8 Pro outdoors.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

However that doesn’t imply I’m going to CES with out an Android telephone. Whereas the iPhone might 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 very good, 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 might 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 make sure that I bear in mind every thing 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 robotically detects and organizes totally different individuals talking, and it’s straightforward to edit/share recordings. It’s the most effective 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

Someone holding a black OtterBox MagSafe power bank.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

As a lot as I really like the iPhone 15 Professional, there’s one downside with it: battery life. It’s adequate to get me via a full day after I’m working from house, however CES will demand a lot extra from it. From calling Ubers, often checking my calendar for upcoming appointments, and being on the go for principally the whole 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 provides loads of further juice on prime of the iPhone’s battery, and the USB-C port on the underside means it’s straightforward to cost with all of my different units. It’ll keep in my bag after I start every day, however after 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

Anker 747 charger next to an Apple charger.
Anker 747 subsequent to Apple’s 30W charger. Joe Maring / Digital Traits

Whereas the OtterBox energy financial institution might 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 also be sensible. In the event you 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

Someone wearing an Apple Watch Ultra 2, showing the Modular Ultra watch face.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

Similar 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 might be on my wrist is the Apple Watch Extremely 2.

I used numerous smartwatches all through final 12 months, however the Apple Watch Extremely 2 is the one I maintain coming again to. I really like the large, vibrant 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 after I have to see them, and helps journey apps like Flighty and Tripsy. That’s why the Apple Watch Extremely 2 might be on my wrist all through CES 2024.

Whoop 4.0

The Whoop 4.0 on a person's wrist.
Andy Boxall / Digital Traits

With the Apple Watch Extremely 2 on my left wrist, my proper wrist might be house to the Whoop 4.0. The Apple Watch’s health/well being monitoring suite is nice, nevertheless it’s not one I’ve ever been in a position to keep on with for very lengthy. Some individuals love closing their rings, however I would like extra out of my health tracker.

I began carrying the Whoop 4.0 in early December, and up to now, it appears to be every thing I’ve been trying to find in a devoted health wearable. Over the previous month, it’s helped me push myself to attain my health targets, get into higher sleeping habits, and establish actions that assist/harm my physique’s restoration.

Though I’m unsure how a lot time I’ll have to go to my resort’s health club whereas I’m in Vegas, I’m excited about seeing how hours upon hours of strolling, conferences, and different work influence my physique this week. I’ve just a few trackers that would do that, however I belief the Whoop 4.0 probably the most to offer me the info I wish to see.

AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max.
Riley Younger / Digital Traits

My flight to Las Vegas from Michigan is a bit of over 4 hours. After I’m listening to music/watching films on the aircraft trip, 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 the moment simply how good the impact is. The AirPods Max are additionally very comfortable, and the transparency mode stays the most effective I’ve used on any pair of headphones. I don’t love that I have to convey a Lightning cable to cost them, nevertheless it’s a sacrifice I’m keen to make.

M1 MacBook Air

The M1-powered Macbook Air, open on a table.
M1 MacBook Air Mark Coppock / Digital Traits

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 the moment? 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 enhancing with Darkroom and Affinity Picture — it powers via it like a champ. It’s additionally straightforward to suit into just about any backpack, the keyboard is comfy to kind on, and it really works seamlessly with my iPhone. It’s some of the boring laptops, however I believe it’s nonetheless top-of-the-line in its class.

CES 2024 is sort of right here

CES 2024
Digital Traits

Now that what gear I’m taking with me to CES 2024, it’s time for me to start out packing all of it and fly off to Vegas to cowl the present. CES is all the time an enormous spectacle of what’s to come back within the client tech world — from TVs, computer systems, headphones, smartphones, and every thing in between.

CES is a busy, hectic, and tiring week, and I can not 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 bit of simpler.

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