The Best of IFA 2024: From AI Robovacs to Follow-Me Laptops

After a century of impressing the public--including one very enthusiastic Albert Einstein in 1930--the IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) consumer electronics show continues to be one of the biggest technology showcases in the world. This September was no exception, boasting a raft of networked home appliances, AI-equipped smart homes, and entertaining labor-saving devices. Trends this fall saw sustainability efforts placed on the back burner (last year it was at the forefront) in favor of AI everywhere (even when it wasn't really there at all). IFA was also relatively quiet on the TV and mobility fronts, while competition intensified in the autonomous robotic vacuum trenches. To wit, here's the best of IFA 2024:

Best Idea for the Kitchen: Cordless Kitchen Appliances

At IFA the Wireless Power Consortium announced the final spec for its Ki wireless power transfer standard, which will allow smaller kitchen appliances to draw power from elements embedded in countertops. Similar to the wireless charging systems available for smartphones, the Ki standard is intended to work with compatible appliances like toasters and air fryers, eliminating the countertop tangle of power cords. Sounds like an idea that's way overdue to us, and at least one company, Midea, followed up by introducing its Celestial Flex Series, which includes a Ki-compatible blender, steamer, and kettle.

Best Smart Home Device: Reolink Battery Doorbell

The Reolink Battery Doorbell debuted at the show and immediately distinguished itself by offering a wide, high-res 4K picture and easy Wi-Fi operation. We had an opportunity to test it in advance and found that during installation multi-lingual voice instructions from the camera itself made setup a breeze. The Battery Doorbell's visible image is extremely wide so that we were able to view delivery people entering from the far right and left, and the recordings are clear and crisp. Buyers should note, however, that for recordings and later playback, the Reolink Battery Doorbell requires a microSD memory card to store the images (less than $10 for a 64 GB card). The Battery Doorbell's best feature? You get instantaneous alerts and can play back video of visitors without having to pay a monthly fee.

Best Home Security Camera: Reolink Altas PT Ultra

Reolink also bowed an impressive 4K Wi-Fi outdoor security camera with solar panel support, the Altas PT Ultra, at IFA this year. The camera delivers a sharp, 355-degree pan and 90-degree tilt feature that can be adjusted remotely and also automatically track interlopers. Moreover, it can capture full-color images even at night without additional spotlights or infrared LEDs. Bundled with a 6-watt solar panel for 24/7 operation, it doesn't need to be recharged or connected to a hardwired power source. The camera alone is $209.99 and bundled with the solar panel it's a very reasonable $229.99.

Best TV: Hisense U8 Series

Hisense had a large presence at IFA this year (while some other TV makers were noticeably absent) and was touting its huge 110-inch mini LED models. However, what was most interesting for U.S. viewers is the fact that Hisense is one of the first manufacturers to include the latest NextGen TV tuners in its more budget-friendly sets, such as the Hisense U8 Series. NextGen TV over-the-air broadcasts are spreading across the U.S., and they deliver sharper pictures with better sound, as well as promising additional digital features in the future. (See one of my latest reviews of NextGen TV compatible TV antennas at Tom's Guide.)

Best Business Tech: Plaud NotePin 

Plaud's latest smart recorder/transcriber is the $169 NotePin, which the company describes as a wearable AI memory capsule. About the size of a USB thumb drive, the Plaud NotePin can be worn around one's neck, on the wrist, or as a pin (with included accessories). A firm finger push on its surface initiates recording and a second push stops it. It is unobtrusive and simple to operate, making it more practical than launching an app on your smartphone, and the NotePin produces reasonably accurate transcripts of audio recordings--even in challenging sonic environments like at the tradeshows and conferences we tested it in. The one downside: if you're a reporter, student, or simply attend a lot of conferences, the fees for transcripts can rack up quickly. An annual pro plan, for example, is $79 and includes of 1,200 minutes of transcriptions a month and then it's $9.99 for an additional 600 minutes, $49 for 3,000 minutes, and $89 for 6,000 minutes.

Best Vacuum: Roborock Qrevo Curv robovac

Roborock has produced some very friendly and powerful robovac, such as the S8 MaxV Ultra that vacuums and mops and understands basic voice commands. At IFA, Roborock upped the ante with the $1,400 Roborock Qrevo Curv, which can now raise itself about 4 cm to get over thresholds at room entryways. The all-in-one cleaner also has a more svelte base station and features more suction power (now 18,500 Pa), an anti-tangle brush/roller, and a side brush that swings out to get into tight corners.

Best Autonomous Driver: Narwal Freo Z Ultra robovac

Competing against the Roborock Qrevo Curv is Narwal's new top-of-the-line $1,100 Freo Z Ultra introduced at IFA. It boasts many of the same features and comparable mopping and vacuuming power. It doesn't have the swing-out brushes that Rocky touts but it does have side-mounted brushes for cleaning baseboards, and the Narwal Freo Z is a genius when it comes to avoiding entanglements. Robovacs can easily get stuck on loose drapery or throw rugs, but the Narwal uses two new cameras and sophisticated algorithms to register and record potential pitfalls, like a bundle of extension cords or doggie doo-doo. Consequently, in our continuing tests it has almost never become stranded and it's never made a pet mess worse.

Best Concept at IFA: Lenovo's Auto Twist AI PC

With everything coming up AI, it was a relief from the unrelenting algorithmic onslaught to see something actually useful: A laptop that responds to its master's voice, following your movements and opening and closing to open-sesame voice commands. Okay, yes, Lenovo couldn't help itself and had to slap the "AI" moniker on the Auto Twist label, but it's honestly useful automation had reporters all agog. The Auto Twist laptop uses a motorized hinge that also pivots in order to follow you around so that you can walk and talk during a Zoom presentation. Here's hoping that by next year, the Auto Twist is a regular feature on Lenovo's laptops.