5 super unique technologies just launched

These include Modius weight loss headphones, PureLiFi light-based internet technology, Labrad Labels ultrasound gesture control, and Energous and Ossia's long-distance wireless charging technology.

Modius weight loss headphones

Modius helps suppress appetite or speed up metabolism by sending electric shocks into the ear for about an hour a day.

It may sound crazy, but the manufacturer promises that Modius is completely harmless to human health. Modius is a product of one of the company's founders, neurologist Dr. Jason McKeown MD.

When wearing the Modius headset, there will be a tingling sensation due to the electric rays transmitted to the bone area behind the ear. There are 10 levels of discharge for users to experience.

Modius is considered an effective and healthy weight loss method. The product costs 250 USD. 4,000 of these headphones have been sold on the market. Each day, users only need to wear it for about 45 minutes.

Connect to the Internet using light technology

Last year, PureLiFi won a top award at MWC 2017. This year the company continues to demonstrate its solution for connecting mobile devices to the Internet using light technology.

PureLiFi brought to MWC 2018 a built-in signal receiver for Dell laptops and a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone case. The device allows for high-speed connection to the Internet.

Digital Trends' video playback on the Galaxy S5 was smooth, with download speeds reaching 42 Mbps.

PureLiFi's technology is still quite bulky, and miniaturization and optimization for smartphones are expected to be completed in three years.

Gesture control using ultrasonic technology

Labrad Labels has demonstrated ultrasonic technology that can replace proximity sensors on smartphones, turning on the phone screen when the hand or face approaches at a close distance.

This technology also appears on Xiaomi's Mi Mix phone model, allowing the manufacturer to make the screen edges as thin as possible.

Labrad Labels adds some ultrasonic actions like volume up and down and selfie taking.

At MWC 2018, Labrad Labels demonstrated the ability to control smart speakers and their lights with simple gestures over short distances.

For example, clap twice to activate the Alexa virtual assistant, clap once to turn it off without touching the speaker or making a sound.

In addition, the intensity of the light on the speaker can also be controlled by holding your hand. For example, when you hold your hand on the left side of the speaker, the light will turn on, and when you hold your hand on the right side, the light will dim.

Wireless charging at a distance

It would be much more interesting if the smartphone could be charged right in the pocket, or the smartwatch could be charged on the user's wrist.

This idea was realized by Energous at MWC 2018 with a smart speaker prototype that acts as a transmitter, able to transmit energy via audio frequencies to smartphones, smartwatches and wireless headphones within about 1 meter.

The top of the speaker acts as a proximity charging pad, similar to a Qi wireless charger. Energous's technology has been approved by the FCC, which means it's safe. Energous' first product is a smart underwear set called Skiin.

Energous has partnered with chip maker Dialog to integrate the technology into chipsets.

Imagine a company like Apple with an ecosystem that includes speakers that act as power transmitters, remotely charging your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. This scenario could be a reality in the next 2-3 years.

Also at MWC 2018, Ossia demonstrated long-distance wireless charging technology. The technology it uses can transmit energy via radio waves at a frequency of 2.4 Ghz, similar to Wi-Fi frequency but on a different channel so they do not conflict with each other.

At MWC 2018, Ossia's technical director Hatem Zeine demonstrated wireless charging capabilities for the Samsung Galaxy S7.

The phone will still charge even if it moves 3 meters away from the transmitter. Of course, the further away from the transmitter, the less charging power.

Imagine Ossia’s power generators sitting in the ceiling of a Starbucks. When you walk in, your phone or smartwatch charges automatically without you having to do anything.

Ossia also demonstrated a permanent battery that's the size of a standard AA battery but can be charged wirelessly over long distances and won't degrade over time because it doesn't require an internal chemical reaction.

Ossia's technology hasn't yet been approved by the FCC, but Hatem Zeine is confident it will get there. The company is already working with a number of manufacturers on the possibility of integrating the technology into chipsets and mobile devices.