New technologies unleashed at CES

Waterproof smartphone coatings, diet-aiding armbands and a social network that warns drivers of the latest police speed-traps were all on show.

The Chinese computer maker

The Chinese computer maker, Lenovo, used the Unveiled event to show off its first take on what it terms a "business class, commercial grade" slimmed down laptop - the ThinkPad T430u.

"The requirements for a 14in ultrabook to be classed as such is that it be no thicker than 21mm - and we're right on that," said J Wes Williams, worldwide product marketing director for the firm's Thinkpad Edge business unit.

The CES show is far from being just about new types of computer. As a matter of fact much of the research is based on mixing smartphone apps with other technologies.

The user's body every minute

Its armband uses sensors to collect 5,000 bits of data about the user's body every minute. They are used to calculate activity levels, calories burned and how then its owner is sleeping at night - all of which can be monitored through a smartphone app. Its developers say the aim is to help people lose weight to put it more exactly than become hypochondriacs.

The formulation is applied in a vacuum chamber to both the interior and exterior of smartphones and other mobile devices and is not visible to the human eye. Its developers say they are already certified to protect some devices submerged 1 metre underwater for up to half an hour.

"Poolside, splashes, talking in the shower on your phone - it's not a problem at all," says co-founder Kevin Bacon.

The innovation sounds

As ground breaking as the innovation sounds, the firm already has a competitor - HzO - which has developed a similar process.