GIZMOLOGIC
Without a doubt, there have been a number of fantastic gadgets in 2015 and there is something for pretty much everyone. Below is a list of gadgets that include ones that can be a literal life-saver, as well as ones that take convenience to a whole new level.
1) SONY SYMPHONIC LIGHT
Here’s a bedside lamp from Sony that’s designed to look like an old lantern. It doesn’t just contain an LED bulb inside, there’s also a speaker so you can stream music to it. Sound and light are remotely controlled through an app on your smartphone. Is this a clever design to help render our technology invisible, or a pointless union of lamp and speaker? If you don’t like the fixture there’s an LED bulb speaker, too. No word on pricing or availability just yet.
2) BELTY
Imagine a motorized belt that adjusts to your body when you sit down, or extends itself as your gut expands during a marathon eating session. French company Emiota has realized the dream, but it doesn’t end there because Belty can also track your waistline and measure your activity. Alongside the tiny motors there’s an accelerometer and a gyroscope. We’re told this will be a premium product, so expect a high price tag. But do we need one? You could argue that a standard belt is already pretty good at telling you when you’re getting fat via notch technology.
3) BIONIC BIRD
For just $120 you can have a small bionic bird of your own and control it from your smartphone. It has a foam body, and carbon fibre tail and wings, and it flies just like a real bird by flapping them really fast. It even comes with a Turbo-Charge egg. Apparently, real birds are attracted to it and there are plans for gesture control and cameras down the line. Right now it’s ideal for tormenting cats and mail carriers.
4) G-DRIVE EV SSD
With a need for speed - take the power of the G-DRIVE ev SSD with you. With extreme solid-state performance connected with USB 3.0, you’ll get transfer rates up to 400MB/s. The drive comes with 512GB of storage capacity and is compatible with Mac OS 10.6, Windows 7, 8 and Vista. It comes with a three-year warranty. Use it alone or with the G-DOCK ev with Thunderbolt and experience up to 480MB/s for the ultimate flexibility and expandability that today’s creative professionals demand.
5) HAL EXOSKELETON
HAL® [Hybrid Assistive Limb®] is the world‘s first*1 cyborg-type robot, by which a wearer‘s bodily functions can be improved, supported and enhanced.
Wearing of HAL® leads to a fusion of “man”, “machine” and “information”. HAL® assists a physically challenged person to move and enables him or her to exert bigger motor energy than usual. HAL®is also considered as the system that accelerates a motor learning of cerebral nerves.
Application of HAL® to various fields, such as motion assistance in the welfare field, assistance for heavy work in factories and assistance for rescue activities on disaster sites, is prospected.
6) COLOUR CHANGING CONDOMS THAT DETECT STI’S
A group of UK schoolchildren has won an award for a conceptual condom design that would change colour when it comes into contact with a sexually transmitted infection. A condom embedded with chemical indicators that would react to bacteria that cause infections such as chlamydia and syphilis.
When a specific bacterial strain is detected, the condom would change colour to warn those at risk of the threat.
The team of students from Isaac Newton Academy in Ilford, Essex, came up with their S.T.EYE condom to help reduce the number of cases.
7) THIS SMARTPHONE CASE IS 3X HARDER THAN STEEL
A new smartphone case is lightweight, thin, harder than steel, and as easy to shape as plastic. What’s the catch? You can’t purchase one—not yet, anyway. Jan Schroers, who teaches mechanical engineering and materials science at Yale University, developed the technology for the cases in his lab and wants to bring the product into mass production.
“This material is 50 times harder than plastic, nearly 10 times harder than aluminium, and almost three times the hardness of steel
8) LIVESCRIBE ECHO SMART PEN
This pen not only records audio, it also records whatever the user writes and even draws. This translates to almost two hours of full audio, or 32,000 pages of written text. When used with a Livescribe notebook, a college and high school student can easily compile notes without the distraction of a laptop or tablet. This is perfect for the classrooms that don’t allow the use of electronics. Best of all, it allows the user to quickly transfer their notes over to a computer or laptop.
9) MOBILE SPACE PACK
For owners of the iPhone 5, this case goes above and beyond in terms of simply protecting the device, as it offers many features that other cases simply don’t have. While it does offer protection against dropping, it also doubles as an external battery and contains 32 GB of memory. It even offers a status monitor and includes a micro USB cable. Best of all, it can still be used regularly, so it can be docked into a station and charged.
10) DELORME INREACH EXPLORER
This next device is perfect for those that live in remote areas or the outdoorsmen. When paired with a mobile phone, it allows a user to connect to a network, no matter where they are. This is great not only for sending text to relatives, but in an emergency situation. It also functions as a GPS, which can track waypoints and routes and if the user find themselves lost or injured, the device also contains a built-in SOS that connects with a rescue monitoring centre.
11) BLUESMART CARRY ON
For those that travel a lot, this carry-on suitcase offers many features. It can charge most devices and contains a built-in scale, so the user can quickly ensure they are within the required weight limit. It also has an electronic lock and can be tracked with its location tracking software. This makes it the ideal carry-on, as it can easily be tracked and is secure. With its sleek look and built-in LED, this suitcase allows one to travel in style.
12) HTC RE VIVE
The HTC Re Vive is the first step into virtual reality and while it hasn’t been released yet, it is still nice to see that the step into virtual reality hasn’t ended yet. It isn’t just limited to video games, even though it does offer a Portal mini-game that is unique to the device itself. This virtual reality device can mimic even common-place settings, such as the kitchen or office. The HTC Re Vive is the first step toward a true virtual reality experience.
- By Shubhjot Singh
