Even In The Tech World There Are Hits And Misses
The tech world is rife with creativity. With developers' mental wheels turning all the time, the industry is constantly churning out new products, making innovative leaps and strides, some of which hit while some flop hard. Here are some of the best and worst new gadgets to come out so far this year.
1. Apple iPad Pro
Everyone's familiar with the iPad, a popular gadget since it was first introduced in 2010. However, nothing compares to the 2024 edition which is a performance powerhouse that is so slim it feels like a piece of glass in your hands.
2. LG CineBeam Q Projector
People are raving about the LG CineBeam Q Projector for its as cool design turned off as turned on. It's also super compact with impressive image quality. The only drawback is the not-great sound, but that's easily solved with a portable Bluetooth speaker.
3. Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
These glasses seriously make it feel like we're living in the future without looking outlandish. The smart technology which includes a camera, audio, and AI integration is integrated into stylish Ray-Bans.
4. Bose SoundLink Max
The Bose Soundlink Max is everything you could ask for in a portable speaker. It boasts 20 hours of battery life, a super durable design, customizable sound settings, and the ability to link to other SoundLink Max devices for stereo sound.
5. Bluetooth Auracast
The auracast is a device that allows any audio transmitter to connect to any number of receivers letting you connect your listening device to anything with sound such as a muted TV or your friend's music. It's a game-changer for communal listening experiences.
6. Amazfit Helio Smart Ring
This stylish piece of jewelry tracks health data like heart rate, sleep patterns, blood oxygen levels, and stress levels. Paired with the Zepp app, it offers easy data syncing and analysis. The best feature of the Helio Smart Ring is its ability to track sleep data, making it particularly useful for those with sleep apnea.
Maurizio Pesce from Milan, Italia on Wikimedia
7. Samsung HW-Q990D Soundbar
The Samsung HW-Q990D Soundbar is getting nothing but rave reviews from audiophiles everywhere. It offers the ultimate immersive sound experience that fills the room making it the top choice for movie watchers and gamers. It also has adaptive sound technology which enhances audio performance in real time.
8. Nothing Ear (a)
The Nothing Ear (a), while not the best quality sound you can find in earbuds is certainly the best quality for the price point. They have active noise cancellation, better battery life than options that are twice the price, and are the first earbuds with ChatGPT integrated.
9. Skarper E-Bike
Skarper teamed up with Red Bull Racing’s Advanced Technologies to develop this state-of-the-art e-bike conversion kit that transforms regular bicycles into e-bikes. Weighing just over two pounds, it's the lightest and most refined e-bike conversion kit on the market.
10. Neuralink
While this is not a consumer product, it had to be mentioned for its sheer ingenuity. Neuralink announced this year that they successfully implanted their smart brain chip into a patient with quadriplegia, enabling him to control devices with his thoughts. This is a game-changer in the medical world but the ultimate goal of the company is to enhance human cognitive function.
Now that we've talked about some of the coolest new tech, let's go over some of the duds.
1. Apple Vision Pro
Although the Apple Vision Pro is undoubtedly an impressive technological feat in augmented reality headsets, it's a bit too out there and too expensive for people to get on board just yet. Reviewers are saying it's uncomfortable to wear, has a battery life of only about two hours, and lacks practicality.
2. Rabbit R1
The Rabbit R1 is a personal AI assistant that has received a lot of bad press. People are saying it's awkward to use, lacks basic features like setting alarms or a camera, and provides unreliable information.
3. Smart Toaster
A toaster has one job; it doesn't need to be smart. Alas, in this era of smart everything, multiple companies decided to develop toasters integrated with machine learning to create the perfect toast. As you can expect, the toaster is astronomically expensive and unnecessary.
CordMediaDigitalServices on Pixabay
4. Human AI Pin
The concept behind this Human AI Pin is to free you from your phone, promising all the same functionality as a smartphone but without a screen. Unfortunately, reviewers are saying it has a myriad of functionality issues like overheating, and random shutdowns, and lacks essential features.
5. Macrowave
One of the most heavily criticized products unveiled at the 2024 CES was the macrowave, a device that functions like a microwave but uses lower frequency bands, aimed at heating food more evenly without drying it out. We don't see any major issues with modern microwaves and see this as a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" type of situation.
6. Ecovac X2 Combo Robot Vacuum
This robot vacuum is a case of trying to fit too much technology into a simple household item. The vacuum uses cameras for navigation, collects data, and gives users limited privacy controls, raising concerns about where user information is stored and whether it's shared with third parties.
7. Hapbeat Body Vibration Suit
This VR suit offers the ultimate immersive audio experience, administering vibrations directly to the body. Although users are saying it offers a cool tactile sensation, it feels a little silly to wear it and the price tag of about $500 is too hefty for such a novelty item.
8. LG MoodUp Refrigerator
This is a fridge that lights up and plays music which is a really fun idea.
However, reviewers are saying the speakers are extremely poor quality which wouldn't be an issue if this wasn't an $8,000 item.
9. Vuzix Shield AR Glasses
These AR glasses are designed primarily for enterprise settings. Their main criticisms are that they're bulky and expensive for what they do and just can't compete with the coolness of the Meta glasses.
10. Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2
This temperature-regulated mug is designed to keep drinks warm for extended periods. Users can control the temperature using their smartphones. The problem is it doesn't seem to work as advertised, with critics saying it just heats and doesn't actually change temperature according to their controls.
