The November 2018 hot list – from anti-tv glasses to Samsung’s foldable phablet

Apple certainly had a lot to reveal this month but Samsung’s foldable phone may have stolen the show

The November 2018 hot list – from anti-tv glasses to Samsung’s foldable phablet

There has been no shortage of awesome gear, gizmos and gadgets being released over the past month. And with only a few weeks left for you to finish your Christmas shopping, it can be difficult to know what to put on your wishlist. Fortunately, we’ve tracked down some of the gifts we know entrepreneurs would love to see underneath their Christmas trees.

Samsung Galaxy F

Hardware

First, flip phones were hot. Then, slide-out keyboards came into fashion. But eventually smartphone developers ditched gizmos for touchscreens and aimed for simplicity. Now, Samsung may be about to change the game entirely with an upcoming device. Reportedly dubbed Galaxy F, the smartphone’s 4.5-inch Infinity Flex Display unfurls into a 7.3-inch screen without so much as a crease. Essentially, it can be either a phone or tablet. Apart from that, Samsung’s keeping its cards close to its chest. Unveiled through a brief video and on-stage demo in early November, few of the phablet’s specs are known so far. Still, it’s reportedly being released in March 2019 and is expected to cost roughly £1,370. And if you believe the hype, it could revolutionise the smartphone market when it drops.

IRL Glasses

Hardware

From social media enabling the spread of fake news to parents blaming tech for the loss of childhood innocence, you seemingly can’t avoid stories about how technological obsession ruins society. Well, pop these glasses on and screens suddenly disappear. It sounds like witchcraft but it’s much simpler than that. IRL Glasses are fitted with TAC 1.1, Cat 3 and UV 400 polarized lenses which not only protect against sunlight but also block light unleashed by LCD and LED screens. However, it’s yet to defeat OLED panels, meaning some computers and smartphones are immune to the trickery. It may seem gimmicky but with over $140,000 raised on Kickstarter it suggests that there is a need for it.

MacBook Air

Hardware

The MacBook Air has been incrementally upgraded since first launching in 2008. But there hasn‘t really been any big overhaul of the laptop for years. Well, the MacBook Air 2018 model changes that. Weighing 1.25kg – 100g less than the 2017 version – the new laptop finally swaps the old screen with its 1,440 x 900 resolution for a spanking new Retina screen capable of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels per image. While the battery life remains unchanged and enables roughly 12 hours of working time, the speakers pack double the bass and 24% more volume than the 2017 model. Add to that a more powerful processor and the ability to unlock it with Touch ID and you can almost forgive Apple for removing almost all external ports. Overall, it’s an overdue upgrade that we’re certain many entrepreneurs will enjoy. 

iPad Pro

Hardware

Okay, let’s make one thing clear – the iPad Pro isn’t going to replace founders’ laptops anytime soon. However, that doesn’t mean Apple’s latest tablet isn’t trying its best. The 2018 model enables creative types to doodle on the Liquid Retina display with the new Apple Pencil 2. Moreover, the developer claims its beefy A12X Bionic CPU provides 90% faster multicore speed than its predecessor. Keeping with recent releases, the iPad Pro 3 also comes without a physical home button and can be opened with Face ID using the TrueDepth camera instead. The iPad Pro will come in an 11-inch and a 12.9-inch version, both of which will be available at a 64GB, 256GB and 512GB capacity, just like many devices Apple announced in September. The new device’s asking price starts at £769.

Currant Smart Outlet

Hardware

With Amazon churning out new Alexa-empowered devices like there is no tomorrow, it’s clear the smart home envisioned in cartoons like The Jetsons is coming closer to realisation. The latest proof of this is the Currant Smart Outlet. The device simply enables users to plug it into the wall and track real-time energy usage. An app then estimates cost, provides advice on how to improve energy usage and enables users to remotely fine-tune the power consumption. It also stands out by being able to connect through both wifi and Bluetooth, with some competitors’ devices only being able to do the former. Simple and slick, the device would fit in just as well in a home as in a startup’s offices. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angus Shaw
Angus Shaw
RELATED ARTICLES






Share via
Copy link