The hot list – February 2017

We’ve rounded up the hottest gadgets announced at CES this tear, plus a smattering of new devices that are sure to make entrepreneurial life easier

The hot list – February 2017

Giroptic iO 360 camera

Hardware

Virtual reality and 360-degree videos may only have really hit the market last year but different industries are already embracing the disruptive powers of the technology. Recruiters use it to show candidates their potential new office, proptech startups like Keypla use immersive tech to allow clients to view a property visually and event organisers use it to give people not attending in person a chance to feel like they are. And while legions of people are already shooting 360-degree videos and streaming footage live from their mobiles, Giroptic’s new iO 360 camera is set to make this even more straightforward. The camera can be easily mounted onto your smartphone, enabling you to not only record 360-degree videos and snap pictures but livestream moments as you go too. If you’re looking to record events or spread the word about your business in real time, this camera’s no-fuss approach will certainly help.

Sony Bravia A1 OLED

Hardware

Combining two of our favourite things – tech and design – Sony’s new TV set is definitely one of the most exciting things to come out of the CES conference this year. While consumers have come to expect their TV screens to have a crisp resolution, what sets the Bravia A1 OLED apart is the fact that it doesn’t have any speakers. Instead, the sound is created by vibrating the screen. In other words, the sound will come directly from the action on the screen, creating a more immersive experience. This has enabled Sony to design a thin frame, supported by a slanted stand at the back rather than the regular singular legs most flat-screen TVs have. The whole concept is certainly enough to give us some good vibrations.

 

HP Envy Curved All-In-One

Hardware

iMacs may have been the talk of tech town in years gone by, but Apple’s competitors are now rapidly giving it a run for its money. Hot on the heels of Microsoft’s Surface Studio, HP announced its latest iMac party crasher at the CES conference in January. The HP Envy Curved 34 All-In-One desktop computer may have one of the clunkiest names of 2017 so far but its sleek design and 34-inch curved screen will certainly turn a few heads. Unlike an iMac, the hard drive as well as the speakers is housed at the base, giving the screen a slim silhouette. Add to that a high-resolution screen with an anti-glare finish and it isn’t hard to imagine Apple’s engineers starting to get a little bit nervous.

Everlast Notebook

Hardware

Moleskin might have been good enough for Hemingway but the creative minds at Rocketbook believe the classic paper notebook is in desperate need of an update. With the Everlast Notebook, entrepreneurs can take notes during investor meetings and use the Rocketbook app to upload and categorise pages with a simple swipe on their smartphone. Once they’re done, they can simply wipe off their doodles with a wet cloth, enabling the book to be repeatedly reused. The idea certainly seems to  appeal: the company’s Kickstarter campaign managed to reach its $26,000 target 44 times over, ending at $1,823,227. It just shows what the power of an innovative concept can accomplish. Other founders might wish to take note.

Lenovo Smart Home Assistant

Hardware

Any fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has probably found themselves wishing for a smart-home assistant like Tony Stark’s digital butler Jarvis. But unless you’re the CEO of Facebook, the chances of that dream becoming a reality are slim. However, the internet of things and a new wave of connected speakers may give you the next best thing by allowing you to control your home by simply speaking to them. Google and Amazon have already started to compete for a share of the market while LingLong’s DingDong is angling to become the leader in China. And now Lenovo is angling for a seat at the table with its new Smart Home Assistant. The device may be  using Amazon Alexa’s cloud-based voice services to do everything from ordering pizza to turning off the lights, but consumers will be able to buy it for roughly $45 less than the Echo. Its competitive price point and sleek design is sure to hit the spot among some early adopters when the device is released in May.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eric Johansson
Eric Johansson
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