The hot list – December 2014

Christmas is once more upon us and, knowing how busy you all are mastering your chosen markets, we thought you could use a little hand with your Yule shopping. Here’s our pick of the season’s most sensational devices and the best crowdfunded Crimble tech

The hot list – December 2014

Jawbone UP3

Hardware

Whilst the market is flooded with wearable activity trackers, Jawbone is the undisputed king. The UP3 demonstrates precisely why. Now packing a range of bioimpedence sensors, the smart bracelet can track elements like heart rate and skin temperature. Its sleep tracking has gotten smarter, able to differentiate between light, deep and REM sleep as well as providing guidance on sleep patterns and featuring a smart alarm to wake you up at the perfect moment in your sleep cycle. Slated updates also include abilities to track stress and hydration, with an eye to eventually monitoring information such as stress and fatigue.

 

 

Prizm

Hardware

Any streaming device wanting to prove its mettle has to be capable of something pretty bloody spectacular. Prizm certainly manages this. Not only does the device stream music but its algorithm learns from your feedback, playing new music that will suit your tastes and ignoring the kind of stuff that doesn’t float your boat. But it doesn’t stop there. It pumps out livelier tracks to match the mood of a louder room. By tethering to smartphones, it can tell which householders are in the room and deliver tunes to everyone’s tastes. It can differentiate the music you prefer for Monday morning and what you like on Friday nights. Seriously clever streaming tech.

 

 

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

Hardware

Inevitably, any attempt at a truly innovative smartphone design is going to divide opinion. However, Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge seems to be one of the first attempts at redesigning the smartphone that actually has a chance of a decent uptake amongst users. The device’s eponymous edge – a curved screen that extends to one side of the phone – really improves the tactile experience of controlling the device and is definitely the first high-concept phone that makes a case for function trumping form. However, a shorter battery life and a high price tag might put off all but the most ardent of early-adopters.

 

 

Flux

Hardware

It’s fair to say that home crafting has captured the public’s imagination and inspired a whole new generation of design enterprises. However, while technologies like 3D printing are far cheaper than they once were, accessing a variety of kit is still prohibitively expensive for the amateur. Flux is an ingenious solution to this problem: with magnetic interchangeable heads the basic unit of modular device can 3D print, laser engrave and 3D scan, all for a wallet-friendly $679. Additionally, new modules are already under development: a dual extruder for multiple colours, a ceramics extruder and an extruder for chocolate and other edibles. A tasty piece of kit.

 

Muse

Hardware

Mindfulness has gained plenty of currency in business circles in recent times, boosting mental health, increasing focus and awareness and reducing stress. However, technology has generally been seen more as a hindrance than a help to the pursuit of a clear mind. At least until now. The Muse Brain Sensing Headband uses an EEG to monitor brain signals, giving auditory and visual feedback as well as guided exercises to help users focus, concentrate and relax. Getting such a clear picture of how cluttered your mind is and the opportunity to practice more mindful habits will be a real boon to any techno meditator. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Josh Russell
Josh Russell
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