The hot list – July 2015

The BBC has released further details about its Micro:Bit computer. Given to every secondary school pupil, the board will come with an ARM Cortex M-O processor and will run Blockly, Python and Microsoft’s TouchDevelop. Hungry for more gadgets? Read on

The hot list – July 2015

LG G4 

Hardware

Not only does the LG G4 come with the option of a snazzy leather back but it has some seriously impressive features to boast about too. Its screen is an absolutely monster: coming in at 5.5 inches and 534 ppi, it also has a gentle curve that is far more subtle than that of the G Flex 2. The G4’s camera is also something truly special: a 16 megapixel sensor is impressive enough but pro users can also shoot in RAW and mess about with ISO values and shutter speeds. Whilst its performance isn’t quite as strong as rivals like the Galaxy S6 or the HTC One M9, the LG G4 is still one impressive handset.

 

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

Hardware

The latest entrant in Sony’s impressive Xperia Z series, the Z4 Tablet is thin and almost absurdly light. It comes with a sumptuous 299 ppi, 10.1 inch screen and a Snapdragon 810 processor, meaning it certainly holds its own against other flagships. Sadly, despite this, it is badly let down by its inferior keyboard; the dock offers rather flimsy support and the keyboard is quite laggy. Whether the inclusion of Sony’s Remote Play feature, which allows users to stream games and media from their PlayStation 4, can ameliorate this in the eyes of users ultimately depends on where their priorities lie: work or play.

 

Nest Cam

Hardware

Any time you hear the phrases internet of things or connected home, you can rest assured that mention of Nest isn’t far behind. Its latest toy is Nest Cam, the product of the $555m acquisition of security camera company Dropcam last June, which can film in 1080p and night vision, allows you to speak and listen through the camera and will send you alerts if it detects anything suspicious. And if you sign up to Nest Aware, you can set activity zones for it to focus on, receive the benefit of advanced facial recognition and access detailed alert summaries. Nest Cam should ensure there are no more niggles about whether your home is safe and secure.

 

Reserve Strap

Hardware

One of the biggest points of contention with wearables thus far has been their rather ephemeral battery life – and the Apple Watch is no exception. Reserve Strap is perhaps the most elegant solution we’ve seen – this replacement strap plugs into the Apple Watch’s hidden diagnostic port, providing an additional 30 hours of battery life without you having to even remove it from your wrist. One slight drawback, however, is that Apple hasn’t yet confirmed the port is intended to be used by third parties, meaning that there are no guarantees that it won’t eventually be disabled.

 

Kokoon

Hardware

Few people understand the value of a good night’s sleep quite as much as entrepreneurs. But for those of you who struggle to drift off at night, Kokoon might be the perfect solution. Much more than just a pair of wireless headphones, Kokoon contain an EEG that monitors your sleep, enabling them to adjust the audio to help you drift off and identify the best point in your sleep cycle to wake you up. They’ll also help you track and analyse your sleep, block out potential disturbances with white noises and are designed to be cool and comfortable to wear during the night. Should make it easier to drift off on those long business trips. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Josh Russell
Josh Russell
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