Smartwatches, Ultra-Thin Notebooks, Odd IoT: Gadgets For Spring
You've heard all about the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy S6. But what else is new in the gadgetverse?
![](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt69509c9116440be8/blt1e6025ae4f6347ba/64cb577f901cc51a3f1ecb73/1GadgetsofSpring.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
New Season, New Gear
What's on your gadget wish-list this spring?
In recent weeks, much of the tech world's attention has focused on the Apple Watch, which, after months of pre-launch rumors, speculation, and hype, will finally arrive April 24. Ranging from $350 (sort of affordable) to $17,000 (a one-percenter's splurge), Apple's first foray into the smartwatch market still seems oddly mysterious, perhaps because the gadget's practical value to consumer and enterprise users won't become clear until real-world testing gets underway.
The initial assortment of Apple Watch apps is, more or less, made up of smartphone exports -- the sorts of things you could easily do with your iPhone -- and lack the killer-app appeal that wrist wearables need to go mainstream. To be fair, the same criticism applies to other smartwatches too.
Samsung's latest pair of flagship phones, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, are drawing a lot of buzz as well.
The Edge, with its dual curved screens that show information even when the main display is off, is the cooler of the two. Preorders look strong -- in the 20 million range, reports claim. That's good news for Samsung, which needs a hit after lackluster sales of the Galaxy S5, which has fallen far short of its original shipment projections.
What else is new in the gadgetverse? Quite a lot, actually. The tech industry is counting on wearable computing to spur growth, particularly as sales of smartphones and tablets slow -- or even decline, as in the case of the iPad -- in developed regions. Market research firm IDC projects that worldwide shipments of tablets will reach 234.5 million units this year, a slim 2.1% increase over 2014.
People often think of wristbands and headgear (like Google Glass) when "wearable computing" comes to mind, but the genre is veering off into novel implementations, such as sensor-equipped clothing. In healthcare, for instance, the market for wearables could be significantly larger than for fitness, totaling "hundreds of billions of dollars in annual sales," wrote TechKnowledge Strategies analyst Mike Feibus for InformationWeek in November.
Which raises the question: Will wearables and related gizmos find greater success as specific-use devices, or will multi-use gadgets like the Apple Watch rule the day? We don't answer the questions on the following pages -- it's far too early to make the call -- but we do provide a peek at what's coming from gadget makers this year.
Your typical smartwatch is a smartphone companion, a mobile sidekick good mostly for relaying information from that larger mobile device in your pocket. There are exceptions, of course, including the tepidly received Samsung Gear S, which has built-in 3G cellular. The new LG Urbane LTE, unveiled in February at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, takes smartwatch autonomy a step further by adding 4G connectivity. A big and brawny wearable with a masculine vibe, the Urbane LTE makes and takes calls and texts on its own, and supports push-to-talk for walkie-talkie chats with other devices on the same cellular network. Built-in NFC enables mobile payments, and the watch's relatively large 700mAh battery "goes for days" in standby mode, according to LG, although its real-world performance remains to be seen. Other questions remain unanswered as well, including price and availability in the US. Still, the Urbane LTE is an early indicator of how the smartwatch may evolve.
Yep, Apple's latest Macbook is crazy thin and light. But even at 2.03 pounds, it's not the lightest laptop out there. That honor -- for now, at least -- goes to Lenovo's new LaVie Z HZ550, which tips the scales at a mere 1.72 pounds. A slightly heftier sibling, the 2.04-pound LaVie Z HZ750, features a 360-degree hinge that allows the device to function as a Windows tablet or laptop, much like Lenovo's own Yoga family of 2-in-1s. The 13-inch LaVie ultra-thins sport a light-yet-sturdy Magnesium-Lithium (Mg-Li) alloy case, as well as 128 GB of SSD storage. The HZ550 comes with 4 GB of RAM; the HZ750 has either 4 GB or 8 GB. Unlike the minimalist Macbook, which has one USB-C port and a headphone jack, the LaVie sibs have ports galore: two USB 3.0, one HDMI out, an SD card slot, and a headphone jack. The HZ550 and HZ750 will be available in the US in May at prices starting around $1,300 and $1,500, respectively.
Not ready for a pricey, high-end smartwatch? If your wearable needs trend more toward basic fitness tracking, calorie counting, and sleep monitoring, the $130 Fitbit Charge is worth a look. The unpretentious Charge has a small OLED display that shows the time (so it's a watch too), as well as key fitness data, including calories burned, floors climbed, active minutes, and so on. With built-in caller ID, Charge also shows call notifications from more than 120 compatible Android, Apple, and Windows smartphones. It's water resistant but not swim-proof, and lasts seven to ten days between charges, Fitbit claims. For an extra $20, the Charge HR adds a heart rate monitor -- no clunky chest strap required.
Here's a clever idea: A carry-on suitcase that brings mobile technology to the staid world of luggage. The $300 Bluesmart carry-on, which ships in October, has a digital lock, proximity sensors, a built-in digital scale, and a battery that charges your smartphone six times over, the company claims. When you pull Bluesmart's handle, its accompanying smartphone app (Android/iOS) shows the luggage's exact weight -- handy for avoiding having to check an overweight bag. You can lock/unlock Bluesmart from the app as well, and the carry-on alerts you if you leave it behind. Bluesmart includes a built-in GPS module to help you track its location (via other Bluesmart users) if it's lost. There's already competition in this market too. Trunkster ($300 to $650) has similar smart-luggage features and will ship this fall.
Pebble's newest smartwatch, Pebble Time, is in the fine days of a very successful Kickstarter campaign. Why the enthusiasm? Perhaps because of the smartwatch's simple elegance, affordable price, or its designers' belief that a smartwatch shouldn't try to replace your smartphone. Pebble Time features a new color e-paper display that's easy to read in bright sunlight, as well as a curved design that's 20% thinner (at 9.5 mm) than the original Pebble. Water-resistant and built to last up to seven days between charges, the $200 Time model will ship in May. Its new timeline interface makes it easier to view information without opening apps. It delivers notifications, works with popular fitness apps on Android and iOS phones, and has a microphone for taking voice notes or sending quick replies.
No WiFi? No problem. Wireless HD cameras aren't new, but Panasonic's recently unveiled Nubo 4G surveillance camera is a sign that videocams may soon appear in the remotest of areas where WiFi isn't available, but 4G cellular is. The water-resistant Nubo is built for both indoor and outdoor use. Its video analytics software detects human figures and can trigger alerts on the Nubo mobile app (Android and iOS). Nubo-generated video, audio, and images are saved to Panasonic's cloud storage system and can be managed via the app. Panasonic, which is in talks with global wireless carriers, recently announced Europe's Vodafone as its first Nubo partner. Pre-orders for the camera start in April, but Nubo isn't expected to ship in the US until Q1 2016, Panasonic said.
HTC's One family of flagship phones has been well-received from tech reviewers, but they've had a tough time competing against powerhouse competitors like the Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy S and Note series. Will the new HTC One M9 change that? The phone's design and specs are solid. Its tapered, all-metal frame is sturdy and stylish. Front-facing stereo speakers have a built-in amp and Dolby Audio surround. The 5-inch, 1920-by-1080 display (440 ppi) holds its own among high-end smartphones. The 20-megapixel (MP) rear camera and the front-facing 4-MB UltraPixel shooter (good for low-light selfies) are impressive. Consumer response remains to be seen, though. We'll know more in the coming weeks, when the One M9 begins shipping at prices rumored to start in the $650 to $700 range.
OK, this product line doesn't exactly qualify as a "gadget," but it's certainly gadget-friendly. Ikea is launching a collection of tables and lamps with built-in wireless chargers, including the Riggad work lamp (pictured), Varv table and floor lamps, and Nordli and Selje bedside tables (prices not announced yet). The benefit? Rather than plugging your smartphone or tablet into an outlet when you get home, you place it atop your item of Ikea furniture, which charges the device via the Qi wireless standard. This is far from ideal, of course, particularly if Ikea's limited selection of charging tables and lamps don't match your home decor. And skeptics argue that setting your device on a designated charging spot isn't much easier than connecting it to a wall charger. But until true wireless charging arrives -- say, when your devices began recharging automatically when you come home, no effort required on your part -- Ikea's solution may be the next best thing.
-
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like