The 11 best and most innovative new gadgets and devices
New gadgets, gizmos and devices are constantly hitting the market. All promising to make our lives easier, more fun or simply more hassle free
Increasingly, manufacturers are leveraging cutting edge technology trends such as artificial intelligence, AI and the internet of things
to create gadgets that are smarter and more easily integrated into our lives
While many of them might simply serve as diversions that will quickly end up stashed away in a drawer or cupboard and rarely see the light of day
Occasionally, one comes along that truly has the potential to impact our lives in a positive way
So, I thought it would be a good idea to cast an eye over some of the most useful
or intriguing devices that have appeared on my radar recently, including a few upcoming gadgets that are set to make their mark during the coming year
Some of them might be fun toys, some will be genuinely useful
and some might even be able to save your life. MetaQuest 3 and MetaQuest Pro
Meta scored a hit with its Quest 2 virtual reality VR headset
enabling it to introduce almost 15 million of us to its version of the Metaverse
Of course, we've always known that this was only the beginning and soon we will see the introduction of two new headsets
that will enable even more immersive and interactive virtual experiences. The MetaQuest 3 will be the next iteration of the current consumer-focused headset line
probably sold at a subsidized price in order to bring more users into the ecosystem
The headset is expected to be an evolution rather than a revolution of the current Quest
lacking technology such as eye tracking, which is expected to be present in the next generation of higher-end headsets
The Quest Pro, on the other hand, is aimed at productivity use for professionals
who want to get involved with building the virtual worlds that will make up the Metaverse
Apple Watch Ultra. Apple has been making consumer smartwatches for a few years now
but late 2022 saw the introduction of a new model designed to compete with the high-end sports and luxury models
recently introduced by competitors such as Garmin and TAG Heuer. The Apple Watch Ultra is encased in a titanium shell
making it more hard-wearing and durable than any previous Apple Watch. It also has a brighter, scratch-resistant screen
a powerful proprietary S8 processor, and a battery that lasts almost twice as long between charges
New sensors include a depth gauge and water temperature sensor, both aimed at divers
Within U-Scan, did you know your urine contains more than 3,000 metabolites
which can be used to create an in-depth snapshot of our health
providing early warnings of a number of medical conditions, as well as recommendations for diet and exercise
Smart device manufacturer Withings does, which is why it has created the U-Scan
This device is billed as the first hands-free connected home urine lab
and sits in a toilet bowl, ready to collect samples whenever it is used
An optional for professionals cartridge enables advanced data collection and analytics that can be used by doctors for long-term monitoring of day-to-day changes in patient health
as well as to collect data for clinical trials. Life as home defibrillator
While it's nice that devices such as the Apple and Pixel watches are starting to include sensors for conditions such as arterial fibrillation
which can be a predictor of heart problems, they can't yet do anything about them
It is therefore good to see other manufacturers working on devices that can be used to directly intervene in medical emergencies
The Life as Home Defibrillator is the first-ever defibrillator designed to be kept in private homes
and was unveiled at CES this year. Essentially, it enables us to push the power to pull someone out of what would otherwise be
a fatal cardiac arrest into our own homes. Although it is still awaiting FDA approval in the U.S.
it has reportedly already been installed in over 100,000 European homes, where it has been used to save 17 lives
Ring Always Home Drone Camera The latest addition to Ring's suite of smart home security devices
is an autonomous drone designed to patrol your property, enabling you to have eyes on places that static security cameras just won't reach
First teased back in 2020, the Always Home Drone Cam was finally shown in prototype form at this year's CES
Although there are still no concrete details of when it will be available
reports suggest that it will cost around $1.250, which seems quite affordable for such a high-tech piece of home security gadgetry
As well as potentially alerting you to intruders, it could also come in handy for forgetful homeowners wanting to check
that they didn't leave the kitchen stove on or the windows open
Aircom Mask This is a smart mask that was first unveiled a few years back
when there was a rush of technology-driven innovation aimed at solving problems caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic
Several iterations later, the Aircom Mask is now billed as providing protection against viruses
bacteria, and atmospheric pollutants, thanks to its polyethylene terephthalate filters that trap particles inside mesh textile fabrics
while deactivating them and rendering them inert through exposure to antiseptic and antibiotic copper
as well as ultraviolet light rays projected onto a photocatalytic shielded surface
This process neutralizes threats posed by organic and non-organic pollutants as they pass through the mask
Sonic Brush Everyone knows we're supposed to spend two minutes brushing our teeth, right
Well, not anymore. The Sonic Brush is marketed as the world's first fully automated toothbrush
meaning you don't even have to move it around your mouth to get a perfect clean
Because it brushes every tooth in your mouth simultaneously, the manufacturers claim it can reduce the time we need
to spend brushing our teeth from two minutes to just 30 seconds. This means we can enjoy a valuable one-minute and 30-second sneeze in bed
both in the morning and at night. The Sonic Brush was another innovative gadget unveiled for the first time at this year's CES
DJI Avatar Lots of us have discovered the fun as well as the opportunity
to capture stunning photography and video footage offered by drones in recent years
The latest offering from the leaders in the field of consumer drone technology, DJI
is aimed at those who want to experience the thrills of first-person flying
The DJI Avatar is designed to provide a fully immersive flying experience
via a wide field-of-view headset that truly imparts the feeling of high-speed flight from the airborne drone to the user on the ground
The motion controller mimics the feel of a joystick for intuitive hand control
while the rugged design helps to minimize the damage caused if you should happen to accidentally crash the drone
GoCycle G4 Electric bikes provide a convenient and environmentally friendly way to travel around city environments
But until now, they have often suffered from a lack of portability
The G4 from GoCycle, however, is among the first of a new wave of fully foldable electric bikes
that can be converted into a more manageable form that's easy to take on to public transport
or even to pack away in a car for vacations or longer journeys. The G4 isn't cheap, but as it has the power, portability, and performance necessary
for it to become your main mode of transport, particularly for those that live in urban areas
it may well be a justifiable investment. TimeKettle Translation Earbuds
TimeKettle has created what it says is the most powerful and sophisticated range
of real-time AI-powered translation earbuds in the world. Coming in a range of models aimed at professional, casual, and travel users
the WP2, N3, and WP2 Plus earbuds enable translation in a range of situations
from business meetings, short conversations while traveling, and phone calls. This means that it's possible to speak naturally
and simply have the earbuds translate for you as you talk. The higher-end models enable up to six people to convert simultaneously
in 40 different languages, from Arabic to Vietnamese. GE Profile Smart Mixer
A high-tech kitchen helper, the GE Smart Mixer automatically weighs out the correct quantities of ingredients thanks to its in-built scale
and talks users through recipes with step-by-step instructions. Sensors detect the texture and consistency of mixtures
to enable the device to offer real-time suggestions while preparing snacks and meals
It also integrates with Google and Amazon Echo devices It also integrates with Google and Amazon Echo devices
meaning it can be fully word-controlled