New gadgets come out all the time. But these days, we’re so used to the relentless march of technology that we hardly notice.
Machines can do much more than you think these days. Many embody advanced technology, including AI, enabling them to perform functions you never thought were possible.
Of course, many gadgets are also utterly useless, so the purpose of this post is to separate the wheat from the chaff. Which devices will transform your life for the better? And which will only get in the way? Let’s find out.
USB Mug Warmer
Some people like cold tea and coffee, but most of us don’t. Unfortunately, our mugs can get cold when the temperature plunges, especially if we like to take our brews outside first thing in the morning.
That’s where a USB mug-warmer comes in handy. These clever devices use nothing other than the power of USB to keep your drink warm, as long as you bring your notebook with you. Resistance wires in the warmer create resistance, generating heat, while thick insulation ensures that heat remains in your drink, a little bit like a Thermos flask.
Smart Notebook
If you’re the sort of person who loves notebooks or is always carrying a clipboard around, you might want to experiment with a smart notebook. These devices are basically iPads designed for use with a stylus. You can doodle all day, just like you would with a pencil, and the tactile feel is spot on.
Some smart notebooks come with anti-glare technology. Screens are just as visible during bright sunlight as they are indoors or in the shade, meaning you can use them at the park as well as in your living room.
Portable Power Station
Portable power stations are another gadget that has the potential to transform your life. These incredible devices put an end to power outage anxiety or any risk of depriving you of the internet.
Essentially, these devices are giant batteries with multiple DC, AC, and USB outputs. Inside is an array of lithium-ion cells and many come with a carry handle, making it easy to carry them around. Some also come with screens, showing you how much battery is left, how long you can use the power pack at your current draw, the date and time, and whether the unit is charging.
In case you are fed up with an internet outage in your area, you should opt for a reliable internet like Optimum. With Optimum, you will get the best high-speed internet at an affordable price. Moreover, you will get 24/7 Optimum Customer Service, where you can report outage issues, or seek guidance related to technical problems.
The downside is that power packs are heavy and expensive. But once you have one, you can live confidently knowing that you have a backup supply of power for your devices if the grid goes down.
Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
Imagine if your water bottle cleaned itself. How much better would that make your mornings? Well, thanks to brands like LARQ, such technologies now exist.
The idea is actually pretty simple. These bottles are made of stainless steel and contain a removable UV light in the lid. When you close the bottle, the light turns on for a few minutes, killing germs inside, and keeping everything fresh.
Many of these bottles also feature double-wall insulation. This technology lets them keep drinks warm for up to 12 hours before the energy escapes in the form of radiation and other heat-transfer methods.
A Camera Drone
Adding a camera drone to your personal arsenal can also change your life, particularly when you go on vacation. Suddenly, you don’t need to lug a big camera around with you everywhere you go. Instead, you have eyes in the sky which you can monitor from your smartphone.
Camera drones are useful for multiple reasons. But perhaps their biggest benefit is how they enable you to change your social media output. Instead of endlessly sitting in front of a camera, giving a monologue, you can get outdoors and make it more personal.
Camera drones also have the ability to follow you as you move along. Putting them into tracking mode frees up your hands and lets you do whatever you want, while they film you.
Antimicrobial Door Openers
If you’re the sort of person who hates touching things when you’re out and about because of the risk of germs, you might want to try using antimicrobial door openers. These fascinating devices eliminate the need to actually touch anything, helping you feel fresher and cleaner while you’re out and about.
Before the pandemic, these devices seemed pretty much useless. People touched everything without a second thought.
But as the situation intensified, the demand for these kinds of devices grew dramatically. Everyone wanted one on their keychains to prevent them from having to touch and interact with surfaces in public.
The fact that these door openers are made of brass is another enormous benefit. Early door openers featured a hook for opening doors and pressing buttons attached to a lighter. When the owner had finished interacting with the door, they would activate a flame, burning any residual germs out of existence.
With brass though, that ceases to be a necessity. The material itself is antimicrobial, killing bacteria and viruses on contact.
The Apple Watch
The new Apple Watch is another gadget that should be on your “must-buy” list, particularly if you are someone who loves to monitor your health.
The latest version is an amped-up iteration of the models that came before. Now a legitimate health monitoring device, these wrist-bourne wearables can track your heart rate, blood sugar levels, and irregular heart rhythms. Interestingly, they can even inform you whether you’re somewhere that might damage your hearing, giving you time to get away or whip out the old earplugs.
Of course, Apple being Apple, you’ll pay a pretty penny for the privilege of owning one of these. But if you have the budget for it, it’s totally worth it.
Electronic Fire Pits
A tech-assisted fire pit might not sound like a particularly helpful gadget, but you’d be surprised. Brands like BioLite are creating pits that are more convenient and easier to move around.
The way they work is similar to most other smart devices. A WiFi or Bluetooth signal connects them to your phone, and you can control them via an app.
Electronic fire pits work by adjusting the rate of airflow through the burn chamber. When the flow is low, the pit puts out a little heat. When it’s high, it puts out more.
The ability to adjust the airflow is critical. The more oxygen you can get to the flames, the more efficiently the fuel will burn. This reduces soot and smoke and helps to make breathing easier. When smart fire pits are running at full speed, there’s hardly any smoke at all!
Mobile Phone Fan
Imagine if your mobile phone had a fan that cools your face every time you whipped it out of your pocket on a hot day. Well, believe it or not, such devices exist. These plug into your phone’s mini-USB or output port, depending on the brand you use. The fan then oscillates, beautifully, keeping you cool, without you having to worry about charging a separate battery pack.
What’s more, the weight penalty for carrying around one of these things is minuscule. Most weigh less than a gram.
Robot Mop
Finally, if a regular Roomba isn’t enough for you, you might want to invest in a robot mop. These clever devices scrub your laminate and tiled floors for you, without you having to get the mop out yourself.
Mops come with a water chamber you fill by hand, scrubbing brushes, a soap chamber, and an antenna. Units connect to your smartphone, letting you activate them remotely.
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