Smartest Gadgets In the words of Ferris Bueller, technology advances rapidly, and if you don’t pause to observe, you might overlook the opportunity to possess a drone equipped with a 12-megapixel camera that autonomously hovers upon recognizing your face. Therefore, stay updated with our selection of the latest and greatest gadgets and technology currently available. Whether you’re seeking a convenient solution to simplify your daily life or something unique, like a tennis kitbag that can launch tennis balls your way, we’ve got you covered.
1. Barista Touch Impress
In the previous year, Sage, the renowned Australian coffee giant, introduced the Barista Express Impress – an intuitive bean-to-cup espresso machine. This marvel not only produced espresso of café-standard quality but also left you with a sense of accomplishment, even though most of the hard work was essentially handled for you. A green light would indicate when the precise coffee quantity had been ground into the portafilter, and the meticulously calibrated, lever-operated tamper ensured a perfect pack. The heating system and high-pressure extraction process took care of the rest. It was a game-changing innovation, and it seemed challenging to further simplify the process.
However, the Barista Touch Impress, which was launched in early September, managed to do just that. This new, more compact, and elegantly designed machine retained the mess-free tamping system and the engaging feature that informed you when you’d achieved the correct coffee amount, but now this information appeared on a touchscreen along with a plethora of other incredibly useful features. The new addition offered illustrated, step-by-step instructions for preparing various drinks, including flat white, cappuccino, hot chocolate, and even babycino. It also provided feedback on your coffee-making process, including frothing. You could fine-tune parameters like grind size, extraction time, and temperature. Perhaps the most surprising upgrade was the machine’s ability to adapt its frothing settings to optimize the use of plant-based milk as well.
2. Nothing Phone
In an era where we’re constantly immersed in endless scrolling and bombarded with wellness checks on our devices, there’s a growing desire for our phones to be less intrusive. Well, maybe not necessarily “less” in terms of functionality – we still want to capture great photos, store our music, and enjoy the speed of 5G for those pub quiz cheats – but we yearn for our devices to demand less of our attention throughout the day. What sets the new Phone (2) from the London-based tech brand Nothing apart is its remarkable focus on enabling a less phone-centric lifestyle.
One of its standout features is the enhanced Glyph LED strips on the back, which can be customized to notify you about messages and calls, allowing you to keep the phone face-down without constant interruptions. The revamped monochrome operating system is designed to minimize distractions. It offers features like the ability to grayscale app icons and remove labels, along with a widget-rich and highly customizable home screen that reduces the need to constantly switch between apps.
The camera has received a significant upgrade compared to the brand’s previous model, boasting a 32 MP front camera and a dual rear camera system featuring two advanced 50 MP sensors. Overall, the phone exudes a premium look and feel. It’s set to be available for purchase on July 17th, and pre-orders are currently open.
3. Sonos Era 300
Sonos refers to it as a “cinched hourglass.” When viewed from a specific perspective, it resembles a robot’s bucket hat. The black version even has a touch of the Darth Vader aesthetic. However, regardless of how you describe the unconventional shape of the Era 300, it’s undeniable that Sonos, the esteemed tech company, has introduced a speaker that will elevate your home audio setup. It introduces groundbreaking spatial audio capabilities, and its exceptional acoustics are attributed to the strategic placement of six drivers within the speaker’s body. These drivers envelop you in crystal-clear Dolby Atmos sound, immersing you in an audio experience that fills the room, regardless of your position within it.
4. Loewe Iconic
As a discerning and stylish reader of Esquire, we assume you’re well-acquainted with Loewe (pronounced “Lo-WEH-vay”), the renowned high-end fashion brand celebrated for its luxurious and whimsical clothing, often endorsed by celebrities like A$AP Rocky and Anthony Hopkins. However, you might be less familiar with Loewe (pronounced “Lurr-ver”), the prestigious German electronics manufacturer with a mission to “turn your living room into an art gallery.”
Yet, the latter Loewe has a compelling history worth exploring. It was founded a century ago by brothers Siegmund and David Ludwig Loewe, who joined forces with plasma physicist and occasional Russian atomic bomb scientist Manfred von Ardenne. Alongside Scotland’s John Logie Baird, von Ardenne played a pivotal role in inventing the television, culminating in the broadcast of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin across Germany. World War II compelled Siegmund to seek refuge in America, where he forged a close connection with fellow evacuee Sigmund Freud. The Loewe corporation went on to introduce groundbreaking innovations such as the first portable television, the first recyclable television, and the first internet-accessible television. In 2013, it faced bankruptcy but experienced a revival six years later.
Today, Loewe’s pioneering spirit persists in products like the Iconic, a new 4K OLED TV crafted from “Syno-Stone,” a type of recycled concrete rarely used in consumer electronics, primarily due to its common architectural use. The Iconic TV offers exceptional color and brightness through Dolby Vision technology, promising a “perfect home cinema” experience, along with a hidden calibrated soundbar producing 360 watts of sound beneath a fabric front panel. And, of course, it upholds its commitment to transform your living space into an art gallery.
5. Honor Magic Vs
The foldable smartphone market is evolving rapidly. Just four years ago, Samsung introduced the impressive yet flawed Galaxy Fold, and it’s now in its fourth iteration, commanding a hefty price of £1,650. Google’s inaugural attempt, the Pixel Fold, is set to be priced just slightly above that range. However, if you’re intrigued by this groundbreaking technology but find these price tags intimidating, consider exploring Honor’s Magic Vs.
While it’s essential to note that there are currently no truly budget-friendly foldable phones available, Honor’s offering comes in several hundred pounds cheaper than Samsung’s latest model. The design itself is sleek and relatively seamless, with the crease in the middle of the 7.9-inch internal screen only becoming noticeable at specific angles. The tactile sensation of the fold is somewhat evident but not overly intrusive. Furthermore, the display quality is impressively sharp, featuring a conventional 6.45-inch curved external screen that activates when the phone is closed.
6. Therabody + (RED) Theragun PRO Massager
Imagine a muscle massager that not only relieves aches but also contributes to saving lives. This once-fanciful idea has become a reality through the collaboration of Therabody and (RED), the nonprofit organization committed to eradicating COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS. The Theragun PRO stands as the most potent and cutting-edge model available, offering a speed spectrum spanning from 1750 to 2400 percussions per minute. Additionally, it incorporates an OLED screen, provides six distinct attachments tailored for various body areas, and offers a companion app that enables you to precisely customize your recovery experience.
7. Off-White Arrows AirPod case
Certainly, you have the option of carrying your AirPods in the plain white charging case they originally came with. You could opt for that. You could also choose to sustain yourself on a diet of bran flakes and water or exclusively request neat vodka at parties. However, the world has so much more to offer. Allow it to guide you and reveal the delightful life that awaits you. In essence, you have the opportunity to place your charging case within this stylish rubber case from Off-White and experience a sense of regality each time you reach for the latest episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast.
8. Transparent Speaker
This slightly reduced version of the larger Transparent Speaker stands at just 15 inches in height but still delivers impressive audio performance while enhancing the aesthetic of your setup. It exudes a touch of American Psycho vibe, although you’re not obligated in any way to play Phil Collins’ ‘Sussudio’ loudly while entertaining guests or enjoying your music.
9. Leica M11 Monochrom
After a careful review of your Instagram account, it’s evident that your feed could benefit from a touch of drama. This is precisely where Leica’s latest M11 Monochrom camera steps in. It represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor, boasting substantial improvements such as a generous 256GB internal memory and an additional 20 megapixels of resolution. This highly anticipated device is proficient in capturing stunning black and white photographs, catering to both casual users and professionals. Remember those images you shared last weekend, like the dimly lit frittata? Well, in the capable hands of the M11, they can transform into gallery-worthy masterpieces, garnering admiration with every slide, earning numerous likes, and even prompting concerned direct messages.
10. Neo Legend mini arcade machine
There comes a moment in everyone’s life when they realize that something essential is missing. The old sources of excitement just don’t cut it anymore, and the search for new thrills becomes elusive. Some opt for a motorcycle, while others embark on collecting The National’s complete vinyl discography. However, you’ve chosen a path of greater value. You’re going to invest in this compact arcade machine, pre-loaded with numerous games and the capability to add thousands more online. It will transport you back to a simpler time, free from concerns about garbage collection schedules, interest rates, or that peculiar sensation in your chest when climbing stairs recently.
This French-made cabinet is the brainchild of three avid gaming enthusiasts who initially started crafting retro-style cabinets as a side project. It features a 10-inch HD display and much more, making it a delightful addition to your entertainment repertoire.
