Your weekly tech guide to the coolest gadgets and accessories
As we approach the end of the year, this week’s column looks back at some of the coolest gadgets from the last 12 months. Last week we put the spotlight on the best smartphones from this year, this week the focus shifts to the best of the other tech categories. From AR sunglasses to wireless ear buds that upped their sound and battery game, these were some of the coolest gadgets we checked out at MW this year:
Bose Frames: Bose’s audio sunglasses is one of the most innovative gadgets of 2019. It comes in two versions that are high on style – the angular Alto and Rondo, with a rounded shape. The Frames allow you to stay connected with the external environment even as you’re immersed in your music playlist. The audio speakers are embedded in the arms of the sunglasses; the slightly thick arms are the only giveaway. A charging dock is also concealed along the inside of the right arm. All controls from power on, to flipping tracks are controlled by a single multi-function key that’s barely noticeable. (Rs 21,900)
Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro: it doesn’t get better than Apple’s the all-new that’s kitted with cutting edge 6- and 8-core 9th generation processors with Turbo Boost speeds up to 5.0 GHz. This powerful machine can deliver up to 2.1 times faster performance than the quad-core 15-inch MacBook Pro 1. If you’re a Pro who is working on your next big game title or grading a blockbuster film, this one has the graphics performance to back you up. It features the new AMD Radeon Pro 5000M series graphics — the first 7nm mobile discrete GPUs for pro users. Other highlights include a new magic keyboard, a higher fidelity audio experience and bottomless internal storage (Rs 1,99,900 onwards)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6: Samsung makes the strongest case for an Android tablet with the Tab S6. It’s headline feature is the S-Pen (bundled with the device) that comes with built-in Bluetooth controls and brings quite a few tricks to the table. Samsung’s DeX functionality allows you to transit to a PC-like experience. The 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display kitted with quad speakers tuned by AKG makes it the ideal accessory for binge watching. At 5.7mm, its remarkably thin and portable (weighs only 420 gm). The Tab S6 is geared for gaming marathons and is propelled by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor (Rs 59,900)
OnePlus TV: the sliding soundbar is one of the cool design touches that sets the new OnePlus TV apart. It’s the brand’s first foray into televisions, and design is clearly one of its key differentiators. With a screen: body ratio of 95.7%, it’s almost bezel-less and offers a superior viewing experience. The 4K QLED display powered by Gamma Colour Magic offers vibrant visuals. It’s built on the Android TV platform allowing you to seamlessly connect your smartphone and access Google Play Apps. (Rs 69,900 onwards)
Fitbit Versa 2: comes with a whole bunch of enhancements over its predecessor including Spotify support and Amazon Alexa baked in. It all starts with the all-new AMOLED display with boosted viewability and punchier colours. You can enable the always-on display and still manage two full days of battery life; this jumps to five days without the always-on option. The aesthetics get better too with an anodised aluminium finish in a natural colour palette; a new one button design adds to its appeal. Fitbit has also unveiled its new collection of straps that include a couple of spiffy leather and suede options (Rs 20,999 onwards)
Jabra Elite 65T: probably the buds that fit most snugly. Jabra’s popular buds don’t just fit right, they sound right too, especially for all those high-energy tracks that are probably on your gym or outdoor run playlist. The 15-hour battery life (including the case) makes a strong case while the customisable equaliser allows you to tweak the music. (Rs 13,999)
