The coolest, smartest, most fun tech gadgets of the past year

Sure, nothing beats a real book, but the convenience of an e-book reader is considerable. Is it because he carries over 1,000 books at a time and buys more in seconds, or is it because the e-reader’s front light is so delicate that it’s easier on the eyes and doesn’t get in the way of reading than reading on a tablet? The question is, are you really that kind? If you want to read a book while your loved one snores softly.

Amazon’s Kindle series keeps getting better and better, offering value and useful features, and even the entry-level models come with lights. The latest Paperwhite is so good it’ll make you think twice about buying the top-of-the-line Oasis. That’s because this slim and lightweight device has a larger display (6.8 inches) and can adjust not only the brightness but also the warmth of the light color. It has 8GB of storage for literally thousands of books and is waterproof so you can even read in the bath. If you’re willing to pay more, keep in mind that Oasis still has its benefits. Large display, aluminum casing, free lifetime cellular connectivity, physical page-turning buttons, and more.

The Oura smart ring is now in its third generation model, with improved sensors that track things like heart rate (now measured throughout the day) and temperature. Every morning, it drills down to your sleep quality and nighttime heart rate to provide a readiness score based on your sleep quality. This is perfect for athletes who need to know whether to push themselves or take it a little easier on today’s exercise. But it’s equally useful for the rest of us and for those who want to stay on top of their situation. It’s very light (made of titanium) and comfortable, so it’s easier to keep it on 24 hours a day than most other wearables.

Some metrics and insights require an Oura membership, which is free for the first six months and $6.99 per month thereafter. Choose from four finishes: Silver and Black for $299, Stealth (Matte Black) and Gold for an additional $100.

The new iMac was a real highlight of 2021 for me. It was a surprise when it was announced in the spring, as many expected it to be announced much later. I was a little apprehensive when I decided this would be my main driver instead of my previous 27-inch iMac that I had been using for a while. Will a smaller display be too cramped? Will it really be just as fast? What will the new keyboard be like? What about the color of the machine?

It turns out to be nice and a real performer, and the cute yellow color I chose makes the start of each day invigorating and charming. The smooth and sophisticated design is also attractive. And I didn’t notice any size reduction at all.

Dyson vacuum cleaners are powerful and effective. A few years ago, the company announced that it would stop developing vacuum cleaners that required mains power because the batteries were so advanced. The latest model has a cool addition: a laser.

No, it doesn’t glow to attack enemies, but to indicate microscopic dust that would be missed by the naked eye. There’s no doubting Dyson’s excellence when it comes to vacuum cleaners. For example, there are numerous brush heads and versions designed for pet owners. This model is the coolest, but there are also powerful cordless cleaners that don’t use lasers and start at $300.

Even if you love cycling, the inevitable hills on your way to work can be depressing. Therefore, a pedal-assist bike is sufficient for sitting in the saddle. The main advantages of e-bikes are that they allow you to easily start from a standing position and glide uphill with ease, but the large, visible battery can be uncomfortable. However, the Ampler Stout looks almost like a regular bike, with a high-capacity battery hidden in a thick frame. It’s a nice, comfortable ride with plenty of range and reasonably fast charging.

This year, there were rumors of an all-new Apple Watch design with flat edges to match the iPhone and iPad Pro. There’s no smoke without fire, but these rumors turned out to be unfounded. That makes me happy. The gentle redesign with slightly different curves from the watch looks great and is dominated by something very striking. It’s a much larger display. Even if you’re not using the new watch faces that take advantage of the screen, it’s clear you’re looking at something bigger. The original watch strap will still fit. The new design, combined with last year’s sensors and features (like ECG measurement and blood oxygen tracking), makes for a powerful and beautiful watch.

When you blow into the lumen, it analyzes your metabolism from your breathing in just a few seconds. In other words, you can tell whether you are primarily burning fat or carbohydrates. If you want to lose weight, the best way is to burn fat. Lumen has a lot of insights to help you do this, and you’ll learn more if you breathe into it at different times of the day. This means that if you are breathing before exercise, it will recommend that you need energy for exercise and suggest certain foods. It may seem daunting at first, but if you stick with it, Lumen will feel like a really useful tool for getting the most out of your workouts and diet.

Want a tablet but don’t want to spend as much as an iPad? Amazon’s highly accomplished Fire tablet series offers amazing value, especially since Amazon sells them at near cost. . The Fire HD 10 Plus’s screen is comparable to an iPad (10.2 inches) and is high enough resolution to play games, read books, and watch movies. Amazon has its own special version of Android that tests all compatible apps to make sure they work properly. However, this means that the range of available apps is reduced.

There are also great laptop replacement bundles. A Bluetooth keyboard case and Microsoft 365 subscription are available at even better prices and turn your tablet into a cool little productivity device.

Apple’s newest product category is a great tracker designed to work with the number of Apple products around the world. For example, if you keep an AirTag in your luggage, if you lose it, it will send a silent call to every iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device you pass. That network anonymously sends messages back to you letting you know where your property was last seen.

It’s a sleek little device, and very expensive for something with the Apple logo on it. Save even more when you buy a 4-pack for $99.

Nomad leather products are of exceptional quality. These are beautifully made and include great-touch leather as seen here. Nomad’s Horween leather is incredibly soft to the touch, so you might never want to live without it. Thanks to a clever adhesive connection, the AirTag adds little bulk, fits securely inside the leather, and easily attaches to your keys. You can remove the battery from inside the AirTag without removing the holder. You can choose from three colors: rustic brown, black, and natural. Everything looks great.

If you have an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 series handset, you’ll notice a magnetic ring inside called MagSafe. This allows it to easily click into place and charge safely and effectively when using a compatible wireless charging pad. Connection.

The same magnetic ring is reflected in this battery as well, with wireless charging capabilities. So if you need to charge your iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, or 13 Pro Max, just place the battery on the back of your phone and it will click into place. To do. in place. There’s enough power to fully charge your iPhone even with the case on. When you’re done, remove the battery and put it back in your bag.

This dash cam is called Vast because of its spacious 8-inch display. Equipped with a G-sensor that detects collisions, this system can be used to save energy when parking.

But the best part is the bright, full-color night vision. This means that even if you’re driving on a dark road at night, you can pick up details and see much better. It is powered by your car charger and can be mounted on your dashboard or windshield.

A really good toothbrush, like this one, will help keep your gums and teeth healthy and looking great. There are a variety of brushing settings, including great gum care that encourages you to brush longer and more effectively, and with the help of a smartphone app, you can see what’s going well (or not so well). You can check if there are any.

This toothbrush is an elegant appliance and comes with a super cool case that charges the brush inside, making it a great travel option. And when I get home, I have a cute charging station for my bathroom. The price is currently reduced by $50.

The Nest Cam looks adorable, but don’t be fooled by the design or cute color choices like snow, linen, fog, and sand. It’s a very high performance camera. You can tell the difference between cars and pets, and with a Nest Aware subscription, you can recognize familiar faces.

It’s smart enough to recognize if you’re home and turn off the camera accordingly. A green light will illuminate while recording, so you’ll know what it’s doing. It works with the new Google Home app rather than the original Nest app, which is still great, but it’s an effective and very useful package.

When it comes to simplicity, it’s hard to beat the Arlo doorbell. Unlike some Arlo devices, it doesn’t require its own hub. Connect wirelessly to his Wi-Fi at home. The battery lasts for weeks or even months at a time, and it’s faster than other home security products because it calls your cell phone as soon as the doorbell is activated. Choose whether to use voice or video calls. It’s convenient because you can capture video before the doorbell is pressed. It has ample field of view so you can see more of the people at your door, and it also has good night vision so it can operate 24 hours a day.

Finally, Sonos has created a small, lightweight, portable speaker. It’s really small, so you can’t hear it that loud, right? In fact, it has plenty of power and a delicate and clear sound. This is only his second Sonos speaker with Bluetooth, but it also has Wi-Fi capabilities, so if you have any other Sonos speakers in your home near them, you can use them as well. will be connected. It’s small enough to easily carry in your hand or bag, and provides up to 10 hours of playback between charges.

Let me tell you, Allbirds are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. Each new version adds additional features to a shoe designed with technology and sustainability at the forefront, yet seemingly at the opposite end of the spectrum. In winter, this is the company’s most comfortable, warmest and fluffiest shoe. These Allbirds are machine washable. The midsole is made from sugar cane and conforms to your foot. This is just part of the company’s commitment to using sustainable materials.

The Fluff is so called because of its cuddly, sheep-like appearance (Merino wool inside and out). Fluffs are high-tops that add warmth, but there are many other shoes in the lineup, including water-repellent models and slip-ons.