Home Insights Features Revealed: New Innovative Tech Gadgets Breaking The Mold Some of the latest novel gadgets that could change the industry. by Aarti Nagraj October 30, 2014 Technology is changing at a rapid pace and with ‘smart’ taking center stage, we could soon expect to see driverless cars and talking doors around us. While a plethora of new gadgets are being launched to help us transition to that future, some are truly ‘breaking the mold’, according to tech firm IDC. Saad Elkhadem, associate research analyst at IDC MEA said: “Most of us are aware of what is happening in the current world of technology with the big names around, but what about the smaller unknowns, the non-human tech creating murmurs for being different?” The company compiled a list of new innovative technology ventures in a varied range of sectors. “Most of the technologies showcased here are still in the development phases and are seeking funding. “However, once or even if these goals are met, rest assured that given the importance of the market in the Middle East, we will at some point eventually see some of these tech ventures make their way into stores here,” Elkhadem added. REVEALED: 12 REVOLUTIONARY NEW GADGETS Coin: The card to replace all cards Features: • Size: Credit card • Display: e-ink • Battery: Two years • Single button to switch between cards • Dongle provided to swipe and record cards on to Coin via app on iOS or Android • Availability: Estimated in 2015 • Price: $50 LOOP: New payment solution Features: • Payment system that uses magnetic frequencies to send to payment machines • Form factors: Keychain FOB, iPhone case • Need swipe machines, can’t insert • Dongle provided to swipe and recaord cards onto accessory • Availability: Current • Price: Starting from $30 Clever Pet: Dog trainer Features: • Device to train your dog and keep it entertained while you’re out of the house • How: Reward the dog with a treat once it interacts correctly with Clever Pet • Interactions get progressively trickier • Users can keep track via app or computer • Availability: 2015 • Price: TBA No More Woof: Dog communicator Features: • Gadget capable of translating dog’s thoughts into human language • Thoughts include fatigue, hunger, and curiosity • Release Date: TBD Bistro: For cat lovers Features: • Smart device that uses facial recognition to keep track of your cats weight and eating habits • Facial recognition used to keep track of different cats you own • Data is sent to your smartphone • Also includes online community for cat lovers • Availability: 2015 • Price: $249 Ownfone: Braille phone for the blind Features: • Braille mobile phone • Front of the phone is constructed using 3D printing • Front of the phone can be personalised to four different buttons to call different people • Colours: Multiple • Availability: Current • Price: $100 Vessyl: the smart cup Features: • Smart cup that details what you drink and provides nutritional information • Info given about calories, fat, caffeine, sugar • Info displayed on cup + phone • Capacity: 13oz • Availability: 2015 • Price: $99 Body Dryers: Towel replacer Features: • Device to step on that blows air upwards towards your whole body to dry you off • Provides hot or cold air • Cannot be used as a hair-dryer • Includes scale • Availability: TBD • Price: $250 Vivalnk: digital tattoo that unlocks your phone Features: • A tattoo that is placed on your skin and used to unlock your Motorola device • Trend: More and more add-on features to more quickly unlock phones • Duration: lasts up to five days • Availability: Current • Price: $12 / 10 pieces Quitbit: Cigarette stopper Features: • Cigarette lighter that keeps track of how much you’re smoking • Screen: keeps track of how much you’re smoking and the time between each cigarette • Companion app: Can force lighter not to work for extended times • Availability: TBD • Price: $100 om/one speakers: levitating speakers Features: • Portable levitating bluetooth speakers • How: Magnets • Battery Life: 15 hours • Includes in-built mic • Availability: 2014 • Price: $200 Intel’s smart bowl: Charging device Features: • Smart bowl to wirelessly charge all kinds of devices • Will only work with Intel devices initially, but expected to broaden to other gadgets eventually • Can charge various devices without exact placement • Size: 10-inch diameter • Availabilty: TBD • Price: TBA 0 Comments