Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, the technology industry continues to boom, with increases in investment and employment discernible across sectors. According to Crunchbase, organisations focused on telehealth, remote meeting and collaboration software, med and biotech, digital payment solutions, educational tech, and cybersecurity are all seeing increased funding. But what kind of cool new tech did we fall in love with in 2020?
The coronavirus pandemic may have caused delays and shortages in products and services across the board earlier this year, but a lot of exciting new gadgets also launched. Here are some that have made it on our top-rated list. Some may even boost mood, improve health and make working from home a little easier.
iPhone 12 Pro
Although the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is an absolutely fantastic smartphone, not mentioning the new iPhone 12 Pro (and the three other devices in the iPhone 12 lineup) in our list of top-rated tech would be criminal. Yes, it may not be lighter or sleaker than its competitor given the difference in size, and both may support 5G and a triple rear camera system, but if performance is what you are after, the new iPhone is for you. It also comes with magnetically attachable MagSafe accessories and protection against a very deep plunge.
Amazon Echo
The fourth-gen Alexa smart speaker has finally dropped. Now coming in the form of a small sphere, Amazon’s new Echo has better sound quality than its predecessor (the sound can actually be adjusted to the acoustics of the room where it features) and smart home hardware.
Google Pixel Buds
If you are looking for a strong headphone contender outside the Apple brand that has truly succeeded at cutting the cord, look no further than Google’s Pixel Buds. Bluetooth enabled, they are not just comfortable and offer built-in touch-control but also deliver on the rich audio and all-day battery life they promise. Sweat and water-resistant, Google Pixel Buds make the perfect workout companion.
Moto 360 Smart watch
For Apple and Android, the new Moto 360 Smart watch is crafted from premium materials and prioritises design and style. The fast operating system responds well and includes regular prompts to get you moving. Coming in cheaper than the Apple Watch Series and far less mainstream than Fitbit, it’s worth looking into!
DJI Pocket 2
In a world currently dominated by social distancing, video has never been a more popular communication tool to help stay connected. The DJI Pocket 2 comes with a bigger sensor than its predecessor. It’s small, portable and an incredibly powerful camera. Equipped to stabilise movement, take sharp photos and smooth videos it boasts stereo audio and an AI Editor so you can up your game and share worthy content.
WAKEcup self-cleaning UV water bottle
We need not be reminded of the importance of staying hydrated. The WAKEcup self-cleaning water bottle promises to kill 99.99% of the bacteria, viruses and mould that might build up over time from its use in just three minutes. You can activate the UV at a click of a button. The bottle holds 550ml of hot or cold liquid, keeping water cold for 12 hours and hot for 4. The USB rechargeable Lithium battery gives you self-cleaning power for up to a month on a full charge.
Apple MacBook Pro 2020
If you are looking for a light and thin laptop, the new MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020) might be for you. You can finally say goodbye to its predecessor’s controversial butterfly keyboard and enjoy touch ID, excellent battery life and twice the RAM and storage space. The touch bar is a recurring feature and gives you context-sensitive buttons that you can press.
Meural Canvas II
Hugged by real wood and optimised with patented TrueArt Technology, Netgear’s Meural Canvas II is a high-end digital frame that can display curated works of art including your own shots. It comes in 2 sizes and 4 colors and is controlled via an app. Delivering a unique experience the Meural Canvas II allows you to pick and choose specific paintings or styles from over 30,000 available iconic and emerging art from across the world. You’ll need to subscribe to access the full library of options but in our opinion it’s well worth it!
Dyson Lightcycle Morph Desk
The new Dyson Lightcycle Morp desk lamp, for which a standing version is also available, controls the light it shines depending on your age, atmospheric conditions and the amount of daylight available. Yes, we thought you’d be interested. You can also control the type of light output based on what you are doing e.g. relaxing or holding a conference call.
