The year is almost over and it has been a good year for tech (and everything else, at least compared to the 2021 coronavirus holiday). So what is the best gadget of the year? I made a list.
Read about the best phones of 2022, the most important gadgets we own. In addition, there are performance, audio and visual technologies, health and fitness gadgets, lifestyle technologies, and travel gadgets. I have tried to include top-notch winners along with some projects that you may not have heard of or even thought of. Finally, find out what I consider to be the best gadgets of 2022.
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The biggest iPhone is also the best with all the premium features it shares with the iPhone 14 Pro and is better suited for smaller hands. The Max has better battery life than its smaller sibling, but is otherwise identical except for size, weight, and price. The design matches last year’s iPhone 13 Pro, but the US iPhone 14 series no longer has a SIM slot. The notch at the top of the screen has been replaced with a smaller area that changes depending on the function. This is Dynamic Island and it’s very exciting.
The new iPhones have improved built-in cameras, with the main camera now featuring a 48-megapixel sensor, a first for an Apple device. You can really see the difference: photos are rich in detail even in low light, and videos benefit from vastly improved image stabilization. Battery life is very good (although the more affordable iPhone 14 Plus is slightly better in some cases), and the new dark purple color is a winner.
While the Motorola RAZR 22 is not yet on sale in the US, it is already on sale in Europe. It’s pretty cool and solves the earlier folder issues by pairing a more powerful and stable build with a fast processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1) and a 50MP main camera.
It looks and feels great, folds up to fit into small pockets but opens up to offer a 6.7-inch display, the same as the iPhone 14 Pro Max above. It seems to make better use of the foldable screen than the larger foldable phone that opens from phone to tablet size. The flamboyant design with no chin on earlier models and the original RAZR phone is a welcome change.
Like other Huawei smartphones, this one has a stylish and attractive design. It’s still hard to beat the photography skills that Huawei brings to its smartphones. While some, like the Google Pixel 7 Pro below, come close, if you want a powerful camera in your pocket, this is the choice for you. There are three rear cameras here, and one of them is innovative: it has an adjustable aperture, so you can manually change the depth of field by adjusting how much of the image is in focus and how much of the background is blurred. It’s common on traditional DSLRs, but here it’s unique to a smartphone.
The camera software uses artificial intelligence to improve results. Huawei is running a specific version of Android that doesn’t include the regular Google Play app store, replacing it with its own app gallery that’s missing many key apps. No Google Maps, for example, but the company’s own Petal maps, made in conjunction with TomTom, are excellent.
If you’re an Android fanatic, look no further. Google’s own-brand hardware is the best by far, with unmistakable design touches like a camera bar that stretches across the phone’s width. The camera is better than ever, and it has Google’s signature Pixel-exclusive app: Recorder. This is great, for example, whether you’re a reporter recording interviews or someone else who needs to record meeting minutes. It records and decrypts in real time on the device. There’s no malware here, just pure Android, which means it gets updates faster than competing phones.
When I first picked up the new big-screen Kindle (it has a 10.2-inch display), it felt bulky and heavy, but I quickly got used to it. The pleasure of reading on such a large screen is great, especially when you add how comfortable e-paper is to the eyes compared to a backlit tablet. The Kindle is doing something else, a first for an Amazon e-reader. You can write on it. It comes with a stylus that attaches magnetically to the side and doesn’t need to be charged.
It’s great to write on, for example, and is closer to a pen on paper than an Apple Pencil on an iPad. The software isn’t as intuitive as it could be, only allowing you to take notes in a separate panel if you’re commenting on a book, for example, but you have more freedom in PDF files, for example. Plus, it can’t turn your scribbles into typed text like the excellent Scribble app on the iPad can.
But the Kindle offers everything from having a library to several weeks of battery life. If you don’t feel like taking notes, the great Oasis or the world’s best Paperwhite will suffice.
For the first time, a regular iPad (not a mini, Air, or Pro) doesn’t have a home button on the front. Touch ID is now on the power button, which means the screen is bigger, reaching 10.9 inches. The overall design has been updated to match other iPad models with cut edges and a switch to a USB-C charging port. The processor is so fast that a similarly sized iPad Air won’t be a big deal for most people.
It’s also the first time a regular iPad supports 5G in a cellular version. It has a feature that beats even the most expensive iPad Pro: the front camera is mounted on the long side rather than the short side, making it more convenient for video conferencing. If you’re using an Apple Pencil, this is the first generation, not the best second generation, but that’s the only downside. Prices are higher than before, but last year’s ninth-generation iPad is still $329. However, this iPad is worth the money.
Apple’s newly redesigned MacBook Air looks great, keeping up with more expensive Pro laptops with a flat lid and sharp edges. The M2 chip inside may not be a huge jump from an Intel chip to an M1 chip, but it’s certainly faster and easier to use for most users. It has great battery life, so you’ll quickly get used to not having a power supply. However, if you do, it comes with a MagSafe charger – a welcome return to a fan-favorite Apple innovation.
The display is larger than before at 13.6 inches, but the overall size is largely unchanged from the previous generation model, and it’s still available if you’re looking to save a little – it’s priced at $999 and up.
Few third-party companies have surpassed Apple at their own game. But that’s what Anker did with this battery, which attaches to the back of an iPhone 12, 13 or 14 series phone and charges wirelessly. It’s great for charging your phone when you’re away from a power source, and you don’t even need to plug it in with a data cable. It has better charging options than Apple’s own models and a cute kickstand that holds your iPhone at the perfect angle for FaceTime calls or watching videos in landscape. It also comes in several attractive colors.
Wireless chargers are great, but the only problem is that ever since Apple introduced MagSafe magnets to ensure a strong and secure connection, these chargers tend to go up with you. That all changed with the arrival of the Nomad, which looks great, is beautifully built and, most importantly, has a heavy charger. Wherever you take your phone, the mat will stay in place.
It has a metal body, a glass charging pad, and a rubber base so it’s non-slip, and you can choose between dark carbide or a bright silver finish, as well as a limited edition gold version. If you have a Base One Max for Apple Watch, you also have a charging pad for your smartwatch – just make sure the watch is securely in place, especially the Ultra. Nomad does not provide charging plugs and I’m sure many of us have more power adapters than we can use. Please note that this requires at least a 30W adapter. If you don’t have an Apple Watch, the Nomad Base One removes the watch bezel for $50 less.
So you want a big screen TV but hate that big black rectangle that stays on the wall when the TV is off? One solution to this puzzle is projectors, and few are as beautiful and comfortable as the Samsung Freestyle. It is so light and small that when you see the box, you think that this is an accessory, and not the thing itself.
Put it in place and turn it on, and it subtly adjusts to uneven surfaces to paint a perfectly rectangular image on the wall, in perfect white. However, Freestyle can optimize the shade to compensate for the color of the walls.
If there’s any disappointment, it’s that the image is in HD, not 4K, and it can struggle with brightness, but the scale and simplicity are probably impressive enough to overcome that. The built-in speakers also deliver decent multi-directional sound. For maximum portability, you can even connect it to a suitable power bank to enjoy outdoor viewing.
For example, the best noise canceling headphones can muffle the sound of jet engines when you listen to music in the air. Sony’s noise cancellation is excellent. The company also has a neat approach to what noise cancellation should look like, saying that the silence you hear should be like a concert hall, with moments of silence between acts. That is, it is alive, and not monotonous and depressing. In this latest fifth release of in-ear headphones, it’s better than ever.
Even with noise cancellation turned off, the sound improves, with better bass thanks to a new internal design. The exterior design is the biggest change to Sony’s headphones to date, making them sleeker and more elegant. Smart effects include Speak to Chat. When you start talking, even just by saying “No thanks, I’m not hungry, I ate before boarding the plane,” the headphones automatically pause playback so you can hear the other person. The only downside is that you can’t sing along to your favorite tracks if this feature is enabled.
Bose’s goal for their new headphones is to be the best headphones on the market, offering better sound than any competitor, be it on-ear, on-ear or in-ear. Well, they certainly are. The new Bose QuietComfort II headphones feature rich sound and musicality, combined with amazing noise cancellation, meaning you can listen to music in peace even on the noisiest commute. With three sizes of ear tips, they are comfortable to wear even for long periods of time. The sound is tuned to your unique ear with a smart tuning process where the headphones emit what the built-in microphone listens to and adjust the output accordingly.
That’s what Goldilocks speakers are: the perfect balance of lightness, comfort and sound quality. It has built-in Bluetooth for maximum compatibility, but automatically connects to Wi-Fi when you’re at home, connecting to your other Sonos speakers. It’s lightweight, durable, and waterproof, plus it’s smart enough to know if you’re standing up or down on it and automatically adjusts the sound to accommodate it. The battery lasts for 10 hours without recharging.
The Sonos Roam responds to voice commands, but if you don’t need it, there’s the Sonos Roam SL, which costs $20 less and looks and sounds the same, though doesn’t have all the fancy colors of the more expensive model.
Oura Ring is a thin, light and low profile fitness tracker. It is made from a titanium ring, weighs only 0.14 ounces (4 grams) and is comfortable enough to wear 24 hours a day. Inside it has sensors that touch the skin. Oura measures your heart rate through the arteries in your fingers and also has a temperature sensor. Every morning, it gives you a readiness score based on how you slept, and even gives you insight into your sleep quality and nighttime heart rate. This is great for athletes who need to know if they should be pushing or relaxing during today’s workout.
But it is equally useful for all of us, for everyone who wants to control their work. Some metrics and analytics require Oura membership, which is free for the first month and then requires a subscription. There are two designs: the Heritage has uniquely flat sides, and the new Horizon is completely round but has a hidden dimple at the bottom (your miniatures will be constantly looking for it for a nice tactile feel, or is it just me?).
Withings makes a ton of smart devices with health monitoring capabilities, and with the Withings Health Mate app, they all work together. The latest scale not only accurately measures your weight, but also tells you your fat mass, water mass, visceral fat, bone mass and muscle mass. Then there is the heart rate and the age of the vessels. All this makes up the big picture of your health. The new scale (along with the earlier Body Scan scales) offers a new feature: Health+, which offers behavior change recommendations and offers challenges and exclusive content. This application is by subscription but includes the first 12 months.
A bike with a motor does not deceive. In fact, they can encourage you to exercise more and ride your bike on days when you can’t face mountain trips. However, Estonian brand Ampler cheated by hiding the battery to make your pedal assistant look like a regular bike. The battery is cleverly tucked away inside the bike frame, helping the rider to drive away from traffic lights or uphill with minimal strain on the knees. The wiring is also cleverly hidden from view. It has a power reserve of 50 to 100 kilometers and charges in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
There are many bikes in the Ampler line, but the Stout is a great all-around bike with a comfortable and considerate fit – you can sit almost upright. This is a very comfortable ride. Lighting is also built in, and the latest models feature advanced anti-theft protection that can be controlled via a companion smartphone app. There’s also a built-in GPS positioner in case you forget where you parked. Built-in display shows battery level, range and other details. Choose Forest Green or Pearl Black.
Dyson’s latest cordless vacuum cleaner has a cool feature: a green laser. No, not in order to capture the world from the lair of evil geniuses, but in order to illuminate the smallest dust particles and make them visible. There is also a screen on board that accurately shows the size of the dirt and particles you have collected. The unique nozzle for the vacuum cleaner is known under the beautiful name Laser Slim Fluffy.
As the vacuum cleaner’s name suggests, it’s thin and light and can run for up to 60 minutes (or less if you turn it on full). The V12 Detect Slim Extra is a limited edition with three extra accessories than the regular V12 Detect Slim. Extra also comes in a cool Prussian Blue color scheme. Both cost $649.99 and are currently discounted at $150 each.
Philips launches the blockbuster steam iron, and the Azure Elite is the leader in the excellent Azure line. It includes what’s called OptimalTEMP technology, which basically means you don’t have to set your iron’s temperature, it does it automatically and you don’t have to worry about burning or igniting the fabric, whatever it is. . He also claims that the steam control is also intelligent, ensuring that just the right amount of steam is released. It heats up quickly and has a steam boost to smooth out wrinkles. It’s hard to win.
These are truly the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, so they deserve a place in this review. They are smart not because they have some kind of electrical function – don’t worry, they don’t – but because they are made from high quality materials. Allbirds has long been using smart technology to create lightweight, flexible and attractive shoes.
The company created its own material, SweetFoam, which is used for soles and is made from sugar cane. The laces are made from recycled plastic bottles. Some products use recycled nylon, others use TrinoXO, which contains chitosan made from crab shells, and insoles made from merino wool and castor oil. Wear them and you will feel like you are walking on clouds.
It’s easy to keep reading glasses in your carry-on, but what about a pair that fits in any pocket so you barely notice them? ThinOptics lives up to its name with a line of ultra-thin glasses and readers. The reader sits comfortably on the nose like a modern pince-nez and then folds into a small flat container that attaches to the back of your smartphone.
In addition, there are temples that are also made so thin that the case is only 0.16 inches (4 mm) thick. The beautiful Brooklyn frames have a reading power of +1.0, +1.5, +2.0, and +2.5, as well as a $49.95 Milano slim frame. You can also opt for the Blu-ray protected version, which lacks zoom and other benefits. Right now, most sites have a 40% discount.
Unsurprisingly, the latest AirPods Pro are better than earlier versions. Even more surprisingly, the new headphones are the best you can buy. The already excellent noise cancellation has been improved to put it at the top of its class (even though Bose matches it in many ways). Where it excels is adaptive noise cancellation for different situations, so you can hear the outside world when you need to, but hear harsher sounds like traffic without being as obnoxious.
It also has personalized audio – your iPhone’s camera can follow the shape of your ears and evaluate what sounds best to you and adjust the output to suit your needs. Battery life has also been improved, and for the first time, the case has a strap loop that also makes a sound to help you find it using the Apple Find My app if it’s lost. The new AirPods Pro are great and have been my faithful companions since the day they were released.
Post time: Dec-27-2022