5 Best Gadgets of 2016
What a year 2016 has been. It’s fair to say there have been a few big surprises along the way. One such surprise is the amount of great gadgets that have been released this year, but many have not got the attention they deserve. So we thought we would feature what we think are some of the best gadgets of 2016. Some you may have heard of, others you may not. I didn’t even realize number 4 existed!
- Fit Bit
Not just an accessory for fleeting New Year resolutions, 2016 has seen a huge increase in popularity of activity trackers. The idea is to track your daily activities and workouts to become a fitter, healthier version of yourself, and Fit Bit is the leading brand in this area. If decide to buy your own you will be spoilt for choice. Prices range from £50 for the entry level Fit Bit Zip, all the way up to £200 for the top end Fit Bit Surge. It all depends on how dedicated you are and what you want to achieve. Either way we think these are a great little gadget and can really help you to make meaningful change in your life.
- Oculus Rift VR headset
Virtual reality games, movies and experiences are the childhood dreams of many, and the Oculus Rift provides the best example of what the future could be like. Imagine experiencing a different place, in a different time, or even an alien planet, all without ever leaving your home. Virtual reality headsets can offer this but usually at a price. They are one of the more expensive gadgets featured on this list and are not completely without faults. But in terms of a gadget offering an experience, we feel it is unrivalled.
- Drones
Unless you have been living under a rock this past year, you will have undoubtedly heard about drones. Once reserved for military use, 2016 has seen an influx of drones into the consumer marketplace. As with all new technology there have been a few bumps along the way with how you should and shouldn’t use drones, but we think their potential outweighs their negatives. The capabilities of drones can range from capturing unique images and video footage, to one day delivering goods straight to our doors, whilst not forgetting they are great fun to fly. Drones can be purchased for as little as £5, giving everyone the opportunity to try them out, and we think it’s definitely worth giving it a go.
- Floating Bluetooth Speakers
A very new gadget, that use such wireless technology, are Floating Bluetooth speakers. They use induction field technology to provide power to the speaker but there is something that makes them even more interesting. They float over the dock using magnets and wireless charging technology. The result of this combination are quite impressive. They are not going to change your life by any means, but they will be a talking point at any party. For their originality and design we had to feature them on our list.
This is a device that will turn any home smart and uses voice technology in an intuitive and fun way. Imagine a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi speaker, but one that is voice controlled. That’s the Amazon Echo. It will listen to commands, answer questions, play music or control smart home devices. Apart from being an inherently cool gadget it is also really useful, with many people find that after a while talking to Amazon Echo becomes second nature, and can’t imagine life without it.