{"id":26727,"date":"2012-11-16T16:21:20","date_gmt":"2012-11-16T14:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=26727"},"modified":"2012-11-20T14:59:41","modified_gmt":"2012-11-20T12:59:41","slug":"awesome-gadgets-youll-want-to-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/hardware\/26727\/awesome-gadgets-youll-want-to-own\/","title":{"rendered":"Awesome gadgets you’ll want to own"},"content":{"rendered":"

While most gadgets are created with a specific problem solution in mind, not all gadgets are around to make our lives a better, simpler place.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, gadgets are there just to be excessive – and as long as you’re willing to fork out loads of cash for them, there’s no harm in flaunting them about.<\/p>\n

From practical daily helpers, to excessive bank-busters that simply ooze “cool” – here are 7 awesome gadgets that you will want to own.<\/p>\n

Virtual Keyboard – $99<\/h3>\n
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Virtual Keyboard<\/p><\/div>\n

Is your smartphone’s teeny-tiny keyboard getting you down? What a pity the real-deal QWERTY keyboards we’re used to are far too big and bulky to carry around with us on the go.<\/p>\n

Of course, with a laser projection keyboard that dangles comfortably on your keyring, you may find the answer to your typing-on-the-go prayers.<\/p>\n

The Virtual Keyboard from Brookstone projects a set of keys onto any flat surface, and tracks your fingers as you type. The handy device connects to smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth.<\/p>\n

If you’re hoping to grab one, though, you may have to wait a while as strong demand has lead to the suppliers no longer taking pre-orders for now.<\/p>\n

Ubi – $189<\/h3>\n
\"Ubi\"<\/a>

Ubi<\/p><\/div>\n

Ubi is a voice-activated, Android-based mini computer that’s always on and ready to respond to your voice commands.<\/p>\n

The device plugs into a wall socket anywhere in your house, and can be used with a large number of home applications. It connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi, communicates with other devices via Bluetooth, and even monitors the environmental conditions of your home.<\/p>\n

Ubi is useful for information and smart interaction while you hustle about your home; it can store recipes, search the Internet, act as a speakerphone or even act as an intercom system, and much more.<\/p>\n

You could also probably use it for those Friday nights when you feel lonely and need someone to talk to, though the quality of conversation remains questionable.<\/p>\n

Philips Hue – $199 starter pack \/ $59 per bulb<\/h3>\n
\"Philips<\/a>

Philips Hue<\/p><\/div>\n

While colour-changing LED lights are nothing new, the new Hue brand of bulbs from Philips are the first of its kind to be controlled by iOS devices, and sold exclusively through the Apple Store.<\/p>\n

The LED lights are controlled by an iPhone or iPad app which connects to the packaged bridge device. The bridge can connect up to 50 lightbulbs, wirelessly, and can shift to over 16 million different colours.<\/p>\n

If you’re wondering why anyone would need this besides the fact they’re an awesome gadget to show off – the app allows you to set the tone of the room to various settings, priming the atmosphere for sleep, concentration or even romance.<\/p>\n

They also use 80% less power than normal bulbs – so really, you’re just doing your bit for the environment – just in the flashiest way.<\/p>\n

Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones – $1,400<\/h3>\n
\"Sennheiser<\/a>

Sennheiser HD 800<\/p><\/div>\n

Not everyone appreciates your singing along to ABBA classics in the office, so a fine set of headphones will go a long way to saving your colleagues – and yourself – from embarrassing nostalgia.<\/p>\n

Naturally, one would want the most expensive headphones one can get\u00a0 – this would be the Sennheiser Orpheus. Accompanied by its own hand-crafted amplifier, and allegedly fine-tuned to perfection, the Orpheus is a rare and costly ($15,000) adventure into audiophilia.<\/p>\n

\"Sennheiser<\/a>

Sennheiser Orpheus – it’s not very pretty.<\/p><\/div>\n

However, most expensive doesn’t always mean best – and for people who aren’t looking for rarities and gold-finished collector’s sets, the Sennheiser HD 800 headphones are a top-notch alternative, and an audiophile’s dream, according to pretty much every review out there.<\/p>\n

The set’s technical aspects, in terms frequency range (14 – 44100 Hz [-3 dB] 6 – 51000 Hz [-10 dB]), impendance (300 ohms) and sensitivity (102dB) are weighed favourably against its competition – except the price of course.<\/p>\n

While $1,400 is definitely steep for headphones, it may just be worth it to have brilliant quality sounds pumping through your brain.<\/p>\n

Honda Miimo – approx. $1,600<\/h3>\n
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Honda Miimo<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s only a matter of time before robots attain sentience and overthrow mankind – but until then, there’s no reason you can’t use them to do all the menial tasks around your home or office.<\/p>\n

MyBroadband previously highlighted the wonderful iRobot Roomba 790 vacuum robot<\/a> – but now Honda is taking things to a different ballpark.<\/p>\n

The Honda Miimo is a robotic lawnmower that will navigate your garden and trim that overzealous nature stuff between 20 and 60mm, depending on the setting selected.<\/p>\n

The robot has various settings, such as “random”, “directional” or “mixed” to suit any garden type, and the manufacturers say that, because the little bot chops off so little, there’s no real need for clean up.<\/p>\n

Panasonic TH-152UX1W – $950,000<\/h3>\n
\"Panasonic<\/a>

Panasonic TH-152UX1W<\/p><\/div>\n

How big is too big? When it comes to TVs, it may never be big enough. Of course, if you live by that mantra, and have the money to back it up, the Panasonic TH-152UX1W is exactly what you need.<\/p>\n

If the name is a bit confusing, just know that the “152” stands for “152 inches” which is the size of this $950,000 monster of a plasma screen.<\/p>\n

The screen has 4K resolution (4096 x 2160 pixels) and a 17:9 aspect ratio – so it’s basically a movie screen in your home. If you can find adequate space for it, of course.<\/p>\n

The screen can also handle 3D, in case it doesn’t stand out enough already. You may have trouble finding the TV in retail stores – unless you’re a regular shopper at Harrods in the UK, where it’s sold.<\/p>\n

Good luck handling customs and import duties.<\/p>\n

Adastra Superyacht – $15,000,000<\/h3>\n
\"Adastra<\/a>

Adastra Superyatch<\/p><\/div>\n

While not a “gadget” per se, the custom-built Adastra Superyacht is a technical marvel that looks as sleek and as futuristic as the technology driving it.<\/p>\n

No, literally – the hi-tech yacht’s navigation systems can be controlled via iPad, within a 50-meter range.<\/p>\n