New Tech Worth Getting Excited About
Apple HomePod 2, £299
Apple has a string of new releases planned for 2023, including updated MacBook Pros, but first up is the HomePod 2, the second generation of its original powerful speaker. The new model uses the brand’s advanced audio tech to fill a room with surround sound – it’ll adjust the bass, woofer and tweeters to whatever it’s playing, even picking up on people and furniture to tweak sound reflections for a cleaner finish. Siri is built in.
Available at Apple.com
Eufy Smart Scale, £33.99
This smart scale doesn’t just measure body weight. It tracks 12 body composition measurements including body fat percentage, bone mass, visceral fat and muscle mass. It also tracks your basal metabolic rate to help you work out your optimal macros to lose, gain or maintain weight. These all get recorded in the app so you can track your progress in various charts.
Available at Amazon.co.uk
PlayPulse ONE, £1,599
If Peloton isn’t your thing, the PlayPulse ONE gaming bike could be just the ticket. The bike comes with a built-in 24-inch gaming computer so you can work out while playing anything from 90-style arcade games to multiplayer online battles. The handlebars have game controllers with haptic feedback so you can feel the action and track your heart rate. The bike doesn’t have the same number of functions as a gym-grade machine, but you can still cycle at a variety of paces and resistances. Upcoming streaming partners will include Netflix, YouTube, Twitch, Prime Video, Hulu and HBO.
Available at PlayPulse.com
Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds, £349
The Pi7 S2 are Bowers & Wilkins’s most powerful wireless in-ear buds to date. Two drive units in each earbud work like high-performance speakers to deliver a rich and crisp sound. You’ll notice sharper sounds and a deeper bass, whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie on the go. The noise cancellation is excellent as the buds adapt to your surroundings to block out the outside world. Extra points for the sleek colours.
Available at BowersWilkins.com
Perfect Draft Pro, £385
Elevate your at-home bar with this six-litre keg system. It has a control system to keep beer at the optimal temperature, plus an in-built freshness monitor. ‘Smart Pour’ tech means users should get the perfect pour every time. Connect it to the Beer Hawk app to monitor the level of beer left in the keg, receive notifications when the keg is nearly empty, and get food pairing recommendations.
Available at BeerHawk.co.uk
Hakii Wearable Stereo Headband, £120
Ideal for runners – or anyone who can’t get along with ear buds – Hakii’s wearable headband allows you to both listen to music and hear your surroundings. It’s water resistant enough to handle sweat and the odd shower. Battery life is eight hours (plenty of time for a marathon) and there are two mics for taking calls on the go.
Available at Hakii.com
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 2-Channel Controller, £279
This portable controller makes DJing easier than ever for beginners. It’s compatible with PC and Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android phones, and has several smart features to help you mix your favourite tunes or create new music. Use rekordbox tutorials to learn the basics and, once you’re ready, the decks are easy to transport and connect to a sound system.
Available at TheDJShop.co.uk
DJI RS Mini, £339
If you’re serious about your holiday photos, the DJI RS Mini will help you take the perfect shot. Lighter and more compact than sister models, it’s compatible with cameras including Canon, Nikon and Lumix, and has Bluetooth shutter control so you can record videos and take photos via the gimbal. There’s a mini touchscreen with various photo settings, plus a clever stabilising system to help keep your shots straight and centred. It also comes with a mini tripod for solo snaps.
Available at Store.Dji.com
Emotn N1 Projector, £399
The Emotn N1 is an affordable home projector that’s just launched in the US and is on its way here. A licensing deal with Netflix means you can project the streaming giant’s shows and films at the touch of a button. Plugged in or used wirelessly, the projector can work with a dedicated pull-down screen or just with bare home walls. It’s also got Dolby Audio and enough speaker power to fill a large room. Focus and keystone correction is automatic, so the Emotn is easy to use – and there are hot buttons on the remote for Prime Video and YouTube.
Available at Amazon.com
Sonos Ray, £279
The ideal starter soundbar – and priced accordingly – Sonos’s Ray gives users the chance to upgrade their TV, music and gaming experiences. With precisely balanced sound – including crisp dialogue and solid bass – plus a streamlined control with your TV remote, the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2, it only takes two cables and a few minutes to set up. As with all Sonos products, the beauty is that you can add more speakers as you go for a fully integrated home sound system. We’ve been binge-watching HBO’s latest mega-hit The Last of Us, and trust us – the Ray’s acoustics have truly upped the tension.
Available at Sonos.com
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