The problem with having a portable charger is that you may forget to carry one along at times, but what you won't forget is the belt that helps keep your trousers up. Well, now it will charge your smartphone too, and keep your trousers up. Enter - XOO Belt from Nifty - the belt with concealed, flexible battery packs.
It would appear that while the original Polaroid instant camera is long gone, the idea of being able to instantly print a physical copy of your photos is one that still appeals or, at least, that's what the people behind Prynt will be hoping.
To say the smartwatch market is amid something of a boom would be a great understatement. But while Apple Watch and Google's Android Wear are both looking to take a considerable chunk of this new wearable category, it's worth considering the strong fitness-related features that vendors are packing into these gadgets. Fitbit is a company that has been churning out fitness-tracking apps for a while now, but with the big companies likely to crowd the smaller names out, is in something of a battle to remain relevant. As such, Fitbit has introduced two new devices today; one fitness tracker, and further device resembling a smartwatch.
Smart home products have risen in prominence over the past couple of years in particular, and thanks to crowd-sourcing sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, these seamless home automation gadgets continue to gather steam. The August Smart Lock, which was first introduced last year, has just begun shipping to those who pre-ordered, and if you wish to get your hands on a unit, you can do so right now for the price of $250.
How would you feel about one single keyboard accessory that works with your smartphone or tablet, regardless of the platform that powers it? Microsoft has today introduced its new "Universal Mobile Keyboard" that can function with Apple iPads, iPhones, Android powered smartphones and tablets as well as all Windows based tablets that contain Bluetooth Human Interface Device support (HID) and are 10mm or thinner.
Logitech is one of Apple's official accessory partners, and invests a great amount of its developmental man-power in creating some exciting new products. But aside from dreaming up some wondrous gadgets for devices bearing the Apple logo, it also caters to the wider market in general, allowing those on Android and Windows Phone to reap the benefits of its creations. In the latest, it has unleashed a quirky new keyboard capable of docking a smartphone and tablet at the same time, and with a very agreeable price tag to boot, it's the perfect all-in-one solution for traditional typists.
What with Sony being a major smartphone and camera vendor, the Japanese outfit has recently sought to combine its specialties and create something of a middle-ground. Back at IFA last year, smart lenses were introduced - high-end attachments for smartphones that would offer a premier shooting experience on-the-fly. Like most first-time efforts, it was a concept that didn't quite hit the mark, but never one to give in so quickly, the PlayStation maker appears to be back with a revised approach in the form of the QX1. With rumors suggesting that it'll separate the image sensor and lens components, it could, in turn, allow device owners to hook up their E-mount lenses, and if you're in the market for a superior point-and-shoot experience, the QX1 may be your perfect purchase.
As consumers of mobile tech products, we're often focused on features like resolution, camera capabilities and processors, but while strong tech. specs enable us to enjoy a better overall experience with apps and games, the technology at our disposal could also serve as guardians of our health and wellbeing. Given the smartwatch boom and the introduction of several fitness-related initiatives right from the top, we're going to be seeing a lot more emphasis on this particular sector, and although the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S5 already include basic-level heart rate monitoring systems, a new $200 case can gather such intricate details that it's able to diagnose a number of heart conditions.
One of the reasons why Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and several other infotainment-based services are currently emerging is due to the issue of road safety. Sure, our smartphones offer a wealth of information at our fingertips, but when we're driving, we can no longer use them. Of course, some folks like to flout the law and put the lives of themselves and others at risk, but for the most part, the tech industry is looking for a middle-ground whereby folks and digitally engage without compromising safety. An interesting new dashboard-ready gadget attempts to achieve exactly this, beaming notifications and other useful info to drivers who can still maintain focus on the road.
The Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock for iPhone brought the pastime of logging sleep data and behavior to the mainstream, and having seen a bunch of apps and technologies emerge since then, companies and start-ups are now looking to up the ante. One group of individuals have dreamed up a very alluring, orb-like product that not only glows in the dark and looks amazing, but also does a pretty good job of monitoring you while you catch those all-important Zs.