GADGET GIZMO SPECIAL THE MOST INNOVATIVE GADGETS OF IFA 2015

GADGET GIZMO SPECIAL THE MOST INNOVATIVE GADGETS OF IFA 2015





Berlin played host to over 1,600 exhibitors who showcased over 2,500 new products between the 4th and 9th of September.

FAIRPHONE 2

Ever had to replace a handset because the microphone stopped working? Or, was it the camera that first started giving you trouble? Well, the Fairphone 2 is a modular gadget that allows users to replace each and every component ­ whether camera, display , mic or speaker.

The device, conceptualized by a Dutch company , runs a proprietary OS called Fairphone (based on Android Lollipop) and packs in a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, an 8MP rear and a 2MP front camera behind a 5-inch full HD Gorilla Glass 3 display .

Upgrades in the future could mean just replacing one single part of the device. Sadly , the Fairphone 2, which is due in November, will only ship within Europe, with further plans only in 2016.

ACER REVO BUILD

Like the Fairphone 2, the Revo Build is a modular setup that lets consumers assemble a PC with zero fuss. The main unit comes with a Pentium or Celeron processor and up to 8GB DDR4 RAM. Depending on their needs, consumers will be able to customize their rig by simply stacking blocks with different features. These components are connected through pogo pins with magnetic alignment so users don't have to bother with wires. Blocks such as the 500GB1TB hot-swappable portable hard drive will be available at launch, while a wireless power bank for charging, an audio block with speakers and microphones, and other expansion “Blocks“ will be rolled out gradually . Acer will begin with an October rollout of the Revo Build in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with future plans to be disclosed later.

MYO

Canada-based startup Thalmic Labs showcased their hi-tech band called Myo that's meant to be worn on the forearm. It measures electrical impulses in muscles, as well as the rotation of wrists to give users the ability to wirelessly interact with PCs and other electronic devices via Bluetooth.

Already , it supports many presentation and multimedia software, and games across platforms like Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android. Myo could also be used to pilot a radiocontrolled quadcopter, and the wearer could use gestures like clenching of the fist to close a program window; snap their fingers to play a song on a laptop, and it even recognizes a trigger-pulling action to shoot enemies in a computer game. Also, since this armband works by detecting electrical activity in arm muscles, it can anticipate gestures almost before they happen. Myo has already begun shipping for $199, though delivery to addresses within India cost extra.

PANASONIC RUG SPEAKERS

We're not sure this product will hit the market, but Panasonic showcased a 6.1-channel sound system that's housed in a shag rug. It can be controlled to direct sound to specific places of the room via individual speaker controls, and even for a complete surround sound experience.Why is it in this list? Because it's quirky.

SAMSUNG SLEEPSENSE

The SleepSense monitors your sleep patterns when placed under a mattress of up to 20 inches thick. It uses proprietary technology called EarlySense to monitor heart and breathing rates, the amount of time you've spent sleeping and even how often you woke up. This data is then relayed to an app on your Android or iOS device to give you a sleep score, along with advice on how to improve your sleep and tips on diet and exercise. The app also has an integrated smart alarm to wake you up at the optimum time. But that's not all. SleepSense works with Samsung's home auto mation (Internet of Things) products, which means it could automatically turn off the lights and TV after detecting you've fallen asleep.

Samsung will be rolling out this product later this year, but it hasn't disclosed any pricing yet.

MARSHALL LONDON

Marshall is known for its amplifiers and monitors ­ and now, it has made its foray into smartphones with the London. This handset ­ crafted for music lovers ­ is equipped with dual front-facing speakers, two stereo jacks to share music with a friend, an M-Button for quick access to music and equalizer settings, and a scroll wheel for volume control.

Given its target audience, the London also boasts of the Cirrus Logic WM8281 Audio Hub processor, allowing it to play high-quality MP3s and uncompressed FLAC files. There's a DJ app preinstalled, and LoopStack ­ a 4-channel recorder that offers highquality 44kHz, 16-bit recording and processing.

Completing the package is a 4.7-inch HD IPS Gorilla Glass 3 display , a casing that sports a matte black surface (similar to the skin of Marshall amps) and brass detailing, a 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 410 quadcore processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage (with a microSD slot), an 8MP rear shooter and a 2MP front camera. Marshall London will ship worldwide with delivery start ing end of September.

CAMERAS

The Polaroid Snap combines insta-print coolness with digital imaging. It's a 10MP camera that saves photos to a microSD card and also prints 2x3-inch photos in under a minute. It uses “zero ink“ technology: the white photo paper is coated with a colourless composite material that's infused with cyan, yellow, magenta dye crystals and a protective overcoat. Heat activates these crystals, resulting in smudgeproof colour prints.Each “Zink Paper“ has an adhesive back, so you can stick it in your photo album or soft board. This camera will first launch in the US by the end of the year at $99.

The Kodak Pixpro SP360-4K is a palm-sized shockproof, freezeproof, dustproof and water-resistant 12MP action cam that can record 360-degree spherical videos at 4K resolution. This little number comes with ten different modes, can be set to capture various fields of view, take photographs at ten images per second and shoot time-lapse or slo-mo videos as well. It is Wi-Fi and NFC-enabled; can stream live footage and be wirelessly controlled via its AndroidiOS app. There is no word on the price yet, but a European launch is slated for October.

Similarly, the Ricoh Theta S can also shoot 360-degree spherical Full HD videos and stills of its surroundings. It employs two 14MP sensors, can record up to 25 minutes of footage onto its 8GB internal memory, live stream 360-degree videos and be controlled via its app for Android and iOS devices.The camera, which costs $350, will be available in North America and Europe by October, followed by the Asia-Pacific region.

For home security, there's the weather-resistant Panasonic Nubo ­ a monitoring camera with built-in 4G connectivity. This shooter has a 140-degree field of view, records Full HD videos, comes with night vision, supports two-way audio, and has motion sensors that send notifications to your smartphone. And in the absence of a power outlet, it can be powered with an external battery pack via USB.Surveillance videos are saved to a microSD card, and can be uploaded to the cloud. The device is up for pre-order but without any confirmation on its price.

Savio D'Souza and Ashutosh Desai

TOI12SEP15