By Gautam Sidharth
With mind blowing gadgets hitting the market, this decade may as well be that period in our history in which science has come ever so close to making a fact out of fantasies. From virtual laser keyboards to voice activated speakers, everything! Pricey, but ensuring that you get that bang for your buck, these gadgets here are bound to take you for a spin.
AMAZON ECHO
Amazon Echo is a wireless speaker and voice command device from Amazon.com. The device consists of a 9.25-inch (23.5 cm) tall cylinder speaker with a seven-piece microphone array. The device responds to the name “Alexa”; this “wake word” can be changed by the user (to one other choice at present: “Amazon”).
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Amazon echo can be the closest thing to a Star Trek computer we can have in our homes.
What can you use it for?
Well, to switch on the lamp before getting out of bed, to turn on the fan or space heater while reading in your favorite chair, or dim the lights from the couch, to watch a movie or other stuff…ahem ahem *coughs —all without lifting a finger…or even raising your voice!
Amazon Echo is voice activated. Embedded with far field voice recognition echo can hear you from across the room even while music is playing.
Tucked under the light ring on Echo is an array of seven microphones. These sensors use beam-forming technology to hear the user from any direction. With enhanced noise cancellation, Echo can hear you ask a question even while it’s playing music.
Priced around 16600-20000 INR this futuristic piece of technology is worth the money you spend on it.
GIZMO GIZ-8 WIRELESS LASER KEYBOARD
This Ultra Portable is the Solution for a portable keyboard that doesn’t take up much space. Pocket sized, it will project a full sized keyboard on any flat surface. This state of the art device can be used with virtually any phone, tablet, pc or laptop. Slide it in your pocket and experience the comfort of typing on a virtual keyboard anywhere you go. On top of that, it doesn’t require a cable to connect to its host device as its comes with a built-in Bluetooth. All you have to do is pair both devices and a wireless connection will be set up and you can start typing away on this Full size virtual keyboard within no time!
Priced between 3500-5280 INR, this device is totally worth the money you spend on it!
THE OCULUS RIFT
Marked on 2016 calendars everywhere is the scheduled spring arrival of the oculus rift headset (followed by HTC’S Vive & Sony play station’s VR). The advanced sensors and imaging in these dedicated headsets promise immersive experiences that will make you feel the action!
Essentially, of course when worn, the content is much closer to your eyes than your smart phone, tablet or TV will ever be but this “wraparound” feeling is driven by a gyro sensor, accelerometer and laser position sensors that will precisely track your movements.
Essentially, of course when worn, the content is much closer to your eyes than your smart phone, tablet or TV will ever be but this “wraparound” feeling is driven by a gyro sensor, accelerometer and laser position sensors that will precisely track your movements.
Although these devices that are going to be available in the coming months will not exactly be ‘affordable’ they will totally be worth the money spent on them. We have the cheaper alternative right now, in the market, i.e. the Samsung Gear VR, (Rs.18, 999; Amazon. in) powered by Face book’s Oculus VR technology. It uses a Smartphone to serve as a display—a Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 edge+ or Note.
3D PRINTERS!
3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is created. These amazing machines range from as low as 28,000 INR to as high as 2,00,000 INR.
So what can these babies make for you? Well just about anything! Except more printers of course!
DJI INSPIRE 1 DRONE
With an impressive radio range of 1.2 miles, live 720p HD monitoring, retractable arms and unobstructed 360 degree shooting the DJI Inspire is a dream come true for filmmakers and aerial photography enthusiasts.
The only downside? The price tag of Rs.1,88,000 (approx). But if you have the money, this is a sweet thing to spend it on.
