I recognize that I’m slightly behind the times. By that, I mean that I’m four weeks past the unveiling of numerous new gadgets for 2013 (a la the Consumer Electronics Show). Undoubtedly, all of the following is now obsolete. But, in the interest of knowledge, I’m intent on still presenting it to you.
It is the HAPIfork which reeled me in and, quite frankly, that’s all I needed to further explore this brave new world. Before I present a sampling of products, I must confess that I’m not certain whether I’m giddy with excitement, or just plain scared about it all.
HAPIfork
In keeping with my promise to feature trends of the future (remember: as Midlife Mothers, we must know about it all), here are the following wonder-items:
– Trakdot – a small battery-powered tracker that you place in your luggage. Lose your luggage and you can find its location on a Smartphone app.
– Parrot’s Flower Power – a sensor which you place in the soil of your potted plant. This beams data, including amount of fertilizer, PH levels, humidity and temperature to an app on your Smartphone.
– Eton’s Rukus solar – a solar-powered music-blasting wireless sound system ($149)
– Yota Phone – an LCD screen on the front; an e-ink screen on the back. Similar to what you’d find on some Amazon Kindles.
– Samsung’s Wi-Fi Enabled Refrigerator – this year, Samsung added an app to the LCD display (right above the ice dispenser) so that you can note your grocery list. Also has recipe app, radio, news and weather and Twitter. ($3700)
– TV with curved glass displays – LG and Samsung ($9000+)
– Gecko Cap – rubber sensor that you put on top of your child’s inhaler. When needed, a light on the cap starts flashing and won’t stop until the inhaler has been used.
– Displair – a screen made of mist, Displair projects onto a misting wall of vapor which you can control, similar to a touchscreen. ($4,000 – $30,000)
– Instabeat – waterproof sensor which you strap onto your swim goggles. Tracks your breaths, number of laps, heart rate, etc.
– Dish Hopper with Sling – a home DVR which allows you to watch recorded shows on any TV in the house (not just the one it was recorded on).
– Hoverboard – electric skateboard which allows you to lean forward to move forward and/or slow down.
– Ultra HD Television – super # of pixels more than your 1080 p-set currently at home ($38,000)
– HAPIfork – all the rage: an “intelligent fork,” if you will, that lights up and buzzes if (through sensors) it thinks you are eating too fast. A favorite with the “Slow Food” movement.
– Ascend Mate – an Android device that is now a Smartphone with the world’s largest display – 6.1” diagonally.
My favorite? The HAPIfork. Heck, friends, this makes me want to live forever……
What’s your favorite? Have something else you’d like to share with us?