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THE TOP 13 GADGETS FOR 2016 BY TO M C H E E S E W R I G H T
SMART SECURITY If security is a concern then alarm systems have never been smarter. For The Loadout this year we've tested models from Piper and Panasonic but our absolute favourite was the MyFox. A wireless system from France that combines clever senses with a privacy-respecting and beautifully design CCTV system.
THE PROFESSIONAL TABLET iPad Pro or Surface 4, the bigger tablets with an even bigger bang are the commuter kit of choice right now. It doesn't matter whether your life is Apple-flavoured or vanilla Windows, you'll appreciate the convenience, portability and power of these smart slabs.
THE STREAMBOX
SMART WATCH
AUGMENTED REALITY Google's Glass may be back in the labs for now but that doesn't mean that augmented reality - overlaying the real world with digital information - has gone away. Expect to see lots about Microsoft's HoloLens in 2016 as the company starts opening the platform up to a wider range of developers, albeit at $3,000 a pop for now.
Everyone asks me the same question: 'What is a smart watch for?' And I respond with the same answer; 'What is a watch for?' If you really wear a watch to tell the time, then go and get yourself a ÂŁ5 digital number from Argos. If you wear it as a bling fashion accessory or because you nurse secret Dick Tracy fantasies? Go get yourself an Apple Watch or Asus ZenWatch and enjoy the novelty.
SMART THERMOSTAT Do you still have one of those nasty beige boxes on the wall that takes a pencil and the patience of a saint to programme. Get rid. Smart thermostats like the Nest can save you money and mean an end to fussy fiddling. Control them with your smartphone or let them do the thinking: the Nest knows when you're in and out and sets your heating accordingly.
VIRTUAL REALITY Much easier on the wallet is virtual reality, immersing yourself in a completely digital world. Modern phones are powerful enough and offer good enough screen resolution to create a compelling experience at a low(ish) price: just check out Samsung's Gear VR. But the real excitement is around Facebookowned Oculus Rift. Expect massive media coverage when it launches in the first months of 2016.
3D PRINTER It's been the most hyped gadget category for the past few years and yet we're still not 3D-printing toys, tools and tat at home. Things may change in 2016 as bigger names like Dremel enter the market and a new range of kid-friendly kits arrives. Though I've been predicting this since 2014, so maybe we'll have to wait another year yet.
Live TV is so 2010. It's all about the box set these days, just without the boxes. You can stream Netflix, Amazon, iPlayer and more to any screen you like with the addition of a digital streaming box. My favourite for some time has been the Roku: powerful, reliably, reasonably-priced and so simple to use that anyone from three to 93 can get to grips with it.
THE HOVERBOARD Yes, they have a habit of catching fire. And they're technically illegal to ride just about anywhere. But I can't help thinking we haven't seen the last of these smart little scooters. The price isn't going to climb, quality will improve and the appeal of gliding effortlessly around town will be increasingly appealing as the size falls. Eventually the state may need to compromise. BATTERY PACK With all these gadgets, the chances are you're going to need to juice-up on a regular basis. Battery packs don't need to be big and chunky to keep you up and running for a whole working day and drinking night. I tend to pack an Enerplex Jumpr Mini for little boosts and CasePower Leaf for a more serious charge: neither will knock your coat pocket out of shape, or break the bank.
SMART LIGHTING One of the most pleasing gadgets in my house is the most simple. Thanks to a home automation system from Fibaro, when if it's dark when I walk into the living room the lamps gently rise to a warm glow. Who needs light switches anyway? Smart lights can save you money again, especially if you have kids who leave on every light in their path. And they're great for security: program them to turn on and off automatically while you're away. giving the impression that the place is still occupied.
WIRELESS 'PHONES Headphones, coats and scarves are a recipe for disaster. How many phone smashes are caused by catching the wires on something? While I love my big over-ear Oppo PM-3 headphones, for the quick stomps between a day of meetings a sleek pair of bluetooth in-ear 'phones wins. I'm currently sporting a pair from JBL but look forward to trying the Kickstarter-launched Dash 'hearables'.
TOM CHEESEWRIGHT’S TOP 13 GADGETS FOR 2016