Technology is all about progress. Sometimes it’s incremental or subtle, but other times it can be colossal and even transformative. In 2015 we saw a metal and silicone cornucopia of gadgets and gizmos. There were amazing deals, sad departures, brand new product categories, and even world-changing ideas. These are the 20 best gadgets from 2015, in no particular order.
Microsoft Surface Book
The Surface Book is equal parts WTF and pure future, which is exactly why we love it. This laptop builds on Microsoft’s Surface and Surface Pro lineup — which saw its own legion of copycats this year — but packages it into a more traditional laptop shape. Until you realise the screen also detaches completely…and you’re left stupefied. The Surface Book is very much a generation one device, so it has a few issues. But for being the first of its kind, it sure is something else.
Sphero BB-8
This year’s Tickle Me Elmo Christmas must-have gadget that, at $249, costs a whole lot more than you expect. Sphero had a unique opportunity to bring The Force Awakens character to life using the robotic ball technology it originally developed years ago, and it’s done exactly that. Who doesn’t want one? We’ll have yours.
Samsung Galaxy S2 Smartwatch
The Galaxy S2 is one of the more inventive watches from 2015, primarily because of its dial-based navigation that hides in plain sight right on the bezel. The Tizen OS is set up with apps lined around the circular menu screen, which you can then turn left or right to select which app you want. It’s a great way to display a lot of small icons without worrying about missed presses from using your finger. Tizen OS is still app-deficient compared to Android Wear or Watch OS, but it’s the first Tizen watch that’s been worth a closer look.
Apple TV
This one could be controversial. Apple TV’s been neglected for three years, but the new set top box incorporates a bunch of new, interesting ideas. With a refreshed interface, a Siri-equipped (Wii-ripoff) controller, and most importantly, tvOS, Apple TV (2015 / 4th gen) can be had from around $220 (32GB). And since apps are going to continue being made for the platform, it should get better with time. We’ll see.
Nexus 6P
Nexus took a bit of a hiatus from being among the top Android phones in 2014. The Nexus 6 was a fine phone, but it was too big to enthusiastically recommend. But in 2015, the 6P once again proved that Google can make a damn good smartphone. It’s also a big win for Huawei, the first Chinese phone maker to be part of the Nexus program, as the company’s been trying to make inroads into the U.S. smartphone market. The 6P is all metal, completely spec’d out, runs stock Android, and is impressively inexpensive. What’s not to love?
(People Still Call Them) Hoverboards
Motorised skateboards. Gliders. $600+ wanker boards. Whatever the hell you want to call them. Not the best gadget of the year by a long shot, but certainly the most notorious. From catching fire and being banned by airlines to Australian safety recalls to injured Aussie teenagers — these bloody things have been everywhere over the last few weeks. Including being used for shop lifting. Seems legit.
Should You Buy A Hoverboard?
Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung’s decision to ditch utility over design was a disappointment for many. But the S6 came with so many features, it felt like you were palming the future. Magnetic secure transmission technology meant you could actually use your phone to pay for more stuff, and the phone includes both Qi and PMA for wireless charging. With an improved fingerprint sensor, a heart rate monitor, and a wonderful camera, the S6 was a big step forward from 2014’s lacklustre S5. A few rumours also suggest that those who were disappointed with a few missing features on the S6, might be happy with the removable battery and microSD card could return in the S7 series.
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Review: Not The Next Big Thing, Just A Fantastic Phone
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge: Australian Review
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+: Australian Review
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Active Review: A Smartphone You Can Take Outside
• Samsung Gear VR For Galaxy S6: Australian Review
• Samsung Galaxy Note 5: Australian Review
Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4K
Drones, like VR, have this weird hobbyist glow around them. Companies like DJI and Yuneec are trying to design these little aerial lawsuits-in-waiting into something that the average person might covet. With super simple controls, a stunning camera, and features like “Follow Me,” the Yuneec Typhoon is the best drone that’s an out-of-the-box complete experience. If you want to take stunning aerial footage, or just annoy the shit out of your neighbours, Yuneec can get the job done on both fronts.
Samsung Galaxy View
When Samsung released the Galaxy View, a massive 46cm tablet, my first question was “Why?” But when you see the device in person, and specifically how Samsung made the View, it all starts to make sense. The View isn’t meant to be used as a normal tablet, which is obvious when you consider it’s weird, permanently attached stand/hinge. Instead, the View is basically a go-anywhere television — no wires attached. There’s certainly room for improvement (a few more media ports would be nice). But do we want one anyway? Hell yes.
Time Steel
Smartwatches are tricky. Do you go with a bright, full-colour LCD display with dismal battery life, or a more conservative screen that boasts battery life for days? Pebble has always stood firmly with the latter option, and the Pebble Time Steel is the culmination of those efforts. Classic steel casing, waterproof, and 5 days of battery life. It’s simply awesome.
Dell Chromebook 13
I’ve never wanted a Chromebook until 2015, and the Dell Chromebook 13 is a big reason why. Until Dell released this super-slick, 33cm machine encased in a carbon fibre, buying a Chromebook meant a crappy half-computer or one of the incredibly luxe (and incredibly expensive) Pixel lineup options. With the Chromebook 13, Dell tightroped between the two and created a device that’s as affordable as it is sharp. Starting at $US400 ($563), the Chromebook 13 is the first convincing argument that ChromeOS can be your operating system of choice.
Moto G (3rd Edition)
It’s easy to get caught up in specs and spare-no-expense gadgets and forget about the really great cheap stuff. The Moto G continues to be an incredible smartphone for $US180 ($253). It was already the best cheap phone you could buy, and in 2015, Motorola decided to go ahead and waterproof the whole thing. It even improved the Moto G’s overall design while maintaining the phone’s stellar battery life.
Kindle Paperwhite
Amazon makes a lot of hardware, some great and some terrible, but the shining star has always been the Kindle, and the Paperwhite is the very best of the bunch. As looks go, the Kindle Paperwhite looks about the same as all the iterations that have come before. But Amazon has greatly improved the reader experience with more sensible line break algorithms, a better font, and a much sharper display. It’s so, so, so good.
Apple Watch
No gadget was met with more fanfare than the Apple Watch. It didn’t live up to the insane hype, but Apple’s smartwatch offers lots to distinguish it from Android Wear and Pebble. So should you buy one? Nah. Apple is notoriously terrible at shipping first generation products. The next Apple Watch, due to be announced in March, already sounds like it will be much better.
Fitbit Charge HR
Fitbit has always been at the top when it comes to fitness trackers, and the Fitbit Charge HR is the near perfect mixture of form and function. If you’re looking for a smartwatch/fitness tracker hybrid, this isn’t the gadget for you, but it’s a good standalone fitness companion. Fitbit’s forte is simple hardware. And at $US150 ($211), it’s an inexpensive investment in your health.
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Wireless
B&W’s P5 Wireless really make you believe that Bluetooth can soon be a viable means of listening to music. These things sound good, look good, and feel good. There’s one minor issue with initially connecting to Bluetooth, but once you do, you’re not going to want to listen to music any other way.
GoPro Hero4 Session
It’s ultra portable, ultra simple, and now, it’s ultra cheap. It’s also waterproof without a case, so that’s another notch in the portability column. The GoPro Hero4 Session is the perfect gadget for someone who wants to try an action cam, but who may be intimidated by more complex setups. And it’s just so damn cute!
Sony A7r Mark II
Other than sub-par battery life, we’re not sure there’s anything to hate about the Sony A7r Mark II. The camera’s biggest asset is that it’s a complete champion in lowlight, but it takes amazing pictures in any setting. Sony’s long been the king of camera sensors, and the company clearly put its heart and soul into this camera.
UE Boom 2
Want a Bluetooth speaker? Buy a Boom. This year’s Boom 2 and Megaboom are simply the best Bluetooth speakers out there. Ultimate Ears even says that its new Boom 2 is “indestructible.” I’m going to assume that means under normal, not me-and-two-hours-with-a-sledge-hammer kind of conditions. Great sound without the worry that it’s going to get damaged or waterlogged into oblivion?
Microsoft Hololens
All the gadgets we’ve mentioned on this list are things you can buy. Like, right now. Even though the Hololens is an exception to that rule, it’s just too cool to exclude. For AR and VR, it was mostly a quiet year, with big companies preparing for their consumer releases in early 2016. But Microsoft’s Hololens was just such a cool idea, and one that actually seems feasible. I want one. I want one right now.