Samsung has introduced the Circle to Search feature that will automatically look up the details of an image or text across the web (Photo: Samsung)
If this is the year you have resolved to be more attentive at work and in life, let these digital aids help your productivity along.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
For the first time in a while, the South Korean phone maker is not flexing specs but software prowess to edge out its long-time rival Apple. Samsung has partnered with Google and chip producer Qualcomm to weave generative artificial intelligence (or what the company calls “Galaxy AI”) into a range of functions such as summarising meeting notes or regenerating missing parts of a photo. Activate the new Circle to Search feature with your finger or the S Pen and it will automatically look up the details of an image or text across the web or social media. The 6.8in Galaxy S24 Ultra with 200MP camera feels markedly sturdier as the exterior of this generation’s flagship model has been upgraded from aluminium to titanium. (RM6,299, samsung.com/my)
Celine x Master & Dynamic headphones
Unless you are demanding an audience, you should not be penalised for broadcasting your playlist through leaky headphones. A good pair needs to deliver more than studio-crisp quality; it should dull the din of the world and look the part too. A sound choice, especially on a busy train, would be Celine’s stylish collaboration with audio specialist Master & Dynamic. Not only is this confidence booster an accessory in its own right, it is an extension of your personal style to show fellow commuters what you are all about. Although the smooth calfskin headband and trimmings make these pricey cans exponentially cooler, the luxury house does not skimp on performance either — it can provide six hours of listening time after just 15 minutes of charging. (RM4,350, celine.com/en-my)
LG Myview Smart Monitor 27SR50F
A small screen on a laptop tends to cramp work efficiency. Leave room for imagination with a 27in smart monitor that delivers true-to-life colours for all your multitasking and gaming needs. Sized appropriately for the average desk, the display powered by LG’s webOS 23 platform seamlessly integrates convenience into your remote working setup, allowing you to connect to services such as Microsoft 365 and Google applications without needing a direct PC connection. If you also own other LG appliances at home, turn the smart monitor into a command centre, where you can easily oversee and manage household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines even from afar. (RM1,049, lg.com/my)
Clicks Keyboard
Many tech companies have asked if 2024 is the year to bring back the physical smartphone keyboard. Clicks Technology, started by Michael Fisher and “Mr Mobile” Kevin Michaluk, answered with a resounding yes during the recent Consumer Electronics Show. Far removed from a dull imitation of the iconic Blackberry, this splashy enhancement, either in a vibrant shade of Bumblebee yellow or greyish London sky, rehashes the nostalgic tactile keys that will work with many different keyboard shortcuts in third-party apps. And just like any other phone case, Clicks’ version slides and fits right into your iPhone, bound by the lightning port or USB-C at the bottom of the cover. (From US$139, clicks.tech)
Ultrahuman Ring Air
The ability to measure your well-being through an unobtrusive piece of jewellery still feels like a miniaturised miracle. Oura, the only expert-vetted, round-the-clock fitness sensor that billionaires, celebrities, tech moguls and athletes swear by, was all the rage when it debuted, but a glut of new players has since joined the ring to nudge you towards healthier habits. Ultrahuman’s latest, operating on a lifetime subscription to access your data and insights, is designed to rival third-generation Oura, which charges monthly. Like an activity tracker, the Ring Air, stylish enough to pass as bling, crunches your biometric details and sorts them according to three indexes: movement, sleep and recovery, with the last indicating how hard you should push yourself that day. (US$349, ultrahuman.com/ring)
Apple Vision Pro
What does it feel like to strap a US$3,499 headset (about RM16,000) to your face? “Like a wearable Macbook or a higher-resolution version of what Meta is trying to accomplish with the Quest,” claimed critics who already took Apple’s first virtual reality (VR) device for a spin last year. The iPhone maker joins a crowded field occupied by Meta Platforms, TikTok owner ByteDance, Samsung Electronics and Sony — all of which predicted that work and leisure will take place in VR or online content interspersed with the real world. Using your eyes as cursors and fingers as buttons, navigation becomes second nature when you put on this spatial computer. Need to catch a break? Apple Vision Pro can transform any room into your personal theatre. (apple.com)
Supernote A6 X2 Nomad
With notepads fading away in digital times, you will need the right tools to speed up round-table discussions or meetings to keep everyone on the same page. Unlike a regular tablet that off ers multiple functions, the distraction-free A6 X2 NOMAD is the fi rst modular (you can easily replace the battery and micro SD card slot on your own) and portable e-notebook created for creatives who enjoy writing on a textured screen surface that provides paper-like resistance but still want to reap the benefi ts of technology. Th is sustainable, lightweight travel companion with a 7.8in display is purpose-built for work and productivity, so you will never be inundated with pesky notifi cations. (RM1,429, supernote.com)
Google Pixel Watch 2
If you need a fitness wearable to tide you over until the next Pixel Watch is launched at year end, the second edition of this bestseller still strikes a decent bargain. Followers of the brand will find a step-up in accuracy, battery life and comfort level as the case is made from recycled aluminium. The good news is that Google has kept its promise to improve its products by periodically adding new features, which can be found in the Pixel Watch 2, such as the snappier Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset processor and an updated multi-path optical heart rate sensor that reveals blood oxygen levels, skin temperature and stress. Plus, it also conducts electrocardiogram readings and sends you notifications if irregular heart rhythms are detected. (From RM1,590, lazada.com.my)
This article first appeared on Feb 5, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
