8 Gadgets We Can’t Wait to Get Our Hands on in 2016

2016 is set to be a big year for gadgets and tech in general, and we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting products coming our way:

Foldable Smartphones by Samsung and LG

It was recently announced that foldable phones will be coming in 2016. So yes, there will be phones that you can actually fold and bend like plastic and fit into your pocket. We knew the flip-phone would make a comeback… kind of.

Inboard M1 Electric Longboard

California-based Inboard has managed to solve two of the biggest problems that have plagued electric longboards so far — namely, running out of power, and not being able to ride the skateboard after the motor dies and the wheels lock up. Their approach was innovative indeed: by placing individual motors in each wheel, the M1 electric skateboard looks sleek without the added bulk of a motor on the underside, and the wheels can also be individually spun, allowing the user to ride it like a normal longboard. A replaceable battery pack is also embedded within the deck, and headlights and taillights, as well as an easy-to-use remote are also included.

Hololens

Microsoft’s incredible augmented reality headset, the Hololens, is set to launch this year, and take apps, games, and work to a whole new level. Using AR technology, you can display and interact with designs, holograms and other users in your own virtual world. It’s use with normal applications should be interesting, and how Microsoft incorporate it with the Xbox One should be extremely enterprising for gamers.

Nintendo NX

Nintendo is currently one of the biggest question marks in the world of gaming. We’re likely to see the next-gen NX system for the first time later this year, and that could lead to an early demise for the Wii U. What exactly the console will be is still unknown, but Nintendo are known to push the boundaries, so we should get something interesting from the long-running Japanese video game company.

Prizm

This “context aware” music player knows who is in the room and what they’re up to — and will populate playlists accordingly. It works by connecting to your music streaming service of choice and scanning your playlists to learn what you and other people love. It knows when you or another member of the household is in the room by detecting your mobile devices, and then plays music that it knows everyone will appreciate. Prizm also reads the mood of the room — whether it’s a quiet evening, or a party with friends — and will change the vibe of the music accordingly.

Cube 3D printer

The Cube, from Cubify.com, is the first affordable (around R9,800 and dropping) home 3D printer. It offers an intuitive colour touchscreen to facilitate wireless and mobile printing, giving every home user the ability to 3D print, finally. It’s super slick and compact design also makes it a stylish addition to your workshop or office, rather than a mechanical eye-sore.

Jobsite earphones

Finally, earphones so good at damping sound that you chill to your tunes while working a jackhammer or riding a motorbike. Better yet, their construction is extra rugged to withstand the environments where one gets that much noise. These headphones will deliver the quality, without suffering noise leaking and petty issues like cracks and cord tears.

Storedot 30-Second Charger

As the name suggests, this Israeli-developed charger will charge your smartphone in 30 seconds, which is 100 times faster than anything on the market. It will cost about double what the average charger costs – but this isn’t your average charger. The company is also developing its own batteries that can charge faster than normal batteries out there, as well as last longer – up to 3 years.

What gadgets and tech are you excited for this year? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @MenStuffZA.