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If you had inquired at the start of 2024 about what our top gadgets list would entail, I would have surmised it would include eccentric AI-powered gadgets such as the rabbit R1 or the Humane Ai Pin. “Now with AI” has been a phrase that reigned over consumer electronics throughout the 2020s. These devices vowed to provide direct access to the capabilities of neural networks in ways that would effortlessly meld into our daily lives without dependence on smartphones or smart refrigerators. However, upon their release, the outcomes were slower than anticipated, and the hardware was cumbersome. Perhaps the independent AI device will see its moment, and we will reflect back on these modest origins with amusement. In truth, the significant leap in 2024 was initiated by Apple with its long-anticipated Vision Pro headset. This device faces its own challenges, but after only a few moments of interaction, it became apparent that it possesses attributes that are distinct, significant, and honestly quite impressive. The lineup also features Sony’s groundbreaking pro-quality camera, the most user-friendly drone we’ve encountered, and a phone devoid of frivolity—in a positive sense, of course.
(Editor’s Note: This excerpt comes from Popular Science’s 37th annual Best of What’s New awards. Be sure to explore the complete roster of the 50 most remarkable innovations of 2024.)
Innovation of the Year
Vision Pro from Apple: A new dimension for augmented reality
Reliable speculation surrounding Apple’s VR circulated among gadget websites and tech blogs for almost a decade. It resembled the sasquatch of consumer technology; many people claimed to have seen it, yet its existence was uncertain. Finally, the Vision Pro stepped out of the metaphorical woods in February with an unexpected design accompanied by a hefty $3,500 price tag. It also arrived equipped with a new R-series chip and a specialized OS designed for spatial computing.
From a hardware standpoint, this headset boasts a 23-million-pixel display, delivering over 4K resolution to each eye. It functions as a true AR device, as external cameras provide a real-time representation of the outside environment to the screen. Virtual screens, AR game boards, and other digital elements are incorporated smoothly into your perception of the physical world. It feels truly bizarre to remove the headset and view the actual world devoid of floating user interfaces. There are no controllers, buttons, or additional hindrances separating a user from the augmented environment.
Though AR headsets have previously been available, we recognize this one for the substantial promise it exhibits. It forms part of Apple’s broader hardware strategy. The latest iPhone cameras have a unique configuration designed to capture spatial video intended for use in AR. Familiar applications can provide augmented interactions specifically tailored for headsets. We anticipate that the subsequent hardware version will omit the unsettling depiction of your eyes that appears on the outside screen. Still, we’re eager to observe Apple’s future actions, as an approachable price point for an experience of this caliber could genuinely shift the landscape.
A9 III from Sony: The pioneering consumer mirrorless camera to eliminate wobbly images
Capture an image or video of an extremely rapid-moving object with a standard digital camera (including the ones embedded in smartphones), and there’s a likelihood you’ll encounter the infamous wobble effect. Digital camera sensors do not acquire each pixel simultaneously; instead, they scan horizontal rows sequentially, which may result in fast-moving subjects appearing warped or distorted. Sony’s A9 III utilizes a global shutter, which allows it to activate every pixel at the same time. Consequently, it can seize images at shutter speeds up to 1/80,000th of a second, without warping items in the frame. The manufacturer accomplishes this with a newly engineered stacked sensor, meaning the identical chip that captures the light is also equipped with integrated computing hardware. Hence, it can function more rapidly than a conventional camera system, as everything is incorporated. The speed necessitates certain compromises, like marginally noisier images during low-light conditions, but this is a minor concession for the swiftest consumer camera presently available.
DJI Neo: A sub-$200 drone that is not merely a toy
Typically, inexpensive drones are little more than playthings. They provide subpar cameras, minimal (if any) flight sensors, sluggish controls, and low-quality components. DJI’s Neo drone has a weight of merely 135 grams (significantly below the threshold that would necessitate registration with the FAA prior to flight) and can launch from a user’s palm. It receives commands from a smartphone application through Wi-Fi, which makes it user-friendly for novice pilots, but it’s also compatible with DJI controllers for future upgrades. The dronecan autonomously monitor and pursue a target or execute various pre-set flight routes akin to much larger and pricier models. The Neo gives the impression of being a genuine drone rather than merely a gadget. We suggest acquiring additional batteries if you decide to purchase one—each battery realistically provides about 15 minutes of airborne time—which is significant for content creators eager to capture aerial 4K footage before those lucrative brand partnership opportunities emerge.
Palma by BOOX: An e-ink phone that’s no-fun in a constructive manner
Smartphones offer excessive entertainment. Those illuminated, vividly colored displays inundate our minds with dopamine, consume our leisure time, and heighten our awareness of trends such as The Rizzler. The BOOX Palma seeks to address these concerns with its 6.13-inch e-ink screen. This is a monochromatic display that refreshes at a slower rate similar to an e-reader. Although it technically operates on full Android, it doesn’t permit endless scrolling. Instead, it prompts users to engage with essential applications and data by generating uncomplicated widgets. Text appears superb on the 1,200 dpi display, and it provides a healthier approach to information consumption. While it may not substitute your phone in every situation, it serves as an excellent tool for reducing late-night TikTok binges.
Snapdragon X series processors by Qualcomm: An AI-driven brain designed for Windows computers
You’re likely acquainted with the major chip manufacturers that power nearly every laptop. You have the option to select from AMD, Intel, or Apple. This year, Qualcomm launched its Snapdragon X Elite chip, which…is designed to broaden the organization’s strategy regarding mobile devices into fully developed PCs and robust tablets such as the Microsoft Surface Pro. Both Intel and AMD categorize their chip cores into high-performance and efficiency sectors to optimize overall output while maintaining battery longevity. Conversely, Qualcomm labels all of its cores as “high performance.” This comes with an assurance of extended battery life without significant decreases in functionality when disconnected from a power source. The initial generation of Copilot+ PCs has primarily concentrated on slimness and efficiency, yet we are optimistic that this new chip will be pivotal for the unconventional form factor Windows PCs we have been dreaming of.
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