CONNECT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
We all wish we had more time with our friends and family. But although nothing can beat the warmth of a real, in-person hug, technology can connect us with our loved ones, even when we can’t all be in the same room together.
Video calls are a great way to bond. Although lockdowns made everyone an expert in video calls, there are still plenty of ways to make getting face-to-face with pals more accessible, reliable and rewarding. Smart speakers with screens are a fantastic idea for hassle-free, voice-enabled calls. Place one on your coffee table or kitchen countertop, and a quick call can be part of your daily routine or fun and spontaneous.
We all know it’s frustrating to be on a video call when the connection keeps dropping out, the picture glitches or the audio is muffled. Consider upgrading your webcam to elevate professional calls and allow you to enjoy personal ones. It’ll give you the ultimate peace of mind so you can chat, play games, hang out or watch a movie at the same time with zero fuss.
New and upcoming virtual and augmented reality devices, like the Apple Vision Pro, could soon add a whole new dimension to connecting with people you care about across long distances. With one of these headsets, video calling becomes much more realistic, allowing you to see life-sized versions of the people you love in front of you as you move around your home. One day, these devices may even be able to replicate the sensation of hugging them, but we might have to wait a little longer for those immersive advances.
Although tech can bridge the gap when you’re not with loved ones, it can also elevate experiences when you do get time together. An instant camera adds a nostalgic thrill to a gathering, letting you play, create analogue memories and share digital ones. A projector is the perfect companion to any movie night, speakers are essential for a party, and a karaoke machine is a must-have if you want to turn the fun up to 11.
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AMAZON ECHO SHOW 8 Connect via video call quicker and easier than ever with Amazon’s latest Echo Show smart speaker. It brings you high-quality videos and the Alexa smart assistant rolled into one device, which means you can call your loved ones handsfree with just your voice. With integration with popular apps, it’s a hassle-free way to see your loved ones in seconds. £149.99, amazon.com
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LEICA SOFORT 2 Cherish special moments with this cute and compact hybrid camera from Leica. An incredibly versatile device, it’s both a digital camera and an instant camera rolled into one. You can store photos, share them to social media or print them out instantly from the camera itself. It’s an enjoyable piece of tech designed for making memories. £350, leica-camera.com
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MARSHALL EMBERTON II Be prepared for a party with this portable Marshall speaker. Its two two-inch full-range drivers deliver rich, clear and loud 360-degree sound for over 30 hours, and a Stack Mode connects two speakers to pump up the volume. Whether at home or on the move, its compact and rugged design ensures you’re always ready for a get-together. £149.99, marshallheadphones.com
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XGIMI ELFIN MINI PROJECTOR
Host a movie night wherever you are with this portable projector from XGIMI. It’s small and lightweight at just under 900g, with a 1080p resolution and 600 ISO lumens for a stunningly clear picture. There’s a fast setup function that optimises the display and on-board Harman Kardon speakers for high-quality audio in seconds.
€649, eu.xgimi.com
1 NEST WIFI PRO
Strengthen the Wi-Fi signal in your home with the Nest Wi-Fi Pro. This simple mesh Wi-Fi router provides lightning-fast speeds and reliable internet, so you never have to worry about losing connection. It automatically manages performance across your network, solving any issues as they arise and prioritising essential tasks, like video calls, to keep everything running smoothly. £189.99, store.google.com
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LOGITECH WAVE KEYS
Refine your workspace for comfort and productivity with a new wireless keyboard. The Logitech Wave Keys has an ergonomic, wavy design and cushioned palm rest to relieve pressure, reduce typing fatigue and keep your hands in a natural position. You can customise the shortcut keys and connect to multiple devices at once for hassle-free working.
£69.99, logitech.com
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ASUS ZENBOOK 14 FLIP OLED
Refresh how you work in the new year with a super portable laptop. The Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is a slim and light convertible notebook, meaning you can use it as a laptop, bend it into a touchscreen tablet or stand it up to watch movies and play games – ideal for seamlessly transitioning from work to play. It weighs more than some laptops but it’s a joy to work on. From £1,499, asus.com
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SENNHEISER ACCENTUM WIRELESS Immerse yourself in a cocoon of high-quality sound with these Sennheiser over-ear headphones. They boast excellent active noise cancellation, top-quality audio and cloud-like comfort to help you minimise distractions. And, thanks to a 50-hour battery life, customisable audio and simple controls, you can stay in the zone as long as you need to. £159.99, sennheiser-hearing.com
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LUMIE TASK Optimise the way you work with the Lumie Task desk lamp. It’s designed to reduce eye strain with adjustable brightness and colour temperature. Thanks to high-spectrum LEDs, it can also simulate daylight, boosting your mood, increasing alertness, and even improving your sleep at night. It has a sleek, simple and fully adjustable design that instantly elevates wellbeing in the workplace.
£249, lumie.com
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APPLE iPAD PRO Power through almost any task with the iPad Pro. This high-performance tablet has a stunningly bright 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display and Apple’s M2 chip builtin, promising upgrades over previous models, including faster performance and improved graphics. You can use it for design, gaming, notetaking, photo and video editing, FaceTime calls and much more. From £899, apple.com