Ideas we like…
1. Tile gets tinier
A Tile keyring connects to your phone’s Bluetooth and, if you lose your keys, alerts you when you’ve moved out of range (about 30m). It’ll also send the GPS location of the last time it had a connection to your phone. Now Tile’s tech has been squeezed into a waterproof sticker little bigger than a £1 coin that will adhere to any flat surface, including phones or cameras. If you lose a device, you can ‘activate the community’ which will let you know if another Tile user’s smartphone detects a stickered device nearby.
Tile Sticker, £34.99 for two, thetileapp.com
2. Simplisafe in the UK
After years of success in the US, Simplisafe is now available in the UK. This smart security system caught our eye with its simplicity. The basic level package offers a front door entry sensor, a camera and control pad. Or you can design your own system around your needs. There are two subscription tiers, Pro or Pro Premium, which offer 24/7 monitoring of your system. Simplisafe, from £249, simplisafe.co.uk
3. An all-electric SUV
SUVs are the second-largest contributor to the increase in global CO2 emissions since 2010. As there’s no sign of sales of big cars slowing down, we need more vehicles like Nissan’s Ariya concept. Even if you’re not in the market for a big SUV, it’s good news that we’re about to see a lot more variation in the types of electric cars on sale, which will hopefully mean prices start falling too.
Nissan Ariya Concept, nissan.co.uk
4. Lego dino fossils
Well, that’s Boxing Day sorted. This 910-piece set contains a 20cm-tall Tyrannosaurus rex, a Triceratops and a pterosaur fossil. Lego says that it’s for anyone who’s 16+, so it’s only right that you open it after the kids have gone to bed.
Lego Ideas Dinosaur Fossils, £54.99, lego.com
5. Electric bike converters
The Swytch ebike converter claims to turn any bike into an electric bike. The kit consists of a small battery pack that mounts onto a bike’s handlebars, and a motorised wheel that replaces your bicycle’s front wheel. Together, the system will give you an ebike with a 50km range, while the 250W hub motor will help make hills easier. After a successful crowd-funding campaign, the Swytch will arrive in stores in April, and is available online now.
Swytch ebike Converter,
From £618, swytchbike.com
6. Better sweater
Fast fashion creates a huge carbon footprint, so it can’t hurt to go for something that’s durable and made from recycled materials. Patagonia’s Better Sweaters are made from old polyester and bottles, apart from the zips. Meanwhile, its Black Hole bag range has been made from 10 million plastic bottles (so far).
Patagonia Better Sweater,
Various products available, eu.patagonia.com
7. Attractive smart light bulbs
Hue is the smart light bulb system from Philips that lets you remotely control the intensity and colour of your lighting from your smartphone. These new bulbs mimic vintage Edison-style bulbs, but since they’re LEDs they’re energy efficient and don’t get hot. You can control a lightbulb directly via Bluetooth, or pick up a starter kit for £59.99.
Philips Hue, £19.99 per bulb, meethue.com
8. Interactive gigs
Elton John fans will be able to mix his music live during his next tour. The Peex RX device pulls sound from the on-stage audio desk and pumps it straight to the audience’s smartphones via the app. Audience members can then modify which instruments they hear more or less of through their earphones. So you could customise your sound by bumping up the keys in Bennie And The Jets or turning up Elton’s vocals in Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting.
Peex RX at Elton John concerts in 2020 Peex.live