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Serious Gadgets of the Year
Gadgetry is not only about fun devices, writes ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK as he picks the best business gadgets of 2018.
Best Smart Home gadget: LifeSmart Spot Universal Remote Controller
As home automation gains traction, LifeSmart’s Sport Universal Remote Controller provides additional smart functionality to otherwise non-smart devices. The controller acts as a 360-degree Infrared-blaster, and can be linked to almost any device that uses remote control. This makes TVs and aircons smarter without replacing them. At the same time, the Spot is controlled from a smartphone app, meaning that regular remote controlled appliances now become app-enabled.
Best Security Gadget: LifeSmart Frame 360 camera
LifeSmart’s remote-controllable camera, the Frame 360, steps away from the more-expensive CCTV approach to provide a 360-degree rotatable camera managed through a smartphone app over Wi-Fi or a mobile connection. Features include night vision and a 30-minute backup battery. Possibly its most innovative element is the ability both to leave voice notes for members of the household and to have a two-way conversation through the camera, with a family member or even an intruder, from the safety of a smartphone.
Best vehicle technology: BMW 330e
The BMW 330e combines the power of a regular 3-litre BMW with the fuel consumption of a small car by fitting eDrive plug-in hybrid technology into the 3-series body. The eDrive provides a fuel-free – and emissions-free – range of up to 35 kilometres in electric mode. In AUTO eDrive mode, a combination of electric motor and combustion engine delivers almost unprecedented fuel efficiency. The bottom line is that short distances can be covered in purely electric mode. Long distances promise fuel consumption of 7l/100 km, which comes down to 3.5l for journeys with distances up to 50km, using the combination of electric and combustion motors. It comes into its own with urban driving, where the stop-start traffic that usually burns up fuel helps recharge the battery through regenerative braking. The consumption? A mere 2.1l/100 km
The bottom line is that getting to the office will soon be as futuristic as being in the office. On that note, we wish all our readers a productive and efficient 2019!
- Arthur Goldstuck is founder of World Wide Worx and editor-in-chief of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram on @art2gee
