One needs to be aware that the year is indeed far from being over, and there is plenty of promising new gadgets that one can check out on.
One can choose from cheaper new Pixel phones to Apple’s improved AirPods, these are indeed one’s favorite new devices of the year so far.
Although major products are from Apple and Google and are usually reserved for the fall, the first half of 2019 has indeed already has brought forth a slew of new gadget announcements. Companies such as Samsung, Apple, Google, and Fitbit have debuted new devices worthy of one’s attention.
Google Pixel 3a/3a XL
This happens to be Google’s new pair of smartphones that does prove that one need not pay nearly $US1,000 for a high-quality mobile device. Even though the phone does start at $US400, thus making it hundreds of dollars less expensive than the iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy S10, it does not make any big compromises. It has a large OLED screen, a camera that is very similar to the Pixel 3’s – which includes its Night Sight feature for shooting in the dark – and even a headphone jack.
Powerbeats Pro
If one is not confident that Apple’s AirPods will indeed remain snug in one’s ears during an intense workout, the $US250 Powerbeats Pro could indeed be the headphones one has been searching for. Because Apple is Beats’ parent company, the Powerbeats Pro indeed also offers several of the same advantages as the latest AirPods, which includes the ability to summon Siri with actually just one’s voice and automatically connect the earbuds to one’s iPhone just by opening their case. Plus, they do offer noise isolation unlike AirPods and a more secure fit, thus making them a great choice for working out or commuting.
Oculus Quest
Virtual reality headsets do have come a long way in recent years. While early models launched in 2016 were clunky as well as cumbersome to set up, newer iterations are lighter, cheaper, and make it easier to get started. The $US400 Oculus Quest is the best example of this yet. It is completely wireless as well as functions on its own, meaning one will not need to attach it to a computer or slot in one’s smartphone to get it to work. It also does offer more powerful specifications than Facebook’s other wireless headset, the Oculus Go, and inside-out tracking.
AirPods 2
Apple’s $US160 second-generation AirPods do improve on the first generation in minor but important ways: One can now activate Siri hands-free, the buds are faster when switching between devices, and one has the option to charge them wirelessly. Pair those improvements with all the reasons one already loved AirPods – i.e. the convenience they bring for Apple device owners – and they make a compelling choice for Apple devotees.
Samsung Galaxy S10
Samsung’s flagship phones are indeed always a top choice for Android fans, and this year’s Galaxy S10 lineup is no exception. They do offer some of the best displays one will find on a smartphone, especially now that Samsung has virtually eliminated the bezel framing the screen with its new “Infinity O” display. This essentially does make it look like Samsung punched a small hole in the screen for the device’s front-facing camera sensors, thus giving the phone’s display a more seamless as well as borderless look. The Galaxy S10’s ultra-wide angle camera also does capture much more of the scenery than was possible before. The standard S10 was priced at $US900 when it had been launched, while the S10 Plus started at $US1,000. Both phones have indeed since gotten a $US100 price cut on Samsung’s website.
Samsung Galaxy S10e
One can go in for Samsung’s smaller-sized Galaxy S10e that is very impressive. The more affordable S10e tends to lack the pricier models’ triple camera system and on-screen fingerprint sensor, its compact design, colorful screen, and cheaper price do enable it to shine even without these extras. The S10e started at $US750 when the phone had been launched earlier this year but is now listed at $US650 on Samsung’s website.
iPad Air
Apple’s newly announced $US500 iPad Air is indeed a much-needed addition to the company’s tablet lineup. Before Apple unveiled the new Air, shoppers only had the basic $US330 iPad or the Pro, which does start at $US800, to choose from. It’s the best choice for the users that do not want to spend close to $US1, 000 on an iPad Pro but still do want a larger screen, better performance, and more storage space than the entry-level model provides.
iPad mini
Apple’s tiniest tablet got a major upgrade in 2019, thus marking its first refresh since 2015. The $US400 miniature iPad now has Apple Pencil support runs on the same processors that do power the latest iPhones, and features an upgraded display. Although Apple has several options available in its iPad lineup, the 7.9-inch mini does remain the most convenient for those who want to take it with them everywhere they go. And the smaller size lends itself well to the Apple Pencil, considering it does almost feel like one is scribbling in a notebook.
OnePlus 7 Pro
OnePlus smartphones have always indeed rivaled those of Samsung and other high-profile Android device makers at a rather cheaper price. It has a curved glass design and buttery smooth display, and this $US670OnePlus 7 Pro does feel like a bigger leap forward than ever before. OnePlus also does employ a creative, although unproven, tactic for achieving that edge-to-edge screen look that has become popular over the last two years. Rather than carving out a notch or punching a hole in the screen for a front-facing camera, OnePlus’ camera just does seem to magically appear when one needs it. When switching to the camera app’s selfie mode, a tiny camera pops out from the top of the phone.
With its Versa Lite, Fitbit is an affordable and very capable package. It does not offer the bells and whistles of more expensive Fitbit products, such as the ability to show how many flights of stairs one can climb, count swimming laps, and display workout routines on the wrist. But it delivers where it does count for a fraction of the Apple Watch’s price, even offering some benefits that Apple’s more premium watch does lack such as longer battery life and native sleep tracking.
A Samsung bill has announced a CRG9 curved gaming monitor and is a “super ultra-wide” screen. The $US1, 500 monitor measures 49 inches diagonally with an aspect ratio of 32:9, thus making it feel like one is looking at two 27-inch monitors stuck together. But most importantly, it has indeed upgraded 1440p resolution compared to its predecessor’s 1080p resolution which happens to be a much-needed improvement to justify the price tag.
