Geek Appeal: New gadgets on the block

For every problem we face in our day to day lives, there is an imaginative techie working to solve it. Innovation hasn’t rested since humans have ruled the earth.

A glance at any gadget market reveals the rate of adaption that technology has in today’s world. For example, a Juniper Research study found that spend via voice assistant-enabled smart TVs will touch almost US$500 million in 2023, a steep rise from the US$126 million expected in 2021.

This growth indicates that voice assistants are becoming context?dependent sales portals and also information and control systems. In addition, smart TVs will be adding a significant visual element to voice assistant purchases.

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The gadget market is always teeming with new innovation, driven by consumer behaviour. And for every need, there is an app out there to help us.

UK’s online supermarket pioneer Ocado has been highlighted for the washing-machine sized bots that it deploys for grocery delivery.

Facebook has been luring in geeks with the pro version of its VR Oculus headset. While Samsung phones can now be used as a car key. Amazon’s fall products event revealed gizmos like the home robot Astro, a smart thermostat, and Amazon Glow, a video calling device that shows games that children can play with other people.

However, big tech isn’t the only one working to impress consumers. Here are some innovative apps and gadgets from startups that wowed us this quarter.

A Mobile App for Upskilling Electricians Across India

Luminous Power Technologies, a power backup and home electricals company in India launched an innovative, industry-first mobile application that aims to engage, train, and empower electricians and dealers across India to become a Luminous Solar Guru.

This training module is focused to educate electricians with the latest knowledge on solar solutions directly from a pioneer in the industry. Furthermore, it will also equip electricians with tools to recommend the right solar products to end-consumers.

Aimed to train 2,000 electricians per month, the Luminous Solar Guru app includes three levels of training, 21 downloadable videos, followed by a challenging quiz. The training app is released with two language options, English and Hindi, and will be adding more regional languages to penetrate the vernacular-speaking audience.

Wireless Party Speaker from VingaJoy

2018 Delhi-based electronics startup, VingaJoy, launched its all new VingaJoy GBT-270 SOUND + Your party partner wireless Karaoke Speaker, priced at INR 2,999. They come with the latest Bluetooth feature V5.0 and can be connected to Bluetooth devices within a three metres range.

The product also features a USB reader and TF card slot to play MP3 music files or plug-in any device via Aux. The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery of 2400 mAH provides for extended playback and music streaming of eight hours on a full charge.

The speaker also supports hands-free calling, and an impressive bass with high stereo feature. The 5 watts high-power output party speaker comes with a microphone. There is dynamic LED lighting in the front along with flashing DJ lights containing five colour modes and simple controls. Equipped with Built-in FM radio and free wired mic, the device is ideal for karaoke sessions.

Vu TV: AI Powered TV, Immersive Surround Sound, Dolby Certified Box Speakers, & Intelligent Pixel Tech

With cricket season on us, TVs are important.

This month, Vu TVs became the highest-selling TV brand at Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale. According to Vu, a large-screen Vu TV was bought every 19 seconds on Flipkart since the beginning of the sale.

Vu has introduced an upgraded line of its most popular luxury TVs. With this new range, Vu introduces the world’s first TV entirely powered by AI, an immersive surround sound experience, with special Dolby certified box speakers; intelligent pixel technology in cricket mode that enhances each pixel, and matte glass finish, anti-glare display that protects the eyes.

Commenting on the launch, Devita Saraf, Chairman, and CEO, The Vu Group said, “Audiences today are much more discerning and are looking for better experiences from both the products as well as the brand. And with the response we’ve seen so far, it is safe to say that Vu Televisions has hit the mark on both counts..”

Anker Works Enters India, Unveils PowerConf 3W Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speakerphone

With a well-timed pivot into the home office and business gear, Anker Innovation, a Chinese electronics company based in Changsha, Hunan, known for producing computer and mobile peripherals, announced its arrival in India as AnkerWorks.

The new sub-brand has introduced the compact and wireless conference speakerphone ‘Anker PowerConf’. The Bluetooth speakerphone with six microphones, enhanced voice pickup and 24-hour call time is designed for Home Offices. The product is available with Flipkart and comes with an 18-month warranty.

The six-microphone array gives the speakerphone 360-degrees of listening, and when combined with Anker’s custom digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms, it offers real-time echo cancellation up to 70 dB and background noise reduction by 20dB, and ambient noise suppression, to provide a stunning ultra-clear voice quality.

The PowerConf has an omnidirectional voice pick, even in the noisiest environments. Even when users are at different distances from PowerConf, the Bluetooth speakerphone automatically adjusts the volume, so everyone’s voice sounds loud and clear.

It has a built-in 6,700mAh battery to power days of calls. The integrated Anker PowerIQ technology allows charging other devices via PowerConf at optimized speeds. The speakerphone has two connectivity options – Bluetooth 5.0 & USB port.

It’s compatible with most popular conferencing apps such as FaceTime, ZOOM, Skype, GoToMeeting, and Slack.