5 Cool New Gadgets to Keep on Your Radar | Gear Patrol (2024)

The Instax Mini 99 is the most high-end analog instant film camera in Fujifilm’s “Mini” line. It features a wide (35mm equivalent) lens, exposure and shutter controls, various modes (for shooting action, low light and long exposures) and a number of creative filters. At $200, it’s one of the most expensive instant film cameras you can buy.

The LG CineBeam Q is a retro-looking portable 4K projector that’s capable of creating a 120-inch picture. It’s integrated with LG’s webOS for streaming apps (no separate device required). It also has a unique carrying handle that doubles as a stand for better positioning the screen. It lacks a built-in battery, however, and thus needs to be connected to power to use.

The second-generation Backbone One is a handheld gaming controller for your smartphone (this Lightning model is specifically for the iPhone 14 or older). It looks identical to its predecessor, but it now comes with magnetic adapters (instead of rubber inserts) for its controller grips, allowing it to fit better on any-sized smartphone and over more cases.

Ikea’s 30-watt USB-C wall adapter is designed to charge your smartphone at the fastest possible rate. Its main selling point is price — it’s significantly cheaper than most other 30-watt adapters on the market.

The Ikea 45-watt Sjöss wall adapter is a dual-port USB-C charger. When charging one device, its max power output is 45 watts. When charging two devices simultaneously, it splits the power to 22 watts per device. It’s one of the cheapest dual-port chargers out there.

The Satechi V3 Multiport Adapter is a USB-C adapter designed to add ports to Apple’s M3 MacBook Airs. It has a wedge-shaped design and features four USB-C ports, an SD card slot, Ethernet and an HDMI 2.1 that supports an 8K display (at 30Hz).

The McIntosh C2800 is a high-end vacuum tube preamplifier. It has four vacuum tubes that create a warmer sound compared to the company’s solid-state alternative, the McIntosh C55. Like the McIntosh C55, the C2800 features a Processor Loop, 16 audio inputs and three sets of stereo-balanced and unbalanced outputs. It’s compatible with the McIntosh Connect app.

The McIntosh C55 is a high-end solid-state preamplifier and the successor to the company’s C53. It features an eight-band analog equalizer so audiophiles can fine-tune their sound better to their liking. It shares a variety of features with its vacuum tube brethren, the McIntosh C2800, including a Processor Loop, 16 audio inputs and three sets of stereo-balanced and unbalanced outputs. It’s compatible with the McIntosh Connect app.

The Samsung Galaxy A55 is the company’s midrange smartphone and successor to 2023’s Galaxy A54. Despite looking quite similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy A55 has improved in a few key ways. It has a slightly larger 6.6-inch OLED display, an upgraded chipset (Exynos 1480), a superior camera and support for Samsung’s Knox Vault security system.

This is a MagSafe mount for those who use FaceTime on their Apple TV 4K (which is a feature that rolled out as part of tvOS 17). The mount holds your iPhone in place — it can rest on top of your TV or on the side — so you (and the people in the room) can fit in the FaceTime call and see the other person on the TV.

The Leica SL3 is a full-frame mirrorless camera, the successor to the 2019-released SL2. It has a new 60-megapixel sensor — the same one that’s in Leica’s Q3 — much improved in-body image stabilization and the ability to record 8K video. It also has a redesigned user interface.

The 15-inch M3 MacBook Air looks very similar to the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air that was released in June 2023. The new model is equipped with Apple’s superior M3 processor, which promises big performance and efficiency gains, as well as dual-display support.

The 13-inch M3 MacBook Air looks nearly identical to the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air released in 2022. It has the same display, keyboard, MagSafe and Thunderbolt ports, speakers, microphone and webcam. However, it is now equipped with Apple’s M3 processor and can support two external monitors at once.

The Q Acoustics 5050s are the largest and most expensive speakers in the company’s mid-range 5000 series. They feature a 1-inch tweeter that rests between the two 6-inch woofers (C3 Continuous Curved Cone). The cabinets features Point-2-Point (P2P) internal bracing to minimize vibrations, and they are available in a number of different wood finishes.

The FiiO M23 is a relatively affordable portable hi-fi player that sports dual DACs (AK4191EQ and AK4499EX) and support for lossless audio up to 24-bit/384kHz and PCM/DSD256. It has built-in Bluetooth and supports LDAC, so you can stream higher-res audio to wireless headphones. Maybe most uniquely, it can connect it to your computer via USB and you can use it as a desktop amp.

The Nothing Phone (2a) is a more budget-friendly version of the Phone 2. It has a similar transparent design, Glyph lighting notification system and always-on display. It also has a more centrally positioned dual-camera system, consisting of dual 50-megapixel main and ultra-wide cameras.

The MoveMic is Shure’s first compact microphone system, and it’s mainly designed for content creators. There are two different configurations, the single-channel MoveMic One ($249) and the dual-channel MoveMic Two ($349). Maybe the neatest thing about them is that, though you can purchase a receiver (sold separately), you can also wirelessly connect the mics directly to your smartphone.

The Skullcandy EcoBuds are the company’s most eco-friendly wireless earbuds to date. They’re made mostly out of recycled plastics, but they also lack a case with a lithium-ion battery. To charge them, you connect the case’s built-in USB-C cable to your smartphone, laptop or wall adapter.

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is an affordable portable DAC/amp for iPhone or Android smartphones. It features dual CS43131 DACs, has 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm headphone jacks, and supports lossless audio up to 32-bit/384kHz.

It’s just a concept so don’t expect to see it out in the world anytime soon, but Lenovo revealed the first-ever transparent laptop. It’s a ThinkBook with a borderless 17.3-inch micro LED display you can see right through and a digital keyboard that’s also transparent. It looks wild.

The Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 is a new-and-improved version of the Austrian hi-fi company’s original Juke Box E. Like its predecessor, the Juke Box E1 is an integrated turntable — you just need to add your own passive speakers — but it comes with a number of upgraded components, including a new tonearm, platter, motor and electronic speed change.

The Audioengine D1P is a portable 32-bit DAC/amp — a more versatile version of the company’s D1 desktop amp.It also has an output switch that lets you toggle quickly between your headphones and speakers. The D1P connects to your device via USB-C and is compatible with iPhone and Android smartphones as well as Mac and Windows laptops.

Released in early 2024, the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000T is the company’s flagship (and most expensive) digital audio player. It’s essentially a new-and-improved version of the popular A&ultima SP3000, but the “T” features vacuum tubes and supports a Tube Amp Mode for those who want a warmer sound.

The OnePlus Watch 2 is the company’s second-generation smartwatch and successor to the much-maligned 2021-released OnePlus Watch. It runs Wear OS 4 and, most interestingly, has dual-engine architecture (yes, two processors) and an up to 100-hour battery life.

The Fujifilm X100VI is the successor to the wildly popular (and hard to find) X100V. It has the same retro look, compact feel and ability to capture film-like photos (thanks to 20 film simulation presets) as its predecessor. The difference is that the X100VI is a superior camera with a 40-megapixel sensor and in-body stabilization. It’s also $200 more expensive.

The Lenco L-3810 is a direct-drive turntable for aspiring DJs. It looks quite similar to the revered Technics SL1200 and has similar components (including start-and-stop control, an anti-skating mechanism and an aluminum platter). It allows you to digitize your records, too. The big difference is that the Lenco L-3810 costs less than $500.

The Forerunner 165 is the company’s newest GPS smartwatch for runners and one of the more affordable options in its Forerunner series. It has a 1.2-inch OLED display and an estimated 11-day battery life. Unlike the company’s more “elite” running watches, it lacks a dual-frequency GPS. For an extra $50, you can get a tuned-up version, the Forerunner 165 Music, that lets you download playlists for phone-less listening.

The Echo Hub is an Alexa smart display that mounts on your wall and acts as a central controller of all your Alexa smart home devices. It has an 8-inch display and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and it supports Matter and Thread. If you don’t want to wall mount it, Amazon sells a stand separately.

The KEF KC92 is the company’s new flagship subwoofer. It has two 9-inch force-canceling drivers that are designed to deliver powerful bass — 1,000 watts of power (500 watts per channel) — with virtually no distortion. You can adjust a variety of settings on the back to suit your preferences and the sub’s room placement.

In addition to the KC92, KEF also announced four “Kube MIE” subwoofers that are a little less powerful but more affordable. There’s the Kube 15 (with a 15-inch driver), the Kube 12 (12-inch driver), Kube 10 (10-inch driver) and Kube 8 (8-inch driver). All are integrated with Music Integrity Engine (MIE), the company’s proprietary DSP for making sure all its speakers and components work best with each other.

The REN are the Canadian hi-fi company’s bookshelf-sized active loudspeakers that can put out up to 100 watts per channel. They are packed with numerous wired and wireless (including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) streaming capabilities — and even support HDMI ARC so you can connect them to your TV as a soundbar alternative.

The Q Acoustics M40 are powered “micro tower” speakers — a middle ground between bookshelf-sized and floorstanding speakers. They have a number of wired connections so you can connect them to a turntable, music streamer or even TV. They also have built-in Bluetooth for easy streaming.

As their name gives away, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are open-ear wireless earbuds, meant to allow you to listen to music while also hearing the world around you. Their standout feature is a unique approach to fit: Rather than going in your ears, they clip to the outside of them, sort of like earrings.

The Sony Pulse Elite is the company’s most premium wireless headset specifically designed for the PS5 — it’s essentially a fancier version of the Pulse 3D. It has a new look, improved battery life and comfier earbuds. Most importantly, the Elite packs planar magnetic drivers for higher-res sound.

The Nomad Magnetic Leather Back is magnetically sticks to the back of an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max, adding a premium leather look and feel, while not adding much thickness.

As its name suggests, the Hybrid Wall Charger is a 2-in-1 device — it’s part 25-watt wall charger and part power bank with a 5,000mAh capacity. It also features two ports, USB-C and USB-A, so it can simultaneously charge two devices at once. And its foldable prongs make it more suitable for travel.

The Kasa Smart KS240 is an in-wall smart controller for your ceiling fan and lights. It has touch-sensitive sliders that make controlling either super easy. Additionally, it’s compatible with most major smart home ecosystems including Alexa, HomeKit and Google Home.

The Dirtywave M8 Model:02 is a new version of the beloved-but-constantly-sold-out Model:01. This “tracker”-style digital synthesizer can compose songs with 8 separate tracks and samples of unlimited length, sweetening the deal with a new all-metal case and built-in microphone. Both models have the same Teensy 4.1 microchip inside —and both benefit from future firmware updates.

The Ring Battery Doorbell “Pro” is the company’s flagship video doorbell — it’s essentially a higher-end and more expensive version of the Battery Doorbell Plus. It looks identical and has most of the same features, but the Pro has a new radar sensor for even more accurate motion detection. It also has a few other upgrades, like improved Wi-Fi and audio with noise-cancellation.

The CXN100 is the successor to the British hi-fi maker’s award-winning CXN V2 music streamer. The CXN100 looks nearly identical — same big volume knob and 4.75-inch display — but has an improved DAC and more integrated streaming capabilities.

Naim’s Unit Nova is a gorgeous streaming amplifier that’s been around for a couple years. The Power Edition (PE) version is basically the same thing, but 3x as powerful — capable of driving 150 watts per channel — and designed to drive high-end loudspeakers situated in large rooms.

The Yamaha ZG02 is the company’s newest audio mixer that’s designed for gamers and streamers. It’s more compact and affordable than similar soundboards. Plus its integrated USB-C port makes it easy to use with gaming consoles; it’s compatible with Mac and Windows as well.

The Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro is a way more than your average MagSafe charging stand. It has a motorized base that can swivel around all 360 degrees and track you during FaceTime calls or video calls. It also has a built-in battery that can last for five hours, so it doesn’t need to be connected to power.

This is one of the first Qi2 compatible iPhone car mounts. It has all the benefits of MagSafe, including built-in magnets and fast charging (up to 15-watts for iPhones), but it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than similar MagSafe car mounts.

The Link by Eargo are new over-the-counter hearing aids that have a more traditional (and discreet) earbud-style form factor. They also can work as traditional wireless earbuds for music and calls.

The Sony SRS-XV500 is the company’s newest portable party speaker. It looks similar to Sony’s SRS-XV800 and flagship SRS-XV900 speakers and has many of the same features, including customizable lighting and a karaoke mode. The difference is that the SRS-XV500 is the smallest and most affordable of Sony’s portable party speakers.

The OnePlus 12 is the company’s new flagship smartphone. It packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a huge 6.82-inch OLED display and a super long-lasting battery. On the camera side, it has a 50-megapixel main lens (and a Sony sensor) and 64-megapixel telephoto lens. It starts at $799.

Say “cheese.” The second generation of Wyze’s wired floodlight improves upon its predecessor with a camera that carries better resolution — 2K instead of HD — and a wider field of view. The integrated floodlights are also brighter.

Sonos introduced a new ceiling speaker to its architectural series that it collaborates with Sonance on. The new speaker, the Sonos 8″ In-Ceiling Speaker, is essentially a better and more expensive version of the existing 6″ In-Ceiling Speaker. It’ll be available in the spring.

Philips Hue’s new Dymera wall lights, which can be set up either inside or outside, are neat because they can shoot beams of light both up and down the wall. You can customize the colors of these up-firing and down-firing beams and create some pretty dramatic lighting effects.

The Buds 3 are the company”s newest wireless earbuds. They lack the “Pro” name of OnePlus’s higher-end wireless earbuds, but the Buds 3 do have active noise-cancellation and they cost just under $100.

The Vision Pro is Apple’s mixed-reality headset capable of both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). You can use it as your own personal movie theater, VR gaming headset (for Apple Arcade) or virtual monitor for your Mac.

The Yamaha Seqtrak is an all-in-one portable music-making device — it’s a synth, drum machine and sampler that has a built-in battery, speaker and microphone. It supports both wired and wireless connections, works with a companion app (for further customization) and has fun retro design that looks straight out of the ’80s.

The KEF LSX II LT is a more affordable version of the fantastic LSX II active speaker system. The LTs have most of the same wireless and wired capabilities. The big difference is that the power supply is built into the primary LT speaker and thus the two speakers need to be tethered to each other at all times. That’s a welcome tradeoff considering these new speakers are $400 cheaper.

The Kanto Ora 4 are new powered computer speakers — they’re essentially slightly bigger versions of the company’s acclaimed Oras. They work exactly the same, connecting to your computer via USB-C and also supporting built-in Bluetooth (for streaming from your smartphone), but have a larger woofer, more power output and cost $50 more.

The Victrola Stream Sapphire is the company’s most high-end turntable to date and, like the Stream Carbon, it works natively with Sonos. This new model is has more premium components and more wireless streaming capabilities; in addition to Sonos, it supports Roon and UPnP, and is capable of streaming lossless FLAC audio files (up to 24-bit/48kHz).

Samsung’s Music Frame is a wireless speaker that you hang on your wall and it disguises itself as a framed piece of artwork. It supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming. If you have a Samsung TV or soundbar, you can configure it as a surround sound speaker, as well. Samsung will sell a variety of different prints for it. No price has been revealed.

The FiiO R9 is an upgraded version of last year’s GP100-winning R7. Like its predecessor, the R9 is an all-in-one desktop hi-fi solution, but it packs a new Qualcomm Bluetooth chip, improved twin DACs (now ESS Labs 9030PRO) and a twice-as-powerful amplifier. It also adds an HDMI ARC port in case you want to connect it to a TV.

The Samsung HW-Q990D is the company’s new flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar system and successor to the much-lauded HW-Q990C. Like before, it’s an 11.1.4-channel system (with 22 total drivers) that connects wirelessly to a compatible Samsung TV. The big upgrade is that it now has a built-in HDMI 2.1 port, making it much better for connecting next-gen consoles or 4K streamers. No price has yet been announced.

The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7s are the company’s new midrange noise-canceling wireless earbuds. They have the same 5.8mm drivers as the company’s flagship ATH-TWX9s ($299), but are considerably cheaper — just don’t expect their noise-canceling to be as good. One notable upgrade is that these new earbuds support LDAC streaming (up to 24-bit/96kHz).

Focal’s Aria Evo X series of loudspeakers are the next-generation of its decade-old Aria 900 series. The new speakers has been integrated with a number of flagship technologies, including the TNF tweeter or Flax cone, and each model has an updated look and finish. The prices range from $999 (center) to $5,998 (floorstanding/pair).

Audio Pro’s C20 is a minimalist wireless speaker that can just about do it all. It supports Wi-Fi (AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect) and Bluetooth streaming. It has an HDMI ARC input so you can use it as a miniature soundbar for your TV, and it has a built-in MM phono stage for connecting a turntable.