As technology is always changing, 2024 has brought us a collection of remarkable designs that push innovation limits and change how we connect with our devices. From sleek smartphones to compact computing gadgets, the tech scene this year is flooded with brilliant ideas that defy the usual norms. In this 2024 Wrapped edition, we’re highlighting five standout tech products that truly amazed us this year.
Each product presents a unique take on both functionality and style, reflecting the creativity and visionary spirit that characterizes the tech community. Be it a smartphone with a quirky shape or a tiny PC designed to fit in your pocket, these innovations are set to transform how we engage with technology. Let’s dive in!
1. Nokia Infinity Pro
The Nokia Infinity Pro Concept Phone totally transforms smartphone design with a standout pill-shaped structure, challenging the usual “candy bar” style. It blends the aspects of foldable clamshells and smartwatches, offering a comfy fit with its rounded shape.
This phone sports a full-surface screen that wraps around the front, providing an immersive display. The back has a dual-camera setup and a circular notification display that shows info when it’s placed face down. But this concept isn’t just about looking good; it also rethinks functionality and ergonomics in smartphone design.
Why is it noteworthy?
This Nokia Infinity Pro is a bold step away from standard smartphone designs. By ditching sharp edges, it promises a more comfy grip, solving a common ergonomic problem. The innovative screen layout maximizes the display area, improving user engagement. Plus, the dual camera and secondary display setup introduce new interactive ways with the device, allowing users to interactog without distraction. Overall, this concept signifies a leap forward in smartphone evolution, combining practicality with a sci-fi vibe that leaves its mark in 2024.
What we like
- Comfortable ergonomic design with no corners.
- Full-surface display for a truly immersive viewing.
What we dislike
- Possible concerns about how well it grips in your hand.
- Still just a concept, so we don’t know about durability and practicality.
2. Nothing Phone (3)
This is the Nothing Phone 3 Concept, showing an inventive leap in smartphone design. It gives a fresh spin on the brand’s iconic Glyph interface, redesigned by AndroidLe, with the G-shape transforming into an O shape, which perfectly encircles the wireless charging coils.
Plus, the design includes an updated LED array around a new three-camera setup, blending aesthetics reminiscent of clovers and fidget spinners. The glyph light, battery, and charging indicators stay true to their roots. This concept truly showcases Nothing’s commitment to consumer-centric innovation and maintains a unique identity.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Nothing Phone 3 Concept marks a daring evolution in design, highlighting the brand’s focus on engaging consumers and pushing innovation. By reshaping the Glyph interface, it not only enhances its looks but also boosts functionality, especially with the camera setup. This concept gives a glimpse into thrilling possibilities for future Nothing products, keeping the brand’s design direction exciting and fresh, which makes it one of the most spectacular designs we’ve seen this year.
What we like
- Fresh Glyph redesign makes it look awesome and functional.
- Three-camera setup hints at better photography capabilities.
What we dislike
- The conceptual idea might not see the light of production.
- Not everyone may like the changes made to the design.
3. Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart
Another amazing piece of tech we saw in 2024 is the Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart Projector. This gadget is a fantastic addition to any home for entertainment needs. It aims to be a wallet-friendly ultra-short-throw projector that delivers an immersive viewing experience without needing a TV. The projector itself measures a little over 8 inches long, 3.7 inches wide and 3.4 inches tall.
It can produce a 100-inch image from just 20 inches away, transforming any room into a mini-theater. The projector has a Full HD 1080p resolution and vibrant color output thanks to its DLP chip and a triple-laser light source. It turns your movies into a home experience without leaving the budget behind.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart Projector provides an extraordinary cinematic experience without emptying your wallet. It’s unique because of its 0.23:1 ultra-short throw ratio, allowing it to display a big image from very close range—making it ideal for tight spots. With features like automatic keystone correction and focus adjustment, setting it up is super easy, letting users dive right into their favorite shows and films with no hassle.
What we like
- Its compact design and ability to work in small spaces is fantastic.
- It comes preloaded with its own OS for streaming services, which cuts down on needing extra gizmos.
What we dislike
- It doesn’t support 4K resolution like pricier models.
- With 550 ANSI lumens, it might struggle in brighter environments.
4. Lunar Mini PC
A cool new design is the Lunar Mini PC, which revolutionizes how we think about portable computing. This device features a foldable keyboard that hides a potent AMD Ryzen 7 Processor. It gives you the full PC experience in a highly portable setup. It doesn’t come with a built-in screen, letting users connect it to any display they choose for a personalized workspace.
This setup conserves battery life and meshes well with modern working styles where flexibility and connection are paramount. For those who frequently travel, this mini PC offers a full-sized PC’s ability and can slot seamlessly into their everyday routines, ensuring connectivity wherever needed.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Lunar Mini PC exemplifies an exceptionally clever design marrying portability and powerful performance. It’s constructed to fit today’s working styles, allowing users to move smoothly between workspaces and display options. It’s a significant shift for anyone in need of a robust yet portable computing solution, making it a highlight innovation of the tech landscape in 2024.
What we like
- A compact form factor houses a powerful AMD Ryzen processor.
- Easily connects to different displays, boosting usability.
What we dislike
- No built-in display might not work for everyone.
- Needs external components for its full potential.
5. Google TV Streamer
Introducing the Google TV Streamer! This is Chromecast’s new upgrade and a direct competitor to Apple TV—it’s one of the standout designs that really impressed us this year. With its slanted top and sturdy block base, it features a clean white color that sets it apart from the petite dongle-like Chromecast. Yet, it keeps the well-known Google TV branding.
It’s the latest in 4K streaming from Google, great for those binge-watching sessions. It comes with a remote that includes a D-Pad at the top, it has a nice gray home button, while the volume controls are easy to access right below the home button, different from where they usually are.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Google TV Streamer comes with a refreshed look and an improved remote that’s longer than the previous Chromecast’s remote, offering big design and usability upgrades. The streaming box connects via two cables at the back, likely for power and HDMI, making setup seamless.
What we like
- A sleek, flat tabletop design gives it an elegant look.
- Enhancements in smart home control features are a plus.
What we dislike
- It’s still working with Wi-Fi 5; it misses out on newer, faster standards like Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.
- Compared to the Chromecast with Google TV, it has a higher price tag.