2020 might be the year we all want to forget, but for certain industries, it was the year that delivered new creative mediums and new game-changing devices.
From the rise of remote video calling to the continued dominance of ‘Big-Tech’, 2020 was a year full of surprises. At Kano, we have continued to push forward educational tech that puts the power of change in your hands. But we aren’t the only technology company this year that enabled the world to experience the future today.
We have collated a list of our favorite tech pieces of the year, with the help of some of the best reviews on the big worldwide web.
The Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug
“Bought as a gift for my girlfriend, she uses this every night. It’s tearing our relationship apart, cause everything revolves around this stupid mug. Also, it has to sit on the coaster most of the time, looking at you with its stupid smug face.”
-Nolan Meilleur
“Any true coffee lover knows that the second you apply heat to brewed coffee the freshness is compromised. However, this compromise is well worth it in our case! My spouse is notorious for reheating coffee in the microwave and often guilty of forgetting she put in in there only to find it the next morning when reheating that days cup. Laugh all you want, the struggle was real! Now she’s enjoying her coffee as they say “Good to the last drop!” Hoping for mine come Christmas…”
-Steve Allen
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
“Wasn’t sure what to expect, but was intrigued by the idea of smashing the real world with AR. 10 mins to set up and we were off. Watching the cart go around it looks slow, but when playing with the camera so low to the ground and with all the AR obstacles — it’s pretty fast and fun! We’ve only unlocked the 100cc kart so far, but it goes up to 200cc which I think will be more than fast enough. I’m a bit of a tech nerd, and I can honestly say this is the most fun bit of tech I’ve brought in a long time! Would be even more fun with 2 karts whizzing around! Well done Nintendo — a swing and a hit!”
-Amazon Customer (Fantastic Family Fun)
Nanoleaf Shapes Kit
“This will be one of the best purchases you’ll ever make to upgrade your gaming setup, media room, living room or practically anywhere! Let me tell you why. These panels are not only sleek and elegant when turned off, but when they are on the brightness is brilliantly blinding, the vibrancy is excellent and the customisation is phenomenal. Via the Nanoleaf App you can change colours, brightness, scenes and much much more. You can even download themes that other Nanoleaf users have created very easily.”
-Scorpio
ORII smart ring
“So what can this ring actually do? Well, surprisingly, a fair bit. The aim of the game is for the Orii to reduce the amount of time you spend with your smartphone, much like smartwatches. Except, there’s no screen to view here. Instead, a mix of voice and gesture controls provide access to some of the features for which you’d usually reach for your phone.”
-Michael Sawh
Senstroke Virtual Drum Kit
“My daughter loves the drums, she has played on her friend’s kit and they both love trying to copy Nandi (from youtube). I had toyed with the idea of getting her a full-sized kit, but don’t think the neighbours would have been too impressed. With this she can play at a reasonable volume — which was my first concern when presented with her new hobby! We’ve all had a go and it’s our favourite toy of 2020!”
-Jennifer Parsons
Click And Grow Smart Garden
“Loving this garden. I have wild strawberries, yellow peppers, red tomatoes, chives, two lettuce plants, purple chilli, green peas and sorrel growing in my hallway and that’s after a successful crop of leaf mustard, garden cress and romaine lettuce. I love it. I fill the tank every 10 days and occasionally trim leaves and that’s it. I want another one!”
-A.F
Parrot Anafi Drone
“I think if I’d bought it when the Anafi was first released I would have been just happy. But buying at this price point… with the apps only costing only 99p each is an amazing value. For someone new to the drone market and as an amateur, I’m over the moon. This drone has some great shooting features, is very compact and lightweight. All the hardware is there and it's great. If you don't want to spend £900 on a drone, this is the way to go.”
-Mark Bennett
Moto Razr 5G
“Love this phone, and most importantly it’s just fun. In a sea of bland black slab smartphones, having something where you flip open the phone to answer calls or slam it shut to end a call takes me back to a nicer, simpler time in life. Best most innovative phone I’ve owned since the Nokia N8.”
-Jamster47
Hypervolt Plus Cordless Vibration Massager
“Challenging in all the right places! This is a substantial bit of kit — you feel the quality of the product straight out of the box. This middle-aged couple with regular aches and pains (both of us train regularly) have found this massage gum to be most beneficial at relaxing muscles generally but also regretting problem areas eg hips. My lady is too scared to use the third setting! It is so powerful but relatively quiet. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.”
-Chris H
What did we miss? Do you know anything else that should have made the cut? Let us know on social or why not create your own best tech list today.
