Gadgets from MWC 2015

17 Mar Gadgets from MWC 2015

While smartphones usually take the main stage at Mobile World Congress (MWC), the annual tech event produced some great new gadgets.

From wearables to new advancements in virtual reality to furniture for charging your phone, this year’s MWC had it all.

Huawei Watch

With wearable interest growing rapidly the launch of the Huawei watch drew eyes from all parts of the globe.

Features

• Android Wear OS.
• 1.4 inch scratch proof sapphire crystal display, 286 pixels per inch.
• Stainless steel body with mesh or leather strap.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2Ghz processor.
• 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage.
• Heart rate monitor.
• 6 axis motion sensor for fitness and health applications.
• Included 40 customisable faces.
• Colours: Silver, Black, and Gold.

 

Availability

The Huawei Watch will be released to over 20 countries, price is yet to be announced.

HTC Vive Virtual Reality Headset

One of the stand-out gadgets for WMC was the HTC Vive, the next generation of virtual reality headsets.

Developed in conjunction with video game developer Valve, the Vive enables users to experience a virtual world, while also physically reacting to it. This user interaction is what sets it apart from other virtual reality gear, such as the Oculus Rift. The Vive also does not work with a user’s phone unlike Samsung’s Gear VR, rather, it was built as a stand-alone product with innovative controllers.

“A 1,200 by 1,080 pixel screen in front of each eye, with refresh rates of a blistering 90 frames per second, displays photorealistic imagery that fills your field of vision in all directions, eliminating the jitter common to previous VR technologies and transporting you to another world,” (source: HTCVR.com).

Features

• Two times 1,200 by 1,080 pixel screen (one for each eye).
• 90 frames per second refresh rate.
• Gyrosensor, accelerometer and laser position sensors to track movement.
• Tracking accuracy to 1/10th of a degree.
• Pair with Steam VR base stations to track your location (within 5 x 5 metre area).

 

Availability

The HTC Vive is expected late 2015. Pricing is yet to be announced.

LG Urbane LTE Watch

LG have released a standalone smartwatch that can work independently of a phone. It can also make emergency calls to preset numbers assigned to one of the three side buttons. The emergency call will also send your location to the number you are calling.

Features

• Stand alone phone running WebOS.
• 1.3 inch round display, 320 x 320 pixels, 4GB storage, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor (1.2Ghz), 1GB RAM, Wifi and Bluetooth, 700mAh battery. Operating System: LG Wearable Platform Colour Silver.
• Supports mobile payments over Near-Field Communications.

 

Availability

Release date and pricing for the LG Urbane is yet to be announced.

Microsoft Folding Keyboard

Need a full sized keyboard that easily folds away? This folding keyboard from Microsoft could be the answer.

Features

• Compatible with Windows 8, Windows Phone 8.1, Apple iOS 7 and above, and Android 4.3 and above. Device must have Bluetooth 4.0 and have HID keyboard support.
• Pair with two devices (such as a tablet and a smartphone) and switch between devices with one button.
• Spill-resistant design offers a water repellent keyboard.
• At only 5mm thin the fold-able keyboard fits in smaller places.
• Keys are full-size providing more accurate typing.

 

Availability

Microsoft have announced the keyboard will be available in July through the Microsoft store as well as select retail stores.

Lenovo Pocket Projector

Pair with your phone and conveniently start projecting videos onto a nearby wall. Now you can have a meeting anywhere.

Features

• 50 lumen, high-contrast display projecting up to 110 inches.
• 2.5 hours battery life.
• MicroSD slot for external storage up to 32GB.
• MicroUSB interface.
• Supported by Android, iOS and Windows.
• 10 cm x 10 cm x 2.5cm thick, and weighs 170 grams.

 

Availability

Lenovo have yet to announce a release date and pricing.

Sandisk 200GB MicroSDXC Card

Announced as the world’s highest capacity MicroSD card, Sandisk aim to “continue to push technology boundaries to deliver record-breaking solutions that transform the way consumers use their mobile devices,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president, product marketing, SanDisk.

Features

• Transfer speeds up to 90MB/s.
• Holds up to 20 hours of Full HD Video.
• Water proof, temperature proof, shock proof, X-ray proof and magnet proof.
• Rated Class 10 for Full HD Video recording.
• 10 year limited warranty.

 

Availability

Sandisk have yet to announce availability and pricing for Australian consumers. However, it will be available online this quarter for US $400 via Sandisk for those in the US.

IKEA Wireless Charging Furniture

In a quest to defeat ‘cable mess’, IKEA showcased its range of furniture with built-in wireless smartphone charging.

Ikea have added charging plates to selected furniture, which allow for Qi-supported phones to be charged wirelessly using Qi charging technology. The charging plates will be incorporated into furniture pieces such as bedside tables and lamps. The company will also be offering a range of wireless charging pads in wood and plastic finishes, which are shaped to fit its cable management boxes.

Availability

Ikea’s wireless charging furniture will be available in Australia from October this year. Pricing is yet to be announced.
…

How did you like the stand-out gadgets from this year’s MWC? Please leave us your comments and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date.