Phones, PCs, cameras, headphones, and many other gadgets pass through the desks of the Techgoondu staff every year when we try out and review the latest devices to tell our readers if they’re worth all that hard-earned money.
So, of course, when it comes to Christmas time, we all have our own fantasies about what we would like to find under the Christmas tree.
As with tradition going back over a decade, we’ve put together a Techgoondu Gadgets Wish List for Christmas 2022… Here’s the list of Dreamers – it includes items that are no longer available today!
Google Pixel Watch (starting at $349)
Smartwatches have been around for quite some time now, but what puts the Pixel Watch on my gift list is how beautiful it is.
The case of the watch is made from 80 percent recycled stainless steel, which gives the watch some heft while you go green.
It features a 3D dome shaped glass display, like a polished pebble with watch straps, giving it a unique modern art look. You can easily switch straps to match the outfit of the day thanks to its locking mechanism.
The watch also supports Google Pay, making it easy to use it with the contactless PayWave system in a retail store, take a bus or pass through an MRT bridge without Flash your smartphone.
And like any other smartwatch it is an activity tracker, it reads and dictates messages, gives map direction and controls your music player on the go. With the Fitbit app, it also tracks your steps Singapore National Steps Challenge.
What makes it even more desirable in Singapore is that it is not available in the official Google store (although you can buy it via Amazon). I can buy Fitbit smartwatches on the Google Store, but nothing beats having a piece of art on the wrist. – Wilson Wong.
Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i (S$499)
Music can be a source of relaxation and inspiration as well as providing a soundtrack to workouts and other activities. For these purposes, the Pulse Flex 2i is a great high-end wireless compact speaker that packs a punch.
Rich, balanced sound comes from the 1-inch woofer and 4-inch woofer. The sounds are serene with orchestral and classical music, warm and smooth from operas by Andrea Bocelli and vibrant from Caroline Campbell’s violin playing classics.
The hexagonal shape of the speaker gives it a pioneering look. The front is fitted with a white metal grille with all connectivity ports on the back. It supports AirPlay 2, which means I can stream audio from my music library to my devices.
BlueSound also provides streaming connections to other services including Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer, to name a few. Via an app, you can adjust the volume, skip tracks, and
Turn on/off whatever you’re listening to.
BluOS also provides a list of music, categorized according to genres. This can lead you to a list of radio stations from all over the world. Today you can listen to jazz from a German radio station, and tomorrow to classical music from an American one. A great gift for broadening your music horizons. – Grace Chung.
Sony Playstation VR2 (S$869)
Forget the abstract metaverse and old incarnations, we’re talking about actual games that can be experienced in virtual reality (VR) with a headset, controllers and earphones. And what better option than the soon to be launched PlayStation VR2 kit, compatible with PlayStation 5.
With an OLED display, 2,000 x 2,040 resolution per eye, 90-120Hz refresh rate and 110-degree field of view, it sounds like a lot for the eyes and brain, but how close to a game can you get?
The headset also features a 6-axis motion sensing system (3-axis gyroscope + 3-axis accelerometer) and the ability to track your eye positions for more immersive gameplay, as well as controllers with capacitive sensors for finger touch detection.
Although the list of compatible games is somewhat limited now, my top pick would be Horizon Call of the Mountain – imagine exploring the beautiful post-apocalyptic world of Horizon where machines roam the Earth.
Of course, a PlayStation 5 controller will be required to use the PlayStation VR2 set, so it would be nice if I could bring them both together! PlayStation VR2 will be released on February 22, 2023 869 Singapore dollars But you can pre-order. – Yap Hoi Bin.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (to be unveiled)
I’m really putting Santa to shame here for hoping for a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (expected out next year). Like the Galaxy S22 UltraIt’s expected to carry a good 6.8-inch OLED screen, a main four-camera system, an S-Pen and built-in slot, and an angled notch that only rotates on the sides for grip comfort (which I love).
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is expected to pack a punch Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2An efficient, high-performance chip that will do good things for battery life. The main camera is also expected to be a 200MP system.
Sure, it’s an incremental upgrade for the Galaxy S22 Ultra overall, but I’ll take any gain, especially when it can launch as soon as February 2023. I wonder if Santa Clause accepts a pre-order… – Esmond Shaw.
LG G2 OLED TV ($2,699 for the 55-inch model)
I know, I’ve had an OLED TV on my wish list for years, but for some reason, I haven’t bought one. Last month, I was about to finally buy one of LG’s new models — a particularly attractive G2, which was wall-mounted.
The 50 or 55 inch version of this 4K TV would be perfect for my small study room since it takes up minimal space and won’t make things look cramped. It’ll be great when I want to relax with a movie or two, or call in gaming computer to play Call of Duty.
With its solid blacks and good contrast, OLED is still king when it comes to picture quality (at an excellent but still sane price). The G2 also has the company’s brightest OLED evo displays this year, as well as backing it up 4K at 120Hz So your games won’t feel the dreaded lag.
The problem with “power hassle” with a new TV is that you may also need a new sound system and upgraded HDMI cables (for 4K 120Hz), which adds cost and setup hassle. Plus, I might have to deal with the kids who come over and watch more TV. So, this is still on my wish list for now. – Alfred Siew
What are your gadgets on your wish list this holiday season? Tell us via Facebook or email.
Originally posted 2022-12-24 14:27:51.