There are certain things that human beings cannot live without: food, water, shelter, clothing and a web-enabled smartphone. These days, a phone with constant Internet connection is a universal must, but soon, it won’t be the only one. Here are five other devices that you don’t know you need yet; but once you try them, your list of addictions will grow.
1. NOMAD ChargeKey
At 25 bucks a pop, the ChargeKey might just seem like an expensive phone charger, but it’s really much more impressive. How many times are you out and about when your phone dies? Unless you have a purse (or “satchel” if you’re a guy), you probably don’t have your phone charger on you. That’s where the ChargeKey comes in. Roughly the size of your house key, the ChargeKey fits right on to your key ring. One side of the key is the USB plug, on the other side is your choice of lightning cable (for newer iPhones) or micro-USB cable (for most Android phones). The ChargeKey works toward a future where you’re never again without power. For those who don’t use keys, consider the sister product for your wallet: the ChargeCard, roughly the size of a credit card and priced at the same $25.
2. Tile
Are you sick of being late to class or work because you can’t find your keys? Not anymore! Tile is a small, square, Bluetooth-emitting device that you can attach to a key ring or, really, anything. Tile can be used to keep track of keys, laptops, wallets, bikes, etc. The device sends location updates to your iPhone (it’s iOS-only as of now) and will sound an alert tone when the app triggers it. Lose your item? The Tile app logs where it last saw your Tile, so you can easily backtrack with confidence. Tile is currently available for pre-order for $19.95 and is expected to ship in August.
3. Pebble
On the higher end of the smart device spectrum are smart watches. While the Pebble ($150) isn’t the only one on the market, it certainly has garnered a level of esteem and popularity. Pebble works with your iOS or Android smartphone to deliver you an array of notifications, messages and alerts right to your wrist. Using its LED display face, Pebble has an app for just about everything you need. Worried about looking nerdy? With Pebble Steel ($249), the display gets even more sophisticated and comes with leather and metal straps. This isn’t one of those old Casio digital watches, and it most certainly doesn’t have a number pad for calculations. This is the future of wearable tech.
4. Lumo Lift
You might remember your grandfather telling you when you were little to fix your posture. With Lumo Lift, the experience gets even closer to home. Lift is a tile you pin to your clothing, magnetically, of course, to remind you “shoulders back, head up.” An accessory as well as a tool, it comes in a variety of colors and, as of late, features designer clasps (fancy!). The Lift tracks your physical activity and can send you vibratory feedback to your phone (iPhone or Android) every time you slouch to remind you fix your posture. In addition to this, Lumo Lift tracks how many steps you take, how many calories you burn and can offer insights into your daily behavior. Lumo Lift is currently available for pre-order for $79 and ships starting summer 2014.
5. Coin
Last but not least is Coin. If you’ve ever felt burdened by all the cards in your wallet, Coin could be your solution. Coin works just like a normal credit or debit card (same size too), the difference is that Coin can hold up to eight cards at once. Using an app and adaptor, you swipe any of your payment cards, gift cards, even loyalty and membership cards into your Coin app (iOS or Android), and you can then add them to your Coin. You switch which card is active with a button found on the Coin itself. This may seem like a security nightmare at first, but Coin holds all the same encryptions as your normal card. It even has several lock features that can prevent thieves from using your card. Leave your Coin behind? Using a local Bluetooth network, Coin will alert you via notification on your phone (these notification settings are, of course, customizable). The Coin will eventually be priced at $100, but those who pre-order now will receive 50 percent off. Coin also ships starting summer 2014.
Smart devices are coming. It’s the future. So say goodbye to lost keys, dead phones, poor posture, bulky wallets and your clever friends telling you that it’s “time to get a watch.”