Best Technology of 2015

From the rise of the smart watch to next generation drones and super-smart sound systems, we bring together a selection of the finest, most exciting and innovative devices to make their début in the last 12 months

Best Tablets: Microsoft Surface Book



The smart, slim body is packed with a brand new Intel processor and comes with the option of an Nvidia graphics card. Essentially, Surface Book is both a laptop and tablet that can be adjusted to the needs of the user. Microsoft also introduced the all-new stylus pen and a unique 3:2 screen aspect ratio, which gives it the dimensions of a piece of A4 paper.


Best Tablets: iPad Air 2



Equipped with an A8X processor, upgraded rear and front-facing cameras, an anti-reflective screen, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor and more built-in storage (128GB), the new version of the iPad is thinner (6.1 mm) and lighter (437g) than its predecessors.


Best Ultrabooks: Dell XPS 13


Dell's latest slim (13 inch) and light (1.2kg) ultrabook has a stylish aluminum casing, strong battery life and excellent screen quality. You can choose from an Intel Core i5-5200U or Core i7-5500U processor, or a memory configuration of either 4GB or 8GB along with an option to upgrade to touch screen.


Best Ultrabooks: Mac Book Air



Armed with a 1.6 GHz Intel Core Dual-core processor, the 13-inch MacBook Air is lighter (1.4 kg) thinner (17mm) and has an impressive battery life that lasts an incredible 16h 34m. The 13-inch model comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics 6000: with an average frame rate of 27 fps, it also offers a strong gaming experience.


Best Laptop: Mac Book Pro


Updated with Intel's fifth-generation Core i-series chip, the 13-inch MacBook Pro has an innovative force touch keypad, AMD graphics, nine hours of battery life and one of the fastest hard drives.


Best Desktop: Apple Mac Pro


It is light, lean and is equipped with number of unique design touches. The Mac Pro has an Intel Xeon E5 processor which adds to its productivity. The Dual AMD FirePro D300 Graphics Pro provides enough power to connect up to three high-resolution 4K displays. A storage capacity of 256GB is an added advantage.


Best Smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge


The second Samsung device to feature Edge technology after the Galaxy Note Edge phablet. This powerful phone comes around with a super sharp 5.1-inch, 2560X1440, 577ppi, Super AMOLED main display and an equally fast octa-core processor.


Best Smartphones: Turing Phone


The main characteristics of the phone is its hardline focus on security. It comes with a 5.5-inch touchscreen display, powered by a 2.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC processor and has 3GB of RAM. It has a powerful 13 megapixel camera in the rear and an 8-megapixel front camera for video-calls and selfies. The phone is made up of "Liquidmorphium," which the company claims is stronger than steel or aluminum and is impervious to bending. 

Best Smartwatches: Apple Watch


With 38 different styles to choose from, it is unlikely that Apple Watch will go out of style anytime soon. The watch is equipped with an array of apps like Messages and Mail, allows you make calls via an iPhone, and includes fitness tracking, Apple Pay and wireless music playback.


Best Smartwatches: Pebble Time


Pebble Time is compatible with both Android and iOS. The device is equipped with a color e-paper display, is water-resistant to 30m and comes with access to a huge number of apps (as you'd expect). It boasts 7-day battery life and comes in a variety of styles. 


Best Cameras: Olympus EM-5 Mk II


The new model is smaller and more compact than its predecessor and is equipped with a 15MP camera. It has advanced movie capabilities and a clever multi-shot 40MP mode. Check out the improved 5-axis image stabilization, 10 fps continuous shooting, 1/8000th sec maximum shutter speed and built-in Wi-Fi.


Best Cameras: Fujifilm X-T10


The X-T10 is an exemplary combination of modern and vintage. The device is smaller in size, lighter in weight and is equipped with a high-res viewfinder. The 16.30 megapixels camera offers stunning image quality, and it has capable Wi-Fi remote control and plenty of in-kit lens options. 


Best Cameras: Canon EOS 7D Mark II



The latest model has excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps) and can focus down to f/8 which is ideal for wildlife photography and sports action. There's a whole stack of new tech under the hood: this is a serious enthusiast's camera. 


Best Compact Cameras: LUMIX DMC-LX100


The latest from the famous Panasonic LX-series, Lumix DMC-LX100 is a treat for large-sensor enthusiasts. The 12.8-megapixel camera is packed in a slightly larger body but offers very good image quality, great performance and a bright zoom lens with good macro performance. It also has a high-res built-in viewfinder and comes along with a decent battery life.


Best Compact Cameras: Light L16


The L16 is a unique-module point-and-shoot camera, dubbed the "SLR killer" by its founders. The gadget is packed with sixteen 13-megapixel cameras at three different focal lengths - 35 mm, 70mm, and 150mm. Software then combines the images obtained by these three focal lengths and produces an image equal in quality to a DSLR.


Sony Cybershot RX100 IV


The fourth-generation model comes loaded with an array of performance-oriented features like 4K video capture, 16fps continuous burst shooting, and a high frame rate (HFR) slow-mo video mode.


Best Household Technologies: Nest


The Nest thermostat is smart and ruthlessly efficient. It saves both time and money by learning your household patterns and programming itself. For example, the device automatically alternates between energy required for weekend and weekdays based upon your requirements. The iOS and Android-compatible device is easy to set up and can be controlled from remote locations using a simple app.


Best Household Technologies: Amazon Echo


An internet-connected voice-controlled Bluetooth speaker that is equipped with "Siri-like" features and is able to answer questions like "How tall is Barack Obama?" and "What's the weather?" It also allows you to beam your personal music collection from Amazon Prime, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio.


Best Drones: DJI Phantom 3 Professional


DJI's Phantom 3 Professional is built with new sensors and additional satellite navigation which imparts stability to both indoor and outdoor flying. The Sony-made 12-megapixel camera is mounted on an independently controlled 3-axis gimbal, and is capable of shooting 4K video and 12 MP still images..


Best Drones: 3D Robotics Solo


The drone is the result of a collaboration between Solo and GoPro. The drone has been equipped with full in-flight camera control, and live low-latency HD streaming straight to mobile devices. Its video-game style controls and push-button command makes flying easier, enabling the controller to take off, land or pause the flight instantly in midair.


Best Games Console: Xbox One


The new version of Xbox boasts impressive graphics, a better roster of exclusive games and the ability to control live TV with Kinect using voice controls and motion gestures. It also comes equipped with the ability to play any media format.
  
Best Portable Gaming: Nintendo 3DS XL


The new version of the Nintendo 3DS XL has a wider viewing angle and is equipped with head-tracking technology which uses the front-facing camera to see where you are looking. A new second thumbstick and two new trigger buttons enhance the gameplay experience. 
  
Best Portable Gaming: PlayStation Vita


It is being hailed as the most powerful and impressive handheld gaming console ever built. It has two quad-core processors, a sparkling 5-inch touchscreen OLED display and dual analogue stick controls.
  
Best Music Systems: Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A6


The attractive speaker has 60-watt 5.5 inch woofers, a pair of 30-watt 0.75-inch tweeters and a single 60-watt 1.5-inch 'full range' speaker. The boomerang-shaped speaker supports Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth Audio Streaming, DLNA, Spotify Connect, Deezer, and TuneIn.
  
Best Music Systems: Sonos Play 3


The most affordable Sonos streaming-audio component to date. The speaker allows you to control its functions from any iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or Android phone using a free app. The latest model provides a cord-clutter-free experience to stream internet radio and audio services. The system is easier to set up and can cover a massive 31 rooms.
  
Best Music Systems: Naim Mu-so


The Bluetooth speaker lets you easily stream music from smartphone or tablet. It is also equipped with six drivers - two dome tweeters, two midrange and two bass drivers - delivering a total output of 450 watts.
  
Best Televisions: LG EC970V


The new model looks exquisite and offers a spectacular 3D experience. Its curved 65-inch screen makes use of OLED screen technology which makes it spectacularly trim in comparison to its competitors. Another of its unique features is the Harman Kardon-designed speaker system with 40W in a 4.0-channel configuration.
  
Best Televisions: Panasonic TX-50CX802B


The 4K screen resolution brings astonishing levels of details. The Freeview Play allows you to combine catch-up TV, on-demand services and live television. The powerful Firefox OS and quad-core processor offers a single 'gateway' to all TV channels, apps and connected devices.
  
Best Televisions: LG 55EG960V


LG introduced its second OLED TV with a stunning super-slim design. The 55-inch television comes equipped with slick webOS 2.0 operating system and is also cheaper than its predecessor, the 65EC970V. The television offers multiple connectivity options, which includes three HDMI, three USBs, a LAN and an integrated Wi-Fi network option.
  
Best Peripherals: KEF Muo


For its small size, the KEF Muo delivers impressive, powerful audio. With a battery life of around 12 hours, the KEF Muo is a solid portable speaker. It is equipped with an internal sensor that automatically optimizes the output to suit the orientation. It is also fairly easy to connect the speakers to any computer or mobile device.
  
Best Peripherals: Microsoft Display Dock


Microsoft's Display Dock lets you use your phone like a desktop Windows PC with keyboard, mouse and a large display. The Dock lets you connect a conventional 1080p monitor, using a DisplayPort or HDMI, and up to three USB peripherals.
  
Best Peripherals: ZUtA Pocket Printer


Zuta is a super-compact and easy to use mini printer that can be connected via Wi-Fi and is compatible with all computers, smartphones and tablets. It measures a little over 10 centimeters in diameter and can print 1 to 1.2 Pages per Minute.
  
Best Peripherals: Microsoft HoloLens


The revolutionary gadget has the potential to change the future of education, entertainment, gaming, health care and many other industries. HoloLens is a fully untethered, holographic computer, enabling high-definition holograms which will allow you transform any surface into a portal. With a HoloLens, an aircraft mechanic will be able to repair a faulty engine while viewing the schematics; it will also enable a surgeon to scan the MRI of a patient and show him where exactly the patient's cartilage is torn.

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