Top 10 Breakthrough Gadgets in the Last Year

Within the last year, a whole host of new products have been brought to light that have or will change the way we live. These breakthrough gadgets have risen above all the rest to grab our attention. They make us think twice about how we do everything from work to relax. From mobile devices we carry around everyday, like phones and tablets, to major purchases like a television, these products make us excited because they break new ground. Today, we look at ten products that are not only the most talked about or trending, but the ones that give us a glimpse of what the future holds.

10. Philips Hue

Photo credit: Philips

Philips Hue is the world’s first web-enabled LED home lighting system that allows consumers to create and control their light colors and intensity, through light bulbs, using a smartphone or tablet. The Wi-Fi enabled LED bulbs each contain 11 LEDs in three different colors. Recently, Philips launched a software developer program for Hue that will allow third party developers to create new, exciting applications using light. Already, developers have integrated Hue with music allowing the lighting to change to different beats.

Price: $199 for the Starter Pack

9. Samsung Galaxy S4

Photo credit: Samsung

Did you know that in 2012, Samsung eclipsed Apple in global smartphone market share? In fact, last year, the Samsung Galaxy S3 almost beat out Apple’s iPhone 5 as the best selling mobile phone. When Samsung’s next version, the Galaxy S4 lands in stores on April 26, everyone agrees, it’s poised to give Apple a run for its money. Some experts are predicting that the Galaxy S4 will finally convince die-hard iPhone users to make the switch. Why? Aside from the large 5-inch 1080p display and 13.0-megapixel rear camera, the Galaxy S4 has some clever new touch-free features like “smart pause,” where users can pause video by turning their head away from the screen, and “smart scroll,” which lets users browse emails without even touching their phone. How? It comes down to facial recognition and tilt. Still not convinced? Learn much more by watching this 4-minute feature filled video.

Price: $199.99 with two-year contract with AT&T

8. Radiant Images Novo

Photo credit: Novo

The small Novo camera recently made as the GoPro Hero3 with a cinematic twist. Available exclusively at Radiant Images, the camera completely reengineers the Hero3 to make it smaller but also able to accept C-Mount lenses. There are also new exposure control capabilities, opening up a whole host of new artistic possibilities. The Novo still has the best of the GoPro Hero3′s features like the high-res 12MP sensor, LCD touchscreen and Wi-Fi, but it now gives the user more control like the ability to adjust the aperture manually via the lens.

Price: $295 daily, $885 per week

7. 3Doodler

Photo credit: 3Doodler

Hailed as the world’s first 3D printing pen, the 3Doodler is another one of those successful Kickstarter projects that blew past its original goal. The pen dispenses hot plastic which cools and solidifies into a structure. What does one make with this kind of device? According to the creators, everything from jewelry to iPhone cases. The company has even collaborated with Etsy’s wire artists to see what they can do. These artists will not only create limited edition art, they’ll also produce templates that will show just what this incredible device can do.

Price:$75

6. Dell XPS Duo 12 Ultrabook

Photo credit: Dell

Change this sleek device from a tablet to a notebook in a snap. The Dell XPS Duo 12 Ultrabook™ is a versatile gadget that has a flip-hinge design that lets you switch gears from work to relaxation in no time. The hybrid product has a highly responsive, high-resolution display, which means it’s great for casual web browsing or using Windows 8 apps. Made of durable materials like aluminum and carbon fiber, the Ultrabook feels sturdy yet looks striking. It’s the perfect device for the professional on the go.

Price: Starting at $1199.99

5. MYO

Photo credit: MYO

If Canadian startup Thalmic Labs can get this product right, we’ll soon be controlling all of our screens with only our arms. The MYO is a wearable gesture control device that’s causing quite a stir in the gadget world. Using fine muscle activity, users can interact with technology, which means we can control presentations, edit videos, browse the web, and sift through music using just our gestures. The MYO uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with other devices it’s paired to. The device senses gestures by muscle activity and motion sensing, and has the ability to detect changes in the movements of each individual finger, as well as the specific position of the arm and hand.

Price:$150

4. Sony 4K OLED TV

Photo credit: Sony

Leave it to Sony to develop the first 4K (3840 x 2160) OLED (organic light-emitting diode) television. The 56″ television is the world’s first Ultra High Definition television that uses Organic LEDs. While the 56-inch version will only be available to professionals working with 4K content, the 30-inch 4,096 x 2,160 model should hit the market in 2014. First launched at CES, CNET UK’s Luke Westaway describes the slim Sony 4K OLED as “the best TV I have seen in my life.”

Price: TBD

3. Pebble

Photo credit: Pebbles

Over the last year or so, no watch has garnered so much attention as the Pebble. The Kickstarter project far exceeded its goal of $100,000, raising a whopping $10 million from almost 69,000 backers. Pebble calls itself the “first watch for the 21st century” because so much of it is customizable, from the watch faces to the apps. This “smart watch” connects to both the iPhone or Android smartphones using Bluetooth so it can tell you when you have an incoming call, an email or a text message. The real magic happens when it’s loaded with apps, which are slowly growing in number. For early adopters, this is a must-have with more excitement, in terms of apps, well on its way.

Price: $150

2. Form 1

Photo credit: Form Labs

Another Kickstarter project that really broke through this past year is Form 1, an affordable, professional 3D printer by Formlabs in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Created to meet the quality standards of professional designers, this printer hopes to bring 3D printing to the masses. Using a method called stereolithography (SL), the system works by directing a laser across a tray of liquid resin, which causes a thin layer to solidify. The build platform then rises as it prepares for the next layer. After thousands of these incredibly thin layers, a 3D model is made.

Price: $3,299.00

1. Google Glass

Photo credit: Google

Easily the most hyped about new gadget that everyone is talking about is Google Glass. This wearable computer, which is guaranteed to revolutionize the way we consume and share data, is still about a year away from being in the hands of everyday consumers. Though the product resembles normal eyeglasses, they are anything but. What can it do? The real question is “What can’t it do?” This futuristic device acts like a camera, a microphone, a speaker and more. It will take pictures, record video, give you directions, let you send messages, and even translate words for you. Basically, it’ll act like your smart, virtual assistant.

Price: $1,500 for developers, consumer version TBD