As we come closer to the end of the year and with many holidays around the corner, I thought I’d highlight some of the cool tech gadgets that my colleagues and I have come across this year – after all, we are a tech company so it shouldn’t be a surprise that we are technology-obsessed!

Nanoleaf Light Panels

Instead of saving the best for last, I’ll straight up say Nanoleaf modular smart light panels are one the coolest things I’ve seen this year. Make your own unique geometric patterns, then use the included Rhythm Module to create a stunning lightshow that reacts to your favorite songs in real-time. Its supplied with double-sided mounting tape which means you don’t have to drill any holes in your walls to enjoy the 16,000,000 colors that the panels can produce.

Wyze Cam Outdoor

OK I admit it, I’m a smart home junkie. Over the years I’ve invested in a bunch of cameras, smart bulbs, door and motion sensors, a smart thermostat, and the list goes on. One company that I’ve come to admire is Wyze. Based in Kirkland, Washington, and started by a bunch of ex-Amazon engineers, they’ve been making quality smart home technologies at a price point that makes their products accessible to everyone. And their outdoor camera is no exception.

What I love about the camera is that its battery powered, which means you can literally mount it anywhere around your house without having to worry about pulling electrical cables. Add to that, its IP65 rated, which means it can withstand downpours, snowstorms, and heatwaves. When I heard it could 1080P livestream and had PIR motion detection, I was sold! So far mine have been working flawlessly, detecting racoons and other wildlife roaming my backyard at night!

Wyze Cam Outdoor

(source: www.wyze.com)

Beats Solo 3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones

I have another confession to make: I love music. And what makes music more enjoyable? A really nice pair of wireless headphones from Beats. I’ve owned a pair and its been my go-to headphones when I go on the road visiting customers, doing training, or attending a conference. What’s really impressive is the battery life, a rechargeable lithium ion battery that easily lasts for a week! And if you love downtempo music like I do, you’d love the low frequencies this headset can reproduce. My only gripe is it wears a bit too firm over my head, otherwise you get a lot of boom for the buck!

Beats Solo 3

(source: www.beatsbydre.com)

Casio Calculator Watch CA53WF-3B

Third and final confession: I’m a bit of a horologist (i.e. I love watches, timekeeping, and related things). One of my all-time favorite manufacturers is Casio. Their popular G-Shock line are tough, accurate and affordable timepieces. But what wins my heart (and takes me way back to childhood) is their retro-looking calculator watches, specially the new green CA53WF-3B model. This quartz-powered resin-based watch has an accuracy of +/-15 per month. And yes, its got a stopwatch, dual time feature, water resistance, daily and hourly alarms, and a full auto-calendar until 2099. And of course, a calculator.

Casio Calculator Watch

(source: www.casio.com)

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2

I love to drink my tea hot and also (obviously) have a passion for control systems. So if you are like me you’d appreciate the new Ember temperature controlled smart mug. This smart mug allows you to set an exact drinking temperature using your smartphone (but no worries if you don’t have one, it’s preset to keep liquids warm at 57 ˚C). On a full charge it’ll keep your favorite beverage warm for up to 1.5 hours. Its also IPX7 rated for full underwater submersion. So go ahead and handwash it without having to worry about getting its electronics wet.

Ember Mug

(source: www.ember.com)

Lexon Obilio Wireless Charging Station with Built-in UV Sanitizer

No, I haven’t forgotten that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Lexon’s Obilio charger and sanitizer was just named as one of TIME’s 100 Best Inventions of 2020. Designed by Andrea Quaglio and Manuela Simonelli, its UV-C LEDs destroy the DNA of microorganisms found in most viruses, bacteria, mold, and germs. It’s been scientifically proven in lab testing to be effective against viruses including H1N1. It’ll fully charge your smartphone in 3 hours and eliminate 99.9% of the screen and surface germs in 20 minutes. Besides, it would look really cool on your desk.

Oblio Sanitizer

(source: www.lexon-design.com)

So, there you have it! That was a list of our favorite tech gadgets of 2020. Was there something we missed? Let us know in the comments.