12 Brilliant Gadgets Making Waves in 2018
By Editor in February, 2018
Every once in a while, a gadget is unveiled that reminds us that we’re living in the future--one where technological capability has finally exceeded usefulness. Like toilets that flush by voice command. Or robots that double as pillows. Not everything that hits the market today is actually functional. But moments of sheer technological brilliance still strike. Here are a few of the gadgets that have caught us by delightful surprise.
1. The Find-Anything Tracker Tag
XY ($15) Free Shipping
- Compatible with Android or iOS smartphones
- 5-minute setup process
- Adhesive or keyring attachments
- Quickly locate keys, bikes, pets, laptops, and more
Nothing can derail a perfect day like the frantic feeling of a missing wallet or keychain. The XY Find It attaches to anything you hope to never lose again, then syncs to your phone to display your item on a map. Sherlock Holmes, you’re officially obsolete.
2. The OCD Keychain of the Future
KeySmart ($19)
- Holds up to 14 keys plus a fob
- Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum
- Fits in a coin purse
- More than 2 million sold in 173 countries
For centuries, keys have looked mostly the same: a metal ring containing even more metal, assembled just perfectly as to hide the very key you’re looking for at any given moment. KeySmart is bringing long-awaited order to your pocket. Their sleek, Swiss Army-style system holds up to 14 keys plus a fob. And it’s all smaller than a pack of gum.
3. The All-Seeing Mechanic in Your Pocket
FIXD ($49)
- Plugs into your On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Port
- 30-second installation, no tools needed
- Explains problems in easy-to-understand language
- Provides helpful maintenance reminders
“It’s like, rattle, rattle, squeak, clunk.” When that’s the most precise way you can describe a problem with your car, the results can be costly. Major problems can go unfixed, while others can be made up by greedy mechanics. FIXD is a brilliant little device that plugs into your car and syncs to your phone to provide an instant analysis of any problems, as well as their severity.
4. The Light up the Sky Flashlight
TC1200 Flashlight ($29)
- 25x brighter than a typical flashlight
- 5 modes (high, medium, low, SOS, and strobe)
- Waterproof, even in boiling water
- Lamp life of 100,000 hours
The flash on your phone may be sufficient for finding an earring under the couch, but when a hurricane strikes or a rural drive finds you stranded on a wooded road, there’s only one flashlight you’ll want in your possession: the TC1200. With 25x the brightness of a typical flashlight, this nearly indestructible flashlight can be seen up to 2 nautical miles away and even features SOS and strobe settings to assist in a rescue.
5. The Matrix-Style Navigation Screen
Huddy ($35)
- Compatible with most iOS and Android phones
- Specially designed interface displays temperature, speed, or navigation
- Improves driver safety without adding a second device
Fumbling with the map screen on your phone is an all-too-common cause for car crashes today. The Huddy is a futuristic panel that uses the brains inside your smartphone while protecting your own. Keeping your phone in a holster, it displays your speed, streets, and directions on a reflective screen that allows you to keep your eyes on the road.
6. The Liquid Titanium Screen Protector
Wow Fix It ($25)
- Wipe-on nanotechnology protection system
- Resists shattering at up to 13 pounds of force
- Costs 90% less than replacing a screen
- 4 million sold in 4 months
Thwack! Your new $1000 iPhone just hit the pavement. Freeze. If you could turn back time, you could apply a revolutionary new liquid screen protector and erase the fear from this moment all together. It’s secret? Liquid titanium. This is no flimsy sticker. It’s a wipe-on compound that fills the microscopic pits in your screen that make it prone to shattering. This proprietary system allows a phone to withstand the blow of a hammer with 13 pounds of force. So long, spider web cracks.
7. The NASA-Approved Eyeglass Cleaner
Peeps ($19)
- 500 cleanings per pad
- Safe to use on eyeglasses, sunglasses, and even A/R coated lenses
- Travel size kit
- Eco-friendly, all-natural pads
For precise vision, use a precise tool. Peeps uses a carbon cleaning compound, the same lens cleaner used by NASA at the International Space Station. As precise as tweezers and as soft as a pillow, this system cleans both sides of a lens at once with an invisible carbon cleaning compound. Fingerprints, dust, and oils, see you never.
8. The Nightlight for When Nature Calls
GlowBowl Fresh ($17)
- Select one or the entire carousel of all 13 colors
- Lavender scented
- Perfect for kids’ bathrooms
- Dimmable and easy to clean
Getting out of bed to use the restroom just got a bit easier. And we might even say, fun. The GlowBowl is part air freshener, part motion detector, and part nightlight. It attaches to the bowl of your toilet and provides nonstop freshness. But at night, its built-in motion detector illuminates the bowl as you approach, filling your throne with one of 13 vibrant LED colors.
9. The Slow Computer’s Magical Cure
XtraPC ($40)
- Compatible with computers from 2004 or newer
- Works even if a hard drive is missing or damaged
- Turns old computers into modern systems for web browsing and more
- Installation takes just 15 minutes
If you’ve owned a computer for more than two years, you’re likely familiar with the pain of a slowly advancing status bar, or worse, a frozen screen. For too long, compter owners were told to accept that computers just slowed as they aged. Not anymore. Just insert the XtraPC USB drive before turning on your computer, then follow the instructions to run your computer from the Linux-based operating system on the drive. Instantly, your old computer will have a new lease on life.
10. Night Vision Driving Glasses
Night Vision HD ($43.99)
Seriously, did you know that the vast majority of car accidents happen at night and right before dawn? A lot of that has to do with glare and the problems with vision many people experience. Maybe that’s the reason these driving glasses are selling by the truckload. Night Vision HD promises to reduce night driving glare and eye strain, and it will dramatically improve seeing at night during snow or rainy conditions. It lets you see enhanced colour, is durable, lightweight and is fully equipped with polarized lenses.
Unlike clip-ons it protects your eyes from all sides, and you can just slide it over your existing prescription lenses. Whether driving, reading or golfing, these versatile goggles make seeing a whole new experience.
11. Siren Song – Personal Protection Alarm
Siren Song ($29)
Inspired by the Military, the Siren Song uses ear piercing sound (over 130 decibels) to deter bad guys and is quickly becoming one of the most sought after safety devices in America. It will most likely be on every kid’s keychains or backpacks by the end of the year, but it should also be carried by every woman in America. With over 100,000 units sold in 2017 alone, this product makes our 2017 viral gadgets list!
Put the Siren Song isn’t just to help protect you, your kids and your grandkids from an attack. It can also be used as a life saving device to call for help if you’re having a heart attack or have some other health condition that can prevent you from yelling for help.
Don’t let your worst nightmare become your reality. Safety doesn’t happen by accident. Purchase a personal alarm for yourself, for your child, or for a loved one. The Siren Song is particularly suitable for teenagers, parents, night owls, delivery route employees, business owners, and college students, or the elderly who may need to call for help. The keychain design is perfect for use with house keys or car keys. It can also be attached to a backpack or a purse.
12. The Military Grade Password Security Device
Everykey ($65)
- Works with Bluetooth enabled devices like your car, house, lights, etc
- Totally useless in anyone’s hands except yours!
- Use for all your password protected websites
- Provides NSA (National Security Agency) level password security
Did you know that 1 in 4 people experienced identity theft last year? And that with millions of attempted hacks each day, it’s just a matter of time before you’re next? If you’re worried about your accounts being hacked, your identity being stolen, and you’re sick and tired of thinking up the next impossible-to-remember password, then get a load of this gadget.
DashCam Pro - Capture Footage From Your Vehicle of Fender Benders, Hit & Runs or Beautiful Scenery on Road Trips
DashCam Pro HD $89.95 ($65)
If you have the unfortunate experience of being in one of the 136,000 car crashes that happen each day, it can be really scary, confusing, and stressful!
The last thing you want to do is pile on more stress by being tasked with proving you weren’t at fault without any proof to backup your story.
It’s even worse if you have to add legal fees to the issue to get an attorney to help make your case.
Before we bum you out too much, there is a pretty simple solution!
The DashCam Pro HD has your back...and your front. This motion-activated camera will start to capture video any time objects are near. So, in any collision, you automatically have proof of what happened, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.
But it's not just for fender benders. If you've ever returned to your car in the parking lot to find a lovely new ding on your door, you'll be able to get the licence plate of the person who did it!
The DashCam is one of those rare items that can pay for itself – not just financially – but in a better night’s sleep, knowing you’re covered.
