Awesome Tech

It may look the same as last year’s model, but the new iPad Mini is a beast, because it has the same specs as the new iPad Air. It now has a 2048 x 1536 7.9″ screen, 64-bit A7 CPU, M7 motion processor and MIMO Wi-Fi antennas.

The new iPad Air weighs 28% less and is 20% thinner than the current-gen 9.7-inch tablet. It’s also got the new 64-bit A7 CPU, M7 motion processor, improved cameras, MIMO Wi-Fi antennas, and still offers 10-hour battery life.

The Dash7 is a Bluetooth speaker that’s just 0.75″ thick but delivers booming sound, thanks to its patented design that uses its battery as a bass driver. It lasts up to 12 hours per charge and also has a 3.5mm input.

Anki Drive toy cars drive on their own. You use an iOS app to tell them to fire weapons, speed up and more. The cars have different strengths, and they level up and gain abilities. The starter set drops 10/23/13 for $199 at Apple Stores.

Bose steps onto Sonos’ turf with SoundTouch, a series of speakers that wirelessly stream music from the Internet, AirPlay or your personal library with a dead-simple setup. The smallest speaker has its own battery for mobile use.

Like the Copenhagen Wheel, the FlyKly Smart Wheel turns any bicycle into a hybrid. Its motor switches on when you pedal, and will easily let you reach up to 20mph. It also locks your bike and can track it if it gets stolen.

Like the LiveMap, the Skully P-1 is a motorcycle helmet with a heads up display and a built-in GPS. It displays directions, has a rear-view camera and gives you voice control over your smartphone’s basic functions via Bluetooth.

An Android smart watch for runners with GPS, accelerometer and Bluetooth. It can be set to measure your heart rate, pace, distance, stride and route. It also works as a watch, timer and mp3 player. Drops 11/1/13 for $399 on Adidas.

ThinkGeek powers up their Mega Stomp Panic noisemaker for 2013. The Mega Stomp Battle has almost 100 different sound effects and a hand control for weapon sounds. The perfect finishing touch for your Halloween costume.

An app launcher for Android phones that makes your homescreen adapt to you. It automatically groups your apps and gives you quick access to apps and tools depending on time, location and usage. iOS needs something like this.

The most affordable way to take advantage of the convenient Sonos wireless music streaming system. The Play:1 has a 3.5″ mid-woofer and a tweeter, and easily expands into a whole home system. Buy now and you get a Bridge for free.

The α7 and α7R mirrorless cameras pack a full-frame image sensor in a lightweight body and a sensible price. The A7 has a 24mp sensor, while the α7R has a 36.3mp sensor. They work with E-mount and full-frame lenses.

Like the Oculus Rift, castAR glasses can display stereoscopic 3D video and track motion. But its defining feature is the ability to project video or images in front of the wearer, allowing for more social applications and tangible interaction.

An affordable smart watch with a simple design, the ZeWatch does much of what other Bluetooth watches can do. It lets you answer calls, receive notifications, know if you forgot your mobile device and more. No add-on apps, though.

A super-sized version of the HTC One, the HTC One Max has a huge 5.9″ 1080p screen and a fingerprint sensor at the back for unlocking the phone. It still has the same CPU, RAM, UltraPixel camera, stereo speakers and aluminum body.

Connects to over 16,000 radio stations via Wi-Fi. It also has 3.5mm, RCA, and aux inputs, plus DLNA, Bluetooth and Spotify Connect. It’s made of walnut, aluminum and steel and has an OLED display and a 15W amplifier.

Simple functionality and a low-key design make ION optical and sun smartglasses a great idea. Customizable LED lights in the frame provide notifications while bluetooth capability allows you to control a smartphone or tablet remotely.

The ScanSnap SV600 is an overhead contactless scanner. It scans and detect up to 10 items at once and makes scanning bound documents like books a lot easier. It even detects when you turn the page and resumes scanning automatically.

The Nest Protect is a smart smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector. It allows you to dismiss false alarms by waving your hand. It also acts as a night light, and can send alarm or low battery notifications to your mobile device.

A Bluetooth speaker and karaoke player. Singing Machine Home connects to a subscription-based song database via Wi-Fi. Its remote also acts as a microphone, and up to 2 mics can be used at the same time. Drops this Fall for $300.

Restoration Hardware continues its obsession with antique electronics with these vintage-styled Bluetooth speakers. The speakers are based on a 1928 freestanding speaker for radios. Available in two sizes.

Invented by Derek Hoy, the Cooler Cannon gently tosses canned drinks up to a distance of 8ft. It comes with a remote control and can carry up to 18 cans at once. We’d tell you its benefits, but bottom line, it makes getting a drink fun.

A pair of 20W speakers with a minimal, natural aesthetic and a unique acoustic mechanism. Timbre speakers emit sound from the entire front stainless steel face for crystal clear sound. Available in different hardwood bodies.