Five gadgets to check out at GITEX 2016

Looking at some new gizmos on show at GITEX

While thousands of shoppers are converging on GITEX Shopper, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, seeking top bargains and deals on gadgets and devices, tech geeks, however, are there for a different reasons - new, and unusual products. We did our bit of 'geeking' on the second day of this premier electronics show and here's what grabbed our eyeballs.
Where virtual becomes reality
We think it's time for people switch on to VR (virtual reality). We tried the zombie shooter (this one's for bravehearts only) at the HTC Vive stand. What we experienced is something better than watching a 3D movie. In one word, It's awesome! With eyes and ears and hands fitted with VR gear and connected to a console, you are cut off from the real world and transported into a futuristic world where you battle zombies. Console gamers, this is a must-try for you. We also heard that HTC is launching their Vive and Sony is launching their PS VR first half next year. Looks like VR is going to be the game changer next year!
Drones are more than toys
Next we tried, Parrot's drones. These super cool, light flyers impressed us. With prices starting at an affordable Dh499, we thought the drones were more than mere toys. The basic one has a still vga camera, a pellet shooter (can be used it to shoo away pigeons on your balcony), and it can fly upto 3 metres. The more expensive ones have a 12mp video camera and has more juice to fly higher and longer hours. The propellers are made of soft material so if you crash into a wall your machine will escape unhurt, and you will also not hurt another fellow being (remember when Enrique Iglesisas got hit mid-concert).
Fun on two-wheels
Haven't hoverboards been in the news for the wrong reasons (like exploding)? But who cares as long as we're having fun! Looking at the hordes of teens thronging the stalls to see or try out one, we could gauge the popularity of these machines. But let me tell you, the new hoverboards are not your simple two-wheelers of yore, the one's we saw were fitted with amazing adds-on like bluetooth music systems, LED lights and the works. With prices starting at Dh1,400 (for a decent brand), we guess most teens could save a little bit of their pocket money to buy one.
Sound laptop
There were laptops and laptops and laptops, albeit with 'higher than highest' specs. But do specs really matter? Maybe for the technically inclined. However, what grabbed our attention was the premium, audiophile-grade music systems fitted in these laptops. A good music system is vital for streaming music and movies. What we checked out were machines fitted with premium Danish audio brands such as Bang & Olufsen and Dynaudio (we were told the Bugatti Veyron has them). Looks like you won't need a hi-end Bluetooth out speaker then! We were also impressed with MSI's  gaming laptops that feature a mechanical keyboard that provide users with a desktop-type typing experience. The laptops were fitted with an amazing sound system that included  four Dynaudio speakers and bottom-mounted subwoofer. The audio was loud, clear and powerful.
Fitness devices to wear
With fitness and health devices setting the pace in wearable technology, it's didn't surprise us that a choice of fitness trackers and wellness devices were on show. Some of the products we found include:Fitbit Charge 2 which has an all-day activity tracking, sleep monitoring, a five day battery span and interchangeable bands, meaning that you can easily swap out the strap; Samsung Gear Fit which comes with an auto-tracking feature that recognises when you are doing different types of exercises or activities ranging from squats and cardio to riding a bike and doing yoga. Then was the Apple Watch that tracks your workouts and allows you to choose between several indoor and outdoor workouts. The Garmin Vivosmart HR+ enables runners to accurately track their distance and plan running routes while Misfit Ray tracks steps, sleeping patterns and estimates burnt calories.
GITEX Shopper 2016 runs until Saturday, October 8 and is open from 11am - 11pm . This year, tickets for GITEX Shopper are priced at AED 30 for the weekdays and AED 35 for the weekend. Entry is free for children below the age of five.
michael@khaleejtimes.com
 

• UAE