10 gadgets for the tech junkie who thought they had everything

There are some things in this world that are so far out of the box that you can’t see the box anymore; technology that is so advanced that it borders on the ridiculous; and gadgets that are so smart that you wouldn’t want to mess with them in a chess game.

Yet there is an allure to over-the-top tech, a futuristic element that is hypnotic and irresistible. We reached out across the globe to hunt down 10 of the coolest, smartest, funkiest gadgets around…

1. ULO SURVEILLANCE CAMERA

Ulo (pictured above) is an interactive home monitoring owl that communicates with gorgeous expressions, such as eyes that follow you when video is being taken, a wink when a photo is taken, and sleepy eyes when he needs to be charged. He watches over your kids, your pets, your nanny, your family while you’re away, and is by far the cutest home security gadget we’ve ever seen!

This cutie is in the throes of the Kickstarter program – an online investor-supported development platform for innovative designers, musicians, filmmakers and other creators. Kickstarter.com/projects/vivienmuller/ulo

2. PARROT FLOWER POWER

If you have a black thumb when it comes to keeping your plants alive, you need to get your hands on the Parrot Flower Power. This battery-operated, Bluetooth-enabled gadget is “planted” in the soil of your favourite plant, and monitors and collects data on soil moisture, sunlight, temperature and fertiliser. It will then communicate that information to your phone or tablet. If your plant could talk, it would tell you to “please water me”. But it can’t; so let Flower Power be the translator. Parrot.com

3. NETATMO WELCOME CAMERA

Another missile in home security’s artillery: Netatmo’s Welcome Camera uses smart technology to recognise the faces of people at home, and sends a notification to your smartphone or smartwatch. It will also alert you when it sees faces it doesn’t recognise, at which point you can live-stream video to your smart device to see if there are intruders in your home. Settings are customisable to protect individual privacy. And no one believed us mums when we said we had eyes in the back of our head…iStore.com

4. EIGHT SMART MATTRESS COVER

Now I lay me down to sleep... and wake up to the perfect temperature, with my mattress’s smart alarm, check my tracked sleeping patterns, and have my bed turn on my favourite morning song. Sounds bizarre, right? Well, this smart mattress cover fits over almost any mattress, and has dual zone temperature, sleep tracking, smart home integration, auto learning, smart alarm, and is mobile-controlled. We're concerned that this bed is cleverer than we are… Eightsleep.com

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5. MIRAGII INTELLIGENT JEWELLERY

Honestly, what’s next? Talking necklaces? As it so happens – yes. Miragii has created a range of custom-designed necklaces with concealed Bluetooth that connects to your phone. A micro-projector displays information onto your hand that you have a call coming in, or you can listen to music wirelessly from your necklace to your Bluetooth earpiece. Do you think people will think we’re crazy if we all start talking to our necklaces? Miragii.com

6. FURNIQI WIRELESS CHARGING TABLE

FurniQi (Qi pronounced as chi – the Chinese term for energy) is a Mao Zhu bamboo side table that charges your compatible smart device wirelessly. Just put your phone down on the table, along with your coffee mug, and wireless power will charge it through the transfer of electromagnetic induction. Fonesalesman.com

7. MECCANOID G15 ROBOT

Most of us have seen those movies where robots live side by side with humans, and have artificial intelligence allowing them to learn and apply. Good news – it’s not just in the movies! The Meccanoid G15 robot is a 1,2m-tall personal robot with A.I. that allows it to be controlled via voice commands, smartphone or tablet. It is fully programmable, and can walk and talk, to bring fun and delight to both adults and kids. Available at Makro, Toyzone and Takealot.com

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8. RINGLY SMART RING

For most gals, a necklace simply isn’t enough; so why not complement it with a smart ring? Ringly runs rings around standard jewellery: the company creates smart jewellery that syncs with your phone so you can stay connected to people, messages, and notifications that are most important to you. The rings notify you about different notifications, through vibration and a subtle light integrated into the side of the jewellery. You’ll notice it, but no one else will! Ringly.com

9. CUBE 3D PRINTER

3D printing has been around for a while, with strides being made in robotic printing, and even architectural printing. Cube has developed a 3D printer that allows you to print toys, crockery, cutlery, decor – you can pretty much print what you use! It is safe for kids, and allows you to enjoy the freedom of mobile printing direct from the Cubify app for iOS and Android. Cubify.com

10. BANG & OLUFSEN’S BEOLAB 90 SPEAKERS

…boom boom! Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLab 90 speakers are like speakers on steroids. 18 state-of-the-art scan-speak loudspeaker drivers are carefully placed in defined locations and directions of the structure, to deliver maximum performance in frequency, time and space. Acoustics become irrelevant with the Beam Width Control function, which customises the sound reflections off items in a room, to make the sweet spot wherever you are. Bang-olufsen.com