2014’s Best Gadgets of the Year Roundup | CMS IT

2014 has been quite the year for gadgets.  Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d have heard about a new smartphone, tablet, smart gear and various other tech toys getting released almost every few months.  Some were hits, others – not so much.  A lot has been written, read and talked about which gadgets won this year’s race to the top and the results are staggeringly varied.  So, here’s my take on which gadgets won and which gadgets need to go back to the drawing board.

Best Smartphone: iPhone 6

Before you start calling me names like Applehead or Disciple of Jobs, please know that I’m currently using a Samsung Galaxy S5; however that does not take away from the fact that the new iPhone outperforms and outclasses almost every other smartphone that came out this year.  The hardware is sleeker, sexier and the software with its new bells and whistles – really, nothing comes even close.

 

 

 

Best Phablet: Samsung Galaxy Note 3

I can hear massive cheers coming from the Android section.  Yes, it’s true – the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has conquered the phablet market with its powerful quadcore processor-RAM combo, its smooth features and its impressive display capabilities.  Add to this, it’s still quite easy to handle as a phone and the stylus that comes along with it makes the Note 3 a joy to work on.

Best Tablet for Kids: Amazon Fire HD Kids’ EditionOften those of us who have younger children find ourselves needing to lug around a huge bag stuffed with toys, spare clothes, books and sometimes snacks just so we can keep the kids entertained while we try and run errands or enjoy a day out of the house.  With the Amazon Fire HD, that bag could significantly shrink in size.  Everywhere I’ve seen kids from toddlers to preteens, being entertained by a tablet while the adults go about their day.  Affordable, durable and with parental controls, the Amazon Fire HD makes babysitting so easy.

 

 

Best Full-sized Tablet: iPad Air 2

Thinner, lighter and with a brand-spanking new OS, the iPad Air 2 takes the cake when it comes to tablets.  It’s easier to handle one-handed, the display is crisper and brighter and it’s faster than its predecessors.

 

 

 

 

Best Laptop: MacBook Air (13 inch)

Okay yes, maybe it’s a bit on the pricey side but man, it’s totally worth it.  It’s light and sleek enough that you won’t need to buy a tablet and it is powerful enough to completely replace your bulky desktop.  It’s the best of both worlds really.  Currently priced at a little over $1000, it’s definitely a worthy investment if you’re looking to get yourself a laptop for work or play.

 

 

Best Digital Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1

Photography enthusiasts, budding hobbyists and even the professionals all swear by the Olympus OM-D E-M1.  The way it handles, its sturdy but still striking external frame, its many useful features and controls.  It’s a great outdoors camera as it’s built to be protected from the elements and can withstand shooting in very cold temperatures as low as 14°F.

 

 

Best Smartphone/Camera Accessory: The Selfie Pod

Never again will you get cropped out of your pictures when you’re travelling alone and want to take a selfie with the scenery behind you.  Nobody’s going to get cut off in group pictures ever again.   The selfie stick is definitely this year’s best accessory that puts the fun back in functional.