2016 has seen major developments in the world of technology. VR is bothering the mainstream, driverless Ubers are a reality and self-lacing shoes actually exist. Social media kept up the momentum, too, with Instagram rolling out their Stories feature, the arrival of Facebook Live and the entire planet's obsession with Snapchat filters. Even Chanel gave a big nod to the modern age with "Cyber Girls" storming the catwalk for SS17.
We're living in a tech-filled age where gadgets have become luxury fashion and your headphones say as much about you as your footwear. From portable wireless speakers to chic gold phone chargers, here's our guide to the everyday, life-enhancing technology on offer.
If budgeting is not your forte, new banking app Monzo could change your life. Forget mile-long queues for the cashier; their mission is to revolutionise the banking experience, putting everything you need in one place – your smartphone.
Monzo works by providing a bank card that, once topped up, can be used for almost every payment (Faster Payments, direct debits and standing orders are coming in 2017). With push notifications to alert you to every purchase, as well as monthly outgoings reports, Monzo cleverly tracks your spending so there’s no hiding from your Pret coffee habit or that late-night McDonalds.
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Thanks to the new Honor 8 handset, smartphones just got a whole lot smarter. From the incredible battery life to the 3D fingerprint touch sensor and the superior dual camera that produces Instagram-worthy shots, if you're in the market for a new smartphone, look no further.
MASTER & DYNAMIC MW50 Wireless On-Ear Headphones, £399
With heavy grain leather (choose from black or tan) and chrome detailing, Master & Dynamic's latest wireless release are their chicest headphones yet. Then there's the sound quality which, thanks to the noise-isolating features, surpasses all expectations. These are a must-buy.
Say hello to Alexa, an electronic personal assistant that lives in your home. Via the Echo Dot, Alexa is there to help you with almost anything: she'll wake you up in the morning, put on your favourite track, check out your commute and order you an Uber, all through voice activation. The Echo Dot can even be linked to your smart home functions and control aspects, such as lighting and the thermostat. Welcome to the future.
HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer, £99.99
If we asked you to count every forgotten photograph in your smartphone album, we'd be here a long time. Instead, dig them out and make the most of them with this portable printer which, via bluetooth, prints high-quality pocket-sized 2x3 inch images, even when you’re on the go. Now you can enjoy your favourite moments over and over again.
Michael Kors Access Bradshaw Rose Gold-Tone Smartwatch, £359
This might look like a classic statement watch but it's so much more. With the Michael Kors smartwatch you can receive email, text and social media updates straight to your wrist, and utilise voice-activated Google. It even has built-in fitness tracking. The face is fully customisable so you can set it to change depending on your mood.
Prone to losing your keys? Tile Mate is about to become your new best friend. Attach the slim square to your keys (or any other item that regularly disappears) and, when it's out of sight but nearby, you can use the pre-programmed sounds to locate it. If it's a little further afield – say, the restaurant you visited last night – you can use the Tile app to pinpoint the last-known location. Mark your Tile as lost and, if anyone else in the Tile community comes into contact with it via their own bluetooth, you'll be alerted.
The latest fitness tracker from Misfit has a 360 approach, accounting for steps, distance and calories as well as the quality of your sleep. You can even receive vibration alerts for calls and texts, get movement reminders so you don’t sit at your desk all day, and set alarms. It’s fully waterproof, too.
Ultimate Ear s ROLL 2 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker, £74.99
As far as portability, durability and sound go, the UE speaker is pretty much unrivalled. It's compact, lightweight, shockproof and waterproof, which means you don't have to keep it indoors – where you go, it goes.
Skinny Dip Champagne Portable Charger, £22
There's nothing like a dying phone battery to strike fear into our hearts. Make that fear a thing of the past with this portable charger, which lets you top up on the go. The luxe gold casing makes it an accessory in itself.
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