GEAR

VR ON THE GO! 

The Zotac VR GO 2.0 Backpack PC has evolved to feature better ergonomics due to its extended back support, slimmer enclosure and more compact battery packs. It has incorporated Spectra 2.0 lighting system for better RGB control, and improved system performance with upgraded hardware in the form of an Intel Core i7-8700T CPU paired with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPU.

IT RUNS ON BATTERIES, AND IT FOLDS

The Volt Axis Folding Shimano STEPS is possibly the world’s most advanced foldable electric bicycle. Powered by a Shimano STEPS 250W motor, a carbon belt drive system, and an 8-speed gear hub; the integration of these high-tech features into a foldable bike frame makes Volt Axis a unique commuter e-bike. It has a top speed of about 25km/h, weighs 19kg and has a range of 95km. Power comes from a 418Wh battery that has a charge time of about three to four hours. 

MEET THE MASTER 

The Gigabyte X299 Aorus Master Motherboard is latest to support the full range of the current Intel Core X series CPUs. Based on the Intel X299 chipset, it touts a 12-phase digital VRM solution and advanced thermal design that includes active VRM cooling so that overclockers can take full advantage of those unlocked CPUs. The board boasts of three M.2 connectors and four PCIe expansion slots with Ultra Durable PCIe Armor. Its trusty DualBIOS feature, DDR4 XMP support up to 4,000MHz, and an audiophile-grade onboard audio system makes this truly outstanding.

A SPEEDY CONVERTIBLE 

The ASUS ZenBook Flip 14 is touted as the world’s thinnest 2-in-1 laptop to feature a discrete graphics chip, i.e., NVIDIA GeForce MX150. Powered by the latest 8th-gen Whiskey Lake Intel Core CPUs, the device supports Gigabit Wi-Fi, up to 8GB of LPDDR3 RAM and 512GB PCIe-based M.2 SSD. It’s 14-inch full HD display features ASUS NanoEdge bezels and its unibody aluminum frame measures a mere 13.9mm thick, making it appear more like a 13-inch device! 

AI-DRIVEN NOISE CANCELING 

The Sony WI-C600N touts digital noise cancellation with its One Push Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancelling (AINC) feature. Its ambient sound modes allow the wearer to hear essential sounds from the surroundings, while audio is pumped from 6mm drivers enhanced with Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine. The headphones offer both Bluetooth and NFC technologies, a 6.5-hour battery life and a long-lasting silicon neckband. 

YOU KNOW U WANT THIS BY INSTINCT 

The Garmin Instinct is billed as GPS watch built tough for the outdoors due to its MIL-STD-810G standards. The marquee feature is its GPS navigation that taps on multiple GNSS satellite networks for optimal location tracking. It offers comprehensive navigation options thanks to the inclusion of altimeter, barometer and compass. Pair it with the Garmin Explore app to plan trips in advance for better use of its TracBack feature for guidance back to the original starting point of the trip. It also tracks heart rate, steps taken, distance covered, calories consumed and even physical stress levels. 

DIGITAL WITH AN ANALOG SOUL 

The Leica M10-D digital camera sports a 24MP full-frame sensor, genuine matte leather finish and a black dial on its rear in place of the usual monitor screen. It aims to replicate the look and feel of an analog camera. To review your photos, the Leica M10-D needs to be wirelessly linked to a smartphone operating its exclusive Leica FOTOS mobile app. The app allows the photos to be downloaded and it also functions as the camera’s remote controller. 

FOR PORSCHE DESIGN FANS WITH DEEP POCKETS 

The Porsche Design Huawei Mate 20 RS is a limited-edition premium Android mobile phone that is the result of the partnership between Huawei and Porsche Design. Its specifications are identical as the Huawei Mate 20 Pro except for upgraded 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage. It has two rear strips of handcrafted leather that sandwich the glass camera block in the middle. There are also hints of racecar-related embellishments like racing stripes deco as well as exclusive Porsche Design UI theme and wallpaper. 

A HEADSET YOU CAN SHARE 

The Acer OJO 500 is a headset built for constant use; the lens and the head strap can detach for easy storage and cleaning. It ships with either a hard or soft head strap; the latter is machine washable. The mask can flip up, so users can travel out of VR into the real world without taking it off. An IPD app measures the gap between the eye and display and helps you modify it for clearer images.

AN ALL-TERRAIN CARRY-ON LUGGAGE 

The G-Ro Carry On Classic travel suitcase has a pair of large, heavy duty wheels that are durable and allow for easy maneuverability. It has a wide telescopic handle, waterproof bottom, and ballistic nylon construct with a shock-resistant polymer panel for extra durability. The suitcase has a removable power bank and two outward facing ports for charging devices on-the-go. It also has a spacious interior to stow precious belongings safely and securely for the long haul. 

WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND BEER MEET 

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, LG took capsule-based beverage dispensers to a whole new level. The LG HomeBrew doesn’t just serve beer with a button, it does the entire brewing process for you; that’s fermentation, aging and carbonation...from a capsule. The whole process takes about two weeks though, so it’s not exactly a Nespresso for beer. But man, technology eh?

PICTURE (from top down) ZOTAC; VOLT; GIGABYTE; ASUS; SONY; GARMIN; LEICA; HUAWEI; ACER; G-RO; LG