Glasses That Give Sight to the Blind
eSight 3
For the millions of people who are legally blind, navigation is a routine
challenge. Though support canes and guide dogs can help, they cannot
mimic actual vision. eSight 3 can. Think of it as the world’s most powerful
pair of glasses: once users put on eSight, it records high definition video
and uses magnification, contrast and proprietary algorithms to enhance
that imagery into something the legally blind can see—enabling them to
partake in a variety of activities, including sports, that would otherwise
be off-limits. At $9,995, the device, which launched in February, is not
accessible to everyone (though the company does help connect would-be
buyers with funding sources, including grants). But it is cheaper than the
company’s earlier iterations, as well as faster, lighter and equipped with
better zoom capabilities. To date, the company estimates it has been used
by more than 1,000 patients. —Alexandra Sifferlin
challenge. Though support canes and guide dogs can help, they cannot
mimic actual vision. eSight 3 can. Think of it as the world’s most powerful
pair of glasses: once users put on eSight, it records high definition video
and uses magnification, contrast and proprietary algorithms to enhance
that imagery into something the legally blind can see—enabling them to
partake in a variety of activities, including sports, that would otherwise
be off-limits. At $9,995, the device, which launched in February, is not
accessible to everyone (though the company does help connect would-be
buyers with funding sources, including grants). But it is cheaper than the
company’s earlier iterations, as well as faster, lighter and equipped with
better zoom capabilities. To date, the company estimates it has been used
by more than 1,000 patients. —Alexandra Sifferlin
Guilt-Free Ice Cream
Halo Top / $5.99+
It sounds almost too good to be true: a flavor-packed, low-sugar ice
cream with no more than 360 calories— per pint. But such is the promise
of Halo Top, whose containers invite patrons to “go ahead, eat the whole
pint” in one sitting and whose product the company’s CEO, Justin
Woolverton, routinely calls “healthy.” On the latter point, there has been
some debate. Halo Top,which is also enriched with protein, maintains
its low calorie count using the zero-calorie sweetener Stevia, along with
cane sugar and sugar alcohol. While those ingredients are fine to
consume, they’re not exactly paragons of nutrition. Then again, Halo
Top’s goal isn’t to replace fruits and veggies; it’s to give diet-conscious
consumers “an option to eat ice cream again,” says Woolverton. To that
end, Halo Top (which retails for about $5 per pint) is succeeding in
spades. Its annual sales soared roughly 2,500% last year, and it recently
beat out Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s to become the best-selling pint
in America. —Mahita Gajanan
cream with no more than 360 calories— per pint. But such is the promise
of Halo Top, whose containers invite patrons to “go ahead, eat the whole
pint” in one sitting and whose product the company’s CEO, Justin
Woolverton, routinely calls “healthy.” On the latter point, there has been
some debate. Halo Top,which is also enriched with protein, maintains
its low calorie count using the zero-calorie sweetener Stevia, along with
cane sugar and sugar alcohol. While those ingredients are fine to
consume, they’re not exactly paragons of nutrition. Then again, Halo
Top’s goal isn’t to replace fruits and veggies; it’s to give diet-conscious
consumers “an option to eat ice cream again,” says Woolverton. To that
end, Halo Top (which retails for about $5 per pint) is succeeding in
spades. Its annual sales soared roughly 2,500% last year, and it recently
beat out Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s to become the best-selling pint
in America. —Mahita Gajanan
Makeup Shades for Every Skin Tone
Fenty Beauty / $34
“Makeup is like a secret weapon,” says pop superstar Rihanna. “It can go
from very subtle to a complete transformation.”But for many, that secret
weapon is too secret: makeup companies often cater to women with light
to medium skin tones, both in products and advertising, and sideline
in September with 40 shades of foundation and a diverse array of makeup
models. “It was important that every woman felt included,” she says,
noting that she had “100% involvement” in the development process
(alongside parent company Kendo). Almost immediately, the deeper
tones started selling out at Sephora; shortly thereafter, brands such as
Make Up For Ever and L’Oréal launched campaigns targeting women
of color. Now Rihanna is focused on launching new Fenty Beauty
collections and taking her brand to the next level. “I love challenges,”
she says. “So I’m going to continue to have fun and push the boundaries
in this industry.” —Cady Lang
from very subtle to a complete transformation.”But for many, that secret
weapon is too secret: makeup companies often cater to women with light
to medium skin tones, both in products and advertising, and sideline
in September with 40 shades of foundation and a diverse array of makeup
models. “It was important that every woman felt included,” she says,
noting that she had “100% involvement” in the development process
(alongside parent company Kendo). Almost immediately, the deeper
tones started selling out at Sephora; shortly thereafter, brands such as
Make Up For Ever and L’Oréal launched campaigns targeting women
of color. Now Rihanna is focused on launching new Fenty Beauty
collections and taking her brand to the next level. “I love challenges,”
she says. “So I’m going to continue to have fun and push the boundaries
in this industry.” —Cady Lang
Mugs That Heat Your Coffee Just Right
Ember Mug / $79.95
Anyone who’s ever sipped coffee knows how temperature can affect taste:
if it’s too hot, it’ll scald your mouth; too cold and it’s barely worth
drinking. By one estimate, you have only about 37 seconds to enjoy the
brew at an ideal level of warmth. “That didn’t make any logical sense to
me,” says Clay Alexander, CEO and founder of Los Angeles–based Ember
Technologies. So he invented a solution: the stainless-steel Ember mug.
Reinforced in white ceramic coating, it keeps coffee or tea at a precise
temperature—anywhere from 120°F to 145°F, set through an app—for
about an hour on its own and for an unlimited amount of time on its
charging saucer. It’s the second in Ember’s series of smart drinking
devices, following a temperature-control tumbler last year. And it may
be poised to become a desktop staple: the mug launched on Nov. 9 and
is already being sold in 4,600 U.S. Starbucks stores. —Melissa Chan
if it’s too hot, it’ll scald your mouth; too cold and it’s barely worth
drinking. By one estimate, you have only about 37 seconds to enjoy the
brew at an ideal level of warmth. “That didn’t make any logical sense to
me,” says Clay Alexander, CEO and founder of Los Angeles–based Ember
Technologies. So he invented a solution: the stainless-steel Ember mug.
Reinforced in white ceramic coating, it keeps coffee or tea at a precise
temperature—anywhere from 120°F to 145°F, set through an app—for
about an hour on its own and for an unlimited amount of time on its
charging saucer. It’s the second in Ember’s series of smart drinking
devices, following a temperature-control tumbler last year. And it may
be poised to become a desktop staple: the mug launched on Nov. 9 and
is already being sold in 4,600 U.S. Starbucks stores. —Melissa Chan
Elevators That Move Beyond Up and Down
Thyssenkrupp MULTI
What if elevators could move sideways, instead of just up and down?
It’s a question straight out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and
Germany-based Thyssenkrupp has a real-life answer: MULTI, a system
of elevators that ditches old-school pulleys for the same magnetic
levitation tech that enables high-speed trains. The elevator cars can travel
in multiple directions and even pass each other within a shaft—features
that could not only reduce wait times, but also fundamentally “change
how buildings are constructed,” says Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO of
Thyssenkrupp Elevator. (Think horizontal offshoots of straight, vertical
towers.) Following a successful test this year, the first MULTI is set to
debut in Berlin by 2021. —Julia Zorthian
It’s a question straight out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and
Germany-based Thyssenkrupp has a real-life answer: MULTI, a system
of elevators that ditches old-school pulleys for the same magnetic
levitation tech that enables high-speed trains. The elevator cars can travel
in multiple directions and even pass each other within a shaft—features
that could not only reduce wait times, but also fundamentally “change
how buildings are constructed,” says Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO of
Thyssenkrupp Elevator. (Think horizontal offshoots of straight, vertical
towers.) Following a successful test this year, the first MULTI is set to
debut in Berlin by 2021. —Julia Zorthian
A Smarter Smartphone
Apple iPhone X / $999
To Dan Riccio, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, the
iPhone X is quite literally a dream come true. “I look at the design as
something we really wanted to do since day one,”he says. It’s easy to see why:
the X is arguably the world’s most sophisticated smartphone, with a screen
that stretches from edge to edge, a processor optimized for augmented
reality and a camerasmart enough to allow users to unlock the phone with
their face. (Though some of these features first arrived on devices from
Samsung and LG.)
But in order to make it all possible, Apple had to kill the home button, a
popular all-purpose navigation tool. Much like the company’s move to nix
the 3.5-mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7, this decision was driven by
“looking to the future,” says Jonathan Ive, Apple’s chief design officer. “I
actually think the path of holding onto features that have been effective,
whatever the cost, is a path that leads to failure.” At $999, the X is also the
most expensive iPhone yet. “As you would expect,” Ive says, “there’s a financial consequence to integrating the sheer amount of processing power into such a small device.”
It’s easy to imagine a future iteration with a screen that wraps around
the entire device, or a camera that can detect gestures. But for now, Ive and Riccio won’t divulge specific plans. “We have a clear vision” for the next generation of iPhones, says Ive. The X is “in some sense a completion of a chapter.” —Lisa Eadicicco
iPhone X is quite literally a dream come true. “I look at the design as
something we really wanted to do since day one,”he says. It’s easy to see why:
the X is arguably the world’s most sophisticated smartphone, with a screen
that stretches from edge to edge, a processor optimized for augmented
reality and a camerasmart enough to allow users to unlock the phone with
their face. (Though some of these features first arrived on devices from
Samsung and LG.)
popular all-purpose navigation tool. Much like the company’s move to nix
the 3.5-mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7, this decision was driven by
“looking to the future,” says Jonathan Ive, Apple’s chief design officer. “I
actually think the path of holding onto features that have been effective,
whatever the cost, is a path that leads to failure.” At $999, the X is also the
most expensive iPhone yet. “As you would expect,” Ive says, “there’s a financial consequence to integrating the sheer amount of processing power into such a small device.”
the entire device, or a camera that can detect gestures. But for now, Ive and Riccio won’t divulge specific plans. “We have a clear vision” for the next generation of iPhones, says Ive. The X is “in some sense a completion of a chapter.” —Lisa Eadicicco
A Hijab That Empowers Muslim Athletes
Nike Pro Hijab / $35
It’s tough to play sports in a hijab. If the material is too heavy, it causes
excess sweating. If it’s too light, it might fall off during competition. And
if it’s fastened in the wrong way,“you can feel like you’re going to choke,”
says Manal Rostom, an Egyptian runner based in the United Arab Emirates
and the founder of the“Surviving Hijab” Facebook group, which has nearly
half a million members. Nike’s Pro Hijab—which was put into development
after executives met with UAE weight lifter Amna Al Haddad in 2016—
aims to shift that status quo. Unlike a traditional hijab, the Pro is made
with light, breathable fabric that wicks moisture; athletes who have used
it report that it helps manage sweat. But for women like Rostom, who was
one of the Pro’s early testers, there’s symbolic weight to Nike’s investment,
as well. “I’m athletic, I’m outspoken, I’m empowered by a big company,”
she says.“I’m representing what a Muslim woman can be.” —Sean Gregory
excess sweating. If it’s too light, it might fall off during competition. And
if it’s fastened in the wrong way,“you can feel like you’re going to choke,”
says Manal Rostom, an Egyptian runner based in the United Arab Emirates
and the founder of the“Surviving Hijab” Facebook group, which has nearly
half a million members. Nike’s Pro Hijab—which was put into development
after executives met with UAE weight lifter Amna Al Haddad in 2016—
aims to shift that status quo. Unlike a traditional hijab, the Pro is made
with light, breathable fabric that wicks moisture; athletes who have used
it report that it helps manage sweat. But for women like Rostom, who was
one of the Pro’s early testers, there’s symbolic weight to Nike’s investment,
as well. “I’m athletic, I’m outspoken, I’m empowered by a big company,”
she says.“I’m representing what a Muslim woman can be.” —Sean Gregory
Clinics That Redefine Preventive Care
Forward
In the U.S., patients tend to visit doctors only after they get sick. But what
if both parties worked together to pre-empt medical issues as well? That’s
the idea behind Forward, a new type of wellness clinic that works much like
a high-end gym. For $149 a month, users get unlimited access to genetic
screenings, blood testing, weight-loss planning, routine doctors’ visits and
more all of which help Forward“look toward your future and look out for
things that are longer term,”says Adrian Aoun, the founder and CEO, and
a former Google executive. (Forward does offer reactive medicine too,
including unlimited generic medications without co-pays.) Critics argue
most Americans can’t afford the clinics, especially since they do not accept
health insurance. But as a niche experiment, Forward appears to be working:
the company, which is based in San Francisco, has reportedly raised $100
million in funding and recently opened a location in L.A.; it plans to expand
to other cities in the future. —Alexandra Sifferlin
if both parties worked together to pre-empt medical issues as well? That’s
the idea behind Forward, a new type of wellness clinic that works much like
a high-end gym. For $149 a month, users get unlimited access to genetic
screenings, blood testing, weight-loss planning, routine doctors’ visits and
more all of which help Forward“look toward your future and look out for
things that are longer term,”says Adrian Aoun, the founder and CEO, and
a former Google executive. (Forward does offer reactive medicine too,
including unlimited generic medications without co-pays.) Critics argue
most Americans can’t afford the clinics, especially since they do not accept
health insurance. But as a niche experiment, Forward appears to be working:
the company, which is based in San Francisco, has reportedly raised $100
million in funding and recently opened a location in L.A.; it plans to expand
to other cities in the future. —Alexandra Sifferlin
A Shoe Engineered to Boost Performance
Adidas Futurecraft 4D
Imagine a shoe that lets you run faster, pivot better and jump higher.
That’s the idea behind the Futurecraft 4D, a new sneaker from Adidas
whose midsole can be expertly tailored to the needs of its wearers—not
only in size and shape, but also in flexibility, impact type, cushioning and
more. The key is the 3-D printing process, which enables Adidas to“look
at every single square millimeter of a midsole and tune it from a
performance standpoint,” says Al VanNoy, who headed the project. It
would take weeks to make those modifications using traditional shoemaking
methods. But the Futurecraft 4D midsoles can be printed in as little as two
hours, meaning Adidas could even produce them in stores. At least that’s a
possibility for the future. For now, Adidas is rolling out a standardized
version (based on 17 years’ worth of data from runners) beginning in mid-
December. —Julia Zorthian
That’s the idea behind the Futurecraft 4D, a new sneaker from Adidas
whose midsole can be expertly tailored to the needs of its wearers—not
only in size and shape, but also in flexibility, impact type, cushioning and
more. The key is the 3-D printing process, which enables Adidas to“look
at every single square millimeter of a midsole and tune it from a
performance standpoint,” says Al VanNoy, who headed the project. It
would take weeks to make those modifications using traditional shoemaking
methods. But the Futurecraft 4D midsoles can be printed in as little as two
hours, meaning Adidas could even produce them in stores. At least that’s a
possibility for the future. For now, Adidas is rolling out a standardized
version (based on 17 years’ worth of data from runners) beginning in mid-
December. —Julia Zorthian
Cars That Could Make Electric Mainstream
Tesla Model 3
Electric cars typically have one of two problems: they’re either too expensive,
or they have a too-limited range. Tesla’s Model 3 aims to render both issues
moot: it’s the buzziest in a series of $35,000-and-up electric cars offering
more than 200 miles of driving distance on a single charge (alongside the
Chevrolet Bolt). Consumers are certainly intrigued: demand for the Model
3 is so high—as many as 1,800 orders each day, per company estimates—
that Tesla is struggling to keep up. “We are deep in production hell,” Elon
Musk, the company’s co-founder and CEO, tweeted in October. But Tesla
remains confident it will catch up—which is good for its shareholders, and
also the environment. Vehicles like the Model 3, which runs on batteries
rather than gasoline, are likely to play a major role in combating climate
change. —Alex Fitzpatrick
or they have a too-limited range. Tesla’s Model 3 aims to render both issues
moot: it’s the buzziest in a series of $35,000-and-up electric cars offering
more than 200 miles of driving distance on a single charge (alongside the
Chevrolet Bolt). Consumers are certainly intrigued: demand for the Model
3 is so high—as many as 1,800 orders each day, per company estimates—
that Tesla is struggling to keep up. “We are deep in production hell,” Elon
Musk, the company’s co-founder and CEO, tweeted in October. But Tesla
remains confident it will catch up—which is good for its shareholders, and
also the environment. Vehicles like the Model 3, which runs on batteries
rather than gasoline, are likely to play a major role in combating climate
change. —Alex Fitzpatrick
A Portable, Wearable Breast Pump
Willow Pump
Breastfeeding is easier said than done, especially for moms on the go. Most
electric breast pumps use air-horn-shaped collection bottles, which are
tethered to loud, whirring machines. Mountain View, Calif.–based Willow
is working to change that. Its battery-powered alternative is quiet and
small enough so that women can slip it into their bra and pump wherever
they want. (Each is lined with a freezer-safe bag.)“Instead of scheduling
life around the pump, you can play with an older child or take a conference
call,”says Naomi Kelman, the company’s president and CEO. That
convenience comes at a cost: $480 plus 50¢ per 4-oz. bag, which is
considerably pricier than traditional models. Kelman says the company is
making design tweaks based on feedback from moms who are testing a
beta version now. If Willow delivers on its promises when it launches
next year, it could revolutionize an industry in desperate need of disruption.
—Emily Barone
Advertisement
electric breast pumps use air-horn-shaped collection bottles, which are
tethered to loud, whirring machines. Mountain View, Calif.–based Willow
is working to change that. Its battery-powered alternative is quiet and
small enough so that women can slip it into their bra and pump wherever
they want. (Each is lined with a freezer-safe bag.)“Instead of scheduling
life around the pump, you can play with an older child or take a conference
call,”says Naomi Kelman, the company’s president and CEO. That
convenience comes at a cost: $480 plus 50¢ per 4-oz. bag, which is
considerably pricier than traditional models. Kelman says the company is
making design tweaks based on feedback from moms who are testing a
beta version now. If Willow delivers on its promises when it launches
next year, it could revolutionize an industry in desperate need of disruption.
—Emily Barone
A Simpler Home Security System
Nest Secure / $499
Most home security systems are created to keep intruders out. Nest, a
subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet, built its Secure system“the complete
other way around,”says chief product officer Matt Rogers, choosing to
focus just as much on making it simpler for its users to get in. Case in point:
the Secure hub can be disarmed by waving a key fob instead of typing a
pass code, and those key fobs can be programmed to work within certain
time frames—so a babysitter, for example, could access your home only
while she’s working. A smartphone app also lets users manage their system
from afar. (Similar tech exists from Abode and SimpliSafe, among others.)
Of course, the Secure is plenty capable of guarding a home: if an intruder
tries to break or unplug the hub, it will sound an 85-decibel alarm, and
companion motion sensors can alert users when a door or window has been
opened. —Lisa Eadicicco
subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet, built its Secure system“the complete
other way around,”says chief product officer Matt Rogers, choosing to
focus just as much on making it simpler for its users to get in. Case in point:
the Secure hub can be disarmed by waving a key fob instead of typing a
pass code, and those key fobs can be programmed to work within certain
time frames—so a babysitter, for example, could access your home only
while she’s working. A smartphone app also lets users manage their system
from afar. (Similar tech exists from Abode and SimpliSafe, among others.)
Of course, the Secure is plenty capable of guarding a home: if an intruder
tries to break or unplug the hub, it will sound an 85-decibel alarm, and
companion motion sensors can alert users when a door or window has been
opened. —Lisa Eadicicco
A Craft That Will Probe Beyond the Surface of Mars
NASA Mars Insight
The train to Mars pulls out only once every two years. That’s how often
Earth and its neighbor move into alignment for the quickest possible
journey from one planet to the other. NASA plans to make good use of the
2018 window, with the planned launch in May of the Mars InSight lander,
which, as its name suggests, will give scientists their best look ever at the
interior of the Red Planet. (The InSight was initially slated to launch in ’16,
but glitches in its seismograph system led to delays.) Unlike Curiosity and
other Mars rovers, this craft will stay in one place. But with good reason: it
will hammer a probe more than 16 ft. into the Martian surface to study the
planet’s thermal history—in effect, taking its geological temperature.
Meanwhile, the seismometers will study Mars’ composition, an X-ray radio
link will analyze wobble (the way Mars spins on its axis and is gravitationally
tugged by other bodies in the solar system), and cameras will return
panoramic and 3-D pictures. The space- craft should operate for 728 Earth
days (708 Martian sols)—or until just about the time the 2020 flight is
ready to go. —Jeffrey Kluger
Earth and its neighbor move into alignment for the quickest possible
journey from one planet to the other. NASA plans to make good use of the
2018 window, with the planned launch in May of the Mars InSight lander,
which, as its name suggests, will give scientists their best look ever at the
interior of the Red Planet. (The InSight was initially slated to launch in ’16,
but glitches in its seismograph system led to delays.) Unlike Curiosity and
other Mars rovers, this craft will stay in one place. But with good reason: it
will hammer a probe more than 16 ft. into the Martian surface to study the
planet’s thermal history—in effect, taking its geological temperature.
Meanwhile, the seismometers will study Mars’ composition, an X-ray radio
link will analyze wobble (the way Mars spins on its axis and is gravitationally
tugged by other bodies in the solar system), and cameras will return
panoramic and 3-D pictures. The space- craft should operate for 728 Earth
days (708 Martian sols)—or until just about the time the 2020 flight is
ready to go. —Jeffrey Kluger
A VR Headset That Stands Alone
Oculus Go
For all its futuristic hype, virtual reality is a fairly clunky technology: even
the best headsets require extra gadgets, such as smartphones or laptops,
to work. Not so with Facebook’s Oculus Go, a $199 wearable computer that
operates entirely on its own. (HTC and Lenovo are working on similar
devices.) Its tracking capabilities aren’t as advanced as those found in its
pricier counterparts—a function of having less physical space for computing
power.“There are always trade-offs” when making something light enough
to strap to your head, says Max Cohen, head of mobile product at Oculus.
But Facebook’s goal with Oculus Go, which will launch next year, isn’t to
create the most realistic VR experience; it’s to create the most accessible one.
“[We want to] make it easy for people to say, Oh I don’t have to make
sacrifices to get into VR,” says Cohen. —Lisa Eadicicco
the best headsets require extra gadgets, such as smartphones or laptops,
to work. Not so with Facebook’s Oculus Go, a $199 wearable computer that
operates entirely on its own. (HTC and Lenovo are working on similar
devices.) Its tracking capabilities aren’t as advanced as those found in its
pricier counterparts—a function of having less physical space for computing
power.“There are always trade-offs” when making something light enough
to strap to your head, says Max Cohen, head of mobile product at Oculus.
But Facebook’s goal with Oculus Go, which will launch next year, isn’t to
create the most realistic VR experience; it’s to create the most accessible one.
“[We want to] make it easy for people to say, Oh I don’t have to make
sacrifices to get into VR,” says Cohen. —Lisa Eadicicco
The DIY Cooking Companion
Tasty One Top / $149
With more than 100 million followers across Instagram and Facebook,
BuzzFeed’s Tasty— which distills complex recipes into bite-size video
tutorials—may well be the Internet’s most popular cooking channel. But
there’s “a gap between being excited about seeing something on Facebook
and actually doing it,” says Ben Kaufman, head of BuzzFeed’s Product Labs.
So he and his team set out to close it. The result: Tasty One Top, an
induction cooktop that syncs with the Tasty smartphone app to guide would
-be chefs through different recipes. A built-in sensor and companion
thermometer track temperature, so the app can tell users when to flip a
steak, for example, to make sure it’s medium rare. Other companies, such
as FirstBuild, Hestan and Pantelligent, have launched similar products in
recent years. Tasty’s advantage is its already robust arsenal of recipes,
spanning everything from cheeseburger onion rings to ice cream churro
bowls. Both those recipes require deep frying, which “freaks a lot of people
out,” says Kaufman. But having an appliance that makes it “easy and
predictable,”he adds, should empower them to try. —Lisa Eadicicco
BuzzFeed’s Tasty— which distills complex recipes into bite-size video
tutorials—may well be the Internet’s most popular cooking channel. But
there’s “a gap between being excited about seeing something on Facebook
and actually doing it,” says Ben Kaufman, head of BuzzFeed’s Product Labs.
So he and his team set out to close it. The result: Tasty One Top, an
induction cooktop that syncs with the Tasty smartphone app to guide would
-be chefs through different recipes. A built-in sensor and companion
thermometer track temperature, so the app can tell users when to flip a
steak, for example, to make sure it’s medium rare. Other companies, such
as FirstBuild, Hestan and Pantelligent, have launched similar products in
recent years. Tasty’s advantage is its already robust arsenal of recipes,
spanning everything from cheeseburger onion rings to ice cream churro
bowls. Both those recipes require deep frying, which “freaks a lot of people
out,” says Kaufman. But having an appliance that makes it “easy and
predictable,”he adds, should empower them to try. —Lisa Eadicicco
Drones That Put Selfie Sticks to Shame
DJI Spark / $499
Airborne drones have exploded in popularity over the past few years,
improving everything from mapmaking to search-and-rescue operations.
The DJI Spark has a more down-to-earth goal: helping anyone take better
photos, videos and “dronies,”a.k.a. drone selfies. To that end,it’s easier to
operate( gesture recognition means you can control it with a wave of your
hand), harder to crash (an array of sensors help prevent midair collisions)
and relatively cheap ($499)—though its maximum flight time of 16
minutes is shorter than higher-end models. “We see Spark as the starting
point of a whole new series of drones,” says Paul Pan, DJI senior product
manager. So far, that strategy is working: thanks in part to the Spark, which
launched in June, China-based DJI sells half of all drones bought in the U.S.
—Alex Fitzpatrick
improving everything from mapmaking to search-and-rescue operations.
The DJI Spark has a more down-to-earth goal: helping anyone take better
photos, videos and “dronies,”a.k.a. drone selfies. To that end,it’s easier to
operate( gesture recognition means you can control it with a wave of your
hand), harder to crash (an array of sensors help prevent midair collisions)
and relatively cheap ($499)—though its maximum flight time of 16
minutes is shorter than higher-end models. “We see Spark as the starting
point of a whole new series of drones,” says Paul Pan, DJI senior product
manager. So far, that strategy is working: thanks in part to the Spark, which
launched in June, China-based DJI sells half of all drones bought in the U.S.
—Alex Fitzpatrick
An Air Filter That Zaps Away Pollutants
Molekule / $799+
Most air filters improve air quality by trapping harmful pollutants in a filter.
.Molekule takes that idea one step further—by destroying them altogether.
The key is its specially coated nanofilter, which is designed to react with light
in a way that prevents toxins, including mold and bacteria particles, from
growing back. It’s similar to “the way light shines on a solar cell and
generates electricity,” says Jaya Rao, who co-founded the company alongside
her brother, CEO Dilip Goswami, and father, Dr. Yogi Goswami, who heads
the Clean Energy Research Center at the University of South Florida.
Although the price—nearly $800, plus $99 per year for new filters—has raised
some eyebrows, proponents argue that the improved air quality is worth it.
Investors are making the same bet: Molekule has raised almost $15 million to
date. —Lisa Eadicicco
.Molekule takes that idea one step further—by destroying them altogether.
The key is its specially coated nanofilter, which is designed to react with light
in a way that prevents toxins, including mold and bacteria particles, from
growing back. It’s similar to “the way light shines on a solar cell and
generates electricity,” says Jaya Rao, who co-founded the company alongside
her brother, CEO Dilip Goswami, and father, Dr. Yogi Goswami, who heads
the Clean Energy Research Center at the University of South Florida.
Although the price—nearly $800, plus $99 per year for new filters—has raised
some eyebrows, proponents argue that the improved air quality is worth it.
Investors are making the same bet: Molekule has raised almost $15 million to
date. —Lisa Eadicicco
Über-Adaptable Airless Tires
Michelin Vision Concept
In the future, our cars will be smart, and our tires will be smarter. Or so
suggests Michelin. Its Vision concept—unveiled this year to demonstrate
the potential of tire technology—certainly makes a compelling case. For
starters, it’s airless, eliminating the need to worry about pounds per square
inch. It’s also made from recycled materials in an effort to reduce waste.
But the most impressive feature may be its 3D-printed treads, which can be
swapped in and out to accommodate various road conditions—without
changing the tire itself. The challenge will be figuring out a way to do it
quickly, says Terry Gettys, who helped lead the project, “because consumers
are going to want their tires [ready to go] in just a few minutes.” Michelin
estimates that a tire this advanced may still be as far as 20 years away. But
some of its features, like airless designs and sensors that flag drivers when
treads are wearing down, could become mainstream over the next several years. —Lisa Eadicicco
suggests Michelin. Its Vision concept—unveiled this year to demonstrate
the potential of tire technology—certainly makes a compelling case. For
starters, it’s airless, eliminating the need to worry about pounds per square
inch. It’s also made from recycled materials in an effort to reduce waste.
But the most impressive feature may be its 3D-printed treads, which can be
swapped in and out to accommodate various road conditions—without
changing the tire itself. The challenge will be figuring out a way to do it
quickly, says Terry Gettys, who helped lead the project, “because consumers
are going to want their tires [ready to go] in just a few minutes.” Michelin
estimates that a tire this advanced may still be as far as 20 years away. But
some of its features, like airless designs and sensors that flag drivers when
treads are wearing down, could become mainstream over the next several years. —Lisa Eadicicco
A Wi-Fi Router That Safeguards Your Smart Home
Norton Core / $279.99
There are many benefits to owning gadgets that go online, not least of which
is the ability to brew a pot of coffee while you’re lying in bed. But in this new
reality almost any appliance we own, from toasters to washing machines, can
be targeted by hackers. The Norton Core aims to neutralize that threat. Unlike
most wi-fi routers, which merely enable connectivity, the Core is designed to
detect abnormalities; if one device is showing signs of a virus, the Core cuts it
off it from the rest of your home network, much like a hospital would
quarantine a sick patient. It also regularly updates its software to stay on
top of new threats and “keep homeowners safe and secure,” says Ameer Karim
, Symantec’s VP of consumer IoT (Internet of Things) security. The fact that
it looks like a Star Trek prop? That’s just a bonus. —Alex Fitzpatrick
is the ability to brew a pot of coffee while you’re lying in bed. But in this new
reality almost any appliance we own, from toasters to washing machines, can
be targeted by hackers. The Norton Core aims to neutralize that threat. Unlike
most wi-fi routers, which merely enable connectivity, the Core is designed to
detect abnormalities; if one device is showing signs of a virus, the Core cuts it
off it from the rest of your home network, much like a hospital would
quarantine a sick patient. It also regularly updates its software to stay on
top of new threats and “keep homeowners safe and secure,” says Ameer Karim
, Symantec’s VP of consumer IoT (Internet of Things) security. The fact that
it looks like a Star Trek prop? That’s just a bonus. —Alex Fitzpatrick
Wristbands That Help Babies Get a Better Start
Bempu
Fat is an extremely useful quality in babies. Without it, they can rapidly lose
body heat, become hypothermic and develop breathing and other problems.
But in areas with few resources, where the numbers of premature or low-
weight births are highest, most hospitals and clinics can’t afford incubators
to keep babies warm, and most parents don’t know their babies are in danger
until it’s too late. Enter the Bempu, a $28 light-up temperature-monitoring
bracelet that fits on a baby’s wrist; it sounds an alarm and flashes orange if
babies are too cold, so mothers can warm them against their skin or swaddle
them. So far, the device has helped an estimated 10,000 newborns, mostly in
India but also in 25 other countries. And earlier this year, it won a $2 million
grant from Saving Lives at Birth to scale its distribution even wider. “Our goal,
” says Bempu CEO Ratul Narain, “is to make a solid dent in the neonatal
mortality numbers.” —Belinda Luscombe
body heat, become hypothermic and develop breathing and other problems.
But in areas with few resources, where the numbers of premature or low-
weight births are highest, most hospitals and clinics can’t afford incubators
to keep babies warm, and most parents don’t know their babies are in danger
until it’s too late. Enter the Bempu, a $28 light-up temperature-monitoring
bracelet that fits on a baby’s wrist; it sounds an alarm and flashes orange if
babies are too cold, so mothers can warm them against their skin or swaddle
them. So far, the device has helped an estimated 10,000 newborns, mostly in
India but also in 25 other countries. And earlier this year, it won a $2 million
grant from Saving Lives at Birth to scale its distribution even wider. “Our goal,
” says Bempu CEO Ratul Narain, “is to make a solid dent in the neonatal
mortality numbers.” —Belinda Luscombe
A Gaming Console That Lets You Play Anywhere
Nintendo Switch / $299.99
“When you have a great game, that moment of disappointment is when you
have to stop playing,”says Reggie Fils-Aimé, president of Nintendo of America.
And so, with the Nintendo Switch, you don’t have to. In one form, it’s
a handheld tablet, allowing a single user to game on the go. In another, two
controllers slide off from the sides, allowing multiple users to get in on the
action. Once they get home, they can slide that tablet into a docking station
and continue playing on a legitimate home console. Gamers seem to like the
flexibility: Nintendo has sold 7.63 million Switches since its March debut; it’s
expected to surpass the company’s previous console, the Wii U, by the end of
its fiscal year. —Lisa Eadicicco
have to stop playing,”says Reggie Fils-Aimé, president of Nintendo of America.
And so, with the Nintendo Switch, you don’t have to. In one form, it’s
a handheld tablet, allowing a single user to game on the go. In another, two
controllers slide off from the sides, allowing multiple users to get in on the
action. Once they get home, they can slide that tablet into a docking station
and continue playing on a legitimate home console. Gamers seem to like the
flexibility: Nintendo has sold 7.63 million Switches since its March debut; it’s
expected to surpass the company’s previous console, the Wii U, by the end of
its fiscal year. —Lisa Eadicicco
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