Top 7 Gadgets for 2017

Technology Makes Business More Efficient

Many of these gadgets can be used for work or play. Initially, toy makers might have developed "smart" technology for children to develop their creativity, but many of these "smart" devices have business applications too.

Siri and Viv are two great examples. They can answer all of your questions with pithy responses, making you laugh. But couldn't they also be used as digital assistants? And that brings us to the 1st of our 7 hot gadgets for 2017 ...

1. Chat Bots

... Chat Bots. That is the technical name for "Siri" and "Viv." Information Technology (IT) professionals might call them "artificial intelligence" (AI); others might call them robots.

As businesses seek to cut costs, they might naturally use more robots as replacements. The Sydney Morning Herald reported Honorable Joe Hockey explaining how technology could boost productivity and economic growth in the "Intergenerational Report." Some of the benefits of Chat Bots cannot be denied - they don't need to be paid, can work in harsh environments and will perform repetitive tasks with less wear-and-tear.

In November 2015, "Bank of America Merrill Lynch warned that 45% of all manufacturing tasks would be automated within a decade." Car manufacturers have already installed robots for the most dangerous, repetitive jobs. China is experimenting with robot waiters.

Apple has its Siri and Samsung has its Viv. Both are digital assistants, who can perform the following tasks:

• Dictation
• Calculator
• Meeting Reminders
• Check Emails
• Social Media Posts

If you are a startup (with limited funds,) wouldn't you love to have Siri check your drop ship invoices or update your Facebook page? Siri could be a fun, cheap digital assistant for a startup.

2. HTC Vive 2 VR Headset

Men and women spend billions of dollars "trying to escape reality" and "virtual reality" (VR) can capitalize on this human need. One of the hottest tech rumors is that a wireless Valve HTC Vive 2 VR Headset will be released in 2017 or 2018.

Already, the HTC Vive was released in April 2016 to great acclaim. "For its follow-up device, HTC is expected to cut the cable that currently tethers the headset to its user’s PC."

Will the HTC Vive Allow You to Join the Borg Hive?

The top tech reviewers praise the industry-leading HTC Vive for its 1) Incredible VR experience out-of-the-box, 2) Full range of motion and 3) Cutting-edge "touch trigger controllers." Unlike other VR systems, the HTC Vive allows players to walk around, gesticulate and maneuver in a 360-degree radius of about 15 feet due to its cutting-edge "capacitive" touch controllers.

You can feel like "Yosemite Sam" with a "touch trigger controller" in each hand. These precise controllers not only measure pressure, but also measure the presence and angles of your "fingers," "thumb" and "palm." You might look like a little Borg Bug when you wear these "intriguing" "Bee Hive" headsets (with tiny holes resembling insect eyes).

3. Samsung Galaxy X Foldable Cell Phone

Do you remember those old "flip-top" phones? Samsung has been promoting its "flexible" touchscreen film technology since 2013 and hopes to be the first smart phone manufacturer with a foldable cell phone. The 2017 Samsung Galaxy X Foldable cell phone could be launched at the February 27 to March 2, 2017 Mobile World Congress (MWC).

Some of these multi-media films (used to make foldable screens) are as thin as 0.01 millimeters, but still can have an image projected thereon. Developers hope to make these touchscreen films more durable and long-lasting.

Foldable Advantages Over Flip-Top

The modern Samsung foldable phone should have a larger viewing screen, which can be folded to fit in your pocket or purse. The touchscreen gives you more functionality than the old flip-top. Experts believe this foldable Samsung could account for 20% of the smart phone market, eventually.

4. Samsung Quantum Dot KS9500 SUHD TV

Vacuum tubes, incandescent, LCD, LED, OLED and Quantum Dot - can you explain the difference between each of these television displays? The next hot technological advancement could arise from the 2017 Samsung Quantum Dot KS9500 SUHD TV.

The VP of Samsung Electronics America Joe Stinziano said that "[c]onsumers are loving SUHD's incredible brightness ... and clarity. Our new ultra-back technology reduces light reflection and the increased brightness helps to express a higher level of contrast, so you can see the intensity of bright sunlight." Quantum dots are very tiny, measuring 2 to 10 nanometers in diameter (about 50 atoms).

Besides increasing brightness by up to 2,000 nits, the Quantum Dot technology can 'increase the colour gamut on LCD screens in the region of 40 to 50 per cent,' according to DisplayMate President Dr. Raymond M. Soneira. One disadvantage is "color bleed."

5. SubQ Designs ABS Airbag Jacket

Air bags have become standard safety features on most automobiles; now they are being added to vests, jackets and coats. The award-winning SubQ Designs Jackson ABS Airbag Jacket could prevent you from breaking your neck. Those involved in extreme back-country, cat skiing or heli-skiing might like this removable SubQ Designs Airbag.

Other top air bag jacket brands are the Helite and "Hit Air." The "Hit Air" jacket uses CE certified armor to protect the shoulders, elbows and spine of motorcycle riders. The air cushion might inflate (within 0.25 second or less).

6. DJI Phantom 4 Flying Drone

Flying drones are so cool. You can take great aerial pictures, deliver items or scout out remote locations. You can fly for about 15 or 20 minutes or so.

The top 2017 model is the DJI Phantom 4 Drone, measuring 7.0 x 11.5 x 11.5 inches (17.8 x 29.2 x 29.2 centimeters) and weighing 3.0 lbs (1.4 kgs). This drone has 4 x rotors, Gimbal cameras with a resolution of 720 x 1080 and four legs (like a table). With this drone, you can perform the following functions: Return-to-Home, Orbit, Waypoint and Follow.

7. Google Self Driving Car

Imagine, driving down the road and looking into the other automobile, but not seeing anyone driving. Is a ghost driving that car? Or, might it be one of those Google Waymo Self Driving Cars?

Automakers, suppliers and high-tech firms are all competing to be the first to offer a viable self-driving car. Honda has decided to "partner with Waymo" to develop driverless cars. Unfortunately, some car experts believe that a working model might not be ready until 2021.

Technology Transforms World

These 7 top gadgets for 2017 are all on the "cutting edge." They all might cause you to rethink your world and could help you run your business, more efficiently. Have some fun with the hottest 2017 gadgets.