With 2024 around the corner, new year resolutions are on the horizon and for those who want to make the next 12 months count (whether to create, educate or work on oneself) here are some Christmas gift ideas to help us along the way
For the visual creator
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a strong and lightweight titanium design with contoured edges, a customisable Action button, and Roadside Assistance via satellite. Powerful camera upgrades give you the equivalent of seven pro lenses with incredible image quality, including a new super-high-resolution 24MP default on the 48MP Main camera, the next generation of portraits with Focus and Depth Control, improvements to Night mode and Smart HDR, and an all-new 5x Telephoto camera on iPhone 15 Pro Max. And, the A17 Pro chip unlocks next-level gaming experiences and performance.
Tip: Apple has recently launched its newest app Journal which takes (as its name suggests) journalling to a whole new level. No longer do you have to subscribe to costly third-party apps to keep track of your day-to-day or special moments, the iPhone has it all sorted for you. You can use this app to simply hold the most memorable highlights that are to come, or use it to pen down all your musings. Whatever it is, it is intuitively synced up and interwoven within the Apple ecosystem, reducing everything you need to document your experiences to its simpliest form.
For the cinephile
The Freestyle 2nd Gen
A compact, nifty portable projector that packs a big punch. Samsung’s second generation Freestyle device is a great addition for anyone who loves to stream films or TV shows. Having been banished from the living room because of an ongoing project endeavoured by one’s spouse, this editor has opted to use the Freestyle 2 to indulge in all the outstanding shows she has accumulated in 2023. The ease of setup is no joke. Simply plug in. Connect to wifi. And it is all good to go. It comes with an Auto Keystone function, focus and levelling too. Even if the device is placed off-centre, its clever tech will auto adjust and level to the patch of white wall of your preference. It starts with a screen size of 30 inches upwards. If you have a particularly large wall, its Smart Edge Blending allows you to combine two Freestyles for up to 100 inches entertainment viewing. It is lightweight, so you can carry it around and place it anywhere and comes with omni-directional premium 360˚ sound quality.
The small remote comes with pre-installed streaming channels: Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Samsung TV Plus. Of course, other streaming apps are available for download with its Smart TV features. Because of its fast interface, bright screen and great sounds, the Freestyle 2 is also great for streaming games.
For the writer
ReMarkable 2
A tablet that is engineered to avoid any distractions so that the one focus you have is what is on the screen. This A4-sized, 4.7 mm-thick device aims to replace notebooks and printouts, making the load you lug around to only 403.5 g. Depending on your usage, one charge can last up to two weeks of battery life. The brand also claims that it is the “only tablet that feels like paper”. From handwritten notes, PDFs to ebooks, the ReMarkable 2 is all about organising all your “paperwork” in one place.
It can also convert handwritten notes instantly to typed text and sort your notes and documents with folders and tags. You can write directly on PDFs, sign your signature and send it off easily. Two types of Markers are available for purchase to use with the tablet, and you can also pair it with its Folio – a stylish cover – or its Type Folio – which is a keyboard that is as sleek and slender as it comes.
The ReMarkable 2 includes a free 1-year trial of Connect. Take notes across devices with unlimited cloud storage and sync, exclusive offers, and three years’ added device protection. It syncs files with Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, and more. Import Microsoft Word docs, PowerPoint presentations, or web articles with its Read on reMarkable extension.
For the daredevil video creator
Insta360 X3
With its motto: Shoot First, Frame Later: never miss a moment with the X3’s vivid 5.7K 360° video from any angle! It is as simple as mounting it up, hitting record and choosing the best angles afterwards. The gadget uses easy reframing tools in its AI-powered Insta360 app and shares its content easily to any social media platform in a tap without losing any quality. With a new 1/2″ 48MP sensors, the generated pixels provide greater clarity and detail, even in low light environments.
Tip: Travel bugs or pet lovers may consider X3’s smaller and more low-key cousin, the Insta360 Go 3. Popular for capturing on-the-go moments whether on holiday, a day out or with energetic kids or pets, this is the world’s smallest action camera, according to the brand. It provides ultra-wide POV shots in 2.7K and comes with its FlowState stabilisation tech. A range of accessories are also available that is compatible with the Go 3’s magnetic design – allowing for a hands-free experience anywhere you go!
For the music lover
Sony WH-1000XM5
One of the best and beloved wireless noise cancelling headphones on the market! With its timeless design, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is not only a great gadget for listening to music or tool as part of one’s music studio, but it is also a great fashion accessory that goes with any ensemble. It comes with two processors controlling eight microphones, Auto NC Optimizer for automatically optimising noise cancelling based on your wearing conditions and environment, and a specially designed driver unit. Its LDAC tech transmits about three times more data than the conventional Bluetooth for superior high-resolution audio quality. You can also use this Sony headphone to pick up calls – its AI-powered noise reduction algorithm isolate your voice precisely and minimises wind noise.
The headphone comes in three colours: Midnight Blue, Platinum Silver and Black.
Also: Apple iPhone 15 series have been unveiled – here is what’s new
