New Delhi: Quite like other years, the year 2013 also witnessed the launch of many new devices including smartphones (with large screens and improved specifications), slimmer tablets, smartwatches, hybrid devices and premium video game consoles, but unlike many recent years, 2013 was a year when many groundbreaking mobile devices took tech pundits and enthusiasts by surprise.
These devices are not only innovative but break new ground for other devices to follow.
1. Chromecast: The arrival of Chromecast this year transformed the way people would bring content from their mobile devices to their TVs. This USB-sized, inexpensive device allows people to use their phone, tablet or laptop to cast online content to their TV screen. Users just need to plug Chromecast into any HDTV, connect it to WiFi, and the device is ready to send videos and more from their smartphone, tablet or laptop to their TV screen with a mere the press of a button. Chromecast works with devices including Android tablets and smartphones, iPhones, iPads, Chrome for Mac and Chrome for Windows. The device is available for $35 (approx. Rs 2300). Google has not yet announced the availability of the device for the Indian market.
2. Curved phones (Samsung Galaxy Round, LG G Flex): While we had been hearing about flexible display technologies for smartphones for a long time, but it wasn't a reality until October this year when Samsung and LG introduced curved display smartphones. While the offerings from LG and Samsung are not fully flexible devices, but they do have a slight degree of flexibility - moving a step closer to introducing devices with flexible screens.
During our hands-on experience with the LG G Flex at an event last week, we kept the phone on a table and pressed it from the back until it went flat. We removed my hands, and it got back into its original shape. This flexibility is the first step towards bendable smartphones. LG is all set to put its curved smartphone on sale in India in February next year, but there is no word from Samsung on the Indian availability of its curved Samsung Galaxy Round smartphone yet.
It seems that curved displays open up possibilities for bendable designs that could eventually transform the high-end smartphone market by allowing mobile and wearable gadgets to take new forms.
3. Dual-screen phones (Galaxy Golden, YotaPhone): It was no less a surprise when Samsung introduced its first dual-screen clamshell device this year. In a few months since it was first unveiled, the company launched a version of its dual-screen phone, named Galaxy Golden, in India. Priced at Rs 51,900, the Samsung Galaxy Golden has two 3.7-inch Super AMOLED touchscreens - one on the outside and one inside.
Later, Russian modem developer Yota Devices also launched its first smartphone with two screens. Named YotaPhone, the phone features a backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) screen on one side and an electronic paper display on the other.
4. Sony's lens-style cameras (DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100): Sony, in addition to a raft of Android smartphones, launched its new lens-style cameras - DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 - which can be used on most of the smartphones via an adapter. While the major tech behemoths were busy in coming up with the successors to their flagship devices, the introduction of the external smartphone lenses by Sony was indeed considered a fresh move. The DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 lenses have a 18.2 megapixel and 20.2 megapixel sensor, respectively.
What makes this accessory a must have is its ease of use and portability. Users can simply mount it on any smartphone and can enhance their mobile shooting experience. Users can simply remove the lens when they don't need it and can snap it when they want. It is likely to bring some relief to those photography enthusiasts who prefer to carry their standalone high-end cameras.
Another plus point is that it works across devices, meaning the device is not only compatible with Sony smartphones but it works with other Android and iOS smartphones too.
You can manually adjust focusing and zooming via the SLR-style control ring - a feature that is unavailable on smartphones - as well as can use your smartphone's screen to manually control the aperture, exposure and more.
5. Fingerprint sensor: With the launch of the iPhone 5S with TouchID back in September, Apple reinvented the fingerprint scanner for smartphones. The new system lets users easily unlock phones without having to type in a four-digit code. Apple says many people don't use a passcode because it is cumbersome.
Following in Apple's footsteps, HTC later came up with a new fingerprint scan feature with the launch of its One Max phablet. Located on the back of the device, the fingerprint scanner allows users to unlock the screen and launch up to three applications by assigning an individual finger to each.
Biometric smartphones are expected to become mainstream next year. In fact, Johan Carlstrom, Fingerprint's Chief Executive Officer, said Samsung is expected to launch at least one smartphone - or probably even two - with either a swipe or touch fingerprint sensor next year.
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