When it comes to technology you’re going to wear, whether it’s a smartwatch or headphones, something you’ll have with you 24/7 like a smartphone, or even something that will be the focal point of a room in your home, it needs to be fashionable and elegant.
Dyson Airwrap Complete Long Multi-Styler
The best gift for someone is something you know they’ll use but never buy for themselves. A high-end hair styling tool fits the bill, and the Dyson Airwrap Styler is about a premium as you can get in this space. Not only does the styler come in this new finish but so does the included presentation case. Selling for $800, the styler can be used to do everything from curl to shape and hide flyaways without using extreme heat. It works on all hair types and is ideal for hair that’s at least chest length.
Focal Bathys Wireless Headphones
The Focal Bathys wireless hi-fi headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) are stylish in and of themselves, but in the newest Dune finish, they really make a statement. The Bathys headphones (pronounced “bat-ees”) are the company’s first Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones. The luminous Dune finish joins the existing black silver finish, and is featured across the entire package, including the carrying case and even the cables. It’s inspired by quarry minerals, Greek landscapes, and desert sands, combining a beige colour with silver details (grilles, rings, etc.) for an elegant, mellow, and harmonious finish. The neutral beige shade, says Focal, is easy to pair with any colour outfit. Like the black silver version, it combines refined materials, including magnesium on the yokes and genuine leather on the headband, with an optional backlit flame in the centre of the earcups. In addition to the new colour, Focal has added a new feature called the Mimi hearing test that adapts to the wearer’s personal hearing profile. Available via the Focal & Naim app, this allows you to configure the sound delivered by Bathys according to your hearing. Get them for $699.
Withings ScanWatch 2 Smartwatch
An elegant smartwatch, the Withings ScanWatch 2 is optimized for continuous health assessments of advanced metrics. It offers atrial fibrillation detection using ECG and for oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2) from the wrist. It also performs multiple wellness functions such as monitoring sleep quality, physical activity, and a range of cardiovascular measurements. There are more sensors and software optimized to facilitate continuous health monitoring and precise assessment of new health metrics. Additional capabilities include variation of the baseline body temperature, female cycle tracking, heart rate variability, and the automatic recognition of 40+ activities. It offers an impressive 30-day battery life and employs a stylish and lightweight analog design. With a timeless design, it comes in 38mm and 42mm sizes for US$350. Finishes include silver black (42mm), silver white (38mm), silver black (38mm) and Rose gold sand face (38mm) and later on with a silver white face (42mm) and Rose gold blue face (38mm). It comes with an OLED grayscale display and each is available with optional coloured wristbands.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
Sennheiser introduced the Momentum 4 Wireless headphones a year ago with a matte black/charcoal and white/stone option. But the truly fashion conscious will want one of the newest colours: Denim or Black Copper. Echoing the timeless hue of deep-blue jeans, the inky “Denim” colourway features contrasting stone-coloured padding. This underscores the familiar touch of the fabric-coated headband surface, which can also be found on the protective cases of the entire Momentum series. The “Black Copper” variant, meanwhile, draws lineage from the metallic accents on the classic HD 660S2 audiophile headphone, launched earlier in 2023. As with all Momentum 4 Wireless models, the new colour choices offer supple ear and headband cushioning to pair all-day comfort with 60-hour battery life per charge. Both styles feature the series’ Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology, Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive support, and come with a matching deluxe travel cases for storing the included USB and audio cables. All Momentum 4 Wireless models work with the free Smart Control app (available in App Store and Google Play) for adjusting things like high-resolution audio mode, Sound Personalization, 5-band EQ, and location-based Sound Zones. They sell for about $500.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xIB Professional Monitor Headphones
It’s not just these headphones that are fashionable, but particularly the newest limited-edition Ice Blue colour. The result of a global crowd-sourcing campaign, end users voted on their favorite colour, so this is literally “what the people wanted.” These headphones incorporate technology drawn from Audio-Technica’s 60-year history in the field of high-performance professional audio, providing natural, accurate sound with impactful bass and high-frequency extension. With professional-grade earpad and headband material and a collapsible design with detachable cable, the ATH-M50xIB headphones transport easily and remain comfortable throughout long monitoring sessions. They’re great for both the studio and for applications like gaming. Get them for just $249 (there’s also a wireless variation for $299, but it isn’t available in the same Ice Blue colour).
Nothing Phone (2)
Yes, the brand is Nothing and the name is simply the Phone (2). It couldn’t get simpler and more generic than that. Yet this simplicity is beautifully juxtaposed by the stand-out design of this phone. As the brand’s new flagship, it employs a new Glyph interface at the back that offers key information at-a-glance and was designed to encourage users to be more present in their everyday lives by providing essential information without the constant need to look at the screen. You can assign personalized light and sound sequences to contacts and apps so you’re better aware of incoming notifications without having to look at the screen as well. The Glyph screen is possible thanks to an increased number of LED segments. It can now serve as a visual countdown and progress tracker for ride or delivery services and includes other features like a volume checker and timer. When receiving a notification from selected contacts or apps, the top-right LED segment will remain on until it has been addressed. Through the new Glyph Composer, you can personalize the experience further by creating your own unique Glyph Ringtones. Featuring the revamped Nothing OS 2.0 and Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 mobile platform, Nothing promises a fast and smooth experience with the phone. With a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display, there’s also a 32 MP front camera, and a dual rear camera system that has two advanced 50 MP sensors, with a main sensor upgraded to the Sony IMX890. It’s available in white and dark gray with three variants to choose from: 8GB/128GB ($929), 12GB/256GB ($999), and the 12GB/512GB ($1,099).
Beats Studio Buds+ True Wireless Earbuds
The Beats Studio Buds+ boast upgraded active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes, improved sound and call performance, IPX4 sweat and water resistance, and an impressive up to 36-hour battery life. But all everyone can talk about is the cool transparent design option. The true wireless earbuds come in black/gold, Ivory, and the neat transparent option. Selling for $230 in Canada, they purport to offer balanced sound, and a comfortable, all-day fit thanks to three new acoustic vents. Each pair comes with four eartip options in the usual small, medium, and large, as well as extra-small to fit wearers with smaller ears. The acoustic seal helps both cancel out ambient noise and ensure a secure fit. While they work with any Bluetooth device, Apple and Android device users can take advantage of native features. With Apple, this includes one-touch pairing and set-up with every device in your iCloud account, “Hey Siri” voice control, Find My to locate a lost bud (or both) on a map based on their last known location, and over-the-air updates. Android users, meanwhile, can also enjoy Google Fast Pair with all Android or Chrome devices registered to your G-mail account, audio switch for seamlessly transitioning among Android, Chromebook, and other compatible devices, and the Find My Device. Download and use the Beats app to customize sound, receive software updates, and access new features. Get 27 hours from the pocket-sized charging case and up to nine hours from the earbuds. A five-minute Fast Fuel charge provides an hour of additional use.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 True Wireless Earbuds
If you’re checking out these wireless earbuds for someone special, make sure to look at the Sage Green finish for someone who’s ultra-fashionable (the Cloud Grey, Storm Grey, and Spring Lilac finishes are pretty striking, too). Get seamless access to user-selectable noise cancellation plus an ambient pass-through mode, along with twin built-in microphones per earbud for high-quality phone calls. Enjoy doubled Bluetooth range to up to 25m when compared to the first-generation models. A five-hour listening time is on offer before a recharge is required, with a quick charge function delivering an additional two hours’ listening time from just a 15-minute charge. The charging case provides an additional 19 hours of battery life. Use the Bowers & Wilkins Music App for set-up, configuration of noise cancellation modes, and wear sensor adjustment. They sell for US$299.