10 Most Surprising Products of 2015

Before 2015 ends, let’s take a look back at these 10 tech products that were released this year that surprised many of us. It has been a great year for tech and companies continue to give shocks every now and then. In no definite ranking, here they are:

Microsoft Surface Book

Along with its latest Surface model, the Surface Pro 4, Microsoft gave a new product under the Surface brand, the Surface Book. It is a full functioning laptop with a detachable display that instantly converts into a digital clipboard, as Microsoft wants to call it. These so-called convertibles are not exactly new in the market, but it’s definitely new for Microsoft as they continue to manufacturer quality hardware to match their software.

Microsoft Surface Hub

Microsoft has a not-so-popular Surface Hub aimed for enterprise customers. It’s an 84-inch 4K interactive whiteboard where people can write, draw, and present simultaneously. Reports say that shipments have been delayed so companies are yet to discover and check out the potential of the Hub. Do not expect this to be available for home, or unless you want one.

Microsoft Display Dock w/ Continuum

We’re going to consider these two as one since they can’t function without the other. With the Continuum on Windows 10 Mobile, users can use their Lumia 950 and 950 XL as a portable computer that you can connect to any display with the use of the Display Dock. All you need now is a keyboard and a mouse in order to type and navigate with ease on a large display. It’s being marketed by Microsoft as a portable office you can take anywhere. It’s already launched in PH for Php3,390USD 58INR 4,897EUR 55CNY 421.

MacBook

Apple‘s redesigned MacBook has captured us with its extremely thin profile thanks to the new Intel Core M processors. It also introduced the USB Type-C into the mass market, but it was disappointing to see it with just one port. One for sharing with connection and charging. You may check out our hands-on here.

BlackBerry Priv

Just when we thought BlackBerry is going to disappear, they released their first Android-powered smartphone — the Priv. Consumers have been clamoring BlackBerry to step up their game in terms of apps and this is their ultimate response. We’re still expecting more devices from BlackBerry running a tweaked and more secure version of Google‘s Android next year and we are definitely looking forward to it. You may check out our review here.

Apple Pencil

Together with the iPad Pro, Apple released its own take on the stylus. Well, Apple doesn’t want to call it that. It’s a dedicated accessory to the gigantic iPad that works well with it. It’s so clingy to the iPad Pro that it even gets charge via the Pro’s Lighting port. For now, there’s no other use for the Pencil, so it’s pretty limited even among Apple’s own line of devices.

Google OnHub router

Google has become a diverse company. From being a fantastic search engine, coding open-source software like Android, making reasonable and top-of-the-line Nexus devices, to even spearheading an automated vehicle. With the OnHub, they have become the best wireless router maker in the market, according to most reviews. They created the OnHub to remove the hassle in making a smart, connected home and even future proofing it for the Internet of Things.

Microdia Xtra Elite 512GB microSD

Storage options have been increasingly big yet it’s becoming tinier than before. The microSD card is already a tiny storage solution and seems to be a staple product for most consumers already, so a company named Microdia released a 512GB microSD card because maybe somebody finds the 200GB storage chip to be limiting.  The Microdia Xtra Elite is estimated to be available for $1,000PHP 58,686INR 84,750EUR 952CNY 7,278.

DJI Osmo

Aside from their popular drones, DJI also has a handheld gimbal. With the same awesome stabilization you get with drone cameras, the Osmo gives endless possibilities for consumers and even filmmakers alike. We can remember how GoPro gained popularity among extreme fellows and we see the Osmo can provide a more stable footage and even go 4K.

4GB RAM smartphones

2015 has been the year wherein 64-bit processors for mobile devices have been used to their full potential. Asus kicked off the 4GB RAM trend on smartphones with their Zenfone 2 ZE551ML and other Android OEMs followed. This made multitasking on Android smoother despite some memory management issues of the OS. Having 4GB RAM on a mobile device is a feat considering most consumer laptops have a standard 4GB of RAM as well.

And there you have, folks. Here’s to more surprising and hopefully, revolutionary tech products for the coming 2016. Happy New Year!