Best of 2024: Top 10 consumer tech products launched in India

Consumer technology is evolving rapidly, reshaping how people can more efficiently balance work and personal life and lead better day-to-day lives.

Samsung launched AI-powered washing machines just a few months ago. These machines can save consumers time in terms of decision-making and guesswork on which type of washing cycle to select. Also, with the increasing cost of living expenses in the city, Samsung's new AI washing machines can help reduce electricity and water bills at home.

State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Direct-to-Device (D2D) service, that can enable phone users to make emergency calls in areas even without a cellular or Wi-Fi network.

These are some of several consumer technology products launched in India this year.

Here is the list of 10 useful consumer tech products launched in India:

Samsung Galaxy Ring smart ring

Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Smart Ring.

Samsung's first-generation Galaxy Ring boasts cutting-edge health-tracking sensors and is powered by advanced algorithms to offer deep insights into sleep patterns based on heart rate, movement, and respiratory indicators.

It also offers 'My Vitality Score'. It uses data tracked during sleep, physical activity, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability to tell the owner how fit and active the body is.

Another notable aspect of the Galaxy Ring is— Booster Card. With a smartphone app, it offers actionable guidance for activities during the day and night to improve fitness.

Dyson WashG1

The new WashG1 series wet cleaner.

Dyson's WashG1 is one of the most practical wet cleaners for Indian households on the market. It boasts hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry debris in one go. It is capable of automatically separating liquid and particulate matter into dedicated containers docked on the handle, just above the cleaner motor.

Dyson WashG1 also features two rollers and comes with highly absorbent microfibres (64,800 filaments per cm.sq.) With the combination of microfibres and continuous application of water via hydration points, the cleaner absorbs the liquid, whilst the dry dirt is sucked simultaneously

Two individually powered rollers counter-rotate and the pulse pump distributes water evenly across 26 precisely positioned hydration points across the length of the roller.

The rollers span the full width of the cleaner head to allow for edge-to-edge cleaning, right to the corners.

The liquid container has one one-litre capacity and is enough to clean around 290.sq.m (approx. 3121.53 sq. ft) space of the house.

The dirty water is extracted from the rollers by durable extraction plates, and the secondary nylon-bristled inner brush bars remove dirt and debris from the microfibre rollers, flicking it straight into a removable debris tray.

BSNL's D2D service in India

Representative image showing a satellite orbiting the Earth.

BSNL's Device-to-Device (D2D) is a new technology that can enable phone users to make emergency calls in areas even without a cellular or Wi-Fi network.

BSNL's D2D service will use a dedicated constellation of satellites of Viaset, which work as giant cell towers in space to receive and send signals between phones.

This will come in handy for people in remote villages far away from cities and those on hills and mountain terrains.

Also, when natural disasters such as tsunamis, cyclones or earthquakes strike, infrastructure such as telecom towers gets destroyed. In such dire situations, D2D service can help send SOS emergency messages to loved ones and rescue agencies to help as soon as possible.

It is believed that D2D can also be used to make calls and even perform Unified Payment Interface (UPI)--based cash-less digital transactions as well.

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence will improve the user experience on the iPhones.

Thanks to deep integration with hardware and software, Apple Intelligence-based features will work systemwide seamlessly, including native apps such as Siri digital assistant, Notes, iMessage, Mail, Photos app and even third-party apps installed across all devices--iPhones/iPads/Macs.

So far, the company has released two major updates to all the eligible devices bringing audio translation, ChatGPT-integrated Siri digital assistant, Image Playground, Image Wand, Clean Up, Writing tools and more.

For now, only two AI features-- audio transcription and Clean Up, an object eraser-- are available in India.

Another batch of Apple Intelligence features is expected to come with iOS 18.3 in 2025 summer (March) and more with iOS 18.4 later in the year.

OpenAI launches SearchGPT

SearchGPT on ChatGPT app.

Just a few weeks ago, OpenAI officially launched the SearchGPT worldwide. It promises to redefine how a search engine works.

SearchGPT promises to deliver relevant information customised to each user. On the ChatGPT app, the interaction will be similar to how the users converse naturally with humans chatting on the messenger platform. It will get the right information and, users can continue with follow-up questions to get their queries answered.

SearchGPT is available on both the web (Chatgpt.com) and ChatGPT apps for iOS, Macs, Windows and Andro

Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Google's first-ever foldable phone launched in India

Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold smartphone is displayed at the Made by Google event.

The ultra-premium Pixel 9 Pro Fold flaunts a 6.3-inch cover display and inside, it sports a wide 8-inch screen called Super Actua display.

It is powered by Google's proprietary Tensor G4 processor to new features of Gemini generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI) such as Circle to Search, Magic Editor, Object Eraser, Best Take, Audio Eraser and more.

Designed with Google DeepMind, the Gemini Live is optimised for advanced AI models. Tensor G4 is the first processor to run Gemini Nano with Multimodality. It can understand queries in text, images, and audio.

The newest feature coming with Pixel phones is the 'Add me'. It uses Augmented Reality technology. This comes in handy for the designated photographer who’s left out of group pictures. With Add Me the user gets a photo with everyone who was there — photographer included — without having to pack a tripod or ask a stranger for help.

Once the group photo is taken, the photographer can hand over the Pixel phone to another person in the group and move to a particular sport guided by the phone to stand and take a photo.

Then, with a combination of generative AI and AR technologies, the Pixel 9 series phone creates a complete photo with the photographer.

And, the Pixel phones boast Pixel Studio, a first-of-its-kind image generator. Users just have to describe with words and the Pixel Studio will instantly churn out the image.

Samsung's AI-powered washing machine

(From Left-Right) Saurabh Baishakhia, Sr. Director, Digital Appliances Business, Samsung India and Richard Oh, Corporate VP Samsung Southwest Asia at the launch of new Bespoke AI washing machines in Bengaluru.

Samsung's BeSpoke washing machine boasts of advanced AI features such as AI Wash, AI Energy Mode, AI Control and AI Ecobubble.

With increasing cost of living expenses in the city, Bespoke AI washing machines can help reduce the electricity and water bills at home.

With AI energy mode, the AI washing machine consumes 70 per cent less electricity with the same dirt removal efficiency. It also comes with innovative features like Q-Bubble, and Speed Spray, which ensure powerful cleaning and efficient rinsing.

And, the Auto Dispense feature automatically releases the perfect amount of detergent and fabric softener, eliminating guesswork.

With SmartThings Clothing Care, users can make custom cycles using recommended cycles and save them. SmartThings Going Out mode allows users to manage their laundry remotely as well, without ever worrying about the laundry schedule.

It supports the Less Microfiber cycle, which reduces microplastic release by up to 54 per cent, supporting sustainability. Further, the Hygiene Steam ensures a deep clean, removing 99.9 per cent of bacteria and inactivating allergens for a healthier wash.

Sony AI-powered BRAVIA smart TVs

Sony's new brand ambassador S S Rajamouli unveils Sony's latest AI-powered Bravia 9 series smart TVs.

The new Sony BRAVIA TVs are powered by Artificial Intelligence powered by Bravia XR processor, which is capable of upscaling the quality of regular videos up to 4K.

Also, they boast a Studio Calibration feature, to deliver the picture quality as intended by their creators who have collaborated with Sony. This feature is best explored on content streamed on Netflix, Prime Video and Sony Pictures Core.

The new Sony TVs come with AI-powered Bravia XR processor.

Add to that, the new Bravia TVs come with cinema-derived technologies such as IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision and Atmos. They feature four speakers — two Bass Reflex and two tweeters— to deliver 40W audio output.

With the proprietary Backlit MasterDrive technology, they can peak luminance, natural colours and contrast. They feature XR Contrast Booster and Dynamic Contrast Enhancer. They also boast Spatial Mapping technology of offers 360-degree audio around the users in the living room.

With the XR Motion Clarity feature, fast action-paced movies and live sports streaming will come off smooth and clear on the screen.

Tecno Phanton V series, the most affordable foldable phone hit stores in India

Tecno Phantom V Fold2 series.

Tecno Mobile earlier this month launched V2 Fold and V2 Flip, the most affordable foldable phones in India.

The premium V2 Fold features a 6.42-inch cover display and a wide 7.85-inch 3D LTPO AMOLED main display inside.

The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ processor with 12GB RAM, 512GB storage, Android 14 OS and a 4,860mah battery.

It will come with a triple camera module-- main 50MP + 50MP + 13MP ultra-wide- LED flash on the back. It will feature a 32MP sensor on the cover display panel on the front and another 16MP selfie camera on the wide screen inside.

On the other hand, the V2 Flip sports a small 1.32-inch cover display and a 6.9-inch full-HD+ (1,080 x 2,640 pixels) AMOLED-based foldable display inside.

Tecno Phantom V Flip2 series.

It comes with MediaTek Dimensity 8020 chipset, 12GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage, a dual-camera module-- 64MP + 13MP- with LED flash on the back, a 32MP front camera, and a 4,000mAh battery.

The new Phantom V2 Fold and V2 Flip are priced at Rs 79,999 and Rs 34,999, respectively.

Nothing unveils glow-in-the-dark Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition series

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition.

The special edition Nothing Phone 2a Plus' design and software were done entirely by the Nothing community members, contest winners and company engineers, a first for any phone brand.

The unique aspect of the device is that it features a green-tinted phosphorescent material finish on the rear side. Elements on the back of the phone emit a soft green glow in dark environments. This feature is purely analogue, requiring no power source, and can last for hours before gradually fading until it recharges by daylight.

The User Interface (UI) including wallpapers, home screen themes and the design of the retail packaging come with matching colour.

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