The Best Tech I Missed (Or Skipped) In 2023: The Leftovers – A Look Back at the Year’s Unseen Innovations

As 2023 wraps up, it’s time to reflect on some of the best tech I missed or simply skipped. From revolutionary foldables to quirky gadgets, 2023 has been an exciting year in mobile technology. Although I covered a lot of ground—from Apple Park in Cupertino to Shenzhen’s Ice Cream Bay and even a 100-mile e-bike ride across Long Island—there were a few key products I didn’t get to explore as fully as I’d hoped. Let’s take a closer look at these “leftovers” and why they didn’t make it into my main content this year.

Smart Tech That Keeps Me Connected: The Debot X1 Omni Robot Vacuum

One of my first purchases for my new Brooklyn apartment was a robot vacuum. Enter the Debot X1 Omni, a vacuum and mop hybrid that is both efficient and convenient. Although my friend at Ecox sent me a review sample, I’ve grown to love this little mop bot, which can clean my apartment autonomously. While the vacuum does an impressive job mapping and navigating around my home, there are a few quirks. For example, it struggles with ledges between rooms, and I’m not a fan of its voice assistant, which I keep disabled due to its tendency to mishear commands. Nevertheless, this robot vacuum has genuinely made my life easier, and I appreciate the automation that allows me to get back to my busy schedule without worrying about cleaning.

Sony Xperia 1 Mark 5: The Best Camera Phone I Missed

The Sony Xperia 1 Mark 5 almost slipped under my radar. I lost the review sample during a field test, but after some great feedback from my followers, I decided to give it another look. The Xperia 1 Mark 5 is a phone built for photographers and content creators, offering robust camera features that excel at optical performance over computational AI. While Google’s Pixel phones have been leading the charge with AI-driven photo enhancements, Sony stays true to its roots, offering superior manual control and a true-to-life experience. The Xperia’s thermal management has been improved as well, meaning it can handle extended video shoots without overheating—a common problem in previous Xperia models. It’s also one of the few flagship phones still featuring a headphone jack and expandable storage, which sets it apart from the competition. [Image: Sony Xperia 1 Mark 5 smartphone showcasing camera features]

The MTB3 Earbuds by Montblanc: A Stylish Yet Flawed Audio Experience

When Montblanc sent me its MTB3 earbuds, I was excited to try them. Known for high-end products like fountain pens, Montblanc has ventured into the tech world with these luxury earbuds. The MTB3 offers solid sound quality and great attention to detail in its design, but there’s a major flaw: the noise cancellation is underwhelming. They’re comfortable, visually striking, and their fit and finish scream luxury, but when it comes to noise isolation, they fall short compared to other earbuds I’ve used, such as the Nothing Ear 2. While Montblanc’s earbuds may appeal to those looking to make a statement with their tech, the performance doesn’t quite match the price tag.

Teenage Engineering TP7: The iPod From an Alternate Universe

Another standout from this year was the Teenage Engineering TP7 field recorder. Described as an “iPod from an alternate universe,” the TP7 is a quirky, high-end audio recorder designed for professionals, but I couldn’t resist getting one for myself. With its satisfying tactile controls, chunky buttons, and unique design, the TP7 offers an entirely different user experience than most consumer tech, which is becoming increasingly minimalistic. It’s made for sound engineers and musicians, and while it’s not something I need for my day-to-day life, I enjoy experimenting with it. Whether used for podcasting or capturing audio during trade shows, the TP7 has quickly become a fun, albeit niche, gadget in my collection.

The Foldables Dilemma: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Pixel Fold

The foldable phone category took a giant leap forward this year, with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5, Google’s Pixel Fold, and OnePlus’s Open Phone all entering the scene. As a fan of foldables, I was hoping to see a truly groundbreaking update to the Galaxy Fold series, but the Fold 5 felt more like an incremental upgrade. Yes, it’s more refined, more polished, and the software experience is improved, but there was a lack of bold new features that would push the category forward. What’s worse, Samsung seemed content with the status quo while other brands, like OnePlus and Google, introduced new ideas at a lower price point. While the Fold 5 remains a highly capable device, I found myself feeling less enthusiastic about its evolution compared to the competition.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 and MacBooks: More of the Same?

Apple’s 2023 lineup didn’t fare much better in terms of innovation. The Apple Watch Ultra 2, while still an excellent smartwatch, looks nearly identical to the first generation. The same goes for the MacBooks, which rely heavily on their powerful homegrown silicon. While these devices are undeniably impressive in terms of performance, they lack the fresh design changes that many were hoping for. It’s a trend I’ve noticed with many companies: innovation is shifting away from hardware design and towards software, AI, and silicon. For someone who loves gadgets, it’s a bit of a letdown when the most exciting thing about a new device is the chip inside it rather than how it looks or feels.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Mobile Tech

As we move into 2024, I’ll be focusing on what excites me the most in mobile tech: foldables, vintage gadgets, and unconventional devices. This means I’ll likely step away from reviewing every new phone or smartwatch that hits the market, focusing instead on more niche, creative projects that inspire me. Of course, I’ll still be covering plenty of devices, but expect to see fewer reviews of iterative products. Whether I’m on a 100-mile bike ride or diving into the world of vintage tech, my goal is to bring more exciting, unique content to my viewers. It’s all about keeping the creative spark alive and sharing that passion with you.

Thank you for following along this year, and I look forward to what’s next in 2024. Stay tuned for more exciting reviews and explorations of the latest (and sometimes oddest) in mobile tech!