If you had to describe this year's tech products in one sentence, it would be: amazing, crazy, and with a touch of the bizarre. From the beginning to the end of the year, new products emerged one after another like a wave, with almost every tech category attempting to "redefine itself." Smartphones are moving towards foldable, flip-out, and ultra-thin designs, while smart headphones and AR smart glasses are going head-to-head, vying for users' senses and attention. Amid this rapidly changing industry rhythm, The Verge's editorial team has selected their most representative and impressive tech products of the year, from robot vacuums, electric bicycles, and laptops to AI wearables and imaging cameras, outlining the key trends and directions for tech product development in the coming year.
Robotic vacuum cleaners follow human walking logic
In the smart home field, veteran reviewer Jennifer Pattison Tuohy's top choice is the Matic robotic vacuum cleaner. This product, created by a former Google Nest engineer, has almost completely overturned people's preconceived notions about robotic vacuum cleaners. It no longer frequently gets stuck or acts like a lost robot; instead, it moves in a way that more closely resembles "human walking logic," while simultaneously achieving cleaning efficiency and quiet operation. More importantly, it doesn't rely on the cloud and can function normally even without Wi-Fi. Its design also abandons the large, bulky charging dock, allowing it to blend more seamlessly into the home space. For Jennifer, this is the first robotic vacuum cleaner that has freed her from frustration, symbolizing a more human-centered and mature future for home robots.
In terms of AI, she chose Amazon's Alexa Plus, a generative artificial intelligence voice assistant that allows smart homes to evolve from a simple "command-execution" mode to one that can proactively understand and predict user needs. Although it can be a bit too talkative at times, which can be a little scary, Alexa has temporarily taken the lead in the AI assistant race, while Google and Apple are still catching up.
Will all phones eventually be foldable? Major brands are launching foldable phones.
In the mobile device category, veteran mobile phone reviewer Alison Johnson awarded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 the best phone of the year. This is a product that truly makes you forget the "drawbacks" of foldable phones: extremely thin, extremely light, and with virtually no compromises when unfolded. Although it's expensive and its camera still falls short of mainstream flagships, it clearly demonstrates the future market potential of foldable phones, moving beyond mere technology to something practical and captivating.
TMB electric bicycles feature cable-controlled pedals and replaceable seats.
Transportation technology editor Andrew J. Hawkins recommends ALSO's TMB electric bicycle. This product boasts features such as remote-controlled pedals, a replaceable seat, and a removable battery and power bank. The remote-controlled pedal system indicates that there is no mechanical connection between the pedals and the motor; the bicycle is controlled entirely by software. With an initial price of $4,500, and considering that American consumers typically spend around $1,000 to $2,000 on an electric bicycle, it seems to be targeting the high-end market.
Are AI Wearable devices becoming mainstream fashion?
Regarding wearable devices, Victoria Song didn't choose a single product, but rather specifically highlighted the emerging category of AI Wearables. Whether it's the Apple Watch's AI fitness features, the smart band integrating Gemini, or AI glasses that can provide real-time explanations of the world, these all demonstrate that tech companies are trying to make AI "everywhere." This may be unsettling, but it's also incredibly appealing.
Framework Computers
Computer editor Antonio Di Benedetto has chosen Framework Computers' laptop series as his top pick of the year. He believes that both the Laptop 13 and Laptop 12 are excellent, with the Framework Laptop 13 upgraded to an AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processor and featuring a lightweight and cute design.
Nintendo Switch and PlayStation Portal are the top choices for gaming.
For gaming, Ash Parrish recommended the Switch 2 and PlayStation Portal. The former finally adds voice chat and social features, while the latter achieves true cross-space gaming freedom through cloud streaming, redefining "where to play games".
Sora 2 shakes the boundaries between reality and virtuality
Hayden Field, a senior AI journalist, believes that Sora 2 is the most impactful product of the year. Its extreme realism has made society rethink the boundaries between trust, creation, and truth and falsehood.
Capture Creative Perspectives with the Insta360 X5 360 Camera
The film's director, Owen Grove, chose the Insta360 X5. He believes that this 360-degree camera may not be the most professional, but it is full of creative fun and can capture some cool action and distorted images, symbolizing that technology is not only about efficiency, but can also simply bring the joy of creation and play.
This article, titled "The Most Amazing Tech Products of the Year: Robotic Vacuum Cleaners, Foldable Phones, Electric Bicycles, and Nintendo Game Consoles," first appeared on ABMedia, a ABMedia .
