T3 April 2015

It’s easy to get excited by new tech – there’s something that hits my inbox every single day that grabs my attention. But among the gaggle of new releases and developments, what are the real game-changers? That’s what we’ve set out to answer with this year’s Hot 100 list. Now in its tenth year, it’s the ultimate round-up of the world’s best gadgets, gear and talent that have changed the way you live your life – or are about to. What’s really stood out for me this year is the connected home – the Internet of Things, if you will. It’s not just the gadgets, it’s the services that combine with it. Who’d have thought even a couple of years ago I’d be able to control my heating via my watch?…

1 ERIC SCHUDISKE Eric Schudiske from Groundspeak Geocaching reveals everything you need to know about hunting for goodies across the country. Flick to page 77 now and get your cache on! 2 SZILÁRD STANGE Szilárd is director of project management at OPSWAT, the San Francisco-based company that specialises in security. On page 46 he reveals the truth about the threat of cyber-war. 3 JOE MINIHANE Regular T3 writer Joe has been investigating the world of sports tech this month. From DRS to GLT, see how incredible technology will change how we watch the sports we love. Hit page 92. To subscribe to T3, go on the world wide web: myfavouritemagazines.co.uk, or flick to p104. The next T3 goes on sale April 16…

{HTC ONE M 9} WE’RE NOT SURE HOW TRICKY THE third album is supposed to be, but given the One and One M8 were sterling smartphones, this was always going to be difficult phone to get right. Amazingly, it seems like HTC has managed to do it again, taking the best bits of the phones from 2013 and 2014 and fusing them into a more compact, but more powerful, new phone. The way that’s been done is with a two-tone design: the front is 2013’s One, with a flat face and sides to make it more grippable (the One M8 was all curves, but a floor magnet). The rear takes the beautiful polish of last year’s hit and adds different colours. The screen nestles beautifully in between your hands, with the display almost managing…

{1} FOCAL POINTS Ford Focus RS Ford’s Rallye Sport (RS) editions stretch back almost 50 years to the 15M RS, but the Focus RS brings the concept bang up to date. While the car is fundamentally the same one beloved of young families and estate agents, it features a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine and all-wheel-drive. Smart tech here includes a Rear Drive Unit, which actively monitors the power going to all four wheels and alters it accordingly, resulting in better torque and stability. £TBA, FORD.CO.UK, OUT NEXT YEAR { 2 } SMART CARD Swyp Swyp aims to put an end to wallet bulge by securely storing the data for all your debit/credit cards on one device. Simply choose a card using its onboard screen, plug or swipe it on the cashier’s handset and enter your pin. Swyp…

1. MAP ME DO ! As the Pathfinder trundles around a new city, it builds up a “ScenePrior” map by scanning with cameras and lasers. 2. ALIEN DETECTED! Once learned, it compares the ScenePrior to its current camera view, identifying obstacles such as roadworks and old ladies. TRANS PORT SYSTEMS’ CATAPULT LUTZ PATHFINDER may not sound like the future (unlike Johnny Cab, the self-driving taxi from Total Recall, which totally did). But, it may just be. It’s the first driverless pod allowed to roam the UK’s footpaths, with an array of 19 sensors and cameras, developed by Oxford University’s Mobile Robotics Group, letting it drive along a set route, and slam on the brakes if a pedestrian leaps out in front of it. Further safety features include deformable panels, “large external radii… and low…

M3D Micro The M3D Micro looks a bit less like a microwave oven than other 3D printers on the market, is built from lightweight carbon fibre, and has been introduced at an incredibly low Kickstarter price – just $349. It comes in red, green, blue, grey and black, and prints PLA and ABS filament in a range of 12 colours. $349, PRINTM3D.COM, PRE-ORDER Bonsai Labs BS Toy 3D From Japan, we have the world’s first 3D printer aimed at children. It prints using a special new filament called LT80, available in a range of colours. It’s softer and melts at just 80° Celsius – the norm is 180° – making it safer. Buy your kids one of these and there’ll be fewer trips to the toy shop… £TBA, WWW.BONSAILAB.ASIA, OUT LATE 2015 MakerBot Replicator Mini With a…