In the month that saw Apple Intelligence open its doors and Google DeepMind release the 2.0 version of Gemini, celebrating tech with no AI component whatsoever seems rather churlish. But 2024 wasn’t all about the all-conquering imposition of LLMs and generative creativity. We’ve assembled our ten tech stories that had the most impact in 2024.
01. Orchid by Telepathic Instruments
The Orchid
One of the players behind newcomer Telepathic Instruments is Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. That’s piqued the interest for the company’s first product, the Orchid synthesizer and chord generator. Expect to hear more from them in 2025.
02. Fender x Hello Kitty Stratocaster
Otoboke Beaver's Yoyoyoshie and the Hello Kitty Squier Stratocaster
The ultimate musical mash-up returned in time to celebrate Sanrio’s famous feline’s 50th. Fender Japan cannily cranked up the kawaii with bespoke guitars, including the revival of its Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster, and a plethora of accessories.
03. Epson EF-22 Projector
Epson EF-22 Laser Projector
Epson EF-22 is a compact laser projector that performs perfectly and unobtrusively, sized so you can store it away when not in use and featuring Google TV for ease of everyday operation.
04. Openhagen LightBoks projector
LightBoks projector by Openhagen
On the other hand, you might want to keep your projector on display, in which case the warm wooden stylings of the LightBoks, from Danish maker Openhagen, is the one for you.
05. Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 10
Incremental increases may be possible, but the Apple Watch has come a long way since it debuted in 2015. The Apple Watch Series 10 is the most sophisticated (and sensor-stuffed) device you can wear.
06. Ten years of Monument Valley
Monument Valley by Ustwo Games
Now that the long-awaited Monument Valley 3 has arrived on Netflix, revisit the story of the original game.
07. Analogue3D console
Analogue3D supports original Nintendo controllers and up to four players
More gaming nostalgia in the form of the Analogue3D console, which brings back the catalogue of Nintendo’s famous N64 console.
08. Bring Your Own Keyboard
The BYOK screen is also backlit
Writers love to find new ways of practising their craft. In addition to the reMarkable Paper Pro, our paltry attention span was piqued by the distraction-free design of the BYOK screen.
09. Teenage Engineering EP-1320
Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval
TE had a busy year, culminating in the all-new OP-XY sequencer. We couldn’t resist the stylings of the EP 1320 Medieval, a quirky ‘portal into a world of imagined medieval grooves.’
10. On Google Gemini and the rise of AI
Google Gemini AI
AI is such a fast-moving sector that our July musings on the ins and outs of the tech have been superseded many times over. As Google readies Astra, its next-gen multi-modal AI assistant, check back and see the origins of the tech before it blends seamlessly into our lives.
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Warp Records announces its first event in over a decade at the Barbican‘A Warp Happening,' landing 14 June, is guaranteed to be an epic day out
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Cure your ‘beauty burnout’ with Kindred Black’s artisanal glasswareDoes a cure for ‘beauty burnout’ lie in bespoke design? The founders of Kindred Black think so. Here, they talk Wallpaper* through the brand’s latest made-to-order venture
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The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt will be shown at Tate ModernThe 42-panel quilt, which commemorates those affected by HIV and AIDS, will be displayed in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall in June 2025
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The new Polaroid Flip unfolds to bring you pin-sharp instant photographyPolaroid announces the Flip, an instant camera that blends its evergreen film technology with better results and more control
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Microsoft vs Google: where is the battle for the ultimate AI assistant taking us?Tech editor Jonathan Bell reflects on Microsoft’s Copilot, Google’s Gemini, plus the state of the art in SEO, wayward algorithms, video generation and the never-ending quest for the definition of ‘good content’
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Could putting pen to reMarkable’s Paper Pro tablet make you more creative and less stressed?Design Museum director Tim Marlow extols the power of ‘scribbling’, and is backed up by new research from reMarkable on the benefits of its paper tablet
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Clicks creates keyboard cases for iPhones – now they're also available for three Android flagshipsSmartphones get a new lease of life with Clicks, which brings a Blackberry-style keyboard to today’s cutting-edge Apple and Android devices
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The OM System OM-3 camera blends heritage design with cutting-edge technologyThe OM-3 from OM System is the newest must-have mirrorless camera design, classically styled and comprehensively equipped to create the ultimate contemporary digital camera
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Type without the tyranny of distractions: eight new ways to get the words outLooking for a way to divert you from doom-scrolling? This selection of eight distraction-free typing devices will keep you offline and away from the socials to help you meet that deadline
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Apple updates the iPad Air with new silicon, new intelligence and new coloursMeet the new M3-powered Apple iPad Air, a compact multimedia tablet built for graphics and AI and capable of outclassing many laptops
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Apple is rumoured to be releasing a foldable iPhone. How should it stand out from the crowd?The new model is forecast for 2026, but Apple’s competitors have already entered the foldable phone market. Is the tech megabrand late to the party, or can we expect something special from its contribution?
