Year in review: top 10 tech stories of 2022, as selected by Wallpaper* technology editor Jonathan Bell

Wallpaper’s Jonathan Bell sets out his top 10 tech stories of 2022, from games consoles to cutting-edge virtual superstars

ABBA Voyage stage, part of Wallpaper's top 10 tech stories 2022
ABBA Voyage, one of Jonathan Bell’s top 10 tech stories of 2022
(Image credit: Johan Persson)

2022’s top 10 tech stories embrace a huge variety of disciplines, from books about brilliant designs old and new, to insight into how Swedish superstars ABBA made a triumphant digital comeback. Enduring design was top of the class, as was anything that approached our tech-saturated lives with a different twist. Read on for our technology top 10.

TOP 10 TECH STORIES OF 2022

01. Analogue Pocket puts gaming nostalgia in the palm of your hand

Top 10 tech 2022: Analogue Pocket

Tech Top Ten 2022: Analogue Pocket

(Image credit: Analogue)

Analogue’s Pocket finally arrived to acclaim and adoration from the growing ranks of retro gamers. The beautifully designed device continues to be updated, with support for more systems and better functionality being added all the time. 

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02. Hands on with new Nothing Phone (1): a clearly different smartphone

Top 10 tech 2022: Nothing Phone (1)

Tech Top Ten 2022: Nothing Phone (1)

(Image credit: Nothing)

Another long-awaited new arrival was Nothing’s debut smartphone, the Phone (1). We previewed the defiantly different Android device and then welcomed the finished device into our lives. 

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03. Wallpaper* wants... avant-garde audio systems that sound as good as they look

Tech Top Ten 2022: Hi-Fi Rose RA180

Tech Top Ten 2022: Hi-Fi Rose RA180

(Image credit: Hi-Fi Rose)

At the high end of the market, manufacturers continued to build bespoke audio systems that stood out for their appearance as well as their acoustic properties. Back in the summer, we rounded up five of the best avant-garde audio systems. 

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04. Prodrive’s new racing simulator is shaped by Callum to be front of the grid

Tech Top Ten 2022: Prodrive Racing Simulator by Ian Callum

Tech Top Ten 2022: Prodrive Racing Simulator by Callum Designs

(Image credit: Prodrive)

Acclaimed automotive designer Ian Callum turned his consultancy’s focus on the digital realm with a new high-tech driving simulator for motorsport specialists Prodrive. 

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05. Six minimal devices designed to take the stress out of tech

Tech Top Ten 2022: ReMarkable 2

Tech Top Ten 2022: ReMarkable 2 Tablet

(Image credit: ReMarkable)

Our round-up of technological minimalism struck a chord with readers, indicating there’s a strong desire for devices that aren’t constantly connected, needlessly nagging, or endlessly showcasing the very latest in processing power or graphical greatness. 

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06. ABBA Voyage director Baillie Walsh on songs, sequins, and virtual spaces

Tech Top Ten 2022: ABBA Voyage

Tech Top Ten 2022: ABBA Voyage

(Image credit: Johan Persson)

Director Baillie Walsh gave us behind the scenes insights into the year’s most sparkling entertainment event, ABBA Voyage. This blend of digital performance with live music and out-of-this-world lightshows continues to entrance. 

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07. Love Hultén’s eccentric electronics projects chronicled in new book

Tech Top Ten 2022: Love Hulten Monograph

Tech Top Ten 2022: Love Hultén's Monograph

(Image credit: Love Hulten)

A new self-published monograph from electronics designer Love Hultén gave a welcome insight into his creative process and elaborate bespoke musical projects. 

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08. Yamaha Design Laboratory creates experimental interactive musical devices

Tech Top Ten 2022: Yamaha Rhythmbot concepts

Tech Top Ten 2022: Rhythmbot concepts by Yamaha Design Laboratory

(Image credit: Yamaha)

More music, this time courtesy of Yamaha’s Design Laboratory. The line between sculpture, performance and playfulness was ably captured by these four conceptual devices. 

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09. Jony Ive and Apple: three decades that changed design

Wallpaper December 2017

Jony Ive's cover for Wallpaper* December 2017

(Image credit: Wallpaper)

A retrospective look at Jony Ive’s Apple years, perhaps the most significant period of industrial design innovation in the modern era 

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10. Teenage Engineering announces OP-1 Field, the ultimate new musical device

Tech Top Ten 2022: Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field

Tech Top Ten 2022: Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field

(Image credit: Teenage Engineering)

Swedish synthesiser wizards Teenage Engineering took their ten-year-old icon, the OP-1, and gave it an update for the new decade. Compact, expensive and meticulously designed, the OP-1 Field keeps this cult object at the forefront of musicians’ wish lists. 

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Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.