Contemporary tech is impressive, yet sometimes excitement peaks when we delve into the world of fantasy. The realms of gaming, television, and cinema frequently showcase incredibly imaginative devices that we can only dream about, from a fantastical VR headset to a ghostly-powered smartphone. Therefore, occasionally, we indulge in treating these as if they actually existed, reviewing sci-fi gadgets as we would the newest iPhone or Switch. Stay updated on everything right here.
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Even though the Pokémon series’ Rotom Phones haven’t varied much in design over the years, each new installment has brought in fresh features that made upgrading essential. Sword / Shield introduced the first Rotom Phone, featuring a basic camera that allowed easy wide-angle (screen) captures in the Galar region’s Wild Area. In Scarlet / Violet, the second iteration’s camera had notably enhanced capabilities, but its most impressive trait was its ability to prevent you from falling to your demise if you fell from a high place.
While neither of the earlier Rotom Phones boasted the visual flair of Pokémon Legends: Arceus‘ Arc Phone, both illustrated the progression of consumer technology within the Pokémon universe, which has grown increasingly efficient and sophisticated. This trend carries on in Pokémon Legends: Z-A with a new Rotom Phone, seemingly tailored for urban adventures.
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Determining what exactly contributes to a design’s timelessness can be tricky. Certain classic gadgets are simply exquisite, while others retain their usefulness long after their release. The roster of truly ageless tech products is brief, but one name stands out: RobCo Industries’ Pip-Boy. It may be straightforward, and some features only function in subterranean settings, but when a design remains unchanged for two centuries, it’s undoubtedly doing something right.
For those who have been under an irradiated rock, a Pip-Boy is a wrist-worn device that’s—despite its original purpose for the pre-war world and subsequently, life inside a Vault-Tec vault—proven to be an essential survival tool in the wasteland. It’s sizable and tough, yet not overly heavy or uncomfortable, adorned with satisfyingly chunky buttons and dials. Aesthetically, it surprisingly adapts well to everything from a Vault-Tec jumpsuit to raider gear. There’s no need to fret about when or where it’s appropriate to wear one.
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Arthur C. Clarke famously remarked that “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” and this statement has never been more applicable than with the 3 Body Problem VR headset. It stands light-years ahead of anything else available, appearing almost like a fantasy. Without a doubt, this is the pinnacle of virtual reality experiences. Unfortunately, there’s a significant lack of applications to leverage that sophisticated tech; initially, only a single application is offered. Although that one app is a game that might change humanity’s direction forever, it doesn’t push the headset into the “must acquire” category.
Let’s begin with the remarkable hardware, which truly is extraordinary. The headset features a streamlined metallic design that is so light it’s nearly unnoticeable. It operates completely wirelessly, and unlike, for instance, the Apple Vision Pro, it seems to be universally accommodating right from the start. No fiddling with visual configurations or specially customized frames. Simply put it on and you’re ready to go. Loading times are non-existent, and the battery life seems endless. The engineering behind fitting all this into such a compact device is impressive. I can’t wait for iFixit to take a look at it.
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