Hang on to the cutting edge of global technology

Here's a look at the very latest in technology and trends from around the world.

By Hitesh Raj Bhagat, ET Bureau | Updated: Feb 19, 2015, 09.35 AM IST

Hang on to the cutting edge of global technology

Here's a look at the very latest in technology and trends from around the world:

Tactus Phorm: A tactile touchscreen keyboard

If you've grown up on devices with physical buttons and still wrap your head around touchscreens, there's still some hope left.

A company called Tactus Technology has developed special cases (the iPad Mini is the first one available) that 'creates' physical buttons on top of the device's screen when you need them. They call the technology microfluidics - tiny channels can route a special clear fluid to pre-designated spots on top of the screen (such as over the on-screen keys).

The fluid expands the top layer of the polymer like material, creating tiny, raised buttons. Once you're done typing, the fluid will drain back out and you get your touchscreen back to use for gaming or drawing. The whole process - of filling or draining the buttons - takes just a couple of seconds.

The Phorm for iPad Mini is available for pre-order now (US$ 99 in the pre-order, US$ 149 later) with tentative shipping scheduled for mid 2015. This could be the future of touchscreens - one day, all touch devices might be tactile, with learnings from Tactus' tech.

Phantom One: A mini desktop that you'll love to show off

Rather than sitting in a dusty corner under your desk - the Phanton One demands pride of place on top in full view. It's a compact (smaller than a game console) but super-powerful computer with Windows 7 64bit, a 4.4Ghz Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 128GB solid state drive + 1TB hard drive and a GTX 970 graphics cards with 4GB dedicated memory.

A special bamboo version is also available - the entire shell is made of bamboo ply. Special thermal management means that it won't run hot - the two main heat generating components (processor and graphics card) are separated and draw in air from outside the enclosure without re-circulation.

If the Phantom One interests you, get in on the action on the product's Kickstarter page. You can reserve one of the first few units of the Phantom One for US$ 1,650 (while the regular price will be more than US$ 2,400).

Atama Sesame 2: Auto lock your MAC as you walk away

This small and lightweight keychain works like a digital Bluetooth key for your MAC. Keep it in your pocket and your MAC will automatically lock when you step away from the desk - and unlock by itself when you return.

You do need to install a small software package on the computer and set it up to lock/unlock with distance. It uses Bluetooth 4.0 low energy so it doesn't affect the battery life of a laptop and the coin lithium battery inside the keychain is good for about a year. Sesame 2 is currently compatible with MACs released after 2011 and they plan to add Windows support soon.

There are some apps that can do this too - communicating with the computer over Bluetooth. However, there are two problems with this method: first, you will need to carry the phone to lock the computer and second, you will constantly need to check whether the app is running (it might get terminated by the phone if memory runs low).

Nissan Leaf: A glow-in-the-dark electric car

No, you can't buy one just yet but that's because this special version of Nissan's Leaf electric car is more like a showcase. It's painted with a special coating that, much like the radium on the hands of a wristwatch, absorbs light during the day and glows in the dark.

Nissan says that the high-tech compound they've used is called Starpath (made in collaboration with inventor Hamish Scott). It absorbs UV light through the day and glows for 8 to 10 hours after dark. The glow effect will easily last the life of the vehicle and more.

When you think about it, it sorts of makes sense. From locating your car in a dark parking lot, visibility, road safety or just a pure, jaw-dropping and unique special effect, it has all sorts of uses. Would you paint your car with this?

LG Watch Urbane: A luxury Android Wear smartwatch

Seems like LG wants to step up their smartwatch game before the Apple watch makes it debut. They've just announced the LG Watch Urbane: an all-metal Android Wear smartwatch with a circular screen. The previously announced G Watch R also has a perfectly circular screen - still unusual in a smartwatch.

The Watch Urbane is obviously a refinement of the G Watch R - it has a stainless steel casing with narrower bezels (in a choice of polished silver or gold) and classy leather straps in black or tan. As far as specs go, the watch has a 1.3-inch, 320 x 320 pixel OLED display, 1.2Ghz Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, 410mAh battery, IP67 rating for dust/water resistance, gyro, accelerometer, barometer and heart rate sensor.

The only other smartwatch with a circular screen is the Moto 360, but even that has a small 'dark' section at the lower edge to house a light sensor and some of the screen electronics

Bluesmart: A smart, connected carry-on suitcase

Bluesmart is the first of its kind carry-on suitcase with smart features suitable for today's tech savvy generation. The suitcase works in tandem with a smartphone app via Bluetooth and allows you to track the suitcase as well as lock/unlock it from your phone.

To save you the headache of manually weighing the whole thing, there is a built-in digital scale to check the weight (and this is displayed on the phone app). Other features include s proximity sensor (it notifies you on the app if you have left the suitcase behind) and a built-in battery pack which you can use to charge your smartphone or tablet while on the move.

The case itself is constructed with a combination of anodized aluminum and a 3-layer polycarbonate shell for durability while keeping it lightweight. What's more, it also uses TSA locks so that if needed, it can be opened for inspection by authorities without causing any damage. Bluesmart can be purchased from Indiegogo for US$ 300. Estimated delivery is August 2015.

RideOn: Augmented reality goggles for snow sports

If you love skiing or snowboarding, RideOn Goggles are a must-have accessory. The stylish yet functional goggles projects a floating user interface right into your field of vision - it shows you real-time information about your location, points of interest, temperature, altitude and wind direction. You can even call/text your friends or track their location using the goggles - this is also am important safety feature.

If you're thinking that you will need to use hands or voice to control the interface, you're in for a surprise. The interface works using sight - you need to move your head around to move the on-screen icon around which in turn will activate the corresponding function.

There are also built-in virtual games to compete with your friends. The icing on the cake is that you can use them to record HD video and then share them on social networks. The replaceable lenses on the goggles are anti-fog, anti scratch and can be used with any existing helmet.

Prynt: A camera case with a built in printer

Fans of Polaroid and Instax cameras love them for their simplicity and instant printing of photos. With the Prynt case, you can convert your smartphone into an instant camera that prints your photos at the touch of a button. It's compatible with the Galaxy S4, S5 and iPhone 5/5S and 6.

The lightweight case connects to your phone using the charging port but does not draw power from the phone - it has a built in battery. You can capture a new photo or choose an existing one from the image gallery to print. Don't worry about managing the ink of the compact printer as there is none. It uses special paper with embedded ink to print photos - you can buy the paper from within the app.

If that isn't fun enough for you, the app also lets your record a 5-10 second video and embed it in a printed photo - scan the printed photo with the same app and it will start playing the video. You can pre order the camera from www.pryntcases.com for $99. Paper is a recurring cost and this will cost you $5 per pack of 10 photos.

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10 crazy gadgets to use for the perfect selfie

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If you love selfies, you will adore this — and what you see through this.

The downside, however, is that you cannot afford to be shabby while presenting yourself to the mirror! It is actually a two-way mirror that automatically takes photos of you. What’s more, the mirror will even post your photos on Twitter.

Designed by iStrategyLabs, the mirror reminds us of Twitter Mirror, with which celebrities have shot their self-portraits in the past and uploaded them to relevant event feeds.

It has a hidden Mac mini that recognizes you with face recognition when you stand in front of it, and LED lights that tell you when to be ready to get yourself snapped.