Remember how ugly our technology used to be?
We’ve come a long way, design-wise. In fact, lots of tech products now put style far ahead of substance, promising sleek, thin looks at the expense of speed, power or durability.
But there’s a happy medium. Here are some tech products for those who also care about looks and style.
Kate Spade New York smartphone and tablet cases: You can find much cheaper ways to protect your iPad or Samsung Galaxy phone, but you probably won't find as many gorgeously styled options under any other brand. The prices range from about $40 for standard phone cases to $100 for ones that also include a built-in battery to charge a device. (katespade.com)
Moto 360: Will 2015 be the year of the smartwatch? Apple is reading readying its Apple Watch for the masses, and lots of other companies are trying to compete with their own fitness wristbands or watches that communicate with your phone. Apart from what we've seen of the Apple Watch so far, the smartwatch that perhaps looks the best and that you can purchase today is Motorola's elegant round-faced 360, which can communicate with Android smart phones via voice commands and can track heart rate and steps. It's available in several different leather band choices, and the face itself can be customized to one's liking (after all, it's a screen). ($250, moto360.motorola.com)
DUBS Acoustic Filters: DUBS are a huge step beyond cheap foam earplugs and are available in teal, blue, pink and white. They preserve sound fidelity from the outside world while reducing audio levels by about 12 decibels on average. They're sized for ages 16 and up and cost $25 per reusable set. (getdubs.com)
ShaveTech: Electric razors are not exactly fashion runway material, but this thin, lightweight, USB-powered shaver for travelers doesn't really look like a shaver. It could pass for a silver or black lighter or even a small battery pack. But can a battery pack give you a clean shave when you've left your Mach3 and shaving cream at home? Probably not without some skin injury. ($30, shavetech.com)
Me-Shot Pholder 2.0: Sometimes style isn't about the tool you're using, but the end product. For the selfie-obsessed, the Me-Shot is an extendable rod that can clamp onto most smartphones, providing three more feet of range, perfect for group shots. The $40 version is just a holder, but a $60 deluxe version includes a Bluetooth remote (yes, a remote for selfies). Sure, using it will look incredibly dorky, but lots of Instagram selfie stars suffer for their art. There's also a sister product called "U-Shot" for cameras. ($40-$60 in orange, black or pink, xsories.com)
Libratone Loop: Hear me out on this one. Yes, it's ridiculous to pay $500 for a wireless speaker when there are plenty of great-sounding ones for under $200. But this Scandinavian product isn't just a rechargeable jambox you carry around with you. It's meant for the home as a piece of stylish art, available in 11 colors of wrapped Italian wool covers. It comes with a stand but can also be mounted on the wall and plays via Bluetooth, headphone jack, USB or even Apple's AirPlay streaming. There are many cheaper wireless speaker options but few that look this good. (libratone.com)
Stellé Audio Pillar: Remember I mentioned cheaper speaker options? This cylindrical speaker, available at Neiman Marcus, also does Bluetooth audio and has a 15-hour battery life. There are two wood-grain models and five solid colors including some eye-catching metallic models as well as pillars in patterns. The design features 2.1 channel sound, including a 3-inch subwoofer. And they're kinda gorgeous. ($300, stelleaudio.com)
Misfit Shine and Bloom Necklace: The race to get on your wrist is getting fierce, but the Misfit Shine stands apart as a simplified, futuristic activity and sleep tracker without any screen clutter. It's waterproof and doesn't require charging. Reviews for it as a tech device have been all over the place, but even jaded tech critics agree it's a beauty. There are lots of different watch bands and other accessories available for it, but the disc-shaped Misfit tracker can also be worn as jewelry, as with the Bloom Necklace ($80) that turns it into something lovely. (misfit.com)
Tuck Device Rack: Sometimes style is about not cluttering up your living space with laptops or remote controls. The Tuck is a chrome stand that can hold a laptop as large as 15 inches, and it also has a silicon pocket for smaller devices. It can also help manage power cables. ($120, modko.com)
Mophie Powerstation and CFDA Power Banks: Portable charging power on the go is essential if you live on your smartphone and use it all day. Mophie's always been a reliable brand for chargers, and its external battery packs are available in nine bright, metallic colors at $80 each. But there's an alternative so stylish I had to add it to this list. The Council of Fashion Designers of America has partnered with eBay to offer six $25 portable chargers from designers Badgley Mischka, Nicole Miller, Pamela Love, Suno, Thakoon and Trina Turk. They work with iOS and Android phones. (mophie.com; givingworks.ebay.com/council-of-fashion-designers-of-america)
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