Work-from-home tech you need in 2022 to brighten up your day and improve the office experience
- Your home office will be all the better for a studio-quality webcam, a state-of-the-art microphone or a dot-matrix display of your go-to cryptocurrency’s price
- How about a gaming sound bar with light animations synced to the music you play, desk lighting for your video calls or multicoloured light panels for your wall?
Working from home amid the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t have to be a dreary, dawn-to-dusk task if you have the right environment to work in. We take a look at gadgets that can help you work better, or bring cheer to your day.
LaMetric Time
Fronted by a retro, dot-matrix-like display, the stylish LaMetric Time is powered by a USB adaptor, senses ambient brightness and automatically adjusts its display so you can see it.
Once set up and connected via Wi-fi, it can notify you of your upcoming meetings, play your chosen online radio channel via its built-in speakers, and display the current price of your favourite cryptocurrency.
The LaMetric Time app lets you access other capabilities – load a timer, show your current task, or display incoming messages from Slack. Manually tab through them with the LaMetric Time’s buttons or set them to rotate automatically, and the more technically inclined can even create their own apps by signing up as a developer.
Price: US$199
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 dock
The Thunderbolt Station 4, or TS4, is the latest iteration of CalDigit’s iconic docking station that can increase your productivity.
Plug your device to the dock through the host port to gain 18 ports to connect other devices through its 40Gbps connection. These include five USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, three USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two combined Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports, and a DisplayPort 1.4 port for an external monitor.
The faster 2.5Gbps Ethernet port is useful too, as home networks incorporate faster standards. Like previous versions of the TS family, the TS4 is encased in metal to aid in heat dissipation.
Price: US$395.95
Lumina
If you miss showing off your outfit of the day at the office, the least you can do is look good on video calls. The Lumina is an AI-powered 4K webcam that delivers studio-quality video.
The sleek aluminium unibody is beautifully finished and available in four colours. A magnetic cover snaps on for privacy at the end of a day’s work.
A large sensor and glass lens offers superior image quality and a field of view of between 65 and 95 degrees. According to Lumina, the adaptive colour correction system seeks to understand the environment to bring out truly vibrant colours.
The result is a quality that the firm says is superior to Logitech’s business webcam Brio.
Price: US$199
Blue Yeti X
This is a state-of-the art USB microphone that will make you sound as good as possible for all your work calls and is touted for its gaming and streaming prowess – ideal activities to pick up when you’re done with your working day.
Unlike a standard microphone, the Yeti X comes with a four-capsule condenser array for four distinct audio pickup patterns. Directional cardioid offers crisp, clear pickups when recording, omni is perfect for calls when you pace around, bidirectional is perfect for in-person podcast interviews, and stereo works great with multiple sound sources.
A multi-function smart knob lets you monitor and adjust your voice level in real time, and can be used to quickly mute the microphone – check the LED lights to confirm – when you’re munching on your potato chips.
Price: US$169.99
Sound Blaster Katana V2
A compact gaming sound bar that delivers powerful, immersive music playback with a rich range of connectivity options? Yes please. According to Creative, the new Katana is engineered to deliver considerably more power than the original.
The multiple-speaker sound bar is ideal for gaming and watching films and is a highly capable speakerphone. Just plug it in to your desktop or laptop via USB to take your audio to the next level.
The inclusion of Super X-Fi technology (which uses algorithms and computations to custom fit audio) means you get realistic output with headphones.
Turn on the RGB lighting along the front edge of the Sound Blaster Katana V2 to uplift your mood while working – select from one colour, preset animations or use the music-reactive settings.
Price: US$330
Razer Key Light Chroma
This is an all-in-one lighting accessory for your video calls or set ambient lighting. With a brightness of up to 2,800 lumens (the units that measure light) and an integrated diffuser, you can adjust the colour temperature for video calls or use an appropriately wild hue for gaming after work.
A slim clamp mount secures the light to your desk, while the Key Light Chroma itself can be attached either horizontally or vertically on the extendable pole.
The Razer Synapse and the Razer Streaming apps allow for wireless control via PC and smartphone respectively. Link it with other Razer Chroma-enabled devices, such as the Nanoleaf, to keep colours synchronised in your room.
Price: US$299
Nanoleaf Shapes
Chase away the gloom with Nanoleaf Shapes – thin, modular light panels that attach to your walls behind or around your workstation. The panels have a clever interconnecting design and are controlled via Wi-fi for customisable multicoloured illumination.
The Nanoleaf Shapes are glued to the wall, so some planning is needed to set them up; the Layout Assistant in the Nanoleaf app offers a range of good patterns to choose from. You can also review design inspirations for any combination of panels available on the Nanoleaf website.
Once installed, set your Nanoleaf Shapes to an ideal lighting temperature, or load up a variety of productivity-boosting patterns. The ability to create unique layouts and customise colour palettes will give any room a breath of fresh air.
Price: US$204-US$217
Cost for all seven gadgets: US$1,796.94 to US$1,809.94
