Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
Even though it's only April, thanks to contributions from key players, such as Samsung, Intel, Lenovo, Motorola, HTC and Epson, it's clear 2014 is going to go down in history as a year that was rife with technology innovation.
However, with all the great new devices having arrived in a brief four-month window, some avid technology fans may have missed some of the most interesting innovations. So we've rounded up the 10 most interesting devices and technology innovations you should know about.
10. Motorola Moto X
Despite being released in the US all the way back in August 2013, the Motorola Moto X only landed on UK shores in February. Even with the delay, the Moto X captured UK buyers' attention as it arrived just as Chinese technology giant Lenovo confirmed a deal with Google to buy Motorola. The deal means the Moto X could well be the last smartphone from Motorola to come with the firm's "Google company" branding.
That said, this may be no bad thing. As noted by multiple Motorola executives during a briefing at Mobile World Congress, Google was never really invested in Motorola as a company and was only ever really interested in the smartphone maker's patent portfolio. By comparison Lenovo is very interested in Motorola's success, viewing it as a key way to expand the success it has found in the Chinese smartphone market into Europe, and will likely invest and help Motorola create the stellar smartphones we know it can.
Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
9. Lenovo ThinkPad 8
Since Windows 8 first launched, PC and tablet makers have struggled to get the most out of the touch-focused operating system. The firm's interest in bringing Windows 8 to the masses started in the PC and Laptop space, when companies began loading the machines with touch displays. But this year technology companies have expanded to use Windows 8 on a number of small form factor tablets.
One of the most interesting of these Microsoft-powered tiny tablets arrived in January, when Lenovo unveiled its cutting-edge Thinkpad 8. Measuring 132x224x8.8mm, the tablet features some pretty impressive specifications, coming loaded with an 8.3in, 1920x1200 full HD display with 10-finger multi-touch support, Intel Atom Bay Trail Z3770 quad-core 2.4GHz processor and an impressive 2GB of internal RAM. Add to this its dockable stylus and we can't wait to get our hands on the Thinkpad 8 when it finally arrives in the UK later this year.
Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
8. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Phone makers have been working hard to blur the line between smartphones and tablets, releasing a steady stream of hybrid phablet devices. This is great for large-handed users, or business buyers needing to use their mobile for productivity purposes, but also means people accustomed to using regular-sized phones have been left in the lurch when it comes to handset options.
This year Sony has fixed this issue releasing its ultra-powerful, small-hand friendly Xperia Z1 Compact. Unveiled at CES 2014 in Las Vegas, the 4.3in Xperia Z1 Compact features a host of top-end internal components, including a powerful 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor and high-quality 20.7MP rear camera sensor. The top-end specs make the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact the best option currently available for Android users looking for a small form factor handset.
Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
7. Stratasys Objet300 Connex3 3D printer
3D printing has been a hot topic in the technology community for some time and for good reason. The technology has the potential to revolutionise industry as we know it, with firms experimenting with ways to print everything from engine parts to pizzas. That's why when Stratasys launched what it claims is the first multi-material full-colour 3D printer, the Objet500 Connex3, in the UK earlier this month we couldn't resist the urge to get the inside scoop on how the new tech works.
Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
6. HTC One M8
HTC took the 2013 smartphone world by storm when it released its first One handset. Featuring, at the time, cutting-edge internal specifications and visual design that in many buyers' eyes even put the Apple iPhone to shame, the One was undoubtedly one of 2013's best smartphones.
One year on, HTC has chosen not to rock the boat and has moved to replicate its 2013 success by releasing a new flagship One M8 smartphone that reworks rather than redefines its handset offering. While some may feel this is a little dull, we noted in our full video review that there's still plenty to like about the HTC One M8, not least its powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and robust metal design.
Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
5. Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2
Samsung's been eyeing the business device market for more than a year now, releasing a steady stream of software solutions designed to improve its Galaxy devices' enterprise appeal.
But it was only in February this year that the Korean firm directly targeted the market, releasing its brand new Pro line of Android tablets bespoke designed for business users. Spearheaded by the company's Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 tablet the business-focused devices bristle with enterprise-focused features, including Samsung's new Magazine UX Android skin, Knox security service and S series of productivity apps.
Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
4. Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS 15 is by far one of the best laptops we have tested in a long time. With its vibrant near-4K resolution touchscreen display, it's hard to fault. There's no question that the Dell XPS 15's high-quality aluminium finish and matte charcoal casing ensures that it looks the part, reflecting its premium price of around £1,700.
Although it doesn't come cheap, the XPS 15 makes up for it in performance, being quite the powerhouse. It handles Windows 8 well, with no lag when using applications. It also handled everything we threw at it with ease, probably due to its Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM and high-end GPU with 2GB of video RAM.
All in all, if you've got the cash to spare and you're looking for a portable powerhouse, the XPS 15 is a great laptop option.
Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
3. Intel Edison
The Internet of Things and wearable technology are common buzzwords in any debate about the future of technology. However, at CES this year Intel proved there is more behind these two words than hot air, when it unveiled its brand new Edison computer. Planned for release this summer, Edison is an SD card-sized computer based on Intel's 22nm Quark processor. The computer is designed for use in a variety of technologies, including everything from wearable technologies to smart coffee cups.
Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
2. Epson Moverio BT-200 Smart Glasses running Scope AR tech
Google Glass may be dominating the headlines when it comes to smartglasses, but at CES this year Epson showed that the search giant isn't the only company interested in this area of tech, when it demoed its Moverio BT-200 Smart Glasses.
Loaded with Scope AR technology, the glasses offer users computer-generated instructional images showing how to perform specific tasks, such as wiring up a piece of computer hardware or fixing a broken laptop.
Epson says its expects the smartglasses to be a hit with multiple organisations ranging from manufacturing companies to technical support operations, engineers and the military when they are released in the next two years.
Galaxy S5, Intel Edison and 3D printing: Top 10 tech products for 2014
Tablets, smartphones, tiny chips and 3D printers - the best technology to keep an eye out for this year
1. Samsung Galaxy S5
The fanfare around Samsung's yearly flagship release is always something to behold, with the lead up to the phones' unveiling always abuzz with rumours about their specifications and features.
The 2013 unveiling disappointed the Android community, with many feeling Samsung's Galaxy S4 was a little light on original features, making it little more than an update to its predecessor, the Galaxy S3. Luckily to counter this, Samsung ensured history did not repeat itself during its Mobile World Congress 2014 keynote when it unveiled what is one of its most innovative smartphones to date, the Galaxy S5.
As we noted in our full video review, the Galaxy S5 is full of innovative additions, coming with a new custom fingerprint scanner, Knox 2.0 security services, a biometric heart rate monitor and Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 801 chip.