Gadgets at work: Five devices for hybrid workers

Gadgets at Work is a weekly section where we highlight gadgets and consumer products that can help simplify any executive’s life. 

Most working professionals have their roster of personal gadgets they count upon for multitasking, focusing, and being more productive. It can be anything from a monitor that can serve as a second screen to a laptop, keyboard for smartphones or a webcam that can enhance video feed during video calls and webinars or a home printer to meet printing requirements of hybrid workers and learners. 

Here are some gadgets for a hybrid worker, who has started going to the office once or twice a week, but still needs a reliable setup to work from home. 

Apple AirPods 3rd gen 

Rs 18,500

Tired of cheap wired earbuds? If you are willing to spend a little more, Apple’s AirPods 3rd gen is a viable option. It supports Apple’s voice assistant Siri and can be asked to read notifications, get directions or play songs. Apple claims the earplugs can muster up to 6 hours of listening time on one charge. It is also IPX4 rated, which makes sweat and water-resistant-- a feature that many users in India would appreciate. Its other highlights include dynamic head tracking, smaller stem size, and adaptive EQ that optimizes the listening experience based on how the device fits into the user’s ears. 

All-New Kindle Paperwhite 

Rs 13,999

For professionals who read a lot for work or to relax after work, the new Kindle Paperwhite is a lot less distracting and easy on the eyes as compared to a smartphone or a laptop. Its 6.8-inch e-ink screen is also a lot more spacious than the 6-inch screen available on its predecessors. According to Amazon, page turns on it are 20% faster as compared to predecessors. Its other highlights include USB type-C for charging and a waterproof exterior. 

Acer ED273UR 27-inch monitor

Rs 21,990

A 14 or 15-inch screen available in most laptops can feel restrictive for certain use cases such as video editing or designing. Acer’s 27-inch curved monitor can address it by providing a desktop-like experience with laptops by extending the screen or duplicating it. The monitor has HDMI and DVI ports that make it compatible with almost any notebook. In addition to a big screen, the monitor also offers a healthy resolution of 2560 X 1440p resolution, the option to tilt the screen up to 15 degrees, and a blue light shield to reduce stress on the eyes. 

Canon Pixma E4570 inkjet MFP

Rs 9,91

Aimed at home offices or small offices, Canon’s new multifunction printer (MFP) supports two-sided printing and, as per the company, can churn up to 400 text-based prints and up to 180 color prints on a single cartridge. The MFP also supports Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing users to control it using voice commands. It also supports Apple AirPrint and Mopria for Android. Users can also edit documents and webpages they want to print using Canon's new Easy-Layout Editor software that is bundled with the device. 

Orico ABS Cable Management power strip

Rs 1800

Charging multiple devices or using them while plugged on can create a lot of cable clutter around the extension box. For professionals with a young child at home, this is a recipe for disaster. Orico’s cable management box can address this by allowing users to accommodate two power strips, surge protectors, and cables. In addition to putting them away from children, it also protects the cables from moisture and dust. It also has a groove on top where users can park their tablets and smartphones while on charge. 

Viewsonic M1 + G2 projector 

 Rs 44,499

 Viewsonic’s M1+G2 LED projector is a compact LED projector that can come in handy for making small presentations or for entertainment at home. It is designed for portability, weighing under 1kg, and has an in-built battery that can eke out up to 6 hours of backup. It can project a screen of up to 100 inches from a distance of just 2.6 meters, has integrated stereo speakers from Harman Kardon, and supports WiFi connectivity, allowing users to stream directly from their smartphones.