Consumer Technology & Gadgets

Concept Plumage is a smartphone case featuring a physical, tactile keyboard integrated into a half-screen, half-keyboard design. It revives the clamshell phone concept with a hinge mechanism, offering precise typing and a clear separation between work and leisure. This design disrupts the typical flat touchscreen experience by providing a mechanical keyboard for error-free typing, appealing especially to users who value tactile feedback in a digital age.

The standout gadgets of July 2025 emphasize sleek, minimalist designs with clean lines and clever mechanics that integrate seamlessly into daily life. They focus on solving practical problems quickly while elevating user routines, such as wireless chargers that reduce workspace clutter or devices that enhance productivity through innovative interfaces. This blend of cutting-edge design and purposeful function defines the month's hottest tech.

Smart notebooks are digital or hybrid notebooks that allow users to write manually but then digitize their notes for easy editing, searching, and sharing. They improve productivity by enabling quick retrieval of information, facilitating collaboration on group projects, and reducing paper use, which also benefits the environment. Some smart notebooks come with features like OCR text recognition and real-time synchronization with mobile devices.

Notebook whiteboards combine the portability and permanence of traditional notebooks with the reusability of whiteboards. Unlike permanent paper notebooks, they offer erasable pages that can be rewritten endlessly, reducing paper waste. Compared to bulky wall whiteboards, they are compact and portable, making them ideal for on-the-go study sessions. They help students organize thoughts visually, boost creativity, and improve focus by providing a screen-free space for brainstorming and planning.

A portable SSD such as the Crucial X9 Pro is recommended because it provides a reliable, fast, and compact way to back up important academic documents, lab reports, and syllabi. Its small size, durability with an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, and speedy performance make it ideal for students who need to carry their data securely and access it anywhere on campus.

Students should select tech gadgets by balancing performance, portability, and price while considering their academic requirements (such as software needs for STEM or humanities courses), lifestyle factors (like portability for commuters or battery life for long study sessions), and budget constraints. Additionally, taking advantage of student discounts can make midrange devices more affordable.

ZDNET readers are purchasing a variety of innovative gadgets in 2025, including Bluetooth finder tags like the Chipolo One Point, USB-C magnetic adapters, mini projectors such as the DotterPod Mini, and advanced devices like robot vacuums with mechanical arms and rollable laptops from Lenovo. These gadgets are designed to enhance productivity and convenience both at home and in the office.

The new robot vacuums, such as the Roborock Saros Z70, include a mechanical arm with OmniGrip technology that can pick up small obstacles weighing under 8 ounces while vacuuming and mopping. This innovation eliminates the need for users to clear floors of clothes, toys, or other items before cleaning, making the process more autonomous and efficient.

Trade-in programs promote environmental sustainability by encouraging the reuse and recycling of electronic devices. This reduces electronic waste (e-waste) by refurbishing and reselling devices, extending their lifecycle and minimizing the demand for new ones, which helps reduce pollution and resource depletion associated with manufacturing new devices.

Participating in trade-in programs offers consumers financial benefits such as substantial discounts or credits on new devices. This makes modern technology more accessible while also providing a convenient way to upgrade devices without the hassle of selling old ones separately.

An OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen is made by placing organic thin films between two conductors that emit light when an electric current is applied. Unlike traditional LED screens that use a crystalline p-n diode structure, OLEDs use organic molecules to produce light, allowing for thinner, more flexible displays with better color vibrancy and contrast. OLEDs do not require backlighting, which enables innovative designs such as bendable or odd-shaped screens.

Oddball or unconventional screen formats challenge traditional display designs by utilizing innovative technologies like OLED, which allow for miniaturized, bendable, or uniquely shaped screens. These designs enhance user experience by offering new form factors and functionalities that standard flat, backlit screens cannot provide, reflecting a trend toward more personalized and versatile consumer electronics.