techsupport Although its meaning is very different from what we think, the word gadget, a term from the English language, basically defines any electronic artefact used as a tool or accessory. Still, in this context, it must fulfil a specific function in the technological life of the user.
One of the most fascinating growing fields of technology is gadget technology. There are so many items you may get to improve and spice up your life. The top gadgets are reviewed, compared, and reported on by digitogy. There are countless alternatives for finding something fascinating and useful among the many intriguing tech gadgets available.
In this sense, bracelets or smartphones are clear examples of a gadget. Still, the word gadget is also usually used to mention small computer applications that show us the weather forecast or time. If you are interested in learning about new technologies, we invite you to continue reading the rest of the post, where you will find much information about gadgets.
What is a gadget?
A gadget can be a technological product, a device, or a computer application, called, in these cases mini app, gadget or desktop widget. It is considered a gadget in the field of devices to pen drives, smartphones, tablets, GPS, and external interfaces such as audio, headphones and microphones, among many other types of hardware.
As far as computer gadgets are concerned, also often called desktop gadgets, this type of software is none other than the applications we can apply to our desktop in most operating systems such as Windows, Linux or macOS.
In this sense, Windows Vista and Windows 7 are remembered for allowing users to develop and install this type of desktop gadget to expand work possibilities.
To have a clearer idea of what we are talking about, we will separate the gadgets into two different categories to understand easily and quickly how to define them and know in depth the scope of this word.
Types of Gadgets
Technological or hardware gadgets
The word Gadget is used to mention any novel device that offers for the first time state-of-the-art technology that others do not provide and, therefore, is expensive for a few users. The possession of this type of device raises the category and status of those who own it, above all, as we mentioned, because of its high price.
In its physical form, a gadget is a small technological device, which can vary from a USB beer cooler to a 3D printer for home use. That is, this category includes any device that meets the premise of being novel. Cell phones were considered gadgets, but they were simply phones over the years when they lost their novelty and impact. That’s the basic concept of the gadget.
At this point, it is essential to remember that “gadget” and “device” are two different things. A device is a tool, artefact or mechanism we use to do a job or perform a specific task. In this sense, a computer, a printer or a camera are devices.
But if we take, for example, a game controller or an accessory for a drone are considered gadgets. It is common to confuse these concepts since they are very similar, but the fundamental premise that we should never forget is that any gadget can be a device, but not all devices are gadgets.
Classification of hardware gadgets
Later in this article, we saw how we could define a gadget: ” any electronic device that is used as a tool or accessory, but in the context must fulfil a specific function in the technological life of the user.”
From this definition, a fundamental question can be drawn: What functions? The answer to this question can be very long since, in the market, there are tens of thousands of gadgets with specific roles for every need.
That is why from this point, we will try to put a little order and classify the gadgets into different categories, with the simple purpose of being able to identify the true function they fulfil quickly.
Before starting, it is necessary to indicate that categorising these gadgets is arduous since there are tens of thousands of brands, models and classes. However, we can define more significant categories that include more variety of devices with similar functions.
Virtual and augmented reality gadgets
In this category, we could include two types of gadgets: Virtual reality headsets and augmented reality glasses. These devices are one of the latest entertainment technologies on the market.
Spy gadgets
Spy gadgets are many, so we will divide them into several subcategories that include devices such as hidden cameras, night photography cameras and various video surveillance devices. Binoculars with custom optics and night vision devices. Also, dictaphones, lie detectors, and motion sensors should be included.
All these gadgets include various devices that allow us to do effective spying without anyone suspecting us. It should consist of recorders and cameras on pens, cameras and sensors for listening in books and other elements up to spy cameras in drones controlled by remote control.
Smartwatches
One of the most exciting developments in recent years. Smartwatches, or “smartwatches”, are a handy device that allows us to receive phone calls and respond to SMS, email and WhatsApp messages. Even some models of smartwatches, the most expensive, become “appendages” of the smartphone and allow us to have on the screen of the watch certain functions such as social network messages, calls, the report of weather conditions, calendar reminders, news and many other parts.
Gaming gadgets
It is one of the most extensive categories of gadgets since there is no limit in terms of the sensations the player wants to experience when immersed in his game. All gaming gadgets aim to make the user feel as comfortable as possible when playing their favourite game.
This category includes audio amplifiers, headphones, controllers, controls, surround speakers, microphones, cameras, keyboards and even unique clothing. For a device to be considered a gaming gadget, it must be developed with this in mind and provide special features for one or more particular games.
Health gadgets
There is no doubt that this category of gadgets is one of the most useful since it is oriented to health care through electronic devices. With a health gadget, we can improve our quality of life, whether we are sick or trying not to be.
Among the many functions that health gadgets can offer are, for example, the possibility of reminding us to take a medication, or even, if our budget allows it, that a machine injects the medicine when we need it. It may seem like science fiction, but it’s pure reality.
Other health gadgets, less surprising but much more widespread among all types of users, are, for example, massagers, which can help us control stress after an arduous workday. Other everyday health gadgets are blood pressure monitors, which allow us to measure high or low blood pressure.
Also, in this category of health gadgets, we must include thermometers, which can determine body temperature in search of fever, portable defibrillators, sugar meters for diabetics and many other diagnostic devices at home or in the office.
Another category of health gadget, much more modern and surprising, are the so-called bracelets or exercise bands, which allow us to monitor our physical condition and advise us with data and statistics, what is the correct way to jog, or at what speed we should do it, according to the data that the sensors in said pulsar or “wearable” band have collected from our movement.
All these health gadgets allow us to monitor our health, and the most modern is to track our physical activity in search of problems or patterns that indicate an anomaly. However, we should never trust them completely. If you believe we have any problem, the best is to go to the usual doctor.
Software Gadgets (Mini apps or desktop widgets)
It is called gadget software gadgets of the writer to all those mini-applications we can find on websites or in our operating system. Currently, this type of gadget is used on many internet platforms on their websites to provide us with related or helpful information, such as time, weather conditions or any other information that the website developer supposes may be useful to us when browsing your site.
