If you thought your television at home was flat screen, you might want to wait till you see LGās newest model.
The 4K OLED TV is only 2.57mm thick - less than two pennies stacked on top of each other - and is part of the insanely thin W-series.
Advertisement
LG
Weighing in at a 17 pounds for the 65-inch version (the 77-inch model clocks a monstrous 27 pounds) mounting it would feel more like a test of your wallpapering skills, than anything else.
Even given the OLED set doesnāt require extra backlighting, you might still be wondering what wizardry has allowed LG to house the essential components inside.
Advertisement
DAVID MCNEW via Getty Images
And here comes the catch that might destroy your visions of a sleek home-cinema.
Although the TV itself needs to be mounted on a flat wall, it is a two-part system that requires a Dolby Atmos soundbar in the vicinity to neatly conceal the HDMI inputs and so on.
David Becker via Getty Images
Advertisement
It is worth noting that if you already have a surround system set up that youāre pretty satisfied with, you can bypass the audio functionality of the soundbar.
But youāre still going to need a table to hold the brains of the TV in close proximity to the screen.
LG announced they also partnered with Netflix, Amazon Video and Vudu this year, but no Android TV or Chromecast yet to speak of.
Advertisement
Shipping is billed to begin in February and the product will be on the shelves by March, but you might want to hide your credit card given last yearās G-series started at $4,999 and this yearās price has not yet been disclosed.
The Best Gadgets From 2016:
Xbox One S
Microsoft
If you own a 4K TV and also own an original Xbox One then the Xbox One S is the console for you. It is quite simply Microsoftās best Xbox ever, itās also the cheapest 4K Blu-ray player youāll be able to buy this side of Christmas. Your games collection will look stunning and if you trade in your old console the relatively small cost shouldnāt sting while you wait for Microsoftās uber-console Project Scorpio to arrive next year.
Apple iPhone 7
Apple
This is Appleās best iPhone ever, and if weāre honest itās one of their most innovative devices yet. Its exceptional camera, combined with with a slim, water-resistant body mean that while it's not a leap in design it is a leap in just about everything else. No it doesn't have a headphone jack, but wireless audio is finally ready.
Sky Q
Sky
Sky Q as a complete package is the future, not just one single feature.Itās knowing that everything youāve ever recorded is available in every room. Itās knowing that you can download any recorded show onto your iPad. Itās also knowing that every Sky Q box also doubles as a WiFi hotspot.This is where Sky Q makes sense. This is an all-in-one system, it does literally everything. Thereās no switching, no painful tinkering, it all neatly fits together and if thereās one thing us humans like itās everything working just as it should.
Advertisement
Google Pixel
Google
This is Googleās iPhone. Itās that simple. As such there are achievements and compromises. If youāre after an incredibly well-built, powerful Android flagship, Google have given you a truly five-star smartphone. If youāre a photographer, the Pixelās camera and cloud storage option make this a no brainer. This is Google's first 'made by us' smartphone and it's absolutely brilliant.
Hive Active Heating 2 Review
Hive
If your boiler is compatible and youāre willing to spend the initial Ā£249 (including installation) then Hive is one of the most complete smart home systems weāve ever seen. While Nest offers third-party accessories like Philips Hue, Hive almost fights back by keeping things simple: If itās got the Hive logo on it you know it works. Components are reasonably priced and the entire system has been utterly rock solid, we havenāt had a single issue since installation.
Amazon Echo
Amazon
Amazon Echo works best when you have other gadgets that it can utilise such as Hive, Nest or Philips Hue. On its own its an incredibly smart speaker, paired with these other gadgets though and it becomes the fully fledged conduit to your home. Itās also really good at doing homework. Alexa really is the first gadget we actually felt comfortable talking to.
Advertisement
Roli Lightpad Block
Roli
Don't be alarmed by its alien appearance. This is actually one of the most innovative music-making gadgets we've used all year. A large transparent gel-like surface is both touch and pressure sensitive allowing you to create music in a way that's both utterly unique and incredibly intuitive. The accompanying app is properly easy to use and once mastered the Lightpad can become the only tool you need to create an entire song.
Apple Watch Series 2
Apple
The Series 2 is the complete package. Itās the smartwatch that we feel Apple always wanted to make. Itās a fitness tracker, health monitor and wellness device thatāll help you stay fit and, just as importantly, calm in mind.
BeoPlay A2 Active By B&O Play
Bang Olufsen
At Ā£299 this is not a cheap option, however for that money youāll get a product thatās just as happy being your main living room speaker as it is keeping you company on a road trip. The sound quality is truly room-filling and at the high standard you would expect for a Bang & Olufson product. The A2 Active is quite simply one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy.
Advertisement
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Samsung
The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is powerful but wonāt run out of battery, beautiful yet able to work underwater and capable of transporting you to alien worlds through the medium of virtual reality. If thereās a product that encapsulates all the of the best technologies on offer today itās this one. Oh and it won't catch fire, so that's nice.
PlayStation VR
Sony
At the moment, if you own a PS4 and are desperately excited to get into virtual reality, PlayStation VR is the only place to start. Itās comfortable, gloriously easy to use and when the hardware and software work in harmony itās an utterly breathtaking experience. Visceral, emotional and yet entirely accessible, itās a technological marvel.
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature
Bowers Wilkins
Anyone who wants an industry-leading sound but without the usually eye-watering price tag. Yes, these are Ā£699, but when you think that the average audiophile will spend upwards of Ā£1000 on a pair of HiFi-quality headphones these make every bit of sense. Theyāre B&Wās best headphones ever and theyāre quite frankly one of the best pairs of headphones weāve ever used.
Advertisement
PlayStation 4 Pro
Sony
If youāre looking for an affordable (it costs as much as the original PS4) entry into the world of 4K gaming then the PS4 Pro is a no brainer. Pair it with a 4K HDR TV and games look absolutely astonishing. At present most games are simply being given a new coat of paint but going forward there will be an army of titles designed with this console in mind.
OnePlus 3T
OnePlus
The OnePlus 3T is simply a continuation of the ethos that makes OnePlus phones so good. Itās exceptionally well-built, powerful and offers you everything you could want in an affordable and meaningful package. No smartphone will give you more value for money.
Beats by Dre Powerbeats3 Wireless
Beats by Dre
While Apple's AirPods might have got most of the limelight in the post-iPhone 7 world it's actually Apple-owned Beats who have given us the ultimate solution to the lack of a headphone jack.The Powerbeats3 are ultra-portable, durable, wireless headphones that are a doddle to set up and last for days then weāve found the pair for you. They sound great, theyāre comfy, theyāre perfect for sports and they last for days. These are very, very good.
Advertisement
Samsung UE49KS9000
Samsung
TVs are massive these days. They're also really really expensive. The KS9000 then has a very special place in our hearts because at a very sane 49-inches it's the most living room-friendly TV we've seen in recent years. Oh and because it's part of Samsung's flagship range you're still getting probably one of the best 4K TVs on the market.
Sonos Play:5 (2nd Gen)
Sonos
While it was released in December of 2015, Sonos' newest speaker has played an undisputedly important role in how we consume music in 2016. This was the year of wireless and Sonos continued to show us that when it comes to ditching those wires, they were one of the best.
Withings Activite Pop
Withings
This is the anti-fitness tracker of fitness trackers. Boasting a beautifully minimalist design the Pop is all about getting the job done without shouting about it. A simple measurement dial at the bottom shows you varying metrics for how active you're being while Withings' app reveals just how much data is actually being collected. While Fitbit has led the way in Fitness trackers, Withings has been offering even the most resistant consumer a change to start taking better care of themselves./