The gadgets that got me through 2022

Because nice things can make a real difference

We’re getting to the end of the year, and that means one thing: list season.

Over the next few weeks, The Rectangle is going to be highlighting various types of cool stuff. And, to kick this all off, we’re going to be looking at the gadgets that shaped my 2022.

In my years of writing about the topic, I’ve found the true measure of hardware is whether you keep being excited about it after that initial bubble of enthusiasm has burst.

So this list is about the gadgets I’ve used day in, day out across the year, and made 2022 that bit better.

The new AirPods Pro

I was sceptical when I first used the original AirPods. I thought they were overpriced and overhyped, but the arrival of the AirPods Pro scrunched this thought up and smushed it right into my stupid face. They became an essential, everyday carry.

And this has only intensified with the launch of the second generation earbuds this year.

The sound quality has improved, the battery life is great, and the introduction of a speaker on the case makes them easy to find whenever I lost them somewhere ridiculous.

Yeah, I would’ve loved a design overhaul, USB-C, or a cheaper price, but the overall product is still fantastic.

Well, if you have an iPhone. I wouldn’t recommend any Apple headphones for those on Android devices.

I never leave the house without the AirPods Pro in my pocket. They’re a Swiss Army Knife of headphones: portable, flexible, and versatile.

The Sony WH1000-XM5 over-ear headphones

I was in love with the previous model — the imaginatively and catchily titled WH1000-XM4 — but Sony’s latest headphones are a step up in almost every dimension.

The design is sleek, the sound improved, and the noise-cancellation is class-leading. Yes, it is frustrating that they no longer fold up into a small case, but, like the adult man I am, I’ve come to make peace with it.

If true wireless earbuds are like an audio Swiss Army Knife, then the WH1000-XM5 are a full toolbox. I use them when I really want to listen to music, when I want to block out the world and disappear into a task.

To quote Blackadder, a life without them would be like a broken pencil: pointless.

The Polar Verity Sense heart rate monitor

If you’ve been reading The Rectangle recently you’ll remember the piece all about the gamification of exercise.

Something I mentioned in that post was about how heart rate monitors have overhauled how I exercise, reducing the number of my injuries and improving my overall performance.

The model I’ve enjoyed most is the Polar Verity Sense.

It’s small, accurate, has a long battery life, and is comfortable to wear. Whether it’s yoga, running, or BJJ, the Verity Sense performs adeptly.

Plus, it gives me loads of extra data I love pouring over.

The UE BOOM 3 portable speaker

What can I say about the UE BOOM 3 that I haven’t said before?

I’ve had mine for three-and-a-half years and, during that time, it’s been a trusted companion.

Whether it’s going on holiday, chilling in the park, or even having a shower, the UE BOOM 3 has performed admirably, always pumping out excellent sound and being hardy as hell.

Endlessly recommended.

The Chilly’s water bottle

What keeps your warm liquids warm, your cold liquids cold, and your wet liquids wet?

Easy: the Chilly’s water bottle.

This pack of messy modernist playing cards

Eventually I’ll write a full issue of The Rectangle about this, but, over the summer, I got deep into playing cards.

There’s a glorious simplicity to them, the fact that this universal item can be used to play an endless litany of games for an incredibly low outlay.

I’ve picked up a few different packs since my playing card addiction began, but this Messymod pack from the Art of Play are my favourite.

The MacBook Pro 14-inch laptop

Is a laptop really a gadget? These days it feels closer to an essential, like a house or bike or pints.

Anyway, I’ve spent 2022 using Apple’s revamped machine and it’s been a delight. A total and utter delight.

Yeah, I’m still not a fan of the notch, but my wonderful human brain has basically worked out how to ignore that, so it’s all gravy. The machine is a return to form for Apple’s premium range of laptops.

The Twelve South Curve Flex notebook stand

My laptop spends a lot of time on my coffee table. The problem with that? It’s liquid central.

I — like most of us — have previous experience of the unwanted combination of coffee and computers, and I’m desperate to avoid this happening again. This is where Twelve South’s elegant Curve Flex stand comes in handy.

Not only is it perfect for raising my MacBook up and making it more comfortable to work from, it also ensures my clumsy ass is unlikely to ruin the laptop by drenching it with whatever tasty beverage I have at hand.

There you have it, friends! In no real order, a little list of the products that have helped shape and improve my 2022. Let me know in the comments below if there’s any particular bit of kit that got you through the year.