What good is a software if it doesn’t have a device that can make the most use of it? Usually, companies create software that is fine-tuned to existing hardware devices such as phones, laptops, or computers. This trend seems to be changing now, especially when it comes to the giant tech companies of the world. They now pursue the Apple approach: creating a software along with a luxury hardware to match.

From smart devices to augmented reality, here are the sleek and ergonomically designed hardware that could change the future as we live it.

Smart Home Devices

A smart home device can control everything from security to surround sound systems and the temperature in a house.

Google Home is now one of the most popular smart home devices, along with Amazon’s Echo. Apple has the HomePod, which is essentially a smart speaker that uses Siri to play music.

Other than the big tech giants, a number of emerging startups have also created smart devices that fulfill a number of functions for the home. For instance, Curb is an energy monitoring device that gives you real-time data on how much energy your home consumes. Ecobee3 is a programmable device that helps to control the temperature depending on whether you’re in the room or not. Similarly, with the Belkin WeMo Switch mobile application, you can turn appliances on or off. Door unlocking systems, garage door openers, mood lighting devices, even a smartwatch that automatically activates the coffee brewing machine when you wake up — a seemingly endless selection of smart devices is driving the hardware revolution of the 21^st century.

Augmented Reality Phone

The ZenFone AR is a new phone on the market that uses augmented reality (AR) to increase interactive user experience. It comes with the Google Daydream View headset if you pre-order from Asus. By wearing the headset, you can experience your phone like it’s an interactive hologram computer in a sci-fi movie.

The Asus Zenfone AR is a large, high-end Android device that is noted as a phone that launches with Tango — a feature that can display virtual objects on top of real surroundings — and Google Daydream support. The Zenfone AR has what it takes for good phone VR thanks to its high-resolution OLED screen. It is 5.7 inches across with a resolution of 1440 by 2560. It could mark an important step toward increasing VR integration in everyday hardware devices.

DIY Computer

Winner of the Hottest Hardware startup at the Europas 2018 awards, Kano is a simple do-it-yourself computer building kit that allows children to not only assemble their own computer but also to then use that device to code. Kano has also put out supplementary kits to include a HD touch screen, a DIY camera, speaker, and pixel board. Paired with a storybook, the kits allow children to understand the connection between hardware and software and learning about computing through play.

Translator Earbud

Mymanu’s wireless earbud can translate about 37 languages in real time. Mymanu claims that the Clik’s translation engine, which was developed in-house over four years, is accurate and speedy. It is backed by the Mymanu Translate app that provides a minimalist voice-to-text interface for iOS and Android devices.

A device that is handy for travelers, the Clik could have the potential to increase international trade as well. It looks like it won’t be long before we get a device that is similar in function to the Babel fish from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Supercharged Internet

Starry and its various devices provide a service that supercharges Internet speeds up to 1 gigabit per second. Their aim is superfast Internet at 200 megabytes per second speeds. A device called Starry Beam transmits Internet signals across a city, which is then picked up by a receiver called the Starry Point that hangs out your window like an antenna. You can hook up your own route or use the Starry Station, the company’s own Wi-Fi hub that can tell you right from its screen how fast your Internet is performing.

Always Moving Forward

The goal of technology has always been to make our lives easier, and the hardware industry is at the forefront of it. We can expect hardware revolutions in more industries in the years to come. After all, an evolution in software is best supported by hardware that can take on the load. Expect to see a rise in more sophisticated, smarter, and more durable hardware in the futures of all industries.