Looking back at some of the best gadgets from 2017

For a lazy and casual blogger like me, it's been a busy year with many interesting new gadgets to try.

Here's a short list of the best ones, most of which I still use daily.















Xiaomi XiaoFang Smart 1080P WiFi IP Camera. 



The first item I reviewed in January, it turned out to be a high quality, compact IP camera with a wide angle lens. A hack made RTSP stream possible, allowing me to use it with my Synology Surveillance Station, and I still keep it in service today due to its excellent quality.
Under Xiaomi label, it's been primarily marketed for China. 
Fortunately a Western version of the XiaoFang and it Pan/Tilt version, the Dafang is distributed under the iSmartAlarm label.





Beelink GT1 Ultimate

A powerful TV Box equipped with an Amlogic S912, 3GB DDR4 RAM and 32GB EMMC ROM.

Reviewed in May. It arrived with a clean ROM (Android 6 back then, now it comes with Nougat) amid the Brits authorities crackdown on illegal plugins for Kodi.
I should also mention my other box, the M9S, just as powerful, a bit less memory, but sooo nice!













MX3 Air Mouse 

Although I didn't publish a review for this remote, I've been using it daily for a while and it has proven to be a very useful gadget.
I currently have one for each of the boxes above, and I strongly recommend the back lit version (MX3-L).

The only problem with the MX3 is the lack of details in the documentation (it varies greatly depending the brand).

As a result, many people returned their product as defective where it only needed to be calibrated.



Asus Router RT-AC1200GU, 1200Mbps Wireless Router

This router is a very cost-effective (~60€) way to upgrade a network to Gigabit and Wi-Fi AC. It replaced my aging and more expensive Billion 7800n back in June and I have no regret.

Read the full review here

DOMINO DM368 Plus 3G Smartwatch Phone

This phone watch arrived last July just as my beloved Xperia Z1 died, so I found myself using the DM368 Plus for a while, coupled with an inexpensive bluetooth earbud. It may not replace a phone, with a better battery life and large screen, but when you need an alternative, it does the job well, in fact, much better than I expected.

Read the full review here

I actually tend to wear more often the Lemfo LES1 (reviewed here), not for the useless addition of a camera, but because I find it a bit nicer and also the wrist strap is slightly longer.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A Prime


This phone almost converted me to MIUI. Prices have been fluctuating a loty since my review and for 155€, the 4GB+64GB version is offer currently the best value.

Read the full review here

XIAOMI Mi A1 4G Phablet Global Version

This model marks an historic moment for Xiaomi: Their first Android One device for worldwide audience. Officially engineered to withstand the Indian weather (the high temperatures maybe, but not the rain!), it requires no customization to use Google apps. The A1 is available at the same price as its twin MIUI-based brother, the Mi 5X.

Full review here

Lenovo P8 (TAB3 8 Plus) Tablet 

The TB8703F is an excellent deal for a tablet of this quality. It is also stocked in the European warehouses (here and here), for a lower price (136€ + shipping cost not exceeding 10€) than the Chinese stock (156€).

Read the full review