The holiday season is here, and that means one thing: gift-giving is back. For tech fans, this year has been all about artificial intelligence. AI continues to dominate the tech scene, from new software and more powerful models to the latest generation of video-generating tools like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo 3.
Unlike last year’s flashy “AI companions” like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin, this year’s AI feels a lot more grounded. It’s no longer a novelty or an experiment. Instead, it’s quietly integrated into devices we already use every day, such as smartphones, laptops, and even home appliances. It enhances the experience without trying to steal the spotlight.
If you want to see what the current wave of AI tech looks like, here are some of the gadgets worth checking out.
AI-Powered Smartphones
AI in smartphones isn’t exactly new. It’s been around since the early Android and iOS days, handling things like photo processing and voice assistants. What makes this new generation special is on-device AI processing.
Phones are now powerful enough to run AI language models directly on the chip. That means faster and more private tasks like live transcription, real-time translation, and quick AI-assisted photo and video editing without needing the cloud.
The biggest names leading the charge are Google with the Pixel 10 and Samsung with the Galaxy S25 series. Apple is catching up with Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17, though the rollout has been a little slower than expected.
With these new devices, your phone doesn’t just help you take better photos. It learns how you use it, adapts to your habits, and makes life easier in ways that actually matter.
AI PCs and Laptops
AI PCs were the big story last year, and they’re even better now. CoPilot+ PCs have become the new standard with built-in Neural Processing Units (NPUs) designed specifically for AI tasks.
This setup lets your CPU and GPU focus on the heavy lifting while the NPU handles smart features like better background blur during video calls, faster object detection in photo editing, and more efficient multitasking.
The result is smoother performance and longer battery life, something laptop users will definitely appreciate. If you’re shopping for one, look for the CoPilot+ PC branding or a CoPilot button on the keyboard. That’s your sign you’re getting one of the new AI-optimized models.
AI and Smart Glasses
AI-powered glasses are the next big step in personal tech. In May, Google unveiled its first Smart Glasses and a new VR headset powered by its Gemini AI platform. The glasses have a small display built into the lens that can show you maps, messages, translations, and even ongoing voice calls. While there’s no confirmed release date yet, Google has already teamed up with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to make them stylish enough for everyday wear.
Meta, on the other hand, has already taken its next step. After releasing the Meta Ray-Ban AI Glasses in late 2023, the company officially launched the Ray-Ban Display Glasses last September.
This next-gen model adds a built-in lens display, real-time translation, object recognition, and seamless social-media integration. It can record and upload photos and videos directly to Instagram and Facebook. Meta also introduced an EMG Neural Band that detects subtle hand and wrist movements for discreet control, letting you interact with your glasses naturally without touching them.
What We Really Want This Christmas
AI has taken over almost every major tech launch this year, but not in an overhyped way. It’s now a standard feature that quietly makes our gadgets better at what they do. From phones that translate in real time to laptops that manage power more intelligently, and glasses that literally project information in front of your eyes, AI has become part of our daily lives.
So this Christmas, all I want are gadgets that come with a bit of AI magic. Just not the weird, experimental kind. The era of the Rabbit and Humane pins is behind us. The best AI now is the kind you don’t notice right away but can’t imagine living without.
Words by Gabriel Pe
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE Volume 26 Issue No. 4