VLSI and tech update 29.1.25
This Week’s Freshest Gadget Launches — And a Thought Experiment You Didn’t Expect
Tech is supposed to make life easier — but every once in a while, it’s worth pausing to ask: What happens if we didn’t have it at all?
Below, we look at three real gadget drops from the past 24 hours — then we’ll flip it around and imagine how losing them overnight might change the little routines we hardly notice.
1️⃣ Aldi’s Quirky Tech Drop: Budget Life Savers
In the last 24 hours, supermarket chain Aldi quietly added a few surprisingly useful tech products to its “Specialbuys” lineup. Nothing revolutionary, but practical.
Their Pet Auto Feeder & Waterer, for example, costs about £5.99 — a simple, gravity-fed gadget to keep pets fed and watered while you’re away. Alongside it, a budget-friendly Robot Vacuum Cleaner at £99.99 promises basic sweeping, suction, and even mopping. Add a Smart Kettle, Wireless Charging Clock, and even a mini thermal printer, and Aldi’s low-key ‘Life Hacks Tech’ bundle could clear small daily annoyances for less than a dinner out.
2️⃣ Infinix Hot 60 5G Plus: Budget 5G Moves Forward
For those watching the affordable 5G market, the Infinix Hot 60 5G Plus is another nudge in the right direction. Launched in India at ₹10,499, it brings features like an AI button and IP64 dust resistance at a price point that used to barely buy a decent 4G handset.
It’s not designed to wow high-end spec chasers, but it keeps 5G accessible for students, budget-conscious families, or anyone who doesn’t need more than a good connection and basic daily performance.
3️⃣ Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Fold 7 Series: Familiar Innovation
Samsung also refreshed its foldable and wearable range yesterday with the Galaxy Watch 8 Series and the new Fold 7 and Flip 7 FE. For many, it’s less about whether these gadgets change the world — and more about whether they slot neatly into an ecosystem people trust.
The new Watch 8 Classic feels evolutionary, not revolutionary. But better battery life, more precise health tracking, and subtle refinements add up for loyal Galaxy users who want a wrist companion to do just a bit more than last year’s model.
A Small ‘What If?’: What Happens If They Vanish Tomorrow?
For a moment, imagine if these launches never made it past the drawing board. Would it really matter?
Well, maybe. Take the Aldi Pet Feeder. Without it, thousands of pet owners would go back to asking neighbors to pop round at lunchtime — or worse, leave a heap of dry kibble in a bowl and hope for the best.
Without budget 5G phones like the Infinix, many students and small businesses in semi-urban India would stick to sluggish 4G speeds. That one skipped upgrade might mean missed work calls, jittery video lectures, or longer load times — small inconveniences that pile up over weeks.
And without the latest smartwatches or foldables? Maybe life goes on much the same — but for some, those extra data points and flexible screens aren’t gimmicks. They’re the difference between nudging you out for a morning walk or flagging a sleep issue before it becomes serious.
Why This Little Exercise Matters
New gadgets are easy to dismiss as incremental, overpriced, or unnecessary. Some are exactly that. But others — even the unglamorous pet feeder or an affordable phone — quietly close gaps that make daily life smoother, more efficient, or simply less forgetful.
So the next time you see yet another launch headline, don’t just ask “Do I need this?” — ask “What would break if we didn’t?” The answer might surprise you.
Which new launch would you miss the most — and which one could you live without?
Let’s hear your take.
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