Get your hands on the next-gen wearables, smartphones

It comes in two versions — Alto (the one we checked out) and Rondo, with a rounded shape. They can pass off for trendy fashion accessories and yet deliver a clever audio experience. The Frames’ biggest current USP is the fact that you can be plugged into your music playlist and yet stay connected with the external environment.

The audio speakers are embedded in the arms of the sunglasses; the slightly thick arms are the only giveaway. A charging dock is also concealed along the inside of the right arm. You can slip the charging cable into the elegant carry case. Battery life is around four hours, it’s not as much as some of the Bluetooth earbuds, but it’s a worthy trade-off for the form factor. The only other crib is the absence of a volume rocker; you need to keep reaching for your phone to tweak the volume. All other controls from power on, to flipping tracks are controlled by a single multi-function key that’s barely noticeable.

Sound quality is really good, but don’t expect the same audio pedigree as a pair of high-end headphones. A volume level of about 60-70% is optimal for the sound quality and doesn’t disturb people around you. Call quality is great too — most callers couldn’t tell that I had connected to a Bluetooth device. The Bose Frames are equally about the now and the future. Bose has rolled out a few AR apps through its dedicated App that give you a glimpse of the future with Audio AR. But this is more than a concept device, it’s one that works really well for a new type of wearable. (Rs 21,900)

Asus 6Z: The price point and feature set of Asus’ premier smartphone put it in a direct slugfest with the OnePlus 7. Flagship killer would be an accurate device for the Asus 6Z, that looks refined and elegant with its all-glass form factor. The 6Z’s headline feature is its motorised flip cam that doesn’t just keep the display bezel-less but also ensures that your selfies look as sharp as images shot on the rear cam mode. This dual cam set up blends a 48MP primary shooter with a 13MP ultra-wide lens. There’s a night mode that is quite dependable while the wide-angle is more than handy.

The 6Z is powered by Qualcomm’s best of breed Snapdragon 855 processor. The device blazed through our tests and will certainly please power users and compulsive gamers. There’s a choice of 6GB or 8GB RAM and three internal memory options that include a 64GB version that might work for a lot of users. That’s also because the Asus 6Z offers extendable memory via a dedicated Micro SD slot. The other positive is a 5000 mAh battery that keeps this device chugging along. The Asus 6Z delivers a strong value proposition at its price tag (Rs 31,999 onwards).