Are these “the high-techist gadgets of 2013”? (IET says they are)

The Scanadu Scout

Some people have called this the Star Trek tricorder in your pocket.  Monitor and track your body’s vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, with a portable and relatively inexpensive device that connects to your smartphone.

Intended to be part of a family of devices including Scanflo and Scanflu.  The Scandu company was formed just over a year ago and hopes to be in volume production in about another year.

See more about Scanadu at ‘Sending your smartphone to med school’

The Lego Mindstorms EV3

Another devices that’s not going to be available to buy until this autumn.  This is the third generation of Lego Mindstorms with EV standing for evolution.  Parts include programmable brick, large and medium motors, touch sensor, colour sensor, infrared sensor, remote control and  500+ Technic elements.

Build your own robot and program it through the intuitive software program, the programmable brick or your smart device.  Graphical programming using software created by National Instruments and a robotic application developer.

Create robots that walk, talk, move and do whatever you want them to.  See some examples at http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/funzone/movies/Inspiration.aspx

Mindstorms could be a good birthday or Christmas present for those with an interest in programming from 10 years and up.  The forums suggest that younger children will need adult assistance with the programming.