In theory, minimalism means getting more from less. Technology can often get in the way of that by packing in extra cables and design features that bloat or dilute functionality.
But there are plenty of gadgets on the market that are elegantly designed, minimalist, and do their job well. In many cases, these can fit right in your pocket. Here are a few we recommend.
1. Samsung's 128 GB thumb drive is actually the size of your thumb.
Most USB flash drives are roughly the length of your pinky. Somehow, this Samsung USB drive fits all of that into a tiny package that can hold up to 128 GB of space.
Get it on Amazon for $10.99 for 32 GB or more.
2. Karma makes a pocketable Wi-Fi hotspot.
If you're on the go and not already tethered to a data package, Karma makes a pocketable data hotspot for $15 per GB — less if you sign onto a monthly plan.
Karma also offers a rewards program for making your hotspot public; anytime someone signs onto your network and registers their email for Karma, you net an extra 100 MB of data.
Get it on Karma's site for $149.
3. Tile makes sure your keys are never lost.
Tile first found success on Kickstarter making Bluetooth-enabled lost-and-found devices. The second generation Tile, pictured above, costs just $25, connects to an app on your phone, and has a loud alarm to alert you to its location.
The battery only runs for a year, but after that, you can return it for a discounted replacement.
Get it on Amazon for $25.
4. Anker makes a tiny Bluetooth speaker
Anker is selling a Bluetooth speaker that's roughly two-thirds the size of a Rubik's cube. Reviewers on Amazon praise it for its ease of use, NFC compatibility with Android smartphones, and simple design.
Get it on Amazon for $20.
5. Anker also makes a compact, lipstick-sized battery charger that can charge your phone nearly twice over.
Anker's portable charger that's the easily pocketable. The battery holds 3350 mAh, which is almost enough for two charges on an iPhone 6.
Get it on Amazon for $13.
6. Chromecast can turn any HDMI screen into a streaming device.
The Chromecast is an incredibly useful streaming device, allowing you to make any HDMI-compatible device into a TV. Pair it with an external battery charger that can pack enough volts, and you have a setup that works without an outlet.
7. Lenovo's mouse can flatten and twist into different shapes.
Lenovo, which has been experimenting with compact form factors in its laptop lines, designed a mouse that can double as a remote if you're doing a PowerPoint presentation. All you have to do is twist the base of the mouse to the point where it lays flat, and it can fit into a pocket or function as a remote.
Get it on Amazon for $32.40.
8. Apple's AA Battery Charger is tiny, simple, and easily packable.
I can't think of any Apple product that needs batteries beyond the Apple TV remote. But the company still makes an elegant (and tiny) battery charger that can charge two batteries at once.
Get it on Amazon for $29.
9. The Swyp can combine all your cards into one.
Smart cards can store rewards, debit, and credit cards — basically anything with a magnetic strip works. But when they hit the market about two years ago, they weren't designed to be compatible with the credit card chip system (EMV) the US started adopting last year.
They also had to be replaced after a year since the batteries aren't rechargeable.
Swyp is a minimally designed, rechargeable smart card with an expected year-long battery life. According to NerdWallet's breakdown, the card is EMV-compatible, can hold up to 25 cards, and has a button where you can scroll through the different cards you own.
The card sold out of its first run, but you can add yourself to the waitlist on Swyp's site.
10. The Pebble Core replaces your fitness watch and does much more.
We've praised Pebble's new $70 device for packing a load of functionality onto a keychain-sized device. It syncs up with popular fitness apps, has a 3G connection so you can call Uber and stream music, charges wirelessly, and can sync up with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant.
The Core isn't up for sale yet, but you can get notified on Pebble's site.
