The world took another step closer to becoming a sci-fi movie on April 24 when Apple finally launched the much-discussed Apple Watch, seemingly setting the public up for what is sure to be a series of copycats, followers, and competitors.
The world of film, however, has much more up its sleeve — these ten objects have been featured in Tinseltown features throughout the years. When these start hitting the open market, that’s when these technology companies will really start making waves.
Lightsaber
There’s probably not a cooler weapon in the history of film than the Lightsaber, a laser-sword combination that is the thing that first comes to mind when thinking of any Star Wars battle.
Universal Remote
Click is a goofy Adam Sandler movie, but the gadget speaks for itself — a universal remote control that control’s the universe. The movie actually has a lot of emotional ups and downs, and it’s interesting to see how it’s used both as a literal device and a plot device within the film’s construction. This could’ve also been an interesting gadget to be put to use in a more serious, thriller type of film as well.
R2D2
The most famous of all the Star Wars droids, R2D2 not only has all kinds of slick features — like a supercomputer and a human projector — but also is easily the funniest character in all six of the series’ films. He only makes beeps and whistles, but somehow, someway, this little blue and white droid is one of the most beloved things in the whole galaxy.
Invisibility Cloak
Invisibility is sweet. Everyone thinks about it every once in a while — what would you do? What wouldn’t you do? But the Harry Potter universe gets to see it and live it, as the boy wizard and his friends regularly use the device.
Transporter
It’s made its way into every carnation of Star Trek and it’s impressive that the same gadget that was cool in 1966 still has that same effect in 2015.
Neuralizer
Essentially expanding on the old “these are not the droids you’re looking for” line from Star Wars, the Neuralizer from the Men In Black films is a one-way ticket for the agents to get out of whatever hijinx they may get into. It’s a brain scrambler of the purest form, and one that could maybe cause more problems if it got into the wrong hands.
Machine Gun Leg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmMApNy48Sc
After losing her leg in Robert Rodriguez’s half of the Grindhouse double-feature, Rose McGowan’s character gets this stylish replacement — it’s a wonder why this hasn’t caught on more in the years since…
Hoverboard
Well, it’s 2015 and there’s no hoverboard yet — you’re on the clock, tech companies. There was a nice consolation prize, however, as Nike will be putting out the self-lacing hoverboard sneakers this year.
J.A.R.V.I.S.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx7RCJvoCMc
Tony Stark’s most trusted assistant in the Iron Man films isn’t a person, but rather a super advanced, visually striking futuristic computer/artificial intelligence system. J.A.R.V.I.S., which stands for “Just A Rather Very Intelligent System,” would FLY off the shelves if he were actually a thing.
Smart Watch
Sorry Apple, Dick Tracy beat you to the punch long ago.
