Place a smartphone on a charging pad and something slightly strange happens. There is no charging cable plugged into the phone, no exposed electrical connector between the charger and the battery, and yet within a second or two the familiar charging symbol appears on the screen.
Technology companies are exceptionally good at convincing us that one more gadget will make life easier. There is always a smarter watch, smaller charger, more advanced kitchen appliance, AI-powered accessory, or connected device promising to save time and solve a problem you did not realize you had.
Put on a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones inside an airplane and something remarkable happens. The deep roar of the engines suddenly fades. The ventilation system becomes quieter. The constant low rumble that filled the cabin seems to retreat into the background, sometimes even before you start playing music.
