Bond Touch 4

One of the many things that lockdown taught us was just how painful it can be when we are apart from the people we love. Bond Touch have created a sweet way to stay connected with a very simple idea. You and your person both wear a band, and when one of you taps it, the other feels a gentle vibration that mimics a human touch and sees a light. It uses Haptic Touch, which is Bond Touch’s tactile feedback technology designed to create subtle vibrations that feel like real physical contact. You can create your own little phrases with taps and long presses on the bracelet, and the way it feels on your wrist makes it much more engaging than, say, a smartwatch notification.

At first, you might wonder why something like this is necessary when we all have mobiles. But actually, there are so many people who would benefit from it. For starters, my eldest is starting school soon and feeling a bit anxious about being away from home. I could see this being such a comfort for them throughout the day. My dad, who cannot stand his phone and struggles with messaging, would love something like this too. It is a quiet, simple way of saying, “I’m here,” without needing a phone call or a text.

Setting it up is really straightforward. You pair the band with your phone through the Bond Touch app, customise the LED light colour, and just like that, you are connected. The app has come a long way since earlier versions. You can send touches, check the battery, see if you are connected, and even keep track of how many touches you have exchanged. The Bond Touch 4 band itself is slimmer and more stylish than previous versions. It is comfortable, not bulky, and looks good with pretty much anything. Battery life is decent too, lasting around four days depending on use.

The app also lets you add meanings to your regular touch patterns, has a shared countdown to your next meeting, and includes a gallery for sharing and saving photos. There are a few small downsides. The Bluetooth connection can drop if your phone is not nearby, and both people need to keep the app running in the background. It also only supports one-to-one connections, which is a bit of a shame. Still, as a meaningful, low-effort way to stay close, it is genuinely lovely. RRP £76

Click here for more info