Technology for the sake of technology is unexciting. We have enough technology around. Nobody wakes from sleep because of yet another wireless device, some blinking LEDs or quirky retro-beep-beep-sounds.
If hackers want to make an impact on society they have to think like real people. Have a look at human behaviour, at social dynamics. Then understand what drives people, then look at problems, then solve them.
But please please please no more useless plain retro computer devices.