Smart Home

Qbeamer is crowdfunding for its A80 projector at Kickstarter. The company calls it a “True 4K UHD Projector”, though it has a 1080p native resolution. Other features of the Google Certified projector include a maximum brightness of 1,500 ANSI lumens, built-in speakers and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Currently named Vega, Amazon's Android alternative for Google's mobile operating system is allegedly being tested on Fire TV devices and might hit the market in less than a year. Unlike the existing AOSP-based Fire OS, Vega is reportedly based on a Linux core and, in the long run, will run on all Amazon devices.

Various Panasonic TV models are now eligible for a 5-year guarantee in the UK, Germany and Austria. For context, the standard guarantee offered is for one year. The promotion details differ by region, with the deal backdated for customers who already purchased a TV within the time window.

The Van Rysel Interactive Turbo Trainer D100 is now on sale at Decathlon. The new model has a maximum power of 600W and simulates up to 6% inclines. The gadget connects to your bike chain for a natural feeling ride, with Bluetooth connectivity allowing you to monitor your activity with various apps.

The Xiaomi Smart Door Lock 2 is now available to pre-order in China. The device is quieter than other models thanks to its fully automatic lock body, allowing you to push the door to open once unlocked. Other features include a fingerprint scanner, NFC reader, Bluetooth and app controls.

IKEA has launched ORMANÄS, a new smart LED strip, already on sale in the Netherlands. The gadget provides dimmable, colored lighting, with app-based or voice controls. The company suggests the device is easy to set up, thanks partly to a sticker on the back, and can be cut down to size.

The long-awaited Nuki Smart Lock 4.0 is reportedly almost ready for launch, as the manufacturer has once again confirmed that the first smart Nuki door lock with Matter support will come onto the market before the end of 2023, i.e. within the next eight weeks.

The Twinkly Lightwall smart LED backdrop is now on sale in countries worldwide. The gadget is audio-responsive thanks to a music sensor, with custom or preset colored lighting schemes. Controls are provided via Android and iOS apps, and the gadget comes in a suitcase to make it easier to transport.

Xiaomi has launched a pre-sale event for the Projector Youth Edition 2S in China. The new model can throw images up to 120-in (~305 cm) wide and has up to 500 ANSI lumens brightness. Other features include smart home integration, voice commands and an auto-focus tool.

The 65-inch Hisense 65U8K with a 4K resolution, Mini-LED backlight, a 144 Hz max refresh rate, and 1500 nits of advertised brightness has dropped to an all-time low rate on Amazon. The TV comes highly-rated and features a VA panel with great contrast, black uniformity, and HDR performance alongside solid out-of-the-box calibration and reflection handling. Finally, there is Google Smart TV on board as well as support for Apple Airplay.

Xiaomi has unveiled a new WiFi repeater that is being launched globally. The new Xiaomi WiFi Range Extender N300 expands the home WiFi network and thus ensures better reception.

The TCL T7G Max TV is now available in China. The device has a 4K@144Hz resolution and a peak brightness of 1,100 nits. Other features include built-in 2.1 channel speakers and support for Dolby Vision IQ and AMD FreeSync.

GPT has found its way into the smart home with the Camera Genie S, a gadget backed by its maker Psync Labs, Inc to keep watch over domestic life in the smartest way possible. The Genie S is rated to leverage its "innovative generative AI technology" to identify and "preserve" social media-worthy moments as well as surveil a residence around the clock.

Xiaomi will soon launch the Smart Plug 2 Wi-Fi in the EU. The gadget works with Google Home, allowing you to control regular devices with the Xiaomi Home app or Google Assistant voice commands. Other features of the product include scheduling and energy consumption tracking.

Formovie has announced that the Xming Page One LCD projector will launch for general sale in November. Customers can currently “pre-order” the device with a US$100 discount. Features of the 1080p model include 500 CVIA lumens brightness, integrated Boston Dynamics speakers and built-in Google TV.

Roborock is launching its Zeo One washer dryer in Germany, though the product is currently listed as out of stock. The company says early customers will get a discount, and it has opened a Product Tester program offering the device for free in return for a review. Features of the machine include Zeo-cycle gentle drying, self-maintenance and app controls.

Xiaomi has launched a pre-sale event for its new Xiaomi Mijia Central Air Conditioning Duct Machine in China. The smart home device can be controlled with voice commands or via the Xiaomi app, with an optional wired controller. The gadget can heat or cool rooms with seven modes and a self-cleaning tool.

Sennheiser Europe has announced a "Halloween" sale with up to 20% off popular consumer audio products such as Ambeo soundbars and Momentum True Wireless earbuds. Meanwhile, the OEM is also building up to its Early Black Friday event for US customers, promising "exclusive" savings to those who sign up to its wait-list.

Xiaomi has revealed the new Mijia Ultra-Thin Washing and Drying Machine 10kg. The device is slimmer than other models from the brand, ensuring it sits flush with other units, with a direct drive motor to reduce vibrations. Smart features include automatic detergent dispensing, voice commands and app controls.

Xiaomi has launched the Smart Tower Heater Lite in EU countries, including France, Spain and Italy. The gadget can generate warmth in three seconds with various heating modes, such as a smart temperature maintenance setting. You can control the smart home device remotely via the Xiaomi app or voice commands.

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has just introduced version 1.2 of the Matter smart home standard, which adds support for nine new IoT device types including appliances and safety sensors. It also improves device identification, representation and organisation, allowing users to access their devices in a more useful and natural way.

The launch date and pricing for the IKEA PARASOLL and VALLHORN smart home sensors have been announced. The PARASOLL can detect if a window or door is open, while the VALLHORN motion sensor triggers smart lights. The products must be connected to the DIRIGERA hub to enable smartphone notifications and controls.

IKEA has unveiled the BADRING, a smart home sensor to detect water leaks in your house. The new gadget, which must be linked to the DIRIGERA hub, can trigger alerts on your smartphone in the case of a leak. The product has been announced alongside two other smart sensors, all launching in 2024.

The TV S Pro 85 is Xiaomi's latest Smart TV, and one which it presented alongside the Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro, Xiaomi Watch S3 and Xiaomi Watch H1. Spanning 85-inches, the Xiaomi TV S Pro 85 has 1,440 Mini LED zones that deliver up to 2,400 nits peak brightness. The new Smart TV can also run at 240 Hz with its gaming mode enabled or 144 Hz and 4K in other modes.

Paris Rhône has unveiled the SP005 4K Projector, which can now be pre-ordered in the US. The model has an LCD light source producing up to 600 ANSI lumens brightness, with support for HDR10+. Other features of the projector include Android 9.0, a built-in 24W speaker system and autofocus.

Images of a HomePod 3 prototype have turned up online. According to various sources, the third-generation smart speaker will have a touchscreen display element, for which Apple is already optimising various tvOS apps.

Xiaomi has launched a pre-order event for the Xiaomi Mijia Vertical Learning Lamp in China. The smart home device, designed for children, casts light upwards and downwards for ambient and focused lighting. You can control the gadget via a Bluetooth remote, voice commands and the Mijia app.

The new Vankyo Vista T4 laser projector has been unleashed on the US market with "advanced" ALPD 4.0 technology for a "cinematic experience". It is rated to throw a 150-inch image in "native 4K" from less than 20 inches away from the wall in question, and also packs 2-channel 60W speakers with Dolby Audio and DTS for a potentially all-in-one home theater package.

Lenovo has made the Xiaoxin Pad 2024 official as its latest Android tablet. The slate is touted as a thin and light device with a "high-definition eye-protecting" screen, yet is also touted at the budget end of the market with a starting price of US$150 - or even less during its introductory sales event. It has launched alongside other gadgets such as a "stress-relieving" USB stick as part of the latest Xiaoxin series event in China.

Xiaomi is expected to shortly launch the Outdoor Camera CW400 in markets globally. The security camera captures images in 2.5K, with a full-color night vision mode. Other features include two-way voice communications, audible and visual alarms and smart human detection app notifications.

The JMGO Nano PTZ Projector is now available to pre-order in China. The gadget can be tilted up to 127°, allowing you to throw images up to 150-in (~381 cm) wide on your wall or ceiling. Other features of the compact model include 500 CVIA lumens brightness, built-in speakers and voice commands.

Lenovo has revealed the Xiaoxin 100S projector in China, with a pre-order campaign starting this November. The cheaper 1080p model has up to 270 CVIA lumens brightness and can throw images up to 150-in (~381 cm) wide. Other features of the Android projector include automatic image-perfecting tools and built-in speakers.

The Neakasa M1 is a cat litter box that stands out not only because of its open design, but also because of its self-cleaning function. This means that cat owners don't have to clean the litter box as frequently as before.

Hisense has launched its C1 TriChroma Laser Mini Projector in the US and Europe. The gadget has up to 1,600 ANSI lumens brightness and can throw images up to 300-in (~762 cm) wide. Other features include built-in speakers, Apple AirPlay or Miracast screencasting and support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

Redmi has launched the 2024 edition of its Smart TV A75 in China. The 75-in 4K UHD model has a native 60 Hz refresh rate. Compared to its predecessor, the new version has a gaming mode with 120Hz motion rate, extra storage and improved connectivity. Other features include voice controls and built-in speakers.

Xiaomi has launched a larger 85-in model in its TV A Pro series. The 4K UHD device has a native 60 Hz refresh rate, with a 120Hz motion rate activated in a gaming mode. Other features include voice commands, screencasting from a mobile device and a built-in 20W sound system supporting DTS.

Xiaomi has launched a crowdfunding campaign for the Smart Door Lock E20 Wi-Fi version in China. The gadget allows you to unlock the door with your fingerprint, phone, or password. Other features include an integrated doorbell, unusual activity app notifications and a backup physical key.

Xiaomi subsidiary Linptech has launched a crowdfunding campaign for the Smart Curtain Motor C4 in China. The gadget is battery-powered, recharging via an accompanying solar panel for a technically infinite run time. The device lets you control your curtains with voice commands, an app, or a Bluetooth smart switch.

The new Hyperlux LP low power image sensors from onsemi are set to bring significant performance improvements in imaging applications like AR/VR headsets, smart home devices, security cameras and video conferencing. They not only extend battery life by up to 40%, but also feature in-built smart features which reduces the load on image processors, making the device simpler, cheaper and more efficient.

Switchbot has launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for its S10 robot vacuum and mop. The self-cleaning device has two separate docking stations, one that handles water and another to empty the dustbin. Other features include 6,500 Pa suction power, LiDAR navigation and automatic carpet detection.

A crowdfunding campaign is now live for the Tidbyt Gen 2 smart display. The gadget is highly customizable, offering hundreds of apps to display information like upcoming calendar events, the weather and what's playing on Spotify. Customers who pre-order the device via Kickstarter receive a 20% discount on the MSRP.

The Anker SOLIX Balcony Power Plant RS50B is now available at Amazon in Germany. The kit includes new powerful 540W solar panels with a 23% conversion rate alongside the MI80 microinverter. Two further kits offer floor brackets and a storage solution with the SOLIX Solarbank E1600.

Samsung's S90C TV lineup now starts at US$1297.99 after receiving some major price cuts at Amazon US. They come with bright and vivid QD-OLED panels with a maximum refresh rate of 144 Hz, making them equally stunning for watching movies and gaming. Additionally, they're some of the few TVs on the market with four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports.

The Xiaomi TV S Pro is now available to pre-order in China in 65-in and 75-in sizes. The 4K Mini LED model has a 144Hz refresh rate with support for Dolby Vision IQ and over 2,000 nits brightness. The more affordable device also has Filmmaker and Gaming modes alongside support for Wi-Fi 6.

The 2023 TCL SF5 TV has arrived as a more affordable option in Spain and will soon launch in the UK. The device has built-in Fire TV with an Alexa-powered voice remote and Apple AirPlay screencasting. Plus, the new TV boasts support for HDR10, HLG, Dolby Audio and DTS-HD technologies.

With a 4K resolution, 120 Hz refresh, and a rich set of smart features — including Alexa support — the LG C3 smart TV is available on Amazon for less than US$1,000. Thanks to a generous 23% discount, the OLED42C3PUA model's first drop below the aforementioned threshold takes its price to US$921.48.

Hisense's PL1 4K Smart Laser Cinema has debuted in the US, now selling at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. The ultra-short throw model offers vibrant colors and compatibility with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. Plus, the gadget is currently discounted at Amazon.

The Hisense PX2-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema is now on sale in the US, following an EU launch earlier this year. The 4K projector’s laser engine delivers up to 2,400 ANSI lumens brightness, covering 107% of the BT.2020 color gamut and supporting Dolby Vision. Other features include Game Mode, built-in speakers and Google TV.

The Dangbei X5 Pro projector is now available to pre-order in China. The 4K model has a laser light source with up to 2,450 CVIA lumens brightness, supporting HDR10+. Other features include an integrated 24W sound system compatible with Dolby Audio, voice commands and 120Hz MEMC motion smoothing.

Xiaomi has launched a crowdfunding campaign for its new Smart Home Panel in China. The gadget is a Bluetooth Mesh gateway, compatible with over 5,500 smart home products. The device features an LED screen with automatic brightness adjustments and three built-in wireless switches.