Smart Home

Also available in a 55-inch variant, the 65-inch Samsung S95B smart TV with Alexa built-in features an AI-powered processor with high-quality 4K upscaling, Dolby Atmos, 120 Hz refresh, as well as support for Bixby and Google Assistant. The ongoing 40% discount pushes the US$2,997.99 Amazon list price to US$1,797.99.

The Dangbei X3 Air projector is now available to pre-order in China. You can use the device to throw 1080p images up to 300-in (~762 cm) wide with up to 2,100 CIVA lumens brightness. Smart features of the gadget include laser autofocus, AI color optimization and AI brightness adjustment technology.

Xiaomi has revealed the Mijia Robot Vacuum 3S in China at Youpin. Using dual rotating heads, the robot can vacuum with up to 4,000 Pa suction power and mop. The gadget uses LDS navigation and stereo obstacle avoidance technology to move around your home quickly and safely, and you can control the device with voice commands.

ILIFE has announced the T10s robot vacuum and mop, which comes with a self-emptying dock for up to 60 days of hands-free cleaning. The gadget has up to 3,000 Pa suction power and can run for 150 minutes on a single charge. You can also control the device with Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands.

Aiming to provide a budget-friendly Alexa-driven experience to its users, the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series comes in 43, 50, and 55-inch screen sizes. The ongoing discounts of over 30% offered by Amazon on all three models bring their prices between US$249.99 and US$359.99, down from MSRP values of US$369.99-US$519.99.

The incredibly bright 2021 LED flagship TV from Sony's very expensive Master Series line has received a considerable price cut as the 75-inch Bravia Z9J can now be ordered for US$2,499 from a well-known US retailer.

The Panasonic PT-CMZ50 is an ultra-short throw projector that can create up to 120-inch projections with a 16:10 aspect ratio. According to Panasonic, the PT-CMZ50 offers a 0.235:1 throw ratio and a 1200p native resolution, as well as 5,200 Lumens peak brightness.

An Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for the Witseer ultra short throw projector is now live. You can use the device to throw 1080p images up to 100-in (~254 cm) wide from 45 cm (~17.7-in) away. Plus, the portable gadget has modular add-ons to transform it into an interactive display, boost the sound or provide battery power.

An Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for the Boring Lamp is about to launch. The gadget has a modular magnetic design allowing four use cases, including a desk lamp and screen light bar. The colored LED has adjustable brightness, color temperature and dynamic lighting effects, such as a music syncing tool.

Xiaomi has announced that the Redmi Smart Fire TV 32 will launch in India in March. The gadget is the first from the brand to feature the Amazon Fire TV interface, enabling features such as Alexa voice commands. The device has a built-in 20 W speaker system with Dolby Audio and a Vivid Picture Engine.

The Roborock S8 robot vacuum series is due to launch mid-month in France and Germany. An introductory offer of €150 (~US$161) off the MSRP will be available for customers who purchase the S8 before March 23. Features of the devices include up to 6,000 Pa suction power and a 180-minute run time.

A global pre-order campaign for the BlitzWolf BW-V3 Mini LED Projector has begun at Banggood. The gadget can throw images up to 120-in (~305 cm) wide with up to 250 ANSI lumens brightness. Features of the device include screen mirroring, one-click focus and an image optimization algorithm.

The new LG PU700R CineBeam projector will shortly launch in the Republic of Korea and the EU. The 4K UHD gadget has up to 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness and can throw images up to 305 cm (~120-in) wide. Features of the compact gadget include automatic screen alignment and support for Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.

Roborock has revealed the Q Revo robot vacuum and mop on its US website. The gadget has up to 5,500 Pa suction power and dual rotating mop heads, which can rotate up to 200 times per minute. The device also comes with an auto-cleaning docking station, which can wash the mop and empty the onboard dustbin.

Introduced on the market at the end of November 2019, the 14 TB Western Digital Purple HDD is optimized for surveillance tasks with design traits that ensure long-term reliability while in use 24/7. With a list price of US$319.99 and a mid-2021 peak of almost US$600, the WD140PURZ model retails now at US$279.99.

Enabot touts its latest EBO X as the "first true family bot", and, as such, capable of helping protect, entertain and inform your loved ones while moving independently around the home. Its launch via Kickstarter involves a hefty discount off its planned US$999 retail price, while may have helped it attract backing to the tune of over 1900% of its original goal to the project in short order thus far.

Roku has launched its first TV models, the Select and Plus Series, at Best Buy in the US. The TVs are available in sizes from 24-in to 75-in, with either HD or 4K resolution. The Plus Series has a higher specification, with a 4K QLED panel with local dimming and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

According to new rumours, Apple will replace the current second-generation HomePod as early as 2024. Purportedly, Apple has designed a third-generation edition to integrate more closely within its ecosystem, with a touchscreen serving as a way to control HomeKit devices.

JMGO has finally started offering its N1 Ultra projector globally. The JMGO N1 Ultra outputs at 4K and creates up to 150-inch projections. The projector also has an adjustable stand, peaks at 4,000 ANSI lumens and is available from US$1,099.

Xiaomi is crowdfunding for the Mijia Smart Piano Light in China. The gadget contains radar technology, which you can use to automatically turn on the light when you arrive at the piano or to record your practice time. This data can be viewed in the Mijia app, where you can also adjust the lamp’s settings.

Xiaomi has launched the Mijia Smart DC Inverter Tower Fan 2 in China. The gadget is 30% more powerful than its predecessor, with a 150° angle and 10 m (~33 ft) range. You can adjust settings such as wind speed or select a pattern to mimic a natural breeze using the Mijia app or Xiao AI voice commands.

(Update: New price drop) A generous 20% discount code on eBay brings the large 65-inch model variant of the LG C2 OLED back to US$1,439, which is one of the lowest prices yet for one of the most sought-after TV sets on the market.

The Sony X75K 4K Ultra HD Smart TV is currently reduced at Best Buy in the US and Canada. Customers can save up to US$100 off the 55-in and 65-in variants. The 2022 model has 4K upscaling technology, built-in Google TV and an integrated speaker system with support for Dolby Audio.

Sonos has announced a new partnership with Apple to deliver Spatial Audio support to some of its smart speakers. Not restricted to new models, Spatial Audio will also be headed to the Arc and the Beam (Gen 2).

Sonos has introduced the Era 100 and Era 300, a pair of new smart speakers. Sonos has pitched the Era 100 and Era 300 at vastly different price points, with the Era 100 serving as a Sonos One successor.

Xiaomi is now crowdfunding for the Mijia Split Camping Light in China. The gadget comprises two lights: a small flashlight that can be locked inside a larger lamp. You can connect the lamp to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to adjust the color, brightness and color temperature of your light in the Mijia app.

The most affordable OLED TV from LG's 2022 model year has once again dropped below the US$800 mark as a reputable retailer currently offers the 55-inch version of the LG A2 OLED for US$749 including free shipping.

Two new soundbars are now available from LG, the SC9S and the SE6S, in the US, the UK and the EU. The devices feature Triple Sound technology and a triple up-firing speaker. The higher-end SC9S has 3.1.3 channel audio and comes with a subwoofer, while the cheaper SE6S delivers 3.0 channel sound.

A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the Heisenberg LawnMeister All-in-One Robot Mower is now live. Pledge levels start at US$999, a US$1,500 or 60% discount on the MSRP. You can use optional attachments to allow the robot to trim lawn edges, blow leaves or apply fertilizer to your grass. Plus, Heisenberg Pilot System (HPS) allows the device to navigate without a boundary wire.

Xiaomi will shortly launch the Mijia Smart Floor Fan 1X in China. A wall outlet or power bank can power the USB-C gadget. You can choose from many settings in the Mijia app to customize the fan's output for a natural feeling to suit you. Plus, you can control the smart fan with Xiao AI voice commands.

For a budget-friendly price of just under US$900, the Hisense A7H offers an enormous 85-inch screen that should be more than big enough for spacious living rooms.

A concept blind speaker for LG, the RE'ST, has been unveiled. The gadget features mood lighting and a projector to cast video or images on the rolling display. You can control the speaker with an accompanying smart remote, the RE'ST ASSISTANT, which can also help you to track your daily routine.

Xiaomi is now crowdfunding for its new Soft Air Conditioner 1.5 hp. The latest model is more efficient than its predecessor, with a Class 1 efficiency rating and a 5.27 APF. The smart air conditioner can also dehumidify your room and can be controlled via the Mijia app or with Xiao AI voice commands.

The STIHL iMOW robot lawn mower pricing has been unveiled for the EU. The new line-up features six models, which start at €1,999. The devices can cover lawn areas up to 5,000 m² (~53,820 ft²), and tackle inclines up to 60%. Plus, you can control the mower with an app or voice commands.

The Roborock H1 washing machine and dryer has been unveiled in China. The gadget from the popular robot vacuum brand uses low-temperature air circulation to carefully dry delicate clothes without damaging them. An algorithm also determines when the drying cycle should end to save energy.

The Xiaomi K100 laser printer has been launched in China. The compact gadget’s footprint is around the same size as a sheet of A4 paper. With a 600 x 600 DPI print quality, the black and white printer can deliver around 20 pages per minute. Plus, the device is currently available at a lower price thank to an introductory offer.

SKYWORTH has launched a crowdfunding campaign in North America for its S1 4K outdoor TV. The gadget comes in 65-in and 75-in sizes and can withstand many weather conditions, operating in temperatures from -4 to 122 °F (~-16 to 50°C). Plus, the TV has up to 3,000 nits brightness and a built-in sound system with support for Dolby Atmos.

The Samsung QLED 4K Q80B Smart TV series now sells at a reduced price in the US at the company’s online store, Amazon and Best Buy. You can save US$600 on the larger 75-in and 65-in models, with a 33% price cut offered on the 65-in version. The 2022 TV has Direct Full Array, 4K Upscaling and support for Dolby Atmos.

Tecno has arrived at MWC 2023 with big plans to become more of an AIoT ecosystem OEM in the future. They are slated to include new security cameras, wearables and a router, all of which might revolve around products such as the latest Spark-series smartphone and Megabook-series laptop. It is confirmed to upgrade to a Raptor Lake platform on release.

LG has announced European pricing for B3, C3, G3 and Z3 OLED Smart TVs. Ranging from under €2,000 to nearly €30,000, LG's OLED TVs for 2023 offer 42-inch to 88-inch screen sizes and HDMI 2.1a connectivity, among other features. LG has also revealed how much its new QNED Smart TVs will cost in the Eurozone too.

Both the 55-inch and 65-inch model variants of the high-end Quantum-Dot OLED TV Sony A95K have now hit their lowest price points thus far after receiving discounts of up to 35% in comparison to their original MSRP.

Back in 2022, the 77-inch LG B2 was launched with a quite lofty price tag of more than US$3,000, but thanks to recent price cuts and a noteworthy deal at a reputable retailer, the gigantic OLED TV with 120Hz can now be ordered for almost half its original MSRP.

XGIMI has launched the H6 4K projector in China. The device has up to 120 Hz refresh and a 12 ms latency in gaming mode. You can use the projector to throw images up to 120-in (~305 cm) wide with 1,200 CCB (~2,400 ANSI lumens) brightness. Other features include optical lossless zoom and Apple AirPlay.

The ZEBRONICS ZEB-PIXAPLAY 18 Projector has been launched in India. The gadget has up to 3,800 lumens brightness from its LED light source and can throw an image up to 508 cm (~200-in) wide. Plus, the device has an integrated speaker with support for Dolby Audio.

The new Samsung Q995GC soundbar has been revealed in Germany. The "top end" gadget is the first soundbar from the brand to come with a built-in SmartThings hub, allowing you to control smart home devices with Amazon Alexa voice commands. The 11.1.4 channel speaker has various features, including Q-Symphony for enhanced TV audio and Game Mode Pro 2.0. Update: Corrected speaker channel system numbering.

The Proscenic P12 vacuum cleaner has been launched in the US and EU. The device has 33 kPa maximum suction power and up to 60 minutes of run time. Plus, Vertect Headlight technology makes it easier to see dirt; a similar tool is available on the more expensive Dyson V15 Detect model.

IKEA has unveiled details about several new smart home products in its Summer 2023 online catalogue. Gadgets in the SYMFONISK Wi-Fi speaker range will launch between April and June. Also arriving soon is a waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker, which will be part of the VAPPEBY collection