Smart Home

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

The 55-inch set from Sony's 2021 Bravia lineup, which still performs very well even when compared to the newer models, has now reached its lowest price to date as Amazon currently sells the high-end A90J OLED for US$1,398 after a massive US$1,100 price cut.

Signify has finally launched the Philips Hue Go portable table lamp in Europe, following delays last year. The gadget, which can be used outdoors, has up to 370 lumens brightness and can produce colored or white light. Other tools available in the app to customize the light include dimming and dynamic lighting effects.

Emotn, a Dangbei sub-brand, has launched the N1 portable projector in the US. The gadget has a 1080p resolution and can throw images up to 120-in (~305 cm) wide. The device has built-in speakers and up to 500 ANSI lumens brightness. To celebrate the projector's launch, you can save US$50 off the MSRP using an in-page coupon at Amazon.

The Husqvarna Automower Aspire R4 is now available in the UK and EU. The new robot lawn mower is one of the cheaper models from the brand, requiring a boundary wire to navigate your garden. Smart features of the gadget include automatic schedule adjustment based on the weather and Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands.

IKEA is offering 25% off the SYMFONISK Picture frame with Wi-Fi speaker in the US. The speaker was designed in collaboration with Sonos and can be paired with other products from the brand. You can play music using the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, plus the gadget supports the IKEA Home Smart app.

As expected, Sony's upcoming TVs for the 2023 model year can be identified by the letter "L" at the end of their respective model number. The leak comes just days before Sony is rumored to officially unveil its new Bravia lineup including the A80L OLED.

Samsung has announced a presale event for its 2023 Neo QLED and OLED TVs starting on February 21st in the Republic of Korea. The range of TVs is topped by the Neo QLED 8K QNC900, with AI upscaling technology. Other features of the new models include support for Matter and gaming tools like MiniMap Sharing and Virtual Aim Point.

Almost all sizes of the LG C2 OLED TV have now dropped to their lowest price thus far as a generous coupon code on eBay slashes an additional 20% off the already discounted sale price of these sought after television sets.

The Ultralite OEM Platform is something of an all-in-one reference design for next-gen smart glasses from Vuzix. The manufacturer asserts that the new, lightweight form-factor for wireless, smartphone-linked spectacles can leverage the "fast-growing capabilities" of Visual GPT or OpenAI for consumer-grade augmented reality (AR) or heads-up display applications.

Telefónica has just launched services based on its recently-secured mmWave 5G spectrum, and that it has made it consumer-ready with the help of technology from Ericsson and Qualcomm. The partners will demonstrate their achievement at MWC 2023. They assert that mmWave is the ideal solution for high-performance connectivity for densely populated areas.

The Wanbo TT projector is now available in countries worldwide via Amazon and Geekbuying. The device, part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, has a 1080p resolution and up to 650 ANSI lumens brightness. You can download apps like Netflix and YouTube and connect gadgets via HDMI and USB ports.

RoboUP is currently crowdfunding for its T1000P and T2000P robot lawn mowers. The gadgets use RTK-GPS, built-in cameras and AI to navigate your lawn while avoiding obstacles. The T2000P is suitable for yards up to 2,000 m² (~21,528 ft²), with the ability to adjust settings such as cutting height in an accompanying app.

Eve has launched the MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit for Roller Blinds in European countries, including the Netherlands and France. The gadget can convert your existing blinds into smart ones, compatible with Apple HomeKit. You can control the updated blinds with Siri voice commands or set schedules to open or close them at specific times.

The IKEA VINDSTYRKA smart air quality sensor has been officially announced after the product leaked earlier this year. The gadget will enable you to monitor PM2.5 levels, TVOC, temperature and humidity in a room, with app tracking and the ability to trigger other smart home gadgets. Reports from Germany suggest that the product is already on sale despite the given April launch date.

The Hisense 90L5H 4K Smart Laser TV has been announced, available in South Africa and Europe. The gadget comes with a 90-in screen and an ultra-short throw projector. The device delivers up to 2,100 lumens brightness, supporting HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. The laser TV has an integrated 30 W sound system and ALLM gaming mode.

Mobvoi is making an effort to romance potential smartwatch buyers with up to 33% off selected wearables during its ongoing Valentine's Day sale. Then again, the best (premium) deal may be the 23% discount on the OEM's current TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra (GPS) flagship. The event also includes the more affordable TicWatch GTH Pro and E3.

The Samsung Q70A QLED 4K Smart TV series is currently discounted in the US. Offers are available at the Samsung store, Best Buy and Amazon, offering up to US$1,500 off the 85-in model. The TV has built-in 20 W speakers, supports FreeSync Premium Pro and can be controlled using various voice assistants.

The new CORSAIR iCUE Murals software is now available. The tool lets you create smart RGB lighting across multiple products from Nanoleaf and Philips Hue, syncing the effects across devices. You can match the lights to an uploaded image or to content on your monitor in real time.

Husqvarna has confirmed the pricing of the new Automower 320 NERA, 430X NERA and 450X NERA robotic lawn mowers, which will launch in Europe in March. The higher-end gadgets are suitable for various lawn sizes and can navigate using an EPOS satellite navigation system. You can also control the devices with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.

The TCL C11G, a new 4K TV, has been launched in China. The gadget has a QLED display with up to 1,000 nits brightness and a 144 Hz refresh rate. The device has an integrated 50 W Onkyo sound system supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS technologies. Other features include a 6 ms input lag and FreeSync Premium Pro compatibility.

Segway has expanded its Navimow offering with the VisionFence, a sensor designed to improve location accuracy and mowing intelligence. The VisionFence Sensor effectively serves as an upgraded obstacle avoidance module and will work in tandem with Segway's existing Exact Fusion Locating System (EFLS). Segway has finally confirmed UK pricing for the Navimow series too.

The Indiegogo campaign for BLUETTI's modular AC500 portable power station has now ended, resulting in the release of the LiFePO4-powered generator to retail. It, along with the B300S battery packs that can scale its output up to 18,432 watt-hours (Wh, or an estimated 6 days' worth of electricity for an average household), can now be purchased from its first-party sales page or on Amazon.

TP Vision has unveiled new Philips The Xtra and Philips The One TVs for 2023. The Xtra range is available in sizes up to 75-in, with a 120 Hz display with up to 1,000 nits brightness and built-in Bowers & Wilkins sound systems. The One TVs come with 120 Hz and 60 Hz screens, on offer in sizes up to 85-in.

The 2023 Philips OLED TV range has been revealed by TP Vision. Included in the lineup is the Philips OLED+908, a model with up to 2,100 nits brightness. Other upgrades to various models include support for Dolby Vision 4K 120 Hz and Google TV OS, and gaming features include HDMI 2.1 eARC.

The comparatively affordable 65-inch TV from Vizio might be a noteworthy alternative to the much newer LG B2, as both OLED sets come with a quick 120Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1, but don't get particularly bright in HDR mode.

The XGIMI Aura is now available for less than US$2,000. Typically, the 4K projector sells for US$2,499 but launched for US$2,799. The XGIMI Aura can create up to 150-inch images with a 0.223:1 throw ratio and offers up to 2,400 ANSI lumens, among other features.

The TV 65 Q2 Pro is OnePlus' latest smart home product for the Indian market. It offers a new 4K QLED "home theater experience", driven at 120Hz by a MediaTek processor. The Q2 Pro comes with its own in-built Horizon soundbar co-engineered with Dynaudio, Gamma Engine Ultra motion optimizations and HDMI 2.1. The new Google TV has been unveiled alongside an unexpected inaugural addition to the OnePlus connected-device ecosystem.

The Xiaomi Automatic Smart Door Lock is expected to launch shortly in countries worldwide. You can unlock the device in many ways, including an integrated fingerprint scanner. Plus, the gadget is compatible with Apple HomeKit, letting you open the door with Siri voice commands or the Apple Home app.

Xiaomi has launched the Smart Lightstrip in Europe, now available in Germany. The gadget is a cheaper version of the Smart Lightstrip Pro, with many customizable features, such as dynamic lighting effects. You can also sync the lighting with your music and control the device with Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.

The ViewSonic X2000B-4K has been reduced by 31% from its US$2,909.99 list price. Now available at under US$2,000, the ViewSonic X2000B-4K can create up to 150-inch images while delivering 50 W of audio performance from its Harman Kardon-branded speakers.

An update to the LG webOS Hub will give third-party smart TVs access to a range of Apple tools. The new operating system includes an Apple TV app, Apple Music, AirPlay and HomeKit support. The features will be available on TVs from Seiki, Eko and Stream System, though a detailed list of models has yet to be provided.

The FCC has shared initial details about the Roborock Q10 Ultra, a likely successor to last year's Roborock Q7 series. Design and features are unknown for the time being, but the FCC has revealed that there could be two Roborock Q10 Ultra models in the pipeline.

With its high HDR brightness and incredible contrast ratio, the 65-inch Hisense U8H Mini LED TV is arguably one of the very best bang-for-the-buck choices in the sub-US$1,000 television segment.

Hisense now claims to have shipped the most units of any brand in the global TV market. These figures, which apply to the month of December 2022, have also apparently helped propel the brand to #2 in terms of market share over the past year. Hisense also attributes its success to its sponsorship of the recent FIFA World Cup event.

The Hisense ULED U6HF 4K UHD Fire TV is currently discounted by up to 36% at Amazon in the US. The gadget has up to 600 nits brightness with 4K upscaling and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Plus, you can control the TV with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands.

The Optoma L1 projector has been unveiled. The 4K UHD UST gadget has up to 2,500 lumens brightness and can project images up to 105-in (~267 cm) wide with a 0:25 throw ratio. A gaming mode improves contrast and colors; the lowest input lag with a 240 Hz refresh rate is 15 ms at 1080p.

Xiaomi has brought the Mi Smart LED Ceiling Light (350 mm) to European countries. Now available in Spain and Germany, the device can be controlled in a smartphone app or with voice commands, with support for Apple HomeKit. You can select a brightness level and color temperature, with up to 3,000 lumens and 6,000 K available.

Xiaomi has launched the Instant Photo Printer 1S in Spain and Germany. The gadget can print photos from your smartphone in around one minute, with formatting options available in the accompanying app. The printer uses 1,280 thermal print heads, producing images with 300 DPI resolution and 256 shades of grey.

The sought-after LG B2 OLED has once again dropped below the important US$1,000 price threshold and even reached its lowest price yet after the reasonably sized 55-inch version received a notable 32% discount on Amazon.

Bluetooth certification and FCC filings suggest that a new IKEA VAPPEBY Bluetooth speaker is in development. The gadget appears to be battery-powered and square-shaped, with a built-in handle and the same Spotify Tap playback feature seen on the VAPPEBY speaker lamp released last year.

Customers in the US can currently save US$1,000 on the 75-in Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV at various retailers. The offers appear to be part of a Super Sunday sale, suggesting they will only last for a short time. The 2022 TV has Quantum Dot technology and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, with a matte display to reduce glare.

The Samsung S95B QD-OLED TV, one of the best smart TVs money can buy, is on sale at Best Buy. Its 55-inch variant can be had for US$1,450, and the 65-inch version for US$1,800.

Best Buy has the 75-inch TCL Class 5-Series 4K TV for US$400 off against the normal retail price of US$1,100. The TCL 75S555 is quite well rated with an average rating of 4.5 stars on Best Buy and a mixed usage rating of 8 out of 10 from RTINGs.

Amazon US and NEBULA have included the Anker NEBULA Mars II Pro in their latest round of discounts. The NEBULA Mars II Pro can be used as a battery-operated projector or plugged in and can create up to 100-inch projections. Currently, Amazon US and NEBULA have discounted the NEBULA Mars II Pro by 22%, reducing the projector by US$120.

The enormously large Quantum-Dot television from the budget-friendly Chinese brand can now be ordered for just US$1,499 on Amazon, which arguably turns the Hisense U7H into one of the best current deals in the 85-inch TV segment.

Anker has announced a crowdfunding campaign in Japan for its Mach V1 Ultra cordless vacuum cleaner. The gadget has up to 16,800 Pa suction power, can steam clean at 110 °C (~230 °F) and lasts for up to 82 minutes between charges. An ERAC filing suggests that the device may also arrive in Australia.

Amazon US has decided to slash prices for recent premium Samsung Smart TVs. The retailer has included the LS03B, Q80B, QN85B, QN90B, and S95B, with discounts ranging from a few hundred dollars to 40% of the Smart TV's list price.