Smart Home

Hisense has announced the launch of the U80H Mini-LED ULED 8K 75-in TV in South Africa. The device has up to 1,000 nits brightness and a 120 Hz refresh rate. Gaming features include ALLM, VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Plus, Android TV OS enables you to control the gadget with Google Assistant voice commands.

Best Buy has discounted the LG NanoCell 75UQA Series LED 4K TV series in the US. The 70-in model is the star deal, selling for US$699.99 with a US$200 discount off the regular retail price. The other five models, ranging from 43-in to 75-in, are also on sale. The device supports HDR10 and HLG content, with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice command options.

Reports have shared details of the IKEA VINDSTYRKA smart air quality monitor, a possible new device from the Swedish brand. The gadget appears to have a built-in display to show information such as PM2.5 particle levels, room temperature and humidity. Allegedly, the device could link to other smart home devices, such as the IKEA STARKVIND air purifier, via the DIRIGERA hub.

Kohler has launched the Numi 2.0 smart toilet. The device has a motion-activated lid with QuietClose technology and a self-cleaning mode with UV. You can pre-warm your seat before use, and automatic pre-misting of the bowl improves the flush. Other features include built-in speakers and ambient LED lighting, which you could use at night.

Best Buy currently offers discounts on the Toshiba Class C350 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV range. The gadgets are available in sizes from 43-in to 75-in, with a saving of up to US$330. The TVs support Dolby Vision and Dolby Audio technologies, with ALLM for enhanced gaming.

The gorgeous 65-inch version of the sought-after LG C2 OLED has dropped to its lowest price since its release in 2022, which makes this deal a reasonable choice for everyone who does not want to wait for the release of the upcoming C3.

Samsung has showcased its 2023 set of Neo QLED Smart TVs. Due to be released later this year with 4K and 8K resolutions, the next-generation models will support numerous features including Auto HDR Remastering and on-board SmartThings connectivity for compatibility with Matter, Thread and Zigbee devices.

Samsung has returned to the idea of a dedicated smart home hub, having pulled the SmartThings Hub. In its place is the SmartThings Station, a compact device that is compatible with the Matter home networking protocol. For some reason, Samsung has included a 15 W wireless charging pad within the SmartThings Station too.

Philips has launched the R6 Slim robotic vacuum and mop in China. The gadget has up to 2,700 Pa suction power and can mop with 120 rotations per minute. The device comes with a self-cleaning docking station for weeks of hands-free cleaning, and you can control the robot via the Philips smart home app.

BenQ has showcased the GP500, a DLP projector that can create 150-inch images while resolving at 4K. The projector will be available first in the US, where it will launch for US$1,799.

The JVC LX-NZ30 projector was unveiled at CES 2023, where the gadget also picked up an award. The 4K projector has up to 3,300 lumens brightness from its laser light source, compatible with HDR10. Gaming features of the device include low latency and support for a 240 Hz refresh rate at 1080p.

Xiaomi has launched the Smart Camera C200 in Germany. The security device has a 1080p camera which can rotate 360° horizontally and 106° vertically. You can view recorded videos or a live stream in the Xiaomi Home app or on a connected device. Plus, the gadget is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home systems.

The Worx Landroid Vision autonomous lawn mower was revealed at CES 2023. The gadget uses an HDR camera and neural network AI to navigate your garden rather than relying on mapping and a traditional boundary wire. The mower can operate quietly at night and avoid rain when needed.

The Pronto, a smart pressure cooker and air fryer, has been unveiled by CookingPal. The eight-in-one device can steam and saute, with a built-in weighing scale to make your food preparation easier. You can control the cooker using an integrated screen or the accompanying smartphone app.

Two new projectors from BenQ, the HT4550i and HT2060, have been revealed at CES. The HT4550i is a 4K device with up to 3,200 lumens brightness, Android TV and support for HDR10. The HT2060 is a lower-end model with a 1080p resolution and 16 ms input lag at 1080p @ 60 Hz.

A new range of smart home products has been unveiled by EcoFlow at CES 2023. The Blade is a smart lawn-sweeping robot that can collect leaves and mow the grass, using GPS rather than a boundary wire for navigation. Also revealed was the Glacier portable fridge with a built-in icemaker and the Wave 2 portable air conditioner.

Zendure touts its SuperBase V as a full home power back-up solution thanks to its switch to "EV-grade" semi-solid state energy storage, as opposed to the lithium-based batteries of most conventional portable stations. It is rated to deliver 6.4kWh in its base-station mode, although it can scale up to 64kWh as a double unit with add-on Satellite Batteries.

The Sony Bravia XR A80J OLED TV is now selling at a reduced price in the US and UK. Customers in the US can get up to US$1,200 off the device, with those in the UK receiving up to £301 (~US$357) off the gadget. The 4K TV has features like XR 4K Upscaling, Google Assistant voice commands and 3D surround sound upscaling.

An Amazon deal is currently available on the Optoma UHZ45 4K Laser Home Theater projector in the US. You can save US$1,000 or 40% off the MSRP. The gadget has a peak brightness of 3,800 lumens and can throw images up to 300-in (~762 cm) wide, with support for HDR10.

Roku may be best known for its streaming sticks these days, but it also supplies Roku OS to the likes of Philips and TCL. However, Roku has now entered the Smart TV market with the Roku Select Plus Series. Ranging from a mere 24-inches to 75-inches, the Roku Plus Series starts at US$119. The company has announced an OLED Reference Design TV too.

Skyworth's bendable OLED TV is on display during CES 2023, alongside other TVs with tech such as mini-LED backlighting. The OEM is also demonstrating its own in-house OS as an alternative to the Google TV of its upcoming outdoor screen at the major Las Vegas conference.

LG has introduced the Signature OLED M3, a giant Smart TV that measures 97-inches across. Not only is the LG Signature OLED M3 larger than most Smart TVs, but it can also operate wirelessly, albeit not quite in the same sense as the Displace TV that also debuted during CES 2023.

Five new projectors have been unveiled by Hisense at CES 2023. The range includes the L9H, a triple laser TV with a peak brightness of 3,000 ANSI lumens. The gadget supports Dolby Vision and Apple AirPlay 2. The company also revealed the Smart Mini Projector, a portable device which can throw a 130-in (~381 cm) image.

The Hisense 2023 ULED TV line-up has been unveiled at CES. The range-topping ULED X TV has a 110-in (~279 cm) screen size and an 8K resolution. Also announced was the U8K, which comes in screen sizes up to 85-in (~216 cm), with up to 1,500 nits brightness and double the local dimming zones of its predecessor.

Roborock has showcased a new version of the Dyad, an upright vacuum cleaner that it launched last year. This year, Roborock has announced the Dyad Pro, a redesigned model that contains more features and a superior dock without being any more expensive than its predecessor.

Roborock has introduced a trio of next-generation robot vacuums. Replacing the Roborock S7 series, the Roborock S8 series consists of the Roborock S8, Roborock S8 Plus and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 series will be available from March in the Eurozone and from April in the US.

Lenovo has introduced Project Chronos, an Intel Raptor Lake-based machine designed to capture motion without needing a dedicated wearable. Still a concept product at this stage, Project Chronos has seven display outputs and runs Windows 10, among other features.

Displace has revealed its eponymous TV, having teased the device last month. Unexpectedly, the Displace TV is already available to pre-order on the company's website, where it can be ordered on its own or as a bundle of two or four units. The Displace TV works without any power cables and can be attached to walls without dedicated wall mounts.

The Samsung The Premiere 8K ultra-short throw projector has been revealed ahead of CES. The gadget has a laser light source and can produce images up to 15-in (~381 cm) wide. The device's exact launch date and price remain unconfirmed, though the product is expected to arrive in some countries later this year.

Dangbei has launched the D5X projector for pre-order in China. The lighter gadget weighs 1.08 kg (~38.1 oz) and is 47.5 mm (~1.9-in) thick, making it easy to transport. The device has a maximum recommended projection size of 120-in (~305 cm) and can produce up to 1,100 ANSI lumens brightness.

IKEA has unveiled the SYMFONISK sound remote, gen 2, to use with the various products designed in partnership with Sonos. Plus, the gadget supports the broader Sonos Home Sound System. The controller features seven buttons, including two customizable pads which you can use to play your favourite playlists.

The Samsung Bespoke Infinite Line column refrigerator has been launched globally. The smart home appliance has two zones with different temperatures alongside an AI Energy Mode and a Dual Auto Ice Maker. The Auto Open Door uses a sensor to detect your presence and automatically push the door open.

The Samsung Bespoke AI Oven with a built-in camera and AI Pro Cooking technology has been revealed. You can use the camera to monitor your food without opening the oven door, receive burn detection notifications or even live stream your cooking to socials. The smart home gadget can recognize over 80 food types and recommend oven settings.

The South Korean manufacturer's high-end set from 2022, which is often referred to as one of the very best OLED TVs on the market, has now hit its lowest price yet as the 65-inch version of the LG G2 has gone on sale for an intriguing deal price of US$1,799.

MediaTek and Federated Wireless have announced that products such as 5G hotspots and Ethernet gateways powered by Filogic chips for either Wi-Fi 7 or 6E stand to benefit from improved capacity, speed and range, as they are now more compatible with the 6GHz band on Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems. The chips' new certification is touted as an important step toward their inclusion into standardized devices approved by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).

MediaTek asserts that its Wi-Fi 7 tech is taking off as of 2023, with an upcoming range of devices based on its new flagship Filogic 880 chipset for this purpose. The OEM has now also confirmed that it will be a part of Lenovo's upcoming Legion series. Its Wi-Fi 7 solution has also been chosen to pair with the next generation of AMD Ryzen processors, as well as with that of testing and validation equipment.

LG has announced that it will unveil its new 2023 range of TVs during its CES 2023 exhibition. However, it has revealed that it has prepared new soundbars as the "perfect match" for these upcoming big-screen devices. Their combination is touted to result in powerful new features such as a WOW Orchestra soundstage.

Christmas day may have come and passed but tech deals are still aplenty. Currently, Best Buy has the well-rated LG UP7070 4K LED TV on sale for a significant discount of US$150. The LG UP7070 is a 70-inch Smart TV with support for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit built in.

The popular 55-inch model variant of the Sony Bravia A80K is now back on sale at Amazon, where the beautiful OLED TV can currently be ordered for US$1,298 including free shipping, which results in a considerable US$702 discount in comparison to the original list price.

Sold as the "Ultimate Entertainment Bundle," the combo that brings together the Fire HD 10 tablet and Fire TV Stick 4K is only available with the 32 GB lockscreen ad-supported tablet in black. However, the 50% discount pushes the price down to a wallet-friendly value of just US$99.39.

(Update: Better deal at Walmart) An extremely compelling coupon code brings the price of the popular LG B2 OLED down to a sale price of just US$1,139, which is a huge discount of US$861 in relation to the 65-inch version's original list price of almost US$2,000.

Lenovo's latest consumer-grade IdeaCentre is a PC of no more than one liter (L) in capacity, yet packs specs also found in larger up-to-date desktops, Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1 included. It has also come to CES 2023 with 13th-gen Intel processors. With its partially-recycled chassis and upgradeable RAM/SSD storage, it also checks sustainability boxes.

Skyworth has announced that the Clarus will be the first TV of the type that can be installed outdoors with Google's stock UI on its launch. It is also touted as ideal for its target setting thanks to its bright mini-LED-based display and ingress-resistant metallic housing. The upcoming outdoor TV should become available to pre-order in 2023.

The XCLEA H60 Wet-Dry Vacuum Robot will soon be available via an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. The gadget comes with a self-emptying and cleaning docking station, providing up to 60 days of hands-free cleaning. The device has a maximum suction power of 3,200 Pa and 180 rpm mopping for a deeper clean.

The rather unusual 58-inch version of the very affordable but fairly bright Hisense U6H television has now reached its lowest price ever on Amazon, where the 4K HDR television can be ordered for just US$349 thanks to a massive US$250 discount.

The California-based OEM ViewSonic has announced that its X1 and X2 FHD LED short-throw projectors are the first to attain the new TÜV SÜD certification for eye protection for their category of display devices. Therefore, ViewSonic can now say that the projectors' up-to-100 inch output can be enjoyed by users of all ages without fear of fatigue or discomfort, despite their high brightness ratings.

JMGO has announced a new set of projectors following the release of the O1, O1 Pro and U2. This time, the company has released the N1 Pro and N1 Ultra, which it sells in China for CNY 6,499 (~US$932) and CNY 8,999 (~US$1,291), respectively.

The Displace TV is the work of Displace, a startup that wants to revolutionise home Smart TVs. Supposedly, the company has created a TV that works without a power cable or remote control. The Displace TV can attach itself to a wall without the need for a wall bracket, too.

The gigantic 77-inch version of the extremely popular LG C2 originally had a lofty price tag of US$3,499 when it was released earlier this year, but thanks to another enticing OLED TV deal, one of the most popular large screens on the market has now dropped back to its most compelling sale price yet.

In the US and the UK, Samsung has discounted various models of the QN85B Neo QLED 4K Smart TV (2022). Customers can get up to 40% off models ranging in size from 55-in to 85-in at the Samsung online store and Amazon. The Quantum Mini LED TV has 4K upscaling and motion smoothing features.