Smart Home

AiDot, a universal software platform shared by multiple smart home device and accessory brands, has announced that it is now compatible with Google's new Matter standard. To this end, the first wave of smart light-bulbs that support both protocols are now in their pre-sale period. They start at US$13.99 for a threaded unit that can fit seamlessly into an existing network of existing IoT devices and sensors.

Affluent TV buyers who don't want to make any compromises in terms of image quality can now order one of Sony's very best OLED TVs, the 65-inch Bravia XR A95K, for the most enticing sale price on Amazon since its release earlier this year.

MediaTek has announced the addition of a new flagship variant for its Pentonic chipsets specifically for TVs. The Pentonic 1000 is pitched at the 4K/120Hz screens of the near future, and is rated for on-board support for broadcast standards worldwide as well as high-end TV features such as ALLM, VRR up to 144Hz and multi-split-screen views.

According to TCL, it's number 1! - in terms of market share for 98-inch TVs from January to September 2022, that is. The OEM claims to have dominated the sector with its latest QLED TV of this size (the 98C735). The new XL Collection flagship has a 4K "IMAX Enhanced" display, and is touted to deliver "leading" color reproduction and "stunning" brightness

Deals on the Samsung Freestyle Projector are currently available in the US, Canada and France at Amazon and the company’s online store. Customers in the US receive the most significant discount, with a US$200 price reduction. The portable 1080p projector has up to three hours of battery life thanks to a 32,000 mAh battery.

BenQ has released its W1130X 1080p projector in China. The gadget can throw images up to 200-in (~508 cm) in size with up to 2,300 lumens brightness and a 120 Hz refresh rate. You can connect to the device via USB-A and HDMI ports, and the projector has a pair of built-in 5 W Trevolo speakers.

The reasonably sized 55-inch variant of the popular Hisense U8H has now dropped to US$699 at Best Buy, which makes the 4K Mini LED TV a noteworthy alternative to competing television sets made by the big three brands in this market segment.

StreamView has released the Nokia Streaming Box 8010, building on the older Streaming Box 8000. While the pair have similar model numbers, the Streaming Box 8010 contains significantly more memory and an upgraded ARM chipset to power Android TV 11.

The Philips Hue Festavia smart string lights have been revealed by Signify. The product will launch on November 15 in Europe and the US, in time for the holidays. Intelligent features of the lights include the ability to choose a color or color gradient, a Sparkle effect and music syncing via Spotify or Samsung SmartThings.

360 Smart Life is currently crowdfunding for the Botslab M20 robot mop via Indiegogo. The company claims the gadget is unique due to its four rolling mop pads, which can exert up to 10 N of pressure for a deeper clean. The robot has a self-cleaning and drying dock and can be controlled with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands.

Wonder Tech Lab is currently crowdfunding for the SwitchBot Blind Tilt, a gadget that turns your regular blinds into smart ones. The adapter enables you to control your blinds with a smart app or voice assistant and open them at a specific time or to a precise angle. Plus, a solar panel helps the battery to last longer.

The 2022 Samsung S95B OLED 4K TV, available in 55-in and 65-in models, is currently discounted. Customers in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia can save up to US$1,100 off the devices. Features of the TVs include AI 4K upscaling and 4K gaming with a 120 Hz refresh rate.

Xiaomi has revealed the Mijia Smart Desktop Dishwasher S1, which is now available to pre-order in China. The gadget has an AI smart wash, assessing the dirtiness of your dishes and optimizing the water level accordingly. The compact device takes up around 0.19 m² (~2.05 ft²) of space on your countertop and can wash up to 39 items simultaneously.

Philips claims that its new crowdfunding campaign for the Screeneo U5 took just five minutes to achieve its goal. The new successor to the U4 (also launched on Indiegogo) upgrades to a 4K UHD resolution and an image of up to 150 inches. It has an impressively high max brightness rating and has a UI based on Android 11.

The XGIMI Halo+, HORIZON and HORIZON Pro projectors are now available from Best Buy in the US. Plus, a celebratory partnership launch discount of up to US$300 is currently offered. The Halo+ is a portable 1080p projector, while the higher-end HORIZON Pro has a 4K resolution and up to 2,200 ANSI lumens brightness.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Mijia Pulsator Washing Machine 10 kg in China. The top-loading device can wash up to 45 shirts simultaneously, with ten cycles on offer, including a 15-minute quick wash. Plus, a smart water-saving mode will weigh the load and optimize the wash to reduce water consumption.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Mijia Thermostatic Kettle 2 Pro in China. The gadget has variable temperature control with 1 °C (~2 °F) accuracy and various boiling modes, which you can set using a built-in dial or a smartphone app. Plus, the 1.7 L (~57.5 fl. oz) kettle works quietly with a noise output of 45 dBa.

Although it was released more than two years ago, the iRobot Roomba j7 robot vacuum remains a popular choice for automated house cleaning. With a global rating of 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon after more than 900 user ratings, the Roomba j7 is now down to US$349 thanks to a massive 42 percent discount.

SmartWings is currently crowdfunding for its Nano smart blinds. The products are customizable, with Bluetooth and Thread connectivity and support for smart home ecosystems such as Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. Intelligent settings include blind opening or closing with sunrise or sunset, opening to a set position and linking multiple units to be controlled as one.

The most affordable OLED TV with a native 120Hz refresh rate in the South Korean manufacturer's 2022 lineup has now received its largest discount to date, which brings the price of the 55-inch LG C2 a step closer to the magical US$1,000 mark.

The PowerCombo Pro 40W is the latest release from the brand Baseus. It has debuted as the latest in a line of power accessories that is a combination between a power brick rated for up-to-date gallium nitride (GaN) charging technology and a power strip. To this end, it has full AC outlets in addition to USB type-A and -C ports.

YUNMI has launched a crowdfunding campaign in China for its VIOMI Portable Graphene Baseboard Electric Heater with Simulation Flame. The gadget has a built-in humidifier, which is used alongside LED lights to generate a fake flame. The device can provide up to 2,200 W power for temperatures up to 35 °C (~95 °F).

The VAVA Chroma became a crowdfunding darling on its 2021 launch thanks to claims of debuting "cinematic" ALPD technology in an ultra-high-brightness 4K laser projector. Now, it is the star of its brand's pre-Black Friday 2022 event at US$1,000 off its usual price. It is joined by its new Luma 4K sibling, as well as VAVA's line of smart-home gadgets such as its security cameras.

EZVIZ has launched the DB1C as a new option for those interested in a teched-out doorbell. It is compatible with 2.4Ghz/5Ghz Wi-Fi, which can stream FHD video to a user's personal device. The new smart home component also has AI that can tell when there is a human in front of it, so as to avoid blowing the same device up with unnecessary or inaccurate alerts.

The LG QNED80 Series LED 4K TV is currently selling at a reduced price in the US, Canada and Australia. The 55-in, 65-in, 75-in and 85-in models are each discounted; for example, you can save US$900 on the 85-in TV at the LG store in the US. Features of the gadget include 4K content upscaling and a virtual 5.1.2 channel audio experience. Update: Changed MiniLED to LED.

Huawei has unveiled the Smart Screen V 2022, a new model that contains several upgrades over its predecessors. With an improved processor and graphics chip, the Smart Screen V 2022 also has a brighter display panel, a Devialet-branded speaker system and a 12 MP camera that attaches magnetically to its body.

With the release of the P670 and P470 RISC-V processors, SiFive plans to deliver competitive alternatives to legacy technologies for the wearables, smart home and AR/VR markets. The new processors are touted to bring considerable performance boosts over ARM's Cortex cores.

The OPPO N3 robot vacuum has arrived in China. The gadget has up to 4,000 Pa suction power and sonic vibration mopping; the company claims the mop vibrates 12,000 times per minute. Over 31 sensors are used by the device to make intelligent decisions, with route optimization and obstacle avoidance.

The Xiaomi Mi TV ES70 has been launched in China. The device has a 4K resolution and a 60 Hz refresh rate, supporting Dolby Vision and DTS-HD technologies. The gadget comes with a built-in bass-boosting speaker system, and you can control the device with Xiao AI voice commands or via a smartphone app.

The 2022 Toshiba Z770 MiniLED TV has arrived in China. The gadget has a 4K resolution, a 144 Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits brightness. A built-in speaker system provides 2.1.2 channel audio, and the device has several features for gaming, such as VRR and ALLM, with an 8 ms response time.

The quite large 65-inch Sony Bravia X90K arguably offers a lot of bang for the buck, especially since the sought-after 4K HDR TV with a native 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support has now hit its lowest price to date thanks to a significant discount at Amazon and other retailers.

All four sizes of the popular LG G2 are currently on sale at a reputable US retailer, and this deal further includes an extended warranty that should put an end to the burn-in anxiety that is holding back some prospective OLED TV buyers.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi Mijia Graphene Baseboard Heater Fire Edition. The gadget is similar to the regular Mijia Graphene heater, released earlier this month. The significant difference is its ability to generate fake flames from the top of the device using water Vapor and LEDs.

Narwal has launched the Freo robot vacuum cleaner and mop. The gadget has tools such as DirtSense and floor detection to make smart decisions about how to clean your house. Plus, the device comes with a self-cleaning docking station, which can wash and dry the mop head.

The Xiaomi Redmi Projector and Redmi Projector Pro are now available to pre-order in China. The gadgets have a 1080p resolution and up to 150 ANSI lumens brightness. The Pro has more advanced automated image correction tools than the standard model, including autofocus and obstacle avoidance.

The Formovie S5, or FENGMI S5, projector is available worldwide via Banggood. The ALPD projector has a native 1080p resolution, 4K decoding and a peak brightness of 1,100 ANSI lumens. You can use the device to project images up to 120-in (~305 cm) wide, and you can cast from Android and iOS devices.

The TCL CF6 Series 4K Fire TV has launched in the UK, Italy, Spain and Germany. The gadget is available in 50-in and 55-in models, supporting HDR10+ and Dolby Vision technology. Built-in Fire TV lets you use popular apps like YouTube and control the device with Alexa voice commands.

Xiaomi has announced the Redmi Smart TV X86, a Smart TV that is available in China for CNY 5,299 (~US$739). Equipped with an 86-inch panel, the Redmi Smart TV X86 delivers a 4K native output at 60 Hz, 20 W stereo speakers and an impressive 97.3% screen-to-body ratio.

The YUNMI VIOMI Master air conditioner has been launched in China. The gadget can heat or cool your home, and an integrated filter unit can remove up to 99% of formaldehyde found in the house in two hours, according to the company. The device is designed to cover an area from 15 to 22 m² (~161 to 237 ft²) and can be controlled with voice commands.

ECOVACS has revealed the GOAT G1 robot lawn mower, which will launch in China and Europe in March 2023. The gadget uses two onboard cameras, GPS and ToF sensors to navigate your lawn and avoid obstacles. The device can mow an area up to 600 m² (~6,458 ft²) each day, and you can control settings via a smartphone app.

Xiaomi has revealed the Redmi XT 4K TV in China. The company suggests the gadget is designed for gaming, with a 4 ms response time, a 120 Hz refresh rate and support for ALLM and MEMC. With an ultra-thin bezel, the 4K TV has a 97.9% screen-to-body ratio, and the display can deliver up to 500 nits of brightness.

The 2022 Samsung 85-in QN90B Neo QLED 4K Smart TV is currently discounted at the Samsung online store and Amazon in the US and UK. Customers in the US can receive a discount of over US$2,000, while those in the UK can save as much as £1,000 (~US$1,161).

Porsche Design has introduced the 911 Soundbar 2.0 Pro, an ultra-premium device that will be limited to 500 units. Aimed at racing fans and music lovers, the 911 Soundbar 2.0 Pro is made from the exhaust system of a Porsche 992 GT3.

Xiaomi has released teaser posters for the Redmi Projector and Redmi Projector Pro, which are due to launch in China later this month. Product listings on JD.com suggest that the entry-level model will have a 600 ANSI lumens peak brightness, while the Pro model with achieve up to 850 ANSI lumens.

The Lenovo Xiaoxin 100 1080p projector is now available to pre-order in China for the discounted price of 1,199 yuan (~US$164). The gadget can throw images up to 150-in (~381 cm) wide with support for HDR10. An LED light source provides up to 700 ANSI lumens brightness and can last up to 30,000 hours.

Xiaomi has launched a pre-order campaign for the Mijia Front-Loading Drum Washing Machine 12 kg. Thanks to its larger capacity, the gadget can simultaneously wash up to 60 t-shirts. You can control the device via a built-in touch control panel, choosing from cycles such as a 15-minute quick wash.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Mijia Graphene Baseboard Heater in China, which will be available to pre-order from October 27. The gadget uses dual graphene heating elements to provide warmth in three seconds. You can control the device via the Mijia app, Xiao AI voice commands, or the built-in touch control panel.

A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign has begun for the Conga AI-powered robotic lawn mower. Three integrated HDR cameras enable the device to navigate your garden without needing a physical boundary wire. The gadget can mow up to 1,800 m² (~19,375 ft²) daily, and you can control the lawn mower via a smartphone app.

Thanks to a considerable US$730 discount at a reputable US-based retailer, the 48-inch LG A2 becomes one of the most affordable entry-level OLED TVs on the market that is made by one of the big three television brands.

Casiris has begun an Indiegogo InDemand campaign for its A6 4K ultra short throw projector. The gadget has triple laser technology with up to 2,200 ANSI lumens brightness and can project images up to 150-in (~381 cm) wide. Plus, a built-in 20 W speaker system supports Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD technologies.