Smart Home

TCL is an OEM that describes itself as a "first mover" in terms of getting smart TVs based on cutting-edge miniLED technology onto the market. Now, the company claims that its latest, third-quarter sales figures for 2022 (or for 3Q2022) show that its industry leadership in this area has paid off. TCL's miniLED-related sales volumes are up by just over 20% year-on-year (YoY) for said quarter, and have seen "significant" growth over the year as a whole so far.

Both the new Apple iPad and Apple TV 4K have received several upgrades over their predecessors, not least with regards to their processors. However, the latest version of Xcode also confirms that Apple has quietly equipped both models with more RAM, which should boost performance too.

The smart home OEM TCL has announced that it will throw a Hallowe'en party for its public in 2022 - in the metaverse, that is. It will be held in the "Dream House" the OEM has built on the Roblox gaming platform. TCL will offer personalized avatar costumes at the door, after which a guest can visit showcases for products such as the company's "popular" TVs with cutting-edge miniLED panels.

The global smart TV market is estimated to attain just over US$451 billion in value by 2030 in a new market analysis report. 4K/UHD and screen sizes of 65 inches at the least are projected to be the biggest winners in terms of growth over the next eight years. The North American region is thought to contribute a good proportion of this growth until 2027.

Xiaomi has revealed the 2023 Redmi A70 TV in China. The gadget has a thin bezel surrounding a 4K display with a 60 Hz refresh rate. You can cast to the TV from a smartphone or laptop using tools like AirPlay and Miracast or connect via HDMI and USB ports. Plus, a 20 W stereo sound system is built into the TV.

A pre-order campaign for the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector has launched. Customers who pay a deposit of US$1 (or £1 or CA$1 or €1) for the device can receive a coupon for US$120 (or £120 or CA$200 or €150) to use against their purchase. The portable gadget has up to 300 ISO lumens brightness and supports HDR10.

Apple has introduced a version of the Apple TV 4K. Upgraded from the A12 Bionic to the A15 Bionic, the revised Apple TV 4K contains other upgrades too, like support for HDR10+ content.

With its 4K/UHD resolution and form-factor, LG's new Smart Monitor 32SQ780S has clearly launched as a challenger to the Samsung M80B. The new external display combines features such as streaming app support, webOS-based UI and a "Magic" Remote with an orientation-switching ErgoStand and a USB type-C port with 65W charging. It has appeared on Amazon.com with one colorway and a competitive price.

After leading the global mobile DRAM market for over a decade, Samsung unveils the industry's fastest LPDDR5X DRAM solution. With a speed of 8.5 Gbps, up from a previous record of 7.5 Gbps, established in March, the Samsung LPDDR5X DRAM was validated for use on Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platforms.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Mijia Intelligent Self-Cleaning Broken Wall Blender in China. The gadget can process hot and cold food and drinks, with a 4 L capacity and six-blade base. Self-cleaning properties of the device include automatic 75 °C (~167 °F) sterilization and steam cleaning after it has discarded pulp.

The Homey Pro, a smart home hub, has been revealed for the North American market. The gadget is compatible with Zigbee, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections and will support Matter and Thread following software updates next year. The device lets you connect over 50,000 products and control them with voice commands or a smartphone app.

Husqvarna has announced three new robot lawn mowers in the Automower NERA series. The models use a virtual boundary and satellite navigation, rather than physical wires, to plan a route. The robot mowers can cover a lawn up to 5,000 m² (~53,820 ft²) in size and can be controlled via a smartphone app.

The Optoma ZU820T and ZU725T WUXGA projectors have been revealed. The company describes the devices as mid-range, professional-use products. Both models use a bright laser light source, with a peak brightness of 8,800 lumens for the ZU820T and up to 7,800 lumens for the ZU725T.

The TCL Q10 Grid Refrigerator 555 litres is now available to pre-order in China. The device contains three sections, each cooled separately, allowing you to have different temperature settings in each area. You can set temperatures from -32 to 5 °C (~-26 to 41 °F) via a built-in control panel or the accompanying app.

The Xiaomi Mijia Smart Ceiling Light Pro is now available to pre-order in China. Two models are available, one for the living room with a rectangular design and a round light for the bedroom. You can control the smart lights via the Mijia app or with Xiao AI voice commands. The more powerful of the two lights, the 140 W living room model, has up to 10,000 lumens brightness.

Thermaltake has unveiled the ARGENT P900 Smart Gaming Desk, designed with STUDIO F. A. PORSCHE. You can use a built-in control panel, smartphone app or PC software to adjust the desk’s height and RGB lighting, with an automatic adjustment option based on your detected preferences.

The 55-in 2021 Sony Bravia XR A90J TV model is currently discounted in the US, UK and Canada. Customers can get up to 28% off the starting retail price, with the device now selling for US$1,798 in the US. The 4K OLED TV supports VRR and ALLM for gaming, with built-in Google TV and voice controls.

The Sony VPL-PHZ61 and VPL-PHZ51 projectors have been unveiled. The compact 3LCD devices support a 4K60P input and have a fixed lens with a vertical shift of +55%. The gadgets provide a clear picture in bright rooms, with the VPL-PHZ61 model having up to 6,400 lumens brightness and the VPL-PHZ51 variant having a maximum brightness of 5,200 lumens.

The Formovie THEATER is now available outside the US, having launched there last month. Equipped with three HDMI 2.1 ports and a triple laser light source that delivers up to 2,800 ANSI Lumens of brightness, the Formovie THEATER can create 150-inch images with a throw ratio of just 0.23:1.

The LinkedSparx SYRO-Bricks, a 3D smart lighting kit, is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. Bendable and angled connectors enable you to create multi-dimensional light structures, with the option to use a wall mount or stand. Each panel houses a single LED with a wide range of color, motion and music-syncing settings.

The ECOVACS AIRBOT Z1 air purifying robot has been launched in countries such as France and Germany. The device is similar to a robot vacuum, moving around your home as it purifies the air. A built-in AI camera helps it detect and avoid obstacles and lets you view your home remotely.

Bose has presented the Smart Soundbar 600, a soundbar that contains five transducers. As well as supporting Dolby Atmos, Bose has integrated Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants, as well as Apple AirPlay 2 functionality. Bose has priced the Smart Soundbar 600 at US$499 and will start offering the device later this month across multiple markets.

One of the most popular 65-inch sets made by the leading South Korean TV manufacturer has now received an additional 12% discount at a reputable US retailer, which brings the price of the LG C2 down to an intriguing US$1,597.

The Tineco TOASTY ONE smart toaster is now available in European countries, including France and Germany. The device has two slots which can be controlled independently via an LCD touchscreen. You can customize the toasting level and a cooking mode, with the option to save your settings to one of eight icons.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Mijia Kitchen Tool Set, which includes a smart timer, electronic scale and automatic corkscrew, in China. The Mijia Smart Timer can be used for two countdowns simultaneously and doubles as a wireless switch. The scale is accurate to within 0.1 g (~0.004 oz), and the wine bottle opener can uncork a bottle in 10 seconds.

LG has confirmed pricing for the MAGNIT 4K 136-inch, its massive Smart TV equipped with Micro LEDs. Also available with three Bang & Olufsen speaker bundles, the MAGNIT 4K 136-inch is LG's showcase of what it can do with Micro LED technology.

The iOS-compatible grow box makes it easy to grow a variety of plants and vegetables indoors the high-tech way with firmware upgrades, humidity and temperature sensors, ultrasonic sensors, a water level monitor, and more. It works pretty well unless if you want to relocate the plant elsewhere.

The Xiaomi Soft Wind Vertical Air Conditioner 3hp has launched in China. The device can quickly cool or heat a room with a wide range of settings. You can control the product with Xiao AI voice commands or via the accompanying app. Microholes ensure a comfortable flow, and the device can run quietly with an output as low as 22 dBA.

The Xiaomi Mijia Freezer 203L has been launched in China. The large-capacity device can maintain a low temperature for up to 100 hours, which could be helpful during a power outage. You can set the temperature of the product from -30 °C (~22°F) to 5 °C (~41 °F) with 3D surround cooling technology.

The Govee Envisual TV Backlight T2 has arrived, with several upgrades on the previous model. The light strip has a bead density of 60 LEDs per meter (~18 LEDs per foot) for an enhanced lighting experience. A dual-camera set-up improves the accuracy of the content scanning, and you can control the lights with Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands.

Toshiba TV has launched its latest M550K variant as a new 4K TV touted to go beyond "conventional LED" in terms of image reproduction, color-accuracy, depth and sharpness. The OEM asserts that the user will thus be able to "say goodbye to dull pictures and blurry screen images" with this upcoming big screen. It will ship with in-built REGZA Audio Power Pro speakers enhanced with Dolby Atmos for "heart-shaking sound".

Xiaomi has launched its W10 Wet Dry Vacuum Series in European countries, including Germany. The Ultra model comes with a self-cleaning base station, washing the mop head and refilling the water tank. The Pro device has a handle that can adjust up to 90° to help you reach dirt in corners and under furniture.

According to the data revealed by the company's preliminary earnings guidance, Samsung Electronics' operating profit took a nearly 32 percent dive in the third quarter, the first time it dropped in the last three years. This was most likely caused by the low demand for memory chips and came alongside a less than 3 percent revenue increase.

Amazon has revealed its Halo Rise sleep tracker. The device uses sensors to monitor your sleep, providing insights in an accompanying app. Features of the gadget include Smart Alarm, which senses the ideal time for you to wake up, and Wake-up Light, to rouse you from your sleep naturally with a gradually brightening light.

The BenQ GV11 smart portable projector has been unveiled. The battery-powered gadget has up to 160 minutes of video playback time and a sound system with treVolo-tuned audio modes. Built-in Android TV 10 enables you to watch content from popular streaming services, plus use Google Assistant voice commands and Chromecast.

Tronsmart has announced a new, Mini version of its RGB-enabled Bluetooth speaker with an in-built power bank. The new Bang variant has 83.3% of the audio power of its inaugural larger sibling, as well as the same estimated max play-time; then again, it has a smaller on-board battery. It also drops proprietary Tronsmart multi-device connect technology and app support for a reduced asking price.

Google has announced that the Pixel Watch will be able to use its own first-party Home UI in advance. The full mobile device version of the same app also has a new UI now, intended to streamline access to a user's domestic accessories and equipment. It also has a dedicated automation tab intended to help make a home as smart on its own as possible.

Google has somewhat quietly added a new version of its Nest Doorbell to its Store. This refreshed version runs on wired power, and is rated to send the telemetry from its inbuilt to the user in a 4:3 aspect-ratio, rated for improved vigilance over things such as packages. It can also record video for up to 10 days on end; however, this feature requires an additional Nest subscription.

The large 65-inch Hisense U6G from last year's TV lineup not only supports Dolby Vision content, but it also gets surprisingly bright considering its extremely budget-friendly price tag of just over US$400 in Best Buy's latest sale.

Google has unveiled the Nest Wifi Pro, its most advanced Wi-Fi router to date. Not only does the new router support Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, but multiple units can also be used in a mesh set-up. The Google Nest Wifi Pro supports the Matter smart home standard too, among other features.

The Samsung QN100B Neo QLED TV offers 5,000 nits of brightness, double what most conventional TVs can achieve. Equipped with a 98-inch, 14-bit and mini LED panel, the Samsung QN100B Neo QLED TV also has a 120 W speaker system, a 4K native resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate.

Huawei has teased the Vision Smart Screen 75 and Vision Smart Screen 86, two Smart TVs that will be available later this month. Equipped with colour-accurate and fast displays, the pair will run HarmonyOS 3, Huawei's latest in-house operating system.

Amazon has launched two new smart TVs, 65-in (~165 cm) and 75-in (~191 cm) models of the Fire TV Omni QLED Series. The 4K devices have a range of improvements, including an Adaptive Brightness tool and local dimming. Plus, you can control the TVs with Amazon Alexa voice commands.

LeTV has launched the F50 Pro TV in China for 1,349 yuan (~US$190). The 4K HDR UHD device has a 96.6% screen-to-body ratio and up to 300 nits brightness. With built-in 8W speakers and a microphone, you can control the gadget with voice commands and connect external devices via HDMI 2.0 and USB 2.0 ports.

Xiaomi has brought three new Smart TVs to Europe. All equipped with 4K panels and Google TV, the Xiaomi TV Q2 series also boasts 92% DCI-P3 colour space coverage and three HDMI ports, among other features.

Xiaomi has launched the Robot Vacuum Cleaner X10+ in European countries, including Germany. The device comes with a self-emptying docking station which can clean and dry the mop head. The vacuum has up to 4,000 Pa suction power and can be controlled via a smartphone app.

Xiaomi has launched its Smart Blender in Germany and other European countries. You can use the gadget to process hot or cold liquids with various modes available and a capacity of up to 1,600 ml. You can control the device via a built-in OLED screen or the smartphone app, which comes with a recipe inspiration section.

The Xiaomi Mijia Air Conditioner 2 hp is now available to pre-order in China. The gadget has up to 1,850 W of power and can provide warm or cool air at various heights. The device can be controlled with Xiao AI voice commands and is compatible with other Mijia smart home products.

Huawei has announced a new Smart TV in China aimed at gamers. Billed as the Vision Smart Screen Z65 Gaming Edition, the Smart TV has a 4K native resolution, a 120 Hz panel, a 50 W Devialet sound system and HDMI 2.1 connectivity, among other things.

JVC has unveiled the DLA-25LTD, a limited edition projector celebrating the 25th anniversary of its D-ILA technology. The device has a 4K native resolution but can deliver 8K quality images thanks to e-shiftX technology. Only 25 units will be released later this year, retailing for US$29,999.