Smart Home

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.

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.