Gadget

HOOKII has launched the Neomow S robotic lawn mower in the EU; the device will also shortly go on sale in the US. The robot uses IMU and GPS to navigate your lawn, with various sensors to avoid obstacles and pause mowing when rain is detected. Other features include app control and a cross-mowing mode to combat weak signals.

The Roborock S8 robot vacuum series will shortly launch in the US, with introductory offers available on the S8 and S8+ models. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra will also arrive in the US and EU in April. This more expensive model adds an intelligent docking station to empty the dustbin, refill the water tank and clean the mop head.

MediaTek has announced that its flagship Dimensity line of mobile SoCs has gone Auto with a new range of computing solutions for next-gen vehicles. It challenges Qualcomm's latest offerings for the same industry pretty directly, purporting to cover the needs of the "smart cockpit" and connectivity on the road as well as automatic driver assistance systems (ADAS), delivered through the OEM's cutting-edge architecture.

Further details and pricing for the EcoFlow Glacier portable cooler have been revealed in the US and EU. The device has two compartments with different temperatures, with the ability to cool or freeze from -13 to 50°F (~-25 to 10°C). A detachable add-on battery provides up to 24 hours of run time and a USB-C port to charge other gadgets.

The EcoFlow Wave 2, a portable air conditioner and heater, is now available in the US and EU. The gadget provides 6,100 BTU cooling and 5,100 BTU heating performance, with Fast, Sleeping and Eco modes. With an add-on battery, the device can run on a single charge for up to 9.6 hours.

Xiaomi has launched a pre-sale event for the new Mijia Sweeping and Mopping Robot 2 in China. The gadget has up to 5,000 Pa suction power and mops, which can be automatically lifted. Plus, the robot will return to its dock to clean the mops during the cleaning process to ensure that collected dirt is not spread around the home.

The Hisense A5KQ, a gadget which can be used as a TV or monitor, has been launched in European countries like Spain and Germany. The device has a 1080p QLED display with up to 200 nits brightness. Other features include a game mode, Anyview wireless screencasting and built-in speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos.

The HY300 projector can be imported to many countries worldwide via AliExpress. The portable gadget has a native resolution of 720p, and an LCD light source delivers up to 120 lumens brightness. The projector runs on Android 11, with Netflix and wireless screencasting from mobile devices.

Fairphone is preparing to release the Fairbuds XL, a pair of over-ear wireless headphones. Not only has the design of the Fairbuds XL leaked, but so has its European retail price.

Volkswagen has finally announced full specs, configuration options and launch dates for the ID.7 today (April 17, 2023). The all-electric sedan aims for the upper mid-range of the automotive market with a new power unit for increased output and torque, fast charging and a quality-focused interior with an enlarged infotainment screen and a Harman Kardon-tuned sound system.

The pricing and launch date for the EcoFlow Blade robotic lawn mower has been revealed. The gadget has an optional sweeping accessory, which you can use to collect leaves and branches before mowing. Plus, the device uses GPS rather than a boundary wire to navigate your garden.

Recent rumors indicated the existence and imminent launch of a foldable tablet from Samsung, reportedly branded as the Galaxy Z Tab. Those rumors may have been premature, or even entirely bogus, it seems, with word from typically reliable quarters writing them off.

According to a new leak, Samsung is set to debut its next-gen earbuds, the Galaxy Buds3 shortly. As a direct successor to 2021's Buds2, the Buds3 are tipped to match the Buds2 Pro in terms of features. Sadly, however, it appears Samsung has now shelved all plans for the release of the bean-style Galaxy Buds2 Live.

Xiaomi has launched a pre-sale event for the Mijia Smart Air Fryer 4.5L in China. The device can heat food from 40 to 200°C (~104 to 392°F) and uses 3D circulation technology. You can control the air fryer with Xiao AI voice commands or via an app, where you can also find recipes suited to the kitchen gadget.

Xiaomi unveiled the Robot Vacuum-Mop 2i in India before its April 28 launch date. The gadget has up to 2,200 Pa suction power and various mopping modes. Plus, you can control the robotic vacuum cleaner via the Xiaomi Home App and with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa voice commands.

DiDi Global is one of the best-known sources of ride-hailing on Chinese streets. Now, it has announced its intention to give its service a next-gen overhaul by putting its own self-driving taxi on those roads in the near future. The vehicle's current concept integrates a lot of LiDAR, radar and cameras to deliver its autonomous functions.

Garmin has introduced the Edge 540 and Edge 840, a pair of bike computers also available as solar versions. While the Edge 540 and Edge 840 are compatible with regular bikes, Garmin provides compatibility with e-bikes too.

Xiaomi has now confirmed the imminent debut of its next-gen fitness tracker, the Xiaomi Band 8. The Band 8 will launch in China on April 18 as a direct successor to the Band 7, and will do so alongside the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Xiaomi Pad 6 series.

DJI has announced the Inspire 3, its latest professional-grade drone. Capable of shooting 8K videos, the DJI Inspire 3 has a Zenmuse X9 full-frame camera, a lens mount and can fly at up to 94 km/h for nearly 30 minutes between battery swaps.

Volkswagen has unveiled the latest drive compatible with its MEB electric vehicle platform. It is rated to enable some next-gen ID family members to launch as rear-wheel drive e-cars with the potential for increased range and efficiency. The APP550 is also touted to deliver "significantly more" power and torque to boot.

Xiaomi has launched a pre-sale event for the Xiaomi Mijia Air Conditioner Great Power Saving 2 HP in China. The powerful gadget is rated as Level 1 energy efficient and can rapidly heat or cool an area up to 30 m² (~323 ft²) in size. You can also control the device using an app, or Xiao AI voice controls.

Xiaomi has launched the Smart Air Fryer Pro 4L in the EU. The gadget is selling for between €129.99 (~US$142) and €149 (~US$162), depending on the country. The device has a transparent window, reducing the need to open the drawer and pause cooking. Plus, you can control the air fryer via an app.

The Mavic 3 Pro is edging closer to release, although not before DJI introduces the Inspire 3. In the meantime, hands-on photos of the Mavic 3 Pro have surfaced online, as have new details about the drone's third camera.

AOHi has upgraded its Magcube series of multi-USB port "GaN+" power bricks with a new, up-to-140 watt (W) version. It has been released with a recommended retail price of about US$150 - however, initial launch deals bring that cost down to just under US$100 for a limited time.

MECOOL is now selling its KP1 Mini Pro Projector worldwide via AliExpress. The gadget can throw images up to 120-in (~305 cm) wide with up to 300 ANSI lumens brightness. The compact portable projector uses Android OS, supports wireless screen mirroring and has HDMI and USB ports.

OnePlus has announced that its inaugural Android tablet is now available to order - sort of. The first-gen ReadFit Display slate is in fact now up for a "Blind Sale" event, during which the potential buyer can make a deposit on the device from today (April 10, 2023) to unlock "free gifts" such as a free detachable keyboard. Then again, OnePlus is still keeping some important information on the Pad in reserve for now.

A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the SunScout Pro robot lawn mower is now live. The gadget has three built-in solar panels, which power the device. Other features of the robot mower include RTK-GNSS navigation, removing the need for a perimeter wire, and various app controls.

Telecommunications networks that work in the stratosphere represent the next big thing for companies like SoftBank. However, the airborne platforms on which this "Information Revolution" are to be based depend on batteries that can withstand the extremes of temperature and pressure at those altitudes to work. Enpower Greentech Inc (EGI) claims to have developed a power-pack with the durability, stability and energy density needed to live up to that demanding use-case.

The Volcan E300 is "coming soon" on Indiegogo, yet is already being touted as one of the most "reliable and efficient" portable power generator, as well as the most stylish, ahead of its launch. It comes in a form-factor small enough to be carried around like a briefcase, yet is slated to pack a "high-capacity battery". It is also rated to work with solar panels and with a "range" of cables and devices ahead of its launch.

The electric car brand Tesla also now sells a wireless charger that purports to rationalize its ultra-premium price through its ability to do what Apple could not with the scrapped AirPower project. The "Cybertruck-inspired" accessory's ODM has achieved this via a fascinating arrangement of coils and more, as revealed during a new online teardown.

DJI is preparing to refresh the Mavic 3 series again after releasing the Mavic 3M a few months ago. This time, the company has developed the Mavic 3 Pro, a tweaked Mavic 3 which appears to feature a third camera dedicated to providing 3x optical zoom capabilities.

An EU version of the Xiaomi Mijia Outdoor Power Supply 1000 Pro could be coming. ChinaHandys, a media outlet based in Germany, reported seeing the device at MWC, with EU Schuko sockets replacing the 1,800 W AC Type-A and Type I sockets on the original model sold in China.

Meizu is an Android smartphone brand now said to get into the foldable game in a big way soon. Not only that, the inaugural device in question is also believed to launch with the top-end main camera beyond even Samsung's 2023 Galaxy Z Fold-series flagship. The shooter is projected to support 8K recording, high-end pixel-binning and fast auto-focus.

Rumors from a Korean media outlet suggest that a second-generation model of the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag is on the way. Reports indicate that the gadget would be more powerful than the two existing models, with a longer battery life and enhanced security measures.

DJI has confirmed plans to host another drone-related launch event. Dubbed 'Inspiration Arrives', the event will showcase the Inspire 3 rather than the also anticipated Mavic 3 Pro.

Insta360 has announced that it is offering a better shot at getting one of its high-end cameras for potentially lifestyle vlog- or even VR-quality content during its 2023 Spring Sale. The deals in question include up to US$110 off the innovative, modular ONE RS action camera, the top-end version with the 1-inch sensor and Leica branding included. Then again, Amazon still does better on some options.

The SF2000 is a new retro gaming handheld, albeit one that is priced particularly aggressively. Shaped like a Super NES controller, the SF2000 has a 3-inch IPS display, 1 GB of RAM and is said to be powerful enough to emulate GBA and GBC games, as well as other game libraries.

Xiaomi has launched a Youpin crowdfunding campaign for the Mijia Smart Clothes Dryer 1S. The device can be embedded in the ceiling and automatically lower when your smart washing machine cycle ends. Plus, the gadget contains an LED light and can be controlled via an app or with voice commands.

Eunorau has launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for its Flash e-bike series. The electric bicycle can have a 2,808 Wh battery, providing up to 220 miles (~350 km) assistance range between charges. Other features include fat tires, hydraulic lockout suspension and a 150 Lux headlight.

Powkiddy has launched the X55, a 5.5-inch gaming handheld equipped with a Rockchip RK3566 chipset, 2 GB of RAM and a 4,000 mAh battery. The Powkiddy X55 starts at US$139.99 and has a 720p display, among other features.

Xiaomi has launched the Xiaoai Speaker Kids Edition in China. You can interact with the smart speaker using Xiao AI voice commands, and parents can use Bluetooth to control the device using a smartphone. Over 3,000 stories are available, alongside quizzes and tools to help your children learn English.

CZUR will shortly launch an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for the StarryHub Business Conference System, a 4K LED projector. The device has a built-in camera, microphone and speakers so that you can use the gadget for video meetings. Plus, you can wirelessly screen mirror from up to four devices simultaneously.

Twitter leaker Ice Universe says the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic will feature a 1.47-inch screen with a higher resolution than its predecessors. The wearable will also feature a 425 mAh battery.

The new HP Color LaserJet printers for businesses have been announced. Models in Color LaserJet 4200/4300, Enterprise 5000/6000, and X500/X600 series use TerraJet Toner, using less plastic packaging while providing 20% more printable colors. Other features on the higher-end models include the ability to markup documents without a PC.

Midea has launched the M9 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner in France and Spain. The gadget, now available via AliExpress, has up to 4,000 Pa suction power and a powerful mopping system. Features of the device include automatic mop lifting and Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice commands.

A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the AIRLEO Duo Eco Air System is live. You can use the gadget to heat or cool your home with unique technology making it energy efficient; the company estimates an average daily energy consumption of 2 kW. The device can be controlled via an app and has a built-in night light and USB ports.

Huawei's latest premium HarmonyOS smartphones went to pre-order on March 30, 2023 in their native China. Four days later, the devices - whether vanilla P60, its Pro sibling or Ultra top-end counterpart - are reportedly nowhere to be found for sale in the country. Those who have managed to secure one of the new XMAGE camera flagships allegedly face prolonged shipping delays.

Asus and the apparel brand Acronym assert that their new version of 2023's ROG Flow Z13 is for creators and style icons as much as it is for gamers. Its heavy re-design adds a lot of extra metallic casing to the Core i9-13900H-powered 2-in-1's back-plate and kick-stand. The Z13-ACRNM RMT02 is also now the PC's highest-end SKU with RTX 4070 graphics, and is modded so as to act as its own bag at need.

Home tech brand VAVA insists that its latest sale is no joke today (April 1, 2023). Its best deal might involve a chance to buy a high-end laser projector with ALPD 3.0 and Harmon Kardon speakers along with a 100-inch "Pro" ALR backdrop for less than the normal retail cost of the "4K Laser TV" on its own.