Smart Home

The MEDION LIFE OLED smart TV is now available in Germany. The 4K TV supports HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The gadget has a built-in speaker system and an integrated sub-woofer. You can stream content via Bluetooth and control the device with voice commands.

The Lenovo YOGA L5 lamp with 10 W wireless charging base has been announced. The desk lamp can charge many devices, and the LED light has ten brightness levels. Lenovo claims that the gadget has been certified for eye protection in China, where the product is expected to launch on May 24th.

The Xiaomi Mijia Direct Drive Washing and Drying Machine 10 kg is now available to pre-order in China. The device has a quiet and efficient DD motor and 26 washing and drying modes. A smart feature automatically pauses the cycle when the clothes are dry, and there is an air wash mode to steam clean clothes.

The Xiaomi K200 laser printer is now available to pre-order in China. There are multiple ways to connect to the gadget, including Air Tap mode, which uses a built-in NFC reader to allow you to tap your smartphone to start printing. The device has smart features such as auto-straightening and color and readability enhancements.

The Xiaomi Mijia Intelligent Dual-Purpose Dishwasher S1 is now available to pre-order in China. The gadget has an intelligent door that can automatically open and close, plus a hot air drying mode. Built-in sensors and AI can select the best washing cycle for the dishes, or you can choose your settings via the Mijia app or with voice commands.

Mammotion has announced LUBA, its first wireless robotic lawn mower. The all-wheel-drive robot can mow an area up to 5,000 m² (~53,820 ft²) between charges. Four sensors give the gadget a 220° field of view, and an RTK system enables the device to plan the most efficient route.

LG has revealed the CineBeam HU915QE ultra-short-throw projector. The three-channel laser projector can produce images 120-in wide with 4K resolution at a 0.19 throw ratio. The device has multiple technologies to enhance the picture's brightness and color. Plus, the gadget has a built-in 2.2 channel speaker system.
Update: The projector will go on sale in the US in mid-June for US$5,996.

Xiaomi has introduced the TV ES Pro 86", a huge Smart TV running MIUI TV. According to Xiaomi, the 86-inch TV outputs at 4K, 120 Hz and up to 1,000 nits. Also, the TV supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, AMD FreeSync Premium and HLG, among other features.

Infamous Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims to have been informed of a HomePod revival. Supposedly due later this year, the new HomePod may not feature many hardware design changes. A next-generation HomePod is expected to be smaller than the original model too, but larger than the HomePod mini.

EZVIZ has announced pricing for its latest home security camera on its new Amazon page. The C8W Pro 2K is of the spherical outdoor form-factor for 360-degree coverage and AI-powered smart potential intruder detection and tracking. However, this one debuts a new feature: an automatic preference for one spot in its field of vision the user can select via its app.

The Aqara D100 Zigbee smart door lock is now available in Singapore, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The device is compatible with Apple HomeKit, allowing you to unlock the door with Home Key or Siri voice commands. Alternatively, you can use the gadget’s built-in fingerprint scanner or NFC reader.

The Outdoor Element Roku TV is now available in the US. The device is optimized to tackle the elements, with an anti-glare screen and IP55 weather protection rating. The TV has a 4K display and supports HDR10. Plus, the built-in Roku platform enables you to watch cable and use streaming services.

The Huawei 2022 Smart Screen V Pro mini LED TVs are now available in China. The devices have a 4K display with support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM). A speaker system built into the gadget has been co-designed with Devialet, designed for a home cinema experience. The TV runs on HarmonyOS with support for voice commands.

Among other changes, the new firmware update for the Huawei Watch GT 3 includes an intriguing feature that allows the smartwatch to detect lung infections by utilizing its integrated blood oxygen sensor.

In a familiarly comprehensive review by Rtings.com, Samsung's new QD-OLED TV goes toe to toe with LG's vastly popular and noticeably improved G2, resulting in a very close competition for the throne of the best high-end television set in 2022 thus far.

TCL has unveiled the Q10G Mini LED TV in China, with the device now available to pre-order. The gadget has a 4K display and peak brightness at 1,000 nits. Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ formats are supported, and you can control the device with voice commands. Plus, five built-in speakers provide 3D surround sound.

A new 83-in (~211 cm) model of the Bang & Olufsen Beovision Harmony TV has been revealed. The device has the same features as the existing range, including the distinctive gliding door design. The OLED display has 8K resolution and can upscale content to almost match this. Apple AirPlay and Google Chromecast are supported alongside other services.

Lenovo has unveiled the YOGA 7000 smart projector in China. The gadget has LED light technology and an 8K decoder. Features of the device include sensorless autofocus and smart obstacle avoidance. The product will be officially launched later this month when it is also reported to go on sale.

The EcoFlow Wave portable air conditioner is now available to pre-order in the US. The gadget can deliver up to 4,000 BTU of cooling power and is suitable for small rooms or tents. The Wave can last for up to 12 hours with an optional battery extender. When connected to a wall outlet, the gadget can gain a 600 W charge in two hours.

The KEF LS60 Wireless is an all-in-one speaker system celebrating the brand’s 60th anniversary. The dual speakers have a total output of 1,400 W with various technologies to enhance the sound. Plus, an HDMI eARC port enables a high-quality connection to your TV. You can now join a waitlist for the product, which is expected to launch this autumn.

With a noticeably improved HDR peak brightness as well as a better color accuracy, the LG C2 appears to be one of the best choices for OLED enthusiasts who are looking for a visually stunning TV with perfect black levels.

iRobot has launched the Roomba i5 and i5+ robot vacuum cleaners in Europe. The gadgets are ten times more powerful than the Roomba 600 series and can be synced up with a Braava mop for coordinated cleaning. The i5+ comes with a self-emptying dustbin that can provide up to 60 days of hand-free cleaning.

Ecovacs has launched the Winbot W1 Pro window cleaning robot in Europe. The device clings to the surface of the window using 2,800 Pa of suction, with an optional safety rope for outdoor use. The gadget can clean an area up to 20 m² (~215 ft²) with 30 minutes of battery life, and the robot will alert you when the water tank needs refilling.

Segway has announced that its Navimow robot lawn mower will be available in 12 European countries from the end of May. The countries on the list include the UK, Netherlands, Sweden and Italy. The Navimow comes in three models, with the largest able to mow an area up to 3,000 m² (32,392 ft²) between charges. Plus, the first 1,000 customers will receive a gift.

One of Sony's best bang-for-the-buck 4K HDR TV from 2021 is now on sale at Amazon, which means that bargain hunters should snatch the 120 Hz-capable television set before the newer but not always better 2022 model takes its place.

After OLED TVs have long been at a disadvantage due to their lower HDR peak brightness in comparison to conventional LED TVs, the brand-new LG G2 now shows significant improvements in this discipline and even manages to surpass the 1,000 nits mark.

Panasonic has introduced the LZ800, LZ980, LZ1000 and the LZ1500, OLED Smart TV series that build on the LZ2000 series. Panasonic's OLED Smart TVs range from 42-inch to 77-inch screen sizes, which all output at 4K and 120 Hz. The new TV series support HDMI 2.1 and HDMI VRR too, among other features.

Yeedi has unveiled two new robot vacuums, the vac 2 and the vac 2 pro. The devices can vacuum with 3,000 Pa suction power, and they can mop. The robots have 3D obstacle avoidance technology, and the pro model can detect carpets. Both gadgets are compatible with a self-emptying station for up to 30 days of hand-free cleaning.

Sony has launched the Bravia W830K smart TV in India. The gadget is HD ready with a 32-in LCD display and a 50 Hz refresh rate. Several technologies are used in the device, including X-Reality PRO upscaling and MotionFlow XR200. The TV has open baffle speakers and supports Dolby Audio. Plus, the W830K has built-in Google TV.

Samsung has unveiled its 2022 lineup of The Wall display modular panels that can be used as a smart TV. The bezel-less gadgets have Samsung’s slimmest pixel pitch at P0.63 and up to 8K resolution. A new device, The Wall All-in-One, is a cheaper model with a 16:9 form factor and a ‘Pre-Assembled Frame Kit’.

The Sonos Ray home cinema soundbar is now available to pre-order. The gadget has many features, such as Speech Enhancement for clear dialogue. You can connect the device to your TV via an optical audio cable, and the soundbar is compatible with Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Digital Surround formats.

While the exciting discovery is certainly good news for gamers who have put an eye on Samsung's brand-new S95B QD-OLED, most regular TV users won't really benefit from the 20% higher refresh rate.

The Sonos Roam portable speaker has been released in three new colorways: Sunset (orange), Wave (blue) and Olive (green). The speaker has many features, including Trueplay tuning technology, to adapt the sound based on your surroundings and the content. The device is voice-enabled, making it compatible with the new Sonos Voice Control tool, out on June 1st.

Some Anker Eufy robot vacuum models are currently on sale at Amazon in the US, UK and Australia. Similar deals are also offered at the Eufy store. The Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Slim, 30C and 15C Max models are included in the sale. The latter has 2,000 Pa suction and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

ViewSonic has announced the X2000-4K, an ultra-short-throw projector that can be placed just 23 cm from a wall and still create a 100-inch projection. The ViewSonic X2000-4K outputs at 4K, has a 120 Hz refresh rate when set to 1080p, supports HDR and has built-in Harman/Kardon speakers, among other features.

Nubert has released a new soundbar, the nuBoxx AS-225 max. The speaker has many features, like voice focus and Dolby decoder, to optimize the soundtrack for the content playing on your connected TV. You can connect to the soundbar in various ways, including via HMDI eARC and Bluetooth 5.0.

With a lower peak HDR brightness and an even lower contrast ratio, this year's Sony Bravia X80K unfortunately is a step down compared to its immediate predecessor. Only the wide viewing angles of the 60 Hz IPS panel may constitute a reason to buy Sony's cheapest Bravia TV of 2022.

The Xiaomi Mijia All-in-One Sweeping and Mopping Robot Vacuum is now available in countries other than China via AliExpress. The gadget can be shipped to countries including the US, Canada, Australia and the UK, with one store offering free shipping and a 39% discount. The vacuum has 4,000 Pa of suction and comes with a self-cleaning docking station.

The Roborock T8 Plus is now available in China. There is an optional auto-emptying docking station which Roborock claims gives you 60 days of hands-free cleaning. The gadget has 5,100 Pa of suction power and can mop at 3,000 rotations per minute.

The Xiaomi Mijia Cross Four-Door Refrigerator 496 L is now available in China. The fridge has a large amount of storage space, including am 18 L drawer that you can control separately from the rest of the device. The gadget has a slim design, measuring 660 mm in depth (~26-in), and can be controlled via the Mijia app or Xiao AI voice commands.

TCL has just released its financial report across all of its operations, its consumer display and audio divisions included, for 2021. It concludes that the OEM's net profits went up by over 100% compared to 2020, ending the year with such takings of US$2.59 billion. TCL also notes that sales of its mid-to-top-end TVs (such as those with mini-LED panels) exhibited "significant" year-on-year (YoY) growth.

Porsche Design has revealed the Soundbar PDB90, which will be available to pre-order from June 1st. The surround sound speaker has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies for an immersive 3D experience. The device has 16 drivers, including a built-in subwoofer, with preset modes to optimize the gadget’s output based on the content you are listening to or watching.

The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra is now available in the US, France and Germany, and the device is expected to be offered in other countries soon. The Ultra has the same 5,100 Pa suction power as the other vacuums in the S7 MaxV series. The core difference is the automated Empty Wash and Fill Dock that can clean the mop and empty and refill water tanks on the device.

Retailers including Amazon and Best Buy currently offer discounts on the 2022 Samsung Frame TV range in the US and the UK. In the US, customers can get up to US$200 off the retail price, with UK customers offered up to £300 of cashback. The new Frame TVs, unveiled at CES 2022, have 4K panels and Quantum Dot technology.

The Xiaomi 8H Feel Leather Smart Electric Bed X Pro will be available to pre-order in China from May 7th. The bed has two motors allowing you to adjust the angles of your back and legs. The device can measure your sleep quality and automatically raise the head of the bed if it detects snoring to relieve the issue.

The GrowCube is a smart plant watering kit currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. The device can automatically water your plants, choosing the optimal time and volume of water to deliver based on the species. Soil moisture sensors provide real-time data to the gadget, which you can control via an app.

Leviton has launched five new products in its Decora Smart home range in the US. The latest gadgets include the No-Neutral Switch and Dimmer, designed for older homes, and the accompanying Smart Wi-Fi Bridge. Leviton has also released the Wi-Fi 2nd Gen Motion Sensing Dimmer that can adapt your lighting based on the motion or natural light that it detects.

In June, the recently unveiled Arlo Go 2 outdoor security camera will be available in Europe. The smart camera can use cellular data and Wi-Fi so that you can install it in more remote locations like a holiday home or a construction site. The device is wireless with many features, including a built-in siren and two-way conversation system.

A new development board is available from Lilygo, the T-Zigbee. The motherboard is compatible with a wide range of smart home standards, including Zigbee 3.0, Apple HomeKit and Thread. The T-Zigbee has dual MCUs, a TLSR8258 ultra-low-power chip and an ESP32-C3 chip, alongside programmable buttons and LEDs.

Motorola has announced a second generation of its Revou-series smart TVs for the Indian market. The inaugural variant was 4K/UHD and ran Android 10 out of the box; however, its line has now expanded to include HD and FHD options. They are all based on updated software, and have a 4K/UHD flagship with "4D Sound".