Gadget

Banana Pi has introduced the BPI-Leaf-S3, a 65.25 x 26 mm device powered by the Espressif Systems ESP32-S3. Available for US$7.50, the Banana Pi BPI-Leaf-S3 also has 8 MB of flash storage, 2 MB of SPRAM, Wi-Fi 4 connectivity and dual 22-pin headers, among other features.

Xiaomi has released a 2022 version of its Laser Projector 1S. The new model has a 1080p resolution and is cheaper than the original 2020 4K model. The gadget has several AI features, including automatic image enhancement and auto-focusing. You can throw images up to 150-in wide and select from multiple modes, including a gaming mode with 40 ms latency.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 series will make its debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4 at Unpacked next month. Ahead of that event, however, the smartwatches now appear to have been listed on official Samsung websites across Europe.

Amazfit is currently holding a Mid-Year Sale on its US website, with deals on a number of its smartwatches, even its latest models such as the T-Rex 2 and Bip 3 series. Its latest GTR and GTS flagships are also involved, as are slightly older "best-sellers" such as the GTS 2 Mini. These offers are available for a very limited time, however.

Beyerdynamic has introduced the Free Byrd, its first pair of TWS earbuds. With ANC, Transparency Mode and up to 11 hours of battery life, the Beyerdynamic Free Byrd contains plenty of features for its US$249 price tag. Beyerdynamic is offering the Free Byrd earbuds in multiple markets, not just the US.

The design of the Galaxy Buds2 Pro has leaked, a month before the earbuds' anticipated launch. Rumoured to be unveiled alongside the Galaxy Watch5 series and next-generation Galaxy Z foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro will feature an updated design and should launch in at least three colours.

INVZI is crowdfunding for a 140 W GaN Charger with Power Delivery 3.1. The compact device has three output ports and can be used to fast charge the M2 MacBook Air to 50% in 30 minutes. The company claims its 140 W charger is the smallest of its kind, 30% smaller than the equivalent Apple charger.

Roborock has introduced the S7 Pro Ultra, a robot vacuum that offers 5,100 Pa of suction and relies on a LiDAR navigation system. While the Roborock S7 Pro Ultra will retail for close to the retail price of the S7 MaxV Ultra, a hefty initial discount brings it below €1,000 with its 3-in-1 dock included.

ASUS has presented the Cetra True Wireless Pro with a wireless and wired design. Launching later this year, the Cetra True Wireless Pro supports Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound and aptX Adaptive, plus an ESS 9280 Quad-DAC if you use its bundled adapter. The ASUS Cetra True Wireless Pro will arrive with active noise cancellation (ANC) too, among other features.

DJI has released a firmware update for the Mini 3 Pro, its latest 249 g drone. Not only has the company updated the drone's firmware, it has also issued updates for its RC-N1 and RC remote controllers. All updates are rolling out now as over-the-air (OTA) updates.

Huawei has unveiled a competitor to the Apple AirTag, marketed simply as the Apple AirTag. The Huawei Tag and the Apple AirTag lookalike, and there are even some technical similarities between the two products. Unsurprisingly, Huawei undercuts the Apple AirTag on price.

IKEA has launched BETTORP; a portable LED lamp with a wireless charging base. You can use the stand to simultaneously charge two Qi-compatible devices or the lamp at 5 W. The dimmable warm white light has up to 150 lm brightness across three modes, which you can control via a button on the gadget.

Xiaomi has unveiled the TV A2 FHD 43-in. The device is similar to the recently released 4K TV A2 43-in, though the latest model has a lower resolution Full HD screen. The newer gadget also has a smaller sound system but supports Dolby Audio, DTS-X and DTS Virtual:X Sound. The price of the TV A2 FHD is currently unknown, but it is likely to be cheaper than the €449 TV A2.

The Amazfit Band 7 has appeared in some leaked renderings alongside a list of key specs and a purported, and somewhat reasonable, price tag. The Amazfit Band 7 will be entering a crowded fitness-tracker market and will have to face stiff competition from the likes of the Xiaomi Smart Band 7.

GPD has announced a new Indiegogo campaign for its upcoming handheld, the GPD Win Max 2. One can choose between an Intel Core i7-1260p and an AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor. Prices start at US$999 for the former and US$899 for the latter.

An Indiegogo campaign for the Hoollow hidden wireless charging station has begun. You can use the gadget to wirelessly charge two Qi-compatible devices simultaneously via 10 W charging pads. The station is designed to be installed under your desk to minimize distractions from your phone while you work.

Xiaomi has now launched its latest and greatest fitness tracker yet, the Xiaomi Band 7 Pro, in China. The Band 7 Pro debuts with a watch-esque design, a buckle-style strap, new materials, built-in GPS, NFC, and a host of other features, all for a price tag that converts into about US$60.

The Cramer RM2700 is a new robotic lawn mower that can cover up to 2,700 m² (~29,063 ft²) between charges, with a runtime of approximately 70 minutes. You can control settings such as the cutting height and mowing schedule in an accompanying smartphone app. The gadget has 2G and 4G connectivity, plus built-in GPS, which helps to guide the robot accurately.

The T-Rex 2 is Amazfit's latest AMOLED smartwatch pitched at "extreme" or "outdoor" use, and is as such rated to have passed 15 military-grade tests of robustness. The OEM has decided to test these durability-enhancing attributes by partnering with a group that launches things over 100,000 feet into the air to see if the watch could survive such near-outer-space conditions.

Creoqode has introduced the Lyra+, a different take on the modern gaming handheld. Rather than utilising an x86-based AMD or Intel processor, the Creoqode Lyra+ relies on ARM hardware in the form of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. The Creoqode Lyra+ also has an OLED display and a 6,000 mAh battery, among other features.

Nothing is preparing to refresh the Ear (1), soon to also be offered as the Ear (1) Stick. With a different charging case and the same price tag, it remains to be seen how Nothing will distinguish the Ear (1) from the Ear (1) Stick.

The latest model of the Belkin BOOSTCHARGE PRO 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafe has been launched. The gadget supports Apple Watch Series 7 fast charging at the top possible speed, gaining 80% charge in 45 minutes. You can simultaneously charge a compatible smartphone at up to 15 W and AirPods at 5W.

Clockwork has started selling an adapter for the DevTerm Kit, allowing it to work with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. Retailing for US$19, the adapter gives the CM4 SO-DIMM connectors and also comes with a heatsink and a Wi-Fi gain antenna.

The IKEA SYMFONISK shelf with wireless charger, revealed earlier this month, has been launched in Europe. The new product is an adapter for the SYMFONISK shelf speaker. The accessory has a wireless charging pad for Qi-compatible devices and an 18 W USB-C port that allows you to charge a second gadget simultaneously.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has unveiled new Raspberry Pi Pico boards. Starting at US$5 for the Pico H, the Foundation has priced the Pico W and Pico WH at US$6 and US$7, respectively. While the Pico W and Pico H are orderable from today, the Pico WH will not launch until August.

Bosswerk has unveiled a range of portable solar generators. The flagship model, the largest of the three, has a 1.46 kWh capacity and peak power of 4,000 W. The device has multiple ports, including USB-A ports, AC outlets and a 60 W fast-charging USB-C port. The Powerstations will be available in mid-July in some European countries.

Xiaomi has now officially confirmed the imminent launch of its next fitness tracker. The Xiaomi Band 7 Pro will debut on July 4 alongside the Xiaomi 12S series, and will ditch the Band 7's design for a more watch-like look, a la Redmi Smart Band Pro.

Samsung has plans to release its first affordable foldable device in the future. According to word from Korean sources, the foldable is in development and will arrive in 2024 with a price tag equivalent to less than half of the Galaxy Z Fold3's.

Huawei is now offering the MatePad Paper in Europe, where it costs €499. The MatePad Paper ships with a 10.3-inch display, up to 28 days of battery life and runs HarmonyOS 2. Huawei bundles the tablet and E-Reader with a few accessories too, including a second-generation M-Pencil.

SHARGEEK is selling the new STORM2 Slim portable power bank via Indiegogo Indemand. The device has a 72 Wh or 20,000 mAh battery that can charge an iPhone seven times. USB-A and USB-C ports provide a total output of 130 W, with fast charging capabilities. You can control the gadget and view information about it via a touchscreen display.

ViewSonic is now offering its X2 projector in Europe and the US. Capable of creating up to 120-inch images, the ViewSonic X2 operates at 1080p with an LED light source that should last up to 30,000 hours before it needs changing. The ViewSonic X2 is orderable in both markets now.

The Philips PicoPix MaxTV projector is now available in Australia. The device can support resolutions up to 4K and cast images up to 120-in wide in True Full HD. The portable projector has up to four hours of life and weighs 1.96 kg (~4.4 lbs). The gadget is based on Android TV and has two integrated 12 W speakers.

The IKEA SYMFONISK Shelf Wi-Fi Speaker is currently on sale. In the UK, you can get £15 (~US$18) off with an IKEA Family membership. In Australia, the company is offering AU$60 (~US$42) off the standard retail price. You can control the gadget using the IKEA Home Smart app or the Sonos app, and you can cast to the speaker via Apple AirPlay 2.

Toshiba has revealed new LiDAR technology in the form of a palm-sized projector, measuring 71 cm³ (~4.3-in³). The device can be used to increase the detection range of an autonomous vehicle to 300 m (~984 ft). The company claims that the system can accurately read road conditions for a safer driving experience.

Porsche Design has presented the PDH80, a pair of over-ear headphones that feature ANC, a touch control panel and up to 75 hours of battery life. With an aluminium and leather build, the Porsche Design PDH80 has a premium design that competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 cannot match.

Hisense has unveiled the A85H series, a pair of Smart TVs with 4K and 120 Hz OLED display. Available in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes, the Hisense A85H series has 800-nit panels, HDMI 2.1 ports and 60 W speaker systems. The Hisense A85H starts at £1,499 and rises to £1,999 for the larger model.

The Bluetti PowerOak EB150 Portable Power Station 1000 W (1500 Wh) is currently selling with a €100 (~US$106) discount in Europe. The power station can charge a laptop for 21.3 hours or a small fridge for 8.5 hours. You can recharge the device via a wall outlet or solar panels in as little as four hours.

New Apple HomePod and updated Apple TV devices may be released within the next year, according to a report by Mark Gurman for Bloomberg. The upgraded HomePod would be closer to the original device, with size and audio quality to match. The new Apple TV model is slated to have greater processing power from an A14 chip.

Mammotion has revealed the KUMAR wireless robot lawn mower, designed for commercial use. The device can mow up to 12,000 m² (~129,167 ft²) between charges, and ultrasonic radar prevents the robot from bumping into pedestrians or pets. The LUBA lawn mower, recently released via a Kickstarter campaign, was shown alongside the KUMAR at spoga+gafa 2022

Have you ever wanted to 3D print with chocolate rather than plastics? You might now be able to, thanks to the new Wiiboox LuckyBot. It is a "food extruder", or a device touted to adapt a variety of FDM printers to compatibility with edible materials. Its maker asserts that a user can make all kinds of shapes and figures with high accuracy and definition.

Product listings for the Roborock S7 Pro Ultra have appeared on Amazon in several European countries, including the Netherlands, France and Italy. The robot vacuum has 5,100 Pa suction power and can mop at 3,000 rotations per minute. The device comes with a self-cleaning dock that allows up to seven weeks of hands-free cleaning.

The design of next-generation AirPods Pro earbuds and their associated charging case has emerged online. With minor visual changes between the AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2, Apple is expected to bring plenty of internal improvements, plus USB Type-C charging.

Apple could soon bring a higher resolution Bluetooth codec to the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Code within a beta firmware suggests as much, which would bring the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max closer to the feature sets of their competitors. Adopting a higher resolution codec could also improve battery life on these devices.

The Fengmi V10 4K Projector is now available globally via Banggood. The gadget has a 240 Hz refresh rate and 12 ms latency, which the company suggests gears the device towards gamers. The device can throw images up to 180-in across and supports HDR10+. You can cast to the projector via Apple AirPlay or connect through HDMI ARC and 2.1 ports.

The Anker 757 PowerHouse will launch in Germany on July 4. You can currently sign-up to the Anker mailing list to receive a €300 (~US$316) discount on the product. The power station has a 1,227 Wh capacity and a maximum output of 1,500 W. Nine ports on the gadget include 100 W USB-C and 1,500 W AC outlets.

AYA NEO has brought the AIR series to the crowdfunding website Indiegogo. Available in multiple configurations, the AYA NEO AIR series starts at US$499 and rises to US$1,255 for the flagship Pro model. Shipment of AYA NEO AIR series orders should start in Q3 2022.

Xiaomi has just released its global variant of the Smart Band 7, with buyers in the UK and Europe already snapping up the attractive fitness tracker at temporarily discounted prices. Fans in the US can also now purchase the wearable directly from Amazon, but this appears to be the Chinese Xiaomi Mi Band 7 variant. Fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives to be found.

Volkswagen has confirmed it has plans for an upmarket, variant of the all-electric ID. vehicle line. The AERO is in fact being teased as a flagship of the series, although it is only aimed at one market. Then again, it only exists as design sketches showing a car of a long, flowing silhouette with hallmark e-VW accents.

Signify has unveiled new Philips Hue smart lighting products that will launch this summer. Included in the lineup is the Go portable table lamp with up to 48 hours of battery life. Also part of the range is the Perifo track lighting system, the Tap dial switch and the Signe gradient lamp, which comes with a new Wake Up feature.