Gadget

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.

The UGREEN Nexode 200 W Charger has been launched in several European countries, including France, Italy and Germany. The gadget can charge up to six devices at once, including the MacBook Pro and iPhone 13. You can use two USB-C ports to charge two laptops at 100 W simultaneously.

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.

The Anker 10,000 mAh Magnetic Battery (MagGo) is now available. The portable charger can charge iPhone 12 and 13 devices wirelessly at 7.5 W; magnets hold your device in place. Alternatively, you can charge your smartphone three times faster via a 20 W USB-C port. The battery has enough power to charge an iPhone 12 twice.

The GlucoStation non-invasive glucometer for stationary use is now available for pre-order at an early-bird price of €699 (~US$736). The GlucoStation takes painless blood sugar measurements by using light waves. The company behind the device, GlucoActive, is also working on two wearable non-invasive measurement devices for diabetics.

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.

A team of researchers at MIT has developed a loudspeaker as thin as paper. The ultra-thin film can turn any surface into a loudspeaker, requiring little power to produce a high-quality sound. The researchers suggest many applications for the material, including wallpaper and smart devices with limited battery life.

EEVE is now accepting pre-orders for Willow X, an outdoor robot that can carry out chores such as mowing the lawn, weeding and collecting fruit and vegetables. The device is still in development and is expected to ship in 2024. Two arms and a 4K camera on the machine help it carry out a wide variety of tasks.

The retail prices and release dates of the 2022 Sony Bravia XR TVs for North America have been revealed. The XR X95K TVs are already available to purchase, with other models due to be released in the coming months. The devices are powered by the Cognitive Processor XR and are compatible with Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay 2.

The supposed specs and price tag for the Apple Watch SE 2022 have been leaked. This year’s variant of the Apple Watch SE is shaping up to be a decent and more-affordable alternative to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8. A price increase over its predecessor has been predicted but there are some hardware upgrades too.

Wemax' success with its ~1-inch high Go portable projector allowed the brand to take it off Indiegogo and onto 'normal' sales channels earlier in 2022. Now, it has been able to do the same with the device's Advanced Edition. This model is the one capable of the series' highest-end specs, which include an estimated max brightness of 600 ANSI lumens.

According to reports, the Mini 3 Pro is just over a week away. Separately, a major UK retailer has listed both the Mini 3 Pro and the Fly More Kit, revealing all key details about the pair in the process. DJI is expected to release a Fly More Kit Plus as well with Intelligent Flight Plus batteries.

The Garage Door Controller is a new smart home device from Wyze in the US. Paired with the Wyze Cam v3 and a QR code, the gadget can check if you have left your garage door open. You can close the door remotely and trigger the door to close at a particular time or based on your location. The adapter is compatible with a range of garage doors from brands like Chamberlin.

Information about the DJI Mini 3 Pro continues to leak, before the drone's presumed May 10 launch. Reputedly, the top speed of the Mini 3 Pro has leaked, as have comparison photos showcasing the differences between the drone's two RC controllers.

Encouraging GWave non-invasive blood glucose monitor study results have been showcased at the ongoing Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) event that is taking place in Barcelona. The GWave glucometer utilizes radio frequency (RF) waves to take accurate measurements in a painless manner.

Sony has introduced the VPL-XW5000ES and the VPL-XW7000ES, a pair of laser projectors that can output at 4K and 120 Hz. The VPL-XW5000ES and the VPL-XW7000ES also support HDR and high maximum brightness, but neither will come cheap.

Anbernic has started selling the RG503, a small handheld games console with a 4.95-inch OLED display. The Anbernic RG503 is available in three colours but only 16 GB of storage and 1 GB of RAM. Supposedly, the US$150 handheld is powerful enough to emulate games from many popular consoles, including the Nintendo 64 and PSP.

EE has announced an exclusive partnership to bring Nreal Air AR glasses to its UK customers. The AR wearable will launch in the UK later this spring, with pricing and a list of compatible devices yet to be confirmed. The lightweight sunglasses-style gadget features an expanded Full HD virtual display up to 201-inch (~511 cm) in size.

The Xiaomi Smart TV 5A has been revealed in three sizes, from 32 to 43-in. The devices will go on sale in India on April 30th. The larger TVs in the range have Dolby Audio and DTS:X technologies for immersive surround sound. The gadgets come with Android TV 11, a Full HD display and ports including HDMI 2.0.

One-netbook has begun selling a Ryzen 7 5800U version of the ONEXPLAYER, its 8.4-inch gaming handheld. The Ryzen 7 5800U edition comes with 16 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB of storage, plus the same 1600p display as other full-sized ONEXPLAYERs.

The SwitchBot Pan/Tilt Cam is now available in the US. The camera can rotate up to 360° horizontally and up to 115° vertically, guaranteeing that it will capture moving people or pets when motion is detected. The gadget has many features, including a physical Privacy Mask that hides the camera, ensuring it cannot record you against your wish.

Netgear has released two new mobile routers, the Nighthawk M6 and the M6 Pro. The devices are currently available to AT&T customers in the US. Netgear claims that the Nighthawk M6 Pro is the first mobile router to have Wi-Fi 6E capabilities; the gadget can support a maximum speed of 8 Gbps.

ASUS has confirmed that it will release the ProArt Display PA147CDV this quarter in North America. Ahead of the display's release, ASUS has included the ProArt Display PA147CDV in its NAB 2022 showcase in Las Vegas.

DJI is currently developing several new drones, including the Mini 3 Pro. However, there is more evidence that an Inspire 3 is also in the works, which would be considerably more expensive than its Mini 3 Pro counterpart. A release date remains unknown, but an Inspire 3 has appeared in a field test video.

The POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition has launched globally with plenty of features, despite its compact size. Not only do the earbuds support up to 28 hours of battery life, but they also offer multipoint connectivity, 9 mm composite dynamic drivers, 35 dB of active noise cancellation and a dual transparency mode.

Xiaomi has launched the Smart Door Lock Pro, now available to pre-order in China. The smart device is compatible with Apple HomeKit, enabling you to use this as a method to unlock your door and use Siri voice commands to control the product. There are seven methods to open your door, including via password, fingerprint and NFC.

HiSense has presented the 120L9-Pro, its highest quality laser TV to date. As its name suggests, the 120L9-Pro creates up to 120-inch images that are colour-accurate and up to 4K in resolution. The Hisense Laser TV 120L9-Pro retails for CNY 119,999 (~US$18,291) and can output in 4K.

In an announcement via social media channels, Chevrolet has revealed that it is working on electrified and all-electric Corvette vehicles. The hybrid car could be released as early as next year, with no timeline given for the BEV. The fully electric vehicle will feature GM's Ultium battery platform with range-extending energy-recovery technology.

Xiaomi has launched the 2022 Redmi Smart TV A58, now available to pre-order in China. The device has a 4K display to deliver over 1 billion colors, and an ultra-thin bezel allows a 95.4% screen ratio. The gadget comes with MIUI TV, enabling you to use the TV to control other smart home devices.

Sennheiser has unveiled the Momentum True Wireless 3, a premium alternative to the Sport True Wireless. The Momentum True Wireless 3 retails for US$249.95 and is available in three colours. Sennheiser's latest Momentum True Wireless earbuds feature Hybrid Adaptive ANC, support for aptX Adaptive, and 7 mm dynamic TrueResponse™ drivers.

Meta is opening a dedicated physical retail space in California on May 9th. Customers will be able to participate in interactive demonstrations of a range of Meta’s products, including Quest VR headsets, Portal and Rayban Stories. You will also be able to buy some of the company’s hardware onsite.

Xiaomi has revealed the Mijia Smart Bladeless Purification Fan, now available to pre-order in China. The bladeless tower fan can deliver wind speeds up to 15.5 m/s (~51 ft/s) with a 10 m (~33 ft) range. The fan has built-in sensors to automatically adjust its settings based on air quality, humidity, or temperature changes.

Anker has released a new gadget in its Nano II range, the 100 W Anker 736 charger. The device has three ports, including USB-C and USB-A, with a compact design. At the CES 2022 Innovation Awards, the Anker 736 was an honoree. The gadget quickly sold out, with Amazon suggesting the device will not be available again in the US until June.

Roborock has released a new feature to celebrate World Earth Day, Off-Peak Charging. The tool lets you set your vacuum to only charge during off-peak hours, however those may be defined by your energy provider. Roborock suggests that this feature can save you money on your energy bills and reduce your CO2 impact.

Roborock has revealed the Q-series, a new range of robot vacuum cleaners. The model Q5+ has already launched, with a US$100 discount until April 28th. Five other robots are due to be available to purchase in May. All of the vacuums have a 5,200 mAh battery for longer cleaning times.

Information about the new Realme Smart TV X Full HD series has been unveiled ahead of the scheduled April 29th launch in India. The almost bezel-less HD TV will come with 43-in and 40-in options. The gadget will have Dolby Audio and Realme Chroma Boost technologies, with Android OS enabling Chromecast and Google Assistant.

An electronic engineer, salmec, has designed an autonomous robotic lawn mower named Mowerino. The DIY gadget uses an Arduino Mega 2560 board alongside 3D printed parts, with all instructions published by salmec on Hackster. The device has many innovative features, including an anti-tipping sensor and ultrasonic obstacle detection.

Reportedly, Signify could be about to increase the prices of over 250 Philips Hue smart home products. The rumored recommended retail price rise is around 17% and will be seen across several countries. This news follows price increases in North America and Europe across mostly outdoor Philips Hue products in December and January.

Official renders of DJI's next-generation mini drone have leaked. Possibly launching in under three weeks, the Mini 3 Pro will come in at under 249 g and will pack a substantial camera with 3-axis gimbal stabilisation.

Bigtreetech has revealed the Raspberry Pad 5, a capacitive touch screen display. The gadget supports multi-point touch and has a resolution of 800 x 480 px. Bigtreetech suggests a variety of uses for the device, including a smart speaker, a microcomputer and a 3D printer. The display has multiple interfaces, including an HDMI port that supports 2K resolution.

A couple of trademark filings made by Samsung Electronics to the WIPO indicate that the company is working on a new XR device. The gadget was also hinted at by CEO Han Jong-Hee at MWC earlier this year. Any new XR device from Samsung would likely join its Galaxy lineup and focus on multi-product connectivity.

Rumors that Ecobee could release a successor to the SmartThermostat have begun after the discovery of hidden images and descriptions in a recent app update. The reported new gadget could have similar features to the current smart thermostat, with the additional ability to trigger air purifiers or fans when poor air quality is detected.

A leaker has shared many images of the Sony LinkBuds S WF-LSN900. While the earbuds will arrive under the LinBuds brand, they share their design with the WF-1000XM4. The same leak also introduces a few technical details about the WF-LSN900, which should launch in at least two colours.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Smart Home Screen 10, which you can now pre-order in China. The smart home hub is similar to the Amazon Echo Show, with a touchscreen display that you can use to control your smart home devices or to stream content such as TikTok videos. The gadget has a built-in microphone and camera, so you can also use it to make video calls.

It appears that Meta is considering expanding the functionality of Oculus Air Link for at least the Quest 2. Dubbed the VR Air Bridge, the USB adapter should minimise latency when wirelessly connecting the Quest 2, and perhaps even the rumoured Quest 2 Pro, to a PC.

Denon has unveiled the DHT-S217, a 2.1 Ch soundbar that features six drivers and supports Dolby Atmos. Available from next month, the Denon DHT-S217 also has plenty of I/O and comes with a bundled remote.

Xiaomi's sub-brand, Poco, has now officially announced the launch dates of its two latest products, the Poco Watch and Poco Buds Pro. Both devices will launch globally on April 26 alongside the Poco F4 GT.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 has leaked again, confirming that the WH-1000XM4 successor will feature longer battery life and a significant redesign. Purportedly, Sony has also made other changes, such as new drivers and ANC improvements.

Elon Musk has announced that Tesla plans to be mass-producing robotaxis by 2024. The self-driving vehicles are expected not to have steering wheels or pedals. The cars are being optimized for cost efficiency, with Musk claiming that a robotaxi ride would be cheaper than a subsidized bus or subway ticket.