Gadget

An owner of a Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness tracker has taken to Reddit to report about the gadget exploding while it was being charged. Apparently, it was the global version of the Mi Band 5 wearable and was not a copy or mishandled in any way. Issues likes this have been frequently reported in regard to smartphones, such as the notorious Samsung Galaxy Note 7 episode.

The Galaxy S21 series may be Samsung's next flagship products, but the South Korean company has other exciting devices in the works too. According to several pictures, Samsung plans to announce not only the Galaxy Buds Pro, but the Galaxy SmartTags also.

OnePlus has started officially teasing its upcoming fitness tracker that will feature useful tools such as SpO2 blood saturation monitoring and real-time heart-rate tracker. The alleged OnePlus Band price in India and its launch date have also been leaked along with some key specifications. The OnePlus Band is expected to cost around ₹2,499 (US$34).

According to a slew of recent certifications, Samsung has a new product called the Galaxy Smart Tag in the works. It, as the name suggests, is a Tile- or AirTag-like gadget that can connect to a phone via Bluetooth in order to locate it, or the other way around. It might be ready to debut alongside the OEM's new flagship phones.

The OnePlus Band is seemingly in the works and should soon be ready to challenge the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 in the budget wearable sector. Rumors state that the OnePlus Band will be unleashed with a sub-US$40 price tag and may be launched in the Indian market first, where the Xiaomi Mi Band series has dominated affordable fitness tracker sales.

An alleged successor to LG's Stylo 6 phablet had previously shown up in renders hinting at a highly original, pen-centric rear panel design. Its latest leak does not bear this out: however, it does purport to reveal a "Samsung Galaxy Note rival" with an appreciably large display and SKUs with a choice of connectivity.

The drone-maker DJI is one of the latest companies to be placed on the US Administration's Entity List. The OEM has reacted with a bemused message posted to its official Twitter account, in which it denies doing anything to warrant this action, and to do all it can to limit its effect on its customers, suppliers and other business partners.

New year, new Xiaomi Mi-series flagships...plus the company's highest-end charging tech, it seems. However, the latest leak on this subject suggests that this 120 watt (W) standard will be reserved for the upcoming series' Pro variant. Furthermore, something even better may be coming for a subsequent release in the second half of 2021.

The Amazfit Bip U Pro fitness smartwatch is now available to customers in the US at a price of US$69.99 with free shipping. Buyers of the wearable from Huami will get to enjoy built-in GPS, Amazon Alexa assistance, and over 60 sports modes. The Amazfit Bip U Pro also offers blood-oxygen level measurement and heart-rate monitoring.

The Realme Watch S Pro is almost upon us, but CEO Madhav Sheth has found time to publish several teasers of the upcoming smartwatch. The Realme Watch S Pro will have an AMOLED screen, up to 14 days of battery life, GPS and a heart rate monitor, among other features.

OnePlus' Cyberpunk 2077 Special Edition may have to step aside: it has a new sibling with even more advanced and futuristic features. This 8T Concept has a rear panel with color-changing technology, designed to both indicate notifications and sync with the user's breathing using the device's also-next-level mmWave radar.

SMIC is a chipmaker that recently reported the development of its own 7 nanometer (nm) node. However, its plans for this silicon may have become somewhat limited, as the outgoing Trump administration has followed through on a threat to place the foundry on its trade blacklist. The drone OEM DJI is another big name in the latest rounds of these sanctions.

The Amazfit GTS 2 Mini fitness smartwatch from Huami is now officially available to shoppers in the US. The wearable, which comes with a heart-rate monitor, PAI health assessment system, and SpO2 level measurement, is priced at US$99.99 with free shipping. The Amazfit GTS 2 Mini weighs just 19.5 g (0.69 oz).

Realme has started revealing some of the details about its upcoming Watch S Pro device, including the launch date for the high-end wearable. The Realme Watch S Pro comes with a blood oxygen and heart-rate monitor, built-in dual-satellite GPS, and it can offer up to 14 days of battery life. Realme’s first premium smartwatch will be launched on December 23.

A couple of Apple Watch-related patents could give an indication of the direction Apple is taking in regard to a potential Apple Watch Series 7 device. One of the patents details a Touch ID button for the smartwatch while the other reveals an under-display camera solution that would make an Apple Watch 7 ideal for quick FaceTime video calls.

The 98-inch Redmi Smart TV Max from Xiaomi has apparently taken China by storm. Xiaomi has revealed some statistics about the giant television, including that its monthly sales are 30 times higher than its rivals in the same-size segment. The Redmi Max 98 has been incredibly popular since launching at a bargain price of 19,999 yuan (US$3,061).

The ZimaBoard is an unusual-looking machine, and one that serves as a mini-PC, a server and a single-board computer. The ZimaBoard features an Intel processor and is passively cooled.

The Hackboard 2 is an Intel-based single-board computer that is also compatible with the Raspberry Pi. The machine runs Windows 10 or Ubuntu natively and retails for US$99. The Hackboard 2 features 4 GB up DDR4 RAM and 64 GB of eMMC flash storage too, along with plenty of I/O.

Desalvo Systems has introduced a new version of its Maker Block Raspberry Pi 4 case, which it has machined from a solid block of copper. Appropriately called the Solid Copper Maker Block Case, the case is likely to draw attention with its striking design. However, the use of a copper block is also practical as it supposedly delivers superior passive cooling than many other cases for the Raspberry Pi 4.

Xiaomi has released a new firmware update for the Mi Band 5 activity tracker. The software has been pushed out to deal with problems with the accuracy of the sleep-tracking function, with a few other minor additions such as extra language support included. It’s likely the update will eventually make it to the international Mi Smart Band 5 variant.

Xiaomi has launched the Mi EBook Reader Pro as expected and has revealed the e-reader’s specifications. Naturally, the Mi EBook Reader Pro is a step up from the non-Pro variant, but at a regular price of 1,299 yuan (US$198) the new Xiaomi device also holds up quite well against the more-expensive Kindle Oasis from Amazon.

Xiaomi has revealed its upcoming Mi EBook Reader Pro, which will be officially launched on Tuesday, December 15. A promo image of the device has been released that shows the electric paper book decked out in black with a touch button on the front. According to the marketing material, the Xiaomi Mi EBook Reader Pro will normally cost 1,299 yuan (US$198).

Realme is gearing up to release a new smartwatch into its wearable lineup in the form of the Realme Watch S Pro. The device has already been leaked via the FCC and now Realme India and Europe CEO Madhav Sheth has been continuously teasing the Watch S Pro ahead of its imminent launch. Built-in GPS and a large AMOLED should feature.

Carl Pei announced a decision to leave OnePlus, a smartphone OEM he helped set up, earlier in 2020. Now, he has reportedly attracted US$7 million in capital for his new business from various private investors. It is also apparently now hiring for positions in two cities.

The Outlier Air V2 may be Creative's best TWS earbuds yet. Retailing for US$79.99, the earbuds offer a more refined experience than the Outlier Gold without any real compromises. The switch away from the awkward buttons of the Outlier Gold to touch controls is certainly an improvement, but it comes with some drawbacks, too.

Bomaker is not what could be called a household name in the home-theater projector market; nevertheless, it has made some attention-grabbing claims for its product freshly put up for crowdfunding. They include the ability to throw a 200-inch 4K screen up onto a wall just 31 inches away from this device.

The Honor Router 3 offers good looks, fast connectivity and more versatility than many routers that internet companies provide. The Router 3 is not without its issues though, as we have discovered during our time with the device.

The "Apple TV 2020" is now set to be introduced on December 8, 2020. This event may be an under-the-radar affair, but is touted to unveil a new 4K device with 64 to 128GB storage options. It is now also thought to be powered by an A12Z Bionic SoC.

A lapdesk is a cushioned prop for a keyboard and mouse that might make it easier to use these peripherals while sitting on a couch. nerdytec has announced a second generation of its example of this accessory, the Couchmaster CYCON2. It also has a Cyberpunk 2077-themed special edition.

The start-up RollingSquare scored a major crowdfunding win with its original inCharge product, a miniature cable that clicks together with magnets to form a keychain for portability. Now, it is back with a new version, rated to deliver up to 100 watts (W) of power when connected to a compatible device.

Advertised as the world's most powerful palm-sized 4K mini PC, the GMK NucBox surfaced in multiple reviews a few months ago and was supposed to become available for purchase in late October. Now, this minuscule mini PC is finally up for purchase starting at US$219 (Intel Celeron J4125, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD).

Razer has unveiled a new version a Pro version of its Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds. The Hammerhead True Wireless Pro has a redesigned charging case and silicone ear tips, unlike the original model. The new earbuds support advanced hybrid ANC and 60 ms Bluetooth audio latency, according to Razer. The Hammerhead True Wireless Pro retails for US$199.99.

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced that the upcoming 100% virtual version of its flagship conference is now taking registrations. They include a special reduced price from now until January 4, 2021. The actual digital show itself starts on the 11th of that month.

GoPro has posted "record-breaking" sales on its website due to its Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2020 event. The OEM also now increased the number of its subscribers to over 670,000, compared to about 500,000 at last count. The latest holiday period has also helped the company to an important milestone.

Good news, Malaysian fans of the latest OnePlus special-edition flagship phone: it's coming to your market! Then again, there are just 10 of them, and they are only found in blind boxes to be sold via Lazada. This promotional event will take place on December 12, 2020.

The Italian carrier TIM, Ericsson and Qualcomm have collaborated on a project to push millimeter-wave 5G reception beyond its current limits. This work has resulted in the ability to pick this signal up at high speed from 6.5 kilometers away. Then again, this was not done with smartphones, but rather with equipment for potential next-gen wireless broadband.

The NanoPi R4S is now orderable from FriendlyELEC. The single-board computer starts at US$45 and comes with a Rockchip RK3399 chipset. The device is available with 1 GB or 4 GB of RAM and an optional CNC metal case.

The TicWatch Pro 3 4G/LTE is a 2020 dual-display smartwatch with standalone cellular connectivity. It is now on sale in Europe, although it is only usable through 1 carrier in the UK, Spain and Germany thus far. It is available on Amazon in these countries from now.

Cambridge Audio's second crack at TWS earbuds is here, and the company has packed in plenty of features despite their compact size. The Melomania Touch has up to 50 hours battery life, Qualcomm aptX support, touch controls, a transparency mode and a High Performance Audio Mode that apparently offers 'hi-fi grade amplification technology'.

Xiaomi is preparing to release new Bluetooth wireless earphones in the near future, which may either be called the Redmi True Buds 2 Pro or the more familiar and concise Redmi AirDots 3. The audio device has been spotted receiving its Bluetooth certification. The Redmi AirDots 2 were launched in July 2020 at just 79 yuan (US$12) in China.

Zhiyun's Cinepeer C11 gimbal is an accessory with 3-axis stabilization and features such as object-tracking and motion-lapse features. It is also a 4000mAh power bank, thus allowing the user to keep recording for longer. It is currently 44% off its normal US$89 price for Black Friday.

The start-up Olive Union has put its latest product up for crowdfunding on Indiegogo. On first glance, they are a particularly chunky take on the AirPod-clone TWS earbud. This may be because they apparently pack an "FDA-registered" hearing aid in with typical Bluetooth and audio components. They, for example, purport to exclude background noise to isolate human voices.

Boardcon has announced the EMH6, its new single-board computer. The Boardcon EMH6 is based on the Allwinner H6 chipset, 1 GB of LPDDR3 RAM and 8 GB of eMMC flash storage. The machine has loads of I/O too, although its OS support is somewhat lacking.

Waveshare has put together two kits for the Raspberry Pi 400, the Pi Foundations's new keyboard-cum-computer. The kits are available with 7-inch or 13.3-inch touchscreen displays and start at US$179.99 with the Pi 400 included.

Gigabyte has finally taken the lid off its new AORUS Gaming Boxes, confirming that they will feature NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3080 and RTX 3090. While both high-end Ampere GPUs will be held back by the performance limitations of Thunderbolt 3, the new AORUS Gaming Boxes are the first eGPUs with water cooling.

Nebula is a brand that has seen success on crowdfunding websites for its portable, compact projectors. Now, it is back with a more conventional launch for its new Cosmos and Cosmos Max products. They are rated for 1080p and 4K resolutions respectively, run Android 9.0 for TV and support HDR-10 with static or active contrast ratios.

The DevTerm Kit takes the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 and utilises it as a portable mini-PC. The DevTerm has a 6.8-inch IPS display, a battery module, a keyboard and an optional thermal printer.