We first checked out Displace TV back at CES 2023 and were pretty impressed with the company's 55-inch 4K OLED screen - it was wireless, had hot-swappable batteries and you could stick it onto any smooth surface thanks to its proprietary active-loop vacuum technology. Unfortunately, what we saw was just a prototype and only 100 units were ever planned for production. For CES 2025, Displace TV has returned with a market version of its stick-on wireless 4K TV, and also unveiled a wireless soundbar and speakers. There are a few changes from the early versions we saw two years ago. For one, the rechargeable batteries are no longer swappable and now, in addition to the suction cup tech, there are concealed, pop-out legs for setting the screen on a surface. Displace is producing two models, the Basic and the Pro. Each has the same operating system, the company's own AI-fueled Displace OS. They both have 4K OLED displays, with the option of 27 or 55-inch screen sizes. The Pro model is packed with a more powerful 8-core Intel N-300 processor, 32GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and a larger 10,000mAh battery. For comparison, the Basic model uses a Intel N-100 4-core CPU, has 16GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and a smaller 5,000mAh battery. The Pro also includes Displace's new soundbar and speakers that not only offer better sound, but also increase the battery life by 150 hours. (Without the added boost from the speakers, you'll be able to watch between 40 and 60 hours of TV before you need to recharge.) To control the set, Displace has created a multi-touch control device that also packs its own screen. This is a new addition to what we saw in 2023, as those TVs were controlled purely through gestures. Gesture control is still present with the new TVs but only works for basic functions like pause and play. Any further input will require touching the remote. Another change since 2023 is price. Displace targeted a substantial $3,000 price tag for the 55-inch model back in 2023. Now that price is $2,500 for the 27-inch Basic model and $3,500 for the 55-inch. If you want the Pro version, those are going for $4,000 and $6,000 for the same two sizes, respectively. If you're tempted, you may like to know that right now, Displace will give pre-order customers a $1,000 discount on any of the sets - but only during CES. The show officially packs up January 10, so you don't have long to decide whether a wireless suction cup TV needs to be a part of your life. Units are expected to ship in late March this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/displace-will-finally-ship-its-wireless-4k-oled-suction-tvs-in-march-of-this-year-150025595.html?src=rss
Black Friday is more than a month behind us, but it seems Beats isn't done with its deals. The 2024 Beats Pill is now $100, down from $150. The last time we saw the speaker on sale for $100 was during Black Friday, and we're glad to see this discount again. The 2024 Beats Pill is a portable powerhouse with several upgrades compared to its predecessor. It has improved sound quality, and support for lossless audio if you use a USB-C connection. While the official description rates battery life at up to 24, Engadget found that it can go more than that, but only if you keep the volume lower than 50 percent. A standout feature of the 2024 Beats Pill is Stereo mode. If you have two of them, you can connect both to your device and activate this feature. Each speaker then plays one of the two stereo channels, resulting in a wider soundscape. You can also have both play the same audio through Amplify mode, which doubles the sound. The 2024 Beats Pill has a good reputation amongst our team members. We not only included it in our list of best portable Bluetooth speakers, but we've also given it an in-depth review. We recommend it if you're thinking of getting a portable speaker.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-2024-beats-pill-is-on-sale-for-100-right-now-144920729.html?src=rss
It's been a while since I've tried a pair of personal cinema-style AR glasses given their propensity to be rubbish. The field of view is often too restrictive, they're often too low-res and they're often prone to giving me eyestrain headaches. But after I tried on Xreal's new One Pro glasses at CES 2025, I was suitably impressed as the company's latest addresses all of those gripes and plenty more. Xreal turned up in Las Vegas to show off the One Pro, which is a marginal improvement on the Xreal One that debuted, and quickly sold out, a month ago. Both pairs are equipped with the company's first in-house spatial computing chip, delivering less blur, no flicker and a 120Hz refresh rate. They're also equipped with Bose-branded sound, not that I was able to test their quality in a crowded casino ballroom. The difference between the two comes down to slightly better optics. The point of the new X1 chip is to ensure the glasses can do all the spatial brainwork without needing to rely on whatever device you're hooked up to. That enables you to have ultra-wide displays that could be used to give yourself a mega desktop if you need to get some serious work done. Or, if you want to pin a games console in one place in your virtual environment, you can now do that even if you're wired up to something low power. Speaking of, I got to try two different demos, the first playing Super Mario Odyssey on a Switch, and then one with an ultra-wide desktop display on a laptop. Photo by Daniel Cooper On one hand, these glasses remain bound by the same constraint every other pair of these devices have ( and will always have). You're trying to trick your eyes into thinking two small screens close to your eyes are actually one massive screen that's a lot further away. Your eyes are, however, smarter than that, and it's rare that I've been able to view the illusion as its creators intended. But, mercifully, the resolution, brightness, low latency and broad field of vision all help to sell the trick here in a way that worked better than I have ever experienced. In fact, I got quite lost playing Odyssey, not realizing that I'd been playing for five or more minutes as my eyes didn't put up their usual protest. Hell, the fact I just mindlessly got on with it and it never occurred to me to stop to give my eyes a rest was the first sign these were a cut above. When I got to the desktop and was able to comfortably read the text on the screen (even the tiny titles in browser tabs), it felt revelatory. Look, this is table stakes for a device like this, but the fact I managed to use it comfortably speaks volumes. I'll reserve full judgment until I've had the chance to put these through their paces properly but, right now, I'm impressed. The Xreal One will be back in stock shortly, while the One Pro should begin shipping in March 2025. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/xreals-new-one-pro-ar-glasses-are-surprisingly-good-143034826.html?src=rss
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced a major shift in the company's approach to moderation and speech. Meta is ditching its fact-checking program and moving to an X-style Community Notes model on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.Zuckerberg said in a video that Meta has "built a lot of complex systems to moderate content" in recent years. "But the problem with complex systems is they make mistakes. Even if they accidentally censor one percent of posts, that's millions of people." He added that we're now at a point where there have been "too many mistakes and too much censorship."To that end, he said, "we're gonna get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms." That's going to start with a switch to "Community Notes, similar to X, starting in the US."Meta's new Chief Global Affairs Officer (and Clegg's replacement) Joel Kaplan wrote in a blog post that the company has seen the Community Notes "approach work on X - where they empower their community to decide when posts are potentially misleading and need more context, and people across a diverse range of perspectives decide what sort of context is helpful for other users to see."The company plans to phase in Community Notes in the US over the next few months and iterate on them over this year, all the while removing its fact checkers and ending the demotion of fact-checked content. Meta will also make certain content warning labels less prominent.Meta says it will be up to contributing users to write Community Notes and to decide which ones are applied to posts on Facebook, Instagram and Threads. "Just like they do on X, Community Notes will require agreement between people with a range of perspectives to help prevent biased ratings," Kaplan wrote. "We intend to be transparent about how different viewpoints inform the Notes displayed in our apps, and are working on the right way to share this information."The Community Notes model hasn't entirely been without issue for X, however. Studies have shown that Community Notes have failed to prevent misinformation from spreading there. Elon Musk has championed the Community Notes approach but some have been applied to his own posts to correct falsehoods that he has posted. After one such incident, Musk accused "state actors" of manipulating the system. YouTube has also tested a Community Notes model.ASSOCIATED PRESSMeanwhile, Zuckerberg had some other announcements to make, including a simplification of certain content policies and ditching "a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse. What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it's gone too far. I wanna make sure that people can share their experiences and their beliefs on our platforms."When asked to provide more details about these policy changes, Meta directed Engadget to Kaplan's blog post.In addition, the filters that Meta had used to search for any policy violations across its platforms will be focused on "illegal and high-severity violations." These include terrorism, child sexual exploitation, drugs, fraud and scams. For other, less-severe types of policy violations, Meta will rely more on users making manual reports, but the bar for removing content will be higher."We're going to tune our systems to require a much higher degree of confidence before a piece of content is taken down," Kaplan wrote. In some cases, that will mean multiple reviewers looking at a certain piece of content before reaching a decision on whether to take it down. Along with that, Meta is "working on ways to make recovering accounts more straightforward and testing facial recognition technology, and we've started using AI large language models (LLMs) to provide a second opinion on some content before we take enforcement actions."Last but not least, Meta says it's taking a more personalized approach to political content across its platforms after attempting to make its platforms politically agnostic for the past few years. So, if you want to see more political stuff in your Facebook, Instagram and Threads feeds, you'll have the choice to do so.As with donating to Donald Trump's inauguration fund, replacing longtime policy chief Nick Clegg with a former George W. Bush aide and appointing Trump's buddy (and UFC CEO) Dana White to its board, it's very difficult to see these moves as anything other than Meta currying favor with the incoming administration.Many Republicans have long railed against social media platforms, accusing them of censoring conservative voices. Meta itself blocked Trump from using his accounts on his platforms for years after he stoked the flames of the attempted coup of January 6, 2021. "His decision to use his platform to condone rather than condemn the actions of his supporters at the Capitol building has rightly disturbed people in the US and around the world," Zuckerberg said at the time. "We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great." Meta removed its restrictions on Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts last year.Zuckerberg explicitly said that Trump's election win is part of the reasoning behind Meta's policy shift, calling it "a cultural tipping point" on free speech. He said that the company will work with Trump to push back against other governments, such as the Chinese government and some in Latin America, that are "pushing to censor more."He claimed that "Europe has an ever-increasing number of laws institutionalizing censorship and making it difficult to build anything innovative there." Zuckerberg also took shots at the outgoing administration (over an alleged push for censorship) and third-party fact checkers, who he claimed were "too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they created."These are all significant changes for Meta's platforms. On one hand, allowing more types of speech could increase engagement without having to rely on, say, garbage AI bots. But the company may end up driving away many folks who don't want to deal with the type of speech that could become more prevalent on Instagram, Facebook and Threads now that Meta is taking the shackles off."Now we have an opportunity to restore free expression and I am excited to take it," Zuckerberg said. While he noted that "it'll take time to get this right and these are complex systems that are never gonna be perfect," and that the company will still need to work hard to remove illegal content, "the bottom line is that after years of having our content moderation work focused primarily on removing content, it is time to focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our systems and getting back to our roots about giving people voice."Update January 1, 2:58PM ET: Noting that Meta responded to our request for comment.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-loosening-some-content-policies-and-moving-to-an-x-style-community-notes-system-142330500.html?src=rss
How are you ever going to improve your Elo if you can't stop shivering or sweating in your gaming seat? Razer's latest deskside innovation is Project Arielle, a mesh gaming chair with integrated temperature controls - and some pretty lights, of course.Project Arielle is built on the foundation of the Fujin Pro, Razer's breathable mesh chair, and it uses a bladeless fan system to warm up or cool down the entire frame. A touchscreen panel on the side of the seat offers three fan-speed settings, and lets you swap between cool and warm airflow. The edges of the seat and backrest are lined in a thin ribbon of RGB lights, and these dynamically shift between blue and red as the set temperature changes. The bladeless fan is housed in a cylinder dangling off the base of the backrest like a little stubby tail, and a cable runs from this same area, connected to a sizable power brick.Razer says Project Arielle can reduce the perceived temperature by 2 to 5 degrees C in dry environments, and its self-regulating, energy-efficient heater delivers warm air of up to 30 degrees C (86 degrees F).RazerIn action, Project Arielle is surprisingly effective and quiet. I had a chance to experience - not just sit in - the chair at CES 2025, and it functioned even better than expected. With the warm setting engaged, I felt a breeze of heated air swirl around my head, neck and upper back, and the temperature change was tangible even in a hot room. The cool setting provided instant relief, with the airflow particularly noticeable along my back, neck and under my arms. The fan was noiseless in the demo room, which contained about a dozen people and a handful of laptops and PCs. I strained to hear the fan running in this environment, and even then, it was barely noticeable as a soft hum.As someone who's always chilly, especially in sedentary situations, Project Arielle is an incredibly attractive chair. Instead of piling on sweatshirts and blankets to warm up my frozen bones, I'd be happy to just switch on the heating function and bask in the warm air. The cute lights certainly don't hurt, either.Project Arielle is just a concept for now, but Razer has a pretty good track record when it comes to turning its experiments into actual products. Just look at the Project Esther haptic gaming cushion, which debuted at CES 2024 and then went on sale nine months later as the Razer Freyja.Will Project Arielle help boost your rank or shave seconds off your speedrun? Maybe, maybe not. But it'll definitely keep you cozy while you try.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/project-arielle-is-razers-first-temperature-controlled-gaming-chair-140053304.html?src=rss
Withings is at CES yet again, this year showing off its updated blood pressure monitor and a new way for its users to keep their hearts healthy. The Withings BPM Vision, for that is what it is called, is a new tabletop blood pressure monitor designed for home use. It boasts a big, color display the company promises will help make it easier for you to understand what's going on.Like its predecessors, BPM Vision connects to Wi-Fi, instantly uploading your latest data to its cloud platform. But Withings has broken with tradition, using a tabletop design with a connected cuff, rather than the all-in-the-cuff design of the BPM Connect and BPM Core. Concerns around readability likely prompted the change, as it was hard to read the screen strapped to your arm.WithingsWithings is also launching Cardio Check-Up, where users can get feedback on their heart health from a board-certified cardiologist. Withings+ subscribers in the US, France and Germany will be able to send readings to a physician once every 90 days. They'll take a look at the data and check there's nothing to be concerned about, and promise to respond within 24 hours.BPM Vision is expected to be available in the US from April 2025, pending the usual blessing from the FDA. Cardio Check-Up starts today as part of the Withings+ subscription, and can be accessed if you have an annual or monthly payment plan.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/withings-updates-its-blood-pressure-monitor-and-launches-a-cardio-check-up-feature-140046862.html?src=rss
German Bionic, the robot exoskeleton startup behind the lightweight Apogee exosuit, just revealed the Apogee Ultra at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. This powered exoskeleton is intended to help people complete jobs that require heavy lifting or advanced movement.To that end, it offers dynamic lifting support of up to 80 pounds. This means that it can lift the entire thing or help a bit when people need it, sort of like how rider assist works with electric bikes. The company says it makes physically demanding tasks feel effortless" and that lifting 70 pounds will feel like nine or ten pounds for the lower back.German Bionic The exoskeleton has also been designed to help with walking long distances, which is often required in large warehouses where this kind of technology would be most useful. German Bionic says this walking assist feature will make a trip of ten miles feel like eight. The Apollo Ultra will even offer a bit of assistance when completing tasks that require people to bend over for prolonged periods of time.The device is filled with some advanced software, which helps with the whole dynamic" thing mentioned above. The highly adaptive" system adjusts to the needs of each individual user via machine learning algorithms. These algorithms have been trained on vast amounts of high quality, relevant data collected from thousands of users."The exoskeleton integrates with a proprietary app, allowing people to view performance metrics like steps taken, usage time and weight lifted. The app has also been designed with feedback in mind, as there's an easy way to contact the company to deliver insights. This should allow for continuous improvement as more people don the suit.This exoskeleton is perfectly positioned for industrial work and for health care, as medical professionals often need a bit of help to lift patients. The Apogee Ultra is available for preorder right now, but it'll likely empty out that bank account. We don't have a specific price, but the lower-tech Apogee+ exoskeleton costs $9,900. The company does offer monthly payment plans for bulk purchases by commercial entities.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/german-bionics-new-apogee-ultra-exoskeleton-can-lift-up-to-80-pounds-and-help-with-walking-140031689.html?src=rss
Netgear just announced a new Wi-Fi 7 mesh router system called the Orbi 870, joining the pre-existing 970 and 770. The company says that the latest system offers the perfect balance of performance, coverage, and security." To that end, the Orbi 870 offers tri-band speeds up to 21Gbps and all kinds of modern bells and whistles. These include enhancements like support for the latest 320MHz bandwidth and 4K QAM, which squeezes more data into traditional transmissions. This looks to be a fairly future-proof router system. Netgear also touts the reliability of this device, thanks to an enhanced backhaul that combines 5GHz and 6GHz into a single band. Of course, there are plenty of wired connectivity options here. There's a 10 gigabit internet port and four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports on the router. Additionally, each satellite includes four Ethernet ports. Netgear Like most Netgear mesh systems, adjustments can be made via the Orbi app. This lets users pause the internet, run speed tests, track usage and set up separate networks for guests. This app also allows access to parental controls. The Netgear Orbi 870 system is available in black or white. A three-pack that includes the router and two satellites costs $1,300, while a two-pack costs $1,000. Additional satellites can be purchased for $550 each. This is expensive, to be sure, but an actual bargain when compared to the slightly higher-end Orbi 970 system. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/netgears-orbi-870-mesh-router-system-is-a-great-way-to-join-the-wi-fi-7-bandwagon-133031270.html?src=rss
Bad actors have created deepfakes to imitate celebrity endorsements, President Biden and employers. But, one of the most heinous uses is making sexually explicit deepfakes of real people. Now, the UK government is taking new steps to deter their creation, introducing new criminal offenses for producing or sharing sexually explicit deepfakes. Only sharing deepfakes is currently an offense under UK law."With these new measures, we're sending an unequivocal message: creating or sharing these vile images is not only unacceptable but criminal," said Baroness Margaret Beryl Jones, minister for the future digital economy and online safety. "Tech companies need to step up too - platforms hosting this content will face tougher scrutiny and significant penalties." The new offenses will be proposed in parliament under the Government's Crime and Policing Bill.A similar measure was proposed in April 2024 by the previous UK government under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. However, it only covered cases in which a person created the deepfake to "cause alarm, humiliation or distress to the victim," creating a loophole for perpetrators to argue their case. The law never progressed as Sunak called a general election just one month later. Notably, the new measure covers only adults, as it is already illegal to create or share any sexually explicit images of children.The UK government has also announced its intention to make it a criminal offense if a person takes intimate photos or video without consent. Additional offenses would look at whether it was created without consent and to cause alarm, distress, humiliation or sexual gratification for themselves or another. A person charged with one of these actions can face up to two years in custody.The US has attempted to create helpful measures or individuals impacted by deepfakes. In 2024, the Senate passed the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act (DEFIANCE Act), which would allow victims of sexually explicit deepfakes to sue the perpetrators. It would give the individual 10 years to sue for up to $150,000 or $250,000 if it relates to attempted sexual assault, stalking or harassment. However, it's fate is unclear, having sat in limbo in the House of Representatives since last July.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-uk-law-would-criminalize-creating-sexually-explicit-deepfakes-132155132.html?src=rss
If there's one certainty of 2025, it's that there will be a plethora of new AI products. One of the first out of the gate comes from Philips Hue, which has announced AI-powered smart lighting for creating just the right mood for every setting.Philips Hue is bringing an AI assistant to its Hue app that will create "personalized lighting scenes." You can instruct the assistant through text or voice commands. For instance, you might say something like, "Create a scene for a dinner party" or write "Give me a scene for a quiet night in." Philips Hue will also have a feedback feature so you can share if the ambience isn't what you requested.Philips HueAs of now, there's not an exact release date for the AI assistant, but Philips Hue states it will become available this year. It should be compatible with all of its lights. Other companies have created similar products, such as iConnectHue, which added AI-powered "magic scenes" in early 2023.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/philips-hue-adds-ai-powered-lighting-options-to-its-app-131538165.html?src=rss
8Bitdo makes some of our favorite controllers for all manner of consoles and gaming rigs, and now you can pick an Xbox controller of theirs up for only $30. The 8Bitdo Ultimate Wired Controller for Xbox is 33 percent off and down to just about a record-low price. Considering first-party Xbox controllers can be around $60, this is an especially good deal. This controller may be more affordable, but it's not a cheap knockoff. It's licensed by Xbox and compatible with the Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One and Windows 10 and above; that means you can switch back and forth and use it with your console and PC. There are two extra buttons on the back that aren't included with the official controller, which could be useful for mapping (particularly with PC games.) To that end, the controller offers custom button mapping and stick/trigger sensitivity for control over vibration. The Hall effect joysticks and impulse triggers should increase both durability and sensitivity, while minimizing drift. There's also a 3.5mm audio jack on the back to directly connect to headphones. Other features include a classic d-pad and an enhanced grip. So what's the catch? It's right there in the name. This is a wired controller, which is both a blessing and a curse. Wired controllers offer reduced latency, making them the preferred choice for pro-level gamers, but keep folks tethered to a cable. It ships with a fairly long cable, at nearly ten feet, but the wireless range of a standard Bluetooth controller comes in at around 20 feet. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/8bitdos-ultimate-wired-controller-for-xbox-drops-to-only-30-173842385.html?src=rss
In 2023, Shokz strayed from its bone conduction roots with a pair of air conduction" open-ear wireless earbuds. While the Shokz OpenFit delivered better audio than bone conduction models, that wasn't saying much. Their sound was still hit-or-miss, and some users had problems with their finicky touch controls. At CES 2025, the company is back with the $180 OpenFit 2, which apparently has solutions for both issues, as well as a new bone-conduction headset for office calls. The Shokz OpenFit 2 has a woofer and tweeter in each earpiece for more dynamic sound. (The first-gen model only had a single driver for each ear.) The company also improved its bass algorithm, which enhances dynamic low-frequency vibrations directly to your ear." Shokz The open-ear buds' design hasn't changed dramatically from the original OpenFit: a hook still wraps around each ear with a bud resting just outside. But Shokz engineered the new model's ear hook with a softer silicone (for greater comfort) and a tighter curve (for improved stability). The company says it molds to the contours of your ear for a personalized, comfortable fit." Each earpiece weighs 9.4g (0.33 oz). You can order it in black or beige. The 2023 model used touch controls, which aren't always the best input solution for earbuds' small surfaces. So, the new model has physical multifunction buttons in addition to touch controls, which should help prevent or minimize accidental touches. The OpenFit 2 is rated for up to 11 hours per charge (up from seven in the first-gen model) or 48 hours when factoring in the bundled charging case. They also have a better water resistance rating (IP55 vs. IP54 in the original) and Bluetooth 5.4. Shokz Shokz also has a new office headset, the OpenMeet, which seems like a redesigned spiritual successor to its OpenComm series. Like other workplace headsets, it looks a bit... goofy, with its long mic stem jutting out toward the mouth area. Similar to the OpenComm, the earpiece sits in front of the ear instead of on, in or around it. But a key difference is that OpenMeet's band extends over the top of the head, not behind it. The company says OpenMeet is designed to feel weightless, thanks to a five-point design that distributes its 78 g for minimal pressure. Its audio merges bone and air conduction, and the company says its (hilariously named) LeakSlayer 3.0" tech helps minimize sound leakage to help keep your calls private. OpenMeet uses a dual-mic system using Qualcomm's cVc noise reduction, which Shokz claims reduces background noise by up to 98.6 percent. It has a dedicated mute button, Bluetooth 5.4 and up to 15 hours of battery life. The Shokz OpenFit 2 is available today for $180 on the company website, Amazon and retail partners (including Best Buy and Target). Meanwhile, the OpenMeet headset is sold through the company's business website. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/the-shokz-openfit-2-promises-better-sound-and-longer-battery-life-130016786.html?src=rss
Segway, known of course for the Segway, is now offering another motorized form of transportation. The company has announced its first two e-bikes at CES 2025. Pre-orders for the Xyber and Xafari are now available through Segway and select dealers. The Xyber seems to be all about speed and distance. Twisting the throttle in Race Mode makes the bike go from zero to 20 miles per hour in just 2.7 seconds thanks to its direct-drive motor. It can go up to 112 miles on a dual battery or 56 miles on a single battery. Plus, it has 20-inch by three-inch tires and 110mm front and 100mm rear suspension. Meanwhile, the Xafari is more for the everyday user. It goes from zero to 20 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds and can travel up to 88 miles between charges. It weighs 85 pounds, takes six hours to charge and has 26-inch by three-inch tires. Plus, it has a front suspension of 80mm and a rear suspension of 70mm. Segway's Xyber and Xafari e-bikes also share quite a few features, including the company's Intelligent Ride System. This includes tools like AirLock, which automatically engages locks when the owner's device is away from the bike. It also triggers an alarm (and push alert) if someone tries to activate the bike. There's adaptive pedal assist, which adjusts the power output based on slope, terrain and rider effort. A waterproof, high-resolution 2.4-inch smart TFT display that automatically adjusts its brightness and can show navigation, ride metrics, reject calls and control music. Plus, health and fitness data can sync in real-time to Apple and Android health apps or the Segway Mobility app. Alongside its new e-bikes, Segway also announced its next generation of electric kick-scooters and robot mowers. There's the high performance scooters, which includes the GT3 Pro and GT3 SuperScooters, along with Max G3 - which Segway claims offers the smoothest ride. Then there's the updated commuter scooters, the F3, F3 Pro, E3 and E3 Pro. Segway will launch each scooter between March and June of this year. Then there's the Segway Navimow X3 Series, which can mow lawns up to two and a half acres big. It offers an upgraded 300 degree camera and, notably, an edge trimmer expansion. The new Segway Navimow series follows last year's Navimow i105 robot mower. We were a fan of it, as it got rid of about 90 percent of the work we'd normally have to do. However, we found it struggled to trim the lawn's edges. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/segway-is-finally-launching-e-bikes-at-ces-2025-130015667.html?src=rss
The Pinwheel Watch doesn't scream this is a kids' device." The new smartwatch, unveiled at Pepcom during CES 2025, doesn't have a chunky, brightly colored casing or super-thick bezels. It's actually pretty sleek, with a build like a slightly larger Apple Watch - plus a little camera bump - and swappable straps of different styles. To tech-aware kids who have begun bugging their parents for a smartwatch just like they have, it would easily pass as an analogue for an adult wearable. But it's also packed with safety features meant to offer only the amount of connectedness that parents feel comfortable with. And an AI chatbot, because, of course. Pinwheel already has a smartphone platform that allows for parent-approved communications, but the watch is a standalone 4G LTE cellular device with its own mobile plan (about $15 according to the company) and the ability to make calls, send texts and, down the line, do video chats. Parents can determine the level of intervention they think is appropriate for their kids, and change these settings in the Pinwheel app as they see fit. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget For a younger kid, they might set it so all contacts need to be approved, while a 14-year-old can be granted the freedom to add whatever friends they want without approval. Parents can remotely monitor text and call history, and turn off certain features - like image sending - individually for contacts. It also offers GPS location tracking so parents can keep tabs on their kids' whereabouts. Beyond basic communication, there are a bunch of features that are just meant for fun. There are built-in games, like a helicopter game I really enjoyed playing that involves tapping the screen at the right time to collect gems and keep it in the air, and a kid-friendly version of ChatGPT called PinwheelGPT. The company says the chatbot has been tested for all the common workarounds used to trick these things into doing what they shouldn't, so it won't produce inappropriate responses when prompted to. And parents can see these chats, including deleted ones. You can certainly ask it whatever, but it won't answer," said Pinwheel co-founder Dane Witbeck. It quickly backs out and says, hey, that's something you should talk to a trusted adult about.'" The abysmal hotel-casino Wi-Fi at the crowded event prevented me from actually putting that to the test, though. The Pinwheel Watch will go on sale later this year for $160 (plus the monthly cellular subscription). It's rated IP67, so it should be pretty durable against spills, dirt and other kid messes. For parents interested in a safer way to let their children start using smart devices to talk to their friends and family, Pinwheel's watch could be a pretty decent option, especially for kids in tween territory that may not want an extremely limited, immature-looking wearable. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-pinwheel-watch-is-a-kid-safe-apple-watch-ultra-lookalike-to-placate-your-tween-123005235.html?src=rss
Handheld gaming PCs are here to stay, and as the entire category grows and matures, things are getting bigger. Even bigger. Packing detachable controllers and a built-in kickstand, Acer's Blaze 11 shares several similarities with Lenovo's Legion Go handheld.However, (the clue is in the name) the Blaze 11 has a huge 11-inch 2,560 x 1,600 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness. The effect of that huge screen is akin to holding a steering wheel with a tablet-sized screen slammed in the middle," according to our own Sam Rutherford. It'll be powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS chip and Radeon 780M graphics, 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage.It makes the Steam Deck look like a GameBoy Micro.- Mat SmithGet this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest tech stories you missed
In a sea of smartphone gaming controllers with chunky grips, obtrusive analog sticks and rigid backplates, the MCON by Ohsnap stands out. It's a gamepad that essentially turns any phone into a supercharged Xperia Play, complete with Hall effect joysticks, silent buttons and handles that can extend out of its base. It also has bumper-style triggers and actual bumpers. When it's attached to the back of a phone, the MCON creates a slightly chunky but uniform profile that slides into a pocket without fuss. When you're ready to start playing, the phone pops up from the gamepad with a satisfying flick. The MCON communicates with your smartphone via Bluetooth, no cables or plugging in required. It uses MagSafe to connect to iPhones, and for Androids, there will be a MagSafe adapter included in the box - this is simply a disc 2 millimeters thick that sticks to the back of your phone or case. That covers essentially every smartphone out there, and it's possible to stack multiple connecting pucks to create space for awkward camera bumps. Ohsnap's goal is to support iOS, Android, Xbox, PC and Mac, with PlayStation as a platform pipe dream. Ohsnap Ohsnap and MCON creator Josh King showed off the gamepad at CES 2025 with a nearly finalized prototype. The final version will have silicone tops on the analogue sticks, a cover for the spring mechanism and more finesse all around. King said he wasn't quite satisfied with the D-pad yet, either. But even in its current form, the MCON is a sweet little peripheral. It feels nice - lightweight but sturdy enough to support and fling a full-size smartphone - and it folds into a compact rectangle that's satisfying to hold. Snapping it open involves pressing two buttons on the top of the controller, behind the attached phone, and it requires just the right amount of finger strength and angling. It took a few tries for me to successfully deploy the pop, largely because I have long manicured nails, but I was able to use my actual nail tips to make the magic happen. Ohsnap When King spotted my Samsung Z Flip 6, he immediately started troubleshooting ways to make the foldable work with the MCON. You'd just have to move the attaching puck over slightly, so it could connect to the lower back quadrant of the phone rather than on the central hinge, he explained. He was confident he could make it work, and said he'd already ensured the Galaxy Z Fold was compatible with the MCON. King's goal is for the MCON to support absolutely every smartphone. The MCON Kickstarter went live on January 2 and, four days later, it's collected more than $740,000 of a $25,000 goal. King's concept has enjoyed a bit of viral fame over the years, and he eventually took the idea to Ohsnap, an established MagSafe-focused accessory manufacturer. By their powers combined, the MCON is on track to ship in August at a price of $150. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/i-adore-this-clever-mobile-gamepad-with-hall-effect-sticks-and-a-snap-up-design-110007990.html?src=rss
Qualcomm has launched a new platform that will put Copilot+ PCs in reach of more people. Snapdragon X, the latest addition the brand's Snapdragon X Series that also include the X Elite and the X Plus, comes with Qualcomm's 8-core Oryon CPU and an integrated Adreno GPU. The company says it can run up to 163 percent faster than its competitors' comparable platforms, that its neural processing unit can run AI tasks on device more efficiently and that it enables a lengthy (even multi-day) battery life.There are apparently over 60 computer models powered by the platform in development and in production at various manufacturers already, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo. These companies are expected to launch the first batch of Snapdragon X products early this year, with more than 100 models coming by 2026.The devices will be priced in the $600 range, making them a viable option for a lot of people looking to buy a new computer. They won't be just laptops either - Qualcomm says buyers can expect Snapdragon X-powered mini PCs, as well, and will announce more details soon. The company believes Snapdragon X devices will be a "good solution for students, freelance workers and budget-conscious consumers who need a reliable and powerful laptop."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/qualcomms-snapdragon-x-chip-will-power-more-affordable-copilot-pcs-104029263.html?src=rss
Even Realities has turned up at CES 2025 in Las Vegas to show off its smart glasses, the G1, which have been out for a few months now. The company also wanted to use its trip to the desert to show off the G1B, which puts the same technology in a different body. And after just ten minutes playing around with them, I'm already a fan of the way they bring digital smarts into the real world.The G1 is a pair of smart glasses that either come in a Philip Johnson-esque round body or, if you opt for the new G1B, in a more rectangular frame. Both are equipped with a 160mAh battery the company promises will last for around one and a half days on a single charge. Inside are a pair of waveguide displays with a 25-degree field of view and a resolution of 640 x 200 displaying basic text and graphics in old-school green. The glasses have their own charging case, itself equipped with a 2,000mAh battery that'll keep them re-juiced at least two and a half times before you need to find a cable.Photo by Daniel CooperThe company opted not to throw too many features at the G1, focusing instead on where it could make a real impact while respecting the battery. For instance, activate your phone's navigation and you'll get turn by turn directions showing up in your field of vision. Similarly, you should be able to use the glasses as a prompter, with the system's built-in microphone following along as you speak. That microphone can also be used for real time translation in a number of foreign languages, as well as transcribing your dictations. Plus, you'll get the option to have your smartphone notifications dropping in front of your eyes, sparing you the indignity of looking at your phone or watch.Most pleasingly, there are plenty of customization options, including the ability to set it so the waveguide displays only activate when you tilt your head up. From there, you can set the reading distance of the on-screen text, and you even have some limited control of the height of the text. The features on show all work as advertised, and the real-time directions will even let you switch from turn by turn guidance to a progress map of your route if you look up. The real-time translation and captioning is useful and elegant, as is the teleprompter that'll scroll the words as you say them - even in a noisy Las Vegas ballroom. The company's CSO Nikolaj Schnoor even said some early customers who have hearing loss are now using captioning to aid them in day to day conversations. There are two hardware buttons hidden behind the temple tips, too, letting you set it into dictation mode without having to touch your phone.As smitten as I am with the features, I'm also impressed at how comfortable they are to wear, with the design putting the bulk of the (surprisingly) light weight on the hinges and temple tips. You could easily wear these for a whole day, and look and act a lot more like real glasses than gadget-y ones.The company has even said all the right things about repairability, saying the system is modular enough that an optician can replace your lenses should they get damaged or your prescription changes. In addition, you should be able to send the hardware back to the company to replace the batteries when they wear out a few years down the road. Given the high price, that should be expected but it's pleasing to see it's been addressed.The Even Realities G1 and G1B are available to order now, with prices starting at $599, although that figure will climb once you've included your options, including prescription lenses. Depending on where you are in the world, you can also order them through your local optician.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/even-realities-g1-smart-glasses-are-useful-and-elegant-100041452.html?src=rss
NVIDIA is launching a native GeForce NOW app on the Steam Deck and browser versions on major mixed reality headsets including the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 and 3S, the company said at CES 2025. That will bring NVIDIA's 2,100-plus titles to those devices, including two AAA Microsoft games arriving later in 2025.Valve's Steam Deck already had limited beta support for GeForce NOW via the Chrome browser and an automated script. The native version should improve performance, with up to 4K 60p resolution with HDR when connected to a TV, powered by cloud-based GeForce RTX gaming rigs. Users will get the same benefits as RTX GPU owners, including DLSS 3 technology to improve frame rates. NVIDIA didn't provide an exact launch date other than "later this year."GeForce NOW is also coming to VR headsets and much sooner. The company will support the Apple Vision Pro and Meta quest 3 and 3S, along with Byte Dance's Pico VR and MR headsets. If you own one of those headsets, you'll just need to open the browser to play.geforcenow.com when the version 2.0.70 app update arrives later this month.On top of the existing GeForce Now game library, owners of those devices will gain access to Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed and DOOM: The Dark Ages from id Software when they're launched on PC later this year. All of that could make GeForce NOW temping for users on the fence, though as a reminder, you have to buy any games you want to play on top of paying up to $20 per month for the service itself.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nvidias-native-geforce-now-app-is-coming-to-the-steam-deck-093030989.html?src=rss
As power outages get more frequent, people who'd never much thought about residential home battery backup systems are probably starting to give it some consideration. Plenty of companies are happy to address that need and this week at CES, I got to check out Biolite's solution. Unlike something that needs a pro to install, using the Backup is almost as easy as plugging it in (you also need to mount it somewhere in your home). In person, the battery is remarkably thin and the matte silver finish is about as unobtrusive as you can get. That's all part of the design - BioLite says it's designed to fade into "forgotten places" in your home. Behind the fridge, under a counter top, on the wall beneath a desk. Personally, I'd love one so I'd never have to worry about the pickles going bad in the fridge again when a storm knocks out the the power at my house, as it did recently. (I ate the pickles. I should not have eaten the pickles.) The concept will be familiar to anyone who's ever used an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) - something gamers have been using for years to ensure uninterrupted play. In essence, it's a large battery plus inverter that plugs into your wall. You then plug in any appliance or device you don't want to ever lose power - a fridge is a good example. When the power inevitably goes out, the battery senses the lack and flips the output to feed from the stored charge. When power is restored, the cells refill themselves, ready for next time. It's app-connected so you'll have a log of when and for how long your power goes out, and of course get notifications when things happen. You can also use Backup on-demand when your power is perfectly fine, or even schedule it to come online at certain times, something you may want to do when you're dealing with higher electricity prices for peak usage periods. Amy Skorheim / Engadget Positioned at one edge towards the corner are three ports, one that connects to an outlet and two AC connections. One of those is intended for the included BioLite power strip, which packs three more AC ports and two each of USB-C and Type A connections. A vertical mounting kit is provided, but if you want to mount it horizontally, you'll need to purchase a separate mount from Biolite. It ships in two configurations, Backup Complete, a two-unit set with a 3 kWh total capacity that can deliver 30 to 60 hours of power (for reference, an average house in the US eats up around 30 kWh per day). The Backup Core holds 1.5 kWh of juice and is probably better suited to something like a home office setup. The larger Complete version is eligible for a 30 percent tax rebate, as it meets federal requirements that stipulate a backup system be at least 3 kWh and be physically installed in the home. Pricing is $3,000 for the Complete model and $2,000 for the core. The Biolite rep pointed out that, should you get the rebate, the larger set works out to just $2,100 so really it's a popcorn at the movie theater situation - just get the large for a little bit more. The Backup by Biolite is available for pre-order now and units are expected to ship in May. Amy Skorheim / Engadget This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/backup-by-biolite-is-a-giant-but-sleek-battery-that-keeps-your-fridge-running-during-outages-090041209.html?src=rss
Satechi introduced its Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure at CES 2025, and we were able to take a look. Probably the most compelling feature is the notch that makes accessing the petite PC's power button easier. The stand elevates the Mac Mini off your desk, but leaves a concave space so that you can reach the power button on the bottom of its rear side. This awkward location was one of the very few dings we had against the Mac Mini M4 in our review of the computer. Amy Skorheim / Engadget On the front of the hub are USB-A 3.2 and 2.0 ports, as well as an SD card reader that promises speeds of "up to 312MB/s" for file transfers. The SSD enclosure allows you to add up to 4TB of NVMe storage for the Mac Mini. The hub has a recessed space at the top where the computer sits to allow better airflow from the Mac Mini's fans, and it comes with its own bottom vents as well. It connects with a built-in Thunderbolt cable that's just long enough to reach the computers port so it doesn't add cable clutter. Design-wise, the stand looks like a squatter version of the Mac Mini, boasting a similar finish and profile to the computer. In person, the hub looks like a natural extension of Apple's diminutive cube and certainly doesn't spoil the aesthetics. There are a lot of quality USB-C hubs on the market, but customers who favor the Mac Mini for its simplicity and small footprint might appreciate how cleanly this Satechi accessory pairs with the machine. It'll ship February 17 with limited availability; the company expects the product to be widely available in March. It will retail for $100. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/satechi-details-new-mac-mini-m4-stand-at-ces-2025-170038397.html?src=rss
One of the things I love the most about CES is finding all the silly one-offs and concept products that might never see full production. At CES 2025, MSI made something truly joyful when it created a custom CPU cooler that features a built-in turntable.The water block's official name is the Mag Coreliquid A13 concept, though a name doesn't really matter because MSI says it doesn't have plans to turn it into an actual retail device. That's kind of a bummer since not only does it mean you won't be able to put a fun little spinning table inside your desktop, it also sucks because the cooler that the A13 is based on - the Mag Coreliquid A15 360 - is a real product that has some neat specs. It features an offset CPU mount that can improve the performance of recent Intel chips (like the Core Ultra 200S) that have hotspots in unusual positions.
In this bonus episode, Cherlynn and Devindra discuss the latest innovations in robot vacuums, new AI PC hardware from AMD and Intel, and Dell's decision to nuke its PC brands in favor of Apple-esque "Dell Pro" and "Dell Pro Max" branding. (Note: We recorded this episode before NVIDIA announced its new RTX 5000 GPUs, but we'll have more to say on that soon!)Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!Subscribe!
The original ROG Flow Z13 was always a bit of an odd machine. It felt like the strange lovechild between a Surface Pro and a traditional gaming laptop. But at CES 2025, ASUS is giving the tablet a much needed refresh that includes a massive performance boost thanks to the company's updated XG Mobile graphics dock.One of the biggest departures from the previous model is that this time instead of relying on a CPU/GPU solution from Intel and NVIDIA, ASUS is going with an all-AMD configuration. The ROG Flow Z13 features up to a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU with unified memory that tops out at a whopping 128GB (though ASUS' spec sheet suggests it actually maxes out with 32GB of RAM). Also, by using a chip with an increased emphasis on power efficiency and combining that with a larger 70Whr battery (up from 56Whr), ASUS says the Z13 should deliver improved longevity of up to 10 hours on a charge. Meanwhile, the system remains rather svelte, weighing just 2.6 pounds and measuring just half an inch thick. This means it should be an excellent choice for portable gaming and productivity.The Z13's screen is also pretty impressive, because even though it's not an OLED, its Nebula Display is powered by a vivid IPS panel with a 180Hz refresh rate, up to 500 nits of brightness and 100 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 spectrum. I also appreciate that even on a system this sleek, ASUS still found room for a full-size HDMI 2.1 jack in addition to two USB 4 ports, one USB-A, 3.5mm audio and even a microSD card reader.Some other subtle updates include a redesigned keyboard with larger keycaps, a more durable PU leather cover and a much bigger touchpad. Inside, there's also a new steel vapor chamber that ASUS says outperforms traditional copper variants, while the addition of a customizable Action Key on the side of the system makes it easy to adjust display settings or summon whatever app you want.Of course, one of the coolest things about the Flow Z13's adaptability is that when you want even better performance, you can connect it to ASUS' ROG XG Mobile Dock, which has also gotten a major refresh for 2025. That's because while it retains a similar design, it now supports up to an NVIDIA RTX 5090 for a massive boost in graphics power. The other big change is that instead of relying on ASUS' proprietary XG Mobile port to connect the two devices together, this time the dock uses Thunderbolt 5. The dock also has a wealth of connectivity options including both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 jacks, so you can use it as a hub when stationed at a desk. Finally, it's also backwards compatible with the original Z13, so owners of the previous model have another way to extend the life of their machine.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetUnfortunately, ASUS has yet to provide info regarding the ROG Flow Z13's release date. However, we're expecting the device to start at around $2,000 for a version with a Ryzen AI Max 390 chip or $2,200 when configured with a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU. Pricing for the XG Mobile dock is still to be determined, though with it sporting an RTX 5090, it will almost certainly cost a pretty penny.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-asus-rog-flow-z13-is-starting-to-make-more-sense-as-a-gaming-tablet-043027074.html?src=rss
There's so much AI-powered nonsense at CES that it's kind of refreshing to see a very straightforward, classic gadget like the Swippitt. It's a breadbox-sized hub that contains five battery packs that can fit into a a custom-made iPhone case. When the battery is in the case, it works like similar product, keeping your phone juiced up. The trick is that when the battery is empty, you pop your phone into the top of the box and it automatically removes the battery from the case and drops in a fresh one.Keeping our phones charged up is definitely a problem, but it's fair to ask whether Swippitt is an over-engineered (or possibly too expensive) solution. For $450 you get the Swippitt hub and five batteries, but you'll also need to purchase a separate $120 case for your iPhone. The team is making cases for the iPhone 14, 15 and 16 series and is also working on ones for Samsung as well. If you're intending this to be a family solution for multiple phones, things could get pricy fast.Nathan Ingraham for EngadgetThat said, there's something charming about having a little box that can just drop a fully-charged battery into your phone case in seconds. I wish you could see the inside and actually see the batteries change - maybe we'll get a transparent model in the future. Naturally, there's also an app that'll let you check the status of all five batteries, whether they're in the charger or out being used. Parents can even get alerts for when their kids' phone drops below 15 percent.Probably the biggest challenge for Swippitt is keeping up with phones as they get slight tweaks and revisions every year that change their dimensions - and, more importantly, their batteries. Phone batteries will surely keep getting larger and require more power to recharge, so Swippitt will have to stay on top of both case design and battery pack design. It feels like a lot to ask for a small start-up, but they've already contended with such changes - Apple's addition of a dedicated camera button to the iPhone 16 series meant they had to quickly redesign the case.Nathan Ingraham for EngadgetAs for availability, Swippitt says it'll start shipping initial orders in April, but it expects it'll take a few months from there to get fully up to speed. And while the $450 price tag is steep, Swippitt is offering 30 percent off initial orders in January, plus you can grab a $100 off early CES discount through January 17, which considerably changes the financial equation. If you're hard on your phone's batteries and want to keep it juiced up without ever really giving it a thought, that convenience might be worth the cost.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/the-swippit-hub-keeps-your-iphone-loaded-up-with-fresh-batteries-041320116.html?src=rss
At CES 2025, MSI is launching a huge lineup of upgraded laptops with various specs that cater to an array of budgets. But of everything, one system stood out and if you take even a quick look at it, I think you can see why.As part of MSI's Titan Series, not only is the Titan 18 HX the biggest and most powerful system the company makes. However, the special Dragon Edition features a ton of unique design traits that ensure it will never get lost in a crowd. On its lid is a hand-drawn close-up of a scaled monster (no AI art here) which was then acid-etched into the aluminum resulting in an incredibly detailed and textured surface. You're literally staring into the eye of the beast.But it doesn't stop there because there are also Norse-inspired runes carved into its lid along with an RGB-lit logo. Meanwhile on the inside, there's a metallic ring and a dragon sculpture embedded beneath the deck that MSI says was created using advanced 3D printing and layering techniques. And in case that isn't enough, the touchpad also features customizable RGB lighting, because hey, it's still a gaming laptop.The Titan 18 HX Dragon Edition isn't all show and no go though, as it features top-of-the-line components including next-gen Intel HX series processors, NVIDIA RTX 5090 graphics, PCIe Gen 5 SSD storage, Wi-Fi 7 and a total device power of 270 watts. MSI also included a vapor chamber to help keep thermals in check while the massive 18-inch mini LED display features VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification and a 120Hz refresh rate. Even the keyboard has been tweaked to include low-profile mechanical Cherry MX switches to deliver a thoroughly desktop-like experience but in a package that you can still (sort of) carry around. The Titan HX Dragon Edition is also part of a bundle that includes a matching wyrm-themed mouse, desk pad and packaging.Sadly, because of certain embargo restrictions from MSI's partners, I wasn't allowed to power on the Titan 18 HX to see if its performance truly matches its roaring appearance. On top of that, MSI has yet to reveal official pricing or availability, though that last part might be a big deal as this system is clearly intended only for people with the heart (and wallet) of a dragon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-msi-titan-18-hx-dragon-edition-is-fierce-as-hell-040055155.html?src=rss
While parent company Dell is doing a big rebrand of its entire PC portfolio, at CES 2025 Alienware is sort of returning to its roots by bringing back the classic Area-51 name back for its new flagship laptop line.Available in 16- and 18-inch versions, the resurrected Area-51 gaming notebooks feature what Alienware is calling a brand-new industrial design. Though if you look closely, you can see some similarities to existing systems like the x14 and x16. Both models sport a striking anodized liquid teal paint job with an almost iridescent quality. Around back, the company's Aurora lighting has been integrated into the rear of the system to create a striking gradient effect on the laptop's thermal shelf. And as before, you still get plenty of customizable RGB lights on the inside including behind both the touchpad and keyboard.But the Area-51 laptop's most distinctive feature might be its bottom, where Alienware has installed a Gorilla Glass window with an integrated vent to help manage airflow while also giving you a peek at the hardware inside. The company claims that thanks to its new thermal architecture, Area-51 laptops have 35 percent better airflow while being 15 percent quieter than before. There's also a new hinge design that's meant to hide exterior components while still allowing for easy access and stability.Naturally, as Alienware's latest flagship gaming laptops, the new Area-51 notebooks should offer top-notch performance thanks to support for up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPUs, 64GB of RAM (at up to 7200 MT/s, the highest yet on any Alienware laptop), 12 TB of PCIe Gen 5 SSD storage and next-gen NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPUs. More specifically, both models can handle up to 175 watts of total graphics power with an additional 105 watts dedicated to the CPU.Unfortunately, the devices I played around with were mostly locked down, so I wasn't able to play games or meaningfully test their processing power. That said, as the two launch systems for a new generation of laptop design, there's a lot to like about Alienware's revamped Area-51 laptop line. I absolutely love the new color, which is closer to emerald than teal in my opinion. Meanwhile, having up to 280 watts of total device power means there's no shortage of computing oomph. I even like the glass panel on the bottom, though I do wonder how much extra weight that added compared to sticking with aluminum like on the rest of the system. That's because at 7.6 pounds for the 16-inch model or a whopping 9.8 pounds for the 18-inch version, these things definitely aren't light.The other concern is that with high-end launch configurations starting at $3,199 when they go on sale sometime in Q1, they're not exactly affordable either. However, Alienware says that less expensive entry-level" models will arrive later starting at a more reasonable price of $1,999.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/alienware-revived-its-area-51-laptops-with-serious-performance-and-far-out-designs-040038956.html?src=rss
HP only has one all-new laptop in its Omen gaming line to show off at CES 2025, but it looks like a doozy because the company claims it's the most powerful 16-inch notebook it has ever made.The Omen Max 16 looks like HP took a standard Omen 16 (which is retaining the same design but getting refreshed with new components for 2025) and then crammed in as many high-end components as it could. This includes support for CPUs from both Intel and AMD with up to a Core Ultra 9 275HX or Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 along with a range of NVIDIA RTX 5000-series GPUs.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetBut the blazing specs don't stop there, because the Max 16 can also be equipped with up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM (at 5,600 MT/s), PCIe Gen 5 SSDs and either OLED or IPS displays with 240Hz refresh rates. So there shouldn't be many questions about this thing delivering a ton of speed. Connectivity also looks solid with two Thunderbolt 4 ports (with support for USB power delivery), two USB-A jacks, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio and HDMI 2.1.But the features I like the most are some of the smaller touches HP added, like a new vapor chamber - the first ever on any Omen gaming laptop. Thanks to a new liquid Cryo compound, the Max 16 should have much improved thermal management, while the addition of reversible fans are designed to keep the inside of the laptop clean. HP's thought process is that by occasionally spinning its fans backwards, the machine can blow out any dust stuck inside. This might not sound like a big deal, but let me ask, when was the last time you opened up your laptop and gave it a good cleaning? If you're like most people, probably never.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetMeanwhile, in case the Max 16's RGB-lit keyboard doesn't draw enough attention, there's a new lightbar on the front of the system that pumps a ton of color. Alternatively, in a bit of company synergy, the laptop also has a built-in wireless receiver that allows it to connect to up to three different HyperX peripherals without the need for extra dongles or adapters. It's not a game changer, but definitely nice if you already own a pair of late-model Cloud headphones.Finally, in an attempt to get the most out of the Max 16's beefy hardware, HP is adding Omen AI to its Gaming Hub app. Admittedly, shoehorning AI into everything is a bit of an overdone trend, but the idea seems solid as the company says it will use machine-learning to adjust settings in order to deliver optimal performance with the touch of a single toggle.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetUnfortunately, due to embargo restrictions from one of HP's hardware partners, I wasn't allowed to game on the Omen Max 16 myself. However, the company is claiming increased framerates by 25 percent or more depending on the title. Sadly, this means I'll have to reserve judgement on the system until I can get one in for more in-depth testing. But, at least on paper and from some of its clever new features, it feels like HP has an intriguing new flagship for anyone looking for big performance from a relatively portable gaming notebook.HP has yet to announce official pricing for the Omen Max 16, though it is slated to go on sale sometime later this spring.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-hp-omen-max-16-is-its-most-powerful-gaming-laptop-yet-040025199.html?src=rss
The Alienware Area-51 desktop PC, a line of high-end gaming rigs dating back to 1998, has returned after several years out of the game. The company announced the new model at CES 2025, describing the resurrected Area-51 as retaking the throne" as Alienware's latest flagship gaming PC. But royalty doesn't come cheap, as its launch configuration will cost around $4,500. (Cue spit take.)The new Area-51 PC has a full-sized 80L tower with headroom for over 600W of dedicated graphics power and 280W for processing. It supports the latest NVIDIA graphics cards and an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU.The rig uses a positive-pressure system with only intake fans; exhaust comes exclusively from passive airflow. That setup includes dual 140mm fans that blow air upward to the GPU, dual 180mm fans aimed laterally from the front toward the GPU, CPU and RAM and dual or triple 120mm fans pulling air in from the top for liquid cooling configurations. The greater internal pressure passively forces heated air out of the back.Alienware says the new airflow system (in a build using the GeForce RTX 4090 and an Intel Core i9K processor) moves 25 percent more air, runs 13 percent cooler and is 45 percent quieter than the two previous Alienware Aurora desktops. The company says that leads to 50 percent more processing power.AlienwareYou can open its chassis by unlocking a knob on the back of the tower. Alienware says there's plenty of room to fit your hands and move upgrade parts in and out. Inside are QR codes linking to instructional videos, which likely do little more than save you a few seconds of searching YouTube. The collection includes guides on swapping out the RAM, GPU, SSD, and power supply, as well as maintenance issues like cleaning its fans and three removable / cleanable filters.The Area-51 rig supports up to 64GB DDR5 XMP (2x 32GB) RAM at 6400 MT/s, 8TB of storage, and liquid cooling in 240mm and 360mm configurations (with a DIY upgrade path to 420mm). Configurations use a 1500W Platinum Rated ATX12VO or an 850W Gold Rated ATX12VO power supply.Shaun Lucas / AlienwareThe launch configuration, including a next-gen NVIDIA GPU," will cost around $4,500 when it arrives later in Q1 2025. Other builds will follow later, including a (unspecified) cheaper entry-level option.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/alienware-resurrects-its-area-51-desktop-pc-040024043.html?src=rss
Alienware has just announced the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor at CES 2025. According to the company, the monitor has the highest pixel density for an OLED or QD-OLED (more on this in a minute) monitor at 166 pixels per inch (PPI). But that's not all it offers.The monitor has Dolby Vision HDR and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification for even better image quality. The 0.03ms response time is perfect for competitive gamers who value extreme speed, and the 240Hz refresh rate is nothing to sneeze at either. Finally, it comes with an AI algorithm (because in 2025, of course it does) that's supposed to protect against burn-in.The Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor will be available in North America in March, and other regions one month later. It will retail for $900.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/alienwares-new-oled-gaming-monitor-boasts-worlds-highest-pixels-per-inch-040010053.html?src=rss
Sony has been discussing its EV ambitions for five years, but now the company is ready to sell you a car. Through Sony Honda Mobility, you can reserve a vehicle now with a $200 fee. The car that was once the Vision-S and Vision-S 02 will actually be a thing you can buy. Now known as Afeela 1, the EV has a host of convenience updates, including an in-vehicle assistant and updated interior design. There are two models, the Afeela 1 Origin and the Afeela 1 Signature, priced at $89,900 and $109,900 respectively. Initially, reservations will only be available for customers in California, but the first vehicles won't be delivered until mid-2026. Those will be the pricier Signature version, with the Origin trim following in 2027. Both versions will come with a three-year subscription to the requisite services, which include Level 2+ ADAS known as Afeela Intelligent Drive, immersive entertainment, the Afeela Personal Agent and more. Other features include a selection of media apps, 3D maps, spatial sound and 5G connectivity. We're getting a closer look at the near-final Afeela 1 tomorrow, so you can expect detailed impressions of the revised vehicle and its features later this week. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/sony-opens-afeela-1-ev-reservations-at-ces-2025-011826937.html?src=rss
SonyThe Sony CES 2025 keynote will begin soon and you can watch it, and follow our coverage live, right here. The Afeela electric vehicle dominated Sony's 2023 and 2024 CES press conferences and it appears that trend will continue this year, with an appearance at the Sony event (and a followup press conference) already confirmed. This represents a change for Sony, a CES mainstay company, as it's better known for its decades in the consumer electronics space with its Walkman portables and Trinitron TVs of old along with next-gen PlayStation consoles and Alpha cameras.What to expect at Sony's CES 2025 press conferenceThe Afeela is the first product from Sony Honda Mobility, a joint venture between the Japanese electronics and transportation giants. After a surprise rollout at CES 2023, the Sony CES presser teed up additional details on the EV's LiDAR-heavy sensor array and AI-enhanced cabin tech (the latter coming with an assist from Microsoft) at CES 2024. If the car's previously announced scheduling waypoints - preorders in 2025 ahead of 2026 availability - remain intact, we're hoping to hear which of the Afeela's concept car niceties will actually make the cut once it enters the streets of the real world.Of course, it won't be all Afeela all the time in Vegas. Expect Sony to spend time talking up its imaging, gaming or maybe even its movie studio division. And with any luck, we'll get more info on the company's XR headset, which was shown off at the 2024 show, only to never be seen again. CES 2025 would be the perfect place to show off a meaty update of a possible competitor to the Apple Vision Pro.Watch the Sony CES 2025 livestreamYou can watch the Sony CES press conference as it happens below. The feed will start Monday, January 6 at 8:00PM ET.The separate Afeela press conference will take place on Tuesday, January 7 at 4:30PM PT, and will be streamed on YouTube as well.Follow real-time CES updates on our liveblogFor a recap of the Sony event, check out our main CES 2025 liveblog.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/sony-ces-2025-keynote-watch-sony-unveil-its-latest-gadgets-live-here-212207568.html?src=rss
UFC CEO Dana White is joining Meta's board, the company announced today. The addition of the mixed-martial arts impresario jives with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's well-documented UFC fandom, but also the larger strategy Meta appears to be using heading into a second Trump term: tacking right.That's not to say White's seat on the board is typical, however. Most of Meta's current board members work in the tech industry. The two members Meta is adding alongside White, John Elkann and Charlie Songhurst, fit the social media company's usual bill. White might say he's "a huge believer that social media and AI are the future" in Meta's press release, but the company he keeps is likely the more important reason he's joining now.Dana White and President-elect Donald Trump have been friends for years. White supported Trump's campaign for re-election, and UFC as a whole fits his strong-man tastes. Putting White on the board is as much about burnishing Zuckerberg's self-image as it is having access to the incoming Trump Administration. The President-elect might at one point have thought that Zuckerberg should "spend the rest of his life in prison," but Meta's CEO is doing everything in his power to court him.Zuckerberg visited Mar-A-Lago in November 2024 to have dinner with Trump, one of several tech CEOs to do so. Meta's also been adjusting its executive ranks to better work with a conservative government. The company's former President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg announced he was stepping down just last week, to be replaced by Meta's most prominent Republican executive, Joel Kaplan. Among Kaplan's credits is an eight-year stint in the Bush Administration. Zuckerberg has been in UFC mode for a while now, and it seems like for at least the next four years, Meta will be too.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-adds-ufc-ceo-and-trump-booster-dana-white-to-its-board-230611306.html?src=rss
At its CES 2025 press conference, Samsung just announced that the Ballie home robot it showed off last year will actually be available for sale in the first half of year. This cute yellow rolling device has a built-in projector that allows it to beam images and videos on your walls and floors, so you can interact with it. No further information on pricing and a more specific window of time has been shared, though.When it was first announced, Samsung told The Washington Post that Ballie would actually be available at some point in 2024. Alas, here we are six days into 2025 with no actual date or price yet. We first started seeing early iterations of Ballie in 2020, when the thing was just a tennis ball-sized orb that a Samsung executive tenderly caressed in their hands. Back then, Ballie was touted as a potential "fitness assistant," and Samsung further showed off capabilities like smart home control last year.We also saw last year that you'd be able to talk to Ballie by speaking to or texting it. It also became bowling ball-sized, and the Post said it would have a LiDAR sensor, which should help it detect and avoid obstacles. An onboard infrared sensor is what will help it connect to older home appliances to turn them on or off.Ballie only got the briefest of mentions at Samsung's CES 2025 press conference, which ran for about 45 minutes, and details beyond what I've already described are extremely sparse. For now, we can only guess at a cost. But I wouldn't be surprised if it cost about the same as a Bespoke Samsung fridge.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/the-cute-samsung-ballie-home-robot-will-actually-go-on-sale-this-year-223528677.html?src=rss
Robot vacuums can remove the dust and dirt on your floor, but you still have to pick up stray socks and and any item strewn about your home. Now Roborock, a Chinese company that manufactures robot vacuums and other household cleaning appliances, has unveiled a new model that can pick up small objects so you don't have to. The Roborock Saros Z70 has a foldable robotic arms that the company calls the "OmniGrip." It has five axis and can lift objects under 300 grams like socks, light sandals and small dog toys to put them away.
Apple will soon update Apple Intelligence notification summaries to make it clearer that they're AI-generated. (The feature currently uses a small icon to denote their AI-generated status.) The BBC complained to the company after discovering several bogus summaries that twisted the content of some BBC headlines. On Monday, Apple told Engadget that the update will arrive in the coming weeks."Apple Intelligence is designed to help users get everyday tasks done faster and more easily," an Apple spokesperson wrote in a statement to Engadget. This includes optional notification summaries, which provide users who choose to opt in a way to briefly view information from apps and tap into the full details whenever they choose. These are identified by a summarization icon, and the original content is a quick tap away. Apple Intelligence features are in beta and we are continuously making improvements with the help of user feedback. A software update in the coming weeks will further clarify when the text being displayed is summarization provided by Apple Intelligence. We encourage users to report a concern if they view an unexpected notification summary."The BBC flagged several botched AI notification summaries in multiple reports over the last month - accusing the AI blurbs of spreading misinformation. One falsely claimed that Luigi Mangione, the accused murderer of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself. Other erroneous summaries said that a darts player had won a world championship before playing in the final (maybe he's just that good!), and that tennis superstar Rafael Nadal had come out as gay.Notification summaries are one of the features from the first wave of Apple Intelligence that arrived in iOS (and iPadOS) 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1. A second phase, bringing ChatGPT integration and Image Playground, came in iOS (and iPadOS) 18.2 and macOS 15.2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-will-more-clearly-label-apple-intelligence-notification-summaries-soon-215159614.html?src=rss
TiVo is back...sort of. Xperi, the owner of the TiVo brand as of 2019, announced at CES 2025 that TiVo OS will be available in the US for the first time on Sharp TVs. The storied TV brand was last seen stateside as the TiVo Stream 4K, a $50 streaming dongle. This new software push makes TiVo the main interface of participating affordable TVs, and puts it in direct competition with Roku's operating system."The Sharp Smart TV Powered by TiVo" is a pretty standard TV for 2025, with an "Ultra High Definition and High Dynamic Range 55" QLED screen," according to Xperi, and three HDMI ports for connecting various accessories. It's big differentiator is TiVo OS. The operating system aggregates content from streaming services, linear TV channels, and sports packages, and gives users access to "a vast library of free and paid content," Xperi says. The OS also supports "natural voice navigation" and "advanced search and recommendation capabilities." Nothing too revolutionary when compared to the competition, but TiVo's at least known for making user-friendly ways of navigating TV content.TiVo OS was originally announced in 2022, but TVs using the operating system didn't start shipping until 2023, and only in Europe. Sharp's TV will be the first new TiVo product in the US since the launch of the TiVo dongle. It doesn't exactly feel like a triumphant return, but to a certain kind of home theater aficionado, the TiVo name still means a lot, and Sharp is poised to take advantage of it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/tivo-os-is-coming-to-the-us-on-sharp-tvs-213938244.html?src=rss
During CES 2025, I had a chance to check out a demo of the way Google is integrating Gemini capabilities into its smart home platform via devices like the Nest Audio, Nest Hub and Nest Cameras. The main takeaway is that the conversations you have with the Google Assistant will feel more natural. Personally, I'd appreciate being able to ask questions as they pop in my head, without having to formulate some Assistant-friendly sentence before speaking - what I saw makes me feel like my wish could come true. To kick things off, you'll still say "Hey Google," but for follow-up questions you can skip the prompt and the Assistant will be able to hold on to the thread of your conversation. During the demonstration, held in a simulated (and very posh) kitchen, the Google representative asked things like what to cook with ingredients he had on hand (chicken and spinach). On the Nest Audio, the Assistant rattled off a few recipe ideas (creamy chicken and spinach, chicken and spinach stir fry). On the Nest Hub, the rep was able to play a song he didn't know the name of by asking, "Hey Google, what's the song from Wicked where they're dancing in the library?" The Assistant named the song and played it after a follow up prompt. Possibly the most impressive trick I saw was the case of the missing cookies. The rep asked the Nest Hub the question, "Hey Google, what happened to the cookies on the counter?" Pulling footage from a connected Nest Cam, the Hub displayed a dog walking into a kitchen, swiping a cookie and scampering off. The Assistant meanwhile narrated the context of the video saying, "A dog jumped on the counter and looked at the cookies on December 12th at 1:29PM." Of course, this was a pre-recorded clip, as there was sadly no dog in the demonstration kitchen. The video analysis adds to tech already available with the Nest Cam, like familiar face recognition and builds on features that were launched in beta last year where you could type questions into the Google Home app, asking things like, "Did my FedEx package get delivered?" The update here is that you'll be able to ask these things using your voice and see relevant clips on the Hub. Unfortunately I wasn't able to ask questions of my own as both the speaker and display were keyed to the Google rep's voice. Each question was followed by a one or two second pause as, I assume, the Assistant gathered/synthesized/analyzed the information (or whatever AI does) before answering. Of course, the Assistant can still do all of the basic tasks it always has - set timers and reminders, play music and videos and control smart home routines. The Google reps were sure point out that this isn't a replacement of the Google Assistant, but an enhancement with Gemini. Having used all three of the major smart home assistants fairly extensively, I've found the Google Assistant is best at accessing and delivering general information, but Alexa was better at smart home control and understanding me overall (for the record, Siri is best at frustrating me). With this new Gemini integration, the Google Assistant may be in a good position to overtake Alexa in that department. These Gemini-improved improvements will be coming to Nest Aware subscribers in a public preview later this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/gemini-ai-smarts-are-coming-to-google-home-to-make-the-assistant-a-better-conversationalist-213644481.html?src=rss
AMD is following up its impressive Ryzen Z1 chip, which powered the original ASUS ROG Ally, with the Ryzen Z2 at CES 2025. You can pretty much guess what it delivers: More power, and potentially more battery life, but if you plan to wait for Valve to release a Z2-powered Steam Deck, don't get your hopes up. Following AMD's announcement, a Valve employee said "there is and will be no Z2 Steam Deck."Leading the charge for the Ryzen Z2 family is the Z2 Extreme, featuring eight cores, a 5GHz max clock speed and 16 RDNA 3 graphics cores. The least powerful model is the Z2 Go with four CPU cores and 12 graphics cores. That could be a useful chip for cheaper handhelds, especially those that tout game streaming capabilities over local play.AMDAMD didn't have any performance metrics to share, but it likely won't be long until we see the Ryzen Z2 in action. It'll arrive in the first quarter of 2025 in revamped versions of the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. While Valve has said it's trying to avoid a horsepower rat race, constant leaks around a potential Steam Deck 2 indicate some sort of upgrade is on the way soon.Update 4:00PM ET: Valve has clarified it's not working on a Z2-powered Steam Deck.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-amd-ryzen-z2-will-power-next-gen-gaming-handhelds-including-a-new-steam-deck-194531373.html?src=rss
If we buy Microsoft's recent ad campaign logic that any Game Pass-running device is an Xbox, it's time to congratulate LG smart TV owners: You'll soon own an Xbox. (Yippee!!) Microsoft announced Monday that the Xbox app will arrive on LG's latest smart TVs later this year, letting Game Pass Ultimate subscribers stream to their sets from Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft and LG said the Xbox app will only be available on supported" models of LG's newest smart TVs (without specifying any models). Once the app launches, you'll find it in LG TVs' new Gaming Portal, which will also include casual webOS games. In addition to Game Pass Ultimate's streaming library (including Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and more), LG TVs will also support Microsoft's new feature that lets you stream some of your Xbox games. That only supports around 50 titles right now, but at least some quality ones are in there, like Balatro, Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077 and NBA 2K25. It also only works with digital games you own; no dice for physical copies. Microsoft says more details about the partnership will arrive in the coming months." Game Pass Ultimate costs $20 monthly. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-cloud-streaming-is-coming-to-new-lg-smart-tvs-204457962.html?src=rss
The makers of the camera-equipped bird feeder, Bird Buddy, introduced two new products at CES 2025 under a new brand called Wonder that let you spy on nature and help pollinators thrive. Petal, a solar-powered camera with changeable lenses and Nature Intelligence (aka AI), can be mounted with a clip, a flexible arm or a stem, so it can be set up pretty much wherever you want outdoors. It'll analyze everything it sees to let you know what birds, insects and other critters stopped by. The second product, Wonder Blocks, is a modular system that's kind of like an apartment building for bugs and birds. It's all very cute. Wonder The Petal camera comes in soft, bright colors like orange, blue and yellow, so it would look right at home in a flower pot or wrapped around the thin branch of a tree. It can record and livestream footage to your phone, and send commentary about the sights and sounds of nature, from birds hatching to the flapping of butterfly's wings, a flower blooming and bees pollinating it," according to the company. If you also have the Wonder Blocks, you can use Petal to keep an eye on the little community that forms there. There are several options when it comes to the components you can add to the Wonder Blocks; the full system includes a pedestal at the bottom, a bug hotel, a large base for plants, a seed tray, a bee hotel and a butterfly feeder on top. Both Petal and the Wonder Blocks will launch on Kickstarter this spring. Wonder This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/new-bird-buddy-smart-garden-products-let-you-peek-into-the-secret-lives-of-pollinators-201510777.html?src=rss
HP announced three new 14-inch Elitebooks at CES 2025, all powered by the latest Intel processors. The laptop lineup includes the Elitebook Ultra G1i - it has a 3K OLED screen, a 9MP webcam and a haptic touchpad - and two Elitebook X models, one of which is a 360-degree-folding 2-in-1.As to be expected, HP is billing these laptops as AI PCs. While that's due in part to the unwritten rule that every new gadget must have AI stuffed inside, it's also practically due to Intel's Core Ultra 5 and 7 chips being built precisely for that purpose, with three compute engines for on-device AI tasks. All three Elitebooks are Copilot+ PCs and can zip through AI tasks at 48 TOPS (trillion operations per second).All three Elitebooks ship in configurations with 16GB or 32GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage.HPThe EliteBook Ultra G1i has a higher-end screen, webcam and touchpad than the others. Its display will be available in touch and non-touch configurations, both of which are 14-inch OLED panels with 2,880 x 1,880 resolution. The laptop has a 9MP webcam, and its onboard AI can upscale video calls beyond that. Its audio setup should impress, too, with studio-quality dual microphones" and quad speakers.The non-touch version weighs 2.63 pounds (just under 1.2 kg), and the touch model is slightly heavier at 2.68 pounds (around 1.2 kg). Its touchpad is haptic-based (like Apple's MacBooks have been for years). That should make it evenly clickable" - it doesn't click inward but feels that way - across its entire surface.HP EliteBook X Flip G1iHPHP's EliteBook X G1i and EliteBook X Flip G1i are similar and differentiated mostly by form factor. The Flip earns its name by flipping back with a 360-degree hinge, while the standard one has a traditional clamshell design. Compared to the Ultra, these models have lower-resolution LCD panels: 1,920 x 1,200 in most configurations, with a 2,560 x 1,600 option also available for both. The machines also have a lower-resolution webcam (5MP) than the Ultra.In line with its 2-in-1 nature, the Flip has a touchscreen in all variants, while the standard has touch and non-touch models. It works with (but doesn't include) HP's $99 Rechargeable Active Pen.HP hasn't announced pricing or release date info for any of the new Ultrabooks, but they'll be on display at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this week.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/hp-at-ces-2025-the-latest-elitebooks-are-copilot-pcs-powered-by-intels-new-ai-chips-194559833.html?src=rss
This year at CES 2025, Dell is announcing a huge rebranding for all of its consumer and commercial PCs. However, while this change is generally a move in the right direction, I think getting rid of the iconic XPS name is an unforced error.As a quick recap, Dell's new unified branding will see its laptops, desktops and other devices divided into three main families. Standard Dell machines are aimed at general consumers and designed for school, work and casual gaming. (Alienware gaming PCs are also getting updated names, but they will remain separate from Dell's core computing products.) Then there are Dell Pro devices, which are primarily for businesses and meant to support pro-grade productivity. Finally, there is the Dell Pro Max line, which as its name suggests comprises systems built to deliver maximum performance (i.e. workstations).DellBut it doesn't stop there, because within each family will be three tiers of products. Base models across the Dell, Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max lines will be entry-level machines and won't get any special monikers. Meanwhile, systems featuring the Plus tag (e.g. the Dell Pro 14 Plus laptop) will serve as mid-range options. And then sitting on top are systems with a Premium label, which denotes Dell's most powerful and luxurious machines within a given family.Now while this new scheme might seem awkward at first, the rationale behind it makes sense (mostly). Dell believes that when customers buy gadgets they see the name of the company first (in this case Dell), so that's what should be front and center on every product. So far so good. Another benefit of this change is that Dell is also ditching a ton of sub-brands like Latitude, Inspiron, Optiplex and others, which were often opaque and meaningless to most buyers. So in essence, the rebrand is providing a more streamlined naming scheme that should be easier to understand. A similar thought process was behind HP's unifying and rebranding that took place last year, too.Regular folk should shop for standard Dell" models, businesses will buy Dell Pro systems and anyone who needs PCs with even more performance can opt for Dell Pro Max devices. Unfortunately, among all this, the XPS name is also getting killed off and in its place will be systems simply labeled Dell [product name] Premium. (Remember, non-Pro Dells are for normal people and premium" denotes that a model sits at the top of the line.)As part of the Dell's rebrand, the XPS 14 will now be called the Dell Premium 14.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetThis is my big issue because I truly do not understand why Dell would want to get rid of the one sub-brand that people already know and have loved for more than a decade. For years, some version of the XPS has sat at the top of practically every Best Windows laptop list. The XPS name is an icon and unlike a lot of Dell's other monikers like Inspiron or Latitude, it actually meant something. (Fun trivia tidbit: XPS officially stands for extreme performance system.)In a lot of ways, XPS was already the way Dell let people know that one of its consumer devices was a premium system, so to go and replace it with a generic word feels like a step in the wrong direction. I would even argue that in a lot of situations, the XPS name even transcended Dell's own. Previously when people asked me to recommend an ultraportable Windows laptop, I would simply say Get an XPS." No further instruction was necessary. So instead of replacing XPS with Dell Premium, wouldn't it make more sense to just stick with Dell XPS?After talking to numerous Dell employees about the name change, the counter-argument I've heard the counter-argument is that as someone who covers tech and nerds out about gadgets, I'm more familiar with specific products than the average joe. Dell seems to believe that people who only read reviews every four or five years right before they buy a new laptop just aren't familiar with the XPS name - which might be true. But my retort is that the XPS line was always meant for enthusiasts - the type of discerning folk who care about design and are willing to pay more for fancier materials, better performance and shaving a couple millimeters or ounces off a device when possible. And to that crowd, the XPS name was a clear indicator that you were getting something way better than just OK.A selection of Dell's new laptops including the Dell 14 Plus, Dell Pro 14 and Dell Pro Max 16.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetAnother potential problem is that even with Dell's new unified branding, it still feels like something is missing. Take for example the company's new 14-inch consumer laptop - the Dell 14 Plus. We know the Plus indicates that it's a mid-range system and that Dell is clearly the manufacturer that made it. So that means the name of the laptop is the 14?" Or is it 14 Plus?" Either way, that just sounds off. Even Apple, who Dell appears to have cribbed part of its naming scheme from, still has the decency to give each device a proper name. You have MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros, Mac Minis, iMacs and so on. And then there's the issue of doing a full rebranding and ending up with a scheme that sounds a lot like what Dell's competitors have already done, especially with the Pro and Pro Max lines drawing clear connections to Apple's range of premium (there's that word again) iPhones.I'm not the only one who feels this way, either. We got a chance to learn about Dell's rebrand during a preview shortly prior to CES. And during the Q&A, at least half of the questions were about why Dell was making this change. In fact, my colleague Devindra also has some more thoughts on this.Devindra's thoughts:Sam, I'm fully onboard with your frustration, but I'd argue you're still being too kind to Dell here! The company's argument that this name change is all about simplicity falls apart once you start looking at sub-tiers for each brand. Dell Pro Max" seems clear enough, but when you try comparing "Pro Max Plus" and Pro Max Premium" systems, all logic is lost. We've launched ourselves out of the orbits of normal consumers and towards over-priced consultants who likely suggested this name change. Doesn't Max already mean best?The situation gets even more hilarious when you look at the company's desktops: Later this year, we can expect to see the Dell Pro Max Slim" and Dell Pro Max Micro" towards. Max Micro! What are we even doing here?! (And yes, you can expect those machines to also have their own plus and premium sub-branding.)No one saying Dell should remove its logo from the lid. But at least for its high-end consumer systems, the XPS name still means a lot.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetIt's true, most consumers won't cry over the loss of Latitude" and Inspiron," and they would likely be better off with clearer model names. I just wish Dell had focused more on maintaining clarity without getting bogged down by engineer-brained sub designations. If you're going to copy Apple's naming scheme (and let's face it, that's what's happening, despite CEO Michael Dell and other execs telling us otherwise), at least try to stick to Apple's short and friendly style.The loss of the XPS brand hurts Dell the most, though. Every PC maker has tried and failed to develop a premium brand that could go toe-to-toe with Apple. Sony's VAIO PCs were all the rage in the 90s and 2000's, before they threw in the towel. IBM ThinkPads became far less desirable once Lenovo snapped them up. HP's Spectre machines are great, but aren't exactly a household name. XPS, meanwhile, means something. Like you said, it was a brand that shone brighter than Dell itself.XPS laptops started the ultra-thin bezel trend, something even Apple hasn't fully adopted. The XPS 13 has been one of our highest-rated laptops for over a decade (save for some recent stumbles with its invisible touchpad and disappearing function row). Now instead of leaning on a brand that it built over the years with blood, sweat and cutting-edge hardware, the company is taking the most generic path possible. Dell Premium will just never hit the same as XPS.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/dell-killing-the-xps-name-is-an-unforced-error-200006195.html?src=rss
AMD is targeting both low-end and high-end AI PCs at CES 2025. The company unveiled a new family of Ryzen AI Max chips meant for "halo" Copilot+ AI PCs, which will sit above existing Ryzen AI 9 systems. In addition, it's also introducing Ryzen AI 7 and 5 chips for mid-tier and lower end AI PCs. Clearly, AMD wants AI PC options for everyone.AMDTo its credit, AMD's Ryzen AI Max chips seem like powerhouses. They feature up to 16 Zen 5 performance cores, 40 RDNA 3.5 GPU compute units and 50 TOPS of AI performance with AMD"s XDNA 2 NPU. The company claims it delivers 2.6 times faster 3D rendering than Intel's Core Ultra 9 288V, as well 1.4 times faster graphics performance in benchmarks like 3DMark's Wildlife Extreme and Solar Bay. It also delivers comparable performance to Apple's 14-core M4 Pro chip, and when it comes to the Vray benchmark, it's significantly faster.AMDRyzen AI Max systems will be available in the first and second quarter of the year, including the HP Zbook Ultra G1a, as well as the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 convertible.As for the Ryzen AI 7 and 5 chips, they'll basically deliver slightly slower performance than existing Ryzen AI 9 PCs. The Ryzen AI 7 chip features 8 cores and a 5GHz max boost speed, while the Ryzen AI 5 340 offers up six cores and a 4.8GHz max speed. And for PCs that don't need a ton of AI power, AMD is also introducing Ryzen 200 chips in the second quarter. They'll offer up to 16 TOPS of AI performance (compared to 50 TOPS on the faster AI chips), and will max out with the eight-core Ryzen 9 270.AMDThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/amd-takes-ai-pcs-to-the-max-with-ryzen-ai-max-chips-194600366.html?src=rss
Dell is introducing three new monitors at CES 2025, but the most interesting one includes a feature you might have already experienced with a pair of AirPods: spatial audio. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor is the first monitor with "AI-enhanced 3D Spatial Audio," according to Dell.The monitor's 5x5W speakers are able to pull off their audio tricks thanks to "AI-driven head-tracking" that follows your head and adjust audio playback so you're always immersed. It's a system that seems similar to Razer's Leviathan V2 Pro PC soundbar from 2023, which also used head-tracking to simulate a spatial audio experience. Dell's just managed to cram the necessary sensors and speakers into a monitor, with likely tinnier sound as a tradeoff.DellIf you're more worried about the screen, you're in luck. The Dell 32 Plus 4K has a 31.5-inch QD OLED panel with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and 4K resolution, which sounds great for creative work or games. Bells and whistles like Dolby Vision, HDR TB400, and AMD FreeSync Premium mean you'll get the brightest and tear-free image when you actually sit down in front of the screen, too.Alongside it's new spatial audio monitor, Dell is updating two sizes in its UltraSharp line, the Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor and UltraSharp 30 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor. Dell claims both UltraSharps are the first "enhanced IPS Black monitors" which is supposed to mean they'll offer "three times the contrast of conventional IPS displays and 47% deeper blacks."The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor will be available in China on March 27, before launching worldwide on May 22 for $799.99. Both the Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor and UltraSharp 30 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor will be available on February 25 for $699.99 and $949.99, respectively.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/dells-new-4k-qd-oled-monitor-comes-with-spatial-audio-194551957.html?src=rss
After pioneering the use of 3D V-cache in CPUs - specifically, by stacking L3 cache modules on top of each other - AMD is adding another super-powered desktop CPU to the mix at CES 2025: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. While it's not as groundbreaking as last year's 7950X3D, which managed to reach the same clock speeds as its siblings with 2D cache, the 9950X3D still stands out when compared to the competition from Intel. It features 16 Zen 5 CPU cores, a max boost speed of 5.7GHz, and most importantly, a whopping 144MB of total cache.AMDAMD's 3D V-cache technology allows its CPUs to juggle more data quickly without reaching out to RAM, since its cache is attached directly to the CPU package. AMD claims the 9950X3D is on average 20 percent faster than Intel's Core i9 285K across 40 different games. It's also 8 percent faster than the 7950X3D, so it's not exactly a compelling upgrade for anyone lucky enough to own that processor. When it comes to content creation, AMD claims the 9950X3D is 10 percent faster than Intel's 285K across a suite of 20 apps, including Photoshop's Pugetbench as well as Geekbench.AMDAMD also announced slightly slower 9900X3D chip with 12 cores, a 5.5GHz max boost speed and 140MB of cache. Consider it the slightly more sensible alternative to the 9950X3D's extravagant cache. Both chips will be available in the first quarter.The company hasn't forgotten about laptops, either. At CES, AMD unveiled its "Fire Range" HX3D chips which will arrive in the first half of 2025. They'll be spearheaded by the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D with 16 cores and 144MB of total cache.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/the-amd-ryzen-9-9950x3d-is-another-16-core-beast-with-144mb-of-3d-v-cache-194535290.html?src=rss
Acer is a little late when it comes to releasing its first handheld gaming PC. But now at CES 2025, it seems like the company is trying to make up for lost time by going big. Really big. That's because later this year, it's planning to release a gigantic offering in the Nitro Blaze 11.Packing detachable controllers and a built-in kickstand, the Blaze 11 shares a number of similarities with Lenovo's Legion Go. However, when all that is attached to an 11-inch 2,560 x 1,600 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness, the result is something that feels very different. In some ways, it's almost like holding a steering wheel with a tablet-sized screen slammed in the middle along with your typical assortment of joysticks, face buttons and shoulder triggers on either side.As you'd expect from a device in this category, Acer has included some familiar gamer touches like RGB lighting surrounding analog sticks along with a new Acer Game Space app that's meant to serve as a one-stop game launcher and control panel for settings. In person, the Blaze 11's screen is bright and vivid to the point that I had to confirm that it wasn't OLED. You also get what's becoming a fairly standard set of ports: two USB-C, a 3.5mm audio jack and a microSD card slot. That said, I do appreciate that Acer found room for a USB-A port, which brings the total number of USB connections to three.Meanwhile, on the inside, the Blaze 11's specs look good, though not especially impressive, with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS chip and Radeon 780M graphics, 16GB of RAM (7500 MT/s) and up to 2TB of SSD storage (though Acer says initial configurations will come with 512GB).That said, if an 11-inch gaming tablet seems a bit too unwieldy, Acer does have a second option in the Nitro Blaze 8. It features nearly identical specs and a very similar design minus the detachable controllers and kickstand, but with a smaller 8-inch IPS screen that has a slightly faster 144Hz refresh rate. Both models felt solid, though the Blaze 8 does win out in overall rigidity thanks to its non-detachable controllers. In case that's not enough, there's actually a third handheld that will be joining Acer's ranks in the Nitro Blaze 7, which was announced back in September but has yet to go on sale (at least in the US).Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetMy one concern with the Blaze 11 is that while it seems totally serviceable, I'm not quite sure its gigantic dimensions alone will be enough to carve out a significant niche among rivals from ASUS, Lenovo, Valve and others, as it lacks much in the way of additional defining characteristics. That said, I did notice that the bottom of the Blaze 11 features pogo pins that suggests some peripherals (most likely a dock) will arrive at a later date. However, when I asked an Acer representative for confirmation, they said they had no official announcements regarding additional peripherals or accessories for the Blaze family at this time.Acer says all three handhelds will go on sale sometime in Q2 2025, with the Nitro Blaze 11 starting at $1,100, the Blaze 8 at $900 and somewhere around $800 for the Blaze 7.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-acer-nitro-blaze-11-is-an-absolutely-massive-handheld-gaming-pc-194505881.html?src=rss
While all eyes are on NVIDIA for its RTX 5000 GPUs at CES 2025, AMD is also taking the opportunity to give us a glimpse at its upcoming RDNA 4 graphics architecture. While specifics are scarce, the company says its new GPUs will be built on a 4nm process with "optimized" compute units, "supercharged" AI computation and better ray tracing per compute unit. The big reveal, though, is that its new FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR4) will be powered by machine learning, just like NVIDIA's DLSS technology. AMD claims FSR 4 will offer "high quality" 4K upscaling, frame generation and low latency support with AMD Anti-Lag 2.AMDNo surprises there, really, but it's nice to see AMD finally move beyond the more simplistic upscaling from previous versions of FSR. The company also briefly revealed the existence of its new Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT GPUS, as well as its new naming scheme which directly mirrors NVIDIA's. Now instead of trying to decode how AMD's video cards compete with NVIDIAs, you'll be able to directly compare the 9070 GPUs to NVIDIA's upcoming RTX 5070 lineup.Less compelling, but somewhat notable, AMD is also adding a few generative AI features into its Adrenalin software. You'll be able to create AI images, summarize documents and ask "AMD-related" questions. Just what everyone has been waiting for!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/amd-previews-rdna-4-graphics-with-ai-upscaling-teases-rx-9070-gpus-194500173.html?src=rss
Some of the best tech we see at CES feels pulled straight from sci-fi. Yesterday at CES 2025, I tested out Neural Lab's AirTouch technology, which lets you interact with a display using hand gestures alone, exactly what movies like Minority Report and Iron Man promised. Of course, plenty of companies have delivered on varying forms of gesture control. Microsoft's Kinect is an early example while the Apple Watch's double tap feature and Vision Pro's pinch gestures are just two of many current iterations. But I was impressed with how well AirTouch delivered and, unlike most gesture technology out there, it requires no special equipment - just a standard webcam - and works with a wide range of devices. Neural Lab's software is compatible with tablets, computers and really any device running at least Android 11, Windows 10 and later or Linux. The technology was developed with accessibility in mind after one of the founders had trouble keeping in touch with their parents overseas because navigating video conferencing programs was just too difficult for the older generation. The Neural Labs representative I spoke with added how his parents preferred using an iPad to a computer/mouse/keyboard combo because touch controls are so much more intuitive. With AirTouch, they can use their TV much like they do a tablet. In addition to accessibility, there are plenty of commercial applications too - such as letting surgeons manipulate MRI scans without touching anything or a more commonplace scenario like moving through slides in a presentation. AirTouch tracks 3D hand movements and keys off of eye gazes to recognize intent, allowing it to ignore extraneous gestures. It currently supports nine gestures and customization allows users to program up to 15. I tried out two demonstrations: a 3D screen with an animated image of a tree frog and a monitor displaying a webpage on a browser. On the 3D screen, holding up one finger dropped a pinecone on the frog's head, two fingers dropped an acorn, a thumbs up spun the frog around on its leaf perch and a quiet coyote gesture turned it back. It took me all of 15 seconds to learn and use the four gestures and soon I was raining down acorns on the poor frog like some ill-tempered squirrel. It was nearly as easy (though not quite as fun) to control the screen displaying the web browser. Moving my hand around dragged the cursor across the screen and pinching took the place of clicking. I was able to scroll around on a streaming site, pick something to play, pause it and start it back up again within seconds of learning the hand movements. There were a few instances where my movements didn't do the thing I'd hoped, but after a few tries, I started to get the hang of the controls. AirTouch is available now as a $30-per-month subscription for individuals (and $300 monthly for companies). Neural Labs says it takes just five minutes to install the software on any compatible device. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/neural-labs-airtouch-brings-gesture-control-to-windows-and-android-devices-with-just-a-webcam-180031750.html?src=rss
I tried to go into meeting Mirumi with a heart of steel. There are a lot of cute robots at CES every year, that is a given, and you can't just let yourself get wooed by every puppy-eyed bot that looks your way. But boy did I melt immediately when that silly little thing locked its gaze on me, then bashfully tucked its head away. Mirumi is the latest bizarre-but-endearing robot from Japanese startup Yukai Engineering, the company responsible for the Qoobo cat-tailed pillow and the finger-nibbling kitty plush, Amagami Ham Ham. All it does is stare at you and move its head around a little until you've successfully been tricked into a few moments of happiness. The idea is to emulate that distinctly joyful experience of meeting eyes with a baby in public - a quick, random interaction that can turn your mood around. Mirumi looks like the combination of a fledgling bird and a shrunken-down yeti, and its long arms let it cling to objects like a purse handle so it can come along wherever you go, and stare down strangers. Inside Mirumi is a distance sensor and an inertial measurement unit, which tell it when there are people nearby and when it's on the move or being touched. It has different responses for each of these scenarios. When a person first comes into its line of vision, for example, it will get shy and briefly hide its face, like it did for me. Then, it cautiously peeks out again. Jostle it around and it might shake its head, No." It doesn't make any sounds. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Playing with Mirumi at CES Unveiled, I found myself delighted at absolutely everything it did. It has a nice bit of weight to it when you pick it up, sort of like a tiny kitten. And on that same note, its little movements make it give off a subtle vibration, almost as if it were purring. I hooked its bendable arms around my wrist, which also had a bulky watch on it and a camera dangling by the strap, and Mirumi felt pretty secure on top of all that as I gently waved it around. On a thinner perch, like a bag strap, its arms wrap fully for a better hold. (I probably wouldn't trust it to stay on if I was in a packed subway car or similarly crowded environment, though). Mirumi is rechargeable and should last about eight hours before it needs to be plugged in again. We don't know yet what the final color options will be, but Yukai had white, black and peach Mirumis on display. The company is planning to launch a crowd-funding campaign later this year before releasing the robot, and it hasn't yet been determined if it will be sold internationally. Is it kind of ridiculous? Yes, absolutely. Especially when you consider the price: around $70, according to a Yukai rep. But kind of ridiculous is Yukai's whole thing, and at least for me (and just about every person who stopped by during the demo), Mirumi elicited the exact emotional response it was made for. This is all about making people around you happier," Yukai's Hiroko Sato said during our chat at CES Unveiled. I can't really hate on that. Speaking of ridiculous, Yukai is also showing off a small cat-shaped device called Nekojita FuFu that will blow on food or a hot drink to cool it off for you. Its curved arms hook onto the side of a mug or bowl, or it can be set down on a flat surface to blow on a plate. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget The company says it can bring down the temperature of hot water by 30 degrees Fahrenheit in three to five minutes. We didn't have any scalding liquids on hand to test that out on the show floor, but it's basically just a small fan with different blowing modes packaged in a cute silicone body, and the fan did indeed blow air. As a person who waits an annoyingly long time to take the first sip of coffee or soup because I'm really sensitive to temperatures, I can appreciate an option that doesn't involve me doing all that work. I can't see myself going out and buying this, but it strikes me as the sort of product that makes for a fun gift - the kind that's partially a joke, but also functional. Nekojita FuFu is expected to be released later this year for $25 following a crowd-funding campaign. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/this-fluffball-robot-stole-my-heart-at-ces-2025-173009630.html?src=rss
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