If you prefer some variety in your review roundups, we cover quite the gamut this time. The headliner is the new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, but we've recently tested a powerful gaming laptop, two action cameras and a wireless mouse (yep, still need those). Catch up on all the reviews we've published over the last two weeks by scrolling down below. Ray-Ban Meta While the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses may look similar to the original model, a lot has changed in terms of features. There are also two big upgrades over the last version: battery life and video quality. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses have a lot of features that didn't exist when I first reviewed them two years ago, largely thanks to AI," senior editor Karissa Bell said. And with the release of its second-generation frames, there's still a lot to look forward to, like new camera features and AI-powered audio." Alienware 16 Area-51 If you're in the market for a powerful gaming laptop with a unique design, the Alienware 16 Area-51 might be for you. Of course, you'll have to live with a machine that s big and heavy - and also expensive. Even though the Alienware 16 Area-51 might not be as portable as some of its rivals, it's got a lot to offer," senior reviews writer Sam Rutherford wrote. There's a striking design, a nice screen (though more options would be nice), tons of ports and class-leading performance with plenty of configurability so you can dial in its specs exactly how you like." GoPro Max 2 GoPro's new product this fall wasn't another Hero action camera. Instead, the company opted to take the 360 route, debuting the Max 2 for spherical videos. With a mix of pro features like Timecode, GP-Log (with LUTs) alongside mobile-focused editing, GoPro clearly hopes the Max 2 will appeal to demanding and casual users alike," contributor James Trew observed. The company has also focused heavily on improving the user experience rather than going for pure technological advances and after a week or so of testing, that feels like a sensible move." DJI Osmo Nano In case you missed it, tiny action cameras with detachable displays are a thing now. DJI's first attempt at one of these products takes direct aim at Insta360's duo of Go models. And despite better video quality than the competition, there's still work to be done for the Osmo Nano. With the Nano, DJI leaned on its camera experience and mostly matches or beats its main rival in terms of video quality," reporter Steve Dent said. However, the company is still lagging behind in a few areas, particularly its editing app - something that's important for many creators." Logitech MX Master 4 Three years after releasing the MX Master 3S, Logitech is back with another update to its productivity mouse. Shopping for the new version isn't exactly a straightforward endeavor though. The MX Master 4 may not be a essential upgrade if you're happy with an older MX Master mouse, and if those didn't work for you before, this one probably won't work for you now," senior buying advice reporter Jeff Dunn wrote. But if you're a power user in the market for a new productivity mouse, we'd expect this newest iteration to be as popular as its predecessors."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-ray-ban-meta-gopro-max-2-and-more-130000492.html?src=rss

One of the things that's long irked me about Meta's smart glasses is how often you have to say "hey Meta." Even though the company's AI assistant has gotten significantly more capable, there's something a little cringey about using its voice commands in public spaces.Now, the company has rolled out an update that makes you a little less dependent on voice commands for all its glasses. A new "quick connect" feature allows you to create a one-touch shortcut for "frequently used communication actions," like making a phone call or sending a text to a specific contact. The update is out now as part of the 19.2 software update.The idea of "quick connect" is similar to the functionality of the "action button" on the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses, though it's more limited in scope. The feature allows you to designate a specific contact that you can message, text or call just by holding down on the touchpad on the right side of the glasses. The Meta AI app will even let you choose your preferred method of reaching them, whether it's WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger or your phone's native calling or messaging app. The same one-touch press and hold shortcut can also be used to send photos and videos shot on the glasses right after you take them (also via your chosen app).You can designate a specific contact and on which app you want to be able to contact them.During its Connect event, Meta previewed some updates for third-party apps that appear to allow developers to set their own wake words for the glasses when using their services. So there is some hope that eventually the company will offer a bit more flexibility with its voice commands. Even so, it's unlikely you'll be able to get away with never having to say "hey Meta," but the quick connect update is a handy way to make messaging a bit more discreet.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/metas-smart-glasses-have-a-new-shortcut-to-call-and-text-without-saying-hey-meta-213303178.html?src=rss