All articles tagged with #consumer tech
Knockoff is a Chrome extension that runs entirely in your browser to filter out junk factory brands on Amazon search results, leaving brands with a reputation to lose; it includes a 5,000+ brand whitelist, adjustable strictness, and a community reporting system so fixes are shared with all users.
Wired headphones are resurging as consumers opt for affordable wired models that rival the sound quality of pricier wireless options. Factors driving the shift include better value for money (e.g., budget wired models offering 24-bit/96kHz audio), Bluetooth battery drain and interference, and a broader tech fatigue that fuels nostalgia for simpler, non-AI-enabled gadgets. Celebrities adopting wired headphones have also helped frame them as a fashion statement, though compatibility across devices (dongles, ports) remains a hassle and wireless still holds a clear market lead.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 9 is expected to be revealed around July 22, 2026 with on-sale in early August; while official specs are scarce, leaks point to a Samsung Health app overhaul, a Snapdragon Wear Elite chip (with uncertainty about which models get it), no Galaxy Watch 9 Classic in regulatory filings, and 40mm/44mm variants with 1.34” and 1.47” displays, larger batteries for the 40mm, 2GB RAM/32GB storage, Wear OS 7 plus One UI 9, 5ATM/IP68 durability, and satellite messaging on the Ultra 2; pricing is not leaked but is expected to be near the Galaxy Watch 8’s launch prices.
Snap unveils Specs, its first consumer-focused AR glasses, priced at $2,195 with a $200 refundable deposit and slated to ship later this year in the U.S., U.K., and France. The see-through device aims to popularize spatial computing with a larger display and about four hours of battery life, plus AI integration previews for developers. CEO Evan Spiegel casts this as a move beyond smartphones, even as inflation and the high price present headwinds, amid competition from Meta and Google in the growing AR/VR space.
Holding onto an older smartphone can save money and reduce environmental harm: manufacturing new phones uses scarce materials and drives most device emissions, with cobalt mining in Congo linked to harsh working conditions; e-waste remains high and recycling rates are low. By maximizing a device’s life, you cut costs, reduce your carbon footprint, and even enjoy less screen time in daily life, while tech giants remain financially robust even with slower upgrade cycles.
An NBC News tester strapped four AI wearables—Amazon’s Bee bracelet, Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses, Oura Ring, and Omi necklace—for several days to gauge whether wearing multiple devices makes life easier; the verdict: AI can boost efficiency, but overlapping features, privacy tradeoffs from always-on microphones and cameras, occasional misidentifications, and constant charging mean you don’t need all four at once—select a couple that fit your routine and weigh consent and data handling.
OpenAI is building a large in-house team to develop a family of AI-powered devices, starting with a smart speaker expected to cost about $200–$300 and feature a camera and facial-recognition for context-aware interactions. The effort points to a broader consumer hardware strategy that could include smart glasses and a smart lamp as OpenAI expands into AI-enabled devices.
CES 2026 showcased eight unusual gadgets—from a rollable ThinkPad and digital nail polish to a bone-conduction lollipop and AI‑talking picture frame—highlighting how AI, new materials, and playful design are pushing novelty toward potential practicality across consumer tech.
The article highlights the most promising and real gadgets from CES 2026 that are likely to be worth purchasing, including keyboard accessories and tiny Bluetooth speakers, as curated by The Verge's coverage.
In 2026, global expansion of datacenters driven by major tech investments, the widespread deployment of self-driving cars in major cities, AI finding new niches at work, innovative consumer tech with new form factors, and the continued wealth growth of tech billionaires are expected to be key trends shaping the tech landscape.
The Nintendo Power Glove, despite being a flawed and ambitious device from the late 1980s, played a significant role in shaping the future of virtual reality and gaming technology, influencing later successful products and industry developments.
The article explores why the Microsoft Zune, despite innovative features and strategic bets, failed to compete with the iPod, highlighting its early social features, broader vision, and the reasons behind its lack of success.
David Pierce discusses the latest update to his favorite e-reader, the Boox Palma 2 Pro, highlighting its significance in the realm of digital reading and consumer tech.
Allison Johnson reviews the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, praising its slim design and usability, and expresses excitement about upcoming trifold phones from Samsung and other brands, seeing them as a promising evolution in large smartphones that combine multiple screens and functionalities without increasing size.
Humane's highly anticipated AI wearable device, the "Pin," has been panned in reviews for its $700 price tag and $24 monthly subscription plan, with critics citing its poor performance, clunky interface, and inability to fulfill basic functions like accurate weather reporting and translation. The device, intended to reduce smartphone usage, has been described as a frustrating and overpriced first-generation product, leading to doubts about the company's future and the potential for improved iterations.