Gadgets

Meta has introduced a new lineup of artificial intelligence products, according to Bloomberg. The company is positioning the offering as an attempt to succeed where competitors have struggled to gain traction with AI. The announcement is drawing attention as tech giants race to convert AI investments into widely adopted consumer and business products.

Singapore's National Library Board is trialling a micropayment scheme that rewards people financially for reading, in an effort to encourage reading habits at a time when attention is dominated by phones. Early discussion centres on whether small cash incentives can genuinely change behaviour, with commenters debating whether paying for reading cheapens intrinsic motivation or is a pragmatic public-policy tool.

Meta has drawn attention with the Muse Charm, an AI-powered device that resembles a keychain but functions as a wearable assistant. Coverage highlights five capabilities, suggesting the gadget can handle voice interactions and everyday AI tasks beyond simple accessories. The device adds to Mark Zuckerberg's push to put AI hardware into consumers' daily lives, and commentators are weighing what it means for the wearable tech market.

Alibaba has launched Qwen Intelligence as a full-stack agentic AI platform designed for smartphones. The move positions the company's Qwen models to power on-device AI agents capable of handling tasks across apps, putting Alibaba in direct competition with other tech giants racing to bring agentic AI to mobile devices. Details on launch partners and availability were not immediately clear.

A new wave of AI-powered devices is hitting the consumer market, ranging from small wearable "charms" to reimagined smart speakers. The products aim to embed artificial intelligence assistants into everyday objects, moving beyond smartphones. Coverage highlights both the ambition of these designs and questions over whether consumers are actually ready to adopt dedicated AI hardware.

Reports indicate that a new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is close to launch, based on a recent leak. The refreshed streaming device would update Apple's set-top box line, though details on features, pricing, or an official release date have not been confirmed by Apple. Tech watchers are passing along the leak and speculating about what the next model might include.

Xiaomi has announced that the Apple Watch can now be used with its Android smartphones, a notable break from Apple's usual requirement that the watch be paired with an iPhone. The move means Xiaomi phone owners can consider Apple's wearable, and it highlights growing interoperability between rival device ecosystems. Gadget watchers are weighing what this means for cross-platform compatibility going forward.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says AI laboratories that cannot control the systems they build should be shut down. The remarks, reported by Gadget Review, add a prominent industry voice to the ongoing debate over AI safety and accountability. Huang's position suggests that the ability to manage and contain advanced AI models should be a baseline requirement for any lab developing them.

Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG has entered the Philippine market, debuting with a lineup of six variants across two models: the X9, a premium electric MPV, and the L03 sedan. The move marks another step in XPENG's international expansion as Chinese EV brands push into Southeast Asian markets.

A coalition of 23 US states is pushing for federal regulation of artificial intelligence following a series of alarming incidents involving AI systems. The states argue that state-level rules alone cannot address risks that cross borders, and are calling on Congress to set nationwide standards covering safety, accountability and oversight of AI technologies.

Meta is reportedly planning a spring 2027 launch for a new pair of VR glasses priced at $1,300. The premium headset is expected to be a higher-end offering in Meta's virtual reality lineup, and tech watchers are weighing whether the steep price and distant timeline signal confidence in the mixed-reality market or a niche product for enthusiasts.

Apple is expected to announce additional hardware before the end of the year, following this month's debut of the iPhone 18 Pro and the folding iPhone Duo. Reported upcoming products include a new version of the HomePod mini, the iPad mini 8, and an updated Apple TV 4K, signaling an unusually packed late-year release schedule for the company.

The James Webb Space Telescope has detected a black hole hidden inside a dense cocoon of gas, according to a report by Gadget Review. The finding offers a rare glimpse of an object normally obscured from view and could shed light on how black holes grow in the early universe. Astronomers and space enthusiasts are sharing the discovery widely.

Xiaomi has launched a new 10,000mAh power bank globally, featuring a built-in cable and 22.5W charging output. The company is promoting the device as safer than previous models, with improved protection features. The accessory targets users seeking a compact, all-in-one portable charger without carrying separate cables.

New reporting highlights research showing that smartwatches become less reliable at estimating calories burned as a person's body fat percentage rises. The findings suggest wearable fitness devices may systematically miscalculate energy expenditure for users with more body fat, raising questions about how much trust people should place in calorie data when tracking diet and exercise goals.

OpenAI is reportedly preparing to give developers an early preview of GPT-6 Cyber at its upcoming DevDay conference. If confirmed, the unveiling would mark the next step in the company's model lineup and signal a focus on security-oriented capabilities. Details remain sparse, with the report offering no official confirmation from OpenAI on timing or features.

Xiaomi has introduced a new Pocket Guitar gadget designed to attach to smartphones, letting users practice guitar chords and playing techniques on the go. The compact accessory is aimed at beginners and hobbyists who want a portable way to learn without carrying a full instrument, adding to Xiaomi's growing lineup of quirky lifestyle gadgets.

Meta has introduced a small, Tamagotchi-like AI wearable that users can talk to, positioning it as a friendlier alternative to screenless AI pendants. The gadget pairs a cute, pocketable design with conversational assistant features, and reaction so far focuses on whether charm and novelty can make the AI wearable category appealing to mainstream buyers.

Accessory maker PeakDo has teased a new power bank designed for the Starlink Mini satellite dish, built around a semi-solid-state battery. The announcement suggests longer runtime and safer, more temperature-tolerant cells than conventional lithium-ion packs, aimed at users running portable satellite internet off-grid. Details on capacity, pricing and availability have not yet been disclosed.