gadgets

Tech companies are competing to develop dedicated hardware for artificial intelligence, and Meta believes it has produced a winning device. NPR reports on the race, noting that Meta considers its offering a standout in a crowded field where rivals are also rushing to ship AI-focused gadgets to consumers.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly erased recent Russian territorial gains in what is being called Operation Vivaldi, with robots performing combat airdrops and clearing mines on the battlefield. The operation is being highlighted as another example of Ukraine's growing use of unmanned ground systems to reduce risks to soldiers while carrying out dangerous tasks under fire.

Tech companies are competing to create dedicated AI hardware, and Meta believes it has developed a winning device. The company is betting that purpose-built AI hardware could be the next major platform shift, following a wave of investment across the industry. Details about the device's features and launch plans remain limited, but Meta's entry adds to growing competition in the emerging AI gadget market.

Big Tech is betting its next wave of growth on AI-powered gadgets, particularly smart glasses, but the push is running into privacy concerns. Always-on cameras and microphones raise questions about recording bystanders and collecting constant data. Commentators argue companies must address consent and data protection rules if wearables are to win mainstream acceptance.

Meta's smart glasses, derided by critics as 'pervert glasses' over privacy concerns, have drawn complaints about their cameras and potential for covert recording. Despite the backlash, the technology industry shows no sign of slowing its push into wearable gadgets, with Meta and rivals continuing to invest in camera-equipped eyewear and other devices worn on the body.

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.

The government has permitted e-commerce providers to deliver food items and gadgets, expanding the scope of online retail services. Details on when the rules take effect and which platforms qualify have not yet been reported. The move is expected to widen consumer access to delivered goods and open new business opportunities for online sellers.

Sony is reportedly withdrawing from CES 2027, breaking an unbroken presence at the consumer electronics show that dates back to 1967. The move, reported by gadget outlet Gadget Review, would mark the first time in nearly six decades that the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant is absent from the Las Vegas event, prompting questions about its trade-show strategy.

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.

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.

Apple has accidentally revealed details of multiple unreleased products, according to a report by Geeky Gadgets. The unintentional leak is said to cover a whole wave of devices that the company had not yet officially announced. Details about which products were exposed and how the leak happened remain limited, but such slips from Apple are rare given the company's usual secrecy around unannounced hardware.

Meta has unveiled Muse Charm, a pocket-sized device built around its AI assistant. The gadget marks Meta's continued push to move its AI assistant beyond phones and into dedicated hardware, following its AI-enabled glasses line. Details on pricing, availability and full specifications were not included in the initial announcement, leaving industry watchers waiting for more information about how the device will compete in the emerging market for standalone AI gadgets.

Bose has released its first wired earbuds in over a decade, and the new pair includes active noise canceling. The earbuds are available for preorder now. The move marks an unusual return to wired audio for a company best known for its wireless headphones, and it is drawing attention among audio and gadget enthusiasts curious about how Bose combines the reliability of wired listening with its signature noise-canceling technology.

Qualcomm's chief executive says the smartphone will remain the central device in people's digital lives, pushing back against claims that wearables, smart glasses or AI gadgets could replace it. The comments position the phone as the hub that other devices connect to, with Qualcomm betting its chip business on that continuing role.

Meta has drawn attention with its Muse Charm, an AI-powered wearable described as far more than a keychain. Reports highlight five key functions the gadget can perform, positioning it as a new entry in Meta's expanding hardware lineup under Mark Zuckerberg's push into artificial intelligence devices.

Home robots such as robotic vacuum cleaners are increasingly being treated as potential sources of evidence in legal cases, raising questions about privacy and surveillance inside private homes. Commentators argue that devices mapping floor plans, recording audio or logging activity could be subpoenaed, and that laws have not kept pace with how much data these household gadgets collect.

Meta has unveiled the Muse Charm, a small wearable device described as a Tamagotchi-style companion for its AI assistant. The gadget raises questions about whether dedicated AI hardware makes sense when phones already handle assistants well. Early commentary focuses on whether people want another device to carry, or whether an always-present AI charm could change how casually users interact with AI day to day.

Apple's upcoming iOS 27 will allow users to digitize many types of physical cards directly into Apple Wallet, according to Gadget Review. The feature would let people store more of their everyday cards digitally, reducing the need to carry physical versions. Details on which cards will be supported have not yet been confirmed, and reaction so far appears limited to early coverage of the announcement.

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.

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a new audio platform that brings on-device AI processing to wireless earbuds and other audio wearables. The move signals Qualcomm's push to add smarter, locally processed features to audio devices rather than relying on cloud connectivity. Details beyond the announcement are limited so far, with tech outlets picking up the news as part of the latest wave of AI-focused gadget launches.

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.

Philips has released its next-generation Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige smart toothbrush in Europe and the US. The premium model was first announced in July with a limited launch planned for later in the year, and a broader global rollout is now expected in 2027. The new version succeeds the previous DiamondClean iteration, which remains on sale as the flagship smart brush arrives in stores.

Amazon is releasing a new lineup of Kindle e-readers, including a thinner version of its Paperwhite model. The news, flagged by blogger Jason Kottke, has drawn attention among gadget and reading enthusiasts curious about the refreshed hardware. Details on pricing, specifications and availability remain limited so far.

Swiss luxury watchmaker H. Moser & Cie. has released a new timepiece being described as an "anti-smartwatch", a deliberate statement against the feature-packed smartwatches dominating the market. The watch leans into traditional mechanical watchmaking rather than screens and connectivity. Watch media and enthusiasts are discussing it as a bold design and philosophy statement from the high-end Swiss brand.

A question-and-answer column takes up the fate of Max Factor's once-popular beauty gadgets, asking what became of the cosmetic devices the brand was known for. The item revisits the brand's history with makeup tools and invites readers to wonder whether the products disappeared from shelves or simply fell out of fashion, with no further details given beyond the question itself.

A guide ranks gadgets designed to replace screen time with simpler technology, ordering them by how little attention they demand from users. The list reflects growing interest in digital minimalism, with devices such as e-readers, basic music players and other single-purpose tools positioned as alternatives to constant smartphone use for people looking to cut back on phone habits.

PetaPixel has published a review of the Fujifilm Instax Pal 2, a tiny instant camera that the publication frames as Fujifilm's answer to the popular Charmera-style miniature cameras. The review examines how the compact Instax Pal 2 handles instant photo printing and whether it captures the same playful, pocket-sized appeal that made the Charmera trend popular. The piece is circulating among photography and gadget readers.

Tinkerers have jailbroken the first-generation Amazon Echo Spot, replacing its firmware with a custom Android skin and setting it up to report back to a PC. The modification turns Amazon's smart display into a general-purpose Android device, free of Alexa. Owners of the original model can reportedly replicate the process on their own hardware.