Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford

OPPO's Bold Plan: Making Generative AI-Powered Phones Accessible to 50 Million Users in 2024

Events

OPPO’s Bold Plan: Making Generative AI-Powered Phones Accessible to 50 Million Users in 2024

AI is everywhere, but it is particularly useful in smartphones because it powers features like virtual assistants, improved photography, battery management, and personalized content. It boosts security with facial recognition, offers real-time translation, improves text prediction, tracks health metrics, and enhances accessibility, making smartphones more intuitive and efficient. But sometimes, budget phones miss out on all of these features. With that in mind, OPPO has announced its plan to make AI-powered smartphones even more accessible by bringing generative AI features to around 50 million users this year.

MediaTek Dimensity 7300X

Gear Bits

MediaTek Dimensity 7300 and 7300X Chipsets Will Bring Enhanced AI, Gaming, and Photography to Foldables and More

The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 and 7300X chipsets have just been announced with an emphasis on making smartphones even faster and more efficient. These new chipsets use advanced technology that makes them more power-efficient and boosts their overall performance. The Dimensity 7300X is specifically tailored for foldable phones, allowing it to support smartphones with two screens.

Gear Diary's 2024 Father's Day Gift Guide: Make Your Dad Feel Extra Special with One of Our Picks!

Gift Guides & Round-Ups

Gear Diary’s 2024 Father’s Day Gift Guide: Make Your Dad Feel Extra Special with One of Our Picks!

Father’s Day is June 16th, and it’s the perfect excuse to show appreciation for the special men in our lives. Whether your dad is a tech enthusiast, an outdoor adventurer, a gourmet chef, or a homebody who loves comfort, finding the ideal gift is a great way to express your gratitude. Our 2024 Father’s Day Gift Guide includes thoughtful and unique gifts from the latest gadgets and stylish accessories to practical tools and gear; you’re sure to find something that will make your Dad’s day special.

DrinkingWater Is an Affordable Atmospheric Water Dispenser That Creates up to 5 Gallons of Water from Air

Crowdfunding, News & Features

DrinkingWater Is an Affordable Atmospheric Water Dispenser That Creates up to 5 Gallons of Water from Air

If you live in an area with an unstable or unsafe water supply, where clean water is not guaranteed for drinking and cooking, you might think that bottled water is your only option. However, another method has been proven to work: Atmospheric water generation (AWG), which creates potable water from the air. The systems that can do this are generally expensive, but DrinkingWater, which is now seeking backing on Indiegogo, is offering a solution that can put this technology to work in your home for as little as $329.

Home lit up with Jasco Eternity Lights

Gear Bits

Hang Enbrighten Eternity Lights Once, and You’ll Enjoy Permanent Outdoor Accent and Holiday Lighting Year-Round

There’s something magical about lighted neighborhoods during the holidays. Whether the lights are a minimalistic white or an over-the-top cha-cha display, I love looking at their festive effect. Even so, I’ve never strung lights on my own home; I’ve always thought that doing so would be a hassle, especially since you have to remove them a month or so later and have a safe place to store them. But the new  Enbrighten Eternity Lights are making me rethink my stance; they are permanent outdoor LED lights that, once installed, remain in place year-round, providing many outside lighting options.

The author's husband wearing the Withings ScanWatch Nova.

Reviews, Health and Fitness

Withings ScanWatch Nova Review: The Ultimate Dive-Style Hybrid Watch Gets Even Better

In 2022, I reviewed the Withings ScanWatch Horizon. I called it the perfect combination of the chunky stainless diving-style watches that I love with the added benefit of accurate, advanced health-metrics tracking that even the most expensive diving-style watches can’t provide. Two years later, the Horizon has been refreshed as the Withings ScanWatch Nova. As you’ll see, the Nova is a very handsome hybrid smartwatch that gathers accurate health-tracking metrics while looking stylish. But, of course, Withings has added even more features to make the latest luxury ScanWatch even more compelling.

Stock image of the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+.

Gear Bits

MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ Is the Latest Flagship Mobile Chip for Enhanced AI Experiences

MediaTek has just announced its newest flagship mobile chip, the Dimensity 9300+, joining the Dimensity lineup. The MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ boasts increased clock speeds and is specifically crafted to elevate on-device generative artificial intelligence (AI) processing capabilities. With broader support for Large Language Models (LLMs) and various performance enhancements, it offers an enhanced user experience over its predecessor, the Dimensity 9300.

SKYWORTH Companion Portable Google TV shown on a campsite

Gear Bits

SKYWORTH Companion Portable Google TV Is a Battery-Powered 24″ Television That Can Be Used Almost Anywhere

Have you ever wished you had a smart television that could be taken just about anywhere? Whether you’d like to watch movies while camping on a device that could also function as a presentation display or wish you had an easy-to-move TV that could be used in any room of the house but also be self-powered for chilling on the back deck while keeping up with your favorite sports, the SKYWORTH Companion Portable Google TV (24P100) has got you covered.

Withings ScanWatch Light

Gift Guides & Round-Ups

Gear Diary’s 2024 Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Ideas to Help You Spoil the Most Important Mom — Yours!

May 12th is Mother’s Day, and if you’re stumped on what to get her, we’re here to help with a plethora of thoughtful gifts! Whether Mom is a culinary queen, a wellness enthusiast, a fashion maven, or a bookworm, we’ve got you covered with gifts for every budget. So dive into our 2024 Mother’s Day Gift Guide; we’re positive you’ll discover the perfect present that will warm Mom’s heart and make her feel seen.

Beatbot Aquasense Pro submerging into the pool.

Outdoors, Reviews

Beatbot Aquasense Pro Review: Spend Less Time Cleaning Your Pool and More Time Enjoying It

Pool season is fast approaching, and if you’re in charge of keeping yours clean, the Beatbot Aquasense Pro will help you keep it in tip-top shape with minimal effort. Keeping our pool clean and ready to swim in is my husband Kev’s domain; when I was offered an Aquasense Pro to try, Kev was intrigued. After using it for over a month, I figured it was time to let you all know how it’s been going. Long story short, this pool-cleaning robot has made his life (and, consequently, my life) so much easier.

Morel Audio Biggie Wireless Portable Speaker

Gear Bits

Morel BIGGIE Portable Speaker Provides Impressive Wireless Sound in a Stylish Package

Morel, known for its premium speaker designs, has introduced its latest innovation, the BIGGIE portable speaker. Designed to deliver impressive audio performance in a compact, stylish form, the Morel BIGGIE is crafted for accurate bass and clear high frequencies. Integrated advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology further enhances sound quality, promising a powerful and immersive listening experience despite the speaker‘s compact size.

Yale Approach with Keypad Hero

Gear Bits

Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi and Yale Keypad Offer Easy DIY Smart Security Options for Renters

Today, Yale has introduced its first retrofit smart security solution, which will make the brand’s security products available for the first time to most US renters. The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi and the wireless Yale Keypad are designed with first-time users, renters, and those hesitant to modify their locks in mind; these products promise an affordable, top-tier, and user-friendly solution, with a myriad of access options for key-free convenience.

Samsung EVO Select and EVO Plus microSD cards.

Gear Bits

Samsung EVO Select and EVO Plus microSD Cards Bring More Storage at Faster Speeds

Gamers and those who keep a lot of media on their devices will appreciate the latest Samsung EVO Select and EVO Plus microSD cards, which feature enhanced speeds and expanded storage. These new cards can deliver up to 23% faster transfer speeds than their predecessors, clocking in with speeds up to 160 MB/s. Notably, this lineup includes introducing 1TB capacity microSD cards, a storage capacity previously reserved for Samsung SSDs.

Child using the Simple Spread to get peanut butter out of a jar.

Gear Bits

Simple Spread Is a Clever Lid-Mounted Spreader for Peanut Butter and More

Imagine this: you’re making a quick sandwich, reaching for that jar of peanut butter or mayo, and instead of fumbling for a knife and a plate, you simply twist open the lid and start spreading. That’s the magic of the Simple Spread — a nifty invention that turns your jar lid into a spreading tool, making snack time and meal prep a breeze.

The back of the Xiaomi 14 in the included case.

Reviews

Xiaomi 14 Review: A Perfectly Pocketable Flagship Smartphone

Not everyone wants to wrangle a larger smartphone, so it’s always nice to find a slightly smaller flagship, like the Xiaomi 14, that doesn’t feel like a compromise. It boasts all the bells and whistles, including a top-of-the-line processor, a stunning AMOLED display with a dynamic refresh rate, super thin bezels around the display, all-day battery life with fast wired and wireless charging, and an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. Xiaomi’s partnership with photography icon Leica is also a 14 feature, with its Summilux optical lenses, 75mm floating telephoto lens, and Leica photo tuning. Intrigued? Well, let’s dig in!

Astronaut holding Astronaut Food freeze dried ice cream on the moon

Gear Bits

Astronaut Foods Can Make Your 2024 Eclipse Safe and Tasty

Get ready to mark your calendars because a rare celestial event is on the horizon! The last time North America witnessed a solar eclipse was back in 2017, and we won’t get another chance until 2044. But on Monday, April 8th, skygazers in parts of the US will be treated to an awe-inspiring sight. What better way to get kids interested in science and space exploration? Astronaut Foods, known for its freeze-dried ice cream and fruit, is stepping up to make this celestial celebration one to remember.

Front view of the Nomad Titanium Band.

Deals

Cross-Promotional Spring Sale: Limited Time Deals from Nomad, Nanoleaf, Camp Chef, BYLT Basics, and Toad&Co

Nomad is a long-time Gear Diary favorite, and we’ve just got word that they’ve teamed up with four other sites to offer a cross-promotional sale with great incentives when you shop at Nomad, Nanoleaf, Camp Chef, BYLT Basics, and Toad&Co. Read on to find out why this is a great time to see if any of your gear needs updating—the price is right, but the sale will be over on Sunday!

ThinkPad L13 2-in-1 Gen 5 Black Intel Flexibility and Adaptability

News & Features

Lenovo ThinkPad L Series and X Series Business Laptops Focus on Performance, Efficiency, and Sustainability

If you’ve been holding off on buying a new business laptop, you’ll want to take a look at the upcoming Lenovo ThinkPad L and the ThinkPad X13 series. Reflecting Lenovo‘s ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability, these laptops boast enhanced repairability, increased use of recycled materials, efficient power management, and robust processing capabilities with built-in security and manageability tools.