Articles by Julie Strietelmeier


MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000 AWD Robotic Lawn Mower Review

When it comes to robotic mowers, I’m late to the party. I only reviewed my first one (the Navimow i2) a few months ago. That mower made me a huge fan of robot mowers, and since I live on 12 acres, I figured I’d review another one. Today, we’re putting the MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000 AWD Robotic Lawn Mower to the test to see if it can handle my somewhat rugged/rustic lawn.


AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L Review: An EKG Device in Your Pocket

If you have ever wanted an EKG device that fits in a drawer, travels in a bag, or takes up almost no space in a suitcase or pocket, the AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L is an interesting little gadget. It is a mobile six-lead EKG device, but it doesn’t look like the medical equipment most of us picture when we think about checking heart health. Let’s check it out.


ORICO MG7 8-in-1 Magnetic Hub Review: A Handy iPhone Dock with One Hot Issue

I’ve tested plenty of USB-C hubs and portable SSDs, but the ORICO MG7 8-in-1 Magnetic Hub takes an interesting approach by combining both ideas into one little MagSafe-compatible accessory. This compact aluminum square sticks to the back of an iPhone (or any MagSafe-compatible phone/case), adds a collection of useful ports, and has room inside for an optional M.2 NVMe SSD.


Ruko R1 Mini Robot Dog Review: A Cute, No-App Robot Toy for Kids

I love robots, and I love dogs. Put the two together, and you get advanced models from companies like Boston Dynamics or toy-sized versions for kids, like the Ruko R1 Mini Robot Dog, which I’m going to show you today. It is designed to be a fun distraction rather than a serious robotics project, and its main goal is to make children laugh with movements, sound effects, flips, dances, and a handful of doggy behaviors. Let’s take it for a walk and see if it earns a spot in the toy box.


NiWalker N50S Flashlight Review: An EDC Flashlight with 2 Crazy Features

The NiWalker N50S is a compact rechargeable flashlight that can switch between a short one-battery setup and a longer configuration with a larger battery. That flexibility makes it an appealing everyday-carry option. After using it around the house, including a lights-out stairway test, I was impressed by its solid build, simple controls, and strong output. It is a dependable flashlight that performs as expected, though most people will likely prefer leaving it in the larger, longer-lasting configuration.


RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring Review: The Smart Ring for People Who’d Rather Skip the Smartwatch

I’ve reviewed quite a few smart rings over the years, and while I love checking out new designs and new features, I always ended up shelving the ring in my review sample cabinet. Not because I didn’t like them, but because wearing a smart ring AND my Apple Watch felt like overkill. Today we’re going to take a look at the RingConn Gen 3 smart ring. After a month, is it still on my finger? Let’s find out.


SONOFF Has Four New Smart Home Devices for IFA 2026, Including a Camera That Watches Through Your Window

SONOFF is bringing four new products to IFA 2026, expanding its open smart home ecosystem with new options for heating, security and automation. The lineup includes a second-generation smart radiator valve, a connected thermostat for hydronic heating and boilers, a camera designed to watch outdoor areas from inside the home, and a Zigbee indoor siren. These products show how SONOFF is moving beyond individual smart devices toward a more connected home, while still supporting multiple protocols and popular platforms. For homeowners building or upgrading a smart home, the new lineup offers practical ways to automate everyday routines.


New Lexar Muse Ultra Thin Portable SSD for iPhone Unveiled at IFA

Lexar is using IFA 2026 to introduce the Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD, a card-like external drive that the company says is the world’s thinnest portable SSD. It is designed for mobile creators who want fast storage without turning an iPhone or iPad setup into a mess of cables and bulky accessories. The launch also comes as Lexar celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026. The company is using IFA to show how its storage business is expanding beyond familiar consumer memory products into mobile creator tools, local AI storage, commercial PCs, and automotive applications.


Noise Master Buds Open Earbuds Bring Bose-Tuned Open-Ear Audio to IFA

Noise is expanding its premium Master Series lineup with a new kind of earbuds: the Master Buds Open. Unveiled at IFA Berlin 2026, these are clip-on open-ear earbuds developed with Sound by Bose Technology. Instead of fitting inside and sealing the ear canal like traditional true wireless earbuds, the Master Buds Open are designed to sit around the ear. The idea is simple: you can listen to music, podcasts, or calls while still hearing the world around you.


Circular Ring 3 Pro and Slim Debut at IFA 2026 With Tap-to-Pay, Haptics, and Up to 12-Day Battery Life

Smart rings have become an interesting alternative to smartwatches for people who want health and wellness tracking without wearing a screen on their wrist. At IFA 2026, Circular is taking that idea further with two new models: the Circular Ring 3 Pro and Circular Ring 3 Slim. The new rings combine health tracking with NFC contactless payments, letting users track their wellness while leaving their phone and wallet in their pocket. Circular is also bringing back one of its more distinctive features: haptic vibrations that can provide discreet alerts directly from the ring.


The Narwal Freo 20, Freo 20 Edge, and V50 Cube Bring Smarter, More Hands-Off Cleaning

Narwal is heading to IFA with three new cleaning products that span two very different categories: two robot vacuum and mop combos, plus a compact cordless stick vacuum. The new Narwal Freo 20 and Freo 20 Edge bring the company’s continuously self-cleaning FlowWash track-mop approach to lower price points, while the V50 Cube features a small, hands-off auto-empty dock that also stores its accessories.


Crossrope Ropeless AMP Set Review: Who Needs a Rope When You Can Still Feel the Burn?

I’ll admit it: when I first heard about a “ropeless” jump rope, I wondered what the point was. Isn’t the rope kind of the whole idea? But after trying the Crossrope Ropeless AMP Set, I started to see the appeal. You still get the motion and resistance of jumping rope, but without needing coordination or even needing to jump! That sounded like a pretty good deal to me! I’ve been using the Crossrope Ropeless system to see how it works, how it feels, and whether it can actually deliver a worthwhile workout without the rope.


Wuben E2 Pulse Flashlight Review: A Tiny EDC Flashlight for Your Keychain

The Wuben E2 Pulse flashlight is one of those little gadgets that makes you smile when you first pick it up because it’s so tiny. But this is not merely a cute keychain accessory. It is a rechargeable everyday-carry flashlight with a front beam, side lighting, red-and-blue emergency-style flashing, a magnetic tail, and a quick-release chain attachment.


K-Swiss Women’s Wild Run Trail Running Shoes Review

The K-Swiss Women’s Wild Run Trail Running Shoes are designed for people who want a comfortable, capable shoe for getting outside without necessarily needing something built for technical mountain trails. Whether you are walking through a park, taking a dirt path, walking on a gravel driveway, or navigating uneven grass, roots, mud, and rocks, these shoes offer the traction and cushioning needed for everyday outdoor adventures. I tested the women’s size 10, which is my usual size, and found them comfortable right from the start. They are lightweight, stable, and nicely suited for casual trail walking and light trail running.


BALOLO Setup Cockpit Review: A Pricey but Brilliant Desk Upgrade That Tames Tech Clutter

My office is my happy place, but even a happy place can get a little too cluttered. Between a widescreen monitor, MacBook, iPad, Stream Deck, phone charger, pens, journals, cables, and assorted little trinkets and gadgets, my desk was functional but definitely not tidy. The BALOLO Setup Cockpit was designed to fix exactly that problem. Let’s see if this luxury upgrade has made my desk setup more functional and fun.


GardePro X66 Pro Cellular Trail Camera Review: Keep an Eye on Wildlife Where Wi-Fi Doesn’t Reach

I live on 12 wooded acres in southern Indiana and enjoy spotting wildlife such as deer, turkeys, possums, raccoons, coyotes, and even a bobcat, which my American bobtail cat, Ozzy, once chased away. I use several trail cameras, but my property is too spread out for every camera to reach home WiFi. The GardePro X66 Pro cellular trail camera solves that problem: it doesn’t need WiFi, only access to a supported cellular network.


EPOMAKER Glyph Keyboard Review: A Mechanical Keyboard with Retro Typewriter Vibes

I’ve reviewed dozens of keyboards over the years, and I continue to look for unique features in new keyboards that make me want to accept offers to review them. Today we’re going to take a look at the EPOMAKER Glyph keyboard. I accepted the offer to review this one mainly because of its looks. The Glyph gives a modern twist to a keyboard that has a retro style. Does this one just have a pretty face, or does it offer a true benefit over all the other mechanical keyboards on the market? Let’s answer those questions and more.


SJCAM SJ30 8K Dual-Lens Action Camera Review: Can It Compete with the Big Boys?

I enjoy testing small cameras to see whether they can replace or augment my iPhone for capturing video content. Most of the time, I rely solely on my iPhone, but other times I want a dedicated camera. I’ve reviewed many SJCAM cameras over the years, and while they are well-made and easy to use, they haven’t been quite good enough to earn a permanent spot in my camera toolbox. When the offer to review the new SJCAM SJ30 8K Dual-Lens Action Camera came in, I was curious enough to accept. Will this one be the best SJCAM yet? Let’s find…


GardePro Link 1.0 Long-Range WiFi Trail Camera Review: The Trail Camera System I Liked Enough to Buy More of Myself

Keeping an eye on wildlife, livestock, gardens, or the far corners of a large property usually means choosing between a standard WiFi trail camera with limited range or a cellular camera with an ongoing data plan. The GardePro Link 1.0 system offers a third option. It uses a dedicated Link hub connected to a home router, then creates a long-range wireless connection to compatible GardePro R3 Pro trail cameras. Let’s install it and see how it performs.


The New Satechi ChargeView 240W Desktop Charger Powers Six Devices While Showing Exactly Where Every Watt Goes

Satechi is back with a bigger, more capable version of one of its more interesting charging ideas. The new Satechi ChargeView 240W Desktop Charger builds on the company’s earlier 140W model, but this time the focus is squarely on users who have gone well beyond charging a single laptop and phone at the same time. For anyone running a desk full of gear, the extra headroom should make this new model a much more compelling option.