Gear Bits

The TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra Is a Stunning Eye-Friendly Smartphone We Won’t See in the U.S.

It’s hard to stand out in a crowded smartphone space, but TCL has really leaned into its screen expertise and worked hard at refining the NXTPAPER experience with each generation. NXTPAPER offers a gentler screen experience where users can go from full ink display to color ink to full color, depending on their desires. The newest iteration, the TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra, is the most advanced they’ve made their versatile screens, and they’re adding AI and other productive features to go with it!


Amazfit Review: Helio Strap and Balance 2 Deliver Powerful Fitness Tracking Without the Subscription Hassle

Wearable devices are battling for every inch of space on our bodies these days. Rings, watches, armbands—if it can track your health, someone wants to strap it on you. But once you pick your preferred accessory, there’s the inevitable firehose of data streaming from its companion app. Amazfit recently sent us its new Balance 2 smartwatch and Helio Strap to test, and after spending time with both, I can confidently say: whichever you choose, you’re likely to come away impressed.


Xfinity Simplifies Home Internet Pricing to Be Simpler, Clearer, and Cheaper!

Quick question: can you guarantee your current internet price is the same price you paid last year, and will pay next year? I can’t. I’m not even 100% sure what my internet package covers; there might be a landline involved that I never activated. Xfinity recognizes that this is a common pain point in budgets everywhere, so they’ve streamlined their pricing plans and reduced the chatter!


Beat the Heat with BuBlue; the BuHybrid L6 Pool Cleaner and BuVortex V5 Skimmer Handle Summer Pool Maintenance So You Don’t Have To

If you’re in the northeastern U.S. right now, chances are you’re staying indoors to avoid being slow-cooked by the sweltering heat—unless you’re lucky enough to have a pool. But even in a heatwave, pools don’t clean themselves. That’s where the BuBlue BuBot robots come in. The BuHybrid L6 is a full-featured pool cleaning robot that scrubs floors, walls, and waterlines, while the BuVortex V5 is a surface skimmer designed to sweep away leaves, debris, and grime before it sinks. Together, they handle the dirty work so you can simply dive in and chill.






Nomad’s 10 Years of Apple Watch Sale

I’ve made no secret that I’m a huge fan of Nomad products. From my phone case, watch band, and various chargers around my home, not a day goes by that I don’t use several different products from this fantastic company. To celebrate a decade of Apple Watches, Nomad is hosting a 10th Anniversary Sale — and it’s one of their best yet. Right now, you can take $10 off all Apple Watch accessories with the code 10YEARS, and enjoy deep discounts across their entire lineup.


Husqvarna Automower iQ Series Debuts with Wire-Free EPOS Tech and Smarter Lawn Care

Husqvarna, the brand that helped popularize automated lawnmowers, is back with a standout update to its Automower line—featuring smarter, wire-free mowing with EPOS technology. The Husqvarna Automower iQ Series features Exact Positioning Operating System (EPOS) technology for boundary wire-free operation, which is a game changer for homeowners looking for a more streamlined setup  Depending on the model, iQ Series robotic lawnmowers can handle slopes ranging from 25% to 50% at the boundary and 50% to 70% within the mowing area  Prices start at $2,999.99.




The Hunt Pro Is a Pocket-Sized EDC Powerhouse That Offers More Than Just Light

The Hunt Pro is making waves on Kickstarter by offering more than a standard pocket flashlight; it’s a practical, compact EDC companion for everyday tasks and adventures. With prices starting at £59 (about $75), it provides five different LED colors and eleven light modes, including SOS and beacon functions, so there is a setting for just about any situation. It also features a built-in pry bar that can handle those pesky chores, like opening a paint can or popping a bottle cap, without resorting to knife blades or other improvised methods.



Qualcomm Introduces Snapdragon 6 Gen 4: A Smarter, Faster Mobile Platform for Gamers, Creators, and Multitaskers

If you’re looking for a smartphone that can keep up with your daily grind—whether that means gaming with smoother graphics, streaming without annoying buffering, or snapping crystal-clear photos—Qualcomm‘s latest chip might be exactly what you need. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 Mobile Platform promises faster performance, better battery life, and built-in AI features that make everyday tasks feel more seamless.


MIXX Analog System 5 Offers The Full Vinyl Experience Without Any Hassle

For those who love the warm, rich sound of vinyl but don’t want to deal with the complicated setup of traditional turntables, MIXX has just dropped a solid solution. The Analog System 5 is a complete vinyl playback system that combines a high-quality turntable with powerful 50W wireless speakers—so you can start enjoying your records right out of the box, with no extra components needed.


UPDATED: OnePlus Watch 3 Debuts February 18 with Sleek Design and 16-Day Battery Life

If you’ve been waiting for a smartwatch that looks as good as it performs, OnePlus has something new on the horizon. The OnePlus Watch 3 is set to launch on February 18 in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and it’s bringing a combination of classic design, improved durability, and impressive battery life. Available in two colors—Emerald Titanium and Obsidian Titanium—this premium smartwatch keeps OnePlus’s signature look while upgrading materials and performance. Whether tracking workouts, managing notifications, or wanting a watch that won’t die on you after a day or two, the OnePlus Watch 3 is built to keep up.


Dbrand Aperture for Apple Vision Pro: The Accessory You Didn’t Know You Needed (Because You Probably Don’t Own a Vision Pro)

Apple’s Vision Pro has been out for a minute now, and while it’s undoubtedly an impressive piece of hardware, I think we can agree that it also firmly cements its wearers in the “I have more money than sense” club. At $3,500, you’d think Apple would throw in a carrying case that doesn’t look like a discount lunchbox, but here we are. Enter the dbrand Aperture—a faceplate so unapologetically odd-looking that it somehow makes perfect sense.



The Majority D100 Bookshelf Speakers Offer a Stylish, High-Performance Upgrade to Your Audio Setup

If you’re looking to upgrade your home audio without overcomplicating your setup, the Majority D100 Bookshelf Speakers could be just what you need. Offering a powerful 100-watt output, three-driver sound system, and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, these speakers deliver crisp, detailed audio that fills the room—whether you’re diving into your favorite albums, watching a movie, or leveling up your gaming experience.


Xfinity’s Ultra-Low Lag Internet: Faster Than a Blink, Ready for Gaming, FaceTime, and More!

I recently tried to explain how dial-up internet worked to my preteen child. He was fascinated and horrified by the idea that YouTube didn’t exist because the internet took 10 minutes to download a picture. Xfinity remembers those days, and they also know that the bar for internet performance is much higher now. That’s why they’re rolling out new ultra-low lag internet connectivity for real-time applications like gaming, video conferencing, and mixed reality.