Smart Speakers

TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra

Events, 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!

Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL

News & Features

Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL Brings the Party Home with Bright Beats and Vivid Vibes

If your home is your happy place and you like your lighting to do more than just illuminate, the Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL might be your new favorite sidekick. This isn’t just a lamp; it’s a portable, rechargeable, full-on sensory experience designed to blend color, music, and atmosphere into one compact, stylish package. Whether you’re throwing a Friday night hangout or winding down after a long day, this smart lamp knows how to set the mood without you lifting more than a finger, or maybe just saying, “Hey Alexa.”

OPPO Find N5 inner display

News & Features

OPPO Find N5: The Slim, Water-Resistant, Foldable Smartphone That Redefines Everyday Usability

Foldable smartphones are real-world transformers—you get the portability of a regular slab phone for everyday tasks, but when you need more screen real estate, the tablet-sized inner display is right there. In theory, foldables are the best of both worlds. In practice, many struggle with bulk, awkwardly sized front displays, and durability concerns. I have considered the OnePlus Open the best foldable for the US market since 2023. With OnePlus skipping a new foldable release again this year, it only makes sense to turn to its sibling company, OPPO, and its latest foldable, the OPPO Find N5.

TCL NXTPAPER 4 on the NXTPAPER 11

Events, News & Features

From NXTPAPER 4 to Affordable 5G: TCL’s Latest Tech Innovations Redefine Eye Comfort and Connectivity

TCL is proving they’re more than just a leader in TVs. With the affordable yet powerful TCL 60 series smartphones, the groundbreaking NXTPAPER 4 technology setting new standards for eye comfort, and innovative devices like portable projectors and 5G connectivity tools, TCL is redefining how you stay connected and entertained. Whether it’s the NXTPAPER 11 tablet, the budget-friendly K32 5G phone, or the versatile PLAYCUBE projector, TCL continues to deliver cutting-edge solutions for work, play, and everything in between.

Sonos Prime Day Deals Offers up to 29% Off on Some of Their Most Popular Speakers

Deals

Sonos Prime Day Deals Offers up to 29% Off on Some of Their Most Popular Speakers

As I’ve shared many times, I am a long-time Sonos fan, and I really enjoy using their audio products. At home, we have at least one of their speakers in each room, their soundbars are connected to our televisions, and their new Roam 2 portable speaker is fantastic. With Sonos Prime Day Deals, you can save up to 29% on some of their most popular speakers.

Amazon Echo Show 15 Review: Much More Than a Beautiful Smart Digital Photo Frame

Reviews

Amazon Echo Show 15 Review: Much More Than a Beautiful Smart Digital Photo Frame

If you are using an Amazon Alexa smart speaker to control your home’s various connected features, adding an Alexa-enabled smart display to the mix seems like the obvious next step. Built with the user’s privacy in mind, the Amazon Echo Show 15 is a convergent device that functions not only as an elegant touchscreen smarthome hub but also as a convenient family communication center, a mesmerizing 15.6″ digital photo frame, a helpful cooking companion, a smart speaker, a movie and video entertainment center, a home security camera, and more!

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential with Squid Ambient Light Dock

Gear Bits, Events

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential Gains Alexa and Ambient Light Docks

Sure, your home is smart, but it can always be a little bit smarter. It’s the little things that make smart objects more useful, and Lenovo understands that smarter items need great design as well as intelligence to become integral to your everyday life. That’s why they’re rolling out the new Lenovo Smart Clock Essential with Amazon Alexa alongside some new ambient light docks for it.

ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 TV Speaker Boosts Dialogue and Clarifies Voices

News & Features

ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 TV Speaker Boosts Dialogue and Clarifies Voices

We’ve reviewed quite a few ZVOX soundbars, and one thing I have always appreciated about them is how they use technology to make it easier to understand what people are saying onscreen — even when explosions are happening in the background. Their latest is the ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 TV Speaker, and it adds the power of Alexa to their already powerful speakers.

Head Back-to-School with Our Big Lenovo Giveaway

News & Features

Head Back-to-School with Our Big Lenovo Giveaway

Need a little something to perk up your back to school experience? We’ve got you! Lenovo has sent us a huge box of giveaway items that are looking for new homes, and we can’t wait to share them with you! Entry is easy, and if you are one of our lucky winners, one of these prizes will soon be in your hands.

Nest Hub Max Is the Smart Assistant to Beat

Reviews

Nest Hub Max Is the Smart Assistant to Beat

As I’ve written in recent months, I’m deeply entrenched in Amazon’s Alexa voice services but I’m slowly being won over by Google’s offerings. I reviewed a JBL smart speaker last year (read my review) and Google’s Nest Mini last month (read my review). I’ve had a chance to play with the Google Nest Hub Max, and I have to admit that I’m impressed.

Google Nest Mini Is Small but Mighty Connectivity for Your Home

Reviews

Google Nest Mini Is Small but Mighty Connectivity for Your Home

I’ve been all-in with Amazon’s Alexa smart devices since they first came on the scene. In recent months, however, devices leveraging Google’s smart assistant have been winning me over. The new Google Nest Mini is, in part, responsible for that. It is under $50, sounds surprisingly good, and it lets you control your home and more using only your voice.

Gear Diary's Best of IFA 2019 Awards

Events

Gear Diary’s Best of IFA 2019 Awards

  Berlin’s annual IFA show is the largest consumer electronics event in Europe with “more digital lifestyle products in one place than any other show worldwide.” After walking the show floor, sitting in on private pre-briefings, standing inside packed press conferences, and attending media-only showcase events, these are the items we’ve chosen for Gear Diary’s Best of IFA 2019 Awards.