Whether it be on your daily commute, for work, vacation, or traveling, you’ll most likely be packing a computer, multiple chargers and other items with you. A lot of the time, what we use to actually transport our gear is nowhere near as important as the devices themselves. With Knomo’s LiveFree backpack, this couldn’t be any less true. So for those looking to add a greater sense of security to their everyday carry as well as a bit of extra functionality, look no further.
Duo is a part mirror, all computer AI device that at first look appears to be a simple 27-inch reflective surface. However, it has the ability to respond to commands and has built-in programs to assist you with your daily tasks. In addition to speaking to it, you can also touch it to play music, stream videos, control lights, play games, check the weather and basically experience your home like never before.
I’d say that today’s top 10 travel items include a portable charger for smartphones and tablets. All we want is for our phones to never lose battery. Unfortunately we can’t always be prepared with a second gadget that’s the size of our smartphone, and triple its width. What if we could purchase some extra smartphone juice from a snack machine at a mall for a few bucks?
Powrtabs is exactly what we’re describing here. Two brothers from Chicago, Steven and Nicholas Helfer, have come up with portable and disposable chargers. They understand that “these are not going to replace a portable battery brick, but they’re a lot smaller and can fit into pant pockets a lot better.”
There are a number of reasons that eBikes are just starting to hit the mainstream in the United States. Barriers to market have included weight, small batteries and a lack of consumer education. Propella, based out of Seattle, has plans to be overcome each of those roadblocks with its new second generation eBike that recently launched on Indiegogo. After launching the original version to great success last year, it hopes the new version can capture an even greater share of this expanding market by improving in a few key areas.
These day, it seems like practically anything in our homes can be connected to our smartphones. From lightbulbs, coffeemakers, beds and pillows. Pretty much if you can name an appliance, odds are that someone has a solution to add internet connectivity and smart capabilities to it. Enter Lift-bit, an app-controlled smart modular seating system.
If you consider yourself a LEGO aficionado and have been looking for an easy way to add extra effects to your creations– you may be interested in a new startup by Fx Bricks based in Ottawa, Canada. They hope the combination of novel features, ease of use, and performance will encourage you to support its Kickstarter campaign and allow them to share with you the PFx Brick.
If you have ever wanted to build your very own team of Transformers spanning the many years of character iterations the series has endured, now is your chance. We are getting a brand new Transformers game this week on mobile.
This morning, Epson announced the last addition to its lineup of home theater projectors. The new Cinema 1450 comes in at a whopping $1,500 but promises to soothe many of the issues that plague the less expensive models in this category. Epson’s latest release does that in a few different ways, most notable is the…
Back at CES 2017 Samsung unveiled its first line of OLED Ultra HDTVs, bringing a technology that was previously limited to LG’s popular sets. But starting at $2,500 puts Samsung’s high-end TVs out of reach for many. To ease the price-induced anxiety, it has today announced a new line of more affordable 4K TVs with its MU Series. Starting at $549, the new lineup features HDR capabilities across the board and a sleek, nearly bezel-less design.
Today Polar announced its newest flagship running watch, the M430. As you’d probably expect, this watch features a heart rate sensor and it supports smartphone notifications. Whether you jog every day to stay in shape or you are training to reach a goal, there’s always a way to improve the way we train.
The Polar M430 is similar to its predecessor, the M400, but it is lighter and thinner. With this new GPS watch, it’s introducing a new customized algorithms for heart rate. Since size and weight of a device can impact the results, Polar has tweaked and perfected these algorithms to ensure accurate results on the new watch. The addition of a 6-LED wrist-based heart rate monitor should be a noticeable improvement.
If you’re looking for an external SSD for use with your 12-inch MacBook, 2016 MacBook Pro or Chromebook, Western Digital’s My Passport SSD looks like it could be ideal for the job. With a USB-C connection as standard (and a USB-A adapter in the box), it will be available in a choice of three capacities …
Lego bricks are one of, if not the most beloved and well known children’s toy of all time. The minifigure has achieved great fame since being introduced and continues to become more iconic thanks to The Lego Movie and Lego Batman Movie. Lego has recently announced the 17th addition to its Collectible Minifigures series, which continues to introduce a variety of characters.
The smart speaker race is heating up with many on one of two sides: Google or Amazon. But now Clarity, a third party smart speaker, combines the best of both worlds by embracing Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a 7-inch touchscreen system running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, giving it some extra visuals and functionality that you don’t see yet from the Amazon Echo or Google Home.
Today Sony is announcing a new line of professional series Solid-State Drives. Specifically aimed at filmmakers working with 4K video and high-end hardware, these new SSD offerings are designed to take a beating, for a really long time.
Nintendo Switch has dominated the news cycle as of late, thanks in part to its continual limited availability. Its unique portable design and Zelda’s impressive reviews have made it an early favorite for one of the year’s hottest products. We loved it in our hands-on review, short of a few quirks caused by its ambitious intentions.
One of those downfalls is battery life. If you’re playing a graphic intensive game, such as Zelda, your not likely to extend the battery life much past three hours. A new project on Indiegogo has a plan to fix that very issue. SwitchCharge is an add-on accessory that delivers a 12,000mAh battery in a case that attaches directly to the handheld unit. It’s an ambitious plan, but one that has the potential to pay off big-time for hardcore users.
Everyone loves sleep. It’s not something we can function without. For many of us, it’s probably even a hobby. Waking up in the morning should be something that is handled with care so we can make it through the day. Without even realizing it, most of us sabotage ourselves by forcing our bodies to wake up unnaturally with our abrupt alarm systems.
The Sunrise Smart Pillow does a few things to solve this issue. First and foremost, it wakes you up using natural light, hence the product name. These lights are embedded safely inside the pillow on the left and right side. As a bonus, this smart pillow will even play nature sounds or your favorite music to rouse you out of bed.
Desk toys and building kits are always on our radar here at Toys. In terms of the latter, a recently launched Kickstarter campaign has caught our eye alkhich offers a new take on the classic construction set. Enter PIXIO, the building system based on multi-colored interlocking magnet plastic cubes that let you make pixelated creations and designs.
JVC is announcing a refresh to its lineup of headphones, along with some brand new offerings. We are getting neckband earbuds, Bluetooth in-ears, noise-cancelling over-ears and more.
It seems like many audio companies have become very stylish and now sell unique home speaker systems. Last week we saw Urbanears introduce its Connected Speakers which features both AirPlay and Chromecast compatibility. Those special speakers come in fun colors that make your home pop. A similar, wall-mountable, home speaker system was introduced this week.
Like the Connected Speakers, the BeoSound Shape from Band & Olufsen is an AirPlay and Chromecast enabled wireless speaker system for design-conscious music lovers. It also comes in various colors, and features hexagonal panels to create the perfect shape for a given wall in your home.
If you tend to worry about what’s going on at home when you’re away and are considering upgrading to a smart doorbell, the Canadian manufacturer dbell has started an Indiegogo campaign recently. It is offering a special discount on its latest generation of smart doorbells. The dbell HD live is a new series all-in-one video doorbell that lets you answer your door and interact with your visitors using your smartphone, tablet or Smart TV.
Gibbon Digital, a brand developed by premium, high-end studio furniture maker Buso Audio, is looking to crowd-fund its latest MIDI gadget. The Goliath is a standard MIDI controller, but don’t be fooled by its basic description, it is a much more powerful little device than it sounds.
ASUS has been on a roll lately with a steady stream of monitors hitting the market for all consumer groups. The latest of which are packed with features designed to impress gamers. Models ROG Swift PG27VQ and ROG Strix XG27VQ were unveiled at ASUS’s Berlin event in hopes of taking away from established players like LG and Dell. Head below for more.
eBikes continue to grow in popularity, which means that new models are popping up all the time. While some are from new companies wishing to throw their hat into the ring, others are from traditional bike companies like Mission Bicycle. The company’s recently launched Lyra hopes to offer an eBike that sacrifices neither form nor function.
I love my Nintendo Switch, but I’ll be the first to admit that Nintendo’s decision to play it safe with colors was a mistake. The gray looks good, the neon stands out, but I can’t tell you how quickly I would have dropped money on a red and black setup. Now Colorware is bringing that to reality, but it’s going to cost you…
Amazon announced this morning that it is launching a new service called Amazon Cash. It will allow Amazon shoppers to add cash to their Amazon.com balance just by showing a barcode at a participating retailer. The service will support adding any amount between $15 and $500 in a single transaction. Some daily limits my also be imposed depending on the retailer you use.
Drones have gotten increasingly popular over the past year or two, and they have become an amazing tool used to capture aerial shots of any event. A problem for many of us is that drones which are actually worth buying are a bit out of our price range. Spending less than $400 usually will not get you the results you are looking for.
You can soon get that perfect shot for a reasonable price with the Kudrone Smart Nano-Drone. This mini drone features 4K HD video, GPS auto-follow, an and interchangeable battery.
PicoBrew first hit the Kickstarter scene back in 2013 with the first version of its at-home craft brewing station. Since then, it has successfully shipped multiple fully-funded projects to backers. Fast forward and Pico has returned with its newest creation, the Model C, with a promise to make brewing at home “easier, more affordable and more fun” than ever before…
More devices continue to adopt USB-C charging ports, from the latest MacBook Pro, various Android phones and tablets, and even the new Nintendo Switch. The ability to charge, transfer data and power a display all through one cable is certainly not something to sneeze at. Some pain comes with these features though, a new port means additional chargers and adapters. Satechi’s latest accessory, the Travel Charger, is a low-cost solution that hopes to have you covered regardless of which device you may need to power.
Not much has changed in the world of RC cars in the last few years. But now you’ll be able to control your vehicle with the wave of your arm instead of the traditional controllers we’ve been using for decades. Virginia-based Ultigesture just launched a Kickstarter campaign for its smart toy cars that can be intuitively controlled by gestures from the wristband-wearing driver. With a few simple movements the car will drive in all directions, speed up, slow down and stop. The driver has a much more natural and connected driving experience and you don’t have to lug around a large controller.
With Opening Day just around the corner now, we have seen a number of new products, deals and more to tie in with the 2017 Major League Baseball Season. Around this time last year, Levi’s and MLB launched the Costal Rivalries Collection combining some of Levi’s most classic silhouettes with Major League Baseball’s most iconic teams: New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, L.A. Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. Today, the Levi’s X MLB line is expanding with a series of new designs and nine new teams.
If you’ve lost your phone between your car seats trying to get directions, reply to a message, or make a phone call, you may need a better companion while driving. Yes, we all know what “Hey, Siri” and “OK, Google” is, but that’s simply not something that works every time. And if your car doesn’t have CarPlay, what other options do you have?
Chris is your digital co-driver with artificial intelligence. It’s a stand-alone device that includes an app that let’s you configure Chris’s settings by your smartphone via Bluetooth, which you can then put away for the drive.
Stanley and BLACK + DECKER have partnered up for a new prosumer-focused 3D printer in hopes of finding a niche in this tricky corner of the market. Coming in at a higher price tag than many of its competitors will create some road blocks for budget-conscious shoppers. But these are two of the most established names in the hardware game and they’ve spared few features from this new release.
While we have known for some time Destiny 2 was to be unveiled soon, Bungie and Activision have now released the official reveal trailer (below). Along with a release date, we get a great look at the game, some information about the beta and the limited/collector’s editions, along with some light details on the story and more.
Device fragmentation is as big of an issue as it’s ever been. Smartphones are great for staying connected on the go, but sometimes the screen sizes just doesn’t cut it for watching movies or consuming other content. Enter Transcendent Designs’ Superscreen, an accessory to supercharge your phone with a 10.1-inch HD display.
Star-Lord and the rest of Marvel’s most unlikely group of box office super stars are not only returning to the sliver screen this year, but also our game consoles. The highly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is scheduled to hit theaters in just few month’s time, but before that we will see the release of Telltale’s GotG Series Episode 1 across just about every platform.
The problem with VR today is that it’s just not real enough. You can’t feel what your touching in a game or know when you’ve been hit in a battle. While we’re still light years away from a true holodeck like experience, Hardlight VR has just started pre-orders of what it calls the Hardlight Suit. It looks like a bulletproof vest-style garment that integrates not only feedback as you move, but also tracking of your torso and limbs.
It seems like just about every home goods category is getting the Wi-Fi treatment these days, and the grill is no exception. With summer rapidly approaching we’re beginning to catch our first glimpse of new outdoor cooking gear that will be released in the coming weeks.
One of those announcements comes from Traeger. The popular at-home smoker brand has unveiled its new Wi-Fi-enabled Timberline models that offer iOS and Android connectivity, alongside a whole host of new features…
Many of us probably want a smartwatch if we don’t already have one, which has been the new thing for quite a while. Emphasis on “want.” Some people find them very useful for working out or going for a run, so they can justify spending the money for the most part. But for the rest of us, why would we spend money on a watch that will be outdated in a year or two when we can spend the same amount on a real, timeless watch? Not to say that it isn’t convenient to have a mini extension of your phone on your wrist, but in the end many might find it to be just an expensive toy.
The Swiss-made ZeTime smartwatch may be the solution for many of us. They call it the “world’s first” smartwatch with hands over touchscreen. May not be so catchy, but definitely intriguing.
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of personal electric vehicles here at Toys. From crazy three-wheeled scooters, smart bicycle wheels and stylishly designed eBikes, we’ve pretty much covered them all. So when we came across the German-made Scrooser, we couldn’t help marvel at its stylish design.
Glu Games is a well known mobile developer with a massive selection of highly rated titles on the App Store. One highlight from the collection is the MLB Tap Sports Baseball series the company has been producing for a number of years now. It all started with the original title in 2014, followed by yearly installments in 2015 and 2016. This three titles have amassed a solid following and combine for 4+ star rating from around 50,000 gamers. So it’s no surprise that we were excited to hear about the latest entry hitting the App Store.
We live in a world where practically unlimited information is available to us at all times. We also live in a world where it is widely accepted to post our daily activities on social media. Much of our personal information, for many of us, is included in what’s available to outsiders with a few simple Google searches. Most of us probably don’t actively think about ways to prevent our sensitive data from being compromised, but maybe it’s time we do just that.
This morning, Garmin introduced a number of products, headlined by its new Forerunner 935 smartwatch. The latest creation has a focus on serious athletes looking to go beyond the basic step and calorie counter. Bad news is, it’s going to cost you…
Tuning your guitar can be very annoying, especially for beginner musicians. While there are loads of apps out there that will certainly be able to get the job done like Guitar Toolkit, Cadenza and others, there are many situations when the virtual option just won’t cut it. That’s where options like the Roadie Automatic Guitar Tuner enters the picture. It can tune you up in seconds without even touching the tuning pegs.
Beautyrest has been in the mattress game for nearly a century. Up until recently, the company has followed the mantra that a comfier bed leads to a better night’s rest. With the release of Beautyrest’s new Sleeptracker, it has begun to shift away from solely making comfortable mattress and bedding accessories. Now by incorporating technology, Beautyrest hopes to utilize sleep patterns and other data in order to help you get the best sleep possible.
V-Moda has made quite the splash lately with its unique 3D printed speaker and headphones. Today, it takes another step forward from the pack with the new Crossfade II Wireless. These Bluetooth headphones build on the popular original Crossfade cans with new tech and the same classic V-Moda look…
Netgear is expanding its line of Orbi Home Wi-Fi systems today with a pair of more affordable options. The previous generation Orbi system (RBK50) consists of two AC300 router units and released at around $400. Netgear’s latest offerings are looking to shave the price tag down a bit by dropping the AC300 service.
Urbanears is known to many as the seller of nicely designed headphones at an affordable price. Today it introduced its first two models of Connected Speakers: the Stammen and the Baggen. Named after areas in Stockholm, location of Urbanears headquarters, these speakers share the same simple, fabric-covered design.
While LG has dominated the high-end TV space with its gorgeous OLED technology there has been plenty of competition brewing at lower price points. The reality is that bargain HDTVs remain one of the most popular buys throughout the year but especially during the holidays. In an attempt to carve out an even greater market share, VIZIO is today unveiling its new 2017 D-Series Smart TV Collection that includes very attractive pricing and all of the specs you’d hope for in a bargain buy.
