Philips brings its massive 40-inch Curved 4K Monitor to the US, available now for purchase

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Philips has announced that it will be bringing its mammoth 40-inch 4K Curved Display to the United States market. This move comes after it was first revealed back at IFA in September and subsequently released in Europe. The $999.99 monitor is now available at Amazon for purchase. Despite not including forward-thinking inputs like USB-C, this display has a lust-worthy design and enough real estate for content creators to work without restriction.

The curved display is able to push out a 3840 x 2160 resolution, offering one of the few ultra wide 4K workspaces on the market today. On the backside, users will have access to VGA, DisplayPort (2) and both HDMI 1.4 and 2.0 inputs. Thankfully, at this price tag Philips is including a four-port USB 3.0 hub that includes one fast-charging output. At $300 less than LG’s troubled UltraFine 5K display, this new option from Philips might be a viable option for Mac users, if you can get past the lack of USB-C. You can pre-order the Philips 40-inch 4K Curved Monitor at Amazon today for $999.99.

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WaterField debuts its new leather/ballistic nylon Nintendo Switch carrying cases, available for pre-order now

WaterField has designed a pair of new Nintendo Switch accessories that leave most of the cheaper third party options in the dust. Known for its use of robust and rugged materials, WaterField has extended its design principles to the new City Slicker and Multiplayer Pro bags.

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Volta eBike pairs stylish design with impressive range, fitness tracking features

Pure Cycle’s latest creation, Volta, hopes to be the “smartest eBike ever.” Recently launching on Kickstarter, Volta delivers a top-notch eBike in a sleek and budget-friendly design. It only weights 35 lbs, but provides 40 miles per change along with a variety of features.

Volta comes in black and white finishes and is available with either belt or chain driven options. It sports four different riding modes, so if you need to be somewhere in a hurry, or want to stretch the battery life, Volta has you covered. It also supports built-in fitness tracking for monitoring how many calories you’ve burned, or how many miles you’ve traveled. And with anti-theft GPS tracking, you’ll never have to worry about losing your ride. Volta is available to back now on Kickstarter at the starting price of $1,499. While it has met its funding goal, there’s still 38 days until the campaign ends. If all goes well, the bike will be shipping sometime of May later this year.

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Goal Zero begins shipping its new Yeti Lithium Power Stations, blending portable energy with a big price tag

Goal Zero first unveiled its upgraded line of Yeti Lithium Power Stations back at CES 2017, but details were somewhat sparse at the time. Flash forward to March, and the new renewable energy generators are ready to ship to the general public. This includes the Yeti 400 and 1400 Lithium models that ditch the old-school lead-acid batteries. The former retails for $699.99 with 428Wh of capacity while the latter comes in at $1,999.99 and 1425Wh. Both are quite expensive in comparison to competitors on the market like Anker’s PowerHouse, which is currently on sale for $400 (Reg. $500).

The Yeti 400 Lithium includes three 2.4A USB ports, dual 110V AC and 12V outputs. Comparably, the larger 1400 tosses in an extra USB port, but mainly uses its extra real estate for the battery pack. Both models are capable of being charged via an AC outlet or solar panels (not included). Thankfully, both models come in at significantly less weight than the previous generation. Goal Zero rates its lithium batteries for up to 18-months of shelf-life in between charges. While it’s nice to see the change from lead-acid to modern day alternatives, Goal Zero is admittedly late to the game here. None the less, we’re all for the expansion of alternative energy.

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Fitbit showcases new Alta fitness tracker with Heart Rate Monitoring, adds sleep data to its other wearables

Nearly a year after Fibit first announced the Alta Fitness tracker, it’s unveiling a new model with heart rate monitoring built-in. It’s nearly identical to the previous generation in looks until you flip it over. That’s where you’ll find all of the new sensors that will monitor your heart rate throughout the day and make suggestions about how to burn the most calories. Fitbit is expecting around seven days of use on a full charge which is a smaller improvement over the previous generation. The new heart rate-friendly model will retail for $150 in standard finishes or $180 for metal finishes like Rose Gold when it hits shelves next month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G2lqvZmNz4

Today’s Fitbit announcement also brings a big upgrade to the Blaze and Charge 2. A software update via mobile will soon enable Sleep Stage tracking that notes the quality and duration of your slumber. This is something that Apple Watch continues to struggle with, so today’s move puts Fitbit in a stronger position for those interested in sleep data.

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Beoncam is a removable 360-degree camera that sits on your wrist

The Beoncam 360 Wrist Camera recently hit Indiegogo claiming to be the first watch of its kind to sport a 360-degree camera system. With growing interest in virtual reality and capturing life on-the-go, it’s no surprise this campaign has nearly reached its goal in just a few days. Currently a pledge of $119 will deliver a unit in July that is not only capable of shooting video and still images, but will also live stream “at a moment’s notice.”

Inside the wristwatch, you’ll find a 360-degree lens, a microphone and speaker plus enough battery to survive four days on standby on a single charge. Beoncam is designed with active lifestyles in-mind, think GoPro users. The 5MP panoramic camera connects with your iOS or Android device, giving remote control over the camera. Without a doubt, the ability to capture 360-degree video on-the-go has it perks for the adventurous type.

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The Mondo+ smart wireless speaker is the ‘world’s first’ Chromecast-powered internet radio

Grace Digital’s latest product hopes to provide the ultimate package in terms of wireless speakers. The Mondo+ recently launched on Kickstarter and combines internet radio with Chromecast integration and other smart features.

Not only does it have Chromecast integration, but also Google Assistant control, so you play audio by just using your voice. Multiple speakers can be synced together to provide a multi-room audio experience. The speaker’s full color display makes it easy to navigate through menus, tweak settings and showcase your music’s album artwork. It has all the typical inputs you would expect like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3.5mm jack, but also a USB port for playing audio from flash drives. Mondo+ can currently be backed on Kickstarter starting at the early bird special price of $150. The speaker has reached a little less than half of its funding goal, but still has 28 days to go in the campaign. If all goes well, Mondo+ will be shipping to backers sometime this April.

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Bang & Olufsen’s new Beolit 17 Bluetooth Speaker is packed with power and beautiful design

Bang and Olufsen has revealed the newest addition to its line of lavish speakers with the Beolit 17. Designed with its classic Scandinavian style at the forefront, B&O continues its trend of high-class style married with outstanding audio. The Beolit 17 is a followup to the previous released Beolit 15, which we loved for its booming sound and Apple-friendly looks. A rugged outer casing, aluminum grille and leather handle highlight the list of visual features on B&O’s latest speaker.

But what has really caught our attention is the all-day battery life. Quite literally. The new Beolit 17 has 24 hours of battery life, which is a welcome addition given its $499 price tag. Much like the previous generation, it has a 360-degree design that is pushed by 240W of power. Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity is used for EQ customization and access to other features thanks to the BeoPlay app. Bang & Olufsen has also opted to drop the proprietary charging cord for USB-C on its latest release. The Beolit 17 is available for purchase today in Natural or Stone Grey for $499.

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LEGO is unveiling new ‘Women of NASA’ minifigs featuring notable scientists and astronauts

Watch out LEGO fans, a new line of minifigs featuring the Women of NASA is coming down the line later this year. Designed by MIT News editor Maia Weinstock, this five-figure set will feature some of the biggest (and most groundbreaking) female astronauts in our space program’s history. Here are the five ladies that will be recreated by LEGO (as shown in the image above): Margaret Hamilton, Katherine Johnson, Sally Ride, Nancy Grace Roman and Mae Jemison.

Johnson was of course recently portrayed in the hit movie Hidden Figures by Taraji P. Henson and Ride was the first woman to ever travel in space. Weinstock used the LEGO Ideas program to bring this life-like set to fruition, in hopes that it would inspire girls to pursue a career in the sciences. Over the coming months, LEGO will finalize the design and is expected to begin shipping late this year or in early 2018.

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Moondrop is the gravity-defying fidget desk toy that’s perfect for space fans and physics enthusiasts

Fidget desk toys have been all the rage recently, from the Fidget Cube, to spinners, it seems everyone wants to get their hands on one. Moondrop offers a new take on fidget toy design and is machined from Aerospace grade aluminium and pure copper. Just like other fidget toys, you can flip, spin and slide Moondrop in order to occupy your hands and keep your mind at ease. The toy comes in two versions, one that simulates the Moon’s gravity, and one for Mars’ gravity. While it has already passed its original funding goal, you can still back either Moondrop variant for £19 shipped, or $24. If all goes as planned, Moondrop hopes to ship in June.

The Miniot Wheel Turntable strips away the plastic for a beautiful vinyl experience

Turntables are a dime a dozen these days as vinyl continues to its steady march back into the mainstream. Finding a way to standout from the black plastic and silver shouldn’t be hard, but it seems like most brands just keep trotting out the same old design. A new Kickstarter project caught my eye this morning as an alternative to the Sony’s and Audio-Technica’s of the world. The Miniot Wheel Turntable has taken away all of the excess, leaving audiophiles with a simple and beautiful turntable.

A solid aluminum platter sits just above the wooden base that houses the needle, belt-drive and other mechanics. All that’s left is the record and a stick that rises from the center which acts as a control panel for power, playback and volume. My favorite feature is its ability to play in horizontal or vertical orientations. For the vinyl enthustiast with style, it doesn’t get much better than this. The Miniot Wheel Turntable ships in three different finishes (walnut, mahogany or cherry) with a Kickstarter price of $600. It’s set to hit living rooms this November.

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Pizza Hut debuts Bluetooth Pie Top sneakers with one-click ordering for NCAA March Madness

Leading up to the NCAA’s March Madness, Pizza Hut is geared up to make its debut in the sneaker culture’s iconic return. Announced today, Pizza Hut will be giving away a few select pairs of its custom “Pie Top” sneakers. Aside from looks, what makes these high-top sneakers noteworthy is that owners will be able to order pizza right from the shoe. In conjunction with the sneakers launch from March into April Pizza Hut will be offering a $7.99 promotional pricing on a large, two-topping pizza. More below.

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Pad & Quill gives Apple Pencil a hand-made leather makeover w/ pen clip and cap holder

Pad & Quill is responsible for some of the nicest Apple accessories on the market with a range of options spanning just about every product Cupertino releases. And now the company has decided to take its stylish, leather-bound treatment to Apple Pencil:

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Grado introduces new GH2 Headphones sourced from Central American cocobolo wood

Today, Grado has announced the newest addition to its family of popular Brooklyn-made headphones, the GH2. Made from cocobolo wood, a tropical hardwood commonly found in Central America, these new open-air cans continue the familiar design of Grado’s Heritage Series. You’ll remember the first model, which featured locally-sourced materials from Brooklyn trees. Cocobolo wood is known for its common use in musical instruments, making it an ideal companion. We spoke to Jonathan Grado, who explains further:

“Our GH1 was built from a Brooklyn tree near Grados location, but with the GH2 we wanted to venture further out. Central America is where we landed. We’ve never worked with a wood that had such unique patterns. We’ve never had such visual differences from pair to pair as with the GH2. No matter how striking the aesthetic, we wouldn’t have used this wood and gone through with this limited edition if it didn’t resemble the Grado signature sound. We couldn’t be more excited though that the tonal abilities of cocobolo met our standards and we were able to build the GH2.”

The new Grado HG2 Headphones are available for purchase today via 4OurEars at $650.

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Sony’s Xperia Touch projector turns any surface into a touchscreen Android device

Continuing our coverage of Mobile World Congress, Sony unveiled its latest gadget, a portable touchscreen projector. Unlike most of the Android devices we’ve seen at MWC, Sony’s Xperia Touch strays from the traditional phone or tablet design. Rather than relying on a built-in display, the device projects a touchscreen onto any surface.

The Xperia Touch can project images up to 80 inches and allows for 10 points of multi-touch input. It runs Android N, which means it runs any app or game found on the Google Play store. It features two-way stereo speakers, a USB-C port and HDMI port. Unfortunately, the device can only run for an hour on battery power. But considering the small size and weight, it’s pretty impressive they’ve packed a full touchscreen projector into such a small package. While the Xperia Touch isn’t currently available for purchase, it will launch later this spring in Europe at the starting price of €1,499, or $1,588. You can stay up to date and learn more about the device over on Sony’s site.

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Microsoft’s new Game Pass subscription service brings more than 100 on-demand titles to Xbox One for $10 a month

Ahead of the release of Project Scorpio, “the most powerful console” the Xbox family has ever seen, Microsoft is launching a new subscription service. Xbox Game Pass is coming later this Spring and will offer full access to over 100 Xbox One and backwards compatible 360 titles for $9.99 a month.

Lexar’s latest 256GB microSD card is designed for GoPro users and 4K content

Yesterday, Lexar announced its new 256GB microSD card as an addition to its Professional 1000x lineup. Designed specifically for 4K video, this piece of storage can handle transfer rates at up to 150Mbps. Lexar is planning on pitching its latest creation to GoPro users in need of higher capacity and better performance.

Content creators can plan on capturing around nine hours of full 4K video on the new card or 36 hours in 1080p. While geared towards GoPro, Lexar’s latest will also function well with high-performance Android devices. The bad news? This microSD card isn’t going to come cheap. Set to launch in March, it will have a suggested MSRP of $350.

Don’t forget to check out SanDisk’s new A1-enabled microSD card, too.

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The new Raspberry Pi W brings built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios for just $10

This morning, the Raspberry Pi Foundation unveiled the newest addition to its lineup of microcomputers. The Raspberry Pi W comes in at $10 with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios, making it arguably the most intriguing release in recent years. As you’d guess, the W stands for wireless but it packs much of the same specifications as the previous generation, which includes 512MB of RAM and a 1GHz Broadcom processor. A full list of specs can be found below.

For those interested in DIY projects, particularly smart home automation, the new Raspberry Pi W is a welcome addition. Built-in wireless radios mean one less add-on for projects from third-party suppliers. Alongside today’s announcement is word of new injection molded cases from the Pi Foundation that offer interchangeable lids, which are smaller than the previous official version. The new Raspberry Pi W will be available in the US for $10 at retailers like Micro Center.

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Vizio debuts new line of Chromecast built-in TVs starting at $209, 4K HDR from $549

Vizio has today announced a new lineup of SmartCast E-Series TVs, all including Chromecast built-in (Google Cast) functionality. The highlight of this collection are the absolutely massive 4K HDR options, but there’s something here for everyone who’s interested…

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Nokia’s 3310 updates the classic design with bright colors and new features

In the days before the iPhone and other smartphones, Nokia was one of the biggest names in tech. Most notably, the flagship Nokia 3310 dominated much of the early 2000’s. Now, Nokia hopes to make a comeback with its new nostalgic handset, which was unveiled over the weekend at Mobile World Congress.

The new incarnation of the Nokia 3310 features an impressive 31 days of standby power, a 2 MP camera and even a standard headphone jack. It supports texting and calling over 2G, plays the classic game Snake, and comes with 16 MB of internal storage. For those who do need a little extra storage though, it does have a MicroSD slot for cards up to 32GB. The phone now also comes in multiple colors, so you can chose from a yellow, red, grey or dark blue device. At launch, the Nokia 3310 will be priced at 49, or $51.87. While the device isn’t currently for sale, you can sign up for announcements over on Nokia’s site.

You can catch up on more coverage of Mobile World Congress over at 9to5Google.

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SanDisk just introduced a faster A1-enabled 256GB microSD card

SanDisk has announced today that it will expand its line-up of A1 compatible microSD cards to now include its high-performance 256GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC memory card. That means, this new memory card will be even faster than the Ultra-series product that Western Digital debuted at CES. Also, Android users will be able to launch apps directly from this A1 microSD card faster than ever before.

The card will have up to 100MB/s read speed; up to 90MB/s write speed, the company’s official press release states. We’ll start to see these new cards next month for $199.99, hopefully we’ll have deals on them shortly after.

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Sony’s conceptual Xperia Ear wireless earbuds hope to compete with Apple AirPods

Apple’s AirPods made a serious splash during the holiday season with its truly wireless design and deep integration into iOS. Other manufacturers have taken note, both in design and software. Sony unveiled its new Xperia earbuds at Mobile World Congress with a few familiar features. Aside from the wire-free design, Sony’s Agent digital assistant is built-in much like Siri. From an audio standpoint, we do not often see an open-ear style on earbuds. This is typically reserved for over-ear headphones, with its ability to not only hear the music but your environment as well.

Sony is using metal materials on its latest release with an intriguing driver unit that uses bone conduction to transfer sound. Early reports out of MWC suggest that while listeners can hear noise around them, the audio is not loud enough for people nearby to be distracted. While it’s easy to see these earbuds as an audio-first device, Sony is billing them as a way to communicate with artificial intelligence. It’s important to note that the Xperia Ear is a prototype for now. If and when it comes to market, it will also have access to Google Assistant.

Catch up on more MWC coverage over at 9to5Google.

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Huawei’s clip-on Honor smartphone camera lets you capture 360-degree content with ease on the go

 

It seems like every company is throwing their hat into the ring for Virtual Reality and 360-degree content. Most recently though, Huawei and Insta360 unveiled the Honor VR Camera, a new clip-on 360-degree smartphone camera. While we’ve mentioned other smartphone VR-ready cameras before, Huawei’s shakes things up a bit by plugging directly into one’s device.

As far are features go, Huawei’s camera offers 3K photography and even ‘seamless’ livestreaming. The camera is controlled via a smartphone companion app developed by Insta360 which allows you to download, share and broadcast your 360-degree content. Because the Honor VR Camera plugs directly into your device, there’s no need to rely on Bluetooth or MicroSD cards to transfer media, and it saves directly to the connected smartphone. At launch, the device will only work with Huawei’s Honor 8 smartphone, so unfortunately no iPhone support yet. While there isn’t pricing and availability information yet, Huawei plans to start an international rollout of the device soon.

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Moar’s Folding eBike has a tough design that’s powered by a 750W motor

The Moar Folding Electric Bike doesn’t follow the trends of previous alternative energy transports that we’ve featured here on Electronicsforward. Instead of a commuter-friendly design, this two-wheeler is high-powered and ready for just about anything. It is backed by a 500W rear electric hub or 750W mid-drive motor. While it does fold up into a smaller package, Moar’s latest creation features off-road tires and a bulkier frame.

After a brief stint on Indiegogo, it has raised over $81,000, easily surpassing the initial $30,000 goal. Moar uses a 48W battery to power the internal motor, as well as a built-in LED dashboard and turn signals. Cycling enthusiasts will note the inclusion of seven-speed Shimano gears on this eBike, bringing a bit of name recognition to this crowdfunding project. The entry-level $999 model provides up to 50-miles of range while the more powerful $1,199 rendition provides around 65-miles. Stepping up to the top-end $1,999 “Rapt” version brings an 85-mile battery. Moar is expected to begin shipping units in May.

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Razor’s new laptop power bank adds up to six hours of battery life to your new MacBook Pro

Let’s face it, mobile device batteries aren’t nearly as great as we’d like them to be. Nothing is worse than constantly worrying about charging your laptop or being out on the go and having it die on you. Razor hopes to solve this with its new power bank geared specifically towards laptops. Razor’s power bank is perfect for charging your smartphone or even a USB-C laptop, like Apple’s late 2016 MacBook Pro.

The power bank sports a 12,800mAh Lithium-ion battery which is said to be able to supply up to six hours of battery life to your machine. Equipped with dual standard USB-A ports as well as one USB-C, it can simultaneously charge up to three devices. It also supports Qualcomm’s Quickcharge technology, so the power bank can deliver lightning-fast charging to compatible smartphones and devices. While Razor hasn’t currently announced pricing or availability, you can sign up to be notified of any updates.

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Sony’s new SD card hits blazing fast transfer speeds for content creators, dubbed the “world’s fastest”

Sony has unveiled its latest mobile storage solution, the SF-G, which has been tabbed as the “world’s fastest” SD card. With more consumers and professionals shooting 4K video or RAW stills, Sony’s newest creation fills a need. Content creators can expect to hit write speeds up to 299MB/s and reads at 300MB/s. For comparison, the next closest in speed is SanDisk’s Extreme Pro Series that comes in at 260MB/s.

Don’t rush out and buy this new SD card just yet. You’ll need to confirm that your devices work with UHS (Ultra High Speed) II memory. Alongside this announcement is a new SD card reader designed specifically for this type of storage. The MRW-S1 has a USB 3.1 interface that can handle these types of speeds. Sony has yet to divulge information on pricing but we know the SF-G Series will hit this spring in 32, 64 and 128GB capacities.

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The perfect piece of home decor just got better: Soundwall’s Nova Wi-Fi speaker adds ambient mood lighting

Soundwall recently unveiled their new Nova speaker, which adds interactive ambient mood lighting and music playback control. If you’re unfamiliar with Soundwall, it’s a WipBluetooth speaker disguised as a beautiful piece of artwork. So rather than having a bulky plastic speaker on your desk or in your study, you can hang a work of art on your wall that conveniently doubles as great Bluetooth sound system.

Soundwall’s new Nova speaker includes several new features, like mood lighting which allows you set custom backlighting. The speaker also allows you to play, pause and skip songs just by tapping the artwork. You can currently chose between 150 various styles of art works, which range from natural scenery to vibrant contemporary pieces and more. The speakers are currently available starting at $900, or you can customize one with your own design starting at $1,050.

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SnapPower’s latest creation turns just about any switch into a night light, pre-order now for $12

SnapPower, the brand behind those nifty USB-port charging outlet coverplates, is back again on Kickstarter with its new SwitchLight. Much like the products before it, this switch cover adds a night light to just about any space. In case you’re not familiar, here is how it works. The new plate has a pair of metal clips that snap into your existing switch and pulls energy for the night light. According to SnapPower, all you need to install is a screwdriver.

SwitchLight has three different illumination modes (bright, dim and off), which are actuated by the built-in light sensor. The obvious play here is for kids, but just about any home can use a nightlight. One reason that I like it, the light itself is raised up to the level of your switch, which is around four feet in most homes. With 68 hours to go, SwitchLight has raised over $258,000. A pledge of $12 will deliver a unit next month.

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Hot Wheels Track Builder app combines augmented reality with classic toy cars

Toy Fair New York has brought us a glimpse at some upcoming tech based toys like the iPhone controlled Batmobile or RC BB-8. Hot Wheels has been a household name in toys for the past few decades, but not something one thinks of as being aligned with tech. This year though, they look to stray from its normal path of die-cast cars and plastic tracks and enter into the smartphone domain with its new Track Builder Augmented Reality app.

Track Builder differs from traditional AR games though. Rather than using a smartphone to overlay graphics on the real world, it creates a virtual room for you to explore by physically moving one’s device. The app lets you add as much track and ramps as your heart desires. Track Builder also features many of your favorite class Hot Wheels cars to test out on your creation. The app is only available for one phone currently, but will hopefully roll out to more devices as time goes on.

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The Etch A Sketch is back, but now it’s totally different than you remember

Almost everyone can recall spending time over an Etch a Sketch trying to create the simplest of shapes with impossibly hard to operate dials. Well now Spin Master is back with an all new Etch A Sketch Freestyle that has a stylus. Not only that, the knobs have been replaced with two rubber stamps and the LCD screen…

The robotic Professor Einstein is full of artificial intelligence, but it’s the facial expressions that make it stand out

Artificial Intelligence is at our fingertips now more than ever. A simple, hey Siri or Alexa, will command a wide range of information. With varying degrees of success, of course. Professor Einstein looks to cash in on that trend with its lovable characterization of the brilliant 20th century academic.

Launched on Kickstarter recently, this action figure meets computer can pull up tons of information just by being asked. It also challenges users to learn about new topics and explains how your questions are answered. Best of all, it does it with a cheery range of expressions on his face thanks to an intricate set of motors built-in to the 14.5-inch Einstein model. Of course, it has a free app that connects over Wi-Fi to deliver personalized info alongside learning activities for kids. Professor Einstein has hit its Kickstarter goal and currently a pledge of $279 will deliver a unit in April.

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Spin Master’s remote controlled BB-8 brings your favorite droid to life in a new way

Continuing our coverage of New York’s Toy Fair 2017, we take a peak at what a galaxy far far away has to offer. Over the weekend, Spin Master showcased the final version of its upcoming remote controlled BB-8. While this isn’t the first RC BB-8 on the market, it certainly looks to be the best recreation of the adorable droid companion from The Force Awakens.

BB-8’s movements are controlled via a familiar dual joystick remote. The droid also has a little autonomy, and will do his best to follow the movements of whoever is holding the remote. Compared to Sphero’s previously released BB-8, Spin Master’s is not only much larger, but it is also packed with many more worthwhile features. BB-8 not only expresses various emotions based on its surroundings, but also responds to one’s voice. The lovable droid will hopefully be available by the end of the year for $230. And while the price tag may be steep, it seems worth it for the BB-8’s large size and abundance of play features.

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You have to see the new iPhone-controlled Justice League Batmobile

Toy Fair 2017 is well underway in New York, with some of the biggest names in the game showing off their latest creations. Mattel has hit the show with its new Justice League Batmobile, a recreation of the iconic vehicle that is geared towards collectors. Not only that, this new four-wheeled creation is controlled by your iPhone or Android device, adding to its lust-worthiness. Mattel did an excellent job on the details here, right down to the cockpit and miniature Batman.

One of the coolest features is the ability to add a few drops of glycerol in the tank, which makes the Batmobile actually smell like burning rubber when you hit the gas. The fully articulating figurine actually moves while you drive. All of these features won’t come cheap though. Mattel will charge collectors $250 when the Justice League Batmobile hits online shelves in October.

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Bond integrates with SmartThings, Nest and iPhone to make any home a smart home

Bond is a new smart home gadget which seeks to bring iPhone and voice control to older devices you may have in your home. The gadget connects to your smartphone over Wi-Fi and controls other applications through inferred or radio frequency. Unlike other devices we’ve featured, Bond hopes to add smart functionality to devices we already have in our homes, rather than replace them. From controlling your ceiling fans, motorized window shades and even your fireplace, Bond hopes to turn any home into a smart home. At launch, Bond claims to support popular devices such as the Amazon Echo, Nest, SmartThings, Honeywell and more.

While Bond doesn’t currently have a ship date, it is available for preorder now at the starting price of $99.

The Story Levitating Timepiece is mesmerizing with its iPhone-controlled clock face

The Story Clock by Flyte is a levitating timepiece that hit Kickstarter earlier this week to wild success. In fact, after just a few days it has raised nearly $239,000, which is just shy of three times its initial goal. A metal ball seemingly floats above a handcrafted piece wood, denoting the title through the day. Additionally, there is an embedded digital clock in the center that communicates information. You’ll have to watch the video for yourself to truly see how mesmerizing the Story Clock is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ_E81_hJjU

There are three modes that are controlled by your smartphone, each of which conveys different information on the display. Journey mode is a countdown towards a specific date, with the ball arriving at the 12 o’clock hour at that time. Clock mode provides a traditional hour/minute experience while timer mode can be set for short-term events. Pledges currently start at $399 with Ash or Walnut models available. If all goes to plan, the Story Clock will ship in November.

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You have to take a look at the amazing Zelda Breath of the Wild Hardcover Deluxe Coffee Table Book Guide

Last week we took a look at the Paperback and Collector’s Edition Guides for Zelda Breath of the Wild. But its time to take it up a notch with the beautiful Deluxe Edition.

This version comes with 384 pages of everything we detailed in the other two including annotated maps, posters, information regarding collectibles and a complete guide to the items and monsters found in the game. But the Deluxe Edition will also feature that amazing 11-inch x 15-inch premium vintage hardcover, “exclusive dedicated 16-page retrospective celebrating thirty years of Zelda games, a 16-page dedicated art section, and two ribbon bookmarks.” More details below.

While the Paperback and Collector’s Edition Guides are now reasonably priced at $15.33 and $23.99, the Deluxe version is going to cost you. Pre-orders with a March 31st launch date are now selling for $79.99 shipped on Amazon, but there is a good chance we will see the price drop over the next couple weeks or so.

More Breath of the Wild and Nintendo Switch:

Hasbro jumps into STEM Toys with its upcoming Proto Max iOS and Android-controlled dog

Hasbro is jumping on the STEM train with a new robotic dog that encourages children to learn about coding. With iOS and Android-connectivity, Proto Max is designed to be used in tandem with our favorite devices. The $120 toy is customizable in a variety of ways but the main focus is for kids to alter its behavior and ability to carry out different tasks.

There are 10 different sensors that allow kids to interact with the dog and trigger different behaviors. That includes the tail, nose and ears alongside two capacitive touch sensors on the back. Proto will follow you around, play games and even learn your preferences over time. Working within the smartphone app lets users code different behaviors through building block-style activities. Hasbro is expected to offer up further details at the New York Toy Fair this weekend.

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The popular Simon Memory Game gets a modern day reboot with a VR-inspired headset

Do you remember the old school Simon Memory Game? It has managed to stand the test of time since its release in the 80s and still tops the charts as a best seller over at Amazon. Well, at the New York Toy Fair this year it’s getting a VR lookalike reboot that’s bound to turn some heads. Simon Optix is a headset that uses motion sensing technology to track your hand movements during gameplay.

Much like the original game, this modern day version becomes more complex the longer you play. Gamers need to place their hand over the correct color to match the sequence, which becomes longer and more difficult over time. Multiple headsets can be paired together for head-to-head or multiplayer games, which is pretty cool. Simon is set to officially unveil its latest creation this weekend. Simon Optix will retail for $25 when it is released this fall.

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Crash Bandicoot comes back to PS4 this summer with the N.Sane Trilogy Collection [Video]

Crash is back! Well, not completely. We now know the remastered Crash Bandicoot collection will be releasing on PS4/Pro this summer, Activision announced today.

We are getting new lighting, animations, enhancements to the intro cinematic and support for 4K via PS4 Pro. Developer Vicarious Visions has also added new checkpoints, an upgraded save system, improved bonus stages and updated audio across the board.

The Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy contains the titular character’s first three outings: Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot: Warped. It will be available June 30th on PS4/Pro for $39.99. Available for pre-order now. 

While the price does seem a bit steep, anyone with fond memories of early 3D platformers is in for a treat here. Even if the visuals didn’t look as good as they do in the announcement trailer below, I’d still be pretty stoked for this:

Twelve South’s ParcSlope MacBook/iPad stand gets a matte black makeover, available starting today from $50

The TwelveSouth ParcSlope is an elegant way to prop up your MacBook or iPad with ease. This hybrid stand is designed to offer additional screen height while maintaining a comfortable position/angle for typing and accessing your device. It can also act as a great drawing easel for your iPad Pro with just enough space to hold your Apple Pencil/stylus.

Caavo is a gorgeous – yet pricey – 4K set-top box designed to bring all of your content into one tidy package

Trying to bring together all of your favorite content providers in one location is proving to be more difficult in 2017 than ever before. Sure, Apple TV is working hard to pull it off, but you’re still limited to what’s available in the App Store. Caavo has eyes on simplifying this process with a hardware-focused approach. This attractive set-top box has eight HDMI inputs, two USB ports, an ethernet jack and more. Sure, it sounds a lot like a simple HDMI switcher. At $400, it sure hopes to do more than that.

Caavo can detect different devices and services, organizing it all into one searchable interface. The included remote offers voice control to simplify the process. Each of the HDMI inputs support 4K video with expected HDR support coming down the line. Caavo faces a massive up-hill battle in the competitive living room space. A $400 content organizer is a luxury for most consumers, so educating on the benefits will take some time. Caavo will release in a limited run of 5,000 units “later this year”.

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Canon takes the wraps off the new Rebel T7i DSLR, a 24MP camera that still lacks 4K video

Canon has announced the T7i digital camera, the latest model in its DSLR line-up. While the new version has a few upgraded features, it sadly still does not support 4K video. That said, the T-Series has long been one of Canon’s most popular cameras. The most notable upgrade is the inclusion of a 45-point cross-type autofocus system. It’s the first time the Rebel line-up has received this feature set. A 24 megapixel sensor headlines this feature set, which helps somewhat make up for its 1080p video.

The T7i is specifically geared towards entry-level photographers hoping to make the jump from a smartphone to a more powerful alternative. Canon specifically sought the feedback of this user group in designing this new camera. Additionally, amateur-friendly features like filters and built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity. The T7i will be available for purchase in April for $749.99 as the body-only or $899.99 with a 18-55m lens kit.

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‘Neuron’ is a super kid friendly system for building smart gadgets using modular blocks

Makeblock is announcing its newest super kid friendly system Neuron to teach your children how to code and build in the funnest way possible. Hitting Kickstarter later this month, each kit gives your child 30 different kinds of blocks with varied functions to build all kinds of gadgets. The best part about this new system is the blocks are designed to work on almost any platform and you can even build with LEGOs.

Each kit runs on Makeblock’s mBlock, a graphical and flow-based programming system that requires little programming experience to learn. The company also promises steady updates, new projects and new capabilities once they launch. You can choose from six different kits that let decide what kinds of gadgets your kids will build. When the Neuron project launches on Kickstarter in a few days you can get a kit for $69 (40% off).

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PixlPlay turns your old iPhone or Android device into a kid-friendly camera with real shutter control

Chances are, you have an old smartphone laying around. These are perfect for kids that need a way to play games or take their own pictures. A new Kickstarter project has an idea for utilizing these previous generation devices, too. Pixlplay is an add-on that works with recent iPhones (non-Plus) and popular Android devices like Samsung S7, S6, S5, and Google Pixel.

The snap-on case turns your device into a child-friendly camera with a working shutter button, protective design and a manual focus lens. An attached 3.5mm headphone jack operates the manual controls and a pressurized grip keeps your device in place. Best of all, it offers drop protection from spills that would otherwise harm an iPhone or Android device. PixlPlay is available for backing on Kickstarter today for $20 with an estimated delivery date of June if all goes to plan.

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Philips’ latest Moda monitor has a stunning design with ultra-thin bezels

MMD and Philips are partnering to unveil the newest monitor in the latter’s Moda line of displays. The latest 24-inch addition brings sleek metal details in a frame that is the thinnest to ever come from Philips. In fact, it comes in at just 5.2-millimeters, which is in-line with Apple’s 27-inch 5K Retina iMac. Philips has specifically designed this monitor with the goal of catering to mutli-display setups. Hopefully, the minimal bezel on the sides will cut-down on any distractions.

The IPS panel supports over 16.7 million colors, and connects to your devices via HDMI, VGA and DisplayPort. Unfortunately, there is no word on USB connectivity, which would be a welcome addition on this type of high-end display. Philips is set to unveil its latest Moda monitor in the UK later this month for 189 British pounds. This equates to $236 US, although we’ve yet to confirm an official release date.

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Pad & Quill’s new line of full-grain leather men’s wallets are built to last you a decade

Pad & Quill is well known for its high-quality leather and linen iPad covers, iPhone cases, MacBook sleeves and more. Today the company is introducing a new line of men’s leather wallets that should have you covered for years. According to Pad & Quill the “average guy keeps his wallet for 5-7 years”, so it decided to build all of the new full-grain leather options to last a decade:

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Hayo brings augmented reality control to Hue lighting, Sonos, and your smart home

Controlling your smart home as been a topic of interest lately. We’ve covered various remotes, wall-mounted fixtures and more that all have a different take on letting you command your residence. What happens though when you want to turn on the lights on and your remote is in the other room? Hayo hopes to fix this by making anything around you a remote. By scanning its surroundings, Hayo and its iOS companion app lets you assign actions to any available objects. From making the nightstand turn off your Hue lights, to letting the coffee table play your favorite music through your Sonos.

Hayo can currently be backed on Indiegogo for $219, which is 27% off of the final retail price. It has currently reached 71% of its funding goal without about a month to go, and plans to ship in September 2017 if all goes as planned.

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Herbert’s unique wall-mount garden will have you growing fresh herbs all winter long

Perhaps you’ve seen Miracle-Gro’s AeroGarden? While this is an excellent way to grow herbs in the off-season, visually it’s not the most attractive thing to have sitting on your countertop. Enter Herbert. A wall-hanging alternative that has a clean design and will have your family eating veggies year round.

Herbert sits on your wall with three rows of five planters, just below a hydroponic LED light. A seed is planted within the provided biodegradable sponge and over the course of four weeks you’ll see growth. Herbert only requires water a few times a month, and fertilizer even less. For city dwellers and garden-enthusiasts, this might just be the answer. It’s currently available for backing on Kickstarter with a required pledge of $361. If all goes to plan, it will ship in October.

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