If you’re anything like us, you’ve been lusting over the potential of the Touch Bar on Apple’s new MacBook Pro. Some PC or Mac users are likely left wishing one of these glorious OLED display would find their way under the Christmas tree this year. For Adobe Lightroom connoisseurs, a new product on Indiegogo might be worth eyeing. Loupedeck looks like something you’d use in Logic Pro but it’s made for photo editing. A variety of knobs, sliders and buttons are designed to make touching up your images a little easier thanks to actual physical controls.

Loupedeck can be used with PC or Macs and is designed specifically for Lightroom at this time. It reminds us of a DJ mixing board with its variety of input options. There are dedicated shortcuts for things like undo, zoom or color. Sliders can adjust your saturation or hue, for example. Loupedeck takes something that lacks physical control and brings a hands-on approach that could be very beneficial to your workflow. It has reached 143% of its initial goal and is slated to ship in June with a roughly $250 price tag.

Belkin has announced a new portable all-in-one charging solution for Apple Watch and your other devices. The Valet Charger Power Pack features an internal 6700mAh battery that will refuel your wearable up to eight times. It has a built-in magnetic puck – just like the one your Apple Watch came with – that simplifies your power setup out on the road. The aluminum casing has a full-size USB port, microUSB port and an LED display on one end with a logo on the opposite side.

Belkin’s newest release is reminiscent of the Nomad Pod Pro for iPhone & Apple Watch. For comparison, the Valet has a slightly larger battery (6700 vs 6000mAh) but also costs $20 more ($80 vs $100), which is likely due to the bundled charging puck. Both offer aluminum casings, but we’d have to give Nomad the edge on design (full review here). No matter, Belkin is a well-known brand name and its new Valet charger is bound to be a notable option for frequent travelers. Its compact footprint should fit in just about any bag and sure beats carrying multiple cables plus a wall charger. The Belkin Valet Charger Power Pack is currently listed for $99.99.

It’s been a big year for Minecraft, with its latest Story Mode title climbing the best seller charts and news of an upcoming Apple TV release surfacing at the latest Apple event. Now, Minecraft Education Edition is finally being released to the public. Following an extended beta testing period, Microsoft has announced that the full version of this title is now available for schools to purchase at a rate of $5 per user.

Microsoft acquired MinecraftEdu early this year with plans on releasing its own version of the popular STEM-focused game. The company has developed an extensive library of of lessons and activities for students in the meantime. Users will be able to build projects together, complete tasks as assigned by teachers and build a portfolio of work. A backend management system allows administrators to control every aspect of life in a world, including which materials are available and details of the environment. Microsoft has put together an impressive support system and knowledge base for teachers looking to pursue Minecraft Education. It is available on both Mac OS X and Windows PC. You can learn more about this project on Microsoft’s official site.

Today, Samsung announced five new smartphone accessories with a focus on audio and power. We’ll be taking a look at the Wireless Speaker Bottle. This audio device has a Bang & Olufsen meets plastic feel, highlighted by leather accents and a two-tone design. You’ll be able play your music via Bluetooth while also controlling features with the Lux Manager App. It has a 360-degree speaker on the base and motion-sensing LED light on top. A built-in gyroscope detects gestures and in turn adjusts your music as needed.

Samsung also unveiled a new charging tray that can power two devices wirelessly plus another via the USB port. There is also a Battery Pack that comes in 5100mAh and 10200mAh capacities. Finally, we’re seeing a new pair of in-ear headphones with a tangle free design and, unfortunately, 3.5mm connectivity. Samsung did not release final pricing on these new products but promised availability in November.

We’ve shared a number of electric bikes here on Electronicsforward in the last year, particularly noting the variety of designs that are currently available to consumers. Another option has hit the market, or Kickstarter rather, with a foldable frame and small footprint. Tern’s new Vektron eBike uses a Bosch motor that provides up to 250W of extra electric power. The 49-pound two-wheeler comes in at just 16 x 33 x 25-inches when completely folded up.

A 400Wh battery provides between 40 to 80 miles on a single charge depending on your speed. There are four different power modes to choose from that can serve up to 250% of the power from a typical human. It tops at 20mph thanks to its lightweight and aerodynamic design that is made for riders as little as five feet tall. Tern is using Kickstarter to fund its latest creation but it already has an impressive network of 125 dealers in the United States. A pledge of $3,100 will deliver a Vektron eBike in April if all goes to plan.

With the advent of digital photography and the impressive optics of iPhone 7, Kodak has struggled to keep up. While it has managed to reinvent itself with digital cameras, there is still room to grow. Insert the Kodak Ektra. An Android-based smartphone with throwback styling from the brand’s classic instant cameras. Named after the 1940’s rangefinder, Ektra is covered in a leather composite material with a large camera on one side and a full display on the other. There is a slight bump from the optics to support the 21-megapixel sensor from Sony below.

Inside, you’ll find 32GB of storage and a deca-core MediaTek Helio X20 processor. The five-inch 1080p display runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. A 3000mAh battery and 3GB of RAM round out the list of specs. Of course, this is being played up as a photography-enthusiast’s device. Kodak will be recommending a variety of third-party camera apps to supplement the optics, including Lightroom, VSCO and others. Kodak is planning a European release for Ektra in December with plans for a US announcement still in the works.

Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service is slowly making its way to more products following its initial release on the Echo speaker. Aside from the second generation Echo Dot, a new Bluetooth audio system is also receiving the voice assistant. The FABRIQ Smart Speaker is a cost-effective option for consumers that comes in at just $50. Surprisingly, it has built-in Wi-Fi that allows for multiple units to be connected for a whole home setup and Apple users will be happy to hear that it also supports AirPlay. That’s a welcome feature that we wouldn’t expect to see at this price point.

FABRIQ can play music from a variety of services including Spotify, Pandora, Prime music and more. Playback is controlled via a free iOS and Android app. Inside the compact speaker is a two-inch driver that is powered by a 5W supply. Alexa is activated by the push of a button, which unfortunately means FABRIQ doesn’t have always-on capabilities like the larger Echo. Nevertheless, this is bound to be a very attractive option for consumers this holiday season. The FABRIQ Alexa-enabled Smart Speaker is available in three colors for $49.99 and can be ordered via Amazon today.

Misfit, who is primarily known for its fitness trackers, has today unveiled a new product in its line of wearables. The Phase Hybrid smartwatch combines technology and classic looks into one slick product designed to compete with Apple Watch and others. Being a Misfit product, it is packed with all of the fitness features that you’d expect including a pedometer, distance traveled and sleep statistics. It uses a built-in accelerometer that is combined with Misfit’s own proprietary algorithms to accurately track your movements.

Fitness features aside, Phase is loaded with all the normal smartwatch capabilities. You’ll be able to place calls, check notifications and send messages on the display. Best of all, it ships with a six-month battery life that is user-replaceable when needed and has a water-resistant casing. It will connect with both iOS and Android devices. The Phase may be one of the best Apple Watch alternatives for shoppers that prefer classic styling. It is slated to go up for pre-order on November 7th in six colors with a $175 price tag.

A combination Ping Pong and music creation system wasn’t on my list of topics this morning, but here we are. In a move that combines the tabletop game and some sick beats, Ping Pong FM is a new project that DJs your party while you play. The paddles have special microphones inside that pick up on your movements and record each contact with a ball. A special software system then analyzes each hit and adjusts the music accordingly. Strike the ball harder? Your music will speed up.

Sadly, Ping Pong FM is not a mass produced project yet. But it’s gaining quite a bit of traction around the web. At this time, the paddles are required to be hardwired into the hub which you can imagine might be tricky while playing. If Ping Pong FM could go wireless with Bluetooth and communicate with a free smartphone app, we might be on to something. For now, you’ll just have to imagine the possibilities.

With multi-room wireless audio building in popularity, consumers are faced with two routes when it comes to selecting a speaker system. Do you go with Bluetooth that might be portable or Wi-Fi-connected that offers powerful features? A new product called the Cassia Hub plans on simplifying this situation. Cassia uses its BlueStream technology to set up a wireless whole home audio system.

Here’s how it works. The Cassia Hub is connected to your device and each of your Bluetooth speakers. From there, the smartphone app can stream music to multiple devices at a time just like a SONOS system. Users have access to all the popular services, like Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora. Although there is upfront cost with the Hub, Cassia’s added flexibility for Bluetooth enthusiasts makes this a very attractive product. The Hub with BlueStream is available for purchase today for $150.

We all know the famous cuckoo clocks of yesteryear. Remember? With the tiny bird that popped out to signify another hour gone by. I always thought those were pretty neat, despite its lack of technology. A new Kickstarter project, dubbed CuCu Clocks, is taking the old-school charm of those wall-hangings and combining it with modern day smartphone-connectivity. Each clock has a sharp design and is available in a variety of materials, such as wood or metal. There is a bright LED display built in to the casing that shows the time and of course, a cuckoo bird that makes an appearance to notify you of pending events or the time.

CuCu Clocks connect to your smartphone for settings management, synching your calendar and to monitor other features. All told, this is a modern evolution of an old favorite. It’s still a cuckoo clock at heart, but leverages the power of our devices to inform you of events and the time in a 21st century fashion. CuCu is available at an early bird price of around $220 with an estimated ship date of next July if all goes to plan.

SONOS has long dominated the home audio scene with its best selling multi-room speakers. Over the last few years, companies both large and small have tried to steal the throne with new features or designs. The latest of which is Tivoli Audio. Although it has mainly been known for its retro-inspired Bluetooth speakers to this point, Tivoli is now introducing a line of devices called ART (audio reimagined together). Starting with two models, these speakers mix style and function as an alternative to SONOS and other manufacturers.

The CUBE and ORB both feature Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity that is controlled by a free smartphone app. Users will have access to a variety of services at launch including Spotify, Deezer and Tidal. Each speaker can be paired together for a stereo setup or function individually. The wood and fabric design continues the retro theme that Tivoli has leaned on for some time. Both speakers are available for purchase today. The Cube will sell for $200 while the ORB is listed at $250. Each model ships in different wood finishes and fabrics.