Bose takes a swing at Sonos with its new home speakers
Bose takes a swing at Sonos with its new home speakers

Last Thursday, in a staged home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, I sat on a couch that was a bit too low and a tad too deep in front of a small, beige-colored smart speaker sitting on the middle of a trio of arched midcentury storage cabinets. On either side of the smart […]

These reusable digital Polaroids are a clever way to cover a fridge in memories
These reusable digital Polaroids are a clever way to cover a fridge in memories

I love when my friends have their fridges covered in Polaroids. It’s often a visual crash course of what’s been going on in their lives chronicling recent adventures, get-togethers, and other fun moments. But I don’t love the idea of schlepping around a clunky instant camera or paying a premium for instant film with hit-or-miss […]

The Moto Razr and Razr Plus are victims of shrinkflation
The Moto Razr and Razr Plus are victims of shrinkflation

The memory crisis claims another couple of victims. Motorola’s midtier and entry-level flip phones cost $100 more than their predecessors, and have few upgrades to show for it. The 2026 Razr Plus costs $1,099, up from $999. It still comes with a Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 chipset – two years old at this point – […]

The new Razr Ultra is still the best-looking phone out there
The new Razr Ultra is still the best-looking phone out there

Look, you’re not going to find much new on the 2026 version of the Motorola Razr Ultra. There’s a new main camera sensor, a slightly bigger battery, and a higher price: $1,499, up from $1,299. But one thing hasn’t changed: this is a darn good looking phone. The wood-finish back panel returns, and is joined […]

Why the Steam Controller is (and isn’t) a big deal
Why the Steam Controller is (and isn’t) a big deal

Most PC gamers already have a controller they love using with Steam – a Sony DualSense, a 8BitDo Ultimate, a Nintendo Switch Pro, or something else. Part of that love comes from Steam treating them like “native” controllers. They can do the things that made the first Steam Controller worth buying. Namely, they offer a […]

360-degree cameras have a new superpower
360-degree cameras have a new superpower

Imagine Google Street View, except you can walk around like it’s a video game. Now imagine you don’t need to wait for Google to come film because it’s completely DIY. Insta360, the leading maker of 360-degree cameras, is now partnered with a 12-person UK startup called Splatica to help creators do just that. Last January, […]

I bought Alienware’s $350 OLED monitor and I can’t believe how good it is
I bought Alienware’s $350 OLED monitor and I can’t believe how good it is

I’ve recommended several OLED gaming monitors to readers over the years, and I’ve finally taken my own advice to buy one. Alienware’s new 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED has all the features that I want and a low $350 price that was too tempting to ignore. The AW2726DM model has five things that make it stand out […]

Dyson’s handheld fan is more powerful and louder than I expected
Dyson’s handheld fan is more powerful and louder than I expected

Two years ago I attended a picturesque outdoor wedding in August where the hot and humid weather had guests occasionally ducking into their cars to enjoy a blast of AC. Dyson’s new $99.99 handheld fan would have provided some much-needed relief then, although I’m not sure I would have been comfortable powering it up during […]

This charming gadget writes bad AI poetry
This charming gadget writes bad AI poetry

I’ve never been as charmed and frustrated by one gadget as I have with the Poetry Camera. It’s a delightful object. White and cherry red with a color-matched woven strap, it looks playful and adorably lo-fi. If I saw it on a store shelf, I’d absolutely pick it up. But aside from obviously appealing, I’m […]

More phone cameras should come with telephoto lenses
More phone cameras should come with telephoto lenses

Upgrading your phone with a camera grip attachment is one thing. But doll-sized telephoto lenses that you mount on top of the rear camera? C’mon. I wrote the Vivo X300 off as a gimmick, a funny concept designed to generate attention rather than actual sales. But then I spent a weekend carrying the phone and […]