Author: alex

Matter 1.5 released — smart‑home standard adds cameras, garage doors and more The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has published Matter 1.5, the next update to the open smart‑home interoperability standard. The new specification expands supported device categories and capabilities — most notably adding cameras and garage door controllers — and lets manufacturers begin certifying products under the updated spec. Matter 1.5 is being rolled out to device makers and platform partners, who can now build and certify devices that join Matter ecosystems. That means future cameras and garage‑door integrations will be able to interoperate across Matter‑compatible ecosystems without vendor lock‑in. Key additions in Matter 1.5 Cameras as a device class: For the first time Matter supports cameras, enabling standardized discovery, connectivity and (in many cases) interoperability for streaming, motion events…

AirPods Pro 3 drop to $220 — biggest discount since launch Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for $220 — the deepest discount we’ve seen so far (previous low was about $239). The earbuds bring improved sound, stronger active noise cancellation, Live Translation via the H2 chip, and longer battery life in a familiar, comfortable design. Key upgrades include refined drivers and increased internal airflow for deeper bass and a wider soundstage, enhanced ANC, and up to ~8 hours of listening with ANC on (about 32 hours total including the MagSafe case). The case now includes an updated U2 chip for better Precision Find My range. Notable features Live Translation: Real-time translation through Siri (with transcription support in the Translate app) — useful for travel and calls. Improved audio:…

Sonos Era 300 drops to $379 for Black Friday — spatial audio without extra speakers Sonos’ Era 300 — the company’s standalone speaker with spatial audio — is on sale for $379 during Black Friday, a $100 discount off its regular price. The Era 300 delivers Dolby Atmos‑compatible spatial playback without needing additional surround speakers, making it an attractive upgrade for living rooms and home offices. Beyond its spatial audio capability, the Era 300 offers rich, detailed sound with strong bass and balanced mids. It supports voice control via Alexa or Sonos Voice Control and includes Trueplay room tuning that automatically adjusts sound using built‑in microphones, so you don’t need an iPhone to tune the speaker. Why the Era 300 stands out Spatial audio: Delivers an expansive soundstage for Dolby…

Sonos Era 300 drops to $379 for Black Friday — spatial audio without extra speakers Sonos’ Era 300 — the company’s standalone speaker with spatial audio — is on sale for $379 during Black Friday, a $100 discount off its regular price. The Era 300 delivers Dolby Atmos‑compatible spatial playback without needing additional surround speakers, making it an attractive upgrade for living rooms and home offices. Beyond its spatial audio capability, the Era 300 offers rich, detailed sound with strong bass and balanced mids. It supports voice control via Alexa or Sonos Voice Control and includes Trueplay room tuning that automatically adjusts sound using built‑in microphones, so you don’t need an iPhone to tune the speaker. Why the Era 300 stands out Spatial audio: Delivers an expansive soundstage for Dolby…

Apple announces Black Friday event: “Der Countdown läuft” — Nov 28 to Dec 1 Apple has announced its Black Friday promotion for this year under the slogan “Der Countdown läuft” ("The countdown is on"). The event runs from Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 and will be available both online and at Apple retail stores where applicable. Early coverage suggests Apple’s offers may be modest compared with broader retailer discounts. Historically, Apple often emphasizes gift‑card bundles, trade‑in bonuses or limited promotions rather than deep, permanent price cuts on flagship hardware. What to expect Dates: Nov 28 (Friday) through Dec 1 (Monday). Availability: Apple Online Store and participating Apple Stores. Likely format: Gift‑card bundles, accessory bundles or modest discounts rather than heavy markdowns on the newest flagship devices. How to…

Apple announces Black Friday event: "Der Countdown läuft" — Nov 28 to Dec 1 Apple has launched its Black Friday promotion for this year, advertising a special shopping event under the slogan “Der Countdown läuft” ("The countdown is on"). The sale runs from Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 and will be available both online and at physical Apple Stores. Initial coverage suggests the promotion may not be a standout compared with other retailers’ Black Friday deals. Historically, Apple’s holiday events often focus on gift‑card offers or modest device discounts rather than deep price cuts — so expectations should be tempered if you’re hunting for big savings. What to expect Dates: Nov 28 (Friday) through Dec 1 (Monday). Availability: Online at the Apple Store and in Apple retail locations…

Xreal One Pro drops to $600 for Black Friday — AR glasses discounted Xreal’s smart glasses are on Black Friday sale: the Xreal One Pro is discounted to $600 (both sizes) — about $50 off — and the regular Xreal One is down to $400. These glasses aim to deliver a large virtual display experience without the bulk or price of higher‑end headsets. The One Pro features bright 1080p Micro‑OLED panels, a claimed virtual screen up to 222 inches and a roughly 57° field of view. The One (non‑Pro) offers a smaller virtual display and a 50° FOV. Both models connect to laptops, phones and consoles and support media, productivity and gaming use cases. Why these glasses stand out Image quality: 1080p Micro‑OLED panels provide sharp, bright visuals suitable for…

Kindle Colorsoft drops to $170 for Black Friday — record low Amazon’s new Colorsoft Kindle — the company’s first color e-reader — is on sale for $170 as part of Black Friday promotions, down from its usual $250. That makes this the lowest price we’ve seen so far. Amazon’s classic Kindle is also at a record low ($80) and the Paperwhite has dropped to $125. The Colorsoft is positioned as a higher-end Kindle for readers who want color content: it handles comics and graphic novels especially well thanks to its color display and pinch-to-zoom support that brings panels into focus. We found the device fast to load and responsive when turning pages, and it includes an auto-adjusting front light and long battery life — about eight weeks under regular use.…

Roku Black Friday deals: Streaming Stick Plus $20, Streaming Stick $16, Streaming Stick 4K $25 Roku’s Black Friday sale slashed prices on several popular streaming devices. The Streaming Stick Plus is 50% off at $20, the standard Streaming Stick is about $16, and the Streaming Stick 4K (with Dolby Vision support) drops to $25. The Roku Ultra is also discounted to roughly $70 — solid options to upgrade an older TV. The Streaming Stick Plus is our favorite pick for most people: it supports 4K HDR content, offers accurate universal search across channels, and draws power from your TV’s USB so it doesn't need a wall outlet. The Streaming Stick 4K adds Dolby Vision if that’s a priority, while the basic Streaming Stick is a low-cost alternative to other entry-level…

Best robot vacuums 2025: how to pick the right one Robot vacuums have matured: modern models offer strong suction, advanced mapping, object detection, mopping attachments and self‑emptying bases. Instead of a single best model, pick a vacuum that matches your floors, household routines and willingness to handle maintenance tasks. Below we break down the features that matter, practical buying tips and maintenance notes so you can choose the right robot for your home. What to look for Floor type: Carpets need stronger suction; hard floors benefit from mopping features. Match the robot to the dominant floor in your home. Suction & performance: Some manufacturers list Pascal (Pa) ratings — higher usually means better suction. Look for real‑world tests for fine dust, crumbs and pet hair pickup. Mapping & navigation: SLAM…