By
Paula ParisiDecember 12, 2025
FixBot is a new AI app from iFixit that can figure out what’s wrong with broken devices and guide you through the repair using hands-free instruction, visual analysis, and instant access to the world’s repair knowledge. Available from the App Store and Google Play, the FixBot is optimized for mobile. Free on launch, the company is developing an alternate Enthusiast tier that will cost $4.99 per month or $50 per year and include perks like voice and document upload. FixBot is iFixit’s second attempt at a repair app, following an attempt that ran from 2011 to 2015. Since it went dark, the company’s community kept asking for a more mobile-friendly redux. Continue reading iFixit’s AI-Powered FixBot Puts Expert Advice in Your Pocket
By
Paula ParisiDecember 10, 2025
Google plans to debut its first AI-powered eyewear in 2026, challenging Meta Platforms in the consumer market for AI smart glasses. Google’s inaugural AI glasses will come in two styles. The audio-only model features built-in speakers, microphones and cameras “to let you chat naturally with Gemini, take photos and get help.” Another style features an in-lens display and can show things like navigation. As previously announced, Google is working with partners Samsung, Xreal, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create “stylish, lightweight” smart glasses that can be comfortably worn all day. Continue reading Google to Launch Xreal Project Aura Smart Glasses Next Year
By
Paula ParisiNovember 6, 2025
Cloud Streaming for the Sony PlayStation Portal portable gaming device has officially launched this month after a year in beta testing. PlayStation Plus Premium members can now play “a massively expanded selection of PS5 Games” on the wireless handheld unit without the need to connect to the PS5 console through Remote Play. Sony has retooled the home screen, adding three tabs dedicated to the different modes: Remote Play, Cloud Streaming and Search. Cloud Streaming “makes it easier to enjoy PS5 games on the go” anywhere with a high-speed Wi-Fi connection, playing even when the PS5 console at home is powered off or is in use by another account, according to Sony. Continue reading Sony Is Rolling Out Cloud Streaming for the PlayStation Portal
By
Paula ParisiSeptember 19, 2025
Roku has partnered with German projector maker Aurzen on the first smart projector that runs on the Roku OS. The Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube can display a native 1080p image with 330 ANSI lumens brightness sized from 40 to 150 diagonal inches with the projector placed 3.6 to 10.8 feet from the screen. The device is currently available from Amazon for $250. The D1R Cube can display indoors or outdoors on a screen or a wall. The Roku OS capabilities include voice control and one-click access to premium streaming channels including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube and Apple TV. Continue reading Roku and Aurzen Launch D1R Cube Portable Smart Projector
By
Paula ParisiSeptember 15, 2025
Four years after its announcement, Spotify Lossless is arriving for Premium subscribers, offering HD-quality sound for just about every song in the catalog. The reveal was issued by Spotify VP of Subscriptions Gustav Gyllenhammar, who attributed the delay to “time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality” and ease of use. Spotify Lossless enables streaming in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC. Lossless joins the previous settings of Low, Normal, High and Very High for data management across Wi-Fi, cellular and downloads. Spotify has also added Smart Filters for better playlist building. Continue reading Spotify Delivers New Lossless Audio Tech for Premium Subs
By
Paula ParisiAugust 13, 2025
As the smart home world prepares for the Matter 1.5 update this fall, the Connectivity Standards Alliance is releasing a 1.4.2 update designed to bridge the gap, making devices more secure and efficient. Improvements include support for Wi-Fi-only commissioning. Using Wi-Fi Unsynchronized Service Discovery (USD), the protocol bypasses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radios in onboarding devices to Matter over Wi-Fi, providing a path to more affordable devices. A host of security upgrades includes cryptographic Vendor ID (VID), ensuring that the admins installed on a device are authentic. Continue reading Matter Releases an Update as a Next Step Toward Version 15
By
Rob ScottFebruary 13, 2025
The long-awaited Apple TV app for Android mobile devices has officially launched on the Google Play Store, providing Android users access to original series and movies on Apple TV+ (currently offered as a seven-day free trial), in addition to MLS Season Pass (in time for Major League Soccer’s 2025 season that begins the weekend of February 22). Apple TV+ also offers a Major League Baseball double-header on Fridays with no local broadcast restrictions. Subscriptions to Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass are available through Google Play accounts for Android mobile and Google TV devices. The Apple TV+ subscription presently runs $9.99 per month. Continue reading Apple TV App Is Available via Google Play for Android Devices
By
Paula ParisiFebruary 12, 2025
Samsung is showing off what it calls the “next generation of commercial displays” at the Integrated Systems Europe 2025 show in Barcelona. Included are a 115-inch, 4K Smart Signage screen designed to deliver “a new level of immersive visuals” and the Samsung Color E-Paper EMDX that goes up to 75 inches at 5K, uses digital ink and operates at 0.00W power when displaying static images. Both devices consume significantly less energy at their height of workload compared to traditional digital displays, a high priority for business customers. Continue reading Samsung Demos 75-Inch E-Paper Display and AI Smart Signs
By
Rob ScottJanuary 24, 2025
Three companies have collaborated on a new e-ink digital display designed for artwork and photography. Available in sizes from 13.3 to 31.5 inches, the InkPoster display was demonstrated at CES this month, promising a gamut of 60,000 colors. The highly-efficient wireless product — which reportedly only requires a recharge about once every year — was developed by PocketBook of Switzerland, Sharp of Japan, and E Ink of Massachusetts. The smallest and largest models use E Ink’s Spectra 6 screen tech, and a third 28.5-inch version uses Sharp’s IGZO tech. Prices will range from $599 to $2,400, although availability has yet to be announced. Continue reading CES: InkPoster Wall Frame Offers New Take on Digital Displays
By
Paula ParisiNovember 11, 2024
Matter 1.4 is here, and with it the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has made some important fixes in an effort to get back on track with its aim of a universal interoperable smart home standard. This latest iteration has replaced Multi-Admin with Enhanced Multi-Admin, which largely automates the addition of new Matter devices in multiple ecosystems. It introduces Matter certifiable home routers and access points, allowing border gear manufactured by different companies to work together more seamlessly and accommodates dimmable lighting. The 1.4 update incorporates heat pumps, solar panels and home batteries, but ignores home security cameras. Continue reading Matter 1.4 Expands Energy Controls, Improves Admin Feature
By
Paula ParisiSeptember 12, 2024
Canon’s new EOS C80 is a professional full-frame 6K cinema camera designed for filmmakers that require a compact yet full-featured device. It is the company’s first cinema model with an RF mount. It also has a back-illuminated, stacked CMOS image sensor with triple-base ISO, which Canon says delivers “stunning imagery in a wide range of lighting conditions.” Base ISOs of 800, 3200 and 12,800 allow for full dynamic range. New to the EOS C line is 12G-SDI output, while Canon’s latest Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus — Dual Pixel AF II — has been added. The C80 also lets users choose from different autofocus frame sizes. Continue reading Canon EOS C80 Offers Full-Frame 6K Recording for Pro Video
By
Rob ScottAugust 8, 2024
Ahead of next week’s scheduled “Made by Google” event, which is expected to promote the company’s next generation of Pixel hardware and AI tools, Google is already unveiling new products, including a fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat with Matter support, and the anticipated 4K HDR Google TV Streamer — a $99.99 set-top box and successor to the Chromecast. The new entertainment hub — shipping September 24 — reportedly provides significantly better performance; integration with Google Home, Thread and Matter for improved connectivity across devices; and new Gemini AI functionality. Continue reading Gemini-Driven 4K Google TV Streamer Replaces Chromecast
By
Paula ParisiJuly 1, 2024
China’s Sneaki Design has a new smartphone camera technology called SwitchLens that makes it possible to use professional-quality interchangeable lenses with existing Android and iOS phones. It does this via a phone-mounting external camera unit that has its own one-inch CMOS sensor and coupling device for lenses built to the Micro Four Thirds (M43) open standard. The pro-sized sensor captures still images as 21MP in either the RAW or JPEG formats, and 60p MOV video at up to 4K. Existing M43 compatible lenses from manufacturers including Panasonic and Olympus work with SwitchLens, according to Sneaki Design. Continue reading SwitchLens Adds 1-Inch Sensor, M43 Lenses to Smartphones
By
Paula ParisiMay 23, 2024
Sonos, the company that helped launch the Wi-Fi speaker market is now branching into wireless over-ear headphones. The launch marks a much-anticipated and also inevitable move, considering the U.S. headset market was estimated to be almost $2.2 billion last year, nearly twice as large as the total for wireless speaker sales, according to market research firm Circana. Sonos Ace headphones have what is being called exceptional noise-cancellation and feature Bluetooth connectivity and a Wi-Fi chip so they can be used in conjunction with the Sonos soundbar for a personal home-theater experience. They ship June 5 for $449. Continue reading Sonos Rolls Out Its First Headphones, the $450 Bluetooth Ace
By
ETCentric StaffApril 24, 2024
The Comcast NOW suite of low-cost prepaid Wi-Fi and streaming TV service is gaining Internet and mobile products that consumers can purchase month-to-month. NOW Mobile proffers unlimited 5G data, talk and text, with access to more than 23 million Wi-Fi hotspots, for $25 per line. NOW Internet offers “more reliability than fixed wireless options” starting at $30 per month for 100 Mbps, or $45 per month for 200 Mbps. Each tier includes unlimited data and an Xfinity 5G gateway. The packages join NOW TV and NOW WiFi Pass in Comcast’s prepaid portfolio. Continue reading Comcast Offers Prepaid Month-to-Month Phone and Internet