Gadgets and Devices
Practical coverage of gadgets, devices, apps, and consumer electronics: what is launching, what is changing, and what is genuinely worth attention.
Latest publications
iOS 27’s Siri AI rollout is a compatibility test, not an automatic upgrade reason
iOS 27 is available, but its headline Siri AI features depend on your iPhone, language, Apple Account region, beta access and local regulation. Here is what actually changes for owners and buyers.
The iPhone 18 Pro’s variable-aperture camera is useful, but it is not a reason for everyone to upgrade
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro adds a mechanical variable-aperture main camera, manual exposure controls, a new chip and better claimed battery life. Here is what those changes mean in ordinary photos, video, upgrades and buying decisions before full reviews arrive.
AirPods 5 bring noise cancellation to Apple’s open fit. The real choice is how much isolation you need
Apple’s AirPods 5 make open-fit earbuds more capable, but ANC cannot change the basic physics of an unsealed earbud. Here is who benefits, which $149 version makes sense, and when AirPods Pro remain the better buy.
The September Android Drop’s Most Useful Changes Are a New Memory for Your Stuff and a Better Way to Read in Motion
Google’s September Android Drop adds remembered items to Find Hub, Motion Assist for passengers, Guided Vision, and new Messages tools. Here is what each feature does, which phones need Android 16 or 17, and what to check before trusting it.
Fairphone Gen. 6+ in the US: the seven-year ownership test
Fairphone’s first official US phone pairs replaceable parts with support promised through 2033. Here is how its repair case, warranty, carrier limits and everyday compromises hold up before you spend $649.99.
“App required” is the new gadget red flag
More devices now assume a charged modern smartphone, app store account and cloud login. Before buying, check whether the thing still works when the app does not.
Dyson CameraJet Puts a Machine-Vision Camera and Mouthwash Jet in a $499 Toothbrush
Dyson’s first toothbrush uses a tiny camera and machine-learning software to find gaps between teeth, then aims a burst of mouthwash at them. The unusual design is technically ambitious, but its price, upkeep and unproven clinical advantage matter as much as the headline feature.
Official phone cases are now gadgets, and they deserve gadget-level skepticism
Pixel case and Pixelsnap complaints show why a $50 official case is no longer a harmless checkout add-on. Treat phone accessories like devices, not decorations.
Your smartphone is turning into an app terminal, and the web is paying the price
Forced app prompts are no longer just annoying banners. They affect storage, battery, privacy, phone lifespan and whether everyday services remain accessible.
Pixel 11 trade-in reports show the hidden risk in phone upgrades
Pixel 10 owners report rejected Google Store trade-ins after ordering Pixel 11. The lesson: a trade-in is not a discount until the credit lands.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Cards make physical games less physical
Game-Key Cards keep the box and resale, but not the full game on the card. Buyers need to check downloads, storage and long-term value before paying.
Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s bend-test problem is really a buyer-risk problem
Google sells its new foldable as thinner, lighter and stronger. Independent stress testing says the old question has not gone away: at almost $1,900, buyers need to price durability, insurance and repair risk as part of the phone.
