Simon Walsh

Some folks enjoy getting way ahead of holiday shopping madness, and Amazon doesn’t intend to miss out on any of those potential customers. The online marketplace has already unveiled several gift guides ranging from electronics to toys, but one of the most interesting surrounds Launchpad. This is where Amazon showcases innovative and exciting products that may otherwise fly under the radar. Continue reading to learn all about the Amazon Launchpad gift guide.

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New HP Spectre x360 13 and 14 laptops have been unveiled today and boast several notable features. First up, we have a refreshed Spectre x360 13 which can now be configured with 5G. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise since the new cellular signal has become a headlining feature in several 2020 device releases. Of both new devices, HP Spectre x360 14 will arguably be the most visually appealing given its small bezels, which deliver a modernized appearance. Both models have adopted 11th-generation Intel processors, an upgrade that should contribute performance gains and increased battery life. Continue reading to learn more.

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Earlier today, Microsoft made some fresh additions to the Surface lineup. Leading the pack is an all-new Surface Laptop Go that clocks in with a very affordable starting price of $549.99. The company also doubled down on its ARM-powered Surface Pro X by debuting a high-end model with a faster Microsoft SQ 2 processor. Continue reading to learn more.

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Western Digital has unveiled refreshed SanDisk Extreme solid-state drives that double the performance found in its previous-generation offerings. Both SanDisk Extreme and Extreme PRO retain a familiar design despite receiving an impressive speed upgrade. According to SanDisk, this feat had been made possible, thanks to new and improved NVMe technology. The base model boasts 1,050MB/s read and up to 1,000MB/s write performance while the PRO offering clocks in at 2,000MB/s for both read and write. Continue reading to learn more.

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Yale announced three new smart home products in January. Yale Smart Delivery Box, Cabinet Lock, and Safe were slated for a spring 2020 release, but unsurprisingly this whirlwind of a year left us with a batch of launch delays. Thankfully, Smart Delivery Box and Cabinet Lock are now on sale, but unfortunately anyone that’s been hoping to get their hands on Yale Smart Safe will have to wait until 2021. Continue reading to learn more.

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When it comes to PC laptops, there aren’t many designs out there that can make a Mac user consider switching. Dell XPS 13, 15, and 17 can often be at the top of the list though, thanks to the lineup’s compelling formula. Some would even argue that each unit clearly goes head-to-head with MacBook Pro. The latest Dell XPS 13 turns up the heat with Intel Tiger Lake CPUs, Thunderbolt 4 support, and more. Continue reading for additional deals.

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Bang & Olufsen has unveiled a new way to interact with its premium speaker ecosystem. It’s called Beoremote Halo and is equipped with a small touchscreen that’s accompanied by a striking design. The unit comes in two styles that either rest on top of a table or are made to be wall mounted. Continue reading to learn more.

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Last June we covered the Kickstarter debut of LUMI Keys. Fast-forward 15 months later and ROLI is finally ready to open up sales of its bright and colorful piano keyboard. ROLI has a knack for making eye-catching digital instruments, with quite a few futuristic devices that continue to be readily available. The new LUMI keyboard aims to teach piano to anyone, anywhere. It’s compact and players can expand it at any time, thanks to magnetic connectors that make pairing another keyboard as easy as possible. Continue reading to learn more.

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Earlier today, Garmin added yet another smartwatch to its almost daunting array of options. The all-new Garmin Venu Sq comes in two models and a variety of colorways. While not nearly as affordable as Amazfit Band 5, it’s still clear that value is what Venu Sq is chasing — a fact that’s incredibly clear when comparing with how expensive some of its wearables have become. Buyers of Venu Sq garner a long list of features ranging from six-day battery life to a blood oxygen sensor, stress tracking to sleep monitoring, and the list goes on. Continue reading to learn more.

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Just a few months back, Samsung unveiled a 2.5-inch solid-state drive with 8TBs of storage. It was an upgrade that doubled what the company had previously been capable of. The new Samsung 980 PRO SSD series debuted earlier today, and instead of focusing on capacity, the company has doubled down on performance. Users can anticipate up to 7,000MB/s file transfers, a boost that is twice the speed of its 970 PRO lineup. Continue reading to learn more.

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The latest Apple Watch was unveiled last week with a blood oxygen sensor that arguably leads the pack when it comes to the feature set found in the new device. As with every Apple release, it’s generally not long until competitors turn up the heat with dialed-back pricing. Huami is hoping to turn some heads with its new Amazfit Band 5, which appears to punch above its weight with a remarkably low price. It can measure blood oxygen saturation, keep tabs on heart rate, and even wields Alexa. The form factor offers a 1.1-inch AMOLED display is said to deliver 15-day battery life “in a typical usage scenario.” Continue reading to learn more.

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Ralph Lauren has debuted an all-new Polo Watch collection comprised of four models. Each can be outfitted with a variety of casual and upscale bands. The four Polo Watch designs are distinguished by differing dials ranging from a green to navy alongside two black variants characterized by shiny stainless steel or matte hardware for “a modern appeal.” None of the watches feature smartphone connectivity features, but are instead focused entirely on fashion. Continue reading to learn more.

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Bose has been a dominant player in the audio market for a long time now. The company has a variety of beloved products, but few can rival the popularity of its QuietComfort lineup. For many, they’ve served as the gold standard alongside Sony’s XM series. Until now, Bose has always steered clear of the gaming market, but that has changed. An all-new Bose gaming headset has debuted and it lets QuietComfort 35 II live on. Continue reading to learn more.

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Prior to breaking ground on your next gaming PC build, you may want to look over the new Aston Martin Racing Simulator. It’s the result of a partnership with Curv Racing Simulators and Aston Martin, and it looks just as svelte as you would expect. It boasts a QHD ultra-wide gaming monitor, i7 processor, and NVIDIA GPU. While it’s not hard to buy and build a PC with even better specifications, many will agree that the looks of the finished product will pale in comparison. Continue reading to learn more.

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As 2020 makes history by being one of the strangest years in modern times, HP has kept its ear to the ground and is attempting to adapt with the times. Folks cooped up at home are on the hunt for entertainment, a void that many have filled with video games. This makes now an ideal time to innovate in the space, and that’s precisely what the latest HP gaming accessories set out to do. New monitors, gaming headsets, and peripherals are on the way. Continue reading to learn more about them.

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Without question, there’s a lot to like about tiny houses, but sleeping in a loft doesn’t often make the list. While it’s a great way to take advantage of otherwise squandered space, getting in and out of bed can prove to be a challenge. For this reason, there are several tiny homes now on the market that keep everything on a single level. The Dark Horse Tiny House is the latest we’ve found that embraces this type of layout, and it looks fantastic. Continue reading to learn more.

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These days it can often feel like a waste to print something out. A situation that is only strained further by tech companies that consistently try to rid us of the need for a pen and paper. While in most cases this is arguably a good thing, there are times when having a printout may be the best approach. This is where Alexa Print steps into frame. It makes it a cinch to request a printed copy of your shopping list, a coloring page, recipe, and the list goes on. These examples merely scratch the surface of all that Alexa Print is capable of. Continue reading to learn more.

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From Swatch Q to Seiko’s upcoming Street Fighter V collection, there appears to be no shortage of limited edition watch styles to pick from. That being said, it’s going to be hard for many to compete with Casio’s new Metal-Twisted G-SHOCK. It features a colorful design that mimics what we’ve seen Samsung deliver in some of its smartphones. Casio describes its bezel as “kaleidoscopic” and manages to take things even further with a red translucent band. This solar-powered timepiece can be paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth to deliver automatic time adjustment, phone finder functionality, and more. Continue reading for more details.

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Shopping for a power bank can be overwhelming when considering just how many competing solutions currently exist. This makes it vitally important for any new release to do something unique in order to stand out from a staggeringly large crowd of competitors. Unsurprisingly, the new Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank manages to pull this off with flying colors. Not only can it charge iPhone and AirPods wirelessly, but you’ll also find USB-A and Type-C ports. And that’s not all. Arguably the real standout feature has to be built-in support for charging Apple Watch. Continue reading to learn more.

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It doesn’t matter if you’re a content creator or a streamer, the all-new Loupedeck Live is here to simplify your daily workflow with what feels like an endless amount of shortcuts. If you’re familiar with Loupedeck and Loupedeck+, you’re bound to immediately notice a strikingly different appearance. It arguably looks more like Elgato Stream Deck than either of those predecessors. Thankfully it’s more of a hybrid that boasts a screen full of shortcuts alongside dials and buttons that are clearly inspired by the Loupedeck devices that came before it. Continue reading to learn more.

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It’s been less than three weeks since Casio dropped its last batch of heavy-duty G-SHOCK watches, but here we are with a trio of new colorways that are ready to fill out your collection. Casio’s new timepieces bear the name G-SHOCK GRAVITYMASTER and feature a “unique Carbon Core Guard construction.” This lingo refers to each model having a resin case that’s reinforced with carbon fibers. Bluetooth connectivity is onboard, making it a cinch to find your phone, relay step counts, and even log altitude points for aviation enthusiasts. Continue reading to learn more.

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Roughly 16 to 17 months after Western Digital debuted its rugged ArmorATD drives, the company’s now ready to take things to the next level. Not only can the new not only ArmorLock SSD handle drops and resist crushes, but it also aims to make data encryption a cinch. Gone are the days of needing to decrypt using a complex password. The latest G-Technology storage solution can let your smartphone to do all of that heavy-lifting. That’s right, a companion application lets you lock and unlock your data using biometrics. Continue reading to learn more.

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Just yesterday, we covered Optoma’s new CinemaX P2 4K laser projector. One day later, Samsung manages to one-up that release with two ultra-short-throw projectors of its own. Both are named Samsung The Premiere, with model numbers LSP9T and LSP7T helping to distinguish one from the other. LSP7T creates a 10-foot image like CinemaX P2, but LSP9T takes things further with a picture that measures 130 inches diagonally. That’s right — placing one of Samsung’s new laser projector in the living room will cast either a 120- or 130-inch image onto your wall. Continue reading to learn more.

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The battle between projectors and televisions rages on following the unveiling of the new Optoma CinemaX P2 4K Laser Projector. It’s only been a year since P1 debuted, but that hasn’t halted the folks at Optoma from continuing to push this product line forward. One way this new offering differentiates itself from its predecessor is by delivering “25% more contrast and vibrant color performance.” You’ll also find a new Enhanced Gaming Mode alongside its “state-of-the-art digital exhibit feature.” Continue reading to learn more.

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About two months ago, Scout Yoho caught our attention. Despite the fact that it weighed in at a mere 913 pounds, it managed to deliver solar power, a fireplace, and more. Fast forward to today, and you’ll find Scout Kenai, a feature-rich camping solution that’s likely to prove more desirable to most. Standout additions include a built-in toilet, bigger bed, and the option to bundle a portable shower. It’s compatible with “full-sized short and long box trucks,” making it a viable option for many. Kenai is the third member to join Scout’s lineup. Continue reading to learn more.

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Despite the fact that Bose appears to have largely given up on Frames, a fresh FCC listing leads us to potentially think otherwise. It showcases what could be a new take on its AR-focused wearables. We spent time wearing Bose Frames and came away impressed with its audio capabilities but somewhat underwhelmed by the company’s implementation of augmented reality. Could the company have come up with a new approach to make Bose Frames 2 a worthwhile venture? Continue reading to learn more.

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While rumor has it that the number of initial PS5 units being manufactured has significantly risen, it still seems likely that supply will not meet the level of demand many of us are anticipating. For this reason we put together a list of retailers that are offering to send PS5 pre-order notifications once listings have arrived. Despite this, Sony appears to be kicking things off a bit earlier with its own batch of pre-order invitations sent to select PlayStation Online IDs. Continue reading to learn how you can try to make the cut.

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With tiny house space continuing to heat up, Minimaliste stands out as a manufacturer that is constantly looking for ways to overhaul and improve existing units in its portfolio. The latest example of this involves Minimaliste Ébène, a model that will now be on its third iteration. The most drastic change by far is a reduction in length, which takes it from 36 to 32.5 feet. This move delivers a more compact and refined solution to this tiny house builder’s ever-growing lineup. Continue reading to learn more.

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Competition has been heating up in the tiny house and camper trailer space. Despite this, Mobi Nomad is doubling down its efforts with a new and more compact solution called Mobi X. It sets itself apart by expanding into a large living space with amenities like a shower and kitchen, despite only measuring 12 feet in length. Along the side you’ll find a large window that provides great views and picturesque reflections when spending time outside. Continue reading to learn more.

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Western Digital has taken the wraps off its latest My Passport SSD today. It embraces a new look and NVMe storage, a decision that has led to double the performance offered in its predecessor. It comes in three storage capacities that range from 500GB to 2TB. As you’d expect, each is equipped with USB-C. Power consumption is low enough that no external power source is required, making it an ideal solution for keeping in your backpack. Today’s release is competitive with Crucial X8, but falls short when compared with Samsung’s Thunderbolt 3 X5 SSD. Continue reading to learn more.

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When it comes to watches, the Seiko brand has been alive and kicking since 1881. Fast forward almost 140-years and you’ve got a respectable mid-range lineup that can hold its own in the watch category. This is only bolstered by the its upcoming Seiko Street Fighter V collection, which will officially join its Seiko 5 Sports line. There are a total of six models, each of which is inspired by one of the game’s central characters. Those who made the cut include Ryu, Chun-Li, Ken, Guile, Blanka, and Zangief. Continue reading to learn more.

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It’s been a couple of years or so now since Hisense began its laser television endeavor. Things were initially kicked off with an 80-inch offering, but the latest Hisense Laser TV is here and it spans 100-inches. The unit runs Android OS, allowing you to set aside the secondary purchase of a dedicated streaming media player. When it comes to audio, Hisense is sticking with dbx-tv sound, which is said to offer “deep bass, crisp highs, 3D surround sound, and more.” The picture itself is powered by X-Fusion laser light source that’s ready to display content for over 25,000-hours. Continue reading to learn more.

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When it comes to creating truly unique, yet entertaining and stylish objects, Love Hultén shines. We’ve seen retro gaming experiences get reimagined with releases that range from an all-in-one console that resembles an old television to a more recent slide-out coffee table. The latest Love Hultén release is a tribute to Martin Molin’s Marble Machine X instrument and is aptly named Marble Machine XS. Instead of needing to be cranked, this adaptation relies on a battery to power its DC motor. Marbles fall onto keys that trigger sounds generated by a synthesizer. Continue reading to see it in action.

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Over the last couple of years we’ve seen various video game-related auctions take place. These have included everything from the rare Nintendo PlayStation collaboration console to a $100,000 sale of Super Mario Bros. Similarly, a $140,000 private sale recently took place for a sealed edition of the same title, which is astronomically higher than what a similar version in used condition fetches on Amazon. Instead of selling to one individual person, an investment company called Rally will split ownership between 3,000 buyable shares, making it fairly affordable to get in on the ground floor. Continue reading to learn more.

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Despite the fact that 2020 has been a bumpy ride, this hasn’t held Casio back from releasing a multitude of new and notable G-SHOCK watches. The latest lineup has been given the model number of GA900 and sports a tough, industrial design that looks as though it’ll be right at home with other G-SHOCK timepieces. There are three heavy-duty G-SHOCK watches in GA900 series, each of which sports a 10-sided bezel that “resembles the shape of a nut.” Four visible screws on the front secure it in place and give it a rugged look. Continue reading to learn more.

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Over the last few months we’ve covered a variety of new tiny houses. Some are high-end, others deliver an abundance of space, and most recently we detailed Kabinka, which is arguably one of the most affordable options out there. Today we’ve stumbled across Natura, a solar-powered tiny house that manages to accommodate a king-sized bed, wood-burning stove, and more. All of this is done for a price that undercuts what you’d have to spend on a used home, let alone something brand new. This allows it to serve as a tempting option to folks who’d like to be more eco-friendly or simply spend more of their time on the road. Continue reading to learn more.
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If recent coverage of Magnolia and Traveler’s Paradise has you intrigued by the thought of living in a tiny house, you’re in for a treat with today’s highly-affordable discovery. It’s called Kabinka and is made by a Hungarian company called Hello Wood. Instead of going high-end like the others above, it chases a very basic design that makes it a thrifty option that’s perfect for peaceful getaways. This affordable tiny house is available in 4 sizes, allowing folks to fit “a kitchenette, desk, couch and stove.” Continue reading to learn more.

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Few things feel as futuristic as a touchscreen projector that lights up a desk. Microsoft is perhaps the closest a big-name company has gotten with its premium Studio desktops, but even these are nothing like Hachi Infinite M1. This new offering illuminates a desk or the wall, allowing you to play a game or check email and then quickly reorient it to watch a movie when the mood strikes. Its operating system is based on Android, potentially opening it up to a large number of supported apps at launch. Continue reading to learn more.

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It doesn’t matter whether you own a tent or an Airstream Basecamp 20 — NOMAD’s portable grill and smoker is here to let you cook favorite dishes no matter where your outdoor adventures take you. While competing options are made by Traeger, Char-Griller, and others, NOMAD takes things to the next level with a design that’s all but certain to turn heads. It wields enough space to grill and smoke a considerable amount of food, is comprised of aircraft-grade aluminum, and weighs in at a mere 28 pounds. Continue reading to learn more.

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Twelve South is a brand that’s garnered a lot of attention by committing itself solely to the development of Apple product accessories. Despite this, the company has managed to create a vast catalog of items ranging from stands for iPad and MacBook to cases for iPhone and AirPods. The launch of BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite signals that Twelve South is beginning to venture outside of the Apple ecosystem, paving the way for potential excitement among Android, PC, and Chromebook enthusiasts. Continue reading to learn more.

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Back when I initially covered Alexa routines, the interface was a little different. I’m very happy with its recent facelift, but one feature that got better even before this was the setup process for routines. Folks with lots of automations are now able to assign a name to each routine, and the list can even be sorted and filtered. This has renewed my enthusiasm for Alexa routines, as it used to be a nightmare to thumb through a huge list of automations that were assigned meaningless, uneditable names. In this Echo Dot Diary, I will share recent additions to my ever-growing list of home automation.

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Back in February, we got wind that several Halo-inspired Nerf blasters were on the way. As you’d expect, the debut of these has been slated to coincide with Halo Infinite and Xbox Series X releases later this year. This is now more official than ever with Nerf’s motorized Halo MA40 now available for pre-order. Not only does this listing confirm an official launch price, it also clarifies when folks can get this blaster in their hands. Its clip holds 10 darts, all of which come included. Continue reading to learn more.

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Otterbox has created an exceptionally cute Echo Dot accessory that’s bound to be loved by many. It’s a Baby Yoda Echo Dot stand, and it empowers Alexa users to prominently show off their appreciation for Star Wars. This is far from the only Baby Yoda-inspired gear we’ve seen hit Amazon’s virtual shelves, with The Mandalorian garnering quite a bit of fanfare since its debut on Disney+ in November 2019. The new offering is up for pre-order now, but it’s worth noting that compatibility is limited to the latest Echo Dot. Continue reading to learn more.

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From Wonder Workshop to Kano, there’s a wide variety of coding robots and sensors on the market now. iRobot is a company that has the perfect name for this product category, and today it’s doubled-down its efforts with a coding robot that’s more 35% more affordable than the unit that preceded it. The release of iRobot Root rt0 is timed well as it’s being marketed as a solution that brings “classroom learning into the home.” Notable abilities surrounding Root rt0 include drawing, making music, and exploration. Continue reading to learn more.

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When we heard that UNO Minimalista was going to become an official Mattel offering back in March, we were very excited about it. Unlike some redesigns, the concept on Instagram appears to be loved by just about everyone that sees it. In fact, it even looks like a knockoff may have emerged at Amazon.

Anyone that enjoys UNO will be pleased to find out that the Minimalista version does not change the rules, but is a mere makeover of the classic game. While not the only time Mattel has redesigned UNO, Minimalista has to be one of the most exciting options yet.

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