Simon Walsh

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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Releases like Anker Nebula Astro and ViewSonic M1 have taken us into a new era of travel-friendly projectors. Today, a new BenQ portable projector is out and it propels things further ahead with single unit that supports Google Cast, AirPlay, USB-C, alongside IPX2 splash and drop resistance. Perhaps one of the neatest things surrounding the new GS2 unit is its vintage-looking design. You could even argue that it a variety of ways, it mimics one of Apple’s early iMac computers but in a colorway that’s more in line with Macintosh Classic. Continue reading to learn more.

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While there is a massive number of keyboard choices to review when shopping for a new one, some brands definitely stand out. Razer is among them, and it has a fresh offering that’s caught our attention. It is dubbed Razer Cynosa V2 and boasts everything from individually lit RGB keys to macro support for more advanced control. The company even addresses spill concerns with a design that resists liquid so you can keep playing as if nothing happened. It also happens to work with Xbox, making it great for your PC or Microsoft console. Continue reading to learn more.

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It’s wonderful to see companies like Apple, Microsoft, and others ratcheting up the fight against climate change. Not only has Amazon pledged to be net zero by 2040, it’s tackling this challenge while also empowering consumers to have a little fun with it. The company now lists six different ways that Amazon packaging can be used to have some fun prior to recycling no-longer-used cardboard. This means that your next order could include packaging that’s easily crafted into a cat condo, rocket, box car, and the list goes on. Continue reading to learn more.

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After years of Walmart and other retailers kicking off Black Friday festivities on Thanksgiving Day, the retail giant has officially announced that its stores will be closed on Thursday, November 27. This news comes alongside an announcement that it will give out employee bonuses of up to $300 as a thank you for working throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Walmart’s attempt to cut down on crowd sizes is not a huge shock and will arguably be welcomed by many, but a reduction of Black Friday shopping time will be a disappointment for some that really look forward to scoring in-person deals. Continue reading to learn more.

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With minimalism becoming increasingly more popular these days, it’s no wonder why tiny homes are being considered by many. As demand increases, the market tries to satisfy custom requests that customers may have. The latest from Canada-based Mint Tiny House Company goes above and beyond typical adventures with enough room to sleep eight alongside a high-end appearance that can be found both inside and out. Unlike the new Airstream Basecamp 20, this tiny home is truly massive and will need to be towed by a sizable truck. A fact that also rings true for the slightly-smaller, 38-foot Magnolia tiny house that was recently built. Continue reading to learn more.

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With the move to Apple Silicon now being official, most would agree that this puts an enormous amount of pressure on Intel to remain relevant. Thankfully, a new Samsung Galaxy Book S is here, and it’s the “first device to offer the Intel Core processor with Intel Hybrid Technology.” Samsung touts this adoption as paving the way for a full-blown Windows 10 experience that can also deliver long-lasting battery life. It also boasts a weight of just 950 grams and measures 11.8mm at its thickest point. Continue reading to learn more.

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With a Series X showcase scheduled for next week and a rumored Lockhart console on the way, it already felt like like there was an abundance of of Xbox news to digest. This just scratches the surface (pun intended) though, with a wide-ranging list of new details having emerged over the last few days. Not only will Xbox Game Pass Ultimate soon bundle xCloud, we’ve also learned that Xbox Series X will not support Kinect games. On top of that, Microsoft has discontinued some current-generation consoles ahead of Xbox Series X. Continue reading to learn more.

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Airstream has taken the wraps off its latest camper, and it’s a beauty. The 2021 Airstream Basecamp 20 sets out to level up road trips and camping with a more spacious design that boasts separate spaces for eating and sleeping. This provides a taste of the comforts found in the recently debuted Magnolia tiny house, but with a lower price and easier-to-tow form factor. While nowhere near as affordable as the Polydrop Trailer, the Airstream brand has a great track record with reputable trailers that have been rolling off the line for around 100 years now. Continue reading to learn more.

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With next-generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles scheduled for later this year, many fans (myself included) are anxiously wondering if they will be able to get their hands on a console. Thankfully, the latest news from Nikkei and Bloomberg bolster chances of pre-order success with PlayStation 5 production supposedly having been increased by 33% or more. The exact number of units being manufactured varies between sites, but at any rate, this is welcome news to the PlayStation community. This news comes hot on the heels of Sony unveiling its PS5 game box design. Continue reading to learn more.

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Just 3-weeks after OWC debuted a bus-powered Thunderbolt NVMe enclosure, the company is back at it again. This time around, it is adding the Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock to the OWC lineup — a fresh offering that turns one port into five. Two HDMI inputs make it simple to plug in dual displays, and there’s enough power here for both to operate at 4K60. Like the NVMe enclosure referenced above, this unit is also bus-powered, meaning you won’t need to plug it into anything more than a Thunderbolt-ready PC or Mac. Continue reading to learn more.

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A majority of us probably agree that both Sony and Microsoft have been milking next-generation console details for all they are worth. Its latest unveil of the PS5 game box design is a perfect example of this as many of us are going all-digital and may never buy a physical disc for either Sony or Microsoft’s next-generation consoles. In many regards, the new PS5 game box design mimics what we’ve seen for years, but some color changes along the top will arguably make games pair better with the new console. Continue reading to learn more.

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At the onset, tiny homes were a questionable living arrangement for a large majority of people. As time has passed, designs have become increasingly more innovative, with layouts that satisfy high-end tastes without a need for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The latest Magnolia tiny house from Minimaliste fits this bill, with a look that’s sure to turn some heads. It’s an all-weather model that measures 38-by10.5 feet, which equates to roughly 400 square feet of living space. Continue reading to learn more.

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When Canon announced its EOS R5 camera back in April, it caught our eye and the attention of many others with its 8K RAW and 4K 120fps recording capabilities. Since we’ve been itching for actual specifications. Today is the day we find out all of the details, and many will agree that it’s exciting news. Not only will we get a 45-megapixel EOS R5, but there’s also a more-affordable R6 that Canon states is aimed at “advanced amateurs.” Continue reading to learn more.

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Robust battery life has always been difficult for smartwatches to deliver. For this reason, hybrid offerings from the likes of Withings and Fossil have become popular as wearers can shed the need refuel at the end of the day. Garmin today is heading an entirely different direction with a slew of new solar smartwatches. By implementing a solar panel into each watch, Garmin is able to extend usage and limit how often wearers need to hunt for a power cable. Continue reading to learn more.

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Over the last month, we’ve seen Tag Heuer update its Connected Wear OS lineup, a bold new G-SHOCK stopwatch, and Garmin’s always-on MARQ Golfer smartwatch. Each of these is interesting in their own ways, but the new Timex PAC-MAN watch is arguably in a league of its own. It goes all-in on nostalgia with a classic Timex design that’s paired with PAC-MAN, chasing ghosts around its digital display. With this year ringing in PAC-MAN’s 40th anniversary, the timing of this release is no coincidence. Continue reading to learn more.

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The market has been flooded with retro consoles from the likes of Nintendo, Sega, PlayStation, and others. These have largely focused on playing a static library of games that arguably ensures boredom within a short period of time. With Atari VCS 800, we see something completely different. It’s everything from a console to a 4K streaming media player, and after delays and new feature announcements, Atari VCS 800 is finally available for pre-order. Continue reading to learn more.

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With a sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn slated for PlayStation 5 release in 2021, existing fans and newcomers alike will soon have a chance to enjoy the original with better graphics than ever before. We first got wind of an upcoming Steam debut back in March, but details were somewhat scarce and its release date was vaguely scheduled for this summer. A fresh Horizon Zero Dawn PC trailer has arrived and with it comes the confirmation of ultra-wide support, unlocked frame rates, improved reflections, dynamic foliage, and the list goes on. Continue reading to learn more.

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Tag Heuer is ringing in summer 2020 with an expansion of its Connected smartwatches. This comes as no surprise as Tag Heuer Connected debuted in March and is arguably one of the most luxurious Google Wear OS offerings to date. The new collection is comprised of two stainless steel styles and a new sandblasted titanium option. Interested parties will also find a collection of new bands, allowing new and existing Tag Heuer Connected owners alike to easily shake up their watch’s look. Continue reading to learn more.

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With company’s like Tile having taken the world by storm, it seems that even Apple is mulling over the thought of getting into the mobile tracker business. These trackers are great, but I think we can all agree it’s less clumsy when devices have been built with them in mind. The latest Ekster Smart Wallets and Sleeves do this and manage to pull off a high-end look to boot. It even has a lineup of vegan options made from recycled windshields. Continue reading to learn more.

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When it comes to consumer storage, the new Samsung 8TB SSD has set a fresh milestone. It comes in a 2.5-inch form-factor and is said to offer read and write speeds of up to 560MB/s and 530MB/s, respectively. This model is a part of the second-generation Samsung 870 QVO lineup and doubles the overall capacity from 4TB to 8TB. Each unit is backed by Samsung for three years or up to 2,880 terabytes written, whichever comes first. Continue reading to learn more.

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The latest Lenovo ThinkCentre Nano desktop is here, and despite wielding such a small form-factor it looks as though it can punch above its weight. This is largely due to the adoption of AMD Ryzen PRO processors, which are known for emitting less heat and consuming less power, allowing exceptional performance to be packed inside smaller designs. Lenovo recently opted for Ryzen chips in its upgraded Thinkpad E14 + E15 laptops, but neither of those feature AMD’s PRO-grade CPUs. Continue reading to learn more.

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Even if you weren’t alive or old enough to utilize Apple’s Macintosh M0100 mouse in its heyday, there’s still something warm and inviting about bringing its vintage design into the current era. Thankfully GREEN HOUSE Click is on the horizon and not only does it pay homage to the age-old M0100, it manages to modernize the design by cutting the cord in favor of offering wireless connectivity. The GREEN HOUSE Click Wireless Mouse mimics a single button design, but caters to modern times with a second button in tow. Continue reading to learn more.
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When it comes to Thunderbolt 3 solid state drives, pricing tends to be much higher than those that stick with slower USB 3.x speeds. Thankfully a new solution dubbed OWC Envoy Express is here to turn up the heat on competition while allowing consumers to affordably embrace blazing-fast performance. As “the world’s first Thunderbolt-certified bus-powered” enclosure, OWC Envoy Express operates using a single cable and owners can upgrade to larger NVMe storage as their needs change. Continue reading to learn more.
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Acer has unveiled a new entourage of top-tier notebooks, desktops, and monitors clearly aimed at the high end of the market. Each falls under the Acer ConceptD lineup, which signals these are made with content creators in mind. Of all the releases, ConceptD 3 Ezel takes the cake with one of the first offerings out there to mimic the floating design found in Apple’s iPad Pro Magic Keyboard. That being said, it does takes things a bit further with screen sizes as large as 15.6-inches. Continue reading to learn about the rest of the Acer ConceptD lineup.

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Nomad has unveiled all-new iPad Pro cases with a total of eight variants in store. Each option is a part of the Nomad Rugged series and you’ll find both case and folio form-factors similar to what we’ve seen from other brands before. The use of Nomad’s signature Horween leather is what differentiates these from the competition with it having a knack for changing its appearance throughout use. Each option chases a minimalistic aesthetic and is ready to accommodate wireless Apple Pencil charging. Continue reading to learn more.

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The latest G-SHOCK stopwatch is the result of a partnership with BEAMS. While not the first time these two have collaborated, this release will arguably stand out from a majority of those found in the G-SHOCK lineup. This is thanks to a retro look and feel that hasn’t been seen in other 2020 G-SHOCK releases.

It forfeits all forms of smart technology found in G-SHOCK Move, the white design look of its limited-edition NASA release, and even solar charging capabilities found in the new FROGMAN. Instead you’ll find a bright and cheerful design, affordable price tag, and digital screen focused on up to 10-hour stopwatch time tracking. Continue reading to learn more.

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Roughly 2-years after the original CrowPi hit the market, ELECROW has launched a new campaign for its second-generation model. It’s called CrowPi2, and is powered by a Raspberry Pi 3B or newer. The new offering boasts 22 different sensors that can be interacted with using Python, Scratch, and more. No matter what you tackle first, all of your work is displayed on its 11-inch screen with a full 1080p resolution. Owners will also find a 2MP camera, microphone, and stereo speakers. Continue reading to learn more.

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From the uber-affordable Polydrop Trailer to the Swan 699 van, there’s no question that competition is heating up in the world of campers. Today we’ve come across the new Scout Yoho camper and it has a compelling feature set for anyone that owns a mid-sized truck. It weighs as little as 913-pounds, sleeps up to four, and is ready to make your next adventure both fun and comfortable. A solar panel is built-in to every unit, and it’s ready to withstand everything from “heavy snow to strong winds.” Continue reading to learn more.

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Love it or hate it, AirPods have certainly become a fashion statement. That’s for earbuds, but when it comes to headphones, Beats can typically claim the crown there with a slew of stylish options to pick from. That’s an area that’s starting to heat up now thanks to the rollout of the new V-MODA Shield Kit for its studio-focused M-200 headphones. As you would expect, these are interchangeable, allowing owners to shake up their look whenever the mood strikes. Continue reading to learn more.
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The latest and greatest in the cellular arena is 5G. It’s hard to miss a mention of it when visiting any major carrier or even seeing a few commercials. While it can be exciting for mobile devices, the true magic arguably happens with bigger form-factors like PCs and the like. This is where Lenovo Flex 5G comes in. It’s slated to arrive later this week, making it the first 5G PC available to the public. Continue reading to learn more.

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The smart home space is getting better all the time. The new Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera has debuted and it aims to satisfy indoor and outdoor security needs alike. It connects directly to a Wi-Fi network, ditching the need for a hub and has features ranging from color night vision to a built-in siren. Its wire-free design is powered by rechargeable batteries, ensuring you won’t need to keep AAs or something similar on-hand. Continue reading to learn more.

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While Wi-Fi 6 terminology has been looming for years, it’s only recently begun to gain traction. We’re finally seeing support grace smartphones and tablets, which arguably increases the amount of pressure router manufacturers face to get new and innovative products on the market. We’ve seen several Wi-Fi 6 routers debut, and now more than ever, mesh solutions are coming to the surface. Asus ZenWiFi AX Mini is the company’s latest 3-node mesh offering, and it manages to deliver Wi-Fi 6 while sticking with a compelling price tag. Continue reading to learn more.
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Hot on the heels of Tag Heuer’s luxurious Connected Golf Edition, Garmin has announced a high-end watch of its own. This “premium-crafted timepiece” is called Garmin MARQ Golfer and it sports the company’s “most advanced set of golf features.” These include functionality from Garmin like Hazard View, Virtual Caddie, PlaysLike Distance, realtime metrics engulfing wind speed, course layout, and the list goes on. Today’s release joins an extensive lineup of Garmin tech products focused on golf, but arguably this is about as close as it gets to having a Rolex-like equivalent in its lineup. Continue reading to learn more.
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Well over a year after Grado Labs unveiled its “zero-compromise” wireless headphones, the company is unleashing a new offering that will easily stand out from what feels like a never-ending list of competition. Grado Labs’ Hemp Headphones find yet another way to use hemp, and perhaps unsurprisingly, this product is the first of its kind. The company describes its limited edition Hemp Headphones as producing “a brilliant, warm, and precise sound.” Continue reading to learn more. 
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While lots of PC manufacturers design many offerings to compete with MacBooks, many end up falling short. This tends to be especially true when it comes to the look and feel of the product. The new Dell XPS 17 combats this with incredibly small bezels that give it a form-factor close to what you’d find in most 15-inch laptops. For some, this will make it one of the strongest 16-inch MacBook Pro competitors out there. So how does it stack up next to Apple’s most powerful laptop? Keep reading to find out.

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Roughly a couple of months after Canon released a webcam update for its PC software, companies like Fujifilm and Panasonic are quickly following suit. This isn’t much of a shock as Canon is easily considered one of the biggest brands in DSLR photography. Much like Apple, the company can throw some effort at a new feature and the rest of the market really has no decision but to quickly adapt. The new Panasonic LUMIX webcam update allows makes it easier than ever for the company’s customers to add yet another feature to its high-end cameras. Continue reading to learn more.
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