Tag: The Verge

Garmin has introduced a new feature within the Garmin Connect app that allows users with a Garmin Connect Plus subscription to track their nutrition intake. This addition enables users to monitor their daily calorie and macronutrient consumption, including proteins, fats, and carbs. Through the feature, users can access personalized insights designed to assist them in achieving their nutritional objectives.

Users can log their meals by utilizing a comprehensive food database that covers packaged, restaurant, and regional food options. Additionally, they can scan barcodes or use their smartphone camera for quick food logging. For those with compatible Garmin smartwatches, a concise summary of their nutrition intake and the ability to track favorite and recent food items are available.

Garmin provides users with detailed reports on their nutrition habits on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. The platform also offers personalized recommendations for calorie intake and macronutrient balance. Leveraging AI-driven insights, users can gain valuable understanding of how their nutrition choices impact their overall health and training progress, such as the relationship between late-night eating and sleep quality.

Source: The Verge

At CES 2026, LG showcased its latest innovation, the CLOiD robot, demonstrating its ability to assist with household tasks like loading the washer. The robot, equipped with five-finger hands and animated eyes, aims to pave the way for a ‘zero labor home’ concept. During the keynote, CLOiD interacted with presenters, showcasing its potential to handle various chores efficiently.

Brandt Varner, LG’s vice president of sales, demonstrated how CLOiD can seamlessly load laundry into the washer, albeit at a slower pace. The robot’s engaging personality, with a masculine voice and animated gestures, added a touch of charm to its functionality. From loading laundry to offering water to presenters, CLOiD’s capabilities hinted at a future where household chores could be automated and simplified.

LG envisions CLOiD as a versatile assistant capable of performing tasks like fetching items from the fridge, preparing food, and even folding clothes. The concept of ‘Affectionate Intelligence’ embedded in CLOiD aims to enhance daily life experiences through smart automation.

Source: The Verge

Kwikset has unveiled its latest smart home innovation, the Aura Reach smart lock, at CES 2026. Priced at $189, the Aura Reach offers a budget-friendly alternative to the Halo Select model, making advanced smart lock technology more accessible to a wider range of consumers.

While the Aura Reach lacks built-in Wi-Fi and an integrated door sensor found in the higher-priced Halo Select, it still boasts a Grade 2 security rating and a sleek, utilitarian design, catering to those seeking a reliable and affordable smart lock solution.

Featuring Matter-over-Thread connectivity, the Aura Reach is compatible with Apple Home, allowing users to take advantage of Kwikset’s hands-free auto-unlock feature, which utilizes Bluetooth and geofencing technology to unlock the door as the user approaches. Additionally, the lock includes a convenient touchscreen keypad with a proximity sensor that activates the backlight when the user is near the door.

Powered by four AA batteries with an estimated one-year lifespan, the Aura Reach offers remote control capabilities through a Matter platform like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home, when connected to a Thread Border Router. Kwikset has also introduced an optional Signal Range Boost for enhanced network performance.

With the Aura Reach, Kwikset brings advanced smart lock technology within reach of budget-conscious consumers, offering a blend of affordability, security, and convenience in a single package.

Source: The Verge

Amazon has expanded its product lineup by introducing the Amazon Ember Artline TV, joining other lifestyle TVs like Samsung’s The Frame, Hisense CanvasTV, TCL Nxtvision, and LG Gallery TV. The Ember Artline is a 4K edge-lit LED TV with a slim 1.5-inch profile and a matte screen designed to minimize ambient light glare.

Customers can personalize their Artline TV with a choice of 10 colored frames, ranging from walnut to graphite. This TV supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+ formats, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Featuring far-field microphones for Alexa integration and Omnisense technology for motion detection, the Artline can switch to ambient art mode when someone enters or leaves the room.

Amazon Photos integration allows users to display personal photos or choose from a library of over 2,000 artworks. A unique feature lets users take room photos to receive personalized art recommendations based on their decor.

The Amazon Ember Artline TV will be available in 55 to 65-inch sizes starting at $899, launching later this spring with the new Fire TV OS redesign.

Source: The Verge

JBL has announced an expanded range of workout earbuds, introducing the Zone and Pace open-ear design models alongside updates to the existing Peak and Run series. These new earbuds cater to various preferences, including open-style, sealed with active noise cancellation (ANC), and affordable wired options, priced between $24.95 and $179.95.

Leading the lineup is the Endurance Zone, featuring JBL’s OpenSound technology for a secure fit during workouts while allowing ambient sounds. Equipped with 18x11mm drivers and dual beam-forming microphones, the Zone offers IP68 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connection, Google Fast Pair, and up to eight hours of playtime with an additional 24 hours from the charging case. Quick charging provides three hours of listening with just 10 minutes of charge. The Zone will be available in black, gray, and white color options.

The Endurance Peak 4 earbuds, priced at $129.95, boast adaptive noise cancellation, smart ambient features, and spatial sound support from 10mm drivers. With an IP68 rating, Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint capabilities, and six microphones for call clarity, the Peak 4 offers up to 48 hours of total playtime. Both the Zone and Peak 4 models support Google Fast Pair, Google Finder, and Google Audio Switch functionalities.

Source: The Verge

JBL has introduced its latest additions to the open-ear lineup with the launch of the JBL Sense Pro and Sense Lite earbuds, set to debut in the US in March 2026. Building on the success of the original Sense model released in 2024, the new earbuds incorporate cutting-edge technology to enhance the audio experience for users.

Both the Sense Pro and Sense Lite earbuds feature JBL’s proprietary OpenSound technology, Dual Connect, Fast Pair capabilities, and customizable touch controls via the JBL app. The Sense Pro stands out with 16.2mm drivers, spatial sound support, high-resolution audio with adaptive bass boost, JBL Voice Pickup Sensor technology for improved call quality, and Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity.

The Sense Pro offers up to 38 hours of playtime, supports wireless charging, and provides a rapid charge feature where a 10-minute charge yields four hours of playback. In contrast, the Sense Lite, while more streamlined in features compared to the Pro model, still offers up to 32 hours of playtime, Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, and IP54 water and dust resistance.

Additionally, JBL is introducing the Soundgear Clips, which deliver bass boost, advanced call quality algorithms, and IP54 durability, all in a sleek design.

Source: The Verge

Tech companies have long offered pet cameras for remote monitoring of pets at home. At CES this week, new robot companions named Vex and Aura have taken this concept further by offering autonomous pet tracking, AI-powered video editing, and human-like companionship.

Vex, a compact white sphere with adorable features, can track and film pets as they go about their day. Equipped with visual recognition technology, Vex can identify specific pets, offering a unique low-angle perspective of their activities. The recorded footage is then intelligently edited into ‘moving narratives and shareable stories,’ enhancing the pet monitoring experience.

Additionally, FrontierX introduced Aura, a larger spherical bot designed as a companion for humans. Featuring a circular screen face, Aura can interpret human emotions through facial expressions and body language. With LLM-powered conversational capabilities, Aura can engage in dialogue and follow users around, providing companionship.

While both Vex and Aura are still in the development phase, FrontierX plans to start accepting preorders within the next six months. The pricing details for these innovative robot companions are yet to be disclosed.

Source: The Verge

Birdbuddy, a leading provider of smart bird feeders, has unveiled two new models: the Birdbuddy 2 and the Birdbuddy 2 Mini. These innovative feeders are equipped with upgraded cameras that offer improved features such as 2K HDR video, slow-motion recording, and a wider field of view. The Birdbuddy 2, priced at $199, includes a redesigned circular camera housing and an integrated mic for capturing birdsong, aiding in species identification. Additionally, it boasts dual integrated solar panels for extended power usage and supports dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity for enhanced stability.

The Birdbuddy 2 Mini, a more compact and affordable version of the flagship model, is designed for novice users and smaller outdoor spaces. With AI bird identification capabilities and a smaller form factor, this feeder caters to individuals looking to explore smart birdwatching. Preorders for the Birdbuddy 2 have already sold out, with shipments expected in February 2026, while the Birdbuddy 2 Mini will be available for preorder at $129 in mid-2026.

These smart feeders aim to enhance the birdwatching experience by leveraging advanced camera technology and AI capabilities to offer an immersive and user-friendly experience for enthusiasts and beginners alike.

Source: The Verge

Mui Lab has unveiled an innovative addition to its Mui Board smart home controller, offering advanced features tailored for bedroom environments. Unlike traditional tech interfaces, the Mui Board boasts a minimalist design, resembling a sleek piece of wood with subtle glowing capabilities upon interaction.

The Mui Calm Sleep Platform for the Mui Board Gen 2 now incorporates millimeter-wave sensors, enabling sleep tracking without the need for wearable devices. By utilizing radar technology to monitor posture and breathing patterns, the Mui Board aims to provide sleep insights comparable to wearable EEG devices, albeit with limited commercial adoption and validation of accuracy.

Departing from data-centric sleep monitoring, the Mui Calm Sleep Platform emphasizes a user-friendly experience by discreetly adjusting lighting settings and guiding users through pre-sleep relaxation exercises. Furthermore, the platform is designed to detect signs of fatigue and stress through voice analysis, offering personalized recommendations to encourage better rest habits.

Additionally, the Mui Board Gen 2 will soon incorporate mmWave sensors, enabling gesture-based control from a distance. This feature allows users to interact with the device through intuitive gestures, such as dismissing alarms effortlessly. The integration of mmWave sleep tracking and gesture control is slated for release later this year, enhancing the functionality and convenience of the Mui Board.

Source: The Verge

Lockin, a leading smart lock manufacturer, has introduced the V7 Max, a cutting-edge device that addresses the common issue of dead batteries by utilizing wireless optical charging. Unlike traditional smart locks, the V7 Max is powered by an eye-safe optical output that delivers rapid power within a four-meter range, eliminating the need for manual battery replacements.

Designed by Hartmut Esslinger, former chief designer at Apple, the V7 Max features innovative biometric unlocking options such as finger vein, palm vein, and 3D facial recognition. Its sleek design, resembling a curved door handle, sets it apart from conventional square smart locks, offering both style and functionality.

Additionally, the V7 Max comes equipped with a built-in video doorbell, dual five-inch touchscreens, and compatibility with the Matter protocol for seamless integration with major smart home systems like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Samsung. The device also incorporates two outer cameras and LockinAI, an AI system that enhances security by recognizing and logging deliveries.

Source: The Verge

Xthings has introduced the Ultraloq Bolt Sense, a smart deadbolt that combines facial recognition and palm vein authentication technology to offer touch-free access without the need for an app. This innovative device represents a significant advancement in biometric security for smart locks.

Unlike traditional fingerprint scanning, the Bolt Sense’s palm vein authentication is designed to be more reliable, as it reads the unique vein pattern beneath the skin, ensuring operability even when hands are wet or dirty. Additionally, the use of near-infrared light enables the device to function seamlessly in low-light conditions.

Equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and future compatibility with Matter, the Bolt Sense promises enhanced connectivity and interoperability within smart home ecosystems. Xthings also announced the upcoming release of the Latch 7 Pro, featuring support for Matter-over-Thread and Aliro protocols, catering to diverse consumer needs.

Furthermore, Xthings showcased the Ulticam IQ V2 at CES, featuring Matter support, alongside the Ulticam HaLow, a security camera supporting Wi-Fi HaLow technology (802.11ah), which offers extended range capabilities for properties requiring expansive coverage.

By leveraging advanced biometric authentication and cutting-edge connectivity standards, Xthings aims to redefine smart home security solutions, providing users with greater convenience and reliability in access control and surveillance.

Source: The Verge

LG has unveiled the latest iteration of its iconic Wallpaper TV series, the LG OLED evo W6, at CES. The new TV boasts a remarkable 9mm thickness, achieved through a complete internal redesign. The TV can now be mounted flush against the wall using a new wall mount, eliminating the need for visible cables thanks to the Zero Connect Box that can sit up to 10 meters away.

To enhance the viewing experience, LG has introduced Hyper Radiant Color Technology, which promises to improve black levels, color accuracy, and brightness. The W6 Wallpaper TV is also designed to minimize reflectance, earning the Reflection Free with Premium certification from Intertek testing labs. With Brightness Booster Ultra, LG claims a significant 20% increase in brightness over previous models.

The W6 Wallpaper OLED TV is equipped with features that cater to the needs of modern consumers. It supports a refresh rate of up to 165Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium, and G-Sync compatibility, ensuring an exceptional viewing experience. Additionally, the TV features the LG Gallery+ service, offering a vast collection of images when not in use for entertainment.

Source: The Verge