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This versatile MagSafe smartphone light can also charge your phone in a pinch

The Godox MA5R smartphone light attached and disconnected from an iPhone.
The Godox MA5R will be available for just $49.99. | Image: Godox

Godox, a company known for its professional photography gear like flashes and reflective umbrellas, has announced a new lighting product for smartphones. Its MA5R is a magnetic power bank with an array of diffused color-changing LEDs on the back that can improve phone photography while keeping battery anxiety in check. It’s priced at $49, and while you can preorder it through online specialty stores, official availability isn’t known.

The MA5R attaches to MagSafe-compatible iPhones, smartphones supporting the Qi2 wireless standard, or mobile devices upgraded with a magnetic ring on the back. It can also be used handheld, but Godox didn’t include a standard tripod mount for attaching it to stands — an odd omission given the company’s lineup of pro gear.

The Godox MA5R smartphone light glowing in four different colors. Image: Godox
The MA5R uses color-changing LEDs to reproduce a wide range of colors and color temperatures.

The accessory can be controlled through the Godox mobile app over Bluetooth, which allows its color temperature to be adjusted across a wide range — from 1800K (warmer) to 10000K (cooler) — so you can match the lighting in almost any environment. You can also opt for a wide range of colors if you’re looking for a more dramatic lighting effect or choose one of “14 pre-programmed special effects,” which could be useful when shooting video.

A person using the Godox MA5R’s selfie light to take a photo of themselves. Image: Godox
The MA5R includes an additional smaller LED on the other side that can be used to improve the lighting of selfies.

On the other side of the MA5R, next to its magnetic mount, is a small display showing battery life and lighting brightness. There’s also a smaller front-facing LED light that can be used to improve selfies by rotating the accessory while it’s attached to a phone. It offers a smaller range of color temperature adjustments between 2800K and 6500K.

The added lights mean the MA5R is 13 millimeters thick, so it’s not exactly going to disappear when attached to your phone. And it’s only got a 5,000mAh battery inside. That’s enough to keep its LEDs running for up to three hours, 40 minutes at full brightness or up to seven hours, 20 minutes at half brightness, but not quite enough to fully recharge many smartphones more than once.

Wireless charging also stops while the LEDs are turned on, so maybe think of the MA5R’s charging capabilities as a bonus feature for what looks like a solid portable lighting solution.

Swappable lenses let you place this laser projector exactly where you want it

Valerion’s VisionMaster Max projector in a display case.
Valerion’s VisionMaster Max projector at the company’s CES 2025 booth. | Image: Valerion

Valerion announced a new feature for its VisionMaster Max projector at CES 2025 that will improve setup flexibility. The company will offer alternate lenses for the projector — a feature typically only offered on professional-grade home theater hardware — that can be swapped by users to change the size of the image it produces or how far it can project. That will accommodate a wider range of installations, from smaller living rooms to spacious dedicated home theaters, without sacrificing image resolution.

The VisionMaster Max was originally announced at IFA 2024 by Valerion, which is a sister brand to AWOL Vision that focuses on ultrashort throw (UST) projectors. The brand’s VisionMaster line debuted through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign last October, including the Max model, which offered an optical zoom feature that allows it to project images from 40 to 300 inches in size.

A persion positions the Valerion VisionMaster Max projector sitting on a small side table. Image: Valerion
The VisionMaster Max may not look compact, but it’s relatively small given it incorporates a pair of 12-watt speakers.

The swappable lenses are a new feature for the projector, which is now available for purchase for $3,999. Valerion hasn’t announced which additional lens options will be available for the VisionMaster Max or how much they’ll add to the price. The stock lens has a throw ratio of 0.9-1.5:1, while Valerion was showing off an alternative with a 1.3-2.1:1 throw ratio — better for use in larger rooms — at CES, according to New Atlas.

The upgraded version of the VisionMaster Max offers the same features and functionality as the one announced at IFA. It’s a 4K triple laser projector capable of producing 3,000 ISO lumens of brightness, according to Valerion, and has the ability to upscale lower-res content using AI. It supports the IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 Plus standards and includes a low input lag mode for gamers with refresh rates up to 240Hz when stepping down to a 1080p resolution.

The VisionMaster Max is an all-in-one projector, so it includes a pair of 12-watt speakers with support for DTS:X and Dolby Audio. It’s got three HDMI ports, including one with eARC support. In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it can be connected to the internet using an ethernet cable if the wireless internet signal in your home theater is problematic. And the projector runs Google TV, so you can install apps for various streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video.

You can finally buy a Thunderbolt 5 SSD

The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 with a blue silicone case connecting to a laptop.
LaCie’s new Rugged SSD Pro5 will be available in 2TB and 4TB capacities. | Image: Seagate

Following the arrival of the first Thunderbolt 5 cables last July and the first Thunderbolt 5 dock last September, it might finally be time to start upgrading your external storage to take advantage of the increased performance. It’s been a slow rollout for Thunderbolt 5 hardware following its official reveal in September 2023, but companies like Seagate, OWC, and Sabrent finally have SSDs en route supporting the new standard.

Seagate announced its new Thunderbolt 5 LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 external drive at CES this week. The company says it will be available sometime this month in a 2TB version for $399.99 and a 4TB version for $599.99. They’ll offer read and write speeds of 6,700MB/s and 5,300MB/s, respectively.

The Seagate LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 Thunderbolt 5 SSD pictured in three different color options. Image: Seagate

Like previous LaCie rugged drives, the new SSD comes in a rubber enclosure in blue, black, and orange color options, helping it survive drops from heights of up to three meters. It’s also waterproof with an IP68 rating, so it can survive a complete dunking to depths of one meter.

The Sabrent Rocket XTRM 5 Thunderbolt 5 SSD against a white background. Image: Sabrent

There are a few other choices that have been announced, too, though with varying levels of availability. Sabrent, for example, was actually one of the first companies to announce a Thunderbolt 5 SSD last August, but the SSD isn’t out yet. The Rocket XTRM 5 comes in a silicone sleeve for extra protection from falls, and the company says it can reach read and write speeds of 6,000MB/s and 5,000MB/s, respectively. It’s expected to be available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities but is still listed as only being available for preorder through Sabrent’s website.

The OWC Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD against a white background. Image: OWC

OWC announced its Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD last September. The company says the external drive is water-resistant, dust-resistant, and crushproof, and offers read speeds of over 6,000MB/s. When it was announced, OWC said the Envoy Ultra would be available in a 2TB version for $399.99 and a 4TB version for $599.99, with shipping starting in late October. The first shipments of the drives sold out, but it’s still available for preorder through OWC’s website with an expected ship date of mid-January 2025.

If you’d rather take a DIY approach, several Thunderbolt 5-compatible SSD enclosures have also been announced over the past few months.

However, despite the promised performance improvements, and the yearlong wait for hardware to finally materialize, upgrading your setup to Thunderbolt 5 might still have a few speed bumps. That’s what Mark Hachman, the senior editor of PCWorld, discovered when trying to get a Maingear ML-17 laptop, Kensington’s Thunderbolt 5 dock, OWC’s Envoy Ultra SSD, and Acer’s Nitro XV5 displays to play nice. The setup was plagued by laggy performance and slow transfer speeds.

It all still felt not quite ready for primetime, Hachman found. “When you buy (or test) bleeding-edge hardware, sometimes you’re the one that ends up with the cuts,” Hachman said.

The best chargers at CES 2025

The Ugreen Nexode Desktop Charger 500W against an illustrated background.
Image: Ugreen

If there were some common themes among the chargers and portable power solutions announced at CES this year, it would be more power and more convenience through built-in cables. It’s not a new idea, but with most devices now being USB-C-compatible, it’s easier for companies to integrate charging cables without having to accommodate competing charging standards.

Here are some of the standout charging solutions making their debut at CES this year.

Ugreen Nexode Desktop Charger 500W

The Ugreen Nexode Desktop Charger 500W against a white background. Image: Ugreen

If you’ve got a desk overflowing with laptops and a power strip overpacked with adapters, Ugreen has upgraded its Nexode desk charger with 500W of power output. That’s shared across five USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. The topmost USB-C port delivers up to 240W of power, while the other five share 260W. That’s enough power to charge five laptops simultaneously, assuming four of them don’t need more than 60W. It’s expected to be available as soon as March 2025.

Anker Charger (140W) with display

The Anker Charger (140W) with display shown in deep gray and silver color options. Image: Anker

As the size and power output of Anker’s wall chargers increased, they had a tendency to succumb to gravity and not stay plugged in. Anker’s latest solution to that problem is a redesigned wall charger that positions three USB-C plus a single USB-A port on the underside, improving its center of gravity. Two of the USB-C ports can output up to 140W, but only one at a time, as that’s the charger’s maximum power output. It’s available now for $89.99 and includes a small screen showing how much power each port is drawing.

Sharge Shargeek 300

A see-through power bank with RGB lighting held in-hand at a trade show. Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Sharge debuted another eye-catching power bank with a transparent design and an aluminum case at CES. The Shargeek 300 can deliver up to 300W of power to four devices simultaneously from its 24,000mAh battery and up to 140W to two devices simultaneously, so you can fast-charge a pair of laptops. It’s got a color screen showing the power draw on each port and how much battery life it’s got left. When it’s dead, it can recharge at up to 140W speeds, replenishing its battery from zero to 50 percent in just 20 minutes. Sharge will be launching it through Kickstarter in April for under $300.

Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max

The Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max car charger used inside a vehicle with several devices connected. Image: Baseus

Your car might feature a couple of USB ports on the dashboard for charging devices, but did you remember to grab a charging cable on your way out the door? With the Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max car charger, you don’t have to. It features a pair of retractable USB-C cables over 31 inches in length plus an additional USB-A and USB-C port. It provides a total of up to 240W of power across all four ports and up to 105W through a single port, letting you charge a power-hungry laptop on the road. It’s expected sometime in April 2025 for $44.99.

Anker Power Bank (165W)

The Anker Power Bank (25K, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables) shown in two images with its cables extended and retracted. Image: Anker

Anker’s new soda can-sized 25,000mAh power bank includes a few welcome conveniences. It can deliver up to 165W of power shared across a USB-C port, a USB-A port, a short 8.6-inch USB-C cable that can be used as a carrying strap, and a 27.2-inch USB-C cable that fully retracts. Maximum output to a single USB-C port is 100W, so you can fast-charge a laptop, and you can monitor how much power each port is drawing on a small screen. It’s available now for $99.99.

Baseus Enercore CJ11

Two different angles of the Baseus’ Enercore dual retractable wall charger. Image: Baseus

Charging cables excel at mysteriously going missing, which is the most compelling reason to consider the Enercore CJ11 wall charger. Available as early as April 2025 for $69.99, it features two retractable USB-C cables, each over 32 inches long, that can’t be swiped. The charger has an additional USB-C port for connecting cables with other connectors and can deliver up to 67W of power with a single device connected or share a maximum of 65W with two or three ports in use.

Baseus EnerGeek MiFi Power Bank

Two images showing Baseus’ EnerGeek 4G MiFi Power Bank from different angles against a white background. Image: Baseus

In need of a power bank that delivers more than just power? Baseus’ EnerGeek MiFi incorporates a 20,000mAh battery that can deliver up to 67W of power to two USB-C ports, a single USB-A port, and through an integrated USB-C cable that serves as a carrying strap. The power bank also doubles as a mobile hotspot, allowing up to 10 devices to wirelessly connect to the internet over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi at 4G speeds. Baseus hasn’t announced how much mobile data plans will cost, but the power bank is expected to release in April 2025 for $89.99.

You’ll finally be able to buy the Super Retro Champ that plays SNES and Genesis carts

The My Arcade Super RetroChamp handheld next to Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis cartridges.
The Super Retro Champ plays classic 16-bit titles from the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. | Image: My Arcade

First announced at CES four years ago, My Arcade’s Super Retro Champ was a chunky handheld that could play classic 16-bit titles using original Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo cartridges. The console didn’t end up launching, but at CES 2025, My Arcade is reviving it with an expected release later this year.

The design and functionality of the Super Retro Champ appears nearly identical to what My Arcade revealed in 2020, but as with many things now, it’s expected to be slightly more expensive. Instead of $110, the handheld is now priced at $149.99.

An image revealing the back of the My Arcade Super RetroChamp handheld. Image: My Arcade
Super Nintendo cartridges end up slightly sticking out of the top of the handheld, while Sega Genesis carts sit flush in its bottom slot.

Unlike the Analogue Pocket, which can play retro titles using cartridges or ROM files, the Super Retro Champ is similar to the ModRetro Chromatic and sticks to carts. It’s got a slot on the top for SNES games (that end up slightly sticking out) and a second on the bottom for Genesis carts. It’s also compatible with cartridges released for the international versions of those classic consoles, including Super Famicom and Mega Drive games.

The front of the My Arcade Super RetroChamp showing its controls and six-inch screen. Image: My Arcade
It’s unlikely you’re ever going to find a pocket large enough to carry the Super Retro Champ.

With a six-inch screen surrounded by generous bezels plus a directional pad and action buttons on either side, the Super Retro Champ doesn’t prioritize portability. You can use it as a handheld with “hours of uninterrupted gameplay” from its rechargeable battery, My Arcade says, but it’s better suited for playing while propped up on a table using its folding stand, a pair of connected controllers, and a power adapter.

If six inches feels too cramped for you and another player, there’s also an HDMI port on the back of the Super Retro Champ for connecting it to a TV. Just don’t expect to enjoy your favorite 16-bit titles in HD or expect them to look as good as they did on the old CRT TV you grew up with.

Freewrite’s latest keyboard has a mechanical word-counter to track your writing

An overhead photo of the Astrohaus Wordrunner mechanical keyboard.
The Astrohaus Wordrunner keyboard will be available through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in February. | Image: Astrohaus

Astrohaus has announced a new addition to its distraction-reducing Freewrite line of writing tools at CES. Unlike its previous all-in-one devices that pair a keyboard with basic monochromatic screens, its new Freewrite Wordrunner is a standalone mechanical keyboard customized with keys and tools designed to help writers stay focused and work more efficiently.

The company hasn’t announced pricing for the new Freewrite Wordrunner yet, but it’s expected to be available for preorder sometime in February 2025 through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. The company’s all-in-one writing devices range in price from $349 to $999, but without a screen, storage, and other electronics, its keyboard will potentially be much cheaper. Discounts will be available to early backers, but Astrohaus is also currently selling $1 refundable reservations that promise “priority access” and “exclusive early-bird pricing.”

A closeup of the Astrohaus Freewrite Wordrunner keyboard’s mechanical word counter. Image: Astrohaus
The Wordrunner’s Wordometer is an eight-digit electromechanical counter to keep tabs on your writing progress.

The Freewrite Wordrunner features a compact tenkeyless design, a body made from durable die-cast aluminum, backlit “high-quality tactile switches,” and several layers of sound deadening so it can be used in shared spaces without becoming a distraction to others.

What sets the Wordrunner apart from other mechanical keyboards is the addition of two electromechanical counters with rotating numbers on its top edge. One, called the Wordometer, will continually track word count until you press a reset button, while the other, upgraded with “subtle LED indicators,” serves as a timer for quick writing sprints or tracking your productivity.

A closeup of the Astrohaus Freewrite Wordrunner keyboard’s joystick multimedia controller. Image: Astrohaus
A rotating red joystick in the upper-left corner of the keyboard controls media playback and volume.

The keyboard’s other big differentiator is a redesigned function row with keys customized for quickly navigating and editing a document. These include dedicated keys for undo and redo, jumping between paragraphs, and quickly skipping to the top or bottom of a page. There are also three dedicated macro keys — labeled zap, pow, and bam — that writers can customize to their specific needs.

This means the Wordrunner loses keys dedicated to controlling media playback, but that’s all handled through a rotating red joystick in the upper-left corner of the keyboard that can be pressed or moved in four directions for skipping tracks or making volume adjustments.

Other features include an extended wrist rest and the ability to connect to and switch between up to four devices through dedicated hotkeys. The Freewrite Wordrunner can connect to three devices over Bluetooth, including computers and mobile devices, and a fourth with a USB-C cable.

Baseus’ overachieving power bank hotspot delivers charging and mobile Wi-Fi

Two images showing Baseus’ EnerGeek 4G MiFi Power Bank from different angles against a white background.
Baseus’ new 20,000mAh power bank also provides a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices. | Image: Baseus

Baseus announced a new power bank at CES 2025 that does double duty as a portable charger and a mobile hotspot. The EnerGeek MiFi Power Bank is expected to be available sometime in April 2025 for $89.99 and will be compatible with 4G networks in over 100 countries including the US, Canada, and Japan.

Up to 10 devices can be wirelessly connected to the power bank over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Download speeds are expected to be up to 50Mbps, but that will vary depending on the network it’s connected to and signal strength. Pricing for the mobile data hasn’t been announced, but the company says it will offer “flexible network plans with no monthly fees or usage restrictions” that can be customized through a mobile app.

The EnerGeek MiFi Power Bank also includes two USB-C ports, a single USB-A port on top, and a short integrated USB-C charging cable that doubles as a carrying strap. It has a 20,000mAh battery inside but its power output maxes out at 67W, so larger devices, like some laptops, will need to fly solo to get enough power to charge. A display subtly integrated into the side of the power bank provides details on its remaining charge, power output, and wireless connectivity.

The front and back of the Baseus Enercore CR11 power bank against a white background. Image: Baseus
Baseus also announced another 20,000mAh power bank with two integrated USB-C cables but no hotspot capabilities.

Baseus also debuted a more traditional 20,000mAh power bank today featuring two integrated USB-C charging cables, one of which fully retracts.

It also offers USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting your own cables, up to 100W of power delivery for a single device, and a small screen displaying current power output and the power bank’s remaining charge level. It’s expected to be available sometime in April 2025 priced at $99.99.

If you’re constantly losing cables, this could be your ideal charger

Two different angles of the Baseus’ Enercore dual retractable wall charger.
Baseus’ new wall charger includes two retractable USB-C cables and an additional USB-C port. | Image: Baseus

Baseus is following Anker’s lead and debuting new charging accessories at CES 2025 that could help ensure you’re never hunting for missing charging cables. The company is expanding its Enercore line with a new $69.99 wall charger, expected as soon as April 2025, featuring a pair of built-in USB-C cables that fully retract and stay out of the way when not in use.

The retractable cables on the Baseus Enercore CJ11 are each a little over 32 inches long and work alongside an additional USB-C port so you can also use cables with different connectors. The charger can deliver up to 67W of power with one device connected, allowing you to charge a power-hungry device like a laptop. With two or three of its ports in use, the total power output drops to 65W.

The Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max car charger used inside a vehicle with several devices connected. Image: Baseus
Baseus’ new car charger has two retractable USB-C cables attached to a pivoting head.

Baseus also announced a new car charger with more functionality than the one Anker released last November. The Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max also features two built-in retractable USB-C cables that are just over 31 inches in length, plus an additional USB-C and USB-A port on its base.

A close-up of the Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max car charger against a white background. Image: Baseus
The charger’s retractable USB-C cables work alongside a pair of USB-C ports on its base.

It connects to a vehicle’s auxiliary power outlet and delivers a total of 240W of power across all four ports and up to a maximum of 105W to a single port. It’s expected to be available in April 2025 priced at $44.99.

This sun-tracking security camera keeps watch in 4K

The Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K against a white background.
Baseus’ new outdoor security camera boosts video quality to 4K. | Image: Baseus

Baseus has announced a new version of its solar-powered security camera at CES 2025 that improves video quality from 2K to 4K and extends battery life from 180 to 210 days. But like the previous version, the new Baseus Security S2 camera can potentially run indefinitely using a battery-charging solar panel on top that tilts left and right throughout the day to maximize its exposure to the sun.

The company hasn’t announced when the Baseus Security S2 will be available or what it will cost, but the older S1 model currently sells for $129.99 through retailers like Amazon.

Without the need for connecting it to power, Baseus says the S2 camera can be installed in about five minutes and in places where running a power line could be difficult or expensive. The only installation limitations are finding a place with enough sun exposure if you’re hoping to completely avoid charging the camera yourself and a spot that’s in range of your Wi-Fi network.

The S2 camera doesn’t come with any subscription fees as everything captured by its 4K camera (with a 145-degree field of view and night vision capabilities) is stored locally on the device. Its capacity can be expanded with a microSD card up to 256GB in size, but as with many battery-powered security cameras, the S2 doesn’t support 24/7 continuous recording.

Baseus’ camera only records events detected by its passive infrared and radar-based motion sensors. Nothing is uploaded or stored in the cloud, but recordings are remotely accessible through a mobile app. The S2 also features AI-powered object detection with the ability to differentiate people, pets, and vehicles and provide notifications based on what it spotted. Through the app, you can also define activity zones for specific areas you want the camera to focus on, and it includes both Amazon Alexa and Google home compatibility.

RCA’s new camo TVs will blend in perfectly with forest decor

An RCA outdoor TV with a camo patterned bezel against a white background.
RCA has announced a new lineup of IP55-rated outdoor TVs with bezels finished with camo patterns. | Image: RCA

RCA has announced a new line of bright QLED TVs designed to be installed and blend into outdoor settings with bezels finished in a “spirit of wilderness” and Mossy Oak camouflage design. They’re dust- and water-resistant and will work in temperatures ranging from -22 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

The company hasn’t announced when its new outdoor TV lineup will be available. When they are, the TVs will be offered in four sizes: a $3,999 43-inch model; a $4,999 55-inch model; a $5,999 65-inch model; and the largest, a 75-inch model for $7,999.

Why does RCA’s 43-inch quantum-dot TV cost almost four grand when similarly sized alternatives can be found for less than $300? The TV in your living room almost certainly doesn’t come with an IP55 rating. The RCA TVs are built with a scratch-resistant aluminum case that can withstand dust and moisture ingress. You won’t want to leave them out in a downpour, but they can survive being sprayed with a hose or pummeled with wind-blown rain.

Other features include up to 2,000 nits of brightness, which helps keep the TVs viewable in bright sunlight, Dolby Atmos support, and Google TV to provide access to various streaming apps.

You only need to charge this E Ink digital poster once a year

PocketBook’s InkPoster hanging on the wall above a fireplace displaying a piece of art.
PocketBook, E Ink, and Sharp collaborated to create the low-power InkPoster digital display. | Image: PocketBook

E Ink has collaborated with PocketBook and Sharp to create a new low-power digital poster that displays images and artwork on a vivid color electronic paper screen. The InkPoster pairs E Ink’s Spectra 6 screen technology with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing artwork to be regularly changed and uploaded. And thanks to a large battery, it only needs to be charged about once a year.

The InkPoster will be available in three sizes. The smallest model has a 13.3-inch screen with a resolution of 1200 x 1600 and a 14,000mAh battery, while the largest option measures 31.5 inches with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, giving it a slightly lower PPI in exchange for a bigger 20,000mAh battery. There’s also an in-between 28.5-inch, 2160 x 3060 version with a 20,000mAh battery that incorporates Sharp’s IGZO technology for faster screen refreshes. Pricing is expected to be around $599 for the 13.3-inch InkPoster, $1,700 for the 31.5-inch, and $2,400 for the 28.5-inch.

Two InkPosters shown in portrait and horizontal orientations displaying two different pieces of artwork. Image: PocketBook
E Ink’s Spectra 6 e-paper uses six different ink colors to produce vivid images.

The InkPoster will have access to “thousands of curated artworks” from “iconic masterpieces to contemporary works” when connected to an accompanying app, according to PocketBook. But the company hasn’t shared specific details about where art is being sourced or what themes or artists will be available.

You’re also able to turn the InkPoster into a digital photo frame by uploading your own images. Unlike similar products from Canvia, the now-defunct Electric Objects, or even Samsung’s The Frame TV, the InkPoster doesn’t have any screen lighting that could potentially keep you up at night if hung in a bedroom and only uses power when the displayed image is being changed.

The InkPoster is one of the first consumer products to use E Ink’s Spectra 6 display technology. E-readers like the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft and the Kobo Libra Colour use E Ink’s Kaleido 3 technology, which offers fast screen refreshes but a limited palette of 4,096 colors. The Remarkable Paper Pro tablet uses a slower E Ink Gallery 3 screen, which can display over 50,000 colors using red, blue, yellow, and white ink particles.

E Ink hasn’t revealed exactly how many different colors Spectra 6 can reproduce, but it relies on a six-color ink system adding green and black that pushes the gamut volume closer to 60,000. Because it can take several seconds to refresh the entire screen, Spectra 6 is better suited to devices like static digital displays like the InkPoster, instead of e-readers.

It’s 2025 and the Nintendo Wii is getting a new Guitar Hero controller

A promotional image for Hyperkin’s Hyper Strummer Guitar Hero controller.
Hyperkin says the Hyper Strummer features a similar design to older hardware but uses improved internal components. | Image: Hyperkin

Hyperkin opened preorders for a new guitar-shaped controller on New Year’s Day, but it isn’t compatible with Harmonix’s Fortnite Festival music game that debuted on the Switch in late 2023. In fact, the Hyper Strummer isn’t compatible with the Switch at all. It only works with the 18-year-old Nintendo Wii, and the older Guitar Hero and Rock Band rhythm game titles released for that console.

The $76.99 Hyper Strummer could have potentially been a cheaper alternative to Fortnite Festival-compatible guitar controllers like PDP’s $129.99 Riffmaster. But it only works with a Wiimote slotted into the back, and is not compatible with modern gaming hardware like the Xbox Series X / S or the PlayStation 5.

Its design also appears identical to the Guitar Hero controller Hyperkin released in 2009 during the Wii era, which led to accusations on X that the company was repackaging and selling old stock as a new product.

We wanted to address the following concerns on the recently announced Hyper Strummer. pic.twitter.com/3tyKvZSief

— Hyperkin (@Hyperkin) January 2, 2025

Hyperkin responded to the accusations with a statement shared on X explaining why the Hyper Strummer looks so similar to older hardware. “While it is correct that this is the same shell mold of a previous Hyperkin release from 2009, that is all it is. We used the mold to make brand new shells, fitted with new 2024 internal components. This is not old stock, nor is it old guitars that have been sitting in a warehouse.”

The company says the modernized Hyper Strummer was “developed to meet the demand for an accessible and budget-friendly solution, perfect for retro gamers who want to enter the guitar scene in 2025 at an affordable price.” Instead of risking buying used hardware online that potentially turns out to be non-functional, devoted Guitar Hero fans who have refused to upgrade their Nintendo Wiis now have another option.

Anker’s new wall charger has ports on the bottom to help it stay plugged in

The Anker Charger (140W) with display shown in deep gray and silver color options.
Anker’s new wall charger relocates the charging ports and introduces a display showing the power output for each one. | Image: Anker

Anker has announced a new 140W wall charger at CES 2025 with a design that positions four USB ports on the underside to improve its center of gravity and help it stay plugged in with cables attached. It’s also Anker’s first wall charger with a built-in screen displaying each port’s power output.

The Anker Charger (140W) with display will be available starting on January 7th, 2025, for $89.99. The wall charger debuts alongside the new Anker 25K Power Bank, a 25,000mAh power bank with a retractable 27.2-inch USB-C cable and a screen offering similar charging info, priced at $99.99.

Anker’s previous solution to its heavier GaN chargers (that did have a tendency to fall out of outlets) was to introduce a smaller design with thicker, textured prongs offering more grip. With four USB ports — three USB-C and one USB-A — the new design could work even better while also charging four devices simultaneously. The only downside is that the repositioned ports could make it more difficult to plug in devices in the dark of night.

Two of the charger’s USB-C ports can deliver up to 140W of power, while the third maxes out at 40W and the USB-A is limited to 33W. Those speeds will be reduced with all four USB ports in use. The integrated display, located where the USB ports have traditionally been found on Anker’s chargers, will show how much power each USB port is drawing as well as the remaining power available if all four aren’t in use.

The Anker Power Bank (25K, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables) shown in two images with its cables extended and retracted. Image: Anker
Anker’s new 25,000mAh power bank has two integrated USB-C cables, including one that’s over two feet long and fully retracts.

Anker says its new 25,000mAh power bank is about the size of a soda can and can deliver a total of up to 165W of power across three USB-C ports and a single USB-A port, or up to 100W to a single USB-C port for fast-charging laptops. The power bank’s display shows how much power is being drawn by the devices connected to each port.

Two of the power bank’s USB-C ports have integrated charging cables: an external 8.6-inch cord that transforms into a carrying strap and a 27.2-inch cord that fully retracts, so you’ll never find yourself without one.

Eufy’s new robovac transforms into a handheld vacuum

The Eufy E20 robovac parked at its dock next to the alternate hand vac and stick vac modes.
The Eufy E20 might be the first robovac that cleans more than just floors. | Image: Eufy

Eufy is making it easier to splurge on a robot vacuum with a new model that can clean more than just your floors. The Eufy 3-in-1 E20 has a unique design that transforms from an autonomous robovac to a manual stick or handheld vacuum by removing a unit containing the motor, dust bin, and battery and then attaching other cleaning accessories.

The E20 is available for preorder starting today for $499.99 through Eufy’s website with a $50 discount. It will officially be available starting on February 10th through additional retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, for its full price of $549.99.

An animation showing the Eufy Clean E20 robot vacuum being converted into a handheld and stick vacuum. Image: Eufy
The vacuum’s motor, dust bin, and battery are contained in a single unit that can be inserted into a robot vacuum, which adds lasers and a brush head.

In robovac mode, the E20 has 8,000Pa of suction power and a runtime of up to 180 minutes from a battery that takes 2.5 hours to fully charge. It lacks floor-mopping capabilities but features a spinning brush with “anti-tangle comb teeth” to help reduce hair getting tangled around it, similar to the Eufy X10 Pro Omni.

The Eufy E20 robovac docked and charging in its base station located outside a living room with adults and children playing. Image: Eufy
The E20’s compact dock charges and empties the robovac’s dust bin and has enough capacity for up to 75 days of cleanings.

Instead of cameras, the E20 uses a set of three lasers (located on the top, front, and side of the robot) that Eufy says can detect and avoid “obstacles as small as 15mm,” even in the dark. When it needs a charge, the E20 will return to its included base station, where its 350mL dustbin is automatically emptied into a filtered bag that has enough capacity for an estimated 75 days of cleanings.

A graphic comparing the suction power of the E20 in robot and stick vac modes. Image: Eufy
In stick vacuum mode, the E20 has almost four times the suction power as it does in robot mode.

In handheld mode, the E20’s suction power jumps to 30,000Pa for getting off-the-floor areas a robovac can’t access like furniture. It can also be used as a manual floor vacuum for tackling messes that may need a few back-and-forth passes to get clean or for tidying other floors in a home where the robot doesn’t roam.

The robot includes built-in storage for a small crevice tool, but the rest of the E20’s accessories, including a powered brush head, can be stored on an optional wall-mounted hanger that doesn’t necessarily need to be installed near the base station — you can hide it away in a closet. That approach helps keep the E20’s charging dock compact and discreet.

The best stuff we’ve seen at CES so far

Stuffed cats sitting on LG’s cat tree air purifier.
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Day two of the biggest tech event of the year is well underway and CES 2025 continues to deliver a long list of new gadgets, tech, concepts, and AI-powered devices tempting you to upgrade.

It’s a lot to keep up with, so we’ll help you catch up. Below are some of the standout gadgets of the show so far. Of course, there’s still a lot more out there and a lot more to go. You can catch up on all of The Verge’s coverage of the show here.

Nvidia Project Digits personal AI supercomputer

An exploded image of Nvidia’s Project Digits AI supercomputer showing all of its components Image: Nvidia

Powered by Nvidia’s new GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip paired with 128GB of memory and up to 4TB of storage, Project Digits looks as small as desktop computers like Apple’s Mac Mini. But it has enough processing power to run complex AI models with up to 200 billion parameters and perform 1 quadrillion AI calculations per second while drawing all the power it needs from a standard household outlet. It’s expected to start at $3,000 when it launches in May 2025.

LG StanbyME 2

A hands-on photo of LG’s StanbyMe 2 display at CES 2025. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

The sequel to LG’s original StanbyME portable TV that was designed to be easily moved around a home is no longer permanently attached to a rolling stand. LG hasn’t announced when the LG StanbyME 2 will be available or how much it will cost, but in addition to a better 27-inch 1440p touchscreen and an improved four-hour battery, it’s now compatible with a shoulder strap that can be used to hang it from a wall hook and a folio cover that doubles as a tabletop stand.

Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 wireless earbuds

A marketing image of the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2. Image: Audio-Technica

There are two features that make Audio-Technica’s new ATH-CKS50TW2 wireless earbuds stand out. When paired with their charging case, the company says the earbuds can deliver up to 65 hours of playback. That’s over 2.5 days between charges. Battery life drops to about 40 hours with ANC enabled, which is still impressive and a welcome feature for travelers unsure of when they’ll next find a power outlet. The earbuds also magnetically attach to each other, reducing the risk of one of them going missing if slipped into a pocket, and automatically power off when joined.

Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon EVs

Honda Zero Image: Honda

The Afeela wasn’t the only EV Honda debuted at CES 2025. The automaker also showed off two new battery-electric prototypes. The Honda 0 SUV is based on the Space-Hub concept it revealed last year, while the Honda 0 Saloon is based on its sedan concept. Honda says both EVs will go into production sometime in 2026, with the SUV being built at its factory in Ohio. Both vehicles will feature Honda’s in-house-developed Asimo operating system — named after the humanoid robot it retired in 2018 — and will include features like Level 3 automated driving.

LG AeroCatTower

Stuffed cats sitting on LG’s cat tree air purifier. Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

CES is often the most entertaining when it’s being weird. There were lots of questionable devices announced this year (do you really need a tiny drink-cooling robot?) but LG’s AeroCatTower could appeal to cat parents. It’s first and foremost an air purifier that will automatically reduce its airflow to avoid disturbing a cat that’s sitting on it and then increase it when the cat departs to clear the air. It also doubles as a scale, weighing and tracking your cat through the LG ThinQ mobile app so you can keep tabs on its health.

PocketBook InkPoster

PocketBook’s InkPoster hanging on the wall above a fireplace displaying a piece of art. Image: PocketBook

Instead of turning the living room TV into a digital art frame when not in use, PocketBook’s InkPoster is a separate display — dedicated to art and photography — that uses a more advanced version of E Ink’s color e-paper technology than what’s found in devices like the Kindle Colorsoft. Instead of a limited palette of 4,096 colors, the InkPoster’s Spectra 6 E Ink panel can display around 60,000 shades, and even with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, its rechargeable battery only needs to be topped off about once a year.

LG UltraFine 6K monitor

An image showing LG’s UltraFine 6K monitor Image: LG

Important details like pricing, availability, and even its refresh rate are still elusive, but LG’s new UltraFine display will be the first 6K monitor to support Thunderbolt 5. Featuring a slim stand with a small footprint, the UltraFine 6K monitor will support transfer speeds up to 80Gbps (and potentially even faster) and uses a “Nano IPS Black” panel covering 99.5 percent of the Adobe RGB and 98 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamuts.

Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max car charger

The Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max car charger used inside a vehicle with several devices connected. Image: Baseus

Assuming the built-in charging cables don’t break after a week’s use, Baseus’ new PrimeTrip VR2 Max car charger could be the ideal accessory for a future road trip. It plugs into a vehicle’s auxiliary power outlet and delivers up to 240W of total power to a pair of retractable 31-inch-long USB-C cables, plus an additional USB-C and USB-A port. Its maximum power output through a single USB port is also 105W, so you can even keep a power-hungry laptop charged while you’re on the road.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 laptop with its rollable display extended into its tall, 16.7-inch configuration. Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Launching sometime in Q1 2025 and starting at a steep $3,499, Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 is one of the most unique laptops at CES 2025 thanks to a screen that grows. It starts out as an unassuming notebook with a 14-inch OLED screen at a resolution of 2000 x 1600, but pressing a button or raising your hand brings a motor to life that vertically expands the display to 16.7 inches with an extended resolution of 2000 x 2350. That’s enough extra screen real estate for two stacked 16 x 9 windows — perfect for watching two movies simultaneously.

Nvidia RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs

The Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU against a rendered green and black background. Image: Nvidia

Nvidia finally announced its RTX 50-series GPUs at CES 2025. The new $999 RTX 5080 and $1,999 RTX 5090 will be available starting on January 30th, while the $549 RTX 5070 and $749 RTX 5070 Ti will arrive sometime in February. Nvidia says the GPUs will be two times faster than the RTX 4090, taking advantage of DLSS 4 and the Blackwell architecture, and all four models are PCIe Gen 5 and feature DisplayPort 2.1b connectors supporting 8K displays with up to 165Hz refresh rates. They’ll also be more power-hungry. The RTX 5090 has a power draw of 575 watts — 125 more watts than the RTX 4090 — with Nvidia recommending a 1,000W PSU.

Eufy 3-in-1 E20 robot vacuum

The Eufy E20 robovac parked at its dock next to the alternate hand vac and stick vac modes. Image: Eufy

Even the most capable and expensive robovacs are still only able to clean your easily accessible floors. They can’t handle furniture and are only just starting to master stairs. What sets the $549.99 Eufy 3-in-1 E20 apart from other robovacs is that it’s not just a robovac. Once it’s done cleaning your floors and emptying itself through its included dock, the E20 transforms into a stick or handheld vacuum by removing a unit containing its battery, motor, and dust bin and attaching other accessories. It’s a single device that can tackle dust and dirt all over your home.

Swippitt phone toaster

Swippitt charging system and cases Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge

The Swippitt might look like a toaster with a slot too small for bread, but it’s actually a novel charging solution for smartphones. Insert your phone and the machine will automatically swap out a dead external battery integrated into a custom case with a fresh one. Each swappable battery has a 3,500mAh capacity that provides an extra 50 to 90 percent charge depending on the size of the smartphone. It could mean you never have to plug your phone in again, but you’ll be paying a premium for the convenience — $450 for the hub with five extra batteries and $120 for the phone case with a battery included.

Anker Solix Solar Beach Umbrella

Man, woman and child at the beach under an umbrella; a phone is connected to the umbrella. Image: Anker

Solar panels are an effective way to charge your tech while away from an outlet, but portable solutions are sometimes awkward to transport and set up. Anker’s solution was to redesign the beach umbrella and fit it with more efficient perovskite solar cells that outperform the silicon-based cells more commonly used today. The seven-foot-tall Solix Solar Beach Umbrella can generate up to 100W of power output that can be used to charge phones, tablets, or even electric coolers through USB-C and XT-60 connections. It will be available later this year, but pricing hasn’t been announced.

Sony and Honda Afeela preorders

Sony Honda Afeela Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

After making appearances at CES for the past five years, Sony and Honda’s Afeela was starting to feel like a perpetual concept. But this year, the EV, which is a joint venture between the two companies, is finally available for preorder with a $200 refundable deposit — if you live in California. The Afeela will come in an $89,900 Afeela 1 Origin trim package or a $102,900 Afeela 1 Signature option and includes a three-year subscription to features like Level 2-plus driver assist and an AI-powered in-car assistant.

Anker Charger (140W)

The Anker Charger (140W) with display shown in deep gray and silver color options. Image: Anker

A beefy wall charger that can power up to four devices simultaneously is useless if it doesn’t stay plugged in. Anker’s latest attempt at defying gravity is a new 140W wall charger that positions three USB-C ports and a single USB-A port on the underside, improving its center gravity and the chance of it staying connected to an outlet with four cables plugged in. The redesign also made room for Anker to add a small display to show how much power each port is drawing and the remaining power available.

Roborock Saros Z70

A black robot vacuum on a wooden floor surrounded by socks. A robotic arm is coming out of the center of the robot. Photo by Owen Grove / The Verge

The ability of most robovacs to thoroughly clean a floor can be stymied by random objects left lying on the ground. Roborock’s new Saros Z70’s solution to that problem is an articulated five-axis robot arm called the OmniGrip that can pick up after its owners and move obstacles out of its way. It’s limited to smaller items like socks, tissues, or anything weighing less than 300 grams, but the company plans to eventually expand what it can grasp. Pricing isn’t known, but Roborock says the Saros Z70 will be available by June 2025.

Samsung The Frame Pro TV

A hands-on photo of Samsung’s The Frame Pro TV at CES 2025. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Samsung’s The Frame TV appealed to many consumers with an aesthetically pleasing design and the ability to camouflage itself as a piece of art in a home’s decor. The Frame Pro further expands the TV’s appeal to more discerning TV viewers with a variation on Mini LED display technology, the matte finish introduced in 2022, and a wireless connection to its breakout box so all you need to hide is a power cord.

Halliday smart glasses

The built-in near eye display on the Halliday Glasses. Image: Halliday

With the success of the Meta Ray-Bans, it’s no surprise that several companies are debuting smart glasses at CES 2025. Halliday’s new enhanced specs, which are expected to ship “by the end of Q1 2025” and cost between $399 and $499, are differentiated with the addition of a small screen on the frame. The “DigiWindow” appears as a 3.5-inch private display in the upper-right corner of your vision and is controlled using voice commands, an interface on the frame, or a smart ring with an integrated trackpad.

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED monitor

Dell’s 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED monitor sitting on a desk. Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Dell’s new 32-inch 4K OLED display uses an infrared sensor and five speakers located below the screen to track your head and beam sound directly to your ears. The feature eliminates the need to keep your head positioned in a sweet spot for optimal sound, and it could be ideal for gamers who are constantly moving around in the heat of battle. The monitor also features a 120Hz refresh rate, a 0.03ms response time, and will launch in the US on May 22nd, 2025, for $799.99.

Wonder plant and insect camera

Bird Buddy is moving on to smaller flying creatures of the outdoors. The company behind the stylish smart bird feeders is introducing a playfully designed camera for tracking your plants and the insect visitors that stop by them. You’ll be able to view a livestream from your phone, while an optional solar panel can keep the 4K camera running. It’s supposed to launch on Kickstarter this spring.

Mirumi

A pink version of Yukai Engineering’s Mirumi robot grasping the handle of a handbag. Image: Yukai Engineering

Mirumi is a robot that you might actually want to own. It’s a furry, bashful companion bot that clings to a bag and looks adorable. It doesn’t have AI tricks and doesn’t even make noise. Like my colleague Owen Grove said in a video: “It’s just a cute fuzzy thing. What more do you want?” It will be available through a crowdfunding campaign that’s set to launch in mid-2025.

Acer Nitro Blaze 11

A person holding an Acer Nitro Blaze 11. Image: Acer

How big is too big for a handheld gaming machine? The answer might be Acer’s new Nitro Blaze 11 featuring a beefy 10.95-inch 144 Hz WQXGA touch display that makes it look like you’re holding a small monitor instead of a portable console. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 8040HS processor, 16GB of RAM, and has detachable controllers with Hall effect joysticks. It’s also got a built-in kickstand so you don’t have to strain your arms by always playing it handheld. It will be available starting in Q2 2025 and start at $1,099.99.

Belkin Stage PowerGrip

Picture of Belkin PowerGrip attached to an iPhone with a second iPhone plugged into the PowerGrip’s USB-C Port Image: Belkin

Your smartphone may take great pictures, but it lacks the refined ergonomics of a traditional camera. Belkin’s new Stage PowerGrip addresses that issue and battery anxiety. It’s a MagSafe power bank with a 10,000mAh battery, a retractable USB-C cable, and a design that adds a camera-like grip to the iPhone. It’s even got a physical shutter button that works with the iOS camera app over Bluetooth and a small LCD screen on the front showing the battery’s remaining charge. Pricing and availability haven’t been announced, but the PowerGrip will come in several color options.

Update, January 8th: Added new announcements from the show.

Update, January 7th: Added new announcements from the show.

Satechi’s M4 Mac Mini hub will launch in February for $99.99

The Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub on a wooden desk with an external SSD drive attached.
Satechi’s Mac Mini M4 hub adds three front-facing USB-A ports. | Image: Satechi

First announced in late November, Satechi has confirmed that its Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub will be available in limited quantities starting February 17th, 2025 through its online store for $99.99. A wider release will begin sometime in March, according to an announcement by the company at CES 2025 today.

The hub, made from aluminum with a soft-touch silicone coating, is designed to expand the functionality of the Apple Mac Mini M4 with two front-facing USB-A 3.2 ports, a USB-A 2.0 port, and an SD card reader.

A person accessing the Mac Mini M4’s power button through a cut-out on Satechi’s hub sitting on a desk. Image: Satechi
A cut-out on the back corner of the Satechi hub provides easier access to the Mac Mini M4’s power button.

The hub connects to the Mac Mini M4 using an integrated USB-C cable that can be stored on the underside when not in use. A recessed area on the top of the hub “maintains airflow without obstructing the Mac Mini’s fan,” while a notch in the back corner makes it easier to reach the computer’s underside power button.

A close-up of the bottom of the Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub against a white background. Image: Satechi
The hub can expand the Mac Mini M4’s storage using an NVMe SSD up to 4TB in size.

A removable panel on the bottom of the hub also allows the Mac Mini M4’s storage to be expanded by installing an NVMe SSD; the hub supports multiple widths and lengths of SSDs with capacities up to 4TB. For comparison, a 4TB NVMe SSD from Western Digital is $299.99. Upgrading the base version of the Mac Mini M4 from 256GB to 2TB of storage through Apple adds $800 to the price tag, while upgrading the 12-core version of the Mac Mini from 512GB to 4TB of storage is an extra $1,200.

JBL’s Tour One M3 headphones wirelessly connect to older devices using a touchscreen transmitter

The JBL Tour One M3 headphones next to their wireless transmitter against a white background.
The JBL Tour One M3 can be connected to almost any audio source using an optional wireless transmitter. | Image: JBL

JBL announced a pair of premium headphones at CES today that can be purchased with an optional transmitter that allows the Tour One M3 to be used wirelessly with audio sources like a plane’s in-flight entertainment system. The headphones will be available starting on April 13, 2025 in black, mocha, and blue for $399.95, but can also be purchased without the transmitter.

The option to connect to audio devices without wireless connectivity is a feature borrowed from JBL’s Tour Pro 3 wireless earbuds which incorporates the functionality into a charging case. With the new JBL Tour One M3 headphones, it’s offered through a small touchscreen accessory called the Smart Tx audio transmitter that connects to devices with a USB-C or a 3.5mm audio cable.

A person wearing the JBL Tour One M3 headphones. Image: JBL
The JBL Tour One M3 headphones will be available in black, mocha, and blue color options.

The Tour One M3 can connect to devices over Bluetooth, but the Smart Tx audio transmitter uses a “direct proprietary wireless connection” that JBL says offers reduced latency and improved stability. The Smart Tx’s touchscreen can also be used to adjust headphone settings like ANC and EQ, control music playback, answer phone calls, and broadcast audio “to an unlimited amount of Auracast enabled devices.”

The headphones feature “newly developed 40mm Mica Dome drivers” that JBL says are “precisely tuned to deliver deep bass, balanced mids, and crystal-clear highs.”

They reduce noise using JBL’s True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0 technology which relies on eight microphones that are also used to boost ambient sounds when you want to be more aware of your environment. And in addition to offering EQ adjustments that can be customized for each ear, you can take a hearing test through JBL’s app to tailor the sound of the Tour One M3 to your liking.

Aiper’s smart sprinkler limits its spray to a map of your lawn

The Aiper IrriSense Smart Irrigation Sprinkler installed on a lush green backyard lawn.
The IrriSense smart sprinkler can be installed in 15 minutes with a garden hose and power cable. | Image: Aiper

Aiper has announced a new smart watering solution at CES 2025 that could be as easy to set up as a traditional lawn sprinkler. The IrriSense Smart Irrigation Sprinkler doesn’t require any pipes to be buried under a yard, and as an all-in-one device, it doesn’t need additional hardware to be installed on a faucet. Its targeted approach to watering also limits overspray, reducing water usage.

The IrriSense Smart Irrigation Sprinkler will be available starting in May 2025 for $399. It includes a 33-foot-long waterproof power cord that needs access to an outlet, but you’ll need to provide a standard garden hose long enough to reach a faucet. Installation and setup takes about 15 minutes, according to Aiper, which involves the IrriSense sprinkler being secured using four ground stakes that can be pulled up when you need to relocate or temporarily remove the sprinkler to cut the grass.

Two images detailing the functionality of the Aiper IrriSense Smart Irrigation Sprinkler. Image: Aiper
The sprinkler’s targeted spray pattern can be defined in a mobile app, while watering schedules take into account recent weather conditions and rainfall.

The sprinkler’s blast can reach 39 feet and cover an area up to 4,300 square feet as it oscillates back and forth. Through the Aiper mobile app, you can customize the spray pattern by creating a map through a manual process that involves pinpointing locations around your yard. The goal is to not only reduce water consumption but also help keep certain areas dry, such as a public sidewalk on your front lawn.

The IrriSense sprinkler’s routine can be scheduled through the mobile app, but for additional conservation and to prevent overwatering, it can also take into account the weather. There’s a sensor on the sprinkler itself as well as separate soil sensors that can keep track of moisture levels. If the lawn is still properly hydrated from a recent rain, scheduled watering routines will be skipped.

Multiple IrriSense sprinklers can be installed and automated to expand the coverage area, and they can be used to dispense liquid fertilizers or pesticides.

Ugreen’s new desk charger can power five laptops at once

The Ugreen Nexode Desktop Charger 500W against an illustrated background.
The Nexode Desktop Charger 500W can deliver up to 240W of power through a single USB-C port. | Image: Ugreen

Ugreen has announced a new version of its Nexode desktop GaN charger, boosting the total power output from 300W to 500W, with up to 240W from a single USB-C port. It features five USB-C ports and a single USB-A port, so you can charge five laptops at the same time without the need for a power strip overstuffed with chonky adapters.

Pricing for the Nexode Desktop Charger 500W won’t be finalized until it’s available sometime in March 2025.

The Ugreen Nexode Desktop Charger 500W against a white background. Image: Ugreen
All six of the desktop charger’s USB ports can be used simultaneously.

Although it would definitely help simplify your travel charging kit, the Nexode Desktop Charger 500W is a hefty brick designed to sit on your desk, in your workshop, or on a kitchen counter. It’s useful anywhere you have multiple power-hungry devices like laptops or handheld gaming devices, and Ugreen says it can even be used to charge power tools or e-bikes.

The charger supports USB-PD 3.1 and Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 fast-charging protocols. The top port can deliver up to 240W of power; the other five ports share 260W regardless of what the top port is doing, and none of them can exceed 100W. You can charge a gaming laptop at 240W, plus two more laptops at 100W and one at 60W, or one laptop at 240W and four laptops at 60W, with another device charging at 20W from the USB-A port.

Without a screen, this might be another multi-port charger in need of a cheat sheet to keep track of which port to use.

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