Bee, which Amazon recently bought, has released two new gadget-like devices called Eclipse and Frontier that help you take notes and organize your thoughts, though they work best if you pay for their premium subscription service. If you struggle to keep track of important information or prefer writing things down rather than typing on your phone, these colorful, affordable devices could be a handy addition to your desk or daily routine. Worth knowing: check whether the free version of these devices does what you actually need before committing to a monthly subscription.
YouTube is working behind the scenes to add audiobooks to what it already offers—so you could soon listen to full books read aloud right on the platform you use for videos. This could be convenient for people who enjoy audiobooks but want everything in one place, rather than juggling different apps. Worth knowing: if this launches, check whether YouTube's audiobook prices make sense compared to what you'd pay through other services like Audible or your local library's app.
A tech writer has been testing an AI system that mimics her health habits and uses her daily data—from body weight to water intake—to suggest personalized advice about eating and wellness. The system learns from her real measurements and routines, then offers recommendations tailored to her specific body rather than generic diet tips that might not fit her situation. You can ask yourself whether tracking this level of detail feels helpful or stressful for you—some people find it motivating, while others find constant monitoring makes healthy habits feel like a chore.
Samsung Health's sleep coaching feature now works after just three days of sleep data instead of requiring a full two weeks, so Galaxy Watch owners can get personalized sleep tips much sooner. Getting faster feedback about your sleep patterns matters because poor sleep becomes more common as we age, and early guidance can help you make adjustments before bad habits take root. Worth knowing: if you own a recent Samsung Galaxy Watch, check your Samsung Health app to see if Sleep Coaching has appeared—it might already be analyzing your nights and offering suggestions.
Apple is launching new smart home devices, including a $299 display with an AI assistant, betting that artificial intelligence can finally make all these connected gadgets work together smoothly without requiring you to be a tech expert. For people tired of complicated home technology that requires constant fiddling, this matters because Apple is focusing on devices that talk to each other automatically and solve their own problems rather than leaving you stranded. Worth knowing: Apple's smart displays and accessories are designed to work primarily with other Apple products, so if you're already invested in iPhones and iPads, they'll integrate more easily — but if you use different brands, you may find yourself limited.
Apple's newest TV box is faster and has a microphone that picks up your voice from across the room, while the older 2022 model still works with the same smart assistant features. The speed difference mainly matters if you're constantly switching between apps or have a huge library of content to browse through. You can test both models in an Apple Store before deciding whether the $100 extra is worth it for you, or stick with the 2022 version if your current setup works fine.
Ray-Ban's latest smart glasses focus on audio and voice commands rather than a built-in camera, letting you listen to music, get notifications, and talk to an AI assistant while keeping your hands free. For people over 50, this approach feels less intrusive than camera-equipped glasses—you can use helpful features without worrying about recording people around you or dealing with privacy concerns. Worth knowing: if you're considering smart glasses, these prioritize practical functions like calendar reminders and music over video recording, which some people find more comfortable for everyday wear.
Ray-Ban has released a new version of their smart glasses that focuses on sound quality and battery life instead of trying to pack in a camera like their previous model. For everyday wear, this matters because you get a pair of glasses that look completely normal, work comfortably all day, and let you listen to music or take calls without having to hold your phone up to your ear. You can try them on at your local eyeglasses retailer to see if the fit and sound quality work for you before deciding whether the price is right for your needs.
Facebook is giving you direct control over what shows up in your feed by letting you tell it which topics interest you and which ones you'd rather not see. This means you won't be stuck watching endless posts about subjects that don't matter to you, and your feed can actually reflect what you care about instead of what an algorithm guesses you might like. You can start using this by tapping the three dots menu on posts and clicking "interested" or "not interested" — Facebook says the changes happen right away.
Google has added a new feature that lets anyone create simple Android apps using AI, and keep them private just for themselves or a small group instead of publishing them publicly. This matters because you could have an app built exactly the way you want it—maybe a personal photo organizer or a tracker for your hobbies—without needing coding skills or worrying about strangers finding it. You can explore this feature through the Google Play Store on your Android phone, though it's worth checking whether this option is available in your region yet.
Apple has created a new wall-mounted device called HomeView, priced at $299, that acts like a central control panel for your home—letting you manage your doorbell, thermostat, locks, and other smart devices from one place. For people who've invested in smart home gadgets over the years, this gives you a simpler way to control everything without juggling multiple apps or remotes. Worth knowing: the HomeView uses an improved version of Siri (Apple's voice assistant), so you can give it spoken commands, though you'll want to check reviews once it ships next month to see if it actually works as smoothly as promised.
Apple has released a new device called HomeView—a 7-inch screen with a speaker that acts like a control center for your home, letting you manage lights, locks, cameras, and other smart devices with your voice. For households with multiple people, it's a shared hub where up to six family members can each access their own settings, and you can watch up to nine security camera feeds at once on the screen. You can start by checking whether your existing Apple devices (like an iPhone or iPad) would work well with HomeView, or ask yourself if controlling your home by voice is something that would genuinely simplify your daily routine before spending $299.
