Monthly Archives: January 2026

Engadget review recap: Valerion VisionMaster Max, Canon EOS R6 III and Samsung Bespoke Fridge

Posted on by

Our reviews team is rested up after the CES grind and we’re back to business. This week we reviewed the latest devices from Valerion, Canon, Samsung and Sony, covering a wide range of product categories in the process. Grab yourself a beverage and cozy up with all the reviews you might’ve missed.

The weeks leading up to the Super Bowl are a popular time to upgrade home theater setups before the big game. One way to do that is Valerion’s VisionMaster Max — if you’re willing to splurge. “The Valerion VisionMaster Max is a highly capable indoor projector that offers the best image quality I’ve seen thanks to the dynamic iris and Enhanced Black Level features,” contributing reporter Steve Dent discovered. “However, it’s also a lot more expensive than rival models at $5,000. It’s pretty hard to justify that extra money, unless you’re really fussy about picture accuracy and gaming performance, or need other features like the 1Gbps ethernet port.”

If you’re primarily shooting video these days, contributing reporter Steve Dent just wrapped up testing with the Canon EOS R6 III. While he said it’s great for video, the photo quality isn’t the absolute best you can get right now. “If it’s mainly photography you’re interested in, though, Sony’s $2,900 A7 V is a better choice,” he said. “It matches the R6 III’s resolution, price and autofocus but offers superior dynamic range and lower rolling shutter distortion.”

We don’t often review appliances here at Engadget, but Samsung’s AI-infused refrigerator caught the attention of senior reporter Sam Rutherford. You may not think you need a 32-inch display in your kitchen or cameras in your fridge, but Sam argues once you try them you may never go back. “You may not agree or want to pay this much for features like this just yet, but Samsung's Bespoke AI 4-Door French Door refrigerator has convinced me there's a happy home for smarter iceboxes,” he concluded.

Clip-on earbuds have been constantly popping up over the last few years. Many of the key players in headphones have tried their hand at the open-wear form factor with Sony being the latest to jump on board. While the company embraces the inherent perks of these designs, the LinkBuds Clip doesn’t do enough to rise above the competition. “Subpar bass performance and the omission of some of Sony’s more attractive features (and even some basic ones) mean the company hasn’t done enough to distinguish the Clip from the competition in an obvious way,” I wrote.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-valerion-visionmaster-max-canon-eos-r6-iii-and-samsung-bespoke-fridge-123000849.html?src=rss

Move Over Meta: Google’s New Smart Glasses with Detachable Earbuds Just Leaked

Posted on by
Move Over Meta: Google’s New Smart Glasses with Detachable Earbuds Just Leaked

Google is reportedly working on a new wearable device that combines smart glasses with dockable earbuds. This hybrid innovation is designed to streamline how users interact with audio technology, offering a seamless blend of functionality and convenience. By integrating features such as automatic audio switching, privacy-focused listening, and built-in charging, these smart glasses aim to […]

The post Move Over Meta: Google’s New Smart Glasses with Detachable Earbuds Just Leaked appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Posted in Uncategorized

More Cult of the Lamb, a World War II computer mystery and other new indie games worth checking out

Posted on by

Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. It’s been a very busy week of fun game releases (next week will be too!), so let’s get into some of them after a quick reflection on gaming while traveling.

I love my Steam Deck. I really truly do. It’s a fantastic machine. And yet when I brought it with me on a five-week trip over the holidays, I used it for barely an hour the entire time. That doesn’t really justify the space and weight it takes up in my bag. The same holds true for my Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation Portal. 

I’ll be leaving them all at home next time. I’ll take a small controller (probably OhSnap's MCON) so I can play the odd game on my laptop or phone. I’ll bring my Playdate as well. I adore that little yellow console, and I haven’t spent nearly enough time using it. I have a lot of neat-looking indie games to catch up on there (Diora looks particularly interesting). I’m more likely to play something on a flight if it’s on a device I can pull out from my pocket. I just wish Panic had put a backlight in the Playdate. 

Massive Monster and publisher Devolver Digital gave Cult of the Lamb fans a whole bunch of reasons to jump back into the game this week with the arrival of the Woolhaven expansion. You'll need to get close to the end of the base game (though you don't need to beat the final boss) before you can experience what the DLC has to offer. It includes weather effects, a new mountain area with a pair of fresh dungeons, a ranching system (which allows you to raise animals as pets or for food) and much more.

Folks who dig Cult of the Lamb seem to get really into the game. After a few years of free updates from Massive Monster, Woolhaven is a major expansion that's similar in scope to the base game, so it should keep fans busy for quite a while if they want to try everything. The DLC is out now on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. It costs $17 if you already have the base game.

Inkle, the studio behind Overboard! and the wonderful A Highland Song is back with TR-49, a puzzle game with a World War II computer at its core. Over five decades, an array of books, letters and journals were fed into the machine as part of an effort to "crack the code of reality." But now you're tasked with finding and destroying one specific book before a timer runs out.

It all seems rather mysterious. To give you a sense of what's going on here, Inkle says it drew inspiration from narrative deduction games like The Roottrees are Dead, The Return of the Obra Dinn and Her Story, as well as audio dramas. I can't see myself having the time or patience to figure out the enigma of this particular machine (I imagine many players will need a notebook for this one), but I'm intrigued enough to at least watch a Let's Play at some point. You can experience this mystery for yourself on Steam (normally $7, but there's a 10 percent launch discount until January 28).

Another week, another Metroidvania, but MIO: Memories in Orbit has a more striking art style than most. This game from Douze Dixièmes and publisher Focus Entertainment debuted to positive reviews this week. After the AI caretakers on a forgotten spaceship stop working, you'll have to help the robot MIO explore the spacecraft "to revive its lost memories" and save it from doom. Naturally, you'll discover some new abilities along the way, including a grappling hook and air gliding.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Steam, the Epic Games Store and the Microsoft Store for $20 (with a 10 percent launch discount on some platforms). You can also check it out via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Perfect Tides: Station to Station is a pixel-art point-and-click narrative adventure and a sequel to Three Bees' Perfect Tides. Over the course of an in-game year, you'll help 18-year-old Mara explore the big city and find her place in the world.

The early 2000s vibes of the trailer are immaculate, so I'm going to have to try to play this at some point. Perfect Tides: Station to Station is out now on Steam for PC and Mac for $20.

Cozy cafe sim Tailside debuted in early access on Steam (normally $11, but there's a 10 percent discount until January 28) this week. I'm bummed I haven't had a chance to try this one from Coffee Beans Dev yet, because it looks lovely. 

Along with serving snacks and drinks to your furry customers, you can learn more about the visitors to your cafe by reading stories about them in the newspaper (hopefully nice ones!). You can play at your own pace as you draw latte art and decorate your cafe. Eventually, you'll be able to visit other players' cafes and open a flower shop. Like I said, it looks lovely.

One of my favorite games of last year is getting a free update on January 26. Just when I thought I was out of Ball x Pit, Kenny Sun and friends (along with publisher Devolver) are pulling me right back in to check out two new characters, eight fresh balls with their own abilities, more passives and some kind of surprise. 

I adore Ball x Pit and this update is going to be a drop everything and play immediately deal for me. The Regal Update will be available on all platforms: Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Ball x Pit costs $15. It's available via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass too.

I'm interested to check out the demo for Vampire Crawlers, a Vampire Survivors spin-off. Poncle will release it on February 23 at Steam Next Fest as well as on Xbox. Your progress will carry over into the full game, which will be on Game Pass on day one.

As a rule, turn-based games aren't really my jam, and nor are roguelike deckbuilders. But I'm a big fan of Vampire Survivors, so I'm definitely willing to give this a shot. It helps that Vampire Crawlers seems to be fast-paced and that it draws from the chaotic visuals of the original game. Vampire Crawlers is coming to Steam, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android later this year.

Speaking of interesting demos, one for Ratcheteer DX is available now on PC ahead of the full game's release on Switch, Steam (PC and Mac) and the Mac App Store on March 5. It'll normally cost $13, but a limited-time discount will reduce the price to $9.75. If the game's name sounds familiar, that's because this is a color version of the Playdate season one title Ratcheteer. 

This take on the pixel-art action-adventure has multiple visual filters, a "CD-quality stereo soundtrack" and support for more languages. Playdate creator Panic is publishing Ratcheteer DX, whose developers are Shaun Inman, Matthew Grimm and Charlie Davis.

Let's wrap things up for this week with a cinematic trailer and release date for Aethus, a story-driven survival-crafting and base-building game from a solo developer at Pawsmonaut Games. It's coming to Steam on March 6.

Aethus is a game about "carving out a future from the ruins of corporate greed" in a dystopian sci-fi world. As ex-mining engineer Maeve, you start with basic gear and a drone companion by your side. You'll explore what's left of a failed science expedition and abandoned facilities as you try to establish your own mining claim after leaving a company that drains planets of their resources. 

Of course, you'll upgrade your gear and build out your base as you progress. You can modify settings like the base's air supply, how quickly your hunger and thirst needs change and how much you can carry to fine tune the experience. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/more-cult-of-the-lamb-a-world-war-ii-computer-mystery-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-120000807.html?src=rss

Will Al Slop Save The Internet? Crash Big Platforms & Kickstart a New Internet Era

Posted on by
Will Al Slop Save The Internet? Crash Big Platforms & Kickstart a New Internet Era

Is the internet drowning in a sea of meaningless content? Marcus Werner explains how the rise of AI-generated material, often dismissed as “AI slop” is reshaping the digital world in ways that are both exciting and deeply unsettling. Imagine scrolling through your favorite platform, only to realize that much of what you’re consuming wasn’t created […]

The post Will Al Slop Save The Internet? Crash Big Platforms & Kickstart a New Internet Era appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Posted in Uncategorized

Forget ChatGPT: iOS 27 is Turning Siri into the Ultimate AI Assistant

Posted on by
Forget ChatGPT: iOS 27 is Turning Siri into the Ultimate AI Assistant

Apple is poised to reshape the virtual assistant landscape with a significant upgrade to Siri, transforming it into a fully conversational AI chatbot. Internally referred to as “Campos,” this enhanced version of Siri is set to debut with iOS 27. Designed to rival advanced AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, the new Siri […]

The post Forget ChatGPT: iOS 27 is Turning Siri into the Ultimate AI Assistant appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Posted in Uncategorized

Qwen 3 TTS AI Released : Clone Any Voice for Free and Craft Rich Speech

Posted on by
Qwen 3 TTS AI Released : Clone Any Voice for Free and Craft Rich Speech

What if you could replicate any voice, yes, any voice—with just a few audio samples? In this overview, Sam Witteveen explores how the Qwen 3 TTS AI model has shattered barriers in voice cloning and text-to-speech technology, making it accessible to everyone, not just tech giants. Imagine creating a voice assistant that sounds like your […]

The post Qwen 3 TTS AI Released : Clone Any Voice for Free and Craft Rich Speech appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Posted in Uncategorized

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Samsung is Solving the Biggest Complaints About Foldables

Posted on by
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Samsung is Solving the Biggest Complaints About Foldables

  Samsung is set to redefine the foldable smartphone market in 2026 with the launch of its Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and an all-new “wide fold” model. These devices aim to address key challenges in foldable technology, such as weight, battery life, and overall usability, while solidifying Samsung’s leadership in this competitive […]

The post Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Samsung is Solving the Biggest Complaints About Foldables appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Posted in Uncategorized

First Steam Machine Accessories Arrive : From Glow Skins to Native ‘GeForce NOW’ App on Ubuntu

Posted on by
First Steam Machine Accessories Arrive : From Glow Skins to Native ‘GeForce NOW’ App on Ubuntu

What if your gaming setup could reflect not just your playstyle, but your personality? Deck Ready walks through how the latest Steam Machine accessories are transforming customization in gaming. From modular designs that allow seamless component swaps to glow-in-the-dark skins inspired by everything from graffiti to Halo, these accessories go beyond functionality, they’re a bold […]

The post First Steam Machine Accessories Arrive : From Glow Skins to Native ‘GeForce NOW’ App on Ubuntu appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Posted in Uncategorized

The Most Addictive EDC Tool of 2026: A $45 Magnetic Fidget Knife You Can’t Put Down

Posted on by

Most utility knives work perfectly fine. They cut boxes, strip packages, slice tape, then disappear into drawers or pockets until the next mundane task arrives. They’re functional, reliable, forgettable. The problem isn’t that they fail at their job. The problem is they offer nothing beyond the cut itself, no texture or personality, no reason to reach for them when they’re not strictly necessary. They exist in a utilitarian void where efficiency trumps experience.

DeckShiv by ActMax takes a different approach entirely. This magnetic fidget slider utility knife was designed to stay in your hand long after the cutting is done. The sliding mechanism deploys and retracts a standard utility blade, but the real story lives in the magnetically guided movement itself. Every slide forward feels intentional, controlled, deliberate. Every return journey happens smoothly, pulled back by magnetic force into a soft, satisfying click. It’s a utility knife that doubles as a fidget device, built for people who appreciate tactile feedback in their everyday tools.

Designer: ActMax

Click Here to Buy Now: $45 $55 (18% off) Hurry! Only 32 of 120 left.

The slider doesn’t just glide loosely; magnets guide the path with a controlled drag that lets you precisely meter out blade exposure. When you let go, that same system pulls the blade back home without any of the jarring snaps common in cheaper auto-retractors. The whole package is just 67mm long by 29mm wide, a palm-sized 12mm thick, so it feels more like a Zippo than a piece of hardware. The body is covered in CNC-machined diagonal lines that give your thumb a natural track to follow, a smart touch that makes the action feel even more intuitive.

Of course, that whole tactile experience changes depending on what you’re holding. The titanium alloy version has a satisfying heft that adds a certain gravitas to the sliding motion; its momentum feels deliberate and smooth. Dropping down to the aluminum alloy model shaves off significant weight for a much lighter carry, making the action feel a bit quicker and snappier. Then there’s the PEI option, a high-performance polyetherimide that feels warm to the touch and has a unique, semi-transparent amber look. The choice isn’t just cosmetic, it fundamentally alters the knife’s presence and the feedback you get from the mechanism.

For all the fidget-friendly engineering, it still needs to cut things. ActMax wisely stuck with standard SK5 utility blades, the trapezoidal workhorses you can find anywhere. The blade itself is seated magnetically, which is a clever bit of design that completely eliminates the annoying rattle you get with a lot of replaceable-blade knives. It feels solid, locked in place until you decide to remove it. Because the blade only extends as far as you push, there’s little chance of accidental full deployment, a crucial safety feature for a tool designed to be handled constantly.

And you’ll be swapping blades often if you’re actually using it on cardboard. The process here is dead simple, taking about two seconds with no tools. The same magnetic system that holds the blade secure also makes it easy to pop out and replace. This is one of those small quality-of-life details that becomes a huge deal with long-term use. There’s nothing worse than having to hunt down a tool just to maintain your tool, and ActMax completely sidestepped that headache.

The body itself is clearly built for the long haul, especially the titanium version, which is famously resistant to corrosion and abuse. This feeds directly into a more sustainable ownership model; instead of tossing an entire knife when the edge dulls, you’re only swapping out a small, recyclable sliver of steel. The real genius, though, is its travel-readiness. Pop the blade out, and the DeckShiv body becomes a completely harmless metal slider. The TSA won’t look twice at it, meaning you can carry the handle in your pocket and just buy a new blade for a couple of bucks when you land. That’s a level of everyday practicality most fixed-blade EDCs simply can’t offer.

The final decision really comes down to aesthetics and carry style. You can get the titanium and aluminum versions in either a raw metal or a stealthy black finish, while the PEI comes in its natural amber hue. There’s a small slot for a 1.5mm by 6mm tritium vial if you want a constant low-light glow, plus a removable pocket clip and a keychain loop. The Kickstarter pricing is aggressive, starting at $45 for aluminum and topping out at $75 for titanium, with free worldwide shipping starting June 2026.

Click Here to Buy Now: $45 $55 (18% off) Hurry! Only 32 of 120 left.

The post The Most Addictive EDC Tool of 2026: A $45 Magnetic Fidget Knife You Can’t Put Down first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Interesting pop-up caravan increases towing EV’s range by up to 100 km

Posted on by

Campervans expanding sideways and trailers popping their roofs up are so much a staple in the industry that c.fold caravan really blows the mind off with its nifty way of expanding the space for living inside. The pop-up mechanism of this camping rig is particularly designed to effectively benefit the everyday electric vehicles and smaller vehicles.

The flexible design, and low weight of only 775kg, mean the camper’s structure remains low to reduce drag and range when driving. When at the camp, it essentially doubles the interior space by allowing the upper over-shell to lift up. The construction is primarily conceptualized to make “caravaning with electric towing vehicles practical and sustainable for everyday use.”

Designer: Dethleffs

The innovative design of the c.fold is reportedly conceived by Monika and Peter Marchart, who have been travelling and living out of a caravan themselves. Understanding the limitations and benefits of living out of a caravan, the couple has been able to put their experience into conceptualizing this folding option which has been developed by Dethleffs. The company, according to their press information, has invested over a year at the Innovation Camp in Baienfurt, Germany, bringing the idea to life.

Of course, the differentiator of the c.fold from other options on the market is its lightweight construction and the folding mechanism. The folding design ensure that the caravan can lower from camp position to drivable height (by lowering the upper portion) at the push of a button. It improves aerodynamics and can “increase the range of a mid-range electric towing vehicle by up to 100 km.” That’s a benefit no caravan enthusiast willing to transform their driving experience from a SUV to an environmentally beneficial EV would want to overlook.

Even if you were to ignore the upfront benefit for a minute. There is a lot more here to consider. The compact and efficient c.fold comes with a driving height of 1.65 meters and a total width of 1.9 meters. When at the camp, the top portion can telescopically lift up to create 1.9 m (6.2 feet) of headroom at the front side. It’s compact form factor ensures that the caravan can be stored comfortably in the garage at home and it is safe to drive on the road.

The wonder of course is how the double shell caravan increases living space, but it’s how the interior is planned, which really allows all the transformation to have. While all the other furniture and spaces inside of the structure made from Alucore, a durable aluminum honeycomb structure, fit together like LEGO bricks when the caravan is collapsed. It’s the bathroom – with a dry toilet and washbasin – that’s really amazing. It’s designed to also collapse midway to packs into a side console and accommodate the caravan’s transformation.

The full home-like layout inside is packed within the four walls made of recycled PET bottles. The floor features linoleum flooring, and the ceiling height goes from a collapsed state to a full-standing height, creating a bright, light-filled living space at the camp. If you like traveling by yourself, and only your gear along, the convertible seating area in the entrance is designed to fold away, leaving an open platform to accommodate two e-bikes or sporting gear.

When you’re out in the wilderness with your gear and want to spend a few extra days, the c.fold caravan can have you covered with renewable power provided by roof-top solar panels, a 300 Ah battery, a 2000-watt inverter, and a portable induction cooktop onboard that you can use as a galley worktop or even place it outside.

The post This Interesting pop-up caravan increases towing EV’s range by up to 100 km first appeared on Yanko Design.