When it comes to repairability, there really is no comparison in the wireless earbuds world.

Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt, Amazon devices chief Panos Panay described a future where ambient AI devices work in the background, anticipating users' needs instead of waiting for commands.

Wandering around Milan, you come across two kinds of power: the kind you can observe and the kind you can only feel. That first one is obvious, all incense-soaked architecture and ascendant liturgies. The second, though, is more understated in pauses, glances, murmured blessings, and other hushed, huddled choreography. 

Pinnacles and pulpits look down on the penitent holding their rosaries. Beyond the gargoyles’ gaze, an equally adorned set of transformation seekers do the same to the so-last-season. Because, wandering around Milan, you come across another kind of power both manifested and metaphysical: the power of fashion.

It’s July 2025, and I’m in Milan at the invitation of EssilorLuxottica. I’m here to learn how the world’s largest eyewear company designs frames and lenses that help everybody, from the fashionable to the far-sighted, see and be seen. And where else but the Italian capital of fashion? Here, at the intersection of spirit and spirituality, faith and fit, this vertically integrated multinational predicts and produces trends years before they hit retail. But more interesting even than shapes and shades are the developments in microelectronics and med-tech that turn frames into smart systems, into something powerful you can witness and wear. 

[Disclosure: EssilorLuxottica provided travel accommodations during the creation of this story.]

Our tour begins at the Oakley Milano flagship, a two-story space styled like a brutalist bunker that cloisters current attire alongside retired accessories from the ’90s and early aughts, displayed like relics in a cathedral. Oakley is just one of EssilorLuxottica’s many, many proprietary brands, licensed luxury labels, and, with the Oakley HSTN and Vanguard Performance AI models, a part of the company’s push to take smart glasses from concept to category. 

We see the Prizm Interactive Wall, where we compare simulations of different Oakley lenses. Placed on a platform, a screen shows how a lens’s selective wavelength tuning and “noisy” light filtering boost specific colors and contrast, whether you’re on a shady trail or out to sea. Then there’s the Performance Chamber. A stationary bike sits in a simulator where you pedal through adjustable wind and lighting conditions to experience how different eyewear (and helmets) ride.

The next stop on our photopic pilgrimage is the Luxottica Digital Factory and its Tortona Experience Center, a striking building full of workspaces and high-end industry showrooms. Here, in the Zona Tortona design district, we work our way back to the future, to where teams study economics, demographics, technology, fashion, and interior design to inform storylines that won’t hit retail for 18–24 months.

Nina Esteves, senior trend & foresight manager at EssilorLuxottica, walks us through the future of frames, where AI and 3D printing widen structural possibilities to far more far-out. At the extreme, they’re alien eyes, or maybe that’s alienized. And, temporarily, that’s how I feel. I feel like Andy Sachs just starting at Runway, out of my element but eager to dive into the deep end of fashion.

I see magma hues and intentionally ruined chrome finishes. I see the renewal of ovals and chunky curves, informed by international datasets of face-shape fittings (it pays to own thousands of LensCrafters and Sunglass Hut locations, etc.). I see what (under)tones of green, clear, and white will become neo-neutrals. I see how cat-eyes become more sci-fi. Slowly, I start to understand the curve as silhouettes and innovation cascade from runway to bargain bin.

We’re in a period when plain-lens and barely-there frames are expression, not just function. They may be interchangeable, worn like earrings. And tinted lenses are similar. For those looking to occupy both worlds, the company’s Transitions lenses use reactive molecules that adapt to light, forming complex shapes to block UV from the sun and filter blue light from our screens.

When I was growing up, these eyepieces were slowly shifting, tobacco-brown photochromics. But these ain’t your grandpa’s glasses. The clustered cones embedded in Transitions Gen S come in eight hues, snap to dark sunglasses in around 25 seconds, and reverse back to clear in under 2 minutes. You can blend or clash tones with your frames without sacrificing clarity. An XTRActive variant even has dynamic polarization.

[EssilorLuxottica’s push is for Transitions to go from “must-wear” to “love-wear.” I’m convinced enough by the demonstration that they’re not the nerdy, never-quite-clear, high-school science teacher vibe of my youth that I get a pair when I return home. And, as someone unwilling to use contacts and too cheap … OK, lazy … to buy prescription sunglasses for decades, I can say they’ve been a revelation. Better late than never.] 

And Transitions aren’t the only lens technology that has improved exponentially. Progressive lenses have dumped the “bifocals” stigma. They’ve become a far more seamless way to address stress you may not even know is affecting you, according to Today show style editor and Varilux lenses brand partner Bobbie Thomas. She spent months with nausea, vertigo, and headaches. Doctors suspected hormonal causes, but it turned out to be presbyopia.

About 2.1 billion people have presbyopia, an age-related loss of near vision; this number is projected to reach 4 billion by 2050, according to Essilor market reports and United Nations internal analysis. Plus, digital life is accelerating that. With 60 percent of our cerebral cortex involved in vision, good vision is associated with feelings of connection and community and therefore with good mental health, according to Sebastien Fricker, manager of the vision and perception modeling team. 

With this in mind, Essilor develops digital twins, which are virtual replicas of individual wearers based on their prescription, pupillary distance measurements, age, morphology, lifestyle, head and eye movements, and more. These are used to test various Varilux progressive lenses through simulation, model how a real brain perceives sharpness and distortion over time, and determine what works best and what needs refinement. And IRL, when getting fitted for the XR Series, an “Eye-Ruler” measures Near Vision Behavior (NVB) and considers posture, how you hold your device, and how your gaze shifts. Then behavioral AI predicts head and eye movement to align the lenses with how you actually view the world. 

[I’m a presbyope who had a terrible, multi-day ordeal adapting to progressives in my mid-40s. So I was reluctant to give a new pair a go. But while I was getting Transitions, I took the leap to Varilux XR, and now I have no obvious lines or disorienting “swim effect.” According to Essilor, citing a 2005 study, you make more than 100,000 eye movements a day in every direction, and standard progressive lenses are designed primarily for linear eye movements. With Varilux XR, you get what you pay for, which is a natural per-eye positioning of near, intermediate, and far focal zones, plus sharpness in motion.]

Of course, lenses, for all the chemistry and careful cutting that goes into them, are relatively easy to drop into a traditional frame, whether it’s an A$AP Rocky Wayfarer Puffer or some kind of titanium wisp with a granny chain swinging off it like a thurible. Their transformative power is something you can see. What’s introduced next is felt more than seen. 

We demo the Ray-Ban Meta, learning about the layers of delicate circuitry in its arms and the challenge of fitting components that must stay linear onto a face, which is anything but flat. A few steps away, however, is something even more interesting to me: Nuance Audio glasses, first introduced in April 2025 at around a grand without prescription lenses (thousands less than traditional hearing aids). They’re basically an over-the-counter hearing aid disguised as something I’d already have on my face, and the only prescription required is for lenses, if you need them.

A rep puts a neckband speaker on another journalist and hits play to emit restaurant chatter and clatter. Then a different voice talks over it, conversational, not loud, and the response is middling. “I don’t really understand everything,” the wearer admits. So the rep switches the glasses on, frontal mode kicks in, and the glasses amplify whoever you face within a 30-degree cone, aimed like a laser pointing from your nose. Alternately, a 360-degree mode can handle the street for more encompassing awareness. Other features include four pre-configured amplification settings that target different levels of hearing loss, plus background noise reduction.

“I’m hearing her a lot more clearly,” the participant declares. Meanwhile, I’ve found something I want to hear more about.

I admit it: I’m the guy who fails the “restaurant test.” I sometimes struggle to navigate low-light, high-noise spaces. Varilux XR lenses have somewhat helped cut down on menu-reading challenges and peering over my frames at things held mere inches from my face, but I still have a hard time hearing anyone at the table who’s not immediately next to or across from me. If my eyes are a window to my health, and at least some of the world around me, then my ears are a door to the room where my sanity comes and goes … and sometimes it feels like it’s swinging shut. 

I mean, it’s my own fault. As a former professional music critic and would-be superstar DJ, I stood in front of line arrays for many, many years before I took earplugs seriously. Between that and turning 50, I’ve lost some top end, what my audiologist calls “the women and children range,” much to the chagrin of my wife. So I know exactly why I tilt my head “like a dog that just heard the word ‘treat,’” as the wife I find harder to hear so lovingly puts it. I’m trying to catch consonants along with visual cues to help cut through the static. And it’s mentally exhausting, to the point that sometimes I’ll just check out when out and about.

This makes me more interested in being part of the conversation on mild to moderate hearing loss and removing the stigma of hearing aids, or even hearables. So, eight months after Milan, I’m even more interested in attending SWITCH, EssilorLuxottica’s first-ever summit for about 1,000 vision-care professionals from more than 30 countries, held in Orlando in March 2026. 

Among conversations on myopia management, neuroscience, and emerging oculomics, I gravitate to the gear. According to a presentation by Dr. Charlotte Yeh, about 73 million Americans have hearing loss, which is 1 in 5 (that number goes up to 1 in 3 if you count people, like me, who have “hidden hearing loss” … where you mostly struggle with speech in noisy places but don’t have serious measurable loss). Fewer than a third of those act on it, often waiting 7 to 10 years. Untreated loss can lead to loneliness and also contribute to dementia, according to a 2024 Lancet Commission.

One of those people with untreated hearing loss is Frank Lynch, and his daughter, actress Jane Lynch, explains what’s at stake and how hearables can help. In her keynote, she describes her father going from someone who would burst into impromptu songs to someone who laughed half a beat behind. Then his TV got louder and louder, and saying “What?” in response to conversations got more and more frequent. Finally, he seemed to be disappearing, there but not there. Yet Frank didn’t want traditional hearing aids because he didn’t want to appear weak or vulnerable. So, when Jane started noticing her own issues with background noise getting in the way, you guessed it, in restaurants, she embraced the opportunity to do something about her hidden hearing loss when introduced to the “adorable” Nuance Audio glasses. “Getting help for hearing loss is not a surrender,” Lynch says.

It wasn’t just Lynch who ended up with a pair. Another went to her friend Janice, who spent a dinner saying they were a “game changer,” while another went to Lynch’s spouse. That’s three people embracing a solution, and more people who might be tempted to upgrade. Announced at SWITCH and recently released at retail, Nuance Audio Plus is the next generation of the company’s hearing glasses, starting at $829 and now available in three styles and five colors, with improved audio and amplification, battery life, and switches/controls. 

You see, adorable isn’t as simple to engineer when electronics are involved. All those PCBs and batteries and other components are flat and add weight, the enemy of all-day wear. That’s why the arms of Nuance Audio glasses and Meta models typically have a thickened profile, to house and hide the deliberate directional microphones that listen and the speakers that aim sound toward your ears. [Admittedly, the Meta Gen. 3 frames, with aviator and cat-eye styles, are a few millimeters smaller, but …]

Still, the team strives for connected devices to “be beautiful glasses first,” says Matteo Battiston, EssilorLuxottica’s chief design officer, talking to me between sessions.

It’s been a slow process to adapt the technology for the most wearers, though. For someone like me, with a -6.25 prescription, physics is fighting back. You design a frame like they design a car, without knowing which wheels will go on it, says Battiston. And not all wheels fit all wheel wells. Similarly, a prescription as thick as mine adds weight and must share space with microphones and motherboards that can’t be bent as the lenses get pushed in.

However, Alex Himel, Meta’s vice president of wearables, says that the most engaged users wear connected glasses with prescription or Transitions lenses. One of the company’s answers is another SWITCH debut: Ray-Ban Meta Optics. It’s a little easier with Nuance, which doesn’t have the cameras in the end piece, etc. For Ray-Ban, however, they made lighter frames that support what the company calls its widest prescription range. The hinges have an additional 10 degrees of rotation, the nose pads are swappable, and the temple tips adjust a bit. Not to the extent of traditional acetate, where opticians use heat to make things malleable, but with more flexibility than before.

Back at the Nuance Audio booth, I think about another feature they might want to put on the spec sheet: better table manners. Testing out a pair of Nuance at a dinner, I found I’m no longer half-nodding but rather making full eye contact. I’m reengaged. 

When I first arrived in Milan, I felt like I was wearing a metaphorical lumpy blue sweater, sure that the trend table wouldn’t have much to do with me. But even if I’m not the most fashion-forward, I loved learning how the frames, lenses, and electronics-laden eyewear I ended up wearing were curated long before I chose them. And the shade of cerulean that mattered most as it trickled down to me was whatever was being said at the far end of the table. Miranda Priestly never has to raise her voice; the room leans in. Well, I got tired of leaning in. Now I can sit back and still catch the … nuance.

The post I went from Milan to Orlando to learn whether glasses that change your look can change your outlook appeared first on Popular Science.

The glasses come with AR apps that actually feel useful, but is that enough to get people excited for the $2,195 device?

The new assistant works with the company's new AR glasses, but will also have its own mobile and desktop apps.

New features like Health Age bring Apple's app more in line with competitors like Whoop and Oura.

More details on the company's chunky smart glasses are expected today.

Segundo as mais recentes fugas de informação, a Meta deverá lançar quatro novos modelos de óculos inteligentes, incluindo um sem câmara focado em privacidade, numa altura em que a empresa continua a lidar com as consequências da polémica em torno de gravações feitas sem consentimento.

The post Meta pondera lançar óculos inteligentes sem câmara para reconquistar a confiança dos utilizadores appeared first on Tek Notícias.

AYN Thor is not trying to win attention simply by putting a faster processor inside a conventional handheld. Its defining feature is the clamshell design: a large 6-inch AMOLED screen sits above a second display, giving the device a layout that is much closer to a portable dual-screen gaming system than a traditional Android game console.

The Banggood configuration covered here pairs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while the wider Thor lineup also includes higher-memory versions. AYN’s own current product information lists the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 configurations alongside a 6-inch AMOLED main display, a 3.92-inch secondary AMOLED screen, Android 13 and a 6000mAh battery.

That makes the Thor interesting for a very specific reason: the second screen can change how certain games and emulators are played, rather than merely adding another display to the specification sheet.

The Second Screen Is the Real Story

Most Android gaming handhelds use a single display and place all controls around it. The Thor takes a different route.

Its upper panel is a 6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the lower section provides a smaller 3.92-inch AMOLED touchscreen. The primary display runs at 1920 × 1080, while the secondary panel uses a 1080 × 1240 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate.

The difference in refresh rate is actually useful to understand. The top screen is optimized for the main gaming experience, while the lower screen is better thought of as a companion interface.

That opens up several possibilities. In dual-screen emulation, one display can show the main game while the second handles maps, menus, touch controls or other information. For games designed around two screens, the physical arrangement can also feel considerably more natural than trying to reproduce the same layout on a single panel.

This is where the Thor has a clearer identity than another Android handheld with similar processing hardware.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Gives the Thor Plenty of Headroom

The 8GB/128GB configuration uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the same platform used by several other high-performance Android handhelds. AYN’s specifications identify the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 versions as the Base, Pro and Max models, with RAM and storage increasing depending on configuration.

For the Thor, the processor is less interesting as a headline number than what it enables.

Android gaming, retro emulation and game streaming can all benefit from additional processing headroom, but the dual-screen design is where the hardware becomes more purposeful. The system has to manage two displays and the associated touch input while still maintaining a responsive gaming interface.

The 8GB configuration therefore makes sense as the entry point for users who want the Thor’s unusual hardware without necessarily moving to one of the larger storage variants.

Android 13 Keeps the Platform Flexible

The Thor runs Android 13, which gives it access to the broader Android gaming and emulation ecosystem rather than locking it into a proprietary game library. AYN’s product information also confirms that games are not preinstalled, meaning buyers should think of the device as an Android gaming platform rather than a ready-made retro library.

That distinction matters.

The real value of an Android handheld is often determined by how well its software environment fits the user’s preferred games and emulators. With the Thor, there is an additional consideration: configuring software to take advantage of two physical screens.

For example, a dual-screen setup can be particularly useful for systems and games that were originally designed around separate gameplay and information displays. Retro Game Corps’ setup guide specifically covers the additional considerations involved in configuring dual-screen Android handhelds such as the Thor.

Hall-Effect Sticks Are a Practical Hardware Choice

The Thor also uses Hall-effect joysticks, which detect stick movement magnetically rather than relying on traditional mechanical contact for position sensing. AYN lists Hall sticks among the device’s hardware features.

For an Android gaming handheld, this is more relevant than it might initially appear.

The controls are likely to see much more use than many of the device’s headline specifications. Precise analog input matters for action games, racing titles and 3D emulation, while the absence of conventional contact-based sensing can help reduce one common source of stick-position problems over long-term use.

It also reinforces the idea that the Thor is designed as a serious gaming device rather than simply an Android tablet folded into a portable shell.

A 6,000mAh Battery Balances the Dual-Screen Hardware

A 6,000mAh battery sits inside the Thor, according to AYN’s current specifications. The device also supports 27W charging.

Battery capacity alone does not tell the whole story, especially on a dual-screen handheld.

The actual runtime will depend heavily on brightness, refresh rate, emulator workload, wireless connectivity and how frequently the secondary display is active. More demanding games will naturally place a greater load on the Snapdragon platform than lightweight retro titles.

For this reason, the Thor’s battery should be viewed as part of a larger power-management equation rather than judged only by the 6000mAh figure.

The Flip Design Solves a Portability Problem

There is another advantage to the clamshell construction that has little to do with gaming performance: screen protection.

When the Thor is closed, the two displays face inward. That gives the handheld a natural protective position when it is placed inside a bag or carried between locations.

The closed form also makes the Thor visually distinct from the large number of slab-style Android gaming handhelds now available.

However, the hinge introduces its own design considerations. Users who want the device primarily for traditional single-screen Android gaming may not need a second display or a clamshell mechanism. The dual-screen architecture becomes much more valuable when the software can actually make use of it.

8GB + 128GB Is the More Straightforward Configuration

The Banggood listing specifically covers the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage version.

That capacity should be enough for a focused Android gaming setup, but storage requirements can grow quickly once users begin adding large game files, emulator libraries and multiple applications.

AYN’s wider lineup includes a 12GB/256GB model and higher-end 16GB configurations with substantially more storage.

This makes the 8GB/128GB model easier to understand as an entry configuration rather than the only version of the Thor. Buyers who plan to maintain a large local game library should pay particular attention to storage before choosing between variants.

Who Actually Benefits From Two Screens?

The Thor makes the most sense for users whose gaming habits can take advantage of its unusual layout.

Dual-screen emulation is an obvious example. Systems that originally used two displays can be represented more naturally when the handheld itself physically provides two panels.

The secondary display can also be useful for touch-based controls, menus or supplementary information while the main display remains dedicated to gameplay.

For ordinary Android games that only need one screen, however, the second panel becomes less important. In that situation, the Thor’s main advantage is its unusual form factor rather than a fundamental change in gameplay.

That distinction is worth keeping in mind when comparing it with conventional single-screen Android handhelds.

A Different Kind of Android Gaming Handheld

The AYN Thor gaming handheld ‘s most interesting feature is not the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 by itself, nor is it simply the 120Hz AMOLED display.

It is the combination of a 6-inch 120Hz AMOLED main screen, a secondary AMOLED touchscreen, Hall-effect controls, Android 13 and a 6000mAh battery inside a foldable chassis.

That combination gives the Thor a specific purpose.

For users who mainly want a standard Android gaming handheld, its dual-screen construction may be more hardware than they need. But for players interested in DS/3DS-style emulation, dual-screen interfaces or experimenting with different Android gaming layouts, the second display provides a capability that conventional handhelds simply cannot reproduce in the same physical way.

The result is a device that stands apart not because it has the longest specification sheet, but because its hardware is built around a different idea of what a portable gaming console can be.

The post AYN Thor Review: Why Its Dual-Screen Design Makes This Android Handheld Different appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

AULA F75 MAX keyboard is designed for users who want more than a basic compact mechanical gaming keyboard. Instead of focusing on a single headline feature, it combines a space-saving 75% layout with a dedicated TFT screen, rotary knob, hot-swappable switches, gasket mounting and three connection modes.

That combination makes the F75 MAX interesting for both gaming and everyday desktop use. Its design also reflects a broader trend in mechanical keyboards: smaller layouts are becoming more feature-rich without completely sacrificing the controls that PC users rely on.

Why the 75% Layout Makes Sense

The F75 MAX uses an 80-key 75% layout, keeping the function row and arrow-key cluster while removing the large gaps and dedicated number pad found on full-size keyboards.

For a gaming setup, this layout can free up more desk space for mouse movement. At the same time, it remains practical for productivity because users do not have to give up the dedicated arrow keys and function row.

The trade-off is the missing number pad. Anyone who regularly enters large amounts of numerical data may still prefer a full-size keyboard, but for gaming, general typing and compact workstations, the 75% format is a useful middle ground.

The TFT Screen Is More Than Decoration

One of the F75 MAX’s most noticeable design elements is its built-in TFT screen. Instead of relying entirely on RGB lighting for visual customization, the keyboard adds a small display that gives the top section a more personalized appearance. Banggood specifically lists a GIF-capable TFT screen interface.

This feature does not fundamentally change typing performance, but it gives the keyboard a distinct identity. For users who enjoy customizing their desktop setup, the screen can make the F75 MAX feel more like a configurable gadget than a conventional mechanical keyboard.

The separate metal knob also adds a practical control point, giving users a physical way to interact with supported functions instead of relying entirely on keyboard shortcuts.

Gasket Mounting Targets a Softer Typing Feel

The keyboard uses a gasket-mounted structure with multiple layers of sound-dampening material. AULA lists five layers of dampening, while the product listing describes a six-layer sound-absorbing structure, so the exact terminology varies between listings.

The important part is what this construction is intended to achieve. A gasket-mounted keyboard isolates the plate from parts of the case, allowing slightly more flex while reducing some of the direct vibration transferred through the chassis.

Combined with the F75 MAX’s foam and silicone layers, the design is aimed at producing a deeper and less harsh typing sound than a basic rigid keyboard.

That makes the keyboard potentially more appealing to people who care about typing acoustics as well as gaming performance.

Hot-Swappable Switches Make Future Upgrades Easier

Another useful feature is the hot-swappable PCB, which supports 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches according to AULA’s specifications.

This means owners are not necessarily locked into the factory switch configuration. Users who prefer a lighter linear feel, a different actuation characteristic or another sound profile can experiment with compatible switches without replacing the entire keyboard.

The F75 MAX comes with LEOBOG Reaper linear switches. AULA lists them as factory-lubed, while EPOMAKER’s specifications give the switch a 45±3gf trigger force and 3.6±0.3mm total travel.

For someone buying a mechanical keyboard as a long-term platform, this upgradeability may be more meaningful than RGB effects alone.

Tri-Mode Connectivity Covers Different Setups

The F75 MAX supports USB-C wired, 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.0 connections.

That gives the keyboard three distinct use cases. Wired mode is suitable for a desktop gaming setup, 2.4GHz wireless keeps the desk cleaner while maintaining a low-latency connection, and Bluetooth is convenient when switching between compatible computers or mobile devices.

AULA rates the keyboard at up to 1000Hz polling through USB and 2.4GHz, while Bluetooth is listed at 125Hz. The manufacturer also lists latency of around 3ms over USB, 7ms via 2.4GHz and 18ms through Bluetooth.

For competitive gaming, the wired and 2.4GHz modes are therefore the more relevant choices.

4000mAh Battery Gives Wireless Mode Some Flexibility

The built-in 4000mAh battery is another reason the F75 MAX works well as a wireless desktop keyboard. AULA rates battery life at approximately 30.5 hours with the RGB backlight enabled and up to 80 hours with the lighting switched off.

Actual endurance will depend on lighting brightness, connection mode and usage patterns, so these figures should be treated as manufacturer ratings rather than guaranteed real-world results.

Still, the option to turn off RGB lighting when maximum battery life matters gives users more control over how they use the keyboard.

PBT Keycaps and South-Facing RGB

The F75 MAX uses double-shot PBT keycaps and south-facing per-key RGB lighting.

PBT is commonly chosen for mechanical keyboards because it generally resists the glossy wear that can develop on frequently used ABS keycaps. The south-facing RGB arrangement also works well with the keyboard’s overall enthusiast-oriented design.

AULA lists support for more than 16 million RGB colors and multiple lighting effects, although the visual customization is ultimately secondary to the keyboard’s typing and connectivity features.

A Compact Keyboard With Room to Experiment

AULA F75 MAX is best understood as a feature-rich 75% mechanical keyboard rather than simply another RGB gaming board.

Its strongest combination is the compact layout, gasket construction, hot-swappable PCB and tri-mode connectivity. The TFT display and rotary knob then add a layer of customization that separates it from more conventional 75% keyboards.

For gamers, the 2.4GHz connection and 1000Hz polling rate give the keyboard a performance-oriented side. For enthusiasts, the hot-swap PCB and gasket structure leave room for future customization. And for everyday users, the 75% layout provides a useful balance between desk space and functionality.

The main compromise is straightforward: users who need a dedicated number pad will need a larger keyboard. But for anyone comfortable with the 75% format, the AULA F75 MAX offers a combination of customization, wireless flexibility and enthusiast-style construction that makes it worth considering.

For the latest specifications and software information, buyers should also check the official AULA product page before ordering, since configurations and regional listings can vary.

The post AULA F75 MAX Review: A 75% Mechanical Keyboard With TFT Screen and Tri-Mode Wireless appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

TRIMUI Brick Pro TG4040 is aimed at players who want a dedicated retro gaming handheld without carrying a bulky modern console.Its appeal comes from the combination of a compact vertical design, a high-resolution IPS display, physical controls designed for longer sessions, and a Linux-based gaming environment.

The 256GB configuration also targets users who want a large game library available locally. Banggood lists this version with more than 17,000 games, although the actual titles and availability can depend on the included software and storage configuration.

A Small Handheld With a Surprisingly Detailed Display

The Brick Pro uses a 3.95-inch IPS panel with a 1024 × 768 resolution, giving it a 4:3 aspect ratio that suits many classic games particularly well. The official TRIMUI specifications also list a 60Hz refresh rate and full lamination.

That resolution is more important than simply looking at the screen size. Retro games were generally designed around lower-resolution displays and 4:3 layouts, so the Brick Pro’s screen can preserve that traditional presentation without requiring an oversized handheld.

The relatively compact display also keeps the device portable, making it easier to use during travel, commuting or short gaming sessions.

Dual Hall Joysticks Focus on Long-Term Control

One of the more practical hardware choices is the inclusion of dual Hall-effect joysticks. Unlike conventional analog sticks that rely on physical contact for position sensing, Hall-effect controls use magnetic sensing technology.

For a retro handheld, the benefit is less about chasing headline specifications and more about control consistency. Players who frequently switch between arcade titles, platformers and games that require analog input can benefit from having two proper sticks instead of relying entirely on a directional pad.

The official TRIMUI specification lists the Brick Pro with JF15 dual Hall-effect joysticks, along with L3 and R3 click functions.

The 256GB Version Is Built Around a Large Game Library

Storage is another major reason to consider this particular configuration.

The 256GB TRIMUI Brick Pro is advertised with more than 17,000 games, while other Brick Pro configurations are sold with different storage capacities and game counts. Banggood’s product listings show 64GB, 128GB and 256GB versions, giving buyers several ways to configure the handheld around their preferred library size.

For users who mainly want a ready-to-play retro machine, the larger storage option reduces the need to constantly manage space. At the same time, buyers should check exactly what game content is included with their chosen package rather than assuming that every version contains the same library.

The official hardware also supports a TF card, with storage expansion listed up to 1TB.

CNC Metal Construction Gives the Handheld a Different Character

The Banggood 256GB listing highlights a CNC metal body, which gives this configuration a more substantial positioning than lightweight plastic retro consoles.

This matters particularly for a device intended to be used frequently. A metal exterior can provide a more rigid feel in the hands, although it may also add weight compared with an all-plastic design.

It is worth noting that TRIMUI’s official Brick Pro specification describes the standard product body as ABS+PC plastic, so buyers should pay attention to the exact TG4040 variant and listing configuration when comparing materials.

5,000mAh Battery Makes It Better Suited to Portable Play

The Brick Pro carries a 5,000mAh battery, which is substantial for a compact retro handheld. TRIMUI rates battery life at around 5 to 10 hours depending on workload, while charging is handled through USB-C at up to 10W.

Actual endurance will naturally vary according to the emulator, screen brightness, wireless connectivity and other usage conditions. Still, the battery capacity makes the Brick Pro better suited to longer sessions away from a charger than many smaller retro handhelds.

Linux Keeps the Experience Focused on Gaming

The Brick Pro runs TrimUI’s Linux-based software environment rather than Android. The official specifications list Trim-UI Linux and Trimui OSD, along with support for a broad range of classic gaming systems and arcade platforms.

That approach keeps the device closer to the traditional retro-handheld experience. Instead of functioning as a general-purpose Android tablet, the Brick Pro is primarily designed around emulation, physical controls and quick access to games.

Connectivity includes 802.11 b/g/n wireless networking, Bluetooth 4.2 and USB-C, while the system also provides a 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo speakers.

Who Is the TRIMUI Brick Pro TG4040 For?

The Brick Pro makes the most sense for players who want a dedicated retro handheld rather than a general-purpose gaming device.

Its strongest combination is the 3.95-inch 4:3 display, dual Hall-effect controls, 5,000mAh battery and large-storage option. The 256GB model is particularly interesting for users who prefer having a substantial library available without frequently swapping storage.

However, its Linux-based design also tells you what the device is not trying to be. This is primarily an emulation-focused handheld rather than a replacement for a modern Windows gaming PC or high-end console.

For retro enthusiasts, that focused approach can actually be the main attraction: the Brick Pro puts the screen, controls and game library at the center of the experience while keeping the overall device compact enough to take almost anywhere.

Note: Game counts, included software, storage contents and package configurations can vary by seller and version. Buyers should verify the exact 256GB configuration before ordering.

The post TRIMUI Brick Pro TG4040 Review: 3.95-Inch Display, Hall Joysticks and 256GB Storage appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

Xiaomi has introduced the Mijia Smart Humidity and Temperature Meter 3 Pro, a new indoor monitoring device that expands beyond basic temperature and humidity tracking by adding carbon dioxide (CO₂) detection.

The device is now listed through Xiaomi’s retail channels, with crowdfunding scheduled to begin on September 21 at 10:00 AM, positioning it as a compact smart home monitoring device for everyday indoor use. Its regular suggested retail price is 149 yuan, while early crowdfunding backers can purchase it for 114 yuan.

CO₂ Monitoring Is the Major Upgrade

The biggest change compared with the previous generation is the addition of real-time CO₂ concentration monitoring.

Xiaomi says the new meter uses a next-generation low-power thermal-conductivity CO₂ sensor from Sensirion. It can continuously measure indoor carbon dioxide levels and communicate the current air-quality status through a three-color indicator.

This gives the device a more practical role in everyday indoor monitoring. Instead of simply showing whether a room is hot, cold, dry or humid, it can also help users notice when ventilation may need attention.

Larger 3.6-Inch Display Shows More Information

The Mi Home Smart Humidity and Temperature Meter 3 Pro features a 3.6-inch LCD display, along with a slimmer-bezel design compared with the previous model.

The screen can show several types of information, including:

• CO₂ concentration
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Date
• Day of the week
• Time

Users can switch between different display layouts with a single action, allowing the screen to be configured around the information they want to see most often.

Works With Xiaomi’s Smart Home Ecosystem

The new meter is also designed to work as part of a connected smart home rather than operating as an isolated sensor.

It supports Xiaomi mijia smart-home integration and can connect with other compatible devices through a Bluetooth Mesh gateway. Temperature, humidity and CO₂ readings can be used as triggers for automated actions.

For example, users can configure a CO₂ threshold in the Mi Home App. When the measured level reaches the configured limit, a compatible smart speaker can automatically issue a voice reminder.

This makes the sensor more useful in rooms where users want automatic notifications instead of having to check the display manually.

Historical Data Can Be Viewed in the App

After pairing the meter with the Mi Home App and a compatible Bluetooth Mesh gateway, measurement data can be synchronized to the cloud.

The app can then generate historical curves showing changes in temperature and humidity, as well as CO₂ concentration, making it easier to track indoor environmental trends over time. This allows users to look beyond a single reading and identify longer-term changes in indoor conditions.

For example, a user could compare CO₂ levels at different times of day or observe how ventilation affects the readings over several days.

Flexible Placement and Long Battery Life

The Mi Home Smart Humidity and Temperature Meter 3 Pro supports both desktop placement and magnetic mounting, giving users more flexibility when deciding where to install it.

Despite the larger display and additional sensing capability, Xiaomi has retained a low-power design. The device uses a single CR2450 coin-cell battery and is rated for approximately one year of battery life.

A More Capable Indoor Environment Monitor

The new model is essentially an expansion of the traditional temperature-and-humidity meter concept. Its most important addition is not the larger display, but the ability to monitor CO₂ alongside temperature and humidity.

At 114 yuan during crowdfunding, the Mi Home Smart Humidity and Temperature Meter 3 Pro combines environmental monitoring, historical data tracking and smart-home automation in a compact device. Whether that extra functionality is useful will largely depend on whether users want CO₂ data and automated ventilation-related reminders in their homes.

The post Xiaomi Smart Humidity and Temperature Meter 3 Pro Adds CO₂ Monitoring, Starts at 114 Yuan appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

Xiaomi is preparing to expand its smartwatch lineup with a smaller version of its latest wearable. The Mi Watch S5 41mm has been officially confirmed for release this month and is already available for pre-order through multiple sales channels.

The new model focuses on a more compact and refined design while retaining many of the smart health, fitness and connected features found on Xiaomi’s smartwatch platform. Its lightweight body and claimed 14-day battery life could make it an appealing option for users who want a smartwatch that can be worn comfortably throughout the day.

Mi Watch S5 41mm Gets a More Compact Design

The Mi Watch S5 41mm maintains a traditional watch-inspired appearance, giving the smaller model a relatively elegant and understated look.

According to Xiaomi, the watch weighs only about 36 grams and has a body thickness of approximately 0.99cm. The reduced dimensions should make it easier to wear for extended periods, particularly for users who prefer smaller watches rather than larger 46mm models.

The 41mm version also differs visually from its larger counterpart. Xiaomi has removed the minute-scale markings printed around the bezel, creating a cleaner appearance and helping distinguish the smaller model from the Mi Watch S5 46mm.

Health and Fitness Features Target Everyday Use

Beyond its compact design, Xiaomi is adding several health and lifestyle functions to the Mi Watch S5 41mm.

One notable feature is menstrual cycle tracking, which allows users to record and monitor relevant cycle information directly through the smartwatch. The device can also provide exercise recommendations designed to help users make more informed choices about their daily workouts.

The watch additionally supports dietary calorie management, giving users another way to track their activity and energy balance. An ultraviolet intensity indicator is also included, providing information about current UV conditions when users are outdoors.

These additions make the 41mm model more than simply a smaller version of the existing smartwatch. Xiaomi appears to be positioning it toward users who want a lightweight wearable with health and lifestyle functions built into the daily experience.

HyperOS 4 Connects the Watch to Xiaomi’s Ecosystem

The Mi Watch S5 41mm will run Xiaomi HyperOS 4, extending its role beyond basic fitness tracking.

Xiaomi says the smartwatch can interact with different parts of its connected ecosystem, including smart-home devices, vehicles and other compatible equipment. This means the watch is designed to function as another control point within Xiaomi’s broader ecosystem rather than operating as an isolated wearable.

As connected-device support continues to expand, this ecosystem integration could become one of the more important advantages for Xiaomi smartwatch owners who already use other compatible products.

Up to 14 Days of Battery Life

Battery endurance is another major selling point of the Mi Watch S5 41mm.

Xiaomi claims that the smartwatch can achieve up to 14 days of battery life under suitable usage conditions. If the real-world performance comes close to the advertised figure, users may be able to spend significantly less time charging the watch compared with many feature-heavy smartwatches.

Actual battery life will naturally vary depending on factors such as workout tracking, display settings, notifications, health monitoring and connected-device features.

Mi Watch S5 41mm Price and Availability

Xiaomi has confirmed that the Mi Watch S5 41mm will officially launch in September 2026, but the company has not yet disclosed its complete specifications or final pricing.

According to Xiaomi’s official announcement, the Mi Watch S5 41mm is scheduled to launch in September, with more details expected to be revealed before the release.

For comparison, the Mi Watch S5 46mm launched earlier this year with a starting price of 1,199 yuan. The smaller 41mm model is expected to appeal to a different group of users, particularly those looking for a lighter and more compact smartwatch.

More details about the Mi Watch S5 41mm, including its final price, configurations and availability, are expected to be announced closer to its official release.

What Makes the Mi Watch S5 41mm Different?

The Mi Watch S5 41mm takes a slightly different approach from the larger 46mm model. Instead of focusing primarily on size and hardware, Xiaomi is emphasizing wearing comfort, health features, ecosystem connectivity and long battery life.

At just around 36 grams, with a thickness of roughly 0.99cm and a claimed 14-day endurance, the new model could be a practical choice for users who want a smartwatch that remains comfortable during long periods of use.

Its combination of menstrual cycle tracking, fitness guidance, calorie management, UV information and HyperOS 4 connectivity also gives the watch a broader everyday role.

With the official launch now scheduled for this month, the Mi Watch S5 41mm is shaping up as a more compact alternative within Xiaomi’s latest smartwatch family.

The post Xiaomi Watch S5 41mm: 14-Day Battery, 36g Body and HyperOS 4 Features appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

Há um ano e meio, publicamos aqui no MacMagazine um vídeo completo sobre o HAYLOU Solar Ultra, comparando-o inclusive com o Apple Watch Ultra.

De lá para cá, a fabricante seguiu evoluindo o produto e nos procurou para mostrar a nova versão: o HAYLOU Solar Ultra com IA.

Gravamos um novo vídeo detalhando o que mudou e, principalmente, testando os novos recursos baseados em inteligência artificial que a marca incorporou ao relógio, entre eles:

• Mostradores gerados por IA, permitindo criar watchfaces personalizadas diretamente a partir de comandos;
• Assistente de IA integrado, para tirar dúvidas e receber respostas sem precisar do smartphone por perto;
• Tradução por IA, com suporte a conversas em outros idiomas direto do pulso;
• e outras funções inteligentes que prometem deixar a experiência de uso mais completa.

No vídeo, mostramos como cada um desses recursos funciona na prática, se realmente agrega valor ao dia a dia e como o Solar Ultra se compara à versão original que já havíamos testado.

Vale a pena conferir para quem já tinha curiosidade sobre o modelo anterior ou está em dúvida entre um smartwatch bem mais em conta e um Apple Watch.

NOTA DE TRANSPARÊNCIA: Este é um artigo fruto de um acordo comercial com um anunciante, que não influenciou a nossa opinião. O MacMagazine recebe uma pequena comissão sobre vendas concluídas por meio de links deste post, mas você, como consumidor, não paga nada mais pelos produtos comprando pelos nossos links de afiliado.