Gadgets

Meta has introduced a new lineup of artificial intelligence products, according to Bloomberg. The company is positioning the offering as an attempt to succeed where competitors have struggled to gain traction with AI. The announcement is drawing attention as tech giants race to convert AI investments into widely adopted consumer and business products.

Big Tech is betting on smart glasses and AI-powered gadgets as its next major product category, but the devices face significant privacy challenges. Always-on cameras, microphones and AI assistants that continuously collect ambient data raise questions about consent, surveillance in public spaces and how companies will safeguard the information these wearables gather. The debate centres on whether consumers will accept the trade-off between convenience and constant data collection.

Meta is preparing to launch three new devices: smart glasses without a built-in camera, an AI-powered keychain, and a new pair of VR glasses. The camera-free design is drawing particular attention as it addresses privacy concerns that have weighed on previous smart glasses. The AI keychain suggests the company is exploring smaller, wearable form factors for its assistant technology. Tech commentators are watching to see how the trio of products fits into Meta's broader push into artificial intelligence hardware.

Ukraine says its ground combat robots have been deployed up to 10 kilometres behind Russian lines, with Kyiv claiming the unmanned systems have inflicted around 3,000 Russian casualties. If verified, the claim would mark one of the most significant battlefield uses of robotic systems in the war, highlighting Ukraine's growing reliance on uncrewed ground vehicles for assaults and logistics under fire.

Alibaba has launched Qwen Intelligence as a full-stack agentic AI platform designed for smartphones. The platform is positioned to let phone makers run AI agents that can handle tasks on a user's behalf, extending Alibaba's Qwen model family beyond cloud services and into on-device mobile experiences. Coverage so far frames it as Alibaba's push to compete in the fast-moving smartphone AI space, where Google, Apple and Chinese rivals are also racing to embed assistants.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says AI laboratories that cannot control the systems they build should be shut down. The remarks, reported by Gadget Review, add a prominent industry voice to the ongoing debate over AI safety and accountability. Huang's position suggests that the ability to manage and contain advanced AI models should be a baseline requirement for any lab developing them.

A coalition of 23 US states is pushing for federal regulation of artificial intelligence following a series of alarming incidents involving AI systems. The states argue that state-level rules alone cannot address risks that cross borders, and are calling on Congress to set nationwide standards covering safety, accountability and oversight of AI technologies.

Singapore's National Library Board is offering micropayments to encourage people to read more books and spend less time on their phones. The programme aims to build reading habits by rewarding users directly, prompting debate online about whether small financial incentives can genuinely change behaviour or trivialise the value of reading.

The government has permitted e-commerce providers to deliver foods and gadgets, according to The Financial Express. The move is expected to broaden what online platforms can sell and deliver directly to consumers. Further details on the scope of the permission, which companies are covered, and when it takes effect were not provided in the available reporting.

A new account of the 2010 Chilean mine rescue is revisiting the 69 days thirty-three miners spent trapped underground before their dramatic rescue at the San José mine. The retelling brings renewed attention to one of the most-watched rescue operations in modern history, reminding audiences of how the men survived deep below the surface while the world waited for their extraction.

The James Webb Space Telescope has detected a black hole hidden inside a dense cocoon of gas, according to a report by Gadget Review. The finding offers a rare glimpse of an object normally obscured from view and could shed light on how black holes grow in the early universe. Astronomers and space enthusiasts are sharing the discovery widely.

Google has confirmed that Gemini 4 will replace Gemini 3.5 Pro entirely, according to a report by Geeky Gadgets. The move suggests the company is consolidating its AI assistant line-up around its newest model, retiring the previous Pro version for users. Details on rollout timing, feature changes and availability have not been widely reported yet, so the full scope of the replacement remains to be seen.

A new wave of AI-powered devices is hitting the consumer market, ranging from small wearable "charms" to reimagined smart speakers. The products aim to embed artificial intelligence assistants into everyday objects, moving beyond smartphones. Coverage highlights both the ambition of these designs and questions over whether consumers are actually ready to adopt dedicated AI hardware.

OpenAI is reportedly preparing to give developers an early preview of GPT-6 Cyber at its upcoming DevDay conference. If confirmed, the unveiling would mark the next step in the company's model lineup and signal a focus on security-oriented capabilities. Details remain sparse, with the report offering no official confirmation from OpenAI on timing or features.

Xiaomi has announced that its Android smartphones can now work with the Apple Watch, a notable cross-brand move since the smartwatch has long been limited to iPhones. The news is drawing attention in the tech press as an unusual instance of Apple and Xiaomi ecosystems overlapping, raising questions about what features will actually be available to users pairing the two devices.

Meta has unveiled Muse Charm, a pocket-sized device built around its AI assistant. The gadget marks Meta's continued push to move its AI assistant beyond phones and into dedicated hardware, following its AI-enabled glasses line. Details on pricing, availability and full specifications were not included in the initial announcement, leaving industry watchers waiting for more information about how the device will compete in the emerging market for standalone AI gadgets.

Qualcomm's chief executive says the smartphone will remain the central device in people's digital lives, pushing back against claims that wearables, smart glasses or AI gadgets could replace it. The comments position the phone as the hub that other devices connect to, with Qualcomm betting its chip business on that continuing role.

Meta has drawn attention with its Muse Charm, an AI-powered wearable described as far more than a keychain. Reports highlight five key functions the gadget can perform, positioning it as a new entry in Meta's expanding hardware lineup under Mark Zuckerberg's push into artificial intelligence devices.

Meta has set a Spring 2027 launch window for its latest VR glasses, priced at $1,300. The premium headset is positioned as a next step in the company's mixed-reality lineup, and tech watchers are weighing whether the steep price tag can win mainstream buyers.

Apple is expected to announce additional hardware before the end of the year, following this month's debut of the iPhone 18 Pro and the folding iPhone Duo. Reported upcoming products include a new version of the HomePod mini, the iPad mini 8, and an updated Apple TV 4K, signaling an unusually packed late-year release schedule for the company.

Music startup Thoughtful Things has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Engram, its first instrument. The device is a sampler and groovebox that uses AI to manipulate incoming audio and generate entirely new sounds. Early commentary stresses that it is not a generative music tool like Suno, but a hands-on hardware instrument aimed at producers who want AI-assisted sound design.

Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG has entered the Philippine market, debuting with a lineup of six variants across two models: the X9, a premium electric MPV, and the L03 sedan. The move marks another step in XPENG's international expansion as Chinese EV brands push into Southeast Asian markets.

New research indicates that smartwatches become less reliable at estimating calories burned as a user's body fat percentage rises. The finding suggests wearables may systematically misjudge energy expenditure for people with higher body fat, raising questions about how much trust users should place in fitness trackers when managing diet and exercise goals.

Meta has introduced a small, Tamagotchi-like AI wearable that users can talk to, positioning it as a friendlier alternative to screenless AI pendants. The gadget pairs a cute, pocketable design with conversational assistant features, and reaction so far focuses on whether charm and novelty can make the AI wearable category appealing to mainstream buyers.

A new leak claims the next Apple TV 4K will run on the A19 chip with 8GB of RAM, enough hardware to support Apple Intelligence features on the set-top box. If accurate, the upgrade would mark the biggest jump in the device's computing power in years and bring on-device AI to the living room. Speculation now centres on when Apple plans to announce the updated hardware.

Xiaomi has launched a new 10,000mAh power bank globally, featuring a built-in cable and 22.5W charging output. The company is promoting the device as safer than previous models, with improved protection features. The accessory targets users seeking a compact, all-in-one portable charger without carrying separate cables.

Qualcomm has announced Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a new audio platform that brings on-device AI processing to earbuds and other audio wearables. The move points to smarter features handled directly on the device rather than in the cloud. Coverage is so far limited to the announcement itself, with details on supported devices and features not yet widely reported.

NTT Docomo will raise the monthly fee for its budget mobile brand ahamo from December, with an increase of just 165 yen. Older OCN Mobile ONE plans will also be affected. The small size of the hike is drawing attention, with observers suggesting Docomo is keeping the rise modest to avoid pushing customers toward rival low-cost carriers such as Rakuten Mobile or others.

Gizmodo reports that a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K may be close to launch, based on leaked information about the streaming device. If accurate, the refresh would update Apple's set-top box lineup, though details on pricing, specs, and an official release date have not been confirmed by Apple.

Bose has released a special edition version of its QuietComfort Ultra headphones. The new variant arrives alongside the company's flagship noise-cancelling line, though details on pricing, colours and availability remain limited in initial coverage. Bose fans and audio enthusiasts are following the announcement as the QuietComfort Ultra series continues to be one of the most prominent names in premium wireless headphones.

Harvey Norman has opened its 41st store in Malaysia at Coalfields Retail Park in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. The Australian electronics and furniture retailer continues expanding its Malaysian footprint, with the new outlet adding to its presence in the Klang Valley and offering tech, appliances and homeware to shoppers in the growing area.

PeakDo is teasing a new power bank designed for the Starlink Mini portable satellite dish, built around a semi-solid-state battery. Details remain scarce beyond the teaser, but the promise of semi-solid-state cell technology points to higher energy density and improved safety compared with conventional lithium-ion packs. The announcement is drawing attention from satellite internet users and gadget watchers interested in longer runtimes for off-grid Starlink Mini setups.

Xiaomi has introduced a Pocket Guitar, a compact gadget designed to attach to smartphones and let users play a portable string instrument. The announcement has drawn attention among gadget enthusiasts curious about how the device works and who it is aimed at. Details on pricing and availability were not included in initial reports, and reactions to the product are still limited.