Although it’s easy to laugh when family members who are tech-averse complain that smart technology “gets everywhere these days,” there is more than a sliver of truth to that claim. Voice assistants and color-changing lightbulbs are no longer the only examples of smart homes; practically every household item can now be made smarter to some extent. At the very least, a greater selection of smart home technology offers consumers more alternatives than ever before, though it’s questionable if that’s necessarily a good thing.
With so many new devices coming out, it’s simple to miss some of them. The vast assortment of technology available can be overwhelming to people who feel themselves “out of the loop,” and even those who believe they are up to date on the latest developments may have missed some of the most recent releases. Some of the most bizarre technology that SlashGear’s test team has encountered in recent years is included here; some of it impressed us, while others didn’t.
The Ampera office bike from LifeSpan
Standing desks are an attempt to address the growing issue of employees spending too much time sitting motionless in one position, but they are not a perfect answer. Moving from a sitting to a standing position is better than doing nothing at all, but it’s still not as good as, say, working out while you go through your emails. With the LifeSpan Ampera office bike, you can get the fitness advantages of a stationary bike without ever leaving your desk. It fulfills that promise in the most literal sense, according to our review. However, there are some caveats.
Because of its higher seating position than a typical office chair, it cannot be used beneath a desk that is set in height; therefore, you will require a standing desk. The minimal seat height was another issue we discovered; even at its lowest setting, our tester, who is 5 feet 4 inches tall, had a very hard time comfortable reaching the pedals.
With a single USB-C plug and a Qi wireless charging pad for smartphones and other small devices, the LifeSpan Ampera serves as both an exercise outlet and a device charger. We discovered that this feature functioned as promised, charging a range of devices and achieving a charge of about 1% every five minutes of use. Although the Ampera bike costs $998 at retail, it’s undoubtedly a unique approach to staying in shape.
The vintage Atari 2600 Plus game console
Although gamers of a certain age would certainly remember the original Atari 2600 with nostalgia, they are unlikely to be aware that the company just reintroduced the system with a number of original titles. In many aspects, the Atari 2600 Plus was a convincing re-creation of the original, according to our review.
It still has the same controllers’ nine-pin connector in addition to its original appearance. This implies that anyone who has old controllers hanging around can connect them directly to the new system. This is especially useful because several of the games on the 2600 Plus include a two-player option, but Atari only includes one controller with the device.
It’s realistic to assume that the main target market for this system is consumers seeking a nostalgic fix, and younger audiences accustomed to more contemporary games are unlikely to find anything to engage them beyond the fleeting novelty value of playing something really retro. But at $129.99, the Atari 2600 Plus is reasonably priced to make up for its lackluster appeal.
Slim circular ring fitness monitor
Not all of the latest smart devices live up to the hype. The Circular Ring Slim was supposed to be a thinner, lighter substitute for the typical plethora of smartwatches and health-tracking bands, but our testing revealed too many drawbacks for us to suggest. First, the positive aspects: the health data displayed by the ring was simple to comprehend, and its battery lasted a lot longer than that of other smartwatches. As promised, it was lightweight and compact enough that our tester said she forgot it was there. But that was pretty much the end of the good.
The Ring Slim can only accommodate one touch-sensitive button because to its small surface area. Our tester complained that it was unduly difficult to use, frequently causing the ring to continually sound an alarm in the morning that had just been snoozed rather than completely turned off since the button was not correctly registering button taps. Another issue was durability; after a month of use, we saw obvious chips in the black finish of the ring. But perhaps most regrettably, a paywall also partially obscures several crucial health tracking tools, including the medication reminders and stress level monitor.
This seems like a strange choice considering the ring’s high price ($293) on Circular’s website, which is more than many high-quality smartwatches. Since the main purpose of the ring is to track health, consumers would be better off sticking with a smartwatch if they had to pay more for the ring’s complete monitoring package.
Wearable Panasonic SoundSlayer wireless speaker
Not everyone finds wearing gaming headphones comfortable, yet extended gaming sessions with conventional room-filling speakers can create antisocial noise levels for other household members. The SoundSlayer Wireless from Panasonic strikes a compromise between the two, providing a less noisy substitute for large headsets than standard speakers. Users wear the device around their neck thanks to its distinctive wraparound design, which is secured in place by rubber grips on the underside.
In addition to the ability to build custom modes with the SoundSlayer PC app, there are three preset modes available to optimize sound for specific popular game types. There are also movie and music modes available, although our tester found these were a bit of an afterthought, especially given the latter was substantially worse quality overall than our standard Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. It’s also important to note that the SoundSlayer does not support Bluetooth, which limits the number of devices it may be connected to.
Although we saw minor discrepancies in battery life predictions between the SoundSlayer PC app and the actual device, we found that Panasonic’s stated 9-hour battery life was approximately correct. Additionally impressive is the included, AI-enhanced microphone, which effectively muffles all gaming noises even when the volume is turned up. The SoundSlayer speaker is a funny substitute for gaming headphones, despite its flaws. However, at roughly $300, it’s a significant investment.
Lenovo’s foldable ThinkPad X1 Fold 16
Although foldable computers are still uncommon, foldable smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold range, are becoming more and more popular. One of the few models available right now is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16, which is at least worth taking into consideration if you can afford its $3,599 asking price.
With Lenovo’s Precision Pen stylus for added functionality, the X1 Fold can be set up in a variety of ways. It can also be folded up to become a standard 12-inch laptop. What sets the X1 Fold apart from a typical 2-in-1 laptop is the keyboard’s ability to be fixed to the laptop body in either portrait or landscape position.
When fully unfolded, the 16.3-inch OLED screen has excellent clarity and vibrancy, the latter of which is made possible by its 2560 x 2024 resolution. With a frame made of carbon fiber and magnesium alloy and a special frame design that maximizes flexibility without sacrificing strength, it is also long-lasting. The ThinkPad X1 Fold’s battery life, however, is when it begins to appear less competitive. Compared to Lenovo’s claimed estimates, our tester’s battery life between charges was only five hours. Despite the remarkable versatility of the X1 Fold, that is disappointing for a laptop that costs over $3,500.
Mirror and Lightstrip Kit for Nanoleaf 4D Screen
By creating a light that corresponds with what is shown on screen, Nanoleaf’s 4D Screen Mirror and Lightstrip Kit enhances the immersive experience of viewing TV and movies. The LED lightstrip can be attached to the back of the TV unit, and the Screen Mirror package includes a camera facing the display and the matching power unit. Anyone already familiar with smart home technology should have no trouble integrating the lights with their current setup because the kit is compatible with the Matter standard.
The variety of colors and color combinations that could be created with the kit astonished our reviewer, particularly when combined with a set of wall-mounted Shapes from Nanoleaf, which are available for separate purchase. We discovered several problems with the initial configuration, especially when it came to connecting the devices to our WiFi network. Additionally, the room configurator, which was supposed to inform the app of the kit’s location within a room, did not function on our evaluation unit. Overall, though, we felt that the Nanoleaf kit’s $119.99 asking price was fair considering the drama it brought to watching TV and movies.
ViewSonic X2-4K Xbox projector
The two inherent drawbacks of gaming monitors are that they are not portable and that the range of sizes available to buyers is limited. The ViewSonic X2-4K Xbox projector addresses both of these problems by being small enough to fit in a backpack and offering display sizes up to 120 inches across. It is specifically designed for the Xbox Series X and supports a refresh rate of 120Hz at 2560 x 1440 resolution; PC gamers can also choose a 240Hz option for 1080p gaming.
Our reviewer highlighted the 40-degree alignment as a standout feature and praised the projector’s consistently excellent image quality. The image stayed rectangular even when the projector was pointed at the wall at an oddly off-angle angle. At $1,599 MSRP, the X2-4K projector is several times more expensive than the Series X itself, and there are a number of alternative good projectors that are available for much less. This is the projector’s main drawback.
Minitailz GPS pet tracker by Invoxia
The Invoxia Minitailz GPS pet tracker is a new type of smart device for your dog best friend that combines the features of a pet GPS tracker with the health monitoring of a fitness wearable. When it detects a pet leaving a designated secure area, such as a house or yard, it will issue an alert. It also provides precise, current GPS tracking so that pet owners can always see exactly where their pet is.
While its health tracking was somewhat of a mixed bag, our reviewer couldn’t criticize its GPS tracking skills. There were significant errors in measuring the various forms of exercise, even if the fundamentals like heart rate monitoring and breathing rates appeared to be constant. During our testing, leaping on the sofa was wrongly classified as a car ride, and a car journey was mistakenly classified as a walk.
Although Invoxia subsequently published an update that fixed some of the problematic tracking, our tester ultimately disabled the activity tracker completely. Given its $99 starting price, the Invoxia Minitailz has the potential to be a fantastic tracker, even though it may still be a little raw around the edges. However, be advised that the device will need an additional monthly subscription to operate, just as many other comparable trackers.
The iPad stylus Adonit Star
With the exception of the Adonit Star iPad stylus, most tablet styluses have a similar appearance. It has a fountain pen-like form and isn’t particularly advanced technologically, much like its ink-filled sibling. The Star is clearly missing in advanced stylus functions, with only a single button and no pressure sensitivity or built-in shortcut support for creative programs. This is a stylus for show rather than function, so it’s not inherently a bad thing, but it does limit its appeal. Creatives such as artists will wish to search elsewhere.
However, evaluating technology solely as a tool for creativity is an underestimation. This is a novelty device whose main selling point is its appearance. In that sense, it performs admirably: our tester believed the stylus was substantial and high-end in the hand, except for the charging port cap, which cracked during our testing.
Although the pen’s claimed 11-hour battery life means it won’t need to be used very often, the charging port in question is a USB-C port. Given that the Adonit Star costs $50 and outperforms several more multipurpose competitors that are much more expensive, that’s a respectable amount. However, how much you cherish the stylus’ distinctive appearance and feel will determine whether or not that price is warranted.
Capstone Thin Cast Smart Mirror with Connectivity
There are some unavoidable questions raised by a mirror with an integrated smart display. Most will focus on the usefulness of a screen integrated into something that most people only look at a few times a day, as well as how well the screen’s picture quality holds up given the shiny mirror glass. Regretfully, the Capstone Connected Thin Cast doesn’t offer much to provide a compelling response to those queries.
Regarding the first point regarding picture quality, our reviewer thought the image was a little lackluster, particularly in brighter settings. The last aspect will mostly depend on personal preference, but it is unlikely to be very helpful unless you are the type of person who spends a lot of time each day staring at yourself in the mirror.
The mirror has a chip that is common for low-cost tablets and a simple Android operating system with relatively limited storage. The selection of apps that can be loaded onto the mirror is incredibly limited due to the puzzling lack of support for Google Play. This range has a web browser, audio player, and email app, but it noticeably lacks streaming apps and Google-branded apps. Mirroring your phone to the screen is another option. The Connected Thin Cast costs $799 on Capstone’s website, which is the problem. Despite its novel concept, it is tough to recommend because it is way too much for what is effectively a cheap Android tablet placed into a mirror.
Robotic Whisker Feeder for Automatic Pet Feeding
It can be challenging for pet owners to schedule feedings, particularly if they spend the majority of the day away from home. Whisker’s Feeder-Robot is a more intelligent solution than gravity feeders, which have historically been the best option. The feeder is programmable via an app or by the buttons on the device, and can deliver an exact portion of food at a predefined time.
The feeder will notify the owner through the app if a jam is found or if the food level drops too low. The owner will also be notified by an LED light on the feeder itself. The feeder can store up to 32 cups of kibble and is primarily made for cats, however small canines can also use it. There is a backup gravity feeder mode accessible for users who are not satisfied with the feeder’s intelligent features. However, this additional technology comes at a cost: the Feeder-Robot is far more expensive than a conventional gravity feeder, with an MSRP of $299.99.
The Nex Playground AR system
The Nex Playground system wagers that a new generation of kids would be more enthusiastic about the “games as exercise” genre, whereas Microsoft’s Kinect never quite achieved the levels of popularity its creator had hoped for. Similar to the Kinect, the Nex tracks a player’s body movements via a camera and converts them into different in-game reactions. However, it is not completely gesture-controlled; menu navigation still requires a separate controller.
From the external design to the on-screen graphics and game selection, practically every element of the console is specifically designed with children in mind. That’s not a bad thing, especially considering that the Nex Playground only $199 at retail, making it a suitable birthday or Christmas present. However, once the novelty of the Playground’s motion-tracking technology wears off, adults won’t find as much to appreciate here as they would with other family-friendly consoles. Although the Nex currently offers a far lesser selection of titles, the console’s VR-like attraction is far more affordable than, say, a Meta Quest. Additionally, some consumers may be deterred by the $89 annual subscription fee needed to keep those games operational.