Consumer Tech
Robots and smart devices people actually buy, use, and return.
What we’re watching next in consumer
Smart-home subscriptions have arrived—and the bill follows. The latest wave in consumer tech isn’t the gadget itself but what sits behind the app: ongoing cloud services and paid features layered on top of hardware. Across coverage from CNET Smart Home, The Verge, and Wired Gear, the trend is clear:
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Dazzles, Availability Murky
Xiaomi's 17 Ultra camera system leaves rivals scrambling. At MWC 2026, Xiaomi kicked off the Barcelona show by global-launching its 17 Ultra, a device that doubles down on photography with Leica’s long-running imprint on the imaging pipeline. The phone had already debuted in China last December, bu
Wild MWC Gadgets Vanished—What Happened?
MWC’s wild gadgets flashed onto the show floor, then faded faster than a demo battery, leaving a quiet question in their wake: were they ever meant to last? At this year’s event, observers saw a parade of audacious ideas: phones you wear like bracelets, and AI devices packed with lasers promising ne
Xiaomi-Leica Flagship Redefines Phone Photography
Xiaomi just unleashed a Leica-powered flagship with a 1-inch sensor and 17x zoom. At MWC 2026, Xiaomi kicked off with the global launch of its Xiaomi 17 Ultra, a camera-focused flagship built in partnership with Leica. The device marks a continuing bet on hardware-as-differentiation, not just comput
Xiaomi Tag Goes Case-Free, Expands Ecosystems
Xiaomi’s new Bluetooth tracker clips to keys without a case, turning a tiny accessory into a hardware convenience play you can actually see in the wild. The Xiaomi Tag arrives with an integrated metal loop on one end, so you can attach it to a keyring or carabiner without hunting for a separate clip
Bose QC Headphones Dip to $199 in Weekend Sale
Bose QuietComfort headphones are down to $199 this weekend—the best price you’ll see all year. The deal centers on Bose’s QC Headphones, currently listed on Amazon in multiple colors for $199, a $150 cut that makes this the most compelling price point for the model in 2024. The Verge notes that this
Polymarket Defends War Bets as Invaluable
Polymarket defends war bets as invaluable news, sparking backlash. In a murky corner of the internet where probabilities ride on geopolitics, Polymarket has kept a controversial edge: letting users bet on the timing and outcome of real-world conflicts. The Verge reports that the platform has continu