#consumer technology

A Memorial Day discount on Birdfy’s smart feeder is more than a sales hook: it shows how computer vision and connected cameras are pushing a traditional outdoor hobby into mainstream consumer tech.

Connected toys powered by large language models are rapidly entering the children’s market, but recent tests and early research suggest regulation has not kept pace with the risks.

Google has unveiled the $100 Fitbit Air and a new Google Health app, betting that a smaller, screenless wearable can make continuous health tracking easier to live with than a smartwatch.

OpenAI has begun rolling out ChatGPT 5.5 Instant as the default model for all users, positioning the faster system as a lower-hallucination upgrade for everyday conversations.

Gizmodo’s testing of the $1,500 Deebot X12 OmniCyclone found a machine with strong mopping, quiet operation, and ambitious AI features, but too many practical flaws for its price.

The FCC has barred the sale of new consumer-grade routers manufactured outside the US unless they win approval, a move framed as a national-security measure that could reshape hardware sourcing and consumer networking.

A brief source extract indicates Apple Wallet’s new Digital ID feature has gained additional uses, though the supplied material does not include the specifics of the expansion.

Wired’s review of Dyson’s PencilVac highlights a design that trades battery life and versatility for a lighter, narrower form factor.

Tim Cook is set to hand Apple’s chief executive role to John Ternus on September 1, putting one of the company’s longest-serving hardware leaders in charge of its next era.

Sonos’ new Play speaker is more than a product launch. It is a test of whether the company can re-center its identity after two years spent repairing the damage from its app overhaul.

A WIRED commerce feature highlights Birdfy’s spring discounts while underscoring how smart bird feeders are being positioned as practical and giftable nature tech.

A ZDNET test of allergy-focused smart home devices highlights a growing consumer-tech use case: using connected indoor equipment to manage pollen exposure during peak allergy season.

From AI Jesus video calls to Catholic and Buddhist chatbots, faith-oriented generative AI products are moving from novelty to a recognizable market segment, raising new questions about authority and spiritual guidance.

Meta has introduced Muse Spark, the first AI model to emerge from Meta Superintelligence Labs, marking the opening move in a broader effort to reset the company’s AI strategy.

Apple has opened a 50th anniversary exhibit at Apple Park featuring iconic products and photography, extending a rare public-facing look at the company's history