BenQ's new gaming projector throws a 100- to 150-inch image on the wall. Photo: BenQ
BenQ is known for making quality displays and monitor lights, but it also makes projectors. Its latest offering, the BenQ X3000i, can handle blazing-fast gaming at a refresh rate up to 240Hz, but it comes at quite a price — about two grand.
Dell's new 27-inch and 32-inch UltraSharp monitors are the first to use LG's IPS Black Technology. Photo: Dell
Dell said it has started shipping two new monitors that are the first on the market using LG’s new IPS Black Technology, rolled out at CES in January. IPS Black promises 35% deeper blacks than typical 4K displays, which tend to have poor contrast in favor of other benefits (mainly brighter colors). That’s effectively doubles the usual contrast ratio to 2000:1.
If you depend on your display for the best possible image — say, like a designer does — the new monitors could offer the great color IPS displays are known for, but with solid contrast, too.
The JBL PartyBox Encore is a 100W speaker with a Lightshow and two microphones. Photo: JBL
Every year Samsung subsidiary JBL rolls out a tempting raft of updated or new audio products at CES, but you can’t get them right away. CES 2022, held in Las Vegas earlier this month, was no different. The company showed its new JBL PartyBox Encore and a slew of other Bluetooth speakers, earbuds and headphones. We’ll round them up below. Some are coming in spring and others in summer.
The Pozio Cradle is a wireless charger that jams your smartphone's ability to hear you until you tell it to stop. Photo: Pozio
A device shown at CES 2022 that made some publications’ “weirdest stuff from the show” lists is the Pozio Cradle. It’s a “listening blocker” that wirelessly charges smartphones. It ensures your gadget and its voice assistant can’t hear or record what you say, according to the company.
The Samsung Freestyle projects images, video or ambient lighting and works as a smart speaker. Photo: Samsung
At CES 2022, Samsung Electronics showed a new portable screen and entertainment device it’s calling “The Freestyle.” The company also called the device the first of its kind. It’s a small projector and smart speaker that works with iOS and Android devices to stream video or sync audio to ambient lighting.
CES 2022 brought daily announcements of new devices with Apple’s HomeKit home-automation system. Photo: Cult of Mac
There is a lot to get HomeKit fans excited at this year’s CES tech showcase in Las Vegas. Quite a few companies announced products that will support Apple’s home-automation system, including lights, door cameras and more.
Glitzy projects like concept cars get more attention, but HomeKit accessories are more likely to make people’s lives better.
In recent years, CES, the world’s largest consumer electronics confab, has become quite the major auto show. After all, consumer tech and automotive tech keep blending more and more. For CES 2022, automakers like BMW, Cadillac, Hyundai, Mercedes and Sony — wait, who? — really put some crazy futuristic concepts into high gear.
Overall, the mix of ideas ranged from mildly interesting to jaw-dropping. You had the prosaic news, like Amazon Fire TV integrating with Ford and Lincoln vehicles and YouTube video appearing in Volvos. But you also had the wild stories, like some concept cars that look like they belong elsewhere in the galaxy and others that change colors by themselves.
Nanoleaf's groovy mood lighting products will soon be Thread border routers for HomeKit devices. Photo: Nanoleaf
At CES 2022, Nanoleaf said an upcoming firmware update will make its lighting products the first third-party border routers for HomeKit-over-Thread devices available now and coming out in the future.
The firmware update, due to roll out in the first quarter of 2022, will broaden Nanoleaf products’ support for Thread, improving devices’ connectivity and reliability over home networks.
Aura Air just became a better option for Apple users looking for professional-grade air filtration. Photo: Aura
The Aura Air cleanses and disinfects indoor air, getting rid of viruses, bacteria and mold. And the professional system will soon be upgraded to support Apple’s HomeKit automation system.
Satechi's new stand holds and charges AirPods Max and other gear -- and it looks good doing it. Photo: Satechi
Among accessories maker Satechi’s new products showing at CES 2022 is the new 2-in-1 Headphone Stand with Wireless Charger designed for AirPods Max, rolled out Thursday.
While a sleek, stainless steel arm suspends your headphones, the base charges your iPhone or other Qi-enabled device and provides a USB-C port to power up the headphones, too.
Belkin's new ANC earbuds look like they match up pretty well with AirPods Pro. Photo: Belkin
Building on other versions of ANC earbuds released in 2021, Belkin rolled out its new SoundForm Immerse Noise Cancelling Earbuds in Las Vegas this week — and they promptly became a CES Innovation Award 2022 Honoree.
The new buds challenge aging champ AirPods Pro, due for a revamp, not only with hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) with Hear-Thru mode, but they work with Apple’s vast Find My network. And they flaunt a number of premium features.
Spatial audio, unlock with Wear OS, and more on the way. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Google plans to make its latest Pixel and Wear OS devices more compelling alternatives to iPhone and Apple Watch by ripping off some of Cupertino’s most popular software features — including spatial audio and AirDrop.
The Android-maker revealed the long list of improvements, which will span all of Google’s software platforms as well as Windows, this week at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. Here’s what you can expect if you plan to ditch your Apple devices and swap sides.
Satechi's new 4K Multiport Adapter supports 8K HDMI. Maybe soon your Mac will, too. Photo: Satechi
At CES 2022, Satechi debuted two new accessories designed for the new M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBooks. Both the USB-4 Multiport Adapter and the Pro Hub Max expand the ports available on the new laptops, opening up possibilities for connectivity.
And, in the case of the adapter’s 8K HDMI support, one port goes a bit beyond Mac laptops’ current comfort zone.
Dell's new 32-inch UltraSharp display features a built-in 4K webcam. Photo: Dell
The new 32-inch UltraSharp monitor Dell introduced at CES 2022 looks like a home-office videoconferencing powerhouse. The 4K display has a 4K webcam with microphones built in for those WFH meetings. And the monitor serves as a USB-C hub with decent port selection and 90W of power for your MacBook or other laptop, too.
Belkin’s Wemo Smart Video Doorbell uses HomeKit Secure Video to ensure your privacy. Photo: Belkin
Belkin unveiled the Wemo Smart Video Doorbell that uses Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video. It’s built around a 4MP, wide-angle lens.
Also at CES 2022, Belkin announced redesigned smart plugs and lighting solutions with support for Matter over Thread, which means they’ll also support HomeKit.
Plus, the wraps came off Belkin SoundForm Immerse noise cancelling earbuds with support for Apple’s Find My system.
The Plugable UD-6950PDZ Docking Station lets you connect a Mac to up to three monitors. Photo: Plugable
Plugable used CES 2022 to unveil a dock that can handle up to three 4K external monitors using either HDMI or DisplayPort. The UD-6950PDZ also has ports for Ethernet, USB-A, audio and more.
In addition, Plugable also announced the USB4-HUB3A, a small hub with three Thunderbolt ports and more.
CES 2022 Innovation Awards honoree: The Cypress Hero Backpack with Find My Technology from Targus. Photo: Targus
You won‘t have to attach an AirTag tracker to the upcoming Targus Cypress Hero Backpack to locate it because it’ll have Apple’s Find My tracking technology built in.
The bag, which can hold a MacBook as large as 16 inches, can also be used to locate a misplaced iPhone.
Is this dog an Olympic athlete? Her resting heart rate is amazing! Photo: Invoxia
Devices that track your pet’s whereabouts aren’t exactly new. Your pooch might have a chip embedded right now. But Invoxia is looking to be best in show of a different sort at CES 2022. The company’s new Smart Dog Collar can monitor your pet’s vital signs via advanced technology as well as track via GPS in case he or she gets lost. Like an Apple Watch for their furry necks.
The Moft Smart Desk Mat takes your office desktop vertical. Photo: Moft
The vegan leather Moft Smart Desk Mat beautifies your desk, but that’s just the start. It unfolds into an angle-adjustable stand that can can hold one or more Apple computers and accessories in a range of configurations.
Moft also announced at CES 2022 a fold-flat, cooling laptop stand. And a case and stand for the iPad mini 6, as well.
The Tapo S500D Smart Dimmer Switch and Tapo L535 Multicolor Smart WiFi Light Bulb are two of the HomeKit-compatible accessories TP-Link just unveiled. Photo: TP-Link
TP-Link unveiled a collection of HomeKit-compatible smart home accessories at CES 2022. It includes smart plugs, switches smart lighting and more.
Amplify your iPhone's sound anytime, anywhere. Photo: Schosche
Accessories-maker Scosche launched a series of MagSafe-compatible products Monday ahead of CES 2022, including two Bluetooth speakers that can boost your iPhone’s sound on the go.
The company also rolled out new car mounts and a wireless charger, among other items.
The new iO lineup is even better than the last. Photo: Oral-B
Oral-B is adding three new brushes, previewed this week at CES 2022, to its smart iO lineup that all work alongside your iPhone to give you cleaner, healthier teeth.
With features like real-time feedback, pressure control, multiple brushing modes, and the ability to monitor your brushing habits, the iO4, iO5 and iO10 brushes promise greater plaque removal and improved gum health.
Its new TV remote uses your router to stay charged. Photo: Samsung
Despite Apple’s lengthy and ongoing efforts to deliver much-improved charging technologies, archrival Samsung has beaten Cupertino in the race for truly wireless charging. Except you won’t find it in a smartphone … yet.
The South Korean company’s next-generation TV remote — announced this week ahead of CES 2022 — cleverly uses radio waves emitted from your Wi-Fi router to stay topped up so you don’t have to worry about charging it.
Single's Outdoor Light Strings stretch up to 48 feet and feature bulbs of many colors. Photo: Sengled
As CES 2022 gets underway this week in Las Vegas, lighting company Sengled said it planned to launch several new HomeKit-compatible lighting products. They include Wi-Fi Video-Sync TV Light Strips, Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights and a Wi-Fi Portable Lamp.