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What to expect from Meta Connect 2025 this week: Ray-Ban smart glasses, Hypernova, more

Jason Hiner/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Meta is hosting its Connect event on Sept. 17 and 18, where it will announce its latest hardware and software developments. We're expecting to see several pairs of new smart glasses, including the successor to the Meta Ray-Bans, and more on Meta AI. Livestreams on Facebook, Meta's website, and the Quest Horizon platform will be open for public viewing. Meta Connect 2025 will take place on Sept. 17

I tested Acer's $299 smart monitor, and it's a tariff-smart option I can get behind

Acer Nitro 27-inch smart display GA271U ZDNET's key takeaways Acer's Nitro GA271U P smart display is available now for $299. It's a solid budget smart monitor with a matte, 27-inch IPS WQHD display and 180Hz refresh rate. However, the speakers leave much to be desired. View now at B&H Photo-Video When Acer entered the smart monitor market with the Nitro GA271U P smart display, it took aim at competitors like Samsung, LG, and Asus with a comparable but more affordable option starting at $299.

Amazon Set to Unveil Upgraded Home and Entertainment Hardware Later This Month

Amazon is set to announce a slew of refreshed products at its annual fall hardware event, which the company announced Monday will take place Sept. 30 in New York City. Amazon has a wide-ranging product portfolio including Kindles, Echo smart speakers, Ring security devices and Fire TV products -- any of which could be candidates for upgrades. Back in February, Amazon upgraded its smart assistant Alexa with new conversational skills enabled by AI. Supercharged Alexa will be front and center in

Snap's next smart glasses get a major OS overhaul to rival Meta Ray-Bans

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Snap has made AR smartglasses with in-lens displays for years. Next year, the company will release a lightweight version. Snap has launched Snap OS 2.0, which brings new, helpful features. Do you remember when, not too long ago, everyone was convinced the metaverse was the next big thing? We are at a similar inflection point with smartglasses, with every company gearing up to release its own AI-

How CNET Editors Save Money With Cheap Smart Gadgets in Their Own Homes

CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. If you're shopping for an energy-saving gadget such as a smart plug or want the added capabilities of a smart display, you probably want to snag one while still saving money. Paying hundreds for a single home device is a lot to ask. The good news? Smart tech like this can still be very cheap. That’s why my fellow CNET editors an

Scientists Working on "Smart Dust" That Can Spy on a Room While Drifting Throught the Air

In his 1963 scifi story "The Invincible," the Polish writer Stanisław Lem imagined an artificial species of free-floating nanobots which roamed the atmosphere of a far-off planet. Like tiny bugs, the microscopic beings were powerless alone, but together they could form cooperative swarms to gather energy, reproduce, and ultimately defend their territory from predators with deadly force. Unlike the story’s human protagonists, the "black cloud" of bots was incapable of reasoning beyond the simple

The AI Label Is on Everything Now: That's a Problem for Buyers and Home Brands Alike

If there's one thing I learned from Berlin's 2025 IFA consumer tech show, it's that AI has taken over marketing, too. Even with my smart home focus, it was difficult to find a new product or announcement that didn't have "AI" somewhere in its promotion. That's a problem for the average tech enjoyer, because it's no longer clear what AI means, if it's actually AI in the modern sense (which some would argue isn't even true AI at all), or if it adds anything worth having. Read more: Promptware Thr

Topics: ai home smart tech voice

Scientists Say They Can't Explain the Signal They Just Detected From Beyond Our Galaxy

Gamma ray bursts are some of the most powerful explosions in the universe, unleashing as much energy in mere seconds as the Sun will in its entire 10 billion year lifespan. Typically, they're produced by stars dying in a spectacular supernova — a rapid collapse that completely obliterates the stellar object. But now, astronomers say they've detected a gamma ray burst that utterly defies explanation: it repeated multiple times over the course of a single day, as if the star somehow suffered back

6 Best Digital Notebooks, Tablets, and Smart Pens (2025)

Comparing Our Favorite Digital Notebooks Model Display Resolution Color? Storage Weight Battery life reMarkable Paper Pro 10.8 inches, adjustable front light 229 pixels per inch Yes 64 GB 1.16 pounds Up to 2 weeks reMarkable Paper Pro Move 7.3 inches, adjustable front light 264 pixels per inch Yes 64 GB 0.51 pounds Up to 2 weeks Kindle Scribe 10.2 inches, adjustable warm light, auto-adjusting front light 300 pixels per inch No 16, 32, or 64 GB 0.96 pounds Up to 12 weeks reMarkable 2 9.7 inches

Cancel Culture Comes for Artists Who Posted About Charlie Kirk’s Death

Almost immediately after she posted about the shooting of Charlie Kirk, author and trans woman Gretchen Felker-Martin started having second thoughts. Felker-Martin, who wrote the latest iteration of DC Comics’ Red Hood series, said “thoughts and prayers you Nazi bitch” on Bluesky in response to the killing of Kirk, a right-wing influencer and Trump ally who was staunchly anti–trans rights. “Hope the bullet’s okay after touching Kirk,” she added. Kirk died after being shot at a stop on his Amer

‘Red Hood’ Writer Speaks Out on Book’s Surprise Cancellation

Earlier this week, DC Comics abruptly cancelled its new Red Hood comic from trans writer Gretchen Felker-Martin and artist Jeff Spokes. The decision came after Felker-Martin posted comments and jokes on social media about the assassination of prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, which occurred on the same day—September 10—as the comic’s launch. DC Comics said in a statement that social media posts “that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence are inconsistent with [our] standards

This exclusive discount makes the best smart lock I've ever tested that much better

Maria Diaz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. I've tested many smart locks over the years. Still, the Lockly Visage Zeno Series stands out for its innovation, reliability, and level of security -- it's why it is a recipient of a ZDNET Editors' Choice award. For a limited time, you can use the ZDNET10A discount code to get an exclusive 10% discount on Lockly Zeno Series Smart Locks at Lockly.com. Also: I witnessed Eufy's stair-climbing robot at IFA 2025 - and it's like

These 7 smart plug hacks changed how I run my home - here's the setup

Maria Diaz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Remember The Clapper? The plug-in staple may have made for a catchy jingle in the 1980s, but it could also be considered as a primitive ancestor of today's smart plug -- that is, if you can say anything from a few decades ago is primitive. Smart plugs offer greater convenience than The Clapper ever did, letting you control your devices from an app on your phone, your voice, or a schedule. Also: Unplugging these 7 common ho

How I use a smart outlet to save money on electricity bills every month

Smart Wi-Fi power strips are a great way to save on your power bill. But do they pay for themselves? Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Leaving devices plugged and switched on can be wasteful. Monitoring usage and remote switching helps reduce bills. This Tapo smart power strip is a great option to monitor power consumption, and at $45, it pays for itself. I have three 3D printers that are on the go a lot of the time. I

Meta wears Prada? Why its next-gen AR glasses might out-style the Ray-Bans

Prada's Linea Rossa glasses are an example of frames that could potentially fiit a lot of technology. Prada | Jason Hiner/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways We expect the 3.0 version of Meta's audio-only Ray-Ban smart glasses at Meta Connect in September with several upgrades. Meta executives have teased that multiple wearables are coming this fall. There are reports that Meta will also launch a new line of AR smart glasses that have a display

Your appliances may be quietly draining electricity - this gadget stops that

Smart Wi-Fi power strips are a great way to save on your power bill. But do they pay for themselves? Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Leaving devices plugged and switched on can be wasteful. Monitoring usage and remote switching helps reduce bills. This Tapo smart power strip is a great option to monitor power consumption, and at $45, it pays for itself. I have three 3D printers that are on the go a lot of the time. I

Amazon Thinks It Can Kick Meta Ray-Bans’ Ass, Report Says

There’s yet another power player entering the smart glasses space, and it’s ready to deliver on the promise of in-lens display specs. You see what I did there? Deliver? Sorry, that’s the best I got—I asked my Meta Ray-Bans to help write another joke, but they started playing Spotify instead. No, but seriously, Amazon is developing smart glasses, according to a report from The Information, and they sound like they’re designed specifically to tackle Meta and its rumored-to-be Hypernova glasses. A

DC Ends ‘Red Hood’ Comic After Writer’s Charlie Kirk Comments

DC Comics canceled its new, mature-rated Red Hood comic just hours after it launched on September 10 because its writer made comments about the assassination of right-wing activist and Turning Point USA creator Charlie Kirk at Utah University. Red Hood writer Gretchen Felker-Martin made comments and joked on social media about Kirk’s death—which occurred on the same day as the comic’s launch. Red Hood, which Felker-Martin was creating along with artist Jeff Spokes, will discontinue after its f

Pop Mart Unleashes Its Blind Box ‘Chucky’ Collection Just in Time for Halloween

Pop Mart, purveyor of Labubu, is branching out in the world of creepy pop culture collectibles with a little help from Chucky. The blind box drop arrives September 11, timed to coincide with Halloween season and aiming to bolster the company’s roster of animation-influenced characters. At the recent San Diego Comic-Con, Pop Mart made a splash with the Monsters series Big Into Energy, Skullpanda, and Peach Riot, as well as its latest Star Wars line. During io9’s preview at SDCC, Emily Brough, Po

As Apple pursues AI, spare a thought for the poor HomePod

When the video kicking off Apple's "Awe dropping" event began yesterday, I was pleased to see a HomePod in the opening shot. I hadn't given any thought to Apple's beleaguered smart home speaker in ages, so I was all set for Tim Cook and crew to deliver an actual surprise and reveal new stuff for HomePod. When the entire presentation then passed without another peep about the product, I was disappointed, but resigned. HomePod has always been behind the curve. When smart speakers first came on th

Apple Snuck a Clue About Its Smart Home Plans Into the iPhone Air Reveal - and I Caught It

Apple's "awe dropping" Tuesday event has wrapped up, and we're all still taking in the new paper-thin iPhone Air line (not everyone's in awe of it) as well as the iPhone 17 Pro. But something caught my ear in the middle of the iPhone Air announcement. Along with other connectivity support, Apple made sure to add that the iPhone Air would support Thread. In a presentation where every second and word was intentional, it means a lot that the company included it. (Preorders for the iPhone 17 Air ope

We tested six smart rings, and there’s a clear winner

is a senior reporter focusing on wearables, health tech, and more with 13 years of experience. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine. Smart rings are having a moment. After years as a niche gadget, regular people are starting to see the appeal. They’re thinner, more accurate, and more wearable compared to a decade ago — and for some people, they’re a smarter choice than smartwatches. Related The best smart rings for tracking sleep and health Smartwatches may domin

Amazon Looks Like It's Making Its Own Display-Enabled Smart Glasses

New smart glasses are expected soon from Meta, and Google will have some next year. Now Amazon may be entering the race with display-enabled smart glasses of its own, a possible stepping stone to augmented reality glasses further down the road. The report comes from The Information, via reporters who have a strong track record of correctly spotting emerging headsets and glasses. According to the latest story, Amazon's display-enabled glasses could work like updated versions of the Echo Frame au

I Wore 3 Popular Smart Rings for Months, but This One Improved My Health the Most

The Oura ring was my favorite smart ring because its app was easy to understand and I liked some of the newer features from its latest software update. At the steep price of $299, this smart ring is made up of aerospace-grade titanium – one of the strongest materials on earth -- according to the site. Before I received my Oura ring, I was sent a ring sizer to figure out my ring size. Other smart rings did the same since sizing varies per brand. Once I received the Oura ring, I downloaded the Ou

I tried the Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and SE - what the keynote didn't tell you

Nina Raemont/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Apple's iPhone event brought us several new phones, but my eyes (and hands) were all over the three new smartwatches the tech giant debuted this week. Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 11, the Ultra 3, and SE 3 at its September "Awe-dropping" event, and I have some first-hand thoughts. Apple's baseline Apple Watch Series 11 is the smartwatch that hobbyist health trackers and small wrists should buy, with a starting p

A Split-Second Hint in the iPhone Air Launch Shows Apple's Ready for the Smart Home

Apple's "awe dropping" Tuesday event has wrapped up, and we're all still taking in the new paper-thin iPhone Air line (not everyone's in awe of it) as well as the iPhone 17 Pro. But something caught my ear in the middle of the iPhone Air announcement. Along with other connectivity support, Apple made sure to add that the iPhone Air would support Thread. In a presentation where every second and word was intentional, it means a lot that the company included it. "So, what's Thread?" is probably yo

Smart Launcher has a message for grieving Nova Launcher users

Nathan Drescher / Android Authority TL;DR The team at Smart Launcher has reached out to Nova users, promising them a new, familiar home. The launcher has some of the same features as Nova, and the team is also working on supporting backup imports from Nova. The Android community is still coming to terms with the loss of Nova Launcher, one of the best customization tools that’s been around for over a decade. But as Nova’s story comes to an end, another launcher is stepping up to welcome users

Spotify Premium subscribers get ‘Smart Filters’ for playlists, audiobooks, and podcasts

Spotify subscribers in seven English-speaking regions are getting a new way to filter their content, based on activity, genre, or mood. Here are the details. According to the company’s blog, For the Record, Smart Filters began rolling out last week, and will be accessible via mobile and tablets to Premium subscribers in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the US. With Smart Filters, users can sort their songs based on mood (e.g., Funky, Relaxing, Solitude), activ

AMD claims Arm ISA doesn't offer efficiency advantage over x86

SL2 I'm surprised that AMD included Intel here.. That doesn't mean that it absolutely can't be done these days. However, I highly doubt that it could be done 20 years ago. Even if it's possible today, there's really no reason to make x86 for phones because the cost for development is too high and there's stiff competition.. ARM does the job perfectly. piloponth There was an initiative from Intel - x86S - scrape all legacy from the ISA and start fresh from x86_amd64. That bavkward com

Is Apple Finally Making a Move on Smart Home Tech? 4 Rumored Products We'd Love to See

It's a matter of when, not if. Apple's take on the smart home is coming, with multiple reports saying the tech giant is ready to release its own line of smart devices and home security products. While it's a little early, Apple's big "awe dropping" event on Sept. 9 could showcase the first elements of its big home expansion. We already expect to see the new iPhone 17, a new Apple Watch and an AirPod announcement. Here's what could happen if there's a surprise home tech release, too, from table