Some might like it hot but the rest of us find plus-30°C temperatures an ongoing trial, especially in spots where the installation of air con is simply impossible – centuries-old townhouses and Tube stations, we’re looking at you. Here’s our guide to the best in pocketable airflow management to help you beat the heat.

Dyson HushJet Mini Cool fan

Dyson’s new HushJet personal fan came to market just in time for 2026’s wave of hot weather. Resembling an attachment-free electric toothbrush, the handheld gadget weighs in at just 212g, even though it incorporates a six-hour battery. The HushJet distils the company’s 17 years of experience working in the fan and cooling industry down into a tiny device.

Using Dyson’s own brushless DC motors, it’s capable of spinning at speeds of up 65,000 rpm. There are five airflow modes plus a battery-sapping Boost setting for really hot spots. Available in three colourways – Ink/Cobalt, Carnelian/Sky and Stone/Blush – the fan docks with a USB-C charge stand and will soon be offered with a universal mount for attachment to practically anything.

Sony Reon Pocket 5 personal cooler

Something a little different, from Sony. The Reon Pocket 5 is best described as a personal air conditioner, a ‘wearable thermal device’ that sits on the nape of your neck and stays in place with a special neckband. A stainless-steel cooling plate makes skin contact, chilling you in just the right spot to lower your overall temperature.

Hot air is expelled out of the top of the unit (there’s even a slightly longer vent piece to be used in conjunction with a suit). The Reon Pocket 5 can also be used to heat you up, a terrifying prospect at the time of writing, but potentially a handy addition to a winter wardrobe.

Torras Coolify Cyber Fold Neck Air Conditioner

Another outlier for those looking to move on from the traditional hand-held fan. The Torras Coolify Cyber Fold is a neck air conditioner, a collar-like device that slips onto the back of your neck and nearly instantly delivers a cooling blast of air towards your face and neck.

Inside the foldable Coolify Cyber are four individual fans to distribute air evenly without bothering anyone else. Control is via an app and there are also onboard temperature sensors that power the unit’s Auto cooling mode. All-in-all, it’s a little bulky and prominent, certainly enough to raise a few eyebrows. But you won’t care about that.

Shark ChillPill

We can vouch for the efficacy of Shark’s new ChillPill. Launched earlier in 2026, this twin-cylinder design has come into its own in recent weeks, during the UK’s heat waves. Shark’s compact device not only works as an efficient high-speed fan but comes with two additional modules that can be swapped out instead of the fan unit.

The first is a mister, which distributes the contents of a modest water reserve in a haze of ultra-fine, cooling mist. The second is a cooling plate, with a much smaller surface area than the Sony Reon, but pleasing to press against the neck, wrist and forehead when the heat gets too much. Finally, the ChillPill’s clever design allows the fan to be angled variously to establish perfect airflow.

JisuLife Ultra2 Portable Handheld Fan

The Ultra2 from JisuLife presents far more conventional form factor. Although it can’t haul air quite as powerfully as the Dyson, the Ultra2 spins at 43,000rpm, equivalent to a wind speed of 17m/s. The speed controls are represented by a percentage display, effectively giving the fan 100 different levels of airflow, while the big 9000mAH battery gives it plenty of endurance.

In addition to the fan functionality, JisuLife has imbued the Ultra2 with extra tricks, such as attachments that allow it to be used to clean out electronics, blow up inflatables and even as a flashlight and emergency beacon.

Printworks Fantastic portable fan

The simplicity and ubiquity of the fan format means you either need to radically innovate (as per Dyson or Shark) or risk your product drowning a sea of identikit challengers in the cutthroat online marketplaces. Fantastic is cheap and cheerful but transcends its Tik-Tok ad/Dropship roots with a set of nicely chosen colour options and a very simple premise; once charged up, Fantastic is free to move to wherever you are.

With colours including Green, Cerise, and Petroleum, Fantastic has three speeds, can be manually moved around 360 degrees and – it is claimed – will ‘operate in absolute silence’. If true, it’s a gamechanger that could solve both video-call miscommunications and the travails of light sleepers.

Muji Rechargeable Handheld Fan

This is what the archetypal hand-held fan looks like, so if that ticks your box, why not? With this model – ultra-affordable, utterly simple in design and with USB-C charge compatibility – Muji hasn’t set out to make the best or even the most distinctive solution. Instead, it potentially knocks out all the above options thanks to its folding practicality and familiar, unfussy design.

It’s all about the collection. If we must be subjected to unwanted and extraneous objects to facilitate our digital lives – chargers, extension sockets, power packs, etc. – then let them at least be beautiful, harmonised and something that doesn’t look out of place in a calm desktop environment.

That’s the thinking behind two new productions from Daily Objects, Node and Loft (both currently available in India, not yet on the company’s US site). Designed by London-based industrial design agency Layer, the ecosystem offers up two different ways of charging. Node is a modular wireless platform, a desktop dock for a variety of different modules, available in either two- or three- bay configurations.

Node has four interchangeable modules, an array of functional but sculptural pieces that can be placed anywhere on the flat, puck-like charging surface and then used around the house. They include a Wireless Charging Phone Stand, Wireless Charging Disk, Apple Watch Charging Stand and Portable Lamp.

The intention is to distil charging needs down into a single-wire solution without compromising on flexibility. The phone stand has 25W fast charging and incorporates a 7800mAh battery, bringing a wireless and cordless overnight charging solution to the bedside table.

The disk is also fast-charge compatible but presents a more compact solution for earbuds, while there’s also a dedicated Apple Watch charging stand. Finally, Layer has added in a portable lamp, a lantern-like object with bright yellow carrying handle. An onboard battery provides eight hours of battery life away from the Node.

It’s joined by Loft, a desktop 65W charging station with twin plug sockets and twin USB-C outlets. The unit is available in four colours, Charcoal, Clay, Forest and Mandarin, all of which compliment the components in the Node system. Loft is designed to power four devices at once, including laptops and tablets. Ergonomically angled, it comes with a 1.5m braided cord with integral cable loop and a non-slip silicone base.

‘Charging your tech is one of the most repeated interactions in daily life, yet the products that enable it are often treated as background objects,’ says Layer’s founder Benjamin Hubert, ‘With Node and Loft, we wanted to bring clarity, flexibility and character to that experience and create a family of products to the fore, that work beautifully, feel intuitive to use, and establish a distinctive visual language for Daily Objects.’

DailyObjects.us, @DailyObjects_global, LayerDesign.com, @Layer_Design

Leica introduced the SL-System in 2015, an evolution of the classic L-Mount with a full-frame sensor and enough sophistication and quality to satisfy even the most demanding professional user. At the same time, the SL-System has proved an effective gateway into the Leica universe for those looking to elevate their photography and videography.

This is the new SL3-P, the latest SL-System upgrade, which is being launched alongside two new lenses, the Summilux-SL 50 f/1.4 ASPH. and APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8. Taken together, they offer an unbeatable and hugely flexible package that stays true to the Leica ethos while also prioritising ease of use and minimalist design.

A new 44-megapixel BSI full-frame sensor is paired with a new autofocus system, giving the camera the ability to shoot images at up to 176 megapixels, with a vast ISO range (50 to 200,000) to facilitate low-light photography. The autofocus blends phase detection, depth mapping and contrast detection, for instantaneous focus.

As a result, the Leica SL3-P can shoot continuously at up to 40 frames per second with full autofocus. It also supports 8K video, including the industry standard 8.1K Open Gate format and can produce 4K slow-motion footage at 120 frames per second.

The new camera and lenses are manufactured in Germany; they don’t depart from the firm grip of the Leica aesthetic, although on this particular occasion the red Leica logo is conspicuous by its absence. The body is metal, weather-resistant, and finished in sober black. L-Mount capability gives the SL3-P incredible flexibility, with the choice to use not just Leica’s own lenses but compatible glass from alliance partners.

Taking and managing photographs is handled by Leica’s crisp UI and the Leica Fotos App, which connects to the camera via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB-C. The unit can also be tethered to Lightroom Classic, or via Adobe’s cloud, further expanding the ways in which content can be managed and processed.

The Summilux-SL 50 f/1.4 ASPH is billed as the ‘world’s most compact autofocus lens with this focal length and a lens speed of f/1.4’, with a length of 75.5mm. It’s joined by the new APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8 macro lens, capable of delivering outstanding detail thanks to its close focus distance of 30cm. The camera is available now, with lenses coming later in the year.

Leica SL3-P, £5,150.00 / €5,990 (camera only)
Leica Summilux-SL 50 f/1.4 ASPH, £3,890.00 / €4,500.00
Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 f/2.8, £2,110.00 / €2,450.00
Leica-Camera.com, @Leica_Camera

Commodore’s new flip phone, the Callback, gets hip to the demands and requirements of the modern age, swapping out obsessive scrolling with intentional friction and an old-school form factor. While it’s not as sophisticated as, say, a Motorola Razr, nor nearly as basic as the reborn Nokia brand from HMD, the Callback walks a fine line between functionalism and full-on digital detox.

Straight up, the flip phone format beckons you back to an earlier time. However, it’s a little more sophisticated than that. Among the key apps that the Callback includes are Uber, WhatsApp and Google Maps, bringing a level of functionality that other so-called dumb phone options have talked themselves out of.

Commodore has deployed the Finnish-developed Sailfish OS, an operating system that’s mostly compatible with everyday apps but is stripped of Android’s more aggressive data-mining habits.

What you don’t get is any social media, or even a browser. There’s a camera – billed as a ‘retro camera’ – and the ability to listen to streaming music services, thanks to an onboard digital audio converter (and the all-important 3.5mm headphone socket).

Essentially all you’re missing is the ability to receive information to engage with or get enraged by, as well as other people’s unsolicited opinions on said information. In short, the worst bits of the modern world.

All this is wrapped in a series of limited-edition cases that run the gamut from classic Commodore beige to a techy-translucent finish that evokes the custom gaming rigs of the noughties and a blingy gold Founders Edition. The company’s graphic approach is also deliberately archaic, with highly polished 3D renders and light flares.

Commodore’s modern-day story is a strange one. Founded in the late 1950s by Jack Tramiel, the American company is best known for its business calculators and the Commodore 64 home computer, launched in 1982, and the Amiga, one of the mainstays of early digital music-making. The brand was bankrupted in 1994, but the name, logo and identity was revived in 2025 as the Commodore International Corporation, overseen by a team including Tramiel’s son Leonard.

The returning company’s first product targeted computing nostalgists with Commodore 64 Ultimate, updated for the modern age with USB and HDMI connectivity. The Callback is pitched at those too young to remember the heyday of 8-bit home-computing but old enough to abhor the toxic attention suck of the smartphone while yearning for something a little more Y2K.

The Callback 8020 is a world apart from 2026’s line-up of flagships from Apple, Google, Samsung and more, but it’s also very distant from Commodore’s first telephone, a rotary dial phone it sold in Canada back in the early 1980s. Other nods to the period include the exterior display in chunky segmented LEDs showing the date, time, battery, and signal.

Casual gamers will be sated by the inclusion of Snake, as well as a selection of original Commodore 64 games, while the absence of email and Slack make for blissful out of hours isolation. Finally, there’s a recreation of the original 64’s SID music player, the genesis of crunchy 8-bit chiptune music.

The new iteration of Commodore wants to build more examples of ‘purpose-driven future-facing technology,’ retaining the retro-futurist aesthetic with added layers of privacy and simplicity.

According to Peri Fractic, Commodore’s CEO and president, ‘the Callback can be an evening phone, a weekend phone, a going out to dinner with the family phone, or replace our everyday phone completely, depending what level we want to start reconnecting with the world around us. Those of us who have already done it can vouch for its impact and will never go back – we’ve learned to live with less scroll, and more soul.’

Commodore Callback 8020, from $499.99, pre-orders and more information at Commodore.net, @OfficialCommodore

Honor has announced the Watch 6, the latest in a series of effectively priced, supremely multifunctional smartwatches designed to go head-to-head with devices from Samsung, Google, Apple and more. What sets the Watch 6 apart is some truly impressive battery life, as well as sleek and distinctive case and strap design.

Available in Shadow Black and Twilight Brown – the latter with a matching tan strap – Honor Watch 6 features increased water and dust resistance and now has the ability to be operated with wet hands. This ties in with the expanded fitness and health modes, ranging from swimming to squash.

All modern smartwatches will go far, far beyond simple step tracking. The Honor 6 is pitched at the hyperactive, with over 120 supported sports, covering every conceivable activity including the intriguing and timely ‘Professional Football’. Delve a little deeper into the list and you’ll find aerobic favourites as well as forms of dance, water sports and even fishing.

The data that comes out depends on the data that goes in, of course. The Watch 6 splices its sensor data with location data, so movement can be synced with information about exertion, heart rate, etc. For activities like trail running, the watch can supply an AI running coach as well as information about the topography of the trail, thanks to the onboard AccuTrack dual-band six-star GPS.

Other activities generate different reports. Professional Football Mode is more likely to be used in a Sunday League, but it’ll still produce a post-match summary that shows heat and trajectory maps that show where you’ve been on the pitch throughout the game. Badminton fans can analyse their strokes and swing speed, as well as where their shots are going, and so on.

The downside to this data-driven mindset is that your stats will be locked up within the Honor Health eco-system. It’s no better or worse than the many alternatives, especially considering the large amounts of information that have to be conveyed, from stress levels to heart health, sleep quality to blood oxygen, body energy to temperature, as well as a 60-second health check mode. It’s a portal to an infinitely deep world of life-hacking and self-actualisation, with breathing guides, sleep music and many more ways to interact with the device.

Better data means more time with the Watch 6 on your wrist. To accommodate near-constant wearing, Honor has given the watch a sizeable 980mAh battery (the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a 599 mAh battery), which in turn delivers a maximum battery life of over a month. In practice, the longevity was definitely something we noticed, especially when the most efficient watch faces were selected.

As is the way with smartwatches, the face can be switched from magnificent to monstrous with a few swipes and taps and there’s no shortage of illegible, OTT watch faces available through the app. A few more refined and tasteful options would have been welcome, especially ones that paired with the graphic approach of the Honor Health app.

In terms of hardware, Watch 6 has a case formed from recyclable aluminium alloy. It weighs in at a negligible 41g, although the battery size and 1.46-inch AMOLED screen mean the case is a hefty 46.5mm across. The conventional Shadow Black finish is joined by a more traditional Twilight Brown combo, which pairs well with classic dial faces (if you can find a good one.

Honor Watch 6 is a competitive entrant into the do-it-all smartwatch sector (look for introductory price offers that undercut the official RRP as well). It’s an evolution rather than a revolution, but if you’re all-in on a data-driven active life, Watch 6 is an excellent companion.

Honor Watch 6 with brown leather strap,￡249.99, with black fluoroelastomer strap, ￡229.99, Honor.com, @HonorGlobal

Add this one to the pile of things you didn’t know you needed. The new Dwarf Mini Smart Telescope from Dwarflab reshapes the form factor of the age-old telescope for the digital era, pairing an ultra-compact unit with app-based control surfaces to create a portable star-gazing set-up that’s aimed at the outwardly bound and the celestially inquisitive.

The Dwarf is a compact but hefty device designed to be freestanding or tripod-mounted. The lens itself is protected by a manually swivelling mechanism that allows for a full degree of movement through one axis when opened up. It charges via USB-C and pairs with Dwarflab’s app over Bluetooth; there’s a near total absence of controls on the unit itself, save for the power button and battery indicator lights.

All your looking, therefore, is controlled via the app, akin to using your phone as a remote viewer for a doorcam or similar. Only here, the lens and sensor system are a much higher grade, with a 150 mm f/5 telephoto lens with 30mm aperture paired with a Sony IMX662 1080p sensor. That’s not quite top of the line, but the combination, plus the onboard software, makes this a great device for amateur astrophotography.

The latter comes courtesy of long exposure times (up to 90 seconds), inbuilt filters and – most importantly – the ability to track celestial objects thanks to an onboard sky atlas, so you can locate stars and planets. This isn’t going to lead to any major discoveries, but as an educational device it’s in a field of its own, opening up an infinite realm of exploration.

Dwarflab aligned the launch of the Mini Smart Telescope with Nasa Artemis missions and the renewed attention space and space exploration is getting in the media (the more conspiratorial could also point to a recent cinematic release by a certain Mr Spielberg).

Whatever your field of interest, all you need is a patch of dark sky (no mean feat for city dwellers) and a bit of time, and the universe is all yours. Mysteries might be unlocked, but the device offers multiple ways of capturing astral activity, with a multi-frame stacking function to bring out greater detail in moon photography, as well as the ability to take video in addition to stills.

Weighing in at just under 1kg, the Mini Telescope has a solid feel, thanks to a 7000 mAh battery that can give you up to four hours of operation out in the field. There’s also 64GB of built-in storage, with all media easily downloadable into your own cloud collection.

The Dwarf Mini Telescope might not be encouraging you to put down your phone and look up to the heavens, exactly, but it still provides a different kind of doom-scrolling – one that puts everything else into perspective.

Dwarflab Dwarf Mini Telescope, $399 / £359, Amazon.co.uk, Dwarflab.com

Not content with muscling in on the cleaning and cooking sectors, SharkNinja has set its sights on conquering the tastebuds of high-end coffee lovers with the introduction of the new AutoBarista Pro.

While we’re not suggesting that this one-button solution could ever usurp the rituals of roasting, weighing, measuring and pouring very particular types of coffee, the AutoBarista Pro is a hefty countertop solution that promises a huge variety of choice and consistency, regardless of your favorite brew.

Ultimately, it’s a labour-saving device, a fact that might not rest easy with those who prefer their coffee creation to involve a little bit of time, effort, knowledge and experience (if that’s you, there are more new coffee machines out there). If, on the other hand, you want to maintain a solid quality cup of coffee while switching between multiple types, then the AutoBarista Pro is here to alleviate the pain points.

The Ninja’s screen showcases the options – espresso, lungo, cortado, flat white, latte, cappuccino, americano and filter coffee, alongside filter coffee, cold-pressed, ice latte, cold-brew and over ice variants. Each can be personalised to your favoured strength, temperature and size, with up to five different milk froth presets.

The machine is supplied with two 340g bean hoppers to allow for easy switching between flavours, and there’s also the ability to prepare two espresso shots at once. The onboard grinder has been programmed to calibrate the levels of grinding depending on the beans chosen, while the frother is said to provide ‘microfoam’ regardless of dairy or non-dairy options ‘putting barista-level texture at your fingertips.’

Automated rinse cycles prevent the build-up of waste grounds, and there’s also an onboard fan that ensures the inner mechanism is well ventilated. The key components can all be run through the dishwasher, while the admittedly hefty unit has a polished metal finish with a seamlessly integrated touch screen.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro Coffee Machine, £899, SharkNinja.co.uk

Heresy or genuine helper? That’s the first question most musicians would ask about the new wave of AI-assisted instruments and effects coming down the pipe. The modern musical landscape is pretty geared up to gadgetry and product and upgrade cycles that would put most smartphone makers to shame.

Up until now, however, music-orientated AI has mostly lurked in music software, rather than formed the backbone of a piece of hardware. Here are six new devices that promise to use the computing power of artificial intelligence to enhance the art of noise.

TemPolor Melo-D

The Melo-D from TemPolor is perhaps the most obvious break from convention. Superficially guitar-shaped, it promises to unlock the fumblings of the non-musician and open them up to a whole new world (that sound you can hear is professionals grinding their teeth).

So how does it work? Ominously, the Melo-D goes all in on generative AI, claiming to be able to generate original music from hummed melodies that can then be ‘played’ by thumbing or strumming the sensors and fretting the plastic fingerboard. It’s little more than a toy, an enhanced video game controller, with a penchant for bland easy listening.

Superficially, there’s not a lot here for real musicians. TemPolor is light on technical specs; there are no indications as to whether it could supply MIDI information or even be hacked into something more avant-garde. The folding form factor is certainly unique, but don’t expect a shortcut to proficiency, or even any kind of genuine musical insight.

The TemPolor Melo-D goes live on Kickstarter this month, TemPolorGuitar.com

Blackstar Beam Mini

For a slightly more down-to-earth and understandable application of AI, amplification specialist Blackstar has announced the Beam Mini, a portable desktop amp that has inbuilt stem separation.

In short, the Beam incorporates software from Moises, an established specialist in the art of transforming a piece of music by breaking it down into its component vocal and instrument tracks. For a practising guitarist, it’s a useful tool, as is the onboard selection of digitally modelled amps and effects.

Blackstar Beam Mini amplifier, £169.99, Blackstaramps.com, @Blackstaramps

Roland Project Lydia

Roland’s Project Lydia is still in the concept stage, courtesy of the Japanese giant’s Roland Future Design Lab. Following the familiar shape of its pro grade pedal series, Project Lydia presents a new paradigm for the effects pedal, applying neural models to the input (regardless of source) to shape a dynamic output.

The project is now its second phase, working as before with Neutone’s Morpho technology, an AI-powered system that translates one sound into another while retaining the sonic signature of the original.

Roland Project Lydia, currently concept only, Articles.Roland.com, @RolandGlobal

Polyend Endless

Infinite sound capabilities are also a feature of the Polyend Endless system, which we first saw back at NAMM 2026. This endlessly configurable stompbox is programmed via text prompts – simply describe the sound or effect you want to achieve and then download onto the pedal. Three parameter knobs can be assigned as you wish and multiple Endlesses can be chained together for a totally unique sound.

Polyend Endless, $299, Polyend.com, @MadeinPolyend

Roli AI Music Coach

Roli is best known for its Seaboard series of keyboards, which combine conventional piano keys with a dynamic multitouch surface for added expression. The company also makes more conventional – albeit illuminated – keyboards for learning, which can be combined with its Airwave controller, a 3D sensor that tracks hand and finger position in real time to enhance the player’s journey.

These are all brought together by the new AI Music Coach system, which uses AI to interrogate the Airwave’s output and generate constructive feedback. It’s not going to replace a music teacher, but the idea is to go beyond the simple piano roll method of learning notes to help shape a more fluid technique.

Roli AI Music Coach, more information at Roli.com, @Roli_learn

Artinoise trillo

Another superficially toy-like device, the Artinoise Trillo is a digital flute with depth, as well as a welcome absence of AI. The latest product from a company that has already released the MIDI-enabled recorder and the Zefiro smartphone mouthpiece, Trillo is pitched at beginners and experienced players alike. The device splices the functionality of its first two products into a single instrument, creating a MIDI controller that you blow, whether it’s to learn the art of playing the recorder, or simply as a new way of getting sounds into a project.

Trillo can be used standalone or with the accompanying app, which expands the onboard sound library. Lights guide finger placement and the sensor package tracks their position as well as the intensity of your breath. Artinoise CEO Davide Mancini notes that the Trillo is designed to be picked up and instantly played, ‘embodying the simplicity of humanity’s oldest instrument’.

Artinoise Trillo is available to support on Kickstarter.com

The world of e-ink digital notebooks has a new contender, courtesy of sector leader reMarkable. This is the company’s new entry-level paper tablet, the reMarkable Paper Pure. Designed to sit below the flagship Paper Pro and pocketable Paper Pro Move, the Paper Pure eschews colour e-ink in favour of an ultra-focused writing and sketching experience – back to basics, as it were.

The straightforward simplicity of the new Paper Pure has allowed reMarkable to maximise battery life and device longevity, with recycled materials used throughout as well as construction that is designed from the outset to be easily repaired.

It comes with an optional Folio case, available in Ocean Blue, Mist Green, and Desert Pink, along with the reMarkable Marker (the same models, Marker and Marker Plus, that work with Paper Pro and Paper Pro Move).

‘With reMarkable Paper Pure, we challenged ourselves to make the signature reMarkable writing experience more accessible to even more people,’ says the company’s chief product officer Mats Herding Solberg. ‘It completes our transition from reMarkable 2 to a family of third-generation paper tablets.’ The 10.3-inch screen features a Canvas display that offers a tactile paper-like writing surface (in our experience, the company’s black and white screens still offer a slight edge over the backlit colour e-ink displays).

In creating the Paper Pure, reMarkable has not only striven to make the screen as white as possible but also upped the response speed of flipping between pages, zooming and committing marks to the surface. Lightweight (360g) and ultra-thin (6mm), the Paper Pure can be used (relatively sparingly) every day for three weeks between charges, not something that the average iPad or Android tablet can ever match.

Recycled material content now makes up 38 per cent of the tablet by weight, with materials like lithium, cobalt, magnesium and plastic all drawn from recycled sources. Most importantly, the tablet itself is put together with screws and snap fixings, not the solvents and glues that shape so many ultra-compact pieces of modern technology. This not only allows for easier access to repair and replace components but makes end-of-life disassembly easier and more efficient.

Long-term reMarkable users will know the company’s Connect subscription service like the back of their hand. A cross-platform, cloud-based file system, Connect makes it easy to manage files and import PDFs, as well as use a variety of document templates. The device can also be synced with Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook, as well as import from major cloud services and export notes straight to Slack.

If that wasn’t enough, the eco-system provides an excellent handwriting-into-text service, along with AI-driven summaries. The Paper Pure replaces the reMarkable 2, the device that ushered in a new era for the Oslo-based tech firm and cemented its reputation as a supplier of expertly integrated e-ink hardware and the associated software.

reMarkable Paper Pure, available bundled with Marker for £359, or with Marker Plus and Sleeve Folio for £399, reMarkable.com, @reMarkable

If you believe the hype, we are on the cusp of a robotic revolution. If you don’t, then the undeniable busy world of humanoid robots offers alternate visions of stumbling and stuttering social media pratfalls and utterly terrifying presentations of steely, synchronised corporate drones in thrall to their corporate masters (and they are, almost without exception, all men).

Up until now, the only robot that has made any measurable impact on the home is the vacuum cleaner, practical, personality-free devices that need space, time and near-perfect conditions in order to make themselves more useful than a human equivalent. Granted, there are some prototype robo-butlers in the offing, but these still feel like physical tech demos for early adopters, not practical problem-solving machines.

Instead, market growth will most likely come from compact, playful droids like those made by Chinese manufacturer Enabot. The Shenzhen-based manufacturer offers a veritable mechanical menagerie of ‘FamilyBots’, including devices designed to entertain (and feed and water pets) and patrol the home.

The range tops out with the EBO X FamilyBot, which is billed as an ‘Intelligent Guardian Homebot’, complete with Alexa-driven intelligence and night vision cameras. Now the company has launched a companion device, the EBO Max. The football-sized machine is also aimed at the home security market, but the personality component appears to be even more important, with over-sized Kawaii ‘eyes’ that offer up a permanently pleading, watery expression.

EBO Max is designed to potter about and interact with family members and pets, a sort of mobile aide-memoire that can take voice and video notes whilst also popping up to reel off reminders or recipes. In essence, it’s an AI assistant on wheels, fully capable of autonomously seeking out its charge base to keep itself topped up, whilst also tagging along so it’s always there when you need it.

One of the most practical applications for Max is to serve as a companion to vulnerable people living alone. Functions like Fall Detection can be tied into the alert system, allowing you speak through the little robot via a two-way video call to ascertain if help is needed. This splicing together of several extant AI-powered services – vision, voice, and environmental awareness – create a potentially invaluable service, given the right use case.

The elephant in the room is mobility. EBO Max is designed to be on the move at all times but as with the robotic vacuum cleaner community, mobility demands a single flat-plane surface with no way of broaching large steps, let alone staircases. Right now, Max is restrained by architectural space. Head upstairs, and all it can do is blink at you with its big, sorrowful eyes.

As with robo-vacs, arms and legs will surely follow, as will the integration of even more sophisticated AI agents. Just as we’re seeing with the latter, people can – and will – find themselves in unhealthy co-dependent relationships with their robotic helpers. Whatever you think of this future scenario, it’ll surely be better than having heart to hearts with the vacuum cleaner or fridge.

EBO Max from Enabot, £499.99, UK.Enabot.com, @Enabot_official

For many householders, the biggest obstacle to consigning cleaning duties to a robot subordinate is not the idea of introducing an android to the household, but the need to keep the floorspace permanently decluttered. Even as the puck-shaped robots got better at navigating obstacles – with stubby little legs to hoist them over chunky rugs and shallow steps – household detritus and spills were still a no-go area.

Over the years, vacuum makers have attempted to address the issue of sock-strewn floors with the addition of elements like arms. Whilst robotic arms are still few and far between, true stair climbing is probably just a few generations away. We’ve rounded up three new entrants into the arena of autonomous home cleaning.

Mova Z60 Ultra Roller Complete

Mova is a new brand in the UK market. The company is starting off with three models, with a flagship due to arrive later in the year. Right now, the top tier model is the Z60 Ultra Roller Complete, a wet-and-dry system that is explicitly pitched at ‘high-traffic spaces.’ In practice, this means a high-pressure roller mop system that automatically detects and avoids carpets, as well as an integral extendable brush and roller for hard-to-reach spots.

Like many modern devices, the Z60 has AI-powered 3D-mapping, with an onboard catalogue of object types to avoid, while the company’s StepMaster technology allows the puck to lift itself over three-inch thresholds. All maintenance is automated on return to the base station, including washing and drying the roller system.

Mova Z60 Ultra Roller Complete, £1,249, UK.Mova.tech, Amazon.co.uk

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal

The USP of Shark’s new PowerDetect UV Reveal is in the name; an ultraviolet sensor that is tuned to detect and banish stains invisible to the naked eye. Combining the sensor with the use of an ultra-thorough scrubbing motion, the device will double-check to see if everything is clean and tidy before moving in.

The UV Reveal can vacuum as well as mop and like the Z60, it bills itself as hands-off, with a ‘NeverTouch Pro’ base that strongly implies all self-cleaning and refuse dumping takes place entirely automatically. In truth, you still have to check the dock every couple of months. Other innovations include the ability to lift itself over shallow obstacles and enough on-board battery for three hours of non-stop cleaning.

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal, £999.99, SharkNinja.co.uk, Amazon.co.uk

iRobot Roomba Mini

The Roomba Mini builds on over two decades of automated vacuum tech but shrinks the proposition down to a daintier size that can thread its way through chair legs and under sofas. The Roomba Mini also eschews the white and black favoured by the rest of the industry in favour of more interiors-friendly hues (pink, mint, white and black), complete with matching docking station.

Originating in Japan and now available in Europe, the Mini is designed for apartment living and smaller homes, with the same functionality (wet cleaning and maintenance, with auto emptying that promises up to three months of hands-free operation) as the company’s larger models.

Roomba Mini, £379, iRobot.co.uk, Amazon.co.uk

Craft elevates an object. It’s no longer uncommon to find extreme examples of marquetry, embroidery, or lacquer work embedded within a high-end car interior (with prices to match for the additional legwork), and the audio world is also in on the act, via tailored programmes like Bang & Olufsen’s Atelier series and unique editions such as the marquetry-topped R810 MiE Radiogram from Ruark Audio.

This is the Casio S100X-JC1-U, the ‘Japanese Lacquer Edition’ that elevates what the Japanese electronics giant already calls its ‘Premium Luxury calculator’, the standard S100X. But while a standard example of this hefty desktop tabulator will set you back $350, this is one level above.

Casio has sold over a billion calculators since the 1950s, when they were objects the size of desks. The first desktop device didn’t come until 1965 with the 001 and LCD displays were introduced a decade later in the Casio Pocket-LC. The calculator you see here is a form factor that’s been essentially unchanged since the JS-20 model was introduced in 1983.

What sets the S100X Japanese Lacquer Edition apart is the use of traditional Japanese craft. Casio has enlisted master artisans from Yamakyu Japanware in Sabae, Fukui Prefecture, to create new cases for the calculators using layers lacquer.

The process involves tapping and filtering sap from Toxicodendron vernicifluum, the lacquer tree, which is then built up into solid form through the application of layer upon layer of the urishiol-rich sap, which hardens (polymerises) as it dries. Yamakyu has more than 95 years of working with the material, but this was the first time it’s been applied to an industrial product, with black lacquer finished off with red edging.

These high levels of precision pair with Casio’s attention to detail, from the machined aluminium fascia to the mix of subtly convex and concave-faced buttons depending on their function. The hardware itself is made at Yamagata Casio, the facility dedicated to Casio’s most premium products. Other details include laser-engraved serial numbers and a premium foil-stamped presentation box.

Craft is a way of transforming the expected into something fantastic, whether it’s a Smythson Laptop sleeve or an Hermès strap for your Apple Watch Series 11. With the Casio S100X-JC1-U, an executive staple just became a new status symbol.

S100X-JC1-U Japanese Lacquer Edition, Casio.com. The limited edition is sold out and, no surprise, already surfacing on Ebay.

With clocks about to go forward in the UK (on Sunday 29 March), we’ve put together a selection of contemporary alarm clocks that’ll help you greet the dawn with a minimum amount of distress.

Geneva Time by Geneva Lab

Swiss manufacturer Geneva Lab has a portfolio of elegant speakers and desktop timepieces. Our choice is Geneva Time, an analogue alarm clock that also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, with the added bonus of a top-mounted wireless charging pad.

The traditional clock is independent of the Bluetooth system and runs off a single AA battery, while the unit also offers USB charging and an Aux input. Geneva Time is available with a choice of white, black, Cognac and ‘Geneva red’ eco-leather top and side panels, while the front fascia, grille and clock face is anodised aluminium.

Geneva Time by Geneva Lab. See a list of stockists at GenevaLab.com, @GenevaLabOfficial

Loftie Clock

The Loftie Clock packs a sophisticated set of gentle alarms and phased wake-up calls to break you out of the sleep cycle with minimum fuss. In addition, the clock has different lighting features, over 100 sleep-focused soundscapes, and a set of wind-down functions designed to gently nudge you towards lights out.

The device has been given all the functionality of a powerful sleep app without the downsides and distractions that come from having a phone in the bedroom.

Loftie Clock, £129.99, ByLoftie.com, @ByLoftie

OneClock

OneClock’s solution to the problem of sleep-defying information overload takes a more analogue approach (and if you’re that way inclined, also see our pick of analogue alarm clocks). The OneClock is stripped of screens, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and apps, and features only a crisp dial (with Swiss movement) and small speaker, wrapped up in an aluminium, oak and glass enclosure.

Available in white, black or red, each paired with natural oak, OneClock’s USP is its playlist of soothing wake-up soundtracks. Composed by musician Jon Natchez (of The War on Drugs), the clock provides a warm, analogue and very human set of alarm tones to ease you into the day and help break free from smartphone dependency.

OneClock, $349, OneClock.co, @OneClockCo

The Clock by Balmuda

Japanese manufacturer Balmuda – recently seen on these pages with its LoveFrom-designed sailing lantern – has launched The Clock. Inspired by classic midcentury alarm clock designs as well as the traditional pocket watch, The Clock is carved from a solid block of aluminium.

The fascia is hands-free, with the numbers on the dial subtly illuminated to provide an accurate time. A matching app allows you to change alarms and set music and wake-up sounds, while the compact device has an onboard battery that lets you take it anywhere.

The Clock, available from Balmuda Japan, JPY59,400 ($373), Balmuda.com, @Balmuda

Longing for a bit of distraction? We’ve rounded up 11 objects that are designed to find a space on your desktop to draw focus, reboot your attention span and generally make the workplace a little less serious.

Some are akin to the executive toys of old, while others could only have come out of the modern era…

Emo by Living.ai

First up, a look at the new breed of desktop distractions; no swinging balls or magnetic sculptures for this generation. Emo is an ‘AI desktop pet’, an autonomous, robotised notification system with an anthropomorphised face, an onboard face-recognition camera and a shambling gait.

Set Emo up in your workspace and it’ll shuffle about, respond to voice commands, run through an array of expressions, play music and even get to recognise you with increasing fidelity. Remember, Emo is not a stress toy.

Emo by Living.ai, from $279, Living.ai, @Living.ai

Loona DeskMate

The DeskMate from Loona strips away the mobility of Emo but ramps up the functionality instead. DeskMate stays in place and spends its time watching and processing, with an embodied AI system that’s designed to streamline day-to-day processes.

In practice, this is a fancy shell for a traditional AI assistant, one that’s given a faintly cute appearance amplified by on-screen expressions. The AI is intended to interrupt when it senses help is needed and keep quiet when focus is required.

Deskmate from Loona, $299, currently on Kickstarter, keyirobot.com

Ambient One by Ambient Works

Although the Ambient One by Ambient Works appears to follow the companion route – thanks to the prominent ‘eyes’ on the compact screen, it’s a much more focused device. This is a portable air tracker, designed for desk, worktop or studio, and paired up with an app to provide real-time monitoring of enclosed atmospheres.

Noting that indoor spaces frequently exceed safe levels of airborne pollutants – especially in process-heavy studios – Ambient One’s sensors provide accurate records of problem spots. An optional handle and charging dock add more functionality.

Ambient One by Ambient Works, £199, AmbientWorks.io, @AmbientWorks

Dial 01 from Tact

Tact’s Dial 01 is a lovingly machined piece of real-world desktop hardware that serves two purposes. First up, it serves as a basic input device with click and dial motions that can be connected to a computer via USB-C and mapped to any compatible software.

But most importantly, its creators (a former Dyson and Elvie engineer) intend it as a standalone object, a sort of adult fidget toy that encourages focus by responding to gestures through haptic feedback and subtle light cues.

Dial 01 can help regulate breathing, create timed focus breaks, mimic the pulse of a heartbeat and simply encourage hand and mind to take a different path in order to re-set the mood.

Dial 01 from Tact, more details at Kickstarter.com

La Machine by Multiplié

Older readers might remember the ‘Ultimate Machine’, an ironic provocation from early robotics pioneers Claude Shannon and Marvin Minsky. The Ultimate Machine was a box with a switch; flick the switch, and an internal mechanism activates to turn the switch off again.

This stark illustration of binary thinking has been oft-imitated over the years, with increasing levels of sophistication built in to delight (and frustrate) the ‘user’.

Multiplié has tapped into Shannon and Minsky’s original and added an Ettore Sottsass-derived aesthetic to create La Machine, a desktop distraction that ‘exists not to serve or optimise, but to enchant, amuse, and resist obedience’. Handmade in France, La Machine is a polished update of a cult object.

La Machine, £89, La-Machine.fr, @Multiple-Editions

Shark ChillPill cooler

Real functionalism is on offer in Shark’s pocketable ChillPill, the modern update of the traditional desk fan. This is no simple fan, however, but a ‘3-in-1 personal cooling system’ that’s eminently transportable as well as a welcome desktop companion.

Available in a veritable rainbow of colours, the ChillPill has three cooling modes, including a bladeless fan and the ability to create a fine dry-touch mist that is either produced continuously or at set intervals.

Finally, there’s the ‘InstaChill’ cooling plate, a cold pressure point that is designed to be held to skin to instantly take the heat off.

Shark ChillPill, £129.99, Shark.co.uk

Vobot Mini Dock

Multi-functionalism is the USP of the Vobot Mini Dock, a USB-based desktop device that offers up no less than five USB ports as well as Ethernet and HDMI connections to power a separate 4K display.

The device itself is loaded with a vast array of apps, including stock trackers, weather guides, PC performance monitoring, photo albums, a Pomodoro timer and even a game emulation system, the Vobot can also serve as a wired 90W fast charger.

Vobot Mini Dock, $69.99, Shop.GetVobot.com; available at Amazon.com in USA

Tessan 65W Cat Charging Station

The functionality of Tessan’s 65W charging station might not match the Vobot, but the character is more fully formed. This time the interface – and casing – takes on a feline appearance, with an expressive multifunctional display that eases the process of charging up to four USB-based devices (two USB-C and two USB-A). The form factor isn’t just about increasing the kawaii factor but also saves space on crowded desktops.

Tessan 65W Cat Charging Station, $45.99 at Tessan.com; available at Amazon.com in the USA

Panini 101 fast-charger

In a similar vein to Tessan’s Cat is the Panini 101. A masterpiece of branding and packaging, this 100W fast-charger takes the form of a fauxstalgia-baiting old-school desktop PC. In addition to the single disk-drive-aping USB-C slot on the front, flip the door to reveal three more. A transparent side panel amps up the attention to detail.

Panini 101 100W fast-charger, PaniniClub, $79, Paninclub.io, @Paniniclub_official

WITHiT Lighted dome magnifier

Strict analogue simplicity and naked functionalism are on display in WITHiT’s Lighted Dome Magnifier, a must-have object for the eagle-eyed creative. This straightforward version of the desktop magnifier is also illuminated (it charges over USB-C), providing greater insight into art and print.

WITHiT Lighted Dome Magnifier, $35, WITHiTgear.com

Tic Tac Toe by Bionic Labs

Finally, a fully analogue and decidedly old-school desktop diversion courtesy of French accessory specialist Bionic Labs. The firm’s exquisite Tic Tac Toe set is made only to order, using the same high-grade aluminium as its Mac accessory range.

The base is milled from a solid chunk of the metal, while the playing pieces are mirror-polished stainless steel and anodised black aluminium, respectively. As Bionic says, ‘some objects are not about productivity.’

Tic Tac Toe, €600, Bionic Labs, BionicLabs.org, @GoBionic

The world’s biggest music tech show finished last week in Anaheim. From traditional instruments to cutting-edge ideas and updates and new launches from industry behemoths, the National Association of Music Merchants show (NAMM) is a more-than-a-century-old organisation dedicated to instrument makers, studio owners, event professionals, music education and even apparently niche – but actually hugely important – sectors like the Worship Music industry

In amongst the virtual devices, plug-ins, DAWs and gadgets on display there was also plenty of new hardware to explore. Here are eight exemplary devices for modern sonic exploration.

Korg Phase 8

What sets the Phase 8 apart from a conventional portable synth is its blend of digital and pure analogue input. For the Phase 8 uses eight marimba-style steel resonators as an input source, translating their vibrations into sound with the infinite feedback and expression of touch.

Adjustable, tuneable and even swappable, these percussive resonators create an ‘acoustic synthesiser’, giving the Phase 8 a unique approach to sound creation.

Korg Phase 8, £859, Korg.co.uk, @KorgOfficial, Andertons.co.uk

Casio Dimension Shifter

Casio’s new Dimension Shifter is a digital expression pedal for the guitarist. Consisting of a strap mounted mechanical spring that sends a signal to a pedal, which translates the motion of the guitar neck into any kind of instrumental parameter, from pitch through to delay length. Reminiscent of the old school mechanical ‘B-Bender’ system that can be found in old Fender Telecasters, the Dimension Shifter brings analogue expression to digital tech.

Casio also showcased another surprise, a standalone Sampler. The company’s first foray into this realm since it pioneered lo-fi sampling with the cult SK series of keyboards back in the 1980s. The new product, which is concept-only right now, is a mix of playful, almost toylike design, and high-end editing and performance functions.

Casio Dimension Shifter, available soon, Casio.com, @CasioMusicGear

Poly Effects Hugo

Australian manufacturer Poly Effects debuted the Hugo prototype, a mighty pedal-based Linux system that incorporates a touch screen, ten multifunctional knobs/footswitches and enough processing power to run audio software like Bitwig Studio in the box.

For those who want to take computer-based audio on stage without the need for a laptop, Hugo looks like it could tick all the boxes.

PolyEffects.com, @PolyEffects

Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini

The new Mini version of Neural’s acclaimed multi-FX device is probably best suited to desktop use. Stripping away the many footswitches of the hard-wearing original floor unit, the Mini takes all the power and squashes into a brick-shaped object that’s all touchscreen, save for a switch in each corner. Capable of doing everything the full-size unit can do, it’s the ultimate travel companion for guitarists.

Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini, £1,129, NeuralDSP.com, @NeuralDSP, Andertons.co.uk

Stylophone On-The-Fly

The Stylophone name has come a long way from its origins as a purveyor of slightly jokey proto-electronic novelty instruments. The new On-The-Floor sequencer is a case in point. The OTF is a performance sequencer capable of hugely flexible shifts in pattern, rhythm and style.

The company also revealed the Stylophone Voice, a portable sampler that follows the same old school visual aesthetics of the original Stylophone, complete with ribbon keyboard and stylus. Despite robust yet retro plastic construction, onboard speaker and AA battery operation the Voice has an internal sequencer and can even be synced up with external gear.

More information at Stylophone.com, @Stylophone_Official

Polyend Endless

The endless quest for the ultimate guitar sound continues thanks to Polyend’s new Endless modular pedal system. Using AI-driven code and the Playground web interface, you can specify what you want the pedal to do simply by typing into a box. Refine the sound and the action assigned to each of the three knobs and you instantly have a unique effect, be it a growling fuzz or a complex multi-stage delay.

Coders can work more directly with the open-source software and make their own edits. The company will build up a library of user-generated patches for downloading into the little aluminium pedals, as well as create swappable art plates for the cover.

Polyend Endless, $299, Polyend.com, @MadeinPolyend

Roland GO:Mixer Studio

Yet another audio device pitched at the endlessly mobile content creator. Roland’s GO:Mixer Studio brings together everything you need to capture audio, whether it’s for making podcasts or video content. Direct USB connectivity to iOS and Windows devices is paired with a clutch of connectivity options as well as onboard effects and the all-important compact form factor.

Roland GO:MIXER Studio, £253, Roland.com, @RolandGlobal, Andertons.co.uk

Korg Kaoss Pad V

The newest iteration of the Korg Kaoss Pad made its debut at NAMM 2026. Kaoss Pad V builds on a quarter-century of innovation, with the original 1999 model introducing a new, dynamic way of interacting with samples courtesy of the touch pad interface.

Pad V keeps the form factor but updates the effects, memory and processing power, bringing new ways of chopping up samples and manipulating sounds.

Korg KAOSS Pad V, £519, Korg.co.uk, @KorgUK, Andertons.co.uk

This hefty beast is a counterpoint to the continuing shrinkage of high-end music gear. The Akai Professional MPC XL is, as its name suggests, the new flagship in its long, long line of standalone, all-singing, all-dancing MPCs (Music Production Centre).

The first MPC emerged at the tail-end of the 1980s, engineered and overseen by legendary music engineer Roger Linn, creator of one of the earliest programmable drum machines, the 1982 LinnDrum. For Akai, Linn bundled everything he knew about music production into one compact box, including the latest sampling technology and full MIDI compatibility.

Swiftly finding favour among emerging genres, most notably hip-hop and dance music, the MPC was effectively another instrument, with a large grid of performance pads enabling musicians to trigger beats, notes and samples in real time. Over the decades, the MPC range has continued to evolve, always retaining its focus on being a standalone tool for either studio or stage.

The new MPC XL ramps up the capabilities of the series, particularly in terms of storage and processing, while also presenting even more ways of physically engaging with the sound, via tweaking, editing and multiple parameters.

The trade-off is portability – this isn’t something you can sling in a bag anymore – but instead it has become more of a studio centrepiece. Although the large 10.1-inch touch screen is the focal point for editing, the XL supplements the familiar grid of pads with dedicated buttons for practically every function, avoiding the need to dive into menus and sub-menus and streamlining the workflow process as much as possible.

The 16 touch-sensitive ‘Q-link’ knobs can be assigned to multiple functions for performance and there’s also a step sequencer, among other features.

A new processor offers four times the processing power of the last generation of MPCs, while the 16GB RAM and (expandable) 256GB of storage provide ample space for samples and projects. Inputs and outputs have also been overhauled, enabling the MPC to be integrated into any kind of studio set-up or external gear via digital and analogue connections.

Akai’s intention was to create an instrument capable of recording a full album without the need for a computer or any external gear. That’s not how musicians tend to work, of course, but straight out of the box, the MPC XL presents a world of possibilities.

Akai Professional MPC XL, €2,899.99 / £2,499.99 / $2,899 USD, AkaiPro.com, @Akai_Pro

Since its launch almost three decades ago, Fujifilm’s Instax line has become a sought-after tool to document the everyday, offering an analogue counterpoint to the infinite scroll. The latest release from the brand’s self-developing film cameras division, the Instax Mini Evo Cinema, is its most conceptually ambitious to date – and arguably its most travel-ready.

Meet the travel-ready Instax Mini Evo Cinema

Drawing directly from the design language of Fujifilm’s 1965 Fujica Single-8, the camera adopts the clean mechanics and desirable retro look of an 8mm classic. Finished in a restrained black housing with a vertical grip, the mini Evo Cinema is a 3-in-1 hybrid: part instant camera, part digital shooter, part short-form video recorder. Still images and 15-second video clips can be captured, edited and reordered via the companion app, before being translated into physical prints through the integrated Instax system.

At the heart of the experience is the ‘Eras Dial’: a tactile control that allows users to cycle through visual languages from ten distinct decades, spanning the pale, low-contrast softness of the 1930s to the sharpened clarity of the 2020s. Each era can be fine-tuned through degree controls that adjust colour, contrast and noise expression, while the ‘Frame Switch’ function references the materials, playback devices and visual textures that defined each period – part nostalgia, part time travel.

Technically, the mini Evo Cinema is well equipped: remote shooting via app, integrated selfie mirror, self-timer, flash and continuous light, digital zoom, USB-C connectivity, microSD card slot and viewfinder. Grip attachments and a premium hand strap reinforce the offering.

The most satisfying gesture, however, is the print lever. Lift and twist, and the image – or video still – is physically produced, complete with a QR code that links back to its moving counterpart. Within the Instax Mini Evo app, ‘My Gallery’ stores all outputs neatly categorised into favourites, printed, video, photo and projects, creating a parallel archive of digital and physical memory.

‘The Mini Evo Cinema offers the best of both worlds – the vintage look of an 8mm video camera, with all the modern functionality of a hybrid instant camera now integrating photo, video and print in one unique package,’ says Shin Udono, senior vice president, imaging solutions, Fujifilm Europe. ‘It delivers a smooth, unique photographic experience that gives the user myriad ways to turn casual moments into unforgettable ones.’

The Instax Mini Evo Cinema will be available from 28 January 2026, £329.99, eshop.fujifilm-x.com

Also read: Five of the best travel cameras, pocketable friends for the peripatetic

If your New Year’s resolution is to cut down on screen time, you’re not alone. After decades of ever-accelerating innovation, many of us are beginning to question a once-dominant assumption: that more technology makes life easier. For a long time, ‘more’ was synonymous with ‘better’ – more apps, more features, more connectivity. Instead, endless notifications, constant multitasking and an ‘always on’ culture are making people feel overwhelmed, distracted and exhausted.

In response, the pendulum is swinging back. A growing movement toward minimalist, low-fi technology aims to optimise and reduce our screen time. According to technology innovation studio Tomorrow Lab, sales of flip phones, single-purpose music players and other first-generation devices surged in early 2023, with some models doubling year-on-year. People are choosing intentionally limited tools as a form of ‘digital detox’.

Instead of relying on willpower alone, these tools reshape the environment: adding friction, stripping back interfaces, limiting functionality, or making overuse dull and unrewarding. No single gadget will change your life overnight, but together they can subtly shift how you relate to technology – and help you reclaim your analog life.

Devices that do less and and demand less

Minimalist phones like the Light Phone II and III, Minimal Phone and Punkt MP02 pare the smartphone back to essentials: calls, texts, alarms and navigation. Browsers, social media and email are removed. Punkt, in particular, offers a rather austere experience that feels deliberately resistant to mindless use.

‘Dumb phones’ such as the Nokia 105 or the iconic 3310 push this philosophy to its logical conclusion. With only calls, SMS and basic utilities, they eliminate the dopamine loops that drive compulsive checking.

Other devices make technology less appealing rather than less capable. The Mudita Kompakt uses an e-ink display and eliminates scrolling, creating friction at every interaction, while Unihertz Jelly is technically a full smartphone, but its tiny size makes extended scrolling unpleasant.

Minimalist Android launchers like Olauncher, Niagara, Before Launcher or Ratio replace colourful app grids with text-based lists, while app and website blockers such as Freedom, Cold Turkey, LeechBlock or ScreenZen insert delays between impulse and action. Even switching a smartphone to grayscale mode, making it less visually stimulating, can interrupt habitual behaviour.

The return of single-purpose devices

One of the core problems with modern technology is convergence. Where once you called on a phone, wrote emails on a computer, and listened to music on an iPod, now a single device does everything, leading to multitasking and distraction. Choosing a single-purpose device can encourage more intentional use.

E-ink readers like the Kindle or Kobo are built almost exclusively for reading, with no notifications or apps. The Boox Palma technically supports apps, but the slow, uncomfortable scrolling introduces enough friction to discourage casual use. The same philosophy underpins distraction-free writing tools such as the Freewrite and AlphaSmart Neo, as well as tablets like the reMarkable, which emphasise handwriting and reading without browsers or social feeds.

An iPod or MP3 player offers music without recommendations or endless feeds. Simple fitness watches measure steps and heart rate without notifications or algorithmic nudges. A notebook can replace a notes app, a wall calendar can stand in for digital reminders, and physical photo albums can take the place of social media galleries. Of course, followed all the way through, this line of thinking might leave us without much of a Technology section at Wallpaper*, so we’re content to assume that a happy middle ground exists.

Tools that enforce boundaries

For those who want firmer limits, some tools restrict access by design. Devices like Brick or Unpluq use NFC tokens or key fobs that must be physically touched to unlock apps; without the object nearby, access is blocked. Yondr pouches, meanwhile, physically lock phones away. These measures may feel extreme, but there’s no question that they disrupt habit loops, which is the goal. Sometimes though, the simplest solutions are the most powerful: a physical alarm clock, for example, means your phone doesn’t need to be in the bedroom.

Low-fi technology isn’t about rejecting progress. It’s about choosing tools that serve you, rather than the other way around.

The dream of every entrepreneur is to take something simple and transform it into an object of desire. That’s the ambition behind the Alma charger, a new wireless battery pack for your mobile phone. You’d have thought that an item as ubiquitous as a phone charger would be all played out in terms of form factor, but Alma is focusing less on tech and more about convenience and covetability.

Addition was established by Laura Schwab and Robert Louey. Schwab brings extensive automotive industry experience to the table – she worked at JLR and then became president of Aston Martin The Americas. Louey, the new company’s creative cirector, works across all facets of hospitality design, including work for Rosewood, Andaz and Park Hyatt.

The inspiration for this debut project came from a desire to find a more mindful and relaxing way of enjoying technology. Observing the stressful quest for a plug on an evening out, Schwab wondered if there wasn’t an easier, more stylish way to charge up. Taking advantage of current wireless technology is one thing, but the form factor of most charging blocks is bulky and boxy and at odds with a simpler, more elegant life.

‘I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if there was something beautiful to keep people in the moment,’ Schwab recalls, adding that battery status is something that causes real anxiety. The quest was on to create a charger that was more akin to jewellery, something that ‘could fit in with a luxury space’.

The Alma is certainly different, a pebble-like ovoid available in many different colours and finishes. Although Louey and Schwab were sold on the form factor – ‘It’s the shape of an early human tool, it fits perfectly in your hand,’ Louey says – it proved tricky to translate into real tech.

Batteries tend to be arranged in square configurations, so the search was on to find a supplier who could bring Alma’s flowing form to life. Eventually a supplier was found in South Korea and the unique 4,000mA battery took shape. ‘The shape and the thickness of the form dictated the battery size,’ says Schwab, admitting that ‘we started with design and did the engineering to fit’.

Another first for the Alma is the ability to transmit and receive power wirelessly. A separate charge pad is supplied with a USB-C connection; the Alma itself has no ports and therefore no wires. ‘I wanted it to fit really nicely in a suit pocket,’ says Schwab. ‘I didn’t want it to be bulky.’ The battery clips to your phone using established magnetic contacts.

With the hardware signed off, Addition focused on enhancing the physical feel and perception of the brand. To start with, Alma will be pitched at B2B clients, with the aspiration to become the go-to charging device for luxury hotels and high-end restaurants. The aluminium-bodied charger can be wrapped using a heat transfer, just like a car, allowing for a limitless number of options from faux carbon fibre through to bespoke brand colours.

‘It can be anything,’ says Schwab, who acknowledges that the auto industry-inspired wraps and finishes have created a focused object of desire that has obvious consumer attraction. ‘The customisation aspect is quite unique in the device business,’ Louey adds. Schwab likens it to an umbrella, something you’d ask for at a hotel reception desk before heading out for the day.

Alma takes around 90 minutes to fully charge on its wireless pad. Take it with you, and you’ll have roughly six to eight hours of additional phone usage. Alma, which means ‘soul’ in Spanish, is hopefully the first of many accessories to come out of Addition.

‘We’re about creating technology that could feel more like a piece of jewellery, and which can fit seamlessly into a pocket,’ says Schwab. ‘We think product design should be human led,’ Louey clarifies. ‘To us, that's about creating things that fit into people's lives. That to us is luxury.’

Addition.Life, Addition_Life

Devotees of discreet wearable tech just got another option. The new Pebble Index Ring 01 is a smart ring intended as a low-profile aide memoire, a recording device that pairs with your smartphone and has nothing whatsoever to do with AI companions or assistants.

Described by its creator, Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky, as an ‘external memory for my brain’, Index 01 is simply a ring with a button and a microphone. The button activates recording, and the voice note is sent to your phone. Simplicity is the watchword here – there’s no charging (the onboard silver-oxide battery is good for around 12-14 hours of use, after which you send the Index 01 in to Pebble for recycling), and there’s no data collection or AI transcription going on.

Migicovsky says that using Index 01 is about activating ‘muscle memory,’ a device that has to be physically turned on with a click and has a single, dedicated function with no subscriptions or even a web connection required. Water resistance also comes as standard. The ring is available in three colours – polished silver, polished gold, and matte black – and eight (American) ring sizes, from six through to 13.

Inveterate list makers will relish the chance to have one more way of creating reminders. Whilst the newer agentic AI systems might use such capabilities to set forth a cascade of multi-step tasks, Index 01 users are those that want to action things themselves, relying on the ring for taking snippets of their daily thought processes as and when they happen.

These notes are automatically transferred to the Pebble app (on both Android and IOS) where open-source speech-to-text (STT) translates your thoughts into text (the raw audio is also preserved). Up to five minutes of audio can be stored on the ring for transfer at a later date.

There’s no health tracking but hacking types will appreciate Pebble’s open-source approach that allows the Index 01 to be used as a controller for all sorts of different applications with single and double button clicks, from music playback to web searches.

Pebble Index 01, $75, rePebble.com

A blend of wish list (Santa, please) and a well-earned celebration of the hit bits of tech that have helped us through the year. From the sublime to the faintly ridiculous, from old-school style to the very latest in processing power, taking in quiet AI, ultra-convenient battery packs, elegant optics and limited-edition smartphones, read on to discover the tech that makes us tick.

Plaud.ai

Some 700 responded and the result is this device, with brightly coloured hardware overseen by Emre Kayganacl, together with Ambrogio Tacconi and Louis Aymond (who created the quirky Nothing Dice accessory), Jad Zock (who designed the Lock Screen clock and wallpaper), and Sushruta Sarkar (who shaped the marketing campaign). Just 1,000 units will be made, available worldwide from today (9 December 2025).

Nothing.Tech, @Nothing

The XL will be joined by a smaller Stadium in due course and promises to out-process its predecessor, with new amp modelling technology, an 8-inch touch screen, and more ins and outs than Piccadilly Circus station. There’s also the promise of more functions to come, thanks to Line 6’s exceptional reputation for updates and refinements.

Line6.com, @Official_Line6

The Collector’s Edition bundles an all-white Spectrum with a replica of the chuntering thermal Sinclair printer, the cutting-edge (for the 1980s) Quickshot II joystick, and a thumb drive in the shape of Sinclair’s innovative Microdrive tape unit (with a whopping 85K of storage per cartridge). Whether the gaming experience will live up to the memories is another matter.

Retrogames.biz

Are we to take it that the issues of folding smartphones have been comprehensively solved? Way back in early 2019, Samsung took the brave step of being the first volume smartphone maker to release a folding unit, the original Galaxy Fold. It didn’t go so well – the hinge system wasn’t perfectly aligned, and screens could be damaged by objects getting into the cracks, while an essential protective layer was mistaken for a screen protector. Units were recalled and Samsung tried again with the Galaxy Z Fold 2 the following year.

Kudos to the South Koreans for sticking to the plan, for folding phones are now – if not exactly ubiquitous – then at the very least a convincing alternative to regular form factors. Whether it’s the compact flip phone format, as in Samsung’s own Galaxy Z Flip3 or in flagship units like the Z Fold7, folding phones are no longer especially unusual. Motorola, Google, Huawei and many others would concur.

What’s next? If you follow the tech industry’s natural tendency towards ‘more = better’, the answer is, of course, more folds. The new Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, announced for Asian markets this week, is exhibit A – Samsung’s first four-screen folding phone (one external, three internal). Beaten to the form factor by last year’s Huawei Mate XT, the Galaxy Z Trifold arguably brings the greater familiarity of the Galaxy ecosystem to this new frontier of phone design.

The showpiece component of the Z TriFold is the internal ten-inch display, matching if not exceeding many tablets. The beauty of the industrial design is that this large screen opens up to be fully flat, although refolding requires a dextrous and delicate handling – an auto-alarm system will tell you if you’re doing it wrong.

The three panels are wafer thin – just 3.99mm – but stack them together and you have a fairly hefty brick of a phone. The external screen is a generous 6.5 inches and functions just like a regular flagship device, with all of Samsung’s Galaxy AI tips and tricks.

The inner screen system can be treated as a single workspace or three individual screens, allowing for endless multi-tasking opportunities. It's available with 16 GB memory and up to 1TB of internal storage, and up to five apps can be on-screen simultaneously.

The entire set-up can be allied with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard to create a portable workstation. Undeniably aimed at early adopters, the Z TriFold probably won’t inspire a raft of competitors. However, it most certainly showcases Samsung’s commitment to innovation.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold will be available in South Korea from early December 2025, Samsung.com

A mechanical keyboard gives the impression of true work; nothing adds more to the impending whoosh of a deadline than the click-clack of key. They’re also a world apart from the slim and expressionless form factor of most modern laptop keyboards, adding a welcome layer of tactile enhancement.

These four alternative input devices offer a variety of styles, from the theatrical swagger of a sci-fi-inspired desktop behemoth to retro models that nod to the 8- and 16-bit era. For a more creative workflow, there’s also the modular world of the Naya Create, showing that in an age of increasingly vocal voice control and pallid prompt-driven slush, there’s still innovation out there for those of us who like to type. Add these to your work-from-home kit list.

MDR Dasher keyboard

No prizes for guessing which Apple TV series inspired the oversized corporate presence of the MDR Dasher keyboard. Whether or not you’re keen to cosplay a stint at Lumen – innie or outie, it’s your choice – this mighty piece of Cold War chic is both prop and fully functional work machine, even it weighs in at a mainframe-breaking 7kg.

Under the aerospace-grade aluminium skin and blue steel top sheet there’s a magnetically swappable keyboard layout that can be set to one of three modes, with minimal, maximal and trackball options.

MDR Dasher Keyboard, from $599, MDRkeyboard.com, Kickstarter.com

Cleaver keyboard

Weirdly reminiscent of the 1980s Sinclair QL, or even the retro-aesthetic popularised by Teenage Engineering, the Cleaver keyboard from Serene Industries is pared back to the bare minimum. With mechanical actions set beneath an all-aluminium chassis – milled from a solid billet of the metal – this desktop diva incorporates etched keycaps, USB C connectivity and plenty of customisation options.

Cleaver keyboard, Serene Industries, $850, Serene.Industries

8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboards

8BitDo builds mechanical keyboards inspired by the classic input devices of early computing and video games. The company’s quartet of retro-themed devices now includes the C64 Retro Mechanical Keyboard, inspired by the 1980s Commodore 64 home computer, as well as Nintendo NES-style grey and red.

Layout and style are dependent on location, but all 8BitDo products incorporate control panels, handy LED lights and even a pair of Dual Super Buttons, programmable add-ons that can be used for gaming or macros. Optional extensions are also available, including an 1980s-style joystick and keypad.

Available from 8BitDo.com, Amazon.co.uk

Naya Create Keyboard

Naya specialises in ultra-customisable keyboard with a modular approach. The ultra-ergonomic split design divides the keys up into two angled sections, optimally located to minimise RSI. All the key switches are hot-swappable allowing you to change the feel of the individual keys.

In addition to this, the Create offers compatibility with Naya’s ecosystem of input devices, including a trackball, touchpad, input dial and multi-axis 3D input controller, all of which can be swapped into the framework of this fully portable system.

Naya Create, from £399, Naya.tech

What follows is the ultimate package of the latest work from home essentials, a selection of kit with which to create the best equipped home office or even a small but stylish start-up.

From furniture and fittings through to thumb drives and keyboards, displays, diversions and even hot and cold air, read on for solutions for sitting, speaking, typing, heating, jotting, scribbling, watching, backing up and charging. Whatever your working methods, we hope you’ll find something here that fits the bill.

The Big Kit

SecretLab Magnus Evo Sit-to-Stand Desk

The jury might be out on whether standing desks offer quite the epic health benefit they originally implied, but there’s little doubt that changing it up every now and again does wonders for your posture. That’s the thinking behind SecretLab’s new Magnus Evo, a sit-to-stand desk that offers three (adjustable) pre-set positions as well as seamless cable management.

An integrated power supply column ensures that a single cable needs to reach from desk to socket, with a concealed cable management tray at the rear. Special magnetic zones and moveable accessories allow you to place stands, charge points and other components where they’re needed most, while the slender front edge contains an LED control panel to make the adjustments.

Secretlab Magnus Evo Sit-to-Stand Desk, US$749/£599/€699, SecretLab.co.uk

‘Velo’ chair by Andreu World

Benjamin Hubert’s design studio Layer has collaborated with the Spanish furniture manufacturer Andreu World to create the ‘Velo’ chair, which it describes as a next-generation task chair. The key components here are flexibility and low environmental impact, as well as a unique weight-activated mechanism designed to enhance posture and ergonomics.

The frame is made from recycled thermopolymers – and you can also select recyclable upholstery options – making the ‘Velo’ a simple, unfussy choice for a home office. The new chair, which follows on from Layer’s earlier ‘Calma’ chair, has a lightweight frame and can be specified with either a breathable mesh or upholstered fabric surfaces.

‘Velo’ chair, price on request from Andreu World, designed by LayerDesign.com, available from Andreu World stores worldwide

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat

A space-saving, ultra-efficient way of moderating your work environment, the newly launched Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat combines a fan and heater in a single package. A slender column that can be easily stashed out of sight when not needed, the TurboBlade is intended to smooth out climactic peaks and troughs, with the ability to distribute hot or cold air as required.

The blades rotate into the horizontal position to maximise air flow – handy for layering an invisible blanket or breeze across a bed or sofa, for example.

The column unit provides pivoting and oscillating functions, while a thermostatic mode will maintain temperature automatically. Control is via a compact remote control (not an app, which must be a first for a modern device), and in use, the TurboBlade is quiet and unobtrusive.

It makes an excellent alternative to cumbersome air-conditioning units, and may even stave off the need to turn on the central heating – perfect for when working in just a small part of your space.

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, £349.99, SharkClean.co.uk

Computing power

Asus ProArt P16 Laptop

Aficionados of fully loaded creative laptops – the kind that spend most of their life on a desk with only the occasional foray off in a backpack – will appreciate the Asus ProArt P16. The company’s current flagship, the ProArt P16 is built around a dedicated graphic chip, the GeForce RTX 40 Series, with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor.

Hardware includes a 16-inch OLED 4K touchscreen and the DialPad, Asus’ enhanced trackpad system. A plethora of ports includes an SD card reader, handy for digital cameras, and harmon/kardon audio with Dolby Atmos onboard. There’s up to 2TB of storage and 64GB of memory.

An alternative for the defiantly desktop-focused comes in the shape of the company’s expanded ProArt PC case range, which now includes wood finishes for the first time. Featuring FSC-certified woods, the new cases include onboard fans, built-in USB ports and glass side panels that offer easy access for maintenance and upgrades.

Asus ProArt P16, from £1,999, Asus.com

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor

If you’re going down the laptop route you can replace or supplement your on-screen real estate with an additional monitor. Dell’s new 31.6-inch QD-OLED has a 3840 x 2160 display, as well as onboard 3D spatial audio with five integral speakers providing a total output of 25W. The monitor includes a host of additional connectors, including a neat pop-out forward-facing USB charge point for mobiles and other devices.

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor, £535, Dell.com

Kuxiu X53 Hub Multifunctional Laptop Stand

Pair this laptop stand with a separate keyboard and you’ll have the best of both worlds. Kuxiu’s X53 multifunctional hub stand attempts to be all things to everyone with a feature-packed specification that makes it so much more than a mere place to stash your device.

The angled rear arm includes no less than eight slots for a variety of devices, ranging from SD readers (micro and standard), a headphone socket and USB A and C ports, along with HDMI.

Kuxiu X53 Hub Multifunctional Laptop Stand, £66, Kuxiu.co

Apple Mac Studio

We’d be remiss if we didn’t flag the Apple Mac Studio up as a serious option. Now powered by Apple’s own M3 Ultra processor alongside the M4 Max, Mac Studio remains the de facto choice for contemporary creative work. A synthesis of all that makes Apple so user-friendly and design driven, Mac Studio is more compact and powerful than ever before.

Apple Mac Studio, from £2,099, Apple.com

All the gear

Maono PD200W wireless dynamic podcast microphone

An increasingly important part of the office worker’s arsenal, the desktop microphone has evolved into multi-functional tool that’s handy for calls but essential for podcasts and presentations. First up is the Maono PD200W, which bills itself as the world’s first wireless dynamic podcast microphone. You can connect this device via USB, wireless or a regular XLR cable, with an onboard battery that’s good for 60 hours of use.

Sound quality is excellent, and the mic allows secondary devices to be plugged in for dual-channel stereo recording; add another conventional mic and you have an instant podcasting studio. The PD200W can also be connected directly to cameras and phones to boost signal quality for all kinds of content creation.

Three-stage noise cancellation helps focus on the voice, cutting out unwanted background noise. Available with a boom arm or regular desktop stand, this is a low-cost way of getting into higher-end audio.

Maono PD200W, from $99.99, Maono.com, Amazon.co.uk

Shure MV7i Smart Microphone & Interface

Shure’s MV7i is a step up in terms of quality. The well-established American manufacturer, which celebrates its centenary in 2025, is venturing into the all-in-one era with this new combination microphone and audio interface. The inclusion of a Combo XLR and ¼-inch input enables an instrument to be plugged in, sending two signal paths to a computer over the USB-C connection.

Shure provides their own (hefty) MOTIV app to manage recordings, although the app (both mobile and desktop) favours those with a simple set-up as the presence of other audio gear will soon get you into a tangle of cables and drivers. Nevertheless, this is a quality item, with sturdy all-metal construction and the undeniable support of decades of microphone expertise.

Shure MV7i, £359, Shure.com

Boox Note Air5 C

Boox continues its relentless assault on the e-ink market with yet another device. The new Note Air5 C brings colour ePaper to a 10.3-inch Android tablet, running version 15 of the OS in 6GB of RAM and with 64GB of storage. The optional keyboard cover (available as a bundle with the main tablet) transforms the slender tablet into a Chromebook with all the added benefits of the Google app eco-system.

Also new is an upgraded Pen3 stylus, which cleverly integrates storage of the consumable tips within the barrel and has a clip to keep it on hand. Pen3 further refines the handwriting experience, bringing e-ink and e-paper ever closer to the feel of writing on a traditional surface. It’s not there yet, but Boox’s big screen provides a fine place for scribbling, note-taking and reading.

Boox Note Air5 C, €529.99, Euroshop.Boox.com

Avolt Square 1 extension plug

Don’t neglect the wiring. While items like the Magnus Evo desk promise to contain the explosion of digital spaghetti, Murphy’s Law dictates there will always be a paucity of power sockets when you need to come to plug something in. Enter the Square 1 from Avolt.

An ultra-minimal extension socket, it packs three standard plug sockets and two USB-C sockets into a magnetised square cube. Available in a variety of colours, this is a simple solution to a perennial problem.

Square 1, £55, Avolt.com, @Avoltofficial

Cords power cables

The new Swedish design brand Cords wants to make technical accessories that are a cut above the usual disposable, cost-engineered rubbish. The company’s first collection, launched in November 2025, includes three power strips in five matching colours. Along with extension and USB cords and a cylindrical power bank.

The Circular C2, Cubical C1, and Squared S1 power strips all come with four sockets, as well as braided cables that can be adjusted in length. All use recycled plastic and the five core colours – Sand, Jet Black, Pale Pink, Electric Orange and Mist White – were inspired by Le Corbusier’s Architectural Polychromy, a palette of 63 unifying colours.

The power strips are joined by the E1 extension cord, the high-power capability of the A-1 USB-C power cable and the UX1, a cylindrical power bank that accommodates fast charging of 100W per port.

More information at Cords.com, @Cords

Sandisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive

When you absolutely need to take your data with you and nothing else, you need a brand and a product you can trust. Enter Sandisk, which has been in the business of data storage for decades.

The new Extreme Fit USB-C flash drive is a marvel of miniaturisation, even to those jaded by the relentless compression of data capacity into smaller and smaller devices. A tiny flash drive designed to be left in a lap, the Extreme Fit combines ultra-fast transfer speeds with up to 1TB of storage.

Sandisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive, from £12.99 for 64GB to £99.99 for 1TB, Shop.Sandisk.com and Amazon.co.uk

Diversions and distractions

InkPoster frame

We’re now digressing to explore diversions and distractions – call them inspiration if you like. InkPoster’s mission statement is to transform the delivery of artworks into your home, with a high-definition colour e-ink display screen that’ll shuffle your favourite artworks whilst acting like a standard picture frame. It’s taken years for the tech to mature to meet the company’s vision, and the low-power screen system will last for up to 12 months before it needs to be recharged.

While the company offers a curation service, you can also upload any image you like, sourcing collections from galleries, auction houses and image libraries would be half the fun. Available in three screen sizes – 13.3-inch, 28.5-inch and 31.5-inch – the InkPoster is controlled and updated via an app and can be hung either portrait or landscape.

InkPoster, from $499/£527, InkPoster.com, @InkPoster_official

POP Phone by Native Union

Colourful, curious and unashamedly old-fashioned, POP is Native Union’s playful attempt to bring back the old-fashioned art of talking to each other on the phone, rather than rely on voice messages or WhatsApp. The idea is simplicity itself – a traditional rotary phone handset that plugs into your mobile, laptop or tablet via USB-C and provides a high-quality microphone and speaker for a conventional call (or video call, if you must).

Live out your Mad Men/Dr Strangelove fantasies with the red unit, or choose from a kaleidoscope of candy colours.

POP Phone, £34.99, Native Union, NativeUnion.com, @NativeUnion

Leica keeps the product flowing with yet another new model, this time with an even more specialist bent. The new Leica Q3 Monochrom is a derivative of the Leica Q3, only with the USP that the Monochrom features a dedicated black-and-white sensor.

Here we have to take a detour into the pros and cons of digital black and white. On the one hand, it’s a simple process to transform the output of any digital camera into black and white and many even have the option to shoot in black and white as well as colour. So why discard the colour option altogether?

For Leica, the Monochrom models (of which this is the second) is a direct link to the brand’s history as the progenitor of the original 35mm camera, the Leica I. Describing it as a ‘bold choice to deliberately renounce colour’, the company's thinking is that a pure black and white process, from framing to post-production, focuses the mind on pure composition – ‘the art of composing with light and shadow’.

The hardware is typically impressive. A compact mirrorless full-frame cameras with a 60MP sensor, capable of 8K video, an ISO range of 100 to 200,000, plus a 5.76-megapixel OLED viewfinder, it has the technical chops and build quality the firm is renowned for.

On board there’s also a digital zoom (28 to 90mm) and the debut of a new user interface that separates photography and video functions in a more distinct way – it’s an improvement that’ll soon be rolled out as a firmware update on the Q3 and Q3 43.

There’s an authority to the weighty metal body and the entire camera is made in Germany, with an IP52 rating to protect against dust and water splashes. The more observant will note the absence of the red Leica logo, giving this monochrome hero a truly utilitarian look.

Leica Q3 Monochrom, £5,800 / €6,750 / $7,790, Leica-Camera.com, @Leica_Camera

Ambitious targets call for ambitious technology. Behind the scenes, Apple is making huge strides along the road to its stated intention of becoming carbon neutral across its entire footprint, from production to material use and packaging to distribution. For consumers, the most obvious manifestation of this Apple 2030 goal is the shift in packaging design to incorporate as much recyclable – and recycled – materials as possible.

That hasn’t harmed the tactile experience of the ‘unboxing moment’ in any way, shape or form, nor has the gradual increase in recycled materials in the products themselves. For example, the MacBook Air enclosure is 100 per cent recycled aluminium, as is the Mac Studio, with the Air also using 100 per cent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets and 100 per cent recycled copper in the main logic board.

However, much of this important work is necessarily out of sight and out of mind for the consumer – recycled aluminium looks no different to the virgin material, while rare earth elements are buried deep within the devices. But there are other areas where material innovation, savings and efficiencies can play a major part, as well as help shape design.

Enter the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the newest flagship Apple wearable with material innovation that’s proudly laid bare. For the first time, the case of the Ultra 3, and that of the titanium Apple Watch Series 11, are made entirely via 3D-printing, using 100 per cent aerospace-grade recycled titanium powder.

The end result is a spectacular demonstration of how multiple strands of design and research came together to create change. First up, the 3D-printing process – devised and productionised by Apple’s own metallurgy team – uses half the titanium of previous generations of Watch Ultra, where the case was milled from a solid billet of the metal.

Instead, the Ultra 3 uses high-grade powdered recycled titanium, meaning there’s barely any wastage and what remains goes back into the production cycle. On top of this, the energy efficiency of the process has been dramatically reduced.

Focusing on a small element of a very premium product might appear to be a lot of effort for relatively minimal overall benefits. However, according to Sarah Chandler, vice president of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation at Apple, ‘we are now at the point where we are solving the hardest problems – we need to take some really big swings’. What starts with Apple Watch could soon be rolled out into other devices, with correspondingly larger savings.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. ‘We have a long history at Apple of designing with the environment in mind – it's one of our core values,’ says Chandler. Chandler and her team have devoted huge amounts of research and development into realising the new cases, describing the project as a ‘tremendously innovative 3D-printing process’.

‘Our hope is that [this] can really change the system, change the approach, change how products are made, and help lead the way for others,’ Chandler says.

Her colleague Kate Bergeron, vice president of Hardware Engineering, describes it as a ‘multi-year journey’. ‘In fact, if we want to go back to the nascent 3D-printing industry, I would say it’s been decades,’ she adds. In essence, the titanium powder is placed on an outline in layers of 60 microns.

A laser solidifies each layer before more powder is added, and the process repeated. ‘We have 900 layers in the UltraWatch, which is just insane,’ says Bergeron, pointing out that ‘we had to invent how we were going to make the parts and invent the material at the same time’.

The other challenge is scale. 3D-printed metal is not uncommon, but applications tend to be very high-end and specialised – think aerospace, military, Formula 1 – so to make the process work on ‘Apple scale’ is a big deal. Naturally, this new additive process has resulted in the same levels of surface quality that Apple Watch owners expect, but what they won’t be able to see are the innovations made possible by the new process.

‘In the Ultra, one thing that we were able to incorporate this time around was additional water sealing,’ says Bergeron. ‘We were also able to make the antenna windows interlock more effectively with the titanium, which we couldn't do using machining. I would say our industrial designers are already thinking about crazy and exciting things they can design that we would never have been able to make before.’

This same process is also being deployed under the skin in the iPhone Air, where a new titanium USB-C port enclosure was 3D-printed using the same method, helping achieve its impossible silhouette.

Apple is keen to stress this is systemic change, not just technology for the sake of it. ‘We are trying to find something that can really be an unlock,’ says Chandler. ‘We don't want to just do something once, we want to do it because it becomes the way the whole system works.’

‘We wouldn't develop anything like this as a one-off solution,’ Bergeron clarifies. ‘We look at 3D-printing as a roadmap to the future and so we are absolutely excited to take this technology and apply it in other places where it will make sense. Now that we have this in our toolkit… we can turn it into the next level of innovation.’

Apple Watch Ultra 3, from £749, Apple.com

Apple iPhone Air, from £999, Apple.com

The relentless march of integrated AI continues, this time courtesy of LG. The South Korean electronics giant is now well advanced with its ThinQ technology, which started out with the incorporation of Wi-Fi into refrigerators, part of the first wave of so-called smart devices. The subsequent rise and fall of the interconnected ‘internet of things’ seemed to imply that consumers weren’t all that bothered about having an always-on connection with their white goods.

The rise of AI seems to have changed all that. LG’s ThinQ series has evolved to keep pace with the shiny new definition of ‘smart’. Last year, the company released the ThinQ ON Home Hub, a centralised voice-activated device that serves a similar function to an Alexa or Google voice assistant, only with direct connectivity to LG’s suite of enabled appliances, from televisions and projectors, to lighting systems, fridges and robot vacuums.

In Seoul, LG has a popular ThinQ show home, where the voice activation powers of the system can be sampled. Crucially, the company is opening up the device’s API (Application Programming Interface) to other manufacturers, allowing for cross-pollination between other smart devices – one of the Achilles’ heels of early, so-called walled garden systems.

So what kind of future does LG envisage? Connectivity and intelligence are all very well but applying them in useful but not intrusive ways is the key to making a smart home more appealing. This ‘LG AI Appliances Orchestra’, as the company calls it, is a symphony of small smart enhancements that add up to a cohesive overall service.

For example, LG’s new range of washing machines use AI to weigh the contents of a wash and automatically select the most efficient programme – its dryers can even detect fabric type to avoid damaging clothing. Both appliances can signal progress and any potential problems via the LG app, as well as customising start-up screens and melodies to signal the end of a wash cycle.

LG’s new robot vacuum incorporates mopping and steam cleaning, as well as better object recognition and navigation. The oven can be automatically pre-heated – the ThinQ AI can even recommend healthy recipes – while LG’s new ridges can notify you when temperatures drop or the door is left open. The company has even gone beyond the home with the Spielraum concept car, co-developed with Kia, to showcase how the exact same AI assistant could be taken with you on the road.

Hubs like LG’s ThinQ ON simply offer a portal into new ways of interacting with objects that were once out of sight, out of mind and only edged into our consciousness when we actually needed to use them. That’s not necessarily progress, unless there’s a significant accompanying premium like energy efficiency or genuine convenience. Regardless, universal voice control is coming, whether we like it or not.

Hot on the heels of the ON Home Hub, LG revealed a conceptual Smart Home AI agent, a glimpse at what a future robotic housekeeper might look like in service of the company’s end goal, the ‘Zero Labour Home’. Anyone familiar with the social and technological history of domestic labour might scoff at the idea that the emotional labour of household management can be offloaded onto a cute little robot, even if ‘Affectionate Intelligence’ and empathy are its prime directives.

Whether the future is robot-driven or just app-based, companies like LG won’t stop striving for better ways to conduct their orchestra of appliances. Together, LG hopes, they’ll play a tune of greater efficiency for all.

More information at LG.com

Up until now, the Stockholm-based tech company Transparent has focused its attention on the audio market. With products like the Light portable Bluetooth speaker and the original Transparent speaker, the company has also acquired a brace of Wallpaper* awards, for the Transparent Turntable in 2024 and the Brutalist speaker in 2025.

For the first time, Transparent is taking itself in a different direction, with the new Aroma Diffuser, launched today (6 November 2025) in order to ‘expand the sensory landscape of the home’. The fragrance diffuser follows the aesthetic template established by the company’s audio products, using hard-wearing materials like glass and aluminium for longevity and ultimately recyclability.

According to co-founder and creative director Per Brickstad, ‘Fragrance gives us the ability to experience powerful, instant emotions and memories. We’ve engineered this device in honour of that beautiful sensory phenomenon – to enrich homes in a natural, clean and timeless way.’

The Aroma Diffuser resembles an elegant lantern, with a cylindrical form and clear glass reservoir that shows how much fragrance oil and water is remaining. The diffuser uses ultrasonic technology to combine the fragrance with water in order to create a fine aromatic mist that is dispersed from the top of the unit.

Although the system is designed to be open source and therefore compatible with all room perfumes, Transparent will launch with a set of its own curated natural oils. Unsurprisingly, the inspiration is very Scandinavian, with scents based on pine, red cedar, and spruce.

The glass and aluminium form factor was partly inspired by laboratory equipment, giving the unit a technical, polished appearance. The Aroma Diffuser is also designed to be completely dissembled for cleaning and maintenance, even upgrades, in line with the company’s approach to modular, circular design principles.

First orders will be made through the Kickstarter platform, where Brickstad, who co-founded the company with Martin Willers and Magnus Wiberg, began Transparent back in 2012. ‘Returning to Kickstarter is a way of reuniting with the community that brought Transparent to life over a decade ago, Brickstad says, adding that the product will become available via the company’s website and other design retailers in due course.

Transparent Aroma Diffuser, £280 / €300 / $300, Kickstarter.com, Transpa.rent, @Transpa.rent

Teenage Engineering provides the patois as well as the beats with the release of two new devices, the EP–40 Riddim and EP–2350 Ting. The former is an evolution of the popular EP–133 KO II and its successor, the EP-1320 – which combined a sampler and sequencer workflow with the world of medieval music, bundling a host of evocative samples (lutes, chants and hurdy-gurdys, for example) to give beats a distinctly olde-worlde vibe.

The EP–40 Riddim is similarly devoted to world-building, only this time the inspiration comes from a more 20th-century source, the realm of sound-system culture, and dub-infused, dancehall and reggae-driven beats. Riddim, as its name suggests, brings the beat back, with a performance-focused layout and an onboard selection of sounds that includes heavy bass and leads and even the sound of dub sirens.

In all, this colourful little slab is a powerful beat-making machine, with over 300 original samples, along with sequencer and effects. The Swedish company has tapped contemporary artists for their sounds and music to stuff into the onboard memory. Aficionados of the scene will recognise Jamaican producer King Jammy, as well as legendary producer Mad Professor, and other names, including Japanese band Mighty Crown.

The layout of the screen and the button graphics harks back to the poster art and lettering of early reggae album covers and the whole ensemble is struck through with TE’s ridiculous attention to detail. The accompanying merch includes a gig bag and even socks.

The EP-40 is joined by the EP–2350 Ting, a handheld performance microphone that can be used in conjunction with the Riddim or as a standalone device. Evoking the microphones that were once paired with megaphones to form a key part of the sound-system palette, the Ting has four onboard effects.

Effects include the all-important reverb, and the Ting can be hooked up to any device via a 3.5mm jack. The coiled cord, push-to-talk button and side lever for modulation all evoke old-school devices, with a crunchy, lo-fi quality that makes everything sound great.

EP–40 Riddim and EP–2350 Ting, £299 for both(launch offer) at Teenage.Engineering, @TeenageEngineering

Creating a cluster of compact quasi- anthropomorphized devices seems to be a surefire way of attracting attention. Teenage Engineering’s Wallpaper* award-winning Choir is a case in point, as was the Little Signals concept project by Map Project Office and Google, and the robotic companion component in Layer’s Concept T suite for Deutsche Telekom.

Now Danish studio Swift Creatives is on the case, only this time there’s even more of an android element. Conjured up by the studio’s Innovation Lab, this trio of wooden bots – Beamer, Hover and Bot – combine richly crafted and turned Danish wood with subtle notification-activated motions.

These motions are intended to tug at our emotions, not alarm us with lights or vibration, with what the studio calls ‘Kinetic Tech’. Each of the three smart objects has its own motion, with tilting, twisting and nodding ‘heads’ that serve as a visual (and gentle audio) cue that something has happened – be it a message notification, a delivery or whatever you desire.

The three are compact (153mm for Beamer, 164 mm for Bot, and 170mm for Hover), designed to slot into shelves of ornaments or among desktop devices. With their soaped and smoked oak finish, Swift Creatives describe the bots as a blend of ‘Danish design tradition with embedded sensors and software’.

‘In Denmark, we’ve always had a strong tradition of craft and natural materials, thanks to the work of designers like Kay Bojesen,’ says lead designer Lars Lynggard, ‘These wooden bots extend that heritage into the connected age, making technology that children, parents, and even grandparents can welcome into their space.’

Swift Creatives incubated the project in the firm’s Innovation Lab, what it describes as an ‘internal playground for future thinking’. Every aspect of the designs, from initial concept designs to prototypes and the final beautifully crafted oak objects was done in house.

‘The Innovation Lab is all about staying curious, experimenting, and making ideas tangible,’ says Carsten Eriksen, the studio’s CEO Founder, ‘Beamer, Hover, and Bot are perfect examples of how a small concept can evolve into something that blends design, craft, and technology – and can also be warm, visible, and joyful at the same time.’

The Wooden Bots are concepts only. SwiftCreatives.com, @SwiftCreatives_story

Projector technology has stealthily increased in capability and quality over the course of the decade. It's now reached the point where doing away with a conventional screen is a sensible option, especially if you're looking to maximise a small space or strip the presence of screens out of a living space or bedroom.

To highlight the extremes of available tech we’ve found two new projectors at opposite ends of the scale, even though both lay a claim to portability. First up is the ultra-compact Dali 1 from Chinese brand Wanbo. Offering a maximum screen size of 100 inches and a more achievable 40-inch screen (the throw ratio is a medium 1.25:1 – for every 1 foot of image width the projector needs to be 1.25 feet away), it supports HD (1280 x 720).

In this age of 4K streaming, that’s on the low end of image quality, and the sound – allocated to twin 5W speakers – isn’t exactly going to replicate the cinema experience either. Audiophiles might want to stream wirelessly to Bluetooth speakers or headphones or even use the 3.5mm audio jack to plug the Dali 1 into a regular system.

With that said, any additional paraphernalia lessens the little white cube’s size advantage. Weighing in at less than a kilogram, the Android-based Dali 1 doesn’t skimp on features. Switch it on and an automatic screen adaptation sequence will run to sort out size, shape and focus of the image. Key streaming platforms can be accessed directly from the device, which can also mirror your phone screen via AirPlay.

For a more grandiose experience, consider the Nebula X1 Pro, billed as the ‘world's first mobile theatre station with 4K laser projection.’ On board this mighty wheeled machine (which weighs in at nearly 33kg) are four speakers and two integral sub-woofers.

The front pair of speakers fold out to create a true stereo image, while two additional wireless surround speakers are stowed at the rear and can be placed to create a massive soundstage with Dolby Atmos compatibility. The audio system has a total output of 400 watts, and the wireless speakers have eight hours of battery life and charge when docked.

The X1 Pro projects up to a maximum size of 300 inches (25 feet), with a full suite of adaptive image settings to control brightness and alignment. Soundcore also offers a 200-inch inflatable screen if you don’t have a handy wall (or sail) to project onto. Soundcore claims near-silent operation thanks to an internal liquid cooling system, and the X1 Pro comes with Google TV built in. An HDMI port allows access to virtually all other sources. Now all you need is the space.

Wanbo Dali 1, £129, Amazon.co.uk

Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro, $4,999.99, pre-orders via Kickstarter.com, Soundcore.com

Google is describing the new raft of products and services launching under its Google Home division as the ‘next chapter’ in home intelligence. We’ve had a preview of the company’s uprated and upgraded hardware and back-end. Our first thoughts? If you go all in on Google’s new Home eco-system, there’ll be many compelling reasons – and reasonable caveats – that justify the hype.

First things first. The smart home didn’t really work, did it? Even Google admits as such. Ten years or so after the first devices appeared touting connectivity and controllability, the much mythologised ‘internet of things’ remains the domain of a small but dedicated coterie of home hackers and tech enthusiasts. For the rest of us, add or remove one element from this carefully constructed house of cards and you’re in danger of demolishing the whole edifice.

Enough of all that. The big news for late 2025 is the replacement of the Google Assistant with Google Gemini, part of the creeping AI-ification of every facet of our lives. Perhaps this one will be a little different. Many of us – this writer included – use Google Assistant more than we know. Like Alexa or Siri, Assistant sits within our phones and smart speakers and can usually be relied upon to deliver a weather forecast, perform a simple calculation, answer a question or stream a radio station.

And yet. Assistant often acts like a glorified gopher, with responses like ‘I found a website that might be useful’ when it can’t drag up the answer itself. Gemini will change all that, in ways that can scarcely be imagined. According to Google, this step change ‘turns the page on the last era’ and introduces a new age of ‘helpful, proactive’ home AI.

From the outset, Gemini for the home will manifest itself in a more familiar, conversational and natural way, with ten new natural language voice models complete with more realistic pacing and cadence. Anyone who’s used Gemini’s voice recognition capabilities will know that it is a very companion-like experience.

What will change the domestic manifestation is the system’s ability to define and utilise context. Not only will we be able to chat back and forth with our freshly Gemini-enabled devices, but the system will be able to infer all sorts of background information from other connected sources – your calendar or contacts, for example.

In addition, these smart(er) capabilities will also be baked into Google’s Nest series of security cameras, both indoor and outdoor, as well as the Nest doorbell, almost a ubiquitous piece of home tech in certain American suburbs. Even Walmart’s ultra-budget ‘onn’ range will be able to hook up to the system.

And what does the system entail? For Google, the overarching ambition is to streamline the use case and make everyone’s vast database of imagery and information more easily searchable. It’s a valid point. Those familiar with the Nest system will know that the currently ‘dumb’ system spews endlessly notifications, triggered by movements indoors and out, be they pets, children or passing cars.

With the ‘semantic scene understanding’ introduced by Gemini, notifications should become incredibly specific: ‘UPS driver left a package on the porch by the chair,’ or ‘a woman in an Amnesty International T-shirt range the doorbell and waited for two minutes.’

All of this data gets distilled into a ‘Home Brief’, a daily summary of what happened in your Nest-equipped home and environs. It’ll be a godsend for homeowner associations and neighbourhood watches, and a way of living a vicarious domestic life while you’re trapped in your cubicle at work. All this is controlled through an updated, streamlined and enhanced Google Home app.

Cameras have been given greater 2K resolution and a wider field of view, all the better to help the system decode what it’s looking at. The term ‘facial recognition’ wasn’t raised at the presentation, but it’s hard not to see how a swift cross-reference between your photos, contacts and calendar to see if anyone unfamiliar has been snooping around.

And of course, all of these watching and listening capabilities can be smooshed together in myriad ways through custom automations. This is where hobbyists have traditionally excelled and the rest of us lost heart after the massive achievement of programming the Christmas lights to switch on when it gets dark. Put simply, an automation is simple programming – if this happens, do that.

These days, ‘programming’ is a bit of a misnomer, as automations can be built by simply asking Gemini to put them together – just enter ‘At night, if no one is home, use lights and TV to make it look like someone’s home’ and hey presto, your eco-system of Google-enabled devices will club together to create a simulacra of a bustling hearth.

Other devices can also be accommodated into this web of connectivity, starting with Google’s own Nest thermostat and extending to a growing family of smart devices. Google’s own products are made with recycled plastic and err on the affordable side, all the more reason to get as many as possible. The former Nest Aware subscription service will be bundled into Google Home Premium, and the company is also striving to consolidate all the Nest app features into Google Home.

Why go premium? It’s all about the data. If you’re onboard with surrendering every bump and rustle of your home to the company’s servers, you’ll have a rich seam of searchable data to draw on. Standard ($10/month or $100/year) subs enable you to save 30 days of ‘event-based video history’, a capability that doubles with the Advanced sub ($20/month, $200/year). If you want summaries and the ability to search this history, you’ll need the Advanced package, which also delivers daily recaps of what’s been going on.

Finally, Google has baked all this capability into a new premium smart speaker, the Google Home Speaker. Available from spring 2026 in Porcelain, Hazel, Jade and Berry, the 360-degree speaker doubles up as a home theatre component, with a newly designed lower light ring that indicates when Gemini Live is active.

So what will this all mean? The law of unintended consequences plays fast and loose with technological innovation, and there are limitless scenarios opened up by having a searchable audio and video database of two months of domestic life. To European sensibilities, it’s all a little Black Mirror (particularly the Jesse Armstrong-penned episode ‘The Entire History of You’ from Season 1).

There’s also the suspicion that the smart home stuff is pitched at the modern American suburban experience, a tech-enabled personal empire of ennui where battles rage against porch pirates and scammers, furniture-shredding pets and thermostat-abusing WFH partners. It suggests whole neighbourhoods of Gemini-enabled ‘mockupants’, frantically and automatically running devices and switching lights on and off to simulate an active home life.

While this announcement was a good opportunity to launch next-generation camera and doorbell models, the biggest takeaway is that Gemini for the Home is coming to us all. That’s right – every single speaker, smart display, doorbell and camera ever made by Google will have these functions enabled in due course. An end to loneliness? Or the start of a deluge of data that threatens to drown us all?

Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, 2nd gen), available in Snow and Hazel, for $149.99

Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen), available in Snow, Hazel, and Berry, for $99.99

Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen), available in Snow, Hazel, and Linen, for $179.99

Google Home Speaker, available soon, Home.Google.com, Gemini.Google.com, Store.Google.com

Can Montblanc do for ‘digital paper’ what it did for the traditional fountain pen? Meaning can it transform the rather quotidian and functional act of writing on an e-ink tablet into the kind of premium experience conferred by its famous nibs? The answer to this question might lie in the new Montblanc Digital Tablet, the first time the legendary maison of writing instruments has deigned to step into the digital realm.

Given the reach of rivals like Amazon and reMarkable, Montblanc has a lot of ground to catch up on. It’s hoping to leapfrog to the top tier of the digital paper market by creating the first truly premium experience. That means creating not just the tablet itself, but the new Montblanc Digital Pen.

Developed in collaboration with San Francisco design agency Fuseproject, the pen draws clear inspiration from the Meisterstück, the 1924 fountain pen design that’s synonymous with Montblanc’s image and reputation.

‘When we design for a heritage brand like Montblanc, our job is to honour its past while creating a bridge to its future,’ says Fuseproject’s CEO Yves Behar. ‘Montblanc’s writing culture is legendary. Our role was to translate that culture into a digital experience that feels timeless and captures the emotional richness of handwriting,’

Many of the Meisterstück’s signature elements are present and correct on the Digital Pen, including the crowning emblem and the three metal rings, with a feeling of solidity and heft you just don’t get with an Apple Pencil or a reMarkable Marker. The studio also collaborated on the Digital Pen’s three interchangeable tips, Smooth, Linen and Matte, which offer a variety of writing experiences, unlike the one-size-fits-all approach of its rivals.

When combined with the variable tactility of the nibs, the high-resolution e-ink display promises to ‘deliver a realistic feel of paper’, with sufficient variety to accommodate different writing styles. With Fuseproject collaborating with Montblanc’s team in Hamburg on the Digital Pen, Montblanc set about shaping Digital Paper that met its exacting standards.

According to Felix Obschonka, Montblanc’s director of New Technologies, the intention was to bridge the worlds of digital connectivity and immediacy and the unrivalled feel of writing by hand. ‘While digital tools provide efficiency and convenience, handwriting offers a more immersive, reflective, and emotionally rich experience,’ says Obschonka. ‘It can ground us and inspire us in an increasingly fast-paced world. With the Montblanc Digital Paper, we have found a way to retain all the special qualities of writing by hand, while recognising the need for boundless space and effortless digital collaboration.’

Montblanc Digital Paper is intended for note-taking as well as making annotations on presentations, pdfs, documents and even e-books. The system boasts a search function that works with your handwriting and there are a number of templates included. Files are stored both on the device and synced to the Montblanc Cloud. It’s a premium take on the kind of eco-system others have honed and invested in for many years, so the key to a seamless future and loyal customers will be support and new features.

The Montblanc Digital Paper tablet is available in Mystery Black, Elixir Gold and Cool Grey, The Digital Paper unit can also be paired with Montblanc’s collection of calf leather folios, available in Mastic, Black, Ink Blue and Grey. Finally, the Digital Pen itself is available in Black, Grey and Ivory.

Montblanc Digital Paper, £750, Folios, £170, Digital Pen, £230

Montblanc.com, @Montblanc

Our pick of new coffee machines offers myriad ways of brewing up a cup, with an emphasis on the compact and discreet. Here are four different ways to achieve the perfect espresso, as well as an update to an enduring filter coffee system from Sweden.

Breville Barista Slimline

Breville’s Barista range of espresso machines has expanded by three, with the new models ranging from small to large. Espresso aficionados can start large with the Barista Sense (£599.99) and the Barista Classic (£499.99), but the sweet spot for a small space is the compact Barista Slimline. This machine measures 15.5cm wide, skips the grinder, but still has a 1.1 litre capacity and onboard steam wand.

Smeg ECF03

The more rounded, retro forms of Smeg’s new ECF03 conceal its dual functionality; not only is this a conventional compact espresso machine, but it also has a cold-brew option. The latter uses three customisable temperature settings for those looking to move away from piping hot doses of caffeine. In keeping with Smeg's focus on a forward-looking and bold palette, the ECF03 is available in black, white, cream and blue pastel.

Sage Oracle Dual Boiler

For more sizeable spaces, the new WiFI-enabled Oracle Dual Boiler from Sage is screaming for your attention. There’s a lot going on in this flagship machine, starting with a focus on precise grinding and advanced milk steaming, complete with the ability to change settings for dairy alternatives like oat, almond and soy milks.

Perhaps the only coffee machine to boast a quad-core processor, it also has a 5.7-inch touchscreen to help you navigate your way around the many brew customisation options, on top of the 15 preset drinks for those who want to go straight to a flat white.

Terra Kaffe Demi

Terra Kaffe’s new Demi espresso machine builds on the reputation established by its debut product, the TK-02. While the latter incorporates a large touchscreen, the Demi takes the minimal aesthetic further and swaps out the screen for an integrated invisible display. With industrial design from the Ammunition Group, the Demi is just over 25cm wide and is intended to be hidden away when not in use. The system starts with whole beans and is controlled by a simple stainless steel dial.

Aarke Coffee Maker

Aarke’s elegant Coffee System is now available in a muted matte black finish. The Swedish company’s component-based coffee-making kit launched last year in its signature stainless steel. The Aarke Coffee Maker and Coffee Grinder will be manufactured in the new finish, featuring the same levels of sophisticated engineering and design. Overseen by company co-founders and chief designers Carl Ljungh and Jonas Groth, the Aarke Coffee System fits perfectly into any kitchen.

The latest piece of AI-powered note-taking technology has arrived from Plaud.ai. The new Plaud Note Pro goes straight to the top of the San Francisco-based company’s technology tree, above the recent NotePin and the original Note voice recorder. Following the same form factor as the latter, the newer device promises an AI-based approach to sifting through voice notes and call and meeting recordings to extract the finer points of conversation.

A finely detailed piece of industrial design, the tiny Note Pro is credit card-sized and barely any thicker. Supplied with a leather wallet and magnetically attachable USB-C charge cable, the chief innovation is the introduction of a 1-inch screen that indicates recording status. Made from Gorilla Glass and aluminium, the Note Pro is less than 3mm thick, with a rippling design that’s elegant and discreet.

Further upgrades include a better audio reach thanks to more microphones than the original Note and the ability to continuously record for 50 hours (versus 30 hours in the original). Onboard storage tops out at 64GB and there is also 75 days’ worth of standby battery life. For the first time, the company has also included Apple Find My support to help track lost devices. All this is impressive, but the Note Pro is nothing without a connection to the cloud.

Plaud.ai’s model is based on using existing LLMs (large language models) to process its beautifully captured data, with a bespoke app that handles the cloud uploading and subsequent transcript and/or summary. Out of the box, the Note Pro will work, but the company hopes that power users and big companies will shell out to get access to faster and more efficient AI models. The new hardware and software helps – the Note Pro contains ‘studio grade’ recording hardware and noise isolation algorithms and can automatically detect whether a conversation is a phone call or in-person, for example.

Given the device’s reliance on the app, you could be forgiven for wondering what the point of the physical hardware is at all, given that most smartphones offer access to similar functionality. Cleverly, the Note Pro is effectively asking you to hold two contradictory notions at the same time. The first is the intentionality that a separate physical device can give to a task, just like how a standalone digital camera can help focus the eye on image-making, despite the better sensor and power of your smartphone. The little Note Pro can also connect to your phone to record calls.

The second is the idea that you should succumb to the warm embrace of AI-driven processes. Now we're not suggesting that Plaud's computational abilities bear any relationship to the fiendish combination of brilliance and the ability to erase culture that generative AI has achieved. Instead, there's a case for arguing that this 'soft' use of the results gleaned from processing vast caches of data is one area where 'AI' works rather well. Plaud Intelligence, the company’s cloud-based service, can do an awful lot, not least its ability to support the transcription of 112 languages.

Transcripts come labelled with individual speakers, thanks to the company’s proprietary way of recording audio data and separating speakers. Most importantly of all, your personal Plaud Intelligence database will grow in sophistication over time, taking notes, visuals and voices and ‘weaving them together across time and context’. There's even a 'press to highlight' function that you can use in real time to flag certain areas of conversation for future recall and analysis.

For those whose livelihood relies heavily on tracking who said what and when, the idea of the Note Pro is tempting, especially the ability to off-load great chunks of the working week into a perpetual, ever-evolving database of liability. There are use cases everywhere, including journalism of course, but Plaud’s CEO Nathan Xu, who founded the company in 2021, started off in investment banking. Unsurprisingly, it's in the high-stakes worlds of finance and law where such a device could prove itself to be invaluable.

Pro users will be able to access over 2,000 dedicated templates, many of which have been tailored specifically for meetings and projects in particular industries, from healthcare to law and education. Xu describes Note Pro as ‘not just a note taker, [but] a thinking partner that brings structure, clarity and actionability to everyday conversations’.

To get the most of Plaud Note Pro, you really have to go all in; there are no half measures with this kind of AI-powered information buffet. Sure, you can get an effective transcription from Google Recorder or Apple Notes, and many iterations of common online meeting applications will also summarise and present minutes. Short of a back-to-back comparison, there's no saying whether Plaud beats its rivals in accuracy or speed. However, dipping in and out of a machine-generated transcript is very different to having months of boardroom discussions uploaded, precisely minuted, analysed and scoured for ‘action points’.

Nevertheless, this impressive piece of hardware design feels yoked to AI’s signature verbosity. As a test, I recorded family discussions about a night out on the town. ‘No formal decisions or outcomes were established,’ the Plaud App concluded at the end of its summary, which also noted that it was ‘an informal conversation that touched on several disconnected personal topics’.

These notes, with their analysis and ‘mind map’ diagram, were also substantially longer than the original transcript. Just as you know when someone has padded out a pitch or an email with unwanted AI-generated cruft, the Plaud App won’t necessarily provide a straightforward shortcut in the everyday working environment.

Certain professions – and people – thrive on words rather than actions – this is where the Plaud Note Pro would be in its element. AI proponents might promise a future shaped by labour-saving, but as the Plaud Note Pro so neatly demonstrates, a casual over-reliance on the technology has a habit of generating even more data to digest.

Plaud Note Pro, £169, Plaud Intelligence subscription extra, shipping late September 2025, Plaud.ai, Plaud_official

Enter a new flagship for a camera brand already renowned for its position at the top of the tree. The new Hasselblad X2D II 100C is a medium-format camera with a 100MP capability and high dynamic range (HDR capability). All this in a compact body, alongside a newly launched standard zoom lens, the XCD 2,8–4/35–100E.

Hasselblad can trace its origins all the way back to 1841, when Fritz Wiktor Hasselblad set up a trading company that only branched out into photography at the behest of his son in the years that followed. Based in Gothenburg, the company forged an early partnership with Eastman Kodak before evolving into a military camera supplier during the Second World War and then making civilian cameras from 1941.

The company’s first genuine icon came in 1957 with the 500 C medium-format film (120) film camera, a design that stayed in production all the way through to 2006. A famed partnership with Nasa – Hasselblad cameras went to the Moon – as well as pioneering technical innovations like the creation of the first digital compact mirrorless medium-format camera in 2016, have kept the company relevant and in high demand.

Unsurprisingly, the new camera is an upgrade of the existing X2D 100C, bringing with it HDR image processing that’s dedicated to reproducing natural colours in a variety of lighting conditions. Paired with a 100-megapixel sensor with 16-bit colour depth and the capability of capturing no less than 281 trillion colours (yes, that was Hasselblad’s quoted number), the new camera is a powerhouse for professionals.

Designed to be used with a new iOS app, Phocus Mobile 2, the camera and lens are a formidable combination. The latter serves as a remote control with live view as well as an editing platform. The camera itself has 1TB of internal SSD storage, with control via a 3.6in OLED touchscreen and full complement of physical controls in addition to an electronic viewfinder.

The new sensor is matched with a new stabilisation system that’s more than eight times more efficient than its predecessor, enabling long exposures to be taken without the use of a tripod. The camera body is also lighter than the earlier model. The new lens is a 28-76mm zoom that provides a wide range of flexibility from portraits to street photography and landscapes. An ultra-fast autofocus system works hand in hand with the X2D II’s control algorithms. At 138mm long, it weighs in at 894g.

Both camera and lens can be hauled around in Hasselblad’s new Vandra Camera Backpack, a ruggedised 20-litre bag designed to keep every accessory safe and on hand.

Hasselblad X2D II 100C, €7,200, XCD 2,8–4/35–100E lens, €4,800, Vandra Backpack, €429, Hasselblad.com, @Hasselblad

Guitarists love gear. Great swathes of the music tech industry are predicated on the relentless consumption of new tone-shifting gadgets by players of all abilities and ages. This is the premise that underpins Lava Studio, a new product from Lava Music.

Previously known for its high-tech but rather gimmicky guitar, the Lava Me, and an even more gimmicky guitar-shaped object, the Genie, Lava Music is now venturing into amplification. The forthcoming Lava Studio promises a lot, but can it lure guitarists of all stripes and abilities away from their beloved big brands and vintage gear?

The Studio promises to be exactly that – an all-in-one home studio, in addition to a practice and learning tool, all wrapped up in an elegant aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place in a contemporary interior. The Studio consists of a robust speaker case containing one woofer and two tweeters hidden behind a precisely machined grille. On the front panel are the input, output and volume knob, above which is mounted a folding 13.3-inch touchscreen control panel.

The whole ensemble can either sit on a desktop or be mounted on an adjustable stand, ensuring the touchscreen interface is close at hand when playing. The Studio will live and die based on the quality of this interface, and here Lava has taken inspiration from traditional floor-based effects units like the Line 6 Helix and Fender Tone Master Pro, with an array of skeuomorphic amplifiers and effects pedals to arrange, combine and tweak on screen.

Out of the box, Lava promises over 30 digitally modelled amplifiers and 40-plus effects, based on real-world equivalents with an array of tweakable parameters. This is a hard-fought sector and customer loyalty depends on thorough product support, so expect updates and additions to be released further down the line.

It’s the additional functionality that’ll make or break the Studio. The 300 backing tracks and drum loops might be of more interest to beginners and dabblers than professional musicians, but the Studio also contains an eight-track looper and the ability to do basic multi-track recording, something along the lines of the early days of GarageBand.

On top of this, there’s also a subscription service that provides AI-powered song splitting, which can reduce any audio track down to its constituent stems (vocals, bass, drums, guitar, etc). Lava Music is also planning a set of educational video courses across a wide range of genres as another subscription offer.

Finally, the Studio doubles up as a Bluetooth speaker when a guitar isn’t plugged in, with support for a full array of streaming services. The Lava Studio is set to be launched via crowdfunding, with early sign-ups getting a substantial discount on the $999 final price.

Do-it-all devices are often a compendium of compromises, so it remains to be seen if the Studio has the usability and sonic scope to succeeed. We'll be plugging in to find out more.

Lava Studio, coming soon, sign up at LavaMusic.com for more information, @LavaMusicOfficial

For those of a certain age, the name ‘Sinclair’ will be forever associated with cutting-edge technology. Pre-internet, pre-console, pre-Mac or PC, the engineer and inventor Sir Clive Sinclair brought the very first microprocessors into the homes of millions. Sinclair’s streak of innovation stumbled well before the new millennium began, hastened by an ill-starred foray into personal mobility. But no matter, his home computers, pocket calculators and digital watches earned him a place in the silicon pantheon.

Now another family member wants in on the action. Grant Sinclair, Sir Clive’s nephew and an avid inventor in the same eclectic mode as his uncle, has launched the GamerCard. Described as a ‘A Pocket-Sized Powerhouse for Play and Creation’, this tiny portable console uses the global standard Raspberry Pi computer to create an emulator and developer module designed for use by all.

The tiny device is perhaps the most pocketable console ever made. Although it only ships with a couple of pre-installed games, this Raspberry Pi-based pocket computer is ultimately designed for emulation, a whole world of discovery driven by specialist apps and run by enthusiasts. Game emulation opens up literally thousands of titles (although legally speaking you need to own the original to be able to emulate it).

We spoke to Sinclair about his ambitions and inventions.

Grant Sinclair on the GamerCard, his e-trike, and beyond

Wallpaper*: First up, you describe yourself as a futurist – how would you define that term?

Grant Sinclair: For me, being a futurist is less about forecasting and more about creating. It’s about imagining better ways of producing, not just conceptually, but in ways that can be made tangible. I try to create products that challenge assumptions and invite new ways of thinking about design and technology.

W*: Do you think we'll ever see another personal computing revolution of the kind your uncle was such a big part of?

GS: In many ways, we’re already in one. My uncle Clive revolutionised personal computing by radically rethinking what a home computer could be. The Sinclair ZX81, for instance, used just four chips, while rival machines had 40 or more, allowing it to be sold for under £50, which was a fraction of the price of other machines. That minimalist approach enabled him to create three of the world’s best-selling computers in succession.

Today, platforms like Raspberry Pi have followed a similar philosophy: democratising computing through accessibility and affordability. Around 70 million Raspberry Pis have been sold since 2011, driven not just by cost but by a culture of creativity and learning.

With smartphones reaching their peak, we’re moving toward post-screen computing, wearables, voice interfaces, AI-driven interactions. Phones already feel outdated. As smartphones plateau and attention shifts to wearables, AI, and ambient interfaces, we’re entering a post-screen era, which I find quite a relief. Watching people walking down the street with their heads permanently stooped over their phones (and ignoring their surroundings) makes me wince. A screenless future feels like a natural and much-needed evolution.

W*: How did the idea for the GamerCard come about?

GS: I still spend hours in WHSmith flicking through magazines, and one day I started noticing how gift cards, especially gaming ones, were always given the best retail space. They're small, accessible, and everywhere. That sparked the idea: what if I could design a gaming computer in the same form factor?

So I came up with GamerCard, a grab-and-go device that looks like a retail gift card but is actually a complete computer. It’s powered by a Raspberry Pi core, has a high-res display, and comes preloaded with premium games, making it perfect for travel, especially long-haul flights.

W*: Do you see the GamerCard as primarily about education or entertainment?

GS: At its heart, it’s entertainment, but with a strong educational backbone. Because it’s built on Raspberry Pi, it taps into a large install base of users. Like in the early days of Sinclair and Acorn machines, parents might buy GamerCard under the banner of learning, only to find their kids gaming on it instead. But that’s often the gateway, just as it was with the ZX Spectrum, where play often turned into programming. The GamerCard encourages that same kind of curiosity: it’s fun to use straight away but also invites users to go deeper and start creating.

W*: Would you be able to emulate a Spectrum on a GamerCard?

GS: It’s capable of emulating the Spectrum and many other classic systems. But we’ve preloaded it with high-quality, adapted indie games, some originally made for platforms like Nintendo Switch but now converted especially for GamerCard; they really shine on its square-format, high-resolution screen. What’s exciting is the growing interest from indie developers who want to create bespoke titles just for the GamerCard; its square screen has a sort of vinyl cover art aesthetic.

Other developers are converting their classic titles, including Clive Townsend, creator of the Saboteur hit trilogy for the ZX Spectrum, who has ported and upgraded his series to GamerCard. He once told me the original Saboteur did so well, it allowed him to buy a house outright. It's satisfying to see classic hits reimagined for GamerCard.

W*: Do you see the need for technical knowledge and an ability to 'look under the bonnet' of devices as an integral part of your creations?

GS: GamerCard is not only for people who have technical knowledge. I want users to have a rewarding experience off the peg but also feel invited to explore further. A lot of DIY electronics kits end up being one-off projects that get used then put in a drawer. To counter that, GamerCard includes a Qwiic connector, allowing users to expand it without soldering – just plug in a breadboard or connect sensors, relays, etc. It’s designed to encourage experimentation, without the usual barriers.

That mindset really comes from how I grew up. My father was an industrial designer for a company that made intelligent games computers in Hong Kong, and he’d often bring back all kinds of gadgets from his trips, products he found inspirational for his work. That’s actually how I first saw a Nintendo Game & Watch in 1980, before it was even branded as Nintendo in the UK. Japanese companies like Sony would test-market their domestic market tech in Hong Kong, so I’d get to see incredible devices that never made it outside Japan. I would often peek inside these gadgets for insight.

My uncle’s house was the same – in the 1970s, it felt like a testing lab, he always had the latest gear: electric toothbrushes, microwave ovens, Commodore PETs, piles of mechanical calculators... and often, they were all taken apart. Tearing things down was actively encouraged. That whole culture of curiosity, experimentation, and understanding what’s going on under the surface has shaped the way I develop products to this day.

W*: In terms of industrial design, you've gone for the 'family' black approach. Is there an element of nostalgia in that for old school Sinclair devotees?

GS: My father produced some of the early industrial designs for Clive, which were often black, for example, the Executive – the first pocketable calculator – this moulded the Sinclair House style for Clive. However, my choice of black wasn’t nostalgic, it was driven by aesthetics and material selection. GamerCard uses a PCB sandwich construction with no outer casing. The board itself is the enclosure. Black PCBs give it a premium, tactile feel, and the gold and white graphics are actually tracks baked into the board during manufacturing, so there's no need for screen printing, printed labels or overlays.

The result is raw and minimal, the engineering becomes the aesthetic. And because the device is effectively its own pack, there’s no need for extra wasteful materials. The last time I was on my way to visit Clive, I had in my pocket a prototype of my earlier design of handheld computer made from a PCB stack that I planned to show him. The construction technique is similar to the one used for GamerCard. Sadly, I got the call from my father to say Clive had just died, so he never got to see it.

W*: How is the production version of the IRIS coming along? Is your passion in mobility, or are you across all forms of innovation?

GS: I’ve taken everything I have learned from the feedback of the original concept and completely re-engineered the IRIS eTrike from the ground up. This new production model uses a next-gen architecture that’s all about safety, performance, and ease of manufacture.

The monocoque shell now has carbon-fibre elements, which gives exceptional torsional rigidity and strength. EPP foam elements have been integrated directly into the structure, so impact absorption is built-in and it's incredibly light for an EV. Climate control with carbon+hepa filtration cleans the outside air from pollutants and channels pure cool air into the cockpit.

I have designed a dedicated 150 sq m showroom for IRIS eTrike in Norway, which is now signed off for completion, and we have engaged a European manufacturing partner, so production is on track for shipping next year. We’re also planning to invite astronaut Tim Peake, who gave a glowing review after testing the original prototype, to experience the final production version.

My interests go beyond just mobility. I’m drawn to things like transportation, gaming, photography, and architecture – anywhere everyday experiences can be improved through clever design and thoughtful engineering. I’m especially interested in the overlap between how things work and how people interact with them. That’s often where the most interesting ideas start to take shape.

GrantSinclair.com, @GrantSinclairFuturist

Tuneshine is a new entrant in the apparently never-ending quest for a bridge between the digital and analogue worlds. Founded by one Tobias Butler, a software engineer and former senior staffer at Change.org, Tuneshine is a low-res LED screen designed to artfully display album covers when you’re streaming from a mobile device.

The tech itself has a little bit in common with the Livegrid digital ecosystem we previewed last year. But whereas the Livegrid offers a view of a digital fishtank, amongst other things, the Tuneshine is explicitly intended to bring back the album cover.

Although at 6.3 inches square it doesn’t quite equate to the industry standard 45rpm format (let alone the generous 12 inches of an album cover), the Tuneshine contains 64x64 LEDs mounted within a wooden frame. At 1.6 inches thick, the device is designed to be hung on a wall or propped up on a desk. Up close, pixelation dominates, but from across a room, the compact screen serves as a useful visual thumbnail of what you’re listening to.

Butler describes the device as a ‘dynamic art piece’. Connected via smartphone to key streamers, notably Spotify, Apple Music and Sonos, the onboard software pulls through the associated cover artwork from the current track.

Having built himself a prototype – just to see if it could be done – Butler then hand-finished another 1,000 to keep up with demand. A facility in Chicago now manufactures this hard-wearing combination of everyday tech and digital data capture.

The Tuneshine app also uses Shazam, allowing it to determine what you’re playing on a regular, format-focused hi-fi system and display the correct accompanying art. Otherwise, the device hooks up to your Wi-Fi and existing streaming account to get the necessary info.

In the future, Butler is hoping to expand the range with new colours and materials to replace the standard wooden frame. The artwork itself, on the other hand, is infinitely renewable.

Tuneshine, $199.99, Tuneshine.rocks, @Tuneshine.rock

German AV brand Loewe has announced a new flagship television, the Stellar 97. As the name suggests, this is a television for big spectacles, with a 97-inch OLED screen and integrated 300W soundbar.

The Loewe name dates back to the age of wireless technology, and the company was one of the earliest television pioneers in the early 1930s. Fortunes ebbed and flowed in the following decades, but Loewe maintains an HQ in Kronach, Germany, about 60 miles north of Nuremberg.

The facility combines offices, a showroom and manufacturing, although some components are sourced from sub-contractors and assembled on site. We’ve been tracking the brand in recent years, admiring its restrained contemporary aesthetic, the curious but effective use of materials like concrete and niche but excellent devices like the Klang S3 CD player and audio streamer.

Television remains the pinnacle of the firm’s manufacturing abilities, both in terms of components and finish. Those experiments in wafer-thin concrete panelling debuted on the smaller Stellar TVs and can also be found here on the 97. It’s paired with an aluminium bezel and rear cover, with the emphasis on minimal lines. The only showy moment is the ‘magic.light’ system beside the soundbar that provides a discreet backlight in an infinite range of colours, should you so desire.

The OLED screen incorporates Dolby Vision IQ Precision Detail, with each unit hand-calibrated at the Kronach factory. Expect velvety dark blacks and perfect colour reproduction. Channel hopping is handled by Loewe’s os9 smart TV system, which comes with all the streamers pre-installed and can handle smart home integration as well as special gaming modes.

An all-new remote control unit allows for Bluetooth and voice activation, while there’s also an Art Mode, which takes advantage of that big-screen real estate to showcase photography, paintings and other visual media when you’re not watching actual television.

Loewe Stellar 97 OLED television, available from selected specialist retailers, €29,999, Loewe.tv, @Loewe.International

It’s been over 15 years since Dyson branched out into the personal cooling space. As befits a company obsessed with new ways of moving air around – be it for cleaning or drying – Dyson fans are all about accelerating airflow, providing a cooling breeze without the need for any mechanical chilling.

A key part of the appeal is the absence of spinning blades, a party trick that uses physics to accelerate the airflow through the circular opening and provide an instantly soothing, smooth and near silent draft. This innovation uses the Coandă effect, which describes how a fluid jet of air or liquid adheres to a surface and creates a drop in surrounding pressure.

The revival of the CF1 includes several enhancements, starting with a new LCD screen to help control the fan’s various settings. These now include better oscillation settings, ten speeds and a new sleep timer that can be used to dim the display and adjust the speed throughout the night.

A great deal of attention has been put into making the Cool CF1 quiet and energy efficient. At maximum speed, the device consumes a maximum of 30 watts, with Dyson’s own brushless DC motors providing a flexible range of speeds. Even at full power, the noise levels don’t exceed 29dB, making the fan perfect for use in the bedroom of even the lightest sleeper.

According to Dyson design engineer Logan Thomson, ‘the original bladeless fan revolutionised the way we think about airflow, combining cutting-edge engineering with sleek, safe, and efficient design. This latest iteration builds on those core benefits by introducing modern upgrades like intelligent features, including sleep mode, to meet the demands of today’s customers.’

Safe, near silent and compact enough to keep on your desk or nightstand, the Dyson Cool CF1 brings the breeze with style and visual simplicity.

Dyson Cool CF1, £249.99 at Dyson stores and Dyson.co.uk, @Dyson

Despite the apparently extremely restrictive nature of its technology, Polaroid continues to innovate. The company’s newest product is this, the Polaroid Flip, designed to meld the format’s uniqueness with a more consistent quality of images. As Nick Woodley, director of Product Design at Polaroid, notes, ‘we’re trying to get a predictable point-and-shoot output from our cameras’.

The new camera is a step up from the ultra-compact Polaroid Go and 2023’s Polaroid I-2, the first Polaroid camera with manual controls. It’s also a testament to the company’s survival in the modern era after weathering more than its fair share of ups and downs over the past eighty years of history.

The key to taking a great Polaroid is getting enough light into the lens. The new Flip moves the flash component into folding panel that not also protects the lens, viewfinder and shutter button when closed. It builds on the design of the original folding Polaroid, the 1981 Polaroid Sun 660, which was subsequently upgraded to the Polaroid One Step Flash in 1989.

The Polaroid process still contains a bit of magic. Upon loading a cartridge and pressing the shutter, rollers advance the blank photograph out of the front of the camera. As they do so, they squeeze a little pouch of chemicals uniformly across the surface of the photograph. This ‘fixes’ the exposure and kickstarts the reaction that develops the photograph as it comes into contact with the light.

Founded by Edwin Land in 1937, the company ushered in the instant photography era with the Model 95 Polaroid Land Camera of 1948. The process as we know it today dates back to the 1972 Polaroid SX-70, which debuted the idea of an integrated film pack, a compact developing lab contained within a rectangular slab of plastic.

Polaroid found fame in the worlds of art and fashion, but also as a practical documentary tool, with a distinct aesthetic created by the format and framing going on to influence Instagram and a whole new era of photographic sharing. And yet digital was also the company’s downfall, as the demand for physical, analogue instant photography evaporated.

Now Polaroid is a niche, but a popular one. Production of the distinctive Polaroid film was saved by the skin of its teeth when The Impossible Project – a group of enthusiasts and investors – bought the last surviving factory in the Netherlands. Today, that company now owns the Polaroid name once more and is 100 per cent behind its renaissance.

The burgeoning analogue revival – also a niche pursuit – has certainly helped, and Polaroid is keen to be seen bracketed alongside other indicators of analogue authenticity and charm, like the vinyl record or audio cassette.

That’s not to say that the new Polaroid Flip skimps on technology. Although the developing process is 100 per cent analogue and the end result is necessarily unique, there’s an associated app to facilitate sharing (after scanning the photograph with your smartphone), as well as over-the-air updates.

The camera system itself uses a hyperfocal four-lens system and sonar autofocus, as well as packing the most powerful flash the company has ever used into the folding ‘flip’. The latter also incorporates a simple display (‘just to upset our engineers’, according to Woodley) and the fold mechanism uses a laptop hinge for reliability.

‘We intentionally developed the Flip to have character in order to add an emotional bond,’ says Woodley, noting that it’s a move away from the ‘cold, minimalist digital world’. The Flip is unmistakably a Polaroid, with a large form factor, smooth, pebble-like surfaces and that big red shutter button. The four lenses are mounted on a rotating disc and automatically select depending on the distance to the subject, aided by the sonar-powered autofocus. In the viewfinder, you’ll also find the ‘scene analysis’ light that warns against over- or under-exposure.

‘We want this to be a go-to analogue camera for people,’ says Polaroid’s Graham Merrifield, senior technical product manager. Push the shutter and the film spits out, generating results that are instantly recognisable, reassuringly familiar and all the more precious for being unique, a one of one.

Each Polaroid i-Type and 600 film pack contains eight pictures – ‘that will connect to life far more than 800 digital ones’, according to the company. The app offers a self-timer as well as manual control and a double exposure setting, with charging done over USB-C.

Polaroid will always have its adherents – the format is too delightful to be lost to the digital realm. Land’s original vision was revolutionary but also somewhat deviant in a way – what reasons might someone not want a consumer film lab to develop their images? Alongside the success of the instant cameras, the company also produced a rich diversity of esoteric ideas, including the Polavision instant movie camera in 1977. Containing just three minutes of film, it couldn’t compete with the emerging video cassette-based movie cameras and lasted only two years, effectively taking Edwin Land’s career down with it. Other delightful niches include the Polaroid radio, which was powered by the onboard batteries in discarded film packs.

That spirit of invention is still very much alive in the new Polaroid Flip, The reborn company knows its limitations but also its strengths, and the Flip plays to these perfectly. We’d all benefit from taking a more considered approach to image making and the Flip is a fine way of making your photographs more meaningful once again.

Polaroid Flip, €219 / $200 / £200, Polaroid.com, @Polaroid

In partnership with reMarkable

Tim Marlow likes to write things down. If the London Design Museum director has a plan to work on or an idea to flesh out, he immediately puts pen to tablet, releases creative flow from head to hand and watches his thoughts take shape on the page. A mental note, he believes, cannot develop into a structured concept until it’s written.

‘It’s really important to be able to make notes the second something occurs to you,’ he says. ‘Once I’ve written an idea down, there’s a sense of relaxation; that it’s right there, in front of you. That’s when you can start to think more creatively around it.’

Marlow’s method – jotting down lists, mind maps, inspirational flashes and skeleton plans, in black and white and full colour on his reMarkable Paper Pro tablet – lets him think with more focus, clarity and structure. ‘Scribbling, mapping, and drawing – whether it’s a note, a more progressive realisation of an idea, the working through of an idea or the reflection on that idea afterwards – I find all that stuff really important.’

There are proven benefits to this tactile, visual, immediate and manual process. A recent study found that working on a reMarkable paper tablet might actually make for a less stressed and a sharper, more creative human being.

Using electroencephalogram (EEG) brain monitoring, the study measured working professionals’ biometric responses and heart rate variabilities while performing the same tests on a paper tablet versus similar activities on a PC or laptop.

When focusing on a single task on a reMarkable paper tablet rather than the alternatives, test participants exhibited some extraordinary results; 35 per cent lower stress levels, 30 per cent lower cognitive demand and a 25 per cent increase in creative thinking. Focus was up 20 per cent. There was a 17 per cent uptick in deep thinking and a 17 per cent better memory. In a world full of distractions, the reMarkable Paper Pro is designed to help creative minds capture, refine, and elevate their thoughts.

An unmatched writing-on-paper-like feel is reMarkable Paper Pro’s signature feature. The pleasure of a smooth-tipped pen on quality stock is replicated using a specially designed electronic paper display with a textured surface. A precision-engineered, pressure-sensitive pen (Marker and Marker Plus, the latter with an inbuilt eraser, are the two options designed for the device) provides micro levels of friction that effectively mimic the tactile sensation of nib meeting paper. Every stroke has just the right amount of resistance, making writing, doodling, or annotating documents feel totally natural.

You can write, draw, and sketch in black and white or colour using pencil, paintbrush, highlighter or shader modes. With latency – the delay before pen strokes appear – as low as 12 milliseconds, the display sets a new industry benchmark for responsiveness, the distance between the Marker tip and the digital ink having been reduced to less than 1 mm. The reMarkable Paper Pro then stores your handworked files in its internal 64GB of storage or shares them to the cloud for export to your PC or Mac.

User comfort is also considered. Compared to LCD or LED screens found on laptops and smartphones, the device’s 11.8-inch Canvas Color display doesn’t use bright, flickering lights to produce colours, and reflects natural light for a more comfortable reading experience. In dim lighting conditions, an adjustable reading light illuminates the display, making it easier to work without eye strain.

‘reMarkable Paper Pro adds just enough technology to your workflow without getting in your brain’s way,’ says Phil Hess, CEO of reMarkable.

‘We’ve used advanced technology to recreate something unimaginably complex yet incredibly simple: the feeling of putting pen to paper,’ adds Mats Herding Solberg, the company’s chief design officer. ‘It’s perfect for anyone who wants to bring the focus and clarity you get from working on paper into the digital age.’

remarkable Paper Pro, from £599, remarkable.com

Credit where credit is due to Clicks, an aftermarket phone-case maker that realised the added value of bringing Blackberry-style keyboards to modern-day smartphones. Starting out with the iPhone, Clicks created a case that added a slim but physical Qwerty keyboard at the base of the screen. Bulky, yes, but also undeniably practical, as the Clicks case not only protects but brings thumb-friendly messaging action back to the touchscreen era.

Now the firm has moved over into Android territory. Faced with a plethora of different devices, the first three phones to get the Clicks treatment are a good representation of the upper end of the market. There’s the Samsung Galaxy S25, Google’s Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro and perhaps most intriguingly of all, the Motorola Razr series.

The last splices the Clicks keyboard with Motorola’s elegant compact flip phone, a mash-up of technologies old and new that really works, not least because the keyboard can still be used when the Razr is shut. This allows you to type on the magic little Motorola’s outer display screen, transforming the phone into a tiny computing device.

You can stick with sober Onyx black for all three new Android accessories, but Clicks is venturing into unknown territory with its bold primary colour schemes – Pinot red for the S25, Surge green for the Pixels and vivid Electric blue for the Razr phones, complete with contrasting key colours.

The compact keyboard layout will be familiar to anyone who’s ever used a Blackberry (ask a Millennial), and the Pixel editions thoughtfully include a Gemini key for instant access to Google’s own-brand and fast-evolving AI assistant. All in all, a simple device that’ll add longevity and functionality to your phone thanks to its blend of old and new tech.

Clicks keyboards for Android devices, from £78, Clicks.Tech, @Clickskeys

There’s a new ultra-desirable camera in town. Following on from the must-have Fujifilm X100VI – a camera that’s so sought after over a year after its introduction that new drops are widely reported in the specialist press – we have the arrival of the OM System OM-3.

The brand – which used to be better known as Olympus – launched this new mirrorless camera this spring, building on the heritage of the OM series SLR cameras that were originally launched back in the early 1970s. The OM-1 was followed by the OM-2 in 1975, an enduring piece of industrial design that found favour among fashion photographers and photojournalists alike.

This is the latest OM series camera for the digital age. Whilst the new OM-3 follows the classic exposed metal and leatherette grip style of the originals, the internals are very much cutting edge. It helps that this so-called ‘heritage-style design’ is massively popular right now, as digital cameras in all their form factors enjoy an upswing in popularity for their non-smartphone form factor and results.

The OM-3 is of course an interchangeable lens camera and OM Digital Solutions has also released two high-end lenses to accompany the launch, the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8 II wide-angle lens and 25mm F1.8 II lens. These weather-sealed units offer a huge range of performance characteristics and work seamlessly with the OM-3’s various photographic and movie modes.

The hands-on approach of a traditional manual analogue SLR has been parlayed into the requirements of the digital age through the addition of creative dial that can cycle through colour, monochrome and various film effects. There are also customisable colour profiles and a stack of computational photography features that replicate traditional methods like exposure bracketing and lens filters.

The new camera is also relatively lightweight at 500g, with just enough heft to give it a feeling of solidity and stability. The body is weatherproofed against splashes, dust and subzero temperatures and there’s an integral dust reduction system that keeps the internal sensor free of dust. This is achieved via a Super Sonic Wave Filter that vibrates the sensor over 30,000 times a second each time you start up the camera.

Other features include the ability to shoot 4K 60p video, alongside a variety of slow-motion and timelapse features, as well as inbuilt cinematic video modes.

OM System OM-3, from £1,699 (body only), Explore.OMSystem.com

The tyranny of a constant connection is the bane of most writers’ lives. Want to check something on Wikipedia? Enter a rabbit hole of trivia that leads you far, far away from your subject matter. Even a swift notification check risks being ensnared by the algorithm and condemned to a couple of hours on a mindless dopamine side quest.

Of course, nothing beats a bit of self-control, and it would be foolish to think that throwing new tech at the problem is a catch-all solution. Nevertheless, some hardware is designed to help, not hinder. Here's our pick of eight alternative ways of getting your thoughts down without the risk of running into endless distractions.

Eight distraction-free typing devices

Amber KB1

Jonny Cosgrove and Justin Mitchell are currently testing prototypes of their Amber K1, a ‘focused device for writing on the go’. A sleek piece of industrial design, the clamshell keyboard sets itself apart from other devices in that it’s designed to use your existing smartphone, with dedicated software that turns this all-purposed pocket computer into a dedicated writer’s tool.

Amber already exists as a macOS app, a lightly AI-enabled writing app with a clean interface and a clever kit of research, reference and contextual tools. Cosgrove and Mitchell hope the KB1 will enable writers to take this functionality on the road.

BYOK

Since we last checked in with BYOK, the company has successfully Kickstarted. As the name implies, Bring Your Own Keyboard packs all its functionality into a monochrome LCD screen, with up to 20 hours of battery life. As a writer, you’ll presumably have a favourite Bluetooth keyboard to hand – perhaps something mechanical and tactile.

Simply dock this with the BYOK and you have a portable writing machine that prioritises getting it down rather than obsessing over the edit. To complement the hardware, the BYOK team has also announced a writer-focused app that’s designed to sync with the device.

BYOK.io, @byok_official

reMarkable Type Folio

A tried and tested and thoroughly approved method of input comes courtesy of reMarkable’s Paper Pro e-ink tablet, paired with the matching Type Folio. The latter contains a sleekly integrated full-size keyboard within a protective carry case, folding out to transform our favourite writing tablet into a high-tech, ultra-slim laptop equivalent.

Yes, the price of the pair might be nudging towards the cost of a decent Windows PC, but the sense of freedom and simplicity is unrivalled, and reMarkable’s file management system spans devices and operating systems and allows you take and access notes – whether typed or scribbled – wherever you are.

Boox Note Max

Boox is a brand of e-readers and tablets made by Chinese giant Onyx International. The company’s new Note Max is its latest flagship, and while it has the form factor and appearance of a conventional laptop when paired with the optional Keyboard Cover, the Note Max remains steadfastly monochrome. Handwriting, typing and voice notes are all supported, thanks to a comprehensive but not always intuitive suite of apps.

This is definitely a maximal choice, rather than a minimal one, and the learning curve is pretty steep, but you’ll never run out of functions.

Freewrite 3rd Gen

The third generation of the Freewrite ‘smart typewriter’ is a premium solution to the problem. The high-quality aluminium chassis contains both a full-size mechanical keyboard and an e-ink display, all set in a very traditional wedge-shaped form factor. You interact with the technology via some very analogue buttons, including a Wi-Fi on/off switch to enable the automatic synching of documents into your cloud service of choice.

Micro Journal Rev 7

If you’re handy with a kit, then the Micro Journal might be the answer. Similar in form to the Freewrite, the latest version of this 3D-printed DIY kit is all about assembling components to make the ultimate digital typewriter. Designed and assembled by Un Kyu Lee in Italy, this one-man operation will supply kits in various stages of construction, right up to needing only a battery to operate. The device offers instant-on e-ink display and a complete absence of connectivity - docs are saved to micro-SD card.

Pomera D250

Japanese stationery brand King Jim introduced the Pomera D250 in 2022 as a stripped back, laptop-style, web-free writing device. Up until now, it’s only been available with a local keyboard layout. Now the company is crowdfunding a US-centric version that promises to bring all the distraction-free benefits of this lightweight (621g) device to a wider audience. Featuring 7” LCD screen rather than e-ink, the DM250US should be good for 20 hours of work.

More information at Indiegogo.com, Kingjim.co.jp

Plaud NotePin

Finally, it might seem counterintuitive to be deploying AI to minimise your reliance on technology, but the people behind Plaud don’t believe in typing at all. The NotePin is brooch-like smart device that’ll record voice notes with a simple touch. Plaud’s software will automatically transcribe what it records – up to 300 minutes for free, per month, with a subscription required after that – and can also generate summaries and reports. Audio can be imported, exported and edited (on a smartphone), and all data is rigorously encrypted.

Where are we really at with personal, pocketable AI devices? The lukewarm market reception to recent gadgets like the Rabbit and the Humane AI pin imply that consumers aren’t quite ready for a standalone AI-enabled device. We’re all too tethered to our phones and earbuds, and the offerings from Apple, Samsung, Google and OpenAI (amongst many others) all use this existing tech infrastructure to deliver their intelligent agents.

The PiA system hedges its bets by spreading its proposed AI assistance across three ‘near future’ devices, a biometric earbud, a wearable camera module and a smartphone. These are designed not only to harmonise visually with each other but also for the camera unit to dock with the phone. Produced in collaboration with model makers Complete Fabrication, the system uses crafted recycled glass as a primary material, creating richly textured surfaces that are a world away from the monolithic design of most contemporary mobiles.

According to Layer’s founder, Benjamin Hubert, ‘PiA was born from a desire to bring emotion to artificial intelligence. In a world where AI is often feared, we believe that fear is rooted in its “artificial” label. Our mission was to make it more human.’ Dialling back the complexity, Hubert hopes the system showcases a more connected, assistive AI, one that brings together Layer’s expertise in branding, digital innovation and traditional product design.

At the heart of PiA is a visual avatar, rather than a conventional mobile operating system. The intention is to move away from existing ways of interacting with AIs and create a sophisticated system that can ‘see’ and ‘hear’ as well decode text and imagery. ‘By capturing the user’s environment and biometric information, PiA is able to offer continuously updated, bespoke advice and contextual information, enhancing every aspect of a user’s life,’ the design team explains. On top of that, there’s a focus on a visual display of emotion, all the better to create a bond between the user and device.

By separating the camera module (and additional battery module) from the main body of the smartphone, the device can be ultra-slim and less physically distracting than a conventional phone. It is paired with biometric earbuds, which contain sensors that tap into the pulse point on the inner ear, providing all the metrics we’d usually associate with a smart watch. Then there’s the camera model, which follows the Humane/Rabbit approach of a pinnable badge that can decode the world around you.

All this is speculative, but it points to what is surely coming as smartphone makers like Google, Apple and Samsung increasingly package each new model in with ever tighter AI integration. Within the next couple of years, you can expect the premium manufacturers to create hybrid devices that take greater advantage of the AI revolution.

As Layer notes, the shift from ‘AI’ to ‘PiA’ is a small but significant one, moving ‘beyond the conventional to emphasise the personal and intuitive nature of the technology’. As with all the studio’s exploratory work, the design encompasses the hardware, OS and packaging and presentation, all of which is designed to ‘foster a sense of connection to the natural world’ and redefine AI as an emotionally and technologically engaged companion.

LayerDesign.com, @Layer_Design, CompFab.co.uk

Instant photography gets a stylish upgrade with the introduction of two new editions in the Lomo’Instant Square Glass camera range, the Pemberley and The Blues. Both based on the ultra-simple Lomo’Instant Square Glass analogue film camera and capable of using both types of commonplace instant film, Instax and Instax Mini, the cameras continue Lomography’s commitment to film in all its many forms.

The Lomography story began back in 1992, when the Lomographic Society International was founded, initially to celebrate the quirks and joys of the Russian LC-A camera. This consumer point-and-shoot was made by the LOMO Russian Arms and Optical factory (LOMO stands for Leningrad Optical Mechanical Association), based on a copy of a Japanese camera.

Compact and robust, the LC-A became a cult object thanks to its low light ability, the natural vignetting and rich colour balance; chances are, many of the filters that shaped the first years of Instagram were inspired by the Lomographic aesthetic.

Since then, Lomography has gone from strength to strength, selling analogue cameras of all shapes and sizes, from multi-lensed experimental models, to 110 and 35mm formats as well as Instax models that use the Fujifilm-developed system that is Polaroid’s only rival

The new editions of the Lomo’Instant Square Glass pair Lomography’s love for bright, retro colours with a folding camera system that can be folded down into a pocketable form. The Blues, with its denim finish, is joined by the pastel simplicity of the Pemberley. Both have manual flash, a tripod mount, self-timer and automatic exposure, and offer plenty of scope to get creative, with the promise of sharp imagery thanks to the 95mm glass lens.

Of course, what drives enthusiasts for these lo-fi devices are the authentic grain and grit of analogue film, the happy accidents of exposure and focus and the way colours are dialled up or down in an unpredictable manner. It’s an instantly recognisable aesthetic, celebrated for its spontaneity and uniqueness – the polar opposite of ubiquitous computation-driven, AI-enabled smartphone photography.

Lomo’Instant Square Glass Pemberley, €149/$149, Shop.Lomography.com

Lomo’Instant Square Glass The Blues, €149/$149, Shop.Lomography.com

Lomography.com, @Lomography.com

The first thing that grabs you about Dyson’s new Car+Boat is how compact it is. The company’s newest handheld and wireless vacuum is aimed at small households looking for a convenient and easily stowable tool, and those with more expansive requirements, such as a garage full of cars or, as the name suggests, a small yacht.

We’ve visited Dyson’s UK HQ before and marvelled at the lengths the company goes to develop, prototype and product tests its domestic devices. It’s a world of laboratories and annual global dust studies, of robotic test beds and obsession with particle sizes and air purity.

The Car+Boat builds on this rich engineering heritage. At its heart is a motor that spins at 110,000 rpm, producing class-leading suction power that belies the cleaner’s small size. Portability means flexibility, and as such this multi-functional device needs to be able to pick up everything from dirt, debris and discarded raisins from the floor of a car, to tiny allergens and fine pet hair from your favourite bedding.

It works beautifully on stairs as well, thanks to the well-balanced and compact form factor and attachments include a motorised compact brush bar, a combination nozzle and a crevice tool for getting into nooks and crannies. On top of all this, there’s a 50-minute run time. Over a week of light cleaning (mostly cat hair and staircases) we didn’t manage to deplete the unit at all, implying Dyson’s claim to market-leading run time are correct.

As with all contemporary Dysons, there’s also a focus on filtration. Just like the fiendishly powerful flagship Dyson Gen5detect cordless vacuum, there’s advanced filters on board (the Gen5detect has HEPA filters that snare 0.1 micron-sized particles, whereas Car+Boat owners will have to make do with 0.3 microns and above).

With Car+Boat, this is particularly beneficial on mattresses and bedding, where fluff, dust mites and pet dander tend to accumulate. Physically, the cleaner follows the established Dyson playbook of robust grey plastic with purple details. As always, the bin is transparent which satisfies and horrifies in equal measure, and the various attachments clip on and off using the prominently sited red tabs.

Proving that small can also be powerful, the Dyson Car+Boat provides deep cleaning capabilities with convenience and style.

Dyson Car+Boat, available from Dyson Demo Stores and Dyson.co.uk, £249.99

The allure of retro design continues, this time snaring one of the original and much-imitated audio brands. Philips is celebrating over 100 years of manufacturing audio products in 2025. The company itself was originally founded in Eindhoven 1891 and had several decades of innovation in lighting and other areas of electrical engineering.

Nevertheless, it’s time for a family of devices that cement the Dutch company’s audio legacy and reclaim the forms of old from the myriad imitators that have reinvigorated the home hi-fi market with old-school design cues like wood and non-rectilinear forms. Enter the Philips Audio Century Series, five products that include two turntables, two new headphone models and a DAB/FM radio.

The range includes two different pairs of headphones, the Ringo (Philips H2000), a simple on-ear headphone designed to be compact and lightweight and evoke the headphones issued with early portable audio, and The Freddie (Philips SHP9500CY), which amps up the retro styling with an over-ear design that’s intended for listening at home.

The latter has a double-layered ear cushion, a detachable 3m chord and large 50mm drivers to create an expansive sound. The Ringo is pitched at a more pop market, a wireless headphone in three colours (Crystal Teal, Deep Black, and Silk White), complete with 40mm drivers and Bluetooth 5.4, up to 20-hours of playback and full compatibility with the Philips Headphones app.

It's joined by The Janet (Philips V2000), a portable radio with both DAB+ and FM. The retro form, with its grille, prominent logo and dial is offset by a 2.4-inch colour TFT screen. The Janet also serves as a Bluetooth speaker for streaming from mobile phones and, as befits the form factor, it can serve as a perfect radio alarm clock. The onboard battery allows for complete portability, with 16 hours playback.

In addition to reviving old form factors and styles, Philips is using the Century series to double down on its use of recycled plastics. All new models contain a large amount of post-consumer recycled plastic in their casings, and components like The Janet’s battery are designed to be easily replaced. All packaging will also be plastic free.

The final two devices are record players, starting with The Stevie (Philips V3000), a simple entry-level turntable system with integrated speakers. Described as either ‘my first all-in-one turntable system’ or even ‘an easy return to vinyl’, The Stevie breaks down barriers to entry with two onboard bass-reflect speakers and an Audio Technica MM cartridge.

Additional speakers can be added via Bluetooth and the onboard speakers can be used for other devices via an audio in connection. There’s also a conventional headphone socket. It’s joined by The Tina (Philips V9000), which claims 120W of onboard power as well as an integrated DAB+ and FM tuner. There’s also Bluetooth and USB audio and the ensemble is app enabled for control and playback. Like The Janet, it can drive additional speakers and serve as a streaming platform.

It’s curious that the company hasn’t seen fit to offer something to celebrate two of its most significant audio achievements – the development and introduction of the compact cassette in the late 1960s and the creation of the compact disc in the early 1980s. Perhaps something else is in the offing that’ll tap into the recent revival of both formats.

The Century Series will be available from Autumn 2025, with prices to be announced, Philips.co.uk