Yes, the Oura Ring 5 is noticeably smaller
Yes, the Oura Ring 5 is noticeably smaller

This is not an Oura Ring 5 review. That’s coming later, once I’ve had enough time to really test the new durability and battery life claims, plus the new software updates that start rolling out today. In the meantime, I did want to provide an answer to a burning question that I’ve seen asked in […]

A first look at Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface Dev Box
A first look at Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface Dev Box

Microsoft has two new Surface devices arriving later this year, both powered by Nvidia’s RTX Spark chips. I got a chance to take a closer look at both the Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box at Microsoft’s Build conference this week, and while both have the same chip inside, they’re utilizing Nvidia’s […]

I held the next-gen handheld
I held the next-gen handheld

Intel couldn’t catch a break. Layoffs. Shakedowns. Crashing CPUs torpedoing its reputation, sending desktop gamers fleeing to AMD. Apple and Qualcomm pushing Intel out of multiple flagship laptops. A gaming graphics card going MIA. But its Panther Lake laptop chip, the first on its all-important 18A process, turned out excellent – and a handheld version […]

Lego’s Smart Play Pokémon can train and battle, but don’t do the one thing I wish they could
Lego’s Smart Play Pokémon can train and battle, but don’t do the one thing I wish they could

When Lego announced its tech-packed Smart Bricks at CES, we were impressed by the potential – enough to give it our Best in Show award. But when the first Star Wars sets actually launched in March, we were less enamored. All that promise of clever interaction and creative play ultimately boiled down to a few […]

Gemini’s new AI agent is about as good as Google’s demo
Gemini’s new AI agent is about as good as Google’s demo

Google’s new “24/7” AI agent, Gemini Spark, can be shockingly good at doing things on your behalf. But I’m not sure it’s worth the financial cost and potential privacy tradeoffs. The company gave me access to Spark last week. Google advertises Spark as an AI agent that can take on tasks and work on them […]

This extravagant gaming laptop could ruin other screens for you
This extravagant gaming laptop could ruin other screens for you

My eyes have seen the PC gaming promised land, and it’s a beautifully bright world without a shred of blurriness. It’s warm, it looks lovely, and it’s impeccably sharp. Also, it’s expensive as hell. I’ve dipped my toe in this world by testing a pre-production version of the upcoming Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which […]

The Mercedes CLA offers great EV specs for an average price
The Mercedes CLA offers great EV specs for an average price

Despite headwinds from the current administration, automakers continue to release well-equipped EVs with bigger battery packs and increasingly faster charging speeds. For those who want to travel further between plugging in, the future is still bright, just slightly tinted. But there haven’t been many sedans starting around or below $50,000, as crossover SUVs have largely […]

The Arduboy FX-C is an excellent time killer you might forget you’re carrying
The Arduboy FX-C is an excellent time killer you might forget you’re carrying

As handheld consoles continue to grow and push the limits of what you can actually hold in your hands, the Arduboy FX-C comes in a refreshingly pocketable package.  It manages to squeeze the best features of past models and some welcome upgrades into a handheld that’s still no larger or thicker than a few credit […]

Pebblebee’s Halo watches my back and my belongings
Pebblebee’s Halo watches my back and my belongings

I live in a part of Los Angeles where I feel safer bringing pepper spray on walks. The problem is, I don’t always remember to bring it with me, and it’s not legal to carry it everywhere I go. Pebblebee’s $59.99 Halo Bluetooth tracker surprised me by being a suitable replacement because it doubles as […]

They’ve finally made the Oura Ring smaller and lighter
They’ve finally made the Oura Ring smaller and lighter

Wherever I go, whatever I do, people point at my finger and ask, “Is that an Oura Ring?” Lots of people find they like the design, and they tell me why they’re thinking about switching to a smart ring from a smartwatch. But the people who scrunch up their noses? They usually say something along […]