Gadget

Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi has reversed Russian gains, with robots carrying out combat airdrops and clearing mines, Ars Technica reports. The operation reportedly defeated a Russian pincer movement, highlighting how uncrewed ground systems are taking on dangerous logistics and engineering tasks on the front line as battlefield automation expands in the war.

Meta is starting a new enterprise business, a move widely read as an effort to justify its enormous spending on artificial intelligence. The company has poured billions into AI infrastructure and models, and is now looking to businesses as customers to generate returns. Observers see it as a sign Meta wants its AI investments to pay off directly rather than only improve its advertising products.

Big Tech is betting its next wave of growth on AI-powered gadgets, particularly smart glasses, but the push is running into privacy concerns. Always-on cameras and microphones raise questions about recording bystanders and collecting constant data. Commentators argue companies must address consent and data protection rules if wearables are to win mainstream acceptance.

China is trialling self-driving traffic cones that can reposition themselves at construction sites and roadworks without workers manually lifting them. The robotic cones are designed to move into place automatically, potentially improving safety for road crews and cutting labour costs. Coverage so far is limited to gadget news, with little detail on which agencies are involved or when the technology might be deployed widely.

Meta is being reported as working on Muse Charm, a small wearable device compared to a Tamagotchi for your AI companion. The device would give users a dedicated gadget for interacting with Meta's AI assistant, reviving questions about whether standalone AI hardware makes sense. Critics point to the crowded smartwatch and pendant market, while supporters argue a focused device could make AI companions feel more personal and always accessible.

Bose has released its first wired earbuds in over a decade, and the new pair includes active noise canceling. The earbuds are available for preorder now. The move marks an unusual return to wired audio for a company best known for its wireless headphones, and it is drawing attention among audio and gadget enthusiasts curious about how Bose combines the reliability of wired listening with its signature noise-canceling technology.

Apple has accidentally revealed details of multiple unreleased products, according to a report by Geeky Gadgets. The unintentional leak is said to cover a whole wave of devices that the company had not yet officially announced. Details about which products were exposed and how the leak happened remain limited, but such slips from Apple are rare given the company's usual secrecy around unannounced hardware.

Philips has released the Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige smart toothbrush in Europe and the US. First announced in July with a limited launch planned for later in the year, the electric toothbrush is now on sale, with a wider global rollout expected in 2027. It succeeds the previous DiamondClean model, which remains on the market.

The government has permitted e-commerce providers to deliver food items and gadgets, expanding the scope of online retail services. Details on when the rules take effect and which platforms qualify have not yet been reported. The move is expected to widen consumer access to delivered goods and open new business opportunities for online sellers.

Home robots such as robotic vacuum cleaners are increasingly being treated as potential sources of evidence in legal cases, raising questions about privacy and surveillance inside private homes. Commentators argue that devices mapping floor plans, recording audio or logging activity could be subpoenaed, and that laws have not kept pace with how much data these household gadgets collect.

Philips has unveiled a new Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige, a smart toothbrush that uses motion tracking and AI to analyse brushing habits and coach users toward better technique. The device is being discussed as part of a broader wave of health-tech gadgets applying AI to everyday routines.

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a new audio platform that brings on-device AI processing to wireless earbuds and other audio wearables. The move signals Qualcomm's push to add smarter, locally processed features to audio devices rather than relying on cloud connectivity. Details beyond the announcement are limited so far, with tech outlets picking up the news as part of the latest wave of AI-focused gadget launches.