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Global News
5 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Handy home gadgets that *really* work
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. As someone who primarily works from home, I'm always on the lookout for finds that elevate my home – whether its for organizational workflow or kitchen help. These home gadgets are the finds you didn't know you needed, but now can't live without. Read on for unique finds you need to know about. Portable Neck Fan Stay cool this summer with this adorable hands-free neck fan – great for beach days and a must-have for tropical travelling! $55.99 on Amazon (was $69.99) Story continues below advertisement OCTOBUDDY - Silicone Suction Phone Case Adhesive Mount Capture your best angles hands-free with this clever suction cup mount that sticks to any smooth surface. $18.99 on Amazon Fruit and Vegetable Cleaning Machine Looking to amp up you fruit and veggie intake? You'll need this this powerful fruit and vegetable cleaning machine, which uses ion technology to gently purify everything from produce to seafood. No chemicals and no nutrients lost. $39.99 on Amazon 9 in 1 Multitool Pen This 9-in-1 multitool pen combines practical functions like a screwdriver, flashlight, and bottle opener into one compact design, making it a useful gift for birthdays, Father's Day, or any special occasion. $24.99 on Amazon (was $30.99) Story continues below advertisement Amazon Basics Nespresso Coffee Pod Storage Drawer This sleek and sturdy coffee pod drawer can neatly store up to 50 coffee capsules. It's the perfect kitchen addition for Nespresso lovers. $27.99 on Amazon Flameless USB Rechargeable Lighter For the candle lover – this handy flameless lighter is designed with child safety in mind, featuring a safety lock, auto power-off, windproof plasma ignition, real-time battery display, and a lightweight, portable build for indoor and outdoor use. $10.99 on Amazon (was $12.99) Mini Bluetooth Label Maker Stay organized with cute customizable labels. This mini label maker has smart app connectivity, inkless thermal printing, and a library of over 600 customizable templates, making it perfect for labeling anything from kitchen jars to office files. $27.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Adjustable Quantity Wine Dispenser It is 5 o'clock somewhere – and with this intelligent wine dispenser, you're always just one touch away from happy hour. Whether you're uncorking a fine Bordeaux, pouring a smooth sake, or sampling a smoky whiskey, this smart gadget has your back. Precision-pour from 1 to 999ml? Check. One-handed touch activation? Of course. It even stops itself so you don't have to. Now that's what we call classy convenience. $119.99 on Amazon SwitchBot This SwitchBot gadget transforms virtually any traditional device into a smart gadget you can control remotely from your smartphone. Whether it's a coffee maker, light switch, fan, or even a button-operated appliance, the SwitchBot acts as a mechanical finger that physically presses switches or buttons on command. With easy integration through the SwitchBot app, you can set schedules, use timers, or activate devices with a simple tap on your phone. $39.99 on Amazon You may also like: Electric Kitchen Composter – $299.99 Story continues below advertisement Original Kitchen Gizmo Strainer for Pots – $18.99 Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating Coffee Mug – $139.95 Laptop Screen Extender Triple Monitor Double the screens, double the fun! This Tiktok viral laptop screen extender pops out like magic, giving your laptop superpowers for multitasking, movie nights, or gaming marathons. $237.13 on Amazon (was $299.66) Amazon Basics Ergonomic and Foldable Laptop Stand Your laptop deserves a throne too – and this stand lifts it up like royalty while saving your neck. With 7 inches of ergonomic height adjustment, universal compatibility for devices up to 17.3″, sturdy aluminum build, cooling airflow, and a fold-flat portable design, this stand blends comfort, versatility, and performance in one sleek package. $32.65 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement 3pcs Gold Cable Clips Keep your cables organized with these gold cable clips. Crafted from durable aluminum with a sleek polished finish, these compact cable clips come with both adhesive and screw options for easy installation, keeping all your wires neatly in place on desks, nightstands, or walls. $3.99 on Amazon (was $9.49) Wall Mount Automatic Liquid Soap Dispenser Upgrade your bathroom with this wall mount soap dispenser. Personalize your soap experience with seven adjustable levels, ensuring the perfect amount every time. $29.99 on Amazon (was $34.99) You may also like: 6 Pack Under Cabinet Lights – $66.99 Story continues below advertisement Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock – $229.99 ecobee New Smart Thermostat – $279.96
The Verge
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Switchbot's latest lock can unlock with a look
Smart home company SwitchBot has announced a new version of its retrofit smart lock, and this one you can unlock with your face. The SwitchBot Lock Ultra ($159.99) works with the new SwitchBot Keypad Vision ($99.99), which uses 3D facial recognition technology to unlock your door. The company also launched the SwitchBot Hub 3, a smart home hub that was first teased in March. The new products are now available for preorder and should ship in June. SwitchBot claims its lock is the first retrofit smart lock with 3D facial recognition. As a retrofit lock, it can be installed without replacing your existing lock. Instead, the Ultra attaches to the rear of your lock and controls it using a mechanical motor, leaving the front unchanged, so you can still use your keys. The Vision keypad is mounted outside of your door and connects to the lock via Bluetooth. The SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo costs $249.99 and includes the lock, vision keypad, and a SwitchBot Hub Mini (a hub is required for controlling the lock outside of Bluetooth range). Unlike most retrofit locks, Switchbot's Lock Ultra, and its predecessors Switchbot Lock Pro and Switchbot Lock, are compatible with nearly all existing locks in Europe and America. In addition to facial recognition, when connected to the keypad, the lock can be controlled with a fingerprint, a keycode, and an NFC card. Without the keypad, it works with a traditional key, app control, and auto-unlocking using geofencing (which activates the lock when your smartphone arrives at your house). The company says the Ultra can get up to nine months of battery life on the included rechargeable battery and also has a backup battery that lasts for up to five years. It works over Bluetooth and requires one of Switchbot's gateways to connect to Wi-Fi and integrate with smart home systems, including Apple Home (through Matter), Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. The lock can also work with the new SwitchBot Hub 3 ($119.99), the company's latest smart home hub designed to control and integrate SwitchBot's Bluetooth products. The Hub 3 can bridge up to 30 SwitchBot devices to Matter ecosystems such as Apple Home. 1/3 SwitchBot The new Hub is a complete revamp from the second-gen version. Larger and with a sleek, all-black design, it comes with an integrated stand and features a display, a dial, and four customizable buttons. The hub also functions as a temperature and humidity sensor, as well as a light and motion sensor. Its display can wake up on motion and show information such as indoor temperature and door lock/unlock status, and the buttons can control smart home scenes. The dial can connect to compatible devices to control them, for example, adjust the brightness of lights, the volume on connected TVs, and the temperature of a thermostat. SwitchBot says the hub can control Matter devices that are integrated with Apple Home, and it will work with Home Assistant.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Forbes
SwitchBot Hub 3 Adds Matter, IR Blasting And A Whole Lot More
The new SwitchBot Hub 3 SwitchBot has taken the covers off of the latest controller for its smart home setup, with the Hub 3 officially going live. Like the previous couple of SwitchBot Hubs - the Hub Mini and the Hub 2 - the Hub 3 is designed to bridge the gap between SwitchBot accessories (think buttons, switches, shades, curtain motors and more) and your Matter smart home system of choice. However, the Hub 3 steps things up a notch as it combines Matter support, IR blasting, and physical controls in one device. SwitchBot's previous hubs were essentially white slabs of plastic so the brand has really gone to town design-wise with the new flagship. That knob on the front - the Dial Master rotary controller, to give it its official moniker - can be used for adjusting the volume of your TV or AV system, or changing the temperature in precise 1-step increments. On the display are four programmable scene buttons, and built-in sensors for motion, light, temperature, and humidity. It supports real-time environmental data display - including CO₂, if you pair it with SwitchBot's Meter Pro - and can be used to trigger scenes based on sensor conditions; think having the AC unit and the dehumidifier fire up if certain levels are hit. The Hub 3 supports more than 100,000 IR codes and has a signal range up to 30 meters, which SwitchBot says is 150% stronger than the Mini. That means devices like TVs, air conditioners, and other IR-only holdouts can now be controlled through SwitchBot, Apple Home, Alexa, or Google Home. If you've got a streaming box, it also works with Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV, letting you change volume and channels like a regular remote. On the Matter front, the Hub 3 can act as a bridge for up to 30 SwitchBot devices, and it can send Matter commands to other brands' products already integrated into Apple Home. You can assign up to 30 programmable "Matter buttons" to trigger those automations; think physical controls for entire scenes. Power is supplied via USB-C, and the included sensor cable houses the temperature/humidity probe. You can mount the Hub 3 on your wall or you can use the included base and stand. The SwitchBot Hub 3 is available now priced at $119.99 Alongside the new Hub, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo has also gone live; a $249.99 retrofit smart lock that adds 3D facial recognition to the mix. It's three-piece bundle that includes the new Keypad Vision and a Matter-enabled Hub Mini. Facial recognition is handled locally, with AES-128 encryption, and works in low light thanks to a built-in IR light. SwitchBot tells us that it's compatible with 99.9% of existing locks and includes 18 unlock methods, from auto unlock and NFC cards to fingerprint and app control. It's also available now and costs $249.99.
Tom's Guide
19-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I tested this 2-in-1 stick and robot vacuum for a few weeks — and it just left me more work
Base capacity: 3LWeight: 2.3 kgSize: 248 x 248 x 92 mmSmart home compatibility: Matter enabled While the best robot vacuums have proven to be effective cleaners, they still can't get things like the crevices of your couch. The SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo robot vacuum helps you get those hard-to-reach areas, as it combines a robot vacuum with a stick vacuum. What's more, plugging it all into one self-emptying base is a smart idea. So if you're in need of a new vacuum, this can solve two problems in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, a jack of all trades is a master of none, and this little robo vac combo didn't quite do anything excellently. It is smart enough to work as part of a cleaning system, but not so smart that it can do it all by itself. After testing it everywhere in my apartment for a few weeks, here's how the SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo robot vacuum performed. The SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo robot vacuum has an MSRP of $799.99, which is $200 more than the SwitchBot K10+ Pro by itself. On Amazon right now, that price has been slashed to $400, which is a rather significant price decrease. On its sale price, this puts it at a similar cost to the Shark IQ, as well as the Ecovacs Deebot T30s, another robot vacuum with a handheld vacuum attachment. What makes the SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo robot vacuum an interesting cleaning prospect is the mixture of both a robot vacuum and a vacuum stick. The self-emptying base connects to both parts, and will, as the name implies, self-empty them when they are put back on charge. The vacuum stick notably doesn't have a trigger-style mechanism like many vacuums or any real handle, so you just have to hold the back of it. But this isn't too cumbersome in practice. The SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo robot vacuum does come with a mop system, which is effectively a wet cloth you attach to the bottom and send it out across tiling, but calling it a 'mop' feels like hyperbole. The robot vacuum connects to the SwitchBot app and can smartly map an entire apartment (as long as there aren't stairs). It can even spot new areas in an apartment and ping your phone for you to accept its new suggested map. As it is Matter-enabled and comes with updates via SwitchBot's app, this technically means the robot vacuum can get smarter with time, too. The FusionBase, which holds both the vacuum stick and the robot vacuum, is 9.8 inches long and wide. This is quite a small amount of space, and not even that much more than the space a more traditional vacuum would take up in a house. The back of the FusionBase has a small buffer, which presses against the wall to signify how much of a gap you need to hold the vacuum stick. The vacuum stick, without its head attachments, weighs just over 2.2 pounds, and the robot vacuum weighs over 4.4 pounds, which means carrying them around is quite easy. The robot vacuum can't get up stairs, but it can go over small bumps thanks to its wheels, and it can detect the type of carpet and change suction power without being prompted. Plus, the dustbin can go up to 70 days without being changed and is odorless, which means it's more pleasant to remove when you eventually need to. The SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo robot vacuum is a rather hard setup for two reasons. The first is that there are quite a few different components to put together. The second is that the instructions are rather unclear, with the manual using terminology for parts that aren't previously described or indicated. The images are also fairly vague, which means you have to either use a fair share of guesswork or rely on the internet. However, SwitchBot does have a pretty handy guide on its YouTube channel that got me through the setup process. Once you take everything out of its packaging, a little bag of extras, plus some accessories, sits in the self-cleaning base. You have to attach the connector for the vacuum stick into the base with an included screwdriver, push a small divider into the back of the base to signal how far apart the base sits from the wall and get it all plugged in. After this is all set, you have to put a cloth bag into the dustbin, which allows it to hold all the dust you empty into it. This has to be replaced every two months, and you get a spare in the box, which means you get four months of cleaning before having to buy extra accessories. Finally, the box comes with two white sections of plastic that connect together to build an accessory holder for the vacuum stick. The stick itself comes with four separate heads, so you will need to keep one plugged in to keep everything neatly together. When the vacuum is plugged in and the app is installed, you are ready to go. The box itself is pretty discreet and mostly made of cardboard. There is a lot of plastic used in the packaging though, and the bags need to be replaced every few months, which is a little less sustainable than I might hope. On both medium-pile carpet and tiling, the robot vacuum managed to get almost all small debris and hair placed in its path. The smart mapping system is not only effective but also fairly efficient. The robot vacuum rarely gets everything on the first vacuum over the floor, but its mapping sends it through a few times to get everything, and you can turn up the power in SwitchBot's app if it fails. Sectioning off a 5 x 5-foot space and testing the robot vacuum with different standard spillages and dirt, it managed to get 89% of the litter dropped on the carpet and up to 94% of the litter dropped on hardwood. With hair, it managed to get 85% on hardwood and down to 72% on carpet. These aren't awful stats, especially when you consider putting it on its higher energy mode increases its efficiency, but far below what the best robot vacuums for pet hair can manage. However, it started to run into problems after I dropped a scattering of cereal over its usual path. Within a few minutes, the robot vacuum's built-in tray had become entirely full, and the self-emptying station couldn't seem to dislodge the Cheerios from the base. I instead had to take the top off the robot vacuum, unclip the built-in storage, and manually empty the tray into a bin. I then put the robot vacuum back on the floor, where it went on to pick up the rest of the cereal. It lacks any speciality detection systems so, as long as it is on its usual path, it won't detect what it's sucking up. This means you effectively can't fully leave it to vacuum whenever you like. It does a decent job of avoiding getting stuck in wires, and I've had to manually remove it from some sort of obstruction only a handful of times. However, it managed to get a USB-C cable stuck into its brush a few times in the month or so I've used it, meaning I had to remove the brush to get it out. Rather ironically, the anti-tangle brush in the robot vacuum actually became tangled multiple times. Emptying it is simple, though. You can merely open clips at the bottom, pull the brush out, and take out any lodged hair. Overall Cheerios Kitty Litter Pet Hair Hardwood floor 93 100 94 85 Carpet 87 100 89 72 The vacuum in its standard more quiet mode tends to clean at around 55 decibels, and the vacuum stick, in its quieter mode, registers just shy of 70 decibels. At max suction, the robot vacuum approaches 70 decibels, and the vacuum stick gets up to 80 decibels. In their quiet modes, both parts of the SwitchBot K10+ Pro Robot Vacuum Combo perform admirably for everyday tasks but suffer with more heavy-duty work. Unfortunately, given the brush gets stuck and can only hold a limited amount of debris, the K10+ Pro robot vacuum fails to be as smart as you may want from a combination robot vacuum like this. Due to its round shape, the robot vacuum can't really get into deep or sharp corners, and it won't get around obstacles if there's no path big enough. The vacuum stick's offering of extra heads is handy, meaning you can use it to vacuum your carpet, clean spiderwebs, or get into corners. The stick does a decent job at covering for the robot vacuum's weaknesses, even if it doesn't fully remove the need to vacuum in the first place, as may be expected from a similarly expensive robot vacuum. The vacuum stick gets around 30 minutes of charge out of its quiet mode and half of that in its more powerful mode, which serves well to get the odd bit of dust or debris, but isn't enough to do a full clean. Sending the SwitchBot K10+ around once a day or so is a good way to keep up with the dust and debris that naturally piles up over time. The robot vacuum can vacuum for almost two hours, but the likelihood of it using up all of that charge is rather unlikely in most homes. In mine, it managed to get through the home on 20% to 25% of its charge, where it would then immediately go back to its base to empty dust and recharge. The SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo robot vacuum is a great concept; an automated vacuum to handle your floors, and a stick vacuum to take care of everything else. However, in practice, it leaves a bit to be desired. The robot vacuum part of the bundle can intelligently map an entire floor (not including any stairs) and can even update that map, should you open a door that wasn't open the first time you booted it up. It has a solid battery life, has some good software, and smartly fits into everyday life. Unfortunately, enough debris on the floor will entirely stop it from working until you manually clear it out. And ironically, the anti-tangle hair brush gets tangled pretty quickly. I'd honestly recommend a separate robot vacuum and stick to do a more thorough job. Or if you don't mind the splurge, the Ecovacs Deebot T30s Combo is a better option. The full package makes up for some mediocre performance with its included vacuum stick but the whole combo ends up feeling a little less smart than it initially looks.
Global News
13-05-2025
- Global News
Home gadgets that really work
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. As someone who primarily works from home, I'm always on the lookout for finds that elevate my home – whether its for organizational workflow or kitchen help. These home gadgets are the finds you didn't know you needed, but now can't live without. Read on for unique finds you need to know about. Flameless USB Rechargeable Lighter For the candle lover – this handy flameless lighter is designed with child safety in mind, featuring a safety lock, auto power-off, windproof plasma ignition, real-time battery display, and a lightweight, portable build for indoor and outdoor use. $12.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Mini Bluetooth Label Maker Stay organized with cute customizable labels. This mini label maker has smart app connectivity, inkless thermal printing, and a library of over 600 customizable templates, making it perfect for labeling anything from kitchen jars to office files. $29.99 on Amazon Adjustable Quantity Wine Dispenser It is 5 o'clock somewhere – and with this intelligent wine dispenser, you're always just one touch away from happy hour. Whether you're uncorking a fine Bordeaux, pouring a smooth sake, or sampling a smoky whiskey, this smart gadget has your back. Precision-pour from 1 to 999ml? Check. One-handed touch activation? Of course. It even stops itself so you don't have to. Now that's what we call classy convenience. $119.99 on Amazon SwitchBot This SwitchBot gadget transforms virtually any traditional device into a smart gadget you can control remotely from your smartphone. Whether it's a coffee maker, light switch, fan, or even a button-operated appliance, the SwitchBot acts as a mechanical finger that physically presses switches or buttons on command. With easy integration through the SwitchBot app, you can set schedules, use timers, or activate devices with a simple tap on your phone. $39.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement You may also like: Get weekly The Curator news Be in the know before you buy - Stay up to date with the latest trends, get expert recommendations, tips, and shopping guides. Sign up for weekly The Curator newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Electric Kitchen Composter – $299.99 Original Kitchen Gizmo Strainer for Pots – $18.99 Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating Coffee Mug – $139.95 Laptop Screen Extender Triple Monitor Double the screens, double the fun! This Tiktok viral laptop screen extender pops out like magic, giving your laptop superpowers for multitasking, movie nights, or gaming marathons. $299.66 on Amazon Amazon Basics Ergonomic and Foldable Laptop Stand Your laptop deserves a throne too – and this stand lifts it up like royalty while saving your neck. With 7 inches of ergonomic height adjustment, universal compatibility for devices up to 17.3″, sturdy aluminum build, cooling airflow, and a fold-flat portable design, this stand blends comfort, versatility, and performance in one sleek package. $32.65 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement 3pcs Gold Cable Clips Keep your cables organized with these gold cable clips. Crafted from durable aluminum with a sleek polished finish, these compact cable clips come with both adhesive and screw options for easy installation, keeping all your wires neatly in place on desks, nightstands, or walls. $9.49 on Amazon Wall Mount Automatic Liquid Soap Dispenser Upgrade your bathroom with this wall mount soap dispenser. Personalize your soap experience with seven adjustable levels, ensuring the perfect amount every time. $29.99 on Amazon (was $34.99) You may also like: 6 Pack Under Cabinet Lights – $66.99 Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock – $229.99 Story continues below advertisement ecobee New Smart Thermostat – $279.96
