Anthony Karcz

In their earliest deployments, robot lawnmowers were a fun concept that were plagued by a near-terminal flaw (and no, it wasn't the price).

Way back in 2018, Miki Agrawal had a crazy concept: to break America's addiction to toilet paper by getting them to start using bidets instead.

Tushy is moving beyond add-on bidets with its first smart toilet, betting consumers want premium features without the luxury-brand price tag.

Dbrand has launched a highly anticipated Companion Cube case for the new Steam Machine, transforming the gaming console into the iconic object from Valve's Portal series. Available for pre-order, the case ships in late July for the $129 standard edition, which includes a Super Button base, controller skin, and diorama packaging. A "Poverty Edition" for $99, offering just the cube, ships in October. Installation is simple, utilizing an included allen key, and the design ensures proper airflow and access to all ports. Dbrand meticulously refined the manufacturing process to prevent surface marring, showcasing impressive attention to detail. This accessory offers Portal fans a fun, instantly recognizable way to customize their Steam Machine, turning a functional device into a gaming diorama.

IONNA is revolutionizing EV charging by creating reliable, amenity-rich "Rechargery" sites, akin to modern gas stations. Partnering with eight major car manufacturers, they're rapidly expanding their network, aiming for 30,000 bays by 2030. Their 400kW chargers offer a simple, flat $0.39/kWh rate with no idle fees, a stark contrast to competitors. IONNA maintains full ownership and upkeep of its stations, ensuring a consistent and dependable experience. Recent expansion includes Florida, with a new Seffner Rechargery, and a holiday charging discount. This focus on user convenience and reliability positions IONNA as a major player in the EV infrastructure.

Rivian's R2 recently received its first significant OTA update, v2026.24.40, fully rolling out on July 15. This update introduces several anticipated features, including Pet Comfort mode, which maintains cabin temperature for pets, and Gear Guard, offering automatic security recording around the vehicle with incident detection. Drivers can now access Launch Mode and utilize an integrated garage door opener via the Haptic Halo wheel. The update also brings numerous quality-of-life improvements, such as enhanced media app performance, refined haptic controls, and crucial bug fixes like correcting reversed vent controls. Rivian plans further enhancements, including Sirius XM and Level 3 self-driving capabilities for Autonomy+ later this year. The update is highly recommended for R2 owners.

Vivint has unveiled two major hardware releases in 2026: the third-generation Outdoor Camera Pro and the Smart Hub Pro 2, complemented by a significant app overhaul for a cohesive experience. The Gen 3 Outdoor Camera Pro, launched in February, boasts enhanced AI-based behavior detection, radar sensors, a 4K image sensor with 1080p HD clarity, improved night vision, and on-device storage, effectively reducing false positives through its Smart Deter system. July saw the debut of the Smart Hub Pro 2, a substantial upgrade to the in-home interface. This new hub offers faster video display, an always-on panel, and a massive processing power boost, enabling real-time, actionable alerts and significantly improving system responsiveness. Both devices are available for new installations or as upgrades for existing customers, priced at $399 for the camera and $599 for the hub.

Light is back once again with a device that their users have been clamouring for: an old school flip phone with modern sensibilities.

As we head into back-to-school season, it's time to start thinking more about how to get our brains into gear.

"The future is feline" declares the packaging for Whisker's latest Litter-Robot 5 upgrade, the LitterHopper.