Author: Brett Venter

If you thought Samsung’s recent AI drive for its range of products was extreme in 2025, you’re in for a slight shock. The company has confirmed that it intends to double the number of AI-supporting devices it releases in 2026, compared to the 400 million AI gadgets launched in 2025. For those who struggle with basic math (no, not you), that’s 800 million devices heading to market in 2026 that will feature Google’s Gemini AI. Why Samsung isn’t fleshing out Bixby isn’t immediately explained (hint: it’s either a) Google’s money is too attractive or b) Bixby is a bit crap…

The Consumer Electronics Show always has its share of wild and wacky tech, but we weren’t expecting Pixar’s Wall-E to turn up. Nor were we expecting LG to launch a robot that folds laundry for you, but that’s something the world really needs to prevent the Couch of Shame™. You know the one. A Chinese company called Zeroth actually unveiled a slate of robots — one of which looks very much like the cute little animated die-hard, Wall-E. But, due to international copyright law, it can’t be sold outside of China. Instead, Western customers will have to make do with…

One of the better storefronts for PC games, and one built on DRM-free older titles, GoG.com is no longer owned by CD Project RED. The good news is that Good Old Games hasn’t gone far. If anything, it’s reverted to one of its original owners. The platform said in a release that one of CD Projekt’s founders, Michał Kiciński, has “acquired 100% of the shares in GOG, formerly part of the CD PROJEKT Group.” Given the current state of the gaming industry, this move to make the platform more like Valve’s Steam could be a very good thing. GG GoG…

Robot vacuums, drones, electric hypercars; they’re all just coils of wire and magnets, right? Dreame certainly seems to think so, having previously teased its “Bugatti-level” EV ambitions. Those ambitions are set to show up at this year’s CES conference. The smart home company’s first electric car was teased (again) via the Chinese social media network Weibo, where the company outlined few details of the vehicle but pointed out that it would use Dreame’s vacuum cleaner smarts to achieve (at least some) of its performance. Speedy Dreame Dreame’s still-unnamed EV is thought to feature more than 1,000HP of performance and a…

Honor is replacing its previous gaming handset lineup, the Honor GT series, with the Honor Win. It’s more than just a name-change, however. Honor is throwing as much as much as it can at the phone’s hardware, just to keep you interested. And if you’re a gamer, then battery life is the second most important concern, right behind raw power. The Honor Win is taking that into account with a massive 10,000mAh battery that — if you’re using the phone as intended — should give you normal smartphone battery performance. Chalk up another Honor Win That’s even with the Snapdragon…

Samsung’s bringing more than just TVs to CES 2026. Also appearing, according to reports from South Korea, are new fridges in the Bespoke AI lineup. This new version is said to be a premium appliance, and the first in the range to feature Google’s Gemini AI. This might make the fridge more attractive to a certain sort of buyer. Previously, Samsung’s own Bixby handled AI duties, though why you’d want them in a fridge at all is a little less clear. Want some Bespoke AI? Gemini will have some utility, however. Broader item recognition, helped along by Google’s vast stores…

Oppo’s highest-end flagship phones are rare in South Africa, but hopefully the Chinese company will change that for the Find X9 Ultra. Rumours out of China suggest that Oppo’s newest — set for launch early in 2026 — will feature the most advanced camera zoom to hit mobile devices to date. At least, that’s the word according to online leaks. The Ultra version of the Find X9 is supposed to sport three absolutely massive rear camera sensors, with the third splurging on 10x optical zoom at the same time. Where to Find X9 Ultra Two 200MP camera sensors are the…

It’s been a long while since you’ve absolutely had to buy the top-spec phone from anyone to get decent performance. The Vivo V60 Lite 5G is just a continuation of the theme. But, as with any phone that costs less than half of what you’ll pay for the VIP experience, it’ll do something things better than others. In other words, that R12,000 price tag doesn’t just fall out of the sky. Something’s gotta go. Or, at least, something’s gotta use the less impressive components. Vivo here has splurged on the battery tech, with the other aspects of the phone trailing…

How far would you go to attain smartphone security? If your madness/method calculation includes Linux, then the Void Phone VX1 could be just what you’re looking for. The handset is being pitched at companies rather than individuals, with a subscription-based Mobile Device Management being thrown in. But the inclusion of FuriOS, a mobile version of Debian Linux, is what would make it appealing to those who prefer writing their own printer drivers. Gazing into the VX1 Void The VX1 is based heavily on the FLX1s from a company called FuriLabs. That handset is more targeted at individuals, with the Void…

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is joining every other subscription service in offering users a ‘year in review’ feature this year. These are nifty little features that make the wholesale gathering and storage of your information a little more palatable by dangling something shiny in front of you at the end of the year. If you haven’t opted in to (or opted out of) surveillance of your habits, likes, and dislikes, features like this don’t work. Whether it’s Spotify’s Wrapped or Sony’s recap of your gaming, they all rely on extensive monitoring of what you’ve been up to in the previous year. OpenAI’s…