Gadget Guy Australia

Many tech companies want to be the ultimate all-in-one device that renders everything else obsolete. In the world of vacuums, there’s a lot of versatility. But most appliances require add-ons or attaching different heads to suit different types of cleaning. An interesting approach to this conundrum comes from Shark with the PowerDetect Transformer. While it (sadly) doesn’t transform into a giant battle robot, the vacuum adapts in other, convenient-looking ways.

Earlier in the year, Sennheiser debuted the Accentum Clip, the renowned audio brand’s first clip-on open-ear headphones. At the time, there wasn’t a confirmed launch date in Australia, but the earbuds have since launched, joining Sennheiser’s diverse stable of headphones. Open-ear headphones are having their moment, with sales of the form factor rising to their highest levels so far.

Sony might be up to the XM6 (and the fancy ‘COLLEXION’) noise-cancelling headphones now, but there’s still a lot of love for its 2020 XM4 model. So popular is the XM4 that Sony has launched a new version, the WH-1000XM4C, with a few under-the-hood tweaks. Much of the headphones’ design is the same: they feature the same folding design as the original XM4, and the same four-mic active noise cancellation technology.

Fresh from a busy IFA 2026 in Berlin, where it revealed its plans to bring more home robotics to the world, Ecovacs has confirmed the local launch of its latest flagship robot vacuum, the Deebot X12S OmniCyclone. Rather than chase the biggest numbers on a spec sheet, the new $2,999 robot instead doubles down on Ecovacs’ suction technology. Dubbed ‘BLAST’ (Boosted Large-Airflow Suction Technology), the tech combines suction power with a bigger air inlet and fan blades.

Europe’s biggest take on a tech trade show has reached its inevitable conclusion, and we came away with more than just stories to tell about this year’s IFA conference in Berlin. Messe might not be as glamorous as the Las Vegas Convention Center, but it’s still got plenty to offer. Here are our hands-on highlights from the IFA 2026 show floor. The best products, the biggest trends, and the tech we reckon gave us just a little taste of what the future might look like. Image: Fergus Halliday.

Anker had a big IFA 2026 on several fronts. For starters, along with a suite of new gadgets, the company announced that all of its sub-brands — including Eufy, Soundcore, and Solix — would be brought back under the Anker branding. Then, Anker took out Best of IFA for its debut over-the-counter hearing aids. Announced at IFA, the Anker RIC Hearing Aids Pro are a subtle accessibility device built on the company’s AI technology.

I am back again testing a fitness watch, and this one is a little different to most. This is the Amazfit Active 3 Premium, a GPS running and fitness smartwatch that is doing things a little differently. This is my first time testing an Amazfit device, and the Active 3 Premium’s low $239 retail price has me questioning how this is even possible.

Dual-armed robots might be the next frontier for home cleaning, based on Dreame’s announcement of the X60 Ultra Extreme at IFA 2026 over the weekend. It also revealed a robot capable of steam-cleaning your floors. Following a similar approach to Mova’s V70 Ultra Complete robot, the Dreame X60 Ultra Extreme has both an extendable side brush and an extendable mop. It’s an attempt by the brand to make a robot that doesn’t miss edges or corners when cleaning.

Ever since cutting the cord, headphones have become one of the most versatile gadgets anyone can own. Traditionally dominated by over-ear and in-ear designs, recent years have seen open-ear headphones grow increasingly popular. Naturally it’s a trend that’s of great interest to Shokz, one of the bigger brands playing in the open-ear headphone space.

Have you ever pondered whether a robot can experience touch? Or whether a robot lawnmower needs an arm? Mova has, and it showed off both technologies at IFA 2026 in a bid to stand out in a hotly contested home robotics market. Looking something like a souped-up Mario Kart ride, the Mova AstraX is the company’s vision of what an arm-equipped robot lawnmower looks like. Various home robot brands have tried implementing arms before, with mixed results so far.