SmartHouse

A few months ago, I criticised Logitech for failing to produce a left-handed version of its top-end MX Master mouse. Apparently, someone at Logitech was listening—or at least holding the suggestion box the right way around. Lo and behold, the company has now marked “Left Handed Day” by unveiling the Logitech . It’s stylish, comfortable and unmistakably designed for left-handed users.

I don’t review products, I live with them. So when I took Samsung’s all new Galaxy Z Fold 8 to China recently, it got the full workout: flights, hotels, family dinners and one forgotten charging of the device. My tip after all that? This is going to be one of the hottest smartphone launches of the year. The numbers back the gut feel. In Samsung’s home market of South Korea, the Galaxy Z8 series pulled in 1.44 million preorders, a record for a Galaxy smartphone and 38% up on the previous generation.

Victrola is targeting consumers who want the appeal of vinyl without being locked into a traditional i-fi setup, launching its Wave turntable with wired connectivity, high-resolution Bluetooth and Auracast wireless audio. The hybrid turntable is designed to bridge the gap between traditional vinyl playback and wireless home audio systems, giving the option to connect the turntable to a conventional wired setup or stream records wirelessly to compatible speakers and headphones.

Tineco has expanded its premium floorcare range in Australia with the launch of the new edition FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam Pro, bringing longer battery life, quieter operation and upgraded steam cleaning technology to its flagship wet and dry floor cleaner. Designed for households seeking a powerful clean without relying on cleaning chemicals, the latest S9 Artist Steam Pro uses upgraded boiler technology to generate super-heated steam at 230°C.

TCL is expanding its presence in the OLED monitor market with two new models, introducing updated 32-inch and 27-inch displays following the company’s recent move to sell its first OLED monitor outside China. The TCL 32X3B and 27X3B represent the manufacturer’s second generation of OLED monitors. While TCL is best known internationally for its televisions, particularly its Mini LED LCD models, the company is continuing to broaden its display portfolio with products aimed at PC users and gamers.

Google is expanding its hardware range with the Pixel Tag, a compact tracker that gives Android users a new way to locate bags, keys and other easily misplaced belongings. Announced alongside the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, the Pixel Tag uses a combination of Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband technology. It also supports Google’s Precision Finding system on compatible devices, allowing users to get more detailed guidance when searching for a missing item.

During the recent Made By Google event, Google announced an update for the Pixel Buds Pro 2. The company revealed that its wireless earbuds will be available in a new Olive finish and have received a significant software refresh. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 were first launched in 2024 and underwent a light refresh in 2025. Now, rather than launching a new generation, Google is keeping the premium earbuds on store shelves for another year.

Bose has unveiled the first major update to its QuietComfort headphones in three years, introducing new audio capabilities, improved active noise cancellation and several design refinements aimed at enhancing comfort and everyday use. One of the most significant additions is Bose’s Immersive Audio technology, which was previously reserved for the premium QuietComfort Ultra range.

Amazon has officially launched Alexa+ in Australia, introducing the biggest overhaul of its voice assistant since Alexa first arrived locally in 2018. Powered by generative artificial intelligence, the upgraded assistant is designed to hold more natural conversations, remember user preferences and carry out a wider range of everyday tasks.

Marantz has unveiled its new Cinema Series 2 home theatre receiver range, bringing upgraded audio processing, gaming features and installation tools to three models launching in Australia from mid-September. The range comprises the Cinema 50 Series 2, Cinema 60 Series 2 and slimline Cinema 70s Series 2, priced at A$3,500, A$2,500 and A$1,800 respectively.