Topic
consumer tech
Technology Prime Day Router Deals: Upgrade Your Wi-Fi with Discounted Mesh Systems and Routers
WIRED highlights the best Prime Day deals on Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems, including the Netgear Orbi 770 Series, Eero Pro 7, and TP-Link Deco BE63. The article provides recommendations for home and travel use, with notes on features like Wi-Fi 7, Ethernet ports, and FCC restrictions.
Technology Meta Charges Subscription for Smart Glasses Features, Signaling Hardware Monetization Shift
Meta has begun charging a monthly subscription for advanced features on its Ray-Ban, Oakley, and branded smart glasses. Users get three free hours of Conversation Focus per month, then must subscribe to the Meta One Premium Plan for up to 15 hours. An expert says this move is about extracting value from the user base rather than recovering AI costs, and it sets a precedent for hardware monetization that enterprise buyers should watch.
Technology Clip-On Cases for Smart Glasses Emerge as Fashion and Protection Accessories
Italian startup Lorika has released Ontop, a line of brightly colored clip-on frame covers for Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. Priced $35–$40, the one-millimeter-thick polycarbonate covers add a chunky aesthetic while protecting the hinges and lenses. CEO Giorgio Di Cesare says the goal is to improve both fashion and durability, with plans to expand to other Meta styles and eventually other brands.
Technology Startups Building In-Person Games and DIY Computers to Counter Phone Addiction
TechCrunch's Equity podcast explores a growing wave of startups focused on getting users off their phones, including Brynn Putnam's Board for in-person games and viral Cyberdeck DIY computers. The trend is framed as a human-centric counterbalance to the massive AI fundraising boom.
Manufacturing Marshall's Stockwell III Speaker Doubles Battery Life
Marshall's new Stockwell III portable speaker boasts over 40 hours of battery life, doubling the previous model's capacity. It features True Stereophonic technology for 360-degree audio and a modular design for user-replaceable components.