All posts tagged: portable

The Download: AI roadblocks for humanoids and portable rubber dams

The Download: AI roadblocks for humanoids and portable rubber dams

Published by Miika Tikkanen

They argue that such assumptions minimize the challenges of using an intelligence built on language and images to master the infinite variability of the physical world. They also point out that conflating humanoids with so-called generalist machines is misleading. Across robotics labs, tensions have emerged over whether current forms of AI are all that’s needed to perfect all-purpose humanoids or whether an entirely new path is required. Read the full story on what it will take to build truly general-purpose robots. —Jamie Condliffe This story is a collaboration between MIT Technology Review and Aventine, a non-profit research foundation that creates and supports content about how technology and science are changing the way we live. 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch: WaveSave and its portable rubber dam WaveSave is one of MIT Technology Review’s10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch 2026, available exclusively to subscribers. As sea levels rise and flood risks worsen, WaveSave has emerged with an ingeniously simple tool: a portable rubber dam that’s quick to install when flooding starts. Anyone can unfurl the SlamDam …

The Best Portable Power Stations

The Best Portable Power Stations

Published by Sam Flores

Portable power stations give campers and travelers an outlet-free battery to charge any handheld device, speakers, lights and appliances while on the go. But a portable power station is even more versatile than most people realize. If you ever lose electricity or have a power outage, such as during a hurricane, you can use a portable power station to juice up devices and even appliances, you can also use one in your home to funnel power to devices where you don’t have easy access to a charging point or even at a campsite hundreds of miles from home. Portable power stations are a safe and easy-to-use alternative to generators, with the benefit of charging right from a traditional power socket, or via solar power. Generators burn fuel to power home appliances and can expose you to carbon monoxide if used improperly. This guide has the best portable power stations, from affordable, lightweight models to heavy-duty options with built-in solar panels. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. …

Understanding the thermal ceiling in portable power

Understanding the thermal ceiling in portable power

Published by Miika Tikkanen

In internal testing, at 77 °F (25 °C) ambient, the back of the power bank stays below 96.8 °F (36 °C) throughout wireless charging, 21.6 °F (12 °C) below the international standard limit of 118.4 °F (48 °C), for a comfortable grip. Comparable magnetic power banks in the same testing typically reached 113 °F (45 °C) or higher within 20 minutes. The functional consequence is that the connected device does not reach the threshold at which it begins reducing charge acceptance, so 25 watts of Qi2.2 magnetic wireless charging is delivered as a working rate rather than an opening rate. In practice, an iPhone 17 Pro reaches 50% charge in 25 minutes. The Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro’s premium performance in both charging speed and thermal management is certified by SGS, an independent testing and certification company. The same principle applies in reverse. Recharging a power bank generates heat too, which is why devices in this category are often slow to recharge, leaving users with an empty accessory at the moment they need it. …

My leftover NVMe became the portable SSD I almost paid for

My leftover NVMe became the portable SSD I almost paid for

Published by Miika Tikkanen

When I decided to upgrade my existing Samsung 970 EVO Plus 256 GB to a 1TB NVMe drive, I got myself an SSD enclosure to clone the drive. But I still needed a high-speed portable storage drive, so I was looking at the Crucial X10 as a potential but expensive purchase. Turns out, the enclosure I bought to clone my NVMe drive can also turn my now-leftover SSD into a portable SSD. So, I dropped my purchase plan and decided to give my spare SSD a new life, and it’s been nothing short of impressive for something that might have collected dust in my drawer. Related Your SSD is slowing down, and Windows has been quietly hiding the fix Speed up your sluggish SSD with this hidden Windows fix. Things you need An enclosure and an NVMe SSD Jordan Gloor / MakeUseOfCredit: Jordan Gloor / MakeUseOf I built my portable SSD with parts I already had and hte build consists of two components: the SSD and an enclosure. The SSD, in my case, was the Samsung …

The Best Portable Fans to Help Keep You Cool

The Best Portable Fans to Help Keep You Cool

Published by Sam Flores

As a native Floridian, I’ve experienced just about every version of extreme heat you could imagine. Walking to get the mail and coming back sweating or stepping into a car with leather seats in the middle of July feels like a nightmare. With that said, appliances like portable fans help make these everyday situations more bearable. That’s why my colleagues and I at NBC Selected have tested several portable fans over the years, including neck fans and handheld fans (even ones with cooling plates) to get a breeze of relief during our daily commutes and activities in New York City, crowded subway trains and all. Below, I’ve rounded up the best portable fans to help you stay cool this summer and beyond. Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best portable fans in 2026 All of the portable fans below have been tested by the NBC Selected team and have at least a four-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon or other retailers. …

Get 56% off this 8-in-1 portable keyring

Get 56% off this 8-in-1 portable keyring

Published by Miika Tikkanen

TL;DR: Charge On the go with 56% off this 8-in-1 keyring cable when you get the GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable for just $21.99 (Reg. $49.99). $21.99 $49.99 Save $28.00   Whether you’re an experienced adventurer or a newbie to the outdoors, there are certain tools you need, including (but not limited to) adequate hydration, proper gear, and backup power options for your phone. With the GoCable, 8 features are combined into one portable tool that might optimize your outdoor experiences. Despite its tiny and discreet design, the eight features included in this versatile cable include: Portable charging: 100W fast charging to speed up how long it takes to juice up your devices. Universal compatibility: Type-C to Type-C + Apple Lightning connectivity. LED display: Track your charging status with real-time visibility Magnetic cable consolidation: Manage your cables with a discreet design and magnets that prevent tangles. Bottle opener: Conveniently placed bottle opener for opening drinks on the go. Hidden cutter: Sleek and sharp cutting tool, tucked away for safety. Carabiner clip: Secure attachment with a clip-on …

The Best Portable Air Conditioners of 2026

The Best Portable Air Conditioners of 2026

Published by Sam Flores

If you want fresh, cool air without the stress of a window AC installation, a portable air conditioner can be a great solution. Think of these appliances as AC units on wheels, able to cool a single room without as permanent of an installation in your home and windowsill — a key feature if you live in an apartment or four-season climate. To help find the best portable air conditioners, I spoke with cooling and appliance experts, and got their advice about everything you need to know. Plus, I’ve included a list of the best units you can buy for rooms of all sizes. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best portable air conditioners of 2026 My top picks come from large brands like Black+Decker, Midea and Whynter. Inside each “What to know” menu, you’ll find important specifications you should know. Most powerful Modes: Cool, fan, dehumidify, heat | Cooling power: 14,000 BTUs | Room size: Up to 600 sq. ft. | Hose type: Dual hose | Weight: 77.2 …

Best portable power stations: Anker, EcoFlow, Bluetti, Jackery, and DJI

Best portable power stations: Anker, EcoFlow, Bluetti, Jackery, and DJI

Published by Miika Tikkanen

{ container.appendChild(contentItem); });”> Not everyone wants a portable power station simply for camping. You might want something that ensures your home stays powered up should the lights go out. The Bluetti Apex 300 could be just the model for keeping your home online during a power outage. It can handle dual 120V and 240V output from the single unit, comes with plenty of ports, and has a second-generation LiFePO4 battery, which can last for up to 17 years. Bluetti also added advanced features on the Apex 300, like scheduling recharging during off-peak hours to get the best rate and giving alerts for upcoming extreme weather, which kicks on auto-charging. { container.appendChild(contentItem); });”> For plenty of (usually awesome) reasons, not everyone stays on grid all the time, but you probably want power. For other people, unpredictable weather can knock out power for days. The Bluetti Apex 300 is a beast of a power station that provides 2,764.8Wh on its own, but can be expanded to a whopping 58,000Wh. Bluetti says that’ll keep an entire house powered …

Anker portable 192Wh + 288Wh power stations from 0, more

Anker portable 192Wh + 288Wh power stations from $100, more

Published by Miika Tikkanen

For this week’s Green Deals, we’re kicking off with Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 192Wh Portable Power Station at $100, as well as the newer C200 192Wh and C300 288Wh models that start from $129. We also spotted Anker offering up to $800 savings on its eufy E15 and E18 Robot Lawn Mowers at new low prices starting from $1,000, as well as EcoFlow’s latest 24-hour flash sale with some notable second-lowest pricing on 1,024Wh to 4,096Wh power stations, Segway’s Find My and proximity locking-equipped F3 e-scooter, EGO’s 16-inch cordless electric chainsaw, and much more waiting for you below. And don’t forget the hangover deals from last week at the bottom of the page, collected together within our latest Electrified Weekly edition. Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories. Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 192Wh station now $100, newer C200 192Wh + C300 288Wh stations from $129 Anker is currently offering its PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh/192Wh Portable …

I bought a portable cassette player in 2025, and I love it

I bought a portable cassette player in 2025, and I love it

Published by Miika Tikkanen

Of the vintage physical media formats making a comeback, CDs and vinyl records are the most popular, and for good reason. Vinyl is enticing and collectible, with limited-edition variants and colored discs, and there’s something incredibly satisfying about creating sound by running a needle through a groove. On the flip side, CDs are a higher-quality format with practical advantages, including their smaller size. But what if there was a format that combined the analog nature of vinyl with the portability of CDs? Cassette tapes fit the bill, and while they’re absolutely nothing new, they came with major barriers to entry for decades. Now, audio brands are making premium new cassette players again, and I used one for over a year. What to look for in a cassette player Vintage players and new options offer unique benefits Credit: Brady Snyder / MakeUseOf Cassettes are a tricky format for beginners, mainly because the best cassette players haven’t been in mass production for decades. The best vintage tape players from brands like Sony or Technics will still beat the …