All posts tagged: Upgrades

4 upgrades HomePod Mini 2 has over its 6-year-old predecessor

4 upgrades HomePod Mini 2 has over its 6-year-old predecessor

Published by Miika Tikkanen

ZDNET’s key takeaways Apple announced its new HomePod Mini 2 after a six-year hiatus. You can finally bring Siri AI into your home. HomePod Mini 2 has several connectivity upgrades for a richer experience. Apple’s HomePod Mini 2 is here, and after a six-year hiatus, the company’s smallest home speaker has more features than ever. The HomePod Mini 2 features several upgrades to its internal connectivity tech, enabling new capabilities, including Siri AI, surround sound with Apple TV 4K, and an LED lighting experience that complements its audio output. Also: Forget Wi-Fi: Apple is betting on Bluetooth with its new home devices Some things are the same between the HomePod Mini 2 and its six-year-old sibling, however. It still acts as a home hub for your HomeKit-compatible Apple devices, including features such as Sound Recognition to warn you of sounding alarms, smart home management within the Home app, and a small, unassuming design for those low on space. 1. Siri AI comes home You can finally bring Siri AI into your home through the new …

7 Fall Menswear Upgrades That Live Up to Their Pedigree

7 Fall Menswear Upgrades That Live Up to Their Pedigree

Published by Jenni Sidey

Every well-intentioned style-obsessed menswear nerd feels a rush of excitement when the weather cools down. You can find yourself refreshing the weather app like a madman, waiting for the next 70-degree day. Well, my friends, I’m happy to say that day has finally arrived. From crack-out runway looks to packing for summer getaways, we can finally put those warm-weather clothes in the rearview and really start dressing. With some of our early 2026 trend predictions bleeding into the early fall season—plaid shirts, denim (slimming down), and chore coats—this is the time of year when layering starts to take shape. Although you may not have your cold-weather playbook mapped out just yet, we’re here to help you decipher which indie brands are worth your time, the Swedish label launching its new menswear line, and the slightly dressier approach shoe that could work just as well at a campsite as it could at a dinner table. While creating a checklist of shops to stop by or signing up for alerts about weekly drops is one way to …

Yamaha Upgrades Its Smallest Soundbar With Dolby Atmos Support

Yamaha Upgrades Its Smallest Soundbar With Dolby Atmos Support

Published by Miika Tikkanen

Yamaha has unveiled its first compact Dolby Atmos sound bar, the B200A, which will upgrade and replace the existing C20A. See also: Best Small Soundbar of 2026 The B200A is Dolby Atmos compatible and has a “built-in subwoofer” with Bass Extension mode. Given the dimensions, I am presuming that the soundbar uses virtual Atmos playback instead of having extra, physical drivers. I have reached out to Yamaha for clarification. The sound bar also has Clear Voice technology for better dialogue and four sound modes: Movie, Standard, Stereo and Game. Inputs include HDMI eARC/ARC, optical, 3.5 mm and Bluetooth.  The B200A is the same size as the C20 soundbar at 23.6 inches wide by 2.5 inches high and 3.75 inches deep, which makes it is good for smaller spaces. At $250, though, the B200A is an extra $50 over the C20, and while that soundbar was fine, it sounded as small as it was. I do expect the B200A to have a similar level of performance. In addition, the B200A is only $80 less than CNET’s favorite …

10 Autumn Wardrobe Upgrades Every Man Should Make

10 Autumn Wardrobe Upgrades Every Man Should Make

Published by Akaay Pradhan

The difference between a good autumn wardrobe and a great one comes down to the quality of the garments within. A pair of boots or piece of outerwear might look the part, but the true test is whether you’re still leaning on that piece several years down the line. If you buy the best version you can afford, the likelihood of that being the case increases. This is always at the front of our mind when we’re shopping for something new. How can we upgrade from the offset instead of buying the same thing again later? In autumn, when your clothes and footwear have to work harder against cold temperatures and wet conditions, it’s arguably even more important to consider. So what upgrades should you be making this season to get the most mileage and enjoyment out of your autumn wardrobe? From investing in a proper coat to spending more on shoes built to last, these are the things we’ll be funnelling more of our hard-earned money into this season. Buy A True Transitional Jacket …

Apple CarPlay’s 2026 Overhaul: Dashboard Upgrades to Try

Apple CarPlay’s 2026 Overhaul: Dashboard Upgrades to Try

Published by Miika Tikkanen

  Apple’s iOS 27 introduces a fantastic update to CarPlay, redefining how drivers interact with their vehicle’s infotainment systems. This update emphasizes usability, safety, and personalization, delivering a more seamless and engaging driving experience. From enhanced media controls to smarter AI integration, the latest CarPlay features are designed to keep you connected and focused on […] The post Apple CarPlay’s 2026 Overhaul: Dashboard Upgrades to Try appeared first on Geeky Gadgets. Source link

Six more bus interchanges to receive energy-efficient, family-friendly upgrades

Six more bus interchanges to receive energy-efficient, family-friendly upgrades

Published by Sam Flores

SINGAPORE: Six more bus interchanges, including those in Bishan, Bukit Batok and Tampines, will undergo upgrading works from next year, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in a media release on Tuesday (Aug 18).  The enhancements will cover the bus interchanges at Bishan, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Eunos, Punggol and Tampines, and are aimed at improving accessibility, commuter amenities and staff facilities.  The upgrades include replacing and upgrading air-conditioning, ventilation systems and lighting to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Inclusive features such as priority queue zones, additional seating, baby care and family washrooms, wheelchair-accessible toilets, commuter care rooms, tactile guided paths and Braille signs on handrails will also be enhanced at these interchanges. Passenger service offices and staff lounges will also be refurbished to better support frontline staff in serving commuters, LTA said, adding that such enhancements are part of efforts to make public transport more comfortable, family-friendly and inclusive.  Speaking to the media, Senior Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai noted that Bukit Batok bus interchange, which opened in 1987, has “a certain …

Zoox upgrades its robotaxi as it prepares for commercial service

Zoox upgrades its robotaxi as it prepares for commercial service

Published by Miika Tikkanen

Zoox has given its custom-built robotaxi a makeover — and not just to make it look sharper. The Amazon-owned company revealed Wednesday a series of upgrades to the comfort and function of its electric, autonomous vehicle based on rider feedback and ahead of what it hopes will be a commercial launch later this year. The core features of the Zoox robotaxi remain. The cube-like electric, autonomous robotaxi still lacks a steering wheel and other controls. The company kept the moonroof and starry night lights as well as the 40 cameras, radars, lidars, and infrared sensors, which help the robotaxi perceive the environment around it. And the vehicle still drives bidirectionally, has four-wheel steering, and can transport four people at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour. Instead, Zoox has made a series of design and product tweaks required for a robotaxi that shuttles thousands of riders. At least, that is Zoox’s hope. On the inside, Zoox has added more padding and ergonomic curves to both the seats and headrests, updated the color, material, and …

7 Smart-Casual Upgrades Every Man Should Make

7 Smart-Casual Upgrades Every Man Should Make

Published by Akaay Pradhan

There was a time when smart casual meant a blazer, chinos and a quiet compromise. That version feels dated now. The line between tailoring and everyday wear has blurred, replaced by something more fluid and far more useful. Clothes are expected to move between settings without needing a full change. This shift is playing out across the industry, but Corneliani’s latest Spring/Summer collection captures it particularly well. The focus is on relaxed tailoring, modular layering and a warm, earthy palette that feels natural rather than forced. The result is a wardrobe that works harder, feels lighter and looks sharper without trying too hard. Here is how to get there. Dress Down Your Trousers Brown linen-twill chino trousers Beige garment-dyed linen trousers Navy blue 120’s stretch wool trousers Tailored trousers have become one of the most flexible pieces you can own. The key is how you style them. Remove the shirt and blazer and replace them with a knit polo, a textured sweater or a clean tee. The look softens immediately. Corneliani leans into this idea …

The US’s only street-legal electric microcar just got big upgrades

The US’s only street-legal electric microcar just got big upgrades

Published by Miika Tikkanen

There’s a growing push in the US to rethink what a “car” really needs to be, as more Americans than ever embrace alternatives from e-bikes to golf carts, among other car alternatives. Wink Motors is the latest company betting that smaller, slower, and cheaper might actually be the smarter answer for a lot of drivers. But Wink has a different approach, focusing on those who want to retain the benefits of a traditional car without all the extra cost or hassle. The company just announced the launch of its Wink Mark3 electric microcar, a fully enclosed, street-legal vehicle designed specifically to meet and exceed US federal low-speed vehicle (LSV) regulations. And unlike many low-cost EVs that hide key features behind pricy options lists, Wink is positioning this one as fully loaded out of the box. The 2026 Wink Motors Mark3 electric microcar was recently launched in the US A tiny car built for real streets Microcars are still a foreign concept in the US, but they aren’t a new concept globally. In many European and …

Sonos just launched 2 new speakers, with some subtle but useful upgrades

Sonos just launched 2 new speakers, with some subtle but useful upgrades

Published by Miika Tikkanen

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Sonos announces the Play and Era 100 SL speakers. The Play speaker sits between the Sonos Roam and Move 2 portable speakers. The Era 100 SL is an entry-level access point into Sonos’ smart home speakers. After announcing a new professional-focused amp in January, Sonos continues to address its hardware drought with the Sonos Play and Era 100 SL speakers. The Play introduces a new tier of portable speakers, and the Era 100 SL is a more affordable entry point into the Sonos home theater system. Also: Sonos’ cheapest smart speaker is also the one I use the most. Here’s why The Sonos Play and Era 100 SL speakers represent novel pathways for existing Sonos fans to expand their system, and ways for new customers to become acquainted with the brand. Here’s what we know. Sonos Play: A new Sonos speaker tier Sonos headlines this speaker as “the most versatile speaker in the Sonos system,” falling in the middle of its portable lineup, between …