Gadgets of the week push practical tech forward

A look at this week’s highlights from a smart vacuum to AI powered tools

Gadgets of the week push practical tech forward

The Verge highlights a mix of hardware upgrades that aim to be useful in daily life. The Narwal Flow robot vacuum offers mop functionality that reaches wall edges, with preorder discounts and a shipment date of August 27. A 12 inch Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2 antenna expands smart home reach from attic to chicken coop, connecting via USB to work with Z Wave devices. Fairphone has refreshed its USB cables with recycled copper wires and recycled jackets, available as USB C to C and USB 3.2 variants with prices starting around 19.95 euros. A magnetic charging adapter for iPad Pro and iPad Air from Kuxiu lets devices charge at up to 18W for M2/M3 chips and 35W for M4 chips. RayCue adds a Thunderbolt 5 dock for the Mac Studio, increasing ports and permitting up to 16TB of storage. For 3D fans, Bambu Labs offers a Motion Activated Sound and Light Props Kit to create a glow in a homemade lightsaber.

On the software side, Google Flight Deals uses AI to suggest travel options based on user preferences and budget, with mixed results. Dia Pro brings unlimited access to an AI chat feature inside the Arc browser as a paid upgrade. Gemini Guided Learning introduces a study oriented mode to help students work through problems rather than simply presenting answers.

The roundup shows how hardware and software are converging to make everyday tech feel more capable and more personal. Durable, longer lasting accessories and modular add ons emphasize a shift toward longevity and customization. At the same time, AI powered tools in travel planning and education highlight a push to automate parts of decision making while leaving room for human judgment. The tension is clear: these products promise convenience, but price, compatibility and vendor ecosystems will shape how widely they are adopted. Consumers will weigh upfront costs against ongoing benefits, and makers will need to prove that the gains are real and lasting.

Ultimately, the week points to a broader trend: practical tech is moving from novelty to everyday utility. Users will be tempted by small, meaningful upgrades that fit existing setups, from a more capable dock under a Mac Studio to a powerful assistant in a browser. The challenge for the industry is to keep the user experience simple while expanding capability.

Highlights

Tech keeps showing up in surprising places while aiming to be genuinely useful