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Hands-on

Maybe giant gaming handhelds are where it’s at

I added controllers to a 13-inch gaming tablet and I don’t regret it.

Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Why does the DJI Flip exist?

That’s the big question online — because the unique bicycle-spoke folding drone isn’t smaller or more powerful than DJI’s Mini drones. But it’s inexpensive, does do a few things they don’t — yet — and it’s fun to fold and unfold! Check it out in my video:

Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
OhSnap Mcon: the viral phone gamepad designed by a teen looked even more fun in reality.

Just before Christmas, I told you how the company behind those awesome Popsocket alternatives had rescued the coolest-looking gamepad phone attachment I’ve ever seen.

Here at CES, my colleague Chris Welch got a quick demo that answers the biggest question: can this snappy spring-loaded gadget fling your phone around without yeeting it to the ground?

Panasonic came back for TV glory at CES 2025

The company hasn’t been back in the US TV market for long, but the Z95B OLED proves that Panasonic can hang with Sony, LG, and Samsung at the very high end.

Chris Welch
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
My favorite thing at CES is the Razer gaming chair that heats and cools.

It’s not the most technologically advanced thing ever, no butt-kicking haptics inside. Just a comfy mesh chair that can cool me when I inevitably run hot or warm me on chilly days, with near-silent jets of conditioned air. I really hope Razer actually sells this Project Arielle.

Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Bringing my Game Boy Advance out of the dark ages, literally.

The original GBA is tough to use indoors, so I tried fixing mine with a new screen! No soldering required, just ten screws and a few snips with flush cutters.

Here, I’m installing the $59 Hispeedido V5 “drop-in” kit I bought from Hand Held Legend; easier still would be dropping my motherboard into a new “laminated ready” shell and adding a laminated screen!

I saw Google’s plan to put Android on your face

Google’s prototype smart glasses made me feel like Tony Stark. Can Android XR make it happen outside of a demo?

Victoria Song
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
I’m obsessed with this magnesium alloy Game Boy.

What if the 1989 Game Boy was designed today for nostalgic adults? The $199 ModRetro Chromatic is made of metal, covered in sapphire crystal, with PBT buttons and an incredible screen.

As I explain, this Game Boy comes from Palmer Luckey, the controversial Oculus Rift founder who runs defense contractor Anduril... but if that’s not a dealbreaker, I’ll have a full review later this week.

Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Does the PS5 Pro make games look better? Here’s an attempt to show you.

The just-released PS5 Pro (here’s my review!) has a bunch of ways to amp visuals. But since Sony says most people prefer 60fps, we’re comparing the 2020 PS5’s 60fps “Performance” modes, and the new “Performance Pro” modes that give you higher detail at the same 60fps target. Plus Bloodborne for PS4.

Chris Welch
Chris Welch
Those new iMac colors look even better in our hands-on video.

It’s been a very busy week for the Mac. Apple gave creators and select media a preview of its latest machines in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Here’s Vjeran’s video roundup on the new Mac Mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro. The more I see that nano-texture coating on the latter, the more I’m sold on it.

Stay tuned for our reviews.

Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Today I’m toying with the Twistsaber, a 3D-printed marvel.

The Twistsaber is exactly what it sounds like — a lightsaber prop you twist to extend and retract, with an ingenious nesting screw design that makes it open and close incredibly fast. The files aren’t free, and it doesn’t light up, but there’s nothing else quite like it.

Also see: the self-retracting Goliath Power Saber, which nearly became an official Star Wars toy.

Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Toying with the GPD Win Max 2, a lilliputian computing dream.

A tiny $1200 laptop that doubles as a gaming handheld, with an incredible array of ports. Surprisingly easy to type on, plays games as well or better than a Legion Go, supports two kinds of eGPUs. Keyboard and touchpad make navigating Windows way easier than most handhelds.

But you might not enjoy holding its stiff metal frame, and it’s better paired with a mouse!

Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K CPU is one step forward, one step back for PC gaming

Intel’s flagship Core Ultra 200S-series processor runs more efficiently, but PC gaming performance is disappointing.

Tom Warren
Apple’s AirPods Pro hearing health features are as good as they sound

The AirPods Pro 2 will soon offer more robust hearing protection and a new hearing aid feature. But it’s the hearing test that really hooked me.

Chris Welch
A closer look at Nintendo’s adorable Alarmo clock

This pricey bedside clock can sense your movements and wake you up with Nintendo’s beloved characters.

Chris Welch
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
This $40 magnetic phone grip does what PopSockets can’t — and it’s on sale.

The OhSnap Snap 4 is thinner than a camera bump, yet there’s so many more ways to use it than a PopSocket. While the earlier Snap 3 broke on my colleague Victoria, this new model is holding up great for us both. Plus, Best Buy’s got it for $27.99 right now. Watch my video for caveats, though!

Note: If you buy something from these links, we might get affiliate revenue.

Hands-on with Orion, Meta’s first pair of AR glasses
Play

Orion is an impressive demo of AR glasses, but can Mark Zuckerberg beat everyone else to the next big platform?

Alex Heath
I played the PS5 Pro, and it’s clearly better

Here’s what to expect from PS5 Pro Enhanced games.

Sean Hollister
Bose’s new QuietComfort Earbuds offer top-tier ANC for under $200

The second-gen QC Earbuds have wireless charging and multipoint right out of the box, which hasn’t been the case for Bose’s pricier buds.

Chris Welch