Innehållsförteckning för December 2023 från T3

“It’s too beautiful to be true,” I thought as we drove past flawless, luscious green pastures grazed by cows, picture-perfect huts, small, well-kept churches and the most stunning mountain ranges I’ve seen in my entire life. I stared out of the window of the Mercedes minivan, trying to imprint the view of the Dolomites in my retina forever. The purpose of this trail-running trip was to test the soon-to-be-available SP0088 Adidas Sport Sunglasses, which have a unique feature: you can clip prescription glasses into the frame, making them super versatile performance eyewear for those with visual impairments. You get the best of both worlds; they’re comfortable and light, but also help you see better when the clip-ins are in place. After a light jog to Piz Sorega, the cable car…

For smart home fans and people who want to tighten their home security, the latest news from eufy will excite many. Recently, eufy launched its new Dual Camera Series product line, which is its first portfolio of dual camera devices. Made up of four new smart devices including indoor and outdoor cameras and a video doorbell, the new eufy Dual Camera Series is designed to monitor your home with its improved AI features and excellent camera quality. The new eufy Dual Camera Series is made up of two outdoor dual cameras, the SoloCam S340 (£179.99, uk.eufy.com) and the Floodlight Cam E340 (£219.99), as well as the Indoor Cam S350 (£129.99) and the Video Doorbell E340 (£159.99). Each device has 3K camera resolution, wide camera angles and day and night vision…

Q WILL TIMSBURY, ISLE OF MAN I’m worried about public USB ports. Can I get a USB condom? A Savvy question. You get a big clap from Guru. Trusting anything to a public USB port is a big risk. You cannot necessarily rough the port up to check for potential naughtiness like you might if you were hunting for a credit card skimmer. You’ve just got to trust that someone hasn’t stuck something nefarious on it along the line, whether it’s designed to swallow up your data and ship it off to some poor individual in the Far East for processing, or install malware onto that phone you’ve been waving away the security updates for. Is it likely? No, not at all. But could it happen? It could. Pack yourself…

I’ve been a keen exerciser for most of my life, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, given my position as an Active Editor at T3, a vertical that encompasses outdoors, wearables and fitness, among other categories. Of all the things I write about, performance wearables have played a crucial part in how I see and do physical activity in my everyday life – that’s understandable, I guess, as they often gamify sports, which can help you stay active. However, in recent years, I’ve noticed a change in how smartwatch users perceive health and fitness, which was confirmed during an interview I did with Sander Werring, CEO of Polar Elektro, manufacturer of fan-favourite multisport watches such as the Polar Vantage V series. “In the past, sports were an enabler for good…

1 PURE ADVANCE FLEX Obviously you can’t use private electric scooters on public roads, and you never would, so Pure’s super-cool folder might just be the best way to get your wheels from private track to private track. It collapses to almost nothing in seconds, weighs just 16kg, and its battery is large enough that it can almost manage a marathon. £1,099, pureelectric.com 2 RAZER AETHER Gamers love to get their RGB all in sync. It’s in their DNA. Razer’s Matter compatible Aether bulb takes that to the next level, tying into the company’s Chroma illumination to allow for its effects and colour mixes to now spread all the way from keyboard and mouse to the whole room. Or you could just make it white. Up to you. £49, razer.com…

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The Meta Quest 3 is some 40% slimmer than the Quest 2 that came before it, and that’s really noticeable: this new headset is very comfortable to wear, with easily adjustable straps across the top and around the back that mean you can get a comfortable fit with no trouble at all. Those rather clumsy tracking rings from the Quest 2 controllers are done away with on the two controllers bundled here – they feel a little on the cheap side but are comfortable to hold. It takes a little bit of time to get used to all the different buttons and gestures if you’re a complete beginner, but even newbies will be up to speed in a couple of hours. The Meta Quest 3 is powered by the Snapdragon…

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 feels premium in hand. The materials used are high-grade throughout, and that Super AMOLED screen looks sharp and bright. The bezel is 30% slimmer and the display is 20% bigger. The display also has a higher resolution, as well as a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits, which is the same as the Apple Watch 9. The watch is equipped with the Exynos W930 Dual-Core chip, enabling the smartwatch to process queries faster and operate that gorgeous touchscreen display more smoothly. Samsung claims it has improved the Galaxy Watch 6’s clock speed by 18% (from 1.18GHz to 1.4 GHz) and memory by 33% (from 1.5GB to 2GB), which certainly helps when it comes to load times and transitions. One new feature Samsung has been raving about…

HOW WE TEST In T3, we feature only the finest gadgets out there, and we believe that you – our loyal reader – deserve only the best tech in your life. We don’t want you to waste time, and money, on inferior products, and that’s exactly why our Tested section exists. In here you’ll find only the latest and hottest tech. Each product has been handpicked and tested by T3’s experts. We only choose people with specialist knowledge for each test, so you know you’re going to get an outcome based on many years of experience in their respective field. As well as our traditional five-star rating system (right), we also give out awards to particularly exceptional gadgets, using the line-up below - so when you spot one of these,…

Yamaha, the brand that kicked off the entire ‘soundbar’ thing in the first place, is back in the Dolby Atmos soundbar game – and with a modular system it calls ‘True X’. It consists of a Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar, a wireless subwoofer and battery-powered wireless speakers. So has the wait for Yamaha’s return to Dolby Atmos soundbar action been worth it? Received wisdom is that a centre-channel speaker driver is essential in a Dolby Atmos soundbar – after all, the centre channel handles dialogue. But Yamaha’s engineers have gone for a 4.1.2-channel arrangement, as it allows for a wider sound and better bass drivers. This lack of a dedicated centre channel doesn’t seem to hold the Yamaha SXR-X40A soundbar back in the slightest. No matter if the scene is purely…

1 ONEPLUS OPEN ● £1,599, oneplus.com OnePlus loves to make a splash. Its first folding phone – which is, for all intents and purposes, the exact same device as the Oppo Find N3 that will be launched elsewhere in the world by OnePlus’ parent company – doesn’t look or feel anything like a debut: it breaks a bunch of foldable records right out of the gate. The OnePlus Open is, for example, the slimmest foldable on the market, measuring just 5.8mm thick when unfurled. It’s 245g, making it lighter than many flagships that don’t fold, thanks to OnePlus’ use of titanium, carbon fibre and a super-streamlined waterdrop hinge design. And don’t mistake its lightness for weakness, because there’s an eight-axis pressure relief system built into the top edge to prevent…

The BMW X2 second generation brings the sports activity coupé right up to date, with the most advanced iDrive features and stunning new styling. Best of all though, it introduces an all-electric version in the form of the iX2, which fills an important gap in the electric vehicle line up for BMW. While the BMW iX1 and iX3 are fully fledged electric SUVs, the iX2 has the sportier coupé rear that defines the crossover models. The ICE powered X models have a number of coupés in their ranks, including the X6, X4 and the original X2, so it’s nice to see this style finally getting an EV edition. The electric iX2 offers up a 313hp and a 5.6-second 0-62mph acceleration, plus a range of 266 miles. Inside it has the…

DYSON 360 VIS NAV No one does vacuum cleaners better than Dyson, and its new 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum cleaner is no exception. Its most advanced cleaning solution yet, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav has superior mapping tech, an easy-to-use app and multiple sensors to detect dirt, walls and obstacles. £1,199.99, dyson.co.uk GOZNEY DOME S1 Gozney is back with another Dome pizza oven, the Dome S1. This gas-only streamlined version of the Dome has an extra-wide mouth, a built-in thermometer and a sleek design. The pizza it produces is delicious… take our word for it or try it yourself! £1,299, gozney.com DE’LONGHI RIVELIA For your ever-evolving coffee tastes, the new De’Longhi Rivelia automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine has a Bean Switch system that allows you to quickly change between different…

1 STORIGRAPHIC GEO JOURNALS Combining two primary paths to mindfulness – bullet journaling and adult colouring – into super-handsome little notebooks, Storigraphic’s Geo Journals are the perfect gift for at least one person in your life. It’s hard not to appreciate their geometric patterns, the aesthetic inspiration they offer, or the fact that a four-pack is just £30. From £10, storigraphic.com 2 RAZER SEIREN MINI While nobody needs any more podcasts in their lives, everyone’s got one in them. Razer’s cute smaller Seiren is a fantastic stocking-friendly way to help someone’s dulcet tones meet their device of choice. It’s also good for streaming, video calls, or anything else audio – and the extremely tight angle of its supercardioid capsule cuts out background noise. £49, razer.com 3 PIONEER DJ DDJ-FLX10 Probably…

CMF BY NOTHING WATCH PRO Considering how much tech has actually been packed into the Watch Pro (from Nothing spin-off CMF), it’s incredible that the price has been kept this low: you’ve got GPS on board, IP68 water and dust resistance, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, step counting, and up to 13 days of battery life, all for not very much money at all. The smartwatch definitely looks the part as well, coming wrapped up in a compact and stylish square casing, and topped off with a 1.96-inch AMOLED display with always-on capabilities. You’ve got a choice of three colours to pick from as well: black, grey, or a bright orange if you’re after something that really stands out on the wrist. £69, intl.cmf.tech APPLE WATCH ULTRA 2 The second-gen…

PLAYSTATION VR2 Sony’s second attempt to crack the VR market arrived in the form of PSVR 2 in February 2023, reducing the wires, making it a more ergonomic design and adding close to four times as many pixels. One of its biggest assets against rivals is the games, specifically that the Japanese developer will be making experiences for the unit over the coming years, like Horizon Call of the Mountain, Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil Village. While PSVR 2 isn’t backwards compatible with the original, some games did get upgrades with those who purchased them the first time around able to nab them again for free. The only other downside is the requirement to own a PS5 to run the headset. £529.99, playstation.com HP REVERB G2 Now a few…

As anticipated, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is a better smartwatch than its predecessor. It has more features and a refined physical appearance that perfectly aligns with the design philosophy that made the first iteration so iconic. It comes in one size (41mm), similar to its predecessor. However, the wearable has a completely redesigned back with new sensors and the domed cover glass covering the AMOLED always-on display is thinner. It’s the back of the watch that received the most significant update. The Google Pixel Watch 2 has a new multi-path optical heart rate sensor that’s said to provide better readings in challenging situations, such as intense HIIT workouts. The sensor can automatically switch between single and multi-path modes to provide the most optimal (ie least battery-intense) operation. The watch…

If you’re looking for the very best tech available today, you’ve definitely come to the right place. Best of the Best is the most useful gadget-buying guide you will ever encounter. To create it, we’ve extensively tested the best tech the world has to offer, to bring you rock-solid recommendations for your home life, daily commute and the tech you use all the time. In 54 different categories, we’ve chosen the top four products, so you can choose one that’s just the right mix of features and budget for what you need. These rankings come from real testing by our team of experts – they’re the products we’d choose for ourselves, and we can’t recommend any higher than that. Look for the links above each category that take you to…

Why is it that USB and HDMI cables hardly ever reveal what standard they are? Different standards make a huge difference to things like data and charging speeds and, in the case of HDMI, factors like maximum supported resolutions and refresh rates. When you’re desperately trying to connect something to your new 4K or 8K TV, you might really want to know if your cable is the latest HDMI 2.1b or, if not, which one of the dozen or so different standards that preceded it. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to tell. USB is as bad. It’s now notched up somewhere between seven and 17 different versions (depending on how you classify them) from the original 1.1 to the latest USB4 Gen 3x2. And that’s before you consider the similar-looking…

VW TOUAREG 2023 The fourth generation of VW’s flagship SUV is now on sale. It boasts the very latest tech, including a new Park Assist Pro that allows you to park using the app from outside the vehicle. It also comes in plug-in Hybrid versions for better economy. £67,780, volkswagen.co.uk XPENG LAND AIRCRAFT CARRIER The new XPENG Aeroht concept is a six-wheeled off-road vehicle that has a eVTOL ‘air module’ that lets you park the car and head for the skies. Perfect for when you’re stuck in traffic and have to get to that meeting. £TBC, heyxpeng.com TESLA CYBERTRUCK The long-awaited pickup truck equivalent of Red Dwarf’s Kryten is finally shipping to customers in the US this month. Over 1 million users have reserved a truck but the price is…

1 TWIGGY WALLPAPER This evocative design brings the cosy feel of an autumnal woodland walk into the heart of your living space. Abundant with seasonal tones, ferns and fronds, the John Morris Collection combines British heritage design with a contemporary sense of drama. £225 a roll, beautifulwalls.co.uk 2 TINA TALLBOY CHEST OF DRAWERS This vintage inspired tallboy combines a mango wood frame with Indian cane drawer fronts, topped with two smaller drawers featuring screen printed fabric and hand-hammered gold handles. An elegant mix of texture and tone. £745, oliverbonas.com 3 DECORATIVE VASE Forget minimalism, make a statement, and fill your home with loved objects bursting with personality. An erratic display of styles is fine, as long as it’s yours. This large, stoneware vase would look wonderful filled with a colourful…

KNOWER FOREVER Delicious bass, maddening keyboards, speedy drums, brilliant brass and biting political commentary: Knower are back and they’re just as playful and tight as ever. THE RECKONING If you didn’t watch Steve Coogan’s deeply uncomfortable portrayal of Jimmy Savile when it aired, GaGu encourages you to swallow it up in its UHD form on iPlayer. It’s horrible. BALATRO This PC game is a weird hybrid of poker and roguelike; if you’ve ever dreamed of playing a five-of-a-kind flush, its deck-altering mechanics have you covered. The demo’s on Steam.…

1 TCL ROKU TV For kids or kitchens a cut-price television is a perfect gift, but there’s no reason to settle for unimpressive LCD when TCL is now offering QLED at an entirely reasonable price. Bright and colourful, with Roku smarts running the show, the cost – which tops out at £529 for the 65-inch version – makes up for the relatively pedestrian 60Hz refresh rate. From £299, roku.com 2 SOUNDCORE Q20i Don’t underestimate the skill of Anker’s audio division. Not only are the Q20i closed-back cans comfortable, conforming to the shape of one’s head and offering excellent passive noise cancelling, they’re fully capable in the hardware department as well. The ANC is strong, the battery is long, and you can pick them up for a song. £49, soundcore.com 3…

1 FITBIT VERSA 4 Balancing price and power isn’t easy, but we’d say the Versa 4 is a pretty attractive gift for a health-conscious, bare-wristed loved one. Built-in GPS means it works without a phone nearby, sleep tracking breaks down ten metrics to really suss out one’s snooze, and smart features like Alexa Built-in and NFC payments put it a step above similar options. £180, fitbit.com 2 SURI ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH SURI means ‘Sustainable Rituals’, and frankly there’s no reason to shove disposable plastic into your mouth every morning and night when your toothbrush could be reusable, repairable and recyclable. Its heads use plant-based bristles, the aluminium body is designed to be taken apart, and even the battery lasts up to 40 days without charging. £95, trysuri.com 3 PRIMAL PRO SERIES…

CMF BY NOTHING BUDS PRO At first glance, you wouldn’t think there’s anything budget about the Buds Pro at all. Made by Nothing spin-off CMF, they look like they cost significantly more than they do, and that includes the charging case you get with them. Three colour options are available – orange, black and white – so there’s some flexibility there too. The specs list for these wireless earbuds is as impressive as the aesthetics too. There’s active noise cancellation here, a dedicated bass driver, IP54 dust and water resistance, and up to 39 hours of battery life. Then you get to the price, which is very low compared to rival earbuds, and they become even more appealing as a budget stocking filler. £49, cmf.tech SONY WF-1000XM5 If you’re in…

The year 2024 will see two of the biggest names in the VR/MR business clash as Apple Vision Pro hits the market, looking to usurp the dominance of the Meta Quest in recent years. By then, the Quest’s latest iteration, the Meta Quest 3, will have been out for at least a year. Will that head start make the difference, or will other factors come into play? Apple Vision Pro is a mixed-reality headset that also happens to feature VR and AR applications, while the Meta Quest 3 is a virtual-reality device with MR and AR properties. That is the headline difference. That and the cost: £479.99 for the Meta Quest 3 (128GB) and $3,499 (about £2,800) for the Apple Vision Pro. That £2,000-plus gap will no doubt be the…

1 Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 The new Galaxy Watch offers a slimmer aluminium bezel and a sharper, brighter display but the real magic happens inside. Samsung has added its latest Exynos W930 Dual-Core chip, which makes operation lightning fast. Plus, software updates have improved sleep and health tracking to a significant degree. From £289, samsung.com SPECS Display 1.3-inch 432 x 432 AMOLED Processor Exynos W930 Dual-Core Memory 2GB Storage 16GB OS Wear OS 4 Connectivity Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3 Dimensions 38.8x40.4x9mm Weight 28.7g 2 Google Pixel Watch 2 Lighter and thinner than before, Google has made the excellent design of the Pixel Watch even more desirable and crammed more inside. There’s a more accurate multi-path optical heart rate sensor, while accurate stress tracking comes courtesy of a fresh cEDA sensor.…

It’s true that the Apple Watch Series 9 is the spitting image of the Series 8 and Series 7 without the screen on. It comes in the same two sizes, the same case material options and more or less in the same colours, apart from the new Pink colourway. But it’s a very different smartwatch. It’s faster, brighter, and has features no previous generation Apple Watches will be able to get. For starters, the always-on Retina LTPO OLED display has a broader brightness range (1-2,000 nits), making it extremely easy to read in broad daylight. Another exciting new hardware update is the S9 SiP. It’s said to be Apple’s most powerful Apple Watch chip ever, with a dual-core CPU that has 5.6 billion transistors – 60% more than the Apple…

1 APPLE AIRPODS PRO Apple has added a bunch of new features to its latest AirPods Pro, not least the excellent Adaptive audio, which automatically switches between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode when it detects the wearer is speaking. The sound quality is phenomenal for such a tiny device. £229, apple.com 2 NIKE SPORT BAND Every Nike Sport Band comes with its own personality thanks to the construction process never creating two identical straps. But on top of this, the compression-moulded perforations aid breathability, ensuring it is the perfect workout partner. £49, apple.com 3 MOPHIE 3-IN-1 TRAVEL CHARGER WITH MAGSAFE This clever device tops up your Apple Watch Series 9, as well Apple AirPods and iPhones with compatible MagSafe charging capabilities. It’s perfectly suited to those international jet setters…

Laptop makers are always trying to find what the next incarnation of the portable computer looks like. Foldable, rollable, lighter than a bag of flour? It’s all been tried, but the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i takes a different approach. If you took the classic 360-degree hybrid laptop design and amped up its hybrid nature a few dozen notches you might end up with the Book 9i. It has a 360-degree hinge, but a second screen sits where the keyboard usually would. The least appealing way to use the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is as a laptop, really, with the lower screen acting as a virtual iPad-style keyboard; we don’t really recommend this style of use. However, it does include a wireless keyboard accessory that can sit right on the lower…