December has passed. This month, we got a deer gaming tower from Origin PC and a iteration of the MSI Claw handheld that redeems a lot of what we didn’t like about the last generation. We also finished our long overdue review of Google’s Pixel Watch 3, which was so hot that I bought the 45mm version right away. We also tested a clock that can help with rolling dice.
There were bummers, too. They didn’t make this collection, but they still got shoutouts. Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus is as light as a feather, but its gorgeous AMOLED display falters when it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate—even on a laptop that suggests you stream games on it. Acer has also shown that it can make lovely OLED displays for its laptops, although the Swift 16 AI as a package is a big no-no. Also, a PSA for smart ring wearers, especially those who may have received a Samsung Galaxy Ring for Christmas and are wondering about its durability.
Next month is CES 2025. We’re already reporting on what the industry hopes to set up as next and new. As artificial intelligence permeates everything, it will include more of that as a selling point. It’ll also be a good time to tune in if you’re trying to upgrade your home entertainment setup, as all the new TVs and smart home tech are rolled out. And don’t forget the weird stuff, like laptops that slide out to give you more screen space. Expect next month’s collection to be overwhelming as we head into the winter thaw.
In our long overdue review, I finally gave the Pixel Watch 3 the full score it deserves. This is worth the trade-off if you’re still trying to get a Pixel Watch or not. It comes in two screen sizes, large (41mm) and larger (45mm), and offers better battery life and health tracking than the first two generations. It’s still not a perfect watch. For example, unlike the Apple Watch ecosystem, Google’s proprietary watchband connectivity makes it difficult to find clean knockoffs that you can swap in and out. But this is the best smartwatch in the Android ecosystem, even if you don’t use Fitbit.
This wasn’t a full review though a big hit among this month’s Gizmodo recommendations. Kyle took the Timestop D-20 to PAX Unplugged, and it quickly became his “gaming gadget of 2024.” The clock tells the time and pretends to roll the dice. It looks cool, wears comfortably, and was designed with RPG and board gamers in mind. The watch probably won’t be accepted as dice in any modern RPG, but there’s no need to charge it every night like a smart watch.
The Origin PC Neuron 3500X is a solid gaming machine with high specifications. Its quiet fans help with excellent airflow, and the RGB lighting makes the case look like a fish tank from the ’90s. But even with its high cost discounted, it can be very strong. The case tends to bend, and the panels fly off like pieces of an untested Boeing fuselage. Everything else about this PC is solid.
AI is everywhere, even in the name of the second generation portable gaming console. MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ is an improved version of the last Claw, which was available well, although it could be much better. This new handheld promises better performance for demanding and casual games on a nice big screen than its competitors, the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally. Although its battery life is good, the software could use some polishing. Overall, MSI’s approach with its gaming handhelds is more promising than where it left off.
We didn’t expect Bowers & Wilkins to make the list of worthy gadgets this month, but the Pi8 wireless earbuds we reviewed are the best Sherri has heard all year. They are small, easy to place, and offer excellent sound quality for music and podcasts. They’re also easier to use than many third-party buds on the market and fit an amazing variety of ears.
Source link
