All the Tech You Need in 2024
Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D Printer
Bambu has new designs coming out all the time, one of their latest is the Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer. It does multi-coloured printing and is completely Plug-N-Play (after about 20 minutes of setup out of the box for your very first print).
It stays idiot proof with full auto calibration which calibrates the Z-offset, bed level, and vibration resonance prior to each job automatically, giving you consistent results. Speaking of consistent results, its active Flow Rate Compensation utilises a high-resolution eddy current sensor which monitors nozzle pressure making its print much cleaner as a result. It comes with a low frame rate monitoring camera with time lapse support so you can keep an eye on your projects as they spring to life.
It weighs 5kg and it’s total dimensions are: 347x315x365 mm³ if you were wondering exactly how mini it is.
Handheld gaming at It’s Finest
The Steam Deck OLED is hands down worth the price over the original, making sweeping improvements on its internals across the board. This isn’t just bout a new screen and bigger storage like the Switch OLED. The screen now has better fidelity and haptics, as well as brightness and a 90Hz refresh rate. Memory, APU, and thermals have all been improved across the board and they even threw in Wifi 6E support just for fun. Bluetooth has also been improved for docked play better supporting multiple controllers than before. Charging is faster and the battery has gone from 40Wh to 50Wh, pushing battery life up to 3 to 12 hours (up from 2 to 8).
If you were going to get the Steam Deck, don’t cheap out on the older model, this is better bang for buck. With that in mind, we are all expecting an even newer Steam Deck 2 or the like coming down the pipeline soon.
Your screen anywhere
The Aurga Viewer is brilliant in its simplicity. Plug it into an HDMI slot to instantly beam the signal to a device with the accompanying app installed. From there it combines everything you need to get things done with the device you just plugged into. Touchscreen, mouse and keyboard, video streaming, whatever. You can even plug this into a new PC rig you’re working on with no OS on it, since no additional software is required to get it going apart from on your receiving device, an iPad or phone for example. This is also means you can plug in the Aurga viewer and instantly turn your iPad into a secondary monitor from your laptop if you like. No extra messy cables required. RRP$99.
The Boost We Need
Belkin is back at it again reimagining how we use wireless chargers. This time they’ve enhanced your phone to become an upright, usable device or alarm clock instead of lying flat on the table. The BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock is designed for fast charging your Apple Watch and iPhone at the same time. The MagSafe dock attaches to your phone and allows for a 0 to 70 degree angle for accessibility. This means you could be doing facetime while charging at the exact same time. Otherwise take advantage of Apple’s StandBy feature which remembers whether you want a clock, photos, or widgets displayed at certain angles.
It charges at up to 15W and it can fully charge Apple Watch Series 7 and later from 0% to 80% in about 45 minutes. Apple Watch Ultra models can be charged from 0% to 80% in about an hour. It ships with a 30W USB-C PD power supply.
It comes in two neutral colours, sand and charcoal.
A touchscreen, to be Brief
LG has developed the LG StanbyME Go, a 27” wireless touchscreen for people who want to present things on the go. Built into a hardy suitcase design simply pop her open and swivel the screen out on it’s arm for the perfect viewing position. The battery life is only three hours so don’t think you’re going to get away with watching the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy while you’re away on your camping trip. It automatically flips to portrait mode if you’re planning on scrolling socials and even has a table mode for boardgame night. It’s smart and has all the apps you’ve come to expect and is backed up with Dolby Atmos for wrap-around sound. It has wifi and bluetooth but the only downside is it’s 14kg weight, which is the main thing reviewers have problems with.
Pricing starts at $1,199.99
The Bigscreen Beyond
We’ve grown accustomed to the idea that VR headsets are going to be just that, a headset, rarely do we think about them as a little pair of goggles. The 127gram Bigscreen Beyond is the next step up for anyone who already uses a lighthouse setup for the VR gameplay and is just about everything we’ve been looking for in a VR device. Screendoor effects are thing of the past with 2560 x 2560 pixels per eye.
After ordering a pair you have to take a 3D scan of your face, which goes to the manufacturer who creates a custom mould to fit your face perfectly. They also adjust the interpupillary distance (IPD). It does mean sharing is difficult, but it gives you a perfect fit with no RL leaking in to ruin how immersive the experience is. Beyond supports 75Hz and 90Hz refresh rates.
Shipping starts March 2024.
