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AI has escaped from the confines of the web browser and mobile app and is beginning to populate objects and appliances in the physical world, from air purifiers to lawnmowers. I've fallen behind on product reviews and owe more than a few (I promised to write about XREAL in the spring). While I do not have a lawn to mow, I've recently been hands-on with some compelling devices powered by AI. Surely, they are a harbinger of things to come.
XREAL's brand new model - its One Series AR glasses are powered by advanced AI, made possible by XREAL's self-designed X1 chip at their core. AI algorithms enable ultra-stable content anchoring, smooth frame rates, and intelligent spatial awareness features, like auto-transparency, which lightens or darkens the lenses based on where you're looking.
XREAL's new modular Eye camera, which just launched, takes its AI features a step further. It uses visual data from the camera and combines it with motion tracking to create a smoother, more immersive experience. Coming soon, the Eye will support AI-powered features like light gesture controls, making it easier to move through menus. While XREAL doesn't include a built-in AI assistant, its large virtual display works with any AI assistant on your phone, tablet, or computer. Designed to work with a wide range of devices, XREAL is clearly thinking ahead. XREAL One is $499, Eye is $99.
iFFALCON is a new Mural TV that incorporates what the company calls 'a AiPQ Pro Processor,' which enables numerous unique image quality tuning algorithms. This proprietary chip has intelligent sensing capabilities that enable it to make adjustments to image quality at nearly the pixel level, thereby providing a better viewing experience. For example, with AI contrast, the TV can perceive the brightness information of each image in the TV picture, and combine the brightness characteristics of the viewing environment to intelligently adjust the contrast of the picture to make the bright and dark details clearer.
Mural TV includes Art Mode, a curated feature that turns the television into a digital canvas, something I do with my big screen now with my photo library. The feature that got my attention, though, is its ability to project images it makes using generative AI. Keep your transparent tv, and send me one that makes art. Depending on size, costs range from $699 to $1,399.
Notta Memo is the world's lightest AI voice recorder. Most people have gotten used to AI's recording their Zoom conversation. Sometimes there are more notetaker apps in a meeting than human participants. But what happens if you want to do a meeting in person?
I can tell you as a writer who does this often, my iPhone's microphone isn't up to the task. I hate to carry an extra device, but the Notta Memo is the same size as two credit cards held together while still sporting a 4-microphone array that can hear through a crowd and has an astronomical 2000 hours of local storage. The Memo also has onboard transcription.
It integrates with over 30 enterprise tools, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, and Notion, as well as thousands more via Zapier. This transforms the device from a recorder to a workflow optimizer, with meeting insights automatically syncing to CRMs, team channels, and cloud storage, eliminating the need for manual data entry. Cost: $149.
Dreame AirPursue PM20 Best known for robot vacuums, Dreame now brings intelligent automation into air purification. This newly launched device utilizes AI to determine when, where, and for whom purified air is needed.
The PM20 has a unique trick up its sleeve though - to save power, when a room is empty it stays in standby model. Then it uses sensors to recognize the presence of people, activate itself, and then uses AI to intelligently direct a focused stream of purified air towards you. When more than one person is detected, the device's airflow intuitively shifts from side to side to ensure balanced and enhanced air coverage for everyone. Dreame says the PM20 can also recognize pets, typically those taller than 9.8 inches. Cost: $999.99.
Viaim's RecDot AI earbuds offers another way to do real-time AI transcription by utilizing the earbuds you need to wear anyway. Why wear dumb earbuds when you can put AI in your earbuds? It can even translate in real-time from up to sixteen languages, and switch languages in real-time. No app required; just press and hold to start recording instantly. Make sure to get two pairs so the person you're talking to can understand you as well! Cost: $249.
Sunseeker has just introduced a new version of its AI-powered lawn mower - the X3 Plus. This is the sort of thing I make fun of in my CES coverage, but Robot lawn mowers are no joke. They need to be much more accurate than a robot vacuum and they can't miss a spot, or run over your kid. Sunseeker uses what it calls "3D Vision AI" for automatic obstacle detection and precise environmental navigation. Its smart algorithms map your lawn, plan optimal routes so you can press play and walk away confident of a safe and complete job. Cost: $1199.
Lepro just launched a new line of AI-powered smart lights, available for table lamps, floor lamps, and even outdoor holiday lighting. At the heart of the system is Lepro's proprietary LightGPM technology, a generative AI model designed specifically for lighting. In addition to responding to voice commands, the lights can read facial expressions and tone of voice to understand how you’re feeling and adjust the lighting accordingly. Whether you smile, frown, or make a request like “set the mood for a romantic dinner” or “give me an 80s party vibe,” the system tailors the lighting to match. It’s a more intuitive, personalized approach to smart lighting. Cost: $20 and up.