Last month, Exeger and Mayht announced a partnership to create a portable Bluetooth speaker that's powered by light. At CES, they offered a glimpse at the prototype. 

Swedish company Exeger makes Powerfoyle, a material that can turn natural and ambient light into power. Dutch startup Mayht, meanwhile, is behind a type of audio tech called Heartmotion. It claims to have reinvented "the core of the speaker driver" to allow for speakers that can be more than 10 times more compact than other models without sacrificing sound quality or bass output. According to TechCrunch, Mayht's drivers need less energy than similar audio devices, so solar cells are a seemingly sufficient power source for the speaker.

Details about the speaker's specs remain unclear, such as what percentage of the device's surface is covered in Powerfoyle material. We've seen some headphones that use this tech, including Urbanista’s Los Angeles headphones. Based on our time with those, the speaker will need a decent proportion of solar cells to meet Exeger and Mayht's claim that it has "unlimited battery life" — at least if you don't live in eternal darkness.

Whether the speaker can deliver solid sound quality remains to be seen. The physical size of a driver and the depth of a cabinet are key factors in how speakers generate bass, so it'll be intriguing to hear how Mayht compensates for that.

Follow all of the latest news from CES 2022 right here!

It's CES season, and there are, inevitably, a bunch of new gaming laptops to check out. Dell has joined the party with a refreshed lineup of Alienware laptops, including the AMD Ryzen-powered M15 R7 and M17 R5.

You can select a Ryzen 6000-series CPUs to power the M17 R5. On the GPU front, you can have an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, 3060 or 30 Series laptop graphics card. If you'd prefer to go down the AMD route, you can equip the laptop with a Radeon RX 6700M or 6850M XT. RAM tops out at 64 GB of DDR5 memory, and you can have up to 4TB of NVMe M.2 SSD storage.

Dell

There are several display options, all of which include AMD Freesync and NVIDIA G-Sync support. Alienware's M series models support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos too. Among the keyboard options is one with mechanical CherryMX switches. The 17-inch laptop is a powerhouse, though it might not be the most travel-friendly gaming laptop around — it can weigh up to 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs).

The M15 R7 is a 15-inch laptop that supports the latest GeForce RTX 30-series GPUs. We're awaiting more details on the specs.

Alienware started using Ryzen chips in laptops last year after a 14-year gap in which it didn't ship any with AMD CPUs. You can expect to get your hands on the latest AMD-powered Alienware systems this spring. The M15 R7 starts at $1,499 and the M17 R5 starts at $1,599.

Dell hasn't announced any Intel-powered models yet. However, there's an Intel press conference at 1PM ET today.

Follow all of the latest news from CES 2022 right here!

Optimizing a router for your space can be a pain, but TP-Link is looking to take some of the sting out of that with a wild new router. The Archer AXE200 Omni is a WiFi 6E model with four mechanical antennas that rotate automatically. The idea is that, to optimize the signal, the router will adjust the antenna placement based on the location and usage of WiFi devices.

The Archer AXE200 Omni can deliver total speeds of over 10 Gbps, according to TP-Link. It has a tri-band setup that includes a 6Ghz band. If it works as promised, the router could improve iffy connections throughout your home or maintain a solid WiFi link as you move around while streaming video on your phone.

TP-Link

Elsewhere, TP-Link has made its first quad-band router, the Archer AXE300. It says the device can provide WiFi speeds of up to 16Gbps. Having more bands could reduce network congestion. You can set up a dedicated band, which should be useful for things like online gaming if your console or PC is too far away from the router to connect it via Ethernet.

In addition, the company’s latest flagship mesh system is the Deco XE200. With the help of WiFi 6E, TP-Link claims it can deliver speeds of up to 11Gbps. A two-pack should cover up to 6,500 square feet and connect more than 200 devices.

All three of these router systems will come with TP-Link HomeShield to provide owners with full control of their network as well as a degree of security. The company announced several other WiFi 6E products at CES, including the Deco Voice X50, which has a built-in smart speaker, and a unit designed to extend a mesh network outdoors. All of these routers should be available in 2022.

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Moen has pulled back the curtain on its latest faucet, and it's one that you can control without touching at all. The Smart Faucet with Motion Control allows users to adjust both the temperature and flow using gestures. There are a variety of styles to fit in with homeowners' design preferences and so confident is Moen about the tech that there are even versions without a handle.

Selecting hot, cold or warm water is as simple as swiping one's hand across a sensor. Default temperatures and a preferred gesture scheme can be set on the Moen Smart Water App. The faucet is available in a variety of styles to fit in with homeowners' design preferences.

The Smart Faucet with Motion Control incorporates all of the features from Moen's previous faucet, including Alexa and Google Assistant voice control. There are options to dispense precise quantities of water with exact temperatures (which could be great for bakers). There's also a "wash hands" command, which pauses the water flow for 20 seconds while you scrub your fingers and palms. In addition, you can monitor water consumption through the app.

Moen

This year, the app will offer integration with Moen's other products as part of the Smart Water Network, which comprises the faucet, a leak detector, Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff, sump pump monitor and smart shower. According to Moen, the system will help provide protection against issues like extreme cold temperatures. The system will be able to automatically take action when it detects risks, such as notifying the homeowner and shutting off water.

Follow all of the latest news from CES 2022 right here!

Apple's Find My tech is making its way into more products, including a backpack from Targus. The Cypress Hero Backpack has a built-in location tracker that could help its rightful owner find it through the Find My network if it goes missing. Conversely, if you misplace your iPhone, you can press a button on the backpack to ping your phone, as long as you've set things up in the Targus app.

Targus says the tracker is "highly integrated" into the backpack, which should offer some additional anti-theft protection. You can set up geofencing alerts, so if the backpack moves out of a certain area, you'll receive an alert. The tracker also has a built-in sound alert (which will likely be around as loud as an AirTag) that you can trigger remotely.

The tracker has a replaceable battery that you can top up via USB, though Targus says it will run for around a year before you need to recharge it. Targus crafted the backpack with sustainability in mind, as it's made with 26 recycled water bottles. The Cypress Hero Backpack, which has an IPX3 water resistance rating, should be available sometime in the spring or summer. It costs $150.

Targus

On top of that, Targus announced the DOCK720, a docking station that supports a single 8K monitor or up to four 4K monitors. The company says it's the "first biometric device and docking solution in one" — in other words, it has a fingerprint reader. You can expect an array of ports too, including USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet, HDMI and a combo audio jack. The dock will be available this month for $443.

The Targus Docking Display, meanwhile, is a 24-inch 1080p LCD monitor with a built-in 2MP webcam, microphone, speakers and USB-C docking station. You can daisy chain it to a second monitor and power both displays from your computer. The Docking Display will ship in February. The primary monitor costs $400 and the secondary monitor (which doesn't have a webcam) is $180.

In addition, Targus is expanding its lineup of antimicrobial products, which now includes backpacks, shoulder bags and protective sleeves for laptops. The company claims its DefenseGuard Antimicrobial Protection effectively prevents the growth of 99.9% of germ-causing microorganisms.

It will also release the UV-C LED Disinfection Light next month after debuting it at CES 2021. For five minutes every hour, the $300 device will bathe a surface (or, more likely, a keyboard and mouse) in ultraviolet light to effectively kill 99 percent of pathogens.

Follow all of the latest news from CES 2022 right here!

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a concept electric vehicle it claims would be able to run for more than 620 miles before needing to recharge. Should it come to fruition and live up to that promise, the Vision EQXX would beat the range of the Lucid Air Dream Edition by more than 100 miles and the Tesla Model S Long Range Plus by around 220 miles.

"The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX is how we imagine the future of electric cars," Mercedes-Benz head Ola Källenius said.

Based on the automaker's simulations, the Vision EQXX would use less than 10 kWh to travel 62 miles on public roads, delivering an efficiency of more than 6 miles per kWh. Converted into fossil fuel consumption, Mercedes says that's around the "golden figure" of 1 liter of gasoline per 62 miles.

The battery is half the size of and 30 percent lighter than the one in the EQS. However, it still has a capacity of almost 100 kWh. What's more, there are ultra-thin solar panels on the roof that can add up to 25 km (15.5 miles) of range.

The Vision EQXX is a lightweight car (1,750 kg or 3,858 lbs) that has been aerodynamically optimized. The automaker says that, with a drag coefficient of cd 0.17, the EV is more aerodynamic than a football (which has a cd of 0.18 to 0.2). What's more, Mercedes claims that 95 percent of battery energy is directed to the wheels.

Teams from Mercedes' research and development centers worked with its Formula 1 and Formula E engineers on the concept. They harnessed digital tools to reduce waste and weight by cutting out excess material — the wheels are made with magnesium and the brake discs are built with aluminum alloy. The Vision EQXX uses recycled and plant-based materials too. 

Mercedes-Benz

As for the interior, the Vision EQXX's infotainment system has a single 47.5-inch, mini-LED 8K screen. Like the Hyperscreen in the EQS, it spans almost the entire width of the cabin, though this is a one-piece display. The automaker worked with NAVIS Automotive Systems on a navigation system with zoom and scroll functions that include a satellite view. The "Hey Mercedes" voice assistant is integrated into the infotainment system too.

Even if Mercedes doesn't bring the Vision EQXX to show floors, developing the stylish concept has proven a valuable endeavor. It's already integrating many of the EV's features and developments into production. Some are being used in the next generation of the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture for compact and medium-sized cars.

Follow all of the latest news from CES 2022 right here!

Following its HomeKit-only indoor camera, Eve has announced a model for the outside of your home. The company claims the Outdoor Cam is the first floodlight camera created exclusively for HomeKit.

The Outdoor Cam uses HomeKit Secure Video and when it detects activity, you'll receive an iPhone notification. It taps into the on-device intelligence of Apple TV or HomePod to automatically record movements, and it can tell the difference between people, vehicles, pets, and packages.

Eve says that, like its other products, the camera was designed with data security in mind. Recordings are stored on iCloud and you can view them for up to 10 days via the Home app on iPhone, iPad and Mac. There's end-to-end encryption, so only the owner can see live video and recordings.

The camera can record 1080p video at 24 frames per second. It has a 157-degree field of view and two-way voice communication. The Outdoor Cam can detect motion up to 30 feet away through infrared night vision.

It's not the only outdoor camera that works with HomeKit Secure Video. The Netatmo Outdoor Camera does so as well. Still, it's interesting to see a smart security camera that requires Apple devices to operate.

You can pick up the Eve Outdoor Cam on April 5th from Eve and Amazon. Apple will sell the $250 camera at a later date.

In addition, Eve announced that its Matter-ready motors for blinds and shades are now available from a number of retailers. MotionBlinds require an iPhone or iPad equipped with the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.

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At CES, L’Oréal is showing off its first hair color device that can be used at home. The handheld Colorsonic can mix and apply product evenly, according to the company. If it works as promised, Colorsonic should help users get consistent hair color results without having to go to the salon.

L’Oréal developed and refined the device over the course of five years with the help of its customers. Colorsonic's mixer mechanism uses a mess-free process to blend exact volumes of developer and formula from colorant cartridges to create the hair color. The machine applies the product through a nozzle of bristles that oscillates in a zigzag pattern for even distribution.

L’Oréal

At-home dying and coloring kits have been around for decades. Still, the consistent results that L’Oréal is promising with Colorsonic could make the device worth checking out.

L'Oréal has become something of a mainstay at CES over the last several years. In 2019, it announced a sensor developed with wearable pioneer Professor John Rogers that measures skin hydration levels. The following year, it unveiled a smart dispenser that blends skincare product, taking into account factors like wrinkles, pore visibility, temperature and pollen levels. In 2021, L'Oréal's YSL brand revealed an at-home lipstick maker based on the Perso Smart Skincare system.

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Kohler has revealed when you'll be able to snag the Stillness Bath it unveiled at CES 2021, as well as a number of other smart home products. The bath, which takes inspiration from Japanese forest bathing, aims to replicate a spa experience with the help of light, fog and aromas. All aspects of the experience can be controlled through Kohler's Konnect app. The Soak Freestanding Bath model will cost around $8,000 and you'll be able to order it by the end of March.

Kohler

Another model offers voice control and another, called the Infinity Experience, fills from the bottom and water overflows into the wood base. Those will be available in Q3 this year. Pricing will be announced later.

Also at CES 2021, the company revealed the Touchless Residential Bathroom Faucet. The device will turn or off with a wave of your hand, though you'll still need to use a physical handle to set your preferred temperature. The faucet will automatically switch off after two minutes and when you set it to Vacation Mode, users can be assured it won't turn on accidentally while they're away. The device will ship later this year and cost $199.

Kohler

Elsewhere, Kohler has announced pricing and availability for its PerfectFill smart bathing tech. The system allows you to fill your bath to a specified depth and temperature through a voice command, control panel or the Konnect app. You can have up to 10 presets, and you'll be able to drain the bath using a voice command too. The system — which pairs with a Kohler digital valve, shout and compatible bath — will be available to buy in May, and it starts at $2,700.

Later this month, Kohler will start shipping home water monitors that it developed with the help of Phyn. The H2Wise systems can monitor water use on every home fixture. Along with alerting homeowners immediately when they detect a leak, the systems will offer detailed insights about home water use. They also use pressure sensing to look for crystals forming in pipes, so they can alert users before pipes freeze and burst.

Kohler

The DIY version (H2Wise) can be installed under a single sink, while the pro model, H2Wise+, is attached to the home's main valve and can shut off water throughout the residence if it detects a leak. As well as the Kohler app, you can connect the units to voice assistants. The DIY model costs approximately $400, and Kohler says the pro version (which can also be used outdoors) will be an estimated $666.70.

Among the other products Kohler will release this year is the Power Reserve Energy Storage System, which can pair with solar panel systems to store energy they produce. The battery can act as a backup for outages or to power the home using stored solar energy and reduce dependence on utility power. You can also prioritize the use of stored energy during peak usage times to lower the cost of your utility bills.

There could be a benefit for homes that don't have solar panels, as the system can store energy from the power grid at times of lower electricity usage. Kohler Power Reserve will start at around $13,325 for a system with a 10 kWh battery capacity, though you can have up to 20 kWh.

Follow all of the latest news from CES 2022 right here!

Samsung is overhauling its TV interface, and it's looking to pull many of your gaming needs together in one place. Via the Gaming Hub, you'll be able to fire up console games directly from TV home screens so you can start playing them a bit faster. 

What's more, you can access Samsung's new game streaming service from the hub. The company teased its latest stab at cloud gaming back in October. You'll be able to connect third-party controllers and headsets to compatible TVs, so you might not need to pick up extra hardware to play games on the platform. 

According to an image Samsung shared, players can access other streaming services from the hub, such as NVIDIA's GeForce Now, Stadia and PC gaming platform Utomik. Microsoft announced at E3 last year that a smart TV app for Xbox Game Pass is on the way, so maybe that'll land on the Gaming Hub at some point.

The hub will offer curated game recommendations with the help of Samsung's AI Gaming Hub tech. With the new Game Bar, you'll be able to customize aspects of your experience, such as the visuals and the settings. Using the Zoom In Mode, you can take a closer look at various parts of the screen, such as a minimap or journal entry. Meanwhile, the ultrawide Multi View will let you watch a YouTube walkthrough of a section you might be struggling with — similar to the PS5's activity cards — side by side with the game.

Samsung is keeping gamers in mind on the hardware front too. It's releasing 4K and 8K TVs with a 144 Hz refresh rate, which could help games look smoother. GeForce Now started offering a 120 fps option in October.