Meta might be known as the current king of the smart glasses world, but ongoing privacy concerns, combined with a closed ecosystem, mar the company’s attempt to make the form factor mainstream. HTC, on the other hand, which has just launched the VIVE Eagle AI glasses in Australia, wants to nip privacy fears in the bud.
Known for its VR headsets, HTC designed the VIVE Eagle AI specs to encourage people to spend less time glued to their phones. Capable of translating languages and snapping photos via a built-in 12MP camera, the specs also connect to the user’s choice of AI platform.
HTC gives more power to the public
HTC’s approach to privacy follows similar attempts to other brands, with a bit of a twist. Like other specs, the VIVE Eagle has an LED light that flicks on when the camera is in use. This LED’s brightness adjusts based on ambient lighting to try to make it clearly visible at all times. If someone covers the LED, or if the glasses aren’t being worn, the camera is disabled.
Perhaps the biggest privacy feature is that non-wearers can stop recordings, not just the user. According to HTC, if the wearer is recording video and someone says “stop filming”, the recording stops.
While it doesn’t necessarily stop someone from starting a recording in the first place, it at least gives people on the other side of the lens slightly more control. However, it does raise further questions. Will HTC embark on an education campaign to let the public know they can use a phrase to stop recordings? Why should the onus be on the public instead of smart glasses wearers?
It’s far from an open-and-shut case, but at least a tech company is trying something different.
Choice of AI
Another criticism of Meta’s smart glasses is the reliance on Meta AI. If you want to use the company’s glasses, you’re stuck with Meta’s AI technology. Conversely, HTC lets users choose their AI agent of choice.
Via the VIVE Connect app, there’s the option of using Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT. On top of that, the VIVE Eagle can process speech and text language translations via its own AI technology. This requires a paid plan, however, which starts at $4.99 per month (a 24-month VIVE AI Plus plan is included with the glasses).
Now available to pre-order, the HTC VIVE Eagle AI glasses cost $799 in Australia. They launch on 14 September, with Harvey Norman the first local retailer to stock the specs.
Often, at major trade shows, exhibitors plan their presence around a single show-stopping announcement. Something that will make people go out of their way to seek it out on a crowded show floor. Ecovacs took a different approach at IFA 2026. Confident in its technology, the home robotics brand opted to lean on its established robotic ecosystem that covers floors, windows, pools, and lawns.
Still, there were closer looks at some of Ecovacs’ latest devices. Among them was the roller mop-wielding Deebot X12S OmniCyclone, a more powerful robot vacuum that just launched overseas. Window cleaning also got a look in, with the Winbot W3 Omni (currently available in Australia) featured.
After its big outdoor robotics launch in July, Ecovacs already has an eye on the next-gen devices. These include the GOAT T robot lawnmowers, equipped with edge trimmers and a 360-degree LiDAR navigation system, plus the brand’s latest Ultramarine L1 Pro pool cleaner.
Ecovacs went deep on strategy at IFA 2026
These devices almost took a backseat to Ecovacs’ message about its status in the market. Adopting the tone of an investor call, the company claims that its robots are used in more than 38 million homes globally, with robot shipments growing by 44.1% in the first half of 2026. Notably, 51% of Ecovacs’ revenue came from outside China during Q2 2026, the first time the company has recorded more revenue from international markets than domestic.
But according to the company’s leadership, growing bigger isn’t about flooding the market with more robots.
“The future of home robotics is not about adding more products,” said David Qian, CEO of Ecovacs Robotics. “It is about giving people more freedom from everyday tasks.”
He added that making robots for different purposes, like vacuuming or mowing the lawn, doesn’t require starting from scratch each time. Many of the company’s devices use similar technologies, especially through navigation and obstacle avoidance.
“By reusing around 80% of our core technologies and adapting 20% to each scenario, we can bring robotics from floors and windows to lawns and pools,” Qian said.
Perhaps it’s a sign that Ecovacs intends to dominate the home robotics market via considered iteration, not by overwhelming shelves with as many robots as possible.
First it was gardens, now it’s the pool: Roborock has joined the procession of home robotics brands to debut a robot pool cleaner. Lifting the veil on the RockAqua P1 at IFA 2026, Roborock wants to take the pool-cleaning fight to the competition.
Designed to clean shallow platforms as small as 15cm — in addition to a pool’s floor and walls — the RockAqua P1 is powered by a motor capable of sucking upwards of 25,000 litres per hour. It’s equipped with a dual-filter system: one designed to capture small particles, like sand, and another for leaves and larger pool litter.
Roborock hasn’t locked in the RockAqua P1’s Australian price yet, but the company confirmed a January 2027 launch. Australia and New Zealand will be the first regions to get Roborock’s debut pool robot, timed with the middle of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer. It’ll come head-to-head with other robot pool cleaners from competing brands, including Mova and Ecovacs.
Bolstering its outdoor robotic range, Roborock also announced the RockNeo Q2 LiDAR, a new robot lawnmower. Made to cover lawns up to 800m², the new RockNeo uses the titular LiDAR technology to navigate yards without wires. It can also do your lawn edges within 3cm automatically.
Roborock’s latest robot lawnmower might still be a while away, though. The company only just brought its autonomous mowers to Australia for the first time this month, so the model at IFA likely is a teaser for what’s to come.
Robots inside the home
Among the focus on outdoor tech, IFA 2026 wasn’t devoid of Roborock’s well-known robot vacuums. Alongside the company’s upcoming wet-dry vacuum range, there are also two robot indoor cleaners on the way.
Up first is the Roborock Saros 20 Flow, an upgraded version of its flagship model that replaces spinning mop pads with a roller mop. It has the same 36,000Pa suction power as its predecessor, so the mopping power is the main upgrade.
The Saros 20 Flow, like the Qrevo model, can also cross dual thresholds up to 8.8cm. Image: Roborock.
By using a roller mop, the Saros 20 Flow produces more downward force, which should help improve mopping performance. It also uses an array of pressurised water valves to constantly clean the roller mop while in use to prevent tracking dirty water throughout the house.
However, roller mops tend to result in bulkier robots. Bulkier robots mean more chance of not fitting under low-hanging furniture. Roborock’s alternative is the Qrevo Edge 3 Pro, a similar robot in terms of suction power and the use of a retractable LiDAR sensor. But instead of using a roller mop, it relies on spinning mop pads, which Roborock claims apply 14N of downward force.
Both robots are relatively thin, but the Qrevo Edge 3 Pro can fit under even more furniture. Image: Roborock.
As a result of using different technology, the Qrevo Edge 3 Pro stands as short as 7.95cm. By comparison, the Saros 20 Flow is 8.98cm tall. Both offer similar self-cleaning technology and overall power; mop type and clearance height are the main differences.
In Australia, both the Roborock Saros 20 Flow and Qrevo Edge 3 Pro will cost $2,799. According to Roborock, the Qrevo model will arrive by the end of the month, while the new Saros will launch by early October.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the Indie Showcase is consistently one of the best parts of PAX Aus. Plenty of big brands and major attractions line the halls of Melbourne’s huge gaming convention, but the games from independent creators are the event’s heart and soul. And there’s already one game I’m eyeing off ahead of October.
PAX Aus recently announced the winners of the Indie Showcase for 2026, where various video games and tabletop games will receive prime position on the show floor. One of them is Cozy Game Restoration from Melbourne-based studio Parasol Corp.
As it says on the tin, the game is about restoring old video game cartridges and discs into pristine condition. Like the popular PowerWash Simulator games, the appeal is in meticulously removing built-up grime and decay to see the sparkling beauty underneath.
While Cozy Game Restoration doesn’t feature officially licenced games (with some indie exceptions), each cart looks as if it could’ve been a real game back in the day. Retro game collecting is ridiculously expensive these days, so enjoying the digital equivalent might prove a far cheaper endeavour.
PAX Aus 2026 Indie Showcase winners
Alongside Cozy Game Restoration, here is the full list of Indie Showcase winners for PAX Aus 2026:
Digital
Cozy Game Restoration by Parasol Corp
Key Fairy by Owl Machine
Finch & Archie by Octarine Arts
The Last Exterminator by Ironworks Games
Mission Delta by Polarity Games
A Real Life Party by Silakka
Tabletop
Thrive by Avant-Card Games
Aqueducks by Corkscrew Games
Deathbed by Devil Juice
Drago’s Dreamland by Emily Dallwitz
Caught in the Rain by The Ravensridge Emporium
Wireburn by Wireburnthegame
More details about each of the winners are on the PAX Aus website. This year’s event runs between 9 and 11 October at the MCEC, where all manner of gamers will converge for their annual pilgrimage. Three-day passes and Saturday passes have already sold out, with Friday and Sunday still available.
We’re just a few days out from Father’s Day 2026, so if you’re still fumbling around trying to find the perfect gadget for dad, these suggestions will help you get out of a bind.
I’ve tested loads of gadgets, and these are some of the tech-related gifts I reckon your dad will love. Some are practical, others are fun, and there’s a good mix of both throughout. Best of all, they’re easy to get your hands on in time for a last-minute Father’s Day gift.
Quad Lock Bike Alarm and Finder ($79.99)
If your dad is a keen cyclist and/or dentist (they eventually become cyclists), then this small, easy-to-set-up bike alarm and finder is a must-have. I’ve got one for all my bikes, and it gives great peace of mind.
You can pop it under a bottle cage or under the saddle, and if someone tries to move or steal the bike, it’ll let out a loud 93dBA alarm. It also syncs to Apple Find My, so if the bike is stolen, you have a better chance of tracking it down and getting it back.
Quad Lock Traverse Backpack ($279.99)
Image: Quad Lock.
Speaking of Quad Lock, I also really love this backpack. Ideal for the adventuring dad, it’s comfortable to wear on a bicycle or motorbike, and it’s also good for travel. I’ve taken mine to the US, Singapore, China, Taiwan and Japan this year and found it comfortable and capacious.
Trek Air Rush Electric Pump ($139.99)
A friend gave me this electric pump earlier in the year, and if you have a dad who cycles, or frequently needs to pump up the tyres of their mower or wheelbarrow or even sports balls, then this is such a great gift.
It fits in a pocket or small saddle bag, and it has enough battery to fully pump up two tyres if needing to change a tyre, or get four tyres from 40PSI to 70PSI very quickly and easily. I haven’t gone on a ride without it since.
GravaStar Supernova Bluetooth Speaker ($227.39)
This might not be the Bluetooth speaker you’d buy for an audiophile dad, but this speaker just looks so cool that any sci-fi or gamer dads will get a kick out of it. Because it also doubles as a lamp (and a really awesome lamp at that), it’s great for dads who want to listen to music in the kitchen and then take it out to the shed at night to do a little tinkering.
Corsair Galleon 100 SD keyboard ($599)
Image: Corsair.
Dad would have to be pretty dedicated to his craft to be worthy of such a spectacular keyboard. But if your dad is a budding streamer, editor, or kind of guy who lives for a good shortcut, macro or bit of optimisation, then he’ll love the Corsair Galleon 100 SD mechanical keyboard. It’s half keyboard/half Stream Deck, and a complete joy to use.
Crkd Gibson Guitar (from $224)
If your dad is a Millennial or Gen X-er, then I bet you he has at least one story about how he was an incredible, world-class Guitar Hero player. I know this because I am basically a Millennial dad.
I love this Crkd Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller, because it allows you to relive the glory days of Guitar Hero in Fortnite Festival and the upcoming Stage Tour video games. You can also get other models of the guitar, but this is the one I have and love.
Lego Ferrari F2004 & Michael Schumacher ($149.99)
Dads who are into F1 all have a story about getting to watch the great Michael Schumacher drive his Ferrari like he was living poetry. In a time before Drive To Survive, even people who didn’t watch F1 all knew who Michael Schumacher was.
This Lego set is such a wonderful one to build. I’ve been building mine with my two-year-old, and while she’s perhaps not the most helpful building buddy, it has been a really wonderful bonding experience, with memories that I’m going to treasure. Maybe that’s something the dad in your life would enjoy, too?
Lego Star Wars BB-8 Astromech Droid ($149.99)
If Star Wars is more dad’s speed, then this BB-8 Astromech Droid is a great build. There’s something about the challenge of trying to build Lego into a sphere that I just really enjoy. Plus BB-8 is so cute!
8BitDo Pro 3 Controller ($99)
This is the gift for gamer dads who need a turbo controller to either speed up actions in games, or cheekily pop a rubber band around the trigger and play time-sink games AFK (like the popular Star Wars Droid Tycoon in Fortnite).
Outside the turbo functionality, it’s also just an excellent controller, with Hall effect joysticks. It’s reminiscent of old school Nintendo controllers, compatible with all generations of the Nintendo Switch, PC, and a wide variety of Apple and mobile devices.
Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle ($449)
Image: Alice Clarke.
For the DIY dad who likes to make his own stickers, cards, and customised T-shirts, the Cricut Explore 5 is a great tool to help him make those items more easily. It cuts paper, vinyl, iron-on transfers, bonded fabric and 60 other materials to make everything from customised whiskey glasses to the most fabulous drag accessories you’ve ever seen.
Ergonomic computer accessories (from $44.95)
If you are old enough to read this gift guide, it means that your dad is old enough to need more ergonomic accessories for his computer. His back hurts, his wrist hurts, and he’s tired. Here are some of my picks to make your dad more comfortable:
Everyone loves a pretty smart light, and Nanoleaf makes the prettiest ones that are the easiest to customise. There are thousands of ways dad can combine all the different shaped parts to make a unique design to make his space his own.
Dads may gravitate towards the harshest, coolest overhead lights imaginable, but you can show him that it’s possible to live in a space that isn’t lit like an FBI interrogation room in a low-budget action movie.
KEF has released the LS LUXE in Australia, an active wireless speaker system that the British audio brand has built as much around how it looks as how it sounds. It sells for $6,375 a pair, with matching S-LUXE floor stands another $1,230.
The LS LUXE was designed with Ross Lovegrove, the industrial designer behind KEF’s Muon and Muo speakers. KEF describes the partnership as spanning more than two decades. The result is a compact two-way speaker with a sculpted cabinet, offered in three finishes, and clearly aimed at people who would rather not put a black box in the living room.
When I unpacked them, I was impressed with the luxurious finish, and love the organic curves, symmetry and shape, especially the ribbed rear of the units that surrounds the connectors.
HDMI eARC, optical, coaxial, 3.5mm analogue, Ethernet, interspeaker link
Dimensions
298 x 223 x 336mm (H x W x D)
Weight
20kg per pair
Power consumption
200W in use, under 2W standby
Finishes
Eclipse Black, Dusk Titanium, Mineral White
What is new inside
Each speaker carries KEF’s 12th-generation Uni-Q array, a 6.5-inch coaxial driver that places a 25mm vented aluminium dome tweeter in the centre of a 165mm aluminium mid-bass cone. Putting both drivers on the same axis is KEF’s answer to a speaker sounding different depending on where you sit in the room.
Behind the tweeter sits Metamaterial Absorption Technology. This is a maze-like structure that soaks up the sound radiating backwards off the dome instead of letting it reflect back through the driver. It has been in KEF’s higher-end models for a few years now and is a large part of why they sound as clean as they do.
KEF LS Luxe units on stands. Credit: KEF
The genuinely new part is Velocity Control Technology, or VECO, which KEF lists as patent pending. It monitors how the driver is actually moving in real time and corrects the drive signal accordingly, which should mean tighter bass and less distortion when you push the volume. KEF pairs it with what it calls Current-Drive amplification. Each speaker gets 280 watts for the low frequencies and 100 watts for the highs.
Handling the digital side is KEF’s Music Integrity Engine, the DSP suite that manages the crossover and keeps the tonal balance consistent as volume changes.
Streaming, TV and what plugs in
LS LUXE runs on KEF’s W2 wireless platform, meaning there are lots of connectivity options for those who don’t have a favourite amp or turntable. The speakers support hi-res files up to 24-bit/384kHz. Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, AirPlay and Google Cast are compatible, along with direct access to TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music and Deezer through the KEF Connect app. As an iOS user, I would have liked to see Apple Music included too. Bluetooth 5.3 covers anything that does not stream over the network.
The physical inputs are what make this more than a wireless music system. HDMI eARC lets it take over from a television’s speakers with a single cable and the TV remote, and there is optical, coaxial and a 3.5mm analogue input for a turntable running its own phono stage. Ethernet and a link between the two speakers are also on the back panel.
Setup and finishes
Setup, room optimisation and EQ are all handled in the KEF Connect app, which walks through positioning and lets you adjust for a speaker sitting close to a wall or tucked into a corner. The three finishes are Eclipse Black, Dusk Titanium and Mineral White. The S-LUXE floor stands come in Slate Grey and are sold separately.
A stereo pair in Dusk Titanium. Credit: KEF
Price and availability in Australia
LS LUXE has been available in Australia since 30 July through au.kef.com and authorised KEF retailers, priced at $6,375 a pair. The S-LUXE floor stands add $1,230, taking the pair with stands to $7,605. At the time of writing, KEF Australia lists the Dusk Titanium finish as shipping from early September.
We have a pair of LS LUXE in for review and will report back on how they sound, how the HDMI eARC connection behaves in daily use, and whether the design and finish earn the asking price.
As you start planning your end-of-year holidays and trips away, it’s important to think about home security. How will you keep an eye on things while away? That question has been answered for you: we’re giving away a four-pack of Ring Solar Spotlight cameras!
With Retinal 2K video quality, a built-in spotlight, and solar-powered operation, these cameras give you peace of mind, no matter where you are in the world.
Smart features are central to Ring’s range of security devices, and the Solar Spotlight cameras are no different. Capable of detecting motion, the cameras automatically turn on the spotlights to provide clear visibility at all hours, while warning potential intruders. You also receive live updates on your phone, keeping you on top of any goings-on.
Each Ring Solar Spotlight camera has a wide field of view, capturing plenty of details outside your home. They’re easy to install and mount, let you communicate with visitors, and provide continuous operation with the included solar panels.
It’s never been easier to set up a reliable smart home security system. And, if you enter this giveaway, you might not even have to pay for it.
How to win a 4-pack of Ring Solar Spotlight cameras
Thanks to Ring, GadgetGuy is giving away one four-pack of Ring Solar Spotlight cameras valued at $1,099. For your chance to win, all you need to do is follow the instructions below.
First, enter your details in the form below. You also have the option of entering via multiple social media accounts; the more entry methods you use, the better your chances of winning!
Can’t see the entry form widget? No worries, simply visit the entry page and fill in the details directly.
Australian residents aged 18 and above can enter now until 3:00 PM AEST on 15 September 2026. More details, including the full terms and conditions, are listed on the entry form.
This is a great prize from Ring, especially as it gets closer to summer getaway season. Of course, home security should be top-of-mind all year round, so these cameras will get plenty of use 12 months a year.
Once you’ve entered the giveaway, share this page with anyone who you think would benefit from a home security upgrade. Good luck!
