AI gadgets

Glasses with a small display in the right lens for Meta AI answers, messages, and directions. You control it with finger gestures read by a wristband.

• In-lens display
• Neural Band wristband included
• No subscription mentioned at launch

Maker's price: $799 with the Meta Neural Band; on sale in the US since September 30, 2025. Store prices change; check the current price before you buy.

Source: Meta, Meta Ray-Ban Display

No display, just a camera, speakers, and microphones. Ask Meta AI what you're looking at, take hands-free photos and video, and listen to music. Meta leads the AI glasses market, and this is its everyday pair.

• Camera, open-ear speakers, and microphones
• Many frame and lens styles
• Works with the Meta AI app

Maker's price: Announced September 17, 2025. Check current pricing; it varies by frame and lens. Store prices change; check the current price before you buy.

Source: UploadVR, Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 announced

Wraparound sports glasses with a center camera. They link to Garmin and Strava, so Meta AI can read out your pace and heart rate mid-run.

• Center-mounted camera
• Garmin and Strava integration
• Built for running and cycling

Maker's price: $499; on sale October 21, 2025. Store prices change; check the current price before you buy.

Source: Road to VR, Oakley Meta Vanguard price and release

Live Translation uses Apple Intelligence to translate a conversation into your ear while your iPhone shows the text. Also strong noise cancellation and heart-rate sensing.

• Live Translation with Apple Intelligence
• Active noise cancellation
• Heart-rate sensing during workouts

Maker's price: $249; on sale September 19, 2025. Store prices change; check the current price before you buy.

Source: TechRadar, AirPods Pro 3: what you need to know

Built for Alexa+, Amazon's conversational assistant that understands everyday speech and can take actions for you. Alexa+ is free with Prime, or $19.99 a month without it.

• Alexa+ open to everyone in the US since February 4, 2026
• Free with Prime
• $19.99 a month without Prime

Maker's price: Launched at $99.99 (Dot Max), $179.99 (Show 8), and $219.99 (Studio) in fall 2025. Store prices change; check the current price before you buy.

Source: TechCrunch, Alexa+ is now available to everyone in the US

Google's first speaker built for Gemini for Home, so you can talk to it naturally. Some features, like Gemini Live, need a Google Home Premium subscription.

• Gemini for Home
• Some features need Google Home Premium
• Six months of Premium Standard included, per Google

Maker's price: $99.99; shipped June 25, 2026. Store prices change; check the current price before you buy.

Source: Google, meet the new Google Home Speaker

HomeView is a 7-inch home hub that recognizes each person and shows their own messages, calendar, and reminders. Apple says Siri's AI upgrade reaches HomePod mini 2 in a future update, with no date.

• 7-inch screen
• Recognizes each person in the home
• Siri AI on HomePod mini 2: date not announced

Maker's price: HomeView $299, shipping November 13, 2026. HomePod mini 2 $149, available October 30, 2026. Store prices change; check the current price before you buy.

Source: CNBC, Apple HomeView

A card-thin recorder that records meetings and calls, then transcribes and summarizes them. The free plan covers 300 minutes a month; paid plans add more.

• 300 free transcription minutes a month
• Pro plan $99.99 a year
• Records meetings and phone calls

Maker's price: Launched at $179 in August 2025. Store prices change; check the current price before you buy.

Source: TechCrunch, Plaud launches the $179 Note Pro

Gemini on the Pixel 11 can carry out multistep tasks across dozens of apps and even call a business to book a table for you. Last year's Pixel 10, refurbished, is the value pick.

• 256GB minimum storage
• Gemini built in
• Some heavier AI features may need a subscription

Maker's price: $899; on sale August 20, 2026. Pro $1,099, Pro XL $1,299. Store prices change; check the current price before you buy.

Source: Google, introducing Pixel 11