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Consumer Electronics Market Intelligence Report October 2026

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Contents

1 Market Overview

2 Market Intelligence & Industry Outlook

3 Technology & Innovation

4 Product Spotlights

5 Automotive & Mobility Solutions

6 Retail & Consumer Experience

7 Strategic Insights & Industry Events

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8 About 2Twelve

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Market Overview At IFA 2026, the strongest innovations were not those that simply used AI as a marketing message, but those that demonstrated practical improvements in performance, efficiency and ease of use. Similar developments can be seen across connected audio, smart-home products, wearables and mobility, as manufacturers focus on creating more integrated and intuitive user experiences. This edition examines the technologies, products and commercial developments shaping the market, from new audio ecosystems and AI-enabled devices to changing retail behaviour and emerging mobility solutions. It also considers what these developments mean for brands, manufacturers and retailers as they respond to rising costs, evolving consumer expectations and an increasingly competitive global marketplace. At 2Twelve, we use these insights to help brands identify market opportunities and translate them into commercially viable products. Our team supports the complete development process— from strategy and industrial design through to engineering, manufacturing, compliance and production. repairability, battery replacement and long-term product support must now be considered alongside performance, industrial design, manufacturing cost and regulatory compliance.

The consumer electronics market continues to develop rapidly, with artificial intelligence becoming embedded across an increasingly broad range of products

Market Intelligence & Industry Outlook Hot Topics in the Industry • Rising Component Costs Are Reshaping the Consumer Electronics Market • Memory and component inflation • Higher retail prices • Pressure on entry-level products • Greater reliance on trade-in and refurbished devices • Continued strength in premium, AI-enabled products • Implications for product specifications and target pricing

Legislation New European Union Right to Repair rules came into effect across member states from 31 July 2026, with the aim of extending product lifecycles and encouraging consumers to repair defective products rather than replace them. The rules cover products including smartphones, tablets, televisions, vacuum cleaners and household appliances where EU legislation already establishes repairability requirements. Manufacturers of affected products must offer repairs within a reasonable timeframe and at a reasonable cost. They must also make information about their repair services easily accessible and provide access to spare parts at reasonable prices. When a consumer chooses to repair a product rather than replace it during the legal guarantee period, that guarantee must be extended by at least 12 months. Further requirements will follow under the EU Batteries Regulation from February 2027. Portable batteries incorporated into many products will generally need to be removable and replaceable by the end user, while replacement batteries must remain available as spare parts for at least five years after the final unit of a product model is placed on the market. Software must not be used to prevent the installation of a compatible replacement battery. Certain products may qualify for exemptions where user replacement could create safety, waterproofing or dataintegrity risks. 6

EU Right to Repair Rules Will Influence Future Product Development

The implications extend beyond after-sales service. Brands will increasingly need to consider repairability during the initial design and engineering process, including product construction, component accessibility, fasteners, adhesives, battery placement, software support and the availability of technical documentation. Manufacturers will also need to examine how spare parts are stocked, priced and distributed throughout a product’s supported lifetime. For consumer-electronics companies, repairability is therefore becoming an important commercial and product-development consideration rather than simply a compliance issue. Products that are easier to maintain may offer longer usable lives, create greater consumer confidence and strengthen a brand’s sustainability credentials. However, achieving this while maintaining safety, reliability, water resistance and competitive manufacturing costs will require repair requirements to be addressed from the earliest stages of product development. For 2Twelve and the brands we support, the key message is clear: repairability, battery replacement and long-term product support must now be considered alongside performance, industrial design, manufacturing cost and regulatory compliance.

Technology & Innovation Apple Apple has entered the foldable-smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, featuring a conventional external display and a larger screen that unfolds for entertainment, productivity and multitasking.

Apple’s iPhone Duo Could Move Foldable Smartphones into the Mainstream

Although foldable devices have been available for several years, Apple’s participation could significantly increase consumer awareness and accelerate mainstream adoption of the category. The launch also demonstrates how manufacturers are using new form factors and distinctive industrial design to encourage upgrades in an increasingly mature smartphone market.

IFA IFA 2026 produced fewer genuinely important audio launches than the volume of products on display might suggest. The strongest developments were concentrated in premium home cinema, connected whole-home audio and higher-specification headphones. The broader direction was towards modular systems, better integration between devices, intelligent room optimisation and products designed for longer usable lives.

TCL Q95K TCL introduced its flagship Q95K soundbar system, developed with audio tuning from Bang & Olufsen. The package combines an 11.1.4-channel soundbar, wireless rear speakers and a dual-driver wireless subwoofer.

Key features include 22 drivers, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, automatic room calibration and a claimed maximum output of 1,420 W. Beamforming technology is used to improve dialogue and sound placement, while the television and soundbar can operate together as a coordinated system. European availability is scheduled for the end of September 2026 Sonos Beam Ultra and Ace Ultra Launched during IFA week in Berlin, although not formally part of the exhibition, the Beam Ultra represents a major upgrade to Sonos’s compact soundbar. It introduces a nine-driver configuration with two dedicated upwardfiring drivers, providing true 7.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos rather than relying entirely on virtual processing. It also offers enhanced dialogue reproduction, room tuning, HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The Ace Ultra premium headphones feature new 40 mm drivers, adaptive noise cancellation using ten microphones and up to 35 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. A new direct-link feature allows audio to move between compatible Sonos speakers, soundbars and headphones without requiring a phone to remain nearby.

Samsung Music Studio 5 and Music Studio 7 Samsung showcased its design-led Music Studio WiFi speakers as an important part of its connectedhome audio strategy. Both models were created with industrial designer Erwan Bouroullec and can operate independently, as a stereo pair or as part of a wider Samsung television and home-cinema system. The larger Music Studio 7 provides 3.1.1-channel spatial audio using front-, side- and upward-firing drivers. It supports audio processing up to 24-bit/96 kHz and uses dynamic bass processing to improve low-frequency performance without excessive distortion. The smaller Music Studio 5 combines a four-inch woofer with two tweeters and is positioned as a more compact lifestyle speaker. Samsung’s updated Q-Symphony platform can coordinate as many as five compatible audio devices with a television.

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y The Aventho Y marked a stronger move by Beyerdynamic into mainstream premium wireless headphones. Alongside active noise cancellation and Bluetooth 6.0, the model offers more than 90 hours of playback, or over 60 hours with ANC enabled. Its most notable feature is repairability. The battery is user-replaceable, while the magnetic ear cushions can also be exchanged. This supports a longer product life and reflects the growing importance of durability and serviceability within consumer electronics.

Philips Fidelio L5 Philips introduced the Fidelio L5 wireless over-ear headphones, featuring custom 36 mm ceramic-coated drivers with woven-silk suspension. The headphones support LDAC, Bluetooth 6.0, LC3 and Auracast, alongside the company’s latest adaptive noise-cancellation system. 14

The inclusion of Auracast is particularly relevant, as it allows compatible venues and devices to broadcast audio to multiple listeners. This is likely to become increasingly important across televisions, public spaces and shared listening applications. The Fidelio L5 is scheduled to launch in October 2026.

Edifier WH950NB Pro Edifier’s WH950NB Pro was one of the more technically ambitious headphone launches at the show. Rather than using one full-range driver per ear, it combines a 40 mm woofer with a separate 10 mm tweeter and a digitally managed crossover. Additional features include adaptive hybrid ANC, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, Bluetooth 6.1, LDAC, USB-C digital audio, a 3.5 mm input and approximately 70 hours of battery life with ANC disabled. The product demonstrates how features previously associated with flagship headphones are moving into more accessible price categories.

Market takeaway The meaningful audio story at IFA 2026 was not conventional Bluetooth speakers. It was the continued development of connected audio ecosystems in which televisions, soundbars, wireless speakers and headphones work together. Home-cinema systems are becoming more modular and easier to configure, while automatic room calibration is reducing the need for technically precise speaker placement. In personal audio, manufacturers are competing through longer battery life, improved noise cancellation, spatial sound, Auracast and better repairability. The competitive focus is shifting from standalone hardware specifications towards flexibility, system integration and long-term usability.

Artificial Intelligence at IFA Artificial intelligence was one of the most prominent themes at IFA 2026, appearing across televisions, kitchen appliances, laundry products, robotic cleaners and connected-home systems. However, with so many manufacturers using AI as a headline feature, the term is becoming increasingly broad and risks losing its impact with consumers. The most compelling products were those that demonstrated a clear and practical benefit. Examples included dishwashers capable of recognising their contents and adjusting the wash programme, ovens that identify different dishes and select suitable cooking settings, and washing machines that adapt their cycles according to the load. Manufacturers also demonstrated appliances designed to reduce energy consumption, minimise food waste and simplify everyday tasks. These developments show that the underlying technology can deliver meaningful improvements. However, consumers are unlikely to purchase a product simply because it incorporates AI. Their priorities remain performance, ease of use, reliability, efficiency and value. The more relevant message is therefore not that a product uses AI, but what the technology enables it to do. The industry has experienced similar cycles with terms such as “smart” and “connected.” Initially, these labels helped distinguish new products, but over time the technologies became standard features. AI is likely to follow the same path, becoming embedded within products without necessarily needing to be

promoted as a standalone benefit. In many cases, the most effective AI may be technology that works unobtrusively in the background. This shift creates an important opportunity for retailers. As products become more technically sophisticated, customers need clear explanations of how individual features will improve their daily lives. Retail staff do not need to explain complex algorithms or machine learning. Instead, they should translate the technology into simple, practical benefits—for example, how an appliance could reduce energy costs, prevent damage to clothing, improve cooking results or make operation easier. Retailers should also consider the “unasked questions” customers may have. Consumers do not always know what to ask, and some may prefer to conduct their own research rather than approach a salesperson. Product demonstrations, in-store signage, online videos and social-media content can help explain relevant use cases before a customer raises the question.

Rather than promoting AI in isolation, messaging should begin with a familiar customer problem and demonstrate how the product addresses it. For example, instead of simply describing a washing machine as AI-enabled, the communication could explain how it detects the load and selects an appropriate programme, reducing the risk of damage while improving efficiency. IFA 2026 demonstrated that AI is supporting genuine progress in appliance performance, energy efficiency, usability and robotics. The next challenge for manufacturers and retailers is to move beyond the terminology and communicate these benefits in a way that is clear, credible and relevant to consumers.

Google A New Gemini For Home Update Is Rolling Out, But Users Are Slamming Google

Users disappointed in Google for not fixing ‘missing and broken features’ despite the voice upgrades The transition to Gemini has been rough – even Google knows that, but the latest Google Home update aims to tackle a handful of pain points with voice commands.

In a recent announcement Google shared three fixes coming to the Gemini for Home voice assistant, which is still in early access. Additionally, features in the Google Home app are also tipped to get a glow-up. The first voice command fix is for Spotify requests, which Google says have been improved to better recognize the artists, songs, and playlists you ask your Google smart speaker to play. More often than not, Gemini for Home has struggled to register commands when you ask it to launch certain playlists, while other voice commands have been interpreted as music requests. Now, you can get your smart hub to play specific personal playlists, such as your Liked songs, and it will produce smoother results, but Google adds that Personal Results need to be enabled to request things like Liked songs and personal playlists. As well as Spotify improvements, Google says it’s updated message broadcasting, which now works as a two-step process. The first step requires you to say ‘Hey Google, broadcast message’, and after a short wait, you can follow up with your message as a second command. Previously, you had to broadcast your message in one long voice request, so this fix removes the chance of miscommunication. Lastly, Google is letting you be even more precise with adjusting the lighting in your home. The Gemini for Home update now lets you set your smart lights to a specific color temperature to create the perfect ambiance for a movie night or an evening soiree with friends. You can try saying, ‘Hey Google, make the living room lights 2700 kelvins,’ and your lights will change accordingly. Useful upgrades, but there’s more to be done Google began phasing out the old Google Assistant across its ecosystem of devices in 2025, and it will be shut down for good on Android and Wear OS devices on September 4 in favor of Gemini. The same goes for smart home devices, but the switch to Gemini for Home has been far from smooth. Though the Spotify fixes and other voice request updates are welcomed solutions, user have called Google out for glossing over the main issues that have been plaguing their experiences, and there’s still a lot more work to be done to fix surface-level features. Redditors who are also long-time Google Home users have shared their struggles with the transition; one user says, ‘the move to Gemini has been rough for us,’ recalling that basic household commands such as setting alarms are still hit-or-miss for them. ‘I just hope this all gets fixed soon,’ they added. 19

Luckily, they’re not the only one riding the struggle bus. Another user says they’re still experiencing issues with creating and scheduling basic automations for their thermostat, while a user with multiple Google devices says that Gemini is still unable to answer simple questions like ‘how long to cook a sweet potato’ – despite resetting their devices four times. Not all the best smart speakers are perfect, but the rising reports of Gemini for Home’s poor performance are worrying for the future of Google’s smart home ecosystem. The updates are rolling out at too slow a pace, and users are already starting to lose trust.

StreamUnlimited Tencent Music Entertainment Group (“TME”) is the leading online music entertainment platform in China. The company offers online music and music-centric social entertainment services through well-known mobile apps in China, including QQ Music, Kugou Music, Kuwo Music, WeSing, JOOX, and Ximalaya. By expanding integration to the recently released TME Connect in its modular embedded-software platform for connected audio products, StreamUnlimited allows StreamSDK-based solutions to expand its global scope. TME Connect is Tencent Music Entertainment’s direct-control technology that enables users to browse and control music from supported TME applications while playing it directly on compatible speakers, amplifiers, soundbars, and streaming devices.

Using Wi-Fi-based direct transmission, it delivers high-quality audio playback while providing hardware partners with a seamless way to integrate TME’s music ecosystem into connected-audio products. “TME Connect marks an important expansion of StreamSDK’s regional and service coverage,” says Markus Rutz, Senior Director Product Management, Ecosystems & Enterprise Partnerships at StreamUnlimited.

StreamUnlimited StreamSDK Now Supports TME Connect

“Our customers can combine the local reach of supported streaming services from TME Connect with a proven platform for network streaming, audio processing, multiroom playback, and device control. This provides a more efficient foundation for brands building premium connected-audio experiences for China.” StreamSDK already provides a wide range of music and Internet radio services, support for multichannel and high-resolution audio, UPnP/ DLNA, USB, DAB+, BT, LE Audio, wireless and Ethernet connectivity, graphical user interfaces, Android and iOS applications, and various multiroom streaming solutions. StreamSDK is portable to various processing platforms, including a ready-to-use hardware module family, ranging from the low-cost Stream210, Stream1832, and the premium Stream1955. For global audio brands, TME Connect support makes it possible to use a common StreamSDK architecture across international and China-specific product variants. This streamlines development, simplifies long-term software maintenance, and enables faster deployment across multiple product families.

Samsung Samsung says its smart glasses smart glasses willl one-up Meta’s on battery life

So far, Ray-Ban Meta has been something of a default answer in the smart glasses category, and nothing really has threatened its position. There’s a new entrant now — Samsung, which, in partnership with Google, has developed a new pair of glasses. One of the highlights of these glasses is their battery life. Currently, Ray-Ban Gen 2 Meta smart glasses are rated for up to eight hours of runtime with typical use. Samsung’s upcoming glasses, which debuted at Galaxy Unpacked on July 22, will last up to nine hours per charge, giving them an extra hour of battery life.

The charging case that comes with it holds another seven full charges. This shows that here too, the Samsung glasses are one-upping Meta’s. Meta’s Gen 2 case is good for 48 hours, which works out to about six full charges. Another important detail is that Samsung claims the nine-hour figure should hold up during active use. That covers Gemini Live, music, notifications, and video recording across a day. Meanwhile, Meta’s eight-hour claim is about “typical use,” though it elsewhere also adds that the battery drops to five hours when the glasses are used with continuous audio or voice calling. As for the actual reason behind these gains, it likely comes down to optimization, since both Meta and Samsung glasses run on similar hardware, right down to the same Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip. Other features of Samsung’s smart glasses Neither company has published battery capacities in mAh, making it difficult to tell whether Samsung’s advantage comes from a larger battery, software optimization, or both. Because smart glasses don’t have much space for large batteries, manufacturers

also have to balance battery life with weight and comfort. As for other features, Samsung’s glasses come in two distinct looks that are sourced from two separate partners. There’s Gentle Monster with a more fashion-forward take on a slim black frame. Then there’s Warby Parker with its brown, more everyday shape. The camera has long been a bone of contention among people uneasy with the very idea of smart glasses. Like Meta’s glasses, Samsung’s version has an LED that lights up while recording, so it would already satisfy a proposed law in Pennsylvania that would require a recording light on all smart glasses sold in the state. Neither lets you record if the LED is blocked or tampered with. Another interesting feature is that users can ask the glasses to capture information from a whiteboard and organize it in Samsung Notes. Gmail, Calendar, and Maps all work from day one too. Now, Meta is not without app integrations here, since its glasses already tie into Google Calendar alongside messaging and music services. What it lacks is Google Maps, as even the Display model runs navigation on Meta’s own mapping rather than Google’s. The gap is one of five smart glasses features where Google may one-up Meta. Samsung’s glasses ship this fall, and pricing is yet to be announced.

TV Streaming Changed How We Watch TV – Now It’s Changing Where We Put It

Streaming Changed How We Watch TV – Now It’s Changing Where We Put It Not long ago, the television dictated the living room. It sat on a bulky stand or inside a media cabinet, surrounded by cable boxes, DVD players, and game consoles. Furniture was arranged in rows or tight semicircles, all oriented toward a single focal point: the screen. Watching TV was often a scheduled activity, tied to broadcast times and shared viewing habits. Streaming didn’t just disrupt that model; it quietly dismantled it. Today, the television is no longer anchored by hardware, nor is it constrained by time. Content lives in the cloud, accessed through built-in apps or compact devices no larger than a deck of cards. The result is a fundamental shift not just in what we watch, but in how our living spaces are designed around the act of watching.

The End of the Media Cabinet Era For decades, TV placement followed a predictable formula: screen on top, components below. The need to house multiple devices — each with wires, remotes, and ventilation requirements — meant that televisions were almost always positioned at a relatively low height, centered on a piece of furniture. Streaming has eliminated much of that physical baggage. With fewer components to accommodate, the television no longer needs to sit on a cabinet. In many homes, there is no cabinet at all. This seemingly simple change has unlocked a wide range of placement possibilities. Televisions are now being mounted on walls, integrated into architectural features, or positioned in spaces that would have been impractical just a decade ago. The screen is no longer confined to a single zone; it can live wherever it makes the most sense for the room.

As hardware constraints disappear, interior design is evolving accordingly. Instead of designing a room around a TV stand, homeowners and designers are thinking more holistically about how a space is used. Open-concept layouts, which have become increasingly common, play a key role in this shift. In these environments, the living room may flow directly into the kitchen or dining area, creating multiple vantage points from which to view the television. The idea of a single “correct” viewing position is fading. In response, televisions are being placed in locations that 25

prioritize overall room aesthetics and functionality, not just direct line-of-sight from a couch. Above fireplaces, on feature walls, and even in corners or transitional spaces, placements that were once considered suboptimal are now commonplace. But these new locations introduce a new challenge: how to maintain a comfortable viewing experience when the screen is no longer at a traditional height or angle.

Streaming hasn’t just changed where we watch; it’s changed how long we watch. Binge-watching has become the norm, with viewers spending hours at a time immersed in a series or film. At the same time, televisions themselves have grown significantly larger. What was once a 40-inch screen is now commonly 65 inches or more, with ultra-high-definition resolution making larger displays both practical and desirable. This combination of longer viewing sessions and larger screens has elevated the importance of ergonomics. A screen placed too high or at the wrong angle may not be noticeable during a short broadcast, but over the course of a multi-hour streaming session, discomfort becomes much more apparent. Neck strain, eye fatigue, and poor viewing angles are no longer minor inconveniences; they are central considerations in how a TV is positioned within a space.

As a result, wall mounting has moved from a niche upgrade to a mainstream expectation. For many homeowners, mounting a TV is now the default choice rather than an afterthought. The appeal is clear: Wall-mounted TVs free up floor space, reduce clutter, and create a cleaner, more modern aesthetic. They also provide greater flexibility in placement, allowing screens to be positioned in ways that better align with the room’s layout. Flexibility Becomes the New Standard But the growing popularity of wall mounting has also revealed its limitations. A fixed mount may look sleek, but it locks the television into a single position, one that may not suit every viewing scenario. In a world where people watch TV from multiple locations within a room (i.e., cooking in the kitchen, sitting at a dining table, or relaxing on a sectional), static placement can feel increasingly outdated. To address this, a new category of mounting solutions has emerged: ones designed not just to hold a television, but to adapt it. Adjustable mounts allow screens to tilt, swivel, and even move vertically, giving users the ability to optimize viewing angles based on where they are in the room. This flexibility is particularly valuable in spaces where ideal placement from a design perspective conflicts with ideal placement from an ergonomic perspective. Consider the increasingly common practice of mounting a TV above a fireplace. From a design standpoint, it creates a clean, centralized focal point. From a viewing standpoint, however, it often places the screen higher than recommended for comfortable eye-level viewing. Adjustable mounting solutions help bridge that gap, allowing the television to be repositioned when in use and returned to its original location when not. It’s a compromise that reflects a broader trend: the need for living spaces to serve multiple purposes without sacrificing comfort. Modern homes are no longer defined by rigid room functions. The living room may double as a workspace, a social hub, or even a secondary dining area. This fluidity extends to how televisions are used. Instead of gathering in a single spot for a shared viewing experience, individuals may watch from different parts of the room, often simultaneously engaged in other activities. Someone might be following a show while preparing dinner, while another watches from the couch. This shift has further reinforced the need for adaptable viewing solutions. A television that can be repositioned to accommodate different sightlines is no longer a luxury; it’s a practical response to how people actually live.

A Subtle but Significant Transformation What makes this evolution particularly interesting is how quietly it has occurred. Unlike the highly visible shift from cable to streaming, the transformation of TV placement has been gradual, unfolding in tandem with changes in technology, architecture, and lifestyle. Yet its impact is significant. The television is no longer just an object within a room; it is a dynamic element that interacts with the space and the people in it. For homeowners, this means greater freedom to design living environments that reflect their preferences rather than the limitations of older technology. For designers and installers, it introduces new considerations around ergonomics, flexibility, and long-term usability. And for the broader home entertainment landscape, it signals a shift toward solutions that prioritize adaptability as much as aesthetics. As streaming continues to evolve, so will the environments in which it is consumed. Advances in display technology, further reductions in hardware, and the ongoing trend toward multi-functional living spaces will only accelerate the demand for flexible placement options. In many ways, the story of streaming is no longer just about content. It’s about context: how, where, and under what conditions content is experienced. The television may still be the centerpiece of the living room, but it is no longer fixed in place. And as viewing habits continue to change, the ability to move, adjust, and optimize that centerpiece will become an increasingly important part of the modern home. Streaming changed what we watch. Now, it’s redefining where – and how – we are watching it.

JBL JBL Takes Aim At Whole-Home Audio With New Cove Speaker Ecosystem

JBL is making a bigger play for the home with the launch of JBL Cove, a new family of Wi-Fi speakers designed to bring the brand’s sound into multiple rooms while creating a broader ecosystem spanning music and home theater. Launching September 13, the Cove lineup includes three models: the compact Cove M1 at $229.95, portable Cove P1 at $399.95, and flagship Cove X1 at $449.95.

Each can operate independently, as part of a stereo pair or within a whole-home audio system controlled through the JBL One app. The launch represents more than the addition of three wireless speakers to JBL’s portfolio. Cove gives the company an expandable home audio platform that allows consumers to start with a single speaker, add rooms over time, and ultimately connect compatible Cove products with JBL Bar Series MK2 soundbars for an immersive home theater system. “JBL has spent decades delivering incredible sound experiences wherever people are. Today, we’re setting a new benchmark for the future of JBL home audio,” said Carsten Olesen, President, Consumer Audio at HARMAN. “JBL Cove marks an important step in our ambition to become a leading force in home audio, combining powerful JBL Legendary Sound with the simplicity, flexibility and outstanding value that will help even more people discover how simple it is to have great sound throughout the home.” That emphasis on simplicity runs throughout Cove. Users can group speakers through the JBL One app

to play music across the house, but they don’t have to dismantle those groups every time someone wants to listen in a single room. A user can simply begin streaming to the desired speaker without ungrouping the rest of the system, resetting devices, or interrupting playback elsewhere. JBL is also reducing the need to reach for a phone through its Music Follows Me feature. Pressing and holding the Moment button allows listeners to move music — or even TV audio — from one Cove speaker to another as they move through the house. The button also supports Spotify Tap for one-touch access to Spotify.

Three Speakers, Multiple Ways to Build The three-model lineup gives JBL clear entry points for different rooms and listening habits. The Cove M1 serves as the compact starting point at $229.95, combining three tweeters with a woofer in a two-way speaker design. The Cove P1 steps up to $399.95 and adds portability, Dolby Atmos, and four tweeters — including an up-firing tweeter — paired with a woofer. Its battery provides up to 14 hours of playback, while an IP56 rating gives consumers more flexibility to move it between indoor and outdoor spaces. When the battery runs down, the P1 can simply be placed back on its charging dock. At $449.95, the Cove X1 sits at the top of the family with four tweeters, including an up-firing driver, dual woofers, and Dolby Atmos, positioning it as the room-filling performance option in the lineup. All three models feature automatic room calibration, JBL’s Constant Sound Field technology and AI Sound Boost. Together, those technologies are designed to optimize performance according to speaker placement and the listening environment while maintaining balanced sound and minimizing distortion at higher volumes. That automated approach matters for a product family meant to move throughout the home. Rather than expecting consumers to understand room acoustics or manually tune speakers for different locations, JBL is positioning Cove as a system that largely takes care of those decisions itself. Connectivity is similarly broad, with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect, as well as high-resolution audio. Alexa is built in for voice and smart-home control, and eligible U.S. users will also be able to access Amazon’s Alexa+ AI assistant. Connecting Music and Home Theater Where Cove becomes particularly interesting from a retail perspective is its connection to JBL’s existing home theater lineup. The speakers work with JBL’s Bar 300, 500, 700, 1000 and 1300MK2 Series soundbars, allowing the company to bridge multiroom music and TV audio within the same ecosystem. Through the JBL One app, compatible Cove speakers can be added to a soundbar system as rear channels for an immersive Dolby Atmos setup. At launch, the Cove M1 and P1 support rear-channel functionality, while the X1 can connect with Bar MK2 products for multi-room music. 31

That interoperability creates a natural upgrade path. A customer might start with one Cove speaker in a kitchen or bedroom, add another for stereo listening, expand into additional rooms, and eventually integrate compatible speakers with a JBL soundbar in the living room. For retailers, that progression could translate into repeat purchases and attachment opportunities rather than a one-and-done speaker sale. It also gives dealers a broader story to tell existing JBL soundbar owners who may already have one component of the ecosystem at home. Cove arrives as consumer expectations around home audio continue to blur traditional product categories. Wireless speakers are no longer necessarily standalone devices, while soundbars increasingly function as part of larger connected entertainment systems. Consumers expect streaming services, voice assistants, televisions and speakers to work together without requiring complicated setup. JBL’s advantage is that it enters that conversation with significant consumer recognition across portable speakers, headphones, soundbars and professional audio. Cove gives the company a way to leverage that familiarity as it pushes deeper into whole-home listening.

The strategy is also notably incremental. Consumers don’t have to commit to an elaborate whole-home system from the outset. They can begin with a single $229.95 M1 and expand when and where it makes sense. For retailers, that may ultimately be Cove’s most compelling proposition: one speaker can become a stereo pair, one room can become a whole-home system, and a music purchase can eventually become part of a home theater sale. 32

With Cove, JBL isn’t simply introducing another wireless speaker family. It is building a platform designed to keep consumers — and their future audio purchases — inside the JBL ecosystem. The JBL Cove M1 ($229.95), Cove P1 ($399.95), and Cove X1 ($449.95) will be available in black and white beginning September 13 at JBL.com.

Snap Standalone processing, 51-degree FOV, and “anticipatory” AI put Snap years ahead of the competition. The catch? A sky-high price tag and a surprisingly heavy design. Snap officially launched its new Specs, lifting the curtain on a surprisingly robust feature set and a high-profile lineup of launch partners. With self-contained processing powering motion tracking, environment scanning, and gesture controls, these might be the most technically ambitious smart glasses on the market— easily outpacing the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display in pure hardware sophistication.

But at $2,195, Snap faces monumental hurdles before its bleedingedge tech can win over everyday buyers. I’ll give the Specs a rigorous hands-on test once a pair lands in PC Labs. For now, here’s a close look at how they work, what they can do, and where they fit in an increasingly chaotic wearable ecosystem. 33

$2,195 for Smart Glasses? Snap’s New Specs Are an Engineering Marvel...With Two Massive Flaws

Outward-facing cameras feed the Specs data for spatial processing, enabling them to track your position with six degrees of freedom (6DOF), map your surroundings, and display interface elements that respond to where you are and what you’re looking at. Those cameras also enable hand tracking and gesture controls, giving the Specs the same kind of augmented and mixed reality experiences as the Apple Vision Pro ($3,499), the Samsung Galaxy XR ($1,799.99), and the upcoming XReal Aura. All three devices are much chunkier and obstruct your vision more than the Specs; the Vision Pro and Galaxy XR are full standalone headsets with mini-OLED panels that completely replace your view. The Aura uses bulkier prism displays that can occlude your view of the outside world, along with a separate, smartphone-sized control box physically tethered to the glasses with a wire. The Specs are designed to be worn out and about, using their display to provide useful information based on the world around you, wherever you are. Mixed reality headsets and prism display glasses, on the other hand, are intended to be used relatively stationary, or in a controlled environment; you don’t want to cross the street while wearing them. Incidentally, while I’ve denounced cameras in smart glasses in the past, the Specs actually justify them because they power spatial processing and head tracking, not just photography, which is better done on a phone. 34

Waveguide displays have traditionally had a very limited field of view, meaning they can only show an image in a relatively small box in your vision. The Meta Ray-Ban Display, for example, has a 20-degree field of view and a resolution of 600 by 600. That’s puny compared with prism display smart glasses like the Viture Beast ($549), which have a 58-degree field of view and a 1,920-by-1,200 resolution.

The Specs’ waveguide display swings for prism territory with a 51-degree field of view. Waveguide displays offer completely unimpeded vision, unlike prism displays, so if they can catch up in size, colour, and detail, it might be a fundamental game-changer for all display-equipped smart glasses. The apparent trade-off that helps enable the big picture is that the Specs are very chunky and heavy. I’ll get to that detail in a bit.

The Specs’ on-the-go concept pairs with one of Snap’s biggest announcements around the launch, the reveal of an optional charging case with built-in cellular connectivity. The charging case uses Verizon’s network to keep the Specs connected without your phone or a wi-fi network. The case adds $200 to the Specs’ $2,195 price, with data plans at $10 per month for Verizon customers and $20 per month for non-Verizon customers. Even if the cellular case is optional, the Specs are the first pair of standalone smart glasses to incorporate a cellular connection into their concept. Before this, the only other example was an eSIM-equipped prototype RayNeo showed off at CES. Software Partners Bet Big on Lenses All of this tech isn’t very useful without software to take advantage of it, so Snap also showed off the collaborations and software partners it’s working with. Specs use their own software platform that supports third-party development and publishing of apps known as Lenses. Snap showed off an NBA basketball trainer Lens that analyzes your shots, a TripAdvisor Lens that shows nearby reviews, a Spotify Lens that integrates music playback into the glasses, and an augmented reality game Lens from HBO Max promoting the upcoming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stoneshow.

Besides the larger commercial partners, Snap highlighted some individual “visionaries” with their own Lenses based on their work, including a book-augmenting experience by Library Science founder Kaia Gerber, a classic tabletop dominoes game using two synced pairs of Specs by NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler, and a meditation tool from Korean actress and model Jung Ho-yeon.

The Specs have their own built-in set of features, and are functional even without third-party Lenses. Snap didn’t highlight many of the individual features, but it offered glimpses of its own navigation and video call Lenses. It also confirmed that its web browser officially supports streaming video from HBO Max and YouTube, showing whatever you’re watching on the virtual equivalent of a 115-inch screen viewed from 10 feet away.

As expected, AI features are built into the Specs as well, and here Snap is getting majorly ambitious. The company announced Specs Intelligence, an “anticipatory AI service” integrated into the glasses’ AI assistant that tries to perform tasks and show you information before you need it, without you having to ask. To quote the press release, “Before a meeting, it could highlight decisions to make, questions to ask, and things to remember.” Snap says that its employees can’t access any personal information used with Specs Intelligence and that the data won’t be used to train AI models or serve personalized ads. I’ve explained before why I’m sceptical of these claims from any company that uses AI, especially when visual data is also being processed.

Product Spotlights Astell & Kern New PD5 and SP4000T join Astell&Kern’s lineup of Digital Audio Player Astell&Kern has launched two new high-resolution Digital Audio Players with the PD5 and SP4000T Copper. The new PD5 combines a switchable Quad/Octa-DAC architecture, up to 28 hours of continuous playback, and the EnviroTune feature that analyzes ambient noise to help deliver optimal sound for the listener’s surroundings. Built around eight Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, the PD5 allows listeners to select Quad-DAC or Octa-DAC operation. Quad-DAC mode prioritizes longer battery life for extended listening, while Octa-DAC mode unlocks the player’s full sonic potential

Astell & Kern Debuts Two New Digital Audio Players

. The PD5 supports bit-perfect playback up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD256. Its octa-core processor and full Android OS platform are optimized for music streaming services, while dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 and broad codec support, including Qualcomm aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC provides several options to listen to high-resolution audio wirelessly.

Meanwhile, Astell & Kern has launched a new Copper version of the recently-released SP4000T. The SP4000T is the first digital audio player to feature four RAYTHEON JAN6418 MIL-Spec vintage vacuum tubes in a channel-separated Quad configuration. Each tube is individually measured and paired, then isolated through independent modular PCBs and a multi-layer architecture. Three tube sound modes— Triode, Ultra Linear and Pentode—combine with Triple AMP Mode and adjustable tube current to provide up to 54 sound combinations. Listeners can choose the clarity and power of OP AMP Mode, the warmth of TUBE AMP Mode, or a fivestage HYBRID AMP Mode that blends both characteristics. A second-generation, five-stage anti-microphonic design minimizes noise caused by external vibrations.

Built on the SP4000 platform, the SP4000T uses dual AK4499EX DACs and dedicated AK4191EQ processors in a fully discrete, channel-separated circuit. High Driving Mode, TERATON ALPHA, ESA signal-alignment technology, Advanced DAR upsampling, Any Layer HDI PCBs and a 99.9% pure-copper Shield Can work together to reduce noise and deliver greater clarity, dynamics and detail. The player supports native playback up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512. Designed for modern streaming, the SP4000T runs Android 15. Astell&Kern’s ADP technology bypasses Android samplerate conversion for lossless, bit-perfect streaming, while the company’s first dual Wi-Fi antenna design provides faster, more stable connections. Additional features include 256GB of storage, microSD expansion up to 1.5TB, a six-inch Full HD display, aptX HD and LDAC, BT Sink, USB DAC functionality, ReplayGain, AK File Drop, USB PD 3.0 charging and adjustable Crossfeed.

Bluesound Bluesound Debuts The PULSE SUB Wireless Subwoofer Featuring 350 watts of power, dual-opposing woofers, and a simple wireless setup

Bluesound has unveiled the PULSE SUB, a completely redesigned wireless powered subwoofer featuring a 50-watt amplifier, dualopposing 6.5-inch woofers, and wireless integration. Built for the BluOS ecosystem, the PULSE SUB connects wirelessly to compatible Bluesound products and pairs in just a few steps through the BluOS Controller app. Add it to the PULSE CINEMA or PULSE CINEMA MINI wireless soundbars for a more immersive home theater experience, or pair it with the POWERNODE wireless streaming amp to bring deeper, more musical bass to favorites. Inside the PULSE SUB, two custom 6.5-inch woofers operate in an opposing configuration, driven by a 350-watt amplifier with Smart DSP technology. With 2.5x more power than the previous generation, the new architecture delivers deep, dynamic lowfrequency performance. The dual-opposing design does more than deliver greater output. By positioning the woofers opposite one another, mechanical forces are counteracted to reduce unwanted cabinet vibration and resonance. PULSE SUB was designed as the natural pair for the PULSE CINEMA and PULSE CINEMA MINI wireless soundbars, giving Bluesound customers a simple way to add deeper bass to their wireless home theater experience. Using BluOS and a few quick steps, the PULSE SUB wirelessly discovers and pairs to the soundbar in the app where users can also fine-tune volume, crossover and phase to best fit their system and room.

At just over one-square foot of floor space, the PULSE SUB and its compact enclosure feels smaller than it sounds. The completely new industrial design continues the visual ID introduced across Bluesound’s latest PULSE wireless speakers. Integrated cable management channels keep wiring neatly routed and out of sight, with the wireless flexibility to position the subwoofer where it looks and performs its best. Customers can connect the PULSE SUB to the network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, select the compatible Bluesound Player in the BluOS Controller app, and pair the subwoofer wirelessly. The app then provides full control of volume, crossover frequency and phase, giving users the flexibility to dial in performance for their room and system. The PULSE SUB will be available later this year at $1099.

Bang & Olufsen Most speakers are designed to disappear. They sit on a shelf, blend into a bookcase, or hide in a cabinet, quietly doing their job until you need them and then fading back into the background. Mårten Malmnäs, a graduate from the Umeå Institute of Design, designed something that pushes back against all of that.

Bang & Olufsen’s New Speaker Concept Is a Ritual, Not a The Beosound Tableau is a wall-mounted audio object developed in Device collaboration with Bang & Olufsen. Malmnäs calls it “a fireplace for music,” an instrument not just for listening, but for living. The moment I read that, I had to stop. Because I’ve never heard a speaker described that way before, and suddenly, I couldn’t think of a more fitting comparison.

Think about what a fireplace actually does. Yes, it produces heat, but that’s almost beside the point. A fireplace creates presence. It becomes the thing a room organizes itself around. People pull their chairs toward it, conversations happen because of it, and its absence is genuinely felt. That’s a completely different design brief than “fits on your desk” or “connects to your phone.” Malmnäs started the project with a design probe, a research method that explores the relationships people have with their homes, and from that came a set of experiments around values and behaviors. Eight experimental directions emerged from the ideation phase, spanning different input and output formats. Three of those directions clearly answered the design responsibilities he’d set for the project, and their shared qualities pointed toward one resolved object.

Here’s where it gets interesting. The original concept for the Tableau was screen-based, but a method called Wizard of Oz testing, where a human simulates the system to observe how people actually interact with it, pushed the design somewhere more honest. The interaction model shifted from screens to navigation by sound. And the principle that came out of it became the foundation of the whole concept: the most honest interface for a music object is music itself. That’s a provocative idea. We’ve spent years layering more and more visual UI on top of audio experiences. Every streaming service competes on the complexity of its recommendation algorithm, the visual polish of its playlist covers, the grid of album art. Malmnäs argued the opposite, that sound should speak for sound. The result is the Sonic Token, a physical object that mediates between the listener and the Tableau. Tactile, intentional, and completely different from scrolling a touchscreen.

The Tableau is positioned as a focal thing for the home. An object to gather around and tend to. That language is deliberate, and it’s also a little radical. “Tending” to an audio object implies care and attention, a relationship rather than a transaction. You don’t tend to a Bluetooth speaker. You don’t gather around an app. Bang & Olufsen has always occupied a rare space in the audio world, where design and sound hold equal weight, and where a product can belong in a design museum and still deliver extraordinary sound. But even by B&O’s standards, the Tableau concept asks a genuinely new question: what if the speaker were the focal point of the room, rather than just a feature of it?

There are fair questions about how a concept like this survives beyond a graduate show. The hands-on, material-driven process Malmnäs used, with 1:1 mock-ups and rigorous testing of the Sonic Token’s form and function, suggests this isn’t a vague idea dressed up in renders. It was built and tested as a real object. Whether it eventually reaches production or stays as a collaborative concept between a student designer and one of the world’s most revered audio brands is another matter. But the value of the Beosound Tableau isn’t only in whether it ships. It’s in the question it refuses to let go of: why have we settled for speakers that ask nothing of us? The alternative, a speaker that earns its place on the wall, makes music feel like a gathering, and treats sound like something worth being present for, sounds like exactly what the living room has been missing.

Devialet The Portable Speaker We Actuallly Want to Show Off

There are portable speakers, and then there are portable speakers you actually want to leave out on display (show them off a little, you know). The Devialet Mania has always had a little more personality than most, and the 2026 Exclusive Collection now looks at three new finishes: Moss Green, Rose Bloom and White Mist. I spent some time with the Rose Bloom, and while the colour certainly gets your attention, there is more to the Mania than its very pretty exterior. The Rose Bloom version takes the speaker into softer territory, pairing a powdery pink body with an orange-toned metallic ring and small hits of orange on the handle and woofer. It is playful and feels particularly well suited to a home where tech is expected to look dull. It also comes with its own Cocoon carry case, made from technical fabric and finished with a utility strap. Two carabiners are included, one fixed and one removable, which makes the whole package feel designed for moving around, rather than taking them out only when you want to use it.

That portability does come with some weight. At 2.3kg, the Mania is compact but certainly not featherlight. The upside is that it feels substantial and well put together. There is a handle at the top, while the controls sit on the side and are rubberised for a little extra protection. The speaker has an IPX4 rating, so it can handle splashes, but this is not something I would casually dunk in a pool, though I’ve brought it to the beach and it all went well. Inside, the Mania remains a fairly serious piece of audio equipment. Its four full-range drivers are arranged to deliver 360-degree sound, with two bass drivers working in a pushpush configuration. Devialet’s Active Stereo Calibration technology uses four microphones to read the surrounding environment and adjust the sound accordingly, while Speaker Active Matching is designed to maintain fidelity across the frequency range. There is also up to 10 hours of battery life, which makes it practical enough for a long afternoon away from the mains. Connectivity covers the essentials too: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2 are all supported, alongside Alexa voice control. The Mania also operates within Devialet’s DOS 2 software ecosystem, which is intended to keep the experience straightforward across different listening setups. But specifications only tell you so much. What I noticed first when using the Rose Bloom was how easily it slipped into my everyday routine. I moved it around the house easily, where it worked particularly well while I was cooking, getting ready, or simply having music on in the background. At this price point, the Mania is undoubtedly a considered purchase. But if design matters almost as much as sound, the Devialet Mania makes a convincing argument for why a speaker can be both functional and something you genuinely enjoy having around.

Halliday Halliday is taking a different approach to the rapidly growing AI smart glasses market, introducing a second-generation wearable that focuses less on capturing content and more on helping professionals navigate meetings and conversations in real time. The company unveiled the Halliday G2 AI Glasses, a camera-free wearable designed to deliver contextual AI assistance directly within the wearer’s field of view. Rather than relying on smartphones or laptops, users can receive live captions, translations, summaries, research and reminders while remaining engaged in conversations. Expected to ship in September with a suggested retail price of $599, Halliday G2 is available for preorder beginning July 21 with a $10 deposit, which secures a $100 discount off the final purchase price. Unlike many smart glasses entering the market, Halliday is targeting business professionals instead of content creators. The company believes AI glasses represent the next step in personal computing, bringing intelligence into live interactions rather than simply documenting them.

Halliday Unveils AI Smart Glasses Designed To Make Meetings More Productive.

At the center of the platform is Meeting Flow, an AI system designed to assist users while meetings are taking place. Halliday says most AI meeting tools work after conversations end by generating transcripts and summaries. Meeting Flow instead provides live captions, real-time translation, quick research, discussion tracking and decision confirmation as conversations unfold, while automatically creating meeting summaries and action items once the session is complete.

“Our customers want AI that helps during the conversation—not after it’s over,” said Carter Hou, COO and Co-Founder of Halliday. “The most important business decisions still happen live in meetings, client conversations and everyday interactions.” The Halliday G2 features a new binocular waveguide display powered by dual micro-LED projectors capable of producing up to 1,600 nits of brightness, allowing users to glance at information without breaking eye contact. Additional features include a four-microphone array optimized for meetings, more than 12 hours of typical battery life, prescription lens compatibility and support for voice commands, notifications, phone calls and music playback. One of the product’s biggest differentiators is what it leaves out. Unlike several competing AI glasses, Halliday G2 does not include a camera, a decision the company says makes the product better suited for offices, customer meetings and other privacy-sensitive environments while also reducing weight and extending battery life. Founded in 2021, Halliday introduced its first AI glasses at CES 2025, where the company says it earned six awards. Its original DigiWindow glasses also generated more than $1 million in Kickstarter sales during the first 24 hours, providing early momentum for the brand.

For retailers, Halliday G2 reflects a broader shift in wearable AI from lifestyle accessories toward business productivity tools. By focusing on executives, sales professionals, consultants and other meeting-intensive users, the company is positioning itself in a growing segment of the wearable market where privacy, hands-free productivity and enterprise applications could become key differentiators.

KEF KEF unveils LS Luxe hi-fi speakers with coaxial driver, HDMI, and AirPlay

KEF’s latest hi-fi speakers offer excellent connectivity, both wirelessly and via cable. Featuring a 165-millimeter coaxial driver and two amplifiers, including a dedicated Class AB amplifier for the tweeter, these speakers promise first-class sound. The brand-new KEF LS Luxe are positioned as a higher-end alternative to the popular KEF LS50 Wireless II ($2,999 on Amazon). For its new flagship wireless bookshelf speaker, KEF has opted for a more modern, heavily rounded design, available in three colours. The LS Luxe is intended to surpass the older LS50 models, particularly in terms of sound quality.

To this end, KEF has incorporated a larger 165-millimeter Uni-Q coaxial driver with an integrated 25-millimeter tweeter. While the woofer is powered by a Class D amplifier, KEF pairs the tweeter with a dedicated Class AB amplifier. KEF claims a frequency response of 42 Hz to 28 kHz. The sound can be customized to the user’s preferences using an equalizer. The KEF LS Luxe is set up and managed via the KEF Connect smartphone app. Once the speakers are connected to the home network via Wi-Fi 6, they support music streaming via Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, and various internet radio and podcast services. Music can also be streamed to the speakers via Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Bluetooth 5.3, Roon is expected to be officially supported starting in 2027. Wired sources can also be connected via Coax, Toslink, HDMI eARC, and AUX. KEF allows you to connect two subwoofers at once. The USB-C port on the back can charge devices with up to 10 watts but does not support audio streaming.

Pricing and availability The KEF LS Luxe is available in the manufacturer’s online store for $4,000 per pair, in a choice of white, beige, or black. The illuminated KEF C3 remote control is included. KEF has debuted the all-new KEF Outdoor Collection, bringing the company’s signature sound out into the open air. The collection is engineered for durability in the elements while delivering KEF’s acoustic expertise. Each model features the company’s Uni-Q technology, weatherproof construction, and a minimalist aesthetic designed to blend into any environment. The collection comprises: SR4Q and SR6Q Landscape Satellites: Engineered for flexible installation, delivering consistent, immersive sound in all outdoor environments in a compact, discreet form. US MSRP: SR4Q $2,000.00 (4pc set), SR6Q $3,000.00 (4pc set) BH6Q and BH8Q Bollard Speakers: Deliver a transformative outdoor audio experience, bringing superior audio quality to open spaces. US MSRP: BH6Q $1,500.00, BH8Q $2,000.00

KEF Introduces AllNew Outdoor Collection

BL8b and BL12b Bollard Subwoofers: Anchor the listening experience with deep, powerful bass that is felt as much as heard. US MSRP: BL8b $2,000.00, BL12b $2,500.00 BQ9 and BQ11 Three-way Bollard Speakers: Unite a bollard speaker and integrated subwoofer in a single, elegant tower. True three-way floorstanders for the outdoors, they deliver effortless full-range sound with exceptional clarity, scale, and composure, filling open spaces with a refined, architectural presence. US MSRP: BQ9 $3,000.00 ea, BQ11 $4,000.00 ea Completing the collection are the Ventura 5 and Ventura 6 surface mount speakers, designed for versatile installation and built to endure even the most extreme conditions. US MSRP: Ventura 5 $500/pair, Ventura 6 $600/pair Every speaker in the Outdoor Collection is housed in a robust, precision-engineered enclosure designed for lasting performance in any weather condition. Rated to IP66 or IPX5 standards, UVresistant, and weather-sealed, each unit surpasses 500 hours of salt spray testing and operates flawlessly from -13°F to +158°F (-25°C to +70°C). Whether on a coastal terrace, beside a sun-drenched pool, or within a winter garden, KEF delivers unwavering performance.

HiFi Rose HiFi Rose RW800 Brings Streaming to Older Hi-Fi Systems

Also known as the ROSE AIR Lite, the compact RW800 can be discreetly integrated into virtually any hi-fi system or pair of active speakers. Despite its small footprint, it offers an impressive range of music streaming features. It supports most major streaming services, including Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect and Spotify, while AirPlay 2 and Google Cast are also onboard. Thanks to AirPlay 2, the RW800 can even be used as part of a multiroom audio setup.

Two Operating Modes One particularly interesting feature is that the RW800 offers two different operating modes. The first is a fully stand-alone mode, in which the unit functions as a complete network streamer. This makes it an ideal upgrade for audio equipment that lacks built-in streaming support. The second is Expansion Mode. In this configuration, the RW800 can be paired with an existing older HiFi Rose network streamer, bringing it up to date with the latest streaming services and connectivity options. Audio processing continues to be handled by the original streamer, which should help preserve its sound quality. The RW800 is an attractive solution that could significantly extend the useful life of older hi-fi equipment. In doing so, it also helps reduce electronic waste by giving existing audio systems a second life instead of replacing them. 56

The HiFi Rose RW800 is priced at €179. However, customers who act quickly can take advantage of an introductory price of €125, valid until 30 September 2026.

Soundboks SOUNDBOKS has expanded its lineup of Bluetooth speakers with the launch of the Soundboks Mix, a new portable model designed to deliver the company’s signature high-volume sound in a lighter, more versatile package. The Danish audio brand says the Soundboks Mix was created for everyday social gatherings, from tailgates and backyard parties to pre-game celebrations and outdoor get-togethers. According to SOUNDBOKS CEO Jesper Theil Thomsen, the speaker is designed to balance powerful audio, portability, durability and battery life without forcing users to compromise between them.

Soundboks Launches New Mix Bluetooth Speaker for Everyday Parties

The Soundboks Mix delivers a maximum output of 121 decibels through a custom-built acoustic system and offers three sound profiles with adjustable EQ settings through the SOUNDBOKS app. The speaker also features IP65-rated protection against dust and water, a rugged impactresistant cabinet and support for linking up to five compatible SOUNDBOKS speakers through the company’s TeamUp technology. Battery life is rated at up to 40 hours at moderate listening levels or eight hours at maximum volume. The removable battery can be swapped in seconds, while an integrated carry handle and compatibility with optional backpack and shoulder straps are intended to make transportation easier. The Soundboks Mix is available now for $799 and joins the company’s growing lineup of portable audio products aimed at outdoor events and group listening experiences

Teufel German brand Teufel introduced the IKONIO as the new flagship in its Home streaming-speaker range. The compact all-in-one Wi-Fi speaker combines an active three-way architecture with eight drivers, eight discrete amplifier channels, and dual 200mm force-balanced subwoofers in a sealed cabinet. The design is powered by Teufel’s Dynamore Ultra processing, supporting immersive, omnidirectional, and mono playback modes, while AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Bluetooth 5.1, and wired inputs provide broad source compatibility. The new Teufel IKONIO Wi-Fi Speaker expands on the Teufel Home family of products with a bold concept that surprises on every front. Developed by the brand’s acoustics team in the heart of Berlin, the IKONIO combines an innovative 3-way system in an uncompromising all-in-one streaming speaker design. This is a product that can only be found in the European market, but illustrates well how brands in Germany are able to combine their Asian sourcing with in-house design and clever product concepts to create differentiated products. The IKONIO is also Teufel’s most powerful Wi-Fi speaker to date and the new flagship of its HOME series. Designed as an independent product concept rather than a successor to an existing model, the IKONIO combines the low-frequency performance of dedicated subwoofers with the compact format and convenience of an all-in-one streaming system. The active three-way system uses eight drivers and eight independent amplifier channels. Its driver array comprises three tweeters, three midrange drivers, and two subwoofers, delivering up to 118dB peak SPL.

Teufel Launches IKONIO High-End Wi-Fi Speaker

Two opposing 200 mm woofers are installed in a sealed enclosure using a force-balancing configuration. Their mechanical forces counteract each other to reduce cabinet vibration, including at high playback levels. Teufel specifies a low-frequency extension to 19Hz at -6dB. A digital signal processor precisely controls the eight amplifier channels. The system also uses passive cooling, allowing the IKONIO to operate without cooling fans. Dynamore Ultra Technology Teufel equipped the IKONIO with its Dynamore Ultra technology, which distributes sound across three sides of the enclosure. The company says this produces a broad and natural soundstage from a single speaker, approaching the spatial impression of a stereo system. With this processing, users have three sound modes available:

An Immersive mode that creates a broad, deep soundstage that approaches the impression of a conventional stereo system while retaining natural, high-fidelity reproduction. An Omnidirectional mode that turns the speaker into a 360-degree sound source that radiates evenly in all directions. This mode is intended for use when the IKONIO is positioned freely in a room and listeners move around the space. And a Mono mode that deactivates Dynamore Ultra and concentrates the output toward the front for a more traditional hi-fi presentation. It also forms the basis of wireless stereo operation, when two IKONIO units are assigned to the left and right channels. The stereo configuration is said to reach up to 124dB peak SPL. The IKONIO supports direct playback through AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, TuneIn Internet radio, and Bluetooth 5.1. Wired sources can be connected through RCA line input and optical input. A touch control panel includes automatic button illumination activated by proximity sensing. Additional control is available through the Teufel Home app.

The sealed speaker enclosure weighs 17.4kg. Removable fabric covers are included, and an optional K&M stand allows the IKONIO to be positioned away from furniture or in the center of a room. The IKONIO is available in black or white for €1,199.99 through the Teufel online shop and Teufel stores.

A stereo bundle is also available. Teufel, founded in Berlin in 1979, describes itself as Europe’s largest direct-to-consumer audio company. Its product range includes home theater systems, TV sound solutions, multimedia systems, hi-fi components, headphones, Bluetooth speakers, and multiroom speakers. Since July 2024, the company has also operated in the United States in cooperation with Fender, offering selected products.

Yamaha Yamaha Unveils Two New Compact Hi-Fi Audio Products Yamaha decided to show off two new items this week, adding Yamaha unveiled the WXA-70A Compact Streaming Amplifier and WXC-70A Compact Streamer (Preamplifier) for their audio lineup.

them to their Hi-Fi lineup, as we got two compact streaming audio products. The two items in question look similar but operate differently, as they unveiled the WXA-70A Compact Streaming Amplifier and WXC-70A Compact Streamer (Preamplifier). Both of which come with Hi-Fi components that mix audio performance with key components for easier listening. Including advanced streaming technologies, modern TV connectivity, and integration-friendly features. We have the details on both below, as the WXA-70A is going for $1,300, while the WXC-70A is selling for $1,000.

The WXA-70A transforms passive speakers into a complete modern Hi-Fi system, making it ideal for standalone stereo listening or extending a Yamaha AVENTAGE home theater system to additional rooms. The WXC-70A adds modern streaming and connectivity capabilities to existing audio systems, pairing naturally with the Yamaha A-S Series integrated amplifiers while preserving their distinctive character and performance.

Hi-Fi Heritage, Audiophile Performance: Drawing on decades of Yamaha Hi-Fi expertise, the WXA70A and WXC-70A combine premium build quality, elegant Hi-Fi aesthetics and faithful audio reproduction in remarkably compact components. At the heart of both models is an audiophile-grade ESS SABRE DAC paired with advanced Yamaha audio technologies to reveal greater detail, dynamics and emotion in every recording. Stream it All, Your Way: With support for AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect and Roon Ready, listeners can easily access music and audio content through the apps and services they already use. High-resolution audio playback support ensures the quality of the original recording is maintained throughout the listening experience. One App, Your Music Everywhere: Built-in MusicCast technology allows users to control playback, select sources and manage compatible Yamaha products throughout the home from a single app. Stream different content in different rooms or group devices together to enjoy synchronized audio throughout the house. Superior TV Sound, Made Simple: Both models feature HDMI eARC connectivity for simple onecable integration with compatible televisions, while enabling power and volume control through the TV remote. Whether in a living room, media room or bedroom, the WXA-70A and WXC-70A dramatically improve the TV listening experience without added complexity. Additional analog and digital inputs also accommodate components such as a CD player, a turntable (with compatible phono preamplifier) or other audio devices. Optimized for Every Listening Space: Included with both models is a Yamaha YPAO calibration microphone for automatic room optimization. After analyzing room acoustics and speaker characteristics, YPAO adjusts playback parameters to help achieve more balanced and accurate sound. YPAO R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control) further enhances imaging and clarity by compensating for early sound reflections, helping listeners enjoy a more natural and immersive musical presentation.

Flexible Integration for Modern Homes: Designed for both enthusiasts and professional installations, the WXA-70A and WXC-70A feature Control4 compatibility, web-based setup, IR input, 12V trigger support and flexible connectivity options for seamless integration into modern smart home environments.

Also from Yamaha, their Most Compact Dolby Atmos Sound Bar with Builtin Subwoofer

Yamaha has announced the B200A, its most compact Dolby Atmos sound bar. Engineered to make the most of its 23.5-inch space-saving design, the B200A combines Dolby Atmos with Yamaha Hi-Fi-inspired engineering to deliver rich, expansive sound. Proprietary acoustic design and advanced sound processing create an immersive entertainment experience that transforms movies, TV shows and gaming.

Ideal for bedrooms, apartments, home offices and gaming spaces, the B200A enhances everyday entertainment with room-filling audio. Dolby Atmos places listeners inside an audio field, creating a richer and more immersive listening experience, while the built-in subwoofer and Bass Extension mode add impactful low-frequency performance. 64

“The B200A was designed for people who want better sound without giving up valuable space,” said Alex Sadeghian, director of consumer audio at Yamaha. “Whether it’s a bedroom, apartment, home office or gaming setup, the B200A delivers clear, immersive sound in a compact design that’s simple to live with every day.” This sound bar also features Clear Voice technology for enhanced dialogue clarity and four optimized sound modes: Movie, Standard, Stereo and Game, so users can set the stage for a personalized listening experience. Building on the success of the popular SR-C20A, the B200A marks the next evolution in the Yamaha compact sound bar lineup. The B200A sound bar supports HDMI eARC/ARC, optical, 3.5 mm AUX and Bluetooth wireless streaming, making it easy to connect to a wide range of devices. Its versatile design fits neatly beneath a television or monitor, on a media console or desk, or can be wall-mounted using the built-in keyholes, making it an ideal solution for spaceconscious environments. Key Features • Dolby Atmos for 3D immersive sound • Built-in subwoofer with Bass Extension mode • Dialogue clarity with Clear Voice technology • Convenient streaming with Bluetooth® • Simple setup with HDMI eARC, optical or AUX connections • Variety of optimized sound profile options • Space-saving audio for bedrooms, offices and gaming setups Pricing & Availability The Yamaha B200A sound bar ($249.95) will be available in November 2026.

Sharp The Sharp CP-DS10 is a compact desktop audio system designed around the growing number of personal devices used within the home. Combining a Bluetooth stereo speaker with wireless charging for an iPhone and Apple Watch, plus USB-C charging for an additional device, it consolidates several everyday functions into one compact product. 65

Sharp CP-DS10: Bringing Audio and Charging Together

Its central feature is a Qi2-certified 15W wireless charging pad, which is compatible with MagSafeequipped iPhones. The angled magnetic platform holds the phone securely and keeps its screen visible, allowing compatible models to make use of Apple’s StandBy mode. This transforms the iPhone into a useful bedside or desktop display for clocks, photographs, notifications and other information while it charges. A detachable wireless charging dongle for Apple Watch is integrated into the design, while a separate USB-C port can charge a third device such as wireless earphones. Bringing these charging functions together helps reduce the number of separate cables, plugs and accessories normally found on a desk or bedside table. Audio is delivered through two 2-inch neodymium drivers in a 2.0 stereo configuration. The system offers 14W RMS output, with a quoted maximum power of 40W, and Bluetooth 5.3 provides straightforward wireless streaming from phones, tablets and other compatible devices. The CPDS10 is therefore intended as a convenient personal audio product rather than a conventional large-format wireless speaker. The product’s compact proportions are central to its appeal. Measuring 205 × 122 × 108mm and weighing 0.92kg, it occupies relatively little surface space while performing the roles of several individual products. Its understated graphite-black finish and simple geometric form allow it to sit comfortably within bedrooms, home offices and other contemporary interiors. The CP-DS10 reflects a broader movement towards multifunctional products designed around connected lifestyles. Rather than treating the speaker and charger as separate accessories, Sharp has combined audio, charging and information display into a single, coherent desktop product. This gives the CP-DS10 a clear proposition: a compact home for the devices people use throughout the day, with fewer cables and less visual clutter. The CP-DS10 is available to purchase now and is available in two colours.

Automotive & Mobility Solutions Micromobility Tech Retailers are in a unique position to offer on-site infrastructure How Micromobility for mobility tech Tech Can Help

People Ditch The

The car has long been a staple of modern life. It helps people travel beyond their hometown and into a wider world. But it’s Car also a bulky, increasingly expensive investment that’s often less than ideal for short-distance travel—especially in urban areas. However, a new generation of micromobility tech, like e-bikes and e-scooters, is increasingly challenging the notion that a car is a mandatory part of every household. According to a recent Rider Report by Veo, a micromobility manufacturer, one-third of 15,000 riders “have decided they do not need a car or have postponed buying a car.”

Let’s explore how micromobility can work for commuting, errands, and recreation, to gain insight into how some customers now think about transportation. Retailers can use this information to create strategies for serving customers and helping them adapt to a life where a car is optional.

A better commute It’s impossible to apply micromobility as a universal car replacement for every daily commute, but it can show people that other possibilities exist. Finding the best strategy means evaluating existing commutes: times, distances, city layouts, route options, and transit availability. Let’s consider some hypothetical urban and suburban car commuter scenarios.

An urban commuter likely has access to public transit, but the closest stop may be too far, have infrequent service, or be less accessible on foot from where they live or work. Similarly, they may know of alternate routes that otherwise require a significant detour at walking speeds. Ultimately, they drive for on-site parking and easy access, even when traffic inflates the travel time. With an e-bike or scooter, this commuter shrinks the time to the office by opening up transit possibilities, lesscrowded routes, or cutting stress for a slightly longer—yet still reasonable—travel time. Charging an e-bike overnight at home also eliminates fuel stops during a commute. It may even be enough of a benefit to consider selling a car they otherwise don’t need. The situation for a suburban commuter is more complex, with most people in these communities needing cars by default. This environment magnifies the challenges commuters face to access the same resources as an urban dweller. For example, transit and alternate paths may only be accessible by car, making it easier to justify going the entire way when they’re already driving. E-bikes are more suitable car replacements for suburban residents—scooters lose some of their charm over long distances—if there’s a clear alternative that’s just out of

reach. They also cut back on the costs of fuel, maintenance, and parking when traveling to an urban workplace. People in suburban areas with suitable bike paths may even find a more direct route through areas inaccessible to cars. Running lean while running errands

Typical work schedules mean that many people in the United States shop weekly for groceries, as the whole process of traveling to and from the store via car turns an otherwise simple activity into a major undertaking. While commuters tend to benefit from alternate physical routes, someone running errands may find that micromobility can positively shift their behavior. A scooter or e-bike might lack cargo capacity—though brands like Lectric offer cargo-specific options—but it simplifies a grocery run into a quick task to pick up ingredients for a day or two. (Rather than piling a week’s worth of groceries in the trunk.) In this scenario, the rider can make a small shopping list of items that are easily accessible so they don’t have to wander the store grabbing everything they might need.

If a store is close enough, an electric scooter may be a faster way to traverse surface streets, spend 10 minutes in the store, and return home with little to no time spent waiting at traffic lights, searching for parking spots, or dealing with shopping carts. This mentality can also apply to a dentist appointment or city office. One major challenge facing micromobility for errands is how it helps parents. While some larger families may require an SUV to travel efficiently, small families can opt for e-bikes with child seating to reduce car dependency on quick trips. Similarly, a family might invest in multiple scooters or e-bikes to help older children get to school, ride together for errands, or visit friends without needing a parent to drive them. Ultimately, the cost of extra e-bikes may save money and time compared to large family cars. When a car-free family needs a car for a specific task, then the wealth of rideshare, carshare, rental, and delivery services can largely make up the difference. This may not be as feasible in low-density suburban and rural locations, but remains an option. Getting more freedom in free time While the benefits of micromobility tech are more obvious for productive activities, it’s often uniquely suitable for recreation compared to cars. Provided riders respect local rules around speed limits, particularly on shared pedestrian paths, an e-bike opens up avenues for casual recreation at local parks and trails normally too far to walk to or tedious to access by car. Fully-motorized e-bikes can help preserve strength and energy for people with accessibility challenges. Likewise, pedal-assist models can supplement exercise and serve as a warm-up for strenuous hikes. Users will need to be mindful of places to secure their vehicles at trailheads or parks, but any place that already hosts bike racks is a good start. How retailers and businesses can cater to micromobility tech Retailers are in a unique position to offer on-site infrastructure for mobility tech. This may take the form of converting a few parking spaces to e-bike and scooter parking, or adding bike racks near storefronts. Likewise, there are increasing opportunities to offer assistance with maintenance, safety, or selling the micromobility vehicles themselves. There’s also a business case for adding a fleet of e-bikes for short-distance deliveries to help small businesses compete with corporations.

Bentley New Bentley Torcal will be brand’s While electric cars from mainstream brands have been on the market for what feels like forever, luxury brands have somewhat most powerful lagged behind. However, that’s about to change for one heritage production car Bentley’s first ever electric car will also be its punchiest and fastestaccelerating

brand, which will launch its first ever electric car 2027: the Bentley Torcal.

Indeed, the Bentley Torcal will be the British firm’s first all-electric offering, and it will sit alongside the existing Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga in its line-up. According to Bentley, the name Torcal is derived from El Torcal de Antequera – a nature reserve in Andalusia, Spain, made up of unique limestone landforms. It’s also a nod to the Latin verb ‘torquere’, which means ‘to twist’ and is the root of the word ‘torque’. Technical details are thin on the ground, but Bentley has revealed that the Torcal will be its most powerful production car yet. That means it should offer even more than the 771bhp on tap in the Continental GT Speed. The EV will accelerate faster than that model too, which means a 0-60mph time of around three seconds or faster is on the cards.

According to Bentley, the Torcal will be capable of recuperating 100 miles in just 7 minutes when charging. This suggests it’ll be able to charge at speeds up to 300kW, which would make it one of the fastest-charging vehicles on the market. For context, the Lotus Eletre can charge at 350kW. It’s worth remembering, though, that it’s very rare to find public chargers that go that fast. For reference, the average public charger speed in the UK is around 120kW. We also know that the Torcal will be underpinned by the PPE platform underpinnings developed by Audi and Porsche: a scalable chassis technology that should be able to cover many different types of car, from small cars to large SUVs. As such, the Torcal is expected to be closely related to the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric, which is offered exclusively with dual-motor, four-wheeldrive set-ups and manages 1140bhp in top-of-the-range guise. That car also gets 800-volt charging architecture for its large 110kWh battery, which can achieve around 400 miles of range in its most efficient form. However, since the Torcal will don a boxier shape, it might not travel quite as far as its Porsche sibling. In lieu of a thundering V8, the Torcal will instead receive a soundtrack performed by real musicians to mimic the sound of a high-powered combustion engine. The soundtrack will feature drums, viola and bass guitar, and should respond to driver inputs, too. Early sightings of the Torcal indicate it’ll borrow a lot of styling cues from Bentley’s EXP 15 concept (as represented by our artist’s illustration at the top of this article) unveiled earlier this year, with an upright stance and lowslung silhouette. Unlike that concept car and the Cayenne Electric, though, the Bentley Torcal looks like it’ll get a more upright roofline to maximise rear head room. Inside, we could see the Torcal take inspiration from the EXP 15 concept, which had a portrait-oriented central infotainment touchscreen integrated into the dashboard, with an integrated digital driver’s display behind the wheel. It also had some physical controls, like a selector dial on the centre console. The Bentley Torcal will arrive towards the end of 2026, with deliveries at the start of 2027. It will sit just below the larger Bentayga as Bentley’s shortest SUV, and is expected to start at around £170,000. Despite the arrival of the new Torcal, Bentley confirmed it will continue with combustion engines into the future, alongside launching a plug-in hybrid or electric car every year from 2026. This could mean that models like the Flying Spur and Continental GT could regain their pure petrol engines, despite initial plans to offer them exclusively as plug-in hybrids. 73

Li Auto Yet another new Chinese brand on the way – Li Auto set for official launch in October

Brace yourself for the launch of yet another Chinese carmaker on the market – Li Auto is set to unveil the European version of its electric i6 SUV, which will be badged in the market as the Li 6. Li Auto mostly builds large luxury SUV and MPV models and has held from the current wave of Chinese brands pouncing on European sales, but it’s set to announce global expansion plans and the Li 6 at the Paris motor show in October.

The i6 is powered by an 87kWh LFP battery from CATL that’s rated at 447 miles (720km) of range on the generous CLTC procedure in China, but it would be more likely to achieve around 370 miles (600km) of range on the WLTP standard that’s used in Europe. The Chinese version of the car can charge at up to 500kW, which would put it among the most powerful charging EVs in the UK if it were to go on sale with the capability. That level of charging is enough to get the car from 10% to 80% in just 11 minutes.

The design is interesting – the car has full-width light bar at the front, which is very fashionable these days, but this one sits at the base of the windscreen, and the headlights are squirrelled away in air vents in the front bumper. The five-seater crossover SUV is Li Auto’s entry model in China, and would go head to head against the likes of the BMW iX3, Tesla Model Y and Volvo EX60. It will be interesting to see whether the fancy kit that’s sold with the car in China – air suspension, rear entertainment screens and refrigerator – will make it to European models. Li Auto was founded in 2015 by Chinese tech entrepreneur Li Xiang, and it has arange of electric models and range extended EVs on sale. Another interesting model from the Li Auto portfolio is the Mega, a large MPV that could find its way to Europe too, although it’s not believed to be in initial plans.

The Mega has just been facelifted in 2026 and manages the impressive job of standing out among Chinese cars in the country’s expansive cities.

Range Rover Range Rover stunned the auto world with the announcement of a fifth vehicle coming to its lineup: the Range Rover GT, an electric grand touring sedan. And while it’ll be all wheel drive like the rest of the lineup and deploy Range Rover proportions on a smaller scale, it’ll be distinctly different, advancing the brand’s iconic minimalist design language and its path to electrification. The Range Rover GT is the “most car-like, yet unmistakably capable, Range Rover ever created,” said Martin Limpert, managing director, Range Rover. While Range Rover isn’t yet releasing performance details such as power, range or pricing, or design specifics, for that matter, our guess is that it’ll have a dual motor setup with the off-road capability that Range Rover is known for, that it’ll be powerful and that it’ll be luxurious with a price tag to match.

Range Rover Introduces Its First Sedan: The Electric GT

But with a reputation for luxurious minimalist design, a peek at the GT reveals much more than just a new car. It hints at Range Rover’s future design direction.

Details Hint At The Future Of Range Rover Range Rover did reveal a bit about the GT and how it might lead expansion of the company into new areas: Electrification and an increasingly minimalist design language with an architectural feel. The company touted “technology woven into its architecture” and a cabin that features a “reduced visual and acoustic noise” to create sense of calm. A look at some of the interior images shared by the company add details, showing where Range Rover is headed with its design: A less-is-more approach the company calls “reductive,” reducing even further the details and materials inside the cabin and leaning more on technology and clever function. A grand touring sedan is a first for the company and Range Rover promises the GT will have the range and comfort that buyers expect from a touring sedan. As a grand touringmodel, the company promises “long-haul comfort, effortless performance” both in the cabin and behind the wheel. British luxury SUV brand Range Rover has unveiled its first electric model, a £154k EV offering up to 600 km of range and a 10-to-80% charge time of 22 minutes. More than five years in the making, the Range Rover Electric joins the ranks of other premium SUV brands making their

Also from Range Rover - its first allelectric SUV

foray into all-electric variants. However, rather than starting with a completely blank canvas, the design team was keen to ensure it remained recognisably a Range Rover. In fact, they deliberately chose not to make it look different from its combustion-engine counterparts. Rachel Hogg, Range Rover’s global production manager, who led the development programme, introduces the new EV as being “quieter, more responsive and more refined than any Range Rover before it, while remaining unmistakably Range Rover in every sense.” She adds that its the result of “years of innovation, problem solving and dedication” with more than “300 patents filed and over 1.5m km of physical testing to ensure this vehicle is a true Range Rover.” While the vehicle may look familiar from the outside, under the hood, a lot of the technology is new. It is powered by by twin 260kW motors that generate up to 542 bhp and 850Nm of torque, delivering a driving range of up to 600km. To achieve this range, the vehicle houses a 118.5kWh battery pack. This high-voltage, 800-volt system relies on a dual-layer architecture, effectively stacking a total of 344 nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells together to create a single, energy-dense power source.

Other new technologies include Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD), which can instantly shift up to 100% of torque to either axle to prevent loss of traction. This is paired with Integrated Traction Management (ITM), which controls motor speed within 50 milliseconds, managing wheel-slip up to 100 times faster than an equivalent combustion-engine vehicle, according to the brand. “The defining characteristic of Range Rover Electric is its ability to perform across every surface, with effortless comfort and refinement. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure it retains those qualities. From challenging low-grip and rough terrain to smooth, high-speed roads, it remains incredibly composed and refined, with a real sense of control and confidence. The responsiveness and precision of the new driveline control systems, enabled by electric propulsion, perfectly support this,” said Matt Becker, vehicle engineering director at JLR. As for charging, 350kW public chargers will charge the vehicle from 10-80% in around 22 minutes or add 220km in 10 minutes when the vehicle is charging at its maximum charge rate. “Reductive” Defines The Design Language From the slender driver display screen, sleek air vents that span the dashboard and expansive upholstered

surfaces, a look at the new cabin hints at more touch controls and less tactile elements like buttons and dials. The air vents for instance, lack tabs or buttons to position them; the planes of leatherette or fabric hide the car’s speakers. A single stalk sits above the steering wheel holding the gear shifts and turn signals; there’s no shifter on the center console as there has been in the past. An Open Cabin Adds Calm From the images Range Rover provided, the cabin has an open feel with a low dashboard and horizontal lines that invite an expansive feel. These lines extend to the door panels, creating a encompassing space and the idea that closing the doors also closes out the sounds and stresses of the world outside. The cabin is lighted by a panoramic glass roof that covers the cabin, as well as a sloped rear roof and large windows that add the feeling of air and light. The steering wheel, flat on top and bottom, opens up the view through the windshield, a popular trend in auto design seen in luxury vehicles such as Lucid and Infiniti. The effect here is powerful and brings in the road and the landscape rather than the noise of interior controls and screens.

The consoles in the front and rear seats add both to the open cabin feel, sitting low between the seats and shown in a cool muted gray. They forward the modern aesthetic with crisp edges and invite the feel of clean surfaces that hide the flotsam of our lives, from phones to change to lip balm, beneath.

Modern Materials Cast A Cool Mood The Range Rover GT was shown finished in molded synthetic and woven materials and rather than leather, though the company hasn’t yet said if leather will be an option. What is distinctly missing, though, are the layers of materials commonly shown in ultra-luxury cars, which typically offer piecework seats, bolsters, headrests, arm rests and more, Here, Range Rover showed a monotone seating without piping or contrast stitching on the main touchpoint and a woven fabric covering secondary toucpoints such as door panels and seat backs. “A woven textile, part of a suite of beautiful materials, wraps the dashboard in a single, cohesive gesture,” Range Rover says. The company also hinted at a light/dark strategy with light colors on the seats and surfaces, a darker colour on seat backs and door panels and an even darker color on the floors. The company hasn’t yet said what colors will be offered. Technology Hides Within The Design The design of the Range Rover GT is light on screens, showing only two in the front cabin: the main touch screen and driver’s display screen. The rear seat shows a small screen between the two rear seats but none on the rear seat backs, indicating screens are there for function and comfort more than entertainment.

Also absent are prominent speaker covers, a common design element in luxury cars. While subtle tone on tone Meridian speakers are visible on the lower door panels, none can be see on the fabriccovered dash board. The multimedia system will likely carry more of the tech functions in the Range Rover GT, and it’s likely that AI assisted systems will continue to reduce the need for buttons, dials and physical controls. The New Badge Makes Its In-Car Debut Last year Range Rover quietly launched a new graphic logo to complement the brand’s traditional logo, a stacked RR, with the lower R reversed and inverted. Following the lead of other luxury brands with iconic initial logos—Chanel, Gucci, YSL—the double R lends a branded feel. In the Range Rover GT it makes its appearance on the center console and for now, as part of the pattern of the camouflage covering the prototype. A Camouflage Silhouette Sets The Tone Range Rover hasn’t yet released detailed photos of the exterior of the GT, though it’s not hard to see its scale from the camouflage images; the roof line slopes, not unlike that of the Range Rover Evoque, and the wide-set wheels give a sporty feel. It appears to sport a hatchback and headlights feel narrowed and laser-like, adding to the feel of precision. The Range Rover GT is the company’s first all-electric Range Rover from its new EMA platform, manufactured in Halewood, UK where its gas-powered and hybrid powertrains are built. The company promises new news in the coming months, so until then we’ll have to image what else this new era of Range Rover will hold.

Honda and Nissan Honda And Nissan Join Forces On Software And Electronics

Future models will share software and electronic control units to cut costs and speed development. It will see the two firms work together on standardized software and ECUs. First vehicles with the new technology could arrive as early as 2029. Merger talks between Honda and Nissan collapsed last year, but the companies noted they would continue exploring other opportunities to work together. They’ve found some common ground as the automakers have announced a new joint development agreement. It aims to “standardize multiple electronic control units that form the core of next-generation software-defined vehicles.” This will include the “in-vehicle operating system” as well as “key parts of the middleware.” They’ll also share vehicle control software.

While much of this will be hidden away from view, it sounds like future infotainment systems will have a lot in common. However, we wouldn’t be surprised if there are minor tweaks – such as special graphics – to differentiate Honda and Nissan systems. Vehicles using the jointly developed software and ECUs are expected to arrive in the 2029 fiscal year. This means we can expect the first model to arrive between April 1, 2029 and March 31, 2030.

The companies didn’t go into many specifics, but said that standardizing foundational technologies will enable them to “leverage their combined engineering expertise and development resources to improve efficiency, accelerate innovation, and enhance competitiveness through reduced development costs and greater economies of scale.” The automakers also hinted at faster development cycles, which are needed in an increasingly competitive landscape. Honda and Nissan aren’t stopping at ECUs and software as they’ll also “continue to explore opportunities for collaboration across a range of areas.” Interestingly, the deal doesn’t involve the larger Renault–Nissan– Mitsubishi Alliance. However, Reuters reported that Mitsubishi is considering joining the software and ECU tie-up.

Retail & Consumer Experience Holiday Shopping A new survey reveals two factors that play a major role in determining what consumers buy for the holidays. Free shipping is the strongest purchase driver cited by respondents to a survey from agentic messaging platform Cordial, influencing where 61% of respondents decide to shop. More than half (45%) of respondents to “Holiday 2026: Consumer Shopping Insights” said discounts will matter this holiday season more than the previous one, with 26% saying they will matter much more.

Millennial respondents showed the most price sensitivity, with 61% saying price and promotions are increasingly important. Spending confidence varies significantly by generation, with 48% of Gen Z respondents saying they will likely increase holiday spending, compared with just 16% of boomers. Meanwhile, 58% of boomers expect to spend about the same amount as last year. Across generations, 43% of respondents expect their holiday spending to remain about the same year over year, while 35% expect to spend more this year, including 11% who plan to spend significantly more. Almost one-quarter (23%) plan to spend less.

Here’s what drives holiday purchase decisions

Black Friday loses importance In 2025, only 20% of surveyed consumers planned to begin shopping on Black Friday. One-quarter of respondents plan to begin shopping in early November, the most popular starting point. Shoppers warm to AI More than four-in-10 respondents (42%) say they are at least somewhat likely to use AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude during their holiday shopping process. Millennials lead adoption, with 54% likely to use AI tools, compared with 19% of boomers. One-third of respondents (34%) say they are comfortable allowing an AI agent to automatically complete holiday purchases based on their preferences and budget, including 13% who would trust AI to complete purchases without review. Younger generations lead this shift, with 49% of millennials and 44% of Gen Z expressing comfort with AI-assisted purchasing. However, consumers remain most comfortable using AI during the research and comparison stages of shopping. The top AI use cases include comparing prices and finding deals (43%) and comparing products or brands (38%). When AI recommends an unfamiliar product or brand, consumers remain cautious but open: 39% remain neutral about purchasing an AI-recommended product, but also 39% say they are at least somewhat likely to make the purchase. Retailer websites remain the top destination for holiday research More than half (53%) of respondents plan to use retailer websites to research holiday deals and promotions, followed by social media at 39%. Social media adoption varies significantly by generation, with 56% of Gen Z and 51% of millennials using it for holiday research compared with just 12% of boomers. Personalization resonates most with younger shoppers Gen Z is more likely than any other respondent generation to be influenced by personalized recommendations (25%) and bundles or added value (26%) when deciding where to shop. By comparison, only 5% of boomers are influenced by personalized recommendations, and 17% are influenced by bundles. “With the holiday season no longer defined by merely Black Friday and Cyber Monday, consumers will navigate a longer and more complex shopping journey where value, personalization and AI Assistants all play a role,” said Rob Garf, head of strategy at Cordial. “Winning this holiday season requires brands to be discoverable by personal shopping agents and deliver relevance and trust to optimize customer profitability.”

UK retailers battle for consumer wallets against a tricky backdrop The UK retail sector is enduring its latest challenging period. Modest economic growth and stabilising sales volumes are being offset by increased costs partly due to 2025’s increases to the living wage and employer national insurance contributions. These factors have combined with reductions in business rates relief to squeeze margins.

The UK retail sector is enduring its latest challenging period. Modest economic growth and stabilising sales volumes are being offset by increased costs partly due to 2025’s increases to the living wage and employer national insurance contributions. These factors have combined with reductions in business rates relief to squeeze margins. Shoppers remain cautious due to persistent inflationary pressures and higher household energy costs, linked to the crisis in the Middle East, which means consumers are prioritising value over splurges in discretionary spending. This trend can clearly be seen in lower-income households where nearly half of income goes on essential items like rent, food and drink, according to consultancy Retail Economics. By contrast so-called ‘new age affluents’ only spend around 26% of their income on necessities which leaves more headroom for discretionary and luxury spending.

While a smaller group by size, representing around 15% to 20% of UK households, this affluent minority drives discretionary spending. How Next has bucked the gloom The challenging consumer backdrop has not proved a problem for clothing bellwether Next, partly due to strong execution under CEO Simon Wolfson who has built a reputation for under promising and overdelivering. To be a successful retailer it’s important to get the right products in front of the right customers at the right times and in the right places at a price they’re willing to pay. It sounds deceptively simple but it’s hard to execute and it’s something which Next has refined to a fine art. Next has been the best performing FTSE 100 retailer with the shares recently trading near record highs, driven by repeated upgrades to guidance and disciplined shareholder returns. Trading from more than 800 stores in the UK and Ireland as well as an online operation serving the UK and overseas, Next recently upgraded its annual outlook for the third time in 2026 after reporting a 9.2% rise in second quarter full-price sales. Next attributed the outperformance to exceptionally warm weather and unanticipated pent-up demand in the Middle East and Northern Europe after a weak first quarter. In addition, Next said it was able to spend more on profitable marketing than expected. The group now expects pre-tax profit of £1.243 billion for the year ended January 2027, versus prior guidance of £1.218 billion. M&S draws a line under cyber-attack Storied UK food and clothing retailer Marks & Spencer forecast a return to profit growth this year (to end March 2027) after performance was impacted by a cyber-attack in April 2025 which took down its clickand-collect business, online ordering and contactless payments. The recovery in 2026 has been food-led with sales up 7%, taking M&S’s share of the Britain’s grocery market to 4.1% and 4.6% including sales sold through Ocado, as the company looks achieve its long-term goal of doubling food sales. M&S has flagged plans to increase shareholder returns with details being revealed later this year. Chief financial officer Alison Dolan said:

“I would expect that over the course of this current financial year (2026-27) we will be in a position to be clearer about our policy in that regard and the timing of those returns.” The retailer ended its last financial year with net funds excluding lease liabilities of £338 million, providing M&S with financial headroom to enhance returns while investing for growth. Other retailers with a winning formula Electronics retailer Currys has engineered a genuine turnaround from a low-margin boxshifter into a multichannel ‘technology-as-a-service’ focused business. The company recently posted a better-than-expected 18% increase in full year adjusted pre-tax profit with like-for-like sales up 4% and ended the period with net cash on the balance sheet. Currys doubled the divided and announced a £50 million share buyback. The recovery was led by outgoing CEO Alex Bladock, who is now tasked with replicating a turnaround at Boots the chemist, Currys now generates around a third of sales in UK & Ireland from higher margin services offerings. The company has rolled out dedicated business-to-business hubs inside its physical retail outlets serving small businesses seeking technology and cash flow management. Home improvement retailer Kingfisher, encompassing B&Q and Screwfix in the UK and Castorama and Brico Depot in France, has leant into trade and ecommerce penetration to mitigate soft ‘big ticket’ demand. Trade sales grew 23% in the full year to the end of January with penetration reaching 30% of group sales and ecommerce penetration reaching 21% as its third-party online marketplace grew 58% to £518 million.

Amazon Amazon has significantly raised the prices of its hardware Amazon hikes devices, jacking them up by as much as 60% in some hardware prices cases. by 60%, blaming The price explosion impacted Fire TVs, Echos, Kindles, and Eeros. One egregious example that’s been cited is that of the Echo Dot, one of Amazon’s cheapest smart speakers, the price of which jumped 60% overnight, from $49.99 to $79.99.

Amazon’s price hikes reinforce the reality that it’s a terrible time to buy hardware. The global memory shortage fueled by the AI boom (also known as “RAMmageddon“) is driving up the cost of producing devices of all stripes. As a result, companies are increasingly passing on the costs to their customers. In a sign of the times, Apple recently hiked its prices, and has sought to offset the steep new rates by introducing a device-leasing program, thus allowing users to pay off their devices over time. The RAM shortage is expected to continue throughout 2027 before prices potentially crest and stabilize in 2028.

memory shortage

The Smart Home “Installation Divide” In the world of smart home technology, there is a line: a line between when someone can install a smart home device or whole-home control system themselves and when they should bring in a professional. And it’s becoming blurrier by the day. It’s not just about complexity, or even technical skill. It’s about risk, integration, longevity, and – perhaps most overlooked – how someone actually plans to live with the system once it’s installed. Here are some revealing statistics to set the stage:

44% of smart home device owners have used a professional installer at least once. At the same time, 81% have attempted DIY installation After DIY attempts, 29% of users turn to professionals after trying DIY.

When do you need a Pro vs DIY?

So, almost half of all smart device homeowners have used a pro. And even though a significant percentage of people (81%) have tried DIY, almost a third go back to a pro when the DIY route doesn’t work. Elizabeth Parks, president and chief marketing officer, is quite bullish on professional installation. In an article in Security Systems News, she is quoted as saying, “As the market matures, professional installation and support will remain central to smart home adoption. Professional installation is a cornerstone of market growth, consumer satisfaction and long-term engagement.” At a high level, three factors tend to dominate the decision: system complexity, user skill level, and the desire for a guarantee. But the real answer goes deeper. Here are some considerations to walk through with your customers, which will help them decide whether professional installation is the way to go – even for the ones who insist they’re DIY “experts.” The Obvious Factor: Complexity Some smart home products are genuinely plug-and-play. Battery-powered video doorbells, Wi-Fi smart plugs, and many smart bulbs fall squarely into the DIY category. If the setup involves mounting hardware, connecting to an app, and syncing with your home Wi-Fi, most homeowners can handle it in under an hour. Where things change is when the system moves beyond a single device. Whole-home ecosystems (especially those built around platforms like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa) introduce layers of complexity. Now the stakes are raised, with device compatibility, automation rules, network reliability, and sometimes multiple communication protocols (Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread). Add in motorized shades, wired lighting systems, or integrated security, and it’s no longer a product installation; it’s building a system. That’s where professionals truly earn their keep. DIY success isn’t just about skill; it’s about tolerance for friction. Installing a smart lock might seem straightforward until it’s time to align deadbolts, calibrate motors, and troubleshoot connectivity issues at the same time. Setting up a smart hub can involve firmware updates, device pairing quirks, and inconsistent app behavior. For some people, that’s part of the fun. For others, it’s a fast track to frustration.

There’s also a hidden layer here: problem-solving ability. Smart home devices don’t always fail in obvious ways. A shade that won’t respond might be a power issue, a network issue, or a software glitch. Professionals are paid not just to install but to diagnose, a skill that many self-proclaimed DIY aficionados just don’t possess. The Safety and Liability Question This is where the DIY conversation often gets oversimplified. Low-voltage, battery-powered devices are generally safe to install. But anything involving electrical wiring (hardwired lighting, in-wall switches, or powered shading systems) introduces real risk. It’s not just about doing it correctly; it’s about what happens if something goes wrong.

Improper installations can void warranties, create fire hazards, or even impact home insurance claims. A professionally installed system typically comes with liability coverage and workmanship guarantees, something DIY cannot offer. That “guarantee factor” becomes especially important for highercost installations, where a mistake isn’t just inconvenient; it’s downright expensive.

Of course, not all homes are created equal when it comes to smart technology. Older homes often present challenges that aren’t obvious at first glance: outdated wiring, inconsistent electrical loads, poor Wi-Fi coverage, or construction materials that interfere with signals. Even newer homes can have dead zones or network bottlenecks that impact performance. A professional installer can assess the environment and generally solve any of these issues quickly. They may recommend mesh networking, strategic hub placement, or even alternative products based on your home’s layout. DIY installers often discover these limitations the hard way, after devices fail to perform as expected. One of the biggest misconceptions in smart home adoption is that devices work together seamlessly out of the box. In reality, many DIY setups result in “islands” of functionality: your doorbell works, your shades work, your thermostat works, but they don’t communicate in meaningful ways. True smart homes are defined by automation: lights adjusting with daylight, shades responding to temperature, security systems triggering alerts and actions across devices. Achieving that level of integration is where professional systems usually outperform DIY setups. Installers who work with platforms like Control4 specialize in creating unified experiences rather than disconnected gadgets. If the goal is achieving convenience at scale, not just individual features, that’s a compelling case for professional involvement. Time: The Hidden Cost DIY is often framed as a cost-saving measure. And on paper, it is. But time is rarely factored into the equation. A simple installation might take an hour. A multi-device setup with troubleshooting can stretch into days. Firmware issues, compatibility conflicts, and network adjustments can quickly turn a weekend project into an ongoing effort. For some, that time investment is acceptable. For others, especially busy professionals or families, paying for installation is less about difficulty and more about reclaiming time. Here’s a factor that rarely gets discussed: how your installation holds up over time and how it looks to the next homeowner. Clean, professionally installed systems (especially those that are well-documented and standardized) can enhance perceived home value. Messy installations, visible wiring, or inconsistent performance can naturally have the opposite effect.

More importantly, professional setups are typically designed for durability. They accommodate future expansion, software updates, and system maintenance. DIY setups, while functional, are often built incrementally without a long-term plan. So, When Do You Call a Pro? Here’s a simple rule of thumb: DIY: When the device is standalone, battery-powered, and low-risk (doorbells, plugs, basic locks, simple lighting). Pro Consideration: When dealing with wiring, multiple devices, or system-wide automation. Definitely Pro: When safety, integration, or long-term reliability are priorities. The smart home promise isn’t just about technology; it’s about how seamlessly the technology fits into a user’s life. Sometimes that’s as easy as mounting a device and downloading an app. Other times, it requires expertise behind the walls, behind the network, and behind the scenes. Knowing the difference is what turns a collection of gadgets into a truly smart home, something a pro is thoroughly prepared and trained to do. As Technology Costs Rise, Consumers Have More Options To Save On Smartphones Trade-in and resale programs can give consumers a trusted way to get the technology they need As rising memory prices add pressure to the cost of new smartphones, replacing a mobile phone can be harder for some consumers to absorb. That makes choice more important, giving consumers more ways to balance the technology they need with the price they can afford. The latest model will still be the right choice for many, but not every replacement needs to start with buying brand new. Today, consumers have more ways to stay connected, manage costs, and get more value from their current mobile phone. Trade-in and upgrade programs can help reduce the cost of moving to a different mobile phone, while certified pre-owned devices can offer a dependable option when buying new is not the best fit.

That choice matters most when consumers need flexibility— whether they urgently need to replace a broken mobile phone, are trying to stay within budget or are looking for a practical way to upgrade their mobile phone without spending more. More Ways to Replace, Upgrade and Stay Connected The mobile device lifecycle has become more flexible. Instead of following a single path—buy, use and replace—devices now move through a broader ecosystem of protection, repair, trade-in, upgrade and resale. A trade-in can help offset the cost of a new or pre-owned mobile phone. A protection program can help when something goes wrong. And a certified pre-owned device can provide a reliable replacement when cost, urgency, or an unexpected, unbudgeted expense make buying new less practical. The goal is not to move consumers away from new mobile phones. It is to give them more confidence and choice when they decide what comes next. Behind the scenes, this means managing devices end-toend—from protection through refurbishment and resale—so more devices can retain value beyond their first owner. When Certified Pre-Owned Makes Sense

New mobile phones remain an important part of the market, especially for consumers who want the latest technologies, features, performance, and design. Certified pre-owned devices will not replace new phones; rather, they add another trusted option for consumers who want a lowercost alternative or need to replace a phone quickly.

Assurant research shows that nearly half of smartphone owners in the U.S. have already purchased a previously owned mobile phone, and tellingly, 71% of consumers would be more loyal to their carrier if competitive CPO devices were available. As consumers become more familiar with the value proposition, these factors will continue to grow. Building Confidence in Pre-Owned Devices For pre-owned devices to be a credible choice, consumers need confidence. They want to know a device has been tested, that it will perform reliably, and that prior user data has been removed. That is what turns pre-owned into certified pre-owned: a process that gives buyers more proof of quality, transparency and trust. At scale, leading providers use structured processes designed to prepare mobile phones for their next owner, including: Comprehensive intake and inspection processes: Devices are reviewed before they move into resale or reuse channels. Automated diagnostic testing: Functionality is validated consistently and at scale. Standardized grading: Quality and condition are communicated more clearly and transparently. Battery and performance validation: Consumers get more confidence that the device can meet their everyday needs. Certified data wiping: Prior users’ information is securely removed before the device is resold. These steps matter because trust remains one of the biggest hurdles for consumers considering a previously owned phone. Assurant research found that 26% of consumers who have not bought a used phone cite lack of trust in the process as a reason, while only 6% cite insufficient value. A certification process helps close that gap by giving buyers clearer signals that a device has been inspected, tested, graded, had its battery and performance validated, and had prior user data securely removed. That distinction is important: “used” can feel uncertain, but certified pre-owned gives consumers more proof of quality and transparency. When shoppers can see that a device has gone through a structured certification process—and understand what that process includes—it helps address common concerns around reliability, longevity, battery health, privacy and overall condition. That consistency makes certified pre-owned devices a more practical alternative when consumers balance cost, convenience, and confidence.

More Choice When Cost or Urgency Matter The value of today’s device ecosystem is that consumers do not have to rely on one path—the single option of buying new. Depending on their needs, they can choose the newest phone, use protection or repair options, consider a certified pre-owned replacement and/or trade in a device to further reduce the cost when buying new or preowned. Lower upfront costs: A certified pre-owned device can offer a more affordable replacement when buying new is outside a consumer’s budget. Greater flexibility: Trade-in and upgrade programs can help reduce the cost of moving to a different phone, whether new or pre-owned. Urgent replacement options: When a phone breaks and waiting is not realistic, a certified pre-owned device can help consumers get reconnected quickly while spending less. Those choices can also help keep mobile phones in circulation longer, significantly reducing electronic waste and making better use of existing technology. Choice, Not Trade-Off As phone prices continue to rise, consumers can be more thoughtful about when buying new is the right choice and when a certified preowned device makes sense. That does not signal a move away from new phones. It reflects a more flexible market where consumers can make the choice that best fits their budget, needs, and urgency. For some, that will mean buying the latest model. For others, it may mean choosing a certified pre-owned device when they need a reliable replacement quickly, with trade-in value helping reduce the cost whether they buy new or pre-owned. At its core, a stronger device lifecycle gives consumers more choice and more control. New phones will continue to play an important role, while trade-in, protection and certified pre-owned options help ensure consumers have practical, trusted ways to replace, upgrade and stay connected when cost or urgency matter. Consumers already understand this model in the auto market: people have traded in cars and bought used vehicles for decades, with trust often shaped by where they buy and whether the vehicle is certified. The mobile market is moving in a similar direction. As smartphones become more valuable and more expensive, certification, trade-in

and resale programs can give consumers more confidence that a preowned device is not just a lower-cost option, but a trusted way to get the technology they need.

Sevenoaks Sound & Vision As Sevenoaks Sound & Vision opens the doors to its new Sutton Coldfield store, ERT’s Will McGill speaks to General Manager Simon Bicknell about the importance of bricks-and-mortar retail, changing consumer habits and the role retailers play in today’s market. Sevenoaks Sound & Vision is bucking the trend at a time when many retailers are reducing their presence on the high street. The specialist AV retailer has opened a new store in Sutton Coldfield, replacing its former Solihull branch following the redevelopment of the town centre, and in doing so has reaffirmed its confidence in bricks-and-mortar retail.

For General Manager Simon Bicknell, the move isn’t simply about changing location. It’s about putting Sevenoaks closer to its customers while continuing to champion the experience that has long set the business apart. “Our key motivation is building up our in-store business,” Mr Bicknell tells ERT. “We’re always looking at ways we can excite people to come back into the shops.”

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Sevenoaks Sound & Vision: ‘We want to excite people to

The Sutton Coldfield showroom opened its doors after months of planning, but the move itself was prompted by circumstances beyond the retailer’s control. Solihull Council’s long-term redevelopment plans meant Sevenoaks had to vacate its previous premises, forcing the company to look elsewhere in the West Midlands. Rather than seeing it as a setback, Mr Bicknell and Managing Director Rob Lawley viewed it as an opportunity to strengthen the business in an area that has always been important to the retailer. “We had a fantastic team in Solihull, so we were determined to find a new location for them,” he explains. “The West Midlands is a strong area for us and, when we looked at where many of our customers were travelling from, Sutton Coldfield made perfect sense.”

The pair spent time travelling across the region looking at potential sites before settling on Gracechurch Shopping Centre. “We travelled the whole of the West Midlands looking for the right fit,” says Mr Bicknell. “Where we’ve ended up is perfect for what we want to do. It’s right for our customers.” The response since opening has already reinforced that decision. Mr Bicknell spent the opening week helping to fit out the showroom before welcoming customers through the doors on launch day, when more than 100 visitors came to see the new store. “It was fantastic,” he says. “One of the nicest things was seeing customers come in asking to speak to members of the team by name. They’d say,

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‘Can I speak to Wayne?’ or ‘Is Tom here?’ Those relationships have been built over years and people were genuinely pleased to see us back.” Just as encouraging were the visitors discovering Sevenoaks for the first time. “We had plenty of people from the local area coming in and saying, ‘It’s so great to have a shop like this here. We’ll definitely be back.’ It was really nice to feel welcomed into Sutton Coldfield.” The positive reaction reflects something Mr Bicknell believes has been missing from many town centres in recent years: specialist independent retail. “People do appreciate a good independent retailer,” he says. “You can visit so many high streets now and see the same types of businesses everywhere, but what you don’t always see is specialist retail. That’s what gives a town its character.” While he acknowledges that retail remains challenging, particularly following the pandemic, Mr Bicknell believes the company has remained successful by focusing on what it does best rather than trying to compete purely on price. “The internet has given us a fantastic shop window,” he says. “We’ve got brands that customers can buy online, but we’ve also got brands where you really need to come into the store and experience them. That’s where we can offer something different.”

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That experience starts the moment customers walk through the door. Rather than creating a traditional retail environment filled with rows of products, Sevenoaks has designed the Sutton Coldfield showroom to encourage people to spend time listening, watching and asking questions. “We’ve got a dedicated stereo and home cinema demonstration room, so customers can properly experience different systems,” Mr Bicknell explains. “We’ve also created a lounge area towards the back of the shop with comfortable seating and different audio solutions, so it feels more like somebody’s home than a showroom.” Towards the front of the store sits a headphone bar, allowing visitors to compare different models while listening to streamed music or vinyl records. “We’ve got a streamer there, we’ve got a turntable, and customers can even listen to records if they want to,” he says. “For someone who’s never experienced hi-fi before, hearing a record played on a good system can be great fun.” The layout has been carefully considered to make the store feel open and welcoming, particularly for customers who may never have visited a specialist hi-fi retailer before. “We’ve worked hard to make all of our stores friendly and inviting,” Mr Bicknell says. “The front of the shop is very open with a large glass window, so people can see what’s going on inside. We don’t want to block everything out with products. We want people to look in, see the records, see the headphones and feel like they’re welcome to come in.” That welcoming atmosphere, he believes, is crucial if the industry is to reach a wider audience. “Our industry probably hasn’t always been the best at inviting people in who don’t already know about hi-fi,” he admits. “But our customers are music lovers and film lovers. They’re simply looking for a good solution, whether that’s a pair of headphones, a turntable or a complete home cinema system. Our job is to help them find what’s right for them.” Backing the high street While the showroom itself has been designed to encourage customers to spend more time exploring different products, Mr Bicknell is quick to point out that the biggest investment isn’t in fixtures and fittings – it’s in the people working there. The Sutton Coldfield team has made the move from Solihull together, ensuring familiar faces remain on hand for returning customers. The manager and assistant manager have both been with Sevenoaks for around eight years, while every member of staff undergoes regular training to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AV technology. 103

“It’s a mixture of manufacturer training and our own internal training,” says Mr Bicknell. “The brands will come in and explain new technologies and products, but we also make sure our teams understand the fundamentals. We want them to be able to explain not just what a product does, but why it might be the right choice for that particular customer.” That customer-first approach is central to the Sevenoaks philosophy. Rather than steering shoppers towards a particular manufacturer, Mr Bicknell says the retailer prides itself on remaining product agnostic.

“Every product we stock is there because we believe it’s good. It’s never about pushing one brand over another – it’s about finding the solution that’s right for the customer. Different members of the team might specialise in hi-fi, home cinema or custom installation, but together we’ve got the knowledge to help almost anybody who walks through the door.” That expertise is something customers increasingly value, particularly when making larger purchases. Mr Bicknell recalls how, during the pandemic, Sevenoaks quickly introduced telesales support because customers still wanted to speak to somebody before committing to a purchase. “People were buying online because they had to, but they still wanted that interaction. They wanted someone to reassure them that they were making the right decision.” It’s a trend he believes has continued long after lockdown ended. 104

“These aren’t inexpensive purchases. Whether it’s a television, a hi-fi system or a home cinema, people want to know what they’re buying and why. That’s where specialist retail still has a real advantage.” Changing the conversation One of the biggest challenges facing the industry, however, is ensuring it appeals to a new generation of customers. It’s a conversation Mr Bicknell says manufacturers and retailers have been having for more than a decade, but one he believes is beginning to bear fruit. “I think there’s sometimes a misunderstanding that younger people aren’t interested in hi-fi. Actually, they probably listen to more music than any previous generation. They just do it differently.” For Mr Bicknell, that means the industry has had to rethink how it presents itself. “If we’re not making products that resonate with younger music lovers, we can’t complain if they don’t come into our stores. The first hi-fi product somebody buys today might be a pair of headphones rather than a separates system.”

He points to the number of premium headphones worn on the street as evidence that younger consumers are still prepared to invest in quality audio. “You see people walking around with headphones costing three, four or five hundred pounds. They’re clearly willing to spend money on a good listening experience.” The challenge, he says, is helping those customers discover what comes next. “Once someone comes into the shop, you can show them that for a little more they could have an active speaker system, a turntable or a streaming setup that completely transforms the way they listen to music.”

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Designed for modern living Manufacturers, he believes, have also become much better at recognising changing lifestyles. Rather than focusing solely on traditional hi-fi separates, many products now sit at the centre of the modern home, integrating televisions, streaming services and vinyl playback into a single system. Mr Bicknell believes the changing role of hi-fi in the home has also influenced product design. In the past, visitors could often tell what someone was interested in simply by looking at their CD collection or shelves full of films. Today, much of that has disappeared as music, films and books have moved to streaming services and digital platforms. “You want your amplifier to say something about you because you haven’t got a CD collection anymore,” he says. “If you watch your films on Netflix, read your books on a Kindle and stream your music, you haven’t really got anything in your house anymore that says anything about you.” Instead, he believes consumers are once again looking for products with personality, helping to drive demand for stylish speakers, amplifiers and turntables. “People are trying to put fun speakers and fun amplifiers back into their systems because it says something about them as a person.” It’s a shift that, in Mr Bicknell’s view, helps explain why manufacturers have started rethinking their product ranges. Rather than designing traditional hi-fi separates for enthusiasts alone, brands are creating systems that sit comfortably at the centre of modern living spaces and work seamlessly with TVs, streaming services and vinyl alike. “NAD was one of the brands having those conversations long before anyone else,” Mr Bicknell says. “Putting HDMI into stereo amplifiers doesn’t sound particularly revolutionary now, but when they first did it, it changed the conversation. Suddenly people could connect their television to a proper stereo system instead of automatically buying a soundbar.” He also credits brands such as Bluesound for helping redefine music streaming within the premium audio sector. “They’ve worked hard to create products that fit into the way people actually live today.” The resurgence of vinyl has undoubtedly helped introduce younger audiences to specialist audio, but Mr Bicknell says another format has quietly been enjoying a revival too. “We’re actually selling more CD players than we’ve ever sold,” he says with a smile. “People often assume it’s just a temporary trend, but it doesn’t seem to be. Customers are becoming much more considered about what they buy and they want to understand the differences between products.” That curiosity is another reason why demonstrations remain such an important part of the Sevenoaks experience. “If someone wants to know why one CD player costs £150 and another costs £1,000, we can show them. That’s much easier to explain when you’re sitting in a demonstration room listening to the difference.” 106

Looking ahead The Sutton Coldfield opening also forms part of a wider period of investment for the retailer. Alongside the new West Midlands showroom, Sevenoaks is in the process of bringing its longestablished Kingston franchise into company ownership, with refurbishment plans already in place. “We’ve got an appetite to open more locations,” Mr Bicknell reveals. “We’re keeping our powder dry and waiting for the right opportunities.” While he admits political and economic uncertainty has encouraged a degree of caution, the ambition remains firmly in place. “We’ve just got to let Sutton Coldfield and Kingston settle in first. Once the market becomes a little more stable, we’d absolutely like to continue expanding.” For now, though, the immediate priority is ensuring the new showroom becomes firmly established within its local community. Looking back on the opening weekend, Mr Bicknell believes the early signs are extremely encouraging. Existing customers have returned, new customers have discovered the retailer and the team has picked up exactly where it left off in Solihull. Ultimately, he says, success won’t simply be measured by sales, but by the experience customers have every time they visit. “Retail is about creating an experience, and you can’t do that online in the same way,” he says. “Whether someone comes in to do their research before buying, or leaves with a complete system that day, what matters is that they leave knowing they’ve chosen the right solution.”

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Strategic Insights & Industry Events CEDIA Expo 2026

Denver, September 2 - 4, 2026 The event welcomed 9,653 verified attendees to Denver, featuring more than 320 exhibiting brands and 215 education and training sessions.

CEDIA Expo 2026 highlighted a shift in residential technology: away from selling individual products and towards designing connected experiences around how people live. Held at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center from September 2–4, the event attracted 9,653 verified attendees and more than 320 exhibiting brands. Some 26% of attendees were visiting for the first time. The programme included 215 education and training sessions, while more than 20 dedicated audio demonstration rooms reinforced the importance of experiencing performance firsthand. From Product Selection to Lifestyle Design At a roundtable exploring the next five years of custom integration, representatives from Lutron, Crestron, Origin Acoustics, Sony and ADI Global discussed the changing expectations of homeowners. Their central message was that customers increasingly value what technology enables rather than individual brands or specifications. 108

The Numbers and the Shift Towards Experiences

For integrators, this means starting with questions about how a family uses its home. Lighting, audio, video, shading, security and other systems can then support those activities through a coordinated design. The role becomes closer to that of a technology architect, shaping the experience within each space. Technology That Works in the Background The discussion also highlighted demand for discreet technology that operates with minimal effort from the homeowner. Interoperability could help bring different systems together, while AI offers potential for greater personalisation and more efficient configuration, diagnostics and ongoing support. Outdoor entertainment was another prominent theme. The Destination Outdoors showcase, sponsored by Coastal Source and Lutron, demonstrated how connected living extends into gardens and other outdoor spaces. Meanwhile, the Day of Discovery programme brought architects, interior designers and builders into closer contact with technology manufacturers and integrators.

Global Sources Consumer Electronics AsiaWorld-Expo Hong Kong , 11–14 October 2026

One of Asia’s most important consumer-electronics sourcing exhibitions, connecting international buyers with verified Asian suppliers and OEM/ODM manufacturers. The show covers AI products, audio and video, gaming, computers, automotive electronics, components and other retail-ready products.

HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair, Autumn Edition Hong Kong, 13–16 October 2026

HKEF is one of the world’s leading electronics marketplaces and a key event for identifying new products, suppliers and emerging Asian technology trends. The 2026 show will feature nextgeneration electronics, robotics, smart-lifestyle products, startups and immersive technologies.

CEATEC 2026

Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan, 13–16 October 2026 Japan’s principal technology and electronics exhibition brings together major corporations, startups and research organisations. It is particularly valuable for intelligence on AI, robotics, connected products, digital services and technologies likely to influence future consumer markets.

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Electronica 2026

Messe München, Munich, Germany, 10–13 November 2026 Widely regarded as the world’s leading trade fair for electronic components and systems, electronica covers semiconductors, displays, sensors, embedded systems, batteries and manufacturing technologies. Although more supply-chain focused than CES, it is highly relevant for monitoring component innovation, product-development trends and supplier capabilities.

GITEX Global 2026

Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, UAE 7–11 December 2026 GITEX is one of the world’s largest technology and AI events, attracting major technology companies, startups, investors and government decision-makers. Its coverage includes artificial intelligence, robotics, intelligent connectivity, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and other technologies shaping future consumer products and services. The exhibition itself runs from 8–11 December, preceded by the GITEX Summit on 7 December.

CES 2027

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 6–9 January 2027 CES remains the most influential global launch platform for consumer technology. It provides an early indication of the year’s major trends across AI, smart-home products, digital health, mobility, entertainment, robotics, audio and connected devices, while bringing together leading brands, retailers, investors and international media.

HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong 11–14 January 2027 Asia’s flagship toy-industry exhibition is particularly relevant to connected toys, children’s technology and AI-enabled products. Its Smart-Tech Toys & Games section covers products incorporating AI, augmented reality, virtual reality and other interactive technologies.

Bett UK

ExCeL London, United Kingdom, 20–22 January 2027 Bett is the world’s leading education-technology exhibition, attracting technology companies, educators, distributors,

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investors and government representatives from around the world. It is especially relevant for monitoring AI-enabled learning products, children’s technology and opportunities within the education sector.

The NAMM Show

Anaheim Convention Center, California, USA 26–30 January 2027 NAMM is the leading international event for music products, professional and consumer audio, recording equipment and creator technology. It offers useful intelligence on audio innovation, voice technology, content creation, retail trends and new product launches from more than 4,400 brands. NAMM

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About 2Twelve With more than 20 years of experience in the consumer electronics sector, 2Twelve has successfully managed and developed numerous audio brands. In recent years, we have concentrated on supporting thirdparty brands with their industrial design, mechanical, electronic, and software engineering needs, creating innovative, industryleading products that drive business growth and delight customers. • Our Services Include • Strategic Business Planning • Product Road-mapping • New Product Development & Industrial Design • Proof of Concept Prototyping • Packaging Design Solutions • Regulatory Compliance & Certification • Market Research & Insights • Product Optimization & Refinement • Production & Supply Chain Coordination • RFQ Evaluation & Manufacturer Selection • User Manual & Quick Start Guide Creation Our holistic approach steers projects from ideation to production. With a small team in the UK and Hong Kong, we excel at identifying market opportunities and developing distinctive products, all while navigating the challenges of launching in a competitive marketplace. Developing Products Is Not Easy! We assist in selecting the right manufacturer for the project and manage the entire development process to ensure the delivery of fully tested and certified products. We help establish robust quality management processes and support the transition from pilot runs to mass production. Our expertise extends to market analysis and over the years we have published hundreds of market intelligence reports. Insert image 2T report

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With expertise across design, technology, and manufacturing, 2Twelve supports partners in bringing new audio products to life.

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