Kalakshar US

The original ROG Flow Z13 was always a bit of an odd machine. It felt like the strange lovechild between a Surface Pro and a traditional gaming laptop. But at CES 2025, ASUS is giving the tablet a much needed refresh that includes a massive performance boost thanks to the company’s updated XG Mobile graphics dock.

One of the biggest departures from the previous model is that this time instead of relying on a CPU/GPU solution from Intel and NVIDIA, ASUS is going with an all-AMD configuration. The ROG Flow Z13 features up to a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU with unified memory that tops out at a whopping 128GB (though ASUS’ spec sheet suggests it actually maxes out with 32GB of RAM). Also, by using a chip with an increased emphasis on power efficiency and combining that with a larger 70Whr battery (up from 56Whr), ASUS says the Z13 should deliver improved longevity of up to 10 hours on a charge. Meanwhile, the system remains rather svelte, weighing just 2.6 pounds and measuring just half an inch thick. This means it should be an excellent choice for portable gaming and productivity.

The Z13’s screen is also pretty impressive, because even though it’s not an OLED, its Nebula Display is powered by a vivid IPS panel with a 180Hz refresh rate, up to 500 nits of brightness and 100 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 spectrum. I also appreciate that even on a system this sleek, ASUS still found room for a full-size HDMI 2.1 jack in addition to two USB 4 ports, one USB-A, 3.5mm audio and even a microSD card reader.

Some other subtle updates include a redesigned keyboard with larger keycaps, a more durable PU leather cover and a much bigger touchpad. Inside, there’s also a new steel vapor chamber that ASUS says outperforms traditional copper variants, while the addition of a customizable Action Key on the side of the system makes it easy to adjust display settings or summon whatever app you want.

Of course, one of the coolest things about the Flow Z13’s adaptability is that when you want even better performance, you can connect it to ASUS’ ROG XG Mobile Dock, which has also gotten a major refresh for 2025. That’s because while it retains a similar design, it now supports up to an NVIDIA RTX 5090 for a massive boost in graphics power. The other big change is that instead of relying on ASUS’ proprietary XG Mobile port to connect the two devices together, this time the dock uses Thunderbolt 5. The dock also has a wealth of connectivity options including both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 jacks, so you can use it as a hub when stationed at a desk. Finally, it’s also backwards compatible with the original Z13, so owners of the previous model have another way to extend the life of their machine.

Unfortunately, ASUS has yet to provide info regarding the ROG Flow Z13’s release date. However, we’re expecting the device to start at around $2,000 for a version with a Ryzen AI Max 390 chip or $2,200 when configured with a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU. Pricing for the XG Mobile dock is still to be determined, though with it sporting an RTX 5090, it will almost certainly cost a pretty penny.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-asus-rog-flow-z13-is-starting-to-make-more-sense-as-a-gaming-tablet-043027074.html?src=rss 

Anker announced a new wall charger at CES 2025 and this 140W model includes a nifty display for keeping track of various metrics. These data points include power usage per port, temperature and whether or not fast charging has been activated. The company has been popping displays on its larger chargers for a while now, but this is the first screen we’ve seen on something this small.

The screen even displays something Anker is calling an odometer, which measures lifetime usage in hours. The diminutive charger boasts a surprising number of ports, which is always useful. All told, there are three USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. The design also makes it less prone to falling and loosening when plugged in.

The Anker 3C1A supports multiple fast-charging options, including PD3.1 and UFCS, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. Could this be the mythical “one charger to rule them all?” That depends on pricing, and the company is remaining mum for now. We also don’t know when this thing will be available for purchase, though we’ll likely find out soon enough. 

The company also announced a new power bank with retractable cables. That’s a really neat idea, but a bit risky since cables can easily fail. Anker thought of this, as the device includes additional standard ports. This power bank also boasts a display, similar to the charger, and offers support for fast charging.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/ankers-new-140w-wall-charger-features-a-handy-display-030027019.html?src=rss 

Anker has a major presence at CES 2025, as the company has revealed a whole bunch of wild and wacky products. One such item is a newly-announced solar electric cooler, which is basically like a portable refrigerator/freezer combo.

The Anker Solix EverFrost cooler is available in three sizes, from 23L to 58L, and uses air-cooled refrigeration technology for “faster and precise cooling.” To that end, Anker promises that these units cool more than 20 percent faster than rival products and allow for accurate temperature regulation from -4 degrees to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

That’s right. The temperature range is vast enough to refrigerate and freeze items. The largest model even has two independent compartments to do both at once. That’s pretty handy. There could be one side for beverages and another side for those all-important ice cubes.

There are plenty of high-tech bells and whistles here. As stated before, this is a solar electric cooler. That means the detachable batteries can charge via an integrated 100W solar panel or by plugging into a standard power outlet. The batteries can also double as power banks for charging up smartphones and the like.

As for usage limits, Anker says these coolers can run for 52 hours with a single battery and up to 104 hours with two batteries. As you can see above, there’s room enough for a pair of batteries. There’s also a proprietary app that lets people keep track of battery life and internal temperature.

The EverFrost coolers include large six-inch wheels that can “overcome obstacles on rough terrain” and an IPX3 waterproof rating. However, portable solar-powered refrigeration doesn’t come cheap. Pricing starts at $700 for the smallest model and goes up to $1,000. The coolers will be available for purchase on February 21.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/ankers-everfrost-coolers-can-chill-or-freeze-food-using-only-solar-power-030028037.html?src=rss 

Anker’s empire is vast, spanning everything from cheap batteries to 3D printers, but more importantly, it’s varied. Case in point, the company is introducing the Anker Solix Solar Beach Umbrella at CES 2025, a flexible, freestanding shade structure that can also charge your phone or power the company’s EverFrost 2 cooler.

Like a normal umbrella, the Solix Solar Beach Umbrella is portable, collapsible, and designed to protect you from rain (Anker’s umbrella is specifically IP67 rated). What makes this solar beach umbrella unique from what you might have laying around in your garage are the flexible solar panels it has attached on top.

Anker says it’s using perovskite solar cells in its panels, which are supposed to offer “30 percent better performance” than traditional crystalline silicon cells, and translates to a solar rated power of up to 80W. The company has offered few details about how the Solix Solar Beach Umbrella works beyond that, including how much it will actually cost when it launches, but it’s not a completely unexpected extension of what Anker was already doing with solar.

The company launched its Solix line of home energy products in 2023, introducing Tesla Powerwall-esque home backup batteries, and retroactively branding portable solar panels and large capacity batteries in the process. The Solix Solar Beach Umbrella is expected to join the Solix lineup in either spring or summer 2025, according to Anker.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/anker-made-a-solar-beach-umbrella-because-of-course-030040245.html?src=rss 

CES is known for putting the spotlight on wacky innovations and Eufy came prepared for this year’s event. The company just revealed its E20 robot vacuum, which can actually transform from a traditional robovac to a manually-controlled stick vac. This is the first time we’ve seen something like this. Some robovacs include additional stick vacuums, but do not transform into them.

The design seems simple. On the outside, it looks similar to competing robot vacuums from companies like Roomba. However, users can simply remove the vacuum module, which includes a motor and a filtration system, and pop it onto a stick attachment. It also comes with a handheld vacuum attachment, which works in a similar way. The company says transformations can be made “at any time without damage to the machine or sacrificing performance.” My bedroom rug, which is more cat hair than fiber at this point, would very much like to test that. 

It also includes some modern robovac accoutrements, like a base station that automatically empties debris. The company says the bin is large enough to handle 75 days of cleaning before requiring a manual trip to the garbage can. The vacuum ships with the company’s proprietary obstacle avoidance tech, which can identify and avoid items as small as 15mm. Did we mention it also transforms at will? Technological tomfoolery at its finest.

The battery life here seems on point, with Eufy claiming it’ll clean for three hours before needing to charge. To that end, it can fully charge in around two and a half hours. The E20 will be available on February 10 and will cost $550. That’s actually fairly budget-friendly when compared to some of the newer robovacs heading to market, and those don’t transform at all.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/eufys-new-robot-vacuum-can-transform-into-a-stick-vac-030042390.html?src=rss 

At CES 2025, Anker has a pair of new speakers under its Soundcore brand. The first, the Soundcore Rave 3S, is a $349 party speaker with AI-powered karaoke tricks and built-in light shows. Joining it is the SoundCore Boom 2 Pro, a more powerful follow-up to its non-Pro namesake, which adds boomier bass and better protection from water and dust.

The appropriately named Rave 3S is described as an “AI party speaker” with 200W output and 108dB volume. Anker says it can fill spaces of up to 1,076 square feet. Like some other Soundcore models, its RGB LEDs can create a light show that syncs with the beat of your music.

Red-shirt dude has perfected the art of couch-dancing.

The Rave 3S includes a pair of wireless microphones for karaoke nights. That’s where the AI comes in: The speaker has a vocal removal feature that can “turn any song into a karaoke track with just one click.” If it works as advertised (we haven’t tested it yet), it could save you the trouble of scouring YouTube or paying for a service like KaraFun to get de-voiced versions of your go-to jams.

It also includes a vocal enhancement feature, which adds clarity to your voice, and a reverb effect so you can sound like Phil Collins on your air-drum-inducing cover of “In the Air Tonight.”

The Rave 3S has an estimated 12 hours of playtime, a bass-boost feature, IPX4 water resistance and a Spatial Audio mode. The party in a box will be available on March 10 for $349.

Also coming soon is the Soundcore Boom 2 Pro — the follow-up to last year’s Boom 2 and Boom 2 Plus. The new model has four drivers and a 140W output, making it better than its predecessor for outdoor spaces. Its bass can reach as low as 40Hz. The speaker has IP68 dust and water resistance (the Boom 2 and Plus variant were only rated IPX7), and Anker says it can float on water for pool parties.

Like the party speaker, the Boom 2 Pro can produce an RGB light show, and it ships with a portable strap for slinging it over your shoulder. Anker says it has a 20-hour playtime. The Boom 2 Pro will launch in April (no exact date yet) for $249.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/ankers-ai-party-speaker-can-automatically-remove-vocals-for-karaoke-nights-030057069.html?src=rss