With developer conference season in the rearview mirror—Google gave us boatloads of AI, Android XR smart glasses, and a hell of a lot of Veo 3 slop, and Apple ushered in “Liquid Glass” for all of its “26” software—we can now turn our full attention back to checking out the shiny and comforting world of gadgets because it’s just goddamn depressing everywhere else you look. If it’s not the technoking being a dingus again, it’s the world’s most powerful man grifting with a trash gold Android phone that definitely can’t be made in the U.S. running on a crappy mobile network, or—sigh—war.
So yes, it’s perfectly fine to obsess about the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World (or Labubus if that’s more your thing). We need some tech toys to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Here’s what held our attention this month.
The biggest game system launch in years—arguably the most exciting product release of the year—finally arrived after months of anticipation, and it didn’t disappoint. The FOMO for the Switch 2 was very real—so much so that in-person midnight launches returned, and they were, um, fun? Nintendo’s own open-world Mario Kart World and CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 led the way, showcasing how much more powerful but still fun an iterative version of the handheld/console hybrid could be. Games like Donkey Kong Bananza (launching on July 17) and future Mario, Pokémon, and Zelda games are no doubt coming, but the Switch 2’s beefier hardware alone is enough to breathe new life into original Switch games—in many cases, improving graphics and frame rates to more acceptable 2025 standards.
See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart
See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart
We know—the caveat with Oppo phones is that they’re not sold in the U.S. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore the innovation from Chinese tech brands. Take Oppo’s Find X8 Ultra… it has possibly the best camera system in any smartphone to date. If you can look beyond the many parts of the software that are a direct clone of iOS, there’s a quad-lens camera system that captures photos nearly rivaling what you get on a standalone point-and-shoot camera. iPhone, Samsung Galaxy phones, and Pixels may be the most popular cameras in pockets, but the image and video quality from the Find X8 Ultra has leapfrogged them.
Setting aside the fact that an Xbox founding member thinks that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld marks the end of Xbox hardware, if you’ve been waiting for a portable version to play Xbox games, this sorta whets the appetite. It’s not the prettiest handheld out there, and even though it’s not made by Microsoft, it at least has the specs to play console-level games with its more optimized version of Windows. Like our own Kyle Barr said, Xboxes are basically becoming PCs, which he thinks is a good thing for gamers.
See Asus ROG Xbox Ally at Best Buy
If you run or work out often—even if you’re not a professional athlete—these Nike x Hyperice Hyperboots may aid in recovery, according to our reviewer Claire Maldarelli who tested the compression boots. The science doesn’t necessarily back up the Hyperboots helping your feet recover faster, but there’s no denying that you’ll get the “fresh legs” feeling after wearing them before and after runs. At $900, they’re kind of pricey, and the chunky design is gonna get you some stares if you wear them outdoors. But if you’re looking for any and every way to protect your feet, the Hyperboots are worth checking out.
When it comes to smartwatches, one size simply doesn’t fit all wrists. Apple figured this out 10 years ago and has sold the non-Ultra version of the Apple Watch in two sizes. Google got the message last year, finally offering a larger 45mm Pixel Watch alongside the 41mm model. Now OnePlus is doing the same, but in reverse, adding a smaller 43mm version of its OnePlus Watch after launching the 46mm size earlier in the year. Judging from the comments, there are a lot of people with smaller wrists who are looking forward to a stylish round-shaped smartwatch.
See OnePlus Watch 3 at OnePlus.com
The SteamOS version of the Legion Go S made our list of best gadgets of May 2025, but it gets another mention now that we’ve reviewed it. With two versions—a $600 base model and a higher-end $830 device with a faster processor—and Valve’s excellent SteamOS operating system, these game handhelds kick the ass of the Windows edition in every way. We think it’s the best alternative to the Steam Deck, which is the gold standard when it comes to these kinds of handhelds.
See Legion Go S at Best Buy
Ray-Ban Meta AI smart glasses have proven to be a hit—a small hit, but a hit nonetheless. Naturally, Meta’s not wasting any time moving in for the kill. The company this month announced a new partnership with eyewear brand Oakley to sell HSTN Performance AI glasses. They’re pronounced “how-stuhn” and compared to Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, they’ve got higher-resolution cameras that can capture at 3K resolution and longer battery life (up to 19 hours on standby). They’re also clearly made for adventure seekers and anybody who chugs Red Bulls. The one company that’s probably shaking in its boots right now is GoPro. Meta’s coming for the company’s POV lunch. Now we wait and see whether GoPro fires back with its own camera glasses.
See Oakley Meta HSTN Edition at Best Buy
Portable Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen. Name your budget and you can find a hundred different models from any and every brand under the sun. Bose’s SoundLink Plus is not cheap, but it does sound phenomenal with strong bass and solid mids and highs. The whole speaker is wrapped in one of the nicest soft-touch exteriors we’ve ever seen on a Bluetooth speaker. There’s a nice thick braided loop for carrying it around a beach or park. And just look at this citrus color—*chef’s kiss*.
See SoundLink Plus at Amazon
See SoundLink Plus (Citrus Yellow) at Best Buy
Another Xbox-branded gadget? Hey, we’re not the ones in charge of the announcements; we just report about them. Unrelated to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, which isn’t coming out until later this year, the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is really just a bundle with a black-colored Quest 3S headset, the noggin-cradling Elite Strap, and an Xbox controller thrown in. The package also gets you three months of Game Pass Ultimate. In total, you’re saving around $95. It’s a nice-looking headset; just don’t pay scalper prices on eBay.
See Meta Quest Xbox Edition at Best Buy
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