The Buying Game (Issue 4)

This week's deals and picks include a health sensor, fancy lights, a trackable wallet, and more.

The Buying Game (Issue 4)

TL;DR: This is a weekly commerce post that highlights three products worth buying, each within a different price category. Each pick is given a rating and then one is crowned the winner.

This week

The summer sales are coming, but most aren't here quite yet. Amazon Prime Day(s) start on July 8th, so look for discounts starting next week—there are always companies jumping the gun—and ramping up to full force the week after that.

  • Nomad released its new MagSafe Wallet that includes Apple's Find My tracking. The cool thing is that, after five months of battery life, it can be recharged on a wireless Qi charger.
  • Walmart Deals, a Prime Day alternative, will start on July 7. But Walmart is now teasing some of the categories that will be on sale.
  • T-Satellite (T-Mobile's Starlink-enabled satellite service) will launch on July 23 for $10 additional per month. Certain new (more expensive) plans will include it for free.
  • If you're looking for a new smart lock, the Yale Smart Lock with Matter just launched for $189. I'm mostly indifferent about it, but it looks nice enough and will work with all smart home platforms thanks to Matter.
  • Nintendo's eShop has a bunch of games on sale, including Super Mario Odyssey, EA Sports FC25, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

How I’d spend $500: Philips Hue Wall Washer

It's not the cheapest way to light up a room and add ambiance, but the new Wall Washer light looks like a good way to do it. I've tried Philips' similar Twilight light and it was great. It's a unique lighting source. The Wall Washer looks like a better option for a living room space with bigger and brighter colors.

Philips Hue Wall Washer

Price: $384.99

A two-pack retails for $384.99, while a single unit costs $219.99. If you want other smart lighting, in general, you should consider Govee. There just aren't a whole lot of alternatives for this specific type of light. The Wall Washer is already expensive, but other Philips Hue products are going up in price on July 1st because of tariffs.

How I’d spend $150: Lingo

Lingo is a continuous glucose monitor. You place it on your arm, and it provides real-time data to its app. Don't have diabetes? Good. Lingo isn't meant to treat or diagnose that. Instead, it's meant to provide other insights into how your body handles different kinds of foods throughout the day, in various circumstances.

The base price is actually $49 for one sensor, which lasts two weeks. I think doing four weeks for $89 would give you a good amount of data to see how useful wearing this sensor would be. Lingo is HSA and FSA eligible.

How I’d spend $50: JLab Pop Party Speaker

This speaker won’t be a powerhouse, but it should be able to provide decent sound for an intimate setting—think two to four people. The more useful scenario, however, is travel. When space is tight, this should be able to fit into any bag or purse. Do the kids need music at night to fall asleep to while you're at a hotel? Do you need a speaker to bring to the office every day?

JLab Pop Party Speaker

Price: $19.99

Don’t buy this speaker for its light show, but consider it for its $20 price. It will sound better than using your phone's speaker. I haven't tried this particular speaker, but I have used other JLab products like earbuds and been satisfied with their sound.

An expensive pick: Segway Xyber

The Segway Xyber ebike is probably more motorcycle than bike, but it still has pedals. Regardless, it's fast, silent, and incredibly comfortable thanks to its front and rear suspension. The bike can reach a top speed of 35 mph and starts at $3,299.99 for 56 miles of range. I'm testing it now and will have a full review in a few weeks.

A cheap/free pick: The Buccaneers (S2)

The Buccaneers show on Apple TV+ is now back for season two. This period drama is full of messy relationships and the turmoils of growing up, so it won't be for everyone. But within its soap opera-like genre, it's addictive. If you already know this show isn't for you, then the new golf comedy Stick might suit you better.

The winning pick: Lingo

This type of sensor feels like a missing piece of wearable tech. Knowing your real-time glucose levels just seems like something that everyone could benefit from.

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