This Week The Trend (Issue 49)
This week's picks include projection glasses, smart speaker, and thin power bank.
This week's newsletter is a day early so that there's enough time to take advantage of some of Amazon's Prime Day deals. If you missed the larger roundup I did on Tuesday, you should check it out. It's filled with products I've used and really like.
How I’d spend $500: RayNeo Air 4 Pro
The RayNeo Air 4 Pro projection glasses offer a larger screen when connected to a phone or a second display when connected to a laptop. This will get you more privacy for documents while traveling or a bigger screen when you aren't at home in front of your TV. The picture quality of these glasses is stunning. They're bright with a sharp image. You do need to connect them with a cable to your device, but I haven't found that to be an issue. Plus, it means there's no battery to charge.
Value Score: Fair
I was going to recommend the RayNeo Air 4 Pro projection glasses a few weeks ago after I first tried them. Even for their $299 retail price, I think they offer travelers a lot of value. I waited because I knew they'd be on sale now for $60 less.
How I’d spend $150: Google Home Speaker
The Google Home Speaker is the company's first true smart speaker built for Gemini. With some early hands-on time, the audio quality seems good to me. The speaker is compact and looks nice. Plus, if you're in the Google ecosystem, Gemini makes Siri feel completely inadequate. If you like your home speakers to match your decor, there are four distinct colors to choose from.
Value Score: Fair
My full verdict on this speaker is still out, but at $99, it's not a bad value. So far, it performs pretty much as expected.
How I’d spend $50: INIU SnapGo 25W
The INIU SnapGo 25W power bank can charge a newer iPhone at 25 watts via MagSafe, stuck to the back of the phone. Or you can connect it with its included USB-C cable for an even faster charging experience. It has multiple USB-C ports so you can use the power bank to charge an iPad or pretty much any other device. The company claims it's the thinnest 25W charger on the market.
While shaving off a few millimeters isn't a huge selling point, the battery does feel thin compared to other 10,000 mAh products.
Value Score: Fair
The current 17% discount drops the SnapGo 25W from $55 to $46. That's not a huge discount, but the battery is competitive for its features. It's fast and slim, which makes it a good travel companion.
The winning pick: RayNeo Air 4 Pro
If you've ever tried a VR headset like the Meta Quest or Vision Pro, then you know how cool it can be to watch a video that's larger than any screen you could hold in your hand. That's the same experience for the Air 4 Pro, except it doesn't cost $500 to $3,500. The Air 4 Pro glasses are also more compact, about the size of sunglasses. It's not a big deal to pack them on a trip.
Are you looking for even more picks this week? Here are a few things worth considering.
An expensive pick: Apple AirPods Max 2
If you've ever been tempted by the AirPods Max headphones, now is the time to take the plunge. The over-the-ear headphones are on sale for $399, down from $549. For all their flaws around weight and the cheap case, the AirPods Max 2 sound fantastic, block noise exceptionally well, and easily connect to Apple devices. You might think of the AirPods Max as outrageously expensive, but compared to Bose and Sony, they're quite affordable.
Media pick: The Dink
Whether you've already been sold on pickleball or not, the new Apple TV movie The Dink looks like a highly entertaining time. The film is about a tennis star who gets hurt and turns to pickleball as a way to stay on the court. In case you were worried that this movie might be too highbrow for jokes about the sport being for old people, don't worry. The trailer makes it clear there will be plenty of those. There's a stacked cast, including Ben Stiller, who also serves as a producer.
This week's other interesting deals and product news
- I've updated my Prime Day picks with bonus picks at the bottom.
- Sony's latest record player is on sale for $248.99, normally $398.99.
- Dyson's PencilWash wet roller mop is 43% off, down to $199.
- Audible has a three-month discount with a $20 credit for future purchases.
- The Fi Mini dog tracker is on sale for $85, which includes the device and six months of service.
- The Marshall Stanmore III is down to $250, from $400. (This is one of my favorite home speakers for its RCA, 3.5mm, and Bluetooth connections. Its ported design gives it big booming bass.)
This week's published stories
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