This Week The Trend (Issue 54)
This week's picks include a smart ring, charging valet, and notebook wallet.
How I’d spend $500: Oura Ring 5
I've been wearing the Oura Ring 3 for a little over two years. As small and impressive as that one has been, the new Oura Ring 5 completely blows it out of the water in terms of size and finish. Instead of being an obvious smart ring, the latest version is simply a ring that's smart. It can track heart rate, blood oxygen, activities, sleep, and other vitals. But it does so in an impossibly small form factor.
If you've considered the Google Fitbit Air or other screen-free device, the Oura Ring 5 is also worth considering for its unobtrusive design.
Value Score: Fair
The Ring 5 starts at $399 for the shiny silver and black models. It's $499 for gold, rose gold, and brushed finishes. That's a hefty premium over the low-end Apple Watch or Fitbit Air, but for such a minimal sleep and health tracker, the cost, in my mind, is easily justified.
How I’d spend $150: Twelve South Valet 4.25
If this combination valet and wireless phone charger looks familiar, it's because Twelve released a bigger one earlier this year. The new, smaller one measures 4.25 by 9.75 inches, compared to 7.5 by 9.75 inches for the bigger one.
That's not the only difference, however. The new one features Qi2 25W wireless charging, compared to the 15W Qi2 charging power of the larger one. This new one still includes a USB-C and secondary port underneath, as well as a 45W charger in the box.
Value Score: Fair
The smaller 4.25-inche version is $50 cheaper than the larger version and has faster charging. If you don't need the extra space for multiple pocket items, then I'd pick the smaller version.
How I’d spend $50: Lochby Pocket Journal Wallet
Lochby's new pocket journal adds slots for cards. Now you can carry up to two notebooks, pens, cards, and cash. In addition to being a way to carry small notebooks on a daily basis, this could also make a good passport wallet. It comes in black, brown, and blue colors.
Value score: Fair
You can find cheaper passport wallets or cases for small notebooks, but Lochby is a smaller company focused intensely on these types of carrying products. It uses quality materials. The craftsmanship is better than anything generic you'll find out there.
Winning pick: Oura Ring 5
The new Oura Ring 5 is certainly a high-priced, premium health and sleep tracker, but the more I use it, the more impressed I am by it. This smart ring is finally small enough to be very discreet, no matter which finger you wear it on.
Are you looking for even more picks this week? Here are a few things worth considering.
An expensive pick: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
Samsung's newest folding phone is its most interesting yet. Instead of being a tall, thin phone when it's closed and opening to be a square, the Z Fold 8 is shorter and opens to be more rectangular and tablet-like. The reports are that this is the shape Apple's upcoming folding phone will be. Either way, most early reviews seem to love the form factor.
Media pick: The Thomas Crown Affair
Whether you're a fan of Pierce Brosnan's remake of The Thomas Crown Affair or the original Steven McQueen one, it's been a good film for different people to put their own spin on. Now, it's Michael B. Jordan's turn. Coming in 2027.
Speaking of 2027, Apple announced that its sci-fi series Neuromancer is coming early next year.
This week's other interesting deals and product news
- Sonos' Ace headphones are 30% off, down to $279 from $400.
- Govee's smart table lamp is on sale for $59.99, down from $79.99.
- Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are down to $248, which is 38% off the retail price.
- SwitchBot has a new smaller smart fan for $120.
- Starting next year, Peacock will be included as part of YouTube Premium.
- Apple has a new upgrade and leasing program for iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
- Roku is raising its hardware prices. The largest is the Roku Ultra, going from $100 to $150.
This week's published stories
- Bang & Olufsen H100 headphones review [Business Insider]
- There's one Apple TV show flying under the radar [Yahoo]
- Weber purposefully broke my oven [Yahoo]
- Here's what surprised me about wearing a mechanical watch [Yahoo]
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