Brian Heater
Hardware Editor
The Latest from Brian Heater
Chef Robotics raises $7.7M to help automate kitchens
A year and a half’s worth of global pandemic has had a profound impact on virtually every sector of the workforce. When it comes to future automation, food prep isn’t quite at the top of the list
The fulfilling world of warehouse robotics
With the pandemic finish line in sight — at least for some — now is a good time to start assessing which segments have been most impacted by the events of the past year and a half. In term
Framework’s repairable laptop is up for preorder, starting at $999
Repairability has been a big sticking point for consumer electronics over the past several years. As devices have gotten thinner — and companies have pushed to maintain control over proprietary
Amazon’s new Echo Buds are a nice upgrade
It’s hard to recall a consumer electronics category that matured quite as quickly as the fully wireless earbuds. Things went from a handful of plucky startups to virtually every hardware manufacture
Qualcomm won’t be exhibiting in-person at MWC
Another major name in mobile has confirmed that it won’t be exhibiting at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Chip giant Qualcomm is joining a list that already includes Google, IBM, Nokia, Sony, Or
Amazon updates Echo Show line with a pan and zoom camera and a kids model
Amazon this morning announced a handful of updates across its Echo Show line of smart screens. The top-level most interesting bit here is the addition of a pan and zoom camera to the mid-tier Echo Sho
Lenovo won’t be attending MWC in person, either
Shortly after Samsung announced that it won’t be attending the upcoming MWC Barcelona, Chinese hardware giant (and Motorola parent) Lenovo has confirmed with TechCrunch that it has also decided to f
Samsung withdraws from in-person MWC
It’s beginning to feel a bit like 2020, as yet another major manufacturer has announced that it won’t be attending MWC’s upcoming in-person event in Barcelona. Roughly a month and a half out, Sa
Nothing’s first product, the Ear 1 earbud, launches in June
Say what you will, Nothing has been doing a fine job milking its upcoming launch for all it’s worth. The company has spent the last several month’s teasing the arrival of its first product. The la
Sennheiser sells off its consumer brand
Long-running German audio company Sennheiser today announced that it has found a buyer for its consumer brand. Swiss holding company Sonova — a giant in the hearing aid business — will be
Peloton projects $165M revenue impact from treadmill recalls
What would have been a celebratory earnings call in just about any other quarter ended on a somber note today, as Peloton CEO John Foley kicked things off with an apology. “We are a members-first or
Twitter Tip Jar lets you pay people for good tweetin’
Twitter today confirmed earlier reports that it’s testing a new Tip Jar feature. The new addition utilizes a number of different payment platforms, including PayPal, Venmo, Patreon, Cash App and Ban
Hamburgers and hot rods
I’m going to be honest with you: It was kind of a slow week for robotics news. Honestly, that’s the first time I can say that since I started doing this thing weekly (happy 10 weeks to us, by the
Desktop Metal adds wood printing to its portfolio
Desktop Metal today announced the launch of wood 3D printing tool, Forust. Founded in 2019, the company specializes in 3D printing for interior design. The company’s “non-destructive” printing m
Music mixing marketplace EngineEars raises $1M, with help from Kendrick Lamar
EngineEars today announced a $1 million raise. The company’s first round of funding features investments from Kendrick Lamar, DJ Mustard, Roddy Rich and Slauson and Co. “Quality of sound is st
Peloton apologizes, agrees to treadmill recall
Peloton today announced that it will be cooperating with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), agreeing to two voluntary treadmill recalls for the Tread+ and Tread versions of its home t
Forerunner’s Eurie Kim and Oura’s Harpreet Rai discuss betting on consumer hardware
"I think every founder I know thinks that their decks are shared a lot more. I don’t feel like that, but I know that comes from experience."
Fitness ring maker Oura raises $100M
It’s been a wild couple of years for Oura. Last year, in particular, proved to be a major driver for the wearable fitness manufacturer. With the pandemic bringing professional sports to a screeching
Chromebook shipments grew 275% in Q1
New numbers from research firm Canalys point to continued growth for PCs in 2020/21, as the pandemic has forced many to rethink how — and where — they work. PC shipments have grown for fou