Brian Heater
Hardware Editor
The Latest from Brian Heater
Court filings accidentally reveal charges against Julian Assange
In a turn of events that reads like a plot point from an unreleased Coen Brothers script, information has surfaced revealing that prosecutors have charged embattled WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange.
The Orbital 2 is like a Surface Dial that works with Mac
This little peripheral is one of the more interesting new pieces of hardware floating around the halls of TC Tokyo this week. The product, created by local startup Brain Magic, is best described as a
The Timbuk2 Never Check sold me on the importance of a good travel backpack
For someone who travels a lot, I can be downright reckless when it comes to packing. I’ve found myself hurling clothes, toiletries and assorted cables into bags on more early mornings than I care to
Tidal arrives on the Amazon Echo
One key thing the HomePod has on the competition: streaming service synergy. It’s an important advantage at the heart of the premium smart speaker. While both Amazon and Google have their own stream
These Bluetooth earbuds double as a charging cord
As I write this, I’m somewhere in Asia, with a bag full of assorted cables and devices. I’ve gotten better at packing light, but I’ve still got a ways to go. Certainly there’s something to be
Welcome to the awkward future of the open office
I have seen the future — in fact, I have worn it. It’s big and awkward kind of digs into the top of your head with little metal bars designed to hold it in place. I was like 95 percent sure Wear S
New York politicians push back on Amazon HQ2 plans
Amazon’s HQ2 process was bound to polarize (though I do enjoy a good dueling op-ed on these pages) no matter how it landed. But the decision to set up shop in New York City is likely ruffling more f
Indiegogo’s guaranteed shipping provides refunds for failed campaigns
For all the potential upsides of crowdfunding, backing a project always feels like a gamble. And some fairly high-profile campaigns over the last few years have helped remove some of the model’s lus
Dolby releases branded wireless headphones
Dolby’s been making a bigger push for consumer recognition in the last few years, so it was really just a matter of time before it released a branded product. As far as those things go, headphones m
Gift Guide: 10 suitcase-friendly gifts for frequent flyers
I’ve been traveling a lot this year — more than any year in the past. It’s been both a blessing and a curse, so thanks TechCrunch for that. Honestly, I should probably be packing for Asia instea
Self-flying camera drone Hover 2 hits Kickstarter
Two years after launching the original Hover, Zero Zero Robotics has returned for the sequel. In spite of landing a $25 million Series A back in 2016, the startup is going to the crowdfunding well on
Wynd announces a new air purifier and desktop monitor
As far as goals for hardware startups go, you could do worse than ridding the air of allergens, pollutants and the like. Launched in 2016 as a Kickstarter project, Wynd is going back to the crowdfundi
Withings launches a fitness tracker for some reason
Withings is back with, of all things, a fitness tracker. It’s a bit of an odd addition, two months after the company re-launched, post-Nokia. The company’s first product, the Steel HR Sport, picke
Meditation app Simple Habit raises $10 million Series A
Five-minute meditation app Simple Habit announced today that it has raised a $10 million Series A, led by Foundation Capital. The round brings the developer’s total funding up to $12.5 million, foll
Vine co-founder plans to launch successor Byte in Spring 2019
Vine — the much loved and mourned short video hosting platform — will return, kind of, sort of. Co-creator Dom Hofmann announced on Twitter today that its spiritual successor is set to arrive next
Facebook Portal isn’t listening to your calls, but may track data
When the initial buzz of Portal finally dies down, it’s the timing that will be remembered most. There’s never a great time for a company like Facebook to launch a product like Portal, but as far
Google CEO highlights corporate changes following walkouts
This time last week, Google employees held massive walkouts across the country to protest the company’s handling of sexual harassment in the wake of a damning New York Times piece. This morning, CEO
Facebook Portal+ review
The Portal is a head scratcher. It’s a chat app that manifested itself into a hardware through sheer force of will. The first commercially available product from Building 8 isn’t as instantly icon
Facebook starts shipping Portal, clarifies privacy/ad policy
Planning to get in early on the Portal phenomenon? Facebook announced today that it’s starting to ship the video chat device. The company’s first true piece of devoted hardware comes in two co
Google is adding Android support for foldable screens
Big day for developer events. As Samsung was onstage getting ready to talk about its upcoming foldable phone, Google spilled the beans a bit at its own Android Developer Summit. The company briefly de