Accessories

2022 GadgetMatch Approved Devices

Gadgets that truly deserve the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval

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We wouldn’t call ourselves “GadgetMatch” without tackling about other gadgets, right?

Aside from smartphones, our members also gave other devices the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval — whether that’s a smartwatch, smart vacuum cleaner, laptop, wireless earbuds. Heck, there’s even an air purifier!

Just like the other GadgetMatch Approved list, this is in descending order from most recently published.

Samsung Galaxy Watch5

“The Galaxy Watch5 proves to be the best Android smartwatch yet. It has a better battery life that accompanies athletes, and even fitness enthusiasts, in their quest to improve their bodies and performance. Add to that is holistic health and fitness features that sync exceptionally within the Samsung ecosystem.” — MJ

READ MORE: Samsung Galaxy Watch5 review: Best Android smartwatch yet?

Infinix Zero Book Ultra

“While the notebook’s MacBook-inspired design can hint at an Apple copycat, the Zero Book Ultra offers more than just a wannabee. It offers exactly what it promises on paper: a powerful slate of hardware capable of almost everything, even some decent gaming.” — Luigi

READ MORE: Infinix Zero Book Ultra review: A beast in familiar clothing

Apple 2022 iPad 10th Gen

“I used to say the iPad Air was the iPad for most people, but now the new iPad is making me rethink that — especially since there is a $150 gap between the two. With its new design, and colorful options, plus all the new features, I really think this will be Apple’s most popular iPad yet. And if you’re in the market for one but don’t want to break the bank, I highly recommend this is the one you get.” — Michael Josh

WATCH HERE: 2022 iPad Unboxing (Yellow) and Review: MAJOR Update!

Razer Basilisk V3 Pro

“Razer Basilisk v3 Pro is a solid gaming mouse fit for the competitive and casual gamer alike. It’s responsive and customizable enough to bring you the best experience possible when playing some of your favorite titles. Plus, it comes with all sets of hardware that make productive work feel like a breeze, literally.”

READ MORE: Razer Basilisk v3 Pro review: Hyper Speed, hyper responsive

Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen

“If you travel a lot or like to listen to music or podcasts on your long commute and like drowning out the real world, get the AirPods Pro.” — Michael Josh

WATCH HERE: Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen Review: Worth the upgrade?

Apple Watch Ultra

The Apple Watch Ultra combines the features of both watches in a much more affordable package. It might be version one of a new kind of device, nut I don’t think there’s anything close to it in the market today.” — Michael Josh

WATCH HERE: Apple Watch Ultra Unboxing and Review: Into The Unknown

realme Buds Q2s

“At PhP 1,490 (US$ 26 / S$ 36), you are getting a powerful and impressive package here that will definitely suit all of your needs from its standout audio quality, portability, and comfort.”

READ MORE: realme Buds Q2s review: An audio standout

Dreame H12 Wet & Dry Vacuum

“Accomplishing a few chores might give your mood a boost. So if you dream of spending less time cleaning, you can cut yourself some slack now. With the Dreame H12 Wet and Dry vacuum, you should not worry about sweeping and scrubbing messy floors in the little time you have.” — Noela

READ MORE: This cordless wet/dry vacuum might be what every busy bee needs

GameSir X3

GameSir X3

“GameSir went above and beyond in delivering a gamepad for mobile gamers that are desperate for physical buttons. With the GameSir X3, you get a complete package, and then some.” — Rodneil

READ MORE: GameSir X3: A cooler way to play on smartphones

Apple M2 MacBook Air

I would gladly use the new MacBook Air not just for its size and portability, but also because of its raw power. You saw the tests. It is no slouch of a machine. I don’t think I’ve seen a laptop that is this much a bang for your buck.” — Michael Josh

WATCH HERE: M2 MacBook Air Review: 2022’s Most Anticipated Laptop 

Apple Studio Display

“As an Apple user, who has long wanted the perfect monitor for my Apple setup but who couldn’t afford the Pro Display XDR, this was a no brainer for me. I love that the design ID of the Studio Display matches the rest of my Apple devices and the fact that it has a Center Stage camera built-in. It’s also got the best speakers on any Apple device to date. Which means it doubles as an excellent display for watching movies too.” — Michael Josh

WATCH HERE: Apple Studio Display Review: Worth the Splurge

ROG Zephyrus G15

Zephyrus G15

“The Zephyrus G15 (2022) brings with it a distinct look, top-notch gaming performance, and a really solid audio-visual experience. As a gaming laptop, this is about as perfect as it gets and is something I can easily recommend especially if you’re willing to splurge for it.” — Rodneil

READ MORE: ROG Zephyrus G15: Lean, mean, gaming machine

realme Buds Air 3

“The real stand out feature that this can truly brag about is its excellent active noise cancellation. It’s just perfect for those who really need to focus on a task at hand. Right now, I couldn’t think of a device that competes at this level with this price point.” — Apple

READ MORE: realme Buds Air 3 review: Noise off, rock on

Meross Smart WiFi Air Purifiers

“It’s one of the more affordable options in the market, and the cheapest one that supports HomeKit. This, combined with a vacuum and some house plants that help clean and purify the air in my apartment are a must.” — Chay

READ MORE: Meross Smart Wi-Fi Air Purifier review: 6 months later

Lenovo Legion Slim 7

“For what it’s worth, the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 is an ideal gaming device for both casual and competitive gamers. It’s slim form factor combined with powerful hardware provides the power and portability that the Legion brand consistently delivers. With a high refresh rate display and RTX-capable GPU, it even provides a solid boost to gaming performance.”

READ MORE: Lenovo Legion Slim 7 review: Is it too slim for your liking?


SEE ALSO: 2022 GadgetMatch Approved Smartphones

Accessories

Peak Design’s new City Line combines minimalism and color

Less padding, more personality

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Known for its camera-friendly bags with generous padding to protect photography gear, Peak Design is taking a different approach with the City Line.

The new collection prioritizes lightweight construction and everyday functionality, stripping away unnecessary bulk while still delivering the thoughtful organization the brand is known for.

The new collection includes the City Backpack in 15L and 22L sizes, the 15L City Tote, the City Crescent in 6L and 12L options, and the compact 2L City Sling. While each bag serves a different purpose, they all share the same minimalist aesthetics and intuitive organization.

To achieve that lighter design is Peak Design’s new weather-resistant MonoShell material, along with a seam-reduced construction that cuts down on unnecessary bulk.

It also comes with Peak Design’s built-in BagLev hook, allowing you to hang your bag from a table instead of placing it on the floor.

Beyond the neutral and muted finishes we’ve seen in the past, Peak Design is also introducing brighter options that add more personality to the collection.

The vibrant Lapis blue, in particular, stands out as a fun alternative for anyone looking to move beyond the usual black everyday bag.

The City Line is now available through peakdesign.com and authorized retailers worldwide.

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Accessories

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective

Better tracking, fewer buttons

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DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.

The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.

Freedom behind the lens

The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.

On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.

FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.

ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.

It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.

None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.

And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.

The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.

The trade-offs in touch

The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.

DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.

You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.

Finding your ideal workflow

The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.

Price, availability

DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.

  • Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
  • Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
  • Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.

If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.

Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.

Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.

And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.

Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.

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Accessories

Sony WH-1000XM6 gets a new Olive Gray colorway option

The new color launches today.

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Last year, the Sony WH-1000XM6 quickly became our favorite pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The audio quality pairs remarkably well with its ANC capabilities. Now, a year into the accessory’s life cycle, new colors are still coming out. Today, the acclaimed WH-1000XM6 is getting an Olive Gray variant.

A few months ago, Sony expanded the WH-1000XM6’s colorway options with a Sandstone version, launching alongside the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION. At the time, the new color added a splash of life to an already blossoming lineup.

Now, much like the rest of the lineup, the new Olive Gray version is a subdued mashup between olive green and gray. Though it stands out on its own, the color is still cool enough to mix well with the contours of the user’s head.

Other than that, the new version is still identical to the inner workings of the original device. The Sony WH-1000XM6 comes with a new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, providing 12 microphones for effective noise cancellation. In terms of audio quality, the headphones support High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless, thanks to LDAC support.

Also, the accessory sits comfortable on the head with a high rigidity carbon fiber composite material dome, cushioned well with synthetic leather.

As always, the Olive Gray version, launching today, will sell for US$ 459.99.

In Singapore, the Sony WH-1000XM6 in Olive Gray is available starting today through Sony Stores, the Sony Store Online, and authorized dealers for S$649, matching the pricing of the existing color options.

SEE ALSO: Sony WH-1000XM6: Master of sound quality and noise cancellation

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