Spring and summer rolling around almost always makes me want to reset something in my routine.

A few years ago, it was growing broccoli sprouts in a jar. Getting the Auk Mini over Christmas felt like the natural next step.

From sprouts to something more

Starting with sprouts was easy. After having them at a family gathering, it clicked that I could actually grow something, even in our small apartment. Anyone, including my husband can do it on the kitchen counter, and upkeep takes less than a minute a day. Watching something grow and actually eating it made me realize how nice it is to have fresh greens around all the time.

The Auk Mini builds on that. Instead of just one thing in a jar, now I have herbs growing consistently at home.

Getting started was easy

This was the part I was most unsure about, but it ended up being very straightforward. Setup took a few minutes, the instructions were clear, and nothing felt overly technical. The kit comes with everything you need to start: Auk Mini itself, seeds for planting, coco fiber, and nutrients that you add to the water to support both growth and flavor.

Once it’s up and running, it mostly takes care of itself. The lighting system handles what the plants need throughout the day, and the watering system keeps everything consistent. I have been away on trips, and I still come home to herbs that are healthy and fresh, waiting to be trimmed and added to my food.

It fits real life and small spaces

Fresh herbs growing beside my microwave

Living in a New York apartment, space is limited. While there are community gardens I could participate in, it’s not as convenient as having access to your own, especially when you’re in the middle of a snowstorm or a heatwave.

The Auk Mini sits beside my microwave, on a table that used to be my desk. It doesn’t feel like I added a new project to my life – it just blends in. I have the black and walnut version, which works well with the rest of my space, but it also comes in white, with oak or cork as other finishes, if you want something lighter.

Watching and competing

My husband and I set it up together and turned it into a challenge: who would harvest first?

Our kit came with basil and parsley. He planted basil, which sprouted first. I took on parsley, which grew much slower and wasn’t ready for harvest until a little over six weeks later. The competition was a small thing, but it made the whole process more fun. We started paying attention to growth day by day, and it’s satisfying when you finally get to use what you grew.

One thing we learned pretty quickly is that different plants grow at different speeds, which can make lighting placement a little tricky in a shared setup like the Auk Mini. Since the basil grew faster and taller, we had to angle the light unevenly so it wouldn’t burn the basil while still giving the parsley enough exposure to catch up.

It changed how I use herbs

Basil and parsley used to be something I added as garnish. Now I’m using them all the time because they’re right within arm’s reach.

Learned to be creative and made pasta from scratch, made better with fresh herbs

I’ve been making sauces, marinades, pesto, even building meals and cocktails around them. It’s expanded the flavors we use in home cooking, and forced me to experiment instead of defaulting to our go-to recipes inspired by East Asian cooking. In fact, the biggest hurdle I’ve encountered is not having enough recipes in my repertoire that use herbs.

Even when a dish doesn’t call for it, I’ll cut some and add it anyway. Every time I did, it made the dish better. When something is always available and always fresh, you naturally start using more of it. And if you trim it properly, it just keeps growing back. It doesn’t go bad or get forgotten in the fridge.

You can grow anything you want

One of my favorite things about Auk Mini is that it’s not a proprietary system. They do offer other kits like a chili and tomato set or an Italian cuisine mix, but you can also grow your own choices.

I joined a Facebook group of Auk growers, and it’s been inspiring to see how others are using and expanding their indoor gardens. It makes me excited to try things that are harder to find or expensive in the U.S., especially vegetables and herbs I grew up with, like pechay, moringa, lemongrass, pandan, and kangkong.

A small step toward something bigger

Constant fresh herbs within reach

Growing herbs indoors reminds me of something from years ago. In university, I did an immersion program in a low-income community. We recommended sustainable food systems for the stay-at-home moms we met — including hydroponics systems — both as a source of extra income and fresh food.

That experience stayed with me, but I never acted on it. This feels like a small, techie version of that idea: a hydroponic system that works in real life, in a small space, and is easy to keep up with.

Is the Auk Mini your GadgetMatch?

Starting with sprouts showed me I could easily grow something. The Auk Mini showed me I can keep going and expand it. Now I have fresh greens ready whenever I need them.

It starts at $239, which isn’t the cheapest way to get into hydroponics. If you don’t use herbs on the daily like I do, the cost is even harder to justify. But that’s also why I recommend it even more. It’s convenient, it’s fresh, and at the same time it challenges you to be more creative with food.

Basil and parsley keep growing in the Auk Mini after multiple harvests

Auk Mini’s ease of setup and maintenance, and flexibility make it worth it, especially if you don’t know where to start. It was a great hobby to start the year with, and an even better habit I’ve kept building on five months on. It’s given me confidence I can grow my own food for the rest of my life, one way or another.

TCL CSOT is one of the world’s largest display panel manufacturers. However, most people have never even heard of them.

At SID Display Week 2026 in Los Angeles, they unveiled the APEX Pixel Technology across three categories:

• Super Pixel for smartphones
• Real Stripe RGB (IJP OLED) for monitors and automotive; and
• RGBC for TVs

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Also, THE Michael Josh takes you inside their booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center to break down:

✅ The world-first Super Pixel mobile display (clarity, lowest power, 165Hz refresh rate)
✅ The World’s First Foldable & Portable IJP OLED Monitor Display (28″)
✅ Intelligent Cockpit Display Suite 3.0 — sliding + curved
✅ The World’s Highest Image Quality WHVA Ultra LCD TV Display (85″)

More so, what does it mean when your phone uses Real RGB instead of sub-pixel rendering? Why is inkjet-printed OLED the next big thing in display manufacturing? And what’s a fourth color sub-pixel?

Know all of these in our Spotlight on TCL CSOT’s Display Technologies.

Dreame Technology has introduced a new wave of smart personal care devices at its DREAME NEXT 2026 event in Silicon Valley, signaling a bigger push into the US market following rapid growth in the region.

At the center of the announcement is a shift in positioning: from traditional beauty tools to what Dreame calls “intelligent, responsive companions.” The company says this approach is already paying off, with North American revenue surging 1,230% year-over-year in Q1 2026.

Smart styling, all-in-one systems

Leading the lineup are three key products set to launch in the US later this year.

The AirStyle Pro HI is an 8-in-1 styling system powered by a 130,000 RPM motor. It uses app-based hair recognition to tailor styling modes automatically, covering drying, curling, and straightening in a single device.

Meanwhile, the Aero Straight Pro combines drying and straightening in one pass. It uses dual hot-and-cold airflow channels, along with real-time sensing of hair moisture and temperature. Dreame also adds a “triple care” formula — keratin, argan oil, and negative ions — to protect hair during styling.

Then there’s Halo, a concept floor-standing hair dryer. It tracks the user’s head and adjusts airflow automatically, allowing for hands-free drying while doing other tasks.

Expanding beyond hair care

Dreame’s broader ecosystem spans hair, skincare, grooming, and oral care. One highlight is the Pilot 20 Intelligent Hair Dryer, which uses dual robotic arms to detect scalp and hair conditions and adjust airflow dynamically.

Other products shown include the Miracle Pro Hair Dryer and Pocket hair dryer, rounding out a portfolio designed to bring salon-level results into everyday routines.

Backed by industry recognition

The brand is also leaning into credibility. Dreame has earned accreditation from Intercoiffure Mondial, a global association of top hairdressers — a rare endorsement for a consumer tech brand.

Its products have picked up over 30 industry awards, including recognition from CES, IFA, and CNN’s Innovation of the Year.

US expansion in focus

Dreame is doubling down on the US with both online and offline expansion. It already has a presence on major e-commerce platforms and is building out retail through flagship and experiential stores.

The company expects wider availability across major US retail channels by the end of 2026.

Alongside product launches, Dreame also highlighted community efforts, including donations of personal care devices to San Francisco-based nonprofit The Welcome Home Project to support individuals transitioning into stable housing.

With its latest lineup, Dreame is positioning personal care as part of a connected, intelligent lifestyle — one that blends hardware, software, and everyday routines into a single ecosystem.