Pocket-lint daily - Roku smart home, Pixel Watch review, and more

Good morning! By Rik Henderson | Thursday October 13 2022 Good morning! - If you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Website]( Roku enters smart home fray with cameras, video doorbell, and more ROKU What's happened? Roku is a company best known for streaming sticks and software, but has made the jump into the world of smart home tech with seven new products. Why does it matter? Roku's new lineup will hit Walmart stores in the US starting 17 October 2022, but you can also buy direct from Roku, too. When you do, you'll have the choice of a number of products that cover the most obvious smart device categories, including light strips, bulbs, and security cameras. What's my take? Smart security is big business these days, with Amazon brands Ring and Blink, plus the likes of Arlo and Google's Nest, growing rapidly. We didn't see this coming though. Roku has carved a great name for itself in streaming hardware, but has also been stretching its wings with ancillary products - such as TVs, soundbars and, most recently, a subwoofer. Now it's moving into smart security and other smart home products. It makes sense. With convergence happening in TV and cable/satellite boxes adding popular apps alongside broadcast channels, Roku has additional competition in its traditional field, so why not branch out? And, it's not a huge leap to see the connection between entertainment and smart home devices. After all, the ambience can often be as important to the content. Plus, the ability to see who is at the front door on your TV set, through a Roku Stick, will appeal to many. We just hope the brand considers bringing its new product range to other regions outside the US, too. Polestar 3 is an electric SUV steeped in technical geekery POLESTAR What's happened? Polestar has pulled the covers [from the Polestar 3]( as the brand moves into SUV territory. With the Polestar 2 being widely lauded, the next move is into the widely-contested mid-size SUV space at the luxury end of the market. Why does it matter? What sets the Polestar 3 apart from other SUVs is the level of geekery that it carries, like the wording on the body and those angles around the lights and front aero wing. There's a heavy dose of sci-fi about the whole thing, like something you'd find on a car from the future. What's my take? Polestar has rapidly gained a healthy following and its first SUV doesn't disappoint. With plenty of range, a tonne of tech, and a body that looks like it's dropped from the skies of Blade Runner, it'll likely catch eyes beyond its usual fanbase, too. It's just a shame about the £80K price tag. A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR Missed Amazon's Prime Day 2.0? You can still grab amazing WeMax deals! POCKET-LINT WeMax provides industry-leading laser projectors and, for the Prime Early Access Sale, decided to provide excellent deals on its products. And, the great news is that it's continuing to offer its Amazon’s Prime Day 2.0 discounts for a limited time. [Read more about it right here](. Google Pixel Watch review: The Apple Watch of the Android world? POCKET-LINT What's happened? We've had Android-based watches available for a long time, with any number of manufacturers trying their hand at smart, connected Google-powered wrist wear. But, the whole time it's existed as a platform, it's felt like there's one thing missing: a Google watch. A watch that is to the Android ecosystem what the Apple Watch is to iPhone users. Our quick verdict The Pixel Watch delivers something a lot of Android users have been waiting for: a proper smartwatch experience that rivals the Apple Watch in features and fluidity. And - in our mind - does it better than the Galaxy Watch 5. It's a stellar watch. [Read our review](. In Case You Missed it KEF's [Mu7 wireless headphones]( combine noise cancelling with premium audio. --- WhatsApp is to [increase group numbers]( to over 1,000. --- Amazon Fire TV Cube still has a Prime Early Access Sale [50% price cut at $59.99]( instead of $119.99. That's a very good $60 off for the 4K streaming device with Alexa. It also offers up access to Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max and more. From The Gear Loop KLATTERMUSEN The best waterproof jackets: Our pick of the finest options for battling the elements. [Read more](. And finally... POCKET-LINT PlayStation Plus games list, price and PS Plus Essential, Extra and Premium tiers explained. [Read more](. Have you checked out our weekly podcast that comes out every Friday? It's packed with news, interviews, and top things to get. You can subscribe to the Pocket-lint Podcast via [iTunes]( and [Spotify]( or access it on the web via [Acast](. We discuss the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel Watch, interview Kobo CEO Michael Tamblyn about the ongoing success of e-readers, and preview the Xiaomi 12T Pro after having played with one during the launch in Munich. [Listen to the new episode today.]( Thanks for reading , if you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( [The Trust Project][Why you can trust Pocket-lint]( Copyright © 2022 Pocket-lint, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website Our mailing address is: Pocket-lint 1 St. Peters SquareManchester, M2 3DE United Kingdom [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. [Mailchimp Email Marketing](