Nanoleaf plans to support all Thread over HomeKit products

Source: Nanoleaf

Nanoleaf plans to release an update in the first quarter of this year to allow its Thread Border Routers to work with all Thread over HomeKit devices, allowing you to have improved responsiveness and connectivity between devices. This update will enable the Nanoleaf Shapes, Elements, and Lines to work with Thread over HomeKit devices, including Nanoleaf's Essentials Bulb and Lightstrip, the Apple TV 4K, and different Thread-enabled Eve products. As more devices support Thread in a smart home, that strengthens the ecosystem.

This update also allows Nanoleaf to prepare for the Matter over Thread devices it plans to launch later this year. Matter is another connectivity standard designed to boost smart home device interoperability. Companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung support this standard. Nanoleaf says it is working with the Connectivity Standards Alliance to integrate Matter into current and future products. The company plans to launch its first Matter-compatible devices in late 2022. 

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ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold OLED is a new folding laptop/tablet hybrid

Source: ASUS

ASUS is also one of those computer manufacturers that like to experiment with unusual form factors. So, its new attempt with a foldable isn't too surprising. The company unveils its first stab at a foldable display with the new ZenBook 17 Fold OLED. It's a 17.3-inch laptop with a foldable OLED screen, making it much easier to fit into smaller bags. 

There are numerous ways to use the laptop, similar to how the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold works. You can use it as a giant tablet and prop it up with a kickstand or fold it sideways at a 90-degree angle to create a small clamshell. When unfolded, its dimensions are around 4:3 for the 17.3-inch screen, and when folded, it's around a 3:2 12.3-inch device. You can also think about it as two 12.5-inch 1,920 x 1,280 screens side by side or one 2,560 x 1,920 display.

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LG PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier's companion app launches on mobile

Source: LG

One buzzworthy pandemic tech is becoming a bit more useful. The LG PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier finally gets its official companion app for Android and iOS. It's been out in some markets since at least five months ago, but better late than never, we guess.

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Android plans to add AirPod-like auto-switching this 2022

Switching between devices might be quicker on Android soon (Source: Google)

It might be more seamless to switch where your headphones are connected (at least between Android phones, Chromebooks, Android TV, and some Windows PC devices). The company plans to improve the Bluetooth headphone capabilities on Android phones using its Fast Pair technology.

Google also wants to bring full head tracking for spatial audio on Android. Apple AirPod and iPhone users will be familiar with these features, but now Android users might get a taste of it, too. The company hasn't shared too many details about these plans. But The Verge reports that these are two of "many Fast Pair features" expected to arrive "in the coming months," and some even "in the coming weeks."

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