Best of IFA 2024

High on tech!

IFA has made its grand return, and this year marks a milestone—100 years since one of Europe’s premier tech expos first opened its doors back in 1924. As always, IFA is serving up a veritable banquet of smart devices and innovations. And, while our Stuff correspondent has been darting through the lively Berlin exhibition, bouncing between press events and hunting down the choicest tech gems for you, we at Stuff headquarters have been busy compiling the most exquisite selections for your indulgence.

1) Climbing Robot Vacuum

With robot vacuums now excelling at sharp navigation, mopping floors, and reaching tricky corners, there remains one major hurdle in their path—stairs. Now, at IFA, a prototype was revealed, featuring a leg mechanism that detects stairs and elevates the front, allowing it to climb. It even features a built-in shock absorber to prevent damage when descending. The catch? It can currently only manage steps about 1.5 to 2 inches high. A small step for vacuums, but perhaps a giant leap is on the horizon.

2) Roborock QRevo Curv

Roborock’s latest, the Qrevo Curv, can elevate itself to overcome obstacles like room transitions of up to 40mm, navigate plush carpets, and tackle various barriers. The robot is equipped with wheels that can independently raise each side to overcome obstacles, or lift both simultaneously to cross higher thresholds. Though it wasn’t specifically built for stair climbing, it seems like the first move toward that goal.

3) Acer Nitro Blaze 7

Acer’s new handheld gaming console is the latest contender in the portable gaming market, and it’s making waves as yet another Windows-powered device, reminiscent of the Asus ROG Ally. It features a 7-inch, 1080p IPS display with a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, 16 GB of LPDDR5x SDRAM, and up to 2 terabytes of storage. Under the hood, it features the Ryzen 7 8840HS processor paired with AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics.

4) Acer Project DualPlay

This concept laptop introduces a pop-out controller. When magnetically attached to the Predator laptop, it functions as a trackpad, but you can detach it to use as a gaming controller. It even splits into two separate units, much like the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con. Additionally, the DualPlay features a pair of 5-watt speakers that can extend from each side. However, keep in mind that it’s still in the concept phase, so there's no certainty on when—or if—this design will become an actual product.

5) HMD Fusion

This handset features interchangeable covers called Smart Outfits, which can change both the hardware and software of the phone. Powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC with up to 8GB of RAM, the HMD Fusion includes a 108-megapixel dual rear camera setup and a 50-megapixel front camera. The Smart Outfits connect via smart pins, allowing them to wirelessly transmit data and draw power from the phone's battery. HMD has also open-sourced the technology, inviting others to create their own “outfits.”

6) Deepfake Detector

As deepfakes become increasingly sophisticated, the potential threats they pose are expanding rapidly. Scammers are already employing deepfake technology to impersonate real individuals during video calls, making detection capabilities essential. Honor’s recent venture into AI includes a promising deepfake detection system showcased at IFA. Demonstrated in real time on an Honor laptop, this prototype can analyse a video call and assess the likelihood of manipulation. Although it's still in the prototype stage, it is expected to be integrated into Honor devices via a software update once it's fully developed.

7) Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box

Console gamers, get ready for some exciting news! The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K has arrived, offering a fresh way to synchronise your Philips Hue lights with the action on your big screen. Simply connect your consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices to this new gadget, and watch as your lighting adjusts to the onscreen drama. Unlike its predecessor, which lacked HDMI 2.1, the new model supports HDMI 2.1, allowing you to enjoy 4K at 120 Hz or 8K at 60 Hz.

8) XGIMI Aura 2

The Aura 2 is a projector that lives up to its sophisticated design with top-notch specs. It supports Dolby Vision and Atmos through its built-in 60W Harman/Kardon sound system and will soon offer compatibility with the IMAX Enhanced format. With Xgimi’s Dual Light 2.0 tech delivering 2300 ISO Lumens of brightness and a striking 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, the Aura 2 makes quite an impression on paper. Its 0.177:1 throw ratio allows you to project a 100-inch image from just 17.8 cm away from the wall, making it both powerful and versatile.

9) Canvas Hi-Fi

The Canvas Hi-Fi is an all-in-one TV stand and soundbar system that combines high-fidelity audio with a stylish design. Equipped with premium drivers and an integrated stand for your TV, it features magnetic grilles in a variety of wood and fabric finishes, offering a refined and customisable look. If you decide to upgrade to a different TV size, you can easily swap out the grille for a seamless appearance without needing to replace the entire sound system.

10) Belkin Qi2 magnetic foldable chargers

Belkin's Apple 3-in-1 charger is designed for maximum portability, folding flat so it can easily slide into your case or bag. This sleek, folding Qi2 charger accommodates your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, with a particularly stylish material finish. Belkin also unveiled new high-speed power banks featuring integrated cables, as well as USB-C cables made from a significant proportion of GRS-certified post-consumer recycled thermoplastic, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.

11) LG ThinQ ON

It marks the company’s debut into the world of dedicated smart home hubs. This AI-powered device connects and controls LG appliances and other smart home gadgets through Thread, Matter, and Wi-Fi. It operates on LG’s ThinQ platform and leverages LG’s Affectionate Intelligence to learn from your usage habits, monitor your appliances, and enable voice control of connected devices. The hub, a compact, circular white unit, doubles as a smart speaker with LG’s AI voice assistant integrated. This assistant is designed to understand natural language, grasp context, and adapt to user preferences, all powered by LG’s advanced AI chipset.

12) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro

These over-ear headphones feature six microphones and the latest Adaptive ANC 3.0 algorithm to effectively cancel up to 45dB of external noise. They've been designed with a new headband and ear cups that are 50% smaller than the previous model, ensuring comfort for extended wear. A 700mAh battery delivers up to 40 hours of playback with active noise cancellation (ANC) engaged, or 60 hours with ANC off. The headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers that cover a frequency range from 20Hz to 20kHz. They also offer Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, support for AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs, and compatibility with both Google Assistant and Siri.

13) DJI Neo

DJI’s Neo is said to be the smallest, lightest, and most budget-friendly drone yet. Weighing in at 4.8 ounces, it allows you to use your smartphone as the remote control. The drone features a stabilised 4K/12MP camera, ideal for capturing selfies and videos for social media. With an 18-minute flight time and a USB-C rechargeable battery, it’s perfect for quick sessions between shots.

14) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition

Intel’s new Lunar Lake processors, which are both more powerful and Copilot+ PC-ready, have allowed Lenovo to create an even thinner and lighter ThinkPad X1 Carbon compared to the 12th-generation model. While trimming just a hundredth of an inch off the Z-height to 0.58 inches may seem minor, the reduction in weight—down to 2.18 pounds, a drop of three-tenths of a pound—is substantial. These processors not only enable full access to Microsoft’s Copilot features in Windows 11 but also support Lenovo’s Aura suite, a collection of AI-enhanced tools designed to streamline laptop use by automatically adjusting settings based on your needs, eliminating the hassle of manual configuration.