Trends with Benefits: Talking robochefs, VR with the man behind The Manual

By Nick Mokey Published March 15, 2016

Six percent of Americans say they want to own an Apple Watch, but based on all the aspiring owners we’ve encountered, they’re still trying to figure out why.

Dan wants to skip the wearables phase and go straight to bio implants, but the implications of always-recording tech in your body are almost too much for a conspiracy theorist to bear.

The ultimate accessory for VR goggles might be a fine glass of Scotch.

No matter how skeptical you are of robots, you’re going to want a robot chef. Just watch the thing with knives.

This week’s Trends with Benefits includes Digital Trends’s CTO Dan Gaul, managing editor Nick Mokey, host Greg Nibler, and special guest Cator Sparks of The Manual.

Nick Mokey

Former Editor in Chief

As Digital Trends’ Editor in Chief, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team covering every gadget under the sun, along with…

Topics

Wearables

Your dog can run, but Fi’s new Starlink satellite-backed tracker makes sure you can still find them

Fi Ultra borrows Starlink satellites to find pups that wander off the grid

A runaway pup can race into a forest or across miles of open countryside, leaving its owner with a GPS tracker that suddenly has no way to report its location. But Fi is looking to solve that problem with the Fi Ultra, which is a new dog tracker that falls back on SpaceX’s Starlink network whenever cellular coverage disappears. The company describes it as the first dog tracker powered by T-Mobile’s T-Satellite with Starlink service. It is available now in the US for $199, plus a $20 activation fee and a $189 annual membership.

Your dog just got a satellite connection

Wearables

Still waiting for a cheaper Vision Pro? New report brings bad news

Another nail just landed in the cheaper Vision Pro’s coffin

After bouncing around rumors and reports, the cheaper Vision Pro dream might be dead. We've seen delays, a supposed cancellation, and even a possible revival over the last couple of months. But a new supply chain report suggests it may finally be time to stop waiting.

Apple has reportedly suspended development of a lower-cost display intended for a lighter, more affordable Vision headset. Samsung Display plans to formally terminate the project in September, according to Korean outlet The Elec. Apple has made no public announcement about canceling the headset, although losing its purpose-built display makes an eventual launch look increasingly improbable.

Wearables

Google’s Pixel Watch 5 may not escape the 2026 price hikes

Some Pixel Watch 5 models may keep last year’s price, while others cost more

A hand pulling the stretchable strap on the Pixel Watch 4

Google has already confirmed its next Made by Google event for August 12 to unveil the Pixel 11 series smartphones. While it wasn't confirmed whether the brand planned to launch a new generation of wearables this year, a new price leak from Dealabs suggests that the Pixel Watch 5 will also break cover at the event, and it might come with a price hike, just like the Pixel smartphones.

According to Dealabs, Google is keeping the same basic Pixel Watch 5 lineup as last year. The watch is expected to come in 41mm and 45mm sizes, with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as well as 4G LTE models.