The first true self-driving car, TCL TVs are bad, Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 review, and more

December 11, 2021

Happy Friday! Have we got a newsletter for you! Let’s talk about self-driving. Many vehicles have semi-autonomous capabilities right now, but the emphasis is on the “semi.” You shouldn’t take your hands off the wheel; you can’t take your eyes on the road. And YOU are still the driver.

But the dream of a car that actually drives itself? Well, that just became a reality. And the first company to do it? Not Tesla. Hit up the top story for the full details.

Other Highlights:

• Suzanne took a look at the Lenovo Yoga Tab 11, and it’s a good little budget tablet.
• We think now’s the best time to start a smart home.
• Microsoft released some new wallpapers for Windows 11, and they look oh so pretty.
• …and more!

-Josh

Mercedes-Benz is now the first and only automaker to win regulatory approval for a Level 3 autonomous driving system, beating out Tesla, Waymo, and other rivals. Drivers on the German autobahn can kick back and take their hands off the wheel using Mercedes’ upcoming Drive Pilot feature, which debuts in 2022. Read More »

Tablets are wonderful gadgets, sized comfortably somewhere between a smartphone and a laptop and offering enough power to handle everyday tasks. The Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 is no exception, offering up a stylish design with a kickstand, upgradeable storage, loud speakers, great battery life, and so much more. Read More »

The now-famous Windows 11 Bloom wallpaper is available in four new flavors! Microsoft launched the new wallpapers to celebrate PANTONE’s Color of the Year 2022, a purple shade called Very Peri. Several Microsoft apps are also getting the periwinkle treatment, including Edge, Teams, and PowerPoint. Read More »

Earlier this year, GM released a few teasers for the all-new electric Chevy Silverado E and confirmed it’ll make its formal debut on January 5th in Las Vegas. And while we still don’t know too much about this upcoming EV truck, GM just confirmed that production starts in “early 2023,” which is later than many expected. Read More »

Call me a hater, but smart TVs are awful. Even if a smart TV works fine out of the box, its smart features will slow to a crawl or become unusable after a year or so. And a smart TV manufacturer is finally admitting that this problem exists—for some products, at least. Read More »

With a nice pair of compact binoculars in hand, like these, you can more easily watch sporting event details, birdwatch, sightsee, view an opera, and even track what you’re hunting. This pair has a 25mm objective lens, 12x magnification, and a wide field of view. The lightweight cruise binoculars are covered with premium BAK4 prism texture, the objective lens uses optical FMC multilayer broadband green film, and the eyepiece-optical is made of blue FMC coating. For those who wear glasses, you can simply remove the rubber eyepieces for a more comfortable fit. The binoculars themselves are made of durable ABS plastic and come with a cruise strap so you can keep them around your neck instead of carrying them.

Get it at Amazon →

Whether you’re in a rush to finish your Christmas shopping or just want to prepare for a healthy New Year, this sale will put your feet to the fire. Fitbit is offering up to 33% off all its products, including its fitness trackers, premium smartwatches, and smart scales (bet you didn’t know those existed). Read More »

The best iPad stands offer flexibility for different sitting positions and viewing angles, changing the way you browse, watch, and type for the better. They come in all shapes and styles, and we’ve picked out the best iPad stand for your needs. Read More »

Useful, everyday items make neutral, but still very thoughtful, gifts. It’s usually a good idea to avoid specific items, like alcohol or store gift cards, as those can be pretty hit-or-miss. If you’re at a loss, here are some great gift ideas for neighbors, coworkers, or anyone else you don’t know very well. Read More »