Ted Kritsonis

In a year where some smartphones have surprised, while others have spontaneously combusted, Google’s latest entry into the fray is in the two Pixel handsets that have effectively replaced the previous Nexus line. Going higher-end under the Pixel moniker is one of the obvious differences, but with performance and a new virtual assistant being hyped alongside all that, there was plenty to look forward to with the Pixel XL.

Most Windows PC laptops come in a few particular screen sizes, yet the shapes, sizes and weight between all those variants amongst competitors makes certain ones stand out from the crowd. The Asus ZenBook 3 is one of those, serving as an answer to thin-and-light MacBooks, with its slim profile, slick aesthetics and power under the hood. If small and powerful with Windows flavouring is what you’re in the market for, you may want to get a closer look at this laptop.

If Asus hasn’t entered your radar for your next smartphone choice, the company is looking to grab your attention with the Zenfone 3. Having only entered the Canadian market last year, albeit quietly, this handset offers a new look and improved performance from its predecessor. Without any carrier partnership, it also comes fully unlocked, making it attractive for those who want to avoid paying too much and signing a contract.

The new NHL season has kicked off, and if you are looking to take in a lot of the action for the next several months, then you may want to give NHL GameCenter a try. The streaming service offers just about every game, and if you are a fan of a team in another city, you will be able to tune in almost anywhere you are.

Asus has a new group of products coming to market this fall, and they were on display for a hands-on showcase in Toronto. Among them are new smartphones, a new smartwatch, new tablets and new laptops.

Google didn’t just unveil its two new Pixel smartphones and the Chromecast Ultra this week, it also intimated its focus on the home, and how different devices can factor into that vision. One of these was the Daydream View VR headset, designed to work with the Pixel (and other Android phones), and the other was the Google Home, a hub that uses the Google Assistant artificial intelligence platform to help with various tasks on command.

Google unveiled its highly-anticipated Pixel smartphones, officially retiring the Nexus name, and claiming to have produced “the best smartphone camera anyone has ever made.” While it’s too soon to confirm that, the devices are the most luxurious designs under Google’s branding, and are firmly in the premium category.

Fitness bands are a pretty personal product. Ask anyone who has one, and you will either get a rave review or a depressing story of feeling letdown by what the device promised. Fitbit has emerged as a category leader in this area, and what it does can set the tone for others, which in turn, sets the bar higher for the Charge 2.

The latest Kobo Aura One is big and waterproof, and its beautiful screen makes it one of the more compelling eReaders available.

Finding a tablet that doesn’t do it all is easier than one that does, and it’s clear early on that the LG G Pad III falls under the former camp because it isn’t designed to perform like a premium device would. With that in mind, and the interesting inclusion of a blue light screen filter to go easier on the eyes, this is a tablet worth considering if you want to keep usage light.