Weekly Gear Roundup: Verizon Satellite Messaging, Retro Console Fun, and Velotric’s E-bike

Using Verizon? If you possess a Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy S25 series smartphone and find yourself in an area with no cellular signal, you can now send messages to your loved ones via satellite. This feature is similar to what Apple introduced with the iPhone 14 and newer models (regardless of carrier) in the iOS 18 update.

While these Android devices have already been able to contact emergency services through satellite, they can now utilize satellite connectivity to send messages to anyone, irrespective of the recipient’s device or carrier. Verizon has reported that this feature is being rolled out and will take roughly two weeks to be fully available.

Verizon isn’t the only carrier aiming to offer satellite connectivity to bridge the gaps in traditional cellular network coverage. T-Mobile recently announced a collaboration with Starlink, currently in beta until July. This service allows you to send and receive text messages and will soon enable users to share photos, use data, make voice calls, and more. T-Mobile’s solution will be included for subscribers on its Go5G Next plan, while other customers can add it to their current plan for an additional $15 per month. AT&T is also partnering with AST SpaceMobile and recently ran a test of a video call using satellite connectivity.

This Handheld Console Lets You Relive Your Nintendo DS Dreams

You’ve seen the Steam Deck and the Switch, and you undoubtedly remember the Nintendo DS. But this newly unveiled gaming handheld, the OneXSugar, claims to combine those experiences into one device. It features two screens and rotating gamepad controllers that allow it to adapt into various innovative configurations. You can use the primary 6-inch screen in the standard landscape mode alongside the two sides of the controller. Flip up this screen, however, to reveal the secondary 3.92-inch square screen, which can be used as a kickstand or have the controllers attached to it. This functionality is unlike anything we have encountered before.

The Android-based device, which was launched on Indiegogo, was revealed along with a new line of chips from Qualcomm specifically designed for gaming handhelds. The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 offers a 28 percent increase in graphics performance with ray tracing, tailored for cloud gaming and retro emulators. However, don’t expect it to run Windows-level games like the AMD Ryzen Z-series chips found in popular devices like the Asus ROG Ally X.

The company behind the OneXSugar also boasts a more powerful product in its range, the OneXPlayer G1, which merges elements of a laptop and a gaming handheld. There’s currently no information available regarding the pricing or release date, but we anticipate more details about the OneXSugar will be announced soon. —Luke Larsen

Velotric’s Breeze 1: A Commuting and Cruising Ebike

Following several rounds of layoffs and the exit from the European market, the new CEO of Rad Power Bikes has recently stepped down. This leaves a significant gap in the direct-to-consumer electric bike sector that the company established when Mike Radenbaugh founded Rad in 2007.

Which company will emerge to fill this void? We’re particularly excited about testing one of the new models from the emerging brand Velotric. The Breeze 1, which launched on March 18, is a commuter bike designed in a cruiser style, featuring a comfortable, upright seating position on a step-through frame, complemented by a robust 750-watt motor offering a 70-mile range.

The bike also boasts several interesting features. For instance, it allows users to toggle between a torque sensor, which adjusts the pedaling effort needed on varied terrains, and a traditional cadence sensor, ideal for longer rides on flatter roads. Additionally, it is compatible with Apple Find My and Apple Health, eliminating the need for iPhone users to juggle their fitness trackers to log their bike rides. Most importantly, it weighs below 50 pounds and is priced under $2,000. I’m currently unboxing my test model (in Violet Haze, of course). —Adrienne So

Fujifilm Unveils Medium Format Compact Camera

If you have ever longed for a medium format Fujifilm X100 camera, your dreams have come true. The new GFX100RF is exactly that. It incorporates the same minimalist, rangefinder design of the X100 series, featuring dial controls and a quality wide-angle prime lens, along with a 102-megapixel medium format sensor.

However, there’s a trade-off for such a larger sensor—the GFX100RF is bulkier and heavier than any of the X100 models. Measuring 5.26 by 3.56 inches and with a depth of 3 inches, this camera is not pocket-friendly, nor is its weight of 25.9 ounces (735 grams) light enough for you to toss it in a bag without a second thought. To achieve weather sealing for the GFX100RF, you’ll need to attach an additional adapter ring and filter, just as is required for the X100VI.