OnePlus is expanding its product ecosystem with the announcement of five new devices, including the latest addition to its popular Nord smartphone lineup. These new products are slated to launch in Europe and India next month, with full specifications and pricing to be revealed at the official launch event on July 8th.

Leading the charge is the Nord 5, the newest mid-range smartphone from the company. Notably, it’s the first Nord device to incorporate a flagship Qualcomm chip – the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3, designed for more affordable flagship phones. The Nord 5 will also boast an upgraded cooling system and support for LPDDR5X RAM. While full details are pending, initial images show a distinctive “Dry Ice” pale blue finish and a dual rear camera setup.

Joining the Nord 5 is the Nord CE5, expected to be a more budget-friendly option, though details are currently limited to its “Marble Mist” finish. Celina Shi, OnePlus’ European head of marketing, confirmed in an interview that both the Nord 5 and Nord CE5 will feature the new customizable Plus Key (replacing the signature Alert Slider) and enable the AI Plus Mind feature.

OnePlus is also introducing the OnePlus Pad Lite, described as an “entry-level” tablet. It retains the central, circular camera design seen on older OnePlus tablets, differentiating it from the newer Pad 3. While official specifications are scarce, a recent leak suggests it will feature an 11-inch LCD display, run on the MediaTek Helio G100 chipset, and be available in an optional cellular version.

Rounding out the announcements are a smaller 43mm OnePlus Watch 3, complementing the existing 47mm model, and a new pair of earbuds, the OnePlus Buds 4. These earbuds will include dual drivers, support Hi-Res audio, and be available in green or dark gray.

Samsung is stepping up its game in the health tech race with plans to develop a new hub, designed to simplify how users share health data directly with their doctors between appointments. This initiative aims to bridge the disconnect often experienced when patients struggle to recall medical advice or fitness suggestions.

Dr. Hon Pak, a Samsung health executive, highlighted the company’s commitment to cutting down this gap. They’re working on tools that will funnel data collected from smartwatches into a central location, also providing nudges to help users stay on track with doctor-prescribed goals. Pak emphasized the need to move away from fragmented health solutions. “There are a lot of innovations out there but it’s siloed,” Pak said. “We think there’s a responsibility and a potential for bringing the experience into an ecosystem so that the users have a more simple experience rather than having 10 different apps to manage your condition.”

While the full hub is still some time away, Samsung recently announced new features coming to its smartwatches as part of a One UI 8 software update. These enhancements will include tools for measuring antioxidant levels and vascular load, alongside a running coach and upgrades to sleep management. The features will be available on last year’s Samsung Galaxy Watch models, with the bedtime coach specifically coming to the Galaxy Watch 5 and newer devices. A beta program for these features is set to launch this month in the US and South Korea.

To check antioxidant levels on a new-generation Samsung watch, users will simply press their fingertip against the sensors on the device’s back. The feature can then suggest nutritional adjustments, like eating antioxidant-rich berries, to help improve readings. The vascular load feature measures pulse waves during sleep to assess arterial pressure, aiming to better identify the risk for stroke and other cardiovascular issues. The new running feature will help users train for races by analyzing baseline performance, and an enhanced sleep tool will suggest optimal bedtimes based on several days of analyzed data.

Smartwatches are evolving beyond simple notification companions, increasingly merging with sports watches and even medical-grade wearables. Competitors like Apple Inc., Garmin Ltd., and Alphabet Inc.’s Google have already made significant advancements in measuring heart conditions and sleep.

This shift towards more comprehensive health features in wearables aligns with broader trends, as noted by Pak. Increases in chronic diseases, healthcare workforce shortages, and rising medical costs are leading more people to seek care from home. “The burden is now on the patients and the families that have to provide that care,” he explained. “So with that, we have to be in the home.”

Samsung’s health platform currently boasts about 68 million monthly active customers. Looking ahead, Pak mentioned that more health sensors are planned for future Samsung devices, including earbuds. While features like cuff-less blood pressure tracking and non-invasive glucose tracking are in development, they are still years away from release.

The Kia Tasman, the brand’s first pickup truck, has been designed from the ground up to eschew the accepted compromises of conventional pickups, seamlessly transitioning between on- and off-road driving while providing customers with a practical, highly versatile package engineered to meet their diverse needs.

The Tasman is built on a brand-new pickup platform designed to offer confident off-road performance, outstanding load-carrying capacity, and exceptional durability. Its reinforced body-on-frame structure not only delivers best-in-class strength — for payloads up to 1,151kg and towing capacity up to 3,500kg — but provides the foundation for the Tasman’s unparalleled go-anywhere ability.

Optimized for rough terrain, the Tasman boasts a ground clearance of up to 252mm (X-Pro model) with approach, departure, and ramp-over angles of up to 32.2, 26.2, and 25.8 degrees respectively. The front suspension adopts a high-mount double-wishbone setup for better corrosion resistance and ground clearance, while the rear suspension uses a rigid axle with leaf springs, offering SUV-like comfort when unladen and excellent load-bearing support when hauling.

Tuned shock absorbers utilize frequency-sensitive valves and urethane bump stops to optimize ride quality over varied surfaces. Model-specific tires further enhance ability, with HT (Highway Terrain) tires ensuring smooth on-road driving for the base trim, and larger-diameter AT (All-Terrain) tires enabling the off-road focused X-Pro model to overcome even more rugged terrain.

Key powertrains and exhaust components are positioned above the frame to avoid damage during off-road excursions, while the air intake is also located 950mm above the ground. Located inside the front fender, facing rearward, its design helps to prevent water ingress during fording, allowing the Tasman to wade through depths of up to 800mm at speeds of up to 7km/h.

With the physical attributes to take on any terrain, the Tasman also delivers the engineering to match, with both the X-Line and the X-Pro equipped with four-wheel-drive (4WD) as standard. The 4WD system is paired with advanced off-road technologies, making it the most off-road-capable vehicle Kia has ever produced.

The Two-Speed Active Transfer Case (ATC) offers four selectable drive modes — 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (high-range 4WD), 4L (low-range 4WD), and 4A (automatic all-wheel drive) to adapt to various terrain and driving scenarios. An Electronic Locking Differential (e-LD) ensures even distribution of torque across both rear wheels, aiding traction on uneven or slippery surfaces.

Terrain-specific drive modes make use of an optimized 4WD drive logic (designed newly for Tasman) to ensure optimal torque distribution and superior traction by fine-tuning throttle response, power distribution, and traction control. For the Middle East and Africa, the Tasman also includes a dedicated ‘Desert’ mode, specially calibrated to handle sand dunes with ease, as well as gaining enhanced cooling performance in the form of a water-cooled oil cooler.

Additionally, X-Trek Mode provides low-speed off-road cruise control (under 10km/h) allowing the Tasman to navigate rough terrain without throttle input, allowing the driver to focus solely on steering. Further off-road-oriented technologies support confident driving, including a Ground View Monitor that displays underbody terrain through the infotainment screen, and an Off-Road Page showing real-time data on the engine, transmission, and cooling systems.

In the Middle East and Africa, customers can choose between the 2.5-liter turbo petrol engine equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine with a choice of an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission (depending on market). To support the pickup’s 3,500kg towing capacity, the Tasman features enhanced cooling systems with an enlarged radiator and a high-capacity fan, as well as an advanced air-cooled transmission oil cooler. In the Middle East and Africa, an additional water-cooled system is equipped to cover low-speed towing conditions in the sandy areas.

A dedicated Tow Mode on the automatic transmission adjusts gear changes to balance ride comfort, efficiency, and towing performance, while additional towing features include Kia’s first Trailer Brake Controller and Trailer Stability Assist, which minimize trailer sway for safer towing. This state-of-the-art drivetrain technology was tested and proven in numerous locations.

The Tasman doesn’t just enable passengers to go anywhere, but to bring whatever they need with them too, thanks to a bed engineered for strength, versatility, and storage efficiency. Measuring 1,573mm long, 1,600mm wide, and 543mm deep, the bed offers a class-leading 1,212 liters of cargo volume. With a 1,194mm width between the wheel arches, it also accommodates standard-size pallets in global markets. The Tasman supports up to 1,151kg as a total payload, including the cabin loads.

Convenience features include divider slots for wooden partitions to better organize cargo, tie-down hooks and cargo rails with cleats, a bed liner for surface protection, side-mounted lighting, and a 220V inverter for versatile power needs. Kia has additionally developed a line of genuine accessories to enhance user experience while complimenting the Tasman’s rugged styling, including single and double-decker canopies, sports bars, bed covers, sliding trays, and side steps.

Inside, occupants benefit from best-in-class second-row legroom, headroom, and shoulder room, with slimmer front and rear seatbacks taking full advantage of the 2,214mm-long cabin. Second-row seats are also equipped with Kia’s segment-first sliding-linked reclining function, allowing users to comfortably recline — an uncommon feature in mid-size pickups.

Even greater refinement is delivered by the laminated acoustic glass on the windshield and front windows, along with generous sound-absorbing materials throughout the body. Optimized airflow channels and sealing strips minimize road and wind noise from entering the cabin.

Infotainment highlights include a Panoramic Wide Display — which brings together a 12.3-inch cluster display, a 5-inch segment display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system display — powered by Kia’s latest Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) interface and paired with a Harman Kardon premium sound system. A folding Console Table offers usable flexibility, while further practicality is provided by a 33-liter under-seat storage compartment beneath the rear seat cushions, offering ample space for personal items and tools.

A Wide-Open Hinge allows the rear doors to open at up to 80 degrees, making it easier to load cargo or enter and exit the vehicle.