IFA 2016

This time last year, we got a first look at a portable digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier prototype then called the Dacamp M1. We could only look and not listen. But that changed at the IFA 2016 launch party in Berlin for the now re-named Dacamp L1.​

When introducing the Yoga Book at IFA this week, Lenovo essentially explained that it had been designed for users under 30. We spent a little time with the Yoga Book and, despite being the wrong side of the target age group, were quite impressed by what we found.

The TomTom VIO is designed to help give scooter owners the type of satellite navigation capability that previously was only available to car, truck and motorcycle owners with what is claimed to be the world’s first smartphone-connected device.​​

Broadly speaking, there are two types of virtual reality headset in the world: the high-powered, PC connected ones like the Vive and the Rift, and the ones that are run by a phone. The new Alcatel Vision, however, is neither.

Sony threw its hat in the noise-canceling headphones ring this week with the launch of the MDR-1000X. The wired/wireless headsets can personalize the experience for each user, quickly pause the noise cancellation effects, and feature a system that upscales the quality of compressed music files.

Yuneec is known for a few professional-grade drones like the feature-packed Typhoon series, but now the company is targeting a more casual breed of pilot with the selfie-taking Breeze.

Withings has always been a top choice for those wanting normal watches with a little taste of smartness, and today it added heart rate monitoring to its classic Steel watch. The Withings Steel HR has launched at IFA 2016 in Berlin and New Atlas was one of the first to be able to strap it on.

3Doodler is taking 3D pen printing into a more serious sphere, with a brand new Pro pen that aims to provide a more refined experience to professional users such as architects, engineers and fashion designers.

​Last year, DJI introduced the Osmo – a motor-stabilized rig that smooths out the shakes in handheld video footage. Now, it's unveiled the Osmo Mobile, which utilizes the user's smartphone instead of a DJI-supplied camera.

Garmin has announced its latest action camera with the Virb Ultra 30. Boasting 4K video recording, 3-axis image stabilization technology, and voice control, the new tough camera could give GoPro something to worry about.

The excitement around smallish tablets isn't what it used to be, but if you're currently in the market for a mini-slate, Huawei is ready to launch a real beauty. We've been using the just-announced Huawei MediaPad M3 since last week and have some thoughts on this silky-smooth slab.

IFA 2016 is only just getting underway and already we've seen a wave of new tech announced by the big names. Today Sony took its turn, with two major new major Xperia X handsets to show off, and New Atlas was there to take a look.