Our Summer 2026 outdoor entertainment gift guide highlights the best speakers, projectors, and accessories for enjoying music and movies on the deck, at the beach or under the stars.

Summer listening and movie nights no longer have to end at the patio door. Portable speakers are louder and more durable, compact home theater projectors are brighter, and all-weather A/V gear can look and sound much better than you may have thought was possible. Whether you are building an outdoor theater, upgrading the deck or simply trying to hear your playlist over the neighbors, these products can help turn a few warm evenings into something far more memorable.

Andover FreePlay

Andover FreePlay is the one to bring when music is expected to carry the outdoor gathering. Grab it by the handle and take great sound anywhere—from sunset terrace drinks to weekend BBQs. Effortlessly waterproof and elegantly styled, FreePlay brings true home-stereo warmth to outdoor moments that demand great sound.

$429 at Andover Audio

AWOL Valerion Pro2 + 200″ Screen

Watch 4K movies, live sports or stream your favorite shows in any outdoor space with AWOL Valerion’s Pro2 4K RGB Triple Laser Projector. It comes with a massive 200-inch screen and your choice of four mounting/stand options, which makes setup convenient.

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$4,497 $2,999 at Valerion | Amazon

Anthem Multi-zone Amp

Take command of your outdoor audio ecosystem. The Anthem MDX-16 multi-zone amplifier distributes 16 channels of efficient, Ultra-Class-D power directly to your speakers. Featuring custom zone-tuning and Advanced Load Monitoring, it lets you seamlessly stream different soundtracks to the pool, patio, and grill simultaneously.

$3,499 at Crutchfield

Audioengine B2

Turn up summer with the Audioengine B2 Home Music System (aka the A2-AIO). Its compact all-in-one design delivers bold, room-filling sound for patios, porches, and backyard gatherings, while the industry-leading 100-foot Bluetooth range keeps the playlist going from across the yard.

$199 at Amazon

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Paradigm Outdoor Speakers

Bring the concert to the patio. Paradigm’s Rock Monitor and Stylus Series blend audiophile performance with weather-resistant designs. Whether you want high-fidelity sound disguised as natural garden stone or sleek, mountable speakers for the deck, these outdoor powerhouses ensure your backyard soundtrack never skips a beat.

$199 – $469 each at Crutchfield

MartinLogan 8.1 System

Treat your backyard to a true open-air theater. The MartinLogan Foundation 8.1 system blankets the yard with eight stealth satellite speakers and an in-ground subwoofer, while the robust MP500 V2 DSP amplifier ($799) drives the setup with effortless, customized power. Together, they form an all-weather masterpiece that delivers full, rich sound.

$3,499 $2,499 at Crutchfield (sale ends Sept 12th)

The Terrace

Outdoor TV viewing requires a television built to withstand the elements with a super bright screen to be viewable under the sun. The Terrace by Samsung QLED 4K TVs are now on sale in sizes from 55- to 85-inches.

$6,497 $3,795 at Samsung

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Disclosure: The products listed above are approved by our Editors, but may be requested by our sponsors. When links to buy are provided, we’ll direct you to the lowest price at time of publication. In doing so, eCoustics may earn a small commission from the associated retailer if purchased.

Google DeepMind released Gemini Robotics ER 2 as the high-level reasoning layer in a new trio of models built for robots that need to move, plan, and work alongside people or other machines. This version sits above the motor-control systems and acts as the coordinator.

Continuous video from the robot’s cameras continues to stream into the model, allowing it to monitor task progress in real time, decide where it is and what it needs to do next, all without freezing. In tests, it did a good job of classifying video frames into five phases of completion approximately 57% of the time, and pinpointing the exact moment something should stop, such as drinking a cup of coffee, with a staggering 91% accuracy and less than one second of average mistake.

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That means the model can orchestrate these multi-step tasks, which take minutes to accomplish. Developers can offer lower-level controls, navigation routines, and even remote control tools, which ER 2 can use as needed while maintaining a watch on the scene. If something goes wrong, it can just retry the failed step rather than restarting the entire sequence. The same thing that allows for continual awareness also makes collaboration much easier. Robots can share a common understanding of what is going on in the workplace, allowing a small wheeled robot to hand off to a humanoid one that can handle uneven ground, or two arms to work next to each other without colliding.

The associated vision-language-action model accounts for the entire body motion. For the first time, this technology can drive a complete humanoid robot from its feet up. On Apptronik’s Apollo 2, a spoken order such as “put the watering can into the green bin on the bottom shelf” can be translated into action. It can move across the room, pick up the can, stroll across the floor, squat or stretch as needed, and place the item exactly where it should be. The model can manage these five-fingered hands with 22 degrees of freedom, which can tie a knot or seal a ziplock bag, as well as the simpler grippers seen on robots for packaging.

It adjusts to unfamiliar hardware in hours rather than weeks. With just 200 samples of motion data, the on-device model may learn skills and apply them to different hardware configurations, sensor layouts, and even joint counts. Early testing included robots from Apptronik, Franka, and a few research arms.

Of course, safety is just as important as any of this, and ER 2 has received great results on these benchmarks, which determine if the model sticks to physical limitations and detects when people are present. They showed a humanoid robot that stops dead in its tracks when a person enters the workstation and does not continue until the area is clear again. They’ve also created a new evaluation called ASIMOV-Agentic, which assesses the model’s willingness to say no to something just unsafe, to judge whether a work is even viable, or to seek human assistance if in doubt. The end result is a system that combines hardware safety with active risk management.

Developers can already access ER 2 via Google AI Studio and a private preview of the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. Lower level action models are still only available to a select group of partners. They’ve shared some sample code on GitHub that connects the reasoning layer to live robot feeds, as well as a video of Boston Dynamics’ Spot fetching a bag of popcorn using natural language control, which demonstrates the entire system in action.

As one person, you cannot prevent a data center from being built near your home. Collective action is required, but the good news is that finding like-minded individuals won’t be a challenge. “We’re seeing this as a nonpartisan issue on the ground — I wouldn’t even say bipartisan, I’d say nonpartisan — where folks are showing up regardless of race, regardless of class, learning basic organizing principles so they can fight back at the hyper-local level,” says Conner. Town hall meetings, social media, your local church, all are good places to find those individuals.

Once you’re part of a group, one of the most effective strategies is to advocate for guardrails that ensure a company must consult your community before it ever embarks on a project in your backyard. “One of the first things we advise, even before there’s a live proposal on the table, is to make sure local land use ordinances require notice and input from the community up front,” says Garcia. You and your neighbours should advocate for bylaws that ensure data centers aren’t allowed “by-right” in any zone in your community. By-right permitting means a project can move forward simply because it meets all applicable development standards and use-specific requirements in your state.

Given the secrecy involved with many data center projects, building a coalition as soon as possible is essential. “What we advise is not to start when you first hear about a data center, but really to watch the pipelines being built, and any changes in the utilities or the grid,” says Conner.

In Conner’s experience, companies will often employ what she describes as a “piecemeal” approach to a buildout. For example, the tech giants will often work to secure permitting for a power plant and gas infrastructure long before they do the same for the actual data center they intend to build.

“Try to get as much information as possible, so file public records requests to see what communication or correspondence may have happened related to the data center,” says Conner. Every state has its own set of laws governing how people can request and obtain public records. The National Freedom of Information Coalition provides guidance and resources to help Americans file such requests. The organization also operates hotlines that can answer any questions you might have about the process.

“By the time people find out [that power plant or pipeline] is for a data center, a number of decisions have already been made. So we’re encouraging people to be part of all the environmental permitting decisions, construction permitting decisions, planning and zoning commission meetings, city council meetings — and really ask the hard questions.”

According to Garcia, some communities — like Birmingham, Alabama — have also found success pushing for special-use permitting requirements, which force companies to obtain special authorization to site a data center. “That allows for a front-end conversation about conditions that can be placed to address the community’s concerns about air, water, or whatever’s specific to that project,” says Garcia. “We actually recommend a ‘both-and’ approach: have the specific guardrails in place, and also require a special-use permit, especially for larger data centers — because one size doesn’t fit all. Every community is different, and different concerns come up depending on where a facility is located.”

In March, Birmingham city council passed a six-month moratorium and one of the strongest zoning policies in the country. On July 21, Nashville’s Metro Council voted to establish new regulations for data center development.

According to Data Center Watch, an organization that’s been tracking the growing opposition to data center development, the first quarter of 2026 saw 75 projects across the US worth approximately $130 billion either disrupted or blocked by local opposition. “The quarter reflected a structural shift rather than a cyclical spike: communities have internalized an opposition playbook, legislative sessions introduced formal regulatory uncertainty, and the number of active opposition groups more than doubled across 49 states,” the group writes on its website.

The US wanted to keep Chinese robots out. Beijing’s answer: do this, and we will hit back where it hurts.

China has threatened “resolute” retaliation after Washington moved to bar imports of Chinese-made humanoid robots. Its commerce ministry called the measure discriminatory and warned it “severely” damages trade relations, the New York Times and CNBC reported.

The ministry demanded that the US withdraw the decision, and threatened countermeasures if it does not. It accused Washington of “overstretching the concept of national security” and said the move disrupts global supply chains.

What the US actually banned

The trigger was an FCC order this week adding foreign-made “advanced robotic devices” to its restricted Covered List. It blocks new humanoids and robot dogs from the import approval they need to be sold in the US. Already-approved models can stay.

The rule is broader than it first looked. It sweeps up almost any new wireless, software-controlled robot over 4.4 pounds that can sense its surroundings, from robot lawnmowers to sidewalk delivery bots to Chinese robot vacuums. The FCC did not name China, but Chinese firms dominate the category.

Washington’s case rests on two fears. One is that connected robots could act as Trojan horses for data collection. The other is that robotics is strategically vital in an AI-driven economy. Chinese firm Unitree, one of the leaders, has already been flagged by the Pentagon over alleged military ties.

China’s leverage

The threat carries weight because China holds real cards. Analysts say the two obvious levers are rare earths, where China controls supply, and market access for US giants like Tesla and Nvidia. Both would sting.

The timing is also bad for Chinese robot makers. “This is bad news for Chinese humanoid producers planning their IPOs in the coming months,” said Counterpoint’s Marc Einstein. Unitree and Agibot have filed to go public, and Hong Kong-listed UBTech briefly fell more than 6 per cent.

The awkward truth

There is a catch that makes the ban tricky to enforce. It has become nearly impossible to build a competitive humanoid without Chinese-made parts, such as sensors and joints. China is also miles ahead on robots, running more factory robots than the rest of the world combined.

The clash lands at a delicate moment. Trump is due to host Xi Jinping in September, and tensions are already high. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has floated sanctions over AI model “theft”. Trump, for his part, hinted this week at a softer touch on AI controls to keep the US ahead.

Robots are now their own front in the tech war. The US has drawn a line around its market, and China is signalling that it can make that line expensive.

Samsung appears ready to redesign its Galaxy SmartTag again. This time, the makeover could come at the expense of one of the SmartTag 2’s most practical advantages. SamMobile‘s latest report has shared the supposed design of the upcoming Galaxy SmartTag 3.

The smart tracker can be seen with a compact squircle-shaped body that resembles Samsung’s recent One UI icons and the shape used around newer Galaxy Watch displays. In comparison, the current SmartTag 2 looks a lot different, with a longer pill-shaped body dominated by a big integrated loop at one end. The leaked SmartTag 3 diagram does away with that loop entirely.

Samsung may remove the part I actually liked

This change could make Samsung’s next tracker look better, but it may also create the same annoyance AirTag owners have dealt with for years. Apple’s trackers require another accessory to attach the tracker to something. SamMobile says there appears to be no built-in lanyard hole on the SmartTag 3, meaning owners may need a separate case for keys, backpacks, or anything else without a pocket for the tracker.

It is an odd regressive change coming from the SmartTag 2. Samsung specifically redesigned its 2023 tracker around a large integrated ring that makes attaching it easy without buying another holder. It measures 28.8 x 52.44 x 8mm and weighs 13.75 grams, while also packing UWB, Bluetooth 5.3, and IP67 water and dust resistance.

The leaked SmartTag 3 also appears to restore a prominent button in the center. SamMobile speculates that it could once again ring a connected Galaxy phone or activate Modes and Routines automations.

The bigger upgrades remain a mystery

Samsung has yet to announce the tracker, and most of its internal specifications remain unknown. SamMobile expects Bluetooth, UWB, Samsung Find integration, and some level of water and dust resistance, along with suggesting Bluetooth 6.0 for improved tracking accuracy. But like with any leaks, these features aren’t official.

Battery life will also be worth watching. The SmartTag 2 uses a replaceable CR2032 battery and is rated for up to 500 days, with Samsung claiming up to 40% additional longevity in Power Saving Mode. A smaller squircle body with Ring LED lighting could certainly look smarter, but I’d much rather have that added convenience. With the Galaxy S26 FE and Galaxy Tab S12 series arriving later this year, we might see the tracker debut alongside these devices.

I’m not the first to say this, but it’s a strange and heartbreaking time to be a teacher and parent of young children. 

As a recent transplant to New Mexico, I admire the ways the state invests in children, regardless of their identities. Seeing these state policies in action has changed my perspective and made me think differently about what students deserve and how much better things would be if we chose to care for students and families more consistently. 

There are days when my own children are crawling into my lap with a book while I continue to process footage of children suffering in conflicts on the other side of the world. My high school students are writing the kind of poetry that leaves me speechless, even as I privately wonder about their career options as artificial intelligence receives more investment than the arts. Yet, my experience in New Mexico has shown me that another approach is possible. 

I have a unique vantage point, both as a parent and an educator who sees these challenges reflected in the lives of my students and their families. My local school district in New Mexico has yet to pivot to hybrid learning in response to the palpable fear parents felt, while the actions of federal agents created widespread fear in their community. My state is not banning books and restricting curricula. Instead, as a recent transplant to the state, I’m in awe of the ways New Mexico invests in children and our more vulnerable residents.

After the 2024 election, a shockwave swept through my school as students grappled with what another Trump presidency would mean for their futures. At the performing arts school where I teach, we have a high percentage of queer and trans students, a stark contrast to my previous school in California, where most LGBTQ+ students often chose to remain closeted until well after graduation. I grieve for what my previous students lost when they did not acknowledge or affirm their queer and trans classmates. In English class, they missed robust discussions; the depth their queer and trans peers bring to literary discussions, while leveraging queer theory, translates into highly analytical and more engaging coursework. In the scope of a school day, there were countless other ways all students missed a more complete experience, while their queer and trans peers chose safety in an environment hostile to their identities. 

And while New Mexico is much less hostile to trans residents, I still can’t imagine what it would be like to be growing up in a world that constantly demands you to defend and fight for your humanity. Guaranteed care by the state means nothing if authority figures are consistently exposed to negative messaging about transgender people or if your lack of insurance prevents you from getting the life-saving care you need. 

And yet, trans students in New Mexico are able to attend school in an environment with teachers who are largely committed to affirming a variety of gender identities, select curriculum that allows LGBTQ students to see themselves, bond with accepting and encouraging peers from across the gender spectrum, and learn from LGBTQ teachers who embody a hopeful future of what it means to be your full self in your career. This is all possible when a school doesn’t just accommodate gender and sexual diversity, but embraces it. Extensive research confirms the ways in which affirming environments like ours can be life-saving for LGBTQ teens, especially trans students.

Earlier in my career, I felt optimistic about my queer and trans students’ futures. Today, seeing my trans students grapple with the new political realities has renewed my commitment to making an optimistic future visible for them. In a past article, I reflected on my role as a teacher in presenting a hopeful future for my students during unhopeful times. There is no one for whom this is more crucial than our queer and trans students. 

Ultimately, I wonder what it would look like for our world to care about children as much as the state of New Mexico does. What will happen when all children can attend high-quality early childhood education without adding to the financial burden of a growing family? What does it look like when gender affirming care is protected by law? Or when our lawmakers prohibit book and curriculum censorship? Or when we finally decide that school shootings do not have to be a certainty of American life? 

I know these questions will remain abstract while we watch students as young as Liam Ramos fear for their lives. But we cannot have a different future if we are not imagining a better one in the present. I’m thankful for my students, past and present, who encourage my imagination.

This story is part of an EdSurge series chronicling educator experiences. These stories are made publicly available with support from the Learning Commons. EdSurge maintains editorial control over all content. (Read our ethics statement here.) This work is licensed under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

When the weather’s been playing ball with plenty of sunshine and blue skies, one of the best ways to round out the day is by setting up a projector, whether that be in your garden or in the great outdoors when you’re surrounded by trees and fauna, and kicking back with a film. While you have a variety of options from using a laptop or tablet, the only way to enjoy a truly cinematic experience is with one of the best outdoor projectors.

While the best projectors are perfect for recreating the feeling of going to the cinema but from the comfort of your own home, there’s a lot more to consider when picking up a projector that’s meant to withstand use outdoors. For starters, durability is key, and so an official rating of dust and water resistance can go a long way to making sure that a projector isn’t going to fall foul of the elements.

The brightness of the bulb also needs to be a fair bit higher than usual to accommodate for the natural light which could get in the way of the image clarity. On top of that, a projector needs to be portable, ideally with a handle included to make moving it from one location to another an easy prospect, whilst the built-in speaker needs to be loud enough to carry sound.

To make sure that each outdoor speaker sent to our offices is able to succeed in those aforementioned areas, we take the devices outside and put them through a range of tests to see how well they perform. This involves using the projectors in an available garden or outdoor space, so you can get a concrete sense of what it’s like to own each one before you ever part with your hard-earned cash.

Only the projectors that pass all of our tests are then considered for entry on this list, so every single device here is heartily recommended by our team of experts. Alternatively, our round-up of the best portable projectors is well worth checking out if you’re after a device for camping as those picks are less likely to weigh you down.

Best Outdoor Projectors at a glance

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