New gadgets blend EVs and instant photos
Wired’s round‑up of the week’s standout gear showcases products that mix forward‑looking technology with retro appeal. Kia’s newly announced EV2 subcompact electric car is poised to become the brand’s most affordable long‑range model when it goes on sale in 2026. Designed as a hatchback that slots below the EV3 and EV4 crossovers, the EV2 will ride on a modified version of Kia’s dedicated electric platform. A standard 54 kWh battery is expected to deliver around 250 miles of driving range, while a larger 79 kWh pack could stretch to roughly 318 miles under European test cycles. It will support 800‑volt DC fast charging, enabling a 10‑to‑80 percent recharge in under 20 minutes. Kia plans to build the EV2 in Slovakia to contain costs and says pricing has not yet been finalised. The vehicle’s simple design echoes the boxy lines of 1980s hatchbacks yet hides a modern cabin with a digital instrument cluster and advanced driver‑assistance systems. Elsewhere, Fujifilm caters to instant‑photo lovers with two new products: the Instax Mini Link 2 Plus printer and the Instax Mini Evo Cinema hybrid camera. The pocket‑sized printer connects to phones via Bluetooth and prints palm‑sized photos with richer colours and deeper blacks thanks to improved film simulations. A motion sensor allows users to draw light trails in mid‑air that appear on prints, and the companion app offers collage and sketch modes. The Mini Evo Cinema camera updates Fujifilm’s hybrid analogue‑digital formula by pairing a 5‑megapixel sensor with Instax film cartridges. It captures digital images and prints them instantly, adds a warm cinematic colour mode and can even serve as a webcam when plugged into a computer. Both devices tap into the nostalgia for tangible prints while embracing smartphone‑era sharing.

Monochrome cameras, amp apps and luxury watches
Wired’s gear column also highlights Ricoh’s new GR IV Monochrome, a compact camera aimed at street photographers who love black‑and‑white images. The camera combines a 26.7‑megapixel APS‑C sensor with a fixed 28‑millimetre f/2.8 lens and eliminates colour filters to maximise sharpness and tonal contrast. It includes film‑simulation profiles modelled on classic monochrome stocks and offers manual controls in a body small enough to slip into a jacket pocket. For musicians, Fender unveiled its Studio Pro mobile app that lets guitarists build custom amplifier and effects chains modelled on the company’s famous tube amps. Players can choose virtual cabinets, add pedals and tweak microphone placement to record professional‑sounding tracks directly on an iOS or Android device. The app also syncs with Fender’s desktop software so ideas started on a phone can be finished on a computer. Finally, Omega pays homage to its moon‑landing heritage with a new Speedmaster Moonwatch that updates the iconic chronograph with modern materials. The watch uses a laser‑etched ceramic bezel, a sapphire crystal case back and a co‑axial Master Chronometer movement certified for antimagnetic performance. Its dial layout stays true to the original 1969 Speedmaster worn by Apollo astronauts, while a subtle “50th Anniversary” engraving on the case band marks the milestone. Collectors will appreciate the blend of vintage styling and contemporary technology. Taken together, the week’s releases suggest that consumers want devices that evoke the past while offering conveniences like fast charging, wireless printing and app‑based creativity. These products show how companies are learning to leverage nostalgia without sacrificing innovation.