Lenovo has unveiled the Yoga 730 and Yoga 530 2-in-1 laptop-tablet hybrid devices at the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 tech exhibition in Barcelona, China. The Yoga 730 comes in 13-inch and 15-inch models whereas the Yoga 530 is a 14-inch device. The Yoga 530 will be arriving as Flex 15 in the U.S.

Lenovo Yoga 730, Yoga 530 Specs and Features

The Lenovo Yoga 730 variants and Yoga 530 are all powered by the Intel Core i7 (8^th Gen) processor. The 15-inch model comes with option Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 discrete graphics. All the three notebooks are equipped with full-sized keyboards.

The 13-inch Yoga 730 offers a battery performance of around 11.5 hours whereas its larger sibling can last for up to 11 hours. With Rapid Charge technology, the new Yoga tablets can gain 2 hours of battery life by charging them for only 15 minutes. For robust security, these devices are enabled with fingerprint reader.

The Yoga 730 variants are blessed with Ultra HD IPS LCD touchscreen whereas the Yoga 530 is fitted with a Full HD IPS LCD touchscreen. Lenovo is providing an optional stylus called Lenovo Active Pen 2 that offers up to 4096 levels of pressure. It can be used for writing, drawing and annotating.

One of the interesting features of the Yoga 730 and Yoga 530 laptops is that they come preloaded with Alexa voice assistant from Amazon. It means that the two Yoga 2-in-1 devices feature two voice assistants namely, Cortana and Alexa. The 15-inch and 3-inch Yoga 730 respectively weigh 1.89 kg and 1.12 kg. The 14-inch Yoga 530 weighs 1.6 kg.

Read More: The Moto E5 Plus Stuns In Leaked Official Render

Lenovo Yoga 730, Yoga 530 Pricing and Availability

The 13-inch Yoga 730 coupled with Active Pen 2 has a starting price of 999 euros (~$1,231). The 15-inch variant with Lenovo’s stylus carries a pricing of 1,099 euros (~$1,355). Both the devices will be available in the Europe for buying in April. The Yoga 530 that costs 549 euros (~$676) will be releasing in the Europe in June.

The Chinese manufacturer also displayed the Lenovo 100e, 300e and 500e Chromebooks at MWC 2018. These Chromebooks that are designed for use in schools were also showcased at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 in the previous month. Lenovo has just now started the sales of the new Chromebooks.

For More MWC 2018 Coverage Click Here!

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During the recently held Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, Sony had unveiled Xperia XA2, Xperia XA2 Ultra and Xperia L2 smartphones. However, the company is heavily pegged to unleash Snapdragon 845 driven flagship smartphone at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 tech exhibition that will take place at Barcelona, Spain in the next month. The rumor mill is speculating that Sony’s upcoming flagship phone will be called Xperia XZ Pro.

Latest leaked information suggests that the upcoming Sony Xperia XZ Pro will be featuring a dual camera setup that will include an 18-megapixel sensor with a pixel size of 1.33μm and a 12-megapixel sensor with a pixel size of 1.38μm. The frontside of the phone will be housing a 13-megapixel selfie snapper.

The Sony Xperia XZ Pro will be powered by Snapdragon 845 and 6 GB of RAM. It will be coming with a native storage of 128 GB. The flagship phone will be housing a 5.7-inch OLED display that will deliver 4K resolution. Other features of the Xperia XZ Pro include IP68 certified chassis, microSD card slot, Android 8.0 Oreo OS and 3,420mAh battery. The Xperia XZ Pro will be available in both single-SIM and dual-SIM versions.

Previous reports have suggested that the after getting announced at the MWC 2018, the Sony Xperia XZ Pro may hit the market in June this year. It is speculated that the smartphone would be priced around 6,000 Yuan.

Read More: Sony Announces AirPods-Like Headphones And New Bluetooth Speakers At CES 2018

In a recent interview, Sony Mobile’s Vice President of Marketing for North America Don Mesa revealed that the company will be launching more phones with dual rear cameras and full screen design. The Sony Xperia XZ Pro could be the first phone from the company to come with dual rear cameras for this year and we may see Sony phones arriving in the latter half of the year with full screen design and dual rear cameras.

(source)

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CES 2018 has been a sort of battle ground for the two major smart assistants – Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Last year’s edition was a big win for Amazon but this year, Google played catch-up. One of the newest Google Assistant-powered device announced at the event is the Anker Zolo Model Zero smart speaker (quite a mouthful, right?).

The first thing that strikes you about the Model Zero is its design. Zolo (Anker’s audio brand) has settled for a kettlebell/handbag design. This makes it stand out from other smart speakers in the market which are mainly cylindrical. Anker itself has two speakers with a cylindrical design – the Alexa-powered Zolo Halo and the Zolo Mojo with Google Assistant.

We know you’d want to know if its lack of a cylindrical design does affect its audio reproduction. Anker says its radial design “creates the optimal angle for the high-end drivers to deliver superior sound performance”. It is said to actually have five speakers in total.

The cut-out in the Model Zero not only serves as a handle for carrying the speaker around, but its inside is home to the volume control buttons and LED lights. The rest of the buttons are on the side. There are also LED lights in front that light up when Assistant is activated.

The Zolo Model Zero is a mixture of aluminium and fabric. It comes in three color configurations – black and silver, black and bronze, and white and gold.

READ MORE: LG Announces ThinQ Speaker – A Smart Speaker With Google Assistant

Anker has not released technical details about the device yet. They have also not announced a price but they said the Zolo Model Zero will launch in Fall 2018.

(Via)

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At Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, MediaTek announced a bunch of new chipsets which are driven by artificial intelligence that supports smart home devices. The company also showcased its current AI solutions for voice assistants, TVs and autonomous cars.

For the devices in the home entertainment sector, MediaTek is launching MT8695 — a system-on-chip for 4K dongles. Along with that, the company has also introduced an AI-friendly system-on-module called the MT8516 for an integrated smart display solution.

The MediaTek MT8695 SoC is claimed to the industry’s first 12nm SoC, built especially for media streaming dongles for supporting 4K content. It will allow users of 4K displays access to the affordable and convenient solution for streaming content.

The ultra-low power usage chipset supports 4K media at up to 60 frames per second, along with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It is able to support the finest 4K content in a dongle-like device, similar to Google’s Chromecast or Amazon’s Fire TV Stick.

While other new chips from the company focus on artificial intelligence, this particular chipset isn’t focusing much on AI. The company is emphasising more on streaming rich media smoothly with the most conservative resource usage possible. However, it supports onboard AI with voice capabilities.

The more AI-focused chipset from the company is MT8516, having most of its resources offered with native AI, bringing more AI-based capabilities to any device it’s put in. According to the company, the new MT8516 chipset will give device designers and manufacturers an easier route to enabling the AI-based voice capabilities of form factors such as alarm clocks, fire alarms and other home appliances.

Read More: Qualcomm’s New Bluetooth Chip Is A Big Step Up In Wireless Audio Tech

MediaTek also introduced its smart display solution based on MT8176 and MT8173. Both the chipsets support AI vision capabilities, for both home entertainment and surveillance systems.

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Samsung was present at the recently held Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 to not only unveil new devices such as smart TVs, computers and home appliances, but also to reveal its first foldable smartphones to select clients through a private meeting. The South Korean company has reportedly showcased foldable smartphones with both fold-in and fold-out design during the meeting.

The South Korean company is expected to commercially launch the infolding foldable smartphone first as it plans to begin its production from November. It is said that compared to the outfolding type, the infolding smartphone has a drastic curvature rate. However, the outfolding design is considered to be a more advanced technology.

Last year too, Samsung had reportedly shown a foldable smartphone through a private conference at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 event. It is speculated that the during the CES 2018, the South Korean company revealed the upgraded version of its foldable smartphone that it had shown at MWC 2017. In the meeting, Samsung invited different types of clients to gauge the response of customers.

Read More: Samsung’s Foldable Smartphone Will Debut in 2019, Confirms DJ Koh

One of the exhibitors who was present in the private viewing at CES 2018 said that Samsung’s foldable phone has a 7.3-inch foldable OLED screen. The smartphone with fold-in design has a bendable curvature of 1R whereas the model with fold-out design has a curvature of 5R. This suggests that both the foldable phones can be folded like a paper. Previous reports have suggested that such phones may not feature glass panel, but it may feature polymer OLED.

Curvature implementation is a difficult process and smartphones feature foldable screen can easily break if it falls on the ground. To ensure durability of its foldable phones, Samsung’s R&D department has reportedly dropped them 20 million times a day. The company has reportedly finished the development and is now raising expectations for the launch. It is likely that the company may unveil it at the end of the year or in early 2019. Apple is also reportedly working on a foldable smartphone and it is speculated that Samsung will be supplying the foldable screen for it.

(source)

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Since the past few years, LG has been launching G series smartphones in the first quarter of the year and it has been releasing the V series smartphones in third quarter of the year. In a bid to help its struggling smartphone business that has encountered losses in 11 straight quarters, LG has decided that it will not be setting a regular timeline for launching its smartphones.

On Wednesday, when LG Electronics Vice Chairman Cho Sung-jin was asked about the estimated launch time of the LG G7 during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, he responded by saying that the company won’t be announcing new phones just because rivaling companies are doing so and it will be launching new smartphones only when it is needed. It However, he added that the company will continue to launch more variants of the G series and V series smartphones.

LG has been doing well in home appliance business and other sectors, but it has met with very slow growth in the smartphone business. In 2017, it had released the LG G6 and LG V30 with full screen design, but most of its earnings did not come from its flagship smartphones, but from budget phones. Compared to 2016, LG was to reduce its losses in mobile business by 40 percent in 2017. Analyst are of the view that LG’s mobile business will suffer in this year too, but it will continue to reduce it losses.

Read More: LG G7 Key Specs Leaked; Will be Arriving with OLED Display, SD 845, 6 GB RAM, Dual Selfie Cameras and More

Cho did not directly confirm that the company is changing the strategy towards mobile business because of the losses it has been facing. Instead, he said that it is necessary to retain a good platform for a long time while stating the concerns about the supply of materials for lithium batteries. A recent report had also revealed that LG is planning to rebrand its G series of smartphones. Hence, it is speculated that the company may launch the LG G7 with a different moniker.

Will LG’s new strategy for its mobile business allow it to reduce its losses and become a better brand? Share us your views by adding your comments below.

(source|via)

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Every once in a while, we see manufacturers launch phones with one or more unusual feature. There are phones with thermal imaging cameras (Caterpillar S60) and others with a near infrared spectrometer (Changhong H2). One other feature that we have seen in a phone is a built-in projector and a prime example is the Samsung Galaxy Beam. A new phone called the Moviphone, showcased at CES 2018, joins the short list of phones with a built-in projector.

The Moviphone is made by American company Wireless Mobi Solutions. Its selling point is its built-in projector with a projection size of up to 100-inches at a 720p resolution. It does this with the aid of a 50 lumens projection module located at the top of the device.

In terms of specs, the Moviphone has a 5.5” display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. It is powered by MediaTek’s MT6750V processor and comes in 3GB + 32GB ROM and 4GB + 64GB variants. It also supports storage expansion (128GB max).

It packs a 13MP rear camera housed in a circle like the Moto series. Beneath the camera is a fingerprint scanner. There is also an 8MP camera for selfies.

The Moviphone has dual SIM support (micro+nano/microSD) and packs a 4000mAh battery. The company says the battery should last up to 4 hours with the projector turned on. The Moviphone runs Android Nougat.

With respect to design and build, the Moviphone has a metal body with a black coat. There is a 2.5D glass in front and the phone uses on-screen buttons. Physical buttons are on the right and SIM tray is on the left.

Considering it has a built-in projector, the phone is a bit thick. The dimensions on the site says it measures 153.06 x 75.64 x 10.28 mm and weighs about 200g.

The Moviphone is priced at $599 and can be ordered on the official website. It comes unlocked and supports all wireless carriers in the US.

READ MORE: The Lightank W100 is A Smart Projector Pre-installed With Windows 10

The company also mentioned that there are plans to release more models. One will have a 80 Lumens 1080p projector module built-in, an $800 price tag, and a H2 2018 release date.

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Obstructions and slower connection speeds because of access point distance are some of the common problems associated with Wi-Fi routers at home. Yesterday at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, Huawei announced a wireless network system called Wi-Fi Q2. A wireless Mesh network system that allows devices to communicate with each other have resolved the aforementioned problems by placing multiple satellite access points.

The WiFi Q2 will ensure that there is a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout the house. This can be done in different ways. The first way is to use a base and two satellites that makes use of PLC (Power-Line Communication) technology to transfer gigabit data through electrical, telephone and coaxial wiring. This model can create a Wi-Fi blanket for up to five rooms.

The other one comprises of three hybrid base units that uses wired and wireless connections. It is ideal for providing coverage for up to five to seven rooms. Both the Huawei WiFi Q2 models can deliver maximum speeds of up to 1867 Mbps. It is pretty fast considering the fact that average global internet connectivity speed ranges between 10 to 20 Mbps. It defaults a 5 GHz network instead of the older 2.4 GHz.

The WiFi Q2 mesh network system can support a maximum of 192 devices at the same time and up to 16 hotspots. Also, it only takes 100 milliseconds for it to switch between satellites. Apart from Wi-Fi encryption and password protections, it also carries support for security algorithm that safeguards against brute force attacks. It has a dedicated channel for Internet-of-things connections.

                  WiFi Q2 with three hybrid base

Read More: Huawei VR2 Promises IMAX-Like Virtual Video Experience

The Huawei WiFi Q2 with one base and two satellites carries a pricing of $299 and the option with three bases is priced at $349. The Chinese manufacturer will be selling more base stations and satellites separately later this year.

As of this writing, there is no information on when it will be arriving in the market. Apart from selling smartphones like Huawei Mate 10 Pro and Mate 10 Pro Porsche Design, the WiFi Q2 mesh system is another attempt from the company to gain brand recognition in the U.S. The company has also signed up “Wonder Woman” actress Gal Gadot as its Chief Experience Officer to popularize its devices in the U.S.

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At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, TCL had announced its upcoming Alcatel branded smartphones. However, it did not reveal any information on the specifications of the new phones. It is speculated that the Chinese smartphone manufacturer will showcase around six Alcatel smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 that will be held in the next month in Barcelona, Spain. Today, fresh renders of the upcoming Alcatel 3c smartphone have surfaced to reveal its appearance and color variants.

Even though the Alcatel 3c is a budget phone, it sports a premium finish and a slim appeal. It will be featuring a polycarbonate chassis with metallic finish. It will be coming in three color choices such as Metallic Black, Metallic Blue and Metallic Gold. The dimensions of the Alcatel 3c are 161 x 76 x 7.9mm and its weight is 168 grams.

A previous report has revealed that it will be housing a large-sized display of 6 inches that will carry support for HD+ resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels. The screen will be supporting an aspect ratio of 18:9. It will be fueled by MediaTek MT8321 chipset that includes a quad-core processor that has a maximum processing speed of 1.3 GHz. The SoC will be accompanied by 1 GB of RAM. It will be coming with an inbuilt storage of 16 GB and it will carry support for microSD card.

The Alcatel 3c will be featuring a rear-mounted camera of 8-megapixel and a selfie snapper of 5-megapixel. These cameras are equipped with LED flash. It will be running on Android 7.0 Nougat and it will include a 3,000mAh capacity battery that will deliver a standby time of about 300 hours. The connectivity features that will be arriving on the Alcatel 3c include Wi-Fi, HSPA+, 4.2 Bluetooth, GPS, and dual-SIM.

Read More: Alcatel 5’s Final Design Revealed in Fresh Render

These specifications indicate that the Alcatel 3c will be an entry-level smartphone from TCL. It is speculated to be priced at 120 euros (~$144). The rumor mill is expected to reveal more information on the specifications of the other Alcatel branded phones before the MWC 2018 begins.

(source: 1, 2)

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TCL has just showcased new 4K Roku TVs at CES 2018, which might be among the most interesting Chinese TVs of this year. The company released the P-Series in 2017 and they were simply great TVs in terms of quality-price ratio. Many people considered them the best TVs under 1,000 dollars, and they provided an excellent viewing experience thanks to their full-array local dimming, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 technologies. The only disadvantages of the P-Series were the size (the TVs have been launched only in a 55 inches version) and the plastic materials which were not the best.

For this year, TCL has decided to change the name of the series and to unveil two TVs which remedy these two issues. The P-Series has been renamed to TCL 6 series and it has been showcased at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, together with the 5 series. TCL 6 is a series composed of models with two different sizes: 55 and 65 inches. The first will have 120 local dimming zones, while the second will have 96 local dimming zones. This time, the design is made of metal with a matte finish.

According to the company, the 6 series can reach a higher peak brightness than the P-Series, and it might also be suitable for games thanks to its low input lag. It has the DCI-P3 color space coverage and the IPQ Engine which, according to the company, will provide a great precision at color performances. Besides the 6 Series, a 5 Series, which is a cheaper line of TVs, has been announced as well. It is equipped with the HDR10 and Dolby Vision technology just like the 6 Series, and it will be available to purchase in sizes from 43 to 65 inches. Both the series will be available to purchase starting from this spring, and they will have Roku OS installed which will allow the access to multiple streaming services and vocal commands.

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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If you’ve ever owned a Bluetooth headset, you’ll probably agree that the biggest challenge is finding one whose battery lasts for a long time when in use. The battery life is usually short, the cheap ones won’t even last up to 10 minutes of music play. There is also the issue of weak connectivity signal. All that is set to change as Qualcomm has announced a new Bluetooth chip at CES 2018. The Qualcomm Bluetooth chip adopts the model number QCC5100 and is tipped as a low-power Bluetooth chip that can reduce energy consumption by 65%. Such a lofty claim, isn’t it?

The energy-saving capability of the new chip will ensure that the battery life of wireless headsets will be tripled. In addition, the processing power is also doubled when compared to the current crop of Bluetooth headphones which means that the new chip will be able to provide a more active noise reduction and hearing aid function. Specifically, the SoC is improved from a single-core CPU and a single DSP on the previous Qualcomm Bluetooth chip to a quad-core CPU, two 120Mhz digital sound processors (DSP), and two dedicated 80Mhz app processors. The QCC5100 chip also supports Bluetooth 5.0 protocol but is also compatible with previous Bluetooth versions. It is also compatible with mobile chipsets and not just Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip.

Read Also: AnTuTu Releases The Top 10 Android Phone Chipsets For 2017 – Qualcomm Dominated

Furthermore, the Qualcomm QCC1500 Bluetooth Systems-on-Chip (SoC) features a tiny size despite packing two DACs, audio codecs as well as battery charging, all integrated into the chip itself. Thus, it is small enough to fit into tiny in-ear headphones with all the desired features still retained. Features such as active and effective noise cancellation using multiple microphones, AptX and AptX HD audio streaming, as well as sensors for tracking movement and fitness levels. There is also an always-on voice control and artificial intelligence that operates even when streaming audio.

Qualcomm disclosed that there are already customers lined up to place bulk orders and so the first product may likely be on sale by mid-2018.

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Insta360 has announced a new device at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas — Insta360 Nano S, which is an upgraded version of its previously launched Insta360 Nano.

Design-wise, it is similar to its predecessor. It’s an add-on camera for iPhones, which fits onto models from the iPhone 6 generation and above. It connects to the Apple‘s iPhone using the Lightning port.

The notable thing about this newly updated model is that bumped-up internals. It has been upgraded to capture 4K video as well as 20-megapixel photos. To compare, its predecessor supports 3K video recording and 4.6-megapixel stills.

After recording a 360-degree video, it also allows users to edit the same as well as photos for sharing through Insta360’s Nano S mobile application. It has integrated support for 360-degree live-streaming on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. For other social media platforms, which doesn’t support 360-degree videos yet, including Snapchat, Whatsapp, and Instagram, the device converts 360-degree content into the standard publishable form.

Another feature added is the introduction of chat. Users can now use it to make 360-degree video calls to anyone, even to the person who doesn’t have a Nano S camera. The user can generate a web link in the Nano S app and send it to the person on the other end of the call. Once they open the link, they’ll be able to see a 360-degree view of your environment.

Along with video calling, live streaming feature is also available for Facebook, Periscope, and YouTube. There’s also MultiView, which allows users to show different angles of a scene at the same time through live broadcast or chat.

The device can also be used as a standalone camera on its own. It has an internal battery and saves footage to a microSD card. However, to do anything with the recorded footage, such as editing or sharing, users need a phone.

Read More: Lenovo Mirage Solo Is Official, First Worldsense Standalone Daydream VR Headset

It measures about 4.3 x 1.3 x 0.8 inches (HWD) and weighs about 2.5 ounces. The Insta360 Nano S is priced at $229 and is available in two colour options — Black and Silver from Amazon as well as Insta360’s online store.

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In November 2017, ASUS had launched the Pegasus 4S smartphone as its first full screen design in China. Few months later, ASUS had launched the ZenFone Max Plus (M1) smartphone with similar specs for the European markets. During the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, the Taiwanese company has announced that the smartphone will be available in the U.S. starting from next month.

The ZenFone Max Plus (M1) will be available with a price tag of $229 in the U.S. It will be coming in color choices like Azure Silver and Deepsea Black. Even though the company has confirmed that the handset will be arriving in the U.S. in the next month, it is yet to confirm on a specific release date. The unlocked smartphone will be compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S.

ZenFone Max Plus (M1) features an 18:9 aspect ratio supporting screen of 5.7 inches. It carries support for full HD+ resolution of 1,080 x 2,160 pixels. The smartphone is powered by MediaTek MT6750T chipset that is accompanied by 3 GB of RAM. It includes an internal storage of 32 GB. There is also a micro card slot for additional storage.

Read More: Asus Unveils two All in One PCs With Intel 8th Gen CPUs at CES 2018

The dual camera setup on the back panel of the ZenFone Max Plus (M1) includes a 16-megapixel sensor and 12-megapixel wide-angle lens. It has a front-facing camera of 16-megapixel. It is pre-loaded with ZenUI 4.0 flavored Android 7.0 Nougat OS. For security, the smartphone comes with biometric recognition features like a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and facial recognition. It is packed with a 4,130mAh battery that offers a talk time of 26 hours and can last for up to 2 days on normal use.

According to ASUS, M1 is the name of the smartphone that belongs to the new ZenFone Max series. It added that the series will include phones with different chipsets and display sizes.

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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In 2017, Google announced there would be standalone Daydream VR headsets before the end of the year but they didn’t launch. It mentioned HTC and Lenovo as hardware partners but the former later pulled out and released its own standalone headset called the Vive Focus. Yesterday at CES, Lenovo announced the Mirage Solo, the first standalone Daydream headset and the first with Google’s Worldsense technology.

The headset has a QHD (2560 x 1440) display with a 110° viewing angle. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

Lenovo’s headset also has an audio jack, dual microphones, and a whopping 7 hours of battery life. It also comes with a remote similar to that of the Daydream View.

The Mirage Solo is also the first headset to feature Google’s Worldsense technology. This allows users to move naturally in VR without the need for external sensors. The Oculus Go, another standalone VR headset doesn’t not have this feature. Though Oculus is said to be working on a headset code-named Santa Cruz with positional-tracking.

Since this is the first Daydream VR headset with Worldsense, it may take a while before content that takes advantage of the technology is available. The success of the headset will also play a big role and also if more headsets are made. Google already announced a Blade Runner game though, so there is that alongside other regular VR games.

The headset itself has been built to be super comfortable. There is an adjustment dial on the back that helps with weight distribution. It is also padded in the right places for a comfortable experience.

READ MORE: Lenovo’s ZUK Could Make Comeback With New Product In April: Rumor

Lenovo has not announced a price yet but the Mirage Solo is expected to sell for under $400 with a Q2 release date. It is way cheaper than HTC’s China-exclusive Vive Focus which is also powered by the SD835 and has positional tracking but priced at ¥3999 (~$613) for the Almond White variant and ¥4299 (~$660) for the Electric Blue variant.

(Via)

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TCL’s subsidiary Alcatel has announced a new smartphone lineup at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 in Las Vegas, ditching its previous “Idol” branding of Idol. Along with restructuring its entire portfolio, the company is also seeking partnership with online retailers to increase the visibility of its phones.

The new Alcatel smartphone lineup consists of three series — Alcatel 1, Alcatel 3 and Alcatel 5. All the devices will come with the trendy 18:9 aspect ratio display and a new re-imagined product design. Apart from the key features and an image, the company has not revealed anything.

Christian Gatti, Global President Alcatel Business Division and Executive Vice President TCL Communication, said:

By modernizing our smartphone designs and being one of the first global manufacturers to offer 18:9 full view displays across the majority of our lineup, we’re able to refocus our efforts at democratizing flagship style features and making these experiences accessible to almost any consumer worldwide.

The Alcatel 1 Series, the company claimed, brings an amazing smartphone experience to everybody at the most affordable price point. The devices under this series will be priced under $100 and will offer universal access to unibody hardware with “stylish design and premium materials”. It will also have features that are typically offered in higher-end devices, such as 18:9 full view displays and face unlocking.

The Alcatel 3 Series, as the company says, provides users with an optimal blend of the latest trendy features. It offers dual cameras, beautiful design and 18:9 full view displays. This series will feature a variety of devices and will include products with large-screen, high-resolution displays. Products under this series will be priced under $200.

The high-end offering of the three series is the Alcatel 5 series, which is “designed to deliver the best possible features consumers want at a cost that’s much lower than comparable flagships”. Along with features like face unlock and 18:9 aspect ratio display, the phones under this series will offer fantastic imaging, a cinema-style viewing experience and large battery for a full day’s use. The devices under this Alcatel 5 series will be priced under $300.

Read More: Honor 9 Lite Officially Announced with 18:9 Screen, Quad Cameras

TCL, the parent company of Alcatel, is also planning to expand its operations to the United States. It is currently working with Amazon and a few other retailers.

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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Huawei has also unveiled the special edition Mate 10 Pro Porsche Design smartphone alongside the Mate 10 Pro phone in the U.S. during its keynote at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018. The Mate 10 Pro Porsche Design will be so available for buying in the country alongside the Mate 10 Pro starting from next month.

The unlocked Huawei Mate 10 Pro Porsche Design smartphone with 6 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage is priced at $1,225 for the U.S. markets. The 64 GB and 256 GB iPhone X are respectively available with $999 and $1,149 pricing in the U.S.

The smartphone will be releasing on Feb. 18 in the U.S. and it will be available through retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Microsoft. It will be also coming to the Porsche Design Store by the end of February. The package of the Mate 10 Pro Porsche Design will include a pair of headphones, two cables for charging, a home and car Super charger and a leather case made by Montblanc, a German-based luxury company.

Read More: Honor View 10, the AI Focused Smartphone Introduced in the U.S. at CES 2018

The Mate 10 Pro Porsche Design will be available exclusively in Diamond Black color in the U.S. It sports a premium appeal thanks to curved unibody glass chassis that has vertical stripes on it. The handset features Porsche Design branding at the front. Also, the handset is running on a custom UI flavored Android 8.0 Oreo.

As far as the hardware of the smartphone is concerned, it includes the same specs that are found on the Mate 10 Pro. The 6-inch AMOLED screen of the phone supports 18:9 aspect ratio and FHD+ resolution. The Kirin 970 SoC that is coupled with a dedicated AI chip is present under its hood. It lacks a microSD card slot.

The backside of the phone has Leica branded 12-megapixel + 20-megapixel dual camera system. The front panel features a selfie snapper of 8-megapixeI. It has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. Like the Mate 10 Pro, it includes a SuperCharge fast charging technology enabled 4,000mAh battery.

The post Huawei Mate 10 Pro Porsche Design Will Rival with iPhone X in the U.S. with $1,225 Pricing appeared first on Gizmochina.

Huawei has confirmed during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 that the Huawei Mate 10 Pro flagship smartphone will be available in the U.S. starting from the next month. It won’t be available through the local carriers of the U.S., but it can be bought through popular retailers in the country.

Previous reports had suggested that the Huawei Mate 10 Pro would be available through AT&T and Verizon in the U.S. However, AT&T has reportedly canceled the deal of carrying the Mate 10 Pro. There is no update from Verizon on it which also indicates that it won’t be carrying the flagship phone.

However, the unlocked Huawei Mate 10 Pro that will be releasing next month in the U.S. would be compatible with GSM networks like AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS, Simple Mobile and Tracfone.

Customers can avail the unlocked Mate 10 Pro through Amazon, Best Buy, Microsoft, New Egg and B&H with a price tag of $799. The pre-orders for the smartphone will start on Feb. 4 and its shipments will begin on Feb. 18. It will be available in color choices like Mocha Brown, Black and Midnight Blue. Those who pre-order the Mate 10 Pro will be provided with $150 gift-care rebate from any of the aforementioned retailers.

Read More: Honor View 10, the AI Focused Smartphone Introduced in the U.S. at CES 2018

The Mate 10 Pro has an impressive Leica branded 12-megapixel + 20-megapixel rear-mounted dual camera setup and it is equipped with a dedicated AI chip for handling AI tasks. It features a 6-inch AMOLED display that supports 18:9 aspect ratio and FHD+ resolution. The U.S. will be receiving only the Mate 10 Pro variant that has 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB storage.

The device lacks a microSD card slot. It has a selfie camera of 8-megapixel. It runs on EMUI 8.0 flavored Android 8.0 Oreo and its 4,000mAh battery is equipped with SuperCharge fast charging technology.

The special edition Mate 10 Pro Porsche Design will be also heading to the U.S. next month. During the Huawei’s event at CES 2018, the company did not confirm whether the Huawei Mate 10 will be also arriving in the U.S.

Huawei has also announced that “Wonder Woman” actress will be its official brand ambassador in the U.S. In the absence of support from local carriers, the company will be banking on the star power of the Israeli actress for credibility and exposing its devices to wider audience.

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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Yesterday, South Korean media had reported that Samsung’s first foldable smartphone may get introduced in December 2018. During a press conference at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, Samsung’s chief for mobile business, DJ Koh confirmed that the company’s first foldable smartphone would be unveiled in 2019.

Last year, Koh had said that Samsung will be launching its first foldable phone in 2018 only if it manages to overcome all the technical glitches. According to Koh, the UX of the foldable phone has been its biggest obstacle and the company has been actively working to resolve this problem. However, yesterday’s report had claimed that Samsung may begin the mass production of the foldable phone in November to launch it in December.

The South Korean publication had also revealed that the foldable phone by Samsung would be equipped with fold-in design. It would generally appear like a smartphone and by opening it like a book, users will be a larger screen of 7.3 inches. Hence, by unfolding the device, users can use it like a tablet.

Read More: Samsung Notebook 9 Pen Is Official At CES 2018: A Hybrid Between A Galaxy Note And A Notebook

Some rumors had claimed that the upcoming Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ may get unveiled at the CES 2018 event. Koh clarified that the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will be unveiled in the next month through the Mobile World Congress (2018) event that will be held in Barcelona, Spain.

Since the Galaxy S9 duo will be unveiled in February, their sales are expected to begin in March. Last year, the South Korean company had unveiled the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ in March and began selling them in April. Koh added that Samsung will be launching Bixby 2.0 later this year and it will be made available on all the Samsung devices by 2020.

(source)

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The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off Tuesday, January 9 in Las Vegas. The much-anticipated annual trade show is crammed with product launches, conference programming, business meetings and lots more.

Lining with this, GeekBuying is offering a myriad of products at a heavily discounted price. Let’s take a gander at what the leading e-commerce website has in store for tech buffs.

What to Expect

First off, there’s a considerable 38% discount on ZTE Nubia Z17 Lite smartphone, which reduces its original asking price of $449.99 to just $279.99. This promo is slated to end in five days.

VORKE V6 Barebone gaming PC is also up for grabs on GeekBuying at a massively discounted price. While the device sells for $606.02, you can now buy it for just $449.99 on GeekBuying, thanks to a considerable 26% discount offered by the site.

Last, in this category, we have DJI Mavic Pro drone which carries a steep original price tag of $1299.99, but GeekBuying is offering an 18% discount on its steep selling price. You can now get your hands on this drone for just $1069.00 before the promo comes to an end in five days.2018 CES Promo Code

This section of the promo offers a slew of electronic items such as the OnePlus 5T smartphone, which you can buy at a lowered price using coupon codes for each item. You can also go for NOOMAI A108 3G Phablet which is available on the site for just $84.99, thanks to a 35% discount offered by GeekBuying via a coupon code.Similarly, you can save money on various other items including Xiaomi Mijia Smart Toilet Seat, DJI Spark Fly More Combo Mini Selfie Drone, Original Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Cor MiDong Smart Bracelet and lots more by using GeekBuying’s coupon codes before checking out.

Build Smart Home

You can buy items that make your home smarter at a discounted price in this category. For instance, you can purchase Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner Robot at a slashed price of $239.99 before the promo ends. The original price of this Xiaomi-branded vacuum cleaner is $481.56.

This section also features XIAOMI 4K Mi Box Android TV 6.0 Set-top Box, which recommends videos based on your personal Google Play and YouTube preferences. There’s a 45% discount on the device’s original asking price of 126.13.

Smartphones

Smartphone lovers are in for a treat. This section of GeekBuying CES 2018 promo offers up to 44% discount on various smartphones including HOMTOM ZOJI Z8, which carries a reduced price tag of $149.99, Elephone S8 smartphone which is selling at a discounted price of 228.99 and lots more.
PC Gaming World

Avid gamers haven’t been ignored either. Gamers can save 30% on T-bao Tbook X8S Pro laptop, which is currently up for grabs on GeekBuying for just $309.99. Moreover, this category is offering a massive 51% discount on Yeston NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti Graphics Card, which sells for $299.99 without the discount.

Creative RC & Cameras

This category includes various remote controlled items and cameras that are currently available at a discounted price. For instance, JJRC R2 RC Robot can be purchased by shelling out just $17.99 before this promo ends.
JJRC H42WH Butterfly WIFI FPV RC Quadcopter is also available at a discounted price of just $26.99. This section also features Elephone ELE Explorer S 4K Action Camera which is available for only $38.99. This is a massive 40% reduction in the camera’s original asking price of $64.99.

The last two categories are Intelligent Mobility and Electronic Gadgets, and they offer a slew of electronic and other items at a discounted price. It’s worth noting that the promo on each product is slated to end soon so if you want to take advantage of the promo before it ends, head straight to this link.

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Sony has just taken advantage of one of the most important trade shows of the year, CES 2018, to launch a series of new and innovative accessories. The Japanese company has managed to unveil several headphones, one of which has an AirPods-like design without cables. We are talking about the WF-SP700N wireless headphones which are equipped with an advanced noise-canceling technology. Besides this, they also are splash-proof headphones with the IPX4 certification. The battery of these headphones can last three hours with a single charge and they come in a “one-touch open” case similar to the ones of Apple AirPods and Samsung Gear IconX. This case can charge the battery and provide up to nine hours of battery life.

Sony has also launched the WI-SP600N headphones for sports. They have an “around-the-neck” design and they are equipped with noise cancellation technology and the IPX4 certification for water-resistance as well. This pair of headphones offers a longer battery life: up to nine hours of music playback. There’s one more, the new MDR-1AM2, which are over-ear headphones with a 40mm HD driver and up to 100 kHz frequencies. The headphones have a Fibonacci-patterned grill and a silver-coated OFC to provide high-frequency ranges and a low transmission signal loss.

Together with the headphones, Sony has also showcased a new series of Bluetooth speakers at CES 2018: the model names are SRS-XB41, SRS-XB31 and SRS-XB21. Each of them has the Extra Bass technology and a Live Sound mode which has been implemented to provide a 3D audio experience with deep bass frequencies. It is possible to pair these speakers with up to 100 other speakers which can reproduce the same music at the same time. The WF-SP700N will be launched with a price tag of $179.99, WF-SP600N will cost $149.99, MDR-1AM2 will go on sale at $299.99 and the prices for the three Bluetooth speakers are $249.99, $149.99 and $99.99 dollars.

(Via)

 For more CES 2018 coverage, check out this link! 

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Synaptics unveiled the first in-display fingerprint scanner late last year and the company also revealed that the first phone to sport the new technology would would be launched at CES 2018, in Las Vegas. And so it is: Vivo has just unveiled the first commercial phone in the world to feature a fingerprint scanner under the display. Unfortunately, the Chinese giant did not reveal the specs, the design and neither the name of its new phone, but we know for sure that the device is ready for mass production and it will be officially showcased soon.

According to the senior VP at Vivo (Alex Feng), the device will provide a more comfortable authentication experience and it will be officially announced early 2018. We might even see it at MWC 2018 that will be held in February. The in-display fingerprint technology unveiled by Synaptics only works with OLED displays, and indeed, the handset will feature an AMOLED display. The fingerprint scanner will be placed between the glass panel and the OLED panel: when the finger will touch the glass panel, the OLED panel will illuminate the finger and the small chip will process the beams of light emitted.

From what Synaptics has revealed, the new in-display fingerprint scanner that will be present on the Vivo phone will provide the same level of security as traditional fingerprint readers found on the actual smartphones in the market. On the other hand, the authentication process should be a bit slower. It is also worth mentioning that a fingerprint scanner cannot offer the same level of security of a well-made 3D facial recognition technology or iris scanner, which can recognize more unique elements in the face of the user.

So, do you prefer the comfort offered by an in-display fingerprint reader or the security of 3D facial recognition technologies?

(Via)

 For more CES 2018 coverage, check out this link! 

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Hisense announced a bunch of smart TVs at the on-going CES in Las Vegas. Two of them, the Hisense H10E and Hisense H9E Plus, are its top models for the year and they both come with Google Assistant.

Hisense had earlier revealed that some of its smart TVs for 2018 will have Amazon’s Alexa built-in. So it was a surprise when it unveiled its top end models and they were shown to also have Google Assistant support. The remote of the two models also have a dedicated button for Google Assistant unlike Alexa.

The Hisense H10E is the most premium model with a 75” screen. It is the successor to 2017’s H10D model and brings a number of upgrades. The screen is brighter at 2200 nits compared to last year’s model with 1000 nits. Hisense’ custom OS has also been replaced with Android TV. It also has Dolby Vision HDR.

The Hisense H9E Plus comes in 55” and 65” sizes. It has Android TV, Dolby Vision, and also comes with both AI assistants.

Hisense has not announced the prices and release date of both models.

Apart from those two, there is the Hisense H9E, H8E, and H6E models too. The H9E and H8E both have Amazon Alexa but run Hisense’s custom OS. The H6E on the other hand lacks support for any assistant. Price and release dates have also not been announced for all three.

READ MORE: Hisense P9 Rugged Phone With 6000mAh Battery, AMOLED Display & Dual Rear Cameras Seen On TENAA

This year, Amazon and Google’s assistants will power more devices. We have seen them on TVs and smart locks at CES; we expect them to come with more speakers, earphones, and a bunch of other household appliances before the end of the year.

(Via)

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As you would have known by now, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 is already on and would see the unveiling of various customer electronics goods until it ends on January 12, 2018. Xiaomi isn’t particularly attending this year’s event but we have seen the Chinese giant’s name pop up when the Oculus GO VR was launched. Xiaomi’s name is about popping up as one of its 90 Minutes has disclosed that it would launch its latest suitcase and it is a robotic one which automatically follows the own wherever he goes.

The suitcase adopts a beautiful name- 90Fun Puppy 1 and is said to utilise Segway technology similar to that one used on the Ninebot self-balancing electric scooter. Segway is the world’s leading provider of mobile robotics solutions and is presently owned by Ninebot, a company Xiaomi had invested in. Along with its custom auto-following chip and the precise positioning system, it can either follow you anywhere or be summoned by easily setting up the auto-following mode through remote control. All of these will ensure a premium user experience. In order not to pose a problem getting it onboard flights, the Smart suitcase comes with a removable lithium battery.

Read More: Xiaomi 90 Minutes Spinner Wheel Luggage Suitcase Review

If you are interested in this product, it is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2018. The prototype will be officially unveiled and exhibited at CES 2018 on January 10, 2018. 

 For more CES 2018 coverage, check out this link! 

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At Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 in Las Vegas, Intel today showed off its prototype of Volocopter, which according to the company is “essentially a flying car”. However, it is basically a drone that is big enough to carry a passenger.

It is being showcased as an autonomous passenger taxi, which is powered by a battery and comes with 18-rotors. While showing off this device, Intel’s CEO Brian Krzanich said:

Imagine pulling out your phone, opening up a transportation app and summoning your own personalized ride by air taxi. That sci-fi vision of the future is actually much closer than you might think.

The Volocopter is originally a product of a Germany-based company that was founded in 2012. The company first demonstrated its passenger drone in 2013 in its home country. It was brought in front of the attendees at the Monte Carlo Hotel of Park Theatre by Intel as it has entered into a partnership with the German company.

While Brian Krzanich displayed this flying car at CES that runs on battery and is thusly emission-free, don’t expect to see this working in real world anytime soon. In the keynote stream, a disclaimer popped-up which noted that the Volocopter won’t be available until it receives authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Volocopter uses four inertial movement units (IMUs) that constantly measure and determine its attitude and positioning during flight. The battery system is split into nine discrete packs and each one is powering a pair of rotors ensuring that the vehicle keeps flying if one or two battery packs fail.

Then there are GPS and navigation systems which are dual-redundant. For the worst situation, there’s a ballistic parachute that will deploy and ensure that the air taxi returns to the ground with its passengers intact.

Read More: FCC Approves WattUp ‘Power-At-A-Distance’ Wireless Charging System

The Volocopter VC200 was the first such device demonstrated by the Germany-based company. Later, the company followed that with the Volocopter 2X, which is a more polished version that’s supposed to be the company’s first true production vehicle. It features 30 minutes of flight time and a maximum range of 17 miles. Volocopter says the batteries can be quickly swapped to increase the flight time until the technology improves.

The post Intel Shows Off Volocopter – A Battery-Operated Flying Car At CES 2018 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Together with many of the biggest tech companies, even Chuwi will attend the Consumer Electronics Show that will be held in Las Vegas from January 9 to January 12, and according to the latest information, it will unveil new interesting products. First of all, we will see the CoreBook convertible tablet, a 2 in 1 which has been launched through the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo and garnered great success.

In December, the company reached $200,000 on IndieGoGo and it has set a new goal. If the new goal will be reached as well, the company will offer a free SSD upgrade to the customers who have supported the campaign. Besides the CoreBook, the company will probably unveil the Hi9 tablet at CES 2018.

It will be an Android tablet with an 8.4-inch display that will show images at a Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixel. Under the hood, the tablet will sport a MediaTek SoC, paired with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, expandable with a micro SD card. We also expect to see a new high-end mini PC by Chuwi at CES 2018. It will be called GBox Pro and it will sport a powerful Intel Core i5 CPU and, obviously, Windows 10.

 For more CES 2018 coverage, check out this link! 

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It was impossible not to expect new products from HP at CES 2018, as it’s a tradition every year. This time the company has decided to refresh its two series of 2 in 1 laptops: Spectre x360 and Envy x2, by releasing two new models.

Let’s start with the Spectre x360 as it is the most interesting one. The laptop weighs just 4.6 pounds (about 2 Kg) and it is equipped with a beautiful 4K IPS display with 178-degrees viewing angle. It should be an excellent machine for graphics and multimedia uses, and it will be great even in terms of performances. The new HP Spectre x360 is equipped with quad-core Intel Core 8th gen CPUs and a dedicated AMD Radeon RX Vega video card.

If you choose this convertible you will get 16 GB of RAM and an SSD with a capacity of 512 GB. According to the company, the notebook is able to charge 50% in just 45 minutes. The software side includes AI as well, thanks to Amazon Alexa. The laptop will be on sale starting from March 18 with a price tag of $1369.99 (in the U.S). Besides Spectre x360, a new HP Envy x2 tablet has been unveiled as well. It is a lower end device with Intel Core 7th gen CPUs, and it will also be released in a version with LTE connectivity.

This is just one variant of the HP Envy x2 (2018), there is also another variant which is one of the first Windows tablets with an ARM processor. In case you do not know, the company has already announced a version of this laptop with octa-core Snapdragon 835 chipset, which you can find on many of the best flagship smartphones released in 2017. Would you prefer an ARM-based Windows tablet with an affordable price tag or a tablet with a powerful Intel CPU which is sold at a price of about 1,000 dollars?

(Via)

 For more CES 2018 coverage, check out this link! 

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A new original laptop will make its appearance at CES 2018: the Samsung Notebook 9 Pen, which is a sort of hybrid between a Galaxy Note phone and a notebook. Indeed, the new convertible laptop supports S Pen with 4,096 pressure levels, thanks to which you can write and draw with a great accuracy. Its display can be rotated up to 360 degrees so you will be able to switch from notebook to tablet mode.

In case you are wondering, consider the Notebook 9 as a premium version of the Notebook 7 Spin. The Notebook 9 is different in the sense that it’s lighter, feels more premium, and comes with its own S-Pen with a dedicated slot. The Notebook 7 Spin on the other hand supports Active Pen from companies like Dell, HP, etc.

Its display has a size of 13.3 inches and it can show images at a Full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, like most of the actual Windows laptops. Under the hood, Samsung Notebook 9 Pen will sport a powerful Intel Core i7 8th gen CPU: besides a tablet for productivity, this is also a high-end notebook for advanced users. The powerful CPU will be paired with up to 16 GB of RAM and an SSD with a capacity of 512 GB.

For connectivity, Samsung Notebook 9 Pen will offer one single USB 3.0 port, one USB Type-C port, a micro SD slot and an HDMI port to connect external monitors. It weighs just 2.2 pounds thanks to its lightweight magnesium alloy. For now, the price and details about its availability are still unknown.

(Via)

 For more CES 2018 coverage, check out this link! 

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The Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2018) will commence on January 9 and run through to January 12 but there are usually several activities few days before the commencement. One of such active companies is Chinese electric car startup Byton which unveiled its Concept car at the sidelines of CES 2018.

The Byton concept car is the company’s vision for the automobile industry and this is a concept that may soon hit our doorsteps as the company promises to deliver an “intuitive and intelligent” car to global markets starting next year from around $45,000. The car has a dynamic design that was manufactured for aerodynamic efficiency. The Concept car is powered by electric and it comes with a “digital” lounge featuring a very attractive panoramic user interface which acts as a hub for navigation, entertainment and even has the capability to monitor the health of occupants of the car.

The touchscreen panel in front of the dashboard is intuitive and offers convenience for the driver. There is also voice control with Amazon Alexa integrated which acts as an alternative method of communication. In addition, there is face recognition which ensures the car adapts to the driver’s profile and stored settings. The car is also integrated with flat antennas on the roof bringing onboard the greatest bandwidth possible and this would be 5G compatible in order to allow the heightened connectivity the company promise. Byton is also taking steps to ensure the connected gadgets on the car won’t make it susceptible to hacking by introducing a smart gateway which will protect it. A second safety feature is the Tire pressure monitoring ability which notifies the driver when the tire pressure is low and also when the battery is low.

More From CES 2018: Sony Xperia XA2, XA2 Ultra And Xperia L2 Goes Official At CES 2018

Talking of the battery, the car comes in two models and one of them packs a 71kWh battery which produces up to 272bhp and a range of 250 miles. The second model features a 95kWh battery which produces 476bhp and has a range of 325miles on a single charge.

The company is led by former executives from Tesla, BMW, Apple, and Google, and it hinted that it expects to launch in China by 2019 and in the United States and Europe by 2020.

The post China’s Byton Concept Car Comes To CES 2018 As A Worthy Rival To Tesla’s Model X appeared first on Gizmochina.

Yesterday, Honor had announced the global availability of the Honor View 10Honor View 10 as well as the launch of a new limited edition red variant of the Honor 7X smartphone. Huawei’s sub-brand has also confirmed that it will be soon provide Honor 7X users with facial recognition feature.

The company has confirmed that all the variants of the Honor 7X will be updated with face unlock feature in the forthcoming weeks. Since the Honor 7X does not feature biometric sensors for the scanning in 3D like the iPhone X, its upcoming face unlock feature will rely on its 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

The facial recognition on the Honor 7X is expected to work in the same manner as the Face Unlock feature on the OnePlus phones. In other words, it will be able to unlock the phone as soon as it identifies the user. The feature is not as secure as the fingerprint scanner is, but it will be convenient way for unlocking the phone rather than entering the passcode.

Read More: Honor View 10, the AI Focused Smartphone Introduced in the U.S. at CES 2018

The company did not confirm on the exact timeframe for the update yet. However, it has said that the OTA update would be available for all variants of the Honor 7X in the first quarter of 2018.

Honor will be soon releasing the limited edition red Honor 7X in multiple regions like the U.S., the U.K, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and India ahead of Feb. 14. In each of these countries, Honor will be giving away Honor-Monster AM15 headphones for the first 100 customers.

The post Honor 7X to Receive Facial Recognition Feature Soon appeared first on Gizmochina.

Asus could not miss CES 2018 as it is one of the most important tech brands in the market today: the company has just taken advantage of the trade show to launch two wonderful All in One PCs: AiO V272 and V222. They are not workstations like the new iMac Pro by Apple, but they are high-end PCs for consumers and they should also offer outstanding viewing quality. The first has a monitor with a size of 27 inches, a 100 percent sRGB color gamut and a field of view of 178 degrees.

It is one of the best monitors ever seen on a Windows 10 All in One PC: this machine might be the perfect iMac rival in terms of viewing quality. Under the hood, there is an Intel Core i7 8th gen quad-core CPU, one of the most powerful CPUs ever. There is a dedicated video card as well, even though it is not one of the best ones: Nvidia GeForce MX150. It is not a video card suitable to play games at the maximum detail, but it should be sufficient for advanced users. Unfortunately, Asus did not release any detail about the configurations of RAM and storages in which  it will be available.

Asus AiO V222 is a lower-end All in One PC, it will be sold at a more affordable price. It has a 22-inch monitor that can show images at a Full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. We do not know anything more about its specs sheet, but an image shows that it has four USB 3.0 ports and an HDMI port for external devices. We hope to learn more about these All in One PCs when CES 2018 will start today. At this moment, we do not have any info about their launch date, their availability in the global market or their listing price.

(Source)

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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Lenovo has announced updated models for its ThinkPad X1 lineup which includes ThinkPad X1 Carbon, X1 Yoga and X1 Tablet. The most interesting feature of the new laptops is the support for Amazon Alexa and Dolby Vision HDR, which we are seeing for the first time on a laptop.

The newly updated ThinkPad X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga comes with Intel‘s 8th-generation Kaby Lake processors, which promises to offer improved performance and battery optimization. Both devices now include the new ThinkShutter webcam cover that’s supposed to protect users from spying.

Both laptops have far-field microphones for enabling Alexa. There is a feature that enables users to wake the laptop up with voice command. It can also be used to play music, get news, control smart home appliances, and more. However, the Alexa won’t be available on the X1 machines at launch. Instead, it will be introduced with a software update sometime in the first half of this year.

Another feature — Dolby Vision HDR is a first for a laptop and is capable of pushing up to 500 nits of brightness. Basically, it is a superior HDR experience that provides a broader palette of vibrant colours, greater contrast and brightness. However, this feature will also come later after a software update. And of course, it is dependent on compatible content and services.

Each model comes with universal USB-C charging capability. These laptops also feature a fingerprint reader and an IR camera that work with Windows Hello for added security. The company is offering “Crystal” experience, which is a bloatware free experience inspired by Microsoft Signature laptops.

Along with these laptops, Lenovo also launched X1 Tablet — marking the third-generation of the tablet. It features a 13-inch 3K HDR display which is compatible with HDR2. It comes with an optional LTE-A support and an improved full-function ThinkPad keyboard experience.

The tablet is now running Intel’s new 8th-generation Core processors and comes with an improved Lenovo Pen Pro stylus that supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. The device supports facial recognition via IR camera and claims to be offering all-day battery life.

Read More: Lenovo K320t is Official as the Company’s First 18:9 Aspect Ratio Supporting Phone

The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Yoga are going on sale this month, with a starting price of $1,709 and $1,889 respectively. On the other hand, the X1 Tablet will be available for purchase from March for $1,599.

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Huawei is aiming to expand its smartphone business in the U.S. this year. The company has been selling its smartphones unlocked through different retailers in the U.S. since many years. However, to expand its smartphone business in the country it is crucial for the company to make its phones available through local carriers. Recent reports had claimed that Huawei Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro could be the company’s first flagship phones to arrive in the U.S. through AT&T. However, fresh information that has surfaced on the Wall Street Journal states that AT&T has opted out of the deal with Huawei.

In March 2017, the rumor mill had revealed that Huawei is in talks with AT&T to release Mate 10 in the U.S. When Mate 10 Pro’s AT&T branded firmware files had emerged in last October, it appeared that the Mate 10 duo would be indeed avail through the carrier this year.

Read More: Honor V10 vs Huawei Mate 10: Brothers In A Comparison

Just before the end of 2017, reports had revealed that the carrier had pushed the launching of Mate 10 to February. However, fresh information that the carrier will not be selling the smartphone. The news has surfaced just ahead of the Huawei’s press conference that will happen at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) today. Rumors had claimed that the Chinese company would be confirming on the deal at today’s launch event.

There is no information available on why AT&T has walked out of the deal. Regardless of AT&T’s decision, the Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro will still arrive in the U.S. as unlocked phones through major retailers. Huawei was also discussing with Verizon to release Mate 10 series phones in the U.S. As of this writing, there is no confirmation on whether Verizon will be carrying the Mate 10 phones.

(source|via)

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CES 2018 won’t officially open till tomorrow but lots of companies have been announcing new products. HTC’s VR company, Vive, is one of them and has announced the Vive Pro and Vive Wireless Adaptor.

Vive Pro

The design of the Vive Pro is loosely based on the original. The front has the same vent holes but now includes dual front facing cameras. Vive has also built a new headstrap for the headset that includes “integrated high-performance headphones with a built-in amplifier”.

They have also included a sizing dial for maintaining balance when you put on the  headset. Unlike the original that comes in black, the Vive Pro comes in blue.

In terms of specifications, the Vive Pro still packs dual OLED displays but with an improved combined resolution of 2880 x 1600. This is a 78% increase over the former. There are also dual noise-canceling microphones with active noise cancellation and dual cameras.

The full tech specs have not been revealed yet as well as pricing and release date. We sure will update this post once they are available.

Vive Wireless Adaptor

Vive also announced the Vive Wireless Adaptor, a device that will allow you use the Vive and Vive Pro wirelessly. The adaptor uses Intel’s WiGig technology which operates at 60GHz, an interference free band. The result is lower latency and an improved performance. The company says the adaptor will ship to customers all over the world in Q3 2018.

READ MORE: Lenovo Mirage Solo Daydream VR Headset Seen At FCC

Viveport VR

HTC Vive announced that the Viveport has now been redesigned. Rather than a 2D experience, the Viveport VR brings a 3D fully immersive experience. Users will also be able to test out content before purchasing, Vive calls this “VR Previews”.

(Source)

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If you are into hybrid smartwatches, the MyKronoz ZeTime was a pretty good option bringing the best of both worlds featuring mechanical analog watch hands and a full touch screen display underneath. This meant that the watch showed you the time even when the screen was off. The company has now released a new variant of the ZeTime smartwatch at CES 2018, dubbed as the ZeTime Petite. Like the name suggests, this is going to be a more compact version of the original watch, featuring very similar features in a smaller, 39mm case (vs 44mm case on the regular version).

The ZeTime Petite comes with a stainless steel case protected by sapphire glass on top along with multiple watch bands and materials options. The screen size drops down to 1.05-inches (vs 1.22 inches on the original ZeTime) with 240 x 240 resolution. There are all the usual features that you would expect in a smartwatch, including notifications, fitness oriented options, heart rate sensor and remote phone controls. Plus, being a hybrid, the Mykronoz ZeTime Petite can last up to 3 days on a single charge for smartwatch functions and up to 30 days for the mechanical analog movement.

The smartwatch goes on sale for $299 on the company’s official website.

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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Acer today announced three new laptops at CES 2018 in Las Vegas. Out of those three, one which captures the attention is the Acer Swift 7 which is claimed to be the world’s thinnest laptop, measuring just 8.9mm in thickness.

The company says that the Swift 7 laptop is designed in such a way that it makes the device easier for users to carry anywhere they travel, at any time. The laptop comes with an aluminium unibody design.

The display on the Acer Swift 7 has been upgraded from 13.3-inch to 14-inch, but it comes with Full HD resolution. The display uses IPS5 technology, along with Acer Color Intelligence and a Corning Gorilla Glass NBT touchscreen. The laptop packs a backlit keyboard, making it easier to work in low-light conditions such as long-haul international flights or train journeys.

It is powered by 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor, along with 8GB LPDDR3 RAM and 256GB PCIe SSD storage. It runs Windows 10 and also includes a fingerprint reader which allows password-free and more secure sign-in through Windows Hello.

The laptop further comes with 4G LTE connectivity, which is rare in laptops. 4G connectivity is powered by Intel XMM 4G LTE. According to the company, this makes it useful for the professionals who wish to eliminate tedious wireless connection problems while travelling and stay focused on the task at hand. It comes with Nano SIM card slot support and features eSIM technology.

As of the pricing and availability details, the new Acer Swift 7 will be available for purchase in North America starting March, carrying a price tag of $1,699. Later, the laptop will be available in EMEA starting April, for a starting price of 1,699 Euros.

Read More: LG’s Newly Refreshed Gram Laptops Announced Ahead Of CES 2018

While Swift 7 is thinner, it pales in comparison to other devices offered by Acer’s competitors in this price range. While Swift 7 offers 7th generation processor, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, most devices in its price range now offer 8th generation Intel processors, better display and comparatively higher memory configuration.

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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Today at CES 2018 in Las Vegas, Nvidia announced its new powerful Xavier SoC for artificial intelligence-based autonomous cars. It will power the Nvidia DRIVE software stack which was announced last year. The stack has now been expanded to a trio of AI platforms that now covers every aspect of the experience inside next-generation automobiles.

The company says that the Xavier SoC comes with 9 billion transistors, and claims that Xavier is the most complex system-on-chip ever created. Nvidia says that more than 2,000 engineers worked on the project over a four-year period, and the company invested around $2 billion in research and development.

The chipset features custom 8-core CPU, a 512-core Volta GPU, an 8K HDR video processor, a deep-learning accelerator and new computer-vision accelerators. According to the company, it can perform 30 trillion operations per second using only 30 watts of power.

Nvidia says that it is 15 times more efficient than the previous architecture. Two Xavier processors will be powering the Nvidia DRIVE Pegasus AI platform which was announced three months ago. The company is sampling this new SoC to the first customers this quarter. Nvidia clarifies that any existing software or algorithms developed for previous DRIVE platforms will run without requiring any modifications.

Along with DRIVE AV (Autonomous Vehicles), the company has also announced DRIVE IX and DRIVE AR, which will also be based on Xavier. DRIVE IX is for an intelligent vehicle experience which brings AI into the user-experience (UX) of the car or robo-taxi. It uses that as a smart assistant for the driver and passengers. On the other hand, DRIVE AR is the company’s push for Augmented Reality in automotive settings.

Read More: LG And HERE Partners To Develop Next-Gen Telematics Solution For Autonomous Vehicles

Nvidia has also announced its self-driving technology will be utilized by Uber, a cab-hailing service provider which started working on its self-driving car in 2015. Uber plans to use Xavier, which began shipping to customers for the first time this week.

Volkswagen will also use Nvidia’s Drive IX platform to create an “intelligent co-pilot” to assist a driver and China’s Baidu is working with Nvidia to create a production-ready AI autonomous vehicle system designed for China.

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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As expected, Sony has today announced three new entry-level and mid-range devices at CES 2018 in Las Vegas. The devices include Xperia XA2, XA2 Ultra and L2.

While the design of the phone appears similar to its predecessor, there are many welcome changes. The rear camera module, which used to take the top-left corner space, has now been moved to the centre-top. The fingerprint sensor has also found a place on the back panel.

For the XA2 series, the company has ditched MediaTek processor and has instead opted for Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 630 chipset. While the Xperia XA2 features a 5.2-inch Full HD display, its bigger sibling XA2 Ultra comes with a 6-inch Full HD display.

The Xperia XA2 packs 3GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage, along with a microSD card slot for further expanding the storage capacity. On the other hand, the Xperia XA2 Ultra comes with 4GB RAM and two variants based on the internal storage — 32GB and 64GB. This one too comes with a microSD card slot for storage expansion.

Sony has always focused on the camera performance for the Xperia series and the XA2 and XA2 Ultra are no exception. Both devices feature a 23-megapixel camera sensor with f/2.0 aperture, hybrid autofocus and support for 4K video recording and 120fps slow-motion shooting.

On the front, the Xperia XA2 comes with an 8-megapixel ultra wide fixed-focus camera for taking selfies and video calling. The Xperia XA2 Ultra features a dual-camera setup on the front with an 8-megapixel camera sensor and a 16-megapixel camera sensor with less extreme FOV, 16:9 aspect ratio, autofocus, and optical image stabilisation (OIS).

Both devices are running Android 8.0 Oreo operating system out-of-the-box. While the XA2 is powered by a 3,300mAh battery, the XA2 Ultra is fuelled by a 3,580mAh battery. Both phones support Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology.

Along with the XA2-series, the company also announced a new entry-level phone — Sony Xperia L2. It features a 5.5-inch HD display with 1280 x 720 pixels screen resolution. It is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737T processor, coupled with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage with support for expanding storage using microSD card.

There is a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The phone features a fingerprint sensor on the back, same as XA2-series. It runs Android 7.1 Nougat operating system and is fuelled by a 3,300mAh battery.

Read More: Sony Rumored To Unveil Xperia XZ1 Premium, XZ1 Plus And XZ1s At MWC 2018

The Sony Xperia XA2 and XA2 Ultra will be available from February 2018 while the Sony Xperia L2 will be available for purchase in late January. However, the company has not yet revealed pricing information.

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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Vuzix, a U.S.-based supplier of wearable display technology, VR and AR will be announcing a pair of AR smartglasses that will be featuring Alexa assistant by Amazon. It will be unveiled  at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 and it is expected to be available for buying by the second quarter of this year.

Vuzix’s upcoming smartglasses featuring Alexa will make it possible for the users to ask questions to the virtual assistant and view the answers on its field of view. Hence, its users will be able to view updates like stock prices and weather data seamlessly without accessing their smartphones. In order to use it, a wearer needs to have an account with Amazon.

The exact name of the product is not known yet. It is expected to launch with a price tag of $1,000 in Q2 2018. Paul Travers, the CEO of Vuzix has said that the pricing of the Alexa enabled smartglasses will be reduced to $500 in the next year.

Google could not find success when it attempted to commercialize Google Glass in 2012 because of its costly price tag and complicated distribution procedure. Companies who are looking to launched AR enabled smartglasses have learnt from the failure of Google Glass which indicates that we may soon see a new market for it in future.

Read More: Motorola’s New Moto Mod Is A Smart Speaker With Amazon Alexa

Apple is expected to debut its smartglasses in 2020. Analysts are of the view its popularity could be higher than the iPhone. Travers is of the view that Amazon may release its own Alexa and AR enabled smartglasses in the near future.

Since last year, Amazon has been making its Alexa assistant available on non-Amazon devices. By making its personal assistant available on numerous third-party devices will allow the retailer giant to generate good revenue since it can drive users to make purchases on Amazon.

(source)

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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On Friday, Samsung had announced the Notebook 7 Spin (2018) ahead of the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018. Like the first-generation model, it features a 360-degree rotatable display and an Active Pen. The device will be displayed at the CES 2018 and will be available for buying in select markets including the U.S. in the first quarter of this year.

Unlike the original Samsung Notebook 7 Spin (2017) that came in 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes, the successor model only comes in 13.3-inch model this year. The Notebook 7 Spin (2018) supports full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It sports a sleek appeal thanks to its metallic body that measures 315.8 x 215.4 x 18.5mm and it weighs 1.53 kg. The backlit keyboard features a Precision Touchpad.

It is powered by Intel Core i5 (8^th generation) processor and 43Wh battery. It features 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage. The connectivity ports available on the device include a USB-C port, a USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 port, a headphone combo jack and an HDMI slot. The far field microphone available on the device can capture high quality audio and store them on Samsung Cloud.

Read More: Samsung Notebook 9 (2018), Notebook 9 Pen 2-in-1 Officially Unveiled

The Notebook 7 Spin (2018) runs on Windows 10 and offers Windows Hello-compatible fingerprint scanner for security. It is a front-facing VGA camera. The improved Active Pen will be available for purchase separately. It can be used for taking notes or drawing. As of this writing, there is no information available on the price tag of the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin (2018).

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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Samsung has announced a surprise package for CES 2018, its first actually because we believe more are on the way. The product is a 146-inch Modular TV which utilizes microLED technology to produce its pictures. The smartTV dubbed The Wall brings to mind the innovative canvas-like smartTV called The Frame which the tech giant launched last year. The microLED technology which the TV uses to produce its pictures is based on Samsung’s Cinema Screen technology, designed for movie theaters. This isn’t Samsung’s largest TV panel as the tech giant launched a bigger 170-inch smart TV at CES 2016.

As stated, The Wall comes in a 146-inch size (diagonal) and this is the house size version but it can get even bigger as it uses a modular design. Samsung hinted that users can add or remove modules to make their TV bigger or smaller in any configuration, thus removing previous limitations on screen size. The tech giant was quick to note that the increase in size comes with zero impact on the performance of the display.

The Wall MicroLED TV uses an array of millions of individual tine LEDs to create images, quite different from the traditional LED-based LCD TVs which use a liquid crystal layer and an LED backlight. This technology bears similarity to the one used in scoreboards and jumbo screens, but it is scaled for home use.

Samsung introduces a 146-inch modular, MicroLED based TV it calls The Wall. Now we're left to guess what's Beyond The Wall. pic.twitter.com/SrwFFPjNke

— David Katzmaier (@dkatzmaier) January 8, 2018

Read Also: Samsung Launches The World’s Smallest DRAM Chip

The MicroLED technology at play on the monstrous-sized TV also has the potential for infinite contrast just like OLED TVs because each LED can turn on and off individually. The smartTV can also achieve a massive 2000 nits brightness, arguably higher than any LED LCD we’ve seen. Samsung is yet to disclose the TV’s resolution but it can achieve DVI-P3 color. There is no word yet on the pricing or availability but Samsung revealed that the MicroLED TV will ship this year.

(source)

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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