Tag: CES2018

Razer Phone Gets Netflix HDR and Dolby Plus 5.1

If there was any doubt over whether or not Razer was taking smartphones seriously, I think today should clear that all up. Not only did the company show off a pretty cool Project Linda concept, they also announced at CES this morning that its Razer Phone is getting access to Netflix HDR and Dolby Plus 5.1. This is the first smartphone to support both technologies.

As was noted in today’s announcement by Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan, this level of Netflix support enables them to “take full measure of the Razer Phone’s HDR10-enabled display and dual-firing, front-facing Dolby-optimized speakers and THX-certified headphone connectivity.” Few phones are equipped like Razer’s phone.

An update will bring in the new goodness here and should arrive later this month. The update includes the Netflix app and a home screen widget, which is kind of obnoxious for those who don’t care about this news. Going forward, this software will come preloaded on the phone.

// Razer

January 9, 2018
Kate Spade and Skagen Enter the Android Wear Game

We have two new Android Wear players this week at CES, kate spade new york and Skagen.

The kate spade piece doesn’t have a name exactly, listed simply as the Touchscreen Smart Watch. However, it does come with Android Wear 2.0, a 1.19-inch AMOLED display (390 x 390 resolution), signature scallop top-ring on the 41.5mm display dial, Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, and Bluetooth. kate spade’s press release and product listing make no mention of GPS, NFC, or a heart rate monitor.

For Skagen, its first Android Wear device is called Folster, featuring an unspecified touchscreen display, Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, Android Wear 2.0, and extremely minimal design. Sadly, there is no NFC for mobile payments or heart rate functionality.

The Folster is not yet for sale or pre-order, but when that time comes, it will be priced at $275-$295 depending on which setup you choose.

The kate spade piece is up for pre-order right now for $295, with shipping expected for February 1. As soon as the Skagen is available, we’ll let you know.

Kate Spade Link

// Skagen | kate spade

January 9, 2018
Here are the Google Assistant Speakers With Smart Displays

You probably just read the announcement from Google about Assistant coming to smart displays, which is really just an awkward way of saying that there will be Google Assistant-powered smart speakers with displays. We’re talking about Google Home-like units with touch displays, similar to what Amazon has with some of its Echo products (like Show and Spot).

But who are we expecting products from? We know for sure that Lenovo, LG, Sony, and JBL are all making them.

Lenovo Smart Display

So far, Lenovo has dropped a device on us called the Lenovo Smart Display. It comes in two sizes (8-inch and 10-inch), should be here this summer (July), and will cost either $199.99 or $249.99. There will be bamboo or grey color options too.

The Lenovo Smart Display can lay horizontally or sit upright, has a modern design with two 10W speakers on one side, 5MP front-facing camera for video calls, and a full HD display. It’s built off Qualcomm’s Home Hub Platform and includes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 624 with integrated CPU, GPU and DSP, 2×2 dual mics, up to 2GB RAM and 4GB storage, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

LG ThinQ Google Assistant Touch Screen Speaker (WK9)

LG’s entry into the Google Assistant smart display arena is the ThinQ Google Assistant Touch Speaker and we don’t know much about it in terms of pricing and availability.

What we do know is that it sports an 8-inch touch display, has a front facing camera, and should sound pretty good, thanks to dual speakers that are tuned by Meridian Audio.

JBL LINK View

JBL, a Harman company that is owned by Samsung, is all-in on Google Assistant integration into its products. Not only did they announce new headphones with Assistant, but they’ll be one of the first with a Google Assistant smart display device. The JBL LINK View should be here by this summer, though we don’t yet know pricing.

As for features, the JBL LINK View has an 8-inch HD display, two 10W speakers and a dedicated passive radiator, 5MP front camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, and is IPX4 splashproof.

Sony Smart Display

While Sony is listed by Google as one of the first partners to create a Google Assistant smart display product, they haven’t announced any details. Once we know them, we’ll update this post.

Any of these look appealing to you?

// Lenovo | LG | JBL

January 9, 2018
Razer’s Project Linda is a Sweet Laptop Dock for Your Razer Phone

At this year’s CES, Razer introduced Project Linda, listed as a concept, but a concept we hope to see make its way to the market quite soon. Project Linda is essentially a laptop dock for the Razer Phone, which turns the phone into your trackpad or interactive secondary display when a mouse is connected to the system.

The laptop features a 13.3” Quad HD touchscreen display, Chroma-powered keyboard with custom Android keys, 200GB of internal storage, CNC aluminum body, 3.5mm headphone jack, and that appears to be about it. All of the computing power is from the Razer Phone itself, which is a Snapdragon 835 processor and 8GB RAM.

Razer is showing off Project Linda here at CES as a concept, so we don’t yet have pricing or a launch date.

Speaking of pricing, though, how much do you think something like this would cost? The QHD touchscreen and all those LEDs can’t be cheap, but Razer can’t go charging full laptop pricing since the Razer Phone is already a hefty investment and it powers the whole thing. Maybe $399? $499?

Thoughts?

// Razer

January 9, 2018
Google’s New Google Assistant Directory Tells You Everything It Can Do

Google has finally given us a proper Google Assistant directory on the web, one that allows for an easier discovery experience over all that the Assistant can do. They have also re-done the version on our phones too.

On the web, you’ll now find a “What it can do” section that breaks out all of Google Assistant’s actions by category. You’ll see trending actions, as well as those made for kids, food and drink related items, productivity actions, sports, weather, etc. It’s all there, including many that have been broken out by device or brand. For example, there are Nest, LG, and Wemo sections that’ll show you the actions you can take with their smart products.

As for the new phone directory, you can access it by opening up Assistant and then tapping the blue icon in the right corner. Mine currently has Explore and Your Stuff tabs. The Explore tab helps you find fun actions you can take with Assistant, while the Your Stuff area is basically like an old Google Now screen, with lists of your reminders, your agenda for the day, status on orders you’ve placed, and more.

Check out the new Google Assistant directory right here.

// Google Developers Blog

January 9, 2018
Google Assistant Comes to Android Auto

Google Assistant is just coming to smart displays here at CES, Google also announced that the Assistant is ready for Android Auto, starting this week.

To use Google Assistant in your car with Android Auto, you’ll connect your phone to your Android Auto in-car unit or just use your phone’s screen with the Android Auto app open. Google is working with car manufacturers to get it built directly into Auto, though.

With Assistant active, you’ll be able to say “Hey, Google” and fire up your favorite tunes, get directions in Maps or Waze, send and receive messages, and all of the other stuff you like to do. You’ll be able to order up Starbucks or reserve parking spaces pretty soon too.

Again, the update to allow Assistant to play with Android Auto is rolling out this week.

// Google

January 9, 2018
Google Assistant Comes to Smart Displays, Like a Google Home With a Screen

Google announced its plans for Google Assistant in 2018 here at CES and the big news is that the Assistant is coming to smart displays. That means Google Home-like units with touch displays, just like Amazon’s Echo Show or Echo Spot.

With a Google Assistant smart display, you’ll not only be able to talk to Google to get information or play music or control your smart home, but you’ll be able to see all of that information too. Google will show you a snapshot of your calendar for the day, preview your morning commute, let you video call over Duo, find recipes and walk through them step-by-step, watch YouTube, see smart home camera feeds, pull up Google Photos, and more. Again, it’s a lot like Amazon’s Echo devices with displays, only run by Google Assistant instead of Alexa.

To start, JBL, Lenovo, LG, and Sony are all making devices that fit into this new smart display category for Google Assistant. Lenovo appears to be the closest to launching one, though. (UPDATE: More details on them all here.)

We got a brief look at the Lenovo Smart Display last night in early form. It’ll come in both 8-inch and 10-inch display sizes that can sit horizontally or upright, and cost $199.99 or $249.99, respectively. You can see a picture of it up top. Lenovo is hoping to ship by this summer.

Cool, right?

// Google | Lenovo | Android Developers Blog

January 9, 2018
Qualcomm’s New Bluetooth Audio SoC Likely to Power Your Next Wireless Earbuds, Include an Assistant

Alongside its Smart Audio Platform announcement, Qualcomm unveiled a Bluetooth audio SoC that it thinks will get the industry ready for wireless earbuds that don’t suck. And when I say “don’t suck,” we’re talking about buds that not only feature an assistant, but could last hours and hours longer on a charge.

Qualcomm’s Low Power Bluetooth Audio SoC QCC5100 will likely power the next generation of wireless earbuds. For one, it reduces power consumption by up to 65%, which is kind of insane when you think about it.

Its architecture also supports Bluetooth 5 dual-mode radio, utilizes Qualcomm’s aptX HD audio, has integrated hybrid active noise cancellation, and is ready for third party voice assistants (ex: Google Assistant. Qualcomm tossed in their TrueWireless Stereo technology too, which should eliminate wires (lookin’ at you, Pixel Buds!) between buds and to and from the media source (like a phone).

Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo technology is engineered to eliminate the need for wires entirely – not only between the media source and stereo headset, but also between left and right earbuds. The QCC5100 series is designed to deliver improved low power connectivity and enhanced user experiences for truly wireless in-ear applications.

For now, Qualcomm expects to have a couple of example designs made within the first part of 2018. From there, it’ll start working with manufacturers to overcome their own design challenges.

To learn more about this Lower Power Bluetooth Audio SoC, hit up this link.

// Qualcomm

January 8, 2018