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The new Lenovo Smart Display 7. (Source: Lenovo)

Lenovo announces a new version of its Google Assistant-powered Smart Display

Lenovo has launched the Smart Display 7, which, like its predecessors, is a smart speaker with an in-built touchscreen. This new version has its display above its speakers this time, although they are still 10-watt (W) drivers. It...

Deirdre O Donnell, 16 Nov 2019 20:16

John Carmack steps down as CTO of Oculus to develop Artificial General Intelligence

John Carmack, the creator of Doom and a pioneer of virtual reality, is stepping down as the CTO of Oculus to focus on artificial general intelligence, which can be considered a super-powered version of artificial intelligence. Car...

Sam Medley, 14 Nov 2019 05:31

5G connectivity promises a better future, but it might hide some health hazards as well (Source: H2S Media)

Health check: Is 5G really bad for you? Debunking some 5G-related myths and fake news

As 5G networks go live in more and more markets with each month, some questions regarding the health hazards that might come with this new technology remain unanswered. However, most 5G dangers that some websites have been warning...

Codrut Nistor, 12 Nov 2019 07:00

Here's the full launch lineup for Google's Stadia (plus what's coming soon)

Google's Stadia game streaming service is coming November 19. The service will initially launch with 12 games (listed below) and will eventually gain 14 more before the end of the year. Only those that purchased a Stadia Founder's...

Sam Medley, 12 Nov 2019 00:45

An example of a home theater in a box. (Source: Lifewire)

The home theater market could be worth US$13.4 billion by 2025

Home theaters brought in a total of US$7.7 billion last year. However, this market value is thought to be capable of growing by up to $5.7 billion more over the next 6 years. The sound bar sector may grow at the greatest rate over...

Deirdre O Donnell, 08 Nov 2019 22:44

Qualcomm has posted its fourth-quarter results for 2019. (Source: Qualcomm)

Qualcomm reveals its 2019 fiscal-year performance

Qualcomm has announced the results for its fiscal year, which ended on September 29, 2019. Its revenues came in at US$24.3 billion, or 7% more year-on-year (YoY). The company also made a total of $4.8 billion in the last quarter o...

Deirdre O Donnell, 07 Nov 2019 19:59

Samsung is now making an effort to draw 3rd-party TVs into its ecosystem. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung makes Tizen available for third-party TVs

Samsung's Developer Conference (SDC) 2019 contained numerous interesting announcements, not the least that Tizen OS for TVs can be ported to third-party devices. In addition, there are now additional developer-friendly facilities ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Nov 2019 23:41

A handful of the 100+ devices that have had their Google AUEs altered. (Source: AndroidPolice)

Google extends the EOL of 140 different Chrome OS devices by up to a year each

Google provides hardware that runs its own OS with automatic updates for a fixed period of time after their release. This software policy applies to a range of devices, from Chromebooks to Chromebits, the end-of-life (EOL) of whic...

Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Nov 2019 19:46

The new Mi TV 5 series. (Source: MySmartPrice)

Xiaomi launches the Mi TV 5 and 5 Pro

Xiaomi also promised details on a fifth generation of its smart TVs during the Mi CC9 Pro debut. The OEM made good on this - less expectedly, it introduced 2 new variants of the same during the event. The Mi TV 5 Pro is the one th...

Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Nov 2019 18:54

SiriusXM content will become playable on Google Nest products soon. (Source: SiriusXM)

The Google Assistant will start integrating SiriusXM soon

Google and SiriusXM have partnered in order to enable streaming of the latter on smart speakers from the former. In addition, the content provider's subscribers will be able to activate and control their channels by asking the Ass...

Deirdre O Donnell, 31 Oct 2019 15:33

The Realme X, a community fan-favourite. (Image source: Mobiledevices.ru)

The Realme X is an example of community development done right

Not a fan of ColorOS but like the Realme X? Well, Realme has been actively encouraging community developers to build custom kernels and ROMs for the device. The project has borne fruit after just a month, with there now being many...

Alex Alderson, 31 Oct 2019 11:48

A sizeable proportion of eligible consumers are still wary about smart-home products. (Source: Parks Associates)

Research finds privacy concerns put US consumers off buying smart home products

A recent publication has reported that 52% of all US households with high-speed internet would rather not buy into the smart-home concept. 25% of this group nominated worries about data security and privacy as their reasons to rem...

Deirdre O Donnell, 30 Oct 2019 22:21

The SHIELD TV Pro and its remote. (Source: The Verge)

The new SHIELD TV remote has a Netflix-branded button, but it can be re-assigned or disabled

The new NVIDIA SHIELD TV and TV Pro have been released, and they come with an interestingly-shaped new remote. The manufacturer has partnered with Netflix to include a button that summons this app directly on it. However, Reddit u...

Deirdre O Donnell, 30 Oct 2019 21:43

The Apple TV app is now rolling out to the latest Android TVs from Sony. (Source: Apple)

Apple TV app now surfacing on Sony Android TVs [Update]

Sony has joined the ranks of Samsung in offering the Apple TV app on its smart TVs. Users who own some of the newer models have noted that the latest firmware update introduces the Apple TV app to the collection of preinstalled ap...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 30 Oct 2019 10:33

Apple pulls iOS 13.2 after multiple reports of bricked HomePod smart speakers

Do not install iOS 13.2. If you have a HomePod and have installed iOS 13.2, DO NOT RESET YOUR HOMEPOD. Multiple users are reporting that iOS 13.2, released yesterday, bricked their HomePod smart speakers. Apple has since pulled th...

Sam Medley, 29 Oct 2019 18:35

The new SHIELD TV and TV Pro. (Source: NVIDIA)

The 2019 NVIDIA SHIELD TV and SHIELD TV Pro are now live

NVIDIA now stocks the new Pro and non-Pro variants of the SHIELD TV on its official site. As projected, the latter is a 4K streaming stick with HDR 10. Both new Android 9.0 devices support Dolby Audio, can access GeForce NOW and h...

Deirdre O Donnell, 28 Oct 2019 16:39

Smartwatches are increasingly popular, but could be more secure. (Source: TechRadar)

Nok Nok Labs claims that its new SDK can make smartwatches more secure and better equipped to take over from phones

The consumer-grade security development group Nok Nok Labs has unveiled its new SDK. It asserts that it is the first such app software capable of conferring FIDO-based authentication on smartwatches. This, then, may help users dep...

Deirdre O Donnell, 27 Oct 2019 14:34

Qualcomm is set to make a sizeable investment in 5G's future. (Source: RTE)

Qualcomm incentivizes 5G development with a new multi-million-dollar fund

Qualcomm's Venture division has announced the implementation of the 5G Ecosystem Fund, a source of investment worth up to US$200 million. As the name suggests, it will help support start-ups involved in new, innovative and potenti...

Deirdre O Donnell, 24 Oct 2019 22:49

The new NVIDIA SHIELD 4K TV streaming stick. (Source: Reddit)

The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro is likely to launch alongside its new 4K dongle sibling

Recently, Amazon may have accidentally spoiled the launch of the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro, an upcoming update to the 2017 streaming machine. A new leak indicates that the OEM has indeed prepared a 4K HDR streaming stick as well as the...

Deirdre O Donnell, 24 Oct 2019 21:01

Google Home speakers are left unresponsive after a firmware update. (Image via Reddit user Umagafr3sh.)

Firmware update bricks Google Home and Google Home Mini smart speakers

A firmware update pushed out to Google Home and Google Home Mini smart speakers earlier this month has been bricking devices, leaving them completely unresponsive. Google has acknowledged the problem and promised a resolution in t...

Sam Medley, 24 Oct 2019 16:36

ARM is targeting IP usage in smart devices such as televisions, phones, and consoles. (Image source: ARM)

ARM announces Ethos-N57 and Ethos-N37 NPUs, Mali-G57 GPU, and Mali-D37 DPU

ARM has revealed four new processors that should help enrich consumer tech products aimed at the mainstream market. The new additions to the company’s lineup are the Ethos-N57 and Ethos-N37 Neural Processing Units (NPU), the Mali-...

Daniel R Deakin, 24 Oct 2019 04:52

Older Fitbit devices can now use Spotify. (Source: Fitbit)

Fitbit updates older Versa devices with support for Spotify

Fitbit has expanded access to its Spotify app to the first-generation Versa and Versa Lite. The Ionic fitness watch is also included in this update. It enables these wearables to manage playback and podcasts on the music streaming...

Deirdre O Donnell, 17 Oct 2019 00:23

Nest Wi-Fi is Google's new mesh solution

Google also announced its new Nest Wi-Fi home product at the 2019 Pixel launch event. It consists of scalable router and point units in various muted colors. A single 802.11s router covers up to 2200 square feet of space each, whe...

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Oct 2019 22:49

Google renews its Home Mini series with a Nest re-brand

The Nest Mini is a new Connected Home devices launched by Google at its latest live event. It is a smart speaker with integrated Assistant functions and touch controls. It is now up for pre-order at a price of US$49.

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Oct 2019 21:00

The X55 modem will move beyond smartphone integration soon. (Source: Qualcomm)

The Snapdragon X55 modem will power 5G fixed broadband equipment for over 30 OEMs

Qualcomm has announced that over 30 manufacturers have taken the Snapdragon X55 modem up in order to produce their 5G fixed wireless broadband consumer-premises hardware. This means the equipment carriers and ISPs will install in ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 14 Oct 2019 18:59

The LG Tone+ Free truly wireless earbuds. (Source: LG)

LG launches its first true wireless earbuds in South Korea

LG has unveiled new products called the Tone+ Free earbuds in its home country. Unlike the OEM's earlier similar products, these wearables are completely wireless and come in a charging case like the AirPods and other similar devi...

Deirdre O Donnell, 01 Oct 2019 23:47

The next generation of NVIDIA SHIELD TV may be nearly here. (Source: ZoomApps)

A new certification brings the NVIDIA SHIELD TV 2019 closer to launch

The NVIDIA SHIELD TV is due an update soon. The most likely candidate to fit this bill has gone through registration with the FCC, and has also just secured Bluetooth SIG approval. Therefore, there may still be time for it to be r...

Deirdre O Donnell, 30 Sep 2019 23:24

The new Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro earbuds. (Source: Soundcore)

Soundcore claims to have made the world's first "sonically aligned" truly wireless earbud

Soundcore has unveiled its new Liberty 2 Pro truly wireless earbuds. The company claims that they have been designed in a way that produces true "sonic alignment", thus delivering a more accurate soundstage, clear bass and distinc...

Deirdre O Donnell, 28 Sep 2019 19:34

Fingerprint sensors will continue to do well in the future. (Source: Nextgov)

The fingerprint scanner market's value is set to double over the next 5 years

The market for fingerprint readers (from capacitive to thermal, and consumer- to government-grade) is estimated to be worth about US$3.5 billion at present. This worth is thought to grow to as much as $7.1 billion by 2024, however...

Deirdre O Donnell, 27 Sep 2019 18:23

The Xbox One can work with the Assistant now. (Source: Polygon)

The Xbox One gains a beta for Google Assistant integration

Xbox consoles are steadily upgrading in order to use the more popular virtual assistant platforms. The latest of these is Google Assistant. Those who wish to connect the two can join a forum group for a new public beta update and ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 26 Sep 2019 20:52

The Amazon Echo Studio is targeted at the Sonos One and Apple HomePod. (Source: Amazon)

Amazon intros Echo Studio speaker and Echo Buds in-ear Bluetooth headphones with Bose NC tech

Amazon has introduced a new Echo Studio speaker and Echo Buds in-ear wireless headphones. Both feature the latest sound technologies including support for Dobly Atmos in the former and Bose active noise-cancelling circuitry in the...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 26 Sep 2019 11:45

The Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55-inch runs Android 9.0 Pie and can stream Netflix in 4K. (Image source: Xiaomi)

The Xiaomi Mi Smart TV 4S 55-inch arrives in Europe; 4K Amazon Prime and Netflix streaming with Android 9.0 Pie for €399.99 (~US$439.98)

Xiaomi has quietly brought its Mi LED TV range to Europe, having listed the Mi Smart TV 4S 55-inch on Amazon.de on Monday. The affordable big-screen TV runs Android 9.0 Pie, has 2 GB of RAM, 8 GB of storage on which to install app...

Alex Alderson, 25 Sep 2019 11:35

An LG NeON R ACe Solar Panel. (Source: LG)

LG's awarding-winning solar panels shine at the SPI 2019 event

LG Electronic's solar energy solutions are in show at the 2019 Solar Power International expo. They include the new NeON R ACe Solar Panel, which comes with its own AC micro-inverter so as to be compatible with conventional power ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 24 Sep 2019 20:13

Opinion | One whole year after launch, a host of LG V40 users are still on Android Oreo

LG launched the V40 about a year ago as a Galaxy Note 9 competitor. That sounds good on paper and the hardware does compete, but all of that falls apart when one realizes that a host of V40 users are still on Android Oreo, the sam...

Ricci Rox, 22 Sep 2019 15:10

The new Facebook Portal, Portal Mini and Portal TV are coming soon. (Source: Facebook)

Facebook persisting with Portal, rolls out three new models

Facebook is still persisting with its Portal hardware-based communications platform. The social media company has unveiled three new models including an 8-inch Portal Mini, a 10-inch Portal and a new Xbox Kinect-like Portal TV dev...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 20 Sep 2019 04:02

Huawei's first own-brand TV represents the OEM's Vision of the smart home

Huawei also unveiled a new smart TV at its Mate 30 launch. It is called the Huawei Vision, and will come in 55- to 85-inch variants. The OEM asserts that it can also act as a full smart home control, and has AI-powered user intera...

Deirdre O Donnell, 19 Sep 2019 19:25

Xiaomi launches the new Mi TV 4X series

Today, (September 17, 2019) Xiaomi has unveiled its latest Android TVs in India. The are of the new 4X series, and come in 65-, 55- and 43-inch variants. They include the latest features from their OS, including an in-built Chrome...

Deirdre O Donnell, 17 Sep 2019 18:59

The back of the OnePlus TV will look like this. (Source: Twitter)

OnePlus reveals carbon-fiber backing for its TV, among other specs

A OnePlus executive has been spilling more details on its first-gen smart TV, in order to build hype ahead of its launch. The latest of these hints is that its back panel will be finished in a carbon-fiber effect. It will also sup...

Deirdre O Donnell, 10 Sep 2019 19:40

The NUC 8 Rugged is even smaller than your high-end smartphone. (Source: KoolShare)

Intel plans to release 6 W Chaco Canyon fanless rugged NUCs

No larger than a smartphone, the NUC 8 Rugged is powered by refreshed Apollo Lake CPUs with ultra-low-power TDPs of only 6 W. Gaming on these systems is clearly out of the question, as the HD Graphics 500 iGPU is only aimed at IoT...

Bogdan Solca, 10 Sep 2019 16:05

The Hisense 85-inch QLED XD 8K TV in Berlin. (Source: Hisense)

IFA 2019 | Hisense showcases its new QLED XD and Sonic Laser TVs

Hisense has brought some new and large TVs to show off at this year's IFA. They include an 85-inch QLED XD panel that is also 8K and voice-command responsive. The company also showed off a new Sonic Laser product, which is the fir...

Deirdre O Donnell, 08 Sep 2019 19:25

The Mi TV Pro series should start receiving Android Pie from September. (Image source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi is attempting to become the standard-bearer of Android TV with Android Pie updates for several Mi TVs

Starting next month, Xiaomi is bringing Android 9.0 Pie to four Mi TV devices. The TVs, which launched running Android 8.1 Oreo, will be updated in batches with a wider roll-out planned a few months later. Xiaomi also told XDA Dev...

Alex Alderson, 27 Aug 2019 15:08

Redmi teases the Note 8's camera prowess ahead of its launch

The Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi has been previewing the 48MP capabilities of its upcoming smartphone the Note 8. It has posted some attractive shots with a watermark indicating they were taken by the phone. One of its new modes, Super ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 26 Aug 2019 22:59

The Motorola One Zoom may come in 3 colors. (Source: Ishan Agarwal/MySmartPrice)

New Motorola One Zoom renders show quad cameras and Amazon apps

The One Zoom may be a device soon to be released by Motorola. It is projected to be a quad-rear-camera device with Amazon Alexa integration. Some new images, shared by the legendary leaker Ishan Agarwal, may show what this phone w...

Deirdre O Donnell, 26 Aug 2019 20:06

The OnePlus will be released first in India. (Source: OnePlus)

OnePlus TV now officially slated for September 2019 launch; codename and specs leaked

The CEO of OnePlus (Pete Lau) has confirmed that the first-gen TV from this OEM will launch in a month from now (August 2019). It will be released to the Indian market initially. A Twitter tipster claims to have dug its CPU, GPU a...

Deirdre O Donnell, 23 Aug 2019 18:39

A recent leak purporting to show the Redmi Note 8. (Source: XDA)

The 64MP Redmi Note 8 series - and the brand's first 4K TV - will launch soon

Redmi has packed a number of exciting details in its latest official announcement. Firstly, it has confirmed that its promised 64MP camera will debut in the Redmi Note 8 Pro. It will be released alongside the base Note 8 at an eve...

Deirdre O Donnell, 21 Aug 2019 17:21

One of Huawei's newly certified devices may be the Mate 30. (Source: Trusted Reviews)

Honor and Huawei get new TVs approved, along with many more Bluetooth products

Huawei and its sub-brand Honor has attracted attention recently as it has sent what seems to be a whole generation of new smartphones, tablets and assorted wireless accessories to the Bluetooth SIG for certification simultaneously...

Deirdre O Donnell, 17 Aug 2019 13:51

OnePlus sketches out its smart TV ambitions. (Source: OnePlus)

OnePlus TV now slated for late-September 2019 launch, with multiple SKUs in tow

OnePlus has just introduced its first large-screen product as the...well...OnePlus TV. Leaks from other sources have claimed that this new product will be released in the last week or so of September 2019. It is also rumored to co...

Deirdre O Donnell, 14 Aug 2019 18:36

The EMUI 10 beta program will start on September 8 for the P30 and Mate 20 series. (Image source: Huawei)

Huawei EMUI 10 teaser video, beta arriving on September 8 for P30 and Mate 20 series

After Huawei presented EMUI 10 at its Developer Conference last week, more details about features and innovations have appeared online. A teaser video for the upcoming Android Q-based OS and promotional pictures offer an insight i...

Alex Alderson, 12 Aug 2019 18:58

The AI-powered YI Home Camera 3. (Source: YI)

The latest YI home security camera has AI for smarter, more selective user alerts

The YI Home Camera 3 is an AI-powered security camera. It notifies the user about possible intrusions - however, it solves the problem of potentially indiscriminate, unnecessary messages by using its new software to judge which on...

Deirdre O Donnell, 09 Aug 2019 18:57

Huawei's new open-source operating system is now officially HarmonyOS. (Source: Huawei)

Huawei launches Harmony OS

Huawei’s in-house HongMengOS is here and its shipping name is officially HarmonyOS. The idea behind the naming is that is a scalable micro-kernal that can work across internet of things devices right through to TVs, wearables and ...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 09 Aug 2019 12:54