Vizio new products at CES 2014

Vizio landed at the CES 2014 in Las Vegas with its largest and cheapest series of TVs.

Vizio’s huge 120” TV has succeeded in trumping Samsung’s 110” Ultra HD TV model. They’ve even gone further by making the low-cost 4K TVs that will be available later this year dubbed the P-Series.

The P-Series TV’s will come in various sizes at affordable prices. The smallest size is 50” prices at an amazing  £614 with the biggest size being 70”, priced at £1,599.   Although it’s one of the lowest priced TVs, it has an advanced picture quality, powerful performance and a beautifully simple Ultra HD experience. Vizio has also announced that Netflix’s 4K content would be available on its TVs.

Vizio also unveiled what it calls the “Smart Audio” Bluetooth speakers. These speakers have an LCD touch screen display that’s runs on KitKat android 4.4. There are 2 models – a smaller version with 4.7” and a larger model with 7” display. Being smart audio speakers their function is beyond just audio streaming over Bluetooth, like their ability to pull audio from any music app in Google Play. Though there are many uses it certainly has not deviated from its main purpose. Vizio is hoping that users will discover the new creative ways to transfer music to their new speakers when they are launched.

Along with its 4K TV and power-packed speakers, Vizio has also unpacked its new thin and light 15.6” laptop and a new 24” all-in-one pc. Though the design and their outer casing are similar to their previous releases, what makes the difference is what’s under the “hood”. The inclusion of Intel Core i7 Haswell processors, Intel’s Iris Pro graphics solution, Vizio’s 802.11ac wireless and 1080p touchscreens into its new machines has definitely made a difference. The touchscreen is the best of the lot; its responsiveness is so good that it clearly demonstrates how easy Windows 8.1 to use on multiple devices. But when it comes to words on the launch and the price, there is still no word from Vizio.

Vizio new products at CES 2014

Oculus Rift at CES 2014

with the Crystal Cove Prototype

Oculus Rift’s CTO John Carmack showcased a newer, improved version of the Oculus VR headset at CES 2014 codenamed “Crystal Cove”. The chunky googles  house a pair of lenses trained over a 1080p screen. The new and improved version is embedded with sensors to grasp its position to an uncanny degree.

Once it’s on the head, the Oculus starts to give positional info to the computer. This in turn furnishes the 1080p screen with two parallax-shifted images making it a 3D view to the user. Then it’s the work of the brain which then interprets the 3D view to fill the field of view. Once inside the 3D view, move your head even slightly and you’re peeking around the cockpit of your spacecraft. It is perfectly designed for a fully-fledged gaming experience.

Oculus has revealed that motion blur-induced nausea problem of the previous headset has been eradicated. Other upgrades were inclusion of high-resolution, lower latency and positional motion tracking system to ensure that it is clear where your head is allowing you to examine virtual objects much closer. It still has developments needed to be made especially the slight delay in the translation of real-life movement to screen, but this is still a very big improvement on its predecessor.

Officials have confirmed that a screen quality hike before the consumer release of Oculus Rift is a certainty. Final hardware specifications and the price of the gaming headhave not yet been released. Though the support for gaming is relatively limited, Oculus Rift could definitely shape the future of the gaming world.

Oculus Rift at CES 2014

LG all-in-one sound bar makes its debut at CES 2014

Pedestal-style sound bars are big news at the moment and LG have upped their game with their latest addition.  The LG LAB540W Sound Plate is designed to sit under your TV, but unlike its predecessors, it comes with a wireless subwoofer and a built-in Blu-ray player.

The 1.56″ tall sound machine is designed to fit snugly beneath TVs with screens measuring 32″- 55″. LG designed it as a 320-watt, 4.1 channel speaker system and one is unlikely to get anything better in this size and design. The addition of a wireless subwoofer has helped this sound bar stand out since the best available pedestal models remain low even with dedicated subwoofers.

The integrated 3D capable Blu-ray player and the built-in Wi-Fi expose us to LG’s Smart TV suite of streaming media apps. There’s also built-in Bluetooth, for wireless audio streaming from nearly any device. Thus, it is clear that you can add as many features to your device as possible but without the main purpose accomplished it’s just a showcase.

LG all-in-one sound bar makes its debut at CES 2014

BlueWatch by ZTE Takes A Jab At The Pebble Smartwatch

ZTE first every smartwatch BlueWatch

With loads of devices unveiled at CES 2014, ZTE is pushing forward to join the club with its first smartwatch – the BlueWatch. Unfortunately this device seems to be a Pebble clone. The similarities between the two are obvious from the start with both having three buttons on the left and one on the right. The charging system is quite different though as the BlueWatch uses a magnetically attached USB cable to accomplish the purpose. It has a black and white e-paper display, however, which is, again, identical to the Pebble. PING! Magazine’s correspondent revealed that the BlueWatch has weak backlighting in comparison to the Pebble.

With regards to its features the device supports Android and the display measures 1.26″ with a resolution of 144 x 168. With a 235 mAh battery, Bluetooth 3.0 and 4.0+ EDR support, and a 4 button setup as a first release this s impressive (although the Pebble holds the credit). ZTE has armed the Bluewatch with a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 processor, paired with 128KB of RAM and 1024K of internal flash.  Despite similarities to the Pebble the BlueWatch is still a treat to high-end smartwatch lovers.

BlueWatch is designed to receive notifications, count your steps, find your phone, and perform loads of other smartwatch functions. Want to use it as a fitness-gear?  Sure, it comes with a built-in pedometer. The watch shows three faces with the user’s ability to swap between them, all of which looked very similar to the default faces on the Pebble. The BlueWatch uses Bluetooth to connect to a smartphone and uses apps to control other features.

ZTE has promised a lot more to come adding this is just the beginning. Though ZTE only unveiled the beta version of the watch at the CES, it shows sure signs of selling it in the near future. The company has remained tight-lipped with regards to a release date and the price.

BlueWatch by ZTE Takes A Jab At The Pebble Smartwatch

Samsung’s 85" Bendy TV vs. LG’s 77" curved OLED TV

Samsung’s 85″ Bendy TV vs. LG’s 77″ curved OLED TV

As anticipated CES 2014 was a display of jaw-dropping brilliance with the top electronics manufacturers racing to present their marvels. This year saw a clash between the two Korean giants: LG and Samsung.

It seemed as though Samsung weren’t satisfied at only realising their 105″ curved TV.  They also showed off a concept television that can bend via remote control. The 85″ UHD model can change from a flatscreen to a curved screen at the flick of a switch.  The South Korean company stated that the curved screen offered a wider field of view and panoramic effect; a similar effect to that used by IMAX.

Two motors on the side of the TV controlled by remote control determine the curvature, taking into account the number of people enjoying the TV.

No price has yet been announced. As a piece of technology it’s definitely interesting but it’s solving a problem that doesn’t really exist.

Their rival LG had already created a curved TV, but the angle was fixed. For them, it wasn’t just to build a 77″ 4K TV with a curved screen, but also to upgrade the display technology by adding a fourth sub-pixel to the display. While most TVs have three sub pixels (RGB), the new TV set adds a fourth white one (WRGB). It’s the first time that this new technology has been applied to a 4K set. The set also has LG’s Tru Ultra engine and is compatible with HDCP 2.2 as well as high-resolution videos in the H.265 format. Price-wise it will be ready and waiting for inclusion in your living room by this summer for a whopping £18,300.

Samsung’s 85" Bendy TV vs. LG’s 77" curved OLED TV

Audi Sport Quattro Will Change the Way We Drive

Audi Sport Quattro Will Change the Way We Drive

Audi provided a feast for tech geeks at CES 2014 by presenting its evolved laser light beast – the Audi Sport Quattro.

 As to its signature lasers, Audi has used the concept of laser diodes for its high beam headlights which combines lasers and matrix LEDs. Though smaller than LEDs, the lamps can illuminate the road up to 500m ahead of the car, which Audi claims is approximately twice the distance and thrice the brightness of standard headlights.

A Powerful Plug in Hybrid Drivetrain

This is a hybrid, combining a plug-in electric drive and a 4L V8 with twin turbochargers, boosting it to 552 hp. An electric motor between transmission and engine provides a total system output of 690 hp. The reincarnated Quattro completes the 0 to 62mph sprint in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of around 190 mph; thanks to the combustion engine. The fuel economy is estimated at 95 mpg taking into account the car’s 30 emission free miles of pure electric range and cylinder deactivation technology.

It is mounted with engine start and Drive Select (to select between Electric, Hybrid and Sport settings) buttons on the steering wheel. Want to see how smart things get in this world? Well, here is an example – this marvel has a next generation touchscreen panel, which provides hi-res 3D graphics for entertainment, navigation and information (much like your smartphone). Also this information is provided via a narrow strip of LCD – a standout from the large displays featured these days.

 With the price ceiling for the car at £166,000 and the vast amount of tech shaping this beast, Audi is yet to start on the business case.  If it does get the nod, the halo coupe would almost certainly be a 2014 treat.

Audi Sport Quattro Will Change the Way We Drive

Lenovo Displays Four New Smartphones at CES 2014

Lenovo Displays Four New Smartphones at CES 2014

 

Chinese multinational technology company, Lenovo arrived at the mecca of gambling and introduced its four new Android powered smartphones – the Lenovo Vibe Z, Lenovo S930, Lenovo S650 and the Lenovo A859.

 The elegant Vibe Z is the most appealing one in the lineup with its 5.5″1080p display, a quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and a 13MP rear camera; a great effort as Lenovo’s first ever LTE Smartphone. This sleek smartphone is wrapped up in a silver or titanium body and is estimated to be released in February in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines for £333.

Liu Jun, Lenovo’s senior vice president, believes that the new Vibe Z was created with its elegant design, high performance and custom software so that customers could have the best smartphone experience at the speed of LTE.

Though S930 and S650 share some of the elegance of the former they certainly cannot match it with their 8GB of internal storage and 8MP cameras running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Both phones come with the same MediaTek 1.3GHz quad core processor and the 6” S930 comes at £193 whilst the S650 costs £139 (a bit high for a 4.7” cutie).

The A859 being the first of the A series is packed with a 720p display, 8GB of storage and an 8MP camera powered by a MediaTek quad core 1.3GHz processor and runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. This being the budget handset in the team comes at just £132.

Lenovo proves to be customer-friendly with their smartphones by offering a choice of screen size. Though their smartphones have created a stir in the market they are yet to decide upon their release in UK and US.

Lenovo Vibe Z Key Features:

•  Lenovo’s first LTE Smartphone: Runs on Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 Quad-core processor and Android 4.3 interface


•  Razor thin at just 7.9mm in a silver or titanium body weighing just 147 grams


•  Mobile freedom with data uploads at 50 MBit/s and downloads at 150 MBit/s1


• High definition: 5.5-inch full high definition (1920×1080) IPS wide angle viewing touchscreen display with 20/20 Vision display, featuring  a pixel density of 400 pixels per inch


• Enhanced imaging software and high resolution cameras: 13 MP rear camera with a fast f1.8 aperture lens to defy low light situations  and capture breathtaking photos and a 5 MP front camera that’s equipped with a 84° lens for wide-angle shots


•  Spacious 2 GB of memory and 16 GB of internal storage


• Gesture controls: users can swipe down on the screen to call up notifications, slide it up to display the phone’s settings and then double tap for custom commands

Lenovo S930 Key Features:

• Super-sized HD 6-in 1280 x 720 screen with wide viewing angle


• Premium audio experience enhanced with dual front-facing speakers and Dolby Digital Plus advanced features


• Powered by the new MediaTek 1.3GHz Quad-core processor for great performance to run games and apps


• Equipped with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system, Android’s most popular OS with improved speed and user experience


• Superior design with a unique rear cover design for a comfortable grip and less fingerprints and scratches


• Gesture and motion-based enhancements to user interface for better one-hand usage

Lenovo S650 Key Features:

• Attractive design with laser-etched fabric-feel rear cover and comfortable grip


•  Powered by the new MediaTek 1.3GHz quad-core processor for great performance to run games and apps


• Equipped with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system, Android’s most popular OS with improved speed and user experience


• 8MP rear camera for sharp and clear photography


• Gesture and motion-based enhancements to user interface for better one-hand usage


• Micro-SD card with up to 32GB external storage to expand storage significantly


• Dual SIM card holder to store two numbers in one phone

Lenovo A850 Key Features:

• Clear, crisp 5-in HD display with IPS technology for enjoying sharper multimedia content


• 178° viewing angles for watching videos and easily viewing content together with friends


• Powerful performance with a Quad-Core MT 1.3GHz processor, running on Android 4.2, for improved speed and user experience


•  1.6MP front-facing camera for video chat and an 8MP rear-facing camera with LED flash to capture life’s moments day or night


• Dual SIM for more flexibility, with the option to use two numbers on the A859 or choose a separate data plan

Lenovo Displays Four New Smartphones at CES 2014

Meta Watch at the CES 2014

Meta Watch at the CES 2014

Nothing in this world has better replaced the standard time teller on our wrists.  Despite advancements in technology it appears we still want our wristwatch to look like a classic watch.  In light of this MetaWatch is releasing META Watches…getting confused? MetaWatch, the smartwatch company born from ex Fossil Group engineers from Texas, is bringing out a new brand of devices called META…stay with me.  This set distinguishes itself from its siblings in that it is much more pleasing to the eye – something that the former certainly wasn’t.

This new collection was created by Frank Nuovo, known for his work for the high-end smartphone maker Vertu. The line features a bold black face with stainless steel case. With the option for leather bands and other ‘premium’ materials, Nuovo has bragged about the quality craftsmanship. The line will come in a variety of colours and designs. One of the biggest changes for the META line is a new display. MetaWatch has swapped its low contrast, hard-to-read display for a high-resolution e-paper screen. This update makes it easy to view and adds a touch of elegance.

 

Bill Geiser, the CEO says, “I’ve been gnawing on Nuovo’s ankle for several years. To me it’s about crafting beautiful products.”  Now that’s a word you rarely hear in the smartwatch arena – the word beautiful.  Though its price is still a secret, regardless of how technology has been stacked up, the new META aims at becoming the most luxurious smartwatches available on the market. Ultimately, the device has been developed to look more like traditional classic wristwatches compared to some of the boxy, cheaper looking smartwatches currently available.  This year is set to see more smartwatches compete in this arena. But what is sure to fascinate us is will Meta Watches new look be style over substance when it comes to competing with the technology in other smartwatches.

Meta Watch at the CES 2014

Sony Set to Launch Core SmartBand by Spring

Sony Mobile CEO Kunimasa Suzuki teased audiences at the end of the CES 2014 press conference by giving them a brief introduction to the Core SmartBand. Calling it the ‘…tiniest gadget Sony has ever made…’ Suzuki unveiled the product, which is said to be a simpler version of the Sony SmartWatch.  Already being talked about as the ‘life-tracker’, he revealed how it will not only record movement, but also how long the wearer sleeps, the music they listen to and the friends they are most often in contact with, amongst other things. Although the Core can be worn on the wrist in a SmartBand, it can also be worn in other wearable fabric, making it easy to transport and carry at all times. Suzuki also hinted that Sony is working with other manufacturers to discuss the possibility of creating a range of accessories to pair with the Core.

Sony Mobile CEO Kunimasa Suzuki

The product is able to connect to the consumer’s phone using Bluetooth and then displays the data collected via an app known as LifeLog. If the connection between the phone and the Core is lost, the latter will continue to record data within a given radius. Plans for the LifeLog app have not yet been finalised. Suzuki was deliberately vague in his details about the product, with the intention of intriguing his audience ahead of the launch of the SmartBand this spring.

Sony Set to Launch Core SmartBand by Spring

CES 2013- Polaroid retro -style camera

CES 2013- Polaroid retro -style camera

Polariod is bringing back it’s retro -style camera with a new updated features that allows users to instantly print the image but also to upload the image taken to social media.

Polaroid Socialmatic Specification

• 14 MP digital smart camera


• Frontal and Rear Camera


• 2×3” full color images


• Fully Connected


• Print with ZINK® Zero ink® printing technology


• Exclusive QR Mood Assistant™


• Available in white or black

CES 2013- Polaroid retro -style camera

OhMiBod Sexy Panties announced at CES 2014

 OhMiBod Sexy Panties announced at CES 2014  

On Monday at the CES 2014 Las Vegas show OhMiBod announced that they would be releasing a pair of panties that can be controlled by a partner.

Brian Dunham, who founded OhMiBod along with his wife Suki, told Mashable “It’s a really fun way to control vibrations without anyone knowing what you’re doing because the remote is on your phone, and “Technology can drive couples apart, but this is using technology and gadgets to bring them closer together.”

OhMiBod Sexy Panties announced at CES 2014

Samsung Galaxy NotePRO at CES 2014

Samsung Galaxy NotePRO

The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO is the world’s first 12.2-inch WQXGA Widescreen (16:10) display, offering crystal clear resolution. It’s being displayed at the Samsung booth at CES 2014, January 7th through 10th, 2014.

Galaxy NotePRO (12.2-inch) Product Specifications

Category	Specifications
Network	LTE : 800/900/1800/2600＋850/2100 3G : HSPA＋ 21 850/900/1900/2100
Processor	WiFi and 3G: Exynos 5 Octa (1.9 GHz QuadCore ＋ 1.3 GHz Quadcore) LTE : Snapdragon 800 2.3GHz Quad ＊ The selection of AP will be different by markets
Display	12.2-inch WQXGA (2560 X 1600) Super clear LCD
OS	Android 4.4 (KitKat)
Camera / Flash	- Main(Rear): 8 Megapixel, Auto Focus Camera with LED Flash, Zero Shutter lag - Sub(Front): 2 Megapixel
Video	- Codec: H.264, MPEG-4, H.263, VC-1, WMV7, WMV8, Sorenson Spark, MP43, VP8, HEVC - 1080p Full HD video @ 60fps
Audio	- Codec: MP3, AAC/AAC＋/eAAC＋, WMA, FLAC, AMR-NB/WB, Vorbis(OGG), WAV - 3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo Speaker
S Pen Optimized Features	S Pen Experience - S Note(Easy Chart), S Planner - Air Command: Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, Pen Window - Direct Pen Input
Content Services / Applications	Samsung Hub - Video, Music - Books / Games / Learning (Stub)
	Samsung Apps / Kies
	Samsung TouchWiz / Magazine UX
	Samsung KNOX (stub), Samsung e-Meeting, Side Sync 3.0 (stub)
	Bloomberg Businessweek＋, Dropbox, Evernote, NY Times
	Remote PC, Sketchbook Pro (stub), WebEx Meetings
Free Downloadable apps	Samsung ChatON, Hancom Office for Android, Link, Group Play
	Bitcasa, Blurb, Easilydo Pro, LIVESPORT.TV, LinkedIn, Oxford Advanced Learner’s A-Z
Google Mobile Services	Chrome, Search, Gmail, Google＋, Maps, Play Books Play Movies, Play Music, Play Store, Hangouts Voice Search, YouTube, Google Settings, Play Games, Photos, Drive, Play Newsstand
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO (2.4 & 5 GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, AllShareCast, BT4.0, USB3.0
GPS	GPS ＋ GLONASS
Sensor	Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geo-magnetic, RGB
Memory	3GB RAM, 32/64GB Internal Memory microSD (Up to 64GB)
Dimension / Weight	295.6 x 204 x 7.95mm 750g (WiFi version), 753g (3G/LTE version)
Battery	9,500mAh
IrLED	Yes

Samsung Galaxy NotePRO at CES 2014

CES 2014 and its celebrity star appeal

Only four more sleeps until the doors open for the biggest technology tradeshow going.  It’s time for CES 2014.  Here we’ll find out about some of the gadgets and technology we’ll be fawning over for the next 12 months.  The website bills the event as a gathering of ‘…those who shape the future…’  No argument there right?  On one hand what’s not appealing about it?  Well, firstly it’s in Vegas.  That gives it kudos alone.  Secondly it’s where the major technology companies launch their latest products, right?  Well, that’s not technically true.  Apple hasn’t exhibited at CES for over a decade and Samsung put more emphasis on their TVs and home appliances opting to launch their smartphones at exclusive events elsewhere.  So, whilst CES may be losing some of it’s sparkle in terms of exclusivity it’s still managing to hold on to one of its biggest draws – the celebrities.  So whilst you may not be privy to the newest iPhone or latest model in the Microsoft Surface range you will be guaranteed to spot a celeb…

Here’s PING’s Top Ten list of celebs confirmed for this year’s CES 2014…

1.       Pharrell Williams

Williams will be helping Liquipel unveil its new 360 program.

2.       Janelle Monae

The singer will be honoured as Breakthrough Music Artist.

3.       Dean Norris

Norris will accept the Breakthrough Television honour on behalf of the hit CBS drama, Under the Dome.

4.       50 Cent

Catch him at the SMS Audio booth.

5.       Tiësto

The world’s second highest-paid DJ will hold a press conference at the Audiofly booth.

6.       DJ Steve Angello

The Swedish House Mafia DJ will be representing Urbanears in the Zound Industries booth.

7.       Nick Cannon

The popular presenter will host a new fixture; Variety’s Breakthrough of the Year Awards

8.       Rohan Marley

Rohan and brother, Ky-mani Marley, sons of music icon Bob Marley, will be available at the House of Marley booth.

9.       Kristen Bell

Bell will accept the Breakthrough Film honour on behalf of the Kickstarter-funded film, Veronica Mars.

10.   Amy Schumer

The Girls actress will be honoured for Breakthrough Comedy.

CES 2014 and its celebrity star appeal