Technology

Samsung always has a major presence at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, and this year is no exception. The company just unveiled an update to its existing line of smart monitors. This is a modest refresh of last year's Smart Monitor M8, which was already feature-packed. This one looks to keep many of the same specs from 2023's release, from resolution to the detachable camera. However, there have been some software updates. 

The Smart Monitor M80D boasts a 32-inch 4K panel and all kinds of high-tech bells and whistles. The big news here is that you can use the display without a PC or a gaming console.

This doesn’t mean it’s a full-fledged computer on its own. The standalone tasks include video calls via the detachable webcam and streaming content from providers like Netflix and Prime Video. The monitor also includes Samsung’s Gaming Hub, so you can stream all kinds of titles via the cloud. Finally, there are standalone apps for controlling smart home devices, word processing and one for accessing fitness metrics.

The previous-generation M8 Smart Monitor already boasted some features that worked without the use of a PC, but this new version kicks things up a notch. You also get HDR10+ visuals, built-in 2-channel speakers and Bluetooth for connecting directly to other gadgets, like wearables. There’s even a tool that lets you quickly send images and text from other Samsung devices, like Galaxy smartphones and Book laptops, to the monitor. It also integrates with Galaxy Buds to offer a “surround sound-like experience” with minimal latency.

This model will be available sometime this year, but Samsung hasn’t released pricing details. As a comparison, the previous-generation launched at $700, but was commonly available with steep discounts.

Samsung also used CES to announce something truly odd, a 3D monitor in the year 2024. 3D technology was extremely popular more than a decade ago, but has since fallen out of favor due to limited use case scenarios. This display offers a potential new use for 3D tech, access to VR content without a headset.

Samsung promises the monitor can run most VR applications without any wearable accessories whatsoever, though the experience will be markedly different. There’s eye and head-tracking integrated into the display, so it can mimic VR movement, but the field of view will be limited by the monitor. A built-in algorithm automatically adjusts the 3D response to provide the most “immersive gaming experience” and it works with all Steam VR titles. Of course, you can also use it to watch traditional 3D content, like 2009’s Avatar or whatever.

There’s no release date yet, though Samsung says it’ll release more information about the monitor as the year progresses. The company also announced a monitor called The Link that’s intended for multi-screen setups. There isn’t much information available for this one, with more to come “later in 2024.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-updates-its-smart-monitor-that-works-without-a-pc-for-ces-2024-030013578.html?src=rss

To go along with its new TVs and soundbars in Las Vegas, Samsung also announced new projectors to fill out its home theater lineup. At CES 2024, the company has four new Premiere models to choose from, and while the Premiere 8K and Premiere 5 are the two most interesting, the entire lineup for this year is getting a feature called Lightwarp that turns any object or surface into an interactive display. 

Samsung says this is the first time that projection mapping has been available outside of a professional environment and in consumer-grade devices. The tool allows you to project any content on any surface, including a customizable dashboard full of widgets for a clock, weather and more. The company says you'll be able to tap on the projection to interact with it, citing examples like writing on sticky notes or playing a tabletop game. There aren't too many details available yet, but we should get more info, and hopefully a demo, at CES now that the projectors have been announced. 

The entire 2024 Samsung projector lineup will also get the company's Gaming Hub. This will let you access thousands of games without a console. All four can be used as smart speakers without having to turn the screen projection. 

Samsung calls the new Premiere 5 a "do-it-all" model. The company describes it as "the world's most compact triple-laser ultra-short-throw projector, ticking the tape at 7.9 inches high, 5.4 inches wide and 5.4 inches deep. It also weighs just 3.7 pounds, so it can easily be repositioned around your living space. The smaller stature should come in handy when moving it around to make use to Lightwarp and an included stand helps you beam visuals on tables and desks. 

When placed 17 inches from a wall, Samsung says the Premiere 5 can display up to a 100-inch image, automatically adjusting for focus and color balance. The Premiere 5 features a multi-function key that enables mode switching, mobile connection and a screen off feature. That last item keeps audio on while disabling the visuals, and you can also easily mirror a smartphone display by tapping the device on the projector. The company didn't specify whether this needs to be a Samsung phone, but we'll update this post if and when we find out. There's a built-in 10-watt speaker too, which the company says it capable of "rich, room-filling sound." 

Samsung Premiere 8KPhoto by Billy Steele/Engadget

At the top of the lineup sits the Premiere 8K. This coffee-table-sized unit is the first 8K projector with wireless connectivity for devices you'd typically connect with cables, according to Samsung. A Wireless One Connect Box is where you'll hook up all of your streaming gadgets and consoles, and it then sendscontent to the projector from up to 10 meters (around 33 feet) away. 

The company says the Premiere 8K is also the first to combine 100-watt output with 8.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos and Sound-on-Screen tech — a feature that makes it seem like audio is coming from the projected image rather than the projector. This unit can muster a 150-inch image at 12 inches away from a wall where Samsung says the competition needs five meters (around 16 feet) to do the same. And if you're worried about a lack of 8K content, the projector can upscale 4K items thanks to onboard AI-powered tech. 

Last but not least, Samsung says the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 are the follow-ups to the current Premiere LSP7T and LSP9T options. Both of these short-throw projectors will offer brighter projection and a Quantum 4K processor. Dolby Atmos sound is also onboard for "a theater-like experience," according to the company. 

Samsung didn't announce any details regarding pricing and availability, but that's typical for CES. That information typically comes closer to launch, and we'll keep you updated as those specifics emerge. 

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-debuts-premiere-projectors-that-turn-any-surface-into-an-interactive-display-for-your-home-theater-030006840.html?src=rss

To go along with its new TVs and soundbars in Las Vegas, Samsung also announced new projectors to fill out its home theater lineup. At CES 2024, the company has four new Premiere models to choose from, and while the Premiere 8K and Premiere 5 are the two most interesting, the entire lineup for this year is getting a feature called Lightwarp that turns any object or surface into an interactive display. 

Samsung says this is the first time that projection mapping has been available outside of a professional environment and in consumer-grade devices. The tool allows you to project any content on any surface, including a customizable dashboard full of widgets for a clock, weather and more. The company says you'll be able to tap on the projection to interact with it, citing examples like writing on sticky notes or playing a tabletop game. There aren't too many details available yet, but we should get more info, and hopefully a demo, at CES now that the projectors have been announced. 

The entire 2024 Samsung projector lineup will also get the company's Gaming Hub. This will let you access thousands of games without a console. All four can be used as smart speakers without having to turn the screen projection. 

Samsung calls the new Premiere 5 a "do-it-all" model. The company describes it as "the world's most compact triple-laser ultra-short-throw projector, ticking the tape at 7.9 inches high, 5.4 inches wide and 5.4 inches deep. It also weighs just 3.7 pounds, so it can easily be repositioned around your living space. The smaller stature should come in handy when moving it around to make use to Lightwarp and an included stand helps you beam visuals on tables and desks. 

When placed 17 inches from a wall, Samsung says the Premiere 5 can display up to a 100-inch image, automatically adjusting for focus and color balance. The Premiere 5 features a multi-function key that enables mode switching, mobile connection and a screen off feature. That last item keeps audio on while disabling the visuals, and you can also easily mirror a smartphone display by tapping the device on the projector. The company didn't specify whether this needs to be a Samsung phone, but we'll update this post if and when we find out. There's a built-in 10-watt speaker too, which the company says it capable of "rich, room-filling sound." 

Samsung Premiere 8KPhoto by Billy Steele/Engadget

At the top of the lineup sits the Premiere 8K. This coffee-table-sized unit is the first 8K projector with wireless connectivity for devices you'd typically connect with cables, according to Samsung. A Wireless One Connect Box is where you'll hook up all of your streaming gadgets and consoles, and it then sendscontent to the projector from up to 10 meters (around 33 feet) away. 

The company says the Premiere 8K is also the first to combine 100-watt output with 8.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos and Sound-on-Screen tech — a feature that makes it seem like audio is coming from the projected image rather than the projector. This unit can muster a 150-inch image at 12 inches away from a wall where Samsung says the competition needs five meters (around 16 feet) to do the same. And if you're worried about a lack of 8K content, the projector can upscale 4K items thanks to onboard AI-powered tech. 

Last but not least, Samsung says the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 are the follow-ups to the current Premiere LSP7T and LSP9T options. Both of these short-throw projectors will offer brighter projection and a Quantum 4K processor. Dolby Atmos sound is also onboard for "a theater-like experience," according to the company. 

Samsung didn't announce any details regarding pricing and availability, but that's typical for CES. That information typically comes closer to launch, and we'll keep you updated as those specifics emerge. 

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-debuts-premiere-projectors-that-turn-any-surface-into-an-interactive-display-for-your-home-theater-030006840.html?src=rss

To go along with its new TVs and soundbars in Las Vegas, Samsung also announced new projectors to fill out its home theater lineup. At CES 2024, the company has four new Premiere models to choose from, and while the Premiere 8K and Premiere 5 are the two most interesting, the entire lineup for this year is getting a feature called Lightwarp that turns any object or surface into an interactive display. 

Samsung says this is the first time that projection mapping has been available outside of a professional environment and in consumer-grade devices. The tool allows you to project any content on any surface, including a customizable dashboard full of widgets for a clock, weather and more. The company says you'll be able to tap on the projection to interact with it, citing examples like writing on sticky notes or playing a tabletop game. There aren't too many details available yet, but we should get more info, and hopefully a demo, at CES now that the projectors have been announced. 

The entire 2024 Samsung projector lineup will also get the company's Gaming Hub. This will let you access thousands of games without a console. All four can be used as smart speakers without having to turn the screen projection. 

Samsung calls the new Premiere 5 a "do-it-all" model. The company describes it as "the world's most compact triple-laser ultra-short-throw projector, ticking the tape at 7.9 inches high, 5.4 inches wide and 5.4 inches deep. It also weighs just 3.7 pounds, so it can easily be repositioned around your living space. The smaller stature should come in handy when moving it around to make use to Lightwarp and an included stand helps you beam visuals on tables and desks. 

When placed 17 inches from a wall, Samsung says the Premiere 5 can display up to a 100-inch image, automatically adjusting for focus and color balance. The Premiere 5 features a multi-function key that enables mode switching, mobile connection and a screen off feature. That last item keeps audio on while disabling the visuals, and you can also easily mirror a smartphone display by tapping the device on the projector. The company didn't specify whether this needs to be a Samsung phone, but we'll update this post if and when we find out. There's a built-in 10-watt speaker too, which the company says it capable of "rich, room-filling sound." 

Samsung Premiere 8KPhoto by Billy Steele/Engadget

At the top of the lineup sits the Premiere 8K. This coffee-table-sized unit is the first 8K projector with wireless connectivity for devices you'd typically connect with cables, according to Samsung. A Wireless One Connect Box is where you'll hook up all of your streaming gadgets and consoles, and it then sendscontent to the projector from up to 10 meters (around 33 feet) away. 

The company says the Premiere 8K is also the first to combine 100-watt output with 8.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos and Sound-on-Screen tech — a feature that makes it seem like audio is coming from the projected image rather than the projector. This unit can muster a 150-inch image at 12 inches away from a wall where Samsung says the competition needs five meters (around 16 feet) to do the same. And if you're worried about a lack of 8K content, the projector can upscale 4K items thanks to onboard AI-powered tech. 

Last but not least, Samsung says the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 are the follow-ups to the current Premiere LSP7T and LSP9T options. Both of these short-throw projectors will offer brighter projection and a Quantum 4K processor. Dolby Atmos sound is also onboard for "a theater-like experience," according to the company. 

Samsung didn't announce any details regarding pricing and availability, but that's typical for CES. That information typically comes closer to launch, and we'll keep you updated as those specifics emerge. 

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-debuts-premiere-projectors-that-turn-any-surface-into-an-interactive-display-for-your-home-theater-030006840.html?src=rss

In recent years, LG has rolled into every CES with an update to its Gram series of super thin and light laptops. And each time, I delight in seeing how hard (or easy) it is to squeeze in a quick arm workout on the showfloor with the newest version. This year at CES 2024, the company is launching a pair of Pro models that feature upgraded OLED panels that support touch input and variable refresh rates. They also come with Intel's Meteor Lake processors and up to NVIDIA's RTX 3070 graphics cards. 

This generation of LG's Gram Pros come in 16- and 17-inch models, with OLED and IPS display options to choose from. The company also upgraded its stylus so it recharges when magnetically attached to the laptops. The stylus available at the showfloor was not working, so I wasn't able to see if its slimmer body affected the writing experience at all. Plus, the sample model of the Gram Pro 2-in-1 also stuttered every now and then when changing the screen's orientation as I flipped it between landscape and portrait modes.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

I'm willing to chalk that up to the units running pre-production software, which is also why I didn't get to check out the software features that LG is rolling out with these laptops, either. For one thing, the Gram Pros' processors are equipped with Intel's AI Boost, which is supposed to help the machines perform AI tasks more quickly. LG is also offering its Link software that can let you use Windows, Android and even iOS devices as companion secondary displays to the Grams. Neither of these features were shown off at the CES 2024 demo area, though. 

What I did get to check out in person is the build, which an LG representative told me is more durable than before. It uses a nano-magnesium alloy, and impressively houses a dual-fan cooling system. For a system that contains that hardware, and includes two USB-A, two USB-C and an HDMI port (along with a headphone jack), the 17-inch Gram Pro that I picked up was surprisingly sleek. It has a contoured edge that is thicker at the port end and tapers off to a strikingly sharp end. 

Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

The 2-in-1, which only comes in a 16-inch size, has won a Guinness World Record for "lightest 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop." It weighs 3 pounds, which made it not at all challenging for the bicep curls and shoulder presses I was doing with it. But that also means it won't add too much to your load when you're on the go. 

We've had concerns with the Gram laptops' build quality in the past, as they've been so thin that their chasses have exhibited flex. This year's model is similarly sleek, with a profile measuring 12.4mm, and it has a nano-magnesium frame like the non-2-in-1 version. The unit I checked out certainly felt a little stronger than those I've seen in previous years, but I can't give you specifics since I wasn't trying hard to break it. 

You can choose between OLED or IPS panels, with the former offering a variable refresh rate between 48 and 120Hz and the latter stretching that range to 31Hz and 140Hz. The Gram Pro series will be available in February and start at $1,499. For more details on what's new with the 2024 Gram Pro laptops, check out our news post here.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lg-gram-pro-2-in-1-hands-on-a-lightweight-convertible-gets-a-better-faster-oled-screen-025942736.html?src=rss

In recent years, LG has rolled into every CES with an update to its Gram series of super thin and light laptops. And each time, I delight in seeing how hard (or easy) it is to squeeze in a quick arm workout on the showfloor with the newest version. This year at CES 2024, the company is launching a pair of Pro models that feature upgraded OLED panels that support touch input and variable refresh rates. They also come with Intel's Meteor Lake processors and up to NVIDIA's RTX 3070 graphics cards. 

This generation of LG's Gram Pros come in 16- and 17-inch models, with OLED and IPS display options to choose from. The company also upgraded its stylus so it recharges when magnetically attached to the laptops. The stylus available at the showfloor was not working, so I wasn't able to see if its slimmer body affected the writing experience at all. Plus, the sample model of the Gram Pro 2-in-1 also stuttered every now and then when changing the screen's orientation as I flipped it between landscape and portrait modes.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

I'm willing to chalk that up to the units running pre-production software, which is also why I didn't get to check out the software features that LG is rolling out with these laptops, either. For one thing, the Gram Pros' processors are equipped with Intel's AI Boost, which is supposed to help the machines perform AI tasks more quickly. LG is also offering its Link software that can let you use Windows, Android and even iOS devices as companion secondary displays to the Grams. Neither of these features were shown off at the CES 2024 demo area, though. 

What I did get to check out in person is the build, which an LG representative told me is more durable than before. It uses a nano-magnesium alloy, and impressively houses a dual-fan cooling system. For a system that contains that hardware, and includes two USB-A, two USB-C and an HDMI port (along with a headphone jack), the 17-inch Gram Pro that I picked up was surprisingly sleek. It has a contoured edge that is thicker at the port end and tapers off to a strikingly sharp end. 

Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

The 2-in-1, which only comes in a 16-inch size, has won a Guinness World Record for "lightest 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop." It weighs 3 pounds, which made it not at all challenging for the bicep curls and shoulder presses I was doing with it. But that also means it won't add too much to your load when you're on the go. 

We've had concerns with the Gram laptops' build quality in the past, as they've been so thin that their chasses have exhibited flex. This year's model is similarly sleek, with a profile measuring 12.4mm, and it has a nano-magnesium frame like the non-2-in-1 version. The unit I checked out certainly felt a little stronger than those I've seen in previous years, but I can't give you specifics since I wasn't trying hard to break it. 

You can choose between OLED or IPS panels, with the former offering a variable refresh rate between 48 and 120Hz and the latter stretching that range to 31Hz and 140Hz. The Gram Pro series will be available in February and start at $1,499. For more details on what's new with the 2024 Gram Pro laptops, check out our news post here.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lg-gram-pro-2-in-1-hands-on-a-lightweight-convertible-gets-a-better-faster-oled-screen-025942736.html?src=rss

In recent years, LG has rolled into every CES with an update to its Gram series of super thin and light laptops. And each time, I delight in seeing how hard (or easy) it is to squeeze in a quick arm workout on the showfloor with the newest version. This year at CES 2024, the company is launching a pair of Pro models that feature upgraded OLED panels that support touch input and variable refresh rates. They also come with Intel's Meteor Lake processors and up to NVIDIA's RTX 3070 graphics cards. 

This generation of LG's Gram Pros come in 16- and 17-inch models, with OLED and IPS display options to choose from. The company also upgraded its stylus so it recharges when magnetically attached to the laptops. The stylus available at the showfloor was not working, so I wasn't able to see if its slimmer body affected the writing experience at all. Plus, the sample model of the Gram Pro 2-in-1 also stuttered every now and then when changing the screen's orientation as I flipped it between landscape and portrait modes.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

I'm willing to chalk that up to the units running pre-production software, which is also why I didn't get to check out the software features that LG is rolling out with these laptops, either. For one thing, the Gram Pros' processors are equipped with Intel's AI Boost, which is supposed to help the machines perform AI tasks more quickly. LG is also offering its Link software that can let you use Windows, Android and even iOS devices as companion secondary displays to the Grams. Neither of these features were shown off at the CES 2024 demo area, though. 

What I did get to check out in person is the build, which an LG representative told me is more durable than before. It uses a nano-magnesium alloy, and impressively houses a dual-fan cooling system. For a system that contains that hardware, and includes two USB-A, two USB-C and an HDMI port (along with a headphone jack), the 17-inch Gram Pro that I picked up was surprisingly sleek. It has a contoured edge that is thicker at the port end and tapers off to a strikingly sharp end. 

Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

The 2-in-1, which only comes in a 16-inch size, has won a Guinness World Record for "lightest 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop." It weighs 3 pounds, which made it not at all challenging for the bicep curls and shoulder presses I was doing with it. But that also means it won't add too much to your load when you're on the go. 

We've had concerns with the Gram laptops' build quality in the past, as they've been so thin that their chasses have exhibited flex. This year's model is similarly sleek, with a profile measuring 12.4mm, and it has a nano-magnesium frame like the non-2-in-1 version. The unit I checked out certainly felt a little stronger than those I've seen in previous years, but I can't give you specifics since I wasn't trying hard to break it. 

You can choose between OLED or IPS panels, with the former offering a variable refresh rate between 48 and 120Hz and the latter stretching that range to 31Hz and 140Hz. The Gram Pro series will be available in February and start at $1,499. For more details on what's new with the 2024 Gram Pro laptops, check out our news post here.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lg-gram-pro-2-in-1-hands-on-a-lightweight-convertible-gets-a-better-faster-oled-screen-025942736.html?src=rss

Mui is no stranger to CES — the company's first wooden smart home control board was shown off way back in 2019, and the company has been working on a second generation model for at least a year now. But, finally, it looks like the new Mui Board will be something you can order, and hopefully get before the end of 2024.

Like the original, the new Mui Board is a wooden, touch-sensitive surface that lets you control smart devices around your home. When it's not in use, it looks like a minimalist little wooden ledge, but when you tap it, the display lights up. It's kind of like a classier, less obtrusive version of a Nest Hub. The smart home controls apply, like adjusting thermostats, turning lights on, locking doors, starting the charger for your electric car and more. Perhaps the most significant change with this new board is that it works with Matter, the smart home standard that may have broad enough support to finally be successful. So while it's a little early to say exactly how that'll affect its usefulness, chances are good it'll be a lot more compatible with your smart home than the original was. 

Despite the fact that the second-generation Mui Board has been in the works for a while, the company says it won't be shipping until the end of 2024. But a Kickstarter campaign for the device opens up on the morning of January 8, with the Board sporting a $499 price tag. Mui's latest feels like a classic CES product from a small company, something with a nice design and intriguing features that is far from guaranteed to be something that makes sense for many people. But if Mui can make its utility can match its whimsy (c'mon, look at these adorable pixelated animals enjoying the forest!), it might be worth having in your home.

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/muis-whimsical-wooden-smart-home-controller-hits-kickstarter-tomorrow-022119102.html?src=rss

Mui is no stranger to CES — the company's first wooden smart home control board was shown off way back in 2019, and the company has been working on a second generation model for at least a year now. But, finally, it looks like the new Mui Board will be something you can order, and hopefully get before the end of 2024.

Like the original, the new Mui Board is a wooden, touch-sensitive surface that lets you control smart devices around your home. When it's not in use, it looks like a minimalist little wooden ledge, but when you tap it, the display lights up. It's kind of like a classier, less obtrusive version of a Nest Hub. The smart home controls apply, like adjusting thermostats, turning lights on, locking doors, starting the charger for your electric car and more. Perhaps the most significant change with this new board is that it works with Matter, the smart home standard that may have broad enough support to finally be successful. So while it's a little early to say exactly how that'll affect its usefulness, chances are good it'll be a lot more compatible with your smart home than the original was. 

Despite the fact that the second-generation Mui Board has been in the works for a while, the company says it won't be shipping until the end of 2024. But a Kickstarter campaign for the device opens up on the morning of January 8, with the Board sporting a $499 price tag. Mui's latest feels like a classic CES product from a small company, something with a nice design and intriguing features that is far from guaranteed to be something that makes sense for many people. But if Mui can make its utility can match its whimsy (c'mon, look at these adorable pixelated animals enjoying the forest!), it might be worth having in your home.

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/muis-whimsical-wooden-smart-home-controller-hits-kickstarter-tomorrow-022119102.html?src=rss

Mui is no stranger to CES — the company's first wooden smart home control board was shown off way back in 2019, and the company has been working on a second generation model for at least a year now. But, finally, it looks like the new Mui Board will be something you can order, and hopefully get before the end of 2024.

Like the original, the new Mui Board is a wooden, touch-sensitive surface that lets you control smart devices around your home. When it's not in use, it looks like a minimalist little wooden ledge, but when you tap it, the display lights up. It's kind of like a classier, less obtrusive version of a Nest Hub. The smart home controls apply, like adjusting thermostats, turning lights on, locking doors, starting the charger for your electric car and more. Perhaps the most significant change with this new board is that it works with Matter, the smart home standard that may have broad enough support to finally be successful. So while it's a little early to say exactly how that'll affect its usefulness, chances are good it'll be a lot more compatible with your smart home than the original was. 

Despite the fact that the second-generation Mui Board has been in the works for a while, the company says it won't be shipping until the end of 2024. But a Kickstarter campaign for the device opens up on the morning of January 8, with the Board sporting a $499 price tag. Mui's latest feels like a classic CES product from a small company, something with a nice design and intriguing features that is far from guaranteed to be something that makes sense for many people. But if Mui can make its utility can match its whimsy (c'mon, look at these adorable pixelated animals enjoying the forest!), it might be worth having in your home.

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/muis-whimsical-wooden-smart-home-controller-hits-kickstarter-tomorrow-022119102.html?src=rss

The annual Consumer Technology Association (CES) trade show is nearly upon us, having already turned Las Vegas into a high-tech wonderland. Sony’s holding a press conference the day before CES 2024 exhibitions open, on January 8 at 8PM EST. You can stream it live via Sony Square or on the company’s YouTube channel.

What we expect

Sony is being particularly cagey about what it has in store, saying it will “showcase various technologies and initiatives that support creators.” An official company press release also says Sony’s purpose here is to “fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.”

There was a holding image on Sony’s website that seemed to indicate that the presser would focus on technology involving movie production, professional sound and VR. Those three together could certainly, uh, fill the world with emotion. The original teaser image showed the Ghostbusters logo, a man singing into a microphone and a film crew. However, Sony replaced this image with a simple visual showing a bunch of nondescript circles.

While we don’t know what Sony will focus on, we have some ideas of what the company is likely to avoid. Last year, Sony didn’t mention TVs at all, saving that for an event in March. It’s possible we’ll get something PlayStation related, but with the recent launch of the PS5 Slim and the befuddling PlayStation Portal, don’t hold your breath.

We could, however, get some game announcements for the PSVR2. Sony revealed a VR Gran Turismo 7 update at last year’s press conference. It’s also possible that Sony will announce some home theater products to go along with that whole “creativity and technology” thing.

Sony likes to use CES to reveal experimental tech that may or may ever see an actual release. Last year we got the Afeela EV concept vehicle, a partnership with Honda, so who knows what wacky tech will take center stage this year. Sony also revealed a truly innovative kit for PS5 controllers to help players with disabilities during 2023’s event.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-watch-sonys-ces-2024-press-conference-220051103.html?src=rss

The annual Consumer Technology Association (CES) trade show is nearly upon us, having already turned Las Vegas into a high-tech wonderland. Sony’s holding a press conference the day before CES 2024 exhibitions open, on January 8 at 8PM EST. You can stream it live via Sony Square or on the company’s YouTube channel.

What we expect

Sony is being particularly cagey about what it has in store, saying it will “showcase various technologies and initiatives that support creators.” An official company press release also says Sony’s purpose here is to “fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.”

There was a holding image on Sony’s website that seemed to indicate that the presser would focus on technology involving movie production, professional sound and VR. Those three together could certainly, uh, fill the world with emotion. The original teaser image showed the Ghostbusters logo, a man singing into a microphone and a film crew. However, Sony replaced this image with a simple visual showing a bunch of nondescript circles.

While we don’t know what Sony will focus on, we have some ideas of what the company is likely to avoid. Last year, Sony didn’t mention TVs at all, saving that for an event in March. It’s possible we’ll get something PlayStation related, but with the recent launch of the PS5 Slim and the befuddling PlayStation Portal, don’t hold your breath.

We could, however, get some game announcements for the PSVR2. Sony revealed a VR Gran Turismo 7 update at last year’s press conference. It’s also possible that Sony will announce some home theater products to go along with that whole “creativity and technology” thing.

Sony likes to use CES to reveal experimental tech that may or may ever see an actual release. Last year we got the Afeela EV concept vehicle, a partnership with Honda, so who knows what wacky tech will take center stage this year. Sony also revealed a truly innovative kit for PS5 controllers to help players with disabilities during 2023’s event.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-watch-sonys-ces-2024-press-conference-220051103.html?src=rss

The annual Consumer Technology Association (CES) trade show is nearly upon us, having already turned Las Vegas into a high-tech wonderland. Sony’s holding a press conference the day before CES 2024 exhibitions open, on January 8 at 8PM EST. You can stream it live via Sony Square or on the company’s YouTube channel.

What we expect

Sony is being particularly cagey about what it has in store, saying it will “showcase various technologies and initiatives that support creators.” An official company press release also says Sony’s purpose here is to “fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.”

There was a holding image on Sony’s website that seemed to indicate that the presser would focus on technology involving movie production, professional sound and VR. Those three together could certainly, uh, fill the world with emotion. The original teaser image showed the Ghostbusters logo, a man singing into a microphone and a film crew. However, Sony replaced this image with a simple visual showing a bunch of nondescript circles.

While we don’t know what Sony will focus on, we have some ideas of what the company is likely to avoid. Last year, Sony didn’t mention TVs at all, saving that for an event in March. It’s possible we’ll get something PlayStation related, but with the recent launch of the PS5 Slim and the befuddling PlayStation Portal, don’t hold your breath.

We could, however, get some game announcements for the PSVR2. Sony revealed a VR Gran Turismo 7 update at last year’s press conference. It’s also possible that Sony will announce some home theater products to go along with that whole “creativity and technology” thing.

Sony likes to use CES to reveal experimental tech that may or may ever see an actual release. Last year we got the Afeela EV concept vehicle, a partnership with Honda, so who knows what wacky tech will take center stage this year. Sony also revealed a truly innovative kit for PS5 controllers to help players with disabilities during 2023’s event.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-watch-sonys-ces-2024-press-conference-220051103.html?src=rss

Withings has a knack for turning up at CES with a gizmo that garners plenty of attention in the health-tech space. This year, at CES 2024, it’s showing off something called the BeamO, an all-in-one diagnostic tool that follows in the footsteps of its existing contact-free thermometer. Dubbed a “multiscope,” the $250 device will tell you how warm (or not) you’re feeling, measure your blood oxygenation, run a one-lead ECG and even act as a digital stethoscope. Put this to your chest and you can listen to the sounds your chest is making, or send the file to your physician for further analysis.

In the hand, the candybar-shaped BeamO is almost troublingly light, but while medical tech feels weighty, it doesn't actually need to be. You can cycle through its features with the joystick controller, letting you select between ECG / SpO2, Stethoscope, and the wireless temperature sensor. Despite the standalone display you'll need to use the companion app to guide you to use the stethoscope, since it's hard to offer that guidance while holding it at your chest. And you shouldn't have to worry about battery life, either, since the company says the BeamO will last for months at a time on a single charge. 

As much as Withings markets its products to the worried well, the company says this may have some real impact in the telemedicine space. After all, these sorts of basic tests are the ones you’ll experience most of the times you visit a doctor, but aren’t that easy to do online. (Especially given the dangers of self-reporting, the ability for a professional to hear what’s going on in the chest cavity seems key.) The company adds that, pending the usual long delay with the FDA, BeamO will also be able to detect atrial fibrillation.

Health Mate is also getting a fairly muscular overhaul to help bolster BeamO's feature set. Now, up to eight users will be able to track their medication intake and even log the symptoms that are prompting them to take a reading. This data can then be exported to whoever you wish to share it with, including sharing the live audio from the stethoscope.

Withings

Once it has won its numerous approvals, it’ll be interesting to see if BeamO — silly name aside — will be seen as valuable by telehealth professionals. Certainly, paired with its class-leading Health Mate app, it’ll offer users an easy way to look at all of this data. We’ll just have to see if this helps doctors feel the same way, or if they’ll roll their eyes and stick to what they know. If nothing else, this is one way to help cut down on the number of health gadgets you'll need in your home. But we'll put this thing through its paces when the device begins shipping in June.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-withings-beamo-is-an-all-in-one-thermometer-ecg-and-stethoscope-010017439.html?src=rss

Withings has a knack for turning up at CES with a gizmo that garners plenty of attention in the health-tech space. This year, at CES 2024, it’s showing off something called the BeamO, an all-in-one diagnostic tool that follows in the footsteps of its existing contact-free thermometer. Dubbed a “multiscope,” the $250 device will tell you how warm (or not) you’re feeling, measure your blood oxygenation, run a one-lead ECG and even act as a digital stethoscope. Put this to your chest and you can listen to the sounds your chest is making, or send the file to your physician for further analysis.

In the hand, the candybar-shaped BeamO is almost troublingly light, but while medical tech feels weighty, it doesn't actually need to be. You can cycle through its features with the joystick controller, letting you select between ECG / SpO2, Stethoscope, and the wireless temperature sensor. Despite the standalone display you'll need to use the companion app to guide you to use the stethoscope, since it's hard to offer that guidance while holding it at your chest. And you shouldn't have to worry about battery life, either, since the company says the BeamO will last for months at a time on a single charge. 

As much as Withings markets its products to the worried well, the company says this may have some real impact in the telemedicine space. After all, these sorts of basic tests are the ones you’ll experience most of the times you visit a doctor, but aren’t that easy to do online. (Especially given the dangers of self-reporting, the ability for a professional to hear what’s going on in the chest cavity seems key.) The company adds that, pending the usual long delay with the FDA, BeamO will also be able to detect atrial fibrillation.

Health Mate is also getting a fairly muscular overhaul to help bolster BeamO's feature set. Now, up to eight users will be able to track their medication intake and even log the symptoms that are prompting them to take a reading. This data can then be exported to whoever you wish to share it with, including sharing the live audio from the stethoscope.

Withings

Once it has won its numerous approvals, it’ll be interesting to see if BeamO — silly name aside — will be seen as valuable by telehealth professionals. Certainly, paired with its class-leading Health Mate app, it’ll offer users an easy way to look at all of this data. We’ll just have to see if this helps doctors feel the same way, or if they’ll roll their eyes and stick to what they know. If nothing else, this is one way to help cut down on the number of health gadgets you'll need in your home. But we'll put this thing through its paces when the device begins shipping in June.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-withings-beamo-is-an-all-in-one-thermometer-ecg-and-stethoscope-010017439.html?src=rss

Withings has a knack for turning up at CES with a gizmo that garners plenty of attention in the health-tech space. This year, at CES 2024, it’s showing off something called the BeamO, an all-in-one diagnostic tool that follows in the footsteps of its existing contact-free thermometer. Dubbed a “multiscope,” the $250 device will tell you how warm (or not) you’re feeling, measure your blood oxygenation, run a one-lead ECG and even act as a digital stethoscope. Put this to your chest and you can listen to the sounds your chest is making, or send the file to your physician for further analysis.

In the hand, the candybar-shaped BeamO is almost troublingly light, but while medical tech feels weighty, it doesn't actually need to be. You can cycle through its features with the joystick controller, letting you select between ECG / SpO2, Stethoscope, and the wireless temperature sensor. Despite the standalone display you'll need to use the companion app to guide you to use the stethoscope, since it's hard to offer that guidance while holding it at your chest. And you shouldn't have to worry about battery life, either, since the company says the BeamO will last for months at a time on a single charge. 

As much as Withings markets its products to the worried well, the company says this may have some real impact in the telemedicine space. After all, these sorts of basic tests are the ones you’ll experience most of the times you visit a doctor, but aren’t that easy to do online. (Especially given the dangers of self-reporting, the ability for a professional to hear what’s going on in the chest cavity seems key.) The company adds that, pending the usual long delay with the FDA, BeamO will also be able to detect atrial fibrillation.

Health Mate is also getting a fairly muscular overhaul to help bolster BeamO's feature set. Now, up to eight users will be able to track their medication intake and even log the symptoms that are prompting them to take a reading. This data can then be exported to whoever you wish to share it with, including sharing the live audio from the stethoscope.

Withings

Once it has won its numerous approvals, it’ll be interesting to see if BeamO — silly name aside — will be seen as valuable by telehealth professionals. Certainly, paired with its class-leading Health Mate app, it’ll offer users an easy way to look at all of this data. We’ll just have to see if this helps doctors feel the same way, or if they’ll roll their eyes and stick to what they know. If nothing else, this is one way to help cut down on the number of health gadgets you'll need in your home. But we'll put this thing through its paces when the device begins shipping in June.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-withings-beamo-is-an-all-in-one-thermometer-ecg-and-stethoscope-010017439.html?src=rss

Kia is returning to CES for the first time in five years and the company is set to take center stage for a spell by hosting a press conference. You'll be able to watch all the Kia CES 2024 announcements on January 8 at 6PM ET by checking out the livestream below.

What to expect

The company says it will offer interested parties a closer peek at several of its concept models including the EV3 and EV4, as well as the EV9 and EV6 GT. Kia is also promising a look at its first so-called "platform beyond vehicle" (PBV) that's scheduled for mass production in 2025.

Kia describes PBV as a mobility solution that blends "fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions that will open the door to new businesses and lifestyles." To that end, the automaker will talk through some PBV tech, "its software-defined vehicle strategy" and partnership plans.

The brand has been teasing out some of its EV ambitions over the last year or so. For instance, we test drove the EV9 concept, which has seven seats and a large cargo space. In October, Kia offered more details on the EV3, EV4 and EV5 before providing a closer look at the first two of those the following month. It seems like it won't be too long before the public can get behind the wheel of at least one of these vehicles.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/watch-kia-show-off-five-new-evs-at-ces-2024-230047828.html?src=rss

Kia is returning to CES for the first time in five years and the company is set to take center stage for a spell by hosting a press conference. You'll be able to watch all the Kia CES 2024 announcements on January 8 at 6PM ET by checking out the livestream below.

What to expect

The company says it will offer interested parties a closer peek at several of its concept models including the EV3 and EV4, as well as the EV9 and EV6 GT. Kia is also promising a look at its first so-called "platform beyond vehicle" (PBV) that's scheduled for mass production in 2025.

Kia describes PBV as a mobility solution that blends "fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions that will open the door to new businesses and lifestyles." To that end, the automaker will talk through some PBV tech, "its software-defined vehicle strategy" and partnership plans.

The brand has been teasing out some of its EV ambitions over the last year or so. For instance, we test drove the EV9 concept, which has seven seats and a large cargo space. In October, Kia offered more details on the EV3, EV4 and EV5 before providing a closer look at the first two of those the following month. It seems like it won't be too long before the public can get behind the wheel of at least one of these vehicles.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/watch-kia-show-off-five-new-evs-at-ces-2024-230047828.html?src=rss

Kia is returning to CES for the first time in five years and the company is set to take center stage for a spell by hosting a press conference. You'll be able to watch all the Kia CES 2024 announcements on January 8 at 6PM ET by checking out the livestream below.

What to expect

The company says it will offer interested parties a closer peek at several of its concept models including the EV3 and EV4, as well as the EV9 and EV6 GT. Kia is also promising a look at its first so-called "platform beyond vehicle" (PBV) that's scheduled for mass production in 2025.

Kia describes PBV as a mobility solution that blends "fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions that will open the door to new businesses and lifestyles." To that end, the automaker will talk through some PBV tech, "its software-defined vehicle strategy" and partnership plans.

The brand has been teasing out some of its EV ambitions over the last year or so. For instance, we test drove the EV9 concept, which has seven seats and a large cargo space. In October, Kia offered more details on the EV3, EV4 and EV5 before providing a closer look at the first two of those the following month. It seems like it won't be too long before the public can get behind the wheel of at least one of these vehicles.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/watch-kia-show-off-five-new-evs-at-ces-2024-230047828.html?src=rss

The theremin isn’t an instrument known for being easy to learn or budget-friendly, but it is cool as hell — and a new synth from Dubreq could be a good starting point for anyone wanting to dip their toes into the theremin experience. The Stylophone Theremin is the latest addition to Dubreq’s family of synths, and much like the classic contactless instrument, it has an antenna that responds to movement to create experimental sounds. It’ll cost about $110 when it becomes available, and the company has started taking signups for pre-orders on its website.

The Stylophone Theremin isn’t a straight-up theremin but a synth that uses an element of the design. It has a single antenna to control pitch only, rather than the usual two (one for pitch and one for volume). It’s battery-powered and portable, and has a built-in speaker and headphone/amp out. There’s no word yet on when exactly it’ll be released, but if you sign up for the pre-order, you’ll be sent a link when it goes live.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/stylophone-maker-dubreq-created-its-own-version-of-the-theremin-and-its-only-110-225104425.html?src=rss