Technology - Kalakshar US

Samsung’s Q990D soundbar has the one thing the 2023 version didn’t: HDMI 2.1

When I reviewed Samsung’s HW-Q990C last year, my main gripe with the flagship soundbar was the fact that it didn’t offer HDMI 2.1. That meant that it didn’t have the 4K/120 passthrough for things like gaming consoles and streaming devices the competition did. At CES 2024, the company is addressing that concern. With the HW-Q990D (note the one letter difference), HDMI 2.1 is onboard even though the overall design hasn’t changed. Samsung’s priciest soundbar once again supports wireless Dolby Atmos with an 11.1.4-channel sonic setup, making it the most robust option in the company’s 2024 home theater lineup.

Samsung packed in several new features for the Q990D. First, a Private Listening mode turns off all front-firing drivers and only uses the rear speakers so as not to disturb sleeping family or roommates. A new Party Play mode creates a balanced sound across the soundbar and rear speakers so that each element of the setup offers a solid mix. You won’t just get the rear channels from those speakers at the back of the room, in other words. Other 2024 Q-Series soundbars will get these two new modes, including the Q910D, Q800D and Q730D. Plus, the entire Q-Series still works with Alexa and Google Assistant, in addition to Bixby, and support for Chromecast and AirPlay returns across the board.

When connected to a compatible Samsung TV, the Q990D’s sound can be analyzed by the display’s NPU processor to smooth out sharp notes and bass tons for the ideal results. Q-Symphony is back as well, adding the speakers from a Samsung TV to the Q990D and some of the company’s other soundbars to provide a more robust living room audio setup. The Q990D also supports Roon, a high-resolution music streaming service that allows you to beam music, including local files, to individual speakers or groups of devices.

In addition to the Q-Series, Samsung has also updated its ultra-slim S-Series lineup. The key addition is a new 35-inch-wide S700D model that’s designed to fit better with TVs sized 55 inches and smaller. The company promises the same “impressive sound quality” as the 46-inch S800D and S810D, which are also updated for 2024. All of these ultra-slim soundbars are meant to be used with low-profile displays, like The Frame, or in cases where customers don’t want the imposing stature of something like the Q990D. More specifically, they’re about a third of the depth of a typical soundbar. The S models still offer wireless Dolby Atmos, Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro and other premium features, but they top out at 3.1.2-channel setups. What’s more, the S800D now has HDMI eARC if you still prefer a wired option.

Once again, there’s no word on pricing or availability for the Q990D, or any of the other new models, just yet. But for reference, last year’s Q990C arrived in the spring and was originally priced at $1,900. It included two wireless rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer. The top-of-the-line ultra-slim model, the S800B, was $900 at launch and included a wireless subwoofer. We’re likely to get pricing info from Samsung closer to the shipping date for all of the 2024 items.

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/samsungs-q990d-soundbar-has-the-one-thing-the-2023-version-didnt-hdmi-21-030059753.html?src=rss

Govee’s chatbot programs your smart lights for you

At CES 2024, Govee not only revealed an upgraded AI Sync Box Kit, Neon Rope Light 2 and, because it’s 2024, there’s even a dedicated chatbot. While it wasn’t available for testing at CES Unveiled, the media preview event that takes place two days before the CES show floor opens, Govee’s AI Lighting Bot will eventually be bundled into the company’s smartphone app, where you’ll apparently be able to cajole it into generating using natural language inputs, a la ChatGPT.

As you can see in Govee’s concept video, it’ll apparently source lighting designs and transmit them to your Govee lights, whether they’re lighting spots, strips or anything else. In one example in Govee’s video, a user asked for a “Barbie Dreamhouse-inspired lighting effect” for their outdoor lights and spotlights, which then undulated between various shades of hot, powder and another-kind-of pink.

Of course, you’ll need even more lighting strips to accomplish grander smart lighting visions, and Govee is willing to oblige with its second-generation Neon Rope Light 2. A spokesperson explained that it will now offer smoother lighting transitions and upgraded bend clips and is made of an even more flexible material, which should be easier to shape around furniture, corners and even into shapes.

Engadget

You’ll also be able to customize the lighting effects of the Neon Rope more easily too. Govee’s app can apply lighting effects through different segments using your smartphone camera and shape recognition, hopefully better evoking your smart lighting vision. The Neon Rope Light 2 will also be Matter-compatible when it launches in the first half of 2024.

Finally, the AI Sync Box Kit 2 will be HDMI 2.1 compatible and following feedback from its users on Govee’s first kit, will support resolutions up to 8K and output video (with matching light effects) at 4K at 120Hz. Govee says its new CogniGlow AI recognition tech will automatically activate tailored lighting effects for compatible games. One example is a blue healing ‘bloom’ when a character heals in Apex Legends. You’ll even be able to personalize these AI effects if you want more subtle lighting twists. A Matter-compatible update will also land on the sync box later this year.

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/govees-ai-chatbot-programs-your-smart-lights-for-you-030217383.html?src=rss

Someone made a Peloton-esque display for the world’s most ubiquitous rowing machine

It was at CES 2024, in a Las Vegas ballroom with a carpet so static I was getting an electric shock every few minutes, that I finally saw one of my longest-held dreams come true. You see, I own a Concept2 Model D rowing machine, hands down the best rowing machine on the market. But the company has always refused to build a display that doesn’t look like it comes from the early ‘80s. When the PM5 was launched, it looked dated, but in a world where Hydrow and Peloton can offer gorgeous touchscreen displays and live classes, it looked ancient. Which is why I’m so elated that I stumbled across Myrow and its 22-inch retrofit display for Concept2’s rowing machines.

The tablet attaches onto Concept2’s existing monitor stand by unscrewing a couple of bolts without damaging the existing hardware. You’ll still need the PM5, since Myrow connects to that to pull your rowing data, but it can sit flat in its storage position beside the fan. Then, you’ll be able to access on-demand rowing classes, custom workouts and, because everyone who has seen the product has asked, streaming video. This is more or less why I’ve tried any number of annoying third-party mounts to put some sort of video solution onto my rower. After all, the best motivator (for me) is to turn movie-watching time into a workout.

As well as the video classes, you’ll get better visualisation of your rowing data which is another frustrating experience with the PM5. You’ll even be able to share your data to Logbook automatically which, normally, can be frustrating experience.

Myrow is the brainchild of Gary Simpson, the founder of Transit Wireless which brings wireless signal to subway systems. He said he was opting wether to ride on his Peloton or row on his Concept2 during the period everyone was sheltering in place. And that the lack of live classes, or any added-value features, meant he defaulted to the bike far more than he liked. So, he decided to look and see if there were any available products out there and, when he didn’t find any, opted to build his own.

Myrow hopes to open pre-orders at some point in February with shipping expected to begin in April. It’ll cost $499 for the tablet and mount, with an additional $30 a month subscription to get the on-demand classes and everything else.

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/someone-made-a-peloton-esque-display-for-the-worlds-most-ubiquitous-rowing-machine-031001362.html?src=rss

The Flappie AI cat door stops your pet from gifting you dead mice

Finding weird pet-related technology is a CES tradition, and this year is no exception. Take Flappie, for example. The Swiss start-up is showing off an AI-powered cat door that automatically locks if your kitty tries to bring in prey it caught from the outside.

On the side of the door facing the outside, you’ll find a motion sensor and night-vision camera. Flappie says it has compiled a “unique and proprietary” dataset over the years, with a focus on diversity — this means getting lots of different kinds of cats as well as prey, filmed in a variety of different lighting conditions. The company says that its AI-powered detection system is accurate more than 90 percent of the time, which means your cat could still get a mouse inside. But hopefully that’ll happen a lot less frequently.

There are some manual switches on the inside of the door so you can lock and unlock it any time you want as well as turn off the prey-detection system. Eventually, Flappie says that pets are likely to be trained that they can’t enter when carrying something, and when they drop the prey the door will promptly unlock so they can get inside. (One of Flappie’s co-founders admitted that a smart cat might figure out to drop the mouse, get the door open, pick it back up and then run in. But no solution is foolproof, right?)

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Flappie also included chip detection in its cat door. So if your pet has been microchipped, you can make it so the cat door only opens for your specific pet. And, of course, there’s an app so you can control the door from your phone. But if you’re not inclined to hook the Flappie door up to the internet, it’ll still work via the controls on the door itself.

For starters, Flappie plans to launch its pet door in Switzerland, Zurich and Germany later this spring, with plans to expand from there once it gets production scaled up. A US launch is part of the roadmap, but there’s no word yet on when that’ll happen, or how much the Flappie door might cost when it gets 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/the-flappie-ai-cat-door-stops-your-pet-from-gifting-you-dead-mice-033237654.html?src=rss

Mui’s whimsical wooden smart home controller hits Kickstarter tomorrow as CES 2024 kicks off

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 Withings BeamO is an all-in-one thermometer, ECG and stethoscope

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

How to watch Sony’s CES 2024 press conference

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

Stylophone-maker Dubreq created its own version of the theremin and it’s only $110

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

Watch Kia show off five new EVs at CES 2024

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 announcements on January 8 at 6PM ET by visiting its website.

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

How to watch Samsung’s CES 2024 press conference focused on ‘AI for all’

The holidays are over, but there’s one winter tradition left. CES is back, once again turning Las Vegas into a haven for the tech-obsessed. Samsung is holding its annual CES press conference on January 8 at 2PM PT / 5PM ET, a day before exhibitions officially open. Engadget will have a dozen staffers on the ground in Las Vegas, and you can follow along from home by watching the livestream on Samsung’s Global Newsroom site.

Samsung is, of course, a big company with its hands in just about every cookie jar, so you may wonder what the press conference will focus on. And you know the answer already. It’s AI. The presser is titled “AI for All: Connectivity in the Age of AI”, which manages to somehow squeeze in the term twice.

[Invitation] Samsung Press Conference at CES 2024 ‘AI for All: Connectivity in the Age of AI’https://t.co/TMn6BJ9fPm

— Samsung Electronics (@Samsung) December 7, 2023

What we expect

The event will be led by Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung’s DX (Device eXperience) Division, Jong-Hee Han. Samsung has remained fairly tight-lipped regarding the specifics, instead relying on the overarching theme of “AI for all.” Maybe we’ll get more information on the company’s forthcoming chatbot Gauss, which can write emails, code and, well, you know the rest. It can, however, also upscale low-resolution images, which is pretty neat.

According to The Korea Times, Gauss is set to launch in forthcoming Galaxy S24 devices, so CES 2024 would be a great time to make that official. The S24 line is expected to release in mid-January, so in just about a week or so.

Of course, Samsung is primarily a hardware manufacturer, so it’d be strange if it spends the entire keynote on AI. Last year’s press conference found the company announcing everything from a smart oven with an interior camera to MicroLED and 8K televisions. In any event, we don’t have long to wait.

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-samsungs-ces-2024-press-conference-focused-on-ai-for-all-190053615.html?src=rss