Category: Technology

Samsung Galaxy phones will finally support Qi2 in 2025, according to the stewards of the standard, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Qi2 wireless charging was supposed to bring the convenience of the iPhone’s MagSafe to any phone that supports it, but the vast majority of Android phone makers failed to to do anything with it in 2024. That set to change in 2025.

“The exceptional Qi2 growth story will continue in 2025,” Samsung shared in the WPC’s press release. “You can expect to see Android devices supporting Qi2 from Samsung Galaxy devices in 2025.” Besides requiring the inclusion of magnets to make it easier to align smartphones with wireless chargers, Qi2 also supports up to 15W charging, which means Qi2 devices should charge faster than before, too.

Alongside Samsung, Google is also throwing its hat in the ring for Qi2, specifically by contributing “its own high-power wireless charging technology to WPC” for the development of Qi v2.2. Notably missing from Google’s quote is a commitment to actually using the standard in its own Pixel devices however. The Pixel 9 was inarguably the best Android device the company has shipped to date, but it notably doesn’t support Qi2. 

In the more immediate future, WPC says that Qi v2.1 will include a new design for wireless car chargers with a moving charging coil that can adjust and seek out a phone regardless of its size or how awkwardly it’s thrown on a charger.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-will-finally-support-qi2-wireless-charging-in-2025-190430230.html?src=rss 

Similar to last year, TCL is showing off a new generation of NXTPAPER tech this week at CES 2025. The new NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet is built around the (also new) NXTPAPER 4.0 screen, which uses “nano-matrix lithography” to improve clarity and sharpness. Color accuracy has improved too, with the new output measuring just one on the Delta-E scale (the metric measures how the human eye perceives color differences and any value of one or lower is said to be imperceptible to the human eye).

Since 2021, TCL has been trying to craft a screen that’s easier on the eyes with its NXTPAPER tech, and now it’s throwing AI into the mix (perhaps unsurprisingly). The new AI-powered Smart Eye Comfort Mode on the 11 Plus table adjusts output based on different usage scenarios, and the Personalized Eye Comfort Modes let users adjust eye-comfort settings to their liking.  

The new tablet will support Google’s Circle to Search feature and the Smart Voice Memo function will transcribe and summarize recordings. There’s a Smart Translator to handle language from voice, text and images and AI Subtitles offers real-time dialog transcription.  

TCL’s NXTPAPER tech is relatively unique in the display industry, providing something that looks almost like E-Ink, but with the speed, resolution and sharpness of a traditional LCD display. Pricing and availability for the NXTPAPER 11 Plus are still forthcoming. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/tcl-announces-the-nxtpaper-11-plus-tablet-at-ces-2025-featuring-a-new-nano-etched-display-190042475.html?src=rss 

Hisense just introduced its first consumer microLED television at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. The 136MX includes a high-density array of over 24.88 microscopic LEDs to “deliver unparalleled brightness, resolution, and precision.” As with all microLED displays, each pixel is its own light source. This allows for a near-infinite dynamic contrast ratio, with fantastic brightness and deep blacks. It’s also a big ole beast, at 136 inches. 

The TV is powered by the company’s proprietary Hi-View AI Engine X chipset, which uses AI algorithms for frame optimization. This should allow for ultra-precise color conversion and improved clarity even in well-lit spaces. To that end, the brightness levels here reach up to 10,000 nits, with a 95 percent color gamut.

It supports Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ and something called Filmmaker Mode that optimizes picture quality to “match both the content and environment, ensuring a cinematic experience in any setting.” As for audio, the 136MX supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual X. These sets run the company’s VIDAA operating system, so there’s access to all of the major streaming platforms right out of the box. It also pairs with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice controls.

For gamers, the 136MX includes features like 120Hz VRR, an auto low latency mode and FreeSync Premium Pro. We don’t have pricing or availability for this yet, but we’ll keep you posted. Hisense also announced a gigantic 116-inch TriChroma LED TV at this year’s CES event.

The lack of pricing here is something of a bummer, as microLED displays are typically extremely expensive. It would be nice if Hisense got the price down for regular consumers, but this is unlikely given the TV’s massive size. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/hisense-introduces-its-first-ever-consumer-microled-tv-194057452.html?src=rss 

Some of the best tech we see at CES feels pulled straight from sci-fi. Yesterday at CES 2025, I tested out Neural Lab’s AirTouch technology, which lets you interact with a display using hand gestures alone, exactly what movies like Minority Report and Iron Man promised. Of course, plenty of companies have delivered on varying forms of gesture control. Microsoft’s Kinect is an early example while the Apple Watch’s double tap feature and Vision Pro’s pinch gestures are just two of many current iterations. But I was impressed with how well AirTouch delivered and, unlike most gesture technology out there, it requires no special equipment — just a standard webcam — and works with a wide range of devices. 

Neural Lab’s software is compatible with tablets, computers and really any device running at least Android 11, Windows 10 and later or Linux. The technology was developed with accessibility in mind after one of the founders had trouble keeping in touch with their parents overseas because navigating video conferencing programs was just too difficult for the older generation. The Neural Labs representative I spoke with added how his parents preferred using an iPad to a computer/mouse/keyboard combo because touch controls are so much more intuitive. With AirTouch, they can use their TV much like they do a tablet. 

In addition to accessibility, there are plenty of commercial applications too — such as letting surgeons manipulate MRI scans without touching anything or a more commonplace scenario like moving through slides in a presentation. 

AirTouch tracks 3D hand movements and keys off of eye gazes to recognize intent, allowing it to ignore extraneous gestures. It currently supports nine gestures and customization allows users to program up to 15. 

I tried out two demonstrations: a 3D screen with an animated image of a tree frog and a monitor displaying a webpage on a browser. On the 3D screen, holding up one finger dropped a pinecone on the frog’s head, two fingers dropped an acorn, a thumbs up spun the frog around on its leaf perch and a quiet coyote gesture turned it back. It took me all of 15 seconds to learn and use the four gestures and soon I was raining down acorns on the poor frog like some ill-tempered squirrel. 

It was nearly as easy (though not quite as fun) to control the screen displaying the web browser. Moving my hand around dragged the cursor across the screen and pinching took the place of clicking. I was able to scroll around on a streaming site, pick something to play, pause it and start it back up again within seconds of learning the hand movements. There were a few instances where my movements didn’t do the thing I’d hoped, but after a few tries, I started to get the hang of the controls. 

AirTouch is available now as a $30-per-month subscription for individuals (and $300 monthly for companies). Neural Labs says it takes just five minutes to install the software on any compatible device. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/neural-labs-airtouch-brings-gesture-control-to-windows-and-android-devices-with-just-a-webcam-180031750.html?src=rss 

AMD’s CES 2025 presser is nearly upon us and rumors are swirling about new graphics cards, CPUs and more. The company regularly uses CES to promote upcoming chips and this year should be no different. To that end, the organization unveiled the AI-centric Ryzen 8000G desktop chips at CES 2024.

What to expect at AMD’s CES 2025 press conference

Rumors have been flying for weeks regarding AMD’s probable CES 2025 announcements. There’s a safe bet that the company will reveal its new RX 9070 XT graphics cards. These will likely be based on the new RDNA 4 architecture and should operate as a great mid-range GPU option.

It’s also probable that AMD will finally announce the long-awaited next-gen 50-series GeForce RTX GPUs. The company typically sticks to laptop components during CES, but it’ll likely break tradition to unveil these desktop chips.

It’s been rumored that the company will even present the Strix Halo mobile chip. This one is expected to bring a 40 compute unit GPU onto a single die alongside the CPU. This could translate to smaller and lighter gaming laptops, without sacrificing power. Finally, some folks have been reporting that AMD will unveil a new gaming handheld CPU that could be a direct follow up to the Ryzen Z1 Extreme. The Z1 Extreme currently powers stuff like the Asus ROG Ally X and the Lenovo Legion Go.

AMD’s CES 2025 livestream

You can watch the AMD CES press conference as it happens below. The feed will start Monday, January 6 at 2PM ET.

Other companies holding their own CES press events include Intel, Sony and Samsung.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/amd-ces-2025-press-conference-watch-it-here-today-at-2pm-et-182557163.html?src=rss 

Unlike some of the robots we’ve seen at CES 2025, Mi-Mo doesn’t have a face, but it still looks a little familiar thanks to its resemblance to the iconic Pixar lamp. Mi-Mo is still just a prototype, but there are some interesting ideas behind the unusual-looking robot walking around the show floor.

The creation of Japanese firm Jizai, the company describes it as a “general purpose AI robot” that “thinks and acts” on its own. It has a built-in camera and microphones, which allows it to move around and respond to voice prompts and commands. It runs on multiple large language models that enable its voice and image recognition capabilities.

When we saw it, Mi-Mo didn’t show many signs of being autonomous. It mostly shimmied around the show floor and “waved” at people passing by, which was honestly kind of cute. Jizai’s Yuji Oshima told me that the company envisions it as being useful for some childcare tasks, like reminding children to do their homework and then watching over them to make sure they actually complete it. (Jizai’s website notes the company is also interested in using robotics for elder care.)

But Mi-Mo wasn’t created only to be a caretaker robot. Oshima said it’s meant to be an open platform for developers, researchers and others to find their own ways to use the robot. Jizai also intends for it to be somewhat modular so people can customize Mi-Mo with bespoke software, additional sensors or other hardware attachments.

Jizai plans to make Mi-Mo available as a developer kit later this year and has opened a waitlist where interested parties can sign up for updates. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/this-six-legged-lamp-might-help-your-kid-with-their-homework-183046893.html?src=rss