Kalakshar US

We’re wrapping up 2024, so why not do it with some frivolous CES announcements? Like this premium (it has to be premium!) microwave from LG, with a touchscreen bigger than your iPad. I’m not sure what you’ll watch in the three-and-a-half minutes it takes to heat that butter chicken curry, but you can do it in glorious full HD resolution. 

The touchscreen integrates with LG’s ThinQ Smart Home Dashboard if you think it’s the right time to change channels on your TV or tinker with compatible Matter and Thread devices, like smart lights and er, and other things. It can also pair with the company’s induction range oven to display cooking progress if you struggle to crane your neck from your microwave to your kitchen burners. It’s no washing machine inside a washing machine, but still, you gotta love CES.

LG is on a trip this year.

– Mat Smith

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The US Treasury says it was hacked in a China-linked cyberattack

The breach was first reported on December 8.

Documents and workstations at the US Treasury Department were accessed during a cyberattack linked to a “China state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat actor.” The attack was pretty bad, and it’s been cited as “a major cybersecurity incident.” The Treasury Department said it has worked with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI to understand the full scope of the breach but hasn’t shared how long files and workstations were accessible or what was accessed. Beijing has denied any involvement.

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In 2024, the camera of the year was a drone

DJI’s Neo made aerial video accessible for everyone.

Honesty? 2024 was a dull year for cameras, with new devices offering small tweaks and minor improvements. But drones? Specifically, entry-level ones? DJI made it an intriguing year, spitting out multiple models, including the versatile, easy-to-use Neo, all while fending off the US government’s plans to ban sales from the company.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121536994.html?src=rss 

LG’s Gram laptops are back for another round of updates ahead of CES 2025. A decade into the thin and light lineup’s existence in LG’s portfolio, the latest models load up on AI (surprise!) and boost performance while maintaining their trademark portability.

Four new models are launching at CES: two variants of the Gram Pro, a new Gram Pro 2-in-1 and the entry-level Gram Book. The first version of the Gram Pro has an Intel Core H-series (Arrow Lake) processor under the hood for more traditional laptop tasks (including some gaming). A second model uses an Intel Core Ultra V-series (Lunar Lake) chip for AI tasks. The latter is a Microsoft Copilot+ PC with all the AI goodies expected from that line, including Recall, Live Captions, Cocreator and Windows Studio Effects.

Even if you don’t opt for the Copilot+ variant, you’ll still get LG’s AI features in most of the new models (all but the Gram Book). These are split into two camps: on-device and cloud-processed AI tasks. On-device features include a scaled-down chatbot derived from LG’s EXAONE large language model. It also adds LG’s Time Travel, a feature similar to Microsoft’s Recall that can call up web pages, documents, videos and audio files you’ve visited or used. It’s unclear if or how LG’s version will avoid the privacy pitfalls Microsoft ran into with Recall.

The cloud-based AI features include Gram Chat Cloud, a more robust chatbot (powered by GPT-4o) that can integrate with your calendar and email services.

The Gram Pro has a 17-inch (Arrow Lake) or 16-inch (Lunar Lake) screen with a 2,560 x 1,600 LCD screen. Its variable refresh rate maxes out at 144Hz. Both variants have up to 32GB (LPDDR5X Max 8,400MHz, Dual Channel) of RAM and 2TB of storage.

The Arrow Lake model should make for a solid gaming laptop with RTX 4050 graphics. The AI / Lunar Lake model only has integrated Intel graphics. But at least the latter is lighter and thinner, weighing 2.73 pounds. compared to the Arrow Lake model’s 3.26 pounds.

LG snagged a CES 2025 Innovation Award for the latest Gram Pro 2-in-1. The top-line configuration has a 16-inch screen with a 2,880 x 1,800 OLED display (120Hz variable refresh rate); cheaper variants are limited to a 2,560 x 1,600 LCD (144Hz VRR). The 2-in-1 ships with a wirelessly rechargeable stylus and — as its name suggests — can be folded back into tablet mode.

Finally, the Gram Book is an entry-level model LG is launching “to expand its US market presence.” Its screen is a more compromised 1,920 x 1,080 15.6-inch LCD at a mere 60Hz. Its Intel Core i5 CPU with integrated Intel graphics and a maximum of 16GB of RAM combine to make it the most underpowered of the bunch. It’s also the heaviest at 3.75 pounds.

Unfortunately, we don’t know how “entry-level” it is: LG hasn’t yet announced pricing information (or release dates) for any of the new laptops.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lg-updates-its-gram-laptop-line-ahead-of-ces-2025-090049429.html?src=rss 

Aside from the global shutter on Sony’s A9 III and some cool mirrorless options — the Fujifilm X100 VI, Panasonic S9 and Canon EOS R5 II come to mind — 2024 was a dull year for cameras full of small tweaks and minor improvements. Except for DJI’s Neo. For $200, aerial photography is now finally in reach for just about anyone.

DJI’s very good, not-so-great year

DJI released its product lineup this year with a sword of Damocles hanging over its head: the US government was planning to ban sales of the company’s products by the end of 2024 over potential fears of spying. It was only at the last minute that DJI gained a reprieve, thanks in large part to lobbying by public safety groups that heavily rely on its drones. It now has until the end of 2025 to prove that its products don’t pose a risk.

The company’s list of 2024 camera gear started with the Avata 2, an FPV drone that improved nearly everything from the popular original at a reduced price. DJI then announced it the $299 Mini 4K. We also saw the Action 5 Pro, DJI’s best action cam to date, along with the Air 3S, a highly capable drone with a relatively large 1-inch sensor camera and the Mic Mini, an affordable wireless mic system.

Its biggest launch, though, was the Neo drone, announced in September. It took the idea of a simple drone for creators, first pioneered (then dropped) by Snap with the Pixy, while lowering the price and adding AI technology.

The Neo is a very lightweight drone that can be piloted without a license and is people-safe thanks to its shrouded propellers. It’s ready to use for beginners straight out of the box without any training — simply place it in your hand and press a button, then it’ll fly off and capture cool programmed shots like “dronies”.

Just because the Neo is approachable doesn’t mean it’s basic, though. If you want to pilot the Neo manually, it supports DJI’s controllers, FPV goggles and can even be flown using a smartphone. It can hit speeds up to 18 MPH or even faster in manual mode, and is highly maneuverable. Thanks to the built-in AI features, it can track you while you walk or bike, making it a vlogger’s best friend. Finally, it can capture all your footage at 4K 30p, with surprisingly good quality considering the price point.

My main sore point with the Neo is the banshee-like noise it generates, which can be tricky in public places. Overall, though, it’s a highly useful product at a great price point and managed to capture the zeitgeist like no other camera product this year.

Canon and Fujifilm were the best of the rest

My favorite mirrorless camera this year was Canon’s EOS R5 II. That’s not because of any spectacular new tech, but the fact that it’s nearly a perfect hybrid camera.

That starts with the new 45-megapixel stacked sensor that offers a blend of speed and resolution we’ve only ever seen on the Sony’s A1 or the Nikon Z9 — both considerably more expensive. It also has the company’s most advanced AI autofocus system. All that allows ultra-fast shooting speeds up to 30fps in RAW mode. Its advanced AF system makes blurry photos a rarity even at those speeds. At the same time, the 45-megapixel photos deliver exceptional detail and relatively high dynamic range, with accurate, pleasing colors.

At the same time, it offers incredible video powers, with 8K RAW shooting at up to 60fps and 4K 120p. As with photos, video quality is exceptional thanks to the new CLog 2 capture that allows for higher dynamic range. Beyond all that, the EOS R5 II is just a great camera to use, with near-perfect ergonomics.

The other camera I really enjoyed using was Fujifilm’s X100 VI compact. The camera deserved the large amount of press it received this year, because its stripped down nature, vintage looks, film simulations and great handling really bring fun back to photography. At the same time, it’s a technological marvel with a higher-resolution 40-megapixel sensor, decently fast shooting speeds, stabilization and solid video specs.

Finally, I think Panasonic’s S9 deserves a shoutout for trying something new. It’s one of the smallest full-frame cameras I’ve ever seen, yet offers features like 6K video and in-body stabilization. But the primary new trick is built-in LUT simulations— kind of like Fujifilm’s X100 VI, but for video. That, combined with the large sensor, makes it an interesting camera.

What to expect in the camera world for 2025

Despite a potential US ban, DJI is likely to continue its ambitious product release schedule in 2025. According to rumors, it’s working on a foldable model called the DJI Flip and is also likely to release a successor to the Mavic 3 Pro sometime next year, according to recent FCC filings. Apart from that, it tends to have rapid upgrade cadence for most of its drones and cameras, so expect to see successors for its Action 5 Pro cam, Mini 4 Pro drone and other models.

Elsewhere, one intriguing rumor has Fujifilm releasing a one-inch, half-sensor compact that would be like a digital version of the popular Pentax 17 film camera and may even allow for diptych (side-by-side) photos.

Otherwise, Sony is due to release an update for its popular A7 IV launched in 2021 with higher shooting speeds and other specs to better line up with the competition. Canon is very likely to release a new camera in that same price category, the R6 III, also with improved specs. We could see a new Nikon Z5 III model with improved performance. And Panasonic is due to refresh its S1 and S1R models. Manufacturers may jump on the compact train, now that Fujifilm has proved its a viable category — something that would be good news for all photographers.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/in-2024-the-camera-of-the-year-was-a-drone-185108008.html?src=rss