Tesla brings self-driving hardware to its entire fleet
If you’re wondering if the Model 3 will be ready for our eventual autonomous future, wonder no more. Today Tesla announced that beginning today, all the cars it builds will have the necessary hardware to drive on their own if the owner decides they want to enable option.
According to Tesla, each vehicle produced by the company will have: “Eight surround cameras provide 360 degree visibility around the car at up to 250 meters of range. Twelve updated ultrasonic sensors complement this vision, allowing for detection of both hard and soft objects at nearly twice the distance of the prior system. A forward-facing radar with enhanced processing provides additional data about the world on a redundant wavelength, capable of seeing through heavy rain, fog, dust and even the car ahead. “
Developing.
Source: Tesla
WhatsApp Update Adds the Ability to Write and Draw on Photos and Videos
WhatsApp today added several new camera improvements for its iPhone app, including the ability to draw, write, and place emoji on photos and videos before sharing them. The features are similar to the camera features offered in both Snapchat and Instagram Stories.
Users will be able to use the new editing tools for photos and videos captured within the app and photos and videos previously captured and stored within the Photos app. The editing tools will also include the ability to change the color and font of the text.
The WhatsApp camera has also gained several other improvements, including front-facing flash, the ability to zoom in and out by sliding a finger up and down, and quickly switching from the front-facing camera to the rear by double tapping.
WhatsApp is available on the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Tag: WhatsApp
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Moov HR Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Moov
There are a lot of devices out there that promise to measure heart rate. Most do this with a sensor on your wrist or a strap around your chest. What intrigued me about the Moov HR is that it promises to measure “EKG-accurate heart rate” with a headband or swim cap.
The technique isn’t all that different from other trackers. It uses the green LED lights and optical sensors you’ve seen in Fitbits and the Apple Watch, but the sensors on the Moov HR measure blood density around the temples, rather than blood flow on the wrist. The company said this unique technique “determines heart rate with ultra-fine precision.”
The sensor on the Moov HR is waterproof and will last up to six hours, but that’s only half the story. It’s when you connect to the Moov app on Android or iOS that you can unlock the device’s full potential. The app can coach you through a variety of high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts within your target heart rate zone. This will ensure that you burn more calories and fat in the shortest amount of time. Workouts include HIIT running, indoor cycling and a bodyweight circuit.
Moov
I didn’t get a chance to see the Moov HR in person, but my colleague Lexy Savvides did. During her brief time with the device, she said that it seemed pretty accurate and the band was comfortable to wear, although she didn’t do anything strenuous with it.
The Moov HR will be available in two models, one comes with a sweatband (Moov HR Sweat) and the other with a swim cap (Moov HR Swim). Both models will begin shipping in February 2017 for $99. For a limited time, you can preorder a Moov HR for $60. International pricing and release information wasn’t immediately available, but the full US price converts to about £80 in the UK and AU$130 in Australia.
We will have a full review of the Moov HR in the coming months.
Sony Xperia XZ review – CNET
The Good Sony’s Xperia XZ looks good, it won’t die when you spill your drink on it and its bold screen makes mobile games look great.
The Bad Its battery life doesn’t impress, and nor does the camera. Its full HD display isn’t as high resolution as most of its rivals.
The Bottom Line The Sony Xperia XZ is a decent all-round phone, but it doesn’t offer any competition to its main rival, the Galaxy S7. Its high price means the XZ isn’t the phone to go for.
Visit manufacturer site for details.
Sony needs to get it together. I’ve reviewed its phones — from the top of the line down to the most basic — for several years now, and I hate to see the Xperia family decline. Hard truth: It just can’t keep up with its competitors. Take this “flagship” Xperia XZ, for example. It looks good, the screen is great and the Xperia line was water-resistant before IP68 was a glimmer in Samsung’s eye.
But that’s not enough of a reason to buy it. It costs a lot: $687, £540 or AU$999. Google’s Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy S7 phones have much better cameras and longer battery life, for the same price or less. And their fingerprint readers work all over the world — for some insane reason, Sony turns it off for the US. While there’s little that’s seriously wrong with the Xperia XZ, there isn’t much to grab my attention, and that’s a big contrast from even a year ago when Sony was an undersung brand just waiting for its time in the sun.
The Xperia XZ is a decent Android phone, but you’ll probably feel more connected with the Google Pixel, OnePlus 3 or Galaxy S7. This one will get the job done; it just won’t dazzle you while it does it.
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It’s Sony’s signature black block. That’s metal this time, not glass.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Refined design
- 161 grams (5.67 ounces)
- 146x72x8.1mm (5.7×2.8×0.3 inches)
- Fingerprint scanner on right edge — but not in the US
- Water resistant
- 32GB built-in storage
If you’ve seen last year’s Xperia Z5, you’ve basically seen the XZ. The newly rounded edges make the XZ a smidge more comfortable to hold, while also making it look less boxy. The back panel is metal, not glass, and while there’s a seam separating it from a plastic strip at the bottom, it’s smooth and feels good to hold.
The changes aren’t huge and it still bears the unmistakably monolithic Sony design, but XZ looks and feels like more of a refined, luxurious option than its predecessor.
The phone is water and dust resistant (IP68 rated, if you’re wondering), but that doesn’t mean you can take it in the swimming pool. The protection it has is designed to keep it safe from accidental drink spills or rain, but it’s not an underwater camera. Sony’s official advice states, “You should not put the device completely underwater; or expose it to seawater, salt water, chlorinated water, or liquids such as drinks. Abuse and improper use of device will invalidate warranty.” Yikes.
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Just a power button? Yes, but only in the US. Elsewhere it pulls double duty.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
There’s a fingerprint scanner on the right-hand edge, built into the power button. Its position means the scanner is right beneath your thumb when you hold it in your right hand, or under your index finger when you hold it in your left. It’s quick to register your fingerprint, and I found it to be fast and accurate in granting access.
Those of you in the US should note that the fingerprint scanner is disabled in the model sold there. In America, it’s just a dumb power button. It’s an odd move and it does put the XZ a step down against rivals like the Galaxy S7, which have the scanners built in wherever you buy them.
There’s 32GB of built-in storage as standard, but you can pop in a microSD card to expand that to your heart’s content. The XZ uses the new USB type-C, so prepare to replace your stash of old Micro-USB cables.
Bold display
- 5.2 inches
- Full HD (1,920×1,080-pixel resolution)
Colours really pop on this screen, making it a good option if you like playing vibrant games like Candy Crush or watch colourful TV shows like “Power Rangers.” Although maybe that’s just me.
It’s a bright screen too, easily countering the overhead lights in CNET’s London office, and being easily readable under Britain’s grey, autumnal clouds. How it fares under midday summer sun remains to be seen, but I’m comfortable saying it’ll be at least as good as most of its main rivals.
It has a full HD (1,920×1,080-pixel) resolution, which is sufficient to make apps and games look crisp, but it’s not as high as you’d expect from a top-end flagship. Phones such as the Galaxy S7, LG G5 and HTC 10 all pack ultra high resolution displays, so the XZ feels like it’s coming up short here. For everyday use this won’t make much difference, but if you want to use a phone with a VR headset — where the phone will be displayed close up in front of your eyes — that lower resolution will be noticeable.
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The Xperia XZ runs Android Marshmallow.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Android Marshmallow, with additions
- Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow software
- Sony custom interface
- Too much preinstalled software
- 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
- 3GB RAM
The phone arrives with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on board, which isn’t the absolute latest version — that honour goes to Android Nougat — but it’s the most recent version you’ll find on most phones at the moment. Sony has confirmed that the XZ will get the update, but hasn’t yet set a firm date.
LeEco LePro 3 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
The LeEco LePro 3.
James Martin/CNET
Chinese company LeEco launched a slew of products and services today here in San Francisco, including a video streaming platform, four TVs and an electric car. It also unveiled two phones, the LePro 3 and the Le S3.
The more powerful device, the 5.5-inch Le Pro 3, features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. It has a 16-megapixel camera, a fingerprint reader and a USB Type-C port. (In 2015, LeEco was one of the first companies to integrate Type-C in its phones, starting with the Le 1 Pro Superphone.) The Le Pro 3 also boasts a massive 4,070 mAh battery — and with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology, it’s supposed to charge up to 33 percent in 20 minutes.
Perhaps its most compelling feature is its price. It costs $399, significantly less than other flagships that run upward from $700 or more. (UK and Australian details have yet to be announced but that converts to around £325 or AU$520.) But it’s not the only inexpensive high-end handset. The OnePlus 3, from another scrappy startup based in China, costs $399 too. It has a Snapdragon 820 processor, similar camera specs, 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal memory. It has a lower battery capacity, however, at 3,000 mAh.
LeEco’s second device is the Le S3. Though it also has a 5.5-inch screen, its specs are scaled back. It’s equipped with a Snapdragon 652 chipset, a 16-megapixel camera that can record 4K video and 32GB of internal memory. It will cost $229 (about £185 or AU$300).
This is a developing story. Check back soon for more hands-on photos, video and analysis.
Google rumor hints at ‘Unplugged’ streaming TV service
Since rumors about Apple’s TV attempts are in their ebb phase, now it’s time for Google to take the stage. In a pattern that seems very familiar, sources tell the Wall Street Journal, Reuters and CNBC that Google has cut a deal with CBS to include its channels in a streaming “skinny bundle.” The rumored service is apparently planned for launch in 2017 under the name “Unplugged.” While Apple’s long-rumored service has yet to appear, we have seen similar efforts appear in the form of Dish Network’s Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, and the upcoming DirecTV Now.
The unnamed media executives that have apparently heard the pitch say Google wants to offer a bundle priced between $25 and $40 per month, that’s separate from YouTube, although execs from that company are overseeing the project. Fox and Disney/ABC are said to be in negotiations as well, while the WSJ report mentions that one sticking point has been YouTube’s desire to add data overlays (like sports stats) to the channels it’s streaming.
Of course, negotiations between tech companies and the entertainment industry can be difficult, and the latest Apple rumors suggest it will go in a different direction entirely. If the service is meant to launch in the first quarter, then maybe we’ll hear more about it at CES in January.That could be particularly poetic, since at CES 2006, CBS exec Les Moonves joined Larry Page — Google co-founder and current CEO of its parent company Alphabet — to announce a content partnership for Google Video.
Source: Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CNBC
What to look for when buying USB-C cables and adapters
Buying a cable shouldn’t be difficult. It doesn’t have to be if you follow these simple tips.
USB standards have a long history, and they’ve gone through plenty of changes since first implemented in 1996. The premise behind it all is providing a way to standardize cables, connectors, communication, and power transfer between electronic devices. Some of the first equipment to use USB were the really old, brightly colored iMac and speakers. USB was designed to be the one standard that does it all, and that’s pretty much how it all worked out.
You can think of USB-C as a set of rules to make smarter USB plugs, cables, and connectors.
The USB-C specification is one of those USB standards. Released in August 2014, it’s a set of rules for a small 24-pin reversible plug connector to use with existing USB system. Some of the connections inside are used to tell which way a cable is plugged in; others are used to transfer data or power; and some are used as a dedicated connection to allow both sides to talk to each other, and make sure the right amount of electrical current is being sent to safely charge or power one device from the other. Though it was released in tandem with the USB 3.1 specification, USB Type-C rules are only for the physical connections — data speeds are covered by other rules. You can think of USB-C as a set of rules to make smarter USB plugs, cables, and connectors.
More: Getting to know USB-C infographic
The best parts of the USB-C specification are also the parts that make buying the right cable or adapter important. With USB-C, all connected devices can send power out as well as receive power in. You can charge a phone or set of headphones or anything else that uses the USB-C spec with another phone that uses the USB-C specs. You could (in theory) build a cable that can pull power from several Lumia 950s or Nexus 6Ps and charge the battery in a MacBook if you wanted to.
Buying the right cable is a must or you risk damaging the things you’re plugging in, or even starting a fire.
USB-C also includes a native way to “fast-charge” one USB-C certified device from another safely using that dedicated connection channel mentioned above. It’s also an open specification that anyone can use and alter to better suit their needs, and companies making phones have done just that. This means buying the right cable is a must or you can risk damaging the things you’re plugging in or even starting a fire.
More: This USB-C problem isn’t going away anytime soon
But don’t fret. You don’t need to know all the rules in the USB-C spec or how it can tell which way it’s plugged in or any of the other geeky details to make the right choice if you follow a few easy tips when you’re buying a cable or connector. These three tips will help you get exactly what you need.
Buy a reputable brand
We’ve all seen ultra-cheap USB cables online or at the drug store and were tempted to buy them. While still not the best idea in the world, most of the time that was fine with the older USB Type-B micro standard used on most phones and other gadgets. Low voltage and low current were sent on the same pins every time, and the cable only went in one direction. That’s changed, even for the older Micro-USB “standards” because of the need for faster charging.
Don’t buy a USB-C cable just because it’s cheap.
When you’re buying a USB-C cable or a connector, look for a well-known brand. This is the best way to make sure the cable is using the appropriate size wires inside, the connector is properly constructed and the right resistance is being used. All three of these things are important when you’re sending more current over tiny wires, and cheaply-made cables that aren’t using the right components can be dangerous.
Cables and adapters from reputable companies often go on sale and for just a few dollars you’ll have something a lot safer than you might get if you buy cheap generic-packaged cables. The best part is that we want to save money on good cables, too, and when we find a great deal we’ll share it right on our homepage and on social media.
Know what you need
Remember when we said the USB-C spec was an open standard that companies can change to better suit their needs? Phone manufacturers are doing that, and sometimes the cables and chargers they sell and use aren’t compatible with all the rules. Qualcomm’s Quick Charge is really popular, and they can use a USB-C connector sometimes that isn’t fully compatible with the standards. Other companies have their own proprietary fast charging methods, and they, too, may not be fully compliant.
Not everyone is using USB-C in a standards compliant way, so be mindful of “quick charge” methods.
If your phone has a USB-C port you can look at the papers it came with or online to see if it uses the port in a non-compliant way. Terms like “Quick Charge” or “Turbo Charge” or any other trademarked fast charging method are a dead giveaway. The list of devices doing this is always changing but at the time of this writing phones from OnePlus, HTC, LG, and Samsung that have a USB-C connector aren’t fully compliant, and you shouldn’t use the charger, cable, or any adapter that came with them for any other piece of equipment that has a USB-C port. A third-party high-quality cable that follows the specifications can be safely used for these phones, just don’t go the other way and order extra cables from one of these companies to use with other equipment.
Your best bet here is to use the charger, cable, and any adapters that came with the phone itself. When you need a replacement, check the manufacturer’s website or hit them on Facebook or Twitter to find out which cable they recommend.
So far, phones, tablets, and laptops from Google, Apple, and Microsoft have all been fully USB-C compliant. A quality third-party cable or adapter that’s built correctly (that’s what these three things tell you) will work fine for any of these devices. Just don’t use something from HTC or OnePlus or any other company that may be using the connector differently.
Meet Benson Leung
Benson Leung is a software engineer at Google. He’s also the best friend we could ask for when it comes to buying quality USB-C compliant cables and adapters because he tests them in his spare time. Thanks, Benson.
This is important because there are a lot of cables that have a USB-C plug on one end and a “regular” USB plug on the other that are non-compliant in a dangerous way. Besides using the appropriately sized wire and properly shielding the cable and connector ends, a “regular” USB to USB-C cable requires a 56k Ohm resistor to act as what’s called a “pullup” on the VBUS (pins 2 and 17 if you’re curious) power channel. This is one of the things you need so a USB-C device can let a power source know how much current to send and when to stop sending it. Using a cable with the wrong size wire will damage the wire. Using a cable with the wrong size resistor can damage the things plugged into each end, which costs a lot of money and could possibly start a fire.
You can test the resistance of a cable yourself, or you can see what Benson says. Thanks, Benson!
This isn’t just a problem with bargain-bin cables, either. Some very high-profile companies have had (or still have) issues with their cables. If you’re the type who has fun doing things like testing continuity and resistance of USB cables, that’s awesome and you should test everything you buy then share your results. If you’re not, you can check to see if a cable is “Benson Leung approved.”
Thanks to the magic of Amazon, this is easy. Leung makes a habit of leaving feedback for all the cables he tests at Amazon. You can check to see if he’s in the comments and reviews section and if so, see if he says the cable or adapter is safe to use. This is a no-brainer. Before you buy a USB-C cable, check to see if it passes the test. We’ll make it easy — just check out the list below.
See at Amazon
USB-C isn’t dangerous. It’s capable of safely delivering relatively high current as long as the proper equipment is used, and offers a lot of benefits because of the way it can communicate with other compliant devices. What started out by powering small speakers in the late twentieth century is now robust enough to talk with the instruments used to make music and the bus the band drives to concerts. It’s important to use the proper cables and adapters, though.
Just follow these tips and you’ll be fine.
Google Pixel + Pixel XL
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
- Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
- Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
- Pixel + Pixel XL specs
- Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
- Join the discussion in the forums!
Google Store
Verizon
LG V20 available online at Verizon October 20 at a pretty reasonable price
The pricing saga of the LG V20 continues. After hearing from AT&T and T-Mobile on pricing ($830 and $769, respectively) and then from various retailers on the unlocked availability ($799), we now have Verizon’s offer, which is not only more reasonable, but available a week earlier than the rest of the country.
Starting October 20, the V20 will be sold on Verizon.com for $28 per month on a payment plan, or $672 retail, and even at that considerably more reasonable price Big Red is offering some promotions. It will be available in stores a week later, October 27, a day before its carrier rivals. In Verizon’s words:
- For a limited time only, get up to $300 back when you buy the LG V20 on device payment and trade in select smartphones.
- Get a free pair of premium H3 earphones by B&O Play ($149 value) when you purchase a new LG V20 on device payment plan.
- Starting October 20, if you buy an LG V20 on device payment you can get an LG Stylo 2 V for $1 a month for 24 months on device payment.
The B&O H3 headphones are included with all carrier models so far, and the cash back is a Verizon mainstay, so those deals aren’t particularly tantalizing, but they’re nice to haves. The carrier is also announcing, as seen above, that the LG Stylo 2 V, a 5.7-inch midrange device with an included passive stylus, will be very inexpensive when purchased alongside the V20.
It’s also worth pointing out that all Verizon phones come SIM-unlocked, and have the correct bands to work with T-Mobile and AT&T.
So, is Verizon the right carrier to get the V20 from, or is it worth it to spend the extra $100 or so on the unlocked model? Let us know in the comments!
LG V20
- LG V20 preview
- LG unveils the V20
- LG V20 specs
- LG V20 vs. Galaxy Note 7
- Discuss the V20 in the forums!
LeEco launching latest phones, TVs in the U.S. via its own LeMall online store on Nov 2
A new player is launching in the U.S. in a big way.
Though it’s a huge company, LeEco is a relatively unknown quantity in North America. Taking to a launch event in San Francisco, it aimed to change that with the announcement of its LeMall e-commerce store and several products in the U.S. today. To kick things off, we’re getting access to the latest flagship and mid-range offerings from LeEco: the Le Pro3 and Le S3.
The Le Pro3 is its latest high-end phone at a mid-range price of just $399. It’s a 5.5-inch (1080p) all-metal phone powered by a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and a rather huge 4,070 mAh battery. The Le S3 looks near-identical, but runs a Snapdragon 652 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage with a 3,000 mAh battery instead, for a very reasonable $249.
The big selling point on these phones comes down to getting high-end hardware for a lower price, along with the full ecosystem play from LeEco’s EUI software and how it ties into its cloud services.
Part of that ecosystem play is LeEco’s range of high-end smart TVs, which follow the same model of giving you the most for your money. The Super4 X range starts at 43″ for $649 and goes up to the top-of-the-line uMax85 85″ screen for $4999. They feature a consistent EUI software experience, though the underlying system is still Android TV. They have higher-end hardware more in line with the latest Android TV set top boxes than a traditional TV, with quad-core processors, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. They of course have the latest display specs as well, and include Harman-Kardon sound.
Another huge Chinese brand is pushing its way into North America.
The LeMall store, which LeEco uses to sell directly to consumers, is now available in the U.S. at lemall.com and will officially launch the products for sale on November 2. Similar to the strategy of other companies like Xiaomi, LeEco follows the “flash sale” model of opening up sales at a specific time for registered users to come buy a limited stock of devices. The first LeEco LeMall flash sale will kick off at 10 a.m. on November 2, but is already up and running today for customers to register for the sale.
To sweeten the deal and play into the flash sale idea, LeMall is launching its LeRewards system in the U.S. as well, which gives you instant rebate discounts for buying devices early. For example if you register and buy the Le Pro3 in the first flash sale, you’ll instantly save $100 off the purchase price.
We have plenty more coverage of LeEco and its first U.S. products coming soon, so stay tuned!
More: Here’s what you need to know about LeEco, the Chinese brand that just acquired Vizio
LeEco US launch: What is LeEco, what did it announce, and can you watch the event again?
LeEco has officially landed in the US.
The Chinese company has finished holding its US launch event in San Francisco, where it unveiled a range of new products for American consumers. Here’s everything you need to know about the company and its live-streamed event, as well as all the new stuff it unveiled.
What is LeEco?
LeEco (short for “Le Ecosystem”) is the Beijing-based company that bought TV maker Vizio in 2016 for $2 billion. The Chinese tech giant, which actually started as a web video streaming company called LeTV in 2004, went public on the Shenzhen Stock exchange in 2010, renamed itself last year, and has been hyping its official launch in the US for about a month. Some of its products will be available in the US shortly.
LeEco makes and sells connected TVs, smartphones, electric bicycles, dash cameras, headphones, VR headsets, and more. They all run Google’s Android OS and usually cost in the mid-to-low range. The company has also invested in autonomous cars and recently unveiled an electric car concept called LeSee. According to the LA Times, LeEco even has a 70 percent stake in Chinese car-hailing company Yidao Yongche.
LeEco has been moving into Silicon Valley ahead of its US launch. It bought a massive office complex in Santa Clara and plans to hire 12,000 people in the Bay Area, although it currently has around 500 employees in San Jose. LeEco also recently acquihired Adam Goodman, the former president of Paramount Film Group. He is overseeing the US original content division for LeVision, LeEco’s entertainment business.
Little is known about LeEco’s plans for the US. It might try to be a Xiaomi, which sells everything from hoverboards to laptops, or it could be like Huawei, which tries to sell premium devices at an affordable price. But, right now, it’s lacking brand recognition, so it’ll be interesting to see what the company unveils on 19 October and whether it can leverage Vizio’s retail partnerships to sell products in places like Walmart.
When was LeEco’s US launch?
LeEco live streamed its US launch on 19 October at 10 am PST. You could join the livestream at http://www.leeco.com, http://www.lemall.com, on LeEco social channels, and through the PlutoTV App on Vizio SmartCast and Vizio VIA+ TVs. We’ve embedded the live-stream video above.
What did LeEco announce?
LeEco
LeEco uMax85 and Super4 4K TVs
LeEco unveiled a lineup of TVs sets for the US market. These aren’t Vizio TVs but rather from a separate LeEco-branded TV division.
There are four new TVs in total, and they all run Android TV. The most notable one is the uMax85. It’s an 85-inch 4K TV that features HDR (both HDR10 and Dolby Vision), Harman Kardon speakers, Dolby Digital Plus, 4GB of RAM, 64GB SSD storage, and a quad-core ARM GPU and CPUs.
The other three TVs are different versions of its Super4 TV line in the US: the X43 Pro, X55, the X65, all of which will come with support for 4K and HDR, as well as Harman Kardon speakers, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of SSD storage, and quad-core ARM GPUs and CPUs.
The uMax85 will cost $4,999 when it’s released, while the Super4 X43 Pro will cost $649, and the X55 and X65 will cost $899 and $1,399, respectively. All four TVs will be available from 2 November on Lemall.com and come with user-feedback rebate specials.
LeTV Box U4 4K set-top box
LeEco
LeEco is also bringing the LeTV Box U4 set-top box to the US. It features 4K playback, a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of local storage, and the ability to access both Chinese and international entertainment apps. The LeTV Box U4 will cost $79 when it launches in November.
Le Pro 3 flagship phone
LeEco
LeEco announced that its first smartphone in the US will be the Le Pro3, a flagship phone that first launched internationally in September. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow and features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 5.5-inch display, and a 16-megapixel camera. Like iPhone, it ditched the 3.5mm headphone jack. It will cost $399 when it launches in the US on 2 November.
Le S3 mid-tier phone
LeEco
LeEco also announced the mid-tier Le S3. It’s an Android phone that features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, 32GB of storage, 3GB of RAM, USB-C, a 3,000mAh battery, 5.5-inch Full HD display, Quick Charge 3.0, 16-megapixel rear camera, 8-megapixel front-facing camera, and fingerprint scanner. It will cost $249 from 2 November and can be purchased in grey, rose gold, or gold.
LeEco Super Bike
LeEco
LeEco will bring its Android-enabled “Super Bike” to the US. The bike features a 30-speed shift, on-board lighting, a fingerprint-scanner, built-in alarm and location tracker, and a 4-inch display touchscreen between the handlebars. The company hasn’t said when the bike will be for sale in the US, nor how much it will cost, but the Chinese version currently retails between $800 to $6,000.
LeEco ExploreVR headset
LeEco
LeEco showed off a mobile VR headset called ExploreVR. It draws power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 inside LeEco’s Le Pro 3. It features a “premium memory foam lining”, high precision aspheric lenses, a proximity sensor that auto-pauses playback when you take it off, and a 10,000Hz IMU sensor that reduces head-tracking latency. It’ll launch on 2 November with an unknown price point.
Is that it?
Nope.
Video-streaming service
LeEco is also launching a new video-streaming service in the US. It will launch with content from Showtime, Lionsgate, MGM, Sling, Vice, The Travel Channel, Awesomeness TV, Machinima, Mitú, Magnolia Pictures, and others. We don’t yet know how the service will work, what devices it will be available, when it will launch, or how much it will cost. We expect to hear more in the coming months.
Self-driving LeSee Pro car
LeSEE Pro, LeEco’s self-driving, electric concept car, was supposed to debut at the event, but Transformers director Michael Bay, who is using the car in his upcoming Transformers 5 film, couldn’t make his scheduled appearance, according to LeEco chairman Jia Yueting. The company did’t say anything more the car, including how much it costs or when it would be available for public use.
Want to know more?
Check out Pocket-lint’s LeEco hub for other news.
AIVAnet 