BMW looks to the future of sitting in cars

While automotive startups strive to compete with luxury brands, BMW sits exactly where those upstarts would like to be in the market. That means is has the opportunity to introduce smart and EV features inside its established vehicles, the automaker can also drop impressive concept cars and ideas willy nilly. “Act like a a startup, deliver like a grown up,” said Klaus Frolich member of the board of management for BMW.

At the crack of dawn at CES, the German automaker took the wraps off its far-future view of the interior of its vehicles. The BMW i Inside Future concept car clearly isn’t for experiencing an engine or handling. Instead it’s the company’s look at what the inside of a car can not just look like, but what it can mean for the next generation of customers. “It’s not just about being being driven, but it’s about what you experience,” Frolich said.

“Here life in the car may not differ from life in the home,” Frolich said. The sculpture has integrated wood and plastic and the automaker says it will have an interactive free-floating touchscreen with ultrasonic haptic feedback next to the steering wheel for control. It also employs the company’s HoloActive Touch gesture system. The rear passengers would have a widescreen display that folds down and shows off their favorite movies or TV shows.

Oddly the the concept has a bookcase which we’re pretty sure would empty itself when the car hits its first turn. But it is a concept car, so I guess we shouldn’t be too worried about M3s with armoires hitting showrooms.

Live from LG’s CES 2017 press conference!

CES 2017 has just begun, and LG leads off today with the first press conference. As usual, we’re expecting a preview of the full slate of TVs, appliances and other electronics it will deliver over the next year. That’s all going to be unveiled starting at 11AM ET, so keep an eye right here on our liveblog to find out all the details as they’re revealed.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.

Warner, Universal and Lionsgate promise Dolby Vision 4K Blu-ray discs

Ultra HD Blu-ray already features high dynamic range (HDR) video for better colors and contrast, but now a few more studios are promising to support the expanded Dolby Vision standard on their disc releases. Warner Bros., Universal and Lionsgate are on the list, although there’s no mention of which specific movies will be released that way this year.

Until now, the only way to get video using Dolby’s HDR tech has been via streaming like Netflix and Vudu, and the only Ultra HD Blu-ray player with support (so far) is the one from Oppo. Hopefully, that list will grow this week during CES.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.

Source: Dolby

LaCie’s Thunderbolt drives are built for your MacBook Pro

If you bought a new MacBook Pro (or really, any Thunderbolt 3-equipped PC), there’s a good chance that you’re looking for high-capacity external storage that takes advantage of your system’s newer, speedier ports. Well, you’re in luck: As is its custom, LaCie is launching a pair of external drives that promise a load of extra space using newer interfaces. The centerpiece is the d2 Thunderbolt 3. While the hard disk itself is only slightly faster than before (240MB/s) and won’t come close to saturating USB-C or Thunderbolt 3, the choice of connector makes it easy to daisy-chain other devices without sacrificing performance. You can hook up a 5K display, two 4K displays or five additional Thunderbolt 3 drives, so you may only have to plug one cable into your computer to power your entire setup.

The new d2 isn’t cheap, but it packs a lot of storage. Prices start at $430 for a 6TB version, and you can scale up to 10TB if you’re really hurting for space. LaCie will ship it sometime in the first quarter of the year.

And if you’re less interested in daisy-chaining and more in a drive that can survive real-world abuse, you’re covered. LaCie is introducing a Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C drive that packs both an integrated legacy Thunderbolt cable and a USB-C port to deliver its full potential on a relatively wide range of systems. You can get conventional hard disk storage between 2TB and 5TB if capacity is paramount, but there are also 500GB and 1TB solid-state models for times when speed matters most; at 510MB/s, the 1TB model is about 30 percent faster than LaCie’s earlier models. The line begins at $250 for the 2TB drive, and you should see the whole Rugged series arrive alongside the d2 in the first quarter.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.

Source: LaCie

CES 2017: Netatmo Debuts HomeKit-Enabled Smart Smoke Alarm

French company Netatmo has unveiled two new consumer-facing smart home products at CES 2017 this week, namely the HomeKit-compatible Smart Smoke Alarm and non-HomeKit Indoor Security Siren.

In addition to activating a loud 85-decibel chime when it detects smoke, the connected Smart Smoke Alarm uses a home’s Wi-Fi network to send real-time smoke alert notifications to paired smartphones so that homeowners can alert emergency services or carry out other actions necessary when away from home.

The smoke alarm is equipped with a 10-year battery, and an alert will be sent when it approaches the end of this lifetime and needs to be replaced. For peace of mind, the alarm automatically performs constant battery and overall performance tests, generating self-check reports that are sent directly to paired smartphones.

If the smoke alarm is activated by burnt toast or another false trigger, a Bluetooth LE hush feature enables it to be easily silenced with a paired smartphone using the free Netatmo Security app. An integrated LED strip on the front of the alarm enables users to view its current status at a glance.

HomeKit compatibility allows users to create smart home scenarios involving the Smart Smoke Alarm. For example, it can be configured to switch on all your smart lights when smoke is detected to make sure the whole house is alerted.

Meanwhile, Netatmo’s new Indoor Security Siren activates a piercing 110-decibel chime when a home intrusion is detected by Netatmo’s existing Welcome camera or Tags, with a goal of scaring away intruders. The siren is highly customizable and can be adjusted so that it is only triggered in specific situations.

For instance, homeowners can choose to only sound the siren when an unknown face is seen while the house is unoccupied. They can also choose to activate the siren when the Tags detect that a specific door or window has been opened.

The siren includes a handful of pre-installed voice messages such as “the police are on their way” which homeowners can choose to activate in order to hopefully deter intruders. The siren also detects vibration and movement, so it can tell if someone tries to tamper with it and notify the homeowner immediately.

The Indoor Security Siren can be controlled with the free Netatmo Security app, including for on-demand alarm activation, and it is also programmable with IFTTT. However, unlike the Smart Smoke Alarm, the siren does not support HomeKit.

Netatmo said both products will be available in the second half of 2017, but it has not disclosed pricing at this time. For reference, the Smart Smoke Alarm’s main competitors include the non-HomeKit Nest Protect for $99 and HomeKit-enabled First Alert Onelink for $119.95, each of which also have carbon monoxide alarms.

Tags: HomeKit, Netatmo, CES 2017
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CES 2017: LaCie Rugged and d2 Drives Updated With More Speed, Higher Storage, and USB-C or Thunderbolt 3

At CES today LaCie announced “significant” updates for its LaCie Rugged and d2 computer storage solutions, beefing up each product with more speed, increased storage capacity, and better compatibility with modern computers, including Thunderbolt 3 on the LaCie d2.

The updated LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C solution has support for USB 3.0-compatible computers, as well as models with USB-C and Thunderbolt 3, and includes an integrated Thunderbolt cable that works with both first-generation Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2. Capacity options are available up to 5TB, with included Seagate BarraCuda drives for speedy transfers. The top-of-the-line version includes a 1TB SSD and can deliver speeds of up to 510MB/s, which LaCie said is a 30 percent increase from the previous models.

The company also gave details on the new LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 storage solution, which it called “a great companion to limited-capacity SSD-based laptops and all-in-one computers.” Specifically, LaCie mentioned that the accessory “performs great” on the new MacBook Pro line, and includes capacities up to 10TB with speeds up to 240MB/s, representing a 10 percent jump from the previous generation.

Featuring speeds of up to 240MB/s, a ten percent improvement over the previous generation, photographers can spend less time moving files from camera cards into Adobe Lightroom. Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports mean the user can daisy chain dual 4K displays, a single 5K display or up to six total LaCie d2 drives—all through a single cable connected to their computer.

It’s even possible to power a compatible laptop such the latest MacBook Pro® through a USB-C port. That’s one less cable cluttering up the desktop. The LaCie d2 is also backed by a five-year limited warranty, the most generous in the industry.

Beginning sometime in the first quarter of 2017, both the LaCie Rugged and LaCie d2 devices will be available for users to purchase worldwide. Starting at $249.99, the LaCie Rugged drive will come in 2TB, 4TB and 5TB HDD and 500GB and 1TB SSD capacities. The higher-tier LaCie d2 drive will start at $429.99 and will come in 6TB, 8TB and 10TB capacities.

Tags: LaCie, CES 2017
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CES 2017: Chamberlain Reveals HomeKit-Compatible Smart Garage Door Openers

Chamberlain, a connected smart home company that specializes in garage door openers, today announced that it will be introducing Apple HomeKit compatibility to a range of its connected smart home devices. For users already using the company’s products in the “MyQ” ecosystem, they will be able to gain HomeKit support through the addition of a new MyQ Home Bridge.

For new users, Chamberlain will launch the all-new Smart Garage Hub, a device that can add smartphone controls to “virtually any brand of garage door opener” that users already own.

Thanks to HomeKit compatibility, users will be able to control their garage door — and any MyQ connected lighting accessories — through their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch, and even use Siri.

“The value of MyQ technology extends far beyond the garage, but into the daily fabric of families and their lifestyles in the home,” said Cory Sorice, Vice President of Marketing for Connected Products and eCommerce at Chamberlain. “Through our growing product line, new features that add convenience and control, and expanding partnerships with tech leaders, Chamberlain has established itself as the industry’s preeminent smart home innovator.”

Additionally, Chamberlain announced new Smart Light Switches and lamp controls, as well as new features within the MyQ mobile app, including guest accounts and scheduling abilities. On iOS, users will be able to add Touch ID onto the app’s startup to ensure an additional layer of security is protecting access to their garage door and lighting controls.

The company said that the MyQ Home Bridge should arrive by April 2017, and the Smart Garage Hub will launch around July 2017. The MyQ Home Bridge will run at a special introductory price of $49.99 (regular $69.99), but there was no mention of how much the Smart Garage Hub will cost.

Tags: CES 2017, Chamberlain
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CES 2017: Kanex Debuts GoPlay Sidekick Game Controller for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV

Kanex today introduced the GoPlay SideKick, a pocket-sized wireless game controller for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. The MFi-certified controller connects to Apple devices over Bluetooth 4.0 and offers up to 20 hours of gameplay on a single charge with almost any controller-supported game on the App Store.

The console-inspired game controller features pressure-sensitive buttons, dual analog joysticks, trigger buttons, a directional pad, and a Lightning connector, while one of its more interesting features is its patent pending protective clamshell case with an integrated stand that props up an iPhone during gameplay.

Kanex said the GoPlay SideKick will be available in February for $59.95. For reference, Apple sells the SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Gaming Controller and HORIPAD ULTIMATE Wireless Game Controller for $49.95 each. Other options include, among others, the MOGA Rebel and Mad Catz CTRL i.

Tags: Kanex, CES 2017
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2017 flagship smartphones can be thinner but more powerful, says Qualcomm

Qualcomm has announced its latest processor at CES 2017 that is likely to become the beating heart of many of the new smartphones expected to launch this year.

With devices like the Samsung Galaxy S8, the Huawei P10, and the HTC 11 on the horizon, we’ve been given a possible look at what those devices will be capable of thanks to the reveal of the new hardware.

The good news is that they are going to be powerful.

It’s connected

The new Snapdragon 835 processor will offer all the latest connectivity including the Bluetooth 5, 802.11ad Wi-Fi, and although hardly any networks around the globe offer it (Sydney’s Telstra is expected to offer it later this year), support for Gigabit LTE which could see you get speeds up to 533Mbps.

That’s considerably more than even the most competent home broadband connection, and should mean there are plenty of ways your new phone will be able to keep to connected to your devices or the world.

Plenty of power

Your next smartphone is going to be more powerful too with the new Qualcomm processor being beefed-up to cope better with AR and of course VR offerings like Google Daydream. When it’s not augmenting your reality, the new phones powered by the new processor will be offering 4K HRD10 and 3D audio support to help fully immerse you in what you are doing.

Better battery

The company isn’t just chucking more processing and graphics power at the problem. Qualcomm is promising that the next wave of smartphones will have a better battery life as well, up to 2.5 hours more in best case scenarios. And if you do run out of juice from all that VR gaming, you’ll be able to charge up again quickly. Enhancements here suggest you’ll get 5 hours of talk time from just 5 minutes of charging using a new version of Quick Charge – Quick Charge 4.

Better photos

There’s a greater focus on camera technologies too like autofocus and enhancing zoom smoothness while support for cameras up to 32 megapixels, or as is the way with dual camera setups, 16 megapixels a piece.

Smaller smartphones

Trying to meet the demanding requirements of “mobile virtual reality and ubiquitous connectivity” as Qualcomm puts it, while supporting a variety of thin and light mobile designs, the company has also focused its efforts on making the new processor 35 per cent smaller than the previous generation.

That reduction in size, which makes the processor now considerably smaller than a US penny, could also lead to the next generation of handsets being thinner too.

Not just smartphones

ODG

Although the Snapdragon chipset range has always been prominently used in flagship smartphones, that’s not the only place you’ll be able to find it this year. One company already committed to using the new 835 chipset is smart glasses maker ODG.

It is using the 835 chipset to create a new headset dubbed the R-8. Not to be confused with the Audi supercar, the Augmented Reality headset promises to “bring the power of mobile virtual computing to consumers.”

Consumers will be able to access the familiarity of movies, sports, gaming, navigation and education experiences but on smartglasses that are light and sleek.  

When will phones get the new Snapdragon 835 chipset?

Qualcomm are being coy about when we’ll see the new processor and which handsets will be powered by the new 835 processor, however the company has stated that we’ll see the first commercial devices become available in the first half of 2017, presumably just in time for devices like the Samsung Galaxy S8 to become a reality.

Honor 6X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: What’s the difference?

Chinese manufacturer Honor announced at CES 2017 that it would be bringing its 6X smartphone to the US and Europe. The device arrives in early January for £225 and it brings with it some pretty impressive specs for the cash.

Here is how the Honor 6X compares to the kings of budget smartphones: the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus.

• Honor 6X preview
• Moto G4 review
• Moto G4 Plus review

Honor 6X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Design

• Honor 6X more premium-looking build
• Moto G4 and G4 Plus more subtle branding
• Honor 6X smaller, lighter and slimmer

The Honor 6X features a metal-frosted body with 2D curved glass and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Branding isn’t subtle but overall, the 6X offers a premium-looking build.

The Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus both have metal frames and a textured rear with more subtle branding than the Honor device, featuring just an indented “M” on the rear. The G4 has no fingerprint sensor, while the G4 Plus has one built into the physical square button positioned on the front.

The Honor 6X is the smallest of the devices being compared here, measuring 150.9 x 76.2 x 8.2mm compared to the Moto G4 and G4 Plus that both measure 153 x 76.6 x 9.8mm. The 6X is also the lightest at 162g, compared to the 155g of the G4 and G4 Plus.

Honor 6X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Display

• All three have 5.5-inch, Full HD displays
• Experience likely to be slightly different across two brands

The Honor 6X, Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus all have a 5.5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, meaning a pixel density of 401ppi across the board.

Theoretically that should mean a similar experience in terms of display, though they will no doubt vary slightly in some areas, such as colour balance and brightness as this is down to manufacturer settings rather than the size and resolution of the display.

Honor 6X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Camera

• Honor 6X has dual rear cameras
• Moto G4 Plus has highest resolution rear camera with PDAF and LDAF
• Honor 6X has highest resolution front camera

The Honor 6X has a dual-rear camera featuring one 12-megapixel sensor and one 2-megapixel sensor. The rear cameras have an aperture range between f/0.95 and f/16, allowing users to alter focus and create effects such as a blurry background. This feature is found on a number of devices, including Huawei’s Mate 9, but it doesn’t always work perfectly.

The Moto G4 has a 13-megapixel rear camera with an aperture of f/2.0, while the Moto G4 Plus has a 16-megapixel rear camera, also with an aperture of f/2.0. The G4 Plus has both laser and phase detection autofocus too.

In terms of front-facing camera, the Honor 6X has an 8-megapixel snapper, while the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus has a 5-megapixel camera.

• Huawei Mate 9 review

Honor 6X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Hardware

• All have octa-core processors and microSD support
• Moto G4 Plus has largest RAM option
• Honor 6X has largest battery capacity

The Honor 6X has a Kirin octa-core processor under the hood, supported by 3GB of RAM (in the UK). There are storage options of 32GB and 64GB, depending on the region, and both have microSD support.

The Moto G4 and G4 Plus both have a Qualcomm octa-core chip, and microSD support but their storage and RAM capacities differ. The G4 is available in 16GB or 32GB options, both with 2GB of RAM, while the G4 Plus is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models, the former two with 2GB and the latter with 4GB of RAM.

The Honor 6X has the largest battery capacity of the three devices being compared here, with 3340mAh, while the Moto G4 and G4 Plus have 3000mAh.

Honor 6X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Software

• Honor 6X has more software customisation
• Moto G4 and G4 Plus closer to pure Android

The Honor 6X runs on Android with the company’s EMUI 4.1 software overlay on top, while the Moto G4 and G4 Plus run on Android with very little software enhancements.

The software experiences of the Honor and the Moto devices will therefore be quite different. If you want a more customised device, the Honor will offer this, but if you want a purer Android device, the Moto smartphones are a good option.

• Honor 6X vs Honor 8: What’s the difference?

Honor 6X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Price

• Moto G4 Plus most expensive
• Moto G4 cheapest

The Honor 6X costs £225, which is marginally cheaper than what the Moto G4 Plus starts at but more expensive than the Moto G4.

The Moto G4 starts at £169 and the Moto G4 Plus starts at £229.

Honor 6X vs Motorola Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Conclusion

The Honor 6X and the Moto G4 Plus have very similar price tags, but the Honor 6X has a larger battery capacity, dual rear cameras, a higher resolution front camera and a more premium-looking build.

The Moto G4 Plus offers the option of more RAM, if you’re willing to pay for it, a higher resolution rear camera, Moto Maker customisation and a cleaner software experience. 

The standard Moto G4 is around £50 cheaper than both the G4 Plus and the Honor 6X, but you miss out on a fingerprint sensor and its camera isn’t as good as its more expensive brother.

• CES 2017: All the announcements that matter