The Das Keyboard 5Q brought notifications to my fingertips

Well-regarded mechanical keyboard maker Das Keyboard is taking its peripherals in a new direction. This is an internet-connected keyboard series where each key can light up with notifications — if you want them to, that is. Not only does it connect to the internet, but the Das Keyboard 5Q is the first keyboard I’ve heard of that has its own open API, which gives you an idea the level of customization that’s possible for those very enthusiastic typists out there.

Instead of an OLED Touch Bar, notifications pop up in user-defined colors any one of the 5Q’s QWERTY keys. The demonstration keyboard we got to hammer at CES had a particularly topical use-case: The ‘T’ key would light up blue whenever President-Elect Trump tweets anything. That’s a simple example though: you could also increase the speed of key flashes to represent a timer. Uses are limited only by your task-managing imagination. The keys are still very satisfying “Gamma-Zulu” mechanical switches that will last roughly 100 million presses before wearing out. Preorders are up now, with the keyboard set to ship this Spring.

Blue’s pricey planar magnetic headphones feature a built-in amp

Blue may be a company known more for its studio-grade and USB microphones, but in 2017 it’s taking a deeper dive into headphones. After the 2014 introduction of Mo-Fi, a set of headphones with a built-in amplifier, the company released Lola last year. Although that second set didn’t feature an amp, it did still offer Blue’s rather unique hinged design cut out the added heft. At CES today, the company already took the wraps off of the wireless Satellite headphones and it also has two other models that are set to ship early this year.

First, meet Ella. Blue’s new planar magnetic wired headphones feature the same hinged design we saw on Mo-Fi and Lola with a built-in amp to drive the sound. The key feature here is that planar magnetic tech that offers better frequency response and less distortion than typical cone drivers. Perhaps you’ll recall Audeze’s Sine headphones that packed the usually bulky tech in a lightweight on-ear pair for $450. The Sine also features a combo amp and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) attached to its Lightning cable.

Blue argues that most planar magnetic headphones “sacrifice impact to achieve higher levels of detail,” which creates a sound “that’s more clinical than emotional.” The company says Ella offers both the power and the detail thanks to the built-in 250mW audiophile-grade amplifier. It also claims to be the first to offer that component in a set of planar magnetic headphones. While the sound from Ella should be quite good, a list price of $700 means these aren’t for everyone.

For those on tighter budgets, Blue has a more affordable option that still offers a built-in amp. That second set of headphones, officially called Sadie, also carry that familiar hinged design we’ve seen before from the company. It’s appropriate that Blue kept the look that debuted with Mo-Fi as the company says Sadie builds on what its original set of headphones started with “vastly improved performance and superior sound.” Changes to the drivers and overall audio give Sadie the ability to perform better and showcase more detail in your music collection than its elder sibling. The best part? Sadie costs a more reasonable $400.

Just like Mo-Fi, both Ella and Sadie feature three-way controls for turning the built-in amplifier off or selecting between “On” and On+” modes. Blue says that while the hinge design remains mostly the same, there were some changes to the headband to cut down on the weight and increase comfort. Both devices arrive soon, with the Sadie going up for pre-order this month and Ella set to ship around the same time.

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

Source: Blue (1), (2)

Klipsch Hertiage headphones mix leather, wood and quality sound

When it comes to choosing between headphone models, there is a lot of similarity in features and functionality. A lot of times comfort and overall design differentiate one company’s product over another and Klipsch is hoping to do just that with its Heritage line. The headphones use machined copper, leather and wood to give the headphones a high-end look the company says embodies the craftmanship of its acclaimed loudspeakers.

As you might expect, Klipsch is promising audiophile-grade sound quality here with attention to clarity and the more subtle audio details. Biocellulose drivers and free-edge diaphragms with the wood construction means the headphones work more like freestanding speakers than regular ol’ plastic headphones. While the version pictured here is wired, Klipsch says wireless and noise cancelling versions are on the way as well. The company isn’t talking price just yet, but perhaps we will get that info when we go try these out later in the week.

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

Audi and Nvidia Working on Fully Autonomous Car for 2020 Rollout

Audi and Nvidia have announced they are working together to bring a fully self-driving car to the consumer market by the year 2020.

The announcement came on Wednesday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the two companies outlined their vision for a fully autonomous vehicle. German automaker Audi hopes to be one of the first automakers to achieve the feat, and is banking on U.S. graphics chipmaker Nvidia’s artificial intelligence car computing platform, which uses deep learning to negotiate complex real-road conditions.

Audi’s Q7 Piloted Driving Concept.

“Nvidia is pioneering the use of deep learning AI to revolutionize transportation,” Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang said. “Audi’s adoption of our Drive computing platform will accelerate the introduction of next-generation automated vehicles, moving us closer to a future of greater driving safety and new mobility services.”

To offer a taste of the results of their collaboration, Audi has been demoing its Q7 Piloted Driving Concept, which is fitted with Nvidia’s Drive PX 2 processor. The companies claim that after four days of “training”, equipped vehicles are able to drive themselves over a complex road course, thanks to the PX 2 chip’s ability to learn on the fly without recourse to pre-mapped routes.

Audi and Nvidia have been working together for almost a decade, but the announcement at this year’s CES is an indication of just how far the collaboration has come. Originally the partnership was limited to using Nvidia’s graphics processors in Audi’s virtual cockpit and navigation systems, but ambitions have since grown, and Audi said it will begin expanding its testing of the highly automated, artificial intelligence-equipped vehicles on public roads in California and select states in 2018.

For Nvidia’s part, the traditionally GPU-focused company has been working on autonomous vehicle systems for several years now and has rolled out development platforms and agreed partnerships with over 80 automakers and suppliers to realize its self-driving goals. In September the company introduced Xavier, a complete AI system on a chip for self-driving cars that’s designed to meet international functional safety standards for in-car electronics.

Apple is thought to have refocused its car project recently. The company has shelved plans to build an electric car for now, and is instead working to build a self-driving software platform for use in vehicles made by established automakers. In December of last year, Apple confirmed its interest in the autonomous car market, in a letter to federal regulators urging them to ensure fair competition and equal rights for “new entrants” in the industry.

Related Roundup: Apple Car
Tags: Nvidia, Audi
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CalDigit Announces Two New Thunderbolt 3 Docks for the 2016 MacBook Pro

Away from the hullabaloo of CES 2017, Caldigit has quietly announced two new Thunderbolt 3 docks for the 2016 MacBook Pro, one that provides connectivity along with a charging function, and a ‘lite’ model with simple port expansion, for users who already have a way of charging their laptop.

The new TS3 dock provides up to 85W of charging for the 2016 MacBook Pro in addition to a selection of connectivity options: On the rear is a DisplayPort, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, two eSATA ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one of which provides data, video and power to computers. On the front of the case is an extra USB 3.1 Type-A port as well as Audio In/Out jacks.

For users whose setup already accommodates charging their laptop – including owners of the LG UltraFine 5K monitor – the smaller TS3 Lite offers straightforward connectivity: on the rear is a USB 3.1 Type A port, Gigabit Ethernet, a DisplayPort, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and Audio In/Out ports. Around the front is another USB 3.1 Type-A port as well as a standard USB 3.1 Type-C port for data and charging.

Both the TS3 Lite and TS3 can connect a monitor up to 5K resolution. Users also have the option to connect two 4K monitors through the use of a USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapter cable (sold separately). The inclusion of DisplayPort for the video output on both docks means that users have the flexibility to select the monitor they want to attach through the use of a HDMI or DVI cable.

The Caldigit TS3 Thunderbolt 3 docking station is available at a pre-order price of $199.99 (regular price $249.99), while the TS3 Lite dock is offered at a pre-order price of $169.99 (regular price $199.99). Both docks are estimated to ship in early 2017. More information is available at the Caldigit website.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Tags: Thunderbolt 3, CalDigit
Buyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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CES 2017: Huawei to Pre-Load Amazon Alexa Virtual Assistant in its Flagship Smartphone

We’ve seen it in third-party speakers and cars already at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but Amazon’s Alexa is also about to become a smartphone personal assistant. Chinese mobile company Huawei used CES 2017 to announce it will be the first handset maker in the U.S. to pre-load the voice-activated AI into a phone.

The HUAWEI MATE 9 will be the first smartphone to integrate with Amazon Alexa. Speak to the future #HuaweiCES2017 pic.twitter.com/Eg5NBhpV7j

— Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) January 5, 2017

Less than a week ago, Alexa was almost exclusive to Amazon’s tablets and Echo smart speakers, but anyone who picks up the US version of Huawei’s flagship Mate 9 smartphone – set to launch “early 2017” – will also be able to invoke the virtual assistant.

Huawei’s announcement sets the stage for Alexa to compete directly in a mobile market already busy with AI assistants battling it out for supremacy. Apple’s Siri is still only available on iOS devices and Macs running macOS Sierra, although rumors have persisted that Cupertino is working on its own Siri-powered connected smart speaker, while the AI is likely to feature heavily in any autonomous car system the company may be working on.

Meanwhile, Google recently upgraded its Google Assistant for its own-branded Pixel phones, and last year Samsung acquired Viv – developed by the creators of Siri – for integration in its next round of flagship smartphones.

Tags: Amazon, Huawei, CES 2017
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Sony HT-ST5000 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Sony

With the introduction of the Yamaha YSP-5600, the world got its first glimpse at what a Dolby Atmos-capable sound bar would look and sound like. It’s an impressive piece of kit, but it has its issues — it’s huge, it’s expensive, it doesn’t have a sub (in the US at least) and it doesn’t do surround.

Along comes the Sony HT-ST5000 at CES 2017, the company’s first Atmos sound bar. Given the 12-month wait, can it fix the problems of the Yamaha?

The HT-ST5000 claims to be a 7.1.2-channel sound bar, but it lacks surround speakers, so that’s it’s first ding. However, it does boast a lot of drivers — 12 in all — and it does have that all-important wireless subwoofer.

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It comes with three HDMI inputs — which have 4K HDR support — in addition to an HDMI ARC output, a USB input, Bluetooth, as well as digital optical and analog connections. There’s a connection for all your equipment.

Like most connected Sony gear, the HT-ST500 supports Google Cast for multiroom playback as well as voice control via the Google Home speaker.

Pricing and availability have yet to be announced.

Pop-I e-ink backpack Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

The Pop-I backback features an e-ink screen for all your selfies and Insta shots.

Claire Reilly/CNET

Millennials! Your personal brand is lagging! Time to get yourself a backpack that will display all your selfies, Insta posts and Snapchat screenshots while you walk around the streets of Hipsterville.

The Pop-I backpack is essentially a Kindle in a backpack, but instead of high-brow literature, this e-ink display shows photos taken straight from your phone. With the help of an app, you can take a selfie or pick a shot from your gallery and push it straight to your back.

Unlike your threadbare old Jansport, the Pop-I features:

• Shatterproof, waterproof, flexible display
• Removable tablet that fits into a window on the back of the bag
• 10-inch screen
• Long battery life
• Lightweight bag with padded pocket for laptop
• E-ink display keeps image on your bag until you change it

Santa Monica company Pop-I (the same name as the bag) is less than a year old, but according to brand manager Brie Arbaugh, there are big plans for the accessory including a smaller format Sport bag with 4.7-inch display.

For now, the 10-inch Classic bag is set to launch in the US in Spring of 2017 for $99 (roughly AU$135 or £80). Finally, a chance for Millennials to put their faces on every possible inch of their outfit.

Ellipse Smart Bike Lock Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

If you have ever had a bike stolen, you know how much it sucks. Well Lattis, a San Francisco-based company, is hoping to give your bike a major security upgrade. At the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas during CES 2017, the company announced its Ellipse smart bike lock, which aims to secure your bike like an armored car.

The Ellipse sports military grade construction, including a dual-locking mechanism to secure both sides. Lattis claims it is one of the strongest locks on the market.

But the security doesn’t stop there. Inside is an accelerometer, Bluetooth and a battery. This allows the lock to detect its location and notify you if someone tries to break into it.

On the exterior of the lock is a solar panel that recharges the batteries (though it also has a built-in micro-USB port for those living in less sunny areas like Seattle.) Just one hour of sunlight gives the Ellipse enough power for a week.

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But the Ellipse has few more tricks up its hardened steel sleeve. There is a crash alert feature that can alert chosen friends if you are ever in a crash and unable to respond.

The Ellipse also has keyless entry, which is not only convenient for owners, but allows access to be granted to friends for bike sharing. In fact, it seems that Lattis’ larger aim is to enable more bike sharing programs through use of the Ellipse lock as well as its soon-to-be-a-reality bike sharing program.

The Ellipse smart bike lock will cost $199 (which converts to £160 and AU$270). It will be available to purchase in the first half of 2017.

AirBar Touchscreen Sensor for MacBook Air Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

CNET/Dan Ackerman

It’s what you’ve always wanted. A 13-inch MacBook Air with a touchscreen. We’ve all done the same thing, reaching out to tap or swipe a MacBook before realizing it was, in fact, a MacBook and not a touchscreen Windows laptop. Put a MacBook Air in front of any kid under 10, and they’ll instinctively do the same thing.

Only, it’s not exactly a MacBook with a touchscreen. It’s actually a MacBook with a sold-separately add-on sensor bar that sits just below the display and connects via USB plug. We’ve played around with one of these devices — called the
AirBar
— late last year, but that version was for Windows PCs.

The AirBar works by sending up a light field that your fingers break by swiping and tapping. In the Windows version we tried, it worked surprisingly well, at least for an add-on that cost less than $70 (£55 or AU$94). The key was to find a laptop with a screen that was precisely the right size for the AirBar, which is why the company has been selling both 13-inch and 15-inch models.

The new MacBook Air version is designed for the 13-inch MacBook Air and costs $99 (£80 or AU$155), although models for other Macs are said to be in the works. One for a new MacBook Pro or for the 12-inch MacBook, for example, would need a USB-C plug, rather than the USB-A one used now.

No one is going to confuse the AirBar with a true touchscreen laptop, and the accuracy and response seemed better lower down on the screen, closer to the bar itself. But, for basic swiping down web pages, moving photos or folders around or clicking on a video to play or pause it, it worked often enough that it’s a fun, inexpensive add-on that gives you a taste of one of the key features on almost every Mac users’ wish list.