Canon’s latest premium point-and-shoot is the G9 X Mark II

Canon is refreshing its premium line of point-and-shoots with the PowerShot G9 X Mark II, a sleek camera with a decent set of specs. Notably, there’s a 1-inch 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and Digic 7 image processor, coupled with a 3x optical zoom lens (28-84mm) and a 3-inch LCD. You’ll also find an 8.2 frames-per-second continuous shooting mode, as well as WiFi and NFC for controlling the camera remotely. The PowerShot G9 X Mark II is expected to hit stores in February for $530/£450.

In addition to the new point-and-shoot, Canon also introduced three new Vixia HF-R Series camcorders, the R82, R80 and R800. They all sport a 57x zoom, optical image stabilizer, a 3.28-megapixel (1080p) CMOS sensor and a 3-inch LCD, with the main difference between them being the amount of built-in storage for each. The R82, R80 and R800 are priced at $450, $400 and $300, respectively, and will also arrive next month.

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

Mohu’s wireless AirWave antenna makes cord-cutting simple

We got a peek at Mohu’s wireless TV antenna last night, and this morning the company is releasing a few more details. The AirWave promises free TV “everywhere” across a variety of mobile and connected TV devices, since it catches the OTA signal and turns it into an IPTV stream for its app, sort of like a localized Aereo (RIP).

The antenna will cost $150 when it launches in “late” spring at Best Buy stores, and won’t require any kind of subscription package for access. All it needs is power, access to local TV signals and WiFi, then you’ve got TV and the viewing app has a guide that integrates TV broadcasts with content from various streaming services.

Mohu:

At launch, AirWave is compatible with the most popular video streaming devices on the market, including:

Amazon Fire TV and Stick

• Apple TV (current generation)
• Chromecast
• Roku’s entire lineup from Express to Ultra
• iOS
• Android
• Web

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

Source: Mohu

Car makers can let Alexa ride shotgun later this year

Amazon’s Alexa assistant can already communicate with some cars, but the conversations are a little one-sided. You can tell your home-bound Echo to start warming up your Hyundai on a frosty day, for example, or send directions to your BMW ahead of setting off; but when you’re on the road, you’re on your own. Later this year, though, car makers will be able to put Alexa in the passenger seat, giving drivers a virtual assistant that’ll put on some tunes, load up an audiobook and carry out many other tasks while their hands are stuck to the wheel.

This won’t be a result of individual car brand partnerships, however. Instead, Inrix is working to integrate Alexa into its OpenCar platform, which vehicle manufacturers can take and shape into their own, branded infotainment systems — similar to BlackBerry’s QNX platform, which could be powering your ride’s dash even if you don’t know it. Inrix acquired OpenCar early last year, and pitches it as an alternative to the more walled app ecosystems of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Putting Alexa in the coveted shotgun seat should represent a serious improvement over existing voice-controlled systems — Volvo is trying to do the same with Cortana — but car manufacturers have to ally themselves with the OpenCar platform first. In other words, we’ve no idea what cars Alexa might end up riding in. Before Inrix snapped it up, OpenCar was working with Mazda, so that’s one potential customer.

Inrix isn’t exactly small fry in the automotive industry. The company already serves data like real-time traffic and parking information to connected cars from the likes of Audi, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and others, so it has the contacts. (Alexa will also be able to access this kind of info in the car and in the home as part of the OpenCar tie-in.) But as it stands, we’ll just have to wait and see which car makers jump at plug-and-play Alexa support later this year.

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

Source: Inrix

CES 2017: FLIR ONE Pro Brings Professional Grade Thermal Imaging to Smartphones

After initially launching a thermal camera that doubled as a case for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s, at CES this year FLIR Systems has now expanded its line of thermal imaging smartphone accessories with a professional grade FLIR ONE Pro. The company also introduced an updated version of the original FLIR ONE thermal camera attachment.

The Pro line of the device works like the other versions by connecting to the bottom of an iPhone or Android smartphone, through a Lightning or USB-C connector. It also has a small wheel that users can toggle to extend the connector to adjust its length, making it possible to use the Pro with thick-skinned protective cases – like LifeProof and OtterBox – often seen on professional work and construction sites.

The all new FLIR ONE Pro is a must-have for any inspector or contractor’s toolbox. Combining enhanced high resolution MSX imagery with powerful measurement tools and report generation capability, the FLIR One Pro works as hard as you do, almost.

Concerning its thermal abilities, the FLIR One Pro can measure temperatures on any spot in a scene between -4°F and 248°F (-20° to 120°C) and capture the images with a resolution of 160×120 pixels, double that of the third-generation FLIR ONE. The Pro model also packs in what the company calls “VividIR” to fuel the accessory’s “powerful image processing” so users can get crisp and clear details from each thermal image.

Due to its professional designation, the FLIR ONE Pro comes at a higher price of $399.99, while the basic FLIR ONE will cost users $199.99. FLIR Systems has shared a collection of images taken with the thermal camera attachment on its website, as well as detailed a few areas where the accessory can be used, for anyone curious.

Tags: CES 2017, FLIR ONE Pro
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CES 2017: Elgato Introduces Thunderbolt 3 Dock With Dual 4K Display Support

Elgato today announced the launch of a new Thunderbolt 3 Dock designed to work with the new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models Apple introduced in October of 2016.

Elgato’s Thunderbolt 3 Dock features three USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, two Thunderbolt USB-C ports, 1 DisplayPort with DisplayPort 1.2 support, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 3.5mm microphone input jack.

“Apple’s sleek new Mac notebooks deserve a clean workspace that’s free of hubs and dongles.” said Markus Fest, General Manager of Elgato, “With the new Elgato Thunderbolt 3Dock, it’s literally one cable and you’re all set.”

The Dock, which provides up to 85 watts of power, can charge a MacBook Pro while also providing multiple ports for connecting displays and accessories. It can drive one 5K display at 60Hz through the Thunderbolt 3 port or two 4K displays simultaneously at 60Hz, using both the DisplayPort and one of the USB-C ports. USB-C accessories will be powered with up to 15W and the USB A ports will charge an iPhone or an iPad at full speed.

– DisplayPort output: up to 4096 x 2160 pixels at 60 Hz

– Thunderbolt 3 output: up to 5120 x 2880 pixels at 60 Hz

– Dual displays: up to 4096 x 2160 pixels at 60 Hz each

– 4K60 over HDMI 2.0 supported using active adapters (not included) via USB-C and DisplayPort

The Thunderbolt 3 Dock will be available at the end of January 2017 and will be priced at $299.95, a price tag that includes a 1.6 ft Thunderbolt 3 cable.

For its HomeKit-enabled Eve line of products, Elgato is also showing off the Eve Extend and the Eve Aqua, but is not making formal product announcements at this time. The Eve Extend is designed to connect to a local Wi-Fi network and act as a bridge for Bluetooth-based accessories in its range, while the Eve Aqua is a wireless irrigation controller that connects directly to a faucet and hose.

Tags: Elgato, CES 2017
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Casio’s latest rugged smartwatch runs Android Wear 2.0, debuts in April

Get ready for an even more rugged smartwatch from Casio.

Casio unveiled its first smartwatch last year with the rugged WSD-F10, and now the company is launching an update that adds GPS functionality and Android Wear 2.0. The model is aptly called the WSD-F20, and shares similar features as its predecessor that sees three buttons on the right and MIL-STD-801G rating for protection against the elements, as well as water resistance up to 50 meters (this thing can take a lot of abuse).

The design of the smartwatch makes it look even more rugged when next to its predecessor. Casio added a larger bezel around the screen, which contains text labels for the side buttons and one that highlights the GPS module. As always, you’ll be able to launch your preferred apps or one of Casio’s built-in tools with the side buttons, and the home button in the center is slightly larger.

The smartwatch also retains the dual display mode, which allows you to conserve battery life by toggling a monochrome mode that just displays the time (like a regular watch). What’s new is a low-power GPS sensor that works with the maps feature to enable location tracking even when you’re offline. Casio will also roll out a Location Memory app that lets you mark locations on a map.

As noted by Digital Trends, map data is sourced from Mapbox, and you’ll be able to download maps for offline use. There’s also an “anti-fouling coating” on the screen, and you get two new watch faces that leverage the GPS — Location and Traveler.

The WSD-F20 will be up for sale starting April 21, and will be available in orange and black color options. Casio didn’t reveal the pricing, but it is likely to be in the same $500 range as its predecessor.

Hyundai’s Blue Link service picks up Google Assistant integration

OK Google, start my car.

Hyundai was one of the first car manufacturers to roll out Android Auto back in 2015, and now the company is now announcing Google Assistant integration for its Blue Link connected car service. Hyundai cars connected via Blue Link can be remotely locked or unlocked, and owners can adjust the car’s temperature remotely through the Blue Link app on Android and iOS. The service also supports Google Maps, and comes with a roadside assistance feature.

With the Assistant integration, owners will be able to issue voice commands on Google Home to control certain aspects of their car. For instance, there’s the ability to remotely start the car and set the temperature by saying, “Ok Google, Tell Blue Link to start my Santa Fe and set the temperature to 72 degrees.” Customers can also issue voice commands to feed directions directly to the car: “Ok Google, Tell Blue Link to send the address of the Mandarin Oriental, in Las Vegas to my Sonata.”

Hyundai will be showing off the integration at Pepcom’s Digital Experience ahead of CES.

Automaker Demonstrates Vehicle Compatibility with Google Assistant on Google Home

Hyundai Shows How Owners Could Send Destinations to their Car Using Google Home and Assistant

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 3, 2017 – In an integration highlighting the increasing connection between cars and the home, Hyundai is demonstrating compatibility with the company’s Blue Link Agent for the Google Assistant. The integration, which Hyundai will be demonstrating at Pepcom’s Digital Experience prior to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 4, allows control of various functions of a Hyundai vehicle with simple voice commands. These commands include “Ok Google, Tell Blue Link to start my Santa Fe and set the temperature to 72 degrees”, “Ok Google, Tell Blue Link to send the address of the Mandarin Oriental, in Las Vegas to my Sonata”, and “Ok Google, ask Blue Link to lock my car”.

“Our customers are finding smart home integrations like the one we are showcasing with Google Home to be very useful and convenient,” said Manish Mehrotra, director, digital business planning and connected operations, Hyundai Motor America. “We will continue to add layers of convenience to the Blue Link connected car system and our cars, making features like remote EV charge management, remote locking, temperature and remote start easier than ever while sitting on the couch and saying ‘Ok Google’.”

Google Home is a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant that can provide real-time answers, activate streaming music services, smart home devices, and now, cars.

Blue Link brings seamless connectivity directly into Hyundai cars with technology like Remote Start with Climate Control, Destination Search powered by Google®, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Car Finder, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, and Stolen Vehicle Recovery. Blue Link services can be easily accessed from the buttons on the rearview mirror and center stack, the Web or via the Blue Link owners’ smartphone app. In addition to the Action on Google Assistant, some of these features can also be controlled via the latest Android Wear™ and Apple Watch™ smartwatch offerings.

How It Works

To send commands to the Hyundai Vehicles via the Google Assistant on Google Home, engineers developed a way to link a customer’s Blue Link Account with the Google Assistant voice activated services. Once a customer has successfully linked his or her account, Remote Service commands will only be sent to Hyundai vehicles after the Google Assistant prompts owners for their Blue Link Personal Identification Number (PIN).

What’s in Alex’s 2017 gear bag?

Find out what I pack when it’s time to go places and do things!

I’m skipping CES this year, but that doesn’t mean I’m staying put entirely. Throughout most of 2016 — and into the new year — I’ve been back and forth to events and product launches on the other side of the Atlantic.

And just like the rest of the AC team, when it’s time to hit the road, I have my own preferred loadout of gear. Some of this stuff will be making way for newer, upgraded equipment in the run up to Mobile World Congress this February, but for the moment, here’s what I’m using.

Behold, my gear bag, and the technology which lurks within.

The bag: Hammond & Co Black Leather Dispatch Bag

When I’m lugging around a laptop, camera, lenses, power banks, phones and assorted cables and accessories, this leather messenger bag strikes just the right balance between bulk and capacity. The main body is divided up into two main areas — one laptop-sized, the other for general storage. And the three inner pockets are ideal for storing lenses, batteries and other gubbins.

See at Amazon

The Phone: Google Pixel XL

What can I say. The Pixel’s camera (and to a lesser extent, its software) has ruined me for just about every other phone — to the point where I’m using it over the GS7 edge despite its relatively dull appearance, its tendency to get scratched up around the back, and lack of value-add features like water resistance and wireless charging. (To say nothing of its mere 32GB of non-expandable storage.)

When I’m traveling, I want to be sure I’m carrying the best possible camera with me at all times. In a phone-sized device, that’s the Pixel. And I’m using the 5.5-inch version because I’m a fan of big phones — for me, a 5.5- to 5.7-inch display is big enough to be spacious without adding extra bulk in the pocket.

I also enjoy the simplicity of Google’s Pixel UI, not too far removed from vanilla Android, while differentiated with some useful additions, and a handful of neat live wallpapers.

See at Google Store

The backup: OnePlus 3T

There’s a lot to like about the OnePlus 3T — up to 128GB of storage is immense, 6GB of RAM means there’s plenty of breathing space for multitasking, and the latest Qualcomm processor pushing a 1080p display makes for a tremendously speedy device. And with the new Nougat update, OnePlus’s software experience goes toe-to-toe with the Pixel, offering differentiating features of its own — mainly extensive customization options.

Dual-SIM support is also useful to have when traveling overseas, though not an essential. And Dash Charge, ludicrously fast as it is, is a fantastic way to turn just a few minutes on the charger into a battery level that’ll set you up for the rest of the day.

I’ll be honest: If the OnePlus had the Pixel’s camera, I’d probably be using it instead. There are definitely instances where the 3T feels faster than Google’s phone, and I prefer in the less slippery in-hand feel of OnePlus’s flagship. But while this device has a great, competent camera, it’s no Pixel.

See at OnePlus Store

The watch: Huawei Watch

I inherited this silver Huatch from Jerry (Hildenbrand. AC editor of dope shit), complete with metal band, and despite the charger being a constant source of annoyance — you’ve got to be really careful lining up those charging pins — it’s the best-looking smartwatch in my loadout by a long way, which is why it’s paired to my Pixel.

There’s not really much to say about the way I use this watch. It’s basically a glorified notification mirror, and I’ll occasionally use it for music controls and dismissing unwanted calls. And that’s all I want from a wearable right now.

See at Amazon

The tablet: Huawei Mate 9

No, you didn’t read that wrong. I’m not a big tablet guy in general. For that reason, the 5.9-inch Huawei Mate 9 is my go-to device when I need something portable, but with a larger screen. It’s surprisingly close in size to one of my favorite tablets of all time, the venerable 2013 Nexus 7, only it’s packing way more performance, cellular connectivity and a pretty good dual-lens camera with some neat software tricks (though admittedly, it’s no Pixel camera.)

It’s also got battery life for days, which is important in a device I’m not using (and therefore charging) on a daily basis. The Mate 9 also has Huawei’s new EMUI 5 software going for it, based on Android Nougat — a huge upgrade on the weird, bad Huawei software of yesteryear.

See at Amazon

The laptop (for now): Ye Olde MacBook Air 13-inch (2012)

A year ago when I filed my last Gear Bag report, I was looking forward to new MacBooks Pro with Intel Skylake processors and discrete graphics in the near future. What a fool I was. The new (late 2016) MBPs didn’t do much for me — it’s weird that they forgot to include a battery and replaced the function keys with emoji, and replaced the all-important SD card slot with a whole lot of nothing. And so I’m looking at moving to a more powerful, GPU-equipped Windows machine for a near-future upgrade.

In the meantime, my (relatively high-specced, for the time) 2012 Air continues to chug along, handling day-to-day stuff without too much fuss, even when hooked up to a 27-inch monitor and a bunch of peripherals. For a four-and-a-half-year-old laptop that’s seen countless international trips in its lifetime, the Air has served me well. But it’ll be time for an upgrade before I head to Mobile World Congress next month.

See newer, fancier MacBooks on Amazon UK
See on Amazon.com

The camera: Olympus OM-D E-M5 II

(The lenses: 25mm f/1.8 pancake; 14-150mm f/4-5.6 superzoom)

I’m continually tempted by the prospect of shooting 4K video, but in the meantime this compact Olympus Micro Four Thirds shooter is a solid go-to camera for just about everything I do here at AC. (Read: Putting pretty still and moving pictures on the Internet.)

It’s small enough to disassemble and store in a messenger bag, while packing important features like a rotatable display, decent (OK — acceptable battery life), laptop tetherability and mic input.

The superzoom lens is pretty versatile, but not great in low light. Increasingly I’m finding the 25mm pancake lens to be my go-to option — it’s ideal for hands-on photos and video, and perfectly suited to shooting in less than perfect lighting conditions. (My Huawei Mate 9 video review was shot using this camera and, for the most part, the pancake lens.)

See on Amazon UK
See on Amazon.com

Batteries: Samsung and Aukey quick-charging batteries

The plastic shell of my 5,200mAh Samsung quick charge batteries may have sustained its share of battle damage over the past year or so, but it’s still alive and kicking — and an great size for throwing in a pocket on a longer day. It supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 (which, ironically, none of my current devices do), but it’ll still juice up phones at up to 2A/5V, which is reasonably speedy.

Should I need to pack in more power, my 10,000mAh dual-port Aukey battery pack is up to the task, with one fast charging port — again, QC 2.0 — which can also put out 2.4A at 5V. And there’s a second port for juicing up lesser devices at 1A/5V. It’s a little bulky, but it’s survived countless trips in all manner of bags, and is always ready to bring my phone of choice back to life at the end of a busy day.

• See Samsung 5,200mAh battery on ShopAndroid
• See Aukey 10,000mAh battery on Amazon UK
• See Aukey 10,000mAh battery on Amazon.com

Earbuds: HTC high-def audio earbuds + Samsung Gear Active

I’ll use fancy, expensive headphones at home, but I’m not going to take them on the road. So when I travel, my go-to earbuds are HTC’s high-definition cans, which are small and sturdy enough to cram in a pocket or zipped pouch, but good enough to see me through a reasonably long plane or train ride.

See at HTC

When I feel the need to go wireless, I use Samsung’s Level Active eadbuds. The battery life isn’t quite up there with a decent set of neckbuds, but the Level Actives are infinitely more portable, and way more comfortable than the larger Level In earphones.

See at Amazon

Bag-within-a-bag: Skooba Cable Stable DLX

This case is designed to hold a bunch of cables, but turns out to be a surprisingly good hold for all kinds of smartphone-related stuff — from the phones themselves, to spare batteries, smartwatch charging pucks and other small things that might get lost in a bigger bag. The Cable Stable DLX is just the right size to fit in the main body of my messenger bag, while still leaving room for cameras, lenses and other odds and ends.

If I’m bringing more than a couple of phones with me, the overflow normally ends up in this thing, along with spare USB-C and micro-USB cables.

See on Amazon

That’s a lot of gear

Not all this stuff is the latest and greatest, but most of it has served me well at previous events, and I’ve come to rely on every piece of technology on this list.

Over the next few days, the other AC at CES will be showing off the tech they use every day and on the road, so keep watching in the near future. Be sure to check ’em out if you like to ogle at technology.

Velux Active windows achieve peak smart home with Netatmo sensor integration, smartphone control

With the launch of the Velux Active, we’ve reached peak smart home in 2017. Announced at CES 2017, the Velux Active smart windows can be automated to work in cahoots with a range of home environment sensors, as well as offering iPhone and Android control. 

That means that you’ll be able to have the windows automatically react to changing conditions inside or outside your house, in the ultimate realisation of what a smart home should be. 

Taking the company’s existing Integra powered windows – which offer remote control and rain sensing – the Active moves on from predefined schedules and operations to be reactive, working in partnership with Netatmo. 

Netatmo has a range of smart home sensors and thanks to a new Wi-Fi gateway from Velux, you’ll be able to setup the Velux Active to react to the internal conditions. If the internal air quality is bad, the windows can open to provide fresh air.

Velux has worked with Apple to ensure that the new Velux Active are HomeKit enabled, with Apple iPhone and Android apps to ensure that you’ll be able to control your windows or blinds or from a wide range of devices. 

Interestingly, Netatmo says that that the solution will work with a range of motorised windows, including those already installed, so it should be possible to upgrade your existing configuration. 

The first Velux Active products will hit the market in Q3 2017, so late summer.

Lego Boost sets to bring your Lego alive

Lego has launched a range of new robotics coding kits that are aiming to inspire would-be creators to dabble with more than just building static spaceships and houses.

Revealed at CES in Las Vegas, the new range of robots and programmable toys called Lego Boost, will be aimed at children as young as 7 years-old, and give them a much more approachable solution over the company’s Mindstorm offering.

Like many of the other “kids coding” products available on the market, children will be able to make their creations move, talk and interact with their environment, but without things getting overly complicated, however the big difference here is that it works with regular Lego.

Lego

The robotic creations will be powered by a something the company dubs the “move hub”. It works by attaching motors and various tilt and colour sensors to your creation that then allow the smart toys to come to life.

Lego Boost toys are then capable of performing a range of actions coded into them via the Wi-Fi connected app available for free on Android and Apple devices.

The app teaches children to build simple lines of code by dragging, dropping and stacking digital blocks to create actions and routines for the robots. Whether simple movements or more complex routines, Lego are promising more than 60 different activities built into the app.

One of the models will be Vernie the robot, a toy reminiscent of Johnny Five from the 1986 classic Short Circuit. Demos of the set show that the creation will be capable of pretending to be a cowboy, firing a toy guy, playing a harmonica and squeezing out the occasional cheeky fart.

Lego

Available in five different versions, Lego Boost also includes Frankie the cat, a space rover (M.T.R.4), the Guitar 4000 and Autobuilder (a sort of Lego 3D printer).

With a range of voice recordings, programmable actions and user-generated additions (such as recordings of the child’s own voice) there’s looks to be plenty of capabilities packed into these little bots.

The Lego Boost kits will be available to purchase in the second half of 2017 and will be priced at around $160 (£130) – batteries not included.

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