Westinghouse’s 43-inch 4K Android TV set costs $350

Perhaps one of the best developments for tech consumers over the last few years has been the arrival of very cheap, surprisingly feature-rich 4K TVs from companies like Vizio. That trend continues this year at CES 2018, as Westinghouse has just unveiled a series of 4K models with Android TV starting at just $350. Don’t expect miracles in terms of picture quality, but it’s definitely a cheap way to get Netflix streaming, smart home control, Google Cast and other features.

Westinghouse doesn’t appear to offer HDR, which is unfortunate considering that TCL and other companies build relatively cheap HDR 4K TVs. Nevertheless, they do come with a 120Hz maximum refresh rate and built-in WiFi.

Android TV, meanwhile, will let you play games, stream from Netflix, Amazon Prime and other apps, and cast from your phone or laptop. You also get Google Assistant, Google Cast and Google Play Games, along with Google’s built-in Home hub. As mentioned, the 43-inch model is $350; Westinghouse has yet to release prices for the 50-, 55- and 60-inch models, but expect those to be very competitive, too.

Bragi’s Project Ears is fusing wireless audio with hearing aids

Bragi’s appearance at this year’s CES isn’t about an updated pair of earbuds. At least, not yet. It’s taking its audio tech in a new, health-based direction, working with Mimi Hearing Technologies to create personalised hearing enhancement.

Both companies are working on a Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP) — backed with FDA approval. The rest of the details are still TBC, although according to Bragi, it will combine hearing enhancement with a design that’s similar to its Dash series of buds — in short, it’s not going to look like a hearing aid. The project was apparently inspired by one of Bragi’s early Kickstarter backers, who made a basic modification to the Dash to offer relief from tinnitus. The company now plans to combine its audio know-how with Mimi’s customized hearing test maps, resulting user-specific sound profiles and creating a refined solution for hearing issues like tinnitus.

Project Ears has already established a hearing test (in science terms, a “pure tone threshold test”) to create unique “Earprint”. Combined with with Mimi’s personalization tech, the hearing device will automatically configure and program itself to the individual without any need for manual programming or even a smartphone. According to Bragi, Project Ears will also test out personalized hearing enhancement in homes, offices, and outside work environments like construction sites. (That’s why there’s a picture of a builder up there at the top of this article — if you were wondering.)

Project Ears is posited as a way to help with hearing issues in an unobtrusive, subtle way that doesn’t involve often pricey medical tech. It’s certainly not the only company branching out in this direction. Many others are likely approaching assistive audio, after a bill to deregulate hearing aids was passed, opening up access (and hopefully reducing the price of entry) to hearing aid devices of all kinds. Bragi believes it’s nimble and small enough to beat bigger competition to the punch.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

Source: Project Ears

Live from LG’s CES 2018 press conference!

Day Zero of CES 2018 is here and it’s LG who is kicking off the tech hoopla. We’ll likely see the company introduce some new OLED TVs and possibly even a smartphone, the “raspberry red” V30. Aside from that, you can expect LG to show off products like its tiny 4K projector and the 65-inch rollable TV, which was revealed a couple days ago. Whatever happens at the event, we’re here to bring it to you live, so make sure to tune into this page at 8AM PT/11AM ET.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

CES starts this week: TVs, cars and voice-controlled everything

The two things you can count on are death and taxes, so the saying goes. We’d suggest an addition to that list: a slew of new technology pouring out of CES each January. The world’s largest electronics show is about to commence in earnest, and the pre-game events are already underway. Gadgets, because we can’t think of any other way we’d rather see in the new year.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

CES 2018: Canary Launches Cheaper ‘View’ Indoor Security Camera for $99

Canary today at CES announced a new indoor security camera called the “Canary View,” which comes with a cheaper $99 price tag thanks to the removal of certain features from the original Canary device (via The Verge).

Specifically, the Canary View lacks the company’s “HomeHealth” technology, which monitors a home’s temperature, humidity, and overall air quality in the $169 Canary All-in-One camera. Otherwise, Canary View will perform all of the basic security camera functions, including iPhone compatibility, 1080p video capture, two-way Canary Talk, intelligent motion alerts, and more.

The device has a 147-degree wide-angle lens to capture footage, and can automatically transition to night vision when motion alerts appear in the dark. Some features on the Canary View — including Canary Talk — are limited to paying Canary Membership subscribers. The membership costs $9.99/month and updated last October when the company began charging for previously free features for its security cameras, citing “significant” cloud expenses.

The Canary View camera is available to purchase today on the company’s website for $99.

Tags: Canary, CES 2018
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Apple Says $29 Battery Replacements Are One-Per-iPhone When Device Passes Diagnostic Test

iPhone users hoping to double dip on Apple’s discounted $29 battery replacements this year may find themselves out of luck.

While we previously confirmed that Apple is offering $29 battery replacements to any customer with an iPhone 6 or newer regardless of diagnostic result, Apple has confirmed that this policy can only be taken advantage of once, according to new fine print on its iPhone service pricing page.

In other words, after you’ve had your iPhone’s battery replaced once this year, the device must explicitly fail the diagnostic test to qualify for any additional battery replacements for $29. If the test passes, a customer can still choose to have the battery replaced, but Apple’s standard $79 fee applies.

Apple says iPhone batteries are designed to retain up to 80 percent of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles, and this is likely the primary benchmark for its diagnostic test, but results may vary.

While it’s unlikely customers would need to have their iPhone battery replaced more than once in a year, some people may have planned on taking advantage of the $29 deal now, and then again near the end of 2018, as the combined $58 cost for two replacements would still be cheaper than the standard $79.

Apple reduced the price of iPhone battery replacements as part of its apology over a lack of communication about the power management changes it made starting in iOS 10.2.1. The discount is effective immediately and available worldwide through December 31, 2018. Prices vary outside of the United States.

To initiate the process, read our guide on how to get your iPhone’s battery replaced with an appointment at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, or by mailing the device to an Apple Repair Center.

Related Roundups: iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone SE, iPhone 8, iPhone XBuyer’s Guide: iPhone 8 (Buy Now), iPhone 8 (Buy Now), iPhone SE (Don’t Buy), iPhone 8 (Buy Now), iPhone X (Buy Now)
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This robot therapy duck comforts kids with cancer

CES is flush with giant TVs, smart fridges, and plenty of other superfluous nonsense. So it was a breath of fresh air when a company called Sproutel and Aflac showed up with a robot duck designed to comfort children with cancer. The My Special Aflac duck is, in many ways, not terribly different from other toy pets like Furby or an Aibo. It’s cute, cuddly and packed with sensors that allow it to interact with you. Scratch under its chin and the duck will lift its head and let out an appreciative little quack. Find its ticklish spot under the wing and it’ll shake about and erupt in laughter.

But it’s more than just a feathery companion, it’s educational and therapeutic. Children diagnosed at a young age often have trouble communicating how they feel. A selection of RFID enabled emoji cards allow patients use the duck to mirror their own emotions. Tap the frowny face to its chest and it’ll lower its head, slouch and let out a sad whimper. Touch the silly face to it and it’ll dance and quack along to the radio. It’ll even try to mimic your speech pattern (in quacks of course).

There’s also a port-a-cath with an RFID chip so that children pretend to give the duck chemotherapy as they’re undergoing treatment themselves. The medical play helps kids cope with their own treatment by familiarizing them with the process and making them feel like they’re not going through it alone. There’s even a companion app with AR features that extend the medical play. Kids can give the duck a sponge bath or administer injections. And thanks to the Bluetooth connection it’ll respond.

The app also allows children to build their own worlds filled with soothing ambient sounds. They can explore a forest filled with a flowing stream and croaking frogs. And the duck can be made to play those soothing noises with the tap of a spaceship-shaped soundscapes card. If soothing sounds aren’t cutting it though, it can also coach kids through breathing exercises to calm them down.

Peel off the machine-washable skin and you can see all the sensors and motors that make the My Special Aflac Duck work. The motors that get it to nuzzle against you allow for fairly lifelike movement modeled on real ducks. And the speaker on top doubles as a vibrational motor of sorts. So a child can hold the duck close to them and feel its heart beat against them.

So far Aflac and Sproutel have tested the duck with over 100 children. But this should be just the beginning. Aflac hopes to get a My Special Duck in the hands of every one of the nearly 16,000 children diagnose with cancer in this country every year. It’s an ambitious goal, but a admirable one.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

Google bans sketchy UK ads for profiteering addiction helplines

Google’s not having the best start to the year, as it’s already been called out, yet again, for unscrupulous advertising practices. An investigation by The Sunday Times shed light on a significant money-making machine, which played out through Google ads, targeting people seeking help for substance abuse issues. Someone entering relevant search terms might see an ad for a free advice helpline. These services might subsequently provide details of formal treatment options at private clinics. A caller wasn’t to know, however, that successful referrals were netting these companies significant commission fees. As a result of the investigation, Google has now banned these types of ads from appearing in search results in the UK.

“We work to help healthcare providers – from doctors to hospitals and treatment centres – get online and connect with people who need their help. Substance abuse is a growing crisis and has led to deceptive practices by intermediaries that we need to better understand. In the US, we restricted ads entirely in this category and we have decided to extend this to the UK as we consult with local experts to update our policy and find a better way to connect those that need help with the treatment they need,” Google said in a statement.

The Department of Health has also chimed in, telling The Sunday Times: “It is disheartening that those seeking privately funded help for their addiction are potentially being exploited.”

This kind of ‘patient brokering,’ as it’s sometimes known, is outlawed in several US states. While ethically questionable, it’s perfectly legal in the UK, though Google has now decided to apply the same ad restrictions it’s done in the US since last September across the pond. Daniel Gerrard, chief of the largest UK agency Addiction Helper, said callers are offered a free service, are recommended government-funded programmes and support groups, with private clinics suggested as a “last resort.” However, speaking to undercover reporters, Gerrard also suggested a certain bias towards some treatment options. Regarding outpatient therapy, he said: “It’s minimal money on counselling, so we try not to overpromote it.”

Oliver Clark of rival agency ADT Healthcare told reporters his company also “gives impartial advice” in the “best interest” of callers. If a rehab centre were to agree to a higher commission fee, though, he said they would get preferential treatment for referrals. These agencies don’t disclose their commercial relationships with clinics unless explicitly asked, and can earn up to tens of thousands of pounds for referring just one patient to a luxury rehab centre for a month-long programme. They argue the revenue allows them to continue to provide free support to those who can’t afford private treatment.

Aside from the lack of transparency, one fear is the racket could be impacting the cost of private treatment at a time when the NHS is in disarray, and overdose-related deaths are at an all-time high (according to 2016 data). Part of the reason commission fees are so high is because agencies are (or were) paying Google significant sums to make sure their ads are seen before their competitors. Addiction Helper reportedly met with Google every quarter and paid the company roughly £350,000 each month — up to £200 per clickthrough, over £4 million per year — for the best ad slots. Furthermore, the agency operates more than 300 websites that would funnel visitors back to Addiction Helper phone lines. Showing undercover reporters the extent of this reach, Gerrard demonstrated how simple, relevant search terms would spit out results where his sites occupied five spaces on the front page. Though not anymore, you’d hope.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: The Times (paywalled) (1), (2)

Onewheel doubles the range of its electric skateboard

There’s nothing quite like the Onewheel. The electric rideable is like a skateboard, unicycle and balance board rolled into one; a chunky tire sits in the middle while your feet rest on wooden panels — like the nose and tail of a skateboard — on either side. The Onewheel+ was one of my favorite devices at CES last year, and today manufacturer Future Motion has announced its successor: the Onewheel+ XR. It ships with a new battery system that doubles the range to between 12 and 18 miles (the variance depends on the terrain you’re riding). That’s a huge difference which the company hopes will make it more viable as a mode of transportation.

The Onewheel+ XR is more powerful than its predecessor, with increased torque for hill climbing and “higher performance for all riders.” It’s not clear, however, if these improvements are a result of the battery or further refinements to the “Hypercore” motor. Regardless, it should give the rideable some much-needed oomph while you’re carving across sand, fields and stick-riddled tracks. The riding experience is otherwise unchanged — you press on the nose to accelerate and lean with your heels or toes to turn. There’s a lot to learn, but I was able to ride the older Onewheel+ fairly comfortably after just a few hours in a parking lot.

The Onewheel+ XR costs $1799 and is available for pre-order today. The older Onewheel+ can still be bought for $1499 — at that price, though, you could buy a second-gen Dual+ Boosted Board. Decisions, decisions.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

ASUS can turn three screens into one seamless gaming display

The most interesting accessory ASUS brought to CES this year isn’t high-tech at all. In fact, it doesn’t even require power or software to operate. The ROG Bezel-free Kit is for gaming fans with multi-screen set-ups, and it promises to eliminate the gaps where those monitors meet, essentially creating one seamless viewing area. It does all of this through the centuries-old magic of light refraction.

The kit includes long, rectangular lens strips designed to be mounted at a 130 degree angle where monitors meet, pulling screen images across the dead space to create the illusion of a single screen. ASUS says 130 degrees is “the angle determined through extensive testing to provide the best viewing experience.” The Bezel-free Kit will be available in the first half of 2018 for an unannounced price.

ASUS also has some high-tech accessories at this year’s CES. The Strix Flare keyboard is a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX RGB switches and a host of design tweaks that aim to keep players’ fingers where they need to be. The volume wheel and dedicated media keys are positioned on the board’s upper left side, plus it includes a USB passthrough port and a detachable wrist rest. The Strix Flare features Aura Sync lighting technology, allowing owners to customize the keyboard and synchronize all of those flashing lights with the rest of their ASUS products.

Speaking of Aura Sync, ASUS is going all in on its proprietary lighting tech. Every ROG laptop and desktop from here on out will support Aura Sync, and ASUS is rolling out a new hunk of hardware designed to give players more control over their lighting schemes. The ROG Aura Terminal is a quad-channel RGB controller that can synchronize your rig’s lighting effects with whatever’s happening in-game, or ensure all of your lights are on the same page.

The Strix Flare keyboard and Aura Terminal are both due out in the first half of the year, though ASUS has not yet announced a price for either accessory.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.