Sony UBP-X1000ES Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Sony

In August Microsoft said it was supporting 4K Blu-ray discs in its revitalized Xbox One S game console. To follow suit, rival Sony was expected to announce its new PlayStation 4 Pro would also support the new hi-res format — one which it had also helped create. But sadly it was not to be. A week later, however, and Sony is finally announcing a real player, but even so it’s probably not what we had hoped for.

Yes, the UBP-X1000ES is a 4K Blu-ray player, capable of spinning virtually any other kind of optical disc too, but no, you won’t be able to buy one off the shelf. Like Sony’s other high-end “ES” components released in the US, this model will only be available through custom installers.

From the outside, the X1000ES looks very similar to the “premium” 1080p UHP-H1 player, and it performs many of the same functions, such as streaming Amazon Video and YouTube. But it has the added benefit of playing 4K discs.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is the latest disc-based standard and includes features such as 4K resolution (3,840×2,160 pixels), high dynamic range (HDR) and better color depth.

From a hardware perspective the new player includes a high-end 32-bit processing DAC, which will play disc-based media like SACD and CD, as well as stream native DSD (at up to 11.2MHz) and PCM (up to 192kHz).

Sony has yet to announce pricing and says it will be available in spring 2017, which is a little later than originally announced.

My take: Too little too late?

Oh, Sony. You had one job: make a 4K Blu-ray player that people can actually buy. Sony is the most popular manufacturer of Blu-ray players and this distinction could easily translate to the 4K version. But the company has seemingly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for the second time in a week.

Given Sony’s history of popularizing disk formats through enabling native support in new consoles — PlayStation 2 and DVD; the PS3 and Blu-ray — Sony was widely expected to announce support for 4K Blu-ray with its PS4 Pro last week. It didn’t — the console can only do 4K streaming — and Sony has extended the disappointment with the UBP-X1000ES.

Despite being one of the first companies to produce 4K Blu-ray discs, it appears Sony is reticent to let people play them on anything. Subconsciously or not, the company is helping to scuttle the format with this lack of hardware support. And the UBP-X1000ES doesn’t really count.

ES components are only available through custom installers in the US, probably because the company has the potential to make more money than in the cutthroat retail market. But this isn’t helpful to ordinary people who just want to buy a Sony 4K Blu-ray player. At this stage, only if you have enough money to install a home security system or a dedicated theater room will you be able to drop a lazy grand (I’m guessing) on a 4K Blu-ray player.

Sure, 4K Blu-ray is a couple of years later to market than it should be to really have a chance, but it’s a real format and the company is selling the discs already.

I still hold out hope that Sony will now announce a companion player, at a sensible price, for release at a similar time to the UBP-X1000ES. Perhaps then 4K Blu-ray will have a fighting chance.

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Falcon Northwest FragBox (2016) review – CNET

The Good The Falcon Northwest FragBox can fit two brand-new graphics cards into an very compact chassis, and configurations are incredibly flexible. Performance, as expected, is outstanding.

The Bad Even basic configurations are expensive, and just adding a single paint color to the box drives up the price quickly. The tightly packed interior makes it hard for tinkerers to swap components as easily as in bigger desktops.

The Bottom Line The Falcon Northwest FragBox can be configured anywhere from pricey to super-expensive, but making a big investment in this expertly assembled compact gaming desktop is a way to future-proof against the next generation of VR and 4K gaming.

Configure at Falcon Northwest.

The FragBox by Falcon Northwest is a gaming desktop you could say we’ve had some experience with. This compact powerhouse has reinvented itself over and over again, and the latest version is packed with new components for an unmatched virtual-reality experience, in a chassis that’s about a small as any Oculus Rift- or HTC Vive-ready desktop gets.

Before this, the most recent full review of a FragBox is from 2013, when it featured a fourth-gen Intel Core i7 CPU, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 GPU, and Windows 8. The oldest review I could find on CNET was from 2003, when the FragBox, in an earlier version of its toaster-like case, ran a Pentium 4 CPU, an Nvidia GTX 5600 GPU, and Windows XP.

View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET

That’s all to say, this company and this compact gaming desktop line have been around for a while. When we slotted the latest FragBox into our roundup of gaming PCs equipped with Nvidia’s newest GeForce GTX 1080 graphics cards, it stood out in a couple of ways. It was obviously the smallest, although the Alienware Aurora and Acer Predator G1 are fairly compact as well, but it also squeezed two new full-size video cards into its cozy case. Most PC makers dare only do that with a larger chassis that has plenty of room for fans and airflow (after all, liquid cooling can only do so much on its own).

But if you peer through the vent holes on top of the case, you will indeed see not one, but two new Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 cards, packed tightly together. It’s a feat of expert system building and cable bundling, and what’s more, even under heavy use the aluminum exterior never gets very hot (although it’s definitely on the high side of warm). The system fans, while audible at times, don’t have that loud hurricane effect that some gaming systems do.

Apple Watch Series 2 review – CNET

The Good The new Apple Watch is faster, has a far better OS, onboard GPS, a brighter display and is waterproof to 50 meters in salt or fresh water.

The Bad Same battery life, mostly. GPS activity causes a big hit on battery life for running. Lacks always-on display. A tad thicker and heavier. Requires an iPhone to work.

The Bottom Line The Apple Watch returns in a made-for-sports upgrade that adds swim functions and GPS, but anyone who’s not a runner or swimmer should consider the Apple Watch Series 1 instead.

There is a watch-shaped ring around my left wrist, a permanent tan-line.

I’ve worn a watch since I was a kid. I’ve always liked to sleep with my watch. To shower with my watch. To swim with my watch.

Not everyone likes to do this. But it’s helpful to have a watch be something that’s easy to use and just not worry about.

The Apple Watch Series 2 arrives a year and a half after the original Apple Watch first went on sale. Some things have changed: If you liked the idea of an Apple Watch before, this new version is seriously faster, has a brighter display and it’s a lot better for outdoor sports.

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Still good in bright light.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Other things remain the same. Its design and battery life are almost identical.

New software, WatchOS 3, is a great upgrade to the earlier Apple Watch experience. Like iOS 10, that’s a free upgrade to existing Watch owners, too — you don’t need to buy anything new.

But the combination of new hardware and software make a familiar-looking circle-in-the-square watch now feel like the smooth wrist companion it was always meant to be.

The new Apple Watch Series 2 comes in three different material designs (aluminum, stainless steel and a new ceramic edition that replaces last year’s absurd $10,000 gold watch). There are plenty of band options that come bundled in, too. It still comes in smaller (38mm) and larger (42mm) sizes. Prices start at $369, £369 or AU$529 for 38mm aluminum. They go up to $1,299, £1,299 or AU$1,899 for the 42mm ceramic option.

Keep in mind there are also special partnership watches with Hermes and Nike, both of which come with unique packed-in straps and pre-installed custom watch faces. My advice: Stick with the basic aluminum, especially if you’re looking for a lightweight fitness watch.

Apple Watch Pricing

*Hermes versions for the 38mm Steel model go up to $1,299, £1,299 or AU$2,029

**Hermes versions for the 42mm Steel model go up to $1,399, £1,399 or AU$2,189

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Apple Watch variants, including Hermes.

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And there’s another purchase option, too. The original Apple Watch is still around, but with a bonus. Known as the Apple Watch Series 1, it’s the same basic hardware as the original, but with a new chip that’s said to be just as fast as the Series 2. It doesn’t have those same latest, greatest GPS and waterproofing features as the new model — it’s still water resistant for splashes and dunks like the iPhone 7, though — and it lacks that new brighter display. But it also costs less. (The original Apple Watch, though, has frequently been on sale for even less.)

I have a feeling that that new Series 1 Apple Watch may be the real go-to pick for a lot of people who don’t need GPS or swim tracking. Maybe it’s the watch everyone should wear.

Series 2 is my favorite Apple Watch, and it’s now my favorite smartwatch, too. But it’s still not everything for everybody.

But if you’ve been thinking of getting one and don’t have one, go for it. Or, update the software on your old Apple Watch and buy a new band instead. Or hang on for a comparative review with the less-expensive Series 1.

Oh, and by the way: Yes, you need an iPhone to use the Apple Watch, same as always. If you do have an iPhone, the best smartwatch you can get is the Apple Watch Series 2.

Editors’ note: The ratings in this review are tentative as we continue to test the Apple Watch Series 2, especially for battery life and swim tracking. We’ll also soon be reviewing the Apple Watch Series 1 for direct comparison.

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Water is no problem.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Swimproofing, and what it means

A growing batch of smartwatches and fitness trackers are toughening up, with water resistance starting to move from “nice to have” to “must have”. Apple Watch now leaps to the head of the pack with 50 meter water resistance. It’s also safe to take in fresh or salt water. Yes, that means the open ocean.

In fact, the Series 2 Watch can now record swim activity and estimated calories right in the Workout app. I, however, haven’t yet swam in the open ocean, or even in a pool. I did dip the watch into the East River briefly, and I’ve been showering with it. I’ve also been submerging it every chance I’ve gotten. But stay tuned for a real swim test from the CNET team in the near future because we intend to give it a deeper dive very soon.

View full gallery Sarah Tew/CNET

GPS onboard

The Apple Watch Series 2 also has something that many activity trackers already pack. GPS tracking for runs happens automatically on Apple Watch, and it starts acquiring position once the iPhone is away from it. This is useful for runners because it means a map of your run can be stored to look at where you went, and how far you ran. And it means you can finally leave your phone at home during the run.

Apple’s GPS function in its included Workouts app stores the data as a map that can be opened in Apple’s on-iPhone Activity app. The map of your run is color-coded to show how fast you were moving.

I tried it on a bunch of walks, and it knew where I was through my whole walk. More impressively, it acquired my position quickly.

GPS isn’t supported in other apps yet, but it will be — including the constellation-locating Night Sky and the hike-tracking app Viewranger.

For runners, the Apple Watch Series 2 will be helpful — but keep in mind that with GPS on, battery life during workouts shrinks down quite a bit. Expect around 5 hours, or less when listening to music. No, that’s not a lot. Apple advises you deactivate heart rate for longer GPS-connected runs, but other GPS heart rate-enabled fitness watches like the Fitbit Surge last longer.

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Apple Watch Series 2 (left) and original (right) in direct sunlight, max brightness.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Display brightness: fine in blaring sun

Apple boasts a 1,000-nit display on Apple Watch Series 2, up from 450. That’s seriously bright, and in the most intense sunlight in the middle of a 90-degree day in midtown NYC it was perfectly readable.

Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Generation) Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

The new, improved Echo Dot ships in October for half the price of the original.

Amazon

It was only a few months ago that Amazon introduced the Echo Dot, the smaller version of its popular hands-free, voice-enabled Echo speaker powered by Alexa. Now it’s back with a new, updated version of the Echo Dot that costs $50 (£50) or nearly half the price of the original and comes not only in black but white. It’s available for pre-order now and ships in October.

The new Dot is sightly more compact and sleeker than the original and has the Echo’s same array of seven microphones and advanced noise cancelling technology that allow you to speak to Alexa from across the room, even when you have music playing. Amazon also says that the new Echo Dot features a more powerful speech processor, which delivers improved far-field speech recognition accuracy.

The Amazon Echo Dot is flat-out fantastic

Amazon packed everything we love about Alexa and the Amazon Echo into a much smaller, much more affordable package. Plus, it’ll work with your existing audio setup.

by Ry Crist

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Like the Echo, the Echo Dot gives you access to all of Alexa’s capabilities, including answering questions, playing music, turning on the lights, setting timers, giving sports updates, checking the weather, accessing over 3,000 Alexa skills and more.

The tiny speaker doesn’t output as much sound as the larger Echo, so think of it more as an accessory to Alexa-enable your home entertainment system (or powered speakers) or simply serve as voice-control device for compatible smart home products.

In fact, Amazon is hoping you’ll sprinkle Echo Dots throughout your home. To that end, it’s equipping the Echo Dot and Echo with ESP (Echo Spatial Perception) technology, which ensures that Alexa “responds intelligently from the device closest to you.” Amazon says this new feature will be available as a free update for all Echo devices, including Amazon Echo and the first-generation Echo Dot, starting in the coming weeks.

Here’s a quick look at the new Echo Dot’s specs, according to Amazon. We’ll have a full review of the new Echo Dot as soon as we get our hands on it.

• Amazon Echo Dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms and more
• Connects to speakers or headphones through Bluetooth or 3.5 mm stereo cable to play music from Prime Music, Spotify and TuneIn
• Controls lights, switches, thermostats and more with compatible connected devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, Hive, Netatmo, tado° and others
• Hears you from across the room with 7 microphones for far-field hands-free voice control, even in noisy environments or while playing music
• Includes a built-in speaker so it can work on its own as a smart alarm clock in the bedroom, an assistant in the kitchen, or anywhere you might want a voice-controlled device
• Always getting smarter — Alexa updates through the cloud automatically and is continually learning, adding new features and skills
• Price: $50
• Also available as a six-pack (buy five, get one free) or a 12-pack (buy 10, get two free)
• Ships in October

Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

When you first see the new Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard ($80, £75 or AU $150), it’s obvious that it’s the big brother to the

The K780 is bigger — it has a full-size keyboard that includes a numbers pad and had an integrated slot for holding up a variety of smartphones and tablets, even the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. It also features dual connectivity for up to three devices, so you could connect to your devices through the Logitech Unifying USB receiver or Bluetooth (translation: you can have the keyboard connected to your Windows or Mac PC with the Unifying receiver and use Bluetooth with your tablet or smartphone).

The K780 Multi-Device Wireless keyboard is available now for $80.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Sounded interesting, so I called one in to test in advance of its launch. Indeed, the K780 is bigger and while it’s pretty slim, it’s significantly heavier and sturdier than the K380 and really is designed to be a true desktop keyboard.

I like the way the stand has been integrated — it’s hard plastic that’s covered with a grippy finish, which helps keep smartphones and tablets from sliding around in the slot.

Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard…
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You can connect up to three devices to the K780 and toggle between and toggle between them using the numbered EasySwitch buttons. The keyboard is powered by two AAA batteries and there’s a spot in the battery compartment for storing the USB Unifying USB receiver. Logitech says that with a power-saving idle mode and an on-off switch, the K780 Multi-Device delivers up to 24 months of battery life. That’s quite good.

The responsive keys are larger than the K380’s and well spaced out. I used the keyboard for an afternoon and liked typing on it. I want to use it for a week before posting a full review, but my initial impressions are quite favorable, which isn’t surprising considering that I’m a fan of the K380.

The K780 viewed from above.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Here’s are the K780’s key specs, according to Logitech:

• Price: $80, £75 or AU $150
• Height: 22 mm or 0.86 inches
• Width: 380 mm or 14.96 inches
• Depth: 153 mm or 6.02 inches
• Weight: 875 g or 30.86 ounces
• Bluetooth 4.0 (range of 10 meters or 33 feet)
• 2.4GHz Unifying USB receiver for PCs
• Up to 24 months of battery life from 2 AAA batteries
• Compatible with Windows 8, Windows 10 or higher, Mac OS X 10.10 or higher, ChromeOS and Android 5.0 or higher
• Available now