PlayStation 4 Sales Hit 18.5 Million

Though the last few months have certainly given Sony a headache or two, the company can celebrate the fact that its PlayStation 4 sales have been strong. Very strong.

Sony announced yesterday during its CES press conference that PlayStation 4 sales have topped 18.5 million worldwide since the console's debut in November 2013, and 4.1 million during the most recent holiday season alone.

It has some catching up to do to PlayStation 2, which topped 150 million in its lifetime, but Sony doesn't appear very concerned about that. In actuality, the PlayStation 4 is outpacing PlayStation 2 sales if you compare each console's sales approximately one year after their respective releases.

"The next-gen platforms right now—I don't have the numbers —this generation has grown faster, further, wider, broader than any other game generation in the past. PlayStation 4 is leading that entire charge in next-gen," Sony Computer Entertainment president and CEO Shawn Layden told IGN in November.

PS4 sales topped 10 million in August.

Sony also said that it has 10.9 million PlayStation Plus subscribers. Those stats come after Sony announced that it will start offering monthly subscriptions to its PlayStation Now gaming service.

Rival Microsoft, meanwhile, said it was approaching 10 million Xbox Ones sold as of November, help by the $50 discount it offered on the console through the holiday season.

Dell Revamps XPS 13 and Alienware Laptops

It's time for CES and that means one thing: Product announcements. Dell has some new systems on the way, ranging from a redesigned Dell XPS 13 to two new Alienware gaming laptops, and several updated models featuring new Intel processors, Intel's RealSense camera technology, and other hardware options.


Dell XPS 13

Dell's flagship 13-inch ultrabook, the Dell XPS 13 is getting a complete makeover this year, with a ground-up redesign that shrinks down the overall size without diminishing the 13-inch display. The new design proves that a thin chassis isn't everything, with vanishingly narrow bezels around the display allowing the 13-inch screen to fit into an 11-inch laptop chassis. But portability is still a major focus, and the new design features carbon fiber and machined aluminum for a stronger, lighter chassis. The reduction in volume and weight make the Dell XPS 13 extremely portable, weighing just 2.6 pounds and measuring just 0.6 inches thick.

The basic model of the new XPS 13 comes with an full HD (1080p) display, without touch capability, but both higher resolutions (up to Quad HD+) and touch options will be available. Regardless of display type, the XPS 13 features 400-nit brightness for better visibility, as well as an all new selection of Intel's fifth-generation Broadwell processors, with up to Core i7 CPUs and up to 512GB of solid-state drive (SSD) storage.

Dell claims up to 15 hours of continuous use battery life, and also offers the Dell Power Companion, an external battery that adds up to 7 hours of juice. For the business minded, the XPS 13 can be had with an integrated TPM chip and Dell's Corporate Manageability software.

The basic model of the Dell XPS 13 comes with a fifth-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive (SSD). The new Dell XPS 13 starts at $799.

Alienware Laptops

Alienware 17Alienware, Dell's gaming brand, is also announcing new systems at CES, with the new Alienware 15 and Alienware 17 laptops. Designed for gaming on the go, the new gaming laptops are thinner and lighter than present models, with premium materials like carbon-fiber composites, aluminum, and copper for lighter weight and sturdier construction.

Both the 15- and 17-inch notebooks feature Haswell Intel Core i7 quad-core processors, AMD and Nvidia GPUs (with up to Nvidia GTX 980m graphics), and are compatible with Alienware's Graphics Amplifier external GPU. Both models come standard with full HD displays, but the Alienware 15 can also be purchased with a 4K display.

The Alienware 15 will start at $1,199, with the larger Alienware 17 starting at $1,499.

Dell Inspiron 23 7000

Inspiron Updates
In addition to the new XPS 13 and Alienware systems, Dell is also updating several of its existing Inspiron laptops and desktops with new hardware and features. The Dell Inspiron 13 7000 Series 2-in-1 Special Edition gets updated from the current model Dell Inspiron 13 7000 Series 2-in-1 with Intel's new fifth-generation processors, which should improve battery life, graphics capability and overall performance. It's also becoming more affordable, with a new base price of $599.

Intel's RealSense camera technology, the same depth-sensing technology seen on the HP Sprout, is also coming to some systems, namely the Inspiron 15 5000 series laptops and the Inspiron 23 AIO, an all-in-one desktop PC. The Inspiron 15 500 series is also being updated with Intel's fifth-generation processors, while the similar Inspiron 15 7000 Series will now be offered with a 4K UltraHD display option

How To Add A MicroSD Slot To Your iPhone

With ever-improving cameras, bigger screens to watch videos, and better speakers for listening to music, we’re storing more on our phones than ever before.

However, it seems phone manufacturers can’t (or won’t) keep up with the demand for physical memory, instead politely pushing us towards their cloud storage accounts while muttering about subscription fees under their breath. Apple deserves to be singled out for this.

After being criticized for years for only offering limited physical storage, they launched a 128GB version of the iPhone 6 – only to axe this option a year later when they announced the iPhone 6S.

But there is an alternative to paying monthly for iCloud, which Android users have enjoyed for years. The Leef iAccess allows iPhone and iPad users to transfer data to a microSD card.

As well as backing up files, its also a great way of transferring photos from your digital camera to share them online on the go.

Transfer photos using Leef iAccess

01.) Clip and connect

Insert a microSD card into the rear slot of the Leef iAccess, before clipping the device into the lightning port of your iPhone.

02.) Open the app

Now download the MobileMemory app from the App option listed on the main menu. Store. Once opened, it will perform You can then select what you want a scan to try and find your iAccess.

3. Transfer files

Choose the ‘Transfer Files’ option listed on the main menu. You can then select what you want to move across from your phone.

4. Interchange cards

At any point you can swap microSD cards around. Press on the inserted card to eject it and slot in a new card instead.

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WHY SHOULD YOU USE MICROSD CARDS?

Competition is rife for those who want a simple solution to store and transfer their files. Despite this, the market for microSD cards has never been stronger, with more users looking for a secure and cheap way to keep their files with them wherever they go. Here’s why we think microSD cards will still be here for years to come.

01.) They’re safer than the cloud

While our smartphones are now tailored for cloud storage, the lack of encryption can potentially put your files at risk from snoopers and thieves. Having a physical microSD card enables users to take their most treasured files with them and there is a range of carry cases available to stop you misplacing them.

02.) You can use them everywhere

MicroSD support is so widespread that there is a whole bunch of devices you can use with them. For example, everyone’s favourite action camera, the GoPro, contains microSD ports for users to record in-flight footage and then have a simple way of transferring the footage onto their PC or Mac.

03.) Transfer speeds are unbelievable

One of the gleaming features of most modern microSD cards is the incredible transfer speeds that they can achieve when moving files to and from devices. SanDisk’s newest Ultra range of microSD cards can move files at 45MB per second. For larger files, this sort of card is a no-brainer to use.

04.) Lots of storage, low price

As more companies are developing microSD cards, prices are at the lowest they have ever been. A standard 64GB card can now be picked up for less than £20, which works out cheaper in the long-term than if taking out a cloud storage account subscription.

05.) Easy to convert

Once you have downloaded your files to your microSD card, you may wonder what you can now do with them. It’s simple enough to port them directly onto your desktop computer or even use a microSD adapter to convert them across to a full SD card and expand your options even further.

First Look: Audi and LG's Mysterious WebOS Smartwatch

Audi and LG don't want to talk about the webOS smartwatch. The car company made a splash here at CES when it showed tap-to-unlock technology in the new Audi S7 using a tablet, phone, and a previously unseen LG smartwatch. The watch's user interface doesn't look like Android Wear (see the images below), and after a closer look at the watch, reporters from Android Central saw that it said it was running Open webOS.

After LG folks told me that there was actually no webOS smartwatch, I ended up talking to visibly frustrated Audi automotive security engineer Roman Kochanek. "It's a prototype," he sighed. "Some people say they saw a settings screen which says it's webOS. We're not saying it's webOS."

Well, obviously, it is a webOS smartwatch. But presumably what LG and Kochanek were trying to get across was that the companies may have no plans to release this model, for now. Kochanek said it was a co-developed prototype designed with a phone-like "secure element" so it could activate the new S7's remote unlock and start functions.

The remote-unlock feature can also let you "lend" keys to your friends' smartphones and smartwatches, Kochanek said, showing a Samsung phone that could open not only his demo vehicle, but two of his friends'. All of the devices involved need the Audi app and the appropriate security hardware.

The Audi/LG smartwatch's body is very similar to LG's existing G Watch R . The watch has Audi branding on the watch face, but an LG logo on the band clasp. The UI is like a spiral of built-in and third-party apps retreating into the distance. The apps include a phone dialer, SMS, music player, step tracker, calendar, language translator, email, voice recorder, and some things that were in Korean.

In any case, things have gotten more locked down since yesterday, when Android Authority and The Verge were both able to get the watches off of the Audi engineers' wrists. Kochanek kept driving the watch back to its remote-unlock and remote-start functions, both of which are cool but not what everyone's going crazy about: a full-scale smartwatch OS with a clearer and more usable interface than the pervasive and disappointingly confusing Android Wear.

Kochanek said that the Audi remote-unlock function will come to more smartwatches than this one, as long as they have NFC and the appropriate security hardware. As for the LG webOS smartwatch line, which The Wall Street Journal says is a real thing, we might learn more at Mobile World Congress at the end of February.

G-Technology's New Hard Drives Can Take a Beating

At CES today, G-Technology added a pair of hard drives to its G-Drive ev lineup. The G-Drive ev RaW with Rugged Bumper and G-Drive ev ATC are made for the photographers and videographers who travel to distant lands, particularly those who are rough on their equipment.

The G-Drive ev RaW with Rugged Bumper is a 7,200rpm hard drive with a SATA and USB 3.0 interface designed to work with the G-Dock ev with Thunderbolt. This time, the ev cartridge is painted black, and is 35 percent lighter than the silver G-Drive ev cartridge. As its name indicates, it comes with a cushioning bumper that will protect the drive from a 1.5 meter drop. You'll need to remove the bumper to use the ev RaW with the G-Dock, but you can use the drive as is with the included USB 3.0 cable in day-to-day use. The drive is formatted HFS+ for Macs, but you can reformat it for Windows use.

The G-Drive ev RaW comes in a 500GB capacity for US$99.95 and 1TB capacity for US$129.99. Look for it in stores later this month.

G-Technology G-Drive ev ATCYou'll also find a G-Drive ev RaW cartridge in the new G-Drive ev ATC with Thunderbolt and G-Drive ATC with USB. Essentially, the G-Drive ev ATC adds a watertight case in place of the rugged bumper. Both ev ATC drives have a 2.0 meter drop spec, and are water tight up to 1 foot submerged for 30 seconds. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it will save your data from a quick drop and dunk in liquid. The G-Drive ev ATC will also float, helping you recover the drive if it falls overboard on a scuba trip.

As their names suggest, one version has a tethered Thunderbolt cable, while the other has a tethered USB 3.0 cable: you can't lose either as long as you have the drive. The ev RaW cartridge is removable for use in the G-Dock ev.

The G-Drive ev ATC with Thunderbolt goes for US$229.95 (1TB) or $129.95 (for just the case), the USB version is US$179.95 (1TB) or US$79.95 (case only). The ev ATC case works with most G-Drive ev cartridges, though the G-Drive ev 220 is too thick to be used with the case. Look for the Thunderbolt drive and case later this month, with the USB versions in February.

Unlock Hidden Netflix Movies

The next time you’re struggling to find something on Netflix, consider this: there are thousands of movies and TV boxsets you can’t see because of where you live. With the right app, it’s possible to get around these restrictions (if you don’t mind breaching the site’s terms and conditions).

You’ll have access to a wealth of new content: Mad Men and Family Guy in the US, for example, plus all the latest blockbusters that Sky keeps for itself in the UK. Unblock-US is one of the best tools for the job, making your device appear to be located in a country of your choice.

1. Changing DNS settings

Once you’ve signed up for a free trial at unblockus.com, follow the online guide to download the Windows or Mac set-up app, or reconfigure your computer’s DNS settings as instructed. You might have to reset both your computer and your router before the new settings take effect.

2. Verify the connection

Everything is handled via the Unblock-US website (which uses your email address for verification) so there are no settings screens to work through or software applications you have to install after the initial setup. On the Unblock-US home page you will see three green bars when you’re successfully connected.

3. Choose your country

After that you simply need to pick what part of the world you want to appear to be from: 22 different countries are supported and the check box underneath lets you turn on Netflix captions if you’re not confident of being able to understand everything that’s being said on the screen.

4. Enjoy the content

The final step: get watching. You should find your Netflix account repopulated with all kinds of good material you haven’t come across before, though you can still use the same account and Netflix will keep hold of your viewing history for the shows you’ve been watching previously.

Rivals Team Up for Virtual Reality Standards

Virtual reality has been a vague and scattered concept for decades now, with various companies offering their own takes on head-mounted displays, motion controls, and integration of the two, to varying levels of success.

The Oculus Rift rekindled interest in VR a few years ago, with the development kit's inexpensive price and relative ease of use. Now virtual reality is growing again, and this time several industry leaders are going to try to unify the different products under one standard.

A consortium of device manufacturers and developers have announced the Open-Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) ecosystem, a collaborative effort between multiple companies to ensure broad cross-compatibility with different VR devices. OSVR will use a standardized device interface that, with plugins, will ensure compatibility with different controllers and head-mounted displays.

Several major names in VR and gaming peripherals are currently supported by OSVR, including devices made by Oculus, Razer, LeapMotion, TrinityVR, and Sixense. OSVR is also compatible with several major game engines, including Unity 3D and Unreal Engine 4. Ubisoft, Gearbox, and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) have also signed on with OSVR.

For hobbyists and small developers, OSVR is producing the OSVR Hacker Development Kit. The package includes individual modules for the head-mounted display's sensors, screen, and optics, along with a separate belt box for additional connectivity. It won't be a ready-to-use device like the Oculus Rift Devleopment Kits, but will instead encourage working with the different parts of a VR system. It's currently being distributed under limited developer access, and will be available to the public for US$199.99 in June.

Quitbit Lighter Helps Curb Your Smoking Habit

LAS VEGAS—Sin City isn't the first place you think of when you think about kicking a nicotine habit. But the Quitbit lighter definitely caught my eye at the Consumer Electronics Show. It's a smart lighter designed to help you quit smoking. It'll light your cigarettes for you, but it also keeps track of your smoking habits to make it easier to put the pack down for good.

The first thing you should know about the Quitbit is that it's an actual lighter, though it doesn't use an actual flame. Instead, it uses a powerful heating element similar to a car lighter, so there's no need for gas or butane. That's pretty convenient, but you'll need to charge the battery every 100 lights, or roughly once a week.

Physically, the Quitbit looks like something of a cross between a Zippo lighter and the face of Samsung smartwatch. Beyond the actual lighter element, the Quitbit has a built-in display that shows information like the amount of cigarettes you've smoked for the day, your goal amount, and the amount of time since you last puffed. It automatically tracks every time you have a cigarette, and it doesn't record multiple smoking events in a few-minute time window, so it won't count relighting your cigarette as smoking a whole new one. It works as a standalone product, with all of the above information displayed on the Quitbit itself, but you get a much more detailed look by connecting it to an Android or iOS device.

This Lighter Can Help You Quit Smoking

The Quitbit wirelessly syncs your data via Bluetooth, allowing you to view how much you smoke across a graph, which makes it easy to see what parts of the day, week, or month you smoke the most. You can also use the app to customize how the Quitbit works, setting new targets and goals as you go along. And if you don't actually trust yourself to stick to the plan, you can even set limits for how often or when the device can work as lighter. There's a social aspect as well, that allows you to share your progress with others, as well as the Quitbit community.

The US$99 Quitbit is available for preorder and is expected to ship in March. That's a pretty steep price to pay for a lighter, but Quitbit points out that even if you start smoking one cigarette less a day, it will pay for itself in a year. I've used my fair share of activity trackers, and they've definitely made me more conscious about the number of steps I take per day. I can see how this same sort of logic can be applied to smoking, but I'm curious to see how well it works. So for all the smokers out there: Let me know if you think this might help more than the patch or e-cigs in the comments below.

Zuckerberg: 99% of Facebook Content Is 'Authentic'

Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, acknowledged that hoaxes and fake news occasionally show up on his social network, but that it is 'extremely unlikely' they changed the outcome of the recent US presidential election.

Zuckerberg's comments, posted to Facebook last Saturday, echoed those he made last week when asked about Facebook's role in the election and how it resulted in a historic win for President-elect Donald Trump.

"Of all the content on Facebook, more than 99% of what people see is authentic," Zuckerberg wrote. "Only a very small amount is fake news and hoaxes. The latter that do exist are not limited to one partisan view, or even to politics."
Facebook has faced repeated criticism following its decision in August to replace the human editors that once curated its 'Trending Topics' section with computer algorithms. Since the change, multiple fake news stories have appeared in the trending section.

Facebook Vice President, Adam Mosseri, acknowledged in August that fake news on Facebook is a problem and has confirmed that the company relies on users to identify it. Zuckerberg hinted that the social network would roll out more tools for users to flag hoaxes and fake news in the near future.

"We have already launched features that enable our community to flag hoaxes and fake news, and there is more we can do here," he wrote. "We have made progress, and we will continue to work on this to improve further."

RELATED ARTICLES

Zuckerberg: Fake News Swaying the Election Is 'Crazy Idea'
Citing sources with direct knowledge of the company's decision-making, Gizmodo also reported how an update to the Facebook News Feed that enables it to detect fake news had been shelved earlier this year after it disproportionately impacted right-wing news sites by downgrading or removing that content from people's feeds.

Even as Zuckerberg downplayed the role that fake news on Facebook played in the election, he did not address suggestions that the mere existence of the social network influenced Trump's victory.

A recent Pew Research Center study found that 20% of social media users have modified their stance on a social or political issue because of something they saw on one of these services. Another 17% revealed how social media helped changed their views about a specific candidate.

D-Link's New Routers Go All Out With the Antennas

D-Link isn't kidding when it says its new line of 11AC Wi-Fi routers have a "bold new look." Our sister site, Geek.com, compared them to equipment used by the Imperial Guard in Star Wars (which is actually a compliment).

The company's latest routers include the AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-890L/R) with six antennas, plus the AC5300 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-895L/R) with eight antennas, and AC3100 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-885L/R) with four antennas. The AC3200 is US$309 and exclusive to Newegg at the moment; the latter two have prices to be determined—they'll be out before June.

D-Link claims they'll achieve wireless speeds up to 5.3 Gigabits per second (Gbps) across the 5GHz and 2.4GH bands, and have great household coverage. A new Smart Connect load-balancing feature of the router software will also make sure clients on the network are all getting the bandwidth they need—so your smart TV streaming won't suffer when the kids are upstairs video chatting on tablets, for example. Inside are dual-core processors clocked at 1.4GHz (1GHz in the AC3200).

Here's a noisy video with a CG-rendered look at the new routers.

Naturally, there's also a matching Wi-Fi adapter, the AC1900, that plugs into a computer USB port to match your PC up with the new chips in these routers. It's also got a price and availability to be determined.

D-Link's got other devices at CES this year, too. They include a baby monitor camera with 720p HD view and pan and tilt controls, with mobile viewing via an app. The camera will play up to five MP3s of your choice or five pre-programmed classic lullabies for the little one, and can store snapshots and video on a microSD card. It's for sale now for US$229.99; a standard VGA version is US$139.99.

Not to be outdone by Netgear, which is also releasing 1.2 Gbps HomePlug-based Powerline networking adapters today, D-Link's new PowerLine Kits claim full 2 Gbps speed over your existing home power cabling. That kit, the PowerLine AV2 2000 Gigabit Starter Kit (DHP-701AV), is US$129.99, and pure plug-and-play to connect two rooms. There's also a slower 1 Gbps version (DHP-601AV) that sells for US$79.99.

Don't not forget that home networking gives way to home automation, and D-Link wants its piece of that pie. Today it's launched two home security suites, including a camera, sensor, and smart plug.

Called the D.I.Y. Security Kits, one has an HD camera and goes for US$189.99; the other with a pan and tilt-capable cam goes for US$229.99 (you can buy the HD cam along for US$119.99). All feature myLink cloud video recording (or will later in 2015), local storage to D-Link Network Video Recorder, and can be monitored via apps for iOS and Android.

A Connected Home Hub rounds out the CES offerings—it's a US$79.99 device that can be bundled with sensors for opened/closed doors, motion, water, and a Wi-Fi Siren, all for better monitoring your home. Look for the Connected Home line products to become available in the second quarter of the year.

Secret codes for Android

Most interesting hacks require root and other tweaks, but here is a simple way of getting info on your device and changing some settings not possible in the normal menus. Simply open the dialer on your phone and enter some numbers!

1. 
   

   Basic phone info

   In the dialer enter *#*#4636#*#* You will then see a testing page, which gives you info on the phone, as well as battery stats and app usage stats. In the Wifi menu you can get info on the network you are connected to and more.
2. 
   

   Change the power button action

   Entering  *#*#7594#*#* will bring up the menu to adjust the power button action. Dependent on your ROM you usually see a list of actions such as ‘Reboot – Airplane Mode’ etc, this allows you to remove these.
3. 
   

   HTC Update checking

   *#*# 2432546#*#* If you use an HTC device, you can force a check for updates using this code. This will bring up a notification telling you whether or not it has been successful. Be careful if you are using a custom ROM , as some updates may not be compatible with it.

Get Better Acoustics In Awkwardly Shaped Rooms

As an audiophile, the quality of your favourite music – be it Led Zeppelin or Mozart – is paramount. With a little care, you can turn the living room in your semi-detached house into an acoustical paradise that makes every note and every beat sound as though you were listening live.It all comes down to good speaker placement. Hide expensive speakers behind furniture and they’ll sound muffled; put a set of budget speakers in just the right place and they’ll sound like they are worth twice the price. The average home though, is not a concert hall, so how do you overcome odd-shaped walls and furniture to guarantee yourself the best sound?

Cutting Corners: 

So you had to be awkward and choose an abode where the rooms are odd shapes. All those little nooks and crannies suddenly become unappealing when you’re after the best sound. Avoid corners by arranging your audio/visual equipment and your seating in a rectangle. Although this will obviously mean that you have to arrange the rest of your furniture around them in the space left. But the sound is worth it!

Sound in an L-shaped room: 

The trick here is first to not think about the room as one L-shaped room, but as two rectangular rooms. Ensure your sofa is positioned close to the TV/speakers and not on the other side of the room from them. Inevitably part of the room is going to suffer from poor sound, so make sure it is not the part you predominantly listen to music in. Position your sofa against one long wall and the TV and main speakers opposite it. One surround speaker will be set off from one side wall, but the other will be in the middle of the room. You may have to move it back against the wall to avoid kicking it every time you walk past, although putting it against the wall will minimise its sound quality.

The surprisingly awkward square-shaped room:

Square rooms are bad for getting great sound from your speakers. The walls are all equidistant, so waves of sound reflect from the walls and end up favouring one frequency over others, affecting the tonal quality of the sound. If you put your TV/stereo speakers into a corner at a 45-degree angle, away from reflective walls with the speakers at least 30-inches in front of the TV, that can help. Speakers are best placed in an equilateral triangle arrangement with the listener at the tip of the triangle.

Why reflective surfaces are bad:

All rooms are reflective, with sound waves reverberating from flat surfaces such as walls, tables and counters. These reflections work against the sound quality of your music or the television to varying degrees, depending upon the shape of the room and the presence of other factors, such as furniture and carpets, which can absorb sound (known as damping). While damping can nullify standing waves, which cancel certain frequencies when they reflect off a wall, damping can also significantly lower the volume of your music. Although this may be to the delight of your neighbours, it isn’t ideal for music lovers who enjoy listening to their tracks with audio clarity.

MediaTek Doubles Down on Android at CES

MediaTek on Tuesday introduced several new hardware platforms supporting Google-developed software for wearables and smart TV applications.

The Taiwan-based semiconductor firm, known primarily for its chipsets powering smartphones and other mobile devices, kicked off 2015 with an Android-heavy lineup of new processor platforms at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Leading off, MediaTek's new MT2601 System-on-a-Chip (SoC) for wearables is optimized for devices running Android Wear software. It sports a dual-core, 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A7 application processor with ARM Mali-400 MP-based graphics and supports qHD display resolution for wearables in a compact package measuring 480 mm2. A "whole host" external sensors are supported by the SoC, which interfaces with MediaTek's MT6630 for Bluetooth connectivity.

The MT2601, now in production and sampling to MediaTek partners, has "41.5 percent fewer components" and a lower power draw relative to similar SoCs for wearables on the market, according to the company.

"The MT2601 has an incredibly small die size and is highly optimized for cost and power performance. The platform solution, comprised of MT2601 integrated with Android Wear software, will fuel the maker revolution and empower the application developer community worldwide to create a broad range of innovative applications and services," J.C. Hsu, MediaTek's general manager of new business development, said in a statement.

MediaTek also unveiled a pair of SoCs designed in collaboration with Google for Android TV.

The MT5595 is a quad-core SoC incorporating ARM's big.LITTLE chip design architecture with two ARM Cortex-A17 processor cores matched with a pair of ARM Cortex-A7 cores. The MT5595 delivers current HDTV-quality visual computing and supports 4k/Ultra HD video playback at 60 frames-per-second via the Google VP9 and HEVC codecs.

"MediaTek has a strong heritage and a leading position in the TV SoC business. By introducing the world's first Android TV devices, we are demonstrating a fast pace of innovation and strong commitment to the home entertainment business," said Mohit Bhushan, MediaTek's head of U.S. business development. "MediaTek is proud to integrate Android 5.0 Lollipop software in its chipset portfolio and significantly improve the consumers' engagement model with their TVs."

Meanwhile, MediaTek also has audio covered in its burgeoning Google partnership with its new MT8507 audio SoC. The chip is designed for the Internet giant's new Google Cast for audio software and "will power a delightful home audio experience that allows consumers to easily connect with Google Cast Ready speakers and sound bars from their personal devices, such as iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones and tablets, Macbooks and Windows PCs, using Google Cast ready applications," MediaTek said.

MediaTek's MT5595 and MT8507 SoCs are also currently in production and should start appearing in consumer devices in early 2015.

Acer Adds 3D Camera to Aspire V 17 Nitro

At CES in Las Vegas today, Acer revealed the new Aspire V 17 Nitro notebook, which includes support for Kinect-like gestures.

The PC is equipped with Intel's RealSense technology, an evolution of the webcam that can sense depth and dimension, allowing neat tricks like 3D scanning of objects, gesture controls in mid-air, and more. As a result, Acer said, those with the new Aspire V Nitro will be able to play games, open Web pages, or use apps without touching the notebook's keyboard or mouse.

The PC also supports 3D scanning, 3D model generating, and printing.

"Acer believes three dimensional computing offers unlimited potential for both professional and consumer uses," Jerry Kao, president of Acer Notebook Business Group, said in a statement. "Business applications include 3D modeling, mapping and architectural design, while the most popular consumer uses will likely include augmented reality gaming, and simple PC navigation and control."

Acer Aspire V 17 NitroIntel's RealSense 3D camera has a conventional camera, an infrared camera, and an infrared laser projector. Other PCs to take advantage of the technology include the odd but intriguing HP Sprout.

Acer pointed to two apps that will support the hands-free action, including the Greek-themed Warrior Wave game, which lets you control characters with your hands. The 3DMe app, meanwhile, will enable 3D scanning right from the notebook. Scan your profile and preview it on different 3D characters. The idea is that you can insert yourself into virtual settings or 3D print a mini-me figurine.

"Whether it is controlling a game with your gestures or easily scanning your face or an object for 3D printing, the Acer Aspire V Nitro featuring Intel Core processors and Intel RealSense is an exciting step forward for consumers looking for a high-performance notebook," Kirk Skaugen, SVP for Intel and General Manager of the Client Computing Group, said in a statement.

Acer Aspire V 17 NitroAs for the specs, the Acer V 17 Nitro sports a 17.3-inch Full HD display with IPS technology and runs a fourth-generation Intel Core i7-4710HQ quad-core processor and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M graphics, up to 4GB DDR5 VRAM, and up to 16GB of memory. Select a 128GB or 256GB solid state drive and up to 1TB of hard disk storage. It also supports 802.11ac and 2.4GHz and 5GH frequencies via its dual wireless antennas.

The Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro will be available in January; price and exact launch dates have not yet been announced. (The Aspire V17 Nitro Black, which arrived in November, retailed for US$1,499.99.)

Also at CES, Acer said it will give its Aspire R 13 convertible notebooks and Aspire S7 ultrabooks an upgrade to fifth-generation Intel Core processors.

The Aspire R 13 made its debut at IFA in the fall and can transition between various notebook and tablet styles of operation. The R 13 series comes in either ultra-sharp 2,560-by-1,440 or 1,920-by-1,080 resolutions, and features a hinge that allows the display to rotate into six different positions.

Acer Chromebook 15Meanwhile, Acer also revealed a larger, 15.6-inch Chromebook. Buyers can select a fifth-gen Intel Core i3 or Celeron processor, 16GB or 32GB SSD drive, and either 2GB or 4GB or RAM. In the U.S., pricing will start at US$249.99; an exact launch data was not announced.

For the gamers, Acer also has two new 27-inch, 2,560-by-1,440 resolution monitors. The Acer XB270HU is the first Nvidia G-SYNC 1 gaming monitor with IPS technology, while the Acer XG270HU is the first gaming monitor with an edge-to-edge frameless display, Acer said.

Samsung Shows Off Curved Monitors, Portable SSD

In advance of CES, Samsung last week unveiled a new all-in-one desktop with a curved display and a new ATIV Book 9. But it's back for more with some new display and storage products.

Samsung Portable SSD T1

Samsung is leveraging its storage components for a new consumer product, the Samsung Portable SSD T1. This compact external drive offers capacities of 250GB, 500GB, and 1TB, all in a compact design that's smaller than most smartphones, measuring just 2 by 2.8 by 0.4 inches (HWD) and weighing less than an ounce.

This pocket-friendly design is possible thanks to the drive inside, one of Samsung's 850 Evo line of laptop drives, which uses 3D V-NAND flash memory to offer a smaller overall size with stacked memory cells, offering higher storage density. This has been shrunk down further by removing the 2.5-inch drive housing used on the commercially available drive, leaving just the smaller circuit board to fit into the small enclosure of the Portable SSD T1.

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In addition to compact size and minimal weight, the drive also offers speedy data transfer with USB 3.0 and transfer rates of up to 450MBps, as well as optional AES 256-bit encryption for securing all of your data. Pricing starts at US$179.99 for the 250GB model, with the larger 500GB model selling for US$299.99, and 1TB for US$599.99, with a standard three-year warranty. Samsung expects the Portable SSD T1 to be available in late January.

Samsung Curved Monitors

We also got a look at Samsung's new line of monitors, a full range of full HD and WQHD+ models. For our briefing we got to see the new Samsung SE790C, a 34-inch monitor with 3,440-by-1,440 resolution and a wicked curved display. The display has an extra-wide 21:9 ratio panel, 3000R curvature, and 3000:1 contrast ratio.

The display comes with a removable stand that offers height and angle adjustment. The stand can be removed, with a VESA mount for attaching the monitor to a wall or other mount. The monitor has a built-in USB hub, letting you run up to four USB devices through the monitor, and DisplayPort input and two HDMI inputs, for connection to your PC and a second HDMI source, like a cable box or gaming console. The extra-wide display is meant to take the place of two or even three monitors in a current multi-monitor setup, and offers extra features to that end, such as Picture-by-Picture mode, which lets you use two inputs simultaneously, sharing the display like two side-by-side monitors.

The 37-inch SE790C (the C is for "Curved") will sell for US$1,199, and will be available to order starting Jan. 6. Though we only had the chance to see the 37-inch model, Samsung will be launching a total of nine curved monitors, with accompanying 29- and 34-inch models featuring WQHD+ resolution, and several full HD models, too, with prices starting at under $400.

Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus Refresh

Not everything we were shown by Samsung was completely new. The Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus, the 2015 update to the Editors' Choice Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus keeps the same look and design of the previous model, but updates the system to Intel's new fifth-generation Broadwell processors.

Note that this is not a switch to the Core M processors that are cropping up in many thin and light systems, but an upgrade to the newer Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs coming from Intel. Other aspects of the Book 9 Plus remain the same, such as the 3,200-by-1,800 Quad HD+ touch screen, the slim aluminum chassis, and an identical port selection. The ultraportable will also see a price drop, with the starting price dropping from US$1,399 to US$1,299. The updated ATIV Book 9 Plus will be available in January.

Last week, Samsung tipped a fully redesigned ATIV Book 9. The new ultrabook has some of the same visual elements of past ATIV Book 9 models, but opts for a flatter, "blade-thin" profile and a smaller overall size thanks to a 12.2-inch display. The company also revealed the Samsung ATIV One 7, a 27-inch all-in-one PC with a curved display.

Apple's HomeKit Requires Apple TV to Use Siri Remotely

Well, that's one way to push adoption of the Apple TV. If you've been reading all sorts of interesting things about Apple's HomeKit platform, and have caught yourself dreaming about having your little not-quite-an-A.I. friend Siri control the various devices around your home on your behalf, you might want to set aside a little extra money for an Apple TV. Yes, an Apple TV. It's not going to be a required element for you to access your HomeKit devices most of the time, but it will be required if you want to be able to tell Siri what to do when you're away from your home.

We realize that's a pretty specific use case, so it might be a bit overkill to condemn early versions of HomeKit just yet for the requirement. However, numerous reports from those who spoke with HomeKit partners and device manufacturers at this year's Consumer Electronics Show all said the same thing: If you want to use Siri to control your home devices when you aren't at home, you'll need an Apple TV (of all things) to do it.

However, that's the only instance right now where you'll need extra Apple hardware to do things with your HomeKit-enabled devices. Otherwise, if you're at the airport, you can still access your HomeKit devices using a related app. And you can use Siri to control your HomeKit devices when you're inside your home. So long as you're on your home's Wi-Fi network, which your various other smart devices are likely also connected to in some capacity, Siri will work just fine sans Apple TV.

And, no, you can't run an oldschool Apple TV, either. The device has to be at least Apple's most recent, third-generation Apple TV in order for the remote-Siri bit to work out. And, of course, the Apple TV has to be running at least version 7.0 of its software—the update that officially added support for HomeKit to the device.

As you might expect, Apple hasn't offered up any comment regarding the HomeKit, Siri, and Apple TV connection. And few Homekit partners or manufacturers seemed willing to talk about it either, when asked. Expect to see the first HomeKit devices launch during the first quarter of this year—perhaps Apple will figure out a new way to tackle remote Siri commands if enough users complain about the extra Apple TV add-on.

4K HDTVs Will (Finally) Arrive in 2015

If it's rectangular, glows, and has a moving picture on it, it's going to be at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next week. Las Vegas is again hosting the biggest trade show for home entertainment devices, which will offer us a glimpse into the future of HDTVs.

Specifically, be on the lookout for the finally-here future of ultra-high-definition televisions (UHD or 4K). HDTVs are well-established and commonplace, and most users are accustomed to 1,920-by-1,080 resolution. Well, 2015 could be the year a good number of us finally quadruple that resolution (hence the "4K" designation) to 3,840 by 2,160.

4K televisions have been around for a few years, but they haven't quite clicked with most consumers for two reasons. First, they have been much more expensive than 1080p televisions. Second, there simply hasn't been much content available in 4K. HDTV manufacturers have been steadily chipping away at the first problem, and streaming media services are working hard to fix the second.

You'll still have to pay a premium for 4K next year, but expect that price to stabilize around $2,000 to $3,000 for big screens from major manufacturers, and a few to even squeak into the $1,500 to $2,000 range. With more companies making more 4K panels in more sizes, the technology has steadily become more affordable across the board. It's no longer just a small handful of display manufacturers carefully rolling a few UHD panels off of freshly built and configured assembly lines. Every major HDTV brand either already has 4K televisions in their lineup or will announce them at CES, and in either case case they'll be showing off new and more affordable 4K screens at the show.

Streaming Is the Future
That leaves the problem of 4K content (or lack thereof). We need a reason to invest in 4K, even if that investment is becoming more affordable. Sony and Samsung have tried offering their own proprietary sources of 4K movies and shows (Sony's UHD 4K streaming player and Samsung's hard drive full of 4K movies), but we haven't seen a physical media format to actually let us buy and play higher-resolution content.
We probably still won't at CES 2015. That's where YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Vudu, and other streaming-video services come in. YouTube has supported 4K content for over a year, Netflix began streaming some shows in 4K earlier this year, and Amazon Instant Video started offering 4K programming just last month. Expect that trend to continue not just with those three, but with other major streaming services, too.

Beyond 4K
4K is the forseeable future for HDTVs, but expect new numbers followed by K to be peppered through CES. Some manufacturers will show 8K or higher resolution HDTVs, but these aren't displays you need to worry about for the next few years. 4K hasn't really made its mark, and higher-resolution televisions are proofs of concept designed to show off what the future will be like. They can carefully build the panels to demonstrate at CES, but don't expect any of them to see retail release until at least 2017. And they won't be affordable until at least 2020.

Not Just 4K
Besides 4K, expect a continued push for curved displays as an alternative to flat panels. Curved screens are certainly eye-catching, but we're still not sold on them being worth the premium they currently demand. With 4K becoming more prominent among consumers, curved screens might see less emphasis this year than last year since the higher resolution is a more compelling feature for users. At the very least, though, Samsung will keep pitching curved HDTVs.
More importantly, we'll see new OLED displays come out. With plasma now officially dead, OLED is stepping in to become the future of high-end HDTVs. The new technology (which is not remotely like regular LED-lit LCD technology, despite the similar name) can offer perfect blacks and excellent colors in thinner panels than the LCDs now used in nearly all HDTVs on the market. Keep an eye out for new, bigger, and more affordable (at least, some combination of those three) OLED HDTVs for 2015.