ArduinoMania

When I reviewed Samsung's HW-Q990C last year, my main gripe with the flagship soundbar was the fact that it didn't offer HDMI 2.1. That meant that it didn't have the 4K/120 passthrough for things like gaming consoles and streaming devices the competition did. At CES 2024, the company is addressing that concern. With the HW-Q990D (note the one letter difference), HDMI 2.1 is onboard even though the overall design hasn't changed. Samsung's priciest soundbar once again supports wireless Dolby Atmos with an 11.1.4-channel sonic setup, making it the most robust option in the company's 2024 home theater lineup. 

Samsung packed in several new features for the Q990D. First, a Private Listening mode turns off all front-firing drivers and only uses the rear speakers so as not to disturb sleeping family or roommates. A new Party Play mode creates a balanced sound across the soundbar and rear speakers so that each element of the setup offers a solid mix. You won't just get the rear channels from those speakers at the back of the room, in other words. Other 2024 Q-Series soundbars will get these two new modes, including the Q910D, Q800D and Q730D. Plus, the entire Q-Series still works with Alexa and Google Assistant, in addition to Bixby, and support for Chromecast and AirPlay returns across the board. 

When connected to a compatible Samsung TV, the Q990D's sound can be analyzed by the display's NPU processor to smooth out sharp notes and bass tons for the ideal results. Q-Symphony is back as well, adding the speakers from a Samsung TV to the Q990D and some of the company's other soundbars to provide a more robust living room audio setup. The Q990D also supports Roon, a high-resolution music streaming service that allows you to beam music, including local files, to individual speakers or groups of devices. 

In addition to the Q-Series, Samsung has also updated its ultra-slim S-Series lineup. The key addition is a new 35-inch-wide S700D model that's designed to fit better with TVs sized 55 inches and smaller. The company promises the same "impressive sound quality" as the 46-inch S800D and S810D, which are also updated for 2024. All of these ultra-slim soundbars are meant to be used with low-profile displays, like The Frame, or in cases where customers don't want the imposing stature of something like the Q990D. More specifically, they're about a third of the depth of a typical soundbar. The S models still offer wireless Dolby Atmos, Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro and other premium features, but they top out at 3.1.2-channel setups. What's more, the S800D now has HDMI eARC if you still prefer a wired option. 

Once again, there's no word on pricing or availability for the Q990D, or any of the other new models, just yet. But for reference, last year's Q990C arrived in the spring and was originally priced at $1,900. It included two wireless rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer. The top-of-the-line ultra-slim model, the S800B, was $900 at launch and included a wireless subwoofer. We're likely to get pricing info from Samsung closer to the shipping date for all of the 2024 items.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

Samsung’s CES 2024 TV rollout is here. The company typically reserves finer product details (including pricing) for later, but it provided Engadget with a quick rundown of its new television lineup ahead of its press conference on Monday. Its new 8K TVs have new AI-powered features, including upscaling technology (to help with the scarcity of native 8K content), and it claims a “glare-free” OLED model looks equally clear in bright and dark rooms.

Samsung’s new quantum dot TVs have AI-powered upscaling tech the company hopes will nudge curious consumers into paying a premium for an 8K TV. With most content providers currently lacking native 8K streaming options, Samsung’s AI Upscaling Pro feature in its QN900D (65- to 85-inch) television can help by converting 4K content into 8K or HD / SD media into 4K.

The company says the QN900D is the “slimmest, most premium 8K TV to ever hit the market.” In addition to resolution upscaling, the television includes a trick to recognize when you’re watching sports and help track the game’s ball on the screen. Another algorithmic feature, Real Depth Enhancer Pro, helps boost contrast between the foreground and background, including in fast-paced content like car racing.

Samsung’s new QLED (8K and 4K) and OLED televisions also include Active Voice Amplifier Pro, a more advanced version of an existing feature that can boost dialog and “key sound effects” for more immersive audio. In addition, AI Customization Mode asks you to choose your “preferred picture” in a series of scenes when setting up the television; it will then use AI to detect the scene you’re watching and optimize the picture accordingly based on your preferences.

The company is also launching a (presumably cheaper) 8K QLED TV, the QN85D, that lacks the fancy AI conversion features. Meanwhile, the company’s 4K NEO QLED lineup includes the QN90D (43- to 98-inch) and QN85D (55- to 85-inch).

Samsung

Samsung also has new OLED models for 2024, including the S90D and S95D (both 55- to 77-inch). The latter includes the company’s “OLED Glare Free” tech, which it claims will let you “enjoy the best possible viewing experience across both bright and dark rooms.” Samsung says the feature doesn’t affect the picture’s viewing angles or contrast and can depict Pantone-validated standard colors. The S95D has a 4K 144Hz panel, and it measures just under 11mm thick.

The company’s 2024 offerings also include “more ultra-large screen options than ever,” including 98-inch models in its Neo QLED 8K and 4K, QLED 4K and Crystal UHD lineups. Yet another AI-powered feature will address the problem of pixels becoming more discernible as screen size increases. Samsung’s Supersize Picture Enhancer feature uses AI upscaling to enhance the perceived sharpness and reduce visible noise on each pixel to help offset the bigger TVs’ larger dots.

Engadget is on the floor at CES 2024 and will check out the hardware and software-based features in Samsung’s new televisions. You can also tune into the company’s press conference on Monday at 5PM ET.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

Samsung's The Frame TV has become a key part of its home entertainment lineup since the product debuted in 2017. The company has upgraded it a few times over the years, but at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, Samsung revealed a new audio accessory to accompany the TV that doubles as a showcase for art and photos. The company calls it Music Frame (HW-LS60D): a wireless speaker that once pulls double duty as home decor, much like its television counterpart. This unit doesn't have a screen, though, instead it holds printed photos or art that you'll need to swap out manually. However, the basic idea is the same: a piece of home theater gear with the appearance of a picture frame.

Inside are two woofers, two tweeters and two mid-range drivers. The speaker array is capable of Dolby Atmos audio and it leverages Samsung's SpaceFit tech to calibrate the sound to the room. The company says the Music Frame has a "wide radial sound range" so that it can deliver quality audio wherever you're sitting around it. The two woofers are rear firing while the other four drivers are front firing, a setup the company explains contributes to the speaker's clear, natural sound. Music Frame is compatible with Samsung's Q-Symphony technology that uses TV speakers along with any additional home theater audio gear to boost overall sound quality. 

The Music Frame can be used as a standalone Bluetooth or Wi-Fi speaker or as part of a home theater setup alongside a Samsung TV or soundbar. You can also install two of them on either side of a Frame TV for as a stereo pair or employ the Music Frame as rear speakers or even as a subwoofer. The device is ready to be wall mounted and it has a built-in stand if you'd rather set it on a table. Samsung also packed a full IoT hub into the Music Frame and made the speaker voice-enabled so you can employ your go-to virtual assistant to control music and more.

No word on pricing or availability for the Music Frame just yet, but that's usually the case for Samsung's CES product announcements. Those key bits of info typically come closer to the devices shipping, which is almost always after their January unveiling. 

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

Samsung always has a major presence at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, and this year is no exception. The company just unveiled an update to its existing line of smart monitors. This is a modest refresh of last year's Smart Monitor M8, which was already feature-packed. This one looks to keep many of the same specs from 2023's release, from resolution to the detachable camera. However, there have been some software updates. 

The Smart Monitor M80D boasts a 32-inch 4K panel and all kinds of high-tech bells and whistles. The big news here is that you can use the display without a PC or a gaming console.

This doesn’t mean it’s a full-fledged computer on its own. The standalone tasks include video calls via the detachable webcam and streaming content from providers like Netflix and Prime Video. The monitor also includes Samsung’s Gaming Hub, so you can stream all kinds of titles via the cloud. Finally, there are standalone apps for controlling smart home devices, word processing and one for accessing fitness metrics.

The previous-generation M8 Smart Monitor already boasted some features that worked without the use of a PC, but this new version kicks things up a notch. You also get HDR10+ visuals, built-in 2-channel speakers and Bluetooth for connecting directly to other gadgets, like wearables. There’s even a tool that lets you quickly send images and text from other Samsung devices, like Galaxy smartphones and Book laptops, to the monitor. It also integrates with Galaxy Buds to offer a “surround sound-like experience” with minimal latency.

This model will be available sometime this year, but Samsung hasn’t released pricing details. As a comparison, the previous-generation launched at $700, but was commonly available with steep discounts.

Samsung also used CES to announce something truly odd, a 3D monitor in the year 2024. 3D technology was extremely popular more than a decade ago, but has since fallen out of favor due to limited use case scenarios. This display offers a potential new use for 3D tech, access to VR content without a headset.

Samsung promises the monitor can run most VR applications without any wearable accessories whatsoever, though the experience will be markedly different. There’s eye and head-tracking integrated into the display, so it can mimic VR movement, but the field of view will be limited by the monitor. A built-in algorithm automatically adjusts the 3D response to provide the most “immersive gaming experience” and it works with all Steam VR titles. Of course, you can also use it to watch traditional 3D content, like 2009’s Avatar or whatever.

There’s no release date yet, though Samsung says it’ll release more information about the monitor as the year progresses. The company also announced a monitor called The Link that’s intended for multi-screen setups. There isn’t much information available for this one, with more to come “later in 2024.”

To go along with its new TVs and soundbars in Las Vegas, Samsung also announced new projectors to fill out its home theater lineup. At CES 2024, the company has four new Premiere models to choose from, and while the Premiere 8K and Premiere 5 are the two most interesting, the entire lineup for this year is getting a feature called Lightwarp that turns any object or surface into an interactive display. 

Samsung says this is the first time that projection mapping has been available outside of a professional environment and in consumer-grade devices. The tool allows you to project any content on any surface, including a customizable dashboard full of widgets for a clock, weather and more. The company says you'll be able to tap on the projection to interact with it, citing examples like writing on sticky notes or playing a tabletop game. There aren't too many details available yet, but we should get more info, and hopefully a demo, at CES now that the projectors have been announced. 

The entire 2024 Samsung projector lineup will also get the company's Gaming Hub. This will let you access thousands of games without a console. All four can be used as smart speakers without having to turn the screen projection. 

Samsung calls the new Premiere 5 a "do-it-all" model. The company describes it as "the world's most compact triple-laser ultra-short-throw projector, ticking the tape at 7.9 inches high, 5.4 inches wide and 5.4 inches deep. It also weighs just 3.7 pounds, so it can easily be repositioned around your living space. The smaller stature should come in handy when moving it around to make use to Lightwarp and an included stand helps you beam visuals on tables and desks. 

When placed 17 inches from a wall, Samsung says the Premiere 5 can display up to a 100-inch image, automatically adjusting for focus and color balance. The Premiere 5 features a multi-function key that enables mode switching, mobile connection and a screen off feature. That last item keeps audio on while disabling the visuals, and you can also easily mirror a smartphone display by tapping the device on the projector. The company didn't specify whether this needs to be a Samsung phone, but we'll update this post if and when we find out. There's a built-in 10-watt speaker too, which the company says it capable of "rich, room-filling sound." 

At the top of the lineup sits the Premiere 8K. This coffee-table-sized unit is the first 8K projector with wireless connectivity for devices you'd typically connect with cables, according to Samsung. A Wireless One Connect Box is where you'll hook up all of your streaming gadgets and consoles, and it then sendscontent to the projector from up to 10 meters (around 33 feet) away. 

The company says the Premiere 8K is also the first to combine 100-watt output with 8.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos and Sound-on-Screen tech — a feature that makes it seem like audio is coming from the projected image rather than the projector. This unit can muster a 150-inch image at 12 inches away from a wall where Samsung says the competition needs five meters (around 16 feet) to do the same. And if you're worried about a lack of 8K content, the projector can upscale 4K items thanks to onboard AI-powered tech. 

Last but not least, Samsung says the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 are the follow-ups to the current Premiere LSP7T and LSP9T options. Both of these short-throw projectors will offer brighter projection and a Quantum 4K processor. Dolby Atmos sound is also onboard for "a theater-like experience," according to the company. 

Samsung didn't announce any details regarding pricing and availability, but that's typical for CES. That information typically comes closer to launch, and we'll keep you updated as those specifics emerge. 

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

In recent years, LG has rolled into every CES with an update to its Gram series of super thin and light laptops. And each time, I delight in seeing how hard (or easy) it is to squeeze in a quick arm workout on the showfloor with the newest version. This year at CES 2024, the company is launching a pair of Pro models that feature upgraded OLED panels that support touch input and variable refresh rates. They also come with Intel's Meteor Lake processors and up to NVIDIA's RTX 3070 graphics cards. 

This generation of LG's Gram Pros come in 16- and 17-inch models, with OLED and IPS display options to choose from. The company also upgraded its stylus so it recharges when magnetically attached to the laptops. The stylus available at the showfloor was not working, so I wasn't able to see if its slimmer body affected the writing experience at all. Plus, the sample model of the Gram Pro 2-in-1 also stuttered every now and then when changing the screen's orientation as I flipped it between landscape and portrait modes.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

I'm willing to chalk that up to the units running pre-production software, which is also why I didn't get to check out the software features that LG is rolling out with these laptops, either. For one thing, the Gram Pros' processors are equipped with Intel's AI Boost, which is supposed to help the machines perform AI tasks more quickly. LG is also offering its Link software that can let you use Windows, Android and even iOS devices as companion secondary displays to the Grams. Neither of these features were shown off at the CES 2024 demo area, though. 

What I did get to check out in person is the build, which an LG representative told me is more durable than before. It uses a nano-magnesium alloy, and impressively houses a dual-fan cooling system. For a system that contains that hardware, and includes two USB-A, two USB-C and an HDMI port (along with a headphone jack), the 17-inch Gram Pro that I picked up was surprisingly sleek. It has a contoured edge that is thicker at the port end and tapers off to a strikingly sharp end. 

Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

The 2-in-1, which only comes in a 16-inch size, has won a Guinness World Record for "lightest 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop." It weighs 3 pounds, which made it not at all challenging for the bicep curls and shoulder presses I was doing with it. But that also means it won't add too much to your load when you're on the go. 

We've had concerns with the Gram laptops' build quality in the past, as they've been so thin that their chasses have exhibited flex. This year's model is similarly sleek, with a profile measuring 12.4mm, and it has a nano-magnesium frame like the non-2-in-1 version. The unit I checked out certainly felt a little stronger than those I've seen in previous years, but I can't give you specifics since I wasn't trying hard to break it. 

You can choose between OLED or IPS panels, with the former offering a variable refresh rate between 48 and 120Hz and the latter stretching that range to 31Hz and 140Hz. The Gram Pro series will be available in February and start at $1,499. For more details on what's new with the 2024 Gram Pro laptops, check out our news post here.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

Mui is no stranger to CES — the company's first wooden smart home control board was shown off way back in 2019, and the company has been working on a second generation model for at least a year now. But, finally, it looks like the new Mui Board will be something you can order, and hopefully get before the end of 2024.

Like the original, the new Mui Board is a wooden, touch-sensitive surface that lets you control smart devices around your home. When it's not in use, it looks like a minimalist little wooden ledge, but when you tap it, the display lights up. It's kind of like a classier, less obtrusive version of a Nest Hub. The smart home controls apply, like adjusting thermostats, turning lights on, locking doors, starting the charger for your electric car and more. Perhaps the most significant change with this new board is that it works with Matter, the smart home standard that may have broad enough support to finally be successful. So while it's a little early to say exactly how that'll affect its usefulness, chances are good it'll be a lot more compatible with your smart home than the original was. 

Despite the fact that the second-generation Mui Board has been in the works for a while, the company says it won't be shipping until the end of 2024. But a Kickstarter campaign for the device opens up on the morning of January 8, with the Board sporting a $499 price tag. Mui's latest feels like a classic CES product from a small company, something with a nice design and intriguing features that is far from guaranteed to be something that makes sense for many people. But if Mui can make its utility can match its whimsy (c'mon, look at these adorable pixelated animals enjoying the forest!), it might be worth having in your home.

Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

The annual Consumer Technology Association (CES) trade show is nearly upon us, having already turned Las Vegas into a high-tech wonderland. Sony’s holding a press conference the day before CES 2024 exhibitions open, on January 8 at 8PM EST. You can stream it live via Sony Square or on the company’s YouTube channel.

What we expect

Sony is being particularly cagey about what it has in store, saying it will “showcase various technologies and initiatives that support creators.” An official company press release also says Sony’s purpose here is to “fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.”

There was a holding image on Sony’s website that seemed to indicate that the presser would focus on technology involving movie production, professional sound and VR. Those three together could certainly, uh, fill the world with emotion. The original teaser image showed the Ghostbusters logo, a man singing into a microphone and a film crew. However, Sony replaced this image with a simple visual showing a bunch of nondescript circles.

While we don’t know what Sony will focus on, we have some ideas of what the company is likely to avoid. Last year, Sony didn’t mention TVs at all, saving that for an event in March. It’s possible we’ll get something PlayStation related, but with the recent launch of the PS5 Slim and the befuddling PlayStation Portal, don’t hold your breath.

We could, however, get some game announcements for the PSVR2. Sony revealed a VR Gran Turismo 7 update at last year’s press conference. It’s also possible that Sony will announce some home theater products to go along with that whole “creativity and technology” thing.

Sony likes to use CES to reveal experimental tech that may or may ever see an actual release. Last year we got the Afeela EV concept vehicle, a partnership with Honda, so who knows what wacky tech will take center stage this year. Sony also revealed a truly innovative kit for PS5 controllers to help players with disabilities during 2023’s event.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

Withings has a knack for turning up at CES with a gizmo that garners plenty of attention in the health-tech space. This year, at CES 2024, it’s showing off something called the BeamO, an all-in-one diagnostic tool that follows in the footsteps of its existing contact-free thermometer. Dubbed a “multiscope,” the $250 device will tell you how warm (or not) you’re feeling, measure your blood oxygenation, run a one-lead ECG and even act as a digital stethoscope. Put this to your chest and you can listen to the sounds your chest is making, or send the file to your physician for further analysis.

As much as Withings markets its products to the worried well, the company says this may have some real impact in the telemedicine space. After all, these sorts of basic tests are the ones you’ll experience most of the times you visit a doctor, but aren’t that easy to do online. (Especially given the dangers of self-reporting, the ability for a professional to hear what’s going on in the chest cavity seems key.) The company adds that, pending the usual long delay with the FDA, BeamO will also be able to detect atrial fibrillation.

Once it has won its numerous approvals, it’ll be interesting to see if BeamO — silly name aside — will be seen as valuable by telehealth professionals. Certainly, paired with its class-leading Health Mate app, it’ll offer users an easy way to look at all of this data. We’ll just have to see if this helps doctors feel the same way, or if they’ll roll their eyes and stick to what they know. We’ll find out more when the device begins shipping in June.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.

Kia is returning to CES for the first time in five years and the company is set to take center stage for a spell by hosting a press conference. You'll be able to watch all the Kia CES announcements on January 8 at 6PM ET by visiting its website.

What to expect

The company says it will offer interested parties a closer peek at several of its concept models including the EV3 and EV4, as well as the EV9 and EV6 GT. Kia is also promising a look at its first so-called "platform beyond vehicle" (PBV) that's scheduled for mass production in 2025.

Kia describes PBV as a mobility solution that blends "fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions that will open the door to new businesses and lifestyles." To that end, the automaker will talk through some PBV tech, "its software-defined vehicle strategy" and partnership plans.

The brand has been teasing out some of its EV ambitions over the last year or so. For instance, we test drove the EV9 concept, which has seven seats and a large cargo space. In October, Kia offered more details on the EV3, EV4 and EV5 before providing a closer look at the first two of those the following month. It seems like it won't be too long before the public can get behind the wheel of at least one of these vehicles.

We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.