Qualcomm’s second-gen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is bigger and 50% faster

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

Qualcomm has just announced an upgraded fingerprint sensor for smartphones based on its proprietary ultrasonic technology that is claimed to recognize the patterns even the finger is wet. Qualcomm is calling it the 3D Sonic Sensor Gen 2, and from what the company is promising, it will address two of the biggest pain points associated with the first iteration that was announced back in 2019 – recognition speed and sensing area.

Qualcomm's new fingerprint sensor is 50% faster and 77% larger

Qualcomm says that its second-gen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is 50% faster compared to the first-gen solution. Additionally, Qualcomm claims that its latest solution is also 77% larger, which means users will have more leg-room when it comes to placing their fingers on the sensor from varied angles and still get past the authentication process with ease. “This larger sensor combined with faster processing will be 50% faster than Gen 1 so you can unlock your device quicker than ever,” Qualcomm says.

The second ultrasonic fingerprint by Qualcomm has a surface area of 64mm sq. (8x8mm) with a square profile, while the first-gen iteration only measured 36mm sq. (4x9mm) and had a rectangular outline. Qualcomm says that the increased surface area of the sensor means it can now capture 1.7x more biometric data for a faster and more secure authentication experience.

3D Sonic Sensor Gen 2 will likely appear inside the Galaxy S21

The company says that its second-gen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor will make its way to smartphones in early 2021. And given its previous collaboration with Samsung, it is highly likely that the 3D Sonic Sensor Gen 2 will make its way to the Samsung Galaxy S21 family that debuts on January 14 at Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event.

In case you’re wondering, Qualcomm’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor relies on sound waves to read the valleys and ridges on fingerprints, and uses the ultrasonic pulse reflection data to create a 3D map of the fingerprint for authentication. This approach is said to make it make secure compared to the optical sensors that have so far been faster.

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LG gives us the first glimpse of its upcoming rollable phone in action

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

LG first teased its upcoming rollable phone packing a retractable slide-out display back in September last year. Following the teaser, we’ve come across multiple leaks surrounding the next ambitious LG device which is part of its Explorer Project initiative. Well, we finally have our first real-life look at the futuristic phone. As part of its CES video press conference, the company twice gave us a glimpse of the device in action.

READ MORE: LG Gram 2021 gets 11th- Gen Intel processors

LG Rollable might arrive in the first half of 2021

Touted to debut as LG Rollable, the device appears to employ a motorized mechanism that extends the panel outside or retracts it inside depending on the use-case scenario. Unfortunately, the company has not revealed any details about the engineering behind its rollable phone. But at first glance, it appears to take the same approach as TCL’s own smartphone-tablet hybrid with an extendable display. To recall, OPPO also showcased a similar device called OPPO X 2021 that features a flexible display with a similar slide-out design. 

As per reports emerging out LG’s home market, LG Rollable will make its debut in the first half of 2021. Rumors suggest that the device will feature an OLED display and might eventually hit the shelves carrying the name LG Slide. Another leak that emerged last month mentioned that the LG Rollable will cost somewhere around $2359, which puts it in an even higher price bracket than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. 

LG Rollable phone extending
READ MORE: LG Gram 2021 gets 11th- Gen Intel processors

Rumors suggest that the LG offering will feature a 7.4-inch display that will work in three scenarios – a phone mode that outputs 2428×1080 resolution and 20:9 aspect ratio, a video mode with 2428×1366 resolution figures, while a productivity mode changes those numbers to 2428×1600 pixels. This will likely materialize by extending the rollable OLED panel to a variable extent. Inside, the LG device will reportedly pack Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 SoC, 16 gigs of RAM, and a 4,200mAh battery. 

You can watch the full LG CES 2021 press conference below:

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TCL announces mini-LED, OLED, and QLED TVs at CES 2021

Posted on by Prakhar Khanna

TCL has announced a slew of products at its CES 2021 showcase. It launched new smartphones, tables, as well as TVs. These TVs range from mini-LED to OLED to OLED, and come in various display sizes. After launching the 8-SeriesRoku TV, the world’s first mini-LED powered TV in the US in 2019, TCL then expanded the availability of smooth luminance and precision contrast by introducing its 2nd generation of mini-LED backlight technology on the 6-Series line with Roku TV in 2020.

TCL has now launched its 3rd generation of mini-LED backlight with OD Zero mini-LED technology. OD Zero combines TCL’s latest mini-LED backlight technology, driven by its in-house development in display engineering, to deliver an ultra-slim display with tens of thousands of mini-LEDs and thousands of Contrast Control Zones. These result in “striking brightness, precision contrast, and smooth uniformity.” The zero represents the measurement of the distance between TCL’s mini-LED backlight layer and the LCD display layer, which has now been reduced to a remarkable 0 mm to create an ultra-thin high-performance panel.

It has also announced 8K TVs. With 8K resolution four times sharper than today’s 4K TVs, this means sharp clarity whether the content is native 8K from popular streaming services or if it’s 4K content that’s intelligently upscaled with TCL’s powerful AiPQ Engine technology. While the new 6-Series 8K TCL Roku TVs will roll out later this year, all existing 6-Series 4K TCL Roku TV models will continue to be available.

In addition to making 8K more accessible, TCL will debut The XL Collection –the company’s first lineup of 85″ displays. Three different models will make up the XL Collection this year and each 85” TV will feature performance levels for every kind of home theater. From a simply smart 85” 4-Series TCL Roku TV and an 85” 4K HDR TCL Roku TV with QLED picture quality to the 85” mini-LED powered 8K TCL TV with QLED wide color technology.

TCL TV
TCL R648

And with the technology and performance of the 85R745 including Quantum Dot (QLED) color technology to deliver better brightness and wider color volume. There is Dolby Vision to expand the color palette, Dolby Atmos for better audio capabilities, Contrast Control Zone technology to optimize the image across individual zones for contrast, as well as Variable Refresh Rate and 120Hz HDMI input support for a smoother gaming experience. The models of the XL Collection will be available in North America during the year ahead, starting with the 4-Series TCL Roku TV 85” set (85R435) launching later this quarter at $1599. The 85” QLED TCL Roku TV(85R745) and 85” mini-LED powered 8KTV will arrive in the months to follow.

TCL Soundbar

TCL has also announced the Alto sounder. The Alto R1 is the company’s first wireless sounder. Additional non-wireless options with Roku TV Ready will also be available later in the year. For consumers who want a bar with Dolby Atmos and voice capabilities, the Alto 82i with Dolby Atmos, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay will launch in Q3 with dual built-in subwoofers. Two additional bars will round out the Alto lineup in 2021. The Alto 8e with a 3.2.1 configuration, Dolby Atmos, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Airplay and Spotify compatibility, along with a wireless subwoofer and up-firing speakers will be available in Q2.And lastly, another premium soundbar with Dolby Atmos.

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Fossil Gen 5 LTE costs $349 and let will let you take calls directly on the smartwatch

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

Fossil has lifted the covers from its latest smartwatch – the Fossil Gen 5 LTE. As the name makes it abundantly clear, it is just an LTE-capable variant of the Fossil Gen 5 smartwatch. The latest Fossil offering comes with eSIM functionality to let users take calls and receive messages on the smartwatch without keeping it paired with their smartphone at all times. Additionally, it comes with untethered GPS functionality, so you can take it out for a jog as well for navigation assistance.

Swimproof, AMOLED display, and a day's worth of battery life

Talking about the specifications, the Fossil Gen 5 LTE features a round 1.28-inch AMOLED display that offers a sufficiently high pixel density of 328PPI. Inside, the smartwatch derives power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 SoC – and not the newer Snapdragon Wear 4100 platform – paired with 1GB of RAM and 8 gigs of onboard storage. The device comes with a speaker as well that you can use for interacting with Google Assistant, notification alerts, listening to music, and of course, answering calls directly from the smartwatch.  

Image: Fossil

A 310 mAh battery is there to keep the lights on, and it is claimed to go from 0-80 percent in 50 minutes. Given it is a Wear OS device, don’t expect the battery to last more than a day of normal usage. However, Fossil has baked in four smart battery modes that are claimed to extend the battery life to multiple days. Water-resistance on the Fossil Gen 5 LTE is rated at 3ATM, and the company says that you can take it out for a swim too. 

A single 45mm case size, but two color options

The Fossil offering can also be used to control smart home devices such as lights and speakers. It comes in a single 45mm case size that takes 22mm straps, but you can choose between two colors – black and rose gold – with a wide range of straps to choose from. 

As for the LTE functionality, it works exclusively with Verizon’s Number Share feature, but you’ll have to buy an additional data plan for your smartwatch alongside the existing one for your smartphone with the same number. The Fossil Gen 5 is priced at $359 and will be available in the spring season from the company’s official website and Verizon’s online shop as well as retail outlets. 

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LG showcases a bunch of OLED displays at CES 2021

Posted on by Prakhar Khanna

LG has showcased its OLED display innovations at CES 2021. These include a 55-inch transparent OLED Smart Bed, a rail and pivot OLED, a transparent OLED as well as a bendable display. The LG OLED Smart Bed is an OLED screen with adjustable height that can be placed at the foot of a bed. The company says it can achieve up to 40 percent transparency and you can see through it even when it is displaying an image. The 55-inch OLED Smart Bed can also analyze your sleep patterns and act as an alarm clock. It also comes with built-in speakers as well.

The company has also introduced a 55-inch Rail & Pivot OLED, as reported by Android Authority. Essentially, the display rests on a rail system and can slide itself out from a ‘hidden’ position to multiple angles. There is also a 55-inch transparent OLED display, which could be used for public utility. It was shown being used on a subway, displaying information about routes along with the time and weather. LG aims to let commuters enjoy an uninterrupted view of a city while receiving information from the screen.

The company also revealed the 48-inch LG Bendable Cinematic Sound OLED (CSO) Gaming TV. It has a paper-thin display that bends and unfolds with a curvature radius of up to 1,000R. It comes with cinematic sound OLED (CSO) technology as can be made out from the name.

LG also showcased a demo where customers were seen sitting in a restaurant in front of a 55-inch transparent LED that displayed the menu as well as things like a sports game. It could allow customers to talk to people such as the chef, through the display. It has a 23.1-inch in-Touch stretch display below the 55-inch OLED that allowed the customers to select entertainment, make purchases, or call the chef.

Apart from these, the 88-inch 8K Cinematic Sound OLED was also showcased that is aimed at home theatre setups. According to the company, the Cinematic Sound OLED accurately produces all the sound effects directly from the screen without any additional speakers.

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[Update: Launched] Amazfit GTR 2e, GTS 2e set to go global at CES 2021

Posted on by Prakhar Khanna

Update: Amazfit has launched both the GTS 2e and GTR 2e at CES 2021. The GTS 2e comes in Lilac Purple, Moss Green, and Obsidian Black while the GTR 2e can be purchased in Obsidian Black, Matcha Green, and Slate Grey. Both watches have the same $139.99 price tag. These can be purchased on the Amazfit US store starting today. Amazfit will launch these in India next week.

Amazfit expanded its GT smartwatch lineup with the launch of GTS 2e and GTR 2e in China last month. The two wearables are more affordable variants of the Amazfit GTS 2 and GTR 2 respectively. Now, it seems like the company is all set to introduce them to the global market. A tweet from the official Amazfit Twitter accounts hints that the Amazfit GTS 2 and GTR 2 family will be announced on Monday, January 11 at the Day 1 of CES 2021.

The presence of the Amazfit GTS 2e and GTR 2e is based on another series of teaser tweets:

The two smartwatches share the design language with the vanilla models, but sport a better battery life. The Amazfit GTS 2e features a 1.65-inch Super Retina AMOLED display with 2.5D glass. It comes with support for up to 90 sports modes. Plus, it can measure heart rate, and supports SpO2 measurement, and temperature measurement. It doesn’t have built-in storage like the Amazfit GTS 2 and misses out on the speaker too. Plus, it is likely to have the Alexa personal assistant in the global variant. The smartwatch is sold for ¥799 (~$123) in China. Hence, we can expect it to be priced below $150.

As for the Amazfit GTR 2e, it features a 1.39-inch round AMOLED display and packs a temperature sensor, SpO2 sensor, heart rate measurement, and sleep tracking. Like the GTS sibling, it doesn’t have built-in storage like the standard Amazfit GTR 2 and also misses out on a speaker. It is rated to last 10 more days than the GTR 2. It can go up to 45 days in basic watch mode. It was launched in China for the same amount as the GTS 2e. Hence, we expect it to be an affordable wearable too. However, there is no word on pricing and availability yet.

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HP launches Envy, Elite, Dragonfly series of laptops at CES 2021

Posted on by Prakhar Khanna

AT CES 2021, HP has introduced a slew of new products. It has launched new laptops in the Elite and Envy range, HP Elite Dragonfly G2 and HP Elite Dragonfly Max. There is also a new convertible laptop called Elite Folio. Plus, a new pair of true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds.

HP Envy 14

HP Envy 14
HP Envy 14

The HP Envy 14 starts at USD 999. It is expected to be available sometime in January via HP.com. It features a 14-inch WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) multitouch-enabled IPS display. The laptop is powered by the 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 SoC. You can push it up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti with Max-Q graphics. It comes equipped with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD storage, and the laptop runs on Windows 10 Home. The laptop also has a 720p HD camera with camera shutter and integrated dual-array digital microphones. The audio is handled by Bang and Olufsen with dual speakers. There is a backlit keyboard and the laptop is claimed to last up to 16.5 hours on a single charge. Port selection includes Thunderbolt 4, Display port, two USB Type-A ports, one headphone mic combo, one AC Smart pin, and one HDMI 2.0 port.

HP Elite range

The HP Elite range of laptops includes Elite Dragonfly G2, Elite Dragonfly Max, HP EliteBook x360 1030 G8, HP EliteBook x360 1040 G8, and HP Elite x2 G8 (availability in April) laptops, which are slated to go on sale in January. There is also EliteBook 840 Aero G8, which is expected to be made available in March. The price will be revealed closer to the launch date.

  • HP Elite Dragonfly G2
  • HP Elite Dragonfly Max

The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 and HP Elite Dragonfly Max are convertibles that are powered by the latest Intel 11th generation Tiger Lake processors, and new Intel integrated graphics. They feature a 13.3-inch display and come with up to 32GB of RAM. The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 weighs less than 1kg. Audio is again handled by Bang & Olufsen. There’s a 720p HD camera on board with a shutter button on the keyboard.

Coming to the HP EliteBook x360 1030 G8 and the HP EliteBook x360 1040 G8, they are powered by 11th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 U-Series processors. The former features a 13.3-inch FHD or UHD display, while the latter gets a 14-inch FHD or UHD display. They come equipped with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage. These are convertibles and can be used in tent mode as well.

HP EliteBook 840 G8 Aero
HP EliteBook 840 G8 Aero

The HP EliteBook 840 G8 Aero houses the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processors under the hood. It comes with Wi-Fi 6 and 5G connectivity. There’s also a “world-facing third microphone”, which is essentially a microphone located at the lid of the laptop. It sports a traditional laptop design, has up to 64GB RAM, up to 2TB of SSD storage, and Intel UHD Graphics.

HP Elite Folio

HP Elite Folio
HP Elite Folio

This convertible PC features a pull-forward form factor to make it usable as a tablet and a laptop. It will be available in February, and pricing will be revealed closer to launch. It features a 13.5-inch display with an optional HP Sure View Reflect privacy panel and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G compute platform and supports Wi-Fi 6 and optional 5G connectivity. It also gets an HP Elite Slim Active Pen with an integrated charging and storage cradle for quick access. You can push it up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The HP Elite Folio has two USB Type-C ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a Nano-SIM slot. 

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HONOR announces MagicBook Pro, HONOR Band 6

Posted on by Prakhar Khanna

At CES 2021, HONOR took the floors to announce its latest offerings. It launched the HONOR Band 6 and a new laptop. The HONOR MagicBook Pro is a 16-inch device that is powered by Intel’s 10th Gen Processor. Thanks to slim bezels on three sides, it features a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio. It is built out of aluminum and comes in a single color of Mystic Silver.

The HONOR MagicBook Pro features a 16.1-inch display with a 19:9 aspect ratio. It comes with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. There is 100% sRGB color gamut, TUV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification and can go up to 300 nits brightness. The laptop comes equipped with 16GB dual-channel DDR4 RAM and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD. The cooling system includes dual fans and dual heat pipes.

Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.0, 1x HDMI port, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (type A port), 1x USB C port, a 3.5 mm Audio jack and a fingerprint sensor housed in the power button. It comes with a 56Wh battery with support for 65W fast charging. It is claimed to charge up to 50 percent in 30 minutes. There is also a pop-up camera.

Coming to the HONOR Band 6, it features a 1.47-inch AMOLED display with 194 x 364 pixels at 282 PPI. It will be sold in three color options of Meteorite Black, Sandstone Grey, and Coral Pink. There is 5 ATM water resistance as well. The fitness band comes equipped with a SpO2 monitor, heart rate monitor, sleep and stress monitor, and female cycle tracker. It supports up to 10 workout modes and is claimed to last up to 14 days on a single charge in typical usage.

The updated HONOR MagicBook Pro and HONOR Band 6 will be available in HONOR’s global markets soon. There is no information on the pricing yet.

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LG to announce QNED Mini-LED TVs with 30,000 tiny LEDs backlighting at CES 2021

Posted on by Prakhar Khanna

LG is all set to introduce a new TV lineup at its CES 2021 event. It will launch its first-ever QNED Mini LED TVs at the all-virtual event. The upcoming product will be the top-of-the-line product offering among its 2021 premium TV lineup. As per LG, the Mini LEDs as a light source are far superior to that of conventional LCD televisions, courtesy of quantum dot and NanoCell technologies. The upcoming 2021 lineup will include 10 new 4K and 8K models. These will cover a wide range of large screen sizes of up to 86 inches.

The new LG QNED Mini LED TVs will exist right beside the OLED TVs, which offer self-lit pixels and independent dimming control. The company is aiming to offer a compelling option for consumers with its new technology. These TVs will have a new panel structure enhanced by LG’s advanced Mini LED backlighting. It will enable them to deliver a truly immersive viewing experience in the LCD space.

LG Mini LED

With its QNED Mini LED TVs, LG is combining quantum dot and NanoCell technology in one product. It is claimed to produce “incredibly accurate colors while the advanced LED backlight offers better contrast and deeper blacks for images of exceptional vibrancy and realism.” The company will offer up to 120Hz refresh rate with their new TVs.

The Mini LED backlighting comprises up to almost 30,000 tiny LEDs that produce peak brightness and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 when paired with up to 2,500 dimming zones and advanced local dimming technology. This results in very high HDR image quality with amazing “contrast and blacks, a wide color gamut and incredible color accuracy,” says LG.

Our new QNED Mini LED series is a premium home entertainment option that expands and improves the LCD TV space and gives consumers another terrific viewing choice. These TVs deliver an experience that set them apart from other LCD TVs and speak to our commitment to innovation and pushing the standard forward.

Nam Ho-jun, senior vice president of R&D at LG’s Home Entertainment Company.

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CES 2021 will be an all-digital experience, kicks off on January 6

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has today announced that CES 2021 will be an all-digital experience. Or in a nutshell, there won’t be a physical event, but you’ll get to watch all the announcements and events from the comfort of your home. Plus, we also have the dates for next year’s event – it starts on January 6 and concludes on January 9.

“Technology helps us all work, learn and connect during the pandemic – and that innovation will also help us reimagine CES 2021 and bring together the tech community in a meaningful way. By shifting to an all-digital platform for 2021, we can deliver a unique experience that helps our exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences”, Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of CTA, noted in a press release.

The organizing body says it was not possible to safely host an event with thousands of visitors from all across the globe in Las Vegas. The all-digital format for CES 2021 is not surprising, considering the fact that almost all major events have either gone online, postponed, or been canceled in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. But this format is definitely a lost opportunity for tech journalists who miss out on the valuable hands-on experience, and the participating brands as well.

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CES will be an in-person event next year, but with a dash of digital format too

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Consumer Technology Association, the group behind the annual CES convention, has announced that the event will be an in-person affair in 2021 after its cancelation this year. CES 2021 will happen in Las Vegas next year, and it will be held both physically and digitally to make sure that all partner brands get a chance to showcase their products.

“We will showcase our exhibitors’ products, technology breakthroughs and ideas to the world, both physically in Las Vegas and digitally,” the organizers said. Yes, we don’t know whether the coronavirus pandemic will vanish in 2021. It is also not certain whether CES 2021 will ‘definitely’ go ahead with the in-person format, if the pandemic situation worsens.

Assuming CES 2021 is held as a physical event next year in Las Vegas, there will be a lot of precautions put in place such as:

  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of spaces across the show venues
  • Wider aisles and more gap between seats in exhibit areas to practise social distancing
  • Avoiding handshakes and wearing masks as a standard policy
  • Limit touch points throughout the facilities
  • Contactless thermal scans at key venue entry points
  • Enhanced on-site access to medical services

Source: CES

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