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Anker’s CES 2020 lineup is full of great entries and updates

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Anker is making news at this year’s CES with some additions to all of the company’s product lines: Anker, eufy, Soundcore, and Nebula. For those that may not know, Anker is the tech accessories brand, eufy covers home products, Soundcore is the premium sound division, and Nebula makes home theater projectors.

Anker

iPhone LED Flash

  • First MFi flash accessory for creative photography with iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro
  • Takes advantage of Lightning connector for tight synchronization with iPhone rear camera
  • Works with native Camera app and 3rd party apps Helps illuminate objects at 2x the range and 4x brightness with iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro Enables off-axis and direct fill flash lighting effects both with and without (included) detachable diffuser
  • Can also operate in standalone flashlight mode
  • 1/4” ISO mount for easy connection with other camera accessories
  • 10,000 shots per charge, recharge with any Apple, Anker, or MFi USB to Lightning cable

Anker’s first iPhone flash will cost $50 and is on sale now.

PowerHouse 100

  • Plane-Friendly Portable Charger for Laptops
  • Universal Compatibility for Phones, Tablets, and More
  • One Full Charge for 15’’ 2019 MacBook Pro
  • Recharge via USB-C Power Delivery Car or Wall Chargers, or PowerPort Solar Chargers
  • MultiProtect Safety System
  • Optimized Performance with Anker’s Battery Management System
  • Built-In Flashlight for Camping / Emergencies
  • 100Wh / ~27,000 mAh Capacity

This awesome power bank will be available in April 2020 for $160.

Anker PowerConf

  • Anker’s first entry into the portable conference speaker market
  • Uses 6 microphones to pick up voice in 360° within 8m range
  • Digital signal processing reduces ambient noise
  • Smart voice enhancement technology: Voice pick up is optimized based on the person speaking; A section of the light ring illuminates to indicate whose voice is being enhanced
  • 24-hour playtime
  • USB charging port with PowerIQ to keep phone charged while on the call.

This conference Bluetooth speaker goes on sale on January 20th for $130.

Eufy

HomeVac S11 Handstick Vacuum Cleaners

  • Lightweight & versatile
  • Max 120AW (20K Pa) suction with BLDC brushless motor
  • Two-tier cyclone system traps 99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns
  • Up to 40-minute run time with a single battery
  • Removable and Replaceable Battery
  • LED Headlights Brush
  • Wide selection of accessories included for various cleaning functions
  • 2 models available:
    • S11 Go (single battery)
    • S11 Infinity (dual battery + soft brush roller)

Both versions are on sale February 2020 with the S11 Go at $250 while the Infinity will set you back $320.

RoboVac G30 Edge

  • Smart Dynamic Navigation + Optical Flow Sensor
  • Real-Time Mapping & Smart Cleaning Report
  • Max 2000 Pa Suction Power
  • Recharge & Resume
  • Wi-Fi Connected
  • App & Voice Controls (Alexa & Google Assistant)
  • Dual-Hall Sensors & Boundary Strips
  • E11 High-Performance Filter
  • BoostIQTM Technology
  • 100-Minute Runtime
  • Boundary Strips2K Resolution with WDR
  • One Charge for 180 Days of Battery Life
  • Free and Secure Local Storage
  • Smart Human Detection
  • Works with Google Assistant/Alexa

The RoboVac G30 Edge takes the award for the highest option on this list with a price tag of $400 and will be available for purchase in March 2020.

eufyCam 2

  • 365-Day Battery Life
  • 1080p Full HD
  • Onboard local storage in HomeBase
  • No Monthly Fee
  • Smart Image Enhancement
  • Night Vision
  • Works with Google Assistant/Alexa/Apple HomeKit

This great package with local storage and no subscription fees is available now for $350.

eufy Video Doorbell with battery power

  • 2K Resolution with WDR
  • One Charge for 180 Days of Battery Life
  • Free and Secure Local Storage
  • Smart Human Detection
  • Works with Google Assistant/Alexa

eufy’s battery-powered update to its awesome video doorbell will cost $200 at launch in Q1 of 2020.

SoundCore

Flare 2

  • 360° Sound
  • Dual 10W 1.75-inch Drivers & Dual Passive Radiators
  • Dual Beat-Driven Light Rings
  • 12-Hour Playtime (5,200mAh Battery)
  • IP67 Protection
  • Compatible with the Soundcore App
  • Wirelessly Link Up to 10 for Big Light and Sound

These power-packed little speakers are set for release on January 2020 for $80.

Nebula

Nebula Cosmos Max

  • 4K resolution with a brightness of 1500 ANSI lumens
  • Download your favorite apps with Android 9.0
  • Dolby Digital Plus Surround Dimension designed to deliver theater-quality audio right out of the box
  • Vertical and horizontal keystoning ensures the image is always in focus

The Cosmos Max is set to be the pinnacle of the Nebula line with an MSRP of $1700, but you can save $700 by reserving this projector over at Kickstarter for just $1000.

Nebula Apollo

  • 480p resolution featuring 200 ANSI lumens of brightness and expansive 100” image
  • Apollo delivers 4 hours of video playtime on a single charge, enough for a midnight Netflix binge
  • Android 7.1: Download and stream YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and more straight to Apollo without the need to connect additional devices
  • Dolby Digital Plus Surround Dimension deliver designed to deliver theater-quality audio right out of the box

The Nebula Apollo is the opposite end of the spectrum from the Cosmos Max. This tiny projector is the lastest mid-range option from Anker. The Nebula Apollo is available now for $400.

Hisense TV line for 2020 includes ULED, hands-free voice, and lasers

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Chinese manufacturer Hisense typically comes into Las Vegas with a whole array of interesting tech for CES and 2020 proves to be no exception. It hits the new year with a full suite of new TV models, including some with Ultra LED, hands-free voice controls, and a projector/laster TV hybrid.

Given we’re mostly focused on mobile tech, we won’t go too deep into the details here. That said, we appreciate Hisense for its continued usage of Android TV for its smarts. Moreover, it also utilizes built-in Google Assistant for a number of models, something we’re really quite fond of to be sure.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect from Hisense and its TVs as 2020 gets underway.

L5 Series

L5 Series

The L5 Series offers specifications which closely align with the L10 short-throw Laser TV but with a more user-friendly Android TV platform. It has a smaller color gamut, but Hisense claims it’s able to reproduce more than 95% of the DCI-P3 color space. In other words, expect excellent HDR performance. The dedicated, ambient light-rejecting screen and 2,600 nit brightness will certainly help block out the real world as you dive deep into a movie.

Availability: April 2020

  • 100″ ($6,000)

H9G Quantum Series

As the brand’s premium Quantum Dot ULED TV, this line offers up 1,000 nits of peak brightness. Features include support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, plus microphones located in the bezel. Using far-field voice, users can leverage Google Assistant for finding TV shows and movies or any of the myriad smart home tasks. Oh, and it runs Android TV, too.

H9G Series

A screenless mode lets you treat the H9G as a smart speaker so you can even work with Assistant when it appears otherwise powered off.

Availability: April 2020

  • 55″ ($700)
  • 65″ ($1,000)

H8G Quantum Series

Moving down the line of affordability, the H8G Quantum Series gains quantum dot technology. With 700 nits of peak brightness and up to 90 full-array local dimming zones, it also offers Dolby Vision. Also present is Dolby Atmos support for audio.

H8G Series

Similar to the H9G, it has Android TV with a voice remote, as well as built-in Google Assistant and Chromecast.

Availability: March 2020

  • 50″ ($400)
  • 55″ ($500)
  • 65″ ($700)

H65G Series

Perhaps our favorite of the bunch, this series deliver a wallet-friendly 4K, Dolby Vision-capable TV with Android TV. Available in a variety of sizes, it’s damn near impossible to beat the feature set at these prices. These TVs include a voice remote as well as a dedicated Game Mode that disables processing for ultra-fast response times. Also present are DTS Virtual: X, Motion Rate Technology, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Availability: Q2 2020

  • 43″ ($270)
  • 50″ ($300)
  • 55″ ($330)
  • 65″ ($480)
  • 75″ ($900)
  • 85″ ($1,500)

Other Options

Those who don’t care for 4K, or who might be looking for a smaller display may consider the H55G Series, which starts at just $140 (32-inch) and goes up to $230 (43-inch).

Hisense also plans to have a range of cheaper Roku TVs later this year. Pricing ranges as low as $115 for a 32-inch H4G Series TV up to $500 for a 65-inch 4K H6 Series. Somewhere in the middle will be an H5 Series but we’re not clear on the details just yet.

CookingPal’s ‘Julia’ aims to reinvent cooking in the smart era

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It’s 2020 and that means you can’t release a gadget or piece of technology without making it smart. When it comes to kitchens and cooking there’s an abundance of choice.

All-in-one pressure cookers, instant pots, air fryers, coffee makers, and other devices routinely promise ease of use and a smarter way of doing things. The latest, and perhaps one of the most interesting approaches yet, is the CookingPal “Julia”.

Almost certainly named after the popular master chef Julia Child, the Julia is a true all-in-one experience. It’s comprised of two key components, a Smart Kitchen Hub and a Smart Kitchen Appliance, and it does it all.

The main piece looks like a food processor, but it’s much more than that. The intelligent and autonomous kitchen device can chop, mix, blend, whisk, grind, boil, steam, knead, grate, and more. And that’s just where it starts.

Julia is designed to help you in all areas of cooking from shopping and preparation to cleaning. Indeed, you can add dish soap and water and it will even clean itself.

The whole thing is controlled by a tailor-made Android-based tablet that provides step-by-step guidance with video. When Julia isn’t able to perform a specific task, it will guide you through the process, such as adding ingredients to a bowl.

For example, while preparing a mushroom risotto, Julia will tell a user how many Mushrooms to put in the bowl, then chop and roast them before guiding them through the rest of the recipe.

Julia can also suggest recipes based on pictures of what you have on hand. Using the attached camera and AI smarts, it can recognize your ingredients and offer up meal recommendations. Other noteworthy features include a nutrition database and integrated grocery shopping.

Julia is just the first of multiple products expected from CookingPal. Also on the horizon are a smart oven (Marco) and pressure cooker (Sophie).

As to when we’ll see Julia, it won’t be too soon. According to CookingPal, it will arrive in the third quarter, or likely fall of 2020. Pricing is unclear, however it’s said to be “under $1,000”.

Diesel On Fadelite watch launches with stylish translucent design

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Fossil Group on Monday introduced its newest member of the Diesel On family of smartwatches in the Fadelite. Offered in four distinct colors, it’s a unisex approach to Wear OS with mostly new hardware.

Key specifications in the watch include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 processor with 4GB internal storage. Also present are GPS, NFC, water resistance, and support for Google Assistant.

SEE ALSO: Wear OS-powered Suunto 7 arrives with GPS tracking, offline maps

Where things get a little iffy, though, is that it only packs 512MB RAM. Most modern Wear OS devices come with 1GB memory and we’ve seen first-hand how much that matters in performance, especially when using Google Assistant.

The innovative new “Globe” dial features a rotating globe that users can manipulate with just a touch. Using the moving globe, two additional time zones can be shown on the dial. The Fadelite smartwatch will also feature weather effects, interactive dial animations that show a range of real-time weather conditions and will update based on your current location.

The Diesel will be offered in four colorways (red to black, black to clear, blue to clear, and all clear with an iridescent case). The colors will appear to fade into each other, hence the name Fadelite.

The straps are reported to be breathable and extremely comfortable and the translucent hard shell nylon case keeps things light. At just 43mm, the case is smaller than traditional Diesel watches.

The Diesel On Fadelite is expected to go on sale in March 2020 with a starting price of $275.

TCL Communications unveils first 5G phone

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TCL Communications on Monday began teasing a number of new phones for 2020, including its first 5G handset.

Set to go on sale later this year, the TCL 10 5G figures to be the company’s first foray into the world of 5G-ready phones. It will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 series processor which could mean the 765 or 765G.


Also on the horizon are the TCL 10 Pro and TCL 10L. Details for these two are anticipated to include quad-rear cameras and displays made in-house.

The screens will feature TCL’s NXTVISION technology which is billed as a “proprietary advanced display optimization and camera technology” which leads to “enriched color, clarity and contrast enhancement in real-time”. The TCL 10 Pro will be the brand’s first device to feature its edge AMOLED display.

TCL isn’t quite ready to divulge the full suite of specifications and features for its handsets. It says we should look for more official information at Mobile World Congress in late February.

According to TCL, the 10 Pro and 10L will be priced less than $500 when they arrive later this year. The company has already tapped US and Canada as being among the markets to receive them starting in the second quarter.

Alcatel rings up four dirt cheap phones for emerging markets

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CES 2020 is in full swing now and the announcements are coming from all directions. Jumping right into the fray today, TCL Communication introduced four new smartphones under the Alcatel brand which are designed for emerging markets.

With prices that go as low as $66, the handsets give consumers impressive hardware that focuses on the things that matter most. In other words, it’s not about 5G, super high-definition displays, or bleeding-edge performance. Rather, these new phones are about big screens with respectable batteries and “every man” appeal.

Alcatel 3L

The Alcatel 3L sits at the top of the new models and features a 6.2-inch LCD display with a 19:9 aspect ratio. It houses an octa-core processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB internal storage.

The 3L offers up a triple-camera configuration with a 48-megapixel, 5-megapixel, and 2-megapixel shooters. Alcatel also integrates AI to complement shots. Around front is an 8-megapixel camera for selfies.

It’s not clear how big the battery is here, but Alcatel indicates it’s good enough for “all day” usage. The Alcatel 3L will have a starting price of about $155 USD when it goes on sale this quarter. Look for it in Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Color options include Chameleon Blue, Dark Chrome and Agate Green.

Alcatel 1S

Stepping down the ladder a rung, the Alcatel 1S boasts the same 6.22-inch display, but dials the camera down with 13-megapixel, 5-megapixel, and 2-megapixel sensors.

Interestingly, the 2-megapixel sensor is a macro camera with the 5-megapixel sensor being used for portrait mode. It, too, has an octa-core processor and is paired with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage with microSD expansion.

Pricing starts at $110 USD for the Alcatel 1S and it will be available in Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa in Q1 2020. Look for it in Agate Green and Power Gray colors.

Alcatel 1V

The Alcatel 1V is similar to the aforementioned 1S but comes with a dual-camera setup and plastic build. Priced just $88 USD, it runs Android 10 Go Edition and has a dedicated Google Assistant button. It will reach Latin America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa this quarter. Colors here include Prime Black and Pine Green.

Alcatel 1B

Rounding out the bunch, the Alcatel 1B is an Android 10 Go phone with a 5.5-inch display. It’s powered by a quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and features a 3,000mAh battery and dedicated Google Assistant button.

It will also head to Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa this quarter and will cost just $66 USD. Color options include Prime Black and Pine Green.

Withings ScanWatch arrives as first watch with ECG and sleep apnea detection

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Withings, formerly Nokia Health, is back at CES with its latest wearable, the ScanWatch. And while it might resemble some of its previous watches, it’s got a few neat tricks up its sleeve.

The ScanWatch features a battery that lasts up to 30 days per charge and tracks activities such as swimming, running, sleep, and more. It pairs to your phone and provides notifications for many of your favorite apps. Much like its other watches, it is waterproof up to 50 meters.

The connected GPS can help you track runs with maps of workouts and historical data. It’s not built directly into the watch as it relies on your phone’s GPS.

Where things get really interesting is in the area of optical sensors. One is able to detect arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeats while the other can detect sleep apnea.

While ECG is becoming increasingly popular in wearables, we’ve not seen the sleep apnea feature. The sleep disorder can increase one’s risk of various potentially fatal outcomes, including heart attack and stroke.

The ScanWatch will be available in two sizes: 38mm and 42mm and comes in white and black color options. The 38mm model costs $250 while the larger comes in a bit pricier, at $300. We should look for it in the second quarter of the year.

According to Withings, the ScanWatch is still under development and some of its features may vary by region when it launches. It has been clinically tested and is pending FDA and CE Medical certifications.

Harman Kardon adds new options to Citation portfolio

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Harman Kardon on Monday added new models to its Citation line of wireless speakers, building on the family of products first introduced in early 2019. New for 2020 is a soundbar, a subwoofer, a portable speaker, and a smart alarm clock with wireless charging.

Citation 200

A portable speaker, this one packs up to eight hours of playback on a full charge. It’s offered in Black and Grey options and connects via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Citation 200 is also IPX4 splash proof so it makes a great companion for back yard listening or sitting poolside.

The speaker has Chromecast built-in and supports both Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay. As far as audio quality goes, the Citation 200 offers 24 bit/96KHz streaming. Pricing looks to be $300 when the speaker goes on sale; however, it’s not clear as to when that will be.

Citation Multibeam 700

The Multibeam 700 is a soundbar with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and HDMI connectivity. Like the aforementioned model, there’s internal Chromecast support as well as Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay. Similarly, there’s 24 bit/96KHz audio streaming.

Also present here is WiSA technology which allows for pairing to the Sub S for high-definition multi-channel audio. Priced $700 when it launches, the soundbar has a full-color display with touch controls.

Citation Sub S

There’s not a lot to say about the subwoofer but it does have the WiSA connectivity standard. It will cost $400 at launch so outfitting the home with the soundbar puts you at about $1,100 if neither are on sale.

Citation Oasis

Designed for the bedroom, the Oasis is a compact speaker that has a built-in alarm clock and wireless charging. Priced $200, it supports the same Chromecast, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay features, too.

Mophie Powerstation Go arrives with enough juice to jump-start your car

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Mophie is one of our favorite brands in the mobile charging space. Why? Because it consistently puts out new products which offer quality craftsmanship, modern designs, and practical features.

Mophie on Monday heads down another road as it adds another new product to its lineup. Its Powerstation Go is a 44,000mAh power source that features a pair of USB-A ports, a 65W AC port, and support for Qi wireless charging. Oh, and it can jump-start your car or SUV.

Small enough to fit in your glove box, the Powerstation Go is the sort of device you pack on a road trip or weekend getaway. Not only can you charge up two phones or mobile devices at once, but you can also plug in a laptop or other gadget.

Like other products in its lineup, the Mophie Powerstation Go has LED indicator lights to show how much power is left in the reserve. There’s also an LED flashlight to help light the way.

The Mophie Powerstation Go is priced $160 and can be purchased now at HSN.com ($110) with wider availability later this week. Look for it in a handful of color options: Black (Onyx), Blue (Cobalt), Rose Gold (Flamingo), Blue/Purple (Sapphire), Woodland (Camo), and Gold.

Samsung aims for high end of laptop spectrum with Galaxy Chromebook

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While many people assume that the Samsung Galaxy line solely consists of Android-powered phones, it also features tablets, laptops, and accessories. And as of today, it also includes a Chromebook.

Samsung on Monday introduced its Galaxy Chromebook at CES 2020, putting it firmly near the top of the laptop echelon. Offered in a Fiesta Red aluminum shell, it offers up a 13.3-inch 4K UHD AMOLED touch display. Yep, AMOLED. It’s the first of its kind in the Chromebook space.

Running the show is a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor with up to 16GB memory and up to 1TB internal storage. Other key features include a pair of USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD card slot, and support for Wi-Fi 6.

Similar to its Galaxy Note line, the Galaxy Chromebook has a built-in spot for a digital stylus/pen. It can be used for writing, drawing, marking up, and navigation.

Rounding out the hardware are a 1-megapixel front-facing webcam and an 8-megapixel camera located just above the keyboard. Flip the Galaxy Chromebook around into a tablet and it becomes a rear-facing camera.

With Chrome support, the 2-in-1 has full access to Chrome’s suite of browser extensions and apps, including Android titles in the Google Play Store.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook goes on sale later this quarter with a starting retail price of $999.99. For those who don’t want or need a flashy experience, Samsung will offer a Mercury Gray color.