Tag Archives: ces

Acer Predator SpatialLabs View Pro at CES 2024 makes 3D really pop out

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Mixed reality is a huge thing these days, especially with Apple finally throwing in its bet with the Vision Pro. But even without VR, AR, and everything in between, we’ve become used to and even dependent on 3D content, from games to interfaces to even NFTs. Even with the help of AI (which is quite controversial), creating this type of content is no easy task, especially because our computer screens are only capable of displaying flat 2D images. Whether it’s for appreciating 3D content or actually creating it, we need a better way to see in 3D without having to wear inconvenient glasses, which is exactly what Acer’s SpatialLabs Stereoscopic 3D products are bringing to the table at CES 2024.

Designer: Acer

Most of us have probably experienced watching a film in “true” stereoscopic 3D and how convincing the effect can be. Of course, even the most advanced theater systems require you to wear specialized glasses to experience this, otherwise, you’ll only get disconcerting blurry images. That’s not exactly an ideal situation to be in, especially if you have to work for hours on crafting a 3D model. Thankfully, PC makers are developing technologies that can bring that same vision to desktops and laptops, and the new Acer Predator SpatialLabvs View Pro 27-inch 4K monitor is the latest tool to be added to creators’ arsenal.

Thanks to special cameras, this kind of monitor can follow the viewer’s eyes and instantly adjust its display, creating a stereoscopic 3D image without having to put anything on your face. The new Predator SpatialLabs View Pro improves the experience with a second virtual camera, rendering 3D content as intended by designers and developers. Acer’s Immerse Audio complements these visuals with spatial sound technology, leveraging AI-driven beamforming and head-tracking to create the effect of surround-sound audio without wearing headphones as well. While these features directly benefit 3D games, they’re also useful in helping designers and creators craft a more convincing stereoscopic 3D experience since they’re able to see and hear it directly for themselves.

For creators on the go, the Acer Aspire 35 15 SpatialLabs Edition offers a more portable version of this same stereoscopic 3D magic. In addition to viewing 3D content as they were intended to be seen, Acer’s SpatialLabs Go software can even transform flat 2D content into mind-blowing 3D images instantly, thanks to some AI help, of course. With up to an Intel Core i7-13620H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4050 laptop graphics, this portable workstation is built to serve the needs not just of gamers but also of professionals who need to take their 3D craftsmanship to the next level.

Whether it’s for leisure or for work, Acer’s latest line of SpatialLabs stereoscopic 3D products will bring those 3D objects to life without burdening your eyes and your head with unnecessary peripherals. The Acer Predator SpatialLabs View Pro 27 will be available in North America in the second quarter of 2024 with a starting price of $1,999, while the Acer Aspire 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition will land in North America next month and will start at $1,399.99.

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Jackery’s Latest Rooftop Tent for your Camper also has a set of 1000W Solar Panels for off-grid travel

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In a blend of sustainable energy and outdoor adventure, Jackery is redefining the concept of off-grid living with its latest innovation: a rooftop tent that doubles as a powerful solar generator. Debuting at CES this year, this 1000W system, featuring retractable solar panels, is not just a fleeting showcase but a promising reality set to enter production in the latter part of 2024. Positioned atop a pickup, the tent unfurls to reveal a sizable solar array, angling gracefully toward the sun. The retractable panels are designed to generate up to 4.96kWh daily in the sunny western U.S., diminishing slightly to 4kWh as one travels eastward. While details about its wind resilience are pending, the focus, for now, is on its remarkable energy-harnessing capability.

Designer: Jackery

Rooftop tents equipped with solar panels aren’t novel, but Jackery’s approach is. Traditional setups often rely on lightweight, flexible panels that don’t fully utilize the available surface area, leading to suboptimal energy conversion. Jackery changes the game by covering the entire roof with solar cells and extending them outward, ensuring maximum power generation and neatly integrating the necessary wiring to feed the Jackery power station.

The concept feeds into a separate 1.26kWh E1000 Plus power station, boasting 2000W of AC output, enough to power a range of appliances from a portable air conditioner to an electric cooker. Interestingly, the E1000 Plus isn’t just sun-dependent; it can also recharge from your car or a wall jack, offering flexibility for various travel scenarios.

Beyond power, the tent promises comfort and convenience. It’s equipped with a memory foam mattress, insulation, dimmable and color-controllable lighting, and waterproof fabric with blackout windows. The promise of an “onboard charging module” in the production version adds a layer of anticipation to what’s already an exciting proposition.

As Jackery prepares to bring this concept to life, outdoor enthusiasts and tech aficionados alike wait with bated breath. The company’s innovation not only offers a greener way to travel but also promises a blend of comfort and convenience that’s often lacking in off-grid adventures. While we await more details and the eventual roll-out in Q4, one thing is clear: the future of outdoor living looks a lot brighter, and it’s powered by the sun.

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Clicks QWERTY keyboard iPhone case brings back the joy of typing

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Remember the days when you could swiftly type a long response on your phone in just seconds? Even if you didn’t own a BlackBerry, our amazing human brains managed to evolve to adapt to the esoteric T9 input, resulting in a flurry of thumbs hammering out text at mind-blowing speeds. Just like with pen and paper, there are benefits to having physical keys to type with, including muscle memory, accuracy, and sheer satisfaction. Those are the joys that this new case is trying to bring to the iPhone by snapping on a full yet tiny QWERTY keyboard that gives creators the power to turn text into stories, quickly and accurately.

Designers: Michael Fisher and Kevin Michaluk

Although the BlackBerry is now a footnote in history, there was a time when it was the de facto standard of productivity. It’s a bit ironic that its most iconic feature is all but a memory today when text is even more critical in mobile life. From notes to todos to captions to messages, we type plenty of text on our touchscreen smartphones, which painfully drives home the fact that these smooth, flat surfaces have terrible ergonomics and haptics for such an activity. There have been a few attempts at resurrecting the BlackBerry or at least bringing the physical QWERTY keyboard to smartphones, but Clicks is trying to differentiate itself by projecting a fun and creative character that’s more in line with today’s creators.

For one, the cases distance themselves from the drab and serious styles of business-minded BlackBerry clones by embracing colors and curves, whether it’s the yellow Bumblebee or even the gray London Sky. Perhaps to avoid any litigation like its forebears, Clicks adopts circular keys with some spacing in between, giving the keyboard a more whimsical appearance. Regardless of the design, the Clicks QWERTY case has the same mission as all other QWERTY cases before it, bringing a familiar sensation to upgrade the typing experience. Best of all, the keyboard no longer eats up half your screen, leaving room for more content.

Using the case itself is as simple as pie. You slide the iPhone in from the top, carefully align the Lightning or USB-C connector, and snap the top on. The case doesn’t have a battery of its own, which makes it lighter and cheaper, so it draws power from the iPhone itself. It does support pass-through charging so you don’t have to remove the case just to charge the iPhone. The one drawback of its simple design is that MagSafe accessories won’t stick to it, but you can still enjoy wireless charging on a flat horizontal surface.

The Clicks QWERTY keyboard case is compatible only with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, though their availability won’t happen all at the same time. The $139 price tag is going to be debatable, especially for those who aren’t yet convinced of the advantages of having a physical keyboard at the cost of making a tall phone even taller. But for creators who find themselves always pecking at their phone’s screen, this quirky accessory is a done deal.

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LG unveils Retrofuturistic Jukebox at CES 2024 with tube amplifiers and a transparent OLED display

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When LG isn’t making televisions that fold into briefcases, they’re working on other oddball projects like this rather eclectic jukebox that simultaneously relies on vintage vacuum tube amps for retro-style warm audio, and a transparent OLED display on the front that lets you view the album art and control playback, but also see the magical hardware behind. The DukeBox, as LG calls it, will make its grand debut at CES this year, along with other new devices that LG has been teasing in the past.

Designer: LG

The DukeBox is a unique proof of concept for a high-end speaker that rivals the likes of Devialet and B&O when it comes to building an experience around listening to music. It’s vaguely reminiscent of the Lyric Speaker from back in 2017, but instead puts a transparent screen in FRONT of the speaker’s hardware, with the ability to adjust the transparency depending on your mood. The speaker’s highlight remains the tube amplifiers encased within it, although it also boasts a large front-facing speaker at the bottom and a set of 360° tweeters on top that fill your room with booming sound. The display on the front can also be used in a variety of ways, ranging from displaying semi-transparent album art and playback information, to something a little more seasonal like a roaring fireplace. There’s no word on the DukeBox’s pricing, although if LG plans on selling it, expect this retrofuturistic audiophile’s dream to cost a pretty penny.

Image Credits: LG

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LG gram Pro laptops bring AI chops to lightweight computers, still over 1kg

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Some brands stick around whether the original meaning of the name no longer makes sense. Products associated with those brands still carry some expectation, whether it’s a certain flavor, a particular quality, or just some trait that’s passed like DNA from generation to generation. That’s definitely the case with the LG gram, the consumer electronics giant’s line of laptops initially boasting weights of less than a kilo. It didn’t really take long before physics and market dynamics pushed those laptops beyond the 1,000-gram mark, while still trying hard to maintain their thin and stylish bodies. Fortunately, the added weight also adds some value, as the new gram Pro laptop and 2-in-1 try to prove with a lot of power and some AI special sauce that’s quite the hot trend these days.

Designer: LG

To be fair, it’s difficult to keep a laptop impossibly slim while still packing enough power to handle everyday workloads, especially as work becomes more demanding and hardware gets stronger to keep up. Manufacturers are forced to choose between performance, which includes cooling systems, and design, and most tend to pick the former. In that context, it’s actually quite commendable that LG is able to stick to the spirit of its original gram design, even if none of the laptops today weigh less than a kilo.

The 2024 LG gram Pro line at least makes the weight worthwhile, at least for computer users who are heavily dependent on AI-powered tasks. These laptops are equipped with the latest Intel Boost, the chipmaker’s neural processing unit or NPU that can handle heavy AI workloads without depending on cloud-based services. This results in faster results and more privacy since everything happens on the device and can work without an Internet connection.

This year’s LG gram Pro generation still combines the best specs you can find in a laptop, including Intel’s Core Ultra processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics, a combo that will be killing it when it comes to creative digital work as well as games. This will make things quite hot, which could affect performance in the long run. A dual cooling system is LG’s answer to this problem and the fact that it could squeeze that solution into a thin laptop definitely deserves some praise.

In addition to the standard 16-inch and 17-inch LG gram Pro laptops, the line welcomes a new 16-inch LG gram Pro 2-in-1 that can fold over into a tablet, complete with a touch screen and wireless pen. Both models sport minimalist aesthetics that exude a character of elegance and style that belies the power they carry inside. That same design language is also available in non-Pro gram laptops that have smaller 14-inch and 15-inch options.

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LG CineBeam Qube 4K projector doubles as a curious design piece

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Projectors have been around for almost decades, but it has only been recently that they’ve started to move out of offices and into living rooms. With the advent of home projectors, however, came the need for newer designs that make these utilitarian boxes fit with your interior design better. Some brands have indeed started to do that, but it takes more than just using glossy surfaces or wrapping the boxes with fabric-like materials. Ideally, you really have to think outside the box and adopt a design that barely looks like a typical home projector, like the new LG CineBeam Qube 4K that’s meant to look like a stylus art object when simply sitting on your table or shelf, whether or not you’re using it.

Designer: LG

Smart home projectors have started to become more aware of how they need to blend in with the rest of your furniture or home decor. Some have tried to embrace more luxurious-looking materials that make the appliances look a little more stylish, but few can escape the traditional boxy shapes that projectors come in. Admittedly, it’s not that easy to break away from this form due to technical reasons, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to the bulky horizontal design of most projectors.

The LG CineBeam Qube 4K is an example of a design that breaks from the mould while still sticking to the norm. It’s still a rectangular box and less a cube as its name might imply, but it stands upright rather than lying low. It’s also quite tiny, compared to your run-of-the-mill laser projectors, so it can discreetly stand beside your books on a shelf and get out of the way when you don’t need it. The point, however, is that you won’t have to put it away during those periods of rest because the CineBeam Qube is designed to look great even while just standing there.

The projector has a rather industrial aesthetic, with a metallic silver chassis and a black facade where the large lens lies smack in the middle. There is an odd lever structure wrapping around the back of the box, most likely a handle that lets you pick up the projector and move it around in style. Its beauty won’t appeal to everyone, but it will at least grab people’s attention the moment they see it.

Despite its small size, the LG CineBeam Qube claims to pack quite a punch, including 4K resolution and a maximum projection size of 120 inches. The 500 ANSI lumens brightness, however, means you’ll only use it indoors in a dark room. It’s a smart projector so you’ll have access to plenty of content, both from streaming services as well as connected devices. And when you’re not using it to watch shows, you can use its image-mapping function to display images and photos that add some life to your dark space.

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LG’s game-changing house robot is a secret smart AI agent with numerous tricks up its sleeves

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I had an idea about what’s possible with AI and machine learning integration. What I didn’t know, until today, was that LG is committed to realizing a vision of “Zero Labor Home” with robotics and artificial intelligence. Does that sound safe is a discussion for another day, but what’s on the horizon (as progress in the direction) is the pre-CES announcement of a smart home AI agent from LG.

The AI agent is a cute little robot with large googly eyes that LG has outfitted with multi-modal technologies for autonomous mobility, advanced communication, and engaging functions to help homeowners with daily chores. A home manager and companion robot to say, the LG’s two-legged, wheeled agent can “move, learn, comprehend and engage in complex conversations.”

Designer: LG

This interesting robotic figure with a headphone-like carrying handle over the head has articulated leg joints for free and independent mobility. The AI robot is based on Qualcomm Robotics RB5 development kit enabling face and companion recognition. This means that the LG smart agent can recognize users, understand and express emotions, and interact verbally. For instance, it “greets homeowners at the front door, discerns their emotions by analyzing their voice and facial expressions, and selects music or other content to suit their mood.”

“Embedded with the ability to process natural language, the robotic smart home AI agent can “understand context and intentions” to “actively communicate with users.” This is made possible with built-in sensors, camera, and a speaker. These together also put a lot of other interesting aspects to the robotic abilities of the AI agent. It can double as a mobile smart hub in the house allowing you to connect with and control IoT devices, and note temperature, indoor air quality, and humidity.

Since the little guy can move around the house quite like the humans, it can patrol the confines on your behalf to notify if you have left a window open or an appliance turned on. By this concept, it can also work as a house guard and pet monitor sending timely alerts if any unusual activity is detected or the pet needs attention. As a partner to the seniors at home, AI agent can provide reminders to take medications or manage personal schedules. With a robot capable of endless features, LG aims to “liberate” us “from the burden of housework.”

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