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.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-updates-its-smart-monitor-that-works-without-a-pc-for-ces-2024-030013578.html?src=rss

The holidays are over, but there’s one winter tradition left. CES is back, once again turning Las Vegas into a haven for the tech-obsessed. Samsung is holding its annual CES press conference on January 8 at 2PM PT / 5PM ET, a day before exhibitions officially open. Engadget will have a dozen staffers on the ground at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, and you can follow along from home by watching the livestream on Samsung’s Global Newsroom site or tuning into the YouTube video below.

Samsung is, of course, a big company with its hands in just about every cookie jar, so you may wonder what the press conference will focus on. And you know the answer already. It’s AI. The presser is titled “AI for All: Connectivity in the Age of AI”, which manages to somehow squeeze in the term twice.

What we expect

The event will be led by Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung’s DX (Device eXperience) Division, Jong-Hee Han. Samsung has remained fairly tight-lipped regarding the specifics, instead relying on the overarching theme of “AI for all.” Maybe we’ll get more information on the company’s forthcoming chatbot Gauss, which can write emails, code and, well, you know the rest. It can, however, also upscale low-resolution images, which is pretty neat.

According to The Korea Times, Gauss is set to launch in forthcoming Galaxy S24 devices, so CES 2024 would be a great time to make that official. The S24 line is expected to release in mid-January, so in just about a week or so.

Of course, Samsung is primarily a hardware manufacturer, so it’d be strange if it spends the entire keynote on AI. Last year’s press conference found the company announcing everything from a smart oven with an interior camera to MicroLED and 8K televisions. In any event, we don’t have long to wait.

What Samsung announced

In case you missed Samsung's CES news conference live, here's the tl;dr version: the company unveiled the world's first transparent MicroLED screen — a real showstopper. Samsung also surprised us by bringing back its Ballie robot, which now has a built-in projector and an overall different look. On the hardware-you-can-buy-soon front, we also got new TVs, projectors, an HDMI 2.1 soundbar, a Music Frame speaker to go with the company's Frame TVs (which we also got hands-on with), a smart monitor that works without the need for a PC, and a new interface for its TVs that lets you use your television as a smart home hub.

So far at the show, we've gotten an up-close look at Ballie. Engadget's Deputy Editor Nathan Ingraham concluded that, while it sure is cute, it still doesn't do a whole lot.

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.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/everything-samsung-announced-at-ces-2024-from-the-ballie-robot-to-a-transparent-microled-screen-220053813.html?src=rss

It’s CES 2024 this week, in case you haven’t noticed, and most of the major players in consumer tech are hosting their own shiny press events. TCL is no exception. The manufacturer is holding a livestream event on January 8 at 2PM ET. You can watch it on the company’s website or YouTube, just in case you aren’t anywhere near Las Vegas.

What we expect

TCL is a huge company that manufacturers a wide range of devices across multiple product categories, though it’s most famous for its TVs. The company promises to showcase over 100 “cutting-edge products” throughout CES, including QD-Mini LED TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, mobile devices, commercial displays and much more.

More specifically, TCL plans on unveiling “one of the world’s largest” QD-Mini LED TVs during the press conference. It already announced a 115-inch behemoth at IFA back in September, so this one would have to match or exceed that size.

It also promises a spate of new home theater products and a new device ecosystem that’s being advertised as “one of the industry’s first smart connected mobile device entertainment solutions.” TCL's being cagey on this one, though the company did say the tech would integrate with smartphones, tablets, smart glasses and other gadgets.

TCL also tends to announce one or two quirky things, like last year’s RayNeo X2 AR glasses. The company has teased something regarding this product for CES, though it remains to be seen if it's a full hardware refresh or just a system update. The company did make an off-hand mention about “powerful AI capabilities.”

Finally, there’s a promise to show off the “latest breakthroughs in display technology.” This likely refers to the company’s NXTPAPER tech, which optimizes displays for the human eye. This platform got a refresh back in February, but it looks like the color paper-like screen technology will be getting even more bells and whistles. In any event, we don’t have long to find out.

What TCL announced

TCL unveiled the NXTPAPER 14 Pro, a large-format device that's both a tablet and giant e-reader. Our own Mat Smith got hands-on ahead of CES and his first impressions are now live. Separately, on a much different note, TCL also debuted a 115-inch TV, which it says is the largest MiniLED with Quantum Dot technology. The announcement is notable in that it better positions TCL (normally best known for budget TVs) to compete with premium brands like Sony, Samsung and LG.

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.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-watch-tcl-unveil-its-latest-devices-at-ces-2024-190011437.html?src=rss

CES 2024 is off and running, filling Las Vegas with more tech than a giant LED dome. Consumer electronics giant Hisense is holding its own press conference this year, starting on January 8 at 12PM ET. The company will be livestreaming on YouTube.

What we expect

What will Hisense discuss at the presser? The company says it’ll “showcase a range of groundbreaking innovations that redefine the way we interact with screens,” with the official tagline being "See. Connect. Experience." In other words, expect plenty of info regarding next-gen display technology.

To that end, Hisense says it’ll be unveiling a bunch of new products, teasing new laser TVs, ULED TVs and more. David Gold, President of Hisense Americas, is hosting the event and the company promises TVs that offer “unparalleled clarity and contrast, transforming living rooms into cinematic havens.” We could all use some more havens, cinematic or not.

The press conference won’t just be TVs, however, as Hisense is a multi-faceted company with a stake in many market segments. It also teased the reveal of new smart home products, offering a “myriad of options to get more done.” There’s also the possibility of a surprise reveal or two, as Hisense tech is present in everything from modern vehicle dashboards to ultrasound devices.

Last year, Hisense announced the gorgeous UX OLED smart TV. This 85-inch beast boasts 20,000 Mini LEDs, 5,000 local dimming zones and the industry’s first-ever 16-bit light control algorithm. It also represented the beginning of the ULED X line of televisions, so we'll likely get a new model or two this year. Reports indicate the company has been prepping a massive 110-inch ULED X TV, according to Sound & Vision.

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.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-watch-hisense-unveil-the-future-of-display-tech-at-ces-2024-170034199.html?src=rss