Today's Trendy: Consumer-Electronics-Show

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Razer, the company that made news last year for their gaming-centric smartphone, gave goosebumps to Microsoft when they showcased Project Linda at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It is a laptop concept wherein their flagship smartphone provides the brains and the control system and also serves as the trackpad.

Project Linda efficiently uses the Razer Phone (Credit: Razer)

The idea behind Project Linda

The Razer Phone plugs into space where the trackpad traditionally goes. The idea behind Project Linda is to use the phone's processing power and provide the experience of a laptop.

Project Linda specifications

The chassis of the laptop provides the display, a keyboard, a bigger battery, and extra storage space. The keys are backlit, and color coding is used to categorize similar keys together.

Razer Phone's screen can be used a s a secondary display if need be (Credit: Razer)

The display is 13.3-inch Quad HD, with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. It mirrors whatever is shown on the phone's screen. For apps that need a second display, the Razer Phone's smaller screen is put to use.

Razer Phone plugs into space where the trackpad traditionally goes (Credit: Razer)

There is a USB Type-A port, and a USB Type-C port. There is also a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a 720p webcam, and a microphone.

Project Linda is in the prototype phase, so there is no guarantee if or when it will be available for sale. We do hope it sees the light of the day soon.

Watch the promo video.

When it comes to innovating displays, LG is the name that comes to mind. During Consumer Electronics Show held in 2014, they came up with the world's first flexible OLED TV screens, whose angle of curvature could be controlled via a remote. As intriguing as that sounds, it was a miss amongst the consumers. This year, LG is back at the CES, with yet another innovative display: a rollable OLED screen that can be moved or hidden when not in use.

LG showcases 65-inch rollable OLED TV at CES (Credit: LG)

Sony had tried such a thing in 2010. Even LG had showcased an 18-inch prototype rollable display at CES last year. But this is the biggest (65-inch) this world has seen. It comes with 4K support. It can be rolled up like a poster into a box, thus making it easily portable.

The screen can be partially unrolled to form smaller displays (Credit: LG)

If 65-inch is too big for you, or if you intend to use it for purposes other than watching TV, the screen can be partially unrolled to form smaller displays. It can then be used as a calendar or a music player. Moreover, it can be resized to different aspect ratios.

There are no details regarding the availability or pricing. It seems one has to wait to roll up their TVs and go for a walk in the park.

Nvidia has unveiled its first Big Format Gaming Display (BFGD) at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The screen is a whopping 65-inch in size. It also comes with built-in Android TV. For the uninitiated, BFGDs are targeted towards gamers for an intense gameplay experience.

Nvidia's 65-inch Big Format Gaming Display unveiled at CES 2018 (Credit: Nvidia)

Nvidia BFGD specifications and technologies

Nvidia has partnered with companies like Acer, Asus, and HP to manufacture the displays. The collective work on the same is going on for over two years now. The screens will boast of 120 Hz refresh rate, 4K resolution, HDR support, and low latency rates – ideal for gamers.

The displays are Nvidia Shield devices as well, which means that the Shield components are embedded in the screen, thus providing all the features of an Android TV, including a bunch of streaming apps like Netflix and Spotify, along with the complete range of Android-based games, and Google Assistant. The GameStream technology of the Shield series will wirelessly stream games via a GeForce card from a PC connected to the local network, i.e., a game running on a high-end computer in the living room can be wirelessly streamed onto the BFGD display in your bedroom.

Asus ROG Swift PG65

Asus has displayed their efforts at the event in the form of ROG Swift PG65. It comes with a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, along with a wide 178-degree viewing angle, dynamic contrast control, and high-end DCI-P3 color gamut support. The ROG Swift PG65 also supports Nvidia G-Sync technology, which reduces latency and efficiently removes stutters occurring at 4K 120 fps frame rate with the help of a compatible Nvidia graphics card.

Asus ROG Swift PG65 is expected to hit the markets sometime in 2018. Other manufacturers may follow suit. More details about availability and pricing will emerge as and when the OEMs are closer to production. There is less doubt about them being premium displays with hefty price tags though.

Check out the promo video.

Smartphone manufacturers these days boast of making the thinnest devices to stand out of the crowd and offer something unique in the over-saturated market. The thickness of the camera lens used plays a significant role in achieving the same. What if there was a camera module that was just a couple of millimeters in thickness? Our phones would then be thinner than we can now imagine! Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering in Germany have achieved just that! The same was showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Facet Vision camera mounted on the ribbon cable

Aptly termed the Facet Vision, the technology is inspired by insects and their multi-faceted eyes. Instead of using a single lens, the camera is composed of 135 uniform lenses. They are placed close to each other forming a mosaic. Each one captures a part of the subject, which is later combined to yield the complete picture.

With the currently available technology, it is expected to be used in robot technology, automobile industry, medical engineering, and printing industry among others.

The camera is just 2 mm thick - a huge difference from the usual 5 mm lenses used in smartphones. Currently, the scientists have been able to achieve up to 4 MP resolution using this technology. However, further research suggests that the number can go up to 10 megapixels, making it a suitable choice for smartphones.

Polaroid has announced the latest camera in their instant digital photography lineup, the Polaroid Pop, at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The body of the camera is black in color. The shutter button stands out due to its red color.

Polaroid Pop features a 3.97-inch touchscreen LCD, a 20 MP CMOS sensor with dual LED flash. It also supports image stabilization and can record 1080p videos. On the storage front, a micro SD card slot with a maximum storage capacity of 128 GB is included. One can shoot in color, black-and-white, or vintage sepia modes. On the connectivity front, the camera can be communicated with via WiFi or Bluetooth.

The device comes with an integrated printer which uses the ZINK Zero Ink printing technology that aids in automatically printing color snaps. It uses heat to activate cyan, magenta, and yellow dye crystals embedded in the paper, thus giving a cartridge-free experience.

Polaroid Pop will be available sometime in the last quarter of 2017. Pricing details are yet to be revealed.

Succeeding the GH4, Panasonic Lumix GH5 is the latest DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) camera from the brand. It is announced at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. What is noteworthy is that the camera is capable of capturing 4K videos at 50 or 60 fps (the first mirrorless device to do so), and 6K photos and 30 fps.

The 4K video at 60 frames-per-second is shot in 8-bit 4:2:0 color ratio. Increased color depth of 10-bit 4:2:2 can be achieved at 24 frames-per-second. 1080p slow-motion videos can be captured at 180 fps.

As far as 6K pictures are concerned, the camera shoots burst images at 30 fps and saves them as high-resolution shots equivalent to an 18 MP one. For the 4K variant, the speed is 60 fps, and the output is like an 8-megapixel image.

Panasonic Lumix GH5 is formed of a lightweight die-cast magnesium alloy body. The joints, buttons, and the dial are sealed to make the device splashproof and dustproof. On the storage front, the camera comes with a dual SD card slot.

The electronic viewfinder boasts of 3,686K pixels. The 3.2-inch OLED screen has 1,620K pixels. The shutter unit can withstand approximately 200K releases.

The low-pass filter available in the GH4 is withdrawn from the GH5. The micro 4/3rds Live MOS sensor boasts of a pixel count of 20.3 megapixels. One can use MOV, MP4, AVCHD and AVCHD Progressive formats at various frame rates. Also, there is no time limit for recording FHD and 4K videos.

For improved image processing, a new Venus Engine is deployed. It makes sure to use nine times larger pixel area for detailed reproduction of the captured data. It characterizes every pixel depending on its location on the image and optimizes accordingly.

Panasonic Lumix GH5 boasts of a combination of 2-axis optical image stabilizer along with a 5-axis body image stabilizer. The noise reduction mechanism is upgraded to high precision, thus improving it four times than that of its predecessor.

Depth calculation and contrast autofocus have also been enhanced. The number of focus areas has been increased to 225 for precise focusing. There is also a possibility to modify the focus point after the image has been clicked. One can also utilize Focus Stacking to click many snaps of the same frame with different focus points, and combine them later for a perfectly focused shot.

Panasonic Lumix GH5 will be available in late March this year at a price of $2,000 (body only).

Panasonic Lumix GH5 specifications

Image sensor: Live MOS
Effective pixels: 20.3 million
Metering: Center-weighted average, Multiple and Spot
Lens: Micro 4/3rds
Shutter: Electronic and mechanical
Shutter speed: 60-1/8,000 second (elecronic and mechanical); 1-1/16000 second (electronic)
Continuous shooting: 12 fps (at 20.3 MP); 30 fps (at 18 MP); 60 fps (at 8 MP)
Memory: SD/SDHC/SDXC
Viewfinder: Electronic (3,686,000 dots)
Screen: 3.2 inch OLED (1,620,000 dots)
File formats: RAW, JPEG, MOV, MP4, AVCHD, AVCHD Progressive
ISO sensitivity: 200-25,600 (auto mode); 100-25,600 (extended mode)
Power: Rechargeable lithium-ion 1,860 mAh battery
Dimensions (WidthxHeightxDepth): 138.5x98.1x87.4 mm
Weight: 725 g (with battery and memory card)
Price: $2,000

Asus has launched their latest smartphone, the Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom, at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Another device, the Asus ZenFone AR, is also announced.

The smartphone features a full metal body along with a 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED display. Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides the required layer of protection. The battery capacity is 5,000 mAh. It boasts of a thickness of just 7.9 mm. The fingerprint sensor is placed at the rear.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor (clocked at 2 GHz) powers the Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom. It is coupled with Adreno 506 GPU. The maximum RAM supported is 4 GB. The internal memory options are 32/64/128 GB, which can be expanded up to 2 TB via a micro SD card. Exact variants are yet to be revealed.

The device comes with a dual-camera setup. Each lens is a 12 MP shooter. The first one is a 25 mm wide-angle and comes with f/1.7 aperture. The other one is a 59 mm lens that supports a 2.3x optical zoom. The combined zoom (digital and optical) is 12x. There are three autofocus systems in place - dual pixel PDAF, subject tracking autofocus, and laser focus. The TriTech+ autofocus system automatically chooses the one most apt to a situation. The secondary camera is a 13 MP Sony IMX214 lens and comes with screen flash feature.

Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom comes in three color variants

Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom comes in black, gold and silver color options. Details regarding variants, pricing, and availability are not revealed yet.

Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom specifications

Operating System: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
Processor: 2 GHz octa-core
Memory: Up to 4 GB RAM
Storage: 32/64/128 GB internal (expandable up to 2 TB)
Display: 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED
Resolution (pixels): 1920x1080
Primary camera: 12 + 12 megapixel
Secondary camera: 13 megapixel
Battery: 5,000 mAh
Dimensions (WidthxHeightxDepth): 77.0x154.3x7.99 mm
Weight: 170 g
Price: TBA

Finally getting over the rumor mill, Asus has announced the Asus ZenFone AR smartphone at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It is the world's first Tango and Daydream enabled smartphone. For the unaware, Tango is a Google hardware-software combination that enables augmented reality in smartphones. Daydream is another Google product aiming to offer virtual reality in smartphones. Another device, the Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom, is also launched.

The smartphone is powered by 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad-core chipset clocked at 2.35 GHz. Adreno 530 GPU backs it.

Asus ZenFone AR comes in two RAM variants - one with 6 gigs RAM, while the other with 8 GB memory (the first smartphone to do so). The storage capacity can be chosen from 32/64/128/256 GB, and can later be expanded up to 2 TB via a micro SD card. The exact variant details are yet to be announced. The battery capacity is 3,300 mAh and supports Quick Charge 3. The fingerprint sensor is located at the front.

Regarding imaging, the device comes with a three-camera system, aptly termed the Asus TriCam. The main camera is a 23 MP Sony IMX318 shooter, which is capable of shooting 4K video and supports dual PDAF, laser focus, and 4-axis optical image stabilization. It is backed by a motion-tracking lens and a depth-sensing camera module. The front camera is a 8 MP lens.

The display used is a 5.7-inch WQHD Super AMOLED, with a screen-to-body ratio of 79% and resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 provides the required protection. To the joy of the audiophiles, a five-magnet speaker is put in. The smartphone runs on Asus ZenUI 3.0, bases on Android 7.0 Nougat.

Asus ZenFone AR comes in black color. Variant, pricing and availability details are yet to be announced.

Asus ZenFone AR specifications

Operating System: Android 7.0 (Nougat)
Processor: 2.35 GHz quad-core
Memory: 6/8 GB RAM
Storage: 32/64/128/256 GB internal (expandable up to 2 TB)
Display: 5.7-inch WQHD
Resolution (pixels): 2560x1440
Primary camera: 23 megapixel
Secondary camera: 8 megapixel
Battery: 3,300 mAh
Dimensions (WidthxHeightxDepth): 77.7x158.7x4-6 ~ 8.95 mm
Weight: 170 g
Price: TBA

Samsung has finally decided to foray into the portable gaming world with the launch of Notebook Odyssey at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The portable gaming device comes in two variants - one with a 15.6-inch display and the other with a 17.3-inch screen (with a resolution of 1920x1080 in both cases). The 15.6-inch version offers 280 nits of brightness, while there are 300 nits available on its elder sibling. Both the models feature anti-glare surface for reduced reflection and are powered by 7th generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor.

On the graphics front, the 15-inch model is fitted with Nvidia GTX1050 GPU. Note that it is the most entry-level card in the GTX 10 series. There is no word yet on the GPU of the Odyssey 17. Anything above 1050 will be an improvement, however!

On the hardware front, Odyssey 15 supports up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM, 256 GB solid-state drive, and 1 TB hard-disk drive. The bigger model has double the capacity of RAM and SSD, while the HDD capacity remains the same.

Samsung Notebook Odyssey comes with something called a HexaFlow Vent at the bottom, whose job is to keep the device cool during gameplay. To enhance the storage and memory, the vent can be opened to fit in more hardware.

The keys on the smaller variant have 0.3 mm crater keycaps along with backlit WASD keys for better gaming control. On the 17-inch variant, things are taken to another level. The keycaps are 0.5 mm volcano, and the backlit color of each cap can be customized to suit one's need.

The battery capacity is 43 Wh on the smaller model, and 93 Wh on the bigger one. Odyssey 15 comes in black and white color options and weighs around 2.5 kg. Odyssey 17 is manufactured only in black and weighs 3.8 kg approximately.

Details regarding pricing and availability of Samsung Notebook Odyssey are yet to be announced.

Huawei has unveiled Jewel and Elegant versions of its premium smartwatch at CES this year. Note that their first smartwatch was launched in September last year (versions Classic, Active and Elite). These new versions are targeted at female customers. Needless to say, the devices sport an elegant look, which is in line with the latest fashion trends.

Featuring Swarovski Zirconia dotted around the rose gold-plated case, each measuring 1.5 mm in size, the Jewel glistens and shines.

The Elegant edition has a knurled pattern effect around its rose gold-plated case.

These female versions come with the same specs as that of the original Huawei Watch. That means an AMOLED display of 1.4-inch with 400x400 pixel resolution, pixel density 286 ppi, 300 mAh non-removable lithium-ion battery, 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 512 MB RAM and 4 GB internal storage.

Complemented beautifully by the two genuine Italian leather watch straps, available in pearl white and sapphire blue, both these versions come pre-loaded with over 40 watch faces.

Powered by Android Wear, the devices display alerts for calls, texts, instant messages and emails. They are both Android and iOS compatible. They also feature Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphones usage. They also feature a heart rate sensor and a motion sensor.

They also sport scratch-proof sapphire crystal, coating their circular 44mm faces. The devices get their strength from the cold-forged stainless steel. They are plated in rose gold.

These new versions will be available beginning March this year. All the countries where the original devices are available will also sell the new versions.

Samsung has announced Galaxy TabPro S at CES, which is powered by the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system. The tablet is a two-in-one, and integrates the popular features of laptops and tablets. This gives users access to full notebook PC functionality in a lightweight tablet.

The tablet is 6.3 mm in thickness, and weighs 693 grams. A full-sized keyboard cover, which comes included with the device, is expected to enhance the usability. The keyboard’s flexible hinge enables optimal, dual-angle viewing. The Pogo pin on the keyboard eliminates the need for pairing or charging separately.

The device delivers full PC functionality with both Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro for business.

It is the first tablet, powered by Windows, to support LTE Cat 6 for the fastest experience. With enhanced fast charging features, the battery can fully charge in just 2.5 hours, and is expected to offer up to 10.5 hours of battery life. The device is equipped with the latest generation Intel Core M processor, designed for a fanless 2-in-1 tablet, featuring only 4.5W of power consumption to eliminate noise disruption and maximize efficiency.

The device features the first Super AMOLED display present on a Windows device. It features a multitouch screen and a deeper color contrast with 94% of natural tones for a best-in-class viewing experience. The display is 12-inch in size, and is power-efficient.

To enhance productivity, a multi-port adapter (HDMI, USB Type A & C) and Bluetooth Pen are available for purchase separately. The tablet will be available globally, starting next month.