Europe's biggest tech show finally delivered
This year, you couldn't stop the tech news.
As we wind down after trawling IFA's labyrinthine halls, covering everything from phones to washing machines, wearables to haunted pianos, we wanted to point out the most notable things to come out of Europe's biggest tech show -- and it was quite the show this year. If you don't read anything else, read this. And if you do want even more, you can find everything else right here.
Daniel Cooper
Senior Editor
When Microsoft began talking about its Mixed Reality program earlier this year, the whole thing left me pretty cold. The company claimed that it could slash the cost of a VR headset almost in half, and that the kit would even work with PCs that used only integrated graphics. Given the cash and computing power required for a half-decent Vive or Rift setup, I simply couldn't see Microsoft's alternative working.
Yet, after trying ASUS' mixed reality headset here at IFA, I'm a first-class passenger on the Windows Mixed Reality hype train. The company claims that the gear can be installed and running within 10 minutes, letting you explore the world of Windows Mixed Reality almost immediately. That said, my interest is limited to the Steam VR integration and the ability to play virtual reality titles for far less than it costs to buy one of the big two (still pricey) headsets.
VR may take several more years, and several hardware refreshes, before it can really be thought of as a mainstream proposition. The cost and complexity of installation were the two things keeping me from taking the plunge. I'm delighted that serious progress is being made to eliminate both of these challenges.
Mat Smith
Bureau Chief, UK
LG has struggled to claw its way into the best-selling smartphone circle, but the company has a better chance than ever with the V30. It's generally pitched to "hardcore" video enthusiasts, but when so many of us are turning to our phones to capture our world, and sharing everything we see, and when we're just not buying cameras anymore, these days it's a good place to start for pretty much any smartphone shopper.
From color grading for your next video to hi-fi quad DACs for your music listening, there's a lot here for smartphone power users to like -- and you're reading Engadget, so there's a good chance you're one of 'em. Just as important, at least for me, is how it's all been crammed into a phone that's far more attractive than LG's "main" flagship phone, the G6. The biggest challenge the V30 has to overcome, however, is the fact that its launch occurred between those for Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 and whatever Apple decides to call its new iPhone. Rocks, hard places and smartphones.
Edgar Alvarez
Senior Editor
As much as I love LG's V30, particularly its design and camera features, it was Sphero that won IFA 2017 for me. The company's new Star Wars droids, R2-D2 and BB-9E, are going to be must-haves this holiday season. Who doesn't want cute toys that can be controlled using an app? (Especially if they're 1:1 replicas of characters from one of the biggest movie franchises of all time.)
What I appreciate the most about Sphero's latest Star Wars toys is the attention to detail. With BB-9E, the evil counterpart to BB-8 that's expected to debut in The Last Jedi, the company was able to make its face come to life with working LEDs. So even though BB-9E's rolling head can taken off its body, when it is attached it can draw power from its body via inductive charging. Meanwhile, R2-D2 has a built-in speaker and makes original sounds from A New Hope.
Sure, they're not cheap -- BB-9E and R2-D2 cost $150 and $180, respectively. But can you really put a price on fun?
Cherlynn Low
Reviews Editor
IFA served as a showcase for a whole variety of artificial-intelligence-powered devices. From washing machines and pianos to speakers and smartphones, all manner of home appliances and gadgets are learning to think for themselves to better serve humans.
What's different this year is Huawei's Kirin 970 CPU, which the company says will not only speed up machine-learning programs in its phones but will also protect consumers' privacy, since it eliminates the need to go through the cloud for processing. We'll learn more about how the Kirin 970 can improve AI on smartphones in October, when Huawei unveils its Mate 10 flagship -- the first with this chip on board.
Until then, we can only wait and see where AI tech will lodge itself next.
