ces2014
Latest
T-Mobile has best quarter in 8 years, added 1.6 million net customers in Q4
In the last quarter of 2012, things were looking down for T-Mobile. The network lost over 500,000 postpaid customers, and had lost well over 2 million customers for the year overall. Now, things are starting to turn around: at CES the company revealed that Q4 2013 was its best quarter in over eight years, and it grew by more than 1.6 million new customers in that time period. Company CEO John Legere didn't specifically say how many of these customers came from the competition but did call out Sprint has the carrier it ported the most numbers from, followed closely by AT&T and distantly by Verizon. In all, the company gained 4.4 million net customers for the year, an enormous turnaround from its 2012 losses. Naturally, Legere points to the company's Uncarrier initiative as the secret to its success. "There will never be contracts in our business! 12.2 million customers have come to simple choice." Hungry for more mumblings from the magenta network? Check out our CES 2014 Liveblog right here!
T-Mobile will pay your family plan's early termination fees to get you to switch
T-Mobile has just announced that it plans to end one of the last remaining barriers to get people to switch over to its network: those pesky early termination fees. At its fourth Uncarrier event at CES 2014, the carrier announced that starting tomorrow, customers from the three other competing national carriers -- Sprint, Verizon and AT&T -- can trade in eligible handsets to any T-Mobile location, switch over and get an instant credit of up to $300. You would then purchase a T-Mobile handset and then send your final bill from your previous carrier to T-Mobile -- either via mail or upload to T-Mobile's website -- as proof of your early termination fees. The magenta carrier will then send you an additional payment of up to $350 per line (for up to five lines) to pay those off, and both individual and family plans apply. Only those who are trading in phones, transferring their number and getting new handsets from T-Mobile are eligible to partake in the deal.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: Fitbit CEO James Park
Fitness hardware is once again set to be all the rage at this year's CES, and Fitbit's wrist-worn wearables continue to lead the pack. Join us as we speak with the company's co-founder James Park about the ways consumer technology is helping get us in shape. January 8, 2014 4:00:00 PM EST Follow all the latest CES 2014 news at our event hub, and check out our full stage schedule here.
Introducing the Best of CES 2014 finalists!
CES 2014 is only just officially beginning, but the show has already been an eventful one for us. To select finalists for the Best of CES Awards, Engadget's senior editors have been pounding the pavement at the Las Vegas Convention Center to find top contenders for the 13 categories in the running, from best mobile devices to the coolest maker-friendly technology. Now, we're happy to present our finalists. There's some great stuff here -- just head past the break to dive in. We'll save our analysis of the biggest CES 2014 trends for another post, but suffice it to say that plenty of innovative tech is in store for us this coming year. And we want to know your favorite new product, too. That's why we're opening up the People's Choice category to our readers, giving you a chance to select your top choice from our pool of finalists. Head here to our poll; the product that receives the most votes will be honored in our winner's ceremony tomorrow.
Engadget HD Podcast 379 - CES Special #1 - 1.7.14
This year's CES show floor has been inundated with 4K sets, giving Richard, Michael and some surprise guests plenty to talk about. Content is a hot topic and there's plenty of 4K sources being announced, but until they arrive on the market, we're going to have to stick with Blu-rays to get the most out of all those pixels. Ultra HD is also deviating from the straight and narrow this year, with a series of curving sets, some even transitioning from flat at the touch of a button. Join us at the streaming links below as your hosts discuss the ins and outs of all this fresh tech in the first special HD Podcast of the 2014 CES. Hosts: Richard Lawler, Michael Gorman Guests: Tim Stevens, Darren Murph Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
The 6.8-inch Hisense X1 smartphone is basically a tablet and it's coming to the US this summer (updated: video)
There's big, there's b-i-g and then there's "oh my god, are you [redacted] kidding me this is [redacted] BIG!" That's pretty much how we felt when we first laid our eyes and outstretched hand on Hisense's X1, a 6.8-inch Android smartphone first introduced at this year's CES. You wouldn't be wrong for thinking it's a tablet -- it pretty much unofficially is and depending on your taste and needs, that could be a good thing. The X1, which is slated to launch in China before the US, comes outfitted with what we'd expect from a high-end smartphone: Snapdragon 800, 13-megapixel camera, 1080p IPS display, 3,900mAh battery and Android 4.4 KitKat. So the performance and shine are there, but its dimensions stop it just short of being practical in daily use. With Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 powering the X1, the overall user experience zips along smoothly and briskly. There's hardly any hesitation when effecting input actions, accessing the app drawer or launching applications. And viewing angles are also excellent, owing to that IPS display. As you can see from our gallery (demo video to come soon), the X1's also running a light skin atop Android, but it's not so cluttered as to make the phone confusing and nearly unusable a la Samsung's TouchWiz. Though the X1 model we previewed was on running 4.3 Jelly Bean, Hisense reps assured us it would ship with KitKat onboard.
Harman adds the Infinity One to its wireless speaker fold, partners with Linkin Park to get one step closer
The hordes of wireless speakers are guaranteed to be on display at CES. Harman's Infinity brand has its first entry in to the group with the One. Announced today, the unit claims portable hi-fi sound with the aforementioned wireless capability and rechargeable battery that touts up to 10 hours of run time before needing a power outlet. There's no word on pricing or availability at this point, but the gadget's press release did reveal another bit of info: The company has signed on Linkin Park as brand ambassadors for Infinity. For the next five years, the band's involvement will extend beyond advertising to collaboration in production design. In the end, the newly formed team should have some co-branded audio wares to show as they've got plenty of time to crank 'em out.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: Leap Motion CEO Michael Buckwald
In the short time since it was first announced, Leap Motion has caused us to rethink the way we interact with our PCs. CEO Michael Buckwald joins us to discuss the future of natural computer interfaces. January 8, 2014 2:30:00 PM EST Follow all the latest CES 2014 news at our event hub, and check out our full stage schedule here.
Engadget Podcast 376 - CES Day One - 1.7.14
Your host Brian Heater gets the gang back together for the inaugural 2014 CES podcast direct from the Engadget stage in the Las Vegas Convention Center. The not-so-unfamiliar guests are none other than Tim Stevens and Darren Murph, but the reunion doesn't stop there as more Engadget faces from past and present stop by for a quick chat. It's been full day of weird wearables, delicious 3D printing and curvy 4K TVs, so join us for a quick day-one review in this first installment of the Engadget CES 2014 podcast series. Host: Brian Heater Guests: Tim Stevens, Darren Murph Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: Nokia head of imaging technologies Juha Alakarhu
Given Nokia's hardware focus in recent years, there are few folks at the Finnish company we'd rather chat with more than Juha Alakarhu, the smartphone maker's head of imaging technologies. January 8, 2014 2:00:00 PM EST Follow all the latest CES 2014 news at our event hub, and check out our full stage schedule here.
JBL's Flip 2 speaker, Synchros S400BT cans and J46BT in-ears suit all listening habits
Portable audio wares are never in short supply here at CES, and JBL is looking to do its part to maintain those levels. Adding to the fray, the company has announced a Bluetooth-enabled trio with the Flip 2 speaker, Synchros S400BT headphones and J46BT in-ears to suit a variety of mobile listening sensibilities. The Flip 2 is the follow-up to last year's Flip and offers tech for making clearer speakerphone calls on top of its rechargeable wireless chops. There's also a pair of drivers and on-board bass ports to handle the audio duties for the $129 unit. If you're ready to upgrade from the previous model, the Flip 2 is up for pre-order now in red, blue, yellow, white and black color schemes and is set to ship next month. Next, the Synchros S400BT cans offer both wired and wireless listening thanks to Bluetooth 3.0. Packing in advanced aptX functionality and JBL's PureBass for improved audio quality, the set sports soft ear cushions, a steel headband and collapsible form factor. On the left earcup, controls for volume, track control and receiving calls are sorted with a touch-sensitive panel. In fact, an LED light tracks your finger in order to cater to your cues on the $299 device. The S400BT will be available in black and white when it arrives in February, but you can nab a pre-order now -- if you'd rather lock a pair down. Last but not least, for the in-ear listening crowd, the J46BT wireless buds sport Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility and an in-line remote for switching back and forth between Katy Perry and incoming calls. The J46BT are shipping now for $99 in your choice of black, white or blue.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: 50 Cent
Yep, that 50 Cent. SMS Audio's CEO will be joining us on-stage for a second year in a row to discuss the latest additions to the line of headphones that bear his name. January 8, 2014 1:30:00 PM EST Follow all the latest CES 2014 news at our event hub, and check out our full stage schedule here.
Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG with QNX CAR for Infotainment hands-on
Tucked in a corner of the massive North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center is a Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG wrapped in flat black vinyl. The only things that stand out about this car are the big red brakes. That is, until you pop open a door and spy the beautiful expanse of touchscreen that extends from passenger door across to and including the instrument panel. QNX has extended on the technology we saw in 2013 with both better-looking panels and a seriously handsome interface. For instance, the system can now run Jelly Bean apps -- as demonstrated by the inclusion of iHeartRadio -- a phone/tablet app that hooks into the system for passenger interaction and full-band duplex stereo vehicle-to-vehicle calling. QNX also demonstrated its CAR platform's flexibility when it comes to navigation. Rather than just one nav platform, the CLA45 included Elektrobit, Kotei Navi & Data, Aisin AW and Nokia Here to show how the system could be integrated into any vendor environment. Have a look at our gallery just below the fold. Billy Steele contributed to this report
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: GoPro Creative Director Brad Schmidt
GoPro's Creative Director Brad Schmidt may have the coolest job description ever. He'll join us on-stage to talk about the space-defining success of his company's little action camera. January 8, 2014 1:00:00 PM EST Follow all the latest CES 2014 news at our event hub, and check out our full stage schedule here.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: Dell VP Neil Hand
Curious about recent Dell tablet plays like December's Venue 8 Pro? Wondering what the company is going for with its recent "startup" ad campaign? Good news: We've got Neil Hand, the VP of Dell's tablet group hitting the stage next. January 8, 2014 12:30:00 PM EST Follow all the latest CES 2014 news at our event hub, and check out our full stage schedule here.
Mophie's Space Pack boosts both battery life and storage, requires a special iOS app (hands-on)
As a smartphone power user, one of the devices that intrigued this editor the most at CES was not a huge TV or a sleek sports car, but actually the Mophie Space Pack. It's an iPhone case that marries both a backup battery and additional storage -- a first of its kind, according to Mophie. The concept strikes us as an attractive one, especially to iPhone owners who are stuck with both a sealed-in battery and without the benefit of external memory. As it comes in both 16GB and 32GB versions, the Space Pack could also potentially double or triple your existing capacity. During a brief hands-on with the case, we can say that it looks very similar to the current Juice Pack Air -- indeed, it's almost indiscernible as far as look and feel goes. The only difference seems to be a silver brushed button on the back instead of a simple plastic one. If you're expecting the Space Pack to merge seamlessly with your existing iPhone storage to be one giant hard drive, you're sadly mistaken. The Space Pack really acts more like an external USB stick to which you can offload files. This is why Mophie requires you to use a special iOS app called Space, not only to manage that additional storage, but to access it at all. Unfortunately, this means that iPhone apps like the Camera Roll and iTunes are not integrated with that extra capacity -- after you transfer over those files, they're only accessible through the Space app. As such, Mophie has recommended that most first-time users simply dump their entire Camera Roll or iTunes library into the Space Pack so that they can empty out their iPhone's capacity and start "fresh."
iRing adds gesture-control capability to iOS music apps (video)
This year's CES has introduced us to a number of devices that cater to specific people. That includes IK Multimedia's iRing accessory, designed for aspiring DJs who'd like to control their iOS music apps with gestures... and a dash of showmanship. So long as a user's wearing the iRing, the iDevice's front camera picks the gesture controls up, and the peripheral's accompanying app translates them to commands music software can understand. According to the company (the same one responsible for a few other music accessories for iOS), the iRing's capable of controlling not only basic music apps, but also advanced ones designed for those who mix their own tunes. It also comes with a couple of its own music-editing apps that one can use to add effects and create non-stop loops. Those who prefer waving their hands in the air over poking at on-screen controls can get the iRing in various music and electronic retailers worldwide for $25. Update: We've just gone hands-on with the iRing at CES and gave it a whirl with iRing Music Maker, one of two apps (the other is FX Controller) that it can take advantage of at launch. The iRing setup consists of two plastic "rings," which have an array of three dots on each side. One end of the plastic peripheral has the specks ordered into a triangle, while the other side has them in a line. An iOS device's camera recognizes the dot formation and controls the mapped function. Push one hand in and out to cycle through music effects or use your other paw to vary intensity. It works as promised, but we wouldn't consider it terribly useful -- unless, of course, you're a DJ only interested showmanship.
G-Series wearable tracks sports, sleep and sitting
The language on Movea's site can be a bit broad and tough to parse at times when trying to figure out exactly what the company produces. The simple answer is motion tracking, particularly as it pertains to things like sports and physical therapy. It makes sense, then, that the company was eager to jump on the activity-tracking wearable bandwagon, celebrating CES by teaming up with Texas Instruments for the G-Series. The wristband monitors a pretty broad spectrum of activities and, well, non-activities, counting your steps, tracking running/hiking, analyzing sleep activity and even detecting your posture (whether you're, say, sitting or standing). The wearable promises a greater than 95 percent accuracy rate when it comes to activity classification and the lowest error rates when it comes to counting steps. Maybe we'll try it out -- we've got a few more steps to walk around the Las Vegas Convention Center this week.
Neptune's Pine isn't a smartwatch; it's a smartphone that sits on your wrist
When designing a smartwatch, the general trend is to start with a basic timepiece and add features until physics or budgets get in the way. That's not the approach taken by 19-year-old Canadian Simon Tian when he developed the Pine by Neptune. Instead, he took to Kickstarter with the idea of just shrinking a last-generation smartphone down to watch-size proportions. The result isn't really a watch in any sense of the word, but considering that the Pine raised eight times its goal on Kickstarter, there's clearly a desire for this sort of hardware. We got to spend some time with it at CES and want to share some impressions with you.
Please enjoy this video of dancing drones
Listen, it's CES. We're tired, you're tired and yet there's no end to the madness in sight. So, please, take a minute and enjoy this video from the gentleman who brought you that really amazing video of drones playing the James Bond theme. And don't forget to breathe.
