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Chevrolet debuts Corvette Performance Data Recorder: records audio, video and overlays telemetry (hands-on)
Chevrolet spent some time before CES showing us how it plans to offer Corvette owners a new instrument to hone their track skills: the Performance Data Recorder (PDR). The system, which was designed with British auto engineering company Cosworth, will begin shipping in 2015 Corvette Stingrays as a factory add-on. In its simplest form, the PDR captures video with user-selectable levels of vehicle telemetry overlaid on the 720p output. In its most complex, the session data can be dissected by the included Cosworth Toolbox software on your PC. The PDR consists of three main bits: audio and video recording, telemetry capture and an SD card slot in the glove compartment where the data is sorted. The driver then selects one of four modes: Track, Sport, Touring or Performance and with the click of a button on the car's 8-inch display, sets the start/finish line and begins recording the lapping session. Once started, the system starts grabbing info from a dedicated GPS receiver that captures data points five times more often than a normal GPS, a 720p camera mounted at the top of the windscreen begins recording and then hooks into the car's Controller Area Network (CAN) for access to all the vehicle's performance data. During our time in the driver's seat, we used Track mode as it records the most metrics including speed, throttle position, brake force, rpm, g-force, lap time and even a location-based map. Once you come to a stop, you can quickly replay the video in-car or take it offline and examine every nuance of the drive on your desktop.
Samsung's new Smart Home service outlined, wants to connect to third-party services and products
We heard whispers that Samsung was planning big for CES, and we're not just talking TV panels. It's now revealed Smart Home, which attempts to tie together Smart TVs, home appliances and handheld smart devices into one single platform. Perhaps more importantly, the company says it's going to collaborate with third-party partners to extend the platform to products and services beyond only those with Samsung branding. At the middle of it all, there will be a single app that (as the picture above suggests) will get its hooks into all your wearables, phones and white goods with a cloud-based server keeping your data moving. Device Control will let users adjust lighting and temperature management through your smartphone. Meanwhile, Smart Home will also included embedded voice commands: if you say "going out" into your Galaxy Gear, then the system will automatically turn off your smart lighting and "selected appliances", so presumably not your fridge. The, once out, Home View will let you tap into devices with cameras inside your house, offering up some not-so-covert video streams to your Galaxy phone. Alongside the new system, the company announced a new software protocol too, hoping to forge a new ecosystem -- with Samsung in the middle of it all. Expect to hear more later this week.
LG's 105-inch UHDTV isn't coming to CES alone: flat 65-, 79-, 84- and 98-inchers on the way
Possibly concerned that merely showing off a giant 105-inch curved, ultrawidescreen (with a resolution of 5,120 x 2,160 it's being marketed as 5K) Ultra HD television wasn't enough, LG just announced a few more super high-res displays it's bringing this week. Alongside the 105UC9, the UB9800 4K Ultra HD series includes flat LCD televisions in 65-, 79-, 84- and 98-inch sizes. Other than their 3,840 x 2,160 resolution, the calling card of this line is its "Tru-ULTRA HD Engine Pro" chip that handles any upscaling from SD, HD, or "True HD" (1080p) sources, and has "4K Motion Estimation Motion Compensation (MEMC)" for 4K source content. The 105-inch Curved Ultra HD TV also sports one other unique feature, that massive speaker along the bottom is something LG calls the "Ultra Surround" concept. It contains 7.2-channel forward facing speakers designed with Harmon Kardon. LG says its new TVs can play Ultra HD content from almost any source thanks to HDMI 2.0, USB and LAN inputs, plus support for h.264 and the new HEVC format. Not enough new displays for you? LG will also have new Ultra HD OLEDs, and just for giggles, probably a few more affordable options at its press conference Monday and CES booth later this week.
Acer's new Liquid Z5 smartphone is more expensive than it should be (hands-on)
Acer didn't just bring a couple of new tablets to Vegas this year, but something to make calls with, too. The latest addition to its Liquid range after the top-spec S2, the Z5 is very much a "value" proposition, as the raw numbers show. We're looking at a 5-inch, 854 x 480 display, 1.3GHz dual-core Mediatek processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD), and a 2,000mAh non-removable battery. For cameras, the Z5 has a modest VGA shooter up front, and a 5-megapixel main affair with a 5-lens array and IR sensor that Acer promises will improve focus and low-light performance, respectively.
Hands-on with Acer's 2014 Iconia Android tablets
Acer's been quick to make its immediate plans for the new year known, including the impending release of its refreshed Iconia Android tablets. Today the company's been kind enough to show the new slates to us, both of which will ship with 4.2 Jelly Bean. The A1-830 is the more premium of the pair, and to give you a quick reminder of the specs, it sports a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (don't worry, there's a microSD slot if you need more), and 5-/2-megapixel cameras. With its 4:3 aspect ratio and 1,024 x 768 display, you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a iPad mini from afar -- the form factor is deceptively similar. It sits at the top of Acer's tablet range, and fittingly, has an aluminum back to prove it. It doesn't look half bad, either, although the plastic which encroaches the top edge, framing the camera, kind of ruins the upper-end look. The screen appears to be relatively good quality and it feels solidly built. With a noticeably thin profile, it gives a good first impression. Its specs might be of a mediocre standard, but the price makes up for it. When the tablet hits the North American market in late Q1 2014, it'll set you back $149, which we wouldn't say is an unfair ask after out brief flirtation with the hardware.
Introducing Engadget Mini!
CES is about to start, and as usual, we'll be covering the show wall-to-wall, with liveblogs, hands-ons, news and, of course, Best of CES. One thing we'll be doing differently this year is providing you with a quick and easy way to access our CES coverage -- and more -- from your smartphone or computer. Engadget Mini, which is available now for iOS and Android, is an app that features headlines from Engadget; the best of our social media content from Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and other sources; exclusive headlines, photos, and videos; and our picks for the best tech news from around the web and the social universe. You can also catch the latest updates to Mini right here on Engadget, or on the Mini web site. Mini is a mix of creation, curation and conversation -- think of it as a companion microblog to Engadget -- and an experiment to see what a next-generation real-time feed might look like. We're still kicking the tires on this thing, but we can't think of a better time than right now, during CES, to share it with you, and we hope you'll find it to be an exciting new way to keep up with the show. Download it now, bookmark the site and join us in our Mini forum, where you can share your feedback and get more info on this great new addition to Engadget!
This activity tracker lives in your shoe's insole
We're still several days out from CES, and we've already seen previews of a couple of fitness tracking devices. It's far, far too early to start talking overall trends for the show, but it seems pretty safe to suggest that we'll be seeing even more before the week is out. At the very least, Footlogger ("-logger," not "-locker," mind) offers a bit of an alternative to the standard wristband devices. The insole-based gadget is probably more in-line with those socks we saw the other day, but arguably has the potential to record even more detailed information about things like foot strike position - as for how such a product would stand up to the stress of of daily running, however, we certainly can't say. 3L Labs is talking up a wide range of potential uses for Footlogger's three-axis accelerometer and eight pressure sensors, including the standard activity tracking and sports recording fare. The company is also making some interesting healthcare claims here, including rehabilitation monitoring and even potential early disease prediction. You can check out the company's admittedly dated-looking site in the source link below.
Engadget's CES 2014 preview
CES isn't what it used to be. That's a mantra we've heard year after year. With major players like Google, Apple and Microsoft choosing to throw their own lavish product launches and specialized events like Mobile World Congress vying for our attention, it's hard to argue that things haven't changed. However, come Monday, that mantra will fade to a quiet whisper as the onslaught of new releases and product demos flood the pages of Engadget. The formula may have shifted, but there is still plenty to see. In an attempt to prepare you for the next seven days, here's a primer on what we're likely to see at CES 2014.
Sinister gamepad hopes to replace PC gamers' keyboards, leaves the mouse (hands-on)
Putting aside arguments over platform exclusives, graphical output and the convenience of gaming from the couch, one element separates console and PC gamers more than any other: control. Those parked in front of a television have an all-in-one gamepad with analog nubs, clicky buttons and smooth triggers, while those who bask in the glow of a monitor boast wield a high-accuracy mouse and and full QWERTY keyboard. While trying to jump from one platform to the other, inventor Chris Zhao-Holland found the differences frustrating. Sure, games on the PC benefited from mouse control, but the stiff inputs of the keyboard lost the built-in sensitivity of the console's dual-analog joysticks. It didn't take long for him to cook up the idea for Sinister, a modular PC keypad that hopes to take the best from both worlds. Zhao-Holland dropped by Engadget's West Coast office with an early prototype, presenting us with a 3D-printed palm-rest adorned with Xbox 360 buttons and a single analog nub. These buttons are modular, and can be rearranged mid-game without forgetting their function. The contraption looks a little like a mash up between one of Razer's keypad peripherals and a Splitfish controller, and oddly, functions like both. A pair of switches on the unit's side decide if the PC will recognize it as an Xinput device (like an Xbox 360 controller), a mouse and DirectInput device (with keys that need to be assigned through a companion program) or a mixture of both. These disparate modes give lend the device compatibility, but each comes with its own caveats.
Tobii and SteelSeries team up to launch eye-tracking game controller
After spending the better part of a year fine-tuning its technology for Windows 8 machines, eye-tracking specialist Tobii is looking to conquer new market: gaming. With CES just days away, the Swedish company announced today that it has partnered with gaming accessory maker SteelSeries to launch what both companies call "the world's first mass-market consumer eye-tracking device for gamers." SteelSeries doesn't have anything to show us just yet, but tells us that its new gaming gear will let players signal their intent, aim and express emotions inside supported games. In the meantime, we hope to catch up with Tobii when it takes to the CES floor with its EyeX Controller, giving us an insight into what its partner has in store when it launches its first eye-tracking gaming products in mid-2014.
Ford to offer free SYNC AppLink upgrade to current owners this year
Ford certainly isn't waiting until hordes of tech journos land in the Nevada desert to start breaking its CES news. The auto maker will offer SYNC AppLink as a free upgrade this year to owners of 2010 and newer vehicles. The system allows drivers (and their passengers) to use iOS and Android apps like Spotify, NPR, TuneIn and many more via voice control, keeping more attention on the highway. Ford's in-car tech is currently installed in over one million vehicles already on the road and those offered the update will add another 3.4 million to that tally. Unfortunately, the company didn't offer a detailed list of eligible autos, leaving owners in suspense until SYNC AppLink download arrives in the coming months.
Basis intros 'Carbon Steel Edition' fitness band with improved design; old model drops to $179
By all accounts, the Basis B1 is one of the smartest fitness trackers on the market: It monitors sweat output, heat dissipation, blood flow and heart rate. And, as of a recent update, it can automatically detect when you've started walking or running. Still, smart doesn't mean much when the watch isn't comfortable to wear or -- worse -- when it resembles a Casio watch from the '80s. Accordingly, then, Basis just announced a new model, the Carbon Steel Edition, which comes in direct response to early user feedback, according to company reps. For starters, the new band has a sleeker look, complete with chrome accents. It also features a stretchable silicone strap that's more flexible and breathable. That's available today for $199, while the original B1 band is getting a price cut to $179. Meanwhile, even if you've already splurged on the B1, you'll be happy to know that Basis is rolling out some new sleep-tracking features for both the B1 and the new Carbon Steel Edition. In short, the two bands will be able to differentiate between REM, deep and light sleep. And, just like with the activity tracking, this will all happen automatically, so that you won't have to press a button to put the device into sleep-tracking mode. Also, you'll be able to see a "personal sleep score" inside the app itself, though you'll have to wait for an update first -- that should hit the Android, iOS and web applications later this month, on January 21st.
Acer announces new 7 and 7.9-inch Iconia tablets for $130 and up (updated)
Acer is known to refresh its Android tablet line-up at CES, and this year is no different. Ahead of the madness, the company has just announced new 7.9-inch and 7-inch models: the Iconia A1-830 and the Iconia B1-720. The 7.9-inch A1 is the more premium of the two, with an aluminum backing and an IPS display for wide viewing angles (albeit with a ho-hum 1,024 x 768 resolution). It runs Android Jelly Bean 4.2.1 with an Atom processor and 1GB of RAM under the hood. There's 16GB of on-board memory (expandable to 32GB via micro-SD card), and the rear camera lets you shoot at a 2,560 x 1,920 resolution. Of course, at $180 $149, it's still on the cheap side, but it looks to be a good low-end option, with up to seven hours of battery life to boot. The A1-830 be available in early 2014, and Acer will sell an optional keyboard and cover as well. Now in the ultra-affordable category: the Iconia B1-720 costs $130, and your money buys you a basic slate that's nonetheless faster than last year's version. You get a 1.3GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM, and the device is rated for up to five hours of battery life. The patterned finish is a touch classier than the previous B1's glossy backing, too. The 7-incher will hit North America later this month, alongside an optional protective case. Check back later this week, when we get a chance to check out both tabs in person. Update: Acer made a last-minute pricing change to the A1-830 tablet: it will now cost $149 in North America, not $180.
LG's bringing Ultra HD OLED TVs in more sizes to CES, ramping up production
Last year LG and Samsung did battle with their first few commercially released OLED HDTVs, and now at CES 2014 we're moving on to round two. The curved 77-inch Ultra HD OLED shown as a concept late last year will return, this time rocking a model number (77EC9800) and focus on specs (3D, upscaling, apps and processing of 4K video) that makes it seem due for release very soon, along with 55- and 65-inch sizes. It's also showing off a second gen 55-inch curved OLED HDTV (no ultra) that it claims has "more recyclable materials and considerably fewer parts" than its predecessor. While being green is nice, we're most interested in knowing if the 55EB9600 can ship for a price well below $10,000. Flat TV fans will have to live with the same 55-inch "Gallery OLED" from a few months ago (and possibly US release information?), however the most important news will probably not be seen on the show floor. LG closes its press release with word that it's expanding production in a number of countries outside Korea, with plants in Brazil, Poland, China and Thailand already built. Of particular interest to us is a facility in Mexico opening later this year specifically meant to serve the North American market. Now that OLED TVs are a reality the race has moved to who can produce an affordable version, and these new plants will go a long way towards helping LG do that.
Magellan's Echo smartwatch now tracks your golf and skiing adventures
Magellan reckons that many smartwatch buyers are fitness mavens, and it's catering to that health-minded audience today with a big upgrade to its Echo Smart Sports Watch. The iOS-compatible wristwear now tracks data for a much wider range of activities beyond running, including golf, hiking and skiing; you won't need a dedicated device or special watch apps to get stats for that black diamond ski run. As before, the Echo offers basic control over both music as well as athletics apps like Strava and Wahoo Fitness. If you're interested giving the upgraded watch a try, you can pick one up today for $149 by itself, or $199 paired with a heart rate monitor. Android users should get Echo support sometime early this year.
YouTube to show off lower-bandwidth 4K streaming at CES
For ultra-HD to truly take off, there needs to be a wealth of native content available -- not just displays -- and according to a GigaOM report, that could happen sooner than expected. Next week at CES, YouTube is demoing new 4K streaming-tech at a handful of major hardware manufacturers' booths, and the first TVs supporting Google's video format should ship by 2015. Don't worry about bandwidth overages though, these streams will run on YouTube's VP9 codec, which uses substantially less data than current formats. The outfit's Francisco Varela said that this royalty-free codec will have benefits outside of his company, as other video providers can use it too. There's even an upside if you don't have a 4K display: The jump to VP9 should drop the amount of data for plain-Jane HD streams by around 50 percent. If you want a peek at VP9 before next year though, Varela expects hardware decoding for it will come to PCs and mobile devices first.
Polaroid's Q-series Android tablets offer a taste of KitKat starting at $129
Polaroid isn't known as a technology vanguard, but it's showing a little forward thinking today with the launch of three budget tablets. The 7-inch Q7 (pictured below), 8-inch Q8 (above) and 10.1-inch Q10 all run Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box, giving them a slight edge over more advanced devices that are still running older software. Not that they'll be especially noteworthy otherwise. All three ship with unnamed (but likely low-end) quad-core processors, and HDMI video is the only real standout feature. You may forgive the modest specs when you see the pricing, however. The Q series will sell at prices between $129 and $179 when it ships in the spring, which makes it one of the cheapest ways to try Google's latest mobile OS.
Hyundai's 2015 Genesis will let you lock the doors through Google Glass
Tired of reaching into your pocket just to lock your car's doors? You won't have to when Hyundai rolls out the 2015 Genesis sedan next year. The automaker plans to launch a Blue Link app for Google Glass that offers Genesis owners the same remote services they'd get through a smartphone, including basic remote control, maintenance updates and the option of sending Google Maps directions to the car. Drivers won't be stuck using Google's eyewear, as Hyundai promises Blue Link support for other wearables. Convenience won't be cheap when you'll need to buy both the car and at least one piece of exotic technology, but the solution will certainly be more affordable than its unofficial Tesla equivalent.
Sensoria is bringing fitness tracking to socks March 15th
Happy 2014! If you had any doubt that the future was here, just check out these socks. It's hard to imagine we've lived through a time in which undergarments with sensors weren't the norm, isn't it? Fear not, because Sensoria's fitness tracking sport socks are set to start shipping March 15th. The wearables feature textile sensors that work with a Bluetooth anklet, tracking your steps, speed, weight distribution, foot landing and cadence. Naturally, they'll run you a tad more than the pair of Gold Toes you just picked up at Target, at $200 for a pair of four, along with the aforementioned anklet. Sensoria's also got textile electrode-laced sports bras and t-shirts coming in January and February, respectively, though you've actually got to pick up a third-party heart monitor from a company like Garmin to make the most of those. So, are fitness socks really that big an improvement over, say, a bracelet? We'll let you know after we see some of these wearbles in action at CES.
ZTE comes to CES with voice-savvy Grand S II smartphone, fitness-ready BlueWatch
ZTE clearly wants to make its presence felt at CES this year; it's coming to the show with no less than seven devices. The Grand S II headlines the pack as the company's first smartphone with "high-precision" voice commands, which let you both unlock the phone and trigger the camera. The company is shy on other details, although we'd expect the Grand S II to have the best (grandest?) performance of ZTE's range. The company is also launching the 5-inch Nubia 5S and 4.7-inch Nubia 5S mini; just what they offer beyond the Nubia 5 isn't clear, but the larger 5S will have the horsepower to capture 4K video through its 13-megapixel f/2.0 camera. Frugal Americans will want to check out the Sonata 4G, a 4-inch budget phone launching on Aio Wireless with a 1.4GHz Snapdragon 400 chip, 1GB of RAM and a 5-megapixel shooter. An unnamed "iconic" 5.7-inch handset is also coming with a dual-core chip and wireless charging. A trio of accessories will debut at the same time. The company's promised smartwatch will launch as the BlueWatch, with support for both remote phone control and a built-in pedometer. ZTE is also promising a 4G-equipped hotspot and an AT&T Wireless Home Base that connects landline phones to the carrier's cellular network. Ship dates and prices aren't available for any of the CES introductions at this stage, but you can be sure that we'll get more details on the show floor.
