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Lenovo's new ThinkPads pack 8th-gen Core CPUs and slimmer designs
Lenovo just revamped the lion's share of its ThinkPad lineup, and it's good news if you want a speedy portable that won't weigh down your laptop bag -- or if you're privacy-conscious, for that matter. Its new ThinkPad X, T and L models have all made the switch to faster eighth-generation Intel Core processors while sporting slimmer, lighter bodies. The 12.5-inch X280, for example, is 15 percent thinner (0.69 inch) and 20 percent lighter (2.6 pounds) than its predecessor. There's also a new 13-inch L-series (the L380) for people who want a no-frills pro laptop in a more portable design than the 14- and 15-inch versions.
LG's latest PC monitors bring intense HDR and ultra-wide 5K
LG was one of the first out of the gate with high-end consumer HDR monitors, and now it's ready to spread its wings a bit. It's unveiling three new displays, all of which promise more intense DisplayHDR 600-rated visuals -- that is, they can reach 600 nits of brightness while maintaining the wide dynamic range inherent to HDR. The eye-catcher of the bunch is arguably the 34WK95U, a 34-inch ultra-wide 5K (that is, 5,120 x 2,160) monitor designed for video editors and others who want side-by-side views without multiple displays. It includes a Thunderbolt 3 port that can pipe data, power and 5K 60Hz video through a lone cable.
New standard sets baseline for HDR on PC displays
As video enthusiasts will tell you, just saying a display is capable of high dynamic range doesn't say much -- you need to know how well it handles HDR. And that's crucial for PC monitors, where the accuracy and intensity of the picture can make all the difference when you're playing a game or editing video. The team at VESA wants to do something about it. They've unveiled an open standard, DisplayHDR, that sets the baseline levels for HDR quality on PC screens.
LG is fixing its 5K monitor so it'll work near your WiFi router
It's not a good sign when your pricey new 5K monitor is affected by proximity to your wireless router. After reports of the monitor becoming unstable, if not unusable, when in close company -- under two meters away -- to WiFi routers. It's a difficult issue to resolve if your router is already close to your internet pipeline. LG now tells Engadget that signal interference is to blame, when said routers are placed near to the rear of the display.
Apple extends its discounts on USB-C gear through March 31st
Apple has tacitly acknowledged that prospective MacBook Pro buyers remain skittish about having to buy dongles just to keep using their favorite peripherals. The company is extending its sale on USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals through March 31st, giving you another three months to pick up adapters and cables at a discount. As before, some of the bargains are better than others -- the USB-C to USB-A adapter is down from $19 to $9, for instance, while SanDisk's USB-C SD card reader is down from $49 to $29. This still won't be completely satisfying if you absolutely need dongles to attach your devices (a USB-A adapter in MacBook boxes would be great, Apple), but there's a bit less pressure to buy them before you're ready.
Apple stops selling the Thunderbolt Display
We hope you weren't dead set on getting an Apple monitor to go with your Apple computer. The company has discontinued the Thunderbolt Display after keeping it on the market for nearly 5 years. Apple didn't say why it was dropping the 27-inch screen in a statement provided to us and our colleagues at TechCrunch. However, it does note that the Thunderbolt Display will only be available in stores "while supplies last," and that there are a "number of great third-party options" available if you need a stand-alone monitor.
LG's weak mobile sales drag down profits again
The weak smartphone market is reportedly affecting even Apple, but it's proving especially difficult for second tier players like LG, which has recently seen meager profits turn into losses. The Korean company's mobile division continued that trend by losing 43.8 billion KRW ($36 million) this quarter, contributing to to an operating profit of 349 billion KRW ($290 million), but a net earnings loss of 141 billion KRW ($117 million). That's a bit better than its last quarter, but is significantly down from the same time last year when mobile profits were positive and net earnings were a healthy $125 million.
Foxconn trumps Japanese rival in $5.2 billion bid for Sharp
Sharp may have mounds of debt and falling sales, but it has one thing that China's Foxconn doesn't -- display technology used by Apple and others. That's reportedly why Foxconn has bid 625 billion yen ($5.4 billion) to buy the troubled company, according to the WSJ. That bid is over double the 300 billion yen ($2.6 billion) offered by an Japanese investment fund called Innovation Network Corp. In addition, Foxconn will absorb all of Sharp's considerable debt -- the company has a 510 billion yen ($4.4 billion) payment due soon on a series of loans to Japanese banks, for example.
LG's TV future is filled with weird shapes and big screens
I really, really wanted to roll an OLED TV up and carry it under my arm. But while LG Display has teased the idea of a very flexible OLED display for a few years, it's never really let the public get close. This year, I got to see it. But not roll it or bend it, or even touch a working one. Which ruined my CES (a little). (Update: we saw it!) After shrugging at a static "no touching" rolled-up screen, LG Display (note: a separate company from LG Electronics) ushered me into a room filled with brightly colored surfaces and gentle curves. Oh, and forests, dew-splashed flowers, long-haired European women and time-lapse city landscapes. (It's a TV showroom—and that's the scintillating content continually repeated on them.) I did see giant TVs the thickness of a few dimes, double-sided OLED HDTVs and a wraparound 65-inch UHD TV running a gaming demo that would give me post-traumatic stress disorder after prolonged exposure. Let's tour the (maybe) future:
Apple is reportedly working on OLED displays
Apple has opened a lab in Taiwan, according to Bloomberg, with "at least 50" engineers looking into advanced display technology for products including the iPhone and iPad. It's pulled in workers from Taiwanese display company AU Optronics, as well as Qualcomm, to develop new screens. The tech company is aiming to make its displays thinner, lighter and more efficient, with Bloomberg's sources adding that Apple is looking into OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) displays. While these would tick a lot of the aforementioned boxes (and don't need backlighting), they're also harder and more expensive to produce -- although they often look incredible. If Apple can get it right, however, it'll reduce its supply needs from other electronics giants, including Samsung, LG and Sharp.
Nissan's concept car is covered in displays for the selfie generation
There's little doubt the cars of the future will be increasingly more high tech. However, if Nissan has anything to do with it, those vehicles could be blanketed in customizable displays, too. The Japanese company revealed its "Teatro for Dayz" (yes, really) concept ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show later this month that covers most of the interior, and some of the exterior, with "a clean canvas" of LED panels. Nissan's goal was to make a car that "share natives" (the selfie generation, in other words) would find appealing. To do that, the automaker designed a vehicle where time spent riding could also be used for "connecting and sharing experiences with friends." And, you know, paying attention to the road.
ICYMI: A thread display, rainbow flamethrower and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-723972{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-723972, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-723972{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-723972").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Today on In Case You Missed It: Forever 21 just unveiled (or unwound) a new kind of billboard that uses mechanical spools of thread to rapidly display Instagram photos. A bionic eye was implanted in a patient for new use with an old disease: Age-related macular degeneration. And your next kiddy birthday party will be the perfect place to unveil your mastery of common household ingredients to make a rainbow flamethrower display. Don't say I didn't warn you if you blow up your house, though.
Which monitors are worth buying?
With all the work you do, the games you play and the videos you watch, you spend a lot of time staring at your monitor. So why not do your eyes a favor and make sure you get one that's got exactly what you need, whether it's precise colors, fast response time or just a pleasing design? We've delved into some of the better monitors currently on the market to let you know which ones give you the best view for the money.
Wacom finally outfits its Cintiq 13HD pen display with touch gestures
Wacom has a habit of trotting out non-touch versions of its stylus-friendly tech first. The Cintiq 13HD arrived back in 2013, and one of my main gripes with the device was its lack of support for your fingertips. Well, the company finally announced the touch-enabled version today, nearly two years after the original's debut. And yes, it still packs in a Pro Pen with 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity. The adjustable stand is included too, and the customizable ExpressKeys and a Rocker Ring will wrangle your go-to tools quickly. In fact, as far as I can tell, the only difference between this and the previous version is the added touch compatibility. There's no denying Wacom's pen tablets and displays are way more useful when you can get your fingers more involved, I only wish it'd give us the choice from the start. Surely those who've already invested are going to be a bit upset -- and rightfully so. If you held out, though, the Cintiq 13HD can be yours this month for $999. Don't miss out on all the latest news, photos and liveblogs from MWC 2015. Follow along at our events page.
Curved displays are everywhere at CES
Walking through the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, one thing becomes abundantly clear. Curved displays are apparently all the rage. They're everywhere and include everything from Ultra-HDTVs, monitors and even smartphones. Much like 3D televisions of the past, it seems like every hardware manufacturer got together and said, "This is exactly what consumers need!" The thing is, I've yet to meet anyone who has one. Are they the real deal? Head over to the Engadget forums and share your thoughts!
Here's what you missed on the second day of CES
CES is in full swing now, and most of the companies here have already laid their cards on the table. It's bittersweet: It means that there are fewer major announcements from big companies to gush over, but also that we have more time to cruise the show floor for hidden treasures. It's also the day Engadget picks out the finalists for the official Best of CES awards. What did we find and who made the cut? Check out the gallery below and find out. [Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Here's what you missed on the first official day of CES
The doors opened; the masses piled in; and it began: Yesterday was the first official day of CES. It's perhaps the most frenzied day of the week, with hundreds of companies vying for attention within the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. So, what happened on the show floor yesterday? Check out the gallery below and find out. [Image credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Sharp's new any-shape displays are coming to cars and a whole lot more
Sharp's been working on its isn't-that-concept-art free-form displays (FFD) for a few years and, well, CES is a good place to show and tell us where they'll eventually end up, you know, in real life. We've just seen some of the more polished prototypes that will form the basis for dash-based displays in cars coming to market by 2017. But while we knew that was the aim, it's only the start. These low-power IGZO displays "don't need edges," so they can be cut into any shape and while there's no touch functionality in the current prototypes, it can be added -- meaning they could be found in mobile devices and (according to reports at least), something from Nintendo. Sharp had a great display where two circles were cut out and used as separate displays, and the "leftover" screen also functioned as part of a larger dash display. Here, take a look:
HP intros a slew of monitors, including curved, 5K and 3D models
HP just announced a boatload of new monitors here at CES and impressively, they seem to combine every big tech buzzword from the past few years. On the one hand, the company is showing off a pair of curved displays, which we already know are going to be huge at this year's show. Meanwhile, the company also unveiled its first 4K monitors, available in two sizes, along with its inaugural 5K model. Finally, HP is showing off a virtual reality display that works with 3D glasses, of all things -- a nice throwback to CES 2010.
LG will show off curved, 21:9 and 4K monitors at CES
As you've probably read by now, LG's keen on tipping its hand ahead of our arrival in Las Vegas for CES. This year is no different, and with today's news the company focuses on monitors. First up, LG has a 21:9 display with AMD's FreeSync tech in order to keep things smooth during intense gaming sessions. In fact, the company says it's the first to do so on an ultra wide option. The added feature "guarantees the smoothest and most seamless gaming experience, generating fluid motion without any loss of frame rate," for those looking to upgrade any current setup. The 34UM67 (pictured above) also has a Black Stabilizer to illuminate dark scenery and a Dynamic Active Sync mode that keeps input lag to a minimum. Of course, you'll need to be sure your favorite title supports 21:9 resolution, but games like Battlefield 4 and World of Warcraft already do. For folks not looking for a gaming-specific display, there will be a couple more 21:9 options shown off in the desert.
