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Sony's Xperia XZ3 is basically the XZ2 with a pretty OLED screen
Sony has consistently failed to make money from smartphones for as long as we can remember, but it's not giving up. The immediate strategy is to focus on the heavyweight division, competing against other companies striving to make the very best phone around. But Sony's gotten into the habit of releasing new devices every few months, and it's getting tougher and tougher to tell them apart. Take the new Xperia XZ3 Sony announced today at IFA. The XZ2 and XZ2 Premium have both landed within the last six months, so it's no surprise the XZ3 doesn't have much we haven't seen already. Which begs the question: How many flagships is too many flagships?
Garmin Vivosmart 4 tracks your sleep and energy levels
Garmin has launched the latest version of Vivosmart, and based on its features, the wearable is meant to be a direct competitor to Fitbit's Charge 3. Like Fitbit's new tracking device, Vivosmart 4 comes with a blood oxygen monitor called "pulse ox," which can monitor your oxygen saturation levels at night in order to gauge your sleep quality. It also has the ability to estimate light, deep and REM stages of sleep, which you can then view as sleep stats within the Garmin Connect app.
Libratone's new portable Zipp speakers come with Alexa
These days, there's no shortage of Alexa-enabled speakers, so companies have to differentiate through design and audio quality. One brand swimming in both is Libratone, which announced a new version of its Zipp and Zipp Mini speakers during IFA 2018. They offer up to 12 hours of battery life and connect over Bluetooth and WiFi -- including Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2 -- USB, and a 3.5mm mini-jack. Both ship with six microphones and, for the first time, support for Amazon's assistant, meaning you can request tunes and pizzas with your voice. Otherwise, you can control the speaker through the touchpad or companion mobile app.
HTC's U12 Life has a slick half-and-half texture finish
Smartphones have become so commoditized, especially in the mid-range, that it can be hard to tell them apart. HTC is making sure that doesn't happen with U12 Life. It has an attractive dual-finish design with a matted, striped lower section and "metal-like" finish on top (it's actually acrylic glass). It should also please photographers on a budget, thanks to the dual rear cameras that let you create blur behind your subject and a front selfie camera with a flash and beautification features.
ASUS' new ZenBooks have the thin bezels that 2018 demands
It wasn't all that long ago when ASUS brought out the oddly refreshing ZenBook Pro and the superslim ZenBook S, but the company hasn't forgotten its slightly more affordable offerings. For IFA this year, ASUS has updated its original ZenBook line with not only Intel's new Whiskey Lake U-series processors, but also a new four-sided, nearly frameless design with up to 95 percent screen-to-body ratio. And that's not all; ASUS still manages to tuck a 3D infrared HD camera into the top bezel, as opposed to making do with an ordinary camera farther down the body that's usually to blame for some not-so-flattering nostril shots.
Ultimate Ears' Boom and Megaboom 3 are a pool party's best friend
You can always trust an Ultimate Ears speaker to sound pretty slick, be simple to use and not blast a hole in your wallet, and the newest launches from the Logitech-owned brand are a case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The Boom 3 and Megaboom 3 -- there never was a Megaboom 2, but for the sake of consistency, Ultimate Ears has jumped a number -- look a lot like their predecessors, but a few design tweaks, added features and attractive price tags define this next generation.
Audio-Technica is the latest to debut true wireless earbuds
Just because Audio-Technica is better known for its wired headphones doesn't mean you'll have to look elsewhere if you want high-quality sound without cables. The brand has unveiled its first all-wireless in-ear headphones, the catchily-named ATH-CKR7TW. They tout the familiar oversized earbud design you've seen from established rivals but put a focus on (surprise!) fidelity above the smart features you sometimes get elsewhere.
Samsung unveils an 8K QLED TV you'll actually be able to buy
Back at CES, Samsung gave us a glimpse at the Q9S 8K TV, which notably used artificial intelligence to upscale content to 8K. That was cool, but it was just a concept. During its IFA presentation today, the company unveiled its first 8K QLED TV that'll actually be available for purchase: The Q900R. It loses the easel-like design of the concept for a more traditional stand but it packs in many of the same features, including a real 8K resolution and AI upscaling. Samsung claims the set will also feature a 4,000 nit peak brightness, as well as support for the HDR10+ standard, which can optimize content on the fly. The Q900R will be available in 65-inch, 75-inch, 82-inch and 85-inch sizes.
B&O's Beoplay E6 wireless earbuds are built for exercise
Bang & Olufsen is wading back into the behind-the-neck-earbud market this fall, too. Not content to release a pair of connected 360-degree home speakers and call it good, the luxury audio company is launching the Beoplay E6 (along with the rest of its fall/winter collection next month). Rather than a rigid neckband, the E6s are tethered via a soft cable. B&O promises five hours of use per charge, and that you can charge the earbuds while using them.
Bang and Olufsen's BeoSound Edge is its own giant volume dial
Bang and Olufsen never lets me down at IFA. If it's not TV stands that move, it's speakers given a form you've never imagined before. Take Beosound Edge, the company's new, pricey wireless speaker that looks like a cake tin or a shiny hole into darkness.
Dell unveils slim USB-C monitor with super-bright HDR
You can certainly find HDR monitors, but those that exist tend to barely meet the official DisplayHDR standards or are too large for most people. Dell may have hit the sweet spot, however. It's introducing the Dell 27 USB-C Ultrathin (S2719DC for short), which packs bright DisplayHDR 600 visuals into a 27-inch, 1440p display that measures just under 0.22 inches thick at its slimmest point. If you don't mind the absence of 4K, it's potentially ideal for movie marathons. And as the name implies, USB-C can turn it into a laptop dock by delivering data, a display signal and up to 45W of power through one cable.
Acer's Triton 900 gaming laptop has a truly unique convertible hinge
A few years ago, Acer gave us an intriguing twist on the convertible PC, the Aspire R14, which featured an easel-like hinge that rotated the screen. Now it's bringing that feature, which Acer calls the Ezel hinge, to a gaming laptop: Say hello to the Predator Triton 900. The company only gave us a brief glimpse at the device (it was protected by a glass case), but it looks like the screen will rotate just like the Aspire R14. You'll be able to twist it all the way around for a tent-like formation or lay it flat. The Triton 900 will also feature the latest version of the company's Aeroblade cooling technology. It looks like having a bit of space underneath the monitor will help with cooling too.
Watch Acer's IFA 2018 event in 9 minutes
Acer often has a lot to show at its events, and its IFA 2018 presentation was no exception. The tech giant unveiled a bevy of laptops, including the world's lightest 15-inch laptop and a metal-clad budget Chromebook. However, that was really just the start. It also launched a uniquely detachable mixed reality headset, and even a gaming cockpit that's practically a throne. It's a lot to take in, but don't worry -- we've condensed Acer's announcements into a nine-minute video that covers all the bases.
Acer's latest Swift laptops are thinner and lighter than ever
Acer prides itself on making some of the most portable laptops around, and new hardware the company brought to IFA today is no different. Acer already had an extremely lightweight notebook in the existing Swift 5, but a larger screen on the latest model means it now lays claim to the title of the world's lightest 15-inch laptop. Technically the 1080p touchscreen is a little bigger, measuring 15.6-inches in total, but narrow bezels and a body blended from magnesium, lithium and aluminum keeps the weight under 2.2 pounds (990g).
We're live from IFA 2018!
As summer comes to a close, Engadget heads to Berlin for Europe's biggest tech show, IFA. Judging from our sources and early leaks, it looks to be a quieter event than previous years. That said, the big companies like Samsung, Sony, LG and the rest have plenty to show us -- there's bound to be something beyond European TV pricing and very expensive home appliances. It's already started, and we're hoping for some surprises from Chinese tech companies later in the week. You can catch all our reports, videos and stories right here.
Acer's new Windows Mixed Reality headset has detachable parts
Acer has launched a new Windows 10 Mixed Reality headset at IFA 2018, and the manufacturer says it has a unique detachable design that's a first in the category. Called the OJO 500, the model features detachable components: To be precise, its lens and head strap are removable for easy cleaning and storage. Acer created it that way for those planning to share a headset with friends and people who run establishments or theme parks that offer VR experiences.
Acer's Chromebook 514 touts metal-and-glass design for $350
If you want a Chromebook made with premium materials and design instead of creaky plastic, that usually means spending extra on performance you don't necessarily need. Acer, at least, is trying to offer better quality without inflating the cost. Its new Chromebook 514 melds an aluminum chassis, a Gorilla Glass-covered trackpad and a thin-bezel (on the sides) 14-inch 1080p display for a $350 (€349) starting price. Acer is coy about the processor inside, but it is promising a healthy 12-hour battery, USB-C ports, an "HDR" webcam and an optional touchscreen.
Acer's Predator Thronos is a cockpit masquerading as gaming chair
Who needs a desk when you can just sit back in a recliner and surround yourself with monitors? That's the basic idea behind Acer's Predator Thronos gaming chair. It looks less like a piece of furniture and more like something you'd find in an arcade. The chair measures 1.5 meters tall, has an ergonomic seat that reclines to 140 degrees, and of course, there's built-in rumbling. You can also fit three 27-inch monitors around you, which makes the Thronos an ideal setup for flight sims, as well as a Predator gaming desktop.
Skagen revamps its slick-looking Falster smartwatch
Skagen's Falster has been one of the darlings among Wear OS smartwatches thanks to its posh yet minimalist look, but it was hard to recommend to everyone when there were no standout features besides the design. The Fossil-owned brand is fixing that today with the Falster 2. It still maintains the Danish brand's aesthetic but introduces a heart-rate sensor, GPS and NFC payments. You can use this to track an outdoor run and pay for a snack after your workout. Skagen is promising some tangible improvements on the outside, too.
Dell gives its Inspiron 2-in-1 laptops a meaningful refresh
Dell is refreshing its Inspiron line of notebooks for the holiday season, and instead of simply updating them with the latest eighth-generation Intel processors, the company is adding functional features. The new Inspirons come with narrower bezels, redesigned heat dissipation with vents carved into their hinges, USB-C DisplayPort compatibility and Alexa. It might not seem like the most riveting set of updates, but overall, they make the Inspiron lineup feel more modern and sophisticated.
