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TCL is experimenting with a personal cinema visor
TCL turned up at IFA this year with a couple of prototype devices that it hopes will inform the future direction of its products. The first was a "wearable display concept" that looks an awful lot like the personal cinema headsets that pop up every 18 months or so. It's a pair of smart glasses with two OLED displays hovering over your eyes to try and trick you into thinking you're sat in a cinema.
TCL's first major smartphone is affordable like its TVs
You may know TCL as the maker of affordable TVs, but the company makes a whole lot more than that. Like Samsung and LG, the Chinese conglomerate also produces appliances like washing machines, as well as mobile phones. That's not just under the brands it owns like BlackBerry and Alcatel, either. TCL itself has smartphones, too -- they just haven't been widely available outside of China. That is, until now. At IFA 2019, the company is unveiling the TCL Plex -- its first globally available smartphone (not counting the US, anyway). And it's surprisingly feature-packed.
GlobalFoundries lawsuit threatens sales bans against Apple, NVIDIA
The competition between semiconductor giants is getting ugly, and it could have an unfortunate impact on many of the devices you buy. GlobalFoundries has sued the Taiwanese firm TSMC for allegedly violating 16 patents tied to its chip production business, including ones for semiconductor interconnects and the common FinFET design used in newer processors. The multiple lawsuits (plus complaints at the US International Trade Commission) claim 20 tech companies are infringing on its concepts, and they're definitely names you'll recognize. Apple, ASUS, Google, Lenovo, NVIDIA, OnePlus and Qualcomm are all accused of treading on GlobalFoundries' technology, although Moor Insights' Patrick Moorhead believed their inclusion was mainly meant as leverage against TSMC.
The best TVs and streamers to use in a dorm room
Sure, studying is important. But in between classes and hitting the books everyone will need time to relax with some Netflix. Some students might be able to get by with just a laptop, tablet or even phone for TV watching, but we think you can do better without breaking the bank. We've picked out a few TVs, keeping in mind that students will need sets that are smaller and not too expensive. And, if you happen to pick a TV that doesn't already have streaming apps built in, we've listed some of our favorite streaming devices, too. Speaking of streaming apps, you'll need good stuff to watch. We're not bothering recommending Netflix because let's face it, you probably already are mooching off your parents have your own account. Instead, allow us to recommend some services you might not have heard of -- say, for anime and manga fans.
BlackBerry's marginally upgraded, red-accented KEY2 is out today
The BlackBerry KEY2 Red Edition lands in the US today with double the storage out of the box (128GB). More of a stop-gap than a sequel, the handset also packs Hub+ software improvements and refreshed versions of the BlackBerry Hub and BlackBerry Calendar. Plus you get red earbuds to match the scarlet hues on the phone's front and sides (and in-between the keys on that touch-sensitive keyboard).
Google brings dedicated Assistant buttons to more phones
Google Assistant buttons won't just be limited to a handful of LG phones this year. The internet giant has widened its partnerships to add dedicated buttons to a whole range of handsets in 2019, including returning partner LG (on phones like the G8 ThinQ, V50 ThinQ and K40) and Nokia (3.2 and 4.2). Phones from Xiaomi (Mi Mix 3 5G and Mi 9), Vivo (V15 Pro) and TCL are also in line for Assistant buttons later on. Google expects over 100 million phones to ship with a hardware shortcut to its AI helper, and that's not including Samsung phone owners who remap their Bixby buttons.
Alcatel's latest budget phones pack extra-tall displays
Alcatel is rather fond of bringing trendy smartphone features to low-cost devices, and that's true than ever for its 2019 lineup. Its new Alcatel 3 (above) and 3L phones both have extra-tall 19.5:9 displays with teardrop notches, giving you a more expansive view than you're used to in budget handsets. You can also expect dual rear cameras (13 megapixels and 5 megapixels) for portrait-style photos, and it's hopping on the AI bandwagon with intelligent photo scene detection as well as a basic face unlock feature for the 8-megapixel front cam.
BlackBerry KEY2 will be available in a souped-up red model
You're unlikely to see a full-on sequel to the BlackBerry KEY2 for a few months or more, but the BlackBerry Mobile team does have something to keep QWERTY phone fans enthused in the meantime. It's launching a KEY2 Red Edition that covers the front and sides (not to mention the bundled earbuds) with deep red -- think of it as a more refined take on the KEY2 LE. It's not just a cosmetic upgrade, thankfully, as the red-hued model also comes with double the storage at 128GB.
TCL's folding phone projects include a watch-like bracelet
Multiple companies have ideas as to how they'll develop folding smartphones. TCL, however, isn't content to settle on one -- it's seemingly tackling them all. CNET has obtained images and patent filings that show TCL exploring five foldable designs. Four of them are ultimately variants on a theme (folding horizontally or vertically, inward or outward), but a fifth model would turn into a smartwatch-style bracelet. Effectively, it'd resurrect Lenovo's Cplus concept as a practical product.
Sonos is reportedly working on wireless headphones
Sonos is reportedly planning to take its brand outside the home with its own wireless headphones. The project is in its early stages, though the company has already contacted potential manufacturing partners about building headphones, according to Bloomberg.
Alcatel's inexpensive 1X and 1C phones bring some important upgrades
CES isn't really known for its surplus of smartphones, but a few notable new options do pop up from time to time. This year's set of affordable phones comes courtesy of Alcatel and TCL, which just announced its updated 1X and 1C models -- just be aware that only the 1X is coming to the US.
'Venom' and 'Alpha' will be the first IMAX Enhanced 4K blockbusters
The 'IMAX Enhanced' tag that IMAX and DTS teamed up to create for home entertainment is continuing to expand with several announcements at CES. According to its backers, the label means that content is mastered using the latest "proprietary post-production process developed by IMAX while a "special variant" of DTS:X pumps up the audio to deliver an "immersive" IMAX experience at home. Today the group added three general outlets for streaming IMAX Enhanced content: Tencent in China, FandangoNow in the US and RakutenTV in Europe, plus Privilege 4K in the US for Sony TVs. Sony Pictures announced that Venom and Alpha will be among the first blockbuster movie titles available with the tag. while Paramount has also pledged support. Arcam, Elite, Integra, Lexicon, Onkyo, Pioneer and Trinnov are working on certified A/V receivers, while TCL has joined Sony in developing certified TVs. Meanwhile, an IMAX Certified Mode to optimize settings based on content is still in development.
TCL announces its first sets of headphones
TCL is expanding beyond TVs, soundbars and phones by moving into the headphone market. The company announced four lines of cans at CES, ranging from in-ear to over-ear styles. They're targeted towards different groups of consumers: social butterflies (SOCL), urban users (MTRO), sports enthusiasts (ACTV) and fans of luxury products (ELIT).
TCL is working on 8K Roku TVs
Today, TCL announced that it's working on a range of 8K TVs that will be available in screen sizes of 75 inches and larger. They will fall under the company's 8-Series line which, somewhat confusingly, will also include some 4K HDR options later this year. TCL said its 8K TVs will run Roku's lightweight software and support upscaling for 4K and 1080p content, as well as "the latest HDMI standards," ensuring they play nice with future video game consoles and set-top boxes. They will also use Quantum Contrast, a new backlight technology based on mini-LEDs, and QLED, which uses Quantum Dots to improve color brightness and intensity. Chas Smith, SVP and GM of Roku TV, said: "In designing and delivering 8K TCL Roku TVs we will reach new heights by offering beautiful picture quality combined with America's No. 1 TV streaming platform."
TCL's first soundbars ship this spring
TCL is getting into the soundbar game -- no, for real this time! Last year, the company announced the TCL Roku Smart Soundbar, the first product in a new line of Alto-branded audio hardware. The problem? That soundbar never actually shipped. We're not sure what happened, but it hasn't stopped TCL from pursuing its home speaker aspirations. Today, the company has unveiled two new soundbars: the Alto 5 and 7. The former is 31.5 inches wide and designed for 43-inch or larger TVs. The latter, meanwhile, is 36 inches long and meant for 55-inch or higher panels.
Photos leak of a 3.3-inch Palm-branded Android phone
After releasing some well-received BlackBerry Android devices, TCL's next mobile brand reclamation project is Palm. Now Android Police has pictures of a phone apparently codenamed "Pepito" that it says could be released on Verizon later this year. Eschewing the "bigger is better" and notch trends, the tiny 3.3-inch device reportedly has a 720p screen, Snapdragon 435 CPU, no headphone jack, 3 GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and a small 800mAh battery.
Senator probes Alphabet and Twitter on data-sharing with Chinese firms
The New York Times recently revealed that Facebook entered into agreements with at least 60 mobile device companies, giving them access to Facebook user data so that the companies could recreate Facebook-like features. Among those companies are four Chinese firms -- Huawei, Lenovo, Oppo and TCL -- which has spurred some concern among US lawmakers. Today, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) sent letters to both Alphabet and Twitter, inquiring as to whether they entered into similar data-sharing agreements with any mobile device companies based in China.
Senator wants Mark Zuckerberg to testify on Huawei data sharing
Mark Zuckerberg could be in for another Senate hearing if Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) has his way. Today, Markey sent a letter to Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) -- chair and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, respectively -- requesting they call the Facebook CEO to testify about Facebook's practice of sharing private user data with mobile phone companies. Specifically, Markey is concerned about the data provided to four Chinese companies -- Huawei, Lenovo, Oppo and TCL.
Alcatel's first Android Go phone reaches the US next week
ZTE's Android Go phone might be hard to get in the US thanks to its trade debacle, but don't worry -- there's another option on the way. As teased in March, Alcatel is releasing its Go-equipped 1X phone in the US sometime next week (the first full week of June) in a carrier-unlocked form for $100. It'll be available through Amazon at first, but should be available through Best Buy and Walmart's online store in the weeks ahead. As with other Go devices, the hardware isn't really the highlight here -- it's all about the software.
TCL's premium 4K HDR Roku TVs start at $649
TCL had a pretty good year in 2017, with over 23 million TVs shipped around the world. It even climbed the ranks to become the number two TV brand in the US, according to last September's NPD report. One of the reasons for that is the affordable price point of its TVs, as well as its partnership with Roku. So, in 2018, the company is aiming higher. At CES, it introduced its new premium 6-Series, which boasts a slim, metal design and even better display quality. And today, TCL announced pricing for the TVs: The 55-inch model will be $649 while the 65-inch version will retail at $999. You can pre-order it starting today, and it'll be available on store shelves starting May 1st.
