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06.01.2025 19:40 AMD’s CES 2025 presser is nearly upon us and rumors are swirling about new graphics cards, CPUs and more. The company regularly uses CES to promote upcoming chips and this year should be no different. To that end, the organization unveiled the AI-centric Ryzen 8000G desktop chips at CES 2024. What to expect at AMD's CES 2025 press conference Rumors have been flying for weeks regarding AMD’s probable CES 2025 announcements. There’s a safe bet that the company will reveal its new RX 9070 XT graphics cards. These will likely be based on the new RDNA 4 architecture and should operate as a great mid-range GPU option. It’s also probable that AMD will finally announce the long-awaited next-gen 50-series GeForce RTX GPUs. The company typically sticks to laptop components during CES, but it’ll likely break tradition to unveil these desktop chips. It’s been rumored that the company will even present the Strix Halo mobile chip. This one is expected to bring a 40 compute unit GPU onto a single die alongside the CPU. This could translate to smaller and lighter gaming laptops, without sacrificing power. Finally, some folks have been reporting that AMD will unveil a new gaming handheld CPU that could be a direct follow up to the Ryzen Z1 Extreme. The Z1 Extreme currently powers stuff like the Asus ROG Ally X and the Lenovo Legion Go. AMD's CES 2025 livestream You can watch the AMD CES press conference as it happens below. The feed will start Monday, January 6 at 2PM ET. Other companies holding their own CES press events include Intel, Sony and Samsung.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/amd-ces-2025-press-conference-watch-it-here-today-at-2pm-et-182557163.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 Some of the best tech we see at CES feels pulled straight from sci-fi. Yesterday at CES 2025, I tested out Neural Lab's AirTouch technology, which lets you interact with a display using hand gestures alone, exactly what movies like Minority Report and Iron Man promised. Of course, plenty of companies have delivered on varying forms of gesture control. Microsoft's Kinect is an early example while the Apple Watch's double tap feature and Vision Pro's pinch gestures are just two of many current iterations. But I was impressed with how well AirTouch delivered and, unlike most gesture technology out there, it requires no special equipment — just a standard webcam — and works with a wide range of devices. Neural Lab's software is compatible with tablets, computers and really any device running at least Android 11, Windows 10 and later or Linux. The technology was developed with accessibility in mind after one of the founders had trouble keeping in touch with their parents overseas because navigating video conferencing programs was just too difficult for the older generation. The Neural Labs representative I spoke with added how his parents preferred using an iPad to a computer/mouse/keyboard combo because touch controls are so much more intuitive. With AirTouch, they can use their TV much like they do a tablet. In addition to accessibility, there are plenty of commercial applications too — such as letting surgeons manipulate MRI scans without touching anything or a more commonplace scenario like moving through slides in a presentation. AirTouch tracks 3D hand movements and keys off of eye gazes to recognize intent, allowing it to ignore extraneous gestures. It currently supports nine gestures and customization allows users to program up to 15. I tried out two demonstrations: a 3D screen with an animated image of a tree frog and a monitor displaying a webpage on a browser. On the 3D screen, holding up one finger dropped a pinecone on the frog's head, two fingers dropped an acorn, a thumbs up spun the frog around on its leaf perch and a quiet coyote gesture turned it back. It took me all of 15 seconds to learn and use the four gestures and soon I was raining down acorns on the poor frog like some ill-tempered squirrel. It was nearly as easy to control the screen displaying the web browser. Moving my hand around dragged the cursor across the screen and pinching took the place of clicking. I was able to scroll around on a streaming site, pick something to play, pause it and start it back up again within seconds of learning the hand movements. There were a few instances where my movements didn't do the thing I'd hoped, but after a few tries, I started to get the hang of the controls. AirTouch is available now as a $30-per-month subscription for individuals . Neural Labs says it takes just five minutes to install the software on any compatible device. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/neural-labs-airtouch-brings-gesture-control-to-windows-and-android-devices-with-just-a-webcam-180031750.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 I tried to go into meeting Mirumi with a heart of steel. There are a lot of cute robots at CES every year, that is a given, and you can’t just let yourself get wooed by every puppy-eyed bot that looks your way. But boy did I melt immediately when that silly little thing locked its gaze on me, then bashfully tucked its head away. Mirumi is the latest bizarre-but-endearing robot from Japanese startup Yukai Engineering, the company responsible for the Qoobo cat-tailed pillow and the finger-nibbling kitty plush, Amagami Ham Ham. All it does is stare at you and move its head around a little until you’ve successfully been tricked into a few moments of happiness. The idea is to emulate that distinctly joyful experience of meeting eyes with a baby in public — a quick, random interaction that can turn your mood around. Mirumi looks like the combination of a fledgling bird and a shrunken-down yeti, and its long arms let it cling to objects like a purse handle so it can come along wherever you go, and stare down strangers. Inside Mirumi is a distance sensor and an inertial measurement unit, which tell it when there are people nearby and when it’s on the move or being touched. It has different responses for each of these scenarios. When a person first comes into its line of vision, for example, it will get shy and briefly hide its face, like it did for me. Then, it cautiously peeks out again. Jostle it around and it might shake its head, “No.” It doesn’t make any sounds. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Playing with Mirumi at CES Unveiled, I found myself delighted at absolutely everything it did. It has a nice bit of weight to it when you pick it up, sort of like a tiny kitten. And on that same note, its little movements make it give off a subtle vibration, almost as if it were purring. I hooked its bendable arms around my wrist, which also had a bulky watch on it and a camera dangling by the strap, and Mirumi felt pretty secure on top of all that as I gently waved it around. On a thinner perch, like a bag strap, its arms wrap fully for a better hold. . Mirumi is rechargeable and should last about eight hours before it needs to be plugged in again. We don’t know yet what the final color options will be, but Yukai had white, black and peach Mirumis on display. The company is planning to launch a crowd-funding campaign later this year before releasing the robot, and it hasn’t yet been determined if it will be sold internationally. Is it kind of ridiculous? Yes, absolutely. Especially when you consider the price: around $70, according to a Yukai rep. But kind of ridiculous is Yukai’s whole thing, and at least for me , Mirumi elicited the exact emotional response it was made for. “This is all about making people around you happier,” Yukai’s Hiroko Sato said during our chat at CES Unveiled. I can’t really hate on that. Speaking of ridiculous, Yukai is also showing off a small cat-shaped device called Nékojita FuFu that will blow on food or a hot drink to cool it off for you. Its curved arms hook onto the side of a mug or bowl, or it can be set down on a flat surface to blow on a plate. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget The company says it can bring down the temperature of hot water by 30 degrees Fahrenheit in three to five minutes. We didn’t have any scalding liquids on hand to test that out on the show floor, but it’s basically just a small fan with different blowing modes packaged in a cute silicone body, and the fan did indeed blow air. As a person who waits an annoyingly long time to take the first sip of coffee or soup because I’m really sensitive to temperatures, I can appreciate an option that doesn’t involve me doing all that work. I can’t see myself going out and buying this, but it strikes me as the sort of product that makes for a fun gift — the kind that’s partially a joke, but also functional. Nékojita FuFu is expected to be released later this year for $25 following a crowd-funding campaign. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/this-fluffball-robot-stole-my-heart-at-ces-2025-173009630.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 Microsoft is allowing PC Game Pass members over the age of 18 to earn rewards by playing PC games, a perk previously available only to console gamers with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. This update goes into effect on January 7. Subscribers will earn points by playing any game from the Game Pass catalog for 15 minutes or more. Do that for five days a week, and they'll start a streak that increases a multiplier. A four-week streak results in four times the points. There are additional bonuses for playing four or eight different titles per month, but again, they'll have to meet that 15 minute threshold. While PC players are no longer left out, the points only rack up on Game Pass catalog games — games requiring a third-party launcher, including anything through Battle.net, don't count. The PC Weekly bonus will also be available to all Game Pass Rewards members above the age of 18. Additionally, the console weekly bonus and daily PC play are rebalanced to 150 points and 10 points, respectively. As touched on by EuroGamer, Microsoft kneecapped the Game Pass experience in recent memory, as rewards were made more challenging to obtain. It seems like the tech giant is trying to get into the good graces of Game Pass subscribers again.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/xboxs-game-pass-now-rewards-users-for-playing-pc-games-171529965.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 At CES 2025, Satechi introduced a new accessory for the Mac Mini that combines a stand with some handy additional ports for the Apple computer. The Mac Mini M4 Stand Hub with SSD Enclosure will release on February 17 with limited availability; the company expects the product to be widely available in March. It will retail for $100. One of the main selling points of this item is that it makes accessing the petite PC's power button easier. The stand elevates the Mac Mini off your desk, but leaves a concave space so that you can reach the power button on the bottom of its rear side. This awkward location was one of the very few dings we had against the Mac Mini M4 in our review of the computer. On the front of the hub are USB-A 3.2 and 2.0 ports, as well as an SD card reader that promises speeds of "up to 312MB/s" for file transfers. The SSD enclosure allows you to add up to 4TB of NVMe storage for the Mac Mini. The hub has a recessed space at the top to keep from obstructing the Mac Mini's fans, and it comes with its own bottom vents as well. Design-wise, the stand looks like a slightly squatter version of the Mac Mini, boasting a similar finish and profile to the computer. There are a lot of quality USB-C hubs on the market, but customers who favor the Mac Mini for its simplicity and small footprint might appreciate how cleanly this Satechi accessory pairs with the machine. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/satechi-details-new-mac-mini-m4-stand-at-ces-2025-170038397.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 Before CES 2025 began, LG appointed will.i.am as its "Experiential Architect," working with the rapper and singer on the "development, design and brand marketing" of its xboom audio line. Today, the company revealed the first results of the collaboration with the xboom Bounce, Grab and Stage 301 speakers alongside the xboom Buds. I haven't gotten a chance to try the noise-canceling earbuds yet, but I did hear all three of the speakers in LG's home theater suite in Las Vegas. The xboom Grab is the smallest of the three speakers. It's a cylinder-shaped device, complete with lighting that projects out from the bottom . Controls for power, volume, play/pause and Bluetooth sit up top. The compact design is meant to be taken anywhere, and the speaker will even fit in a cup holder. Straps enable you to affix the xboom Grab to hooks, handles and other objects in either a vertical or horizontal fashion. This speaker is IP67 rated dust and waterproof, plus it passed the Military Standard 810G durability test. You can also expect up to 20 hours of battery life on a charge. I was pleasantly surprised by how much bass the xboom Grab mustered during my demo, with punchy highs and solid mids holding the details. That low-end tone seemed slightly muffled to me, but I only got a quick listen, so a full review would confirm if that's actually the case. The other surprising thing is how loud the xboom Grab can be. At only 50 percent volume, the compact unit produced an almost uncomfortable level of sound for the room. The next speaker in the lineup is the xboom Bounce. Named for the bouncing passive radiators on the top that also light up to the beat. LG promises "precise highs and an expanded soundstage, surrounding listeners with enhanced clarity and depth" on this device thanks to those radiators, dual dome tweeters and a track-type woofer. This one is also IP67 rated and military-grade tested for durability, plus it offers up to 30 hours or battery life. If you seek bassy thump in a portable LG speaker, this will be the option for you. The bass here is much fuller than the xboom Grab, and once again it doesn't drown out the crisp highs and mids. This was my favorite of the three in terms of overall audio performance, although I could do without the pulsing lights. Lastly, there's the xboom Stage 301: a speaker designed for performances and karaoke. Inside, a 6.5-inch woofer and dual 2.5-inch midrange drivers power 120 watts of 2.1-channel sound that LG describes as "rich, full-bodied audio." The Stage 301 has a wedge design that's akin to a stage monitor with a built-in handle for easy transport. You can also sit this speaker on a tripod, in addition to flat and tilted orientations. There's only an IPX4 water resistance rating here, but the battery is replaceable. Each one provides up to 11 hours of use. The xboom Stage 301 will offer an alternative to the party box speakers from the likes of JBL, Sony and others. LG says the unit is "optimized for busking, karaoke night or any sort of indoors or outdoors gathering." This was definitely the loudest of the three, which isn't a surprise given the size and power. There's plenty of bass, all of that wattage easily fills a large room and all of the controls you'd need are right up top — including a dedicated EQ button. All three of the new xboom speakers have a dedicated button to instantly connect to will.i.am’s RAiDiO.FYI platform. This service offers customized content at the hands of an AI radio host. That's not all of the AI that's onboard though. AI Sound analyzes content to automatically make adjustments, AI Lighting ensures the visuals match the tunes and AI Calibration helps the speakers "recognize" the environment to properly produce "ample" sound for indoor and outdoor spaces. You can also use Auracast to pair multiple xboom units together in Party Link mode, and you don't have to open an app to do so. I'm hoping to listen to the xboom Buds later this week, but here's a quick rundown of what to expect there. The active noise cancellation earbuds have graphene drivers inside, which LG says produce "pure, well-balanced sound with rich bass." The company developed a new earbud shape to increase comfort, adding ergonomic ear tips and small fins for stability. The xboom Buds are also quite tiny, which should add to the overall comfiness as well. In terms of battery life, there's 10 hours on a charge with two additional top ups in the case. There's no word on pricing or availability yet for any of the so-called xboom by will.i.am products, but LG has announced they'll arrive later this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/lg-xboom-speakers-hands-on-built-with-the-help-of-william-and-a-dash-of-ai-170030904.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 Disney and Fubo have reached an agreement to merge Hulu + Live TV with FuboTV, the companies announced via a press release. This will create a new entity that Disney owns 70 percent of, with Fubo taking up the remaining 30 percent. Once combined, the service will boast over six million subscribers, making it the second-biggest digital pay-TV provider behind YouTube TV. This deal only includes Hulu + Live TV, and not the traditional Hulu subscription, as noted by Bloomberg. The combined business will operate under Fubo, with current management staying on, though both FuboTV and Hulu + Live TV will continue to stream as separate entities. The new business will also negotiate carriage agreements with content providers without help from Disney. Fubo and Disney’s Hulu + Live TV Virtual MVPD Businesses to Combinehttps://t.co/skLpduPhOj— Fubo PR January 6, 2025 Fubo plans on creating a new live streaming service dedicated exclusively to sports, which will leverage Disney’s contracts and broadcast networks like ABC and ESPN. As part of this deal, Fubo will drop all legal claims against the company regarding Venu Sports. Venu is a forthcoming sports-focused streaming service that will air content from Disney/ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox. The multi-company streamer was supposed to launch last fall, but has been delayed due to an antitrust suit brought forth by Fubo. A hearing was scheduled for January 6, so this merger announcement certainly has auspicious timing. Today's deal means that Venu Sports could once again be coming soon. An unnamed source told The Hollywood Reporter that this is likely the plan, but we don’t know if or when it will become available. The agreement also includes new distribution rights between Fubo and Disney, in which the former will be allowed to offer a bundle built around ESPN and ABC. Additionally, Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery will pay Fubo $220 million, with Disney loaning the company an additional $145 million. The merger is expected to be completed within the next 12 to 18 months, pending regulatory approval. There’s a clause in the contract that mandates Disney pay Fubo $130 million if the transaction fails to close for any number of reasons.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/disney-to-merge-hulu--live-tv-with-fubo-challenging-youtube-tv-163627571.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 Ecobee introduced a new smart thermostat at CES 2025 and it looks pretty nifty. The Smart Thermostat Essential is packed with most of the features found with the $250 premium model, only with a price tag of $130. There’s a full-color touchscreen for making adjustments, though that can also be done via the Ecobee mobile app. The app will send alerts to “prevent heating and cooling disruptions” and will even whip up a comprehensive home energy report each month to provide a macro look at energy usage. This is a modern smart thermostat, so customers can also use smart assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit for the aforementioned adjustments. Ecobee Ecobee says the Smart Thermostat Essential is packed with software that will automatically learn how long it takes to heat and cool the home, which will then inform the device of how much energy to use to reach a desired temperature. The end result? A cheaper utility bill. The company claims that this thermostat will actually pay for itself in just six months. The savings can be increased by adding a few of the company’s optional SmartSensors, which cost around $55 per pair. These sensors will teach the thermostat which rooms are used the most, so they’ll get increased temperature regulation. Ecobee promises that the thermostat is easy to install, but it likely still requires some light wiring. Anyone familiar with smart thermostats should know the drill. The Smart Thermostat Essential will be available at major retailers in March. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/ecobees-smart-thermostat-essential-is-packed-with-features-but-still-affordable-160046079.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 Audio brand JLab has unveiled its first headphones with adaptive active noise cancellation at CES 2025. The company's Epic Lux Lab Edition Wireless Headphones will cost $199. Pre-orders begin today and shipments are expected to go out starting January 30. The Epic Lux Lab is an over-ear headphone set with 32mm high-fidelity custom dynamic drivers. The set's adaptive ANC can react in real-time to changes in ambient noise levels. Its noise cancelling mode can diminish environmental audio up to 42 dB, while the Be Aware mode allows outside sounds to reach the user. Both modes can be customized with the JLab app. The headphones come with a magnetic wireless charging pad and also have a built-in USB-C port for wired charging. JLab says the Epic Lux Lab can deliver "over 90+ hours of playtime on a single charge," or 60 hours when active noise cancelling is in use. In addition to the Epic Lux Lab, JLab is also introducing an on-ear headset at CES called the Go Lux ANC Wireless. This option provides hybrid active noise cancellation of up to 30 dB as well as a Be Aware mode. The Go Lux ANC Wireless only support wired charging via USB-C, but will last up to 70 hours depending on use cases. These entry-level headphones retail for $50. Like the upscale option, pre-orders are open now and the product is slated to begin shipping on January 30.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/jlab-debuts-its-first-adaptive-active-noise-cancellation-headphones-at-ces-2025-160036341.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 This week at CES, Google presented an early look at new software and hardware upgrades coming to Google TV devices. The new features include the integration of Gemini, Google's AI model, to the Google Assistant, as well as a new ambient experience. New smart TVs with Google TV will also gain far-field mics and proximity sensors to support the new software perks. If you've used a Google TV or Google streaming device, you may have already used the "hey Google" prompt to search for shows to watch. With the addition of Gemini, those "conversations" should now feel more natural. Asking follow up questions or even changing topics to ask about something else won't require you to say the prompt again. You should also be able to search for content more intuitively, saying things like, "What are the newest movies from Disney?" Interacting with your connected smart home devices should be easier as well, letting you say, for example, "Who's at the front door?" to view your video doorbell feed. The new Google TV experience will include YouTube videos to supplement answers to your queries. So if you ask, "what are the best pizza places in Chicago?" your TV will give you a list of videos to check out. To facilitate the new AI-fueled Assistant capabilities, Google TV sets will now come standard with far-field microphones so you can talk to the Google Assistant without the remote. Google is also working on a new ambient experience that will rely on proximity sensors to trigger an on-screen hub that shows personalized widgets like weather, news, traffic and so on. And when you're not viewing the hub or actively watching TV, an always-on mode can display art or even AI-generated screensavers, again enabled by Gemini's smarts. We've seen versions of some of these features before. Amazon's Echo Show smart displays rely on proximity sensors to display personal details. Supplementing your queries with YouTube videos and creating AI screensavers with voice prompts are both features we saw with the new Google TV Streamer from last year. And of course, AI integration has been an unofficial mandate for every tech company throughout 2024 and it's everywhere at CES this year. If the new smarts makes finding something good to watch an easier endeavor, it'll be a welcome use of the technology. Google demonstrated the new features at CES this week and has said the technology will be available on new Google TV devices sometime this year, but we don't have a firm date for when the new devices will be available. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/gemini-ai-is-coming-to-google-tv-devices-in-2025-making-them-easier-to-talk-to-160003805.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 LG The LG press conference is kick off CES press day, and you can watch it here live , as well as read our liveblog commentary. Look for the Korea-based company to expand on some of its early announcements, including: The 2025 OLED evo TV line The PF600U HD projector The compact S20A soundbar The newest LG Signature microwave that includes a built-in 27-inch touchscreen display on its door Watch the LG CES 2025 livestream You can watch the LG CES press conference as it happens below. The feed starts Monday, January 6 at 11:00AM ET. From earlier: LG kicks things off on this “press day” at CES 2025, the full day of press conferences that precede the show’s official opening on Tuesday. LG executives will take the stage at Mandalay Bay at 8AM PT on Monday and you can catch all of the announcements right here. Last year, LG pre-empted Apple by giving “AI” a new meaning. In the company’s parlance, it's "Affectionate Intelligence" and that remains the same this year as LG continues to lean into AI. When it comes to more tangible products, the transparent OLED-T TV the company announced in 2024 did actually go up for pre-order last year to the tune of a $60,000 price tag. That came in addition to LG’s expected appliance push and new EV chargers, but , the little home robot that LG introduced last year hasn't been seen since. What to expect at the LG CES 2025 press conference Beyond the "AI everywhere" angle , expect LG to tie together its full range of product categories, from TVs to appliances and everything in between. And because LG has tended to tip its hand in the days and weeks before CES, we already have some idea of what to expect. We already know that the company's 2025 OLED evo TV line will pair 4K resolution with gaming-friendly 165Hz refresh rate. Meanwhile, the new PF600U packs an HD projector, Bluetooth speaker and LED mood lamp into something that looks like an old-school oscillating floor fan. On the audio front, Engadget's Billy Steele already likes the "punchy highs" he heard during a quick demo of the compact S20A soundbar. And the newest LG Signature microwave includes a built-in 27-inch touchscreen display on its door, so your kitchen will never be without a screen. Of course, we're hoping to see another take on transparent TVs and maybe a real-world look at that robot, too. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/lg-ces-2025-press-conference-and-liveblog-see-new-oled-tvs-and-more-as-theyre-unveiled-013155152.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 Apple's AirTag is the best Bluetooth tracker for iPhone users, and if you've been thinking about picking some up, now would be a good time to do so. A four-pack of AirTags has dropped to $70, which is $29 off the regular price. That marks a return to a record-low price for the bundle. If you'd rather buy just one AirTag for now to test it out, there's some good news on that front as well. A single AirTag will currently run you $23. That's six bucks off the usual price. AirTags take just seconds to set up using an iPhone. They are integrated into the Find My network, so you don't have to register for another service or download a separate app. AirTags also support the ultra-wideband wireless protocol. When your iPhone gets within roughly 25 feet of a linked AirTag, you'll see directional arrows and an approximate distance meter to help you locate it. On top of that, Apple recently revealed that several major airlines are adding support for AirTag tracking to their systems. The idea is to help you more easily locate any missing bag that has an AirTag inside. Meanwhile, you might be interested in picking up some AirTag accessories to, say, more easily attach them to your keychain. We've got you covered there too, thanks to our round-up of the best AirTag accessories. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/a-four-pack-of-apple-airtags-has-dropped-to-70-150049936.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 With the increasing popularity of 4K and even 8K displays, today at CES 2025 the HDMI Forum officially revealed version 2.2 of the HDMI spec. While the shape of the connector and its general capabilities aren’t changing a ton, the big upgrade for HDMI 2.2 is that it can now support bandwidths of up to 96Gbps. This should make it significantly easier to send content with higher refresh rates and resolutions to compatible displays to help ensure your content looks as good as possible. Notably, alongside the increased bandwidth, the HDMI Forum is also rolling out new Ultra96 HDMI branded cables that will be part of the organization's certification process to help customers better identify when they are buying a compatible HDMI cord. The forum says testing will be required for each model length and instructed to display an official Certification Label on the cable itself. Other additions to the spec include next-gen Fixed Rate Link signaling technology which is designed to better support uncompressed content at 4K60 resolutions and above. Also, the inclusion of a new Latency Indication Protocol should improve audio and data synchronization, particularly for multi-device setups like those with dedicated receivers or soundbars. That said, while HDMI 2.2 looks like a very useful upgrade to support higher quality audio and video, don’t try to run out and upgrade all your gear right away. The HDMI Forums says the official spec will be released to all HDMI 2.x adopters in the first half 2025, so it will take some additional time after that for compatible devices to begin hitting the market.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/hdmi-version-22-adds-support-for-bandwidth-of-up-to-96gbps-150046354.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 Resideo, the company behind Honeywell Home smart devices, announced a new Matter-enabled thermostat at CES 2025 that’ll work with your Amazon, Google or Apple smart home setup. It’s also Energy Star certified, meaning it’s met EPA-set levels of efficiency and could save you some money on heating and cooling your home. The Honeywell Home X2S thermostat is positioned as a no-fuss smart home device that may appeal to those who aren’t necessarily all-in on the latest technology but still want the energy and convenience perks. The Matter smart home standard is meant to make for a smoother process setting up and controlling your IoT devices, allowing you to keep using your preferred assistants rather than stressing over compatibility issues. Matter 1.4, the latest version, was released in November. The X2S will work with most routers — both 2.4GHz and 5GHz — according to Resideo, as well as most HVAC systems. It’s “ideal for those who are looking to upgrade their thermostat but may be intimidated by installing smart home technology,” said Pat Tessier, VP of Product Development for Resideo’s First Alert and Honeywell Home. The X2S is also compatible with Resideo’s First Alert app, which you can use for thermostat controls, schedules and automatic energy optimization when no one’s home. It’ll also provide readings on humidity levels inside the home, and offer reminders for when you need to change air filters. The Honeywell Home X2S Smart Thermostat will be released this spring in the US and Canada for $80, and you’ll be able to find it at retail stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Target and Walmart.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/honeywell-homes-new-matter-device-is-an-energy-efficient-smart-thermostat-150044882.html?src=rss

06.01.2025 19:40 New year, new hobby? I don't know about you, but I often find that cost is what's standing in the way of me pursuing new crafts . So, I'm always excited when a device is on sale that allows people to pursue creativity and fun. In this case, it's not just the device: Right now, you can get the GoPro Hero13 Black accessory bundle for $300, down from $450 — a 33 percent discount. This sale brings it to a record-low price and $50 lower than its Black Friday deal. The GoPro Hero13 accessory bundle comes with the action cam and the Handler, two Enduro batteries, two curved adhesive mounts, a 64GB SanDisk MicroSD Card and a carrying case. Basically, if your new year's resolution was to dive into using a GoPro, then this sets you up with everything you need. GoPro released the Hero13 in September and it offered a few upgrades. It comes with a 10 percent bigger battery than its predecessor, which allows it to capture an hour and a half of 4K video at 30fps. It should also run longer in extreme temperatures. The action cam offers a max resolution of 5.3K at 120fps and supports Hybrid Log Gamma. Plus, it's Bluetooth compatible with AirPods and other wireless headphones. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/gopros-hero-13-black-bundle-with-accessories-is-150-off-right-now-144540567.html?src=rss