JBL Latest PartyBox Lineup Launched at CES 2025

At CES 2025, JBL introduced its latest PartyBox lineup, further cementing its position as the leader in portable and party speakers. The new models feature advanced audio technology, including JBL Pro Sound and AI Sound Boost, which optimizes sound in real time for dynamic bass and crystal-clear treble, ensuring top-notch audio for any setting. Key innovations like replaceable batteries, Auracast for unlimited speaker pairing, and durable, splashproof designs make these speakers ideal for a variety of party environments.

JBL PartyBox 520,

The flagship model, the JBL PartyBox 520, is one of the loudest battery-powered speakers available, designed for large events. It offers up to 15 hours of playtime per charge, with fast-charging capabilities and replaceable batteries for uninterrupted music. The PartyBox 520’s rugged, IPX4 splashproof design includes a telescopic handle and sturdy wheels for easy transport.

AI Sound Boost enhances audio performance by analyzing and optimizing the music signal in real time. Additionally, Auracast enables pairing with other JBL speakers to create a fully synchronized sound system for expansive coverage.

JBL PartyBox Encore 2

The lineup also includes the JBL PartyBox Encore 2 and PartyBox Encore Essential 2, both of which offer portable designs with Bluetooth 5.4 for superior streaming quality. The Encore 2 features wireless microphones for karaoke, while the Encore Essential 2 adds a dynamic lightshow to any event. Both models provide up to 15 hours of playtime and offer a quick 10-minute charge for an extra 80 minutes of music.

Availability and Price

These new PartyBox speakers, ranging from $299 to $799, will be available in June 2025, offering an immersive audio experience for parties of any size.

JBL Latest PartyBox Lineup Launched at CES 2025

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Disney to merge Hulu + Live TV with Fubo, challenging YouTube TV

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 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

JBL Latest PartyBox Lineup Launched at CES 2025

At CES 2025, JBL introduced its latest PartyBox lineup, further cementing its position as the leader in portable and party speakers. The new models feature advanced audio technology, including JBL Pro Sound and AI Sound Boost, which optimizes sound in real time for dynamic bass and crystal-clear treble, ensuring top-notch audio for any setting. Key innovations like replaceable batteries, Auracast for unlimited speaker pairing, and durable, splashproof designs make these speakers ideal for a variety of party environments.

JBL PartyBox 520,

The flagship model, the JBL PartyBox 520, is one of the loudest battery-powered speakers available, designed for large events. It offers up to 15 hours of playtime per charge, with fast-charging capabilities and replaceable batteries for uninterrupted music. The PartyBox 520’s rugged, IPX4 splashproof design includes a telescopic handle and sturdy wheels for easy transport.

AI Sound Boost enhances audio performance by analyzing and optimizing the music signal in real time. Additionally, Auracast enables pairing with other JBL speakers to create a fully synchronized sound system for expansive coverage.

JBL PartyBox Encore 2

The lineup also includes the JBL PartyBox Encore 2 and PartyBox Encore Essential 2, both of which offer portable designs with Bluetooth 5.4 for superior streaming quality. The Encore 2 features wireless microphones for karaoke, while the Encore Essential 2 adds a dynamic lightshow to any event. Both models provide up to 15 hours of playtime and offer a quick 10-minute charge for an extra 80 minutes of music.

Availability and Price

These new PartyBox speakers, ranging from $299 to $799, will be available in June 2025, offering an immersive audio experience for parties of any size.

JBL Latest PartyBox Lineup Launched at CES 2025

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

JBL Horizon 3, A Stylish Connected Speaker With Customizable Ambient Light

At CES 2025 JBL introduced the Horizon 3, a sleek, low-profile device designed to enhance daily routines with superior sound and customizable features. Targeted at improving sleep schedules and creating a relaxing ambiance, the Horizon 3 blends JBL’s signature stereo sound with intuitive design elements. 

Equipped with two 1.5″ full-range transducers and dual passive radiators, the Horizon 3 delivers rich audio that fills the room. It offers multi-speaker connectivity via Auracast and Bluetooth 5.3, enabling easy pairing with JBL and Harman Auracast-enabled devices.

JBL says that the Horizon 3 “is more than just a speaker; it’s designed to optimize rest and relaxation” — It features customizable ambient lighting with adjustable brightness and color temperature to set the perfect tone for both waking and sleeping. 

Additionally, users can select from nature-inspired sound modes, such as ocean waves, and use the sunrise alarm to regulate circadian rhythms. It integrates with the JBL One App, allowing users to adjust alarms, equalizer settings, and lighting preferences easily.

The device also includes nice features such as dual alarms, an FM radio, and a user-friendly control knob for simple operation. A USB-C port enables fast charging for devices, adding to its convenience. The Horizon 3 is designed with soft, rounded edges and a frosted display, making it a stylish addition to any bedroom décor.

Availability and Price

The JBL Horizon 3 will be available in grey and black color options, launching in May 2025 at a price of $129.95. This versatile product aims to elevate sound, style, and convenience in daily life, offering a complete solution for both relaxation and connectivity.

JBL Horizon 3, A Stylish Connected Speaker With Customizable Ambient Light

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Xthings Unveils Ulticam Home Security Cameras with Edge AI and Subscription-Free Cloud Storage

Xthings, a global provider of IoT solutions, has introduced its new home security camera brand, Ulticam, at CES 2025. The company announced the release of the Ulticam IQ Floodlight, an edge AI-powered security camera designed to enhance home monitoring, and shared plans to showcase two additional models – the Ulticam IQ and the Ulticam Dot.

The Ulticam cameras will feature subscription-free person detection and alerts powered by edge AI technology, along with seven-day rolling cloud storage at no additional cost. These products are expected to be available for purchase in the U.S. during the first and second quarters of 2025 through U-tec.com, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Ulticam IQ

Ulticam IQ Series: Edge AI-Powered Home Security Cameras

The Ulticam IQ Series, which includes the Ulticam IQ and Ulticam IQ Floodlight, features edge AI technology to enhance home security by detecting people, faces, and vehicles directly on the device. This eliminates the need to send videos to external servers, resulting in faster detection and improved privacy. The IQ Series offers 7-day rolling cloud storage at no additional cost and includes 8GB of built-in storage, expandable up to 128GB via SD cards. Both cameras are designed to withstand outdoor conditions, with weatherproof construction and 2K Quad HD resolution, ensuring clear video quality. A 4K Ultra HD version is expected in Q2 2025.

The Ulticam IQ features a built-in spotlight, while the Ulticam IQ Floodlight is equipped with two floodlights and color night vision, providing enhanced visibility and deterring potential intruders by activating lights upon detecting motion. Users can monitor their homes through the U home app, which offers live video, two-way audio, motion alerts, and footage search. The cameras also support up to four customizable detection zones to reduce false alarms.

Ulticam IQ Floodlight

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, LAN, 4G LTE, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The IQ Floodlight is hardwired, while the IQ camera uses plug-in power. At launch, both cameras will integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for smart home compatibility.

Ulticam Dot

The Ulticam Dot (is a portable, wireless security camera designed for flexible use at home or on the go. Its compact, battery-powered, and weather-resistant build makes it suitable for indoor or covered outdoor use, providing easy security wherever needed. With 2K Quad HD video, night vision, and an ultra-wide field of view, the Dot offers clear and expansive monitoring.

The camera features 7-day rolling cloud storage and subscription-free person and motion detection. When connected to Wi-Fi, it delivers real-time alerts, two-way audio, and dual-layer recording to both the cloud and local 8GB storage. Users can set four detection zones to reduce false alerts.

Powered by four AA batteries, the Dot can last up to nine months in standby mode. It includes an alarm siren, magnetic base, adhesive, and screws for flexible installation. The camera connects directly to home networks via Wi-Fi and integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Home through the U Home app.

Ulticam Dot

Pricing and Availability

Pricing for the Ulticam cameras begins with the Ulticam IQ 2K, priced at $169, and the LTE version at $199. The Ulticam IQ Floodlight 2K will retail for $199, with the LTE model priced at $239. Products will be available for purchase starting in Q1 2025, with additional models arriving in Q2 2025.

If you are at CES 2025, come visit the Xthings booth at the Venetian Expo, Halls A-D, booth #51732, from January 7-10 to see Ulticam’s new cameras in action.

Xthings Unveils Ulticam Home Security Cameras with Edge AI and Subscription-Free Cloud Storage

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Samsung's Frame Pro TV features the company's high-end Neo QLED panel

Samsung’s Frame series of TVs are some of the best art TVs available, which are great for those who want a screen that blends more seamlessly into their home decor. Samsung CES 2025 announcements include an expansion of the Frame lineup with new Frame Pro sets, which are more advanced models that include the company’s top-of-the-line Neo QLED panels.

Besides the panel, the Frame Pro also uses Samsung’s Wireless One Connect box, which lets you transmit content from consoles or set-top boxes to the TV without needing to plug things in directly. Instead, you plug into the Wireless One Connect and it’ll beam things to the TV, which means you can make a much cleaner, cable-free setup that feels particularly useful with a set like the Frame.

It also uses Samsung’s NQ4 Gen3 AI processor, an update on the 2nd-generation one that Samsung used on some of its sets last year. As is usually the case, we don’t know exactly what this does for the set, but given the amount pixels a modern TV needs to push, an annual update makes sense. The NQ4 also gives a hint that this might be a 4K rather than 8K panel, as Samsung’s just-announced Neo QLED 8K QN990F TV uses the NQ8 processor — perhaps the 4 or 8 are a nod to the TV’s resolution. Either way, we’ll know more soon.

For those who haven’t seen the Frame before, it’s a TV meant to be mounted to the wall, complete with a frame that’s more reminiscent of something you might find in an art gallery rather than a media room. When you turn it off, you can choose to have it display a fine art image from a collection Samsung has curated, and the screen itself is matte with anti-glare coating that goes a long way towards making it feel like just another big TV mounted to a wall.

As is typically the case, Samsung is holding a CES showcase tonight where we’ll get to see the Frame Pro as well as other new Samsung TVs in person — if we get more details on the Frame Pro, we’ll update this post. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsungs-frame-pro-tv-features-the-companys-high-end-neo-qled-panel-030042346.html?src=rss

ULTRALOQ Unveils Innovative Smart Locks at CES 2025: Bolt Mission UWB + NFC And Bolt Fingerprint Matter

ULTRALOQ, a smart lock brand under Xthings, is set to introduce advancements in home security at CES 2025. The company announced the debut of two advanced smart locks: the ULTRALOQ Bolt Mission UWB + NFC Smart Deadbolt and the ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter. These innovations highlight the brand’s commitment to enhancing convenience, security, and smart home integration.

ULTRALOQ Bolt Mission UWB + NFC: Smart Lock With Ultra-Wideband Technology

According to the company, the ULTRALOQ Bolt Mission UWB + NFC is the world’s first smart lock to incorporate ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, offering spatial awareness. This lock utilizes UWB, a technology often found in digital car keys, to detect the precise location of the keyholder’s smartphone with centimeter-level accuracy.

This spatial awareness enables the lock to automatically unlock as users approach while simultaneously preventing accidental unlocking when the user is inside the house. The lock also supports NFC technology for added convenience, allowing users to unlock their doors with a simple tap.

The Bolt Mission UWB + NFC integrates seamlessly with popular smart home platforms by supporting Matter, the emerging standard for smart home interoperability. This ensures compatibility with voice assistants such as Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. Additionally, the lock connects directly to home Wi-Fi via the U home App, eliminating the need for extra hubs.

Performance and durability are key aspects of the Bolt Mission, with a robust, weather-resistant design (IP65) and BHMA Level 1 certification, the highest standard for residential security. The lock is equipped with two-layer 128-bit AES data encryption, integrated with AWS to safeguard against unauthorized access. The extended battery life offers up to one year of reliable operation.

The ULTRALOQ Bolt Mission UWB + NFC will be available for purchase in Q1 2025 at U-tec.com, Amazon, and Best Buy, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $399.

ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter: Seamless Smart Home Integration

The ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter is another key highlight from ULTRALOQ, marking the brand’s first deadbolt to support Matter. This smart lock is designed to integrate effortlessly with a wide range of smart home platforms, enabling centralized control and management through Matter-certified apps.

The Bolt Fingerprint Matter offers multiple access methods, including app control, fingerprint recognition, PIN entry, voice commands through Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, and traditional key access. Users can also share digital keys with family members or guests for scheduled access, adding a layer of convenience and flexibility.

Like the Bolt Mission, the Bolt Fingerprint Matter boasts an IP65 rating for weather resistance and delivers up to one year of battery life.

The Bolt Fingerprint Matter will be publicly available starting January 7, 2025, at U-tec.com, with an MSRP of $199.

ULTRALOQ’s Broader Vision

In addition to these new products, ULTRALOQ continues to expand its portfolio with solutions designed for residential and commercial markets. The Latch series caters to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and multifamily properties, while ULTRALOQ Air, a free web-based platform, enables users to manage multiple locks across various locations.

By pioneering technologies like UWB and integrating with Matter, ULTRALOQ reaffirms its leadership in the smart home industry, offering consumers innovative, secure, and user-friendly solutions for modern living.

ULTRALOQ Unveils Innovative Smart Locks at CES 2025: Bolt Mission UWB + NFC And Bolt Fingerprint Matter

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

The Wybot S3 just might be the pool-cleaning robot of your dreams

Swimming is one of my favorite things in the whole world. Cleaning a pool, however, is an absolute drag. For my money, pool-cleaning robots are much handier than even standard robovacs. If you have access to a pool, the forthcoming Wybot S3 could ensure you never have to walk around like a doofus with an oversized net ever again.

Announced at CES, the Wybot S3 is an improvement over the S2 in nearly every way. The company says it’s the “first self-docking, self-emptying automatic charging pool cleaning robot.” It includes an automated self-emptying system, which is standard with land-based robovacs but new to water-adjacent models. The unit transfers debris from its body to a 10-liter above ground base station. This bin is big enough to go 30 days without having to be manually emptied. 

The debris collection system.
Wybot

Another first? The robot charges itself automatically via integrated solar panels. Under optimal sunlight, it’ll suck up around 1.5 hours of runtime per day. If the weather is less than ideal, the unit can also be charged by plugging into a traditional power outlet.

As for the actual cleaning, the unit includes a whole bunch of sensors that help it create a 3D map of the entire “underwater environment.” This lets it plan the most efficient cleaning route and minimizes the chances of blind spots. The company says this is particularly important for irregularly shaped pools. It also comes with a camera that susses out the largest amounts of debris, for improved efficiency and accuracy.

The Wybot S3 in action.
Wybot

The Wybot S3 can be monitored and controlled in real-time via a proprietary app, with a connection that combines Wi-Fi and sonar. The aquatic robovac is available for preorder right now, with shipments going out in the second quarter of the year. However, all of that waterproof tech is gonna cost you. The robot will be priced between $2,500 and $3,000, depending on which options are selected.

Pool cleaning robots have been popping up all over the place lately. A company called Aiper brought an impressive model to CES back in 2023 and the Beatbot Aquasense Pro has been receiving rave reviews.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/the-wybot-s3-just-might-be-the-pool-cleaning-robot-of-your-dreams-140100715.html?src=rss

ULTRALOQ Unveils Innovative Smart Locks at CES 2025: Bolt Mission UWB + NFC And Bolt Fingerprint Matter

ULTRALOQ, a smart lock brand under Xthings, is set to introduce advancements in home security at CES 2025. The company announced the debut of two advanced smart locks: the ULTRALOQ Bolt Mission UWB + NFC Smart Deadbolt and the ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter. These innovations highlight the brand’s commitment to enhancing convenience, security, and smart home integration.

ULTRALOQ Bolt Mission UWB + NFC: Smart Lock With Ultra-Wideband Technology

According to the company, the ULTRALOQ Bolt Mission UWB + NFC is the world’s first smart lock to incorporate ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, offering spatial awareness. This lock utilizes UWB, a technology often found in digital car keys, to detect the precise location of the keyholder’s smartphone with centimeter-level accuracy.

This spatial awareness enables the lock to automatically unlock as users approach while simultaneously preventing accidental unlocking when the user is inside the house. The lock also supports NFC technology for added convenience, allowing users to unlock their doors with a simple tap.

The Bolt Mission UWB + NFC integrates seamlessly with popular smart home platforms by supporting Matter, the emerging standard for smart home interoperability. This ensures compatibility with voice assistants such as Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. Additionally, the lock connects directly to home Wi-Fi via the U home App, eliminating the need for extra hubs.

Performance and durability are key aspects of the Bolt Mission, with a robust, weather-resistant design (IP65) and BHMA Level 1 certification, the highest standard for residential security. The lock is equipped with two-layer 128-bit AES data encryption, integrated with AWS to safeguard against unauthorized access. The extended battery life offers up to one year of reliable operation.

The ULTRALOQ Bolt Mission UWB + NFC will be available for purchase in Q1 2025 at U-tec.com, Amazon, and Best Buy, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $399.

ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter: Seamless Smart Home Integration

The ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter is another key highlight from ULTRALOQ, marking the brand’s first deadbolt to support Matter. This smart lock is designed to integrate effortlessly with a wide range of smart home platforms, enabling centralized control and management through Matter-certified apps.

The Bolt Fingerprint Matter offers multiple access methods, including app control, fingerprint recognition, PIN entry, voice commands through Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, and traditional key access. Users can also share digital keys with family members or guests for scheduled access, adding a layer of convenience and flexibility.

Like the Bolt Mission, the Bolt Fingerprint Matter boasts an IP65 rating for weather resistance and delivers up to one year of battery life.

The Bolt Fingerprint Matter will be publicly available starting January 7, 2025, at U-tec.com, with an MSRP of $199.

ULTRALOQ’s Broader Vision

In addition to these new products, ULTRALOQ continues to expand its portfolio with solutions designed for residential and commercial markets. The Latch series caters to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and multifamily properties, while ULTRALOQ Air, a free web-based platform, enables users to manage multiple locks across various locations.

By pioneering technologies like UWB and integrating with Matter, ULTRALOQ reaffirms its leadership in the smart home industry, offering consumers innovative, secure, and user-friendly solutions for modern living.

ULTRALOQ Unveils Innovative Smart Locks at CES 2025: Bolt Mission UWB + NFC And Bolt Fingerprint Matter

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Stern's latest pinball machine is a loving tribute to Dungeons & Dragons

Every year at CES, Stern Pinball has a new game to show off. They’re one of the oldest and most well-known pinball manufacturers (not to mention one of the few left standing in 2025) so it’s always fun for me, a pinball nerd, to check out what they have to show off. This year, it’s a new machine meant to celebrate 50 years of Dungeons & Dragons called Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye. And like many pinball games, you can just walk up and play without knowing the intricacies of the game, but there’s a lot here to uncover over time.

The thing that caught my eye was the fact that you can pick a character and level them up over time, provided you use Stern’s Insider Connected app. That app already lets you create a profile and keep track of achievements, games in your area, your top scores and other features (you “log in” by scanning a QR code from the app). But with Dungeons & Dragons, you can actually improve your character over time and save your progress through the game’s many modes. When you first start, you choose a character and location, and those choices will affect the goals you need to achieve. Stern specifically say that its new “PinSave” system will let you save character experience points, inventory items and game campaign progress across multiple games. 

That’s a subtly wild move for a pinball game — usually you get three balls and that’s it. It’s a nod to how complex newer games can get these days, and Stern already experimented with something similar on its Venom game from 2023. The same lead designer built both Venom and Dungeons & Dragons, and a representative from Stern said he looked at the saved progress in Venom as a way to experiment and trial for the bigger system in place for the latest game. 

I got to take Dungeons & Dragons for a spin (the Stern rep told me I was the first person who wasn’t an employee to play the game), and while there’s only so much you can glean from a couple plays, it feels much like other modern Stern machines. That’s not a bad thing — the playfield is lovely, and the large dragon on the left side presents some interesting challenges. Stern told me that it can try and block shots and also it enables a wild eight-ball multiball mode, with the dragon actively trying to bounce your balls into the drain. I didn’t get to try this, but I’m looking forward to seeing it sooner or later. There’s also a gelatinous cube that can freeze your ball in place via magnets. 

Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye pinball by Stern
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Finally, there’s an impressive voice cast on this game, including Michael Dorn (Worf from Star Trek) and Kevin Smith, as well as Matthew Mercer, Marisha Ray and Laura Bailey from Critical Role. That’s just a handful of those participating in the game; you can check out the full list here

Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye pinball by Stern
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

I’ve never bothered using Stern’s Insider Connected app before, mostly because I’m lazy — but if there’s a Dungeons & Dragons machine near me I’ll probably give it a shot. While you can easily enjoy the game and play your three balls without making an account, more hardcore players will probably enjoy the process of leveling up over time, and it’s a feature that makes perfect sense given D&D’s focus on progression over time. 

As usual, this machine is not cheap — Stern is only making 740 total, with prices ranging from $6,999 for the Pro edition up to $12,999 for the limited edition. Start saving those quarters, D&D / pinball fans. Or, on a more reasonable note, start keeping an eye out at your local arcades. Stern’s app will help you find games near you, too, if you want to go the more modern route. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/sterns-latest-pinball-machine-is-a-loving-tribute-to-dungeons–dragons-131053243.html?src=rss