Hasta La Gadget!

Samsung’s HDTV-based Smart Hub is set to land a major refresh at CES, according to a trio of images and a product description that appeared on Flickr this evening. Like previous iterations, the software interface will provide access to real-time TV broadcasts, on-demand flicks, apps and photos, according to the site’s image captions. The new version will feature a new background design, along with a “simplified” UI. While the on-screen interface appears to be new, the screen shot is presented atop last year’s Series 8 model, including an identical stand and a built-in camera up top — there’s no hint at what hardware advances we may see in Vegas early next year. Samsung’s CES press conference is on the books for the afternoon of Monday, January 7th, so we have less than two weeks to go before this new UI — and a whole lot of HDTVs — becomes official.

Update: The Global Samsung Tomorrow blog has revealed a few more details, describing how everything will be split into five categories: On TV (live), Movies & TV Shows (VOD), Apps, Social, and finally Photos, Videos & Music. A “Flipping” function will page through the categories one after the other, hit the source link for all the details currently available.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

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Source: Samsung (Flickr), Samsung Tomorrow

CES 2013 looks set to be a blast, as with all other editions of CES in the past. What kind of newfangled technology can we look forward to in a fortnight’s time as CES goes into full swing at Las Vegas? For starters, we do know that LG Electronics will be introducing an extended Google TV range, where the new models will be known as the GA7900 and GA6400, and these bad boys will deliver an outstandingly intuitive user experience at a size that ought to suit everyone, while meeting more consumers’ expectations than ever before.

Sporting Google’s latest platform as well as LG’s redesigned Magic Remote Qwerty, they will both work together in order to enhance the effectiveness of Voice Search and the PrimeTime quick guide. With the inclusion of an updated Smart Home, it is said to also add to the user experience by offering convenient, streamlined access to VoD (Video on Demand), YouTube and additional apps. You will be able to discover exciting new content from the rich pool of choices that are available on LG Google TV in a way that is easier than ever before. Not only that, the premium model will throw in LG’s advanced Cinema Screen design for an undeniably sleek and modern finish.

If you are an avid gamer, you will be stoked to hear that LG Google TV will offer the OnLive app pre-installed, where it will turn your TV into an incredible gaming platform without the need to purchase a separate console. I still think that this kind of setup will not work as well as a regular dedicated console, but hey, at least the app will let you enjoy hundreds of high quality video games available instantly from the cloud. With CINEMA 3D TV functionality, the LG Google TV uses FPR technology that will keep movie buffs and gamers happy by delivering a great 3D effect without the distracting flicker. Any takers?

Press Release

[ LG has two new Google TV models at CES 2013 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Keypads are quickly becoming a legacy techonology thanks to a collaboration between LG and Google TV. The company announced today that it is expanding Google TV functionality to seven of its 2013 models. More »

Earlier today a kind anonymous tipster shared the above product shot of a ZTE Z753, which is allegedly the Chinese manufacturer’s contribution to the ever-growing list of five-inch 1080p devices — including those from HTC, Sharp, Oppo and eventually Nubia, Huawei, Lenovo plus Sony. Conveniently, ZTE’s also been teasing its upcoming Grand S flagship on Sina Weibo ahead of its CES debut, and we’ve been able to confirm that this is indeed the aforementioned Z753 — not that we don’t already know the Grand S’ main selling points thanks to a brief description on CES’ website: “the world’s thinnest for 5 inch FHD smartphones.” There isn’t much information about the guts at this point, but we do know that the phone will feature a unibody design, along with a slight bump around the off-center camera on the back. Until we make it to CES next month, you can see more in the official sketches after the break, courtesy of ZTE’s Sina Weibo account.

Continue reading ZTE’s 5-inch 1080p Grand S leaked, teased and confirmed for CES debut

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Source: Sina Weibo

With CES looming like an electrically charged storm of news and announcements, it’s time for us to give you our best bets on what you’ll see come January. During the month of December, we’ll bring you a series of CES preview posts, forecasting what you can expect when the news deluge begins. For more of what’s to come, check out our hub.

Las Vegas has seen its fair share of digital camera launches, but with the PMA show all but defunct, manufacturers are shifting their focus to overseas events, like Photokina in Cologne, IFA in Berlin and even newcomer CP+ in Yokohama, Japan. That trade show trio helps to keep the international airlines in business, but it doesn’t do us much good at CES, when nearly every other consumer electronics category gets a major products boost. That’s not to say there won’t be any new cameras at all — PMA does have a small presence at the show, and major players like Canon, Nikon, Samsung and Sony all invest in significant floor space (they’ll need some new products to fill their shelves, after all). But announcements are largely spread throughout the year.

Continue reading Engadget’s CES 2013 Preview: Digital Cameras

Filed under: Cameras

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