Ultra-slim LG W7
LG unveiled extremely thin 4K OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screens, in 65 and 77-inch sizes. Specifically designed to be hung on the wall, they protrude by less than 4mm and are extremely light, the larger size weighing just 12kg. Electronics, connectivity and loudspeakers are bundled together in a “soundbar”. The monitor connects to the bar through a ribbon cable. The 65-inch model will be available in March for US$8,000.
⇨ Techradar, “LG’s amazing W7 ultrathin OLED is wall art that happens to be a TV.”
Altworkstation
The latest trend in workstations was the elevated station that had you working standing up, cutting your risk of heart disease. The exact opposite of this active and wholesome station is the Altwork station, which allows you to work… on your back. A true coders’ La-Z-Boy, which some of us here are fantasizing about. To be fair, the seat does let you work in any position you choose, which is selected with a push button remote. Price: from US$5,900, delivery and monitor not included.
⇨ The Verge, “I will dream of this $5,900 reclining work station for the rest of my days.”
Face scanner
The Bellus3D face camera is a device that attaches to your Android phone and produces very realistic 3D scans of your face in less than a minute. Not a wrinkle will escape the notice of this device, equipped with two 1.2 megapixel IR sensors, a 1.2 megapixel color camera and two IR laser projectors. The application creates .obj files that can be transferred to other 3D software or sent to a 3D printer. Some of its initial applications include creating VR avatars and 3D printed masks. The face scanner is still at the prototype phase, but Bellus3D hopes to market it for about US$300 by the end of 2017.
⇨ Circuit Breaker, “The Bellus3D camera lets you take uncannily accurate 3D selfies.”
New HDMI Standard
The consortium responsible for HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) announced the next version of the standard, 2.1. The complete specifications are to be made public in April or June, but we already know that 2.1 will improve bandwidth, augmenting it from 18Gbps (HDMI 2.0) to 48Gbps (HDMI 2.1), for resolutions of up to 10K and frame rates of up to 120fps. Connectors won’t change, but new cables will be required to support increased bandwidth. 8K TVs are only now just coming on the market (at US$55,000 for 98 inches). The only problem is that there is no content currently available at this resolution, nor will it be in the near future. But when it is, HDMI will be ready.
⇨ CNET, “HDMI 2.1: What you need to know.”
Nintendo Switch is coming
The Nintendo Switch will launch in Japan, the US, Canada, Hong Kong and some European countries on March 3, Nintendo announced. The system will cost USD 299 in the United States, CAD 399 in Canada. Hardware-wise, the system’s 6.2” capacitive touch screen clocks in at a 1280x720px resolution. The system comes with 32 GB of internal game storage, which can be expanded with standard microSD cards. Games will also be available on small cards, similar to those of the DS line. Battery life for the system in portable mode will range from 2.5 to 6.5 hours, depending on the game. The system will be charged by USB Type-C. It will be available for online preorder from Best Buy.
⇨ Ars Technica, “Nintendo Switch launches worldwide March 3, $299 in US.”
⇨ The Verge, “How to preorder the Nintendo Switch right now.”
Samsung Service
Samsung moved millions of Indians with its stirring ad on the quality of its after-sales service. They pledge to physically come to customers in need of help wherever they live on the subcontinent. That’s all we’re saying.
⇨ Samsung India, “Customer Delight Service.”
