My buying advice for 8K TVs is basically "don't," but Samsung is debuting an 8K model that's about more than resolution at CES 2020. The world's biggest TV maker's best new 2020 TV, the Q950TS, has a superthin frame around the picture. When I looked at it straight on, it was really tough to make out any bezel at all. The effect replicated a disembodied moving image, except this was a bright TV, not a projector. Samsung says the set is 99% picture compared to 95% for most TVs, and yes, that 4% made a big difference.
Seen from the front it's 99% picture.
Samsung
Samsung achieved the superthin, 2.3mm bezel by eliminating the black matrix around the edge of the panel so the picture goes basically right up to the metallic edge. The TV itself is only 15mm deep, despite housing a full-array local dimming (FALD) LED backlight -- the hallmark of a good LCD TV, QLED or otherwise.
Don't care about 8K resolution? Try this
So yeah, 8K TVs are expensive, the image quality improvement they provide over 4K models is modest, at best, and the kicker: there's no 8K content available now and little possibility of it coming this year (2020 Olympics, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X notwithstanding). Those are some of the reasons experts expect 8K sales to remain tepid for the next few years.
To make its 8K TVs more appealing Samsung isn't just touting the extra resolution, it's talking up other picture-quality improvements, too.
That FALD backlight has new "local power distribution" tech that improves peak brightness by more than 20% and controls blooming (stray illumination) better.
Improved quantum processor 8K with better AI upscaling, which will have a deep learning neural network that can, yes, can start teaching itself algorithms to improve the picture.
The Q950TS also hassame superb antiglare and improved viewing angle screens found on flagship 2019 models.
Whether any of these extras will allow Samsung's 8K QLED TVs to match the image quality of OLED televisions is an open question.
Samsung did not announce pricing or availability on the Q950TS.
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CES 2020 preview: Surprise booths, slim screens and smart...
The wait for the Galaxy S11 is almost over, as the Samsung has officially announced the date for its next big smartphone launch event: Tuesday, February 11.
Samsung's Unpacked keynote will take place in San Francisco at 11am Pacific Time on February 11, according to the official invite sent to TechRadar and other media outlets. This mirrors last year's Galaxy S10 launch event timing and city.
There are some differences in 2020: we're expecting three Samsung Galaxy S11 phones instead of four, all containing a 5G modem. That means there’s no need for a sequel to the standalone Galaxy S10 5G. While we still expect the new phones to be dubbed S11, there have been rumors of Samsung will leapfrog nine names and use the Galaxy S20 numbering scheme.
The Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 could show up at the Unpacked event as well. And, if Samsung has sorted out the issues that held up the first Galaxy Fold, the new model could manage to launch on time (last year, the Samsung Galaxy Fold release date was delayed by five months). It may also take on a completely different form, as the foldable flip phone we saw in a Samsung video back in October 2019.
Samssung Galaxy S11 expectations
At present, we're expecting the Galaxy S11 line to include a base model, a Plus model, and an Ultra model, per a recent rumor. The lineup is also expected to offer display sizes from 6.2 inches up to 6.9 inches. And all should be powered by either a new Samsung Exynos chipset and the Snapdragon 865 chipset, region dependent.
Given the fact that the event lines up with 2019's timeline, we can expect to see the new Galaxy S11 phones go on sale toward the very end of February or early March, right around MWC 2020. Last year's phones first released on March 8.
The Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 is less of a certainty. While we expect the company will include a new foldable device at its February event, there's less concrete evidence of an immediate release date. After all, there was gap between the original Galaxy Fold and the Galaxy S10 phones.
It's also unclear if we can expect the new flip phone-style design like the new Moto Razr, or whether Samsung is planning a direct follow up to the mini-tablet-like Galaxy Fold, one that's expected to have a similar design but further refinements.
The February Unpacked event isn't the only place to see new Samsung tech though. Keep an eye on our CES 2020 coverage for more, and we'll let you know if we hear more about the device from Las Vegas.
If you’re eagerly awaiting Samsung’s next flagship phone, the Galaxy S11, then go ahead and mark February 11 in your diary. According to a newly-leaked promo, this looks to be the date for Samsung’s next “Unpacked” press event, which last year was the occasion for the company to unveil the Galaxy S10.
The promo was downloaded as an unlisted video on Samsung’s official Vimeo account by Max Weinbach of XDA Developers and first spotted by Twitter user @water8192.
The 15-second clip doesn’t give much away. There are just two mysterious oblong shapes pressing through a sheet of material in place of the letter A’s in the word “Galaxy.” One shape is more rectangular and the other more square, perhaps suggesting that Samsung will unveil both a Galaxy S10 and a rumored Galaxy Fold 2, but that’s just a guess for now.
More definite is the date: February 11, 2020. The event will also be live-streamed at www.samsung.com, and — if the date is confirmed — you can expect The Verge to be there as well, providing photos, videos, and hands-on impressions of any new devices.
We haven’t heard a lot about what to expect from Samsung’s next flagship. Recreated renders suggest it’ll have a rectangular camera module on the back (which matches the shape that appears on the left in the promo); and that it’ll incorporate a 120Hz refresh rate display, a 108-megapixel sensor for its main camera, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. There’s also a chance it’ll be called the Samsung Galaxy S20, rather than the S11.
We know even less about a possible Galaxy Fold 2, the successor to the company’s first, and troublesome, foldable smartphone. There have been some leaked images of what could be the Fold 2 with a clamshell design, and signs point to a lower, more mass-market price (under $1,000) sporting a new and more resilient flexible glass display, but that’s it for now.
If the date for this Unpacked event is confirmed, we should know a whole lot more come February 11.
Because each individual day of 2019 felt like it stretched on for 100 years, you would absolutely be forgiven for forgetting that the largest technology show of the year immediately follows the start of the new year. But folks, the Consumer Electronics Show is happening—mere days from now, in fact—which means that the Gizmodo staff will be heading to Sin City to cover the conference’s most innovative, peculiar, and covetable tech at the event.
If you’ve missed some of the news and rumors leading up to this year’s event, we’ve got you covered. From this year’s oddball appearances to wearables to sex tech, here’s what you can look forward to hearing about during this year’s consumer tech showcase in Las Vegas.
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Foldables
One of last year’s CES highlights was the FlexPai, a foldable phone from Royole—and while neat, it also sucked. But it did kick off a big year for foldable tech. Then, in mid-2019, Lenovo showed off a concept laptop with a flexible OLED display but didn’t reveal anything about price, specs, or even an official name, which makes CES a perfect time for Lenovo to follow up with new developments.
And with Microsoft having surprised everyone with multiple dual-screen gadgets last fall, we’re expecting even more dual-screen systems from other laptop makers, especially following releases like the Omen X 2S and ZenBook Pro Duo from HP and Asus back in the fall. Like it or not, there’s a big wave of dual-screen notebooks on the way.
Mountains More Wireless Earbuds
The sea of options for a truly wireless earbud grows steadily by the day, meaning no one is really forced to contend with Apple’s one size—and one very high price!—fits all AirPods (even the AirPods Pro buds with their silicon tips aren’t for everyone). In 2019 we reviewed several veritable AirPods competitors in the Jaybird Vista, the Master & Dynamic MW07, and Powerbeats Pro. But everyone’s looking to muscle their way into the space. Hell, even Amazon is looking to get into wireless earbuds. In other words, expect quite a few of them to crop up at CES.
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Apple
Well, well, well! Look who decided to show up at this year’s hottest tech party after publicly shaming its competitors during last year’s event!
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That’s right, Apple’s senior director of global privacy Jane Horvath is set to speak alongside other tech giant moguls during a Chief Privacy Officer Roundtable on Tuesday. (The panel will also, ironically, include an appearance by an executive for privacy bastion and known protector of the people Facebook.) Apple will also promote its HomeKit, and Bloomberg reported this week that the company is “likely to roll out new software capabilities.” But don’t expect new hardware.
We Have the Meats
As someone with an absolutely shameless enthusiasm for plant-based meats, I’m thrilled to share with you, reader, that CES once again has the (faux) meats. Impossible Foods, maker of the dumb delicious Impossible Burger, will be at the conference again this year to reveal some presumably new and almost assuredly delicious news. Trust that you’ll be the first to know when we find out what that is.
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8K Expansions
CES is home to impressive debuts of masterclass displays (if not highly, highly expensive ones). Samsung, Sony, and LG will all be expanding their 8K lineups, so expect to hear plenty on this front at this year’s event. Perhaps some rollable TVs to look forward to?
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Wearable and Pleasure Tech
Remember all that hubbub last year when the Consumer Technology Association, which puts on CES, revoked an award it had given to a sex toy while at the same time calling it “immoral, obscene, indecent, [or] profane”? Well, CES fucks now. Following last year’s fiasco and the ensuing public relations nightmare, the conference announced that it would permit sex tech under its Health and Wellness category but that it must “be innovative and include new or emerging tech to qualify.”
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Elsewhere, as always, expect more wearables in the wellness category. Many of the changes to tech in this category may be iterative, but expect to see hybrid devices and advances in medical applications and wellness tracking.
Politics
Technology and innovation are inherently political, from security and privacy to social responsibility to manufacturing to lobbying efforts and foreign trade. But politics aren’t necessarily always front-of-mind at a consumer trade show. This year, CES is ensuring they will be.
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The conference is hosting a “fireside chat” with Ivanka Trump and CTA chief Gary Shapiro for a discussion about “how the administration is advocating for employer-led strategies that invest in reskilling workers, create apprenticeships and develop K-12 STEM education programs.” In a highly controversial move, the trade show named her a keynote speaker. This, coupled with the ongoing Huawei mess, and a trade war with China that’s focused on technology ensures that no one will be escaping the politics of tech at this year’s event.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should give you a good of the scale of announcements we’re expecting to be announced in the coming week as news trickles out of the conference. We’ll be on the ground keeping tabs on all the highlights, so be sure to check back with us to make sure you don’t miss a beat.
At this year's CES consumer electronics show, better known as CES, companies hope toimpress reporters, investors, and ultimately consumers with a flashy mix ofsmart assistants and smart cars, giant TVs and, of course, robots. Some of these products may make waves in the year ahead, others will likely be forgotten by the time the conference wraps up next week.
It's been years since major tech players have made revolutionary announcements at CES. After all, many of the biggest companies, including Apple(AAPL), Google(GOOGL) and Amazon(AMZN), host their own product launch events at their respective headquarters. However, the event remains a key platform for some companies, especially startups, to launch new products and make some noise.More than that, CEStypically helps set the tone for which tech trends stick for the rest of the year.
The lineup of companies getting stage time this year extends well beyond the usual CESheadliners, includingSamsung(SSNLF), Sony(SNE) and Panasonic. Impossible Foods, Delta and evenJohn Deere are all readying announcements this year too, ina nod to how CES has grown beyond its roots.
Apple will also mark an unofficial return to the show for the first time since former CEO John Sculleydebuted the Newton personal digital assistant (PDA) in 1992. A senior executive will speak on a privacy-related panel, alongside panelists from Facebook and the FTC.
The conference also has the potential to get political this year as Ivanka Trump -- daughter of President Donald Trump and one of his White House Advisors -- will address CES attendees on Tuesday on the topic of "future of tech."
Although we can expect a ton of oddball gadgets, like atrash can that ties up bags when they're full or an Alexa-enabled shower head, here are the overarching topics likely to get the most attention out in the desert this year:
5G was a hot topic last year at CES as US carriers were just months away from launching their networks across the country. But now that the infrastructure is starting to fit into place, albeit slowly, expectcompanies to further outline how they plan to use the fifth generation of cellular network technology, which is nearly 30 times faster than 4G and about 10 times faster than the average American home broadband speed. It's an especially hot topic among car companies -- think: how traffic lights could communicate with your car to keep you abreast on traffic patterns.
Auto innovation
Car companies will almost certainly bring even more tech integration to vehicles this year. We could see anything from smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant getting built into dashboards to announcements around augmented reality displays and advancements in self-driving technologies. Beyond cars, expect updates to electric scooters and the introduction of some unique concepts, including this self-balancing Segway wheelchair.
At last year's CES, the Consumer Technology Association -- the group behind the event drew controversy forstripping a woman's innovation award for a high-tech vibrator after it was deemed "immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with CTA's image ...." The CTA ultimatelywalked back its decision in Mayand returned the award to the vibrator company. This year, the category will be in force, from build-your-own vibrator workshops, intimate gadgets for couples and a sex toy already in the running as a finalist for Last Gadget Standing, an annual competition hosted in partnership with CTA.
After more than a year of intense scrutiny over how the tech industry handles user data, expectgadget makers to play up new privacymeasures to help earn back user trust. Executives from BlackBerry(BB), Apple, Facebook(FB), Verizon and others will also discuss on a series of panels how they aretackling growing concerns around privacy and security at their companies.
AI and smart assistants
Amazon, Google and Samsung are expected to make software updates to theirsmart assistants this year, paving the way for new features and capabilities to make gadgets brainier than ever. But perhaps the most anticipated AI update is a rumored Samsung project called Neon, a more visual digital assistant -- or "artificial human," as Samsung teases it. Although it's unclear what this expected CGI-like system could bring, it could befar more sophisticated than the existing Alexas, Google Assistants and Bixbys of the world.
TVs and streaming services
CES is always a crowd pleaser when it comes to new TVs: the bigger, the flashier the better. In past years, we've seen rollable TVs, a giant modular wall of TVs and 8K TVs. This year will be more of the same, but with limited 8K content available, it will likely remain a niche product. We will, however, likely see more 4K HDR sets show up on the trade show floor.
Although Netflix(NFLX), Hulu and Disney+ aren't expected to share news, smaller streaming services, such as short-form mobile platform Quibi, and new platforms from traditional broadcasting companies, including NBCUniversal, are expected to announce news at scheduled keynotes.
What else?
Other categories to watch include advancements in augmented reality and virtual reality. Although we won't see too many system updates, companies are expected to showcase accessories with sound and touch vibrations, which makes it seem like you're in a virtual world. Changes are also coming to wearables, with a focus less on fitness tracking and more on extra features, such as help you shop or regulate your body temperature.
At this year's CES consumer electronics show, better known as CES, companies hope toimpress reporters, investors, and ultimately consumers with a flashy mix ofsmart assistants and smart cars, giant TVs and, of course, robots. Some of these products may make waves in the year ahead, others will likely be forgotten by the time the conference wraps up next week.
It's been years since major tech players have made revolutionary announcements at CES. After all, many of the biggest companies, including Apple(AAPL), Google(GOOGL) and Amazon(AMZN), host their own product launch events at their respective headquarters. However, the event remains a key platform for some companies, especially startups, to launch new products and make some noise.More than that, CEStypically helps set the tone for which tech trends stick for the rest of the year.
The lineup of companies getting stage time this year extends well beyond the usual CESheadliners, includingSamsung(SSNLF), Sony(SNE) and Panasonic. Impossible Foods, Delta and evenJohn Deere are all readying announcements this year too, ina nod to how CES has grown beyond its roots.
Apple will also mark an unofficial return to the show for the first time since former CEO John Sculleydebuted the Newton personal digital assistant (PDA) in 1992. A senior executive will speak on a privacy-related panel, alongside panelists from Facebook and the FTC.
The conference also has the potential to get political this year as Ivanka Trump -- daughter of President Donald Trump and one of his White House Advisors -- will address CES attendees on Tuesday on the topic of "future of tech."
Although we can expect a ton of oddball gadgets, like atrash can that ties up bags when they're full or an Alexa-enabled shower head, here are the overarching topics likely to get the most attention out in the desert this year:
5G was a hot topic last year at CES as US carriers were just months away from launching their networks across the country. But now that the infrastructure is starting to fit into place, albeit slowly, expectcompanies to further outline how they plan to use the fifth generation of cellular network technology, which is nearly 30 times faster than 4G and about 10 times faster than the average American home broadband speed. It's an especially hot topic among car companies -- think: how traffic lights could communicate with your car to keep you abreast on traffic patterns.
Auto innovation
Car companies will almost certainly bring even more tech integration to vehicles this year. We could see anything from smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant getting built into dashboards to announcements around augmented reality displays and advancements in self-driving technologies. Beyond cars, expect updates to electric scooters and the introduction of some unique concepts, including this self-balancing Segway wheelchair.
At last year's CES, the Consumer Technology Association -- the group behind the event drew controversy forstripping a woman's innovation award for a high-tech vibrator after it was deemed "immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with CTA's image ...." The CTA ultimatelywalked back its decision in Mayand returned the award to the vibrator company. This year, the category will be in force, from build-your-own vibrator workshops, intimate gadgets for couples and a sex toy already in the running as a finalist for Last Gadget Standing, an annual competition hosted in partnership with CTA.
After more than a year of intense scrutiny over how the tech industry handles user data, expectgadget makers to play up new privacymeasures to help earn back user trust. Executives from BlackBerry(BB), Apple, Facebook(FB), Verizon and others will also discuss on a series of panels how they aretackling growing concerns around privacy and security at their companies.
AI and smart assistants
Amazon, Google and Samsung are expected to make software updates to theirsmart assistants this year, paving the way for new features and capabilities to make gadgets brainier than ever. But perhaps the most anticipated AI update is a rumored Samsung project called Neon, a more visual digital assistant -- or "artificial human," as Samsung teases it. Although it's unclear what this expected CGI-like system could bring, it could befar more sophisticated than the existing Alexas, Google Assistants and Bixbys of the world.
TVs and streaming services
CES is always a crowd pleaser when it comes to new TVs: the bigger, the flashier the better. In past years, we've seen rollable TVs, a giant modular wall of TVs and 8K TVs. This year will be more of the same, but with limited 8K content available, it will likely remain a niche product. We will, however, likely see more 4K HDR sets show up on the trade show floor.
Although Netflix(NFLX), Hulu and Disney+ aren't expected to share news, smaller streaming services, such as short-form mobile platform Quibi, and new platforms from traditional broadcasting companies, including NBCUniversal, are expected to announce news at scheduled keynotes.
What else?
Other categories to watch include advancements in augmented reality and virtual reality. Although we won't see too many system updates, companies are expected to showcase accessories with sound and touch vibrations, which makes it seem like you're in a virtual world. Changes are also coming to wearables, with a focus less on fitness tracking and more on extra features, such as help you shop or regulate your body temperature.
We're only a few days into 2020, but we're already busy getting ready for the Consumer Electronics Show. The annual event for all things tech kicks off in Las Vegas next week, and we'll be there to check it all out. Here's a sneak peek at what to expect.
Screens of all shapes and sizes
It wouldn't be CES without being surrounded by a plethora of screens, and 2020 looks to be no different. Like in years past, expect there to be bigger and better TV screens on display (no pun intended). Take 8K, for example. No one really needs an 8K television (considering the absolute dearth of 8K media out there), but that won't stop manufacturers from churning them out. Remember Samsung's ridiculous 292-inch 8K The Wall TV? We'd be seriously disappointed if we don't see even more extravagances like that next week.
Aside from that, we'll likely see improved OLED panels, plus a bigger push toward MicroLED adoption. (MicroLED screens supposedly pack in the same brightness and color as OLED panels, but with greater longevity.) And in case normal TVs are just too boring for you, expect stylish sets from all the big companies. Samsung gave us a sneak peek at a zero-bezel TV, for example, and LG has already teased a rollable OLED concept that unfurls from the ceiling.
Of course, CES will feature smaller screens too -- especially in the form of laptops and phones. Even though 2019 was a bust for the foldable display trend -- the Samsung's Galaxy Fold wasn't exactly a smash hit -- we definitely expect to see more companies showing off their own takes on flexible displays, not just in phones, but laptops too. We also won't be surprised if we see more devices with dual screens, too. Perhaps we'll get to see a final version of Intel's dual-screen gaming prototype we saw last year.
Transportation tech
Even though CES is ostensibly a tech show, cars have been taking up more and more floor space in the past few years. At CES 2020, expect to see even more concept vehicles that show off the latest in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving tech and EV innovations. A few companies have already teased what they're going to show: Aston Martin will have a three-video-feed rearview mirror, Fiat Chrysler touts an all-digital cabin concept, Honda will demonstrate its AI assistant, and Jeep is planning to reveal its first-ever fleet of plug-in hybrids.
We also look forward to checking out the Nawa e-motorbike plus the new eScooter and eMoped from Segway (which was acquired by Ninebot a few years ago). But perhaps the most exciting transportation-related demonstration at the show would be Hyundai's take on the flying car.
The home gets smarter
As at previous shows, we expected the connected home to be a big part of CES 2020. Not only do we foresee even more connected fridges and ovens, we also think we'll see connectivity in even more devices like faucets, showers and lamps (like this unique indoor gardening appliance by LG). We also won't be surprised if we see more competitors to Nest and Ring in the area of security cameras. As these two companies tend to dominate the news, more competition in the space is certainly welcome.
On top of that, we expect all these companies to assure us of better security. Ring, for example, got into some trouble a few weeks ago when hackers successfully infiltrated their systems and bribed homeowners and even scared an 8-year-old child. It would behoove Ring (and parent company Amazon) and Google to demonstrate that they're trustworthy companies, especially when it comes to home security.
Assistant overload
We already know that Google and Amazon will have a large presence at CES next week so expect a lot more devices to have either Assistant or Alexa built-in. Whether it's with televisions, cars or connected speakers, two companies will likely duke it out to see which one can incorporate its assistant into our lives. We've already seen companies like LG announce that their soundbars will have Google Assistant baked-in, for example.
We can also expect these two assistants to be in more home appliances than ever before. Either they'll be integrated at the point of purchase or you can add that functionality later on with an inexpensive add-on. And it won't just be smart speakers and smart displays this year, but many more everyday items will soon be voice-activated too.
5G in more devices
At CES 2020, we expect 5G connectivity to show up not just in phones, but also laptops and beyond. We've already seen this in the Dell Latitude 9510, which debuted earlier this week. 5G networks aren't very prevalent right now, but by the time the laptop comes to market in March of this year, they may be more widespread than they are now. As AT&T and Verizon widen their 5G footprints, we'll definitely see more than just Dell make hardware 5G-compatible, and CES 2020 could be our first chance to get a glimpse of them.
Everything else
When it comes to computing, we can expect more ultraportable laptops with Intel's latest 10th gen chips and perhaps some AMD graphics news as well. With more powerful chips on the way, gaming laptops could also be a highlight at CES next week. Seeing as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are expected later this year, we could see more companies getting into the gaming-accessory market. With Stadia and xCloud on the rise in 2020, perhaps we'll get some news in the cloud-gaming arena too, maybe from the likes of Google or NVIDIA.
It also won't surprise us to see more wearables with a healthcare bent, though we don't expect anything to really topple Fitbit or the Apple Watch. True wireless earbuds will definitely continue to be a trend at CES 2020 as well, thanks in part to last year's arrival of the AirPods Pro prompting some competition. Expect even more earbuds to offer noise-canceling features, perhaps at a cheaper price.
Of course, you should also expect the unexpected. It seems that every year, there'll be an innovation that surprises us, be it a smart breast pump, a bread robot or a meatless burger. Whether or not our predictions come to fruition, there's no doubt there'll be at least one surprise from the show. We'll just have to wait a few more days to find out.
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