LG has just announced the pricing details around its 2020 lineup of premium NanoCell LCD TVs and, surprisingly, they’re super affordable this year.
According to the specs sent to TechRadar, the entry-level model - the 55-inch NANO81 - will cost just $599 when it goes on sale in May. That’s $50 cheaper than the current entry-level SM8100, and it could drop even more when we get to the big sales holidays like Cyber Monday and Black Friday.
So what’s the catch?
The catch is that, like last year, the new low-end NANO81 won’t have the high-end Alpha a9 III or even the basic Alpha a7 III picture processor in them and will instead have a generic quad-core processor. That’s not the end of the world, obviously, but if you’re looking for the clearest upscaling, you’re going to want a chip specifically designed to expedite the upscaling process.
The good news is that, even if you throw down for the cheapest version NanoCell TV, you’re still getting the technology behind the screen that offers enhanced colors and contrast with wider viewing angles than rival LED-LCD TVs. So that’s good.
Should you pay more for a processor?
Should you decide that you want something a bit more powerful under the hood of your NanoCell TV, LG has you covered - it announced 10 other models today that fit the bill. There’s the NANO85 and NANO90 Series that use the Alpha a7 Gen 3 and have a 4K resolution, or you can step all the way up to the LG NANO99 that offers 8K and comes with the even better Alpha a9 Gen 3 processor.
In terms of pricing, the NANO85 isn’t much more expensive than the NANO81 we mentioned earlier, coming in at $649 for the 49-inch model - making it just $50 more than the NANO81.
Things get a bit pricey when you step up to the NANO90 that comes in at $1,049 for a 55-inch screen, and leaps to $3,499 if you want to hop on the 8K bandwagon with the 65-inch NANO99.
So which of these should you buy? Well, we’ll have to see them for ourselves before we can say anything for certain - but unless you have a critical eye, you might not be missing much by using a quad-core processor over the Alpha series of chips. The latter have multi-step upscaling techniques that reduce grain and increase sharpness - which is great if you plan on plugging in, say, a DVD player - but most HD video should look fine on the NANO81.
In terms of availability, LG is shipping the 49-inch NANO85 and 86-inch NANO90 starting today, and those will be joined by the 65-inch NANO81, 55-inch NANO90 and 65-inch NANO85 later this month. The rest of the lineup - including the 75-inch NANO99 8K - will arrive in May with the last model, the 75-inch NANO85, arriving sometime in September.
Want to see everything in LG's stable? Here's every LG 2020 TV
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/2Xoa5w7
OnePlus 8 Pro and OnePlus 8 price details have surfaced online just days ahead of the official launch that is scheduled for April 14. The price appears to be significantly higher than what was available with the OnePlus 7T series last year.
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G will go on sale in Prism Cube Black, Prism Cube White, and Prism Cube Pink colour options. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G will go on sale in Prism Cube Black, Prism Cube Silver, and Prism Cube Blue colour options.
Google said on Wednesday it would give two months of free access to the paid version of its cloud-based game streaming platform Stadia as people are confined to their homes due to the coronavirus outbreak.
from RSS Feeds | GAMES - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com https://ift.tt/3b7eaIQ
US consumers seeking affordable options among the best Samsung phones haven’t had many choices – until now, as the brand announced the Samsung Galaxy A51 and A01 starting today at $109, with other A-series phones to follow this summer.
The budget-priced Galaxy A01 and Galaxy A51 reach the US first. Beginning today, Thursday, April 9, consumers can pick up the A51 with triple rear cameras, including a 48MP main shooter along with ultra-wide and macro lenses. Its 6.5-inch AMOLED display with punch-hole and 4,000mAh battery mark this as a less refined but still powerful version of its flagship Samsung Galaxy S20 line of phones – but starting at a much more affordable $399.
The Galaxy A01, much lower-priced starting at $109, features a 5.7-inch display and two rear lenses: a 13MP main camera and 2MP depth sensor. Combined with a 3,000mAh battery and 16GB of storage (expandable up to 512GB via microSD) and 2GB of RAM, it’s a true budget option.
The remaining phones in the A series will come later in the summer (Q2 and Q3 2020). These will include the Galaxy A11 and Galaxy A21 starting at $179 and $249, respectively, as well as the Galaxy A51 5G ($499) and larger Galaxy A71 5G ($599). More details, including spec and camera breakdowns, can be found on Samsung's blog post.
These affordable phones will likely find a more receptive consumer base than they typically would as folks limit their spending during the coronavirus outbreak.
But the A51 and its siblings also represent a strategy shift for Samsung. Previously, we the US had seen a budget Samsung smartphone here or there offered by carriers, but this seems like a more expansive plan.
Plus, it likely explains why we didn’t see the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite or Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite – both exciting budget flagships demoed at CES 2020 – launch in the US, as they could have overlapped price and feature points with the A-series.
Whether or not the A51 and its ilk were intended to reach the US, they’ll offer good specs at decent prices, which could rival the rumored iPhone 9 and Google Pixel 4a before those heavyweights seem poised to launch. But Samsung's phones will have a distinct advantage: we already know the A51 5G and A71 5G will be able to connect to 5G networks.
5G phones: all the phones we know will connect to the next-gen networks
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/2RkMfxd
HBO announced that it will remove support for older 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TV devices today. Starting on April 30, the HBO Now and HBO Go apps won’t be supported on the older hardware and the apps will soon disappear entirely.
According to support documentation HBO released alongside the announcement, the premium content creator wants to ensure "the best streaming experience" for its customers – and that will no longer be possible using the now 10-year-old innards of the 2nd Generation Apple TV.
If your back is up against a wall and this is your only streaming device, HBO recommends using AirPlay as the way to display shows like Westworld and Game of Thrones to the biggest screen in your house, using an HDMI cable to connect your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV or, if that won’t work, casting the content if your TV supports it.
Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like this will affect a huge majority of users: according to some of the latest numbers we have from the US on streaming player usage, Roku still dominates the space, with Amazon in a close second and way down the list sits Apple – and most of those users have probably upgraded to the new Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K, neither of which will be impacted by today’s announcement.
That said, it’s always a bummer if you’re in the group of people affected by obsolescence but, on the bright side, now is as good of a time as ever to upgrade to the higher specced hardware.
The government's coronavirus economic relief package includes stimulus payments from the IRS for a majority of US taxpayers. Here's what you need to know.
Zoom Video Communications has tapped former Facebook security chief Alex Stamos as an adviser as safety and privacy concerns about its fast-growing video-conferencing app drive a global backlash against the company.
The best mesh Wi-Fi routers on the market can really improve your network situation, whether you have a spotty connection or are trying to cover a large office. While most typical wireless routers usually use one device to provide coverage, mesh Wi-Fi routers have several components, or nodes. When they’re placed strategically around the area you want covered, they can bounce a reliable and robust signal to every corner of your space.
Basically, by using a mesh Wi-Fi router setup, you’re able to cover a large space without compromising the connection or requiring multiple networks. On top of that, setting up a mesh network is usually easy enough that you can do it without expert IT help.
Here is a collection of the top mesh Wi-Fi routers available right now. Whether its best value, easiest setup, or even the most aesthetically pleasing, we’ve gathered our top picks here to make it easy for you to find the right one for your needs.
What’s better than the best mesh router? Well, a mesh router with a smart speaker, that’s what. Especially if you’re a smart home fiend, you will appreciate the pure genius of this upgrade in Google’s Wifi line. The Google Nest Wifi kicks things up a notch, taking Google Wifi’s incredible yet simple design and performance then merging it with the convenience of a smart speaker so you’ve got a two-in-one device in an even sleeker and more attractive package. And, if you’re tired of the color white, this one also comes in Mist and Sand colors. As far as the best mesh Wi-Fi routers go, the original Google Wifi is still the one to beat. This one just gives it that extra oomph.
D-Link DIR-3060 is an AC3000 WiFi mesh router with extra security.
The DIR-3060 offers similar security to D-Link's earlier AU$500 D-Fend DIR-2680, but it has taken a big step forward in terms of performance and yet somehow comes in at just AU$379. It does, sadly, miss out on WiFi 6, but the 3000Mbps tri-band mesh WiFi router is fast enough that we don't expect many to notice the difference. The D-Link DIR-3060 was able to get 67MB/s when transfering close range NAS files, only 1MB/s behind Wi-Fi 6, but this speed dropped off at further distances. Set up is simple using D-Link's WiFi app, but it isn't quite as intuitive as the Google Wifi app, but the main drawcard is McAfee security integration. McAfee provides unlimited two-year LiveSafe subscriptions to every device that connects to it (in the first 5 years).
The Asus ZenWiFi AC (CT8) is extremely fast and packs some premium features.
The Asus ZenWiFi AC (CT8) mesh router is extremely easy to set up and offers some of the fastest wireless connection speeds we've tested. The Asus ZenWiFi AC router uses a 'backhaul' Ethernet connection between the two units that allows it to project consistent speeds form each hub. The mesh network can deliver local networks speeds of around 500Mbps and each node was able to throw this over multiple levels of a house without losing too much throughput. While this particular unit doesn't offer WiFi 6, these network speeds mean you won't really notice and the Asus smartphone app makes it easy to manage what's connected to your network and any restrictions or securities you want to implement.
The Asus RT-AX92U is the fastest WiFi 6 router we've tested, for those than need uncompromising coverage and speed.
So the Asus RT-AX92U is a little pricey, but for top dollar you get two independent or mesh-able WiFi 6 routers that are capable of creating an uninterrupted network over 4 stories of a house. Because it's a tri-band mesh network it does this over each of the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz+ frequencies to deliver 386Mbps local network transfer speeds to a massive area, big enough envelop most houses. This means your entire WiFi network will get the same max speed and minimal ping as your home internet over an Ethernet connection. This may seem like a standard feature, but the Asus RT-AX92U is the first device we've to offer perfect WiFi parity with cabled Ethernet connections. So if you want Wi-Fi without compromise, it's the only way to go.
With Google WiFi, Google has taken dominion over the mesh WiFi world. (Image credit: Google)
The Google Wifi still offers one of the most detailed and easy to use home mesh network apps. While it was one of the first to bring mesh networks to the mainstream smarthome user, it still holds up pretty well today. This space has taken leaps and bounds since mesh networks were first introduced so Google Wifi has been overtaken by more than a few competitors, but if you're looking to add to your existing system you can get additional nodes for a bargain these days. Not only does it have the power to push fast Wi-Fi throughout your house (an even more impressive feat considering its diminutive size), it’s also fairly cheap and not that hard to set up.
For those looking for a more affordable AC mesh network the Tenda MW5s Mesh Wi-Fi 3 pack is more than enough for Australian NBN.
Tenda may be a relatively unknown Wi-Fi brand in the West, but the Shenzen-based company has actually made a competitively priced AC mesh network system for home internet. At close range it isn't as fast as Google Wifi, but its throughput of 119.7Mbps holds over a greater vertical span when on the floor above the primary node – more than twice the speed of Google Wifi at this range. Set up is simple and there are enough security and prioritisation features to keep general users happy. More than enough for anyone simply looking to spread internet evenly around the family home.
There’s something to be said about the simplicity of plugging The Netgear EX7700 mesh router into your existing home network.
Rather than throw out your existing router and start again with a mesh system, a mesh router like the Netgear EX7700 will plug into your existing network and extend the range, without creating a separate network name and login. The Nighthawk X6 Tri-band WiFi Mesh Extender, As the EX7700 is sometimes marketed as, is not Wi-Fi 6 capable despite the name very much alluding to next gen. networking capabilities, but it does offer two 5GHz channels, which makes it a fast upgrade for any existing Wi-Fi network. The low fuss WPS connection means there isn't much need for it's own networking app, but if this solution is what you want you probably wouldn't get much use out of that anyway. A decent solution for plug and play mesh networks with existing hardware.
The Netgear Orbi boast more than enough Ethernet ports. (Image credit: Netgear)
If you have deep pockets, then check out the Netgear Orbi, which may be one of the best wireless mesh routers money can buy this year. Instead of something like the Google Wifi, which uses three identical nodes to create the network, you’ll get one main router and several satellite nodes to plug into power outlets around your home. In addition, the Orbi touts several Ethernet ports, making it an exceptional option for those with a number of devices that need a hardwired connection. This mesh router is the best choice for consumers who use their network mostly for gaming, particularly across multiple devices.
Hot on the heels of a big specs leak, we’ve now seen what appears to be official press renders providing a clear view of the Honor 30 Pro from the back.
Shared on Weibo (a Chinese social network) and spotted by IndiaShopps, the renders were apparently originally shared by Zhao Ming (Honor’s president) during a live broadcast.
The main detail is clearly the quad-lens camera in the top left corner, which includes a periscope telephoto lens – we can tell that because it’s square, which is usually the case for periscope lens designs.
IndiaShopps additionally claims that one of the sensors is a 50MP one, but that doesn’t appear to be mentioned anywhere in the leak, so presumably the site is basing that on earlier rumors.
In any case, the rest of the back looks fairly plain if glossy, and the Honor 30 Pro is shown in both blue (or possibly silver) and grey shades.
The front isn’t visible and no specs have been revealed here, but based on previous leaks we’re expecting the Honor 30 Pro to have a top-end Kirin 990 chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, a 6.57-inch 1080 x 2340 screen, and a 3,900mAh battery. It will also be joined of course by the slightly lower end Honor 30, and possibly even the Honor 30 Lite.
All the official details will be available soon, as the Honor 30 range is set to be announced on April 15 and TechRadar will be sure to bring you all the news on the day, as well as any other credible leaks in the run up.
Following on from the reveal of Samsung Australia's 2020 TV range last week, LG has announced its own enormous lineup of televisions for the Aussie market, unveiling a whopping 27 sets in total.
The clear standout amongst the many LG TVs headed Down Under is the OLED88ZX, an 88-inch 8K OLED behemoth with a truly staggering AU$71,999 price point. LG also has a 77-inch model (OLED77ZX) on offer at roughly half the price (AU$35,999) for those getting a fancy telly instead of a new sedan this year.
Of course, with a TV lineup that's 27-deep, there are more than a few affordable options available, including far more reasonably priced sets in LG's NanoCell 8K range, which is essentially the company's high-end LCD offering.
Additionally, the South Korean electronics giant also announced new models in its 4K OLED and OLED Gallery ranges, several new NanoCell 4K TVs and a smattering of televisions in its entry-level UHD 4K range.
In terms of features, the TVs in LG's OLED and NanoCell ranges offer the new Dolby Vision IQ Filmmaker Mode, which is said to show films the way they were intended to be seen by their creators. This includes picture adjustment and the automatic switching off of motion smoothing, which is certainly something we can get behind.
While LG usually reserves its deep, inky blacks for its OLED ranges, the company has included Full Array Dimming across its LED/LCD TVs this year, allowing for near-OLED black levels and more targeted backlighting to specific parts of each display.
You can check out the full list of LG's 2020 televisions below, including pricing and availability.
