Latest Gadgets News

Google has finally taken the wraps off its Pixel 7a smartphone at a product announcement that kicked off Google I/O 2023 developer event as well. Google’s newest A-series Pixel phone comes with several improvements over its previous model, the Pixel 6a. The product was announced alongside two other new products, which includes the new Pixel Fold foldable and the Pix...

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Watch Google Introduce PaLM 2 video - CNET

During Google I/O 2023, the company introduced PaLM 2, a major update to its most powerful language-processing system.

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Latest Tech News

Google has officially lifted the lid on its next mid-range powerhouse – the Google Pixel 7a – at Google I/O 2023, confirming many of the impressive specs that had already been leaked about the device in the weeks leading up to the event itself. 

Designed to occupy the space between the already-released Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro – and arriving as the successor to the excellent Google Pixel 6a – the Google Pixel 7a has the makings of being one of the best cheap phones of 2023. 

We were able to get our hands on the new device ahead of time, so head over to our full Google Pixel 7a review for our thoughts on whether Google's latest Pixel handset lives up to the billing. We're also tracking the rest of Google's product launches over on our Google I/O 2023 live blog. 

On the design front, the Google Pixel 7a shares obvious DNA with the other two Pixel 7 phones – it’s got a smooth back, a metal frame and a camera bar – and this latest addition to the Pixel family is supposedly Google's most durable A-Series phone yet. See the device in action below:

Its display features Corning Gorilla Glass, and the phone has been designed using a host of recycled materials. It’ll also ship in four colors – Charcoal, Snow, Sea and Coral (though the latter is limited to select regions) – and just one storage option: 128GB. 

The Google Pixel 7a packs a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz – which, incidentally, is a superior refresh rate to the vanilla iPhone 14 – and the device uses Google's Tensor G2 chip under the hood. 

Coupled with 8GB of RAM, that processor should allow the Google Pixel 7a to meet the demands of streaming, swiping, snapping and mobile gaming with ease – perhaps even as well as the standard Google Pixel 7, which uses the same chipset. 

(Image credit: Google)

When it comes to cameras, the Google Pixel 7a features a dual rear camera set-up that comprises a 64MP main lens – the largest ever included on an A-Series device – and a 13MP ultra-wide lens. Super Res Zoom will allow for clearer close-up portraits from far away, and the Pixel 7a also features Long Exposure (another first for the A-Series). On the front is a 13MP camera that’s capable of Face Unlock – an upgrade over the Pixel 6a’s 8MP selfie snapper. 

Google says the phone’s 4,385mAh battery will yield more than 24 hours of use (or 72 hours if you turn on Extreme Battery Saver mode), and the Pixel 7a supposedly learns your favorite apps so it doesn't waste power on ones that you rarely use. The device supports 18W fast charging and 7.5W wireless charging on any Qi-certified accessoriest, too. 

The Google Pixel 7a is available to buy right now for $499 / £449 / AU$749, which marks a slight increase (in the US and UK, at least) over the $449 / £399 / AU$749 launch cost of the Pixel 6a. If you're thinking of picking one up, head over to our Google Pixel 7a review for our verdict on the device.

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Latest Tech News

Ultra short throw (UST) projectors are a great alternative to a more traditional projector setup, mainly because they sit a mere few inches from the screen and can project a 100-inch or larger picture. This space-saving arrangement saves you from having to dedicate your entire living room to movie viewing, but another upside to UST projectors is that they’re great for watching sports in well-lit environments, one where people are likely to be getting up and walking around. 

But what about gaming? The best 4K projectors can deliver pristine pictures when used for movie viewing, but they are not always the best option for gaming, with few models featuring HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 120Hz support or a game-specific picture mode with low input lag. There are some exceptions, such as the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 and JVC DLA-NZ8, but on the whole most projectors aren’t well-matched for next-gen gaming consoles. 

Ben Q’s new V5000i is looking to address that shortcoming. It can accept 4K 120Hz signals from a PS5 and Xbox Series X (though images are displayed at 4K 60Hz), and it has “low input lag” according to BenQ, though the company’s release for the new projector doesn’t specify an exact number. (We've reached out to BenQ for confirmation and will update this story accordingly.) With its 2,500 ANSI lumens brightness spec, games should also pop nicely on its included 100-inch ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen, even when they’re played with room lights on.

With the lights turned off, the V5000i’s specs indicate that it will also perform well for movie watching. It supports the HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG high dynamic range formats, while an updated HDR-PRO feature with Local Contrast Enhancement independently optimizes gamma in more than 1,000 zones across the screen.

The V5000i uses a three-laser (RGB) light engine, and BenQ’s cites BT.2020 color space coverage at 95% and DCI-P3 coverage at 98%. Having seen UST projectors with similar specs, we can tell you that colors should look vivid on the V5000i, and that both 4K Blu-ray and streaming sources will be well rendered.

For streaming, the V5000i uses an Android TV stick that plugs into one of the projector’s HDMI inputs and is preloaded with popular apps like Netflix. On the audio front, BenQ’s UST has a built-in 40W “Trevolo” sound system with support for both Dolby and DTS formats.

The V5000i features multiple HDMI ports and supports a 4K 120Hz input (Image credit: BenQ)

Opinion: Ultra short throw projectors are the perfect big-screen TV alternative 

Whether you’re using it for console gaming, daytime TV watching, or nighttime movie viewing, UST projectors like the V5000i are an excellent alternative to both standard long throw projectors and ultra-large-screen TVs. And at $3,499 (around £2,775 / AU$5,175) with a bundled 100-inch ALR screen, the V5000i seems very reasonably priced for what you get.

For comparison’s sake, a good 4K long throw projector like the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 will set you back $5,000, and you’ll still have to pay extra for a screen, while some other UST projectors like the LG Cinebeam HU915QE TechRadar recently reviewed are priced even higher than that. Some of the best 4K TVs come in screen sizes as large as 98 inches, but you’ll pay $8,500 and up (way up, if you want one of the biggest and best OLED TVs) for those.

While it’s not the brightest UST projector option (the LG model mentioned above can hit 3,700 ANSI lumens, for instance), the V5000i is has enough light output to look good in a room with some measure of light control, and its ALR screen should help to enhance picture contrast. But perhaps what’s most interesting about BenQ’s new projector is its HDR10+ and HDR-PRO with Local Contrast Enhancement feature.

HDR10+ is a dynamic high dynamic range format where image contrast is adjusted on a scene-by-scene basis. And while it’s not as widely used as the Dolby Vision format found in a few UST projectors like the Formovie Theater and certain models from Hisense, programs with HDR10+ can be streamed from some of the best streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Paramount Plus.

HDR-PRO with Local Contrast Enhancement is a feature that can also be found on a trio of new long-throw projectors BenQ is introducing alongside the V5000i: the HT4550i, HT3560, and TK860i. Similar to LED local dimming on TVs, this feature divides the image up into multiple zones and an algorithm then analyzes the brightness and makes separate gamma adjustments to each individual zone.

We’ve not yet seen it in action, but BenQ claims that Local Contrast Enhancement, along with Enhanced HDR-PRO tone mapping on the new models, allows for two-times higher peak HDR brightness over the company’s previous generation of projectors – a significant improvement.

BenQ’s new HDR processing features, along with low input lag for a projector, make the V5000i in particular an intriguing all-around prospect for movies, gaming, and more. The V5000i will be available to order starting in July, and at that time we hope to be able to tell you more about the performance of this affordable and feature-rich UST projector.

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Best Solar-Powered Home Security Cameras for 2023 - CNET

Protect your home, save on power and skip manually charging the batteries. Here are the best security cameras with solar-powered options.

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Internet Bill Skyrocketing? How To Spot These Hidden Fees and Save Money - CNET

Don't fall for the bells and whistles of a cheap Internet promotion. Here's what you should also consider.

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Latest Tech News

Rumors about an upcoming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti and 4060 have been circulating for months now, but this latest batch features news that, if true, could be great for those looking for a more affordable graphics card.

According to a post from reliable Twitter leaker MEGAsizeGPU, and reported on by VideoCardz, Nvidia will be announcing three SKUs of both the RTX 4060 Ti and 4060 this month. The buzz states that the RTX 4060 Ti will come in 8GB and 16GB memory versions while the regular 4060 will only come in the 8GB memory version. 

Even better, the 8GB RTX 4060 Ti would be slated for a release as early as May 2023, so what is likely to be the best graphics card on the market for most people could be just around the corner. The other two versions are slated for a July 2023 release, which is still not that far away.

It seems that the 16GB RTX 4060 Ti was added as a choice after apparent backlash from the initial reports of Nvidia only releasing an 8GB RTX 4060 Ti SKU. If this is true, it’s even better news that the manufacturer listened to feedback from potential buyers and added a beefier option.

An early RTX 4060 Ti would be great news for gamers 

Though other murmurings on the grapevine gave us a May 2023 release for the RTX 4060 Ti, this recent report makes it feel that much more probable. There’s still no proper mid-range option for gamers in the current generation from either Nvidia or AMD, and the best cheap graphics cards are all from the last generation, which is a problem for gamers who never had a chance to upgrade their PCs in recent years. So finally having these cards available so soon would be a great move on Team Green’s part and would given them an advantage over Team Red.

Another issue is one that we covered recently, in which previous gossip revealed that both the 4060 T and 4060 would only feature the 8GB model with a 128-bit bus, which is an obviously terrible idea. For one, this puts the card on the same level as the RTX 3060 Ti, as it’s the same amount of video memory with literally half the bus width, and both cards have fewer shader cores too. Yes there have been optimizations this gen, but still, come on Nvidia!

AAA games are rapidly requiring far more VRAM to run properly, with titles like The Last of Us: Part I for PC being a prime example. And though plenty of these games aren't well-optimized, that doesn’t change the fact that many gamers need better options for graphics cards that are already quite costly.

In other words, Nvidia shouldn’t be cheaping out on its budget gaming market. We deserve to have more than 8GB of VRAM, just like the high-end graphics card buyers.

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Latest Gadgets News

Tecno Phantom V Yoga, an allegedly upcoming flagship model from the Chinese smartphone company Tecno, has been reportedly spotted on a Chinese platform. The post on the website has tipped several specifications of the flip smartphone, which is said to be powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 8050 SoC. Tecno has not officially confirmed the specifications or the existence of...

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CookUnity Meal Subscription: Celebrity Chef-Made Meals at Fair Prices - CNET

See why CookUnity is one of the best meal delivery services we've ever tried.

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Elon Musk Says Twitter Will Purge Inactive Accounts, Which Could Give You the Handle You've Always Wanted - CNET

This could open up more than a billion accounts, potentially giving access to much-desired handles.

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Best Blenders for 2023, Tested by CNET Editors - CNET

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Latest Tech News

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just gave Samsung the green light on its Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification feature (IHRN) for the Galaxy Watch series.

Recent models, like the Galaxy Watch5, come with heart monitoring tools like on-demand ECG recording and HR Alert. What’s unique about IHRN is it specifically looks for signs of atrial fibrillation, or AFib, by utilizing the device’s ECG (electrocardiogram) function and BioActive Sensor. AFib occurs when a person suddenly has a rapid, irregular heartbeat. Samsung claims the condition “is widely considered a warning sign for major cardiovascular issues that can increase the risk of stroke”. Some cases can even be “asymptomatic”, leaving people totally unaware of what’s going on with their bodies.

Hon Pal, Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team at Samsung said in a release that the goal of IHRN is to provide users with "proactive safety solutions" and offer a "more holistic understanding of their cardiovascular" health.

How it works

The way it’ll work, according to the announcement post, is you first must activate IHRN through the Health Monitor app. Once on, the BioActive Sensor will check for “irregular heart rhythms in the background”. If the sensor detects a certain number of irregular heartbeats consecutively, the Galaxy Watch will warn you of “potential AFib activity”. The device will then tell you to take an ECG reading “for a more accurate measurement.”

Samsung states IHRN will not alert you to “every episode of irregular" heartbeats suggesting AFib. Additionally, the feature won’t detect “other known arrhythmias” nor it is meant to be used by people under the age of 22.

IHRN will roll out to devices sporting the One UI 5 Watch update, which launches later this year. It’ll arrive first on “upcoming Galaxy Watch'' models, presumably the anticipated Galaxy Watch6, before moving on to “previous editions.” Availability of the feature may vary depending on the region and what carrier you have. Given that the FDA is involved, it’s probably safe to say Galaxy Watch owners in the United States will get IHRN.

We asked Samsung if it has plans to expand the new alert system to other regions around the world. We also wanted to know why IHRN won’t notify users of every case of arrhythmia suggesting AFib. This story will be updated at a later time.

Playing catch-up

It is good to see the Galaxy Watch finally catching up to some of the competition. Apple, for example, added its own FDA-approved AFib tool to the Apple Watch 4 all the way back in 2018 where it has been shown to be 98 percent accurate at detecting the condition. More recently, Garmin added its own version of the tech to the Venu 2 Plus.

Needless to say, you can't play catch-up forever. Samsung has trailed behind its rivals and it’s unknown how the tech giant plans to overtake them, but there are some tantalizing possibilities.

A report from February claims Apple is currently working on a blood glucose monitoring tool for an upcoming version of its wearable. However, development is still in its early stages, and may take years for anything to come to fruition on the Apple Watch. We're not saying this is Samsung's next path for the Galaxy Watch, but we're also not saying it's not.

Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best heart rate monitors for 2023 if you're looking to get pinpoint accurate fitness data for yourself.

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Best Eco-Friendly Smart Home Devices to Help You Save on Energy This Summer - CNET

These smart home gadgets will reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on utilities.

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Sony has announced a new portable Bluetooth speaker alongside its substantial new SRS-XV800 party speaker. The SRS-XB100 is a lightweight wireless model for music fans on the move, and it’s designed to bring better-than-average loudness through Sony’s use of a passive radiator.

Available in blue, orange, light gray, and black color options, the SRS-XB100 is priced at $59 (around £47 / AU$87), which puts it in the same price range as the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, TechRadar’s current top budget pick in our best Bluetooth speakers guide. Like the Tribit, Sony’s portable is a lightweight option at 0.6 pounds, and it measures a mere 2.9(w) x 3.7(h) inches. Also like the Tribit, Sony includes a multiway strap, letting you lock the speaker to a backpack, bike handlebars, or whatever else is handy when you’re out and about.

Along with that passive radiator, Sony’s new portable packs a Sound Diffusion Processor that uses DSP to create a more expansive sound field, indoors or out, and it can be paired with a second SRS-XB100 for stereo playback. The speaker’s built-in microphone lets you make hands-free calls, and it has an Echo canceling feature that improves call clarity when both parties are speaking at the same time.

Sony says you can expect 16 hours of battery life from the SRS-XB100 when the speaker is set to a modest volume level. That’s enough to keep it playing all day long without a recharge – something you’ll do using its USB-C port – and it’s also a four-hour power advantage over the Tri-bit Stormbox Micro 2.

When out on an adventure, you’ll want for your portable speaker to be weather-resistant, and the SRS-XB100 manages that with its IP67 rating. That basically means Sony’s portable can withstand a dunking in a one meter depth of water for up to 30 minutes, and it’s also dustproof.

The Sony  SRS-XB100's color options (Image credit: Sony)

Opinion: Sony’s affordable portable – the new Bluetooth speaker price champ?

Summer is approaching (here in the US, at least), and we’re more than ready to get outdoors and soak up the sun. With its compact design and essentially weather-proof build, Sony’s new SRS-XB100 portable speaker looks like the perfect companion for a day-long outing, and with a 16-hour battery life, we won’t have to fret about it running out of juice.

As for sound quality, Sony is making strong claims for the SRS-XB100. Passive radiator or not, we don’t expect this compact speaker to be able to touch the rich, full sound delivered by the also-portable Sonos Move, the top choice for premium sound in our Bluetooth speakers guide. 

But the Sonos also connects via Wi-Fi and can be used as the outdoor option in an extended Sonos whole-home system, so it’s not an apt comparison. A better one would be the Sonos Roam, a significantly smaller and more lightweight model that Sonos designed for more wide-ranging portability. But the Roam is priced at $179 / £179 / AU$299, making it a pricey Bluetooth speaker option for most people, and its 10-hour battery life is just average. If Sony’s significantly cheaper SRS-XB100 can deliver even a slice of the Sonos’ sound quality while offering a basically weatherproof build and day-long battery life, it will be a formidable competitor for that model, let alone the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2.

There’s only one way to find out, and it will be to get our hands on an SRS-XB100. Sony’s new speaker is available for pre-order today and can be purchased starting on May 22, so it may not be long before we have a verdict.

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