Posted Fri May 12, 2017 at 06:30 AM PDT by Steven Cohen
We've compiled the latest gear news, including a new QHD monitor, HD smartphone, and SmartCast updates!
From product announcements and streaming app updates to general industry news and recent gear trends, keeping up with the latest tech news can be a daunting task. With that in mind, we're here to offer you a roundup of some of the latest gear and consumer electronics news that you may have missed.
For this edition, we're covering the launch of Turner Networks through the VIZIO SmartCast mobile app, a new BenQ monitor, new security certification for the LG webOS 3.5 Smart TV platform, and a new LG smartphone.
So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news:
VIZIO has announced the integration of several popular Turner Networks into its SmartCast mobile app platform. As part of the launch, TNT, TBS, and Cartoon Network will now join other SmartCast apps like Fandango NOW, Google Play Movies & TV, Hulu, and Vudu, allowing consumers to search for media and seamlessly stream content from their mobile devices to their VIZIO SmartCast displays.
"The integration of TNT, TBS and Cartoon Network into VIZIO SmartCast Mobile equates to an added level of convenience for consumers," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "The partnership with Turner allows popular network content to be infused directly into the SmartCast experience, allowing consumers to easily browse content catalogs before deciding on content to cast to the big screen."
The VIZIO SmartCast mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices. With the app, users can search and browse content by genre across multiple apps at the same time before choosing which titles they'd like to watch on their SmartCast display. And now with Turner Networks integration, SmartCast users with authenticated pay-TV subscriptions can access content from TNT, TBS, and Cartoon Network, including popular shows like Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, CONAN, Animal Kingdom, The Powerpuff Girls, and Steven Universe.
"As consumers are spending an increasing amount of time viewing content on connected devices, the partnership with VIZIO highlights our overall strategy to give viewers greater accessibility to Turner's programming," said John Harran, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Digital Distribution and Strategic Partnerships, Turner. "Offering our programming to subscribers drives home the value of pay-TV and reinforces VIZIO's innovative technology which is helping to reshape the home entertainment experience."
VIZIO's SmartCast platform is currently found on a variety of the company's home theater products, including the new 2017 P-Series and M-Series Ultra HD HDR Displays.
Source: VIZIO
BenQ has revealed the latest addition to its monitor lineup. The upcoming PD2500Q is geared toward the professional designer market.
"PD2500Q is a declaration of BenQ's commitment to optimize professional display performance," said Conway Lee, President of BenQ Corporation. "Our significant resource investment to individual color calibration ensures PD Series monitors provide precise details to enable designers to create perfection."
The PD2500Q features a 25-inch 2K QHD (2560x1440) LED LCD IPS panel with an edge-to-edge ultra slim bezel and a 90-degree pivoting, height-adjustable stand. The display offers 100% sRGB and Rec. 709 color gamut accuracy as well as Technicolor Color Certification and individual factory calibration. Likewise, the monitor is capable of multiple display daisy-chaining with Multi-Stream Transport (MST) support, and includes DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, HDMI, USB 3.1 Gen1, headphone, and audio ports.
In addition, the PD2500Q also offers several options specially geared toward designers, including:
- CAD/CAM Mode activates superior contrast for lines and shapes in technical illustrations, accentuating the finest details in Pro/E, SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, CATIA, or other - design software.
- Animation Mode enhances the brightness of dark areas without overexposing bright regions, to overcome often-challenging design work with intricate details in dark images.
- Darkroom Mode creates the optimal image brightness and contrast for work in darkened post-processing environments for superb clarity and detail sharpness.
Pricing and availability for the PD2500Q have not been announced yet.
Source: BenQ
LG has announced that its webOS 3.5 Smart TV platform has earned Common Criteria (CC) certification for its enhanced Application Security Solution Version 1.0 software.
"We have taken every possible step to ensure that webOS 3.5 offers excellent application protection and the highest level of privacy security," said J.H. Hwang, senior vice president and head of R&D at LG's Home Entertainment Company. "Consistent with customers" concerns over product security issues, we have enhanced the security of our smart TV platform. Certification by Common Criteria confirms that we're on the right track when it comes to customer privacy and data protection."
In order to receive certification, Security Manager (the webOS 3.5 security software module), was tested in three phases under Common Criteria's rigid benchmarks: application installation protection, application execution protection, and application content protection with digital rights management (DRM) encryption. To provide its enhanced security, the webOS 3.5 platform blocks the installation of unauthorized apps by conducting a rigorous digital signature verification process.
The LG webOS 3.5 smart TV platform is now integrated into several new displays, including the recently launched OLED 55-inch C7 (OLED55C7P), OLED 65-inch E7 (OLED65E7P), OLED 65-inch C7 (OLED65C7P), SUPER UHD 55-inch SJ8500, and SUPER UHD 65-inch SJ8500.
Source: LG
LG has announced the release of its X power2 smartphone. The device is now rolling out around the globe, starting in North America with key target markets in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and other regions set to follow.
"The LG X power2 was designed to meet the demands of users who want maximum usage from their smartphones between charges and many of the advanced features found on our flagship devices," said Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "The combination of outstanding battery life, spacious display and exceptional camera capabilities made the first X power a popular proposition for millions and we expect the newest iteration of the X power series to be even more attractive."
The smartphone uses a 5.5-inch HD In-cell Touch display along with a powerful 4,500mAh battery rated for around 26 hours of talk time, 18 hours of video playback, or about 19 hours of internet browsing. Under the hood, the device is powered by a 1.5 GHz Octa-Core processor running Android 7.0. A 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera are integrated as well. Here's a full rundown of specs per LG:
- Display: 5.5-inch HD In-cell Touch
- Chipset: 1.5 GHz Octa-Core
- Camera: Rear 13MP / Front 5MP (Wide Angle / LED Flash)
- Memory: 2GB or 1.5GB RAM / 16GB ROM / Micro SD (up to 2TB)
- Battery: 4,500mAh (embedded)
- Operating System: Android 7.0 Nougat
- Size: 154.7 x 78.1 x 8.4mm
-Weight: 164g
- Network: LTE / 3G / 2G
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b, g, n) / Bluetooth 4.2 / USB 2.0
- Colors: Black Titan / Shiny Titan / Shiny Gold / Shiny Blue
- Others: USB OTG / Gyro Sensor
Pricing and exact release dates will vary by market.
Source: LG
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