Audiovisual Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Andreas Geek Tube

Posted on 03/01/2020 by andreasgeektube — Leave a comment

Samsung’s Odyssey G9 curved gaming monitor is a 49-inch QLED monster

CES 2020 hasn’t started yet, but Samsung is already getting started with a pair of new QLED gaming monitors that look to check nearly every spec box, led by the absolutely massive 49-inch Odyssey G9, Samsung’s curviest screen yet.

The Odyssey G9 isn’t the first curved gaming display from Samsung, nor is it the first 49-inch one, or even the first at such a high resolution (that honor goes to last year’s CRG9). But the Odyssey ups the specs in nearly every way: while the 5120×1440 resolution and HDR1000 rating are the same, the new screen offers twice the refresh rate, at up to 240Hz, a even quicker 1ms response time, and support for both AMD’s FreeSync 2 along with newly added Nvidia G-Sync compatibility.

The display is also Samsung’s first consumer display with an 1000R curve, filling roughly the same field of view as the human eye (monitor curvature tends to range from 4000R to 1800R, with a greater curvature the lower the number.) In other words, the 49-inch G9 curves more than most other displays, including the CRG9 (which had a less severe 1800R curve) for a more immersive experience that feels like the screen is wrapped around your head.

Of course, given that it’s a gaming monitor, the back also features a giant glowing blue light that makes the display look like it’s powered by one of Tony Stark’s leftover Iron Man arc reactors.

Alongside the Odyssey G9, Samsung also announced the Odyssey G7, a smaller 16:9 2560×1440 monitor that comes in both 32-inch and 27-inch sizes. Like the larger Odyssey G9 panels, the G7 models also offer a 1000R curvature, rely on Samsung’s QLED technology, feature a 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and FreeSync 2 and G-Sync. The only real difference — aside from size — is the level of HDR supported. The G7 models only are rated for HDR600 (for a minimum peak luminance of 600 cd/m²), compared to the HDR1000 rating on the G9.

Samsung has yet to announce a price or release date for either display, but if the $1,299.99 CRG9 from last year is anything to go by, the new displays likely won’t be cheap.

Posted on 02/01/2020 by andreasgeektube — Leave a comment

Could this be Samsung’s bezel-less 8K TV?

Samsung may have a new, groundbreaking type of television to show off at CES in Las Vegas next week: a completely bezel-less, 8K QLED model. Dubbed by some reports as the Samsung “Zero Bezel” TV and reportedly carrying model numbers of Q900T and Q950T, this TV is believed to have bezels so tiny that the screen edge effectively disappears when viewed from a distance. On Tuesday, German website 4KFilme says it has its hands on a pair of leaked renders showing the screen in all its bezel-less glory.

We don’t have very much else to go on, and of course this being an unannounced product, there’s no word yet on pricing, release date, or what size options a set like this would come in. But that said, it does sound perfectly in Samsung’s wheelhouse given the display innovations its pioneered on its Galaxy smartphone line. We’ll likely know more next week when CES is in full swing and Samsung announces its annual TV lineup refresh.

Source: The Verge

Posted on 04/11/201904/11/2019 by andreasgeektube — Leave a comment

Adobe’s Photoshop for the iPad is finally here, with more features to come

Nearly a year after it was first announced, Photoshop for the iPad is finally here. Adobe is unveiling the app at its annual Max design conference today, and it has published a blog post celebrating the launch of version 1.0. The app has been redesigned for the context of a mobile device and includes many of desktop Photoshop’s core tools, particularly around compositing, retouching, and masking. Not everything is here, but Adobe says this first version is just the starting line.

“This is the beginning,” writes Photoshop product manager Pam Clark. “The first version of Photoshop on iPad is focused on … common tasks and workflows that we know will be useful for most Photoshop users.” Adobe is careful to note that more features will be added over time, as the company’s labeling of the app as “real Photoshop” led to some early reports of beta testers ending up disappointed that the software wasn’t what they had hoped for.

It’s true that Photoshop for the iPad doesn’t have all of the features of the desktop version, like the pen tool or an animation timeline. But the term “real Photoshop” comes from the fact that the iPad app is built from the same code base as Photoshop on the desktop. Adobe is also all-in on its new Cloud PSD file format, which allows users to sync edits across the tablet and desktop, and it hopes to encourage users to house their Photoshop creations in the cloud going forward.

“[We’re] never compromising on this notion of the actual, real Photoshop code on iPad, so that you have an absolute extended workflow from the desktop,” Scott Belsky, Adobe’s chief product officer, said at a pre-briefing event.

Cloud PSDs signify Adobe’s commitment to its new generation of tablet apps, including Fresco and Aero, which both support the new file format. When a PSD is in the cloud, its extension will be changed to PSDC, “C” for cloud. PSDCs will auto-save as users work and can be saved in other cloud storage locations other than the Creative Cloud. Users can use Photoshop on their iPads or desktops offline, with edits being cached on the device until they connect back to the internet.

The app features a toolbar on the left, which houses tools like the brush, type, clone stamp, healing brush, and lasso. Layer panels are on the right, along with tools for photo editing like brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation, and levels. There are also panels to make image adjustments with layer masks, gradients, and blend modes.

Photoshop on the iPad is only available for Creative Cloud customers, meaning it’s included if they’re already paying for a plan with Photoshop. If not, users will have to sign up for a subscription, the cheapest of which is the $9.99 Photography plan that includes Lightroom and Photoshop.

Because it’s a mobile app, Photoshop product manager Jenny Lyell says Adobe plans to update Photoshop for the iPad at a much more aggressive pace than it has with its current Creative Cloud apps for the desktop. That gives the team more time to get feedback from users and add new features gradually.

“We’re not going to try to get 30 years of features and unload them on a brand new customer, on a brand new platform, from day one,” Belsky says. “Instead, we’re going to rethink the evolution of some of these features.” Photoshop on the iPad may not be “full” Photoshop yet, but it is real.

Source: The Verge

Posted on 29/10/2019 by andreasgeektube — Leave a comment

AirPods Pro Unboxing & Impressions!

It is the end of October and everyone was anticipating an “Apple October Event”. Instead, apple managed in a few days to build awareness and introduce their new product. The Airpods Pro.

As MKBHD mentions in some of his videos, the world pro is kind of a trend and represents everything that is high-end.

Some of the major updates that highlight the launch of the Apple Airpods are the following:

Active Noise Cancellation
New smaller improved design
Rubber earbuds with apple magic measurement for better ear fit
Faster charging
New case
Active Noise Cancellation removal by pressing the earpod

What do you guys thing?
Do you like them? Do you believe that they worth the hype?

Posted on 28/10/2019 by andreasgeektube — Leave a comment

Apple announces AirPods Pro with noise cancellation, coming October 30th

Apple has just launched the rumored noise-canceling AirPods Pro — not with an October product event, but via a press release. The premium earbuds are set for release on October 30th for $249. They’re up for preorder starting today. And yes, they still only come in white.

Apple has built microphones into the AirPods Pro that detect external sound, and the earbuds then cancel it out. The system used here sounds very similar to the noise cancellation in the new Beats Solo Pro headphones, just miniaturized to a much smaller form factor. Apple says noise cancellation is adjusted up to 200 times per second.

The AirPods Pro feature a transparency mode that will let you hear your surroundings while wearing them. The earbuds have a “force sensor” that you can use to control music playback and activate transparency mode.

The company is promising fantastic audio quality from the AirPods Pro for that $249 price. They have a feature called “Adaptive EQ” that “automatically tunes music to the shape of your ear.”

Unlike the current AirPods, these will come with flexible ear tips for a more secure, sealed in-ear fit. Three sizes of silicone tips are included in the box. Apple even says there’s a software audio test that can tell you if you’ve chosen the right-sized tip by “measuring the sound level in the ear and comparing it to what is coming from the speaker driver.” This should reduce any guesswork or confusion for customers.

Like the second-gen AirPods, the AirPods Pro support wireless charging and hands-free “Hey Siri” voice commands. Apple says they get around 4.5 hours of continuous listening battery life. (You can see that the active noise cancellation takes a bit of a toll there.) But as usual with AirPods, the case has enough extra battery for around 24 hours of total listening time, including those recharges.

The AirPods Pro are sweat and water resistant — get ready to start seeing these in gyms everywhere — and they include “an expanded mesh microphone port that improves call clarity in windy situations.”

They still charge via the Lightning connector, but they now come with a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box.

Apple’s new AirPods come just as noise cancellation — long a convenience offered by over-ear headphones from Bose, Sony, and others — has begun making its way to truly wireless earbuds. Sony’s noise-canceling 1000X M3 earbuds cost $229. And Amazon’s Echo Buds, with Bose noise reduction (not full-on cancellation) technology, are about to hit shelves for $129.99. AirPods have seen a meteoric rise in popularity since they were first released, so it’s safe to assume that Apple is about to have another smash hit on its hands.

Source: The Verge

Posted on 15/10/201915/10/2019 by andreasgeektube — Leave a comment

Beats Solo Pro debut with Pure ANC, Transparency, fold-to-power and Apple H1 chip; pre-order for $299

Beats is out with the first major redesign of its Solo on-ear headphones since being bought by Apple in 2014. The all-new Solo Pro headphones blend Beats Studio active noise cancellation with Powerbeats Pro and AirPods features like ‘Hey Siri’, auto-power, and more. Solo Pro is also the first Beats headphone to introduce a new ambient noise feature called Transparency.

Beats Solo Pro brings a new look that mixes Beats EP and Beats Studio headphones while maintaining the on-ear design of previous Beats Solo headphones. The next-generation headphones also come with all-new features for the Solo line:

Pure Active Noise Cancellation with a redesigned on-ear cup
Transparency feature lets you hear ambience noise using mics
Unfold to power on, fold to power off

Solo Pro also features Apple’s H1 chip that first appeared in the second-gen AirPods then Beats Powerbeats Pro. This wireless chip powers voice-activated “Hey Siri”, and Beats Solo Pro work with Apple’s new Audio Sharing feature on iOS 13 — even with Pure ANC or Transparency.

In terms of battery life, Beats promises up to 22 hours of audio playback when using active noise cancellation or Transparency. You can turn off both features to expect up to 40 hours of playback.

Beats Solo Pro headphones recharge using an included Lightning cable just like iPhones, BeatsX, and Powerbeats Pro — no more micro USB. A quick 10 minute charge can provide up to 3 hours of playback.

Beats Solo Pro headphones are available for pre-order in the US starting today. Solo Pro retails for $299.95 and launch later this month on October 30. Six color options are available from launch including black, ivory, and gray as well as matte finishes of dark blue, light blue, and red.

9to5Mac will have a full review of the new Beats Solo Pro headphones soon.

Source: 9to5mac

Posted on 15/10/2019 by andreasgeektube — Leave a comment

Google announces its Nest Mini smart speaker

Google is changing the name of its Google Home Mini and integrating it into its Nest line of products. Announced today, the Nest Mini is an upgrade to 2017’s Google Home Mini. The Nest Mini looks nearly identical to the Google Home Mini, except it comes with improved speakers and an included wall mount. It’ll come in four colors: black, light gray, coral, and light blue.

Google’s particularly marketing the Nest Mini as an audio device. The company says the bass is twice as strong as the original Google Home Mini for more natural sound. If you’re listening to audio content, the speaker will light up when you place your hand close to the device for volume adjustment. It can also pair with other Nest speakers to create a larger sound system. This means people can make Google Duo calls through the Google Home app or use other Nest speakers as intercoms.

The company says the Nest Mini also now includes a third microphone that’ll help in noisy environments, and it features a dedicated machine learning chip that allows Google Assistant features to run faster and on the device itself.

It’ll cost $49, and the preorder is live today. It’ll go on sale on October 22nd and will be available in 23 countries. Retailers include Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.

Source: The Verge

Posted on 06/10/2019 by andreasgeektube — Leave a comment

Sick of cleaning your headphones? These new LG earbuds clean themselves

In the race to build better and better true wireless headphones, LG might have found a killer feature… a germ-killing feature that is: The new LG Tone+ Free true wireless headphones have a UV light built into the case that kills germs while the headphones are charging.

We’ve seen these types of features on other peripherals in the past, particularly in the smartphone category, but this is one of the first times it’s being built directly into a headphone’s case.

Now, admittedly, besides that one unique feature the LG Tone+ Free is a lot like the umpteen other true wireless headphones that have come out in the last few years – they last only about six hours per charge but they are quick charge-enabled, allowing you to get about an hour of playtime from five minutes on the charger. They also come with Google Assistant built-in, which is a nice feature if you plan on pairing it with one of LG’s flagship phones like the LG G7 ThinQ or LG V40 ThinQ.

Other features include an IPX4 rating, making them sweat-resistant and perfect for workouts, and come custom-tuned by Meridian Audio, LG’s new partner in audio.

The problem? You’re going to need to be a resident of South Korea to get one. As of right now, the Tone+ is a Korea-exclusive where they’re slated to cost 259,999 won (around $215 / £175 / AU$320). That said, with CES 2020 right around the corner, there’s always a chance these germ-fighting workout buds could be heading our way sooner rather than later. Germs, watch your back.

Source: LG

Posted on 14/09/201914/09/2019 by andreasgeektube — Leave a comment

LG’s new 140-inch 4K laser projector is actually cheaper than its OLED TVs

For folks who want the biggest screen for the least amount of money, HD projectors have always offered a cost-effective solution – they offer a lot of screen real estate for not a lot of money.

Unfortunately the same hasn’t been true for 4K projectors that, until very recently, have cost significantly more than their television counterparts.

But LG could change that with its new 4K HDR projector that will retail for less than the cost of its 65-inch OLED TV.

The new projector – the LG HU70LA – promises a picture up to 140 inches plus HDR support, WebOS 4.5, and TruMotion, LG’s motion control technology, all for $1,799 (around £1,440, AU$2,600).

To put that number in perspective, LG’s new 65-inch C9 OLED costs $2,499 (£2,799, AU$5,589), which means the HU70LA will offer 75-inches more screen for around $700 less.

The drawback here is that the projector only puts out around 1,500 lumens – around 400ish nits of brightness if you compared it to a TV – and will require a bit of space to achieve that maximum screen size. If you want an ultra short throw projector and higher brightness you’ll have to step up to the new LG HU85LA that sells for $6,000 (around £4,860, AU$8,750).

How does a 4K projector compare to a 4K TV?

There are some pros and cons about both display technologies, but the most obvious advantage is that TVs are usually brighter and offer better contrast, while projectors offer a larger screen size.

Without seeing the LG HU70LA next to the LG C9 OLED it’s tough to compare the two, but based on the specs, it seems very likely that the above would hold true here, too.

What makes this news exciting, however, is that we’re finally comparing apples-to-apples in terms of price and performance. Before we could only compare 4K TVs to projectors that would cost two to three times as much, or compare 4K TVs to HD projectors. We’re now at a point where we can compare a 4K projector to a 4K TV.

So, when will we know how close the two home entertainment products stack up? Well, according to LG’s website the projector is ‘coming soon’ so we won’t have long to wait.