On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

Google and HTC announce a $1.1 billion "cooperation agreement"-- one where the search giant buys "certain HTC employees," many of whom with experience working on the Pixel smartphone line.

The search giant also gets a non-exclusive license for a good chunk HTC IP in order to support the Pixel smartphone family.

“Our unmatched smartphone value chain, including our IP portfolio, and world-class talent and system integration capabilities, have supported Google in bolstering the Android market,” HTC CEO Cher Wang says. “This agreement is a brilliant next step in our longstanding partnership, enabling Google to supercharge their hardware business while ensuring continued innovation within our HTC smartphone and VIVE virtual reality businesses."

Epson takes the short-throw projector category to the home market with the EH-LS100, a laser-powered ultra-short-throw (UST) projector promising flexible installation options and images of up to 130-inch.

The EH-LS100 can be placed just 6cm away from a wall or screen to project a 70-inch WUXGA resolution image, with a bit more of throw distance allowing for larger images. A combination of 3LCD technology and White and Colour Light Output (CLO) of 4000 luments allow it to handle high-ambient light conditions, while Detail Enhancement provides smoother and sharper images. Contrast ratio stands at 2500000:1.

Connectivity comes through x3 HDMI inputs (including x1 MHL), while control comes through either RJ45 connection or wifi connectivity via optional ELPAP10 adapter. Both options allow one to control the projector via smart device and companion iProjection app. Built-in 16W speakers provide sound.

Q Acoustics follows on the M3 and Media 4 soundbars with a first soundbase-- the M2, an audio offering the company says can carry flatscreen TVs weighing up to 25kg.

The M2 measures 55cm wide and 34cm deep, and combines two 58mm Balance Mode Radiator drives with an integrated subwoofer. It is designed for both TV movie viewing and music listening, with individual modes for each use case. A MoviEQ function emphasises the bass further to enhance movie soundtracks and videogame action.

Total output reaches 80W, and the soundbase is fully braced and damped to reduce internal vibrations. BMR speaker technology allows it to deliver 180-degree sound spread, eliminating the listening sweet spot, while a 3-mode equaliser switch on the back allows one to alter bass levels according to where the unit is positioned.

OWC launches a smaller USB-C dock option-- the USB-C Travel Dock, a device offering portable connectivity for laptops such as the latest MacBooks through a selection of 5 ports.

The dock connects to PCs or Macs via single USB-C cable. It features x2 USB 3.1 ports, x1 USB-C port (for power), x1 HDMI 2.0 port and x1 SD card reader. The USB-C port provides up to 60W of passthrough charging, and the HDMI 2.0 can handle a 4K display at 30 Hz.