Sennheiser Intros Wireless Earbuds, Ambeo Soundbar

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Sennheiser uses IFA 2018 to present a pair of audio products-- the Momentum True Wireless earbuds and the Ambeo soundbar, an all-in-one device promising immersive 5.1.4 sound complete with deep bass, no additional subwoofer required.

Sennheiser momentumThe Momentum True Wireless earbuds carry Sennheiser 7mm dynamic drivers for superior stereo sound, with a Transparent Hearing feature allowing users to listen to ambient sounds or conversations without need to remove the earbuds. Wireless connectivity comes through Bluetooth with aptX compatibility and AAC codec support.

Control comes through a touch interface, and voice control is included via access to smart assistants such as Apple Siri or Google Assistant. Battery life promises to reach 4 hours on a single charge, and an included case provides additional 12 hours of use.

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Samsung Teases Foldable Phone

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Rumours involving a foldable smartphone from Samsung have been swirling around for what feels like an age, but 2018 might be the year when the company delivers on the promise, at least according to Samsung mobile business head DJ Koh.

Samsung foldable phoneIn an interview with CNBC, Koh says "it's time to deliver" on the promise of a foldable device, since surveys conducted by the company reveal customers are interested in such a device. However actual details are hard to come by, outside of a hint the device might be unveiled at the November 2018 Samsung Developer Conference.

"You can use most of the uses... on foldable status. But when you need to browse or see something, then you may need to unfold it. But even unfolded, what kind of benefit does that give compared to the tablet? If the unfolded experience is the same as the tablet, why would they (consumers) buy it?," Koh tells CNBC. "So every device, every feature, every innovation should have a meaningful message to our end customer. So when the end customer uses it, (they think) "wow, this is the reason Samsung made it.""

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A Wireless Charging Case for the AirPods Case

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With an official wireless charging solution for the AirPods still awaiting release, customers can get a Kickstarter-backed option with the PowerPod Case, a Qi charging case for the AirPods case.

PowerPod caseOn September 2017 Apple announced a Qi-compatible AirPods case-- something that, a year later, is still to actually materialise. Enter the PowerPod case, a silicon case for the AirPods case promising an end for cable-based charging. It has a Lightning plug on the bottom connected to a Qi charging coil on the front, and allows charging on any Qi-enabled charging pad.

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LG Presents 8K OLED TV at IFA

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Samsung is not the only company with an 8K TV at IFA 2018-- rival LG is also in the game, with a stand housing an 88-inch 7680 x 4320 OLED set promising "unmatched contrast ratio and true blacks."

LG 8K TV“LG’s first 8K OLED TV is the pinnacle of technological achievement and the next evolutionary step in display technology,” the company says. “4K OLED played a major role in reshaping TV industry and LG is confident that 8K OLED will do the same.”

The company had already presented an 8K TV at CES 2018, if in the form of a prototype shown only to select guests. The TV has 33 million light-emitting pixels (or x4 the amount of a UHD 4K set), and LG claims it offers brightness levels comparable to LCD backlights thanks to the addition of proprietary technologies.

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IDC: Emerging Markets Drive Wearables Q2

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According to IDC, Q2 2018 global wearable shipments total 27.9 million units, a 5.5% Y-o-Y increase, while revenues are up by 8.3% Y-o-Y to $4.8 billion, thanks to the popularity of smartwatches with high price tags.

However, the mature markets-- namely N. America, W. Europe and Japan-- are not the ones behind the growth, since the 3 regions see a decline of -6.3% Y-o-Y. This is due to a decline in basic wristbands "substantial" enough to not be offset by smartwatch growth. On the other hand, emerging markets (CEE, MEA, Asia/Pacific, L. America) are on the up, thanks to high demand for basic wristbands.

IDC wearables

"The decline in mature markets is by no means worrisome as these markets are in the midst of transitioning to more sophisticated wearables," the analyst says. "While the previous generation of wearables was focused on providing descriptive feedback like step counts, the current and upcoming generations are far more capable and are well on track to becoming prescriptive and diagnostic tools. Surrounding these smarter wearables is a constellation of technologies and service providers that includes app developers, telcos, component makers, healthcare institutions and more-- each poised for growth in the coming years."

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