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

Sharp and RED Collaborate on 8K Technology

March 05, 2018 | Alice Marshall | TV - Display - Projectors

A Facebook post by cinematographer Phil Holland reveals cinema camera maker RED is working with Sharp on a "special project" involving 8K display technology.

Sharp RED 8K TV Holland is currently testing a Sharp prototype 70-inch 8K TV. In comparison with a 4K TV of the same size from the same company, he says the difference between the two TVs is "like looking at a decent fine art print versus a really good one." The test involves aerial footage Holland shot in 8K watched from around 2m away, "within the ideal viewing distance for a 70-inch screen based on THX's numbers."

The two companies still have to confirm the nature of their collaboration, or whether it will result in a consumer 8K TV. That said, it makes sense for RED to push 8K technology. It currently sells the 8K Weapon camera with Super 35 and Vista Vision sensors, and according to Nikkei it is working on a lower-cost 8K camera with Foxconn.

The Haier Smartwatch With a Built-in Projector

March 05, 2018 | Alice Marshall | Wearable Electronics

Haier presents a perhaps unique take on the smartwatch at MWC 2018-- the Asu features a built-in projectors allowing users to project images on the back of their hands.

Haier Asu The Asu wins no awards for sleek design, since it is far bulkier than other wrist-worn devices of its ilk. As one might imagine the extra bulk comes from the projector, which the company says augments the 1.54-inch display with 480 x 854 resolution projections. Users can interact with the projections via touch, making for a larger surface than standard smartwatches. For instance, one can tap on projected digits to store a phone number or draw on the projection with a finger.

Gartner: A First Smartphone Decline on Q4 2017

March 05, 2018 | Marco Attard | Mobile (Phones)

Gartner reports global Q4 2017 smartphone sales total 408 million units-- a -5.6% Y-o-Y decline, a first since the analyst started tracking the smartphone market in 2004.

Gartner smartphones Q4 2017 sales

"Two main factors led to the fall in the fourth quarter of 2017," Gartner says. "First, upgrades from feature phones to smartphones have slowed down due to a lack of quality "ultra-low-cost" smartphones and users preferring to buy quality feature phones. Second, replacement smartphone users are choosing quality models and keeping them longer, lengthening the replacement cycle of smartphones. Moreover, while demand for high quality, 4G connectivity and better camera features remained strong, high expectations and few incremental benefits during replacement weakened smartphone sales."

How to Use a Dual Shock With the Switch

March 05, 2018 | Frederick Douglas | Gaming

Retro-style controller maker 8Bitdo presents a solution for customers wanting to use a Dual Shock 4 controller with the Nintendo Switch-- a small dongle dubbed the Wireless USB Adapter.

8bitdo adapter The 8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter is usable with PC, Mac and Raspberry Pi devices as well as the Switch, and pairs with a good number of controllers. These include PS3 and PS4 Dual Shock controllers, Nintendo Wii Remotes, Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers and, of course, 8bitdo joypads, all with rumble support.

MSI Adds to Optix Gaming Monitors

March 05, 2018 | Frederick Douglas | TV - Display - Projectors

MSI launches a pair of Optix gaming monitors-- the Optix MPG27C and MPG27CQ, both 27-inch curved monitors featuring PrismSync illumination and SteelSeries GameSense technology.

MSI Optix The main differing factor between the two monitors is resolution, since the MPG27C is 1920 x 1080 while the MPG27CQ is 2560 x 1440. The higher resolution model also has a boost in brightness reaching up to 400 nits (the MPG27C on the other hand has 250 nits brightness). Otherwise the two feature a 1800R curved VA LED panel with 1ms response time, 48-144Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync, 115% sRGB gamut and 100% NTSC gamut.