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Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S6 5G is arriving in the first quarter of 2020

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The company didn’t mention a release date for the rest of the world, though, and it also didn’t say if the device has markedly different features and components from the original Tab S6. Since Samsung used a photo of the tablet’s non-5G sibling on its Korean website, it may have a similar design and specs.

Samsung made the revelation in an announcement of its 5G phone shipment figures for 2019. It shipped more than 6.7 million Galaxy 5G smartphones around the world, and it said its devices accounted for 53.9 percent of the global market as of November 2019. The company currently has five 5G phones on offer: Galaxy S10 5G, Note10 5G, Note10+ 5G, Galaxy A90 5G and Galaxy Fold 5G.

Neil Shah, VP of Research at Counterpoint Research, said 5G smartphones only contributed 1 percent to the total global smartphone sales of 2019, but 2020 will be the breakout year for the devices. “With tremendous 5G growth opportunities on the horizon, Samsung, over the next decade, is in a great position to capitalize by further investing and building on the early lead and momentum,” he added.

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Google confirms ‘issue,’ disables Xiaomi link to Assistant and Google Home

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Over the last day or so, a poster on Reddit has reported that trying to view the feed from his Xiaomi Mijia 1080p camera on a Google Nest Hub resulted in a feed that included still images, apparently showing cameras in stranger’s homes. Android Police picked up on /r/Dio-V’s situation, as he posted video that flashed stills of someone’s porch, and a man sleeping in a chair.

The poster reports he purchased his camera new on AliExpress. In a statement, a Google spokesperson responded by saying “We’re aware of the issue and are in contact with Xiaomi to work on a fix,” without explaining what it needed to fix. Right now Xiaomi’s integrations with Assistant and Google Home have been disabled, and it’s unclear when they might get access again. We’ve reached out to Google and Xiaomi for more information, and will update this post if there is more information.

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LG delivers ‘Real 8K’ with eight new OLED and LCD TVs in 2020

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With CES about to start, LG has unveiled some hints about its new top of the line TVs for 2020. In this era, that means jumping from 4K to 8K, and the company will have eight new models that it says promise “Real 8K” performance that “exceeds” the CTA’s spec for 8K. The way LG sees things, even though Samsung’s QLED tech may be certified as 8K, that doesn’t make it “real” without surpassing a minimum test for contrast modulation (CM) threshold requirements.

Those eight 8K models include two LG Signature OLED sets in 88- and 77-inch sizes (88/77 OLED ZX) as well as six of its NanoCell-branded LCD televisions (75/65 Nano99, 75/65 Nano97, 75/65 Nano95) in 75- and 65-inch sizes. In terms of getting 8K content (whenever and wherever that’s available), they can handle YouTube’s preferred AV1 codec as well as HEVC and VP9, 8K inputs from USB or HDMI, and finally, 8K 60FPS via streaming as well as 8K 60P via HDMI.

For a new year, LG is bringing a new third-gen version of its Alpha9 AI processor, which of course is ready to do all the upscaling and sharpening necessary for its 8K TVs, as well as AI Sound Pro processing. That’s supposed to identify between five different types of content and adjust accordingly so words are clearer and scenes are upmixed to 5.1.

While we’ll have to wait and see how many of these features trickle down to cheaper televisions, the 8K line will also feature LG’s ThinQ AI tech, with a webOS software package that can handle voice control, plus Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. That all sounds similar to last year’s TVs, but now LG is also promising that it will be compatible with Amazon’s Alexa Premium Far-Field Voice “in the future.” That’s supposed to give third-party devices the same level of voice recognition performance as Amazon’s own Echo devices, and it may finally start to appear widely on the market this year.

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JLab’s latest true wireless earbuds are only $29

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There is evidence of some cost-cutting. The five-hour battery life is fine, but won’t make you regret buying the nine-hour Powerbeats Pro. The 15 hours of extra charging from the battery case (20 total) isn’t spectacular, either. These figures are still solid for the price, mind you. It may just be a question of whether or not Go Air’s sound quality is good enough to warrant a try. We’re hoping to test them ourselves in the near future, so stay tuned for an initial verdict on JLab’s claims.

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Apple signs former HBO chief to a five-year deal

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There’s no certainty that Plepler’s outfit will produce giant hits for Apple. While he led HBO through a 28-year tenure that includes the likes of Game of Thrones, Six Feet Under and The Sopranos, he wasn’t the artistic mastermind behind those shows. Even so, there’s little doubt that Plepler has mountains of experience in the media industry, and might just have a keen eye for movies and shows that could give you a reason to subscribe to Apple’s service.

This could also be a welcome relief for Apple. While it hasn’t had much trouble attracting projects from major producers or big-name stars, long-term deals have been harder to find. The company lost out on a TV deal with J. J. Abrams (who eventually signed with WarnerMedia), reportedly due to its lack of conventional distribution. The Plepler signing shows that at least some media bigwigs are confident enough in Apple’s strategy to stick with it for the long haul.

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Wirecutter’s best deals: Save $250 on an Acer Predator Triton gaming laptop

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Acer Predator Triton 500 PT515-51-75BH

Acer Predator Triton 500 PT515-51-75BH

Street price: $1,650; deal price: $1,400

Even better than the $1450 price we saw during Cyber Week, this is a new low price for the Acer Predator Triton 500 by $50. The Acer Predator Triton 500 PT515-51-75BH comes with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and 6 GB of dedicated memory, an Intel Core i7-9750H processor, 16 GB of DDR4 2666 MHz memory in dual-channel mode (which improves performance in some games compared with single-channel), a 512 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0. If you’re willing to sacrifice upgradability for a simpler-looking and more portable laptop, the Acer Predator Triton 500 is your best choice, especially at this price.

The Acer Predator Triton 500 PT515-51-75BH is the top pick in our guide to the best gaming laptop. Wirecutter Editor Thorin Klosowski wrote, “If you want a snazzy-looking slim and light gaming laptop—and if you don’t mind sacrificing upgradability and storage space—buy the Acer Predator Triton 500 PT515-51-75BH. It can play modern games on ultra settings, it has a vibrant and accurate high-refresh display, and it’s comfortable to type on. In our tests, its heat management was acceptable compared with that of other thin laptops. But it comes with way too much bloatware.”

LectroFan White Noise Machine

LectroFan White Noise Machine

Street price: $45; deal price: $33

Available for $33 in black or white, this matches the low we’ve seen in over a year for the LectroFan White Noise Machine in new condition. Typically around $45, we’ve seen some $20 deals for refurbished options, but this is a nice opportunity to save on a new model in either color. Prime members receive free shipping through Woot, but otherwise it’ll cost an additional $6.

The top pick in our guide to the best white noise machine, the LectroFan is compact and masks unwanted shrill noises better than the competition. Wirecutter Editor Courtney Schley wrote, “We think the LectroFan by ASTI is the white noise machine you’ll want on your nightstand. Our testing showed that the LectroFan’s random, non-repeating white noise settings allowed it to mask intruding noises as well as or better than the other machines in the group. It’s the second-smallest machine we tested, too, so you can pack it for travel in addition to using it at home. The LectroFan is also one of the easiest models to use, with a simple three-button interface to toggle among 10 random, non-repeating white noise offerings and 30 volume settings in one of the widest volume ranges we found.”

Oculus Go VR Headset

oculus go

Street price: $200; deal price: $150 in stock 1/9

Back down to $150, this matches previous deals we’ve seen on this VR headset pick for your phone. Though this has become a frequently recurring deal price, this drop is still a great chance to pick up a VR headset that works with iPhones. Noteworthy price drops on the Oculus Go are hard to come by outside of the holiday season, so if you’re interested, now is the time to buy. Though currently out of stock from Amazon, it will be available to ship a week from now, 1/9.

The best standalone VR headset available, the Oculus Go is the upgrade pick in our guide to the best VR headset for your phone. Wirecutter Staff Writer Signe Brewster wrote, “If you don’t own a Gear VR– or Daydream-compatible phone (if you’re an iPhone owner, for example) but you still want a portable VR headset, or if you just want something that’s a better overall experience, the Oculus Go is the best option. The Go shares Gear VR’s expansive library of games, but its screen and processors are built in, rather than relying on the ones on your mobile phone. It also has a better controller and its battery lasts longer (and using it doesn’t drain your phone’s battery).”

Aukey USB C to 4-Port USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hub (CB-C64)

Aukey USB C to 4-Port USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hub (CB-C64)

Street price: $15; deal price: $9 w/ on-page coupon

If you’re looking to add a few USB-A ports to your new laptop, our inexpensive USB-C hub pick is down to $9 when you clip the on-page coupon. While this isn’t quite the lowest price we’ve ever seen, it’s a dollar better than the typical deals we see for this hub. The Aukey USB C to 4-Port USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hub (CB-C64) is a straightforward adapter with four full-speed USB 3.1 ports in a compact size. It’s the least expensive and best option we tested in this category if you want to use flash drives, keyboards, mice, and other low-power accessories.

Inexpensive and compact, the Aukey USB C to 4-Port USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hub is the affordable pick in our guide to the best USB C hubs and docks. Wirecutter Senior Staff Writer Nick Guy wrote, “Aukey’s USB C to 4-Port USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hub (CB-C64) is the best choice for adding a handful of USB 3.0 ports to your USB-C computer, and it’s cheap. Equipped with four USB-A ports, the hub will let you connect any combination of a keyboard, mouse, printer, flash drive, or another low-power-draw device such as a webcam, gamepad, or portable hard drive. (Aukey says that ‘for best performance, the power demand of connected devices shouldn’t exceed the total USB output of 5V 0.9A.’) In our tests, all of the ports transferred data as quickly as anything else we tried. The 3.9-by-1.3-inch black plastic rectangle is less than half an inch thick and weighs a little over an ounce. You can throw it in a bag without even noticing it’s there.”

Because great deals don’t just happen on Thursday, sign up for our daily deals email and we’ll send you the best deals we find every weekday. Also, deals change all the time, and some of these may have expired. To see an updated list of current deals, please go here.

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FDA bans production, sale of fruit- and mint-flavored vape pods

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The new restrictions make some important exceptions. First, they permit tobacco- and menthol-flavored goods. They also apply only to cartridge-based products, which the FDA says are easier for teens to acquire and conceal. Tank-based vaping devices, like those sold in vape shops that typically cater to adult smokers, are not restricted by the new rules.

The FDA says it is ready to take action against those who continue to manufacture and sell the unauthorized products. It will “prioritize enforcement” against those who target youth, whether they do so through kid-friendly labeling and advertising or promoting how easy it is to conceal or disguise their product.

“The United States has never seen an epidemic of substance use arise as quickly as our current epidemic of youth use of e-cigarettes,” said Department of Health and Human Service Secretary Alex Azar. The ban on fruit- and mint-flavored vape products is an attempt to ensure vaping products “don’t provide an on-ramp to nicotine addiction for our youth” while also maintaining e-cigs as a potential off-ramp for adults using traditional tobacco products, Azar added.

The new rules come just weeks after Congress said it will raise the minimum smoking and vaping age to 21. The law is expected to go into effect sometime this year and will cover all tobacco products. According to the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than five million US middle and high school students are current e-cigarette users, with the majority reporting that they use cartridge-based products. Other federal data says youth users are particularly attracted to fruit- and mint-flavored products.

In addition to the concern that vaping has led to an increase in youth tobacco use, vaping has also been associated with over 2,000 cases of lung injury in the US, and the CDC has confirmed 54 related deaths.

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Brydge unveils Surface keyboards and iPad trackpad

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Don’t worry, Brydge hasn’t forgotten its iPad roots. It’s planning to ship an iPadOS Trackpad (below) that, as they name implies, is a Magic Trackpad-style device that takes advantage of iPadOS’ basic mouse support. It ships in the second quarter. And if you can’t wait that long, the previously hinted-at Brydge Pro+ trackpad-toting keyboard for the iPad Pro will be available for pre-order January 7th starting at $200 for an 11-inch variant and $230 for its 12.9-inch counterpart. The company aims to ship the first 500 pre-orders by the end of February, while everyone else will have to sit tight until the end of March.

There’s also plenty for the Mac crowd. Brydge is releasing a slew of docks in 2020, including vertical docks for the 16-inch MacBook Pro and 13-inch MacBook Air, redesigned versions of its 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro vertical docks and tethered Stone 2 and Stone Light docks for the MacBook. All of these cradles are billed as more “user-friendly” than their predecessors and should arrive in the second quarter.

Brydge iPadOS Trackpad

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Ring’s Chime Pro may get a facelift and Alexa support

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A crucial part of many Ring security systems appears to be on the cusp of a major update. Dave Zatz has shared an image of what appears to be a redesigned Chime Pro, Ring’s plug-in WiFi extender and speaker hybrid. It’s far more elegant, with what looks like a fabric speaker cover and no conspicuous antennas — in other words, it no longer resembles an old baby monitor. There’s also a conspicuous blue light that suggests it might include Alexa, too. While the Amazon voice assistant’s presence is far from guaranteed, it’d make sense if you wanted to control your doorbell or camera without having to buy a smart speaker or use your phone.



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Amazon employees say they were threatened for climate change criticism

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In October, the employees, Maren Costa and Jamie Kowalski, told The Washington Post that Amazon contributes to climate change by supporting oil- and gas-company exploration with its cloud computing business. Both employees say they were subsequently called into meetings with human resources, where they were accused of violating the company’s external communications policy. Costa says she then received an email from a company lawyer, who claimed future violations could “result in formal corrective action, up to and including termination of your employment with Amazon.” Kowlanski says she received a similar email.

In a statement provided to The Washington Post, Amazon spokeswoman Jaci Anderson said the company’s external communications policy “is not new and we believe is similar to other large companies.” As part of its overall communications rules, Amazon tells employees they may speak out on social media, as long as they do not share confidential business information.

The incident speaks to the growing trend of employees calling out large tech companies on everything from their environmental policies to workplace diversity, sexual misconduct, human rights policy and “retaliation culture.”

It also speaks to the issue of Big Tech companies clamping down on employee criticism and protests. Most recently, the National Labor Relations Board instructed Google to remind employees that they can speak freely about workplace issues, after employees alleged they were fired for union organizing, a claim Google denies. As the tech labor movement continues to gain momentum, incidents like these will likely become more common.

Engadget has reached out to Amazon for comment.

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