LG's first smart light bulb flashes when you get a phone call

LG isn't about to let household heavyweights like Philips corner the connected lighting space -- it just unveiled the Smart Lamp, its first take on the concept. The 10W LED bulb gives Android and iOS users a familiar level of control over their illumination, including a light-based alarm clock and a security mode that pretends you're at home. There are a couple of noteworthy tricks in this initial offering, however. The light connects through both Bluetooth and WiFi, letting it pull the sync-based stunts we've seen in a few other bulbs: it can flash when you get a phone call, or (with Android) pulse to the beat of the music. The Smart Lamp is more expensive than ordinary LEDs at 35,000 won ($32) in LG's native Korea, but it could be a good deal if you don't need the many-colored lighting of Hue and similar systems. Unfortunately, there's no word on whether or not it's coming to the US.

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Via: Android Central

Source: LG (translated)

Tags: android, HomeAutomation, household, internetofthings, ios, iphone, led, lg, lighting, smartbulb, smartlamp, SmartLighting Next: Switched On: Return of the digital hub
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How to port the Xperia Z2 Smart call handling feature to the Z1 and Z1 Compact

Sony took its sweet time, but with the Xperia Z2 you are finally able to answer a call by just bringing the phone to your ear. The feature is enabled from the Smart call handling set on the Z2, and has been present on phones from other manufacturers for a while now...
Even though it's on the Z2, enterprising contributors over at XDA-Devs, have managed to port Smart call handling to the Xperia Z1, and Z1 Compact. Needless to say, your device needs to be rooted first, and recovery installed, which is pretty straightforward. Still, if you don't know what these actions are, better lay off the porting for now. Here's what you need to do: 
1. Download the Intelli_sign zip file, and flash it to your device in recovery mode2. Download the Gesture.2.apk file, sideload it, and install3. Start the Gesture app, enable the Smart call handling feature, and start answering calls by just raising the phone to your ear
source: RyokoN (XDA-Devs) Share: Discuss13 Tweet

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Harmony's $150 Smart Keyboard remote comes to living rooms this month

Logitech is bringing a new entry to the lineup of Harmony remotes centered around its Hub. At a price of $150 this Harmony Smart Keyboard will retail for only twenty dollars more than the Harmony Smart Control, but trades in the simple and small remote for a keyboard. Like the rest of the Hub compatible line, it controls a long list of devices including the Apple TV, Roku or Xbox One, with support for IR, RF and Bluetooth. This means you can hide the (included) Hub away in a cabinet with your receiver, game consoles and set-top boxes with little regard for where the remote is pointed.

The keyboard make quick work of searching for content when connected to a PC or Mac as well as media streamers and game consoles. Like any Harmony remote, it makes controlling up to eight devices in your home theater simple via Activities, and has buttons to control playback as well as volume. While we loved the Hub when we tested it, we have never felt the same way about a keyboard in the living room - and this is especially true now that we can use a smartphone or tablet as a keyboard. If you're willing to give QWERTY on the couch another chance, check it out on the website and look for the device hitting stores later this month.

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Source: Logitech, Logitech Blog

Tags: Harmony, Harmony Smart Keyboard, HarmonyHub, hdpostcross, Logitech, LogitechHarmony, video Next: Sony says the PlayStation 4's 'Share' button has been used 100 million times
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Dash’s Smart Driving App – A “Fitbit For Cars” – Arrives On Android

Dash, a Techstars New York-backed startup that wants to be like a Fitbit for your car, has now launched. The product includes a combination of a hardware device and smartphone application which offers real-time feedback on your driving, trip logs, access to vehicle diagnostics (that pesky “check engine” light, and who can fix it!), a map showing where the cheapest gas is nearby, and even social features.

Like several of the “connected car” products on the market, Dash’s hardware involves an OBD device you can purchase from either within the Dash mobile application or the Dash homepage. The Dash software will also work with any Bluetooth-enabled OBD device, if you happen to already have one, or you can choose from two types of devices Dash’s homepage points to: generic devices found on Amazon for $10 and up, or a premium OBD LINK LX which is a steeper $69.

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Sony's Smart Tennis Sensor hits Japan in May, offers topspin advice for $175

Sony's theme for its CES press event was "Play" and part of the fun was a smart tennis sensor that adds vibrational and gyro detection to your racket, linking up with your smartphone through Bluetooth to offer up improvement suggestions and surprisingly deep information on your racket game. While we got in a few serves and forehands right after the event, the announcement, like its incoming Core life-logging / wearable sensor, was a broad one. A spokesperson told us back in Vegas that Sony hadn't yet decided on a concrete name, let alone a price or release date. Well, Sony had plenty of answers at today's press event, announcing at a tennis club near its Shinagawa HQ that the sensor will launch (in Japan only, for now) this May, priced at 18,000 yen (around $175).

We'll admit, we had some suspicions that Sony's Smart Tennis Sensor might never arrive in the real world (the demonstration area wasn't that far away from a row of conceptual smart glasses), but it seems that Sony's taking this new possible market pretty seriously. The sensor will launch compatible with around six Yonex EZone and VCore tennis rackets, with more models promised after launch. At the moment, you'll need a dedicated sensor for each player: if your buddy uses your racket, their data will be folded into yours, but the team added that this is something that they'll be working on in the future.

Sony has also readied a companion app on both iOS and Android to launch alongside the sensor hardware when it arrives in late May. The app, alongside displaying stats and heat maps of where the ball hits the racket, will also be able to record a video of your earth-shattering serve and replay it alongside the metrics captured by the sensor. Maybe that ace wasn't quite so earth-shattering. We've added Engadget editor Michael Gorman's attempts right after the break. Sony Smart Tennis Sensor app

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Hackers And Spambots Are Going After Your Fridges and Smart TVs Now

There are plenty of good reasons you might want an Internet-enabled smart refrigerator. Your friends will constantly tell you that you’re from the future! You could check how much milk is left from the store! You can

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Google’s New Smart Contact Lens Is Old News For Microsoft

Google today announced its smart contact lens project, but it’s not the first by a long shot (or even a moon shot). Other companies have long been working on smart lenses — including Microsoft Research, which unveiled a similar project in 2011 in collaboration with someone who now works for Google X.

Babak Parvis used to be a professor at the University of Washington, where he collaborated with Microsoft Research. He was of the first to work on smart contact lenses. Today, he is at Google and working on Google Glass and the smart lens project.

But as is often the case with Microsoft Research projects, it doesn’t look like the project ever went anywhere.

Here is the video Microsoft made back in 2011 to showcase this project:

It’s also worth noting that there are already some smart contact lenses on the market today. They don’t measure glucose, but the Sensimed Triggerfish, for example, is a disposable contact lens that uses a sensor to measure changes to the eye in order to personalize treatment for glaucoma patients. This technology has been available in Europe since 2010, but the company hasn’t received FDA approval to sell it in the U.S. yet.

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Google Unveils Smart Contact Lens That Lets Diabetics Measure Their Glucose Levels

This isn’t Google Glass in a contact lens, but it may just be Google’s first step in this direction. The company’s Google X lab just teased a smart contact lens on its blog that is meant to help diabetics measure their glucose levels.

The company says it is currently testing prototypes of this contact lens that use a tiny wireless chip and a miniaturized glucose sensor. These chips are embedded in between two soft layers of lens material.

In its announcement, Google notes that scientists have long looked into how certain body fluids can help them track glucose levels. Tears, it turns out, work very well, but given that most people aren’t Hollywood actors and can cry on demand, using tears was never really an option.

According to Google, the sensor can take about one reading per second, and it is working on adding tiny LED lights to the lens to warn users when their glucose levels cross certain thresholds. The sensors are so small that they ”look like bits of glitter.”

Google says it is working with the FDA to turn these prototypes into real products and that it is working with experts to bring this technology to market. These partners, the company says, “will use our technology for a smart contact lens and develop apps that would make the measurements available to the wearer and their doctor.”

It’s worth noting that other companies, including Microsoft, have previously shown similar lenses. Until now, though, it doesn’t look like there are any smart lenses available in the U.S. yet. Given Google’s reach, however, it may just be able to find the right partners to bring this technology to market.

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Sony Unveils Massive 4K Smart TVs and Netflix Partnership

384SharesShareTweetShareWhat's This?By Adario Strange2014-01-07 01:00:38 UTC

Following what appears to be a bit of a trend in terms of high definition TVs at this year’s International CES, Sony has just unveiled a new line of 4K televisions in several new sizes and configurations.

Termed as “Ultra HD TV” the lineup of smart televisions includes the XBR X950B Series (pictured above), which comes in a whopping 85-inch frame or a 65-inch version. In addition to its massive screen real estate, the television also has HDMI 2.0, built-in Wi-Fi (a convenient feature for streaming video content) and screen mirroring that can be initialized via NFC touch.

See also: CES 2014: 5 Tech Trends to Watch

Sony has also announced the X900B Series and X850B Series 4K televisions, which will be offered in screen sizes ranging from 79-inches/65-inches/55-inches and 70-inches/65-inches/55-inches/49-inches respectively.

And while the trend toward 4K has put a spotlight on the general lack of interest in 3D televisions unveiled at CES events in the last few years, all the new Sony 4K televisions will include a 3D viewing component. Each model is 3D capable and comes with two pairs of 3D glasses.

Along with the new hardware, Sony also announced a partnership with Netflix designed to focus on 4K content. Streaming at 60 frames per second over the Internet, the Sony televisions have been specifically optimized to support Netflix 4K content due to debut in the first half of 2014.

Prices for Sony’s new 4K televisions have yet to be announced, but all three models will be available this spring.

CES 2014Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle

Unveiled today at CES, Toyota debuted it's latest Fuel Cell Vehicle concept car. Fuel cell vehicles combine pure hydrogen with air to create water, a reaction that also produces electricity. The fuel cell channels the electricity to a drive motor, powering the car.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenSamsung Curved Televisions

Samsung's U9000 UHD TVs feature a wider field of view and a balanced and uniform viewing distance across all areas of the screen. The company claims that a curved TV offers up to two times the enhanced contrast ratio of a flat TV in a normal viewing environment.

EyeLock Myris

The Eyelock Myris takes biometric security to the next level. Plug this device into your device's USB port, and it will scan your eye to grant access.

Image: Mashable, Kenny SuleimanagichLG G Flex

LG G Flex, the first curved phone with a "flexible" display, is moving out of the lab and into U.S. markets in the first quarter of 2014.

Image: Mashable, Will FenstermakerPanasonic Facial-Recognition TV

Panasonic has dropped the production of plasma TVs, instead focus efforts on increased levels of interaction. The Life+ will come in both 4K and 1080p, but the real feature of note is facial recognition.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenPebble Steel Debut

For CES 2014, Pebble is showing off its new Pebble 2.0 software, the Pebble app store and Pebble Steel, its premium smart watch. Like the original Pebble, the Pebble Steel is waterproof and has a battery life of 5 to 7 days. The e-paper display is the same, too — only now it's covered with Corning Gorilla Glass.

Image: PebbleThinkPad 8

The Lenovo ThinkPad 8 is sized to compete with the iPad Mini, but the comparison is only skin deep. Lance Ulanoff wonders if Windows 8.1 can compete with Android and iOS.

Image: MashableSharp's New Aquos Quattron+ TVs

Sharp's Aquos Quattron technology is capable of creating a picture that comes close to 4K, but from a 1080p set. The new TV's start at a decent price point – the SQ Q+ TVs start a $2,299.99 and the UQ models start at $2,999.99.

Image: MashablePhilips PicoPix PPX3610

Philips' new PicoPix PPX3610

Image: Mashable, Christina AscaniSchwinn CycleNav Smart Bike Navigator

Schwinn unveiled the CycleNav Smart Bike Navigator. Schwinn CycleNav is a free mobile application paired with a handlebar-mounted smart-bike navigation unit designed to give riders turn-by-turn audio and visual navigation from their handlebars.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenSOL Republic Relays

The SOL Republic Relays are designed to fill two niches: everyday wear and fitness wear. Mashable reporter Pete Pachal says they're some of the most comfortable he's worn.

Image: Mashable, Christina AscaniToshiba Chromebook

Toshiba joins the list of Chromebook manufacturers with a 13.3-inch netbook. While it isn't the largest-resolution Chromebook on the market, Toshiba's Chromebook has an impressive $279 price tag.

Image: Mashable, Christina AscaniSkulpt Aim

The Skulpt Aim, smaller than an iPhone, collects data when pressed against your muscles. Use it to track body-fat or set and share goals.

Image: SkulptJune bracelet

This smart bracelet, from Neatatmo, measures sun exposure and connects to iOS devices to let users know if they've had too much (or too little) sun.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenTao exercise device

The Tao coaches you through 50 exercises related to isometrics — the science of applying pressure, which is the basis of many popular workouts such as pilates and plank exercising — and adds a gaming element.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenWithings Aura Sleep System

Withings sleep system works with a pressure-sensitive pad and a light system that measures the appropriate time to wake you and the appropriate hues for falling asleep and waking up.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenSphero 2B

At CES Unveiled, Sphero introduced the 2B model, the second model of the popular Orbotix toy.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenKolibree Smart Toothbrush

Kolibree introduced a smart toothbrush that monitors user's brushing habits and let's them keep track of their routines on an app.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenDrones, everywhere

Any CES wouldn't be complete without a fleet of drones. Parrot introduced a minidrone model at CES Unveiled.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-HansenChevy Brings 4G LTE to Cars

Chevrolet announced it is bringing 4G LTE to its OnStar infotainment system.

The 2015 Corvette Stingray has a performance data recorder which allows drivers to record hi-definition video and share with friends.

Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier-Hansen

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Image: Sony

Topics:4k, CES, CES2014, Gadgets, smart television, sony, TechLoad CommentsPowered by LivefyreWhat's HotMore in TechThe New StuffThe Next Big ThingWhat's HotThe New StuffThe Next Big ThingWhat's HotAbout UsJobsAdvertiseSubscribePrivacyTermsMashableis the largest independent online news site dedicated to covering digital culture, social media and technology. With more than 20 million unique monthly visitors, Mashable has one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.©2005-2014Mashable, Inc.Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.Designed in collaboration with Code & Theory

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Hands-on review: CES 2014: Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses

Hands on: Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses review | Gadgets Reviews | TechRadar --> Mobile version2014-01-07T10:40:00ZMagsNewsletterRSS FeedsFollow @TechradarA Future Site ▼ TechRadarTechnology, testedSearch the siteSearch term:Log inJoinLog outHomeReviewsPhonesTVsCamerasTabletsCar TechMoreComponentsAVLaptopsComputingNewsOffersToday's OffersTechRadar PhoneStoreRecycle Your MobileiPhone DealsiPad DealsDaily Phone Deal Xbox One TechRadar Pro TrendingCES 2014Xbox OnePlayStation 4iPad AiriPad mini 2Nokia Lumia 1520Nexus 5Windows 8.1HomeReviewsGadgetsHands on: Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses review Tweet Hands on: Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses reviewHands OnSpecificationsBest PricesComments Hands on: Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses reviewForPicture can look greatSleeker than BT-100Cheaper than Google GlassRuns full Android OSAgainstAwkward to wear, especially over glassesImage loses focus easilyStill expensiveDecreased resolutionBig, awkward cord TechRadar Recommended deal Hands on: Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses review Twice the display, half the price of Google Glass By Michael Rougeau 7th Jan 2014 | 02:440 Comments

Epson finally unveiled the successor to its Moverio BT-100 smart glasses at a pre-CES press conference, and understandably it's called the Moverio BT-200.

The new Moverio is sleeker than its predecessor and cheaper than Google Glass (though it's still expensive), and it comes with an Android-powered handheld touchpad input device.

But somewhat contrary to Epson's message up until now, this version of the Moverio is by no means focused solely on enterprise purposes.

That is what the company was showing off in December, but with the new BT-200 comes a swathe of consumer-directed capabilities, from games to a full version of Android.

The obvious changes

There are several important physical improvements in the BT-200.

The new Moverio smart glasses project a transparent 960 x 540 resolution display (yes, it appears the resolution has been decreased from the BT-100) in front of wearers' eyes using two projectors, and are capable of projecting 3D images. Motion sensors detect the movements of your head, and Dolby Digital surround sound pumps noise into your ears.

They also have a front-facing camera with an LED indicator light, though we didn't get to test that out yet. It also has a microSDHC card slot and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support.

The touchpad controller is technically new, although it's more or less exactly what we saw Epson and APX Labs experimenting with late in 2013. They wouldn't confirm then that the touchpad would be the final input solution, but here it is.

Unfortunately that also means you're constantly tethered to a big, awkward cord when you're wearing it, so that's one down side.

As a result of having a reliable and consistent input source the BT-200 is also confirmed to be running a full version of Android. The versions available to test after Epson's CES press conference ran Android 4.0, and apps could be selected easily using the touch pad to move a cursor.

The BT-200 is also much easier on the eyes, and on the face - though it's still extremely awkward to wear it with glasses.

One thing Epson has done to alleviate that is to create a special nose piece on the BT-200 that can fold down to rest on the bridge of your nose, or - this is the interesting part - fold upward to rest on top of your glasses. This won't work for all glasses, particularly bigger, bulkier frames, but should for some.

Mixing business with pleasure

But beyond those physical changes, it's fascinating that Epson is not focusing on enterprise like it said it would be when we spoke with representatives just weeks ago. Clearly this was the plan all along, but they were determined to keep it under wraps until now.

Then, the Moverio was touted as a niche device that could be used in offices and by manual workers like delivery people and field doctors.

Those applications are still present, but now they're being mentioned in the same breath as games and entertainment.

During its presentation Epson also showed off applications that could do things like helping a mechanic tear down an engine, reading QR codes, and navigating indoor spaces.

After the press conference we tried out a game in which you move your head in 360 degrees of space to target enemies and tap the Android track pad to shoot them. It works well, though the fun of spinning in circles for extended periods of time is questionable.

But there were several other games on display as well, including one from Namco Bandai.

We also got to play around with the OS itself, and it really does appear to be a fully-featured version of Android, albeit an old one.

And as before, the display that the Moverio BT-200 projects in front of your eyes is of decent quality. It appears to be further away than it is, and if the glasses aren't on properly each 960 x 540 image appears distinct. It's jarring and a potential weakness for the device, particularly to those who wear prescription glasses.

We'll find out either way when the Epson Moverio BT-200 launches in March 2014 for $699.99 (about £436, AU$780).

Google Glass could get prescription lenses very soonSee more gadgetsRead more on this subject... Related news Foxconn to fund startups in the pursuit of next Google Glass, other wearable tech? Vuzix M100 first consumer smart glasses to ship out before Google Glass Google to debut new wearable camera tech designed for Helpouts at CESRelated reviews Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses review Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich review Sony Smartwatch 2 review In Depth Intel: we want to make all your devices smart LG promises innovation as it pushes a flood of new electronics Google at 15: from the garage to Glass Add your comment

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GoWhat is a hands on review?

'Hands on reviews' are a journalist's first impressions of a piece of kit based on spending some time with it. It may be just a few moments, or a few hours. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves and can give you some sense of what it's like to use, even if it's only an embryonic view. For more information, see TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee.

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