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LG’s 2023 OLED TV lineup introduces ‘Brightness Booster Max’ technology

LG is refreshing its OLED TV lineup for the upcoming year, and the main upgrade over its predecessors is a significantly brighter display.

As first reported by TechGoing, LG’s certain G3 TV series models are gaining a new ‘per-pixel Brightness Booster Max’ feature that promises an up to 70 percent brighter picture that lets the display shine bright even under direct sunlight, perfect for day-time viewing in well-lit rooms. According to the report, the TV’s would reach a max brightness of 1,800 nits.

The LG G2, on the other hand, could hit a max brightness of 930 nits, and a full-screen brightness of 166 nits.

LG’s updated G3, alongside the C3 and Z3 all use a new a9 Gen 6 processor that is reported to offer AI upscaling, HDR tone mapping, alongside object-based picture sharpening. The processor also enables AI audio processing for 9.1.2 channel surround sound via the built-in TV speakers.

The 2023 lineup of LG OLED TVs will continue to feature four HDMI 2.1 ports (two on the LG B3) alongside support for 4K at 120FPS, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and would introduce LG WebOS 23 with a simplified look with support for quick cards and tab navigation.

Pricing and availability for LG’s 2023 OLED TV lineup have not yet been revealed. LG’s 2023 OLED TVs will be on show during CES 2023 from January 5th to 8th at the company’s booth. Learn more about the lineup here.

Elsewhere, Samsung has also revealed its 2023 QD-OLED TV lineup with TVs capable of reaching 2,000 nits of brightness.

Image credit: LG

Source: LG Via: TechGoing

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Mobile Syrup

Extensive report reveals new information about Apple’s VR headset

Rumours regarding Apple’s virtual reality/augmented reality (AR/VR) headset have appeared for years.

In a new, very detailed report from The Information, additional details about the device have been revealed. First off, let’s take a look at the new information before delving into rumours reported by other publications but corroborated by The Information’s report.

Apple’s mixed reality headset will reportedly feature a Digital Crown-like dial on its side that allows users to move quickly between the virtual and real world. However, the dial won’t feature haptic feedback, unlike the Apple Watch.

The headset won’t feature interchangeable headbands like several reports from a few months ago indicated. Instead, the headband now works as a “conduit of power” for the headset. Thankfully for people like myself that wear glasses, Apple’s headset will still support magnetically attachable custom prescription lenses, according to the report.

Apple’s headset will reportedly offer a 120-degree field-of-view, which is wider than the Meta Quest Pro. Chip-wise, The Information’s report states that the device will feature a 5nm CPU, GPU, memory and a dedicated image signal processor.

Other information in the report, including the headset’s dual Micro OLED 4K displays, outward and inward-facing cameras, LiDAR sensors and an outside display for showing the user’s facial expressions to those around them, have all been reported by other publications. Still, given The Information’s track record for accuracy, these features will likely make it into the final version of Apple’s AR/VR headset.

Most reports point to a 2023 release date for Apple’s $3,000 USD price tag (roughly $3,736 CAD) mixed reality headset.

You can find The Information’s full report on Apple’s VR headset here.

Image credit: Shutterstock

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Mobile Syrup

Notorious ransomware gang apologizes for SickKids cyberattack

LockBit has apologized for a ransomware attack at SickKids hospital.

The attack first came to the hospital’s attention on December 18th. It impacted patient care and led to delays in teams accessing lab and imaging results. The Toronto institution is the largest pediatric hospital in Canada.

The apology, first spotted by cybersecurity analyst Dominic Alvieri on December 31st, says a LockBit “partner” was behind the attack.

“We formally apologize for the attack on sikkids.ca [sic],” the statement states. LockBit provided the medical institution with a free decryptor after the attack encrypted some systems at the hospital.

SickKids acknowledged the apology in a January 1st statement and stated they’re working with a third party to validate the decryptor. The hospital has already restored 60 percent of its systems.

“There is no evidence to date that personal information or personal health information has been impacted. SickKids has not made a ransomware payment,” the statement states.

Source: Dominic Alvieri/ SickKids

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung’s Flex Hybrid OLED prototype is a 12.4-inch tablet that fits in your pocket

At CES 2023, Samsung showed off its new foldable prototype, the Flex Hybrid OLED, a tablet that can fold from one side and slide out on the other.

The phone starts off with a 4.2-inch display that can fold out to a 10.5-inch display with a 4:3 aspect ratio.  Then you can further increase the display size to 12.4-inches with a 16:10 aspect ratio.

The handset is capable of doing this by sliding out an extra two inches of screens from below the right-hand side of the device. This is pretty cool, as it allows you to fit a 12.4-inch OLED tablet in your pocket.

Samsung will reportedly show off two other display devices at CES 2023.  These devices are the Flex Slideable Solo, which expands from a 14.-inch OLED panel to a 17.3-inch screen by sliding the handset open. The other device is the Flex Slideable Duet, which slides from both sides of the screens to create the same size display.

Image Credit: Samsung 

Source: Samsung, Via: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

The Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are $150 and $300 off, respectively

If you have a little extra cash left after Christmas and New Year’s Day festivities, and are looking to go into 2023 with a new flagship in your pocket, Google’s promotion on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro is an offer worth considering.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time the Pixel flagships have been discounted on the Google Store, though it appears to be the first sale on the devices in 2023.

The October 2022-released Pixel 7 is discounted by $150 on the Google Store and is available for $649 (regularly $799), while the Pixel 7 Pro is discounted by $300 and is available for $879 (regularly $1,179).

Additionally, the cheaper Pixel 6a is discounted by $100 and is currently available for $499 (regularly $599)

Learn more about the three devices via the links below:

Image credit: Google

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Apple is reportedly working on cheaper ‘AirPods Lite’

In an attempt to compete with cheaper wireless earbuds, Apple is reportedly looking to develop its own budget-friendly version of the AirPods, as shared by analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong Intl Tech Research (via 9to5Mac).

Apple already has a wide variety of AirPods that it sells, ranging from the entry-level AirPods for $179, the 3rd-Gen AirPods for $229, the 2nd-Gen AirPods Pro for $329 and the premium AirPods Max for $779. However, according to Jeff Pu, the demand for AirPods is expected to fall by roughly 10 million units in 2023, from 73 million units in 2022 to 63 million units in 2023.

Pu quotes “soft AirPods 3 demand,” alongside speculation that Apple may not release new AirPods this year to be the reason behind the drop. The analyst also claims that the Cupertino-based company is working on ‘AirPods Lite,’ which will likely be a cheaper alternative to the 2nd-gen entry-level AirPods. It’s unclear how much these wireless earbuds will cost.

The move will allow Apple to set its footing in the cheaper wireless earbud market. Specs and other details about the reported ‘AirPods Lite’ are currently unknown. It’s worth noting that if Apple sticks with its previous naming conventions for its cheaper AirPods, they would be called the ‘AirPods SE’ rather than ‘AirPods Lite.’

Via: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

Court of Appeal temporarily suspends tribunal’s ruling backing Rogers-Shaw merger

The Federal Court of Appeal has issued an “emergency interim” suspension on the Competition Tribunal’s decision to back Rogers and Shaw on its merger plans.

The tribunal was tasked with hearing the Competition Bureau’s application to block the $26 billion merger in December. Before the month ended, the tribunal dismissed the bureau’s application, allowing the merger to proceed.

The bureau filed a notice of appeal on December 3oth, soon after the tribunal released a summary of its decision, and the Federal Court of appeal granted the temporary stay on January 1st.

“This will remain in effect until our application for a stay and an injunction can be heard,” the Competition Bureau tweeted. The stay does not mean the merger is blocked but does prevent it from closing until the case is heard.

In its final decision, posted on December 31st, the tribunal said, “the proposed transactions and ancillary agreements comprising the arrangement are not likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially.”

The tribunal further dismissed arguments that selling Freedom Mobile to Vidéotron would make it a “less effective competitor” or that the merger would increase anti-competitive behaviour.

In a recent statement, Shaw asked the bureau to reconsider its application to fighting the tribunal’s decision. “It is now clear that the Tribunal rejected the evidence of the most important witnesses of the Commissioner, as well as all of his key complaints and theories.”

The merger received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in March 2022. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne also needs to approve the merger. But he won’t share his decision until the legal challenge is heard.

Source: Competition Bureau, Shaw,  Competition Tribunal 

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Mobile Syrup

Apple Watch Ultra could feature larger display with Micro LED technology in 2024

Despite only releasing a few months ago, reports surrounding Apple’s successor to the Apple Watch Ultra are already starting to appear.

According to Haitong Intl Tech Research analyst Jeff Pu (via 9to5Mac), Apple will bring Micro LED technology to the 2nd-gen Apple Watch Ultra alongside a larger 2.1-inch display, a minor upgrade over the smartwatch’s current 1.93-inch screen. Apple will likely reduce the Apple Watch Ultra’s size to fit the larger screen rather than make the device larger.

For those unaware, Micro LED technology is capable of reaching a higher brightness level and offers improved colour accuracy. Apple will likely test Micro LED display tech with the Ultra before bringing it to other devices in its lineup, like the MacBook or iPad Pro.

Pu goes on to say that Apple Watch sales are expected to dip in 2023 due to the wearables being very similar to their 2022 counterparts.

The jump from the Series 7 to the Series 8 is also very minimal, with a body temperature sensor and crash detection being the only notable new hardware features. No rumours regarding the Apple Watch Series 9 have appeared yet.

Via: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

Up to 25 percent off MacBooks, iPads and Apple Watches from Amazon today

Kicking off 2023 is a slew of deals from Apple on Amazon Canada. If you have some extra cash hanging around and looking for a new iPad, Apple Watch, MacBooks, or various accessories, then check out the deals below:

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though we may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

Source: Amazon Canada

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung’s new oven uses AI to recommend cooking temperatures

It’s rare that a smart appliance actually feels smart, and that will likely still be the case for Samsung’s upcoming Bespoke AI Oven.

For example, my LG ThinQ dishwasher is smart but I can’t turn it on remotely. All its internet connectivity is good for is downloading custom washing cycles and recommending me to buy some specific rinse agent through incessant notifications.

That hasn’t stopped appliance makers from including Wi-Fi in appliances, however. This is where Samsung’s pre-CES reveal of the Bespoke AI Oven comes in. According to Samsung, the AI Oven is capable of automatically recognizing what you’ve asked it to cook and set the appropriate temperature, time and mode. It even includes “burn detection” in the EU, according to the company’s press release.

This AI recognition is powered by an internal camera that recognizes “80 different dishes and ingredients.” There’s also a 7-inch touchscreen (because every stove needs a massive touchscreen) that allows users to adjust settings and features manually. It’s worth noting that features seem to be region-specific given the European version of the Bespoke AI Oven can recognize 106 dishes, 26 more than its U.S. counterpart.

As you may have guessed, the AI oven’s camera can also be used to livestream the inside of your oven to social media as well as check on your cooking without opening the door. As expected, Samsung says that this feature is “great for content creators and avid chefs who want to share their dishes.”

Finally, an oven for Twitch streamers — just what the world needed.

Samsung says it plans to launch the Bespoke AI Oven in the U.S. and the EU in Q3 2023. It’s unclear how much the oven will cost or it if will release in Canada. In other CES 2022 Samsung news, the company also recently revealed a 57-inch curved monitor.

Image credit: Samsung

Source: Samsung