Audio formats and listening modes always come back. Vinyl records nearly died out in favor of CDs, until they became nostalgic and actually outsold CDs in 2023 for the first time since 1987. Music listening often breaks common conventions of technological progress because, at the end of the day, listeners have simple wants and needs. Great sound, convenience, and immersion are just a few.

Those simple desires allow for older, obsolete formats and media to make a comeback. Over time, our definition of what is "convenient," for example, changes. Recently, casual listeners valued convenience in the form of truly wireless earbuds without a cord in sight. That's starting to shift, with wired earbuds now becoming hip and fashionable again, and the flurry of wired earbud announcements I saw at IFA 2025 proves it.

Sony announced a pair of wired USB-C earbuds during the event called the IER-EX15C USB-C, and I'll be testing those soon. But the more exciting announcement came from Belkin, which is taking advantage of the opportunity that comes with ditching the 3.5mm headphone jack for USB-C. Belkin's new SoundForm USB-C wired earbuds have a party trick we don't usually see in this category: active noise-canceling (ANC).

What makes the Belkin SoundForm USB-C wired earbuds unique

Wired earbuds and in-ear monitors (IEMs) don't typically offer ANC, and that's because the 3.5mm headphone jack is only designed to transfer small amounts of power — usually the bare minimum needed to drive earbuds, headphones, and microphones. The microchips and processing needed to take in sound data from onboard microphones and counter them with ANC require more power than a 3.5mm jack can typically provide.

That's why ANC-powered headphones and earbuds are often battery-powered, even in wired mode. The built-in battery helps power those extra features. When we lost the 3.5mm jack on phones, tablets, and other devices, it was seen as a downgrade. In many ways, that's true, but the USB-C port also presents a fantastic opportunity for audio listening.

The USB-C port is the most versatile we've ever seen, capable of delivering power and data in large volumes at the same time. That's what makes a product like the Belkin SoundForm USB-C possible — the earbuds can siphon power from your phone or other device over the USB-C cable, while transferring audio and powering the ANC features within.

By offering ANC in a cheap pair of earbuds with a flat, wired USB-C cable, Belkin already has something special here. Combined with the 12mm drivers and a few EQ presets, you get features once exclusive to higher-priced wireless earbuds in a $35 wired package. It's great for buyers on a budget or for people who just want the convenience of using a cable.

Why we need wired earbuds to get good again

Wireless and wired earbuds each have their own ideal set of use cases, but contrary to popular belief, one form factor can't rule them all. Wired earbuds particularly excel if you want to avoid losses in audio quality due to Bluetooth. Granted, a pair of $35 earbuds with smaller drivers probably won't make the most of lossless audio quality — but neither will premium wireless earbuds in a lossy Bluetooth codec.

I also love using wired earbuds in situations where I can't risk a truly wireless earbud falling out of my ears. One specific circumstance is while traveling, when an earbud slips out of my ear on a plane or while running through a new city, it is a worst-case scenario. Plus, the affordable price of entry means I can use them without worrying about a high replacement cost if they get lost or broken.

With the Belkin SoundForm USB-C, you get all the convenience benefits of wired audio without losing IPX5 water-resistance or ANC support, which were previously key drawbacks. Of course, you still run into the issue of charging or using other accessories while using USB-C headphones, which is why you'll probably need wireless headphones in certain instances.

These earbuds debut next month, and I think they'll usher in a new wave of modern wired audio products that we desperately need.

Wearable technology is ubiquitous in 2025, with many people donning smartwatches, bands, or rings to gain insight into their fitness and health. We've also seen companies like Apple, Samsung, and Strava add AI coaching options for their products.

However, AI software in the fitness space is only one piece of the puzzle. Hardware companies are also developing new wearable concepts with AI at the core. To get an idea of where we're at and where we're headed, I tested Samsung's Running Coach software and Hypershell's X Ultra exoskeleton hardware at IFA 2025 in Berlin, Germany.

As an amateur distance runner, I wanted to find out if adding AI to my training could really help. Here's how it went.

Personal trainers aren't going anywhere... yet

Samsung debuted Running Coach alongside the Galaxy Watch 8, and our own wearables expert Michael Hicks put it through its paces. His experience was less-than-stellar, as Running Coach underestimated his abilities. That got me wondering whether a more amateur runner like myself would be a better fit for the software.

At Samsung's mobile devices booth at IFA 2025, I filled out a quick survey about my sleep and running habits, and was then given a slip with my running level and a QR code.

Unfortunately, I still ran into Running Coach limitations. The feature is built around fixed goals that are linked to your running level — I got Level 5 after the quick survey at IFA — with little room for personalization.

I think this strategy is a mistake, because it makes Running Coach too centered upon the goal of finishing a race length you may not be interested in. Additionally, when you reach a goal, you simply move to the next level without much focus on being able to complete those distances during training on a week-to-week basis.

For instance, the Level 5 training plan has me trying to finish a 10K under 1:08:20 (11:00/mile) — something I can already do. I can't tell Running Coach that I'm trying to cut my 5K time rather than build up to longer distances, or that I'd rather gain the strength to run five times per week before scaling distances. This seems like something that would be easy enough for Samsung to add with a few extra survey questions.

I'll skip using Running Coach for my own training plan for now, but using Gemini AI on the Galaxy Watch 8 has actually been a big help. You can use it to ask quick questions, like running routes or stretches. It's also helpful for starting workouts and controlling your running watch hands-free.

Hypershell's X Ultra exoskeleton could be a game-changer

I also tried a new AI hardware wearable at IFA, which falls into an emerging product category: exoskeletons. It's a device that straps onto your waist and thighs, featuring a motor on each side for lifting your legs robotically. I admit I was skeptical, and it sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but it's real, and it's called the Hypershell X Ultra.

The company explained that its goal is to enhance human capabilities. The $2,000 exoskeleton utilizes AI and machine learning to anticipate your next move and provide motorized assistance accordingly. It uses data from more than 12 sensors and its AI MotionEngine Ultra, built on training data, to adjust to your individual stride signature. No one walks the same way, and that's why AI and ML are necessary.

The device connects to an Android app and is designed for physical activities, like walking, hiking, and running.

It's something you really need to feel to believe, but the motorized exoskeleton actually does help lift your leg up in alignment with your stride to reduce exertion. You can feel the Hypershell X Ultra adjusting power and dynamics based on what you're doing — an easy way to test this is to shimmy your legs in place while feeling the motors ramp up in line.

The extra power made it much easier to walk, hike, and climb stairs. I switched between transparency mode, which temporarily disables assistance, and the Eco and Hyper modes to get a feel for how much work the exoskeleton was really doing.

It's doing a lot, but I don't think AI wearable hardware like the Hypershell X Ultra will help you run faster or longer. Not because the device doesn't work, but you still need to build cardiovascular endurance to run well.

Additionally, my short sprints with Hypershell revealed that the waistband slightly limited my mobility. The gain in power you get from wearing the exoskeleton might be countered by less efficient running mechanics.

I don't see people wearing exoskeletons to beat their PRs, without even getting into the "cheating" debate. However, I do see runners potentially using exoskeletons for training. Fitness mode on the Hypershell X Ultra turns the motors against you, making it harder for you to run at your normal pace. It can also reduce impact stress while going downhill, possibly lessening knee and joint pain.

It might sound like torture, but advanced runners already do this with devices like speed parachutes. Personally, I find exoskeletons to be a more elegant solution for resistance training, and I'd definitely use a Hypershell in Fitness mode to intensify my training.

AI hardware vs. software

AI software tools are more accessible to runners than hardware exoskeletons, but I find the latter to be a more exciting training companion. AI running coaches simply don't provide enough personalization options, while the hardware can elevate your training while literally personalizing the experience in real time using AI and ML algorithms. I'd never use it in a race, but I do think it can help you become a better runner.

Note: Hypershell provided travel and lodging for part of my trip to IFA, but had no input in this article.

IFA 2025 is coming to a close, bringing major product launches from Samsung and others, innovative concepts from brands like Lenovo, and emerging AI innovations. Android Central was on the ground in Berlin, Germany, going hands-on with all the biggest announcements and showcases, and we awarded some of the best products and concepts at the show.

From Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy Tab S11 series launch to Lenovo's stunning ThinkBook VertiFlex concept, and everything in between, here's what made it into the list for the best of IFA 2025. This year, many of the event's standouts are things you can actually buy, which is particularly exciting for consumers!

Best phone: TECNO Spark and Pova Slim

The TECNO Spark and Pova Slim are two phones you really have to see or hold in person to believe. If you thought the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge or the rumored iPhone 17 Air were thin, the Spark and Pova Slim will blow you away. The former measures just 5.93mm thick, and the latter is only 5.95mm while adding 5G and still delivering a flagship experience.

TECNO managed to cram a 5,160mAh battery inside the Pova Slim, addressing the biggest drawback that comes with thin phones — battery life. When it's time to charge, 45W fast wired charging will get you topped off in a pinch.

The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6400 chipset and runs Android 15. Best of all, it's no longer a concept and will soon be available for purchase in certain markets. Pricing and availability are to be announced, but nevertheless, TECNO's new Slim lineup is a feat of engineering that represents the best of smartphone technology at IFA 2025.

Best concept: Lenovo ThinkBook VertiFlex

Android phone lovers are very familiar with emerging form factors, like foldable phones and rotating screens (LG Wing, anyone?). Now, Lenovo is showing off a proof-of-concept at Lenovo Innovation World 2025 that brings a rotating screen to the ultrabook category. The Lenovo ThinkPad VertiFlex concept feels like your average 14-inch notebook until you flip the display upward, switching from horizontal to vertical orientations.

At 17.9mm thick and weighing just over three pounds, the ThinkPad VertiFlex won't feel out of place at a coffee shop or in your bag while packing a neat party trick. Switching to a vertical orientation on the fly might make common tasks like writing or coding easier in a way we've never seen on a laptop.

I briefly played around with the VertiFlex concept and was surprised at how natural and premium the experience felt. Despite the moving parts and complex engineering, rotating the display back and forth was natural and simple. It's also cool that you can place a phone or tablet next to the rotated display when it's in a vertical orientation.

While the ThinkPad VertiFlex might never see store shelves, it's the best new concept to come out of IFA 2025.

Best tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra

No one in the tablet space is doing what Samsung did with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. While it might not be my personal choice for a daily driver, it's impossible to ignore this tablet — it's the biggest and best on the Android side of things. You get a massive 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen and a chip upgrade in the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Plus.

This time around, it's only 5.1mm thin. You might be thinking, "Why does a tablet need to be thin?" It doesn't, unless you want to use it as a laptop alternative with a keyboard case. The thin tablet paired with Samsung's Book Cover Keyboard Slim helps make the entire package more compact.

More importantly, Samsung is taking real steps to make sure tablet users can actually take advantage of the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra's raw power. There is still work to be done, but the new version of Samsung DeX called Extended Mode is a major addition. It lets you take advantage of both your Galaxy Tab S11 screen and an external monitor at the same time. With workspaces, you can create up to four separate desktop environments for different processes and goals in DeX mode.

It's not for everyone, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the best tablet we saw at IFA, by a long shot.

Best wearable: Hypershell X Ultra

Robotics, machine learning, and wearable tech always make for an interesting product. The Hypershell X Ultra is an exoskeleton that combines all three, and after a natural degree of skepticism, my extended hands-on time with the gear left me amazed. It uses ML algorithms to analyze your walking patterns and motions, anticipating your next step while using motors to lift your leg up before you do. This is all happening in real-time with low latency.

Hiking with the Hypershell X Ultra is still physically taxing, and you might end up out of breath depending on your cardiovascular endurance. However, it requires significantly less leg power and reduces stress on your legs and joints. I walked, hiked, and ran with the exoskeleton, and immediately noticed a difference between turning assistance on and off.

It sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but following an announcement at IFA, you can actually buy this.

Best smart home: Philips Hue

The Philips Hue ecosystem received a major refresh at IFA 2025, taking one of smart home's best brands to the next level. The center of the upgrades is the Philips Hue Bridge Pro, the first new connected hub for Hue devices released in a decade. Aside from adding new features, Hue Bridge Pro triples the number of supported devices compared to the older Bridge V2.

To me, the more exciting addition is the new Philips Hue Essential A19 lightbulbs, which can be had for as little as $15 in a bundle. The smart lightbulbs now work with Matter-over-Thread, and that's a big deal. The functionality allows users to connect A19 lightbulbs with any Matter platform, including Apple and Google Home, without needing an expensive Philips Hue bridge. All these upgrades are also available on Philips' more expensive bulbs, too.

The addition of Matter-over-Thread support to the best lightbulbs in the market makes Philips Hue our pick for best smart home tech at IFA 2025.

Best AI innovation: Rokid Glasses

Rokid Glasses are the XR wearable that Rokid has been building up to for years, and they incorporate AI at the core. They're a pair of minimalist AR glasses weighing only 49 grams with microLED waveguide displays inside the lenses. When I wore them at IFA 2025, they felt no bigger or more cumbersome than my typical prescription glasses. That's despite cramming in a battery, speakers, displays, and a 12MP camera.

The smart glasses have native integration with AI voice assistants, including ChatGPT, for real-time help with answers. When you wear Rokid Glasses, the answers to your questions appear both on the displays overlaid atop your environment and are spoken aloud. Beyond chatbots and assistants, AI is also used on the Rokid Glasses to reduce background noise coming from the four microphones for videos and calls.

By far, the coolest Rokid Glasses feature can translate a foreign language for you in real-time using AI, showing what someone is saying in your preferred language on the displays. At only $599, these smart glasses, currently in the Kickstarter stage, are the best AI innovation to launch at IFA 2025.

Note: Lenovo and Hypershell provided travel and lodging for part of my IFA 2025 trip, but had no input in this article.

Screen protectors are Android phone accessories that feel almost mandatory to keep your gadgets safe against cracks and scratches. However, as a review that tests many phones and even more screen protectors, I find them to be wildly inconvenient. They're difficult to apply, it can be hard to find them in stock at stores near you when you need them, and can need replacing often. There might be a better way, and I tried it at the Zagg booth at IFA 2025.

Zagg's On-Demand InvisibleShield machine is sort of like a kiosk for custom screen protectors. Name just about any device model and pick a film screen protector variant, like matte or privacy, and order it like you would a coffee. There is information for thousands of devices stored in the Zagg On Demand machine, with the precise measurements for each.

This wide-ranging support for phone and device models is extremely useful for niche models, or new and old ones. For instance, if you want to get a screen protector in your home country for a phone that isn't generally available there — think using an Honor Magic V5 in the U.S. — you're probably out of luck at a big box retailer. However, a shop with an On Demand machine can cut a film for your uncommon device or ten-year-old phone in minutes.

After you name your device, you'll need to pick a film screen protector type. A notable limitation of the On Demand machine is that it can't cut tempered glass screen protectors, only TPU film. A Zagg representative told me that's why there aren't as many Zagg On Demand service providers in the U.S. as there are in Europe; the American market prefers tempered glass over film.

Personally, I find matte film screen protectors to be the perfect mix of feature set and protection. The matte finish helps diffuse sunlight for better visibility, and the film protects your screen from scratches without being another thing for you to crack.

You can choose from Zagg's InvisibleShield Defense, Elite, or Extreme film screen protector types depending on the feel you're looking for. From there, you can choose either Ultra Eco (biodegradable), Ultra Matte (anti-glare), Elite VisionGuard (blue-light blocking), or Privacy Matte versions. After that, an operator will put your chosen film into the machine, it'll precision-cut it, and soon it'll be ready to be applied.

In just a few minutes, you'll end up with something like I did in the photo above — a phone with a cut-to-order screen protector. I was fascinated by the process, and find there to be a few major advantages to this kind of service. For one, you're getting an expert to install your screen protector. If you don't like how it turns out, you can address that right then and there without having to go through a return or warranty process.

There's also the fact that this process allows stores to provide screen protectors for far more devices than they ever could with pre-packaged kits. It's an approach that uses less waste as well. Even large retailers like Best Buy struggle to keep a variety of screen protectors in stock for same-day pickup, but with Zagg On Demand, it's nearly instant.

Zagg has been using On Demand machines for over five years now, and I hope they catch on more. It's cool to watch, and has too many practical benefits for both businesses and customers to ignore.

Samsung is ushering in the next wave of brand-new One UI 8 phones and tablets with the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 series. While the Galaxy S25 FE bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, it does pack a sneaky set of upgrades including a new chip, upgraded front-facing camera, and a bigger battery with faster charging. For small tablet lovers, there's finally a new 11-inch Galaxy Tab S11 to go along with the behemoth Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is the first Galaxy S25 phone to run One UI 8, based on Android 16. It's a small detail, and the other four Galaxy S25 devices will get the update eventually, but it goes to show how Samsung is bridging the gap between midrange and flagship territory with the Galaxy S25 FE. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is even thinner and sports a fresh processor as well.

I briefly went hands-on with Samsung's new phone and tablets at IFA 2025, and I have to admit, I'm excited. It's good to have a small, current-generation tablet in Samsung's lineup again, and it's great to see the Galaxy S25 FE fleshed out as a flagship-killer. Here's everything you need to know about them.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

When I first held the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, it felt quite similar to the Galaxy S24 FE, but the differences became quickly apparent. The glossy back of the Galaxy S24 FE, which ended up being a fingerprint magnet, is now gone in favor of a smooth matte finish. It's available in Jetblack, Navy, Icyblue, and White, and I think the darker colors pair nicely with the silver aluminum side rails to create an excellent contrasting look.

The rear side of the phone has a basic triple-camera array, much like the three main Galaxy S25 models, albeit without the DSLR-style lens covers. It also doesn't have the oval-shaped camera bump riser we see on the Galaxy S25 Edge and Galaxy Z Fold 7. As such, the Galaxy S25 FE has managed to carve out a unique look despite existing in a crowded lineup of Samsung phones.

Thin feels like the name of the game for Samsung in 2025. The Galaxy S25 FE isn't breaking any records, but its thinner 7.4mm profile is certainly a welcomed addition compared to the 8mm thickness of its predecessor. On the design front, it's also 23 grams lighter than the previous model, weighing in at only 190 grams. Anytime you can get a 6.7-inch smartphone under 200 grams, it's worth taking note of — this is a difference you'll feel in both your hand and pocket.

Unfortunately, there's not much new about the display. The panel itself isn't bad at all; it's a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen with support for 120Hz refresh rates. However, the bezels on the Galaxy S25 FE still aren't uniform, leaving you with a larger "chin" below the bottom of the display. It's an unfortunate characteristic that may be distracting to some and makes the phone feel cheaper than it is.

The Galaxy S25 FE is now powered by the Samsung Exynos 2400 chip, a slight bump from the lower-spec Exynos 2400e found within the Galaxy S24 FE. You get the same 8GB of memory and 128GB of base storage, though it can be upgraded to 512GB for the first time.

There are clear performance limitations here, at least going off the spec sheet, but Samsung managed to cram even more AI features in the Galaxy S25 FE. It gets many of the best One UI 7 and One UI 8 tools, like the ProVisual Engine for the camera system and the Now Bar and Brief. Speaking of the cameras, the front-facing sensor is upgraded to 12MP on this year's model.

Battery capacity is upped to 4,900mAh and there's now support for 45W wired fast charging, which should help deliver all-day battery life.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11

If you recall, there was never a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10, so the Galaxy Tab S11 marks the first 11-inch flagship tablet from Samsung in over two years. In the time since the Galaxy Tab S9 released, a lot has changed and a bunch has stayed the same, too. The overall look and feel of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is still here, but it's thinner at 5.5mm compared to 5.9mm.

Samsung kept the same display for the Galaxy Tab S11, an 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x panel with 120Hz support. There is a new stylus to pair with it, as Samsung redesigned the S Pen to be more ergonomic and add tilt-based writing and drawing features. The S Pen is now hexagon-shaped, with six flat sides that end in a cone-shaped tip for drawing.

This feels like using a standard pencil, and I find it more comfortable and natural to use than the old S Pen and the Apple Pencil — both only have one flat side. It's still included in the box, which is always great to see.

As someone who asked where the Samsung Galaxy S10 was, I love the compact form factor of the Galaxy S11. Paired with a chip upgrade to the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Plus platform, this might be a good buy for people still holding onto a Tab S9 or older tablet.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra receives many of the same upgrades as the smaller model, with an identical MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Plus chip and the redesigned S Pen. There is a 16GB memory option, but it only comes with the 1TB storage configuration, so it'll be an expensive upgrade. There's no doubt that the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is powerful, and Samsung is trying to capitalize on that power in software this year.

You get a new version on Samsung DeX on both tablets called Extended Mode, which lets you take advantage of both your Galaxy Tab S11 screen and an external monitor. You can use this for multitasking, dragging and dropping content between screens, or present separate content on each display. Another new way to use Samsung DeX is with workspaces — you can create up to four separate desktop environments for different tasks in DeX mode.

Of course, these enhanced DeX features will be most useful on the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, which packs a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen. It's designed to be paired with the Book Cover Keyboard Slim for those who want to turn the tablet into a laptop alternative. Personally, I find the sheer size of the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra to be daunting — it's too big for what I prefer to use tablets for. However, you might enjoy having that extra screen real estate for productivity and content consumption.

Finally, it's worth calling out that the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is now just 5.1mm thick, which is a crazy number. With that being said, I didn't get the same "wow" factor from holding the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra as I got from using the Galaxy S25 Edge. The thickness simply doesn't seem as big of a deal on a tablet compared to a phone, but it does matter if you like to use a case or keyboard cover attached.

Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is available starting now, Sept. 4, in four colors: Jetblack, Navy, Icyblue, and White. It retails for $649.99 and comes with 128GB of storage. As a bonus, buyers get six free months of Gemini Advanced access with a new Galaxy S25 FE purchase.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 series is also available starting today, Sept. 4, and there are two models: the Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. The former starts at $799.99, whereas the latter retails for $1,199.99. Both are available in only two colors, Grey and White. The Galaxy Tab S11 ships with 128GB of storage and can be upgraded to 512GB, while the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra starts with 256GB of storage and goes all the way up to 1TB.

What you need to know

• At IFA 2025, Acer has announced the Chromebook Plus Spin 514, powered by MediaTek's Kompanio Ultra processor.
• Acer also introduced two new Chromebox models with the Chromebox CXI6 and Chromebox Mini CXM2.
• The Spin 514 and CXI6 will arrive later this year, while the Mini CXM2 arrives in Q1 2026.

It's been a rather surprisingly quiet year for Acer in the Chromebook department, with the last major announcement coming back in April. With IFA 2025 under way, Acer decided it was time to reveal a new Chromebook and even two new Chromeboxes, in addition to all of the products that fall outside of the Android/ChromeOS purview.

Headlining Acer's IFA 2025 announcements is the all-new Chromebook Plus Spin 514. Although the general design might look the same, the Spin 514 gets a fresh coat of paint to celebrate being the first Acer Chromebook powered by the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910.

This marks just the second Chromebook to make use of this chip, as it first arrived in the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 earlier this year. However, Acer's offering might be a bit more appealing to some, thanks to its convertible design and USI-compatible display.

As we've seen with the Chromebook Plus 14, the Kompanio Ultra 910 is an absolute beast capable of handling practically anything you throw at it. And on top of that, this MediaTek chip offers quite a boost to AI performance, as its 50 TOPS of AI processing enables Gemini to flex its muscles without needing to rely on the cloud.

But what good is having all of the performance if you have to constantly be plugged in? Thankfully, that won't be a problem with the Spin 514 thanks to the 70Wh battery which Acer rates to last for up to 17 hours on a single charge.

The fun doesn't stop there, as Acer's latest Chromebook is equipped with a convertible design, while the touchscreen display features USI 2.0 compatibility. All of this makes for an incredible Chromebook for everyone, even students who need something lightweight, portable, and versatile.

Pricing for the Chromebook Plus Spin 514 starts at $699, and you'll get 12 months of Google's AI Pro plan for free. We can expect to see Acer's new Chromebook arrive sometime in October.

Not one, but TWO new Chromeboxes

It's not all that often that we get a new Chromebox, let alone two. But, that's exactly what Acer is doing at IFA 2025, as the Chromebox CXI6 and Chromebox Mini CXM2 have both been unveiled.

There are some slight differences between the two options, starting with the Chromebox CXI6 having four different processors to choose from. The entry-level model is powered by the 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1305U, with the high-end model being powered by the Intel Core 7 150U. Meanwhile, the Mini CXM2 comes in three configurations with the Intel N150, N250, and Core 3 N350.

Both of these Chromebox models max out with 16GB of RAM, and that's where most of the important similarities stop. The CXI6 supports up to 256GB of storage courtesy of an M.2 SSD, while the Mini CXM2 maxes out with 128GB of eMMC storage.

If you need more proof of that the CXI6 is slightly more versatile, look no further than the 13 ports found on the front and back. On the other hand, the CXM2 packs three USB-A ports on the front, and eight more on the back, potentially offering a "cleaner" look than the CXI6.

Truth be told, neither of these are going to blow you away in terms of performance, but they'll make for great everyday computers. Plus, both of these Chromeboxes are compatible with VESA mounts, but you will need to pick up Acer's VESA Mount Kit separately.

The Chromebox CXI6 is slated to arrive in December, with a starting retail price of $519.99. As for the Chromebox Mini CXM2, you'll have to wait a bit longer, as it's not expected to be released until sometime in Q1 2026, and will set you back about $329.

• Chromebook Deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Lenovo | HP| Amazon

Imagine you're at an airport, listening to your favorite tunes on a pair of noise-canceling headphones to drown out the sounds of babies crying and PA system announcements that have nothing to do with you. However, in the middle of your song, you hear loud and clear in your headphones that your group is about to start boarding. And the best part is that you don't need to pause your music every time an announcement is made over the PA system to figure out if it's about your gate, because you're directly connected to your specific gate.

This is just one benefit of Auracast, a technology developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. I got to test out the technology during a demonstration at IFA in Berlin, Germany, and at the risk of sounding overdramatic, this is exactly the kind of future I always hoped we would get with Bluetooth, and it makes me incredibly excited for what's coming.

What is Auracast?

Auracast is a Bluetooth technology that lets users transmit audio to multiple receivers at the same time, acting as a broadcast system. Basically, if you want to share music with your friends, you should be able to do that more easily, thanks to Auracast.

This may sound familiar, as there have been some examples of companies launching audio-sharing features like this, but they tend to be proprietary solutions that only work within a particular ecosystem and have somewhat limited scope.

Auracast uses Bluetooth LE Audio, meaning it has a minimum requirement of Bluetooth 5.2 to work, although you'll want the latest spec (Bluetooth 5.4) to get the most out of the tech. This also means that Auracast can be put on tons of devices without companies needing to build their own solutions.

To make it work, you'll need an Auracast transmitter to start a broadcast. To join a broadcast, you'll need an Auracast assistant, like a phone or smartwatch, which provides the UI necessary to search for and connect to broadcasts (think of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi menus in your phone, for example). Finally, you'll need Auracast-enabled receivers (speakers, hearing aids, earbuds) to listen to the broadcast.

At the moment, Auracast is already supported on a number of Android phones, wireless earbuds, and hearing aids.

Different Auracast scenarios

During my demo at IFA, I was shown three different scenarios where Auracast could be useful and where Bluetooth SIG feels the technology will shine the most. I was also given the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and a Google Pixel phone for the demo.

The first demo was in an airport bar scenario with two televisions set up and different sports games playing at the same time. The idea is that you're in a crowded bar where hearing either game would be difficult. In this case, I opened the Sennheiser app and, using the Auracast menu, was able to see a list of different broadcasts that were available to me. I selected the first TV, a Hisense TV with Auracast built in, and I could hear the audio clearly through my earbuds. I could also easily switch to the second TV outfitted with an Auracast transmitter.

The Bluetooth rep explained that one benefit of the technology is that they're trying to make it as accessible as possible. If your device doesn't support Auracast, you could purchase an add-on to enable the capability to transmit audio.

The second scenario further demonstrates the ability to retrofit existing devices with Auracast. It took place at an airport gate, and the idea is that you're either listening to music or watching a movie while trying to listen out for the gate announcements. Two "people" were set up at the gate, one on a phone and another on a laptop. When we were prompted to connect to their devices to listen in on their content, we were all met with a roadblock: a private broadcast.

One of the features of Auracast is the ability to lock your broadcast so only certain people can listen in, ensuring a private experience for you and your friends. We were given the password so we could listen to their music and movies. The latter was playing on a laptop that did not have Auracast built-in, so a small adapter that was plugged into the USB port enabled the broadcast.

The final demo was conducted in an "auditorium" with a speaker. The idea is that the speaker talks into a mic that transmits the audio to individual receivers, ensuring everyone can hear them clearly.

In fact, tours like the one I was on are also another example of an experience that benefits from Auracast. The Bluetooth SIG representative conducted us through the space using a broadcast transmitted via a mic. We could easily switch between his broadcast and those of the individual spaces to interact with them, which could be ideal for similar tour experiences.

The benefits of Auracast are crystal-clear

Obviously, there's a level of convenience that Auracast brings to the Bluetooth experience. As someone who always has music playing on noise-canceling earbuds, I always find it annoying to have to either turn off ANC to listen out for stop announcements or take out my earbuds completely. Airports are especially tricky, as it can sometimes be hard to hear announcements clearly, even without earbuds in.

But beyond convenience, Auracast also brings a new level of accessibility. The last scenario in the auditorium is a great example of this, as the user was shown utilizing their own Bluetooth device to tune into the broadcast. Hearing aids aren't cheap, and neither are Bluetooth earbuds, so being able to use devices you already own is a huge benefit. That's also why it's so great that devices that don't support it can gain functionality with an add-on, which is great for venues that may not want to shell out tons of money for new devices.

As Hearing Associates points out, additional benefits of the technology for hard-of-hearing individuals include less background noise, reduced battery drain, and the fact that users "won't have to worry about dead zones or spotty audio."

And for users that may not speak the same language, the Bluetooth SIG reps explained that Auracast could transmit translated audio.

But while the Auracast tech is there, the next step is to make it as ubiquitous as Bluetooth itself, and that requires a lot of conversations with various parties. When asked, the Bluetooth SIG representatives said that conversations with venues were already happening to get the technology in more places, but that it's also a matter of getting OEMs on board to adopt the tech and build support into more devices.

For some, that means having the necessary hardware, like a TV with the proper Bluetooth spec, but for others, it just requires a software update. When One UI 6 rolled out, Samsung phones received the ability to scan and see available broadcasts, while One UI 6.1 added the ability to broadcast from a smartphone, and the UI is built into the OS so you don't have to dig into an app to connect to a broadcast. Samsung also brought Auracast to its smart TVs and wireless earbuds through an update last year.

We expect to see an improved Auracast experience arriving on Pixels with Android 15, which should make it easier to broadcast and receive audio. There are already some wireless earbuds, like the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, that can join broadcasts via an assistant device (like a smartphone), while the JBL Tour Pro 3 have a dedicated UI on the case (which also acts as a receiver).

There are already many products that support Auracast, but this is just the beginning as support extends to more devices and more places. The folks at Bluetooth SIG are confident about its success, and after trying it out for myself, I'm excited about what the future holds for the tech.

During IFA 2024, TECNO unveiled its new AI vision, which will focus on bringing "practical AI" to smartphones around the world. As part of this, the company showed off new features we can expect to see on its phones, including tools that will let users summarize, translate, and create. The company has also been teasing its upcoming foldable phones, the Phantom V Fold 2 and Phantom V Flip 2, which are expected to arrive soon and will likely be low-cost alternatives to devices like Samsung's latest Galaxy Z series foldables. 

I had the opportunity to ask TECNO's Chief Marketing Officer, Laury Bai, about the company's AI strategy and how it plans to make AI useful for emerging markets.

The meaning of "practical AI"

TECNO is no stranger to AI. The company previously launched its own AI assistant called Ella, which was powered by ChatGPT and is already found on devices like the Camon 30 Premier 5G. However, as part of the company's new vision, Ella has been upgraded with capabilities from Gemini, enabling tons of new features and conversational abilities for users, and thus becoming more practical.

"For example, after integrating Gemini, Ella has the ability to do AI search, provide the best response, real-time analyze, and effectively solve the problems with the latest data," Bai tells me in an interview.

Beyond AI interactions, Ella can also do more Assistant-like functions, such as toggling Bluetooth on/off, enabling power-saving mode, and over 600 system functions. But more so, Bai says that one of the biggest benefits of using Ella over other assistants is that there are more local languages available, which ties in with TECNO's main mission: to bridge the gap in the technology experience between developed countries and developing countries.

"There is a clear technology gap, especially with AI being very advanced in places like the US, while lots of consumers living in emerging markets are still behind," Bai explains. Because of this, TECNO focuses its efforts on making its products more accessible to these markets.

According to Bai, language is one of the main ways that AI becomes practical for users and guides how the company develops its new AI features. He says that when Samsung launched its first batch of Galaxy AI features, TECNO received feedback that the AI could not fully understand them. So, TECNO focused on ensuring that its AI would support various dialects.

"Talking about English, it differs across countries, like Nigerian English and Kenyan English. They have things in common, but they have very different accents. Also in India, there are a lot of local languages."

However, the idea of practical AI also extends to other AI features introduced in TECNO's new AI vision, which focuses on both efficiency and creativity. As highlighted in the video above, the company showed off features such as Real-Time Translation for calls and texts, AI writing to summarize or even generate text, and AI Search to provide real-world and context-based results. On the creativity side, TECNO also showed off new image editing features like Smart Eraser, which is not too unlike Google's own Magic Eraser, and AI Artboard, which lets users generate images from text. 

Foldables and AI for all

TECNO's mission to bring useful AI features to more users in emerging markets also correlates with the company's hardware strategy. TECNO's devices offer plenty of value, bringing impressive designs and specs while undercutting the competition in various smartphone categories. This also includes foldable phones, with the company's first models, such as the Phantom V Flip, costing hundreds of dollars less than their competitors.

Bai says TECNO wants to ensure that it develops products that aren't detached from its target audience by stuffing them with exorbitant specs and features. "We believe that those high-end and mid-range phones should be designed and priced based on local market needs and focusing on the most core demands." That said, TECNO's products still offer a lot for what you get. The original Phantom V Fold comes with a 7.85-inch folding OLED display, a 50MP triple camera system, and is powered by a very capable Mediatek Dimensity 9000 Plus, while the V Flip features a circular cover screen, a 4,000mAh battery with 45W charging, and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8050.

Now, the company is looking forward to its next foldable phones, which will be equipped with the AI features outlined in the company's AI vision. According to Bai, the Phantom V Fold 2 will focus on productivity, thanks to a larger screen, while the Phantom V Flip 2 will be targeted at "fashionable consumers."

And if the upcoming foldables are anything like their predecessors, we can expect them to be priced  well below the likes of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.

While AI has become a hot topic for less-than-desirable reasons, TECNO says it is ensuring that consumer data will be protected with the advent of on-device AI and the ability to manage these features in the device settings.

"We process sensitive data such as real-time translation through on-device computing," Bai explains. "However, we will also combine cloud-based AI. Regarding cloud-based AI, our AI assistant is integrated with Gemini, and our partner Google will also protect user privacy with its advanced technology and strict principles concerning network security for users."

These principles also extend to the types of content users can generate with TECNO's AI, and the company says that it has safeguards in place (through the training of AI models and a partnership with Microsoft Azure) to keep consumers from producing offensive or harmful content on its devices. Of course, even giants like Google have slipped up with the launch of new features on its Pixel 9 series devices, so it'll be interesting to see if TECNO can avoid the same problems, but Bai seems confident that it can.

What about that tri-fold phone?

Ahead of revealing its new AI vision, TECNO also showed off the Phantom Ultimate 2, a concept phone with a tri-fold design. It features a unique design with a single display that folds into three different sections. When folded, it's only 11mm thick, which is thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It can be adjusted to various form factors based on how it's being used.

For now, it's just a concept, but TECNO is hopeful that it will be more than that. However, a tri-fold device brings some interesting challenges that TECNO has to overcome, and it obviously needs to make sense to launch a device like this.

"In fact, the challenge is to really find consumers' needs and user behavior towards this kind of factors or shapes," Bai tells me. "What exactly are the local consumers' needs? We need to design this kind of phone that can be well-connected by local consumers in emerging markets. That's hard."

Pricing is probably one of the biggest challenges. Regular foldable phones can be pricey, and TECNO has obviously found a way to overcome this. However, as we've seen with the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design, which starts at roughly $2,809, a tri-fold phone enters a whole new price category that may be hard to avoid, at least for now.

Given TECNO's focus on making hardware and software more accessible in emerging markets where buying a $3000 phone may not be possible, a tri-fold phone probably isn't practical in the near term. "We need to find more local scenarios where people will use the device in [these countries]. I think that's the hardest part."

However, it's clear TECNO is at least thinking about this, and the company is planning to show off the Phantom Ultimate 2 at MWC 2025. But until then, we can look forward to its upcoming foldable launch alongside its practical new AI features.

What you need to know

• TCL just launched the 50 and 50 Pro NXTPAPER smartphones, both designed to ease eye strain with its new display tech.
• Both phones include a "NXTPAPER key" that offers two modes: Ink Paper for regular reading and Max Ink for a distraction-free experience, promising over a week of battery life.
• Both models feature a 6.8-inch 1080p screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, though the Pro version has slightly better specs.

TCL has unveiled the 50 and 50 Pro NXTPAPER smartphones, both of which aim to cut down on eye strain with TCL's new display tech. And despite their different names, they share a lot of the same features.

At IFA 2024, TCL unveiled the 50 NXTPAPER and 50 PRO NXTPAPER. These hybrids pack TCL's anti-glare display and a handy reading mode button, blending smartphone and e-reader features into one device.

The NXTPAPER key has two modes: Ink Paper and Max Ink. Just flip the key to the first position for Ink Paper Mode and push it one notch further for Max Ink Mode. Max Ink is perfect for focused reading, as it turns off notifications but keeps internet, calls, and texts active. TCL says you can expect over a week of battery life in Max Ink mode.

If this feels like déjà vu, it's because TCL rolled out a similar feature on a tablet earlier this year.

Besides the quasi-E Ink mode, both phones come with a 6.8-inch 1080p screen boasting a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The main difference is that the non-Pro model has a few slightly lower specs.

Under the hood, both phones draw their power from MediaTek's Dimensity 6300 processor. The TCL 50 NXTPAPER comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER offers a more spacious 512GB. Additionally, both support expandable storage.

On the back, both phones have a 108MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The standard model includes an 8MP selfie camera, while the Pro version steps up with a 32MP front sensor.

The TCL 50 NXTPAPER and 50 Pro NXTPAPER both feature 33W fast charging, NFC, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and an audio jack. They run on Android 14 and are guaranteed to receive two OS upgrades and security patches until 2029.

TCL's new NXTPAPER phones seem designed for those who crave a less distracting smartphone experience. However, only time will tell if they truly deliver on this promise.

The TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER will retail in Europe and Latin America for €299, with optional accessories included. Meanwhile, the TCL 50 NXTPAPER will be available in Europe for €229.

What you need to know

• The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro runs Google TV, comes with built-in Netflix, weighs just 1.1kg, and retails for $449.
• Meanwhile, the Elfin Flip is more budget-friendly at $399, compared to the original Elfin’s $649, and offers 600 ISO lumens brightness, 1080p resolution, and 113% Rec.709 color coverage.
• The Aura 2 ultra-short throw projector features Dual Light 2.0 tech with 2,300 ISO lumens, IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision, and 99% DCI-P3 color coverage.
• XGIMI also introduced two Horizon S Series models, including the Horizon S Pro with Dual Light 2.0, Dolby Vision, 1,700 ISO lumens, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
• Additionally, the Horizon S Max boosts brightness to 3,000 ISO lumens and adds Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced certifications.

XGIMI has introduced its newest line of home and portable projectors at IFA 2024, aimed at the US market.

MoGo 3 Pro

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro is a great step up from the MoGo 2 Pro. It now runs on Google TV, so you no longer need a separate dongle. Plus, it has Netflix built right in for a smoother streaming experience.

Weighing in at just 1.1kg, the MoGo 3 Pro is practically begging to be taken on the go. Just hook it up to a power bank, and you'll have endless hours of "cinematic visuals and sound," according to XGIMI's press release.

The MoGo 3 Pro comes with a rotating base and DLP tech that delivers 1080p resolution, a 90% DCI-P3 color gamut for eye-popping visuals, and 450 ISO Lumens of brightness.

This portable projector has a protected lens and can project images up to 120 inches. The integrated hidden bracket lets you tilt the projector 130 degrees for the perfect viewing angle.

It also uses XGIMI's ISA 2.0 image correction technology to automatically fix keystone distortion, avoid obstacles, focus the image, and align the picture for perfect viewing.

The MoGo 3 Pro features two integrated 5W Harman Kardon speakers for powerful sound. You can also use it as a Bluetooth speaker and enjoy the Ambient Light Mode, which lights up to the rhythm of your music.

The MoGo 3 Pro costs $449, but if you grab it with the Powerbase stand (usually $129) as a bundle, you’ll only pay $499. You can also grab the Optical Filter attachment for $49 and the Carrying Case for $69.

Elfin Flip

A more budget-friendly alternative to the Elfin compact projector, the Elfin Flip features a brightness of 600 ISO lumens and runs on the Android TV operating system.

The Flip's specs aren't quite as high-end as the MoGo 3 Pro, but it's still great for movie nights. It tops out at 400 ISO lumens of brightness, offers 1080p resolution, and covers 113% of the Rec.709 color space. It’s got HDR10, a 27ms low-latency game mode, plus auto keystone correction, auto focus, and automatic screen alignment.

The integrated stand lets you tilt the Elfin Flip projector up to 150 degrees, so you can angle it however you need. However, it runs on WebOS, which is a surprise twist.

At $399, the Elfin Flip is a steal compared to the original Elfin at $649. It's perfect for movie buffs who want a projector they can toss in a bag.

Aura 2

The Aura 2 is XGIMI’s newest ultra-short throw projector. If space is at a premium, this model has you covered, requiring only a few inches from your wall or screen thanks to its ultra-short 0.177:1 throw ratio.

The Aura 2 crams theater-level sound and visuals into a compact short-throw design. With its Dual Light 2.0 tech, it’s ridiculously bright and color-accurate—2,300 ISO lumens, IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision, and 99% DCI-P3 color coverage. So, if you’re into crystal-clear colors and booming sound, this projector has you covered with four 15W Harman/Kardon speakers.

Amazingly, it also comes with a $100 price cut compared to its predecessor, now going for a surprisingly reasonable $2,699.

Horizon S series

XGIMI has also unveiled two Horizon S Series projectors, namely the $1,299 S Pro and the $1,899 S Max.

The Horizon S Pro is a premium projector with Dual Light 2.0 technology, blending tri-color laser and LED for super bright images. It’s Dolby Vision-ready and comes with a flexible stand that swivels 360º horizontally and 135º vertically.

With 1,700 ISO lumens and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, it’s designed to wow. Harman/Kardon speakers with 2×12 output, DTS, and Dolby Audio, plus ISA 5.0 tech for real-time adjustments and an electric sliding cover, make it a real standout.

Furthermore, the Horizon S Max takes the Dual Light 2.0 tech and cranks it up a notch with Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced certifications—something no projector has done before. It’s 30% brighter than the previous model, boasting 3,000 ISO lumens and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.

Neither of these models gets the Google TV upgrade, though; they’re sticking with the Android TV OS from the Horizon Ultra.

What you need to know

• Samsung’s rolling out the One UI 6.1.1 update for the Galaxy S24 series, featuring AI features and the September 2024 security patch.
• The update, revealed at IFA 2024, is also coming to the Galaxy S23 series, S23 FE, Z Flip 5, Z Fold 5, and Tab S9 series.
• Korea got the update first on September 5, with North America and Europe set to follow from September 9.

Samsung is finally rolling out the One UI 6.1.1 update for the Galaxy S24 series, packed with AI features and the September 2024 security patch.

At IFA 2024, Samsung revealed during a press conference that One UI 6.1.1 is officially rolling out to its latest flagship devices. The company also mentioned that many of your beloved Samsung devices will get the update next week.

This means the One UI 6.1.1 update is making its way to a wider range of Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S23 series, S23 FE, Z Flip 5, Z Fold 5, and Tab S9 series. These devices will have access to the advanced AI features introduced with the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.

Productivity gets a boost with the One UI 6.1.1 update. New features like Note Assist, PDF Overlay Translation, and Sketch to Image streamline tasks. Note Assist can translate and summarize notes, while PDF Overlay Translation offers text translation for PDFs, images, and graphs. Sketch to Image turns simple sketches into image options.

The update also makes communication a breeze. With AI-powered tools like Interpreter, Listening Mode, and Chat Assist, translating languages and getting messaging suggestions is way easier. Plus, the Composer feature gives a hand with writing more effectively.

Of course, there's the Circle to Search feature, made with Google, for quick visual searches. Photography fans will also love the improved Portrait Mode and the new Instant Slow-mo feature.

One UI 6.1.1 also brings in fresh wallpapers that adjust based on the weather and time of day.

You can use AI features like Composer, Sketch to Image, Interpreter, and Note Assist for free until the end of 2025. Samsung hasn’t revealed how it'll charge for these features after that.

It should be noted that even after installing the update, the One UI version will stay at 6.1. Samsung uses the x.1.1 One UI version numbers exclusively for foldable devices and tablets.

Galaxy devices in Korea were the first to get the One UI 6.1.1 update on September 5. The update will be available in North America and Europe starting September 9.

What you need to know

• Govee has launched its new Curtain Lights 2, which takes its "refined lighting display" further with 520 light beads, stronger computing power, and 10 canvas layers.
• The device features "AI Lighting Bot" and the ability for users to upload a custom image or GIF to display on the Curtain Lights 2.
• The Govee Curtain Lights 2 can be purchased as a single pack for $149, a double pack for $259, or a triple pack for $399.

Govee today unveiled a new set of smart curtains that promise to elevate your home to a whole new level of fancy.

In a press release, Govee boasts that the second-gen Curtain Lights come with a "refined lighting display" thanks to enhanced computing power and storage. The big win here is improved GIF performance, with "richer" and more detailed patterns plus an expanded 10 canvas layers.

The device features a new chip and 520 light beads. Govee also offers two-pack and three-pack options so you can really amp up your colorful displays.

Taking the Curtain Lights 2's enriched experience even further is its improved DIY effects.

The company promises an easier setup with a streamlined customization section. There’s a DIY material library with Govee’s own elements to jazz up your Curtain Lights 2, or you can upload your own photos or GIFs and see them come to life.

Another new addition for the Curtain Lights 2 is Govee's first steps into AI via the "AI Lighting Bot." The company states this lets consumers utilize its voice commands alongside a text-based option to control the device. Not only can users control the Curtain Lights 2, but they can also "create" new designs and patterns using this AI tool.

The AI can aid in creating "static lighting effects." However, Govee informs that the "gif/dynamic lighting effect is coming soon." The company adds that the Curtain Lights 2 is fully compatible with DreamView for a "fully immersive experience."

Installation is a breeze with the Curtain Lights 2, which can be used indoors or outdoors. Both the lights and control box have an IP65 waterproof rating. Govee has also thrown in hooks, adhesives, tape, and installation strips to help you set it up anywhere around the house.

Matter support is another aspect of the Curtain Lights 2 that separates it from the original model. Now, users can pair the device with other ecosystems like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. To make pairing seamless, users can scan the provided QR code to get started on their network.

Those interested in the Govee Curtain Lights 2 can pick it up in a single pack for $149. Its double pack starts at $259 while the triple pack sits at $399.

What you need to know

• Samsung’s Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 packs a serious 47 TOPS of NPU power and runs on the Intel Core Ultra Series 2, which is four times more powerful than the last model.
• The 16.0-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is stunning with its 2880×1800 resolution, 500 nits HDR brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate.
• It includes over 300 AI-driven features across 100+ apps for everything from work to play.

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360, kicking off the new Galaxy Book series with Copilot+ tech and blending AI right into the user experience.

The Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 is the first in Samsung’s new Galaxy Book 5 series. With its Copilot+ features, it packs a hefty 47 TOPS of NPU power, letting it handle all kinds of AI-driven apps, not just those from Microsoft.

It gets its impressive power from the Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor, which has four times the NPU capacity of the previous model, as per Samsung's press release. Plus, it’s ready for Wi-Fi 7, so it’s set to keep up with the latest networking tech and stay ahead of the curve.

The Pro 360 sports a 16.0-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that’s basically showing off with its 2880×1800 WQXGA+ resolution. It’s a visual treat with 500 nits of HDR brightness, 120% DCI-P3 color coverage, and a slick 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, all enhanced by Vision Booster tech.

Furthermore, the device is loaded with over 300 AI-enhanced features spread across more than 100 apps, covering everything from productivity to playtime.

Built for on-the-go ease, the device is just 355.4 x 252.2 x 12.8mm and tips the scales at only 1.69 kg. You can choose between 16GB or 32GB of memory and go for either 512GB or 1TB of storage to fit all your digital demands.

It also packs a 2MP camera for HD video, dual mics, and quad speakers with Dolby Atmos for a rich sound experience. Running on Windows 11 Home, it’s secured with Samsung Knox and all the built-in Windows protections.

Additional features include a 2MP camera for high-definition video, dual microphones, and quad speakers with Dolby Atmos for an immersive audio experience. It runs on Windows 11 Home and comes with Samsung Knox plus all the standard Windows security features.

Connectivity-wise, the laptop has Bluetooth v5.4 and Wi-Fi 7, plus a bunch of ports: USB-A (3.2), HDMI 2.1, two Thunderbolt 4s, a Micro SD slot, and a headphone/mic combo. It’s got a big 76Wh battery that's promised to last up to 25 hours of video and charges super-fast with a 65W USB Type-C adapter.

As part of its ecosystem, the laptop connects effortlessly with Microsoft Phone Link, so you can mirror your Galaxy phone’s screen and tap into Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search and Live Translate, among others.

Samsung hasn’t revealed the price yet, but the Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 is landing in Canada, France, Germany, the UK, and the U.S. this month.

What you need to know

• Honor introduces its latest foldable, which measures 9.2mm in thickness when folded.
• In comparison, the rival Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 measures 12.1mm in thickness.
• The Magic V3 sports a 6.43-inch external screen and a 7.92-inch foldable screen.

Honor finally introduced its much-anticipated foldable smartphone, the Magic V3, at the IFA 2024 event in Berlin. In addition to its thinnest inward-folding phone, the company has announced several other products, including the Honor Magic Pad 2, Watch 5, and MagicBook Art 14.

The Magic V3 is aiming for the title of the world's thinnest book-style foldable phone. When folded, it’s just 9.2mm thick and weighs about 226 grams. For comparison, the rival Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes in at 12.1mm and 239 grams. Honor credits this impressive slim-down to 19 new materials and 114 microstructures packed into the design.

In a press release, Honor further notes that the handset's back cover is also shrunk using Special Fiber, which notably enhances impact resistance 40 times over the other foldable phones on the market. The hinge is promised with up to 500,000 folding cycles. 

The Magic V3 features a 7.92-inch foldable screen inside and a 6.43-inch cover screen outside. Both displays come with 4320Hz ultra-high-frequency PWM dimming tech for smoother visuals. Under the hood, it's powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, stepping up from the Magic V2.

Keeping the lights on both displays is a 5150mAh battery capacity that supports Honor's 66W fast charging alongside 50W wireless charging as well. The foldable uses a giant circular module on the rear featuring a 50MP primary camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, and a 40MP ultra-wide sensor for optics. The device also hosts AI-enabled photography features like "HONOR AI Motion Sensing for Lightning-fast shots, and the HONOR AI Portrait Engine for portrait enhancement."

The Honor Magic V3 comes in Reddish Brown, Green, and Black colorways.

Honor Magic Pad 2

The Honor Magic Pad 2 is yet another slim-form-factor device that falls under the Android tablets segment. It weighs 555 grams and measures only 5.8mm in thickness. It has a 12.3-inch giant display with a 144Hz refresh rate and supports high-frequency PWM dimming, just like the foldable phone. The tablet comes in Emerald Green, Starry Grey, and White color options.

Underneath, the device runs on a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, paired with a hefty 10,050mAh battery that supports 66W fast charging. It ships with MagicOS 8.0 and comes with cool AI tricks, like the Magic Portal feature, which predicts what you need and lets you create schedules or manage tasks with just a long press and drag.

Honor Watch 5

At IFA this year, Honor also introduced the Watch 5. It has a 1.85-inch AMOLED square display, a resolution of 450 x 390 pixels, and 322ppi. It measures 11mm in thickness and weighs around 35 grams. There is also a rotatable button on the right through which users can navigate across the interface. The Watch 5 is available in Black, Gold, and Green color variants.

The smartwatch's 480mAh battery capacity promises a 15-day battery life on a single charge. It also features health features like heart rate monitoring, SpO2 monitoring, and an AccuTrack positioning system for GPS accuracy.

Honor has yet to share the pricing and availability of these devices.

Pricing and availability

In the UK, the Honor Magic V3 starts at £1,699, with the 12GB+512GB model going for €1,999. You can grab it from Honor UK’s website starting September 5. Meanwhile, the Magic Pad 2 will set you back £499 and is also available from September 5. Pricing for the Honor Watch 5 and other regional details will be announced soon.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

IFA 2024 is just around the corner, and we've got a sneak peek at what’s coming. One of the big moments to watch out for is Honor's keynote, where it will be launching its newest foldable phone, tablet, laptop, and new AI solutions.

Honor’s keynote at this year’s IFA is going to be one for the books, and we've got the details on how you can watch it live. Tune in to be among the first to catch all the scoop on its latest devices.

How to watch Honor's keynote at IFA 2024

Before getting into how to watch Honor's keynote, let's quickly touch on the IFA event. This major event will take place in Berlin, Germany, from September 6 to 10.

Honor’s keynote is set for September 5, a day before IFA officially begins. It’s happening at 2 PM CEST in Hall 6.2B, Inspiration Stage at Messe Berlin, which is 8 AM EST. You can figure out the time for your location from there.

Attending Honor’s keynote in person would be awesome, but if you can’t make it, don’t worry—you can catch the live stream. Just bookmark this YouTube video link and tune in. Honor will also stream it on its Facebook and X (Twitter) accounts.

What will Honor reveal at IFA 2024?

Honor’s Magic V3 is all set for its global debut at IFA. The company has gone all out with its promotion, highlighting the phone’s outstanding durability and cutting-edge design. Moreover, the Magic V3 is making waves as the world’s thinnest book-style foldable phone.

The Magic V3 is also bringing AI Defocus technology to help with eye health, and it's also rumored to have Honor's AI eye-tracking features, which bring a bunch of handy applications to the table.

It's not just the Magic V3. Honor is also unveiling the MagicPad 2 12.3 and MagicBook Art 14.

The MagicPad 2 features a 12.3-inch OLED screen with a 1920 x 3000 resolution. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, so it handles demanding tasks smoothly. Plus, with its big 10,050mAh battery and 66W wired charging, you can enjoy all-day use without a hitch.

The device isn’t just a tablet; it’s an AI-powered centerpiece for your Honor ecosystem, running on MagicOS 8.0 UI.

Additionally, the MagicBook Art 14 is thin and light but packs a serious punch. It sports a 14.6-inch OLED screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 2080 x 3120 resolution. You can get it with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor and Intel Arc graphics.

If you're as excited as we are for Honor's keynote, don’t forget to tune in on September 5 at 2 PM CEST.

What you need to know

• Honor is taunting Galaxy Z Fold 6 owners, claiming their device is outclassed by the thinner, more durable Magic V3.
• Honor had a micro-artist engrave a tiny "world’s smallest apology" on a special-edition Magic V3, so small it requires a microscope to read.
• The Magic V3 hits global markets on September 5, but it’s unclear if it’ll be available in the U.S.

Honor pulled a bold move against Samsung by engraving a tiny, sarcastic "apology" on its new Magic V3. Though it seems harmless, this cheeky gesture packs a punch, showcasing Honor’s competitive edge with a dash of schadenfreude.

The mobile industry loves a bit of brand rivalry, and this time, Samsung—known for taking jabs at Apple—finds itself in the hot seat. Just before IFA 2024, the South Korean tech giant has become the target of a cheeky jab.

Quite unapologetically, Honor is taunting Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 owners, claiming that their device is a mere shadow of the upcoming Magic V3, the thinnest and most durable foldable on the market.

The latest foldable phone from the Chinese brand measures only 4.35mm when unfolded and 9.2mm when folded. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is 5.6mm thin when unfolded and 12.1mm when folded.

To drive home the point, Honor enlisted micro-artist Graham Short to engrave a tiny "world's smallest apology" on the hinge of a special-edition Magic V3.

Honor says the message engraved on the Magic V3 is so tiny, you need a microscope to read it. It's no wonder the text is hard to decipher. But here's the full text:

"Dear Samsung Galaxy Z Fold owners, we’re sorry. We know you were excited to buy a phone that folds in half and fits in your pocket, awkwardly. You were promised the future, a technical marvel, a world of boundless multitasking and performance.

"And now, you're probably looking at the new HONOR Magic V3 and feeling a little... betrayed. Size matters, and we feel your pain. Like being tipped for a gold medal and then coming last in the race, the knowledge that a thinner, lighter, and more durable foldable exists is enough to make anyone question their choices.

"We get it. You were an early adopter, a pioneer bravely venturing into the uncharted territory of foldable screens with questionable durability. You deserve better. In fact, you deserve a gold medal.

"In all seriousness, we at Honor are committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and bringing you the best possible foldable experience. We're just saying... it's okay to feel let down. We'd feel the same way."

Honor's "apology" is a cheeky way to highlight the dilemma faced by Galaxy Z Fold owners who have opted for a bulkier device when the Magic V3 offers a thinner design.

Don't get us wrong, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is an incredible phone. It's a powerful and versatile device that we praised as "master of refinements" in our review.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6's AI software is also a cut above the rest. While the Magic V3 has its own impressive AI features, we’re skeptical it can match the Z Fold 6’s software prowess.

While the Honor Magic V3 is launching worldwide on September 5, there's still no word on whether US customers will get their hands on it.

What you need to know

• Honor highlighted a new feature arriving for the upcoming MagicPad 2 called "AI Formula Recognition" alongside YouTuber Patrick Jones.
• The AI software recognizes the complexity of a user's handwritten math equations to digitize them.
• Honor is set to make the tablet's full announcement at IFA 2024 on September 5 in Berlin, Germany at 2 pm CEST (8 am EST).

Honor showed off how its AI software can assist users with complex math in a series of teases for its upcoming event.

In conjunction with YouTuber Patrick Jones, runner of the patrickJMT channel, Honor's AI software was challenged with complex algebraic equations. The video was captured on Honor's new MagicPad 2 using a new AI feature called "AI Formula Recognition."

The company states that its Formula Recognition software lets users convert handwritten math equations into digital text. Honor sees its usefulness as two-pronged. Teachers can seamlessly take those digitized notes and offer them to students. Similarly, students can help make studying easier later on with digitized, searchable, and editable notes.

During Patrick's demo, users can tap the pi icon to produce a double text box. Users can highlight a specific area they want Honor's AI to digitize or they can write in a formula and pop it in after.

The AI's recognition of various math formulas, symbols, and the like was evident during Patrick's example. The video crawled through simple equations (2x + 3y = 8) to others that would boggle your mind if you weren't a mathematician.

Patrick needed to find "X" and "Y" in the video, which held the grand reveal we were waiting for. "X" came out to 9.05 while "Y" was 2024. Math aside, the answer is the date for Honor IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany on September 5 at 2 pm CEST (8 am EST). Those interested can watch Patrick Jones' video for a complex dive into Honor's AI prowess for math equations and discover a nod to Albert Einstein.

With Honor's IFA event set for next week, the company highlighted "what's next." One of the items listed was its recent launch of foldable phones, which are surprisingly thin. The Magic V3 and Magic Vs3 are Honor's latest book-style foldable devices that measure 9.2mm when folded. The company recently detailed how its foldable defied the odds regarding its thinness as Honor leaned heavily into the R&D behind its silicon-carbon battery.

But AI is the star of the show. Honor showed off some AI advancements earlier this year during MWC 2024, including a look at its AI Defocus Eye Protection. This feature was designed to help cut back on eye strain and myopia by blurring peripheral vision.

What you need to know

• Honor just showed off a concept foldable that's designed to be carried as a purse.
• The Honor V Purse has always-on screens on the outside that mimic the design of a purse when closed.
• The foldable can be accessorized with interchangeable straps and various AOD styles.

Honor is doing all the right things with its foldables. The Magic V2 is a legitimate alternative to the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and unlike most Chinese manufacturers, Honor is selling the device in global markets.

But that's not all Honor showed off at IFA 2023; it also introduced a concept foldable that's unlike anything else you've seen before. Dubbed the Honor V Purse, the foldable is designed as a fashion accessory, and is meant to be carried as a purse — it even has slots on either end where interchangeable straps can be attached.

The defining characteristic of the Honor V Purse is the always-on outward screen; these can be customized with a variety of styles — to match your outfit or the straps — and the best part is that they use a combination of sensors to mimic activity. 

So if you're walking while carrying the Honor V Purse, the elements on the outward screens will move accordingly. It also reacts to your touches, so if you're using an always-on style that has sequins, you can brush your hand across the screen and the elements will move.

Honor calls this design phy-gital, a portmanteau of physical and digital. The foldable basically features a wraparound panel that covers the entire outer surface, with the cameras located to one edge. We don't know a lot about the hardware, and that's because Honor doesn't intend to sell the V Purse to consumers — this is just a one-off device. That said, the tech looks highly intriguing, and it is possible we may see the always-on styles make their way to a consumer-facing product in the future.

What you need to know

• Honor launched the Magic V2 for global markets at IFA 2023.
• With a thickness of just 4.7mm while unfolded, the Magic V2 is the thinnest foldable in the market.
• The foldable is a full 30g lighter than its predecessor.
• No word on pricing just yet, but we should know more in the coming weeks. 

Honor unveiled the Magic V2 in China back in July, and the foldable is now getting a global release at IFA 2023. This is the third-generation foldable from Honor, and it sports a ton of upgrades across the board, but the biggest talking point is the design. Coming in at just 4.7mm while unfolded and 9.9mm when folded, the Magic V2 has the distinction of being the thinnest foldable currently available. For context, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 measures 6.1mm when unfolded and 13.4mm while it's folded, so what Honor managed to achieve here is pretty significant.

It's not just about the svelte design either; Honor somehow managed to shave off a full 30g off the weight of the Magic V2, with the foldable weighing just 231g — that's 3g less than the Galaxy S23 Ultra and 22g lighter than the Z Fold 5, if you're wondering. Another key feature of the Magic V2 is the redesigned hinge that's lighter and smoother, and it makes all the difference in daily use.

The foldable doesn't miss out on the hardware front. You get a 6.43-inch OLED cover screen and a large 7.92-inch inner OLED screen, and both have dynamic refresh and can go from 1Hz to 120Hz. Honor outfitted the device with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 — like the best foldables — and you get 16GB of RAM as standard and 256GB of storage with the base version. There's a 50MP camera at the back alongside a 50MP wide-angle lens and 20MP zoom module with 2.5x optical zoom, and in the limited time I used the Magic V2, it was able to take stellar photos.

What's particularly great about the foldable is that it has a 5000mAh battery in spite of its sleek chassis — Honor says it's using a silicon-carbide battery that has allowed the brand to reduce the size of the cell. Basically, the Magic V2 outshines every other foldable in the market when it comes to the hardware, and with the device now available globally, it will be interesting to see if it can mount a serious challenge to Samsung.

There's no word as to how much the Magic V2 will cost when it goes on sale outside China, but if the Magic Vs was any indication, Honor should have no trouble undercutting Samsung.

What you need to know

• IFA will return again this year in person from September 2 - 6
• The Germany technology trade show will host guests from 115 different countries.
•  Organizers were not clear on how they will maintain safety precautions despite COVID-19

Germany’s tech trade show IFA will be returning this year in person from September 2 to 6 in Berlin. The tech exposition showcases the latest in consumer electronics, home appliances, information technology, and telecommunications. 

“Now, though, it’s finally time to ‘get real’ and once again organize a full-size trade show at the grounds of Messe Berlin and in a city that is not only the capital of Europe’s largest consumer market but evolved as a European media hub as well,” Jen Heithhecker, IFA’s executive director and executive vice-president of Messe Berlin Group, said in a press release. 

“Many leading global brands have already committed their participation. As of now, we register high demand for the IFA Fitness & Digital Health area and the Home Appliances section.”

The press release adds that IFA will still combine B2B and B2C elements, which allows companies to showcase products and brands in a “uniquely engaging context, but as an industry showcase and as a reality check for innovation in front of real consumers.”

Martin Ecknig, CEO of Messe Berlin, noted in the release that because there has been a strong desire to return in person despite the pandemic, the showcase will ensure it is safe for everyone. 

As of April 1, Berlin has allowed people to attend major events in the city, like trade shows, “without having to present any proof of testing, recovery, or vaccination.”

IFA announced last year it was coming back in-person, following MWC, and like last year, organizers were not clear in the release on how they will maintain safety precautions. 

The annual trade show is usually where companies announce some of the best Android phones and accessories for the second half of the year.

The press release adds that participants from 115 different countries have already purchased a ticket. 

What you need to know

• IFA has announced that it's planning a full-scale return on September 3.
• The trade show will host the Tech Up for Women Conference and Berlin Photo Week.
• Organizers mention safety precautions to be taken without providing details.

While countries and states slowly begin to open back up thanks to the rollout of vaccinations, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still taking hold of many lives. However, large tech conferences are still planning to go ahead with in-person events. MWC 2021 announced a partially in-person event, although many big-name companies have already pulled out. It seems IFA 2021 is set to follow the same example.

Organizers of the annual trade show have announced in a blog post that they plan to make a "full-scale" return this year, after drastically scaling things back last year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic worsening:

IFA 2021 organizers didn't elaborate on the safety precautions that it's going to enforce. Still, they will work with health officials to "develop concepts that will ensure the safety of visitors and exhibitors alike." Whatever that means.

The annual trade show is usually where companies announce some of the best Android phones and accessories for the second half of the year. You can take a peek at our Best of IFA 2020 to get an idea of the kind of products you can expect to see. Organizers have also announced that IFA will host a Tech Up for Women Conference for the first time, which will bring together "top female executives, researchers, and experts." The show will also host its own version of the Berlin Photo Week to coincide with the city-wide event.

It's a bit of a contrast to this year's CES 2021 and the upcoming Google I/O 2021, both of which are virtual. MWC has already seen some pushback to its hybrid event, so it's unclear how (and why) IFA plans to put on a fully in-person event. Organizers definitely don't expect to break any attendance records. We'll have to see how things progress as we get closer to September 3rd.

Given the current state of the world, this IFA 2020 looked a lot different than usual. A much smaller physical event still technically happened in Berlin, but the vast majority of announcements came in the form of press releases. That resulted in fewer product unveilings than we usually see, but that's not to say that we didn't see anything. There were still quite a few gadgets and gizmos to come out of it, with these ones, in particular, earning our praise as the Best of IFA 2020.

Best of IFA 2020

Bottom line

Even though there may not have been a proper IFA this year, there were still plenty of announcements that helped to push the tech world forward. Whether you're most excited for what Lenovo, ZTE, or Samsung has to offer, we can't think of better recipients for our Best of IFA award.

It feels like just a few weeks ago that I was on the phone with Delta's customer service line, reluctantly canceling my flight to Barcelona for what would have been MWC 2020. Looking back, I guess it wasn't that much longer.

MWC was one of the trips I was most looking forward to this year, not just because it was an opportunity to spend a week in beautiful, coastal Spain, but because each year, Mobile World Congress is the most impactful mobile-focused trade show in the world. Countless companies fly in from all corners of the world to show off their new devices, concepts, and wireless technologies — it's a fascinating event for anyone with even the slightest interest in mobile tech.

You already know this story by now, but MWC was one of the first major events worldwide to be shut down in fear of COVID-19. Since then, plenty of other events have followed suit, but much to my surprise, two other major trade shows haven't.

Three weeks ago, IFA announced that its annual Berlin conference will still be taking place in early September, albeit at a massively reduced capacity; though typically open to the public, the show will be invite-only this year, with a strict limit of 1000 attendees on each of its four days. For context, IFA 2019 saw close to 2000 exhibitors and 245,000 visitors.

It doesn't stop at just IFA, though. The Consumer Technology Association announced just a few days ago that CES 2021 will also go ahead as planned in Las Vegas, though it's yet to be seen how many vendors and reporters will show up without a coronavirus vaccine in sight.

Of course, these three trade shows aren't the only times of year when companies get to show off their new phones, but they're the largest platforms for smaller brands that, for one reason or another, don't book their own launch events. Renting and staffing a venue, along with occasionally flying out journalists and influencers, isn't cheap, and particularly during peak seasons, it can be difficult for one company to schedule its big events around those of others.

With that in mind, trade shows are the perfect opportunities to get your new technology in front of the eyes and cameras of the thousands of reporters who are already in the proximity. The main purpose of outlets like Android Central at these shows is going hands-on with as many devices as possible — and in a world ravaged by COVID-19, that's just not going to be feasible anymore.

The CTA has outlined some loose guidelines for staying safe during CES 2021, but it's hard to imagine anything resembling a regular turnout in January.

Elsewhere, companies are having to reevaluate the return on investment of holding dedicated events in enclosed spaces. Sure, major players like Samsung and Apple love to hold big keynotes for each of their major releases to give them the largest spotlight possible, but for smaller companies, it's hard to justify the costs over throwing together a virtual keynote livestream.

Even after the coronavirus is a distant memory, this could mean far fewer physical launch events, and more instances of well-established outlets receiving early units under embargo, with virtual briefings to fill us in on any new features and field questions.

As much as I'd miss the opportunities to travel, this would be mostly fine; it's how a number of companies already handle some of their product launches. But fewer launch events means fewer chances for smaller creators to go hands-on with new devices, which in turn translates to less coverage for viewers and potential buyers.

It's one thing to form some initial thoughts on a new device based on the information given in a press release or spec sheet, but it's another thing entirely to go hands-on and actually experience it yourself. To feel the build quality of the design, to see how the software performs, to experience the color accuracy and refresh rate of the display up close — and of course, to try out the ever-important cameras. These are the kinds of important traits that make or break a phone for most consumers, and they're qualities that we can't report on without going hands-on with it.

The mobile industry will be just fine. Phones will still have their launches, and we'll still cover them in whatever capacity we're able to. But thanks to COVID-19, things could be a bit less hands-on for quite some time, and we may start to see keynotes for only the most high-profile devices.

FAQ: What is the Google-Apple COVID-19 (coronavirus) Exposure Notifications system?

What you need to know

• IFA 2020 will take place as a physical event in Berlin from September 3-5.
• Unlike previous years, however, IFA 2020 will not be open to the public.
• The annual electronics show will be run as four standalone events, with a limit of 1,000 attendees for each event per day.

IFA had announced last month that its upcoming 2020 conference would go ahead with an "innovative new concept," despite the ban on all events with more than 5,000 participants until October 24 by Berlin authorities. It today announced more details on the new concept, which prioritizes the health and safety of the attendees over everything else.

IFA 2020 will take place as an in-person event in Berlin over just three days – from September 3-5. In addition to shortening the duration of the conference, IFA has also made it invite-only. There will be a strict limit of 1,000 attendees per day for each of the four standalone events that have been planned. The organizers of the event will be partnering with public health authorities in Germany to ensure social distancing, crowd control, and public hygiene.

Jens Heithecker, Executive Director of IFA Berlin, said in a statement:

IFA says the conference will provide an opportunity to all consumer electronics and home appliances brands to showcase their new products to consumers and trade ahead of the year's most important shopping season.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected all major tech industry events this year. While MWC 2020, E3 2020, Google I/O 2020, and Facebook F8 were canceled entirely, other events such as Gamescom, WWDC 2020, and Build 2020 will now be held online.

Coronavirus and tech: Ongoing list of event cancellations, disruptions, product delays, and more

There are ruggedized phones like the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active, and then there are ruggedized phones like the Cat S50. The new smartphone from Cat Phones is the sort of chunky and manly design that you'd expect from a phone bearing the Cat brand (which Bullitt Mobile has licensed from Caterpillar Inc), and it backs that up with durability credentials, including IP67 waterproofing and dustproofing and Mil Spec 810G compliance for temperature, shock, vibration, impact, and more.

Considering that the Cat S50 has a 4.7-inch display (relatively pedestrian by today's measures), it's quite a large phone, measuring in at 5.7 inches (144.5mm) tall, 3 inches (77mm) across, and half an inch (12.7mm) front to back. That's just a hair shorter and wider than the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active and notably thicker. Inside is a quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage (plus microSD expansion).

Cat S50 also packs LTE, as well as fairly comprehensive GSM + HSPA support, Bluetooth 4.0, and Wi-Fi b/g/n. As for software, the Cat S50 is running Android 4.4 KitKat with nary a customization from Cat. The only addition you'll find is a Cat Phones App Store containing around 1000 apps focused on the niches that Cat Phones is targeting: construction, engineering, manufacturing, etc.

In keeping with the rugged Cat theme, the S50 is a chunky phone (and not just because it's somewhat thick). The design is very angular, with straight slab sides with beveled (though not sharply so) corners all around. It doesn't feel as thick as it is when you hold it, but it does have a bit of a heft to it.

And yes, those bezels are really quite wide. Surrounding the screen is a ring of rubber with metallic insets around the four sides, all held in by exposed screws. The rubber wraps around onto the back side, which has a tread-like texture to it and bears the Cat logo and a hex nut-shaped cut-out for the 8-megapixel camera.

As for durability, the Cat Phones reps at IFA 2014 were more than willing to demonstrate, though they were doing so in the admittedly not-that-harsh environment of a hotel ballroom. Even still, it's uncommon to see a phone manufacturer toss their phone over their shoulder and let it fall to the wooden floor without even flinching. It certainly felt like it could take a beating when we held it, but we'll really believe it when we see it.

We don't yet have a release date for the Cat Phones S50, though we do at least have pricing: $499 (€479) off contract.

Presenting the best of the best from Berlin's annual show!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, gather 'round, for it's time to announce the inaugural Android Central Best of IFA Awards! We've been bringing you the best fare from Berlin's annual trade show all week, and now it's time to honor the best of the best. These are the companies and products that really stood out to us, and so they should stand out to you, too.

Enough fanfare. These are our 2014 Android Central Best of IFA Awards winners!

Asus ZenWatch

The Asus ZenWatch caught our eye with an exceptionally classy design. Leather straps and a simple, curved display with deep blacks come together for one striking smartwatch. It's not slump when it comes to functionality, either. A heart rate monitor is built right in, plus Asus has their own take on secure Bluetooth implemented, not to mention all of the functions Android Wear has to offer.

The Asus ZenWatch comes to Europe in October for €199, though there's no word on American availability just yet. For more impressions, read up on our hands-on time with the Asus ZenWatch.

HTC Desire 820

The HTC Desire 820 follows closely in the footsteps of its mid-range predecessor, the Desire 816. The 820 marks the first use of Qualcomm's 64-bit octa-core processor, the Snapdragon 615. A smattering of design changes make the Desire 820 easier to use one-handed than the previous generation. Though the specs are middle-of-the-road, we found the HTC Desire 820 performed well in our brief time with it, and comes very close to the experience you'd expect in higher-end devices.

For more info, read our hands-on impressions of the HTC Desire 820 here.

Huawei Ascend Mate 7

The Huawei Ascend Mate 7 earned high marks from us by nearly eliminating the bezels along the sides of the 6-inch 1080p display. The body is big and solid, but also slim. The Ascend Mate 7 has more than good looks on its side, though. The rear-mounted fingerprint scanner has performed admirably so far, and there's a lot of potential for the camera.

Be sure to take a gander at our thoughts of the Huawei Ascend Mate 7 here, and stick around for our review coming soon.

LG G Watch R

LG really impressed us with how they stepped up their hardware design with the G Watch R. The stainless steel body boasts bold lines and a variety of strap options, and an equally generous variety of digital watchfaces.

Expect the LG G Watch R to ship sometime in Q4. There's more on the LG G Watch R from our hands-on time here.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Samsung's latest iteration in its venerable phablet series continues to refine a winning formula with the Galaxy Note 4. The upgrade to a quad-HD display is palpable, and the heart rate monitor from the Samsung Galaxy S5 has found its way over to the Note 4. A new quick-charging mechanism can fill the removable battery half-way after a mere 30 minutes. In terms of aesthetics, Samsung has wisely ditched the faux leather stitching on the rear, though you'll still get a bit of leatherette styling back there. The body construction is now metal, which is a much-needed upgrade for Samsung's top-of-the-line devices.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will be available in the U.S. in a variety of colors starting in October. Read more on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 from our hands-on time at IFA.

Samsung Gear VR

Samsung partnered up with Oculus to make their own virtual reality headset powered by the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. With the Samsung Gear VR, You're basically strapping a phone to your face to view customized software through a few adjustable lenses, but the end result was quite immersive. A touchpad on the side of the Samsung Gear VR lets you get through various interface elements, while audio is piped through either stereo Bluetooth or the Note 4's integrated speaker. The headset sold through retailers and carriers will come with an SD card chock-full of dedicated video and interactive content. The burgeoning market for VR-friendly content is promising, and Samsung's early landgrab there is a smart move.

Release date and pricing information is sparse, but we're excited to see more of the Samsung Gear VR. We've got plenty more thoughts on the Samsung Gear VR from our IFA experience here.

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

Sony shrunk down their recently-announced flagship Xperia Z3 for IFA, and we were amply impressed with the results. With the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, a few compromises were made bringing the down the Z3's 5.2-inch 1080p display to 4.6 inches and 720p, but all of the core functionality and performance was held intact in the transition. You'll still find an outstanding 20.7 megapixel camera on there, 2.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, overall hardware design, and software loaded on the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact.

There's more to say about the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact over here.

Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

Sony also offered a more portable 8-inch slate dubbed the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact at IFA. It's packing the same horsepower as the Z3 with a 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 CPU and 3 GB of RAM, only it puts a larger 1920 x 1080 display on the front. Between the small bezels, slim profile, and extremely lightweight build, we're pretty excited to give the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact a spin

Read up more on our hands-on time with the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact here.

Congrats to the winners! We've got some shiny new hardware headed your way. Readers, what were your favorite devices coming out of IFA?

Say what you will about Samsung, but they're certainly rarely timid, even when brazenly borrowing styling cues from their competitors. While Samsung has certainly set their own design course as of late, they've been mixing things up a bit more recently. We're out at IFA 2014 where Samsung's unveiled their second metal-framed phone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. But a few weeks before that saw the unveiling of the smaller and first metal phone in many years from Samsung: the Galaxy Alpha.

We had the chance to go hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Alpha and put it side-by-side with the world's best-selling metal-bodied phone: the iPhone 5s. The similarities are unmistakable, with the Galaxy Alpha aping polished chamfers on the edges, uniform rounded corners, and plastic-filled breaks in the metal to divide up the antennas (though that's proven to be a technical requirement on every metal phone).

Once you get away from the corners the similarities start to fade. Even the latest flattened iteration of Samsung's customizations to Android is still worlds different than what you'd get on an iPhone running iOS. And where the iPhone has a smooth squared-off metal back punctuated by only the Apple logo, a few bits of required regulatory information and matching glass insets at the top and bottom to help with the radios, the Galaxy Alpha has a thin plastic removable back plate that comes in one of five colors (white, black, blue, gold, or silver) and carries a grid of plus sign-shaped dimples.

Of course, this is a comparison to the year-old iPhone 5s, a design that's been carried from the iPhone 5 two years ago. The redesigned iPhone 6 is due to be unveiled next week and is expected to significantly change-up the iPhone design language, so this comparison will be relatively short-lived.

Be sure to check out our full hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Alpha — it's an interesting smartphone from Samsung for sure.

Set for an official unveil at the IFA in a day's time, press images of Sony's Xperia Z3 Compact have leaked, giving us a look at the color variants. In addition to the black and white variations, the Xperia Z3 Compact will be available in red and mint colors, as detailed in the images below.

As for the specs, Ausdroid claims that the Xperia Z3 Compact will feature a 4.6-inch 720p screen, 20.7MP camera, 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 SoC, 2600mAh battery and a nano-SIM card slot. We'll have all the details from Sony's launch event tomorrow, so stay tuned to Android Central.

Source: Ausdroid; Via: XperiaBlog

If Huawei's latest teaser video alluding to the Ascend Mate 7 hasn't captured your attention, how about a few leaked photos of the device itself? Scheduled for an official unveil next week at the IFA, the third generation Ascend Mate is rumored to offer a 6-inch full-HD screen, octa-core Kirin 920 SoC and a 13 MP camera.

The images highlight the device's thin bezels as well as the presence of what looks like a fingerprint scanner at the back. Huawei made references to both features in its first teaser video, along with mention of automotive integration and… cats. Where does the feline integration come in? We'll have to wait for another week to find out.

What do you guys think of the Ascend Mate 7?

Source: Weibo; Via: GSMArena

After teasing a round watch over the weekend, LG has now posted an image of the G Watch R on Facebook, giving us a slightly better look at the upcoming smartwatch. While details regarding the device are slim, LG is slated to unveil the device at the IFA next week.

From the image, we can see that the G Watch R will feature thicker bezels than those on the Moto 360, which is also scheduled to make its debut next week. Seems like the circular watchface is all the rage these days, as Samsung is also rumored to launch a round smartwatch later this year.

Like what you see with the LG G Watch R? Think it can take on the Moto 360? Join the discussion in our forums, and start speculating about the hardware as well as the connected features the smartwatch will likely include. We'll be at the IFA next week and will be brining you a better look at the smartwatch.

Source: Facebook (LG); Via :GSMArena

Update: We've monkeyed around with the G Watch R teaser image a little to bring some of the details out of the shadows. The significantly brightened image below gives a clearer view of what the G Watch R might look like, albeit with some artifacting.

In addition to today's announcement of new Android phones and tablets and new Windows Phones from Archos, the company is expanding their connected home line with a new home weather station. The spherical pair of devices, due to be announced at IFA 2014 is designed to work with both Android and iOS devices.

The weather station monitors the conditions both inside and outside, and will have available plant sensors as well for keeping tabs on your orchids and whatnot. They'll be tracking temperature, humidity, air quality, atmospheric pressure, and noise levels. The Archos Weather Station system is expected to be available in September for $149.

But new phones, tablets, and weather stations aren't the only thing that Archos has in store for you. There's also a pair of new music devices on tap. The Archos Music Light is a combination LED bulb and Bluetooth speaker that screws into an standard Edison socket for both illumination and tunes for $49. Alas, there doesn't seem to be any controlling of the light remotely, just the music.

But the one we really love is the Archos Music Beany. We'll just let Archos do the describing here:

The Music Beany connects via Bluetooth to your music source, and will retail for $39.

Sure, the tune-pumping lightbulb and beanie might be on the silly side, but the weather station could be interesting. What do you think?

Samsung has just published a video teaser of its forthcoming and highly anticipated Galaxy Note announcement early next month at the IFA show in Berlin. The event, which is expected to see the debut of the highly rumored Galaxy Note 4, will see a strong focus on the Note's most defining feature: the S Pen.

The video teaser, which is well over a minute long, shows how humans have crafted things to meet their needs and wants, perhaps paying homage to the S Pen as "a truly notable invention" since "the pen." Samsung calls its Wacom-powered S Pen "a tool for the way we live today" in the video.

As Samsung asks in its video, are you "ready to note?" The next Note is debuting in a few weeks and we'll be sure to bring the latest news out of IFA and Samsung.

Let us know what you think of the Note video and what features you're anticipating or hoping will come on the Galaxy Note 4.

LG's new entry into the mid-sized tablet market, the G Pad 8.3, will come to the manufacturer's home country of Korea starting on October 14th. Taking to its blog, LG notes that the tablet will go on sale directly online as well as in malls and other shops in the country. But the sales won't stop there — just as it promised when the tablet was announced, LG plans to have the G Pad 8.3 on sale in 30 countries by year's end.

With a Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB of RAM, 1920 x 1200 8.3-inch display and several interesting software features that match up with LG's recent phones, the G Pad 8.3 is likely to be a solid proposition for many. Pricing is set in Korea at 550,000 won (about $515 USD), but official pricing isn't known yet for other markets.

If you need a refresher on what this tablet is all about, be sure to check out our extensive hands-on from IFA 2013 below.

LG G Pad 8.3 hands-on

Source: LG (Korean)

Thanks, everybody, for making this a great week abroad!

We've been hitting the show floor at IFA 2013 today, and one of the more unique things we've come across stands in the center of the Vodafone Germany booth. It's a giant LTE tower made of Lego bricks. A lot of Lego bricks. It's also supporting Lego radio dishes, though alas Vodafone reps tell us it's not a functional tower, merely a decorative monument to the carrier's LTE service. Now, if only visitors to the country could actually use that service...

We've got a couple more pics after the break.

Despite its announcement around the time of the Galaxy S4 launch, the Samsung Gamepad still isn't available to buy. Nevertheless, we were able to track down the gaming-centric accessory on the IFA 2013 show floor and demonstrate it working with a selection of titles on the new Galaxy Note 3. Now slightly redesigned, with differently labelled buttons, the Gamepad we saw in Berlin had a dedicated "Game" button linking into a special games portal on the device. This pauses the current game and pops up a menu, allowing you to choose between compatible titles.

We played Prince of Persia, Sonic 4 Ep. 2 and Need for Speed Most Wanted on the Gamepad connected to a Galaxy Note 3, and performance was as fast and smooth as you'd expect form a Snapdragon 800 device. Some titles did give us issues on this preproduction setup though, with Virtua Tennis crashing at launch.

Connectivity is still handled over Bluetooth, meaning if you don't want to use the attached clip to to create a makeshift handheld console, you can use the Gamepad at a distance. In fact, we even saw the Note 3 linked up to a Samsung TV, with the pad being used as a console-style wireless controller.

Check the video after the break to see the Samsung Gamepad in action with the Galaxy Note 3. We've got more photos of the controller in use with the Note 3.

• Android 4.4 is announced — a confectionary perfectionary
• Kit Kat statue joins the crew at Google HQ
• Mysterious "Nexus" device shows up in Kit Kat statue unveiling
• Hands-on with the HTC Desire 601
• First look at the HTC BoomBass speaker
• What Microsoft buying Nokia means for Android

Thing 2: The Sony Xperia Z1 and Cyber Shot QX series

• Hands-on with the Sony Xperia Z1
• Sony announces the Cyber Shot QX10 and QX100
• Hands-on with the Sony Cyber-shot QX100

Thign 3: The Samsung Galaxy Gear, Note 3 and Note 10.1 (2014 edition)

• Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Gear
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3 hands-on
• Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 edition)
• Galaxy Note 3 hitting all four major U.S. carriers
• In pictures: The Samsung Galaxy Gear

We were already all but certain that the Galaxy Note 3 would make its debut at Samsung's IFA 2013 presentation, and a leaked carrier inventory system screen shows us Samsung doesn't have much longer to announce the device. The image you see above, given to Engadget, is purportedly from carrier Three UK and shows the upcoming releases for a few different devices including the Galaxy Note 3 and Sony Xperia Z1 (aka "Honami").

The Note 3 is pegged for September 16th, with the Xperia Z1 coming right after on September 24th. We can't be sure that the release dates will be these exact days for all carriers and regions, but given that we dive right into IFA next week and a major UK carrier is ready to sell the phones quickly thereafter, we have to assume they'll be on sale quickly.

Source: Engadget

Phone app to control pairing, apps and 'find my watch' functionality

We're just a week away from seeing what Samsung has to show us in the smartwatch game at IFA in Berlin, and now we're getting a quick look at an app that will help control that device. The leaked "Gear Manager" app, shown above in two screenshots, gives us a good idea of what we can expect when the device is finally announced.

The first screen shows a simple pairing process over NFC with a phone, as we could've guessed, and the second one shows several different settings and management functions. A standard-looking settings screen shows the name of the watch paired (presumably over Bluetooth) to your phone, ways to manage clocks and apps, a function to "Find my watch" and more advanced settings underneath.

Nobody is quite sure how deep the phone integration will go nor how apps will work on the device, but it does clear up how you'll be connecting to your phone and what will be available to you. Samsung is set to show off the whole thing on September 4th, so be sure to check back to Android Central for full coverage then.

Source: @evleaks

Sony will do its thing in Berlin just hours ahead of Samsung Unpacked

It was rumored around a month ago, but now it's official — Sony will hold its IFA press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 4, just hours ahead of Samsung's "Unpacked" event. As the Berlin-based IFA is a general consumer electronics show, Sony will likely be showing everything from cameras to TVs to laptops. But on the Android side we're expecting to see the company's new flagship phone — the Xperia i1 or "Honami" — the crazy new "lens camera" accessory and perhaps another look at the Xperia Z Ultra.

With all this taking place on the same day as Samsung's big event, where the Galaxy Note 3 is expected, it's going to be a busy day for Android announcements. We'll be covering both events live from Berlin, so keep it locked to AC early next month.

This year's IFA — the annual consumer electronics show held in Berlin, Germany — is still a little under two months away. But it seems invites are already going out to the Japanese press for Sony's big IFA booth unveiling and press conference, which is set for Sep. 4 in hall 4.2 of the Messe Berlin exhibition center.

An invite received by Japanese blog RBMen indicates things will kick off at 4pm local time (3pm BST, 10am EDT, 7am PDT) at the Sony booth. IFA is of course a general consumer electronics trade show, but on the mobile front we'll be expecting to hear more about the rumored "Xperia i1" (Honami) device, said to pack a 20-megapixel camera with advanced optics. We'll be on the ground in Berlin once again this year, so keep it locked to AC this September for full IFA coverage.

Source: RBMen; via: PhoneArena

Officially unveiled prior to the annual IFA 2012 show in Berlin, Hisense were on hand at the show in to demonstrate their first Google TV box for the first time. The Pulse as it goes by name, is the latest product of a Google TV partnership, and packs a potentially killer feature. Its price. Like the low priced competitor, Vizio Co-Star, the Pulse is priced to move at just $99. But, even at such a low price point, it still needs to deliver the goods. Whilst on the ground in Berlin, we tracked down the Pulse and took a first look at this latest entrant into the Google TV arena. 

In terms of hardware, the Pulse is a rather un-assuming black box to look at. It's relatively small though, and should fade into a front room set up with very little effort. It won't stand out, but it won't look out of place either. It's all glossy plastic, which doesn't give off the impression of a high quality product, but at $99 we wouldn't really expect that much more. The expected ports are all present, a solitary USB port on one side of the box, with the HDMI, ethernet and power sockets all on the rear. Also to be found on the rear is a connector for an IR blaster.

The Remote too doesn't exactly strike the same impression as that of a high end TV, but importantly it offers full functionality. On one side is a full QWERTY keyboard packed with rubber keys. Typing isn't too difficult, the keys feel just like a regular old TV remote. There seems to be ample space between keys so as to avoid hitting the wrong ones. 

Flipping round to the main side of the remote, we're treated to a bevy of controls and a touch sensitive trackpad. The trackpad is quite small though, and we had some definite troubles using it to zoom in whilst using Google Chrome. This could have been -- and likely was -- an issue with Chrome though, as it seemed relatively responsive when being used to direct the on screen cursor. 

The remainder of the keys are pretty much standard Google TV fare, although the Pulse Remote does have dedicated buttons for YouTube and for Netflix. 

A quick look at the performance of the device highlights similar issues reported from early purchasers of the Vizio Co-Star. It isn't massively smooth in some areas, and when navigating around the menus there was some noticeable lag. In particular, Google Chrome seemed pretty slow to respond. However,  we shouldn't forget that this is a trade show with pre-release hardware and software the norm. 

All in all though the Pulse isn't a bad little box. It will be launching in the U.S. sometime during the fall, but Hisense did confirm to us that they have every intention of bringing the Pulse to Europe in 2013. As Google TV is still in its infancy on European shores, a set-top box in this price category could be what's needed to give it a little kick start. 

Be sure to check out our photo gallery of the Hisense Pulse after the break.

We first saw the ZTE Grand X in July in London, where the Tegra 2-powered smartphone was billed as a mid-range gaming-focused handset. Fast forward a couple of months, and we've come across a new variant at the Intel booth at IFA 2012 in Berlin. The ZTE Grand X IN closely resembles its Tegra 2-powered brother, except lurking inside this model is an Intel Atom Z2460 CPU, making it one of the few Intel-powered Android 4.x handsets out there.

The only cosmetic difference is the "Intel Inside" badge on the device's rear -- aside from that, it's identical to the version we saw in England in July. On the software side, it's still running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, with only a few custom additions from ZTE. The software remains mostly stock on the Intel-powered version, though obviously some of the Tegra-powered extras are absent on this model.

Check out our hands-on video above. The ZTE Grand X IN should ve hitting store shelves sometime in Q3.

Huawei recently announced its new interface layer for upcoming Android phones, dubbed the Huawei Emotion UI 1.0. Despite being announced a couple of months back, so far it's only been available in Chinese. But at IFA 2012 today, we tracked down the new UI running on an Ascend P1 at the manufacturer's booth. It's a fairly drastic departure from the way Android normally works, as there's no traditional app drawer, with all app shortcuts being displayed on the device's homescreen instead.

Huawei's also introduced a host of modular, customizable widgets to display personal info, contacts, weather forecasts and other pertinent data. And as far as visuals go, the Emotion UI ships with several skins that completely change the look of the UI, including one inspired by stock Android 4.0.

Check out our video for a quick preview of what to expect in Huawei's new Emotion UI software.

Here we have the LG Optimus L9, the fourth and newest phone in the series LG unveiled at Mobile World Congress in February. The specs, as you'll recall:

• 4.7-inch IPS display
• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• 1GB DDR2 RAM
• 4 GB onboard memory
• 2,150 mAh battery
• 5MP rear camera
• 9.1mm thin

The big talking point on this one, though, is the Quick Translator app that uses optical character recognition for some serious translation. 

Hands-on video and photos can be found after the break.

With every camera comes camera accessories, and Samsung's new Galaxy Camera is no different. On show at the Samsung booth at IFA 2012 in Berlin is a selection of cases and other interesting items for future Galaxy Camera owners. 

Camera cases are to be expected, and there are the usual array of generic looking carrying cases as well as carry cases that look a little more tailored to the device. Additionally, there are a pretty decent choice of protective shells shaped to the Galaxy Camera that look to be available in a whole variety of colors, some more daring than others. 

There is also some pretty interesting stuff on the horizon for the Galaxy Camera, including wireless charging. We're told this isn't something that will be ready at launch, and that what we see on show today is more of a design concept of something they're planning in the future. The other concept accessories shows off some professional looking add-ons, so it goes to show that Samsung is very serious about this device.

As ever, we've got photos. Check them out after the break. 

What's this we have here? An international Samsung Galaxy S3 with 4G LTE support? In glossy black? With Android 4.1 Jelly Bean? We spotted this desirable device at the Vodafone Germany booth at IFA 2012 in Berlin today, and took it for a quick spin. It's a tad thicker than the standard international Galaxy S3, and a little heavier too. The glossy black chassis makes this S3 a bit less flashy than the other models, though if you prefer the original pebble white design, you'll be able to get the LTE S3 in that color too. And don't forget that Samsung also just announced new colors of brown, red, and gray, along with it.

On the software side, it's running the latest version of Android, 4.1.1 Jelly Bean. Jelly Bean on the S3 works just like it does on the leaked builds we've seen for the 3G/HSPA model. You've got a redesigned notification bar, Google Now and other Jelly Bean features, along with new TouchWiz features like Dormant mode and Easy mode.

We've got more photos, and a full video walkthrough after the break.

More: Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update TouchWiz features

Poking around the Vodafone booth at IFA 2012 in Berlin, some new information appeared regarding the newly announced Samsung Galaxy Note 2. A price. What we see here is the pricing for the 16GB LTE version, but the non-LTE Note 2 seems to be carrying the same price. 

It's the off contract price that's of particular interest here. That €639.90 price tag translates to £508 or $804 in UK and U.S. pricing respectively. While not necessarily an accurate representation of what the cost may be when the Note 2 makes it to the U.S. it isn't too far off the price we would expect for such a device in the UK. 

TomTom for Android has been an awfully long time coming. Having been available on iOS now for a number of years, the global satellite navigation giant has been somewhat tardy in bringing it to Android. But, it's officially official now, we're getting it on Android in October. The biggest question still remains the same though -- why buy this on an OS that comes with a perfectly good satellite navigation system built in for free? We went hands on at IFA 2012 in Berlin to see if maybe we could answer that. 

First things first, TomTom is a really nice looking application. The interface is well designed -- and by that we mean it's designed as if this were a stand alone TomTom device. One of the not so great points about Google Maps Navigation is that the in app menus are still designed like a smartphone app. TomTom has some really large, bold icons that make for simple use in the car. 

All the necessary information is present too, speed, distance to destination, arrival time as you would expect from an app such as this. Also available is HD traffic, which during the demonstration showed just how bad an idea driving in Berlin in the afternoon can be. Speed camera locations are also available in TomTom -- not that anyone at AC speeds anywhere, ever -- and the locations are community built. For example, if you drive past a location not registered and you come across a mobile speed camera, by tapping the relevant icon you can report this information back for inclusion in the database. 

The demo unit also shows the universal TomTom docking system in action. This is perfect for use with an Android smartphone, as it has adjustable arms to suit the differing sizes of devices. It also has a microUSB charging facility so there's still only need to have one device plugged into the cigarette lighter socker. 

We're going to have to wait until October though to really get to grips with TomTom for Android. No matter how good it may look on a show floor, real world performance is what matters here. There are definitely features in TomTom which is going to make it justifiable for regular drivers over something like Google Maps Navigation, but price is going to play a big part in that decision. 

And as yet, we still don't know that price. TomTom informed us that the pricing information will be announced at launch, but that it will be available in Google Play in markets around the world sometime in October. It does feel like a full on TomTom navigation system though, and with an application available for a smartphone, it makes you wonder how long the stand alone systems will continue to sell. You can find our hands on video after the break.

One of the biggest announcements of all yesterdays IFA 2012 action -- check out our recap if you missed anything -- was the official unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. The latest iteration of the Note line is sure to be in high demand, and we know there's a lot of folks out there that want to know where and when they can get one. 

During the Unpacked Keynote presentation in Berlin, Samsung announced that the Note 2 will be available in October. But, nothing more precise than that at this time. One of the first carriers to announce they will be carrying the Note 2 in the UK is Three. There are no details from Three on price or when they expect to offer it themselves at this time however. But, considering that Three UK offers some of the best deals on the market with affordable all-you-can-eat data, it may make a compelling companion to the Note 2. 

We're only just getting started at IFA 2012 in Berlin, so stick with AC for all the best as it happens. 

Source: Three UK