Gadgets

CES

Emiota representative Johann Gobba wears Belty, a smart belt from Paris-based Emiota, at CES Unveiled, at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show media preview day, January 4, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Belty, the world’s first connected belt, monitors the wearer’s waistline measurements and advises when it is time to lose weight. Belty will also automatically loosen when the wearer sits and tighten when the wearer stands. Belty is made entirely in France - a wearable tech item that is also a fashion statement. The product is still under development but Emiota co-founder expects to have Belty on the market by Q4 at a price yet to be determined. 2015 International CES, the world's largest showcase for the latest in consumer electronics, runs on January 6-9, with media preview days on January 4 and 5. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK

Gadgets of the future

FRENCH start-ups displayed some of the most innovative devices on show at CES Unveiled in Las Vegas this week.

Chris Griffith and Las Vegas

Wall Street Journal

A guest uses an Oculus VR Inc. virtual reality headset at the Lowe's Innovation Labs stall during the CES Unveiled press event ahead of the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015. This year's CES will be packed with a wide array of gadgets such as drones, connected cars, a range of smart home technology designed to make everyday life more convenient and quantum dot televisions, which promise better color and lower electricity use in giant screens. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg

VR not yet a consumer reality

YOU know that dream of strapping on a pair of goggles and suddenly being immersed in a 3-D fantasy world?

Nathan Olivarez-Giles

Technology

Acer has released the cheap yet large 15.6-inch Chromebook 15 starting at $US250.

Acer pins hopes on Chromebooks

GOOGLE’S Chromebooks continue to be bargains with Acer releasing a cheap yet large 15.6-inch Chromebook

Chris Griffith and Las Vegas

Technology

Joe Stinziano, (L), executive vice president, Samsung Electronics America and Tim Baxter, president and COO, Samsung Electronics America stand beside the new Samsung S UHD 4K TV at the Samsung press conference at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada January 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN B

Virtual reality puts music fans on stage

SAMSUNG will launch a 360-degree video music clip service that will give fans the experience of being side-by-side on stage with performers.

Chris Griffith and Las Vegas

Technology

Sony President and CEO Kazuo Hirai speaks during the Sony press conference at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK

Hirai chides hackers, spruiks products

SONY boss Kazuo Hirai hit out at hackers as he announced new products including an ultra-thin TV.

Chris Griffith and Las Vegas

Wall Street Journal

A man photographs the LG G Flex 2 during a media preview before CES International Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in Las Vegas. The phone has a curved screen, as the name implies.(AP Photo/John Locher)

Curves are back — and better

THE best way to make sure your second curved phone doesn’t fall flat? Fix everything that was wrong with the first one.

Joanna Stern

Wall Street Journal

Yohan Attal of myBrain Technologies wears the Melomind headset at CES Unveiled, the opening event for the media preview days at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, January 4, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A fifteen minute session wearing the connected headset helps to control stress and provides feedback for training in stress reduction. The device can be pre-ordered online for USD $299. 2015 International CES, the world's largest showcase for the latest in consumer electronics, runs on January 6-9, with media preview days on January 4 and 5. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK

Latest products up tech show’s appeal

SALVATION has come from an explosion of ‘mini-hits’ and mobs of companies crowding into the gadget market.

DON CLARK

Wall Street Journal

A Xiaomi Corp. employee holds a Xiaomi-branded shopping bag for an arranged photograph outside the company's offices in Beijing, China, on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. Xiaomi Chief Executive Officer Lei Jun plans to boost global smartphone sales fivefold to 100 million units next year. Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

Xiaomi rings up $14.7bn in sales

CHINA’s Xiaomi, the world’s most valuable technology start-up, said smartphone shipments more than tripled in 2014.

GILLIAN WONG

Wall Street Journal

GM opens door with in-car 4G service

GENERAL Motors will soon offer retailers another way to reach customers more directly while they are behind the wheel.

CHRISTINA ROGERS

Technology

Gadgets galore at CES

A DRESS belt that expands and a shoe accessory that speeds up walking were among gadgets unveiled in Las Vegas.

Chris Griffith and Las Vegas

Wall Street Journal

A customer views a Nest Labs Inc. digital thermostat at a Home Depot Inc. store in Emeryville, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014. Google Inc., after struggling to catch Apple Inc. in consumer gadgets, is buying Nest Labs Inc., the digital thermostat maker for $3.2 billion in cash. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Makers scramble for smart-homes control

A FLOOD of connected household gadgets is finally reaching consumers: but who will control them?

DON CLARK

Technology

ARCHIVO - En esta foto del 19 de septiembre de 2014, John Mihalkovic, residente de Virginia Beach, Virginia, muestra su recién comprado iPhone 6 Plus afuera de una tienda de Apple en el Lynnhaven Mall en Virginia Beach. El nuevo iPhone, más grande, se vende por 100 dólares más que su otro nuevo modelo. Pero un nuevo informe señala que los materiales y costos de manufactura le cuestan a Apple apenas 15,50 dólares más. (AP Foto/The Virginian-Pilot, The' N. Pham, File) MAGS OUT

Apple sued for false iPhone advertising

APPLE is facing a lawsuit accusing the company of falsely advertising the storage capacity available in its iPhones, iPads and iPods.

Daisuke Wakabayashi

The Times

Turn off the iPad when you turn in

USING an iPad before bedtime makes it harder to sleep, reduces alertness and could lead to far more serious illnesses.

Chris Smyth

Technology

Top to toe tech

THE fact that your relatives and friends are unlikely to own wearables makes them great Christmas gifts.

CHRIS GRIFFITH

Personal Technology

Ninja Sphere home controller by Ninja Blocks

A peek into the Sphere of possibility

IT’S Australian developed, it runs Ubuntu Linux, and it’s about to control homes worldwide.

Chris Griffith

Technology

Various positions of the Acer Aspire R13 hybrid computer which is a Windows 8.1 notebook and tablet.

Acer Aspire twists and turns

WHY do some manufacturers make notebook screens that perform contortions like the great Harry Houdini?

Chris Griffith

Technology

The new Lumia 830 smartphone costs less than the premium Lumia 930 but has high-end features: a 720p LCD display, 10 megapixel camera, 1.2 Gigahertz quadcore processor and slot for a 128 Gigabyte microSD card. It runs Windows Phone 8.1. $579, retailers and telcos.

It’s power without the price

MICROSOFT’s mid-range Lumia 830 smartphone boasts features the premium Lumia 930 doesn’t have.

Chris Griffith

Technology

Fitbit Charge activity monitor wrist band

Watch what they’re wearing now

TODAY’S wearables do more than just monitor health.

Chris Griffith

Technology

Top tech of 2014

HERE are a dozen of our favourite personal tech gadgets for the year.

Chris Griffith

Personal Technology

Panasonic HC-X1000 4K Ultra HD Camcorder

Not pro? Switch over to autopilot

PANASONIC has released its first ultra high definition (UHD) camera. And it’s impressive.

Chris Griffith

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/gadgets/page/114