Raspberry Pi has launched the Compute Module 5 (CM5), offering significant performance improvements over its predecessor, the CM4, while maintaining a similar form factor. The CM5 features a BCM2712 Cortex-A76 64-bit SoC, with memory options up to 16 GB of SDRAM and up to 64 GB of eMMC flash memory. It includes USB 3.0 ports, replacing the previous CSI-2 and DSI ports, and requires additional cooling due to increased heat at peak performance. Prices start at $45 for the CM5Lite version, with the top model priced at $95. The launch follows a series of new Raspberry Pi products, including a wireless Pi Pico 2 and an AI HAT+.
Apple's launch of its AI suite, Apple Intelligence, in iOS 18.1 has been criticized for being rushed and incomplete, with features like Writing Tools and Notification Summaries showing inconsistencies and errors. Despite this, Apple's long-term strategy of integrating AI to address specific user needs rather than deploying generic chatbots is seen as promising. The staggered rollout and beta status of many features suggest Apple is trying to catch up in the AI space, but the company may need more time to refine its models to match competitors like ChatGPT.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple's new product, the Vision Pro, is on track for a February launch, with units already shipping to US distribution warehouses. Apple retail employees are undergoing sales training at Apple Park, and extended training sessions are scheduled for late January. The device, priced at $3499+, will initially be available exclusively in the US, with plans for a later release in China, Canada, and the UK. An official announcement is expected soon, potentially timed to overshadow CES news.
The OnePlus Ace 3 is the latest smartphone release from OnePlus, offering high-end specs at a more affordable price point. It features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, up to 1TB of storage, and a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The device runs on ColorOS 14 based on Android 14 and includes a 50MP main camera. Set for a global debut as the OnePlus 12R, the Ace 3 offers flagship-like features, including a 120Hz refresh rate and 100W wired charging, but lacks wireless charging. With prices starting at approximately $365 in China, the OnePlus Ace 3 is positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to the upcoming OnePlus 12.
XREAL, an augmented reality (AR) industry leader, is set to unveil a new generation of its Air-brand glasses, possibly the "Ultra" variant, at CES 2024. After rebranding from Nreal in early 2023, the company has continued to dominate the market, shipping over 300,000 units and holding a 50.9% market share in Q3 2023. Despite potential new competitors like Apple, XREAL is starting 2024 strong and invites creators to preview its latest spatial computing hardware at the upcoming expo in Las Vegas.
Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy Xcover7, a new addition to its rugged smartphone lineup, at a competitive price of 379.90 euros. While the phone has not been officially unveiled, leaks suggest it will feature 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC, Android 14, a 6.6-inch display, and a 4,000 mAh battery. The Xcover7 is expected to continue the durability legacy of its predecessors, although specific IP certification details are not yet available.
Palit is preparing to announce its GeForce RTX 40 SUPER series, including the RTX 4070 SUPER, RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, and RTX 4080 SUPER, with the first images leaked by VideoCardz. The RTX 4080 SUPER will feature the full AD103 GPU with 10240 CUDA cores and 16 GB of GDDR6X memory. Palit will offer various models with factory overclocks, such as the GamingPro OC and JetStream OC. The RTX 4070 Ti SUPER will be available in a GamingPro White variant, and the RTX 4070 SUPER will debut in the DUAL series. The official announcement is set for next week, with releases scheduled throughout January.
Dell has unveiled its 2024 XPS laptop series, featuring the XPS 13, 14, and 16 models, all equipped with Intel's new Core Ultra processors designed for AI tasks and improved battery efficiency. The lineup boasts a minimalistic design with high-end materials, options for touch screens, and varying performance levels, with the XPS 16 supporting up to an RTX 4070 GPU. Prices start at $1,299 for the XPS 13, with the series expected to be available soon.
Dell has introduced its new XPS 13, 14, and 16 laptops ahead of CES 2024, featuring a design similar to the previous XPS 13 Plus with improvements such as a seamless glass wrist rest, invisible haptic touchpad, and touch-sensitive function buttons. The XPS 14 and 16 models address previous port limitations by including headphone jacks, multiple Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, and a microSD card slot. All models are powered by Intel's Core Ultra chips with NPUs for AI tasks and offer optional NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPUs for the larger models. They also come with variable refresh rate FHD+ screens and optional OLED displays. The XPS 13 starts at $1,300, the XPS 14 at $1,700, and the XPS 16 at $1,900.
Roku has announced a new lineup of high-end TVs, the Roku Pro Series, featuring 4K QLED screens, mini-LED technology, and a sleek design for wall mounting. The TVs will be available in the U.S. in spring, with sizes ranging from 55 to 75 inches and prices under $1,500. Additionally, Roku introduced the Roku Smart Picture, an AI-powered feature to enhance picture and audio quality, which will be available to all Roku TV models. This announcement follows Roku's reported revenue growth, with a 20% increase year over year, ahead of their CES conference presentation.
ASUS is set to unveil the ROG Phone 8 series, including the high-end ROG Phone 8 Pro, on January 16th in China. High-resolution renders reveal a design similar to the standard model but with unique programmable LED dots. The ROG Phone 8 Pro is expected to feature a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, up to 24GB RAM, 1TB storage, and a 5,500mAh battery with 65W charging. It will also have a 50MP primary camera, a 32MP selfie camera, and run on Android 14 with ROG UI, boasting an IP68 rating and comprehensive connectivity options.
Apple's highly anticipated Vision Pro headset is reported to launch in the last week of January, with speculations pointing to January 27. This information comes from a Chinese investor news service, despite Apple's history of not releasing products on weekends, suggesting a possible U.S. release on January 26. The company is ensuring its visionOS is fully operational after recent iOS 17 issues. While Apple has not confirmed the date, the report aligns with predictions from industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The upcoming OnePlus 12R is set to feature the largest battery in the brand's history at 5,500mAh, along with a 120Hz LTPO 4.0 ProXDR display. Scheduled for a global release in Q1 2024, the device will also offer 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging and is expected to pack a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a triple camera setup, and up to 16GB of RAM. The OnePlus 12R will be unveiled on January 23, alongside the OnePlus 12.
Google's upcoming Bard AI assistant, which is set to enhance the Google Assistant experience on Android devices, has had its user interface (UI) previewed by 9To5Google. The new UI includes a tab switcher, a pop-up window for queries, and redesigned prompts, while maintaining traditional activation methods like voice commands and button presses. Although the Bard AI assistant is not yet accessible, the UI update suggests a significant integration with the Google app, particularly on the Discover page, and hints at the imminent launch of the AI-enhanced assistant.
Samsung Australia appears to have inadvertently confirmed the launch date for the new Galaxy S24 series as January 17, through a post that was not visible on their timeline but dated December 28. While no other Samsung accounts have corroborated this date, the timing aligns with previous rumors about the event. The post suggests a global unveiling set for various times on January 17, depending on the time zone, with the event taking place in San Jose, California at 10 AM PST.
