Xiaomi launches a see-through TV

Chinese tech company Xiaomi might not have a significant presence on this side of the globe, but its new television is too eye-catching not to share. Or rather should we talk about what we can't see? The company unveiled a transparent TV in time for its 10th-anniversary celebration. The Mi TV Lux OLED Transparent Edition looks just like a piece of glass when it's turned off. And when it's turned on, Xiaomi claims the images will look like it's floating in thin air.

Engadget believes the 55-inch transparent OLED panel is based on LG's 55-inch transparent 55EW5TF-A display, which has the same 120Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and 10-bit colour depth. The Mi TV Lux OLED will go on sale in China on August 16 for 49,999 yuan (around CA$9,555). It's unlikely that Xiaomi will sell the TV here, but we couldn't pass up on a chance to talk about unusual tech.

Benchmark shows Google Pixel 5 running on Snapdragon 765G

Google vaguely mentioned the Pixel 5 during the recent Pixel 4a launch. But before the event, rumours were claiming that the phone will run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor. Now, a new AI Benchmark confirms the handset will run on the said chipset. The Pixel 5 is also seen to come equipped with 8GB of RAM and the yet-to-be-released Android 11.

Previous leaks claim the Pixel 5 will offer reverse wireless charging, adopt a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera and a dual-camera setup at the back, and that an XL model will be available, bearing the "bramble" code name. The Pixel 5 will reportedly be priced in the US$700 (around CA$930) range. While all of that is speculation, Google has confirmed that the Pixel 5 will be making its way here sometime in the fall.

Source: GSMArena

LG Tone Free with UVnano charging case is now available in Canada

LG introduces its first true wireless earbuds in Canada. The LG Tone Free is available in two models—HBS-FN4 and HBS-FN6—with the former retailing for $149.99, while the FN6 goes for $199.99. Both are available at Best Buy, Amazon, and select mobile carriers.

The flagship HBS-FN6 earbuds come with what LG claims to be industry-first: a UVnano charging case. In the age of COVID-19, where personal hygiene is paramount, the case promises to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria on the part of the earbud closest to the inner with just a 10-minute charge.

The tech on the charging case is based on a new ultraviolet-light test protocol developed by microbiology experts at UL. They claim the UV light reduces the bacteria on the earbuds' speaker mesh by 99.9% during the powered charging cycle.

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Toshiba exits laptop business, sells Dynabook brand to Sharp

Toshiba T1100

Toshiba quietly divests itself of its laptop business, selling its remaining 19.9% percent stake in its Dynabook laptop brand to Sharp. Back in 2018, the company sold 80.1% of its stake in the brand to Sharp. The move isn't surprising given how Toshiba hasn't been active in the industry in a while. It's still noteworthy, though, as it closes a 35-year chapter in Toshiba's history. 

The company was considered a pioneer in the portable computer space. The 1985 T1100 model was regarded as the first mainstream laptop computer. It set a design template for laptops that remained unchanged until Apple PowerBook laptops were introduced in 1991. that didn't change much until Apple's PowerBook line arrived in 1991. The company thrived in the 1990s and 2000s with its Satellite, Portégé, and Qosmio lines. The company isn't entirely out of the computing space, though, as it is still active in the printing and storage markets and the energy and retail segments.

Source: Engadget