CES 2017: ASUS set to release ZenFone capable of supporting both Google Tango and Daydream

Leaked image of the ZenFone AR by @evleaks

Looks like ASUS is out to claim a first in the market. According to a blog post from chipmaker Qualcomm that has since been taken down, ASUS is set to reveal the new ZenFone AR, a Google Tango-ready smartphone that also offers Daydream support. For those unfamiliar with both Google projects, Tango is Google’s augmented reality program, while Daydream focuses on VR. Currently on Lenovo’s Phab 2 Pro supports Tango, while Daydream is available on Pixel and Moto Z devices.

The ZenFone AR will be powered by a Snapdragon 821 processor, which is the same chip that runs on Google’s Pixel and the ASUS ZenFone 3. With support for Daydream, this smartphone will have VR versions of Google Street View, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, HBO, as well as games such as Fantastic Beas and Where to Find Them and Need for Speed. We don’t know much else about the phone outside of Qualcomm’s post, but we should hear more about it during ASUS’s event on January 4 at CES 2017.

Source: Engadget

Qualcomm releases list of Quick Charge 3.0-compatible devices

There are different fast charging technologies out on the market. One of the more well-known ones is Qualcomm's Quick Charge. Now out with version 3.0, there aren't that too many devices yet that support it. But just so you know which ones do, Qualcomm released the list of Quick Charge 3.0-compatible smartphones. These include the LG G5, HTC One A9, HTC 10, HP Elite X3, Xiaomi Mi 5, General Mobile GM 5+, and LeTV MAX Pro. Of course, for quick charge to work, you'll need a certified Quick Charge 3.0 power adapter for it. Quick Charge 3.0 is said to charge devices 38 percent faster than Quick Charge 2.0 and twice as fast as version 1.0.

Source: Android Police

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge only come with Quick Charge 2.0 support

In case you were looking for Qualcomm’s latest charging tech included in the new Samsung Galaxy devices, unfortunately, you won’t be getting it this time around. Unlike the LG G5 that has Quick Charge 3.0 support, the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are still sporting Quick Charge 2.0. This is because Samsung makes use of two different processors for their devices and these don’t have the same charging capabilities. While the Snapdragon 820 processor supports the next-gen charging tech, Samsung’s own Exynos 8 processor doesn’t. For consistency, Samsung opted to keep the same Quick Charge 2.0 speed. But this isn’t particularly a slouch either. You can still get a good chunk of your battery back in 15 minutes if you use the right accessory.

Source: Android Central

Microsoft, Intel, Samsung team up for smart home alliance

One of the biggest hurdles for a truly smart home is that your appliances and devices don't really talk to each other, so to speak. There are competing protocols and proprietary ecosystems by different companies, which make it hard for the devices to communicate, if they aren't from the same brand. But some big tech brands are banding together to hopefully solve this issue. The Open Connectivity Foundation includes members like Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Qualcomm, Cisco, and GE Digital, to name a few. They want to create open-source protocols that can be implemented by any manufacturer, regardless of chipset or operating system. So, in an ideal world your different appliances from different brands can talk to each other.

A big challenge for the alliance though is that key players in the industry like Apple, Google, WeMo, and Philips are not members. Apple is pushing its own HomeKit system, which, of course, only works for iOS devices. Google hasn't gotten Brillo off the ground yet but it has its own implementation, too. We can't really say if these companies will even be willing to consider to partner up with OCF, it would be quite helpful though if they do.

Source: Engadget