Sony launches Xperia Ear Duo

Launching alongside the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact is the new “open-ear” stereo wireless headset from Sony: the Xperia Ear Duo. Sony equips this pair of headset with what it calls Dual Listening technology. This allows you to listen music and receive notifications while also being able to hear environmental sound or conversation happening around you. This is possible with the use of a Spatial Acoustic Conductor developed by Sony’s own in-house technology incubator Future Lab Program. It lets the sound generated behind the by the unit’s driver be directly transmitted into your ears.

The Xperia Ear Duo also has a Daily Assist feature that can recognize time, locations, and other activities and relay important information to you throughout the day. It makes use of the company’s ultra-low power consuming processor, the CXD5602, and a multi-sensor platform. As expected, it also supports Google Assistant and Siri. It comes with quad-microphone beam forming for clearer voice, four-hour battery life, its own charging case, and IPX2 splash proofing. It’s coming to the US in March and will be available in black and gold.

Source: YugaTech

HMD Global banks on nostalgia yet again with Nokia 8110

HMD Global, the manufacturer of Nokia phones, have released four new devices at Mobile World Congress 2018. But what’s caught our attention is a throwback to our past: the redesigned Nokia 8110. It’s a €79 (around CA$120) 4G feature phone that comes with a “familiar and easy to use interface” and that The Matrix banana phone form factor. It’s a slightly curved handset that comes with a slider to make it easier to answer and end calls.

As a feature phone, you won’t get access to traditional Android apps you can see in other Android-powered Nokia devices. But it does have its own app store and has access to Google Assistant, Google Search, Google Maps, Facebook, Twitter, as well as Outlook and Gmail. It runs on what’s called Smart Feature OS. As mentioned, this supports 4G LTE and has dual SIM versions available as well. It runs on a Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform processor, 512MB RAM, and 4GB of storage. It has a 2.4-inch QVGA display, 2-megapixel rear camera, and for those who really want to relive their past, a revamped version of Snake. The Nokia 8110 boasts a 25-day battery standby time.

Source: The Verge

First impressions of the Samsung AR Emoji on the new Samsung Galaxy S9

Text and photos by Nicole Batac

You’ve probably already heard of Samsung’s own take on Apple’s Animoji. The South Korean company is calling it AR Emoji. How Samsung stepped up on its own is by letting you create a 3D avatar based on your looks. This is possible with use of a 3D modeling algorithm and face-tracking technology. We got some hands-on time with the Samsung Galaxy S9 and was able to play around with this feature for a bit.

The default camera app on the S9 brings this feature to life. There is an AR Emoji mode available for both the front and rear cameras of this device. And it’s a simple enough process to setup. There is an option on the app to start the process. It’ll just take a photo of your face and it advises you to take off your glasses or anything that might obstruct its view. Once it captures your likeness, it’ll ask if you’re male or female and from their it generates your 3D avatar. We’re not sure how many 3D avatars you can make but we were able to make two so far during our brief testing of the feature.

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Apple rumoured to be readying high-end over-ear headphones

Will the AirPods be joined by an over-ear option?

Audio seems to be the next focus for Apple, if the latest rumour is to be believed. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims Apple plans to release over-the-ear headphones this year. In an investors’ note spotted by Apple Insider, Kuo said the company will release a new premium pair of headphones. It seems like a natural transition for Apple with the recent launch of the HomePod and the rumoured second iteration of the AirPods, following the success of the first versions. The company also has Beats branding under its belt but it’s possible Apple might enter the high-end headphone market using its own branding. And yes, we expect it to be quite pricey—if they do decide to pursue this. Apple hasn’t released a comment on the report yet.

Source: CNET