CES2017 News, Reviews and Phones

The POP-I backpack with an e-ink display was all the buzz at CES

At CES, it is not unreasonable to expect the unexpected. This year, what was unexpected was the introduction of the POP-I connected backpack...

featured Hands-on look at the Asus ZenFone AR - augmented and virtual reality combined in one single handset

Augmented and virtual reality are concepts that are continuing to pick up a lot of steam, and while each idea is cool, we've yet to see a smartphone that's been able to implement both of these features into one single device. That is, until we got to go hands-on with the Asus ZenFone AR that manages to do just this...

This upcoming smartphone can "taste" sweetness, measure body fat, and identify counterfeit drugs

The Changhong H2 incorporates a near-infrared spectrometer that brings some of the most advanced scanning tech ever to commercial smartphones - and we're going hands-on at CES 2017.

Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom hands-on

Asus had a big week at CES this year. The company introduced not one, but two impressive smartphones during its press event. Among the presented devices was the highly anticipated ZenFone AR, the first...

Classic design bridges the path to BlackBerry's future: hands-on with the BlackBerry Mercury

There's a new BlackBerry on the way with the return of the hardware keyboard. Specs may still be a mystery, but we've got an early hands-on look at the so-called BlackBerry Mercury ahead of its official launch.

Alcatel literally bets big on phablets with 6-inch A3 XL: hands-on

Can Alcatel deliver a big-screen phablet that comes in affordably enough to make up for some lower-end hardware? We go hands-on with the just-announced A3 XL to find out.

Misfit Vapor hands-on

Misfit decided to bring a unique user experience to its new smartwatch, the Vapor. Wearables have quickly become a lot like smartphones when it comes to making a design standout...

featured The Honor Magic just might be the most magical smartphone of CES 2017

The latest smartphone from the Honor brand is that of the Honor 6X, and while that may be the most recent phone the company's launched, we got a chance to go hands on with perhaps their most magical one yet - the Honor Magic...

Volkswagen and Ford will be integrating their vehicles with the Amazon Alexa voice assistant

At CES, Volkswagen announced it's integrating Alexa into future automobiles with the goal of providing driving-oriented functionality. With a tap-to-talk interface added to the vehicle's head unit...

Here's an up-close look at Bang & Olufsen's new, sweet sounding Beoplay M5 wireless speaker

Bang & Olufsen, a cornerstone of premium audio and elegant designs, introduced a new wireless speaker through its B&O Play brand at CES 2017, the Beoplay M5...

Whet your appetite for Sony's upcoming noise-canceling wireless headphones with this early preview

Sony's planning to introduce a pair of compact noise-canceling headphones later this year, and we get to take an early look at a reference design at CES 2017.

Taking a quick look at LG's answer to the AirPods with the Tone Free

Truly wireless headphones/earbuds are all the rage nowadays in the Bluetooth accessories market, and following the success of Apple's AirPods, LG is looking to get in the game with the LG Tone Free...

Amazon's Alexa to be found on the next Android powered Huawei flagship phone in the U.S.

Sure, Alexa has been the voice activated personal assistant on Amazon Echo devices, but is it ready to handle tasks barked at it by phone users? Huawei announced at CES that the U.S. version of its next flagship phone will include an app that connects to Alexa. This has some analysts believing that Google is going to have to fight before it is no longer the most popular digital assistant on Android...

featured Samsung Galaxy A3 & Galaxy A5 (2017) hands-on and up close from CES 2017

Samsung's new mid-rangers just launched this week, and now we're going hands-on with the Galaxy A3 and Galaxy A5 at CES 2017.

A quick hands on with the 2017 version of the budget-friendly LG K10

LG updated their K series of budget smartphones here at CES 2017, and we got a chance to go hands on with the highest-end model in that lineup - the K10...

Going hands on with the LG Stylus 3 - a phone with a lot of the Note's features for a lot less money

Although the LG G6 announcement might be around the corner, LG took some time at CES 2017 to introduce a heap of new budget offerings. One of those handsets is that of the LG Stylus 3, and it offers a lot of the same features that the Note line does but for a lot less money...

Samsung introduces enterprise security features for smartwatches

Smartwatches are still a niche as they are a bit expensive, yet don't have features that stick. Users rarely see the benefit of having what appears to be a glorified fitness tracker that needs daily recharging strapped to their wrist. But Samsung believes that there are professionals out there, who would benefit from using smartwatches at work, as the hands-free display allows them to keep doing their job uninterrupted, all the while staying connected.

This is the first Daydream viewer that does not come from Google

Google has revised its plans for mobile virtual reality (VR) just last November: it launched the Daydream platform, a set of requirements more demanding than the all-access Google Cardboard that ensures a higher quality VR experience...

New Sony Extra Bass headphones and wireless speakers are announced at CES

Bass! How low can you go? Quite low with Sony's Extra Bass speakers and headphones. At CES, the company announced four new Extra Bass headphones, along side four new Extra Bass Bluetooth wireless speakers...

Sennheiser shows three new wireless earphone models at CES

Premium audio brand Sennheiser has three new earphone models on display at CES. The top model comes with around-the-ear design and active noise cancellation, while the most compact of all wraps around your neck for long-lasting comfort...

T-Mobile CEO does not rule out Sprint merger

We have heard rumors that Sprint and Mr. San want to increase their presence in the United States, and one way to do it is via ways of acquiring T-Mobile USA...

Kodak Ektra coming to the US in April for $549

The company announced Kodak Ektra will be available for pre-order in the United States and Canada in April for $549. Kodak also confirmed the smartphone will be optimized to work on GSM networks including AT&T and T-Mobile...

Hands-on with the GPS-enabled Casio Pro Trek Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch

Casio's second-gen Smart Outdoor Watch gets a new, extra-rugged look, GPS reception, and we're going hands-on with it at CES 2017.

Hands-on with the California Roll wireless, waterproof, and solar-powered Bluetooth speaker

There are Bluetooth speakers and then there are Bluetooth speakers, and the California Roll from LEMON is the latter...

White is the new black - hands on with Xiaomi's stark white Mi Mix

The Mi Mix has been out in the wild for some time, but Xioami took the stage in Las Vegas to introduce the phone in a stark white color variant...

Mid-range ZTE Blade V8 is announced with dual camera for bokeh effects and 3D photos

The ZTE Blade V8 has a 13MP front-facing cam with flash for pretty selfies, but the main shooter on this one is undoubtedly more exciting. On the back of the phone we have a dual-camera setup where a main 13MP camera is paired with a 2MP secondary cam. This allows various effects to be applied to the image, including background blur (a.k.a. bokeh) similar to that of professional cameras – nothing new really, but still fun to play with...

T-Mobile eliminates taxes and fees on T-Mobile One for subscribers who agree to AutoPay

T-Mobile just made its latest Un-carrier announcement at CES, and this one is aimed right at your wallets and purses. Taxes and fees on T-Mobile One are now being removed from the invoice. The price you see advertised will be the price you pay. While this has been a staple of pre-paid service, T-Mobile is bringing this to postpaid as it goes "All-in on T-Mobile One."...

T-Mobile will now pay you back $10 if you don't use much data

T-Mobile and Jonh Legere are at it again: the outspoken CEO has just made some big announcements on stage at CES 2017 around the next un-carrier initiative by the rapidly growing carrier...

Pearl white Xiaomi Mi Mix gets unveiled on stage at CES 2017, looks delish

Xiaomi, one of the larger Chinese smartphone manufacturers, is hardly a household name in the USA but it's definitely striving to increase its popularity. We are not sure if one of the better ways to achieve this is by attending probably the largest trade show and showing a new color variant of one of the most exotic smartphones out there, but this is exactly what Xiaomi just did...

Watch Xiaomi's first ever CES keynote live stream here

Chinese smartphone manufacturer is hardly a household name in the USA, but it's definitely striving to increase its popularity. And what's a better way to make your baby steps on the largest and most competitive market in the world than being present at the largest trade show?...

featured Liveblog: T-Mobile unveils #UncarrierNEXT at CES

It was just four short years ago that T-Mobile set up shop at CES 2013, and unveiled an all-encompassing strategy that would end up changing the wireless industry in the United States forever...

Harman intros JBL Pulse 3 and Flip 4 - new portable, water-resistant Bluetooth speakers

The JBL Pulse 3 and Flip 4 will be released this spring for $199.95 and $99.95, respectively...

TCL unveils a new smartband and a homekit at CES

TCL has announced at CES today, a new smartband that it is calling the MOVEBAND BT (for Bluetooth). The device uses Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, and a series of gesture controls allows users to navigate the device with a twist of the wrist and other gestures. The smartband will monitor your movements and your sleep. It also alerts you to notifications including phone calls, emails and other messages...

Alcatel A3 XL goes official: 6-inch XL monster with plastic fur and bottom-low specs

Alcatel, a company that has exchanged ownership throughout the years and is popular in Europe for its affordable, value-for-money phones, has brought out the big guns at CES 2017...

Google Assistant coming soon to Android TV and Android Wear 2.0

The first platform to get the Google Assistant in the coming months is Android TV. It will be rolled out as part of an update on supported TVs and set-top boxes powered by the same Android TV...

We press our noses against the glass to look at ZTE's crowdsourced Project CSX "Hawkeye" smartphone

At last year’s CES, ZTE kicked off Project CSX, an initiative to completely crowdsource a mobile device, from physical design, to feature set, to spec sheet...

featured Hands on with the ZTE Blade V8 Pro - another budget, dual-camera smartphone

Another day, another dual-camera smartphone. The rise in popularity for the dual-camera system has grown tremendously over the past few months, and ZTE showed off their latest variation of it with the Blade V8 Pro. The phone was just announced here at CES 2017, and we went hands on with it...

Here is a quick look at the newly announced Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom

Asus made an impressive showing this year at CES. Officially introducing the world to the first smartphone that is ready to immerse...

Google Tango is partnering with GAP so you can virtually try on clothes before you buy

Asus took a lot of time at their press event today to showcase the all-new ZenFone AR, and to go along with the phone's support for Google Tango, we also got a look at a new augmented reality app being released by the clothing brand GAP...

New Balance and Intel introduce a new smartwatch, the RunIQ

So what does a sneaker company have in common with a company known for making computer chips? Last year, running firm New Balance joined with Intel in announcing the coming creation of the New Balance RunIQ, an Android Wear powered smartwatch for runners. Now, at CES 2017, we have a good idea of what this smartwatch can bring to the table...