Samsung has kicked off the actual in-person business of the latest CES in Las Vegas in its usual spectacular style by unveiling its biggest – in every way – TV range ever.
There are many highlights to cover, but I suspect the news likely to excite AV fans the most is the revelation that Samsung will be not only launching a 77-inch Quantum Dot OLED TV to sit alongside new, improved 55 and 65-inch versions, but will also be selling two QD OLED ranges.
Both the premium S95C and more affordable S90C new QD OLED ranges will be available in 55, 65 and 77-inch screen sizes and use the new, improved generation of QD OLED panels.
Using the latest QD OLED panels means both ranges will benefit from the apparently substantial brightness and color performance improvements previously reported by QD OLED manufacturer Samsung Display. This will see brightness increasing by seemingly as much as 30% over 2022’s models, and color achieving more consistent, balanced and, above all, vibrant saturations.
The main differences between the QD OLED ranges will be that the premium S95C range will ship with external ‘One Connect’ connection boxes, and support a much more powerful multi-channel audio system.
Also promised by Samsung for its new QD OLED TVs is perceptual colour mapping designed to express colors so that they more closely resemble the way your eyes see the real world; an OLED brightness booster feature that works at pixel level to deliver optimised bright and dark areas; and 4K AI upscaling that now benefits from the combined knowledge of no less than 20 neural networks.
Gamers, meanwhile, will be excited to learn that Samsung’s S95C QD OLEDs will be the first OLED TVs ever to achieve AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro certification.
While I suspect Samsung’s new QD OLEDs will be for most consumers the star attraction of its 2023 CES showing, it’s actually Samsung’s Mini LED TVs that continue to be positioned as the brand’s premium models. So it’s great to discover that unlike its 2022 Mini LED models, Samsung’s 2023 sets will benefit from an increase in the number of dimming zones they use to illuminate their pictures. Samsung won’t discuss exact numbers, but it’s certainly implied that the number of extra zones introduced this year is pretty extensive, at least on the flagship QN95 4K and QN900 8K ranges. In fact, industry rumors suggest we could even be looking at as much as a four-fold zone increase in at least the top Mini LED models.
One of Samsung’s new TVs for 2023 in a house that definitely isn’t mine.
Photo: Samsung
The Mini LED TVs will get the latest version of Samsung’s Quantum Matrix light and power control system, as well as a neural quantum processor to apply the results of Samsung’s advanced picture AI system.
Among the new features delivered by the latest processor are Real Depth Enhancer Pro, which enhances the sense of 3D depth in the image by using deep learning to better understand which parts of any image your eyes will most likely be focused on, and then enhancing the image around that focal point to add more natural emphasis.
If you go for one of Samsung’s new 8K TVs, you will also benefit from improved 8K AI Upscaling that draws on the combined knowledge of a huge 64 neural networks in judging how to add the colossal amount of pixels required to convert 4K, HD and even SD to 8K. Previously this process only involved 20 neural networks.
After abandoning it for years, Samsung is also bringing back SDR to HDR conversion for 2023. The reason for the return of this feature is, once again, Samsung’s increased confidence in the deep learning algorithms of its AI picture analysis system, working in tandem with SDR and HDR image databases installed on Samsung’s latest chipsets.
The Object Tracking Sound systems in Samsung’s Mini LED TVs will also benefit from improvements generated by the new TVs’ improved processors, especially with the 8K models, creating a more immersive sound stage, delivering greater voice clarity, and providing a (very welcome) loudness equaliser.
One thing worth noting if you’re thinking of buying a Samsung 8K TV in 2023 is that your out of the box picture preset will likely look pretty dim – certainly much dimmer than the TV is capable of being – thanks to the EU’s ridiculously restrictive new TV power limitation regulations. So don’t forget to switch to another preset or turn off the TV’s eco picture settings to unlock what your new Samsung 8K TV is capable of.
if you’re looking for exact model numbers for Samsung’s 2023 Mini LED range, the Neo QLED 8K range will feature QN900, QN800 and QN700 models, all built around a premium super-slim design, while the Neo QLED 4K TVs will be built around QN95, QN90 and QN85 ranges.
Other more general new features common to Samsung’s latest mainstream TVs include extensive improvements to the ease with which they connect with other devices in the home, be they IoT devices, smartphones or Galaxy Buds headphones, as well as new light, sound and camera sensors allowing you to use the TV to set up light scenarios and the like in your home.
Another Samsung 2023 TV in another room that isn’t mine.
Photo: Samsung
Samsung’s desire to deliver the best TVs for gaming also sees it delivering multiple new gaming features, such as a Super Ultrawide Game view and an improved Game bar that introduces a 16:9 Mini Map zoom-in feature, mini-map sharing that now supports consoles, and dual screen support – where the game plays on alongside a window showing something else, such as a YouTube play guide – that will cover a wider range of sources without adding anything to the screens’ all-important response time. Talking of which, Samsung is pushing for consistent Game Mode input lag across its premium TV range of 5.8ms with 4K/120 content and under 5ms with 4K/144Hz content.
The Gaming Hub will be improved by better Gamepass compatibility too, and there will be a new Virtual Aim Point feature to enhance your FPS gaming skills.
In some territories Samsung will be upping its in-home healthcare support, including monitoring of heart rate, stress and even oxygen saturation and respiration rates, all, remarkably, without the need for external equipment.
Samsung’s new 8K TVs will introduce the facility to access 8K NFTs as part of Samsung’s Ambient ‘screensaver’ system in a bid to add more 8K content to the very limited amounts currently available elsewhere.
Samsung has also started to refine the new full-screen Tizen smart system that launched last year to rather unhelpful effect, taking steps to simplify the presentation and increase the personalisation options.
No Samsung CES announcement would be complete without another mention of Micro LED TVs that we (as in, people who can’t afford to own a mansion or a super-yacht) will likely never have a prayer of being able to buy. So for 2023 Samsung is saying it will be able to sell modular (stitched together from much smaller Micro LED ‘blocks’) Micro LED displays in 140, 114, 101 and, crucially for living room adoption, 89, 76, 63 and even 50-inch screen sizes.
The ability to offer new, much smaller screen sizes will see Samsung taking a new marketing approach to its Micro LED offering for 2023. With Micro LED manufacturing processes still not advancing as quickly as hoped, though, even if the smallest Micro LED screens really do come to market for a change, they’ll still unlikely be cheap enough to be accessible to the vast majority of consumers.
Wrapping up Samsung’s 2023 CES AV display announcements are some innovations to its increasingly successful ‘ifestyle’ product range. Particularly eye-catching here is the promised launch in 2023 of an 8K version of Samsung’s The Premiere ultra short-throw laser projector that’s capable of driving a screen size of as much as 150 inches.
Owners of Samsung’s extraordinary little Freestyle portable projector, meanwhile, will be able to enjoy a new Smart EDGE Blending feature in 2023 that enables users to use two Freestyles together to deliver a 21:9 aspect ratio image with no obvious seam between their pictures.
Samsung’s popular The Frame range of designer TVs will be able to be partnered with a new metal bezel design, and mounted on an optional rotating wall mount and stand, bringing the automatic rotation and vertical viewing experience familiar with Samsung’s The Sero TV to both The Frame and Samsung’s new Neo QLED TVs.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
