Galaxy S11 will launch Feb. 11 at Samsung Unpacked in San Francisco - CNET

This is the official Unpacked invitation.

Samsung

This story is part of CES 2020, our complete coverage of the showroom floor for the hottest new tech gadgets around.

The Galaxy S11 is one step closer to reality. After a promotional video surfaced that accidentally revealed the date of the launch, Samsung has now made its Unpacked event official -- the brand will reveal its first phones for 2020 on Feb. 11 in San Francisco at 11 a.m. PT. The event will take place at the Palace of Fine Arts (not a real palace). Samsung made its announcement on Saturday, days before the annual CES show in Las Vegas begins. 

Industry watchers expect the company to unveil a trio of Galaxy S11 phones in three sizes, as well as a foldable rival to Motorola's Razr, which Samsung teased in October.

The invitation mirrors the promotional video leak, in which the letters "Glxy" are interspersed with two images that resemble Samsung's phone packaging. Looking for hints, it's possible that the box on the left with the rounded corners represents the Galaxy S11 family -- the Galaxy S design often has more rounded edges than the Galaxy Note series. 

The box on the right, with the squarer corners and diamond-shaped orientation, could represent Samsung's foldable phone, which is expected to have a square orientation when closed.

Is this the Galaxy S11?

91Mobiles

Samsung's Unpacked launch event will take place weeks before Mobile World Congress, the world's largest mobile trade show, which runs Feb. 24 to 27 in Barcelona. Revealing its first major phones of 2020 ahead of the global gathering gives Samsung an advantage over its competition and a chance to lead the pack with new features that phones in 2020 are expected to share. By announcing first, Samsung can claim to innovate, while others follow.

5G support and foldable designs are this year's most important phone trends, along with advancements in photography. Although the US government's ban on Huawei has clipped the wings of Samsung's biggest threat in 2019, the brand still feels pressure from Apple's iPhone, Motorola's foldable Razr and OnePlus' phones that offer high-end features for hundreds of dollars less than Samsung's premium price tag.

Now playing: Watch this: Galaxy S11 is apparently going to be big. Very big

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That said, it's a good time for the world's largest phone brand. While Samsung's overall revenue is down, smartphone profits are up on the strength of the Galaxy Note 10 and A-series sales. A strong Galaxy S11 showing could widen the gap in Samsung's favor.

Galaxy S11's rumored features include 5G, a 108-megapixel camera, a 5,000-mAh battery and a new design that borrows from the Galaxy Note 10. CNET will cover Samsung Unpacked live. Until then, read all the Galaxy S11 rumors and everything we know about Samsung's follow-up to the Galaxy Fold.

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2020-01-05 16:31:00Z
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Samsung details its stunning bezel-less 8K TV - The Verge

The bezel-less TV from Samsung is indeed a real product being announced here at CES 2020. However, it’s only available in an 8K set that’s guaranteed to be very expensive. I would’ve loved to see a step-down 4K model to make this gorgeous design attainable for more people, but it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that getting the “infinity display” means you’ll have to opt for the nicest TV in Samsung’s entire 2020 lineup. Pricing isn’t yet being disclosed, nor is a release date; Samsung’s new TVs usually ship by spring, however.

Samsung Korea spilled the details a little prematurely with a press release; Samsung is holding its TV-focused First Look event on Sunday evening in Las Vegas.

The new QLED 8K uses 99 percent of its front surface for the display. There is a bezel, but it’s hard to perceive at just 2.3 millimeters. The TV itself is incredibly thin at 15 millimeters.

Samsung has on-device, AI-powered upscaling for making content appear closer to native 8K resolution. There was a dearth of 8K content at last year’s CES, and absolutely nothing about that situation has changed for 2020. That’s what makes the idea of buying this TV so hard to recommend. Samsung is also attempting to make video streaming content look as good as it can, with new “AI ScaleNet” technology that prevents data loss in the journey from a streaming company’s server to your TV. The first partner for this will be Amazon Prime Video.

Samsung says the TV includes an adaptive picture setting that adjusts brightness and contrast based on the TV’s surroundings. As with the company’s other TVs, the 8K QLED features quantum dot color and full-array local dimming. And Samsung is also attempting to preserve quality of video streaming content

You might expect a TV with no noticeable bezels to be lousy in the audio department, but according to Samsung, this thing packs a punch. A feature called OTS+ (object tracking sound plus) recognizes when moving objects are on the screen and tries to move sound along the TV’s speakers in a realistic fashion, producing an end result that the company says resembles 5.1 surround sound. And there’s also a “Q-Symphony” function that optimizes audio performance by utilizing both the TV’s speakers and a connected soundbar simultaneously.

As for its smarts, the QLED 8K has support for Bixby, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. It can quickly pair with Android smartphones for mirroring when they’re tapped against / near the screen. And Samsung says it’s including what it refers to as a Digital Butler, which can control Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-compatible gadgets, but also those devices that lack an internet connection. There are obviously questions around how all of that works, but we should get a better idea after we see the bezel-less QLED 8K firsthand later tonight — along with the other TVs Samsung has planned for this year.

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2020-01-05 14:00:00Z
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Samsung Galaxy S11: Everything We Know So Far [Updated] - Forbes

The Galaxy S11 has leaked and leaked and leaked. This article is a roundup of everything we know so far. There’s much to love, but a couple of changes fans will hate. That said, my overriding opinion is Samsung has a potential game-changer on its hands. These are the reasons why.

Tip: this article will be regularly updated, so bookmark it (01/05 new updates below)

Samsung Galaxy S11 render based on multiple leaks

Ice Universe

Codename - The Galaxy S11 range is known as Picasso. Why would Samsung name the phone after a great artist? Because the headline change will be to the camera. That said, its potential name change will also generate a lot of attention.

Ice Universe has revealed Samsung has decided to change branding and call the Galaxy S11e the Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S11 the Galaxy S20+ and is considering calling the Galaxy S10+ the Galaxy S20 Ultra. These seem unnecessary alternations to me, but it looks to be final.

Camera - Ice Universe has revealed the Galaxy S11 will add a 48MP telephoto lens to the range. This is capable of 5x optical zoom and is suitably codenamed ‘Hubble’. It will sit alongside a 48MP wide-angle lens, a ToF flight sensor and a massive 108MP primary camera which uses pixel binning technology that bins nine pixels to create one large 2.4μm pixel with a 12 megapixel final image size. This should lead to dramatic improvements in low light photography. It’s codename is the ‘ISOCELL Bright HM1’.

The final design of the Galaxy S11 camera has also been revealed by reliable insider OnLeaks, confirming a far more symmetrical camera layout than in early prototypes. The square lens contains the telephoto camera.

Galaxy 11 'final' camera design according to reliable insider @OnLeaks

OnLeaks

(Note: You can see a render of an earlier Galaxy S11 prototype in the Display section below)

New Samsung Submission Confirms Galaxy S11 Features [Design Updates]

Forbes Gordon Kelly

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• STAR DEALS - Galaxy S10 / S10+ / Note 10 / Note 10+ / Note 10+5G - Unlocked - from $689.99 - Samsung.com - shop deals now
• 12/27 NEW - Galaxy S10 Factory Unlocked Phone with 128GB - Prism Black - (typically $899.99) - Amazon: $649.99 / Best Buy: $599.99 
• Galaxy Note 10+ 256GB (typically $1,099) - Amazon: $899.99 (save $200) / Best Buy: $849.99 (save $250)
• Samsung UN75RU8000FXZA - 75-Inch 4K 8 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa Compatibility (2019 Model) - Amazon - $1,297.99 (save: $900) -  shop deal now
• Samsung’s QLED TV Mega Sale 43-inches up to 82-inches - Up to 50% off QLED 4K TVs - Samsung.com - (bargains galore, but you will have to move fast) - shop deals now

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Display - Samsung is introducing a class-leading 120Hz display to make up for missing the high refresh rate bandwagon that already started this year. The company is also significantly increasing screen sizes (which should be offset by the smaller bezels. This is what you’ll get:

• 6.4-inch Galaxy S11
• 6.7-inch Galaxy S11+
• 6.9-inch Galaxy S11 5G

Galaxy S11 render based on multiple leaks (front is accurate, rear camera modules questioned)

OnLeaks / CashKaro

Design -  The Galaxy Note 10 Plus already has a class-leading screen-to-body ratio but we know Galaxy S11 will push this even further by shrinking the front camera. 

Expanding on this, Ice Universe has attained protective covers for all three Galaxy S11 models (S11e, S11 and S11+) allowing us to compare their respective sizes. It also confirms the virtual elimination of the top and bottom bezels and newly centred punch hole for the front camera.

Newly leaked screen protectors show the minimal bezel and screen size differences on Samsung's ... [+] upcoming Galaxy S11 range

Ice Universe

Performance - The Galaxy S11 will use Samsung’s newly unveiled Snapdragon 865 which has 20% faster graphics rendering than the Snapdragon 855 in the Galaxy S10 and 35% more power efficiency. There’s also upgraded LPDDR5 smartphone memory (30% faster, 30% more efficient). The bad news is the Exynos-equipped version could yet drag all this down. 

Connectivity - The Snapdragon 865 has 5G baked in so it will come to every Galaxy S11 model. WiFi 6 will also come as standard and Samsung is retaining the microSD expansion slot (though not for the entry level Galaxy S11e) The bad news: the headphone jack has gone, which is not surprising after it was ditched by the Galaxy Note 10. 

Biometrics - Samsung is not expected to introduce a Face ID rival, but it will add a supersized Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max fingerprint sensor to the Galaxy S11 which is 17x larger than the sensor used in the Galaxy S10 (making placement more instinctive). The sensor will also support two fingerprints at the same time which will deliver a significant increase in security which can be reserved for crucial moments, like the completion of financial transactions or logging into a banking app.

Qualcomm's 3D Sonic Max in-display fingerprint reader is a dramatic step forward

Qualcomm

Battery Life - Another major upgrade. While 5G will consume more battery life, Samsung looks set to more than offset this with massive capacity upgrades 

• Galaxy S11: 4,500 mAh (S10: 3,400 mAh)
• Galaxy S11+: 5,000 mAh (S10+: 4,100 mAh)

Samsung Confirms Supersized Galaxy S11 Batteries [Update]

Forbes Gordon Kelly

45W ‘Super Fast’ charging is also expected to come as standard. But don’t expect the company’s potentially revolutionary graphene batteries to be ready for the Galaxy S11 range, though it could possibly launch late in the year. 

Downsides - the Galaxy S11 looks set to have all the bad points of the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus: for the S11e that means no microSD while every model will lose the headphone jack. 

Release Date: Ice Universe states there are two release dates tipped for the Galaxy S11 launch: February 11 and February 18. He says "I believe more in the former." It will launch alongside a new clamshell folding smartphone. 

01/05 Update: Samsung's official teaser video for the Galaxy S11 (Galaxy S20?) launch has leaked confirming the date is February 11. This is the earliest Galaxy S launch yet beating the Galaxy S10 by nine days.

Conclusion

After incremental upgrades in 2019, Samsung is going for it in 2020 and a big motivation is Apple’s plans for the iPhone 12. These include an upgraded design, 120Hz ProMotion displays, some incredible 3D camera tricks, the return of Touch ID and, potentially, the end of the Lightning port. Apple may also release as many as six new iPhone models. 

Yes, 2020 is shaping up to be major year for smartphone fans. 

Tip: I will keep this article updated as your one-stop-shop for Galaxy S11 news, so bookmark it. 

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More On Forbes

Beware Of Samsung’s ‘Uncompetitive’ Galaxy S11 Exynos Version

New Samsung Submission Confirms Galaxy S11 Features [Design Updates]

Samsung Increasing Galaxy S11 Screen Size, Reducing Bezels [Update: New Camera Modes]

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2020-01-05 12:37:00Z
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Samsung’s ‘artificial human’ project definitely looks like a digital avatar - Circuit Breaker

On Friday we wrote about Samsung’s mysterious ‘artificial human’ project Neon, speculating that the company was building realistic human avatars that could be used for entertainment and business purposes, acting as guides, receptionists, and more.

Now, a tweet from the project’s lead and some leaked videos pretty much confirm this — although they don’t give us nearly enough information to judge how impressive Neon is.

The lead of Neon, computer-human interaction researcher Paranav Mistry, tweeted the image below, apparently showing one of the project’s avatars. Mistry says the company’s “Core R3” technology can now “autonomously create new expressions, new movements, new dialog (even in Hindi), completely different from the original captured data.”

Flying to CES tomorrow, and the code is finally working :) Ready to demo CORE R3. It can now autonomously create new expressions, new movements, new dialog (even in Hindi), completely different from the original captured data. pic.twitter.com/EPAJJrLyjd

— Pranav Mistry (@pranavmistry) January 5, 2020

Unlisted videos taken from the source code on Neon’s home page revealed even more of these same human figures. The videos were originally posted on Reddit but have now been taken down. You can see them in the YouTube video below, though, and they do look extremely lifelike. In fact, they look just like videos — not computer-generated graphics.

And that’s the key question we have about Neon at this point: to what degree are these avatars computer-generated? Or are they based on high-fidelity video-capture that’s animated after the fact? And, even more importantly, how good are these avatars at talking and emoting like humans? A big claim associated with Neon is that these avatars can be mistaken for real humans — but that would be a huge leap forward over current technology.

In a recent interview, Mistry made clear he thinks “digital humans” will be a major technology in the 2020s. “Movies are full of examples where AI is brought into our world,” Mistry told LiveMint. “In Blade Runner 2049, Officer K develops a relationship with his AI hologram companion, Joi. While films may disrupt our sense of reality, ‘virtual humans’ or ‘digital humans’ will be reality. A digital human could extend its role to become a part of our everyday lives: a virtual news anchor, virtual receptionist, or even an AI-generated film star.”

But we’ll have to wait and see if Neon’s avatars can live up to these expectations. So far, the company is mainly offering us hype. (Just look at the red “ALIVE” text in the top right corner of the images Mistry tweeted — it’s a bit hammy.) Whatever the case, Neon will be showcased at CES in less than 48 hours, and we’ll be there to report on what we see and hear.

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2020-01-05 09:28:07Z
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The Samsung Galaxy S11 launch date is set for February 11 - TechRadar India

The wait for the Galaxy S11 is almost over, as the Samsung has officially announced the date for its next big smartphone launch event: Tuesday, February 11.

Samsung's Unpacked keynote will take place in San Francisco at 11am Pacific Time on February 11, according to the official invite sent to TechRadar and other media outlets. This mirrors last year's Galaxy S10 launch event timing and city.

There are some differences in 2020: we're expecting three Samsung Galaxy S11 phones instead of four, all containing a 5G modem. That means there’s no need for a sequel to the standalone Galaxy S10 5G. While we still expect the new phones to be dubbed S11, there have been rumors of Samsung will leapfrog nine names and use the Galaxy S20 numbering scheme. 

The Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 could show up at the Unpacked event as well. And, if Samsung has sorted out the issues that held up the first Galaxy Fold, the new model could manage to launch on time (last year, the Samsung Galaxy Fold release date was delayed by five months). It may also take on a completely different form, as the foldable flip phone we saw in a Samsung video back in October 2019.

Samssung Galaxy S11 expectations

At present, we're expecting the Galaxy S11 line to include a base model, a Plus model, and an Ultra model, per a recent rumor. The lineup is also expected to offer display sizes from 6.2 inches up to 6.9 inches. And all should be powered by either a new Samsung Exynos chipset and the Snapdragon 865 chipset, region dependent. 

Given the fact that the event lines up with 2019's timeline, we can expect to see the new Galaxy S11 phones go on sale toward the very end of February or early March, right around MWC 2020. Last year's phones first released on March 8.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 is less of a certainty. While we expect the company will include a new foldable device at its February event, there's less concrete evidence of an immediate release date. After all, there was gap between the original Galaxy Fold and the Galaxy S10 phones.

It's also unclear if we can expect the new flip phone-style design like the new Moto Razr, or whether Samsung is planning a direct follow up to the mini-tablet-like Galaxy Fold, one that's expected to have a similar design but further refinements.

The February Unpacked event isn't the only place to see new Samsung tech though. Keep an eye on our CES 2020 coverage for more, and we'll let you know if we hear more about the device from Las Vegas.

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2020-01-05 06:46:00Z
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Samsung 8K QLED TV is literally 99% picture, thanks to superthin bezel - CNET

Samsung's Q950TS will be the company's best 8K TV in 2020.

Samsung

This story is part of CES 2020, our complete coverage of the showroom floor for the hottest new tech gadgets around.

My buying advice for 8K TVs is basically "don't," but Samsung is debuting an 8K model that's about more than resolution at CES 2020. The world's biggest TV maker's best new 2020 TV, the Q950TS, has a superthin frame around the picture. When I looked at it straight on, it was really tough to make out any bezel at all. The effect replicated a disembodied moving image, except this was a bright TV, not a projector. Samsung says the set is 99% picture compared to 95% for most TVs, and yes, that 4% made a big difference.

Seen from the front it's 99% picture.

Samsung

Samsung achieved the superthin, 2.3mm bezel by eliminating the black matrix around the edge of the panel so the picture goes basically right up to the metallic edge. The TV itself is only 15mm deep, despite housing a full-array local dimming (FALD) LED backlight -- the hallmark of a good LCD TV, QLED or otherwise. 

Don't care about 8K resolution? Try this

So yeah, 8K TVs are expensive, the image quality improvement they provide over 4K models is modest, at best, and the kicker: there's no 8K content available now and little possibility of it coming this year (2020 Olympics, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X notwithstanding). Those are some of the reasons experts expect 8K sales to remain tepid for the next few years.

To make its 8K TVs more appealing Samsung isn't just touting the extra resolution, it's talking up other picture-quality improvements, too. 

• That FALD backlight has new "local power distribution" tech that improves peak brightness by more than 20% and controls blooming (stray illumination) better. 
• Improved quantum processor 8K with better AI upscaling, which will have a deep learning neural network that can, yes, can start teaching itself algorithms to improve the picture.
• The Q950TS also hassame superb antiglare and improved viewing angle screens found on flagship 2019 models.

Whether any of these extras will allow Samsung's 8K QLED TVs to match the image quality of OLED televisions is an open question. 

Samsung did not announce pricing or availability on the Q950TS.

Now playing: Watch this: CES 2020 preview: Surprise booths, slim screens and smart...

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2020-01-05 06:12:00Z
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Here's What to Expect From CES 2020 - Gizmodo

Image: Gizmodo, Sharp

Because each individual day of 2019 felt like it stretched on for 100 years, you would absolutely be forgiven for forgetting that the largest technology show of the year immediately follows the start of the new year. But folks, the Consumer Electronics Show is happening—mere days from now, in fact—which means that the Gizmodo staff will be heading to Sin City to cover the conference’s most innovative, peculiar, and covetable tech at the event.

If you’ve missed some of the news and rumors leading up to this year’s event, we’ve got you covered. From this year’s oddball appearances to wearables to sex tech, here’s what you can look forward to hearing about during this year’s consumer tech showcase in Las Vegas.

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Foldables

One of last year’s CES highlights was the FlexPai, a foldable phone from Royole—and while neat, it also sucked. But it did kick off a big year for foldable tech. Then, in mid-2019, Lenovo showed off a concept laptop with a flexible OLED display but didn’t reveal anything about price, specs, or even an official name, which makes CES a perfect time for Lenovo to follow up with new developments.

And with Microsoft having surprised everyone with multiple dual-screen gadgets last fall, we’re expecting even more dual-screen systems from other laptop makers, especially following releases like the Omen X 2S and ZenBook Pro Duo from HP and Asus back in the fall. Like it or not, there’s a big wave of dual-screen notebooks on the way.

Mountains More Wireless Earbuds

The sea of options for a truly wireless earbud grows steadily by the day, meaning no one is really forced to contend with Apple’s one size—and one very high price!—fits all AirPods (even the AirPods Pro buds with their silicon tips aren’t for everyone). In 2019 we reviewed several veritable AirPods competitors in the Jaybird Vista, the Master & Dynamic MW07, and Powerbeats Pro. But everyone’s looking to muscle their way into the space. Hell, even Amazon is looking to get into the wireless earbuds space—expect quite a few of them to crop up at CES.

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Apple

Well, well, well! Look who decided to show up at this year’s hottest tech party after publicly shaming its competitors during last year’s event!

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That’s right, Apple’s senior director of global privacy Jane Horvath is set to speak alongside other tech giant moguls during a Chief Privacy Officer Roundtable on Tuesday. (The panel will also, ironically, include an appearance by an executive for privacy bastion and known protector of the people Facebook.) Apple will also promote its HomeKit, and Bloomberg reported this week that the company is “likely to roll out new software capabilities.” But don’t expect new hardware.

We Have the Meats

As someone with an absolutely shameless enthusiasm for plant-based meats, I’m thrilled to share with you, reader, that CES once again has the (faux) meats. Impossible Foods, maker of the dumb delicious Impossible Burger, will be at the conference again this year to reveal some presumably new and almost assuredly delicious news. Trust that you’ll be the first to know when we find out what that is.

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8K Expansions

CES is home to impressive debuts of masterclass displays (if not highly, highly expensive ones). Samsung, Sony, and LG will all be expanding their 8K lineups, so expect to hear plenty on this front at this year’s event. Perhaps some rollable TVs to look forward to?

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Wearable and Pleasure Tech

Remember all that hubbub when Consumer Technology Association, which puts on CES, revoked an award it had given to sex toy while at the same time calling it “immoral, obscene, indecent, [or] profane”? Well, CES fucks now. Following last year’s fiasco and the ensuing public relations nightmare, the conference announced that it would permit sex tech under its Health and Wellness category but that it must “be innovative and include new or emerging tech to qualify.”

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Elsewhere, as always, expect more wearables in the wellness category. Many of the changes to tech in this category may be iterative, but expect to see hybrid devices and advances in medical applications and wellness tracking.

Politics

Technology and innovation are inherently political, from security and privacy to social responsibility to manufacturing to lobbying efforts and foreign trade. But politics aren’t necessarily always front-of-mind at a consumer trade show. This year, CES is ensuring they will be.

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The conference this year is hosting a “fireside chat” with Ivanka Trump and CTA chief Gary Shapiro for a discussion about “how the administration is advocating for employer-led strategies that invest in reskilling workers, create apprenticeships and develop K-12 STEM education programs.” In a highly controversial move, the trade show named her a keynote speaker. This, coupled with the ongoing Huawei mess, and a trade war with China that’s focused on technology ensures that no one will be escaping the politics of tech at this year’s event.

AMD gets serious about laptops

Last year, AMD surprised attendees with its AMD Radeon VII processor. It’s possible AMD could upstage Intel and Nvidia again this year, with the company’s CEO Dr. Lisa Su rumored to be announcing Ryzen 4000 APUs. These APUs would likely be mobile-based processors intended to compete against Intel offerings like those Ice Lake CPUs we keep praising, and the Comet Lake ones that have left us confused.

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This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should give you a good of the scale of announcements we’re expecting to be announced in the coming week as news trickles out of the conference. We’ll be on the ground keeping tabs on all the highlights, so be sure to check back with us to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

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Additional reporting by Sam Rutherford.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiQWh0dHBzOi8vZ2l6bW9kby5jb20vaGVyZXMtd2hhdC10by1leHBlY3QtZnJvbS1jZXMtMjAyMC0xODQwNzk4ODU20gFFaHR0cHM6Ly9naXptb2RvLmNvbS9oZXJlcy13aGF0LXRvLWV4cGVjdC1mcm9tLWNlcy0yMDIwLTE4NDA3OTg4NTYvYW1w?oc=5

2020-01-04 15:00:00Z
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