MacRumors

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the upcoming launch of LE Audio, which is the next-generation of Bluetooth audio. LE Audio will bring enhanced Bluetooth audio performance, it will add support for Audio Sharing, and it will add support for hearing aids.

LE Audio features a new high-quality, low-power audio codec that will bring improved performance and better power consumption by offering high-quality audio even at low data rates. Developers will be able to create audio products that offer longer battery life or are smaller thanks to the need for less battery capacity.

With support for multi-stream audio, Bluetooth LE will allow for the transmission of multiple, independent, synchronized audio streams between an audio source device like a smartphone and one or more audio sink devices like earbuds. This will improve performance of wireless earbuds, offering a better stereo imaging experience, plus it will make it easier to use voice assistant services and swap between multiple audio sources.

LE Audio includes support for hearing aids, and it will allow for the development of hearing aids that also include the benefits of Bluetooth audio.

Broadcast Audio, another LE Audio feature, allows an audio source to broadcast one or more audio streams to an unlimited number of devices, officially enabling audio sharing capabilities.

Bluetooth Audio Sharing will allow people to share their Bluetooth audio experience with others around them (i.e, listening to music from the same smartphone), and there's also a location-based feature that will let public venues like airports, bars, gyms, and cinemas share Bluetooth audio that "augments the visitor experience."

"Location-based Audio Sharing holds the potential to change the way we experience the world around us," said Peter Liu of Bose Corporation and member of the Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors. "For example, people will be able to select the audio being broadcast by silent TVs in public venues, and places like theaters and lecture halls will be able to share audio to assist visitors with hearing loss as well as provide audio in multiple languages."

Apple, a Bluetooth SIG member, has already enabled audio sharing functionality with its AirPods and Powerbeats Pro headphones, but that functionality is specific to iOS devices and a limited number of earbuds. LE Audio will bring those capabilities to all headphones that have LE Audio support.

When LE Audio launches, Bluetooth audio will support two operation modes. The LE Audio will operate on the Bluetooth Low Energy radio, while classic Audio will operate on the Bluetooth Classic radio. LE Audio will be a replacement for Classic Audio, as it supports the same audio products and use cases while also adding new features.

The Bluetooth specifications defining LE Audio will see a release throughout the second half of 2020. More information about LE Audio is available on the Bluetooth SIG website.

Sony today announced the upcoming launch of several new 2020 4K and 8K sets TV, including the 8H 8K LED, A8H and MASTER Series A9S OLED, and X950H and X900H 4K LED televisions.

All of the new TVs offer support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. With ‌AirPlay‌ 2 support, the new TVs will be able to interact with other ‌AirPlay‌ 2 devices such as the HomePod or ‌AirPlay‌ 2-enabled speakers for multi-device whole home audio.

‌HomeKit‌ support allows the Sony TVs to show up in the Home app and respond to Siri voice commands for doing things like changing volume and turning the TV on and off.

Sony started rolling out ‌HomeKit‌ and ‌AirPlay‌ 2 support to some of its existing 2018 and 2019 TVs in December, but the 2020 models will support it out of the box. While the 2020 TVs will support ‌AirPlay‌ 2 and ‌HomeKit‌, there is no mention of Sony introducing the Apple TV app on Sony TVs.

According to Sony, the 2020 TV lineup will include features that have previously been limited to the MASTER series models, with the company aiming to deliver a more immersive viewing experience. Features will include Sony's Picture Processor X1, Triluminos Display, Sound-from-Picture Reality, Netflix Calibrated Mode, and IMAX Enhanced for an IMAX experience at home.

A new feature called Ambient Optimization is also included for optimizing picture and sound quality in any environment, and all of the new TVs will use Sony's new Immersive Edge design concept with a minimalist stand.

TV sizes will range from 48 inches to 85 inches, with full details on each TV available via Sony's press release. Sony plans to introduce these TVs in the spring of 2020, and pricing will be available at that time.

Samsung this weekend announced that its next event will take place on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, with the South Korean company set to unveil new smartphones that will compete with Apple's iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max.

Rumors suggest the new smartphones will feature a design similar to the Galaxy Note 10 with a hole-punch cutout at the top of the display. Screen sizes are rumored to be 6.4, 6.7, and 6.9 inches.

Features are said to include 5G connectivity, a four camera array with a 108-megapixel camera, 5x optical zoom, a 5,000mAh battery, a 120Hz display, and facial recognition capabilities.

We'll have coverage of the event as it is interesting to take a look at what new features Apple's competitors are unveiling to compete with the ‌iPhone‌.

The annual CES event is taking place this week, with thousands of companies converging in Las Vegas to show off their newest tech-related products.

CES officially starts on Tuesday, January 7, but there was a CES Unveiled media preview event on Sunday along with a press conference for Samsung, both of which MacRumors attended. We've rounded up some of the most interesting things that we've seen so far for our latest YouTube video.

Nanoleaf last week announced new hexagon-shaped light panels, which were on display at CES Unveiled. The hexagon panels are designed to work with other panel shapes and have a new snap together design that offers a tighter, more secure fit. Attaching the hexagon Nanoleaf panels to the wall is also simpler and will result in less wall damage with new snap in connectors that attach to the wall.

Nanoleaf is also showing off the Learning Series, a new switch, bulb, button, and gateway that are designed to learn user habits and auto adjust lighting based on that information. The Learning Series gateway integrates with other smart products such as bulbs from Philips Hue, making everything smarter.

Targus showed off a new eco-friendly backpack that's made from recycled water bottles. It has a built-in Qi-based wireless charger in the side pocket so you can tuck your phone into the cradle and charge while on the go.

There's no shortage of cute little gadgets at CES, including the Bocco Emo robot from Yukai, which is designed to keep families connected to one another by letting them exchange messages using text or voice via a smartphone. The version shown off at CES can also respond to questions and commands and control smart home devices. Yukai also showed off the Qoobo, an emotional support pillow with a tail that will react to various levels of engagement for comfort.

Following the CES Unveiled event, Samsung on Sunday held a press conference where it unveiled some new television products, all of which are likely to support HomeKit, AirPlay 2, and the Apple TV app like existing high-end Samsung TVs released in 2019.

Samsung's Q950 TV is a nearly bezel-free 8K panel that's super thin, featuring a screen to body ratio of nearly 99 percent and a stand that's similar to an iMac stand.

There's a Serif TV that's designed to function as a piece of decorative furniture in a room, while the Sero TV is aimed at people who specifically want to consume vertical content. Samsung also had its Samsung Wall up at the event, featuring a huge TV with microLED panels that can be configured in sizes ranging from 75 inches to 292 inches, with Samsung adding 88, 93, 110, and 150-inch options this year.

Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors this week for all of our ongoing CES coverage, because there's a lot more to come. We'll be sharing overview videos of the coolest things that we see each day, and we have tons of new product announcements in our CES 2020 hub.

Lenovo last year unveiled a new foldable ThinkPad prototype, marking the first foldable PC design that we'd seen. Lenovo has continued to work on that prototype, and is now ready to bring it to market.

At CES, Lenovo is showing off the new ThinkPad X1 Fold, a laptop PC with a 13.3-inch folding LED display with a 4x3 ratio.

According to Lenovo, the ThinkPad X1 Fold is made from a combination of lightweight alloys and carbon fiber, and it's protected by a leather folio cover. It weighs in at less than two pounds and is designed to "seamlessly morph through multiple orientations," transforming from a device with a small footprint to a device with a fully flat display.

The ThinkPad X1 Fold is equipped with Intel Core Processors with Intel Hybrid Technology, and it will run Windows 10 when it launches, though Windows 10X support will be added at a later date for an "enhanced foldable user experience."

Lenovo believes the X1 Fold will bridge the gap between the smartphone, the tablet, and the laptop, offering benefits for users who often switch between devices with multiple form factors.

When used in landscape mode with the integrated kickstand included in the folio case, users can take advantage of a Bluetooth Mini Fold Keyboard for typing purposes. When folded closed, the keyboard is stored, secured with magnets, and wirelessly charged.

In portrait mode, users can take notes or draw sketches using the Active Pen that works with the device. The X1 Fold can be folded out completely flat so it can be used like a tablet in portrait mode, or it can be folded in half and used like a book for reading.

In this laptop orientation, users can choose to leverage two independent displays at one time for multitasking purposes, and it can be connected to a full-size keyboard and mouse or second display using USB-C when at a desk.

While designing the X1 Fold, Lenovo went through six different hinge designs and over 20 variations, settling on a multi-link torque hinge that manages stresses during folding. Combined with a carbon fiber reinforced frame plate, the hinge optimizes the viewing experience when the tablet is folded flat.

Lenovo plans to launch the X1 Fold in mid-2020, and it will have a starting price of $2,499.

Anker in late December debuted a new Made for iPhone (MFi) certified LED flash accessory that's meant to connect to the ‌iPhone‌ 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max through the Lightning port, and now it's available for preorder ahead of a late January launch.

Anker's ‌iPhone‌ LED Flash is the first Made for ‌iPhone‌ flash accessory that's available for purchase. With Made for ‌iPhone‌ integration, the flash accessory is recognized by Apple's new iPhones and can be triggered using the default Camera app and third-party camera apps.

According to Anker, the ‌iPhone‌ LED Flash offers twice the range and four times the brightness of the built-in ‌iPhone‌ flash. It will last for approximately 10,000 shots before needing to be recharged, and it comes with a detachable diffuser.

‌iPhone‌ flash accessories are not new and there are other options available on the market, but Anker's is the only one that is Apple certified and able to be synced with the ‌iPhone‌'s camera using the Lightning port.

Anker is charging $50 for the ‌iPhone‌ LED Flash, and it can be ordered from Amazon starting today. Orders will ship out on January 25.

Apple today launched its annual Back to University promotion in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Brazil, offering students and teachers free Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones or free Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones with purchase.

With the purchase of an eligible Mac, which includes the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, or ‌iMac‌ Pro, students can get free Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones.

With the purchase of an iPad Pro or iPad Air, Apple is providing free Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones. Students can also choose the BeatsX Earphones instead, or choose to pay an additional fee to upgrade to the Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones. PDFs with full terms and conditions are available for each educational site: Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and South Korea.

Macs and ‌iPad Pro‌ models are available at a discounted educational price when purchasing through the Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and South Korea educational stores, with discounts up to A$320, NZ$360, R$ 1.780 or KRW 271,000 on qualifying devices. The education stores also offer AppleCare+ protection plans at a 20 percent discount.

To get the free or discounted Beats, students will need to add an eligible Mac or iPad to their carts, where the option to add the headphones will come up automatically.

Students can also get a free year of Apple TV+ with the purchase of an ‌iPad‌, Mac, iPhone, ‌Apple TV‌ or iPod touch, along with a discounted Apple Music subscription. More benefits for students are listed in our Student Guide.

Discounts are available for current and newly accepted university students, parents buying for students, and teachers and staff at all levels. Sign up and enrollment verification through UNiDays is required.

The educational discounts in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Brazil will be available for a limited amount of time both online and in Apple retail stores in Australia, Brazil, and South Korea. The promotion ends on March 16, 2020 in all four countries.

Apple's back to university promotion is the same as the Back to School promotion that launches in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and European countries in the summer months, so these countries can expect a similar deal when Back to School rolls around.