Image: Martyn Landi/PA
Ahead of the main show at IFA 2019, Amazon, Samsung and others revealed plans for 5G phones and the latest streaming devices.
Smarter TVs and powerful laptops have been among the first new products revealed ahead of Europe’s largest technology trade show. Before the opening of the IFA convention in Berlin on Friday (6 September), Amazon announced its Fire TV streaming platform is to be built into a number of smart TVs.
It also confirmed that the Fire TV Cube – its voice-controlled, remote-less streaming box – is coming to the UK and Europe, alongside a Fire TV-compatible soundbar.
Earlier on Wednesday (4 September), Taiwanese tech firm Asus unveiled a new line-up of high-end laptops designed to challenge Apple’s MacBook Pro.
Introducing the new Amazon Fire TV Cube 2, the most powerful Fire TV ever, with 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, 2.2Ghz 6-core CPU, and on-device voice recognition that's up to 4x faster. $119.99 and ships Oct. 10 in US, UK, DE, CA, and more. https://t.co/cKe5uvbnHC pic.twitter.com/NsDl0zk6sY
— Elias Saba (@Elias) September 4, 2019
The ProArt StudioBook range, which comes with top-of-the-range graphics cards and processors, is being aimed at graphics and design professionals. The company also showed off its powerful ROG Phone II – a dedicated gaming smartphone being introduced to Europe – and a new smartwatch capable of tracking a number of health stats.
Today (5 September), it is the turn of LG, Samsung, Sony and Nokia, with each of the firms expected to discuss their smartphone business in some form. New devices are anticipated from LG, Sony and Nokia, while there are reports that Samsung may use the event to provide an update on its delayed foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold.
#ProArt StudioBook Pro X is one device artists and creatives need in their arsenal. It's packed for demanding tasks. #IFA19 pic.twitter.com/CuYiG6voIx
— ASUS (@ASUS) September 4, 2019
The Korean company confirmed the device will finally go on sale in Korea on Friday, before rolling out to other countries later this month. Chinese phone giant Huawei will hold its own event on Friday.
IFA organisers have predicted that artificial intelligence, voice-control technology and 5G will be among the biggest trends at this year’s event, which is expected to attract more than 200,000 people.
Hans-Joachim Kamp, chairman of the supervisory board of GFU Consumer & Home Electronics, the organiser of the show, said “exhibitors, trade visitors, the media and the general public will see more innovation and new products than ever before”.
– PA Media
