Arlo will stop supporting some of its older security cameras starting in April

Arlo’s older security cameras will lose access to future updates and some perks users have been enjoying these past years, now that the company has started implementing a new end-of-life policy for its products. As users reported on Reddit (via 9to5Google), the company has sent out emails to announce the new policy and the first products to be affected: the Generation 3 (VMC3030) and Pro (VMC4030) cameras, which were released in 2014 and 2016, respectively. The two models will lose access to the seven free days of cloud storage Arlo bundles with its cameras starting on April 1st, 2023. They’ll also be the first models to stop receiving firmware and security updates, as well as bug fixes. 

In its full announcement (PDF) for the policy, Arlo explained that it will pull its cameras four years after the last time they were mass produced. Following the first two models above, the next Arlo cameras to lose access to updates and features include the Arlo Baby (ABC1000), Pro 2 (VMC4030P), Q (VMC3040) and Q+ (VMC3040S). Their end-of-life date is on January 1st, 2024. The company will also stop supporting Arlo Lights (ALS1101) and Audio Doorbell (AAD1001) on the same date. 

To note, users don’t have to throw them out as soon as those dates arrive. They can continue using the cameras to access livestreamed videos, as well as video clips stored locally with compatible Arlo base stations. But they’ll have to pay for Arlo’s Secure subscription service to have access to cloud storage, and the cameras will likely lose features over time since they’ll no longer get firmware upgrades. 

In addition to putting an EOL date on its products, Arlo is also phasing out its email notifications and E911 emergency calling service on April 1st, as well as its Legacy Video Storage on AWS S3 on January 1st, 2024. The company said it will provide a 30-day advance notice for products that will be affected by the EOL rule, though, so people can decide whether to buy newer devices or to continue using their old ones. 

Samsung’s 2023 QD-OLED TVs will reach up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness

Samsung launched its QD-OLED TV lineup last year at CES promising higher brightness than other OLED TVs, particularly its arch-rival LG. However, it was only mildly brighter than LG OLEDs back then, and yesterday, LG unveiled its 2023 OLED TV lineup wi…

LG’s 2023 OLED TVs are up to 70 percent brighter

It’s no surprise that LG is refreshing its OLED TV lineup for 2023, but you might appreciate this year’s upgrade if your set lives in a well-lit room. LG’s new models include a per-pixel Brightness Booster Max feature that, on certain G3 series TVs (shown above), promises up to a 70 percent brighter picture. You might not spend as much time squinting during daytime viewing sessions.

The G3, C3 and 8K-capable Z3 all use a new a9 Gen 6 processor that offers AI upscaling, HDR tone mapping and object-based picture sharpening. The chip is similarly key to AI audio processing that delivers 9.1.2-channel surround sound from the built-in speakers. You’ll have an added incentive to upgrade your audio setup, though — LG is countering Samsung with a WOW Orchestra feature that uses the TV’s speakers to complement the output from the brand’s newer soundbars.

LG C3 OLED TV
LG

LG is also acknowledging that its interface may have been overwhelming for some. The 2023 OLED TVs come with a webOS 23 platform that requires much less scrolling, with just two pages of apps content. You’ll also see fewer categories, and “quick cards” help you dive into categories like music and sports. Personal profiles, customizable quick settings and AI-based search keyword recommendations tailor the experience to your tastes, while Matter support should help your set play well with compatible smart home devices.

The range will seem familiar in some ways, although there are a few other notable upgrades. The Z3 remains the flagship with 77- and 88-inch 8K screens, but the G3 is now a better fit for wall-mounting thanks to a zero-gap design. It’s available in sizes ranging from 55 inches to a huge 97 inches, although you’ll only see the 70 percent brightness hike on 55-, 65- and 77-inch variants. The sweet-spot C3 line (pictured at middle) runs between 42 inches and 83 inches, although you’ll have to ‘settle’ for the standard brightness booster.

Significantly, there’s no more A series. LG now considers the B3 series its entry-level OLED offering, and pitches it as ideal for gamers watching their money. You’ll have to make do with the lesser a7 Gen 6 chip and go without brightness boosting, but you will get 4K at 120Hz (useful with the latest consoles) and your choice of 55-, 65- and 77-inch panels.

As is often the case with LG introductions, you’ll have to wait for pricing and availability for the 2023 OLED TV selection. There’s no doubt the G3 is the star attraction, though. Outside of that model’s brightness boost and gapless mounting, these are largely iterative upgrades that will mostly prove appealing if you’re replacing an aging set.

Tesla delivered over 405,000 vehicles in Q4 2022, setting a new company record

Tesla delivered 405,278 electric vehicles over the final three months of 2022, the automaker announced on Monday. That number represents a new record for the company, but it also fell short of Wall Street estimates. As recently as December 30th, the consensus among most analysts was that Tesla would deliver about 418,000 vehicles in Q4. A year earlier, the company delivered 308,600 cars during the same period.

According to Tesla, the Model 3 and Model Y made up most of the company’s deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2022, with 388,131 of those vehicles making their way to consumers before the end of the year. Comparatively, Tesla’s more expensive Model S and Model X cars accounted for a modest 17,147 deliveries over the same time frame. Tesla produced 439,701 vehicles in the fourth quarter, setting another record.

It’s fair to say the end of 2022 could have gone better for Tesla. Even before considering how much Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter has hurt the company, Tesla was faced with macroeconomic and logistical challenges threatening to slow growth. As they did earlier in the year, COVID-19 restrictions in China forced Tesla to suspend and reduce production at its Shanghai Gigafactory. Tesla also closed the facility during the last week of December, adding to concerns the company has been dealing with weakening demand in the world’s biggest automotive market. In Q4, Tesla also had trouble securing transportation for completed vehicles.

Separately, Elon Musk’s handling of Twitter and repeat Tesla stock selloffs saw the value of the company’s shares drop dramatically. In December, Tesla’s stock fell 33 percent (and 45 percent over the last six months) before rallying in anticipation of the company’s fourth-quarter numbers. Tesla will publish its full Q4 results on January 25th and hold its next annual Investor Day presentation on March 1st.

Samsung’s new wall oven lets you livestream a video feed of what’s cooking

Samsung is refreshing its lineup of customizable Bespoke smart appliances with a wall oven, washer and dryer. The Bespoke AI Oven has a seven-inch screen and touch controls. The cooking methods include air sous vide, air frying and steam cooking. Perha…

Samsung’s latest gaming monitors include an 8K, 57-inch ultra-wide display

Samsung is pushing further into the realm of humongous monitors with the next-gen, 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9. Some may find this model a bit more palatable than the 55-inch Odyssey Ark Samsung released last year, as it’s an ultrawide with a ratio of 32:9 …

German Bionic debuts its lightest powered exosuit to date at CES 2023

German Bionic, the robotic exoskeleton startup behind the Cray X, will be showing off two new posture-protecting products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada this week. The Apogee is the company’s latest and lightest powered exosuit built for commercial and industrial use while the Smart SafetyVest will “bring ergonomic monitoring and protection to every worker,” per a Monday release.

German Bionic Apogee and/or SafetyVest. The brace one has a woman wearing it while picking a large box out of a wire bin, the vest one is just a guy wearing it and looking directly into camera and there are a bunch more of the cgi line graphs and bar charts and stuff. I don't get this aesthetic at all. The equipment's cool though.
German Bionic

The Apogee builds from the lessons learned in developing the Cray X, resulting in German Bionic’s lightest exosuit to date. Despite the litheness, it can offset up to 66 pounds of load to the user’s lower back per lifting motion and offers active walking assistance to reduce fatigue. The SafetyVest, on the other hand, doesn’t actively help the user pick up heavy stuff but it does monitor their movements and body positioning as they work and offers “data-based, personalized ergonomic insights, as well as assessments and recommended actions.”

Both the Apogee and SafetyVest rely on the German Bionic IO architecture to collect, monitor, analyze and report the user’s ergonomic data back to them. This is done typically either through the onboard display or via audible alerts when the user is actively making unsafe movements.   

German Bionic Apogee and/or SafetyVest. The brace one has a woman wearing it while picking a large box out of a wire bin, the vest one is just a guy wearing it and looking directly into camera and there are a bunch more of the cgi line graphs and bar charts and stuff. I don't get this aesthetic at all. The equipment's cool though.
German Bionic

“With our new wearables, we are empowering hard-working people with the tools they need to do their jobs more safely and sustainably,” Norma Steller, CPO of German Bionic, said in the release. “Both our new ergonomic wearables – Apogee and Smart SafetyVest – as well as our award-winning Cray X exoskeleton enable us to provide the right support for just about any company or work environment where manual work is performed. And with the German Bionic IO data platform, we also deliver a powerful analytics tool for workplace ergonomics and processes.”

Details are still sparse ahead of the show but German Bionic will be exhibiting its wares at CES, booth #7141 in the West Hall if you’re attending in person. If not, no worries, Engadget will have full coverage of the show floor with hands-on reviews, videos and news throughout the week — stay tuned!