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Hands on: The Hisense U9N 4K TV is mini-LED taken to the max, with powerful built-in Dolby Atmos sound too – Samsung should be worried

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Hisense just announced its new Hisense U9N series mini-LED TVs, and as part of that announcement, the company invited reviewers, myself included, to spend quality hands-on time with a pre-production 75-inch version of the U9N at a launch event in New York.

The Hisense U9N series TVs slot between the company’s flagship ULED X series and the new U8N series (review coming soon) TVs, and incorporate technology from the ULED X lineup. Specifically, they use Hisense’s Hi-View Engine X picture processing and a mini-LED backlight with up to 5,300 local dimming zones. That’s a strikingly high number, even among the best TVs that use mini-LED – the Hisense U8K, in contrast, topped out at around 1,000 local dimming zones.

As you might expect, the premium tech packaged in the U9N series comes with a price boost over the U8N series, with the 75-inch version selling for $2,999 (around  £2,400 / AU$ 4,530) and $3,999 (around  £3,200 / AU$ 6,050) for the 85-inch version. (Compare that to the $1,999 pricing for the 75-inch Hisense U8N.) Hisense plans to ship both models this summer, and they will be sold at Best Buy and Amazon.

HIsense U9N close up of speaker

The Hisense U9N features substantial side-firing speakers, as shown here. (Image credit: Future)

The U9N series also has a premium design that aligns closely with the ULED X series TVs. That includes an aluminum bezel and side-mounted speakers, with the latter providing the left and right channels for the TV’s built-in 4.1.2 Dolby Atmos speaker system, which gets up to 82 watts of power (on the 85-inch model).

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Bisnis Industri

iOS 18 might revamp many built-in iPhone apps

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iPhone 15. New iPhones will get Presto iOS updates.
iOS 18 could bring some big upgrades to Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple could upgrade many of iPhone’s built-in apps with iOS 18 later this year. Reportedly, this includes Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness.

However, there’s no word on how Apple will improve these core iPhone apps and what features to expect.

Notes, Mail, and other apps could get big upgrades with iOS 18

Apple could upgrade many iPhone system apps in iOS 18 with AI features to improve their functionality. Google is reportedly testing a Summarize feature for long emails in the Gmail for Android app. Apple could offer a similar functionality on its Mail app with iOS 18. Similarly, the Notes app could get an auto-summarize feature along with the ability to use AI to format a note automatically.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman revealed the planned “overhaul” of iOS 18’s built-in apps.

While there are plenty of great third-party email and note-taking apps on the App Store, many iPhone users prefer the stock apps because of how neatly they integrate with the OS. Plus, they are more privacy-focused than other options from the App Store.

iOS 18 could pack a lot of exciting features

Besides AI, Apple may focus on enhancing its system apps in iOS 18. This could explain a recent rumor that indicated iPadOS might finally get a native Calculator app. You can already use Siri as a calculator, but most people are not aware of it. There’s even a hidden calculator on your iPad that you probably don’t know about.

Reports claim iOS 18 could be the most significant update to the OS since its inception. Apple could give Home screen customization a much-needed upgrade and let you finally place apps anywhere you want. The company is also supposedly talking to OpenAI and Google to power iOS 18’s generative AI features. Siri will purportedly also get AI enhancements with the upcoming iOS release, hopefully making it usable. As for the AI features, many of them will seemingly run entirely on-device for privacy reasons.



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Entertainment

Recteq adds Flagship XL and built-in models to its smart pellet grill lineup

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Recteq revealed five new smart pellet grills in October, including unique dual-chamber and griddle options. Now, the company is back with two more models: a larger version of the recently overhauled Flagship 1100 and a built-in design for outdoor kitchens.

The Flagship XL 1400 has all of the updates that were announced with the Flagship 1100 last fall, including the updated Wi-Fi-enabled controller and sturdier leg design. The key difference on this new version is increased cooking capacity. The Flagship XL 1400 has 1,437 square inches of grilling space, with a second grate situated above the main cooking surface. Recteq also increased the size of the pellet hopper, which can now hold a massive 60 pounds of fuel when full. Depending on which brand you use, that’s at least three bags of pellets — way more than even the longest brisket cook will require.

Like the Flagship 1100, this XL version does more than low-and-slow smoking as it has a temperature range of 180-650 degrees Fahrenheit. And the Wi-Fi connectivity means you can adjust cooking temps and monitor internal food temperatures from your phone. The Flagship XL 1400 is available now for $1,599.

Recteq Flagship XL 1400 smart pellet grill on a white background. The black and silver unit sits on a sturdy rolling cart with the company's trademark horn-shaped handles on the lid. A Wi-Fi-connected controller and display is mounted on the front of a side shelf that sits on the left side.

Recteq Flagship XL 1400 (Recteq)

Permanent outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular spaces for socializing at home. These typically include a grill that’s been mounted into some type of fixed counter or cabinetry, but there aren’t a lot of options if you want to do that with a pellet grill. Most people simply remove the legs or cart for a pellet model to make it work in these setups, but Recteq has a new option that’s specifically designed for outdoor kitchens.

The E-Series Built-In 1300 is a fully stainless steel smart pellet grill with 1,300 square inches of cooking space. This model also packs Recteq’s recently updated Wi-FI controller with dual-band connectivity and compatibility with the company’s app. Like the SmokeStone griddle, the E-Series Built-In has a front-fill hopper for easy access and removable secondary cooking grates. The company says an a-frame-shaped drip pan makes grease drainage more efficient and a cast iron deflector helps evenly distribute the heat.

Like the company’s other pellet grills, the E-Series Built-In is more than just a smoker, which means it can be the cornerstone of an outdoor kitchen without needing another grill. This model can run at 180-700 degrees Fahrenheit, which will accommodate everything from barbecue to searing. Grills like this that are permanently installed are typically quite pricey, and the E-Series Built-In 1300 is no exception. It’s $3,499, which is $900 more than the company’s 2,535-square inch “BFG” unit, previously the most expensive option in the Recteq arsenal.

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Entertainment

Blink’s new Mini 2 offers a built-in spotlight and person detection for $40

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Blink is once again attempting to challenge conventional wisdom about how good a $40 security camera can be. The Amazon-owned company is today announcing the Blink Mini 2, which crams in plenty more smart features into that relatively tiny body. Headline features include better image quality day and night, as well as a built-in LED spotlight for color night vision.

Image of a Blink Mini 2 that's comically small compared to the wooden table and vase it's on and next to.

Blink

Paired with Blink’s custom system-on-chip, the Mini 2 will also offer smart notifications and person detection. Those features will require a Blink subscription which, for $3 a month, will get you cloud recording, 60 days of video history and live streaming. You’ll also need to pony up some more to use the Mini 2 outside — $49.98 will get you the camera and the necessary weather proof power adapter.

The Blink Mini 2 is available today in the US and Canada.

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