The start of the New Year is here and that means the arrival of the annual CES conference in Las Vegas. CES has always been where the best innovations in consumer technology are showcased and this year is bound to feature some of the most exciting new technologies we can expect to be available on store shelves this year. While the conference itself opens on January 5, many companies have already held their CES 2017 press conferences the day before.
One of those companies include LG, who was the first major company to hold their press conference on January 4. During their press conference, the company showed off several new devices and technologies which focused on creating a more advanced and smarter home experience. We’ve rounded up all of LG’s major announcements so you can get a glimpse of what’s in store from the company this year.
Next-generation sound bars
One of the first things LG showed off at CES 2017 is their new lineup of next-generation audio devices including a new line-up of sound bars and sound systems.
“LG’s new audio products feature powerful capabilities, sophisticated designs, and a high level of sound fidelity and versatility for a diverse range of listeners,” said Tim Alessi, head of product marketing at LG Electronics USA. “LG continues to push boundaries to offer sound systems that are perfect for any listening occasion, and the new 2017 lineup is the perfect demonstration of this.”
Leading LG’s latest sound bar line-up is the SJ9 which features Dolby Atmos technology as well as what the company is calling 4K High Resolution Audio which, when paired with the device’s built-in 24-bit upsampling, allows the sound bar to output twice the audio data which then allows it to “faithfully recreate sounds that were originally recorded in the studio.” Lastly, the SJ9 is also equipped with 4K Pass-Through allowing for uncompromised video quality and improved video and audio syncronization.
LG also showed off the little brother of the SJ9, the slim SJ8 which features a profile of only 1.5-inches and the ability to seamlessly integrate with any of LG’s new 2017 TV models. The SJ8 comes equipped with some of the same features of the SJ9 including 4K High Resolution Audio, 4K Pass-Through, and built-in compatibility with Google’s Chromecast. The SJ8, with the TV Perfect Fit Kit, can also be installed into some of LG’s new TVs as a replacement for the TV’s original stand.
Rounding off its new sound bar line-up is the SJ7 which, in spite being called a sound bar, is in actuality two separate speakers that can either be both placed in the front of the room or with one speaker in front and one behind the audience to provide a surround sound experience. Additionally, one of the two speakers is equipped with a built-in battery so it may be used as a portable Bluetooth speaker when switched to portable mode.
New year, new OLED TV lineup
It’s been the routine of LG to unveil a new line of televisions every year at CES and this year the company announced a total of ten different OLED TV models for their 2017 lineup. The new series of televisions is led by the new flagship LG Signature OLED TV W-series which features an innovative Picture-on-Wall design that gives the television panel an amazing thickness of only 2.57mm (for the 65-inch model) making it integrate cleanly and almost seamlessly into someone’s home. According to LG, the TV follows their “less is more” philosophy.
“Led by the LG SIGNATURE OLED TV W-series, our TV lineup at CES 2017 demonstrates our commitment to innovation and leadership in OLED and the premium TV market globally,” said Tim Alessi, head of product marketing at LG Electronics USA. “With Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos integrated into our newest OLED products, viewers can recapture the magic of the cinema and experience their favorite movies with their original clarity, depth and imagination intact.”
The new series of OLED TVs include the 77- and 65-inch variants of the aforementioned flagship W7, 77- and 65-inch variants of the G7, 65- and 55-inch E7, 65- and 55-inch C7, and 65- and 55-inch B7. While the W7 features LG’s Picture-on-Wall design, the G7 and E7 features the company’s Picture-on-Glass design and the B7 and C7 come in the company’s new blade-slim design. All of LG’s new OLED TVs feature Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision technologies as well as Active HDR and the company’s latest WebOS interface.
Robots are taking over
One of the most exciting line of products the company unveiled during their press conference is the company’s new generation of intelligent robots. The new line-up consists of the Hub Robot designed for the smart home, the Airport Guide Robot for assisting passengers, the Airport Cleaning Robot which is an industrial-sized robot vacuum, and the Lawn Mowing Robot. All of the company’s new robots are built on the company’s years of development with its HOM-BOT robot vacuum cleaner.
The Hub Robot which features a design that seems to be somewhat inspired by EVE from the Disney Pixar movie WALL-E. It will be powered by Amazon Alexa’s voice recognition service and can connect to other smart devices and appliances in the home, allowing it to not only operate several of the appliances such as the air conditioner and dryer but also display relevant information from those appliances such as giving a preview of the contents of the refrigerator as well as display recipes and more.
The Hub Robot is also capable of performing other household tasks such as play music, set alarms, create reminders and memos, and provide weather and traffic updates and information. LG is also planning on creating smaller support robots for the Hub Robot to be placed at other areas of the house where the Hub Robot can’t easily reach.
