On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

A blog post by Xbox head Phil Spencer spills further details on the potential capabilities of the next generation Xbox console, the Xbox Series X-- a machine the company claims "represents a superior balance of power and speed in console design."

The Series X carries a custom AMD processor based on Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architecture. It promises four times the processing power of the Xbox One, as well as up to 12 TFLOPS of GPU performance, twice of the Xbox One X. The result is a "true generational leap" in terms of processing and graphics power, allowing for higher framerates, larger game worlds and sophisticated graphics technologies such as Variable Rate Shading (VRS) and DirectX Raytracing.

Qualcomm presents an extended reality (XR) headset reference design based on the Snapdragon XR2 platform-- making what the company claims is the first 5G-enabled XR reference design.

According to Qualcomm, the headset culminates four generation of XR reference design with "breakthrough foundational technology," all while simplifying complex technology. The reference design promises x2 the CPU and GPU performance, x4 more video bandwidth, x6 higher resolution and x11 AI improvement compared to the previous generation Qualcomm XR platform, and supports no less x7 cameras.

Concerns involving the coronavirus (aka Covid-19) have affected two of the biggest CE vendors in the world-- Reuters reports both Samsung and LG are closing factories in S. Korea following employees testing positive for the virus.

The first closure involves a Samsung mobile device factory complex in the city of Gumi. The company confirmed one case of an infected employee at the factory, leading to the shutdown of the entire facility. In addition, all colleagues of the infected employee were put in self-quarantine, and are being tested for possible infection.

Logitech gaming brand Logitech G and furniture maker Herman Miller announce a partnership to develop "next generation high-performance furniture solution for gamers," with the first product being, perhaps predictably, a gaming chair.

"Logitech G is committed to creating the best gear for gamers. We make that possible through a unique collaboration process between our design and engineering teams, partners and our customers to translate needs and capabilities into products that gamers love,” Logitech says. “Herman Miller was the obvious choice for us to partner with given their more than 100 years of expertise. Together we will deliver amazing products with advanced ergonomics, comfort and performance that gamers deserve."