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

Computex 2019 sees HP return to the VR backpack PC concept with an update on the 2017 Omen X Compact Desktop-- the simply named VR Backpack G2, which drops the Omen branding and adds on the graphical capabilities.

Technically aimed at the enterprise market (HP points out applications such as workplace training and VR development), the VR Backpack G2 still makes an interesting showcase for free-roam VR technology. It carries an 8th generation Intel Core i7 CPU and an Nvidia 2080 GPU to deliver what HP claims are 30% better performance and 25% faster graphics, and is powered by a pair of hot-swappable batteries.

Global wearable device shipments total 49.6 million units in Q1 2019, IDC reports-- a 55.2% Y-o-Y increase, with wrist-worn devices accounting for the majority of the market while ear-worn devices show the fastest growth.

"The elimination of headphone jacks and the increased usage of smart assistants both inside and outside the home have been driving factors in the growth of ear-worn wearables," the analyst says. "Looking ahead, this will become an increasingly important category as major platform and device makers use ear-worn devices as an on-ramp to entice consumers into an ecosystem of wearable devices that complement the smartphone but also offer the ability to leave the phone behind when necessary."

Ear-worn device growth clocks at 135.1% Y-o-Y as shipments account for 34.6% of the market. In comparison, wrist-worn devices account for 63.2% of the market, and show 31.6% Y-o-Y growth. The main driver for wrist-worn devices is a "relentless" focus on health and fitness, with new insights managing to attract an even larger focus.

Apple makes something of a surprise announcement with an update on the iPod-- a first in 4 years, the latest iPod touch carries an A10 Fusion chip, making the venerable portable music player the equivalent of the iPhone 7.

According to the company, the chip upgrade allows the iPod touch to handle AR experiences and Group FaceTime chats, as well as allow for improved game performance. The device offers 256GB of storage, while Apple Music provides a catalog of over 50 million songs, thousands of playlists and Beats 1 Radio access.

Preorders for the first 8K OLED TV-- the 88-inch 88Z9-- from LG are open, with initial sales to take place in S. Korea before availability in Europe and N. America sometime in Q3 2019.

Described as nothing less than "awe inspiring" by the company, the 8K TV features a panel with over 33 million self-emitting pixels bringing to life 7680 x 4320 resolution images. It also promises lifelike colours in a wide viewing angle, as well as an infinite contrast ratio with true blacks. A second generation Alpha 9 processor further improves on image and sound quality, and can even upscale images from both 4K (3840 x 2160) and regular HD (1920 x 1080).