Dell’s Alienware has redesigned its gaming laptops with the debut of the m16 R2. It is also coming to market with Pro Line peripherals and two new QD-OLED curved gaming monitors, being showcased this week at CES 2024 in Las Vegas. The new m16 R2 laptop has a slimmed down look, with a reduced heat shelf and Stealth Mode that turns off the glitzy lighting and boisterous sound for gamers who want their portable hardware to perform double duty as a productivity device. The company also unveiled its first competitive gaming peripherals, the Alienware Pro wireless mouse and keyboard. Read more

Telecommunications attorney and FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, in conversation with CTA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs David Grossman on the CES stage, talked about her decision to cast a vote to restart net neutrality rules. “I agree with a lot of what [FCC Commissioner Brendan] Carr said about it,” she explained, referring to his remarks deeming net neutrality not as relevant as it was in the early 2000s. “But broadband connectivity is central to everyone’s lives and it’s important to have guardrails to make sure that all consumers benefit from a competitive product.” Read more

The FCC’s Brendan Carr, the senior Republican Commissioner, in conversation with Consumer Technology Association Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs Rachel Nemeth, addressed the fact that the FCC’s spectrum auction authority has expired. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and her fellow Commissioners have called for its renewal. Nemeth asked Carr to comment on how the end of spectrum auctions would impact technologies such as voice recognition and IoT devices that are “on the cusp” of coming together to be “more seamless and practical for the consumer.” His answer was that spectrum is vital for connectivity and “our geopolitical leadership.” Read more

Consumer Technology Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Michael Petricone moderated a lively CES panel on the importance of fostering a dynamic and competitive marketplace, which, he says, has “profound implications for technology and how we live.” “CES is the most appropriate place to have this conversation,” he noted. Those in support of antitrust regulation didn’t have much of a chance to make its case, as the panel was composed of four ardent anti-regulation advocates, with a single panelist who stood up for the ongoing need for antitrust regulation in today’s market. Read more

TCL’s new 115-inch mini-LED television is drawing crowds at CES 2024, where it’s garnering notice for its 20,000 local dimming zones and 5,000 nits peak brightness. The IMAX Enhanced TV has a 120Hz QLED display panel with anti-glare coating. The model, TCL QM891G, also features built-in 6.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos speakers and an ATSC 3.0 tuner for NextGen TV broadcasts. TCL says its new smart TV is 2.5 times brighter than any currently available television. The company also debuted two other mini-LED TVs (at 75-98 inches) and a pair of new QLEDs (43-98 inches). All of them offer 4K resolution. Read more