TVs

LG’s new entry-level OLED TV, the B4, has started shipping. Starting at $1,699, it provides the core OLED benefits like perfect blacks and 120Hz gaming performance. But you’d be better off hunting down a deal on last year’s C3 while there’s still supply.

Splurging a little more on the C4 or G4 gets you better brightness, plus other bells and whistles.

That is the name of this segment on The Vergecast about Sony’s new Bravia 9 series that’s ready to challenge OLED.

How much do they cost? That’s harder to discuss, despite David’s prodding.

The Bravia 9 retails for $3,299.99 — and that’s just for the 65-inch model. Going up in size from there, it’s $3,999.99 (75-inch) and $5,499.99 (85-inch).

The Hue Sync TV app for Samsung QLED TVs — previously only available as a one hundred and thirty dollar single-TV unlock — is getting a $3/mo subscription option that works on up to three Samsung TVs. It’s also getting music sync and better SmartThings integration. The update rolls out in spring to 2024 TVs and later for 2022 and 2023 models.

I'm at Samsung's "Unbox and Discover" event, where the company formally launches all the new TVs it announced back at CES — yes, including that anti-glare OLED.

To sweeten the pot this year, Samsung will throw in a free 65-inch TV with select 2024 TV preorders. It's the lower-end TU690T, so it's not going to blow anyone away. But... free is free.

And no, you don’t need to spring for an 8K model to get the freebie.

That’s the price and availability date for LG’s new 4K CineBeam portable projector with laser light source and auto keystone correction and focus. It runs webOS giving you access to Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, Apple TV, Prime Video, and more without needing to attach another box; as well as AirPlay 2 and Micracast screen sharing. It’s only rated for 500 ANSI lumens brightness when on, but it always looks great when it’s off.

With some models set to start shipping as soon as next month, LG has begun sharing pricing details for its 2024 lineup of OLED TVs.

The G4, which offers the very best and brightest picture quality that LG is capable of, starts at $2,499 for the 55-inch size and goes up to $24,999 for a 97-inch model. As usual, I expect most people will stick with the C4 series, which includes more modest brightness improvements at prices that won’t break the bank — especially once sales kick in.

Stay tuned for deeper impressions of LG’s new TVs in the next couple weeks.

The “Your apps” row is getting a refresh with rounded app icons and more of them as well as a new shortcut to free channels and quick access to reorder apps and add more.

Google says the tweaks are rolling out starting today and coming to all devices over the “next few months.”