Pocket-lint Daily - OnePlus 11 announced & colour-changing VW

CES starts today! By Rik Henderson | Wednesday January 04 2023 CES kicks off today! - If you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( [Facebook]([Twitter]([Instagram]( [Website](  OnePlus 11 5G officially launched in China ahead of global release ONEPLUS What's happened? OnePlus - following its launch strategy from 2022 - has [launched its new flagship phone]( in China ahead of a global launch. That means we have a full picture of the device more than a month before it's unveiled during its international launch event in India in February. Why does it matter? The OnePlus 11 5G itself is pretty much exactly what we expected it would be following weeks (and months) of rumours and leaks. And - looking at the spec sheet - it appears this is the company's 'Pro' phone in all but name. What's my take? Long gone are the days when OnePlus held just one launch event. Since its acquisition by BK Electronics in China, it follows a similar strategy to the likes of Oppo, Vivo and other brands under the same umbrella. Admittedly, there's still a big buzz around its phones and there's certainly plenty of interest in its latest flagship. Certainly the specs seem up to scratch, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor leading the way, closely followed by a neat triple-camera solution on the rear. It's just a shame that the cat is no longer even in the same room as the bag ahead of the global launch in India on 7 February. I'm not sure just how exciting that event will be, considering.  VW ID.7 shows off its sleek lines with colour-changing paint VOLKSWAGEN What's happened? The [next electric model from Volkswagen]( will be the ID.7, which follows on from the ID. Aero concept that was recently shown off. Why does it matter? For the body, VW uses a clever electroluminescence system that will allow it to change colour. There are 22 different zones that can be controlled, and they can even be linked to the car's sound system. It's comprised of 40 layers of paint, some conductive and some insulating, to create the effect. What's my take? The VW ID.7 is just one car to grace CES this year, with the show expected to host plenty of EVs and other automotive innovations. However, the others will have to go some to top colour-changing paint. It's worth noting though that this is still a pre-production view of the next VW electric car. The paint job may not make it to the final model or, if it does, it might just be a hugely expensive add-on.  A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR Introducing Mkeke's iPhone cases: Protection and style at your fingertips MKEKE Smartphones are no longer just a luxury item - they're a necessity. However, ensuring your phone has the protection it needs is essential. Many people don't realise that the right case can make all the difference. Mkeke has taken the concept of protection for iPhones to the next level with its stylish and durable cases. [Read how here](.  Acer Predator Helios 18 initial review: Gaming on the go gets bigger POCKET-LINT What's happened? For the most dedicated of gamers, the Predator Helios range has always been the go-to in Acer’s line up - packing a power and performance edge on the Nitro range, with a price tag to match. This year, Acer is keeping things simple, announcing two new Predator laptops at CES 2023, which both offer a pared-back design and a more straightforward naming convention. Most interestingly, it is packing the range's biggest screen size yet, with the 18-inch Predator Helios 18. Our quick verdict The Acer Predator Helios 18 is the company's biggest gaming laptop yet, with a refined design and enhanced thermal management system - also available in a 16-inch version, the Predator Helios 16. It offers plenty of options for customisation, including Intel's 13th Generation i7 and i9 processors, and Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, for a "desktop lite" gaming performance on the go. We're yet to get chance to dig deeper than its design and on-paper specs, but for gamers that want big screen portability, the Predator Helios 18 looks like a beast to be reckoned with. [Read our preview](.  In Case You Missed it [Samsung's 2023 TVs]( are to come in OLED, Micro LED and Neo QLED flavours. --- Apple's AR/VR headset [will cost $3,000+]( as details leak. --- Fitbit Versa 4 has a third off [at just $155]( (was $229.95). That's over a $70 saving for the blue version of the fitness tracking smartwatch.  From The Gear Loop WATERROWER / ERGATTA Ergatta Rower review: WaterRower joins forces with Ergatta to gamify the indoor rowing experience. [Read more](.  And finally... CTA Check out the [best strategy games available for the Xbox Series X/S]( right now.  Have you checked out our weekly podcast that comes out every Friday? It's packed with news, interviews, and top things to get. You can subscribe to the Pocket-lint Podcast via [iTunes]( and [Spotify](,  or access it on the web via [Acast](. In this edition, we talk about the EE Pocket-lint Awards 2022 and discuss all the winners. [Listen to the latest episode today.]( Thanks for reading - if you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( [The Trust Project] [Why you can trust Pocket-lint]( You are subscribed to this email as {EMAIL}. Click here to modify your [preferences]( or [unsubscribe](.