0:00:03 > 0:00:05In a moment we'll have Newswatch - first it's time for Click.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Five, four, three, two, one.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Commence lift-off.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36There was a time when a launch meant a launch meant a launch.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38It was something big, something special.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Something to remember.
0:00:44 > 0:00:52Something could go into orbit or go up in flames.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57Ignition sequence start.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59These days, of course, launches also look like this.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05And this week in September, the tech world is going launch crazy.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Apple is fuelling the good ship iPhone.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13Sony has started a PlayStation countdown.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16And everyone else has been over at IFA, launching
0:01:16 > 0:01:16everything they can.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19But are any going to be stellar?
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Or is everyone just having a launch because they feel they should?
0:01:24 > 0:01:25Let's find out.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27If you are ready.
0:01:27 > 0:01:28Let's do launch.
0:01:30 > 0:01:36And if you can't get to space, these days, space can come to you.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39There is Jupiter.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41There's Saturn.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44And all its moons.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46It is whistling past Uranus.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49And onto Neptune.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Yes, I've got my hands on the first device to use
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Google's Project Tango,
0:01:54 > 0:02:00something we saw in prototype a couple of years ago.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03This is a 3D sensing system that can learn about the landscape
0:02:03 > 0:02:04that it's in.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07It uses motion tracking, area learning and twin cameras
0:02:07 > 0:02:13to determine and remember the distance to everything it sees.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16And that should lead to a more intelligent augmented reality
0:02:16 > 0:02:20experience which means you won't be just play gimmicky games any more.
0:02:20 > 0:02:27You'll be able to do sensible things too like furnish your office.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Pick a room that needs a spruce-up and then you can drop
0:02:31 > 0:02:32in a new stool or two.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35This is not the first interior design application I've seen
0:02:35 > 0:02:38but the addition of Tango's depth perception should make this kind
0:02:38 > 0:02:39of thing more accurate.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43And if you want to rip up the room and start again,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46there is this rather finicky tape measure which does kind of show
0:02:46 > 0:02:49the limitations of those senses at the moment.
0:02:49 > 0:02:55However, on the few occasions that we have got it to work
0:02:55 > 0:02:59properly, I can confirm 1.5 metres, that it is right.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Which is better than most tape measure apps I've ever used.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06That is the smart furniture sorted and now we need a smart home for it
0:03:06 > 0:03:12to go in.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13Now we hand over to Jane
0:03:13 > 0:03:15at to Europe's largest tech expo, IFA.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18There are many new smart home technology concepts launched at IFA.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21Over the past few years, we have learned about
0:03:21 > 0:03:26the Internet of things.
0:03:26 > 0:03:37Making our products intelligent.
0:03:37 > 0:03:43The halls here were dominated by ideas of bringing
0:03:43 > 0:03:45From refrigerators growing herbs to quick drying hair extensions.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47And of course, the connected home.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50So for ?,1500, you can get this connected system from Laurastar.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52You might wonder why that it is useful.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55You can use the app to make the perfect movement.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58There are no sensors in this ironing board cover but you have folding
0:03:58 > 0:04:01lines here so you can perfect your technique with kids
0:04:01 > 0:04:02clothes and men's shirts.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08There is a fan to keep everything cool.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Connected kitchen concepts are everywhere here including
0:04:12 > 0:04:15this rather impressive display from Panasonic.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18The concept of this future kitchen is that it is really
0:04:18 > 0:04:18in the background.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21The comfort and the ease of use is in the foreground.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25This includes a sake fridge which maintains temperature
0:04:25 > 0:04:26and humidity for each bottle
0:04:26 > 0:04:28and recommends recipes for your drinks and is connected
0:04:28 > 0:04:32to sensors in the fridge which keeps an eye on when ingredients
0:04:32 > 0:04:35are running low and orders them from an online shop for you.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39All this data is passed on to a very clever hub which starts warming up
0:04:39 > 0:04:41at the right temperature to cook your selection.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44The induction heaters even extend your kitchen table so you can
0:04:44 > 0:04:45keep your food warm.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49When you finish cooking, you can relax and watch television
0:04:49 > 0:04:52on a transparent glass door in your cupboard
0:04:52 > 0:04:56and also receive a notification
0:04:56 > 0:04:59that your laundry has been folded by the robot next door.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01And slightly more practical than a laundry robot,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Chinese company Haier has made a washing machine with two drums
0:05:04 > 0:05:07and an app to control them when you are away from home
0:05:07 > 0:05:10but the question is, how many people are using any
0:05:10 > 0:05:12of this stuff at the moment?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14There is a very strong technology push right now.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15In terms of features.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18All appliances are connected.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22We can turn them on.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25The consumer pool in Europe is slightly lower.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28I'm sure it will grow and our brand will be fully ready
0:05:28 > 0:05:28to serve the end consumer.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Time for another launch.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44If you want to hurtle into no man's sky on a videogames console,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46it will need to be a PS4.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48It is an exclusive, you know?
0:05:48 > 0:05:52But will it be the current PS4 or the new PS4 or the other new PS4?
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Confused?
0:05:56 > 0:06:02We were too but here is Mark Cieslak with full launch coverage.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06PlayStation head honcho Andrew House did not waste any time announcing
0:06:06 > 0:06:13the worst kept secret in games
0:06:13 > 0:06:15at this week's at Sony's press event in New York.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18We will introduce a PS4 system that is slimmer,
0:06:18 > 0:06:24lighter and more energy-efficient.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Bizarrely, reports online of PlayStation 4 Slims being made
0:06:26 > 0:06:28available for sale
0:06:28 > 0:06:30on eBay weeks before the console was even officially announced.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35Weird distribution issues aside, the Slim is just that,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38a PS4 that has been on a diet, which shares the same specification
0:06:38 > 0:06:46as the current machine.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49The big news was saved for the announcement of the console
0:06:49 > 0:06:52previously known as PlayStation Neo but now dubbed PlayStation 4 Pro.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02A 1 terabyte hard drive and upgraded hardware which supports improved
0:07:02 > 0:07:04graphics when used with a 4K TV.
0:07:04 > 0:07:10There is HDR, or high-dynamic range visuals.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Weirdly, it doesn't have the UHD Blu-ray player.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17While the improved graphics are a big upgrade in resolution
0:07:17 > 0:07:20from the 1080p high-def images created by the current machine,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23the HDR will help by introducing extra brightness and improved
0:07:23 > 0:07:23contrast to the pictures as well.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Games such as Horizon Zero Dawn were demonstrated with
0:07:27 > 0:07:34the machine's improved graphics.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Sony also suggested games could be reworked to improve high-resolution
0:07:37 > 0:07:48images of which the game is capable.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51The Pro also has extra processing grunt and pitch which will be used
0:07:51 > 0:07:53to improve the visuals.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57But is this two-tier ecosystem a good thing for gamers?
0:07:57 > 0:08:01It means there is a lower-price console for those who cannot afford
0:08:01 > 0:08:03to buy the higher spec
0:08:03 > 0:08:05but at the same time
0:08:05 > 0:08:11there is a better model out there and anybody who has the lowest
0:08:11 > 0:08:13spec model will want to spend their time wanting
0:08:13 > 0:08:14the higher spec model.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Sony is not alone in the new console stakes.
0:08:17 > 0:08:23Nintendo has a new machine waiting in the wings dubbed the NX.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26There is not much being confirmed about it yet though we do know that
0:08:26 > 0:08:30technically, it is going to be less powerful than its rivals.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Right, launch time again, and arguably no-one does launches
0:08:49 > 0:08:51like these guys do launches.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Apple's events create more hype than any other,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56and these were the scenes on Wednesday,
0:08:56 > 0:08:58as the iPhone 7 blasted onto the scene.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00It is now waterproof, it has stereo speakers,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02and the larger version now has two cameras,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04a wide-angle and a telephoto,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07which means you can choose your shot size without losing quality
0:09:07 > 0:09:09by using a digital zoom.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13But by far the biggest impact was made by the removal
0:09:13 > 0:09:14of the headphone port,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17something that has been a standard in devices for decades.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24Your choices now are buying new headphones that use
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Apple's Lightning connector,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31buying new, rechargeable wireless headphones,
0:09:31 > 0:09:32like these new AirPods, for ?159 -
0:09:32 > 0:09:34what?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Or using your current headphones and this adaptor.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Right.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Oh, and the Apple Watch is now are water resistant,
0:09:42 > 0:09:46and will tell you if there is a Pokemon nearby.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Dave Lee is our man in San Fran, and he was at the launch.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51Dave, hi.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53How is it going?
0:09:53 > 0:09:56You have had a couple of days to ruminate on Apple's announcement.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57How would you rate this launch?
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Well, we didn't think it was going to be a massive,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02massive improvement on last year's iPhone,
0:10:02 > 0:10:03and it wasn't, really.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Incremental improvements, not a huge year in the history
0:10:06 > 0:10:07of the iPhone.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10But I think people, as ever, were impressed with what Apple has
0:10:10 > 0:10:11come up with.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13OK, so the big talking point is the removal
0:10:13 > 0:10:15of that headphone connector.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20So do you think, when you open your iPhone 7 box, you are going to get
0:10:20 > 0:10:22a nice pair of iPhone 7-compatible headphones in there?
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Well, you are not going to get the wireless ones, I can tell
0:10:26 > 0:10:26you that much.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30They are $159 if you want the new cool, wireless EarPods,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33as they are called, but you will get an adaptor.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37It is a bit ugly looking, could be a bit fiddly if you have
0:10:37 > 0:10:39to have that always with you in your pocket.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42But that is their workaround, and Apple are sticking to it.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44They think that will do the job.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Dave, thank you for being there.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Stay there, keep watching.
0:10:49 > 0:10:55You know where to find me.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59No, you hang up!
0:10:59 > 0:11:00So there we have it.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03A week packed with launches, but have any of them been the moon
0:11:04 > 0:11:05shot we want them to be?
0:11:05 > 0:11:11Have any of them boldly gone, or even gone boldly?
0:11:11 > 0:11:13We have had phones that are a bit better,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15consoles incrementally improved,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17and TVs with slightly more colour.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20And everyone make sure you remember where you were when you saw Pokemon
0:11:20 > 0:11:23land on a smartwatch.