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Klipsch expands the plug-and-play Reference powered speaker series with the 2-channel R-28PF towers and the R-14PM monitor speakers, both promising "groundbreaking" technology.

The speakers feature easy setup to any audio source via wide range of digital, analog and wireless inputs, are turntable-, PC- and TV-ready, and feature a 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and RIAA-equalised phono preamplifier. Bluetooth allows use with any device, while a subwoofer output blends the speakers with any powered subwoofer.

The R-28PF floorstanding speakers push audio in a 2-channel configuration. They carry dual 8-inch copper spun magnetically shielded IMG woofers, 1-inch linear travel suspension (LTS) in Tractrix horns and custom-designed bi-amplified ultra-low noise 260W amplifiers. A digital crossover, equaliser and limiters deliver high performance without distortion.

Gefen from Core Brands starts shipping the EXT-UHD600A-88 4K UHD 600MHz 8x8 Matrix for HDMI, with support for 18.2Gbps of bandwidth and 600MHz TMDS Clock frequency.

First seen at ISE 2017, the EXT-UHD600A-88 handles the HDMI 2.0 standard. It routes eight 4K sources to eight 4K displays, and supports resolutions up to 4K Cinema-DCI (4096 x 2160 up to 60Hz, 4:4:4), 4K UHD (3860x2160 up to 60Hz 4:4:4) with HDR, 1080p full HD and WUXGA (1920x1200). It also supports HDCP 2.2 and 1.4, 3DTV pass-through and Lip Sync pass-through.

Windows Central reveals Windows PCs are getting a new capability-- the Cortana Menu application has a "Connected Home" section, allowing users to sign in to different smart home control services.

Currently Connected Home is limited to 5 services, specifically Wink, Insteon, Nest, SmartThings and Hue. It runs on both Windows 10 desktop and mobile, and once connected users can manage the devices linked to service in question, such as Hue lights or Nest thermostats, through the Microsoft voice-controlled assistant.

The revelation comes as Microsoft and Harman Kardon start shipping the fruit of their recent collaboration-- the Invoke, a cylindrical speaker promising "rich, captivating sound" as well as the capabilities of the Cortana digital assistant. Like rivals such as the Amazon Echo the Invoke can also control connected devices.

ASSA Abloy, the Swedish lock conglomerate and owner of Yale, among other brands, buys into smart locks with August Home. Financial details of the deal are not available.

As the biggest lock and access company in the world, ASSA Abloy operates in over 70 countries. It claims it has been a market leader since 1881, and is currently looking to consolidate its position through buying further in the next big thing in locks, namely smart technology. After all it also owns Yale, maker of a number of HomeKit- and Alexa-compatible products.

Founded in 2013, August offers a popular smart lock range in the US, even but its products remain unavailable in other markets. It also dabbles in smart home through an Alexa- and HomeKit-compatible smart doorbell.

Sony looks to differentiate its take on the smart speaker with a spot of cuteness-- the Xperia Hello is an Alexa-compatible number featuring a 4.55-inch display and a round, animated face.

First presented in concept form back at MWC 2016, the Xperia Hello is an Android-based device able to recognise facial expressions and gestures as well as voice through a camera on top of the swivelling "face." The camera is paired with 7 microphones and 4 motion sensors, allowing the Hello to detect people approaching within a 3m radius.