Acer unveils Windows 8-based tablets, ultrabooks

THE NEW ACER TABS AND ULTRABOOKS

TAIPEI: With the computer industry gearing up for the launch of Windows 8 later this year, technology companies have started to reveal their big plans. At Computex, the world's largest exhibition related to computer products and technologies, Acer on Monday showed a number of devices, including tablets, powered by Microsoft's next operating software. The company said that this year it would launch two tablets (W700 and W510), Aspire 7600U and Aspire 5600U all-in-ones, and Aspire 7 series ultrabooks powered by Windows 8.

Acer said that W510 is a convertible device. "The unique part of the W510 tablet is the tri-mode, allowing users to touch, type and view. Aside from the conventional tablet mode, it can be used in productivity mode. A detachable keyboard dock can be connected to the tablet for optimal typing as well as extending the battery life up to 18 hours. Rotating the tablet 295 degrees allows it to be used in presentation mode, which is excellent for watching a video, browsing a webpage or viewing a PowerPoint presentation," the company said.

W510 has a screen size of 10.1 inches while W700 has a full HD 11.6-inch screen.The smaller tablet will be priced at Rs $799 while W700 will cost at least $999.

S7 series ultrabooks will be available in two sizes -- 13.3-inch and 11.6-inch. Despite the comparatively small screens, both ultrabooks have full HD resolution and aluminum unibody design. The larger model also sports a glossy, sculpted glass cover.

The 13.3-inch model offers up to 12 hours of battery life, while the 11.6-inch model can run for up to 9 hours. Acer's S7 Series also features a light-sensing keyboard, which automatically detects changes in lighting conditions and adjusts the keyboard backlight brightness.

The Aspire 7600U has a touchscreen with support for 64 touch points. Acer said that Aspire 5600U is the thinnest all-in-one PC currently.


Courtesy: The Times Of India

Hands-on: ViewSonic VCD 22, world’s largest ‘tablet’

TAIPEI: It's not exactly a tablet. But it's not really a desktop computer either. VCD 22 is a unique device. It is a low-power, all-in-one device with a 22-inch touchscreen. It runs on Android 4.0 aka Ice Cream Sandwich! At Computex 2012 we had a chance to use the device briefly. As a concept, the VCD 22 doesn't make any sense. After using it, we can say it looks even worse of a folly than what it appears on paper.

THE NEW ViewSonic VCD 22

There is virtually nothing right about VCD 22. In terms of hardware, it is a daringly low-powered device. As far as design is concerned, it looks just like any other regular monitor, complete with a TN (Twisted Nematic) panel screen with a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels and poor viewing angles that most monitors have. Under the hood there is a 1Ghz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM.

During our use, we found the user experience to be poor. The 1Ghz dual-core processor struggled to provide smooth experience. There was lag while switching between tasks and browsing apps. The bigger issue was the Android on a 22-inch screen. The operating software is just not meant for large screens. The scaling of user interface to a full HD resolution made it look blurry. When the apps designed for mobile phones were used on the big screen, not only they looked ugly but also functionally wrong.

The VCD 22 we used had a number of educational apps preloaded on it. Like there was an app that showed anatomy of human body. This hints that Viewsonic may sell the device only in schools or colleges. If that is the case, the device may work though Viewsonic will have to sort out the performance part. But in the current state VCD22 is definitely not for mainstream users and homes.


Courtesy: The Times Of India

Huawei to launch MediaPad tablet soon

THE NEW HUAWEI MEDIAPAD

Huawei Technologies Co, China's largest maker of phone equipment, said its MediaPad tabletcomputers are being tested by Tribune as news readers. 

The Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times are conducting trials of the tablets through the end of this month, and the devices may be rolled out nationwide once those tests are complete, said James Jiang, executive vice president of product solutions at Huawei's device business in the US. 

Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei is diversifying the company into consumer mobile devices to expand business in the US, where lawmakers have opposed sales of its phone-network equipment because of his Chinese military background. Tribune Chief Executive Officer Eddy Hartenstein is seeking to add a new business to stem losses from declining newspaper circulation and increased printing costs. 

"We are always looking for opportunities to provide companies with products and solutions that will enhance the level of service that they provide to their customers," Jiang said in an e-mail. "In this case, it is about providing the Tribune's readers with a platform that allows them to access news and other content." 

The Chicago-based Tribune Co, which also owns radio and TV stations, filed for bankruptcy in 2008, one year after a leveraged buyout led by real-estate billionaire Sam Zell. Tribune, valued earlier this year by the company at more than $7 billion, owes creditors about $13 billion. The company said May 15 it will stop publishing LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine, on June 3. 

THE NEW HUAWEI MediaPad

Gary Weitman, a Tribune spokesman, declined to comment. 

Huawei unveiled the MediaPad tablet, which runs Google's Android operating system, last year as profit was cut by half. Huawei plans to boost total revenue as much as 20 per cent this year, aided by the push into the consumer market, Controller CT Johnson said last month.

Amazon to launch front-lit Kindle soon: Source

Amazon.com will launch new versions of its Kindle e-reader and tablet, including amonochrome e-reader with front lighting, a source who has seen the prototype told Reuters. 

The world's largest internet retailer is aiming to have the new e-reader in stores in July, said the source, who has direct knowledge of the matter but asked not to be named because Amazon has not yet made the decision public. 

Amazon has been ramping up production of the new Kindle, which will run on E Ink's display, the source said. 

Amazon's Kindle e-reader has been popular, but readers have had to buy an external light to attach to the device to read in the dark. The front light eliminates that problem. 

"I do see demand for a front-lit Kindle," said Jennifer Colegrove, Vice President of Emerging Display Technologies at DisplaySearch, an NPD Group company, which monitors trends in the display sector. 

There is a trade-off, she said: "Front-lit will consume battery power and (it'll) run out ... quicker." 

Amazon also plans to launch a new tablet closer to the holiday season later this year, the source said. The new Kindle Fire is expected to have a bigger diagonal display of 8.9 inches, bringing it closer in size to Apple's iPad. The company did not respond to calls or emails seeking comment. 

"We don't comment on our customers' launch plans," said Sri Peruvemba, Chief Marketing Officer for E Ink Holdings, the supplier of Kindle's ePaper technology. 

"E Ink is an innovator and for the past 10 years, we have consistently delivered new products, major enhancements to existing products, and unique designs, so it is not surprising that there is constant speculation about what we will do next," said Peruvemba. 

While Barnes & Noble was the first to market with a glowing e-reader, there has been speculation about Amazon being a close second. 

Amazon will launch the new Kindle e-reader in the touch 3G and touch Wi-Fi versions, the source said. 

"They can afford to add a front light because the component is not very expensive and their display otherwise uses very little energy," said Colegrove. 

An increase of about $10 above the current prices should be "quite reasonable," she said. 

The source said Amazon was likely to keep prices the same, or raise them by a very small margin, if at all. 

Some blogs had speculated on the possibility of a color-equipped e-reader, but the source said that there was very little chance of Amazon launching one this year. Though Amazon has held can talks with E Ink, the companies haven't reached any concrete decisions yet, he said. 

Vinita Jakhanwal, an analyst at IHS iSuppli, which tracks electronic component supply chains, said when she looked at the color e-paper product in a trade show in October, that it needed "a lot of technological improvements" to be used in a products in large volumes. 

"I doubt if the color Kindle is ready for a launch," she said.

HP Slate 8 tablet with Windows 8 up in the anvil

HP may be working on a Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro based tablet/slate with 10.1-inch display for the enterprise segment.

HP Slate 8

PC and laptop manufacturer, Hewlett-Packard (HP) though could not enjoy enough glory with its Windows 7 based tablet - Slate 500, the company is ready for second innings. Neowin.net, a technology related website, has reported about a leaked presentation slide of HP that points at a Windows 8 based tablet being planned by the company. Named as HP Slate 8, the tablet will feature 10.1-inch display and will mere 9.2mm thin.

HP did plan to go big with the Windows 7 operating system based tablets and started off with the HP Slate 500 across the globe. Apparently, consumers were more inclined towards the Apple iPad and Android OS based tablets. Meanwhile, HP purchased Palm back in mid-2010 and rumours of the Palm WebOS based tablets started making rounds.

Now a presentation slide carrying a Windows 8 based tablet mockup was leaked along with some basic information about the slate. To be branded as HP Slate 8, this tablet will feature 10.1-inch touchscreen display. Interesting part is that this HP Slate 8 will not feature ARM based processor. Its description mentions that the tablet will run Windows 8 Pro operating system - mostly targeted towards enterprises.

This HP Slate 8 might feature the Intel Atom 'Clover Trail-W' processors set to be unveiled in late third quarter of this year. Besides, the Slate 8 will offer multi-touch and stylus support. In total, the Slate 8 is expected to offer battery life of 8 to 10 hours according to the information listed on the slide.

Other distinct features of this tablet include virtualisation support, PC Management, domain connectivity and enterprise level docking. The HP Slate 8 may not exactly look like the one in the mock-up but certainly comes with interesting set of features.

We can expect HP to announce this tablet sometime later this year.

Courtesy: The Mobile Indian