PC sales climb as pandemic keeps consumers at home — trackers

Gartner and International Data Corporation (IDC) reports released Thursday show shipments of desktop computers, laptops and workstations grew in the second quarter as pandemic-related disruptions to the supply chain were overcome.

“The strong demand driven by work-from-home as well as e-learning needs has surpassed previous expectations and has once again put the PC at the center of consumers’ tech portfolio,” said IDC Mobile Device Trackers research manager Jitesh Ubrani.


“What remains to be seen is if this demand and high level of usage continues during a recession and into the post-COVID world since budgets are shrinking while schools and workplaces reopen.”

IDC determined that PC shipments worldwide jumped 11.2% to 72.3 million units in the same quarter a year earlier. Gartner had the climb at 2.8%, to 64.8 million units.

Both market trackers ranked HP and Lenovo as the top two PC makers, with Dell in third place. Apple, which doesn’t use Microsoft’s Windows operating system but is nevertheless grouped among PC makers, came in fourth.

Gartner research director Mikako Kitagawa described the second-quarter figures as a short-term recovery, with some of the growth due to distributors and shops restocking supplies as they become available.


Early indicators suggest strong PC shipments for education, business, and consumer uses such as streaming entertainment, according to IDC’s devices and displays research vice president Linn Huang.

“With inventory still back-ordered, this goodwill will continue into July,” Huang said.

“However, as we head deeper into a global recession, the goodwill sentiment will increasingly sour.”

Agence France-Presse

Lenovo returns to smartphone market in PH, launches new home devices, PCs

MANILA -- Lenovo is re-entering the smartphone market in the Philippines with three new models, on top of the company's latest lineup of personal computers and home devices.

The Lenovo K5 Play, K5 Pro, and S5 Pro promise features such as multiple camera setups and advanced chipsets at affordable prices, starting at P3,990.

Michael Ngan, president and general manager of Lenovo Philippines, said they aim to "help create a more inclusive, trustworthy, and sustainable digital society for everyone" through their new offerings.

"Smarter technology can solve problems, create opportunities, and ultimately transform the way we all live. Bringing our expertise as the world's leading PC provider into our new smartphone and smart home technology solutions, we are able to give customers the ability to experience the world in a more intuitive, immersive way by providing end-to-end solutions across the entire customer journey," he said. 

Meanwhile, Lenovo's first smart home devices in the Philippines include a "Smart Tab" that allows users to control parts of a home such as lights and outlets; a laptop-tablet hybrid; and a robot vacuum cleaner that can sweep the floor on its own so homeowners can focus on other tasks. 

There are also accompanying accessories such as wireless headsets, "smart" watches, and power banks. 

NEW COMPUTERS

Also launched through a web event on Tuesday were personal computers with integrated AI that can customize performance levels depending on the user's needs. 

Ngan said the new PCs "combine what customers look for to become the ultimate companion tools" for work or recreation. 

"PCs have now become an essential tool, regardless of the user's background," he said, adding that their new products "provide the reliable performance, connectivity, and entertainment needed as we move forward in this period where technology has become indispensable in daily life."

Lenovo's 2020 lineup includes the IdeaPad Flex 5, IdeaPad Slim 5, new Yoga S and Yoga C devices, and the more affordable Chromebook models which start at P13,995. 

The new products will be available in Lenovo partner stores nationwide and online, and through the Lenovo Mobile Flagship store on Lazada. 

To mark the arrival of the new devices, Lenovo is offering a month-long June promotion that includes free gifts such as software, accessories, and peripherals. 

news.abs-cbn.com

Asus showcases new gadgets at Computex 2017

As the month of May crossed over to June, tech journalists and bloggers worldwide flocked to Taipei for Computex 2017.

Asia's biggest annual tech show showcased the latest in digital computing technology wherein Asus took center stage.

The Taiwanese tech giant trotted out an assortment of laptops, 2-in-1 convertibles, and a smartphone that can support both virtual and augmented reality.

Tech blogger Jam Ancheta, who was at Computex 2017, joins Future Perfect to discuss more about Asus' new gadgets.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

U.S. might ban laptops on all flights into and out of the country

The United States might ban laptops from aircraft cabins of all flights into and out of the country, John Kelly, Secretary of Homeland Security, said on Sunday.

In an interview on Fox News Sunday Kelly said the U.S. plans to "raise the bar" on airline security, including tightening screening of carry-on items.

"That's the thing that they are obsessed with, the terrorists, the idea of knocking down an airplane in flight, particularly if it's a U.S. carrier, particularly if it's full of U.S. people."

In March the government imposed restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from 10 airports, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey.

Kelly said the move would be part of a broader effort to tighten airline security to combat what he called "a real sophisticated threat." He said no decision has been made as to the timing of any ban.

"We are still following the intelligence," he said, "and are in the process of defining this, but we're going to raise the bar generally speaking for aviation much higher than it is now."

Among the enhanced measures will likely be tighter screening of carry-on items to allow Transport Security Administration (TSA) agents to discern problematic items in tightly stuffed bags.

The reason, Kelly said, is that in order to avoid paying a fees for checking bags, people are stuffing them to the point where it is difficult to see through the clutter.

"The more stuff is in there, the less the TSA professionals that are looking at what's in those bags through the monitors can tell what's in them."

The TSA has begun testing certain new procedures at a limited number of airports, requiring people to remove additional items from carry-on bags for separate screenings.

Asked whether the government would expand such measures nationwide, Kelly said: "We might, and likely will."

On Friday Kelly told Fox News that if most people knew the extent of the security threat to the United States some people would "never leave the house."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Laptops, tablets on airplanes: what's the threat?

PARIS - The United States and Britain have banned laptops and tablet computers from passenger cabins on certain airlines' flights from some airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, citing terror threats.

Why this measure now?

Normally, decisions taken by American authorities and implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are the result of specific threats identified by US intelligence agencies, Jean-Charles Brisard, president of the Center for Analysis of Terrorism told AFP.

"Certain groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have been trying for years to adapt to the progressive security measures put in place by the US and their allies, in particular by miniaturizing explosives."

The new measures "will be based on specific threats, without doubt an initiative by AQAP, one of the most advanced and sophisticated groups -- in particular with regards to miniaturization of explosive devices," he added.

Has this happened before?

After AQAP and rebel groups in Syria drew closer together in 2014, the TSA banned devices with flat batteries, saying that passengers could be required to demonstrate that laptops and phones could be powered up before boarding planes, Brisard said.

"The fear, which was based on precise information, was that the battery's housing could conceal a miniature explosive of just a few hundred grams," he said.

Why Arab countries and Turkey?

"The reality is that the main threat will come from the countries listed by American authorities," said Brisard, adding that TSA regulations were generally followed around the world.

Some countries will not have the same level of security screenings as in the US and other western nations, he added.

Why laptops and tablets?

"These types of electronic devices contain all the component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED) except for the detonator and the actual explosives," said Sebastien Caron, director general of ASCT, a training centre for airport security.

By adding those two missing elements, it could be possible to effectively assemble an IED, making these devices more sensitive than other electronics, he added.

How can explosives be detected at security inspections?

If airport security have any doubt about a passenger and their baggage they can use a trace detector -- a small wipe -- to check for any explosives, Caron said.

If the electronic device has been booby-trapped, there will be traces of explosive of that can be found. The wipe can be analyzed in seven seconds and will warn of any explosives detected, the expert said.

How can they monitor checked baggage?

In France, checked baggage is passed through an Explosive Detection System which can determine whether any explosives are present by analyzing the molecules inside the bags.

If the machine estimates that there may be a threat, it alerts airport security who can take the bag aside for a more comprehensive check.

"Out of 100 bags, only 30 percent pass through a human inspection, who will usually be able to clear 25 out of those 30 of having any threat," Caron said.

"The remaining five percent are sent to an even more sophisticated tomography machine," which is a very expensive X-ray or ultrasound machine, he added.

What consequences for travelers?

Caron worries that the new measures will cause tension with travelers. "Passengers are mainly business people who need to work or tourists who don't want to be deprived of their devices to relax or watch a movie. It's going to be complicated to manage."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Apple expected to refresh ageing computer line with new MacBook Pro

Apple Inc is expected to unveil a revamped MacBook Pro on Thursday with a fingerprint reader and faster ports, returning to the product line it build the company on after updating smartphones with the iPhone 7.

"Hello again," reads the invitation from Apple to the Thursday product launch, likely a reference to the original Macintosh that debuted with "hello" scrolled across its black and white screen.

Technology websites, including Techradar, expect the new MacBook Pro to remain the workhouse of the notebook computer line while getting updates like a fingerprint reader and high-speed USB ports. Like the iPhone 7, it will drop a standard headphone jack.

Apple reported its third straight quarter of declining iPhone sales earlier this week, although it also sees a record holiday quarter by sales, thanks to the new iPhone 7.

The Mac line accounted for about 11 percent of Apple sales in the just-finished fiscal year, with the number of machines sold down by 10 percent to 18.5 million. Apple said that was in line with an overall market decline, but analysts and investors said Apple needs to start growing again.

"What they really need to do is get people buying Macs again, instead of upgrading old ones. They haven't had a new, powerful MacBook Pro in a while and the MacBook Air is getting old," said Jan Dawson of Jackdaw Research.

He said the fingerprint reader could help sell more Macs. "Touch ID for Apple Pay could be interesting," he said.

Macs still outsell iPads in dollar terms, and old rival Microsoft Corp on Wednesday debuted its first desktop computer in a bid to re-energize the sector with software that allows 3D editing.

HP Inc meanwhile has claimed that it has the thinnest notebook computer, a prize Apple held for some time.

Bob O'Donnell, president of TECHnalysis Research LLC, said the Mac announcement comes during a time when the market believes focus on the iPhone means Apple has "almost given up on Macs," which has lead to lose market share to personal computers.

"It'll be good to have Apple keep themselves relevant" with new Macs, he said. "Though many had written the category off, it's fascinating to see both Microsoft and Apple make big PC-related announcements this week. It clearly shows the relevance that computers still have."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Dell launches new Inspiron laptops

Computer hardware manufacturer Dell on Thursday introduced the latest Inspiron 14 3000 Series laptops and Inspiron 14 and 15 5000 Series laptops which the company claimed can perform high-performing tasks.

“Students and parents alike want technology that helps them to be successful in their personal and educational pursuits,” Charlz Adano, marketing manager of Dell consumer group, said in a statement.

“Our new Inspiron laptops are a smart investment for families, providing the latest technology for productivity and entertainment in thin, space-saving designs,” he added.

Adano said the latest computing machines of the company have been designed with powerful processors, high-capacity hard drives and responsive 10-finger touch displays up to full high definition (HD) resolution. These, he said, are some of the options designed to meet the needs of consumers’ diverse lifestyles.

Further, Adano said Dell added new features such as the 20GB of Dropbox cloud storage for sharing, saving and collaborating, and facial recognition software to make using password-enabled web sites safer.

He said the new Inspiron 14 3000 are loaded with lots of hardware configurations to enable consumers to select the model best suited to their needs. With built-in DVD drives, up to 1TB of storage and optional touch panels, the Inspiron 3000 Series laptops are backed by long-lasting battery.

Meanwhile, he said the new Inspiron 14 and 15 5000 Series laptops are well-suited for a day spent roaming across the campus or sharing screen time among family members. He said families will be excited by doing mobile computing with the enhanced by high-end options like a backlit keyboard and Full HD touch display

The Inspiron 14 and 15 5000 Series are showcased within an attractive, brushed aluminum lid, and the 10-finger capacitive touch option makes it easy to scroll, zoom, and tap through documents or social media status updates.

The laptops are powered by 4th Generation Intel Core i processors that help extend battery life, up to 8 hours, 9 minutes for the Inspiron 14 5000[i] and up to 7 hours, 33 minutes for the Inspiron 15 5000.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Acer launches 8 touchscreen products

MANILA -- Acer on Friday launched eight new touchscreen-based products equipped with the latest Windows 8.1 operating system.

Manuel Wong, general manager of Acer Philippines, said the latest products have better features as a result of the continuous innovation programs of the company.

“They are thinner, better features and longer battery life,” he boasted.

Anchored on its worldwide campaign “A Touch More,” the latest Acer products play a big emphasis in the growing “touch" product category.

Acer has raised the bar with the Aspire S7-392 by making it a mere millimeter thicker than its predecessor, boosted processing power with fourth-generation Intel Core processors and the introduction of the “Acer Purified Voice” to lessen the noise for voice recognition and voice over Internet protocol applications. It has an aluminum frame that is designed to withstand the rigors of mobile computing.

The Aspire S3, also called the little brother of S7, comes in a slim and stylish design complemented by strong enhancements led by the fourth genration Intel Core chips to enhance the productivity of a user in office or personal requirements.

For users who enjoy using laptops and tablets, the Aspire R7-571 has the “Ezel” hinge that enables the versatile machine to transform from a normal notebook into a tablet by simply reversing the screen with its pad mode, or as a digital drawing board.

For massive gaming requirements, Acer has also boosted the computing power of the V3-772 with a fourth generation Intel Core chips up to 2 terabit of storage space or 1 terabit through the 256 gigabit (GB) solid state drive (SSD), or through the AcerCloud for bigger storage space. Furthermore, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M delivers high quality visual applications along with Dolby Home Theater sound system for quality sound.

In mobile handheld devices, Acer introduced the Iconia W4 that can be used both as a fun and a productive tool in terms of viewing, creating and editing documents while a user is on the road or rushing in-between vital appointments. The Iconia also has the “Zero Air Gap” technology, the touch capacity and liquid crystal display (LCD) screen designed to provide superior clarity.

In the desktop category, users can take a crack at the All-in-One (AIO) personal computer like the Acer Aspire ZC602 and the famous Acer Aspire U5-610. The Aspire ZC602 is a versatile computing machine that does not only deliver basic computer needs at home but also has user-friendly features such as the “Acer Remote” to enable a user to connect with other Windows 8 mobile devices.

Meanwhile, the Aspire U5-610 delivers better daily computing performance with its Intel Core processors and 16 gigabit of DDR3 1600 megahertz synchronous dynamic random-access memory that can boost the performance to 15 percent and load any application twice faster.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

After tablet, Lenovo releases Yoga laptops

MANILA -- After unveiling its multi-mode tablet, Lenovo on Friday launched the ThinkPad Yoga laptop, which is being positioned for the corporate sector as it stresses flexibility and power.

Michael Ngan, country general manager of Lenovo Philippines, said the company continues to place a high premium on innovation for the corporate sector, which is looking for customization options along with performance, security and productivity.

“The ThinkPad Yoga can flip, fold, twist, turn and separate to adapt to multiple users in today’s changing environments. The ThinkPad Yoga’s multi-mode design and compact sizes gives Filipino professionals an edge to take their work aspirations to the next level,” he said.

The introduction of the ThinkPad Yoga signals that Lenovo is finally veering away from the traditional black boring models belonging to the earlier generation of ThinkPads.

According to Francis Ivan Juidan, 4P small medium business group manager of Lenovo, the 12. 5-inch magnesium alloy computing machine has been designed to deliver powerful multimedia experience with an option of using a Corning Gorilla Glass in plane switching panel or an FHD IPS display running Windows 8.1

In his presentation, Juidan said the Yoga has a lift and lock system designed for tablet mode. The system automatically lifts and locks the keys on the machine’s keyboard in place for a streamlined feel.

Furthermore, the ThinkPad Yoga is equipped with the ThinkPad keyboard with optional backlit models and models with Near Field Communications (NFC) for easier sharing of data among users.

NFC refers to a set of standards for smartphones and other related devices to establish contact with each other by touching them together or bringing them into close contact.

Juidan said the Yoga series is a machine fits very well with business users who are looking for power and storage. It is powered by an Intel 4th generation Core i7 processors and 1 terabyte of storage -- which is equivalent to 500 DVD movies and an all-day battery life. The ThinkPad Yoga is priced at P71, 100.

In the same event, Lenovo also launched the ThinkPad X240- a 12-inch ultraportable weighing less than three pounds and 20.3 millimeters thin. It is also powered by an Intel Core i7 processors (4th generation) and up to 1 terabyte of storage.

The X240 uses the new Power Bridge technology developed to address the portability and power requirements of the users. The internal three cell battery enables battery swapping without the need to shut down the system. It is backed up an additional Lithium-ion 6 cell 72Wh battery.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Using public Wi-Fi? Be careful

MANILA – Security software firm Kaspersky Lab warned smartphone, tablet and laptop users of the risks of public Wi-Fi hotspots, saying that they may fall prey to cybercriminals.

According to Kaspersky Lab, data sent through public Wi-Fi can be easily intercepted, letting cybercriminals access users’ banking credentials, banking passwords and other valuable information.

Citing a recent survey, it said 70% of tablet owners and 53% of smartphone users said they use public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Here are some tips from Kaspersky Lab’s team of Internet security experts on using public Wi-Fi hotspots:

1. Be aware – Public Wi-Fi is inherently insecure, so be cautious.

2. Remember, any device could be at risk – Laptops, smartphones and tablets are all susceptible to wireless security risks.

3. Treat all Wi-Fi links with suspicion – Don’t just assume that the Wi-Fi link is legitimate. It could be a bogus link that has been set up by a cybercriminal that is trying to capture valuable, personal information from unsuspecting users. Question everything and don’t connect to an unknown or unrecognized wireless access point.

4. Try to verify the legitimacy of a wireless connection – Some bogus links that have been set up by malicious users will have a connection name that’s deliberately similar to the coffee shop, hotel or venue that’s offering free Wi-Fi. If you can speak with an employee at the location that’s providing the public Wi-Fi connection, ask for information about their legitimate Wi-Fi access point, such as the connection’s name and IP address.

5. Use a VPN (virtual private network) – By using a VPN when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, you’ll effectively be using a “private tunnel” that encrypts all of your data that passes through the network. This can help prevent cybercriminals that are lurking on the network from intercepting your data.

6. Avoid using specific types of websites – It’s a good idea to avoid logging into websites where there’s a chance that cybercriminals could capture your identity, passwords or personal information such as social networking sites, online banking services or any websites that store your credit card information.

7. Consider using your mobile phone – If you need to access any websites that store or require the input of any sensitive information, including social networking, online shopping and online banking sites, it may be worthwhile accessing them via your mobile phone network instead of the public Wi-Fi connection.

8. Protect your device against cyberattacks – Make sure all of your devices are protected by a rigorous anti-malware and security solution and ensure that it’s updated as regularly as possible.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

China’s Lenovo inches closer to a global tech title

HONG KONG — Lenovo Group Ltd is on track to overtake Hewlett-Packard Co as the world’s biggest PC maker by sales as soon as this year, making it the first Chinese company to grab the top spot globally in a technology sector.

The ThinkPad maker’s rise highlights the advance of China’s technology firms on the world stage in recent years thanks to a combination of aggressive pricing, overseas acquisitions and their taking advantage of a fast-growing home market.

Analysts, however, also warn that Lenovo’s rapid gains in market share have come at the expense of profit margins, while the company faces slowing growth in the market for personal computers and tough rivals in the tablet PC space.

“It’s just a matter of time before Lenovo becomes No. 1 and it won’t be surprising at all if it happens later this year,” said Frederick Wong, executive director at Avant Capital Management (Hong Kong) Ltd, which owns shares in Lenovo.

He added, however, that competition in the tablet sector and a weak PC market outlook could put pressure on Lenovo.

Lenovo, which became the world’s No. 2 PC vendor in the third quarter of 2011, had a 14.9 percent global market share in the April-June quarter this year, a mere 0.6 percentage point away from HP’s 15.5 percent, according to research firm IDC’s latest data. Figures from industry tracker Gartner show an even narrower gap, with Lenovo just 0.2 percentage point from HP.

In another technology sector, China’s Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, the world’s No.2 maker of telecom equipment, had been expected to surpass Sweden’s Ericsson in 2011 sales. But slow telecom spending, stiff competition in the handset market and difficulties in tapping the massive U.S. market held it back.

Switching lanes

Lenovo’s rise has been helped by its purchase of Germany’s Medion and a joint venture with Japan’s NEC Corp last year, as well as its acquisition of IBM Corp’s PC business in 2005.

Investors have rewarded Lenovo for its market share gains, sending its stock up by around 16 percent this year and outpacing rivals HP, third-ranked Dell Inc and No. 4 Acer Inc, whose stocks have dropped over the same period.

Lenovo currently trades at a multiple of 12.5 times forward earnings, the second-highest among the top-five PC makers and well above the 4.6 times multiple for HP, Thomson Reuters Starmine data showed.

But profit margins have suffered. Lenovo had a 1.4 percent operating margin in the latest quarter, lower than HP’s 7.4 percent and Dell’s 6.2 percent, the data showed.

“HP, Dell and Acer have switched lanes in the PC race and passed the baton to Lenovo in terms of focusing on sales rather than margins,” said Dickie Chang, an analyst at IDC in Hong Kong.

Another risk is slowing growth in the PC market as the global economy, including Lenovo’s home turf and stronghold China, eases.

China accounts for about 42 percent of Lenovo’s total revenue, with the bulk of that coming from PC sales.

Global PC shipment growth was largely flat in the second quarter, marking the seventh straight quarter of low 0 to 5 percent growth for the industry.

“We remain positive on Lenovo’s market share expansion, but the absolute growth is nevertheless being negatively impacted by a slower market,” Jefferies said in a report. Jefferies has an “underperform” rating on Lenovo with a price target of HK$5.70.

Overall PC demand could pick up this year with the launch of Windows 8, though the catch is that competition in the sector for tablet PCs — not Lenovo’s strongest area — will heat up because the operating system is designed to run on laptops and tablets.

Mizuho analyst Charles Park forecasts the PC market will grow by just 3 percent this year.

Lenovo’s tablets, its LePads, will also face competition from new products, including the next versions of Amazon.com Inc’s Kindle Fire and Apple Inc’s iPad, as well as Google Inc’s Nexus 7 and Microsoft Corp’s Surface.

source: interaksyon.com

The brave new world of tomorrow’s tablets

SAN FRANCISCO — Tablets with paper-thin screens that can be folded and tucked into your back pocket, artificial intelligence and augmented reality — the stuff of science fiction may be coming to a store near you.

It’s been two years since Apple Inc launched the iPad and spawned rival tablets from the likes of Samsung Electronics Co, Amazon.com Inc, Sony Corp, and now Google Inc and Microsoft Corp.

Much of the competition so far has centered on making smartphone and tablets lighter, slimmer, faster and longer-running than their predecessors, and the trend shows no signs of slowing. The increasingly crowded marketplace is also galvanizing hardware designers and software engineers to explore new technologies that may revolutionize the look and feel of mobile devices in coming years.

“We should think beyond just the touch-screen device,” said Lin Zhong, a professor at Rice University who does research on mobile systems. “Why do we have to hold tablets, carry many displays? We should think about wearable computers.”

Some researchers are experimenting with wearable devices, such as Google Glass, a stamp-sized electronic screen mounted on eyeglass frames to record video, access email and surf the Web. Others, like Microsoft, are investigating the use of 3-D cameras to create images that pop up when a person calls. Samsung has a concept video that shows a bendable, transparent 3-D smartphone-hybrid tablet that can also be used as a real-time interpreter.

Few of these new technologies will hit store shelves any time soon – companies and researchers are more actively working on touchscreen innovations in the near term.

In particular, organic-light-emitting diodes, or OLED, is widely touted as the successor to liquid crystal displays. OLED displays, such as in Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphone, are lighter, thinner and tougher than current displays.

The main attraction of OLED at first are their ruggedness, but the technology could one day allow tablets to be folded or rolled up like a newspaper. Reaching that point poses challenges like making the delicate chips and components inside them more flexible and resistant to damage.

“Flexible and foldable displays will first be implemented on smaller sizes like smartphones,” said Rhoda Alexander, IHS iSuppli’s tablet analyst. “Tablets may follow in a later progression, once manufacturing costs and yields have been tested.”

An unfolding NewSSlate concept developed by Innovation+Bermer Labs shows a foldable tablet that one can use to read news and watch videos. These are not expected to be ready for prime time for another few years.

Next up: wraparound glass

Apart from experimenting with various materials in their own labs, manufacturers are partnering with premier academic institutions in their quest for the most interactive screens. Samsung is working with Stanford University’s chemical engineering department, and Microsoft is working with Rice University.

Professor Zhenan Bao’s team at Stanford has developed stretchable, super-sensitive and solar-powered “electronic skin,” or sensors that can feel a touch as light as that of a fly. One of its obvious applications is in touchscreens, and Bao said the research has generated a lot of inquiries from companies.

“Right now there is a lot of interest in having sensors in the screen that can have pressure input for the touchscreen,” Bao said. “Companies are also basically looking for replacement material for the current silicon that is cheaper and compatible with plastic substrate but has the same performance level.”

Specialty glass company Corning Inc, famous for its “gorilla glass” used in Apple devices, has an ultra-slim flexible glass called “willow glass” that has the potential to enable displays to be wrapped around a device. Corning said it is currently shipping samples of willow glass, which is compatible with OLED displays, to companies.

Size matters, for now

Each new generation of tablets boasts big improvements in pixel density and image quality, making photos, games and movies more life-like. Manufacturers and software designers have made less progress finding ways to let computers give physical, tactile feedback — but they’re working on it.

The stakes are high as tablets become more and more integrated with smartphones and other devices at home. Betting on the right technology and features is imperative, since the still-new category has already claimed many victims, including Hewlett Packard’s Touchpad tablet that was killed last year after only a few months on the market.

With many companies entering the fray, vying to take share away from Apple’s iPad, those who get it right may end up influencing the way people communicate and consume all media.

For now, size and price is where most manufacturers are competing as they try to break the dominance of Apple in the tablet market. Six out of 10 tablets sold are iPads.

“The big open area that is left to tackle is truly great input,” said Tony Fadell, co-founder and chief executive officer of Nest Thermostat, who previously led the team at Apple that created 18 generations of iPods and three generations of the iPhone.

“There is tactile input as well as voice input. Those are the two inputs that still need to be addressed in tablets,” Fadell said.

In a recent patent application related to tactile, or haptic, technology, Apple in May outlined how features could be added to a screen that would make it possible to alter the feel of its surface.

Manufacturers are also working to improve gesture recognition, augmented reality and voice controls like Apple’s Siri.

IBM Fellow Bernie Meyerson expects major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence in the next several years. He envisions people having real, spoken conversations with their devices, which will boast technology much more advanced than IBM’s Watson computer that defeated two champions on the Jeopardy gameshow last year.

“You hand it to your grandmother and it just works. It will adapt, tune itself to your voice,” Meyerson said. “You’ll have something that you carry around in your pocket and it listens to you when you want it to.”

Laser projection keyboard devices that connect to mobile devices by Bluetooth are already available, although some say the technology is still buggy. In June, Microsoft unveiled its Surface tablet, with a 10.6 inch display and a protective cover that doubles as a keyboard.

Other new and upcoming improvements in tablet hardware are seen as attractive but less important differentiators. At an industry event in Madrid earlier this year, manufacturers dunked tablets and smartphones in aquariums to show off new waterproof coatings.

Intel Corp recently showed off “ultrabook” laptops with screens that swivel from their keyboards or detach completely to act as tablets.

source: interaksyon.com

Intel inspired by aerospace to make sturdier laptops

SAN FRANCISCO — Engineers at Intel Corp are applying lessons from aircraft design to create sturdier laptops in a bid to reduce the prices of the new ultra-thin computers the top chipmaker is promoting heavily.

Intel is counting on the super-thin laptops, a category it has dubbed ultrabooks, to add some pizzazz to a PC market languishing due to the growing popularity of Apple Inc’s iPad.

Models expected later this year will have large touch screens, “instant on” responsiveness and razor-thin dimensions – all expensive features that have left some on Wall Street wondering if they might be too expensive for average consumers.

Engineers at Intel’s Dupont, Washington R&D center, including former Boeing Co employees, have come up with a design method to make plastic laptop cases as strong as more-expensive metal ones typically used in ultrabooks, said Ben Broili, head of the team.

He said that may cut the cost of future ultrabooks by between $25 and $75 by letting manufactures use plastic cases instead of metal ones without sacrificing quality.

Their work is an example of the steps Intel is taking to find ways to make future ultrabooks more affordable – without cutting the prices of its processors.

At a meeting with analysts last month, Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini said upcoming ultrabooks would be available for as little as $699, but many are expected to be priced nearer to $1,000 or more.

Borrowing from product design methods used in the aerospace industry, the engineers have found that hard drives, motherboards and other components that make up the guts of a PC can be laid out in ways that make the laptops structure much stronger.

“We didn’t develop a new material. We are able to use an existing plastic with an existing manufacturing technology,” he told Reuters in a telephone interview. “It just requires some more upfront thought initially about how you lay your system out and how you can bring these things together and tie them in.”

Different components in the laptop can be leveraged to support its chassis, or even dissipate heat from the processor, he said.

“There is no one size fits all,” Broili added. “We’re trying to enable the entire industry. You can make trades, move stuff around; and if you don’t want your hard drive here, then move it. You have a menu you can pick from and see what you win or lose from a cost and quality standpoint.”

Typically priced above $200 each, Intel’s processors are the costliest component in laptops. Smaller rival Advanced Micro Devices is selling its new Trinity chips for less in a bid to undercut Intel in thin laptops.

Less flex

Laptops with metal cases tend to be sturdier than laptops with plastic cases, but they cost more.

To get an idea of the structural quality of any laptop, Broili recommends lifting it up by a front corner while it is open and watching how much it flexes.

Intel has already held a seminar in Taiwan to demonstrate its new design technique to PC design engineers and it is promoting it with specific manufacturers.

At the Computex technology show in Taipei, Taiwan, next week, PC manufactures are set to unveil dozens of ultrabooks using Intel’s newest Ivy Bridge processors.

They will also demonstrate future models with touch screens, based on Microsoft Corps’s Windows 8 platform, which is expected out later this year.

Broili said Intel engineers are working on other ways to improve ultrabooks, including tweaks to motherboards, touch screens and Wifi.

Separately, Intel launched a $300 million fund last year to invest in small companies focused on technologies complementing ultrabooks, such as improved battery life.

A few ultrabook models launched this year have been reviewed as nice but pricey, leaving some analysts skeptical the category will attract mainstream shoppers.

Otellini has said Intel is on track to reach its goal that ultrabooks account for 40 percent of all consumer notebooks sold by the end of the year.

Helped by emerging markets, the Ivy Bridge processor and ultrabooks, Intel expects PC shipments this year to grow by a “high-single digits” percentage.

source: interaksyon.com

Fashion Cases for Laptops, Phones

BERLIN, Germany (DPA) — Laptop cases used to be grey, dull accessories without any character but that image is now firmly in the past.

Today, cases for laptops, tablets, and smartphones are colorful and elegant designer items that can match and enhance a man or woman’s style perfectly.

“There are a wide variety of cases on the market. There’s no longer a standard model. It’s been replaced by many different designs, sizes, and materials,’’ says Sabrina Vogel, an expert for bags at Germany’s taschenkaufhaus.de online shopping portal.

Vogel says laptop cases are not just for storing and transporting electronic equipment, they can also express your own individual style. “There’s a case for every type of person: from trendy to classic,’’ she says.

Young notebook owners appear to be especially fond of messenger bags like those used by bicycle couriers. They must be lightweight and made from robust materials, according to Claudia Schulz from the umbrella organisation of Germany’s shoe manufacturing industry, the Bundesverband der Schuhindustrie.

Laptop case-maker BOOQ has a range of messenger bags made from tough nylon with a rubber bag-bottom that protects the notebook from moisture. Inside individual compartments can store a smartphone and other items safely and securely.

Messenger bags have padded straps that allow you to carry the bag either off the shoulder or like a bicycle courier with the bag firmly attached to your back. By adjusting the strap and making it shorter the bag can be carried by hand.

Most models can be adjusted to suit your momentary need. Boss Black has a women’s bag that has a padded interior for a laptop that can be detached and slid out. That makes your laptop very easy to access. The interior can be left at home, providing you with an elegant-looking women’s handbag made from calfskin.

Swedish bag-maker Sandqvist has reinterpreted the business case and come up with a range of high-quality, retro-design models.

“Leather was, and is, in high demand in many variations: classic smooth leather, the vintage look but also in combination with canvas,’’ says Vogel. Women often prefer bags with playful design details while men go for elegant understatement.

Vogel’s advice for finding the ideal laptop case is to first consider exactly what you are looking for. Where do you use your laptop? At home or at work? What forms of transport do you use? Bicycle, train, or car? What other items do you need to transport?

A business person who needs to transport large amounts of documents is better off with a hardcover trolley bag on wheels than a classical briefcase, according to Vogel. If elegance is less important than functionality, a backpack might be a wise choice.

“Backpacks are in fashion again,’’ says Vogel. A backpack represents the return of the urban look. The manufacturer Incase produces a number of stylish versions in different sizes to suit the dimensions of your laptop. Their backpacks have compartments on the exterior that give you quick access to other items like a water bottle or umbrella.

But thanks to materials like leather and canvas, backpacks are now extending their popularity into other areas. “Backpacks have become an accepted, elegant accessory in big cities,’’ like Paris and London, Schulz says.

source: mb.com.ph