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. 

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New Lenovo Legion gaming devices to be available in PH in June 2020

MANILA -- Lenovo recently unveiled its new line of Legion gaming products, each promising a blend of performance, sleek design, and value.

The 2020 lineup includes two new PCs and six new laptops, with many of them fitted with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core H-Series or AMD Ryzen 4000 Series mobile processors, and up to the recently announced NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti and RTX 2080 Super with Max-Q Design.

The products also come with the Lenovo Legion Coldfront 2.0 thermal management for better air flow and lower system temperatures; a TrueStrike keyboard for 100% anti-ghosting and sub-millisecond response times; Dual Burn to optimize CPU and GPU performance; and Hybrid Mode, NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, and Rapid Charge Pro for extended battery life up to eight hours.

Ian Tan, Asia-Pacific Gaming Lead at Lenovo, said they aim to address the needs of the "avid gamer" with the new Legion products.

In Lenovo's first virtual meeting with members of the Philippine media, he described their target market as those "who love performance and high-end gaming products but want a balance in their lives as well."

"Their average age is about 38. They've been playing games for about 30 years, from PCs to consoles," Tan said, noting that this group is a mix of 60% male and 40% female gamers. 

"Many of them have jobs... They work hard in the day and they play hard after work," he added.

Citing a consumer survey they conducted in 2018, Tan mentioned poor configuration options and thermal design, short battery life, washed out or inaccurate colors, mushy laptop keyboards, and sub-optimal designs as their target market's main pain points. 

He said many "avid gamers" are also turned off by the loud colors and designs normally associated with gaming laptops which could easily stand out in an office setting. 

"We wanted to bring maximum gaming to them while giving them a stylish design," he said. "People are sort of threatened by the scary colors and designs... it's hard to bring gaming laptops in the boardroom."

The new Lenovo Legion gaming devices are expected to be available in the Philippines starting in June, with prices ranging from P56,995 for the 15-inch Lenovo Legion 5 to P119,995 for the top-of-the-line Lenovo Legion 7i.

"The virus situation definitely has affected every business out there, but I'm glad to say that Lenovo has managed to weather through these difficulties," Tan said.

"We're on track to launch Legion in the same time frame as original plan," he added.

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China's Lenovo, Fujitsu in talks over strategic tie-up in PC business

TOKYO - China's Lenovo Group Ltd. and Fujitsu Ltd. are in talks to form a strategic partnership in the personal computer business, as the Japanese electronics maker aims to stay competitive in a shrinking market, the two companies said Thursday.

Lenovo -- the world's biggest PC maker -- and major Japanese PC manufacturer Fujitsu said they were considering joining forces in the research and development, design and manufacturing of PCs for global markets.

The two companies added they were also in talks with the Development Bank of Japan for financial and other support.

In Japan, Lenovo has a joint venture with NEC Corp. a dominant player in the domestic PC market.

PC makers are facing tough times amid intense competition with companies selling smartphone and tablet devices. Chinese and other foreign players have also been making inroads into the Japanese market.

The move comes after the breakdown in talks about forming a trilateral merger of PC operations of Fujitsu, Toshiba Corp., which was stung by an accounting scandal, and Vaio Corp., a spinoff from Sony Corp.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lenovo uses Lazada to launch new smartphone

MANILA -- Lenovo recently launched its A7000 smartphone via the online shopping portal Lazada.

This us the first time Lenovo is doing a concurrent launch across six Southeast Asian countries: Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia.

With all-new Dolby Atmos technology, the Lenovo A7000 smartphone is designed for entertainment on a budget. It is targeted at budget-conscious smartphone users who consume large amounts of movies and videos.

The A7000 has a 5.5-inch HD screen and MediaTek 4G LTE True8Core processor. Rounded out with dual 8MP and 5MP cameras and adaptive VIBE UI 2.0, the A7000 is a responsive multimedia performer which promises a fulfilling user experience.

"Due to the rapid growth of mobile internet, e-commerce and interactive marketing, we see a significant change in the traditional business model," Lenovo said.

Lenovo said it needs to adapt fast to remain innovative and to seize opportunities to be ahead of the game.

"The partnership with Lazada has allowed us to take that step forward to meet our common goal,” Dino Romano, country head for Lenovo Smartphone, said in a press statement.

The A7000 is priced at P7,390 and comes with a free back cover and screen protector.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lenovo S90 aims for stylish selfie addicts

MANILA -- Selfie addicts can depend on the Lenovo S90 as it comes with impressive front and rear cameras that take crisp and clear pictures no matter what the lighting condition may be.

And with a fingerprint-resistant, aluminum alloy unibody design, the S90 is also ideal for design-conscious users who would not settle for anything less in their mobile lives.

“Lenovo is investing more than ever in innovation that differentiates our products and sets the standard for quality, reliability, style and speed,” said Dino Romano, Lenovo Philippines mobile country head. “In particular, the Lenovo S90 is more than just a designer smartphone with impressive mobile performance. It also boasts of best-in-class features and seamlessly combines great form and great function."

The S90 provides a different experience with impressive results. Give credit to the built-in 8MP selfie camera, LED flash and low-light BSI sensor because this enable users to capture their best self in any lighting condition. Furthermore, the 13MP PureCel rear camera is not something to scoff at: users can take professional-level photos and videos every time, with stunning results in both high- and low-light conditions.

These built-in cameras are wonderfully complemented by the Super AMOLED HD display, an ultra-thin screen that saves power and reflects less light, giving users a more convenient way of viewing the photos.

The smartphone also projects a sleek look that fits the style of discerning mobile users who want to enjoy excellent physical design and high-quality material in their hands, without the premium price tag.

The aluminum unibody is fingerprint-resistant — users can hold, use, and enjoy the Lenovo S90 without constantly worrying about smudges that would take away from the glamorous look of this designer smartphone.

The dual-SIM phone has 4G capacity for those who want to stay connected in blazing speed. Powered by a 64-bit Snapdragon processor and 2GB RAM, the S90 ensures an delivery of an ultra-fast, smooth, and responsive mobile experience that allows users to share, view, download, and enjoy videos, music, images, apps, and websites instantly.

The Lenovo S90 is now available at Lenovo outlets nationwide, with a price tag of P13,999.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lenovo website hacked; Lizard Squad claims responsibility

China's Lenovo Group Ltd website was hacked, the company said on Wednesday, days after the U.S. government advised Lenovo customers to remove a pre-installed virus-like software, "Superfish", on laptops that makes the devices more vulnerable to attacks.

Hacking group Lizard Squad claimed to be behind the attacks, according to its Twitter page.

Lizard Squad has taken credit for several high-profile outages, including attacks that took down Sony Corp's PlayStation Network and Microsoft Corp's Xbox Live network last month. Members of the group have not been identified.

"The domain name service server hosting Lenovo's website was hacked. We do not have any further information at this time to share. We'll update as soon as possible," Lenovo said in a statement to Reuters.

San Francisco-based security firm CloudFlare said hackers transferred the domain to CloudFlare in order to point it to a defacement site.

"As soon as we at CloudFlare noticed, we seized the account and worked with Lenovo to restore service while they worked to recover their domain," Marc Rogers, Principal Security Researcher at CloudFlare, said in an email to Reuters.

Starting 4 p.m. ET (2100 GMT) on Wednesday, visitors to the Lenovo website saw a slideshow of young people looking into webcams and the song "Breaking Free" playing in the background, according to The Verge, which first reported the breach.

"We're breaking free! Soarin', flyin', there's not a star in heaven that we can't reach!," Lizard Squad posted on its Twitter page, quoting the song from the movie "High School Musical".





The hackers also posted a couple of screenshots of an email between Lenovo employees regarding the "Superfish" software.



The Department of Homeland Security said in an alert on Friday that the "Superfish" program makes users vulnerable to a type of cyberattack known as SSL spoofing, in which remote attackers can read encrypted web traffic, redirect traffic from official websites to spoofs, and perform other attacks.

Rogers also said CloudFlare was able to restore service before Lenovo recovered the domain, suggesting that the outage was probably "quite small".

However, Lenovo's website was inaccessible at 7:54 p.m. ET (0054 GMT). A message said the site was unavailable due to system maintenance.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How Lenovo's Motorola is planning to compete in China

BEIJING - Motorola, the mobile handset maker bought by China's Lenovo Group Ltd from Google Inc for $2.9 billion, is optimistic about its prospects in the Chinese market, its president told Reuters.

Lenovo's acquisition, completed three months ago, ended Google's move into the consumer mobile handset business. The deal has turned personal computer-maker Lenovo into a challenger in the higher-end smartphone market, competing with Samsung Electronics and Apple In.

"The (Chinese) market itself is so big here and Motorola has no share today, so we believe that what we’re really going to succeed in doing is hopefully take some share from other people in the market," Rick Osterloh, President of Motorola Mobility told Reuters.

Motorola will compete in China with Apple and Samsung in the premium smartphone market and with the world's third biggest smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc in mid- and mid-high level phones. Lenovo is already the number two smartphone maker in China.

"Our approach is to have global products tailored and customised for local markets," Motorola's Osterloh said. Motorola will also stick to relatively high-end products, he said.

Bryan Ma, a Singapore-based analyst at tech research firm IDC, said Motorola might test the waters with smartphones designed for the Americas, but in the next 12-24 months they could announce more localised products.

"They're trying to introduce themselves to a new group of friends and trying to establish street cred," Ma said. "What they have in their pockets is assets from the U.S."

"The good thing is Lenovo has enough of a strong cash position and local channel presence that they can bankroll Motorola in the country for while," Ma said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

10 days to Christmas: Giving a phone? Tips from Lenovo

MANILA— Rushing to shop for a gadget for your loved ones? Chinese tech giant Lenovo has figured it out for you.

Here’s a list of Lenovo products that considers the taste, style and budget of the shopper.

If you plan to upgrade your non-techie parent’s feature phone to a smartphone, the Lenovo A328 and A536 are worth considering, as they are priced affordably at P5,999 and P6,4999 respectively. The A328 with its 4.5-inch display and the A536 with its 5-inch display both have a 5-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel camera for taking decent photos and run on 1.3 Ghz quad-core processor with the latest Android Kitkat.

For the music lovers, consider the Lenovo A319 with its rich and powerful Dolby audio and bass-enhanced headphones that go beyond the most standard in-box earphones. This 10.16 cm compact phone runs a dual-core processor with Android KitKat 4.4.2 OS to play non-stop music for up to 10 hours. This cool device is priced at only P3,999.

The Lenovo A606 features a 5-inch display running on 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582M+6290 processor. This smartphone boasts an 8-megapixel auto-focus rear camera and 2-megapixel fixed-focus front-facing camera. The Lenovo A606 is one of Lenovo's most affordable smartphones that support LTE for faster and better Internet experience. This model is priced at P9,499.

Looking for a stylish and feature-rich smartphone for your sibling? For P8,499, you can get a great Christmas gift for your younger brother by updating his phone with the Lenovo S580, a 5-inch IPS display phone that runs the Android 4.3 JellyBean and a 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor for a responsive experience. It features an 8-megapixel auto-focus rear camera with flash and 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Its sleek and compact build makes it easier to hold single-handedly.

If you want a fun and fashionable smartphone for your sister, consider the Lenovo S850 with its all glass exterior that comes in pink, blue or white. The Lenovo S850, at P12,999, is only 140 grams light and 8.22 millimeters thin. It features a 13-megapixel rear camera for crisp and clear photos and 5-megapixel wide-angle front facing camera for the perfect selfies. The Lenovo S850 houses a quad-core MediaTek MT6582 processor with a CPU that runs a 1.3GHz to support multi-media in HD.

The Lenovo S856 that is LTE-capable is one of the largest dual-SIM phones in the market with its 5.5-inch HD display. Running on the latest Android KitKat 4.4.2 OS and 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 chip, the Lenovo S856 gives a smooth and unique user experience. It also sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and 1.6-megapixel front-facing camera. With its polycarbonate body, the Lenovo S856 is tough enough to resist scratches. Its 2500mAh battery and expandable 8GB of internal storage, users can definitely enjoy watching videos, playing games and surfing the web. Best part of all, this great smartphone is priced at only P13,999.

For the photography enthusiast, the Lenovo Vibe X2 boasts its 13-megapixel auto-focus rear camera with LED flash to take sharp, vibrant pictures and 5-megapixel front facing camera to take really good selfies and have a better video chats. On top of the advanced cameras are its unique camera interface, face beautification feature, and auto-shutter gesture controls for the photo enthusiasts. Users can accentuate their own personal style with bold colors (white, gold and red) to choose from and get a premium feel with its sleek, sturdy and build that fits perfectly in your hand.

In addition, performance of the Lenovo Vibe X2, at P18,999, may be even enhanced with the unique Vibe Xtensions. These are click-on cases that extends its battery life and produces hi-fi sound. With its Octa-Core processor by MediaTek's advanced True8Core technology and its 4G LTE capability, your friend will surely have a great multimedia experience.

An alternative and equally awesome smartphone would be the Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro which offers professional photography features and imaging sensors. Its 16-megapixel camera uses a 16:9 BSI sensor that captures wide-angle photos in full resolution and features. It features a six element lens that further enhances low-light conditions and has a Zero Shutter Lag. This premium smartphone supports 4k resolution and high-speed 120 frames per second (fps) recordings. The Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro has an IPS screen that packs 2,560 x 1,440 pixels that produces ultra-sharp and vibrant display. At 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, the Vibe Z2 Pro can surely smoothly run and load multiple applications all at the same time. This ideal gift for dad is priced is at P29,999.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ashton Kutcher designs tablet for Lenovo

MANILA — Lenovo Philippines has officially launched the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro, which was designed by actor Ashton Kutcher, who joined the global tech giant as a product engineer a year ago.

The Kutcher-designed gadget has a superior resolution (2560 x 1440), long-life 9600-mAh battery and built-in Pico projector, making it "the ultimate home entertainment tablet" to add to anyone's wish list. The 8-watt JBL sound system with subwoofer also provides an immersive sound experience.

"Our vision for the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro was to create the best tablet on the market," Kutcher was quoted in an earlier Lenovo statement.




"To do that, we really looked at how people use tablets and what they needed for a better experience. The Yoga Tablet 2 Pro has got the best sound, a dramatically brilliant camera and display, a new mode, a projector and top processor, so I think we created the best tablet available. I can't wait for people to try it," the actor said.

The Yoga Tablet 2 Pro was among the new models of the popular Yoga series launched by the company last Friday at the Bonifacio Global City.

Lenovo also rolled out the Lenovo 50 that aims to give the company a broader reach of the computing market.

“Lenovo’s new Yoga line-up features thin designs and robust processors with four modes for amazing portability and performance when playing and working with digital content. Equipped with unparalleled audio capabilities and long battery life, the new Yoga multi-modes, as well as the new Lenovo Y50 being launched today reflect Lenovo’s commitment to innovation, paving a new way for doers to accomplish more in today’s mobile-focused digital era,” Michael Ngan, country general manager of Lenovo Philippines, said in his welcome remarks during the launch.

According to Samantha Baretto, product manager of Lenovo Philippines, the Yoga Tablet 2 allows users to use the three original modes — hold, tilt and stand ─ as well as a new mode, hang, which is also available on the Kutcher-designed tablet.

The fourth mode allows a user to "hang" the Yoga when viewing the content, allowing a user to allow them to perform their other tasks.

Furthermore, she said the Yoga 2 is more powerful with an Intel Atom processor, Dolby audio and Wolfson Master Hi-Fi. For better listening and photo shooting, it has dual front speakers and an 8 megapixel rear camera.

Meanwhile, Baretto said the new Yoga 3 Pro raises the bar in mobile computing as far as mobility and lightness are concerned. It is thinner by 17 percent as compared to the Yoga 2 Pro, 14 percent slimmer than its predecessor at just 12.8 mm and it weighs 1.19 kg. With a new watchband hinge made from 800 pieces of steel and aluminum, the Yoga 3 Pro is as flexible as a metallic watch band, with six focus points instead of two.

Complementing the distinctive new hinge design, the Yoga 3 Pro is available in two eye-catching colors: Platinum Silver or Champagne Gold.

Laptop for gamers

For his part, Lenovo 4P manager of consumer PCs Vinson Chua said gamers will enjoy the Lenovo Y50 laptop for its advanced technology, which includes an optional backlit keyboard, and NVIDIA GeForce, for enhanced graphics.

Powered by an up to 4th generation Intel Core i7 processor, Windows 8.1, and HDD, users can easily multitask among activities such as watching videos, opening apps, posting to social media and browsing photos.

Chua also noted that the powerful combination of JBL speakers and Dolby Home Theatre v4 helps to redefine the multimedia experience with its crisp and resonant sound.

The Yoga Tablet 2 Androids will be priced at P13,999 (wifi) and P19,999 (LTE wifi) for the eight-in and 10-in variants respectively, while SRPs for the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro and Yoga 3 Pro are at P33,999 and P76,995 respectively. The new Yoga multi-modes will all be available within the month.

 source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lenovo unveils trendy Vibe X2 smartphone

MANILA – Lenovo recently launched the Vibe X2, which is claimed by the company as the world’s first "layered" smartphone as it fortifies its hold as a "PC Plus" leader.

“Becoming a PC Plus leader with a focus on smartphone is the most crucial challenge for Lenovo. We are well positioned to succeed as we have the innovation and in-house manufacturing capability to bring new and exciting products to the market quickly and efficiently,” Michael Ngan, country general manager of Lenovo Philippines, said.

The company said the development of the Vibe X2 involved designing countless samples of each hue. The company used robotic arms and clean rooms, as three coats of paint were applied for each tone, totaling nine coatings per phone

Equipped with the latest MediaTek MT6595 True Octa-core processor with 4G LTE, the company said the Vibe X2 can provide superb multi-tasking jobs, sustained performance-per-watt, fast 4G transmission rates and long battery life.

Powered by an Android 4.4 Kitkat, the company said the Vibe X2 will provide an all-time high data processing through memory optimization and improvement of touchscreen responsiveness and accuracy.

The Vibe X2 packs two advanced cameras equipped with multiple shooting modes and editing features so users can capture crisp, vivid photos and video whenever the moment strikes. For selfie junkies, its 5 megapixel wide-angle front camera with auto-shutter that is activated by the blink of an eye or a smile can deliver clear images.
Meanwhile, the 13 megapixel auto-focus, rear-facing camera comes with a back-illuminated sensor and LED flash to produce sharp shots.

In addition, the 32GB internal storage capacity gives users enough room to store their digital content.

Meanwhile, Lenovo also introduced the Vibe X2 battery and Vibe X2 speaker. The Vibe Xtension cases add a fourth layer to the phone's multi-layer design, immediately extending battery life and cranking up high-fi sound. The ultra-thin (5.1mm) X2 battery does double duty by protecting the phone while also extending its battery life by nearly 75 percent, lasting from day to night without having to recharge.

The X2 JBL Speaker amplifies music and movie audio. A stand allows for hands-free use and a built-in mic for group conference calls.

“Uniquely crafted with three layers of distinctive colors, the Vibe X2 is the ideal smartphone for design trendsetters and style followers. Combined with the all-new Vibe Xtensions which gives the Vibe X2 its fourth layer, these innovations will drive Lenovo’s leadership in the PC Plus era,” Dino Romano, country head of Lenovo Smartphones, said in a press statement.

“Our partnership with MediaTek delivers powerful performance in the stylish VIBE X2 and this will appeal to our discerning customers who value best-in-class features in their smartphones,” he said.

For his part, Ching-Jiang Hsieh, president of MediaTek, acknowledged Lenovo as one of its most important partners.

“We have been enjoying a full relationship over the course of the smartphone evolution from our single-core chip, through our latest True Octa-core LTE-enabled MT6595M SoC,” he said.

The Lenovo Vibe X2 will be available in white, gold, red and dark grey and will be available on the market by mid-November with a suggested retail price of P18,999.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lenovo launches mid-range LTE smartphones

MANILA— Chinese tech giant Lenovo recently launched its long-term evolution (LTE) capable phones in response to the local market’s demand for affordable yet hip smartphones.

The company pointed out that the Philippine market is going bananas over smartphones and other smart devices and the tech players are aggressively launching their respective products to cater to the needs of the various users, ranging from powerful executives to young fashionistas.

“There have been an increasing number of demands from smartphone consumers including a fast Internet connection. That’s why Lenovo launched the Lenovo A606 and Lenovo S856 – two new smartphones that are LTE-capable for the consumers who are always on the go and always in dire need of an Internet connection especially a fast one," Michael Ngan, Lenovo Philippines’ country general manager, said in a statement.

"This release is still in adherence to Lenovo’s mission to offer a wide variety of smartphones that suits our consumers’ lifestyle and financial capacity,” Ngan continued.

The Lenovo A606 is the company’s newest model for the mid-range market. Despite this positioning, it carries a lot of features: 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage space that’s expandable to 32GB via microSD slot. All of these work together to give users a pretty good and friendly user experience with the device.

Furthermore, the Lenovo A606 also features a 5-inch display, an 8-megapixel rear and a 2-megapixel front camera, 2000mAh battery and Lenovo’s very own Do It Apps. It has a selling price of P9,499.

With a 5.5-inch HD display, the Lenovo S856 is one of the smartphones that reduces the difference between a smartphone and a phablet. Under the hood are some pretty competitive specs, including the 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 chip that gives a smooth run, especially when combined with the Android Kitkat 4.4.2 OS that’s installed in the device out of the box.

The Lenovo S856 also boasts a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor, dual-SIM capability, Lenovo’s Do It Apps, a 2500mAh battery and expandable 8GB of internal storage. For those who love to snap up some photos, the Lenovo S856 also has an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 1.6-megapixel front camera.

It sells for P13, 999.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

New Lenovo phone packs features for shutterbugs

MANILA -- Lenovo launched on Monday the Vibe Z2 Pro, the latest member of its flagship smartphone line, which offers a range of professional photography features.

“The new Vibe Z2 Pro proves that Lenovo’s smartphone portfolio is growing. The Vibe Z2 Pro is perfect for tech-savvy consumers who demand best-in-class entertainment and ability to run sophisticated apps,” Lenovo Philippines country general manager Michael Ngan said in a statement.

According to the global tech giant, the Vibe Z2 Pro differs from other smartphones as its 16MP rear camera uses a 16:9 BSI sensor that captures widescreen photos at full resolution. It also supports 4K resolution and high-speed 120fps recordings.

Moreover, the Enhanced 6 element lens boosts the already-strong low-light shooting performance of the BSI sensor. Shutterbugs will also appreciate Zero Shutter Lag, manual shooting settings and a HDR-ready custom SNAPit camera app.

The Vibe Z2 Pro’s IPS panel packs 2,560 x 1,440 pixels and its 490ppi screen density is one of the highest among existing premium smartphones.

Rated at 500 nits maximum brightness output, the display is easily viewable outdoors coupled with richer colors and wide viewing angles. In addition, with 83.5% of the usable screen estate, users can view more content, thanks to an ultra-narrow frame design.

Also available is a suite of custom Lenovo DOit apps such as SHAREit, SYNCit and SEEit Gallery.

SHAREit is a hassle-free way to share conten in a wireless manner; SYNCit backs up user’s contacts and other data to the cloud; while SEEit Gallery is an intuitive photo management tool featuring one-touch editing capability.

Powered by a 2.5GHz, Snapdragon 801 processor, the company said it can load and run apps quicker than other chips and users can count on its quad-core architecture and 3GB of RAM for a seamless multitasking experience.

The high-capacity battery and VIBE Z2 Pro’s advanced energy-saving features also ensure long hours of use.

For frequent travelers, dual SIM support with 4G compatibility makes international roaming a breeze.

The Lenovo Vibe Z2 is priced at P29,999.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lenovo targets business users for new ThinkPads

MANILA— Lenovo recently launched the ThinkPad 8 and the ThinkPad X1 Carbon ThinkPad to help enhance its position in the enterprise market.

Mon Delos Reyes, partner account manager for multinational accounts of Microsoft Philippines, said the two Lenovo products come from a strong IBM legacy that has made a mark in the corporate market.

“Lenovo has the breadth to go into the enterprise world. It has the devices and enterprises for the public, “he said.

The ThinkPad 8 a premium 8-inch tablet offering full PC experience on the move, while the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a third generation Ultrabook that’s also the world’s lightest at 14-inches.

The ThinkPad 8, which is built out of machine-cut aluminum, is a portable device for professionals and has the ability to connect to a keyboard and display full PC experience. People on-the-go can either use it in tablet mode or go for optional "Quickshot cover" by converting it into tent mode. One can also opt for desktop mode and use it connect it to the optional keyboard base, dock or monitor.

Furthermore, the ThinkPad 8 can actually allow users to capture photos and videos intuitively and easily with the Quickshot cover. The user just needs to do is peel back the tablet’s cover to expose its 8 MP high-definition camera, thereby triggering the camera app to open.

Users can view and edit photos and videos on its super bright 8.3 inch, 1920x1200 display and transfer them wirelessly using Miracast technology. It is also possible to view photos and videos via a cable using its microHDMI port.

Supporting full PC experience, the ThinkPad 8 comes with the latest Intel Bay Trail quad core processor and offers up to 128GB of internal storage. The tablet is capable to expand into desktop PC by attaching it to a Thinkpad USB 3.0 dock station. Business users will be more productive at their desk by connecting a second LCD monitor, full size USB keyboard and desktop storage device into the Thinkpad USB 3.0 dock.

It also comes with a microUSB 3.0 port and a full Windows8 Pro experience suited for professional needs. Businesses can also opt for a variety of service and support solutions to fit into their needs.

 Meanwhile, Francis Judan, distributor manager of Lenovo Philippines, said the new X1 Carbon is a light but durable machine.

Weighing only 2.8 pounds, it is also considered the lightest 14-inch Ultrabook in the world. Made from the same stock as aircraft and racing cars, the X1 Carbon was forged from carbon fiber, which weighs less than magnesium and aluminum, but is stronger than both.

As a very user-friendly computing machine, Judan said the new X1 Carbon has an adaptive keyboard feature that dynamically adjusts based on the software or application being used. The new Ultrabook also integrates voice and gesture control, allowing users to interact with their PC in a modern and more familiar way.

He noted that the new X1 Carbon also provides great viewing and touch experiences for users. Its new ColorBurst display provides sharper, brighter images at higher resolutions for a superior visual experience whether one is watching a movie or creating a presentation.

Designed for customers who are always on the move, Judan said the new X1 Carbon uses Rapid Charge technology, providing 80% charge in less than one hour. Coupled with up to nine hours of battery life (over 70% improvement from the last generation) and optional built-in 4G capability, it can actually provide all the mobility and connectivity that users may need wherever they go.

“Lenovo continues to push the envelope of design and innovation by creating smart products that address users’ mobility, flexibility as well as need for content creation be it at home or at work,” said Michael Ngan, country general manager, Lenovo Philippines.

“The ThinkPad 8’s multi-mode design and extreme portability and the ThinkPad X1 Carbon’s professional display and new interactive methods are a testament to Lenovo’s,” he added.

Both the ThinkPad 8 and new ThinkPad X1 Carbon are available at Lenovo Exclusive stores, SM North EDSA Think Exclusive store, and Lenovo corporate resellers nationwide. Their prices start at P25,490 and P105,000 respectively.

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

Lenovo releases multimode Yoga tablets

MANILA -- Lenovo Philippines recently launched the Yoga multimode tablet as it expects to grab a bigger market share in the local market with its unique modes.

Michael Ngan, country general manager of Lenovo Philippines, said the Yoga series has three modes -- hold, tilt and stand -- which enable consumers to have better user experience.

“Lenovo is once more swimming against the current to deliver a new way for consumers to enjoy their digital content. In a market defined by similar designs, Lenovo’s Yoga tablet stands out by standing up and tilting to fit into user’s preferences-whether for reading documents, browsing emails or watching movies,” Ngan said in a statement.

According to Ngan, the three modes was the result of a study of Lenovo engineers and engineers on the challenges faced by users of tablets.

He said users develop fatigue when holding and using tablets, noting there was no self-supporting mechanism when laid on a flat surface.

Another problem was having an inadequate viewing angle when set on a table.

With a cylindrical handle, Ngan said the hold mode enables a user’s hand to have a stronger control on the tablet. The hold mode makes reading, checking social media and browsing the web similar to when people read books and magazines.

If the user wants to switch to stand mode, they can just rotate the side cylinder 90° so that the tablet stand deploys, allowing the tablet to stand by itself on a table. Moreover, users can change the viewing angle to fit what’s comfortable for them from 110° to 135°. The stand mode allows users easy viewing for movies, place video calls and interact with the 10-finger touchscreen without having to rely add-on-accessories.

Users can also lay down the tablet in tilt mode to type directly on the tablet, play games and just surf the Internet.

Lenovo has also enriched the content through an auto-detection software that automatically brings up frequently used apps in hold and stand modes.

Aside from its multimode design, the Yoga also provides a longer battery life of up to 18 hours. It can even charge other devices such as smartphones via its USB on-the-go.

The 10- and 8-inch models run on MT 8389 Quad Core processors and feature Android 4.2. Both models are equipped with Dolby audio that create a powerful surround sound experience.

Considered featherweights by Lenovo, the 10-inch model weighs 1.35 pounds and 0.88 pounds for the 8-inch model. They feature high definition 1280 x 800 displays, a 5 MP auto focus camera plus a 1.6 MP front camera, 16G EMMC and Bluetooth.

Meanwhile, the 8-inch model features WCDMA without phone capabilities.

Lenovo offers an additional Bluetooth keyboard for the 10-inch model that functions as a cover and even wakes up the tablet when it’s removed and puts the tablet to sleep when it’s attached.

The 10-inch is priced at P16, 999 and the 8-inch will be selling at P14, 999.

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