Acer, Lenovo to launch tablet-cum ultrabook devices

World's largest chip maker Intel Corporation on the eve of Computex 2012 exhibition here said that about 10 tablet-cum-Ultrabook devices are expected to be launched by some of the largest PC makers on Windows 8 operating system, as soon as it gets released. 

Speaking to ET at Computex 2012, Intel's director for consumer client marketing Karen Regis, said that about 10 of these designs are in the works by 'some of the usual suspects'. 

Besides, touch based devices, voice based Ultrabooks are expected to be showcased at Computex 2012, one of the largest computer exhibitions in Asia. 

Sources say that Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo are expected to launch the convertible form factors on Windows 8, which will give Intel-based Ultrabooks an edge. The tablet cum notebook form factors will give competition to Apple's iPad and Macbook Air simultaneously, by combining functionality of both. Taiwanese PC maker Asus has Android based EeePad on Nvidia chip, and comes with a detachable keypad. 

Intel is also expected to launch about five new processors, two each based on i5 and i7, and one i3 technology at Computex 2012. "We also expect launch of about 35 new Ultrabook systems within 30 days, which will give consumers new choices," she said. 

"Research shows that for lean forward experiences like content creation or emailing , people may rely on a PC. For lean back experiences like consuming content, consumers would like to use a tablet," Regis said. Computex 2012, expects launch of many form factors on the Windows 8 platform by many players, including some LCD makers. Viewsonic, will showcase their Windows 8 and Android ICS based 22-inch LED touch monitors. The displays can be used to access internet, take orders in a restaurant or book tickets via touch. 
Source:TOI

Microsoft Windows 8 to dominate at Computex

Microsoft's much-anticipated Windows 8 operating system is set to take pride of place as tens of thousands of people head to Asia's leading IT fair opening in Taiwan on Tuesday. 

The five-day Computex, an annual tech extravaganza in Taipei now in its 32nd year, will provide one of the most comprehensive glimpses yet of the next version of the world's dominant software. 

"It's only a few months before the official release of Microsoft's Windows 8 software," said Chang Li, deputy secretary general of the Taipei Computer Association, which co-sponsors Computex. 

"So this year's Computex will offer a great occasion to have a look at some of the hardware applications from Taiwan companies." 

Windows 8 is touted as Microsoft's long-awaited riposte to the rise of Apple and mobile devices powered by Google's Android operating system. There is no official release date but reports have predicted an October launch. 

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer says that Windows 8 will support a wider range of devices including touch-and stylus-based smartphones and tablet PCs, as well as desktops and laptops. 

Computex will reflect this with dozens of exhibitors displaying notebooks and tablets running Windows 8, according to organisers. 

South Korea's Samsung along with Taiwanese computer makers Acer and Asus will reportedly launch new tablets and notebooks running on the new Microsoft platform. "The theme of this year's Computex is clear. Visitors can expect a broad range of products related to Windows 8," said Joanne Chien, a senior analyst at a research centre attached to Taipei-based trade publication DigiTimes. 

The latest bout of global economic jitters have not affected the trade show with more than 1,800 exhibitors registering 5,400 booths, up two percent from a year ago. 

The organisers estimate that the IT fair will draw 36,000 foreign buyers who may place bulk orders worth up to $28 billion. 

Computer makers hope that fresh momentum will come from the so-called "ultrabook", a higher-end product that aims to be smaller and lighter than traditional notebooks without reducing performance or battery life. 

Ultrabooks made their debut at Computex 2011, but the relatively high price -- around $1,000 apiece -- has hampered the sector's growth. 

"If the prices go down a bit, ultrabook is likely to attract lots of users," said David Liu, also from the Taipei Computer Association. 

And there is still room for the humble laptop even as tablets take off, experts at the association said, because users still need a portable workhorse in addition to an entertainment device such as the iPad. 

Analysts predicted that ultrabook sales will pick up during the Christmas season, aided by the release of Windows 8 and the advent of " cloud computing", which requires smaller hard drives as users store more of their data online. 

Apple, a pioneer of the cloud approach, does not take part in trade fairs like Computex or theConsumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, preferring to organise its own high-octane events to showcase new products.  In contrast, Samsung is pulling out the stops at Computex with its IT products arrayed over some 30 booths. 

In line with China's new economic might, IT companies from the mainland such as telecoms equipment maker Huawei will play a bigger role at Computex than ever before. 

A total of 312 Chinese exhibitors will use 617 booths to showcase their products, compared with 252 firms taking 527 booths a year ago, according to the organisers. 

"It's not clear how many orders they may get from the show, but at least they can use the platform to boost their exposure to possible clients," Chien said.

Source:TOI.

Microsoft launches Windows 8 release preview

Microsoft is nearly done with a much-anticipated overhaul of its Windows operating system.The software maker signaled the makeover is nearly complete with Thursday's release of the final test version of Windows 8.

Windows 8 is considered to be the biggest change in decades to Microsoft's widely used operating system. The software displays applications in a mosaic of tiles and has been designed so it can run desktop, laptop and tablet computers.

PC sales have slowed in the US as consumers delay replacements and instead buy mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. The versatility of Windows 8 is expected to spawn a new generation of computers that are part laptop, part tablet. The latest test version of Windows 8 is available in 14 languages and includes several improvements from a less-refined version released three months ago. The upgrades include more ways to connect to other Microsoft services, more security controls and more touch-screen features.

Microsoft Corp hasn't announced when Windows 8 will go on sale yet. Most industry analysts expect the software will be available in September or October. With Windows 8 looming, more prospective computer buyers may delay their purchases until the new operating system is available.

Microsoft is trying to discourage procrastination with a special promotion that begins Saturday in the US, Canada and more than 120 other markets. The program allows buyers of computer running on Windows 7 to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro, when it's available, for $14.99. Microsoft hasn't announced other prices.

Source:TOI.IT

Google Chromebook gets an upgrade

Google will try to win more converts to a computer operating system revolving around its popular Chrome Web browser with a new wave of lightweight laptops built by Samsung Electronics. 

Tuesday's release of the next-generation Chromebooks will give Google and Samsung another opportunity to persuade consumers and businesses to buy an unconventional computer instead of machines running on familiar software by industry pioneers Microsoft and Apple. 

Unlike most computers, Google's Chromebooks don't have a hard drive. They function like terminals dependent on an internet connection. The laptops come with 16 gigabytes of flash memory - the kind found in smartphones, tablet computers and some iPods. Two USB ports allow external hard drives and other devices to be plugged into the machines. 

Chromebooks haven't made much of a dent in the market since their debut a year ago. In that time, more people have been embracing Apple's iPad and other tablet computers - a factor that has contributed to a slowdown in sales of personal computers. 

The cool reception to Chromebooks has raised questions about whether Google misjudged the demand for computers designed to quickly connect to its dominant internet search engine and ever-expanding stable of other online services, ranging from email to a recently introduced file-storage system called Drive. "The Chromebooks have had less to offer than tablets, so they haven't been that interesting to consumers," said Gartner analyst Mika Kitagawa. 

Google says it always intended to take things slowly with the Chromebooks to give its engineers time to understand the shortcomings of the machines and make the necessary improvements. 

"This release is a big step in the journey to bringing (Chromebooks) to the mainstream," said Sundar Pichai, Google's senior vice president of Chrome and apps. 

The upgraded laptop, called "Series 5 550," is supposed to run two-and-half times faster than the original machines, and boasts higher-definition video. Google also added features that will enable users to edit documents offline, read more content created in widely used Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel, and retrieve material from another computer at home or an office. More emphasis is being placed on Chrome's Web store, which features more than 50,000 applications. 

The price: $449 for models that only connect to the internet through Wi-Fi and $549 for a machine that connects on a 3G network. Samsung's original Chromebooks started out with prices ranging from $429 to $499. Like the original Chromebooks, the next-generation machines feature a 12.1-inch screen display and run on an Intel processor. 

Google and Samsung also are introducing a "Chromebox" that can be plugged into a display monitor to create the equivalent of desktop computer. The box will sell for $329. 

The latest Chromebook and new Chromebox will be available online only, beginning in the US on Tuesday, followed by a Wednesday release in the United Kingdom. The products will go on sale in brick-and-mortar stores for the first time in still-to-be-determined Best Buy locations next month. 

The expansion beyond Internet-only sales signals Google's determination to attract a mass audience to its Chromebooks, just as it's done with smartphones running on its Android software. More than 300 million mobile devices have been activated on Android since the software's 2008 release. 

Without providing specifics, Pichai said several other computer manufacturers will release Chromebooks later this year. Google plans to back the expanded line of Chromebooks with a marketing blitz during the holiday shopping season in November and December. 

One reason Google is confident Chromebooks will eventually catch on is because the Chrome Web browser has attracted so many fans in less than four years on the market. The company says more than 200 million people worldwide currently are using the Chrome browser. 

Like other laptop and desktop computers, the Chromebooks will have to contend with the accelerating shift to the iPad and other tablets. The iPad 2, an older version of Apple's tablet line, sells for as little as $399, undercutting the new Chromebook. Other low-cost tablets are expected to hit the market later this year. One of them might even be made by Motorola Mobility, a device maker that Google bought for $12.5 billion earlier this month. Google so far hasn't commented on Motorola's future plans for the tablet market. 

The new Chromebooks also are hitting the market at a time when some prospective computer buyers may be delaying purchases until they can check out machines running on Windows 8, a makeover of Microsoft's operating system that is expected to be released in September or October. Microsoft designed Windows 8 so it can be controlled through touch as well as keyboards. That versatility is expected to inspire the creation of hybrid machines that are part laptop, part tablet. 

Google shares added $2.81 Tuesday to close at $594.34.

Source: TOI.IT