Microsoft Reveals Windows 8

June 06, 2011 | Marco Attard | Vendor NewsPDFPrintE-mail

Microsoft's Windows 8 gets its first official appearance at the D9 Conference, showing off a new UI as well as scalability-- running not only PCs but, according to Microsoft, "on everything".

Windows8The most obvious feature is the tile-based UI-- very similar to Windows Phone 7's-- replacing the traditional Start menu. The tiles (set up in a grid layout) can carry dynamic data on the icon itself, showing notifications and the like.

The entire interface appears to be entirely touch-optimised, with task switching involving swiping apps towards the screen's center before "snapping" them to a sidebar.

Running legacy apps (such as Office) slides the new UI away, revealing a far more familiar Windows 7-like layout, complete with Start button and file manager.

Microsoft is pushing for developers to work on HTML5, CSS and Javascript apps (ideal for low power tablets and laptops), which it will sell on its app store.

Internet Explorer also gets an update, with a Silverlight-powered 10th version.

The new OS runs on System on a Chip (SoC) devices-- Taipei's Computex 2011 hosts ARM-powered Windows 8 prototypes by Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Nvidia.

Microsoft should reveal more later on September, at its BUILD developer event.

Watch Building windows 8

Go Previewing Windows 8

MeMO Gets Glasses-Free Depth

May 30, 2011 | Marco Attard | Laptops & TabletsPDFPrintE-mail

Eee Pad MeMO 3DAlongside its other Computex 2011 announcements Asus introduces a new tablet-- the Eee Pad MeMO 3D, a 7" Honeycomb slate.

Making the device unique is its glasses-free 3D IPS display (with 1280 x 800 resolution). Asus says the device is designed for use in portrait orientation, and it comes with with a capacitative stylus for note taking functions.

Powering the device is a Qualcomm 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and it comes with HDMI connectivity and front- and back-facing cameras.

The package also include a MeMIC bluetooth mobile phone-style remote control/headset which also takes calls, and it should be available sometime in Q4 2011.

Go Asus at Computex 2011

NEDIS Takes Over Micro-Mel and Bandridge

May 30, 2011 | Marco Attard | Vendor NewsPDFPrintE-mail

NEDISMicro-Mel's sales organisation and Bandridge's activities fall under CE distributor NEDIS' control, while Michel Lieffering replaces owner Jacob Gilad as NEDIS CEO.

The companies describe the move as a combination of NEDIS' logistics system and Bandridge & Micro-Mel's professional sales and marketing activities.

Bandridge & Micro-Mel CEO Wim Fase says the combined companies are planning to become "market leader in the low, middle and high segments."

New NEDIS CEO Michel Lieffering comes from a background of over 35 years of experience in CE, starting off in the 70s as a sales person with Lieffering Electronics Zoetermeer. In 2004 he headed Conrad Electronic as Managing Director, leading its turning into an e-commerce retailer.

Go NEDIS

It's a Pad! It's a Phone! It's a... Padfone?

May 30, 2011 | Marco Attard | Mobile (Phones)PDFPrintE-mail

PadfoneAsus combines the CE market's fastest growing categories (mobiles and tablets) into one device-- the Padfone, which it unveils at Taipei's Computex 2011.

Simply put, the Padfone is an Android smartphone with an included touchscreen tablet dock. The tablet carries its own battery cell, meaning it also expands the combined device's battery life.

The device dynamically switches displays whenever users connect the phone part to the tablet, while sharing data and 3G aconnection access between mobile and tablet parts.

More details are unavailable at the time of writing-- Asus is still to confirm its actual dimensions (the models at the show include a 4.3" smartphone and a 10.1" tablet) and the Android version it will carry.

The Padfone unveiling comes alongside a slew of other Asus announcements, including new notebook models (in Asus' UX and N series) and the Eee Pad MeMO 3D 7" Honeycomb tablet.

Go Asus Padfone

PS3 Gets Official Headset

May 30, 2011 | Marco Attard | AudioPDFPrintE-mail

PS3 HeadsetSony announces its PS3 console now gets its official wireless headset-- named, unsurprisingly, the PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset.

The headset features 7.1 virtual surround sound, compatible with all games designed for surround sound audio. The package includes a USB wireless adapter for simple connection to the console.

It also provides onscreen updates for battery status, sound control and the like, while a retractable mic offers what Sony says is high quality voice chat.

Go New Official Wireless Stereo Headset Coming for PS3

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