Showing posts with label Tablet. Show all posts

Microsoft to launch Windows 8, Surface tablet today


Microsoft to launch Windows 8, Surface tablet today
Microsoft is gambling by changing a familiar UI to make Windows 8 compatible with internet "cloud" and relying on mobile gadgets at work and at home.
SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft will release a new version of its flagship Windows operating system, tailored for a world shifting from personal computers to smartphones and tablets, today at 9pm (IST).
The software giant gambled by changing long familiar user interface features to makeWindows 8 compatible with trends toward keeping programmes and data in the internet cloud and relying on mobile gadgets at work and at home.
"Microsoft has this vision where they want to go; and it is Windows in the cloud," said analyst Michael Cherry of Directions on Microsoft, an independent firm that tracks the Redmond, Washington-based company.
"The chasm is very big and Windows 8 is a good first step," he continued. "But, all of these transitions come with a little pain."
The arrival of Windows 8 will coincide with the availability of Microsoft Surface tablet computers to challenge Apple's market-ruling iPads and rivals built on Google's Android software.
Surface tablets will be among Windows 8-powered devices sold in real-world Microsoft stores that will "pop up" on Friday in the United States and Canada.
Microsoft promised that the temporary, holiday-season shops will feature a "curated collection of Microsoft's coolest products."
Windows 8 and an accompanying version of Microsoft's free Internet Explorer web browsing program, were designed to optimise touchscreen capabilities.
"This is an absolutely critical product," Microsoft co-founder and chairman Bill Gates said in a video interview posted on the company's website.
"It takes Windows into the world of touch, low-powered devices, really giving people the best of what we think of as a tablet-type experience and the PC experience," he continued. "It is a big step."
Windows 8 will support a wide range of devices, including touch- and stylus-based smartphones and tablet PCs as well as desktop and laptop machines.
Versions of the operating system have been tailored for chips used to power various mobile devices.
The fate of Surface and other Windows 8 tablets will likely hinge on the availability and pricing of applications, since fun or functional "apps" are what people tend to love about gadgets, according to Cherry.
"Frankly, even an iPad out of the box isn't really exciting; it is a platform things can run on," the analyst said.
"The real question is how many apps really exploit the Windows 8 platform, and right now the number of apps you can truly get excited about is quite low."
Microsoft would "get software developers behind this," Gates added.
Apple on Tuesday introduced a fourth-generation iPad and a "mini" version of its hot-selling tablet computer while touting the fact there are more than 275,000 apps tailored for the tablets.
Apple also pointed out anew that iPads have been gaining popularity in businesses, long considered Microsoft technology strongholds.
Approximately 90 percent of the world's computers run on Windows software but sales of Apple Macintosh machines have outpaced the overall personal computer market for six consecutive years.
If mobile device operating systems such as those powering Android and Apple gadgets are factored into the equation, Microsoft's share drops considerably.
Windows 8 allows users to store and share personal data among various devices under the "SkyDrive" cloud computing service.
Rivals Apple and Google offer such services, which let people store digital data on servers in the internet cloud and access files from devices of their choosing.
Windows 8 will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide.
It "is simply the biggest deal for this company in at least 17 years," Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer said at Windows 8 preview event, referring to the time since the launch of the game-changing Windows 95 operating system.
"It's the glue; it's the foundation of everything Microsoft is built on."
Cherry dismissed worries that Windows 8 changes, such as replacing the Start menu with Tiles on an opening page, will alienate long-time users.
"User interfaces should grow, adapt and change," Cherry said. "Let's give people some credit that they will get it."
Forrester analyst Frank Gillett considered Windows 8 the most radical change for the operating system since the original Windows replaced Dos software in the early 1990s.
It remained to be seen how quickly Windows 8 would be adopted by businesses, which remain cautious after problems with the Vista version of the operating system generations earlier and that follow their own timelines for updating technology.
Microsoft reported that pre-sales of Windows 8 have outstripped those of its predecessor by 40 percent.
Microsoft will hold a gala party in New York City on Thursday for the midnight launch of Windows 8 and devote a massive marketing budget to promoting the operating system.

Intel showcases new Windows 8-based tablet computers


Intel showcases new Windows 8-based tablet computers
Intel previewed a wave of tablet computers powered by a microprocessor that the company redesigned to make a bigger dent in the rapidly growing mobile market.

SAN FRANCISCO: Intel previewed a wave oftablet computers powered by a microprocessor that the company redesigned to make a bigger dent in the rapidly growing mobile market.

An assortment of major computer vendors made the tablets that were shown Thursday in San Francisco. All the devices depend on Intel's new processor and Windows 8, a dramatic overhaul of the widely used operating system made by Microsoft.

The tablets won't go on sale until October 26 when Windows 8 is released. The prices for the various machines will be revealed during the next few weeks.

Intel held the event in an attempt to prove it's adapting to the market upheaval caused by the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets such as Apple's iPad.

The shift to mobile devices poses a threat to Intel because its previous chip designs weren't well suited for the needs of smartphones and mobile devices. As a result, Intel's sales are now falling as demand for its personal-computer microprocessors tapers off.

Intel's new tablet chip, code named "Clover Trail" while it was in development, is called the Atom Z2760. It boasts a dual-processing feature that makes tablets run faster and with low power consumption so the battery life of a device should last 10 hours while it's showing video or performing other tasks.

The chips that Intel makes for PCs devour more power, making them ill-equipped for tablets that are often used for long stretches without a recharge. That's one of the main reasons Apple and other tablet makers have shunned Intel's chips.

Like Intel, PC makers are counting on Windows 8 to give them a slice of a market that so far has been dominated by the iPad. Most of the other tablets that are siphoning sales from the iPad are running on Android, a free operating system made by Google.

Windows 8 presents applications in a mosaic of tiles to allow for touch-screen navigation and highlight real-time information from the internet. The revamped operating system also can be adjusted to work on traditional laptop and desktop computers with keyboards. That versatility is meant to appeal to office workers and others who want to use their machines to create content, as well as consume it.

To cater to that market, some tablet makers are designing hybrid machines that include a keyboard that can be untethered from the display screen.

Erik Reid, an executive in Intel's mobile and communications group who orchestrated Thursday's showcase, described Windows 8 as a breakthrough that "offers an incredible andexciting opportunity to drive new innovation in the marketplace."

The flattery came after Bloomberg News reported Intel CEO Paul Otellini's apparent misgivings about the new operating system. In a meeting earlier this week with Intel employees in Taiwan, Otellini said he believes Microsoft is releasing Windows 8 before all the bugs are fixed, according to Bloomberg, which quoted an unnamed person who heard the remarks.

The manufacturers who have built tablets and hybrid machines running on Intel's new chip include Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Lenovo Group, Asustek Computer and Samsung Electronics.

Intel shares gained 44 cents Thursday to close at $23.09.

Samsung Galaxy Note II in India for Rs 39,900: Worth it?


Samsung has just released its new Galaxy Note II ‘phablet’ in India for a whopping Rs 39,900. (For more details on the launch check out our live blog here.)
And now that it’s finally here, we do a quick round up of what we felt were the most pressing points around the launch of the new phone. Is it priced too high? Will it also have to compete with low cost tablets? And what are we most excited about?
The price: Ok, this is probably the first aspect that most users look for before they consider buying the smartphone. The Galaxy Note II will cost Rs 39,990 and while this might sound steep right now, remember that while the S III launched at Rs 42,000, it was available on retail for Rs 38,000. So prices are likely to be significantly lower within a few days of it retailing. As of now, Flipkart is offering it for the same price, but we’d be very surprised if this continues to be the trend.
Samsung has assured users of an interest free EMI option spread out over nine months which means that the smartphone will cost around Rs 4500 per month should you go for this. This is a great deal to offer, especially if you don’t want to burn a Rs 40,000 hole in your pocket.
AP
The screen size: This is the aspect that makes the Note II what it is: a phablet . It’s not just a smartphone to make calls with, but a 5.5 inch screen with1280 x 720 pixel density, which can drastically alter the video watching experience on a hand-held device. For those who like to watch movies, read magazines, the big screen should definitely be a big plus point.  But remember that you can’t just put this device in your jeans pocket.
What this also means, is that the Note is also competing with tablets. And some of these are priced a lot lot cheaper. Could this hurt the Note? Maybe.
The Stylus: As far as innovation goes, this is definitely a plus point, especially given that Samsung is trying to sell this device as the perfect companion for ‘creative’ people.  And we all fancy ourselves a little bit creative don’t we? Nice positioning Samsung!
The S Pen or the stylus is one feature that Samsung has definitely tried to improve in this device and it comes with advanced capabilities, like giving users the option of of adding Quick Commands to their stylus. This means that users can also simply press the S Pen button,to clip or edit selected content on the screen.
The Note II also has Air View capability, which means that even when users keep the S Pen approximately 10mm over the surface of the device it will still detect the presence of the stylus and allow you to preview emails, images, or videos without having to open them.
And perhaps most importantly it allows you to use it like a pen. According to Samsung Vice-President India, Asim Warsi, “The S Pen is tuned to sense 1024 different levels of pressure sensing. This can draw lines of depth, width, intensity”.
Warsi promises that this means that using the S Pen is exactly the same as using a normal pen and paper and can be used to write notes, sms and even emails. If it does everything Warzi says, this could be a huge boost for Samsung, especially since it will appeal to users who are not too comfortable with touch screens. Could this be the next big innovation for corporate users since the BlackBerry and QWERTY keypad?
The OS: Galaxy Note II ships with the latest Android OS Jelly Bean or Android 4.1. With features like Project Butter for faster functioning of the device, Google Now  ( a Siri like voice commands app but with the power of Google) , a smarter keyboard functionality and sharper notifications. For all Android fans, Jelly Bean should be reason enough to give this one a try.

Celkon launches SIM-based tablet


Celkon Mobiles has launched a 7-inch SIM-based tablet that works on Android Ice Cream Sandwich Operating System. The Hyderabad-based mobile handset company forayed into the tablet business last month with an e-tab.
The sim-based CELTAB comes with 1 GHz Processor, 512 RAM and a provision for 3G dongle to access the Internet. ‘We have priced this tab at Rs 7,499. We will be coming out with two more tablets, including a 9-inch one, next week,” Y. Guru, Managing Director of Celkon Mobiles, said.
The company is offering in-built courseware for engineering and management graduates. “We are planning to add additional material to address the needs of students in other streams,” he told Business Line.
Overseas expansion
Celkon’s Executive Director, R. Murali, said the company plans to expand the business abroad in the fourth quarter of this financial year. “We are in talks with channel partners in Africa. We have started selling the handsets in Singapore in a small way. We will also be looking at Sri Lanka and Bangladesh,” he said.
He said the company would roll out a smartphone with dual-core processor in October, along with C-Note, both under Rs 10,000. “We are selling five lakh handsets a month. Of this, smartphones and tablets contribute 20 per cent. We expect the contribution from the latter segment to grow in the remaining two quarters as we launch new models and expand to new States,” he said.
In 2011-12, the company registered a turnover of Rs 326 crore. “With new smartphone range and tablets and expansion to new States would help us cross Rs 1,000-crore this financial year,” he said.
Celkon will launch a marketing campaign with film actress Tamanna Bhatia and cricketer Virat Kohli next month to cash in on the festival season.
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