Intel Super-Thin PC-Tablet Hybrid

There are plans by Intel to release an ultra thin, two-in-one device powered by Intel’s newest processor chip.   Their procesessor, Broadwell, was delayed for more than a quarter.  But customers can expect to purchase new Broadwell-based hardware just before summer holidays.

Intel plans to jump on the tablet bandwagon hopefully running Google’s Android software.  They also plan to have 2-in-1 designs so that their tablets can use keyboards or simply stay a tablet.  Intel’s president, Renee James, will be giving a keynote in Taipei discussing the plans to make these products more desirable.  Reducing size and weight of tablets is first on the list.

James plans on showing an extremely thin 2-in-1 prototype that is based on a Broadwell chip called the Core M.  The prototype will have a 12.5 inch screen, will measure at just 7.2 mm in thickness when the keyboard is detached, and weigh just 670 grams.  It will be thinner than Apple’s iPad Air but a bit heavier.  It won’t have a fan either, which is normal in tablets but will save power for Intel’s Core line of chips.

There have been 130 tablets designed on Intel chips already, or will be available this year.  James will also discuss Long-term Evolution (LTE) cellular capability that Intel needs in order to compete with other companies, especially ones like Qualcomm, which is a mobile-chip giant.  Although there is a focus on tablets, Intel is still considering desk-top PCs which gamers still use as they are more powerful.

James will continue her continue her keynote with a discussion on the new model of the Core i7, a high-end line which will operate at up to 4 gigahertz chip for the desktop model.  It can be even faster using over-clocking, a technique that increases power.

[Image via]  : www.anandtech.com

SOURCE: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/06/03/intel-pushing-super-thin-pc-tablet-hybrids/?mod=ST1

RAM Can’t be Upgraded On New iMac

Earlier this week Techbeat reported that Apple released a brand new 21 and 27 inch iMac that was $200 cheaper than more expensive models. While that sounds like a great deal (who doesn’t like to save a couple hundred bucks?!) it turns out that these new, cheaper iMacs suffer from a couple of potential deal-breakers. While they’re fine for desktop users who just need a “basic” computer, more advanced users may find themselves frustrated with their lack of options.

Macs have been renowned for years because of all of their different upgradeability options. Want to upgrade the hard drive? No problem. Want to upgrade the RAM? No big deal! But that unfortunately is not the case with Apple’s new lineup of cheaper iMacs.

As it stands now, users are forever stuck with the 8GB of RAM that the iMac ships out with. Other World Computers (a Mac reseller) obtained one of the computers and wasted no time at all in talking it all apart to see how it ticked. They discovered that its RAM was completely soldered onto it and was unremovable. This may prove to be a major problem for those Mac users who like to be able to upgrade their computers as much as possible.

Indeed, it seems the only upgradeable option with these new iMacs is the hard drive, which can be upped to 256GB.

What do you think? Is this a deal-breaker for you? Let us know in the comments section below!

[Image via DigitalTrends]

SOURCE: Techspot

3D Printing Houses With Drones

The application of 3D printing is becoming more varied with each passing day.  I mean, disabled children are getting a new lease of life with 3D printed tools to assist them in their daily life.  Designers are able to 3D print their creations to get a better feel for their products and construction firms are now using the 3D printer to make parts for buildings.

But the time is not too far away when you will actually be able to 3D print your own house. Not with a regular 3D printer, but with a drone.  As we have already seen, the concept of 3D printed structural design is not a new one. But the massive 3D printers that are needed for large-scale construction projects are rather impractical.  Which is why Saša Jokić and Petr Novikov thought that adding drones into the mix will make a 3D printed construction project more achievable in much smaller spaces.

The gadgets are called Minibuilders. These small sized drones made by Saša Jokić and Petr Novikov, are robotic concrete mixers, which can deposit layers of liquid construct substance. As with regular 3D printed products, there is a need for a core to construct the rest of the project around. This core consists of two large cylinders of liquid synthetic marble. The liquid is then forced through extended tubes by a specialized team of three robots, using inflatable syringes.  Next a sensor-equipped Minibuilder will follow lines that are marked on the ground, for the foundation of the construction. The Minibuilder positions the first 20 layers of construct material in a singular, looping spiral.

To finalize the process, a human construction engineer then braces on an additional “grip robot” to the foundation so as to dispense the material.  This material is durable enough to 3D print roofs and supplementary suspended constructions, to create the building. What do you think? Are the next generation of bricklayers and dry-wall fitters out of a job?  Personally, I don’t think so, just yet. [Images via: wired] SOURCE: http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2014/06/26/minibuilders/

Microsoft Unveils Surface Pro 3

So the speculations were correct: Microsoft’s event yesterday did not yield a Surface Mini but a larger Surface Pro 3. The event was centered on the newest version of the company’s tablet, which is indeed a 12-incher.
The average person has separate devices for specific uses. If you’re like me, I have a laptop mainly for work and a tablet for play (that ranges from games to reading to surfing to watching videos). And, we’re probably part of Microsoft’s target audience for the larger Surface Pro 3, which they have officially touted as what can be a replacement for one’s laptop.
Microsoft is banking on the fact that, while other tablets like the iPad are great for entertainment purposes, they are not as efficient when it comes to work; that is, working with documents and spreadsheets – even presentations. That is not to say that you cannot do those things with current tablets. It’s just that they are not optimized for that kind of work.
And that’s why the Surface Pro 3 was built.

Microsoft says that the 12-inch display will make a huge difference in using work-related applications, allowing users to look at more than one application at any given time. Basically viewing multiple windows on your screen. Indeed, with the size of the Surface Pro 3, there is more screen real estate to make this possible. At 1.7 pounds, though, it’s not too handy if you’re used to smaller tablets.
Having used a 10-inch netbook for some years in the past, I do think that 12 inches opens up the possibility of the Surface Pro 3 to become a work device more than the smaller tablets.
However, there is the question of combining work and play in one device. Do we really want that?
The Surface Pro 3 starts at $799 for the 64GB/Intel i3 model. The 512GB/Intel i7 model goes for a whopping $1,949.
The Surface Pro 3 is available for pre-order here and will start shipping on June 20 (depending on the exact model).
[Image via Microsoft Store]

Ringly: Beautiful Wearable Tech For Women

Ringly is an 18k-gold plated ring which connects to a smartphone.  The ring then discreetly notifies the wearer when she receives a text or a call.  The idea behind Ringly is to incorporate new tech into women’s everyday accessories.  This is so that they may enjoy the moment without missing something important, even when they are not wearing clothes that have pockets or holding a bag.
Ringly cofounder Christina Mercando informed Business Insider, “It started with me being frustrated from leaving my phone in my purse and missing a bunch of calls and texts…It turns out a lot of other people have a similar problem.”  The jewellery that Ringly offers is a selection of four different stones set in gold plating, which vibrate and light up when they are activated.

Mercando and co-founder Logan Munro wanted all of the technology; the accelerometer, Bluetooth LE, motor, and LEDs — to be incorporated into the ring as discreetly as possible as they were designing Ringly. “We were going for something that was simple, classic, something that a lot of women could get behind…It’s so small and discreet that people wouldn’t know the technology is there.”

 

Once you connect the ring to your smartphone through the Ringly app, which is available for both Android and iOS, you can then customise the way you want to receive notifications. The options that are available are varied, from blinking lights and vibration patterns, which are adjustable, as well as selecting which apps you want to receive notifications from.  You can even customise different notifications for different people.  To charge the ring, all you have to do is drop it back into its box.
The project has come together rather quickly.  In August 2013 the team had received $US1 million in funding from Mesa+, First Round Capital, PCH, and Andreessen Horowitz. The team subsequently then spent four months in San Francisco working on the prototype.
Ringly has just launched, at a price of $US145 per ring, on pre-order. The price will then go up to $US195 once it ships in the fall of this year.
As always, if you would like to leave a sensible comment, then please do so in the comments section below.
[Images via 9to5mac & technical]
SOURCE: http://www.businessinsider.com.au/ringly-wearable-tech-2014-6

Mac VS PC

It is well known that there is a long-standing rivalry between lovers of Mac and lovers of the good old PC, rarely do the two cross over. Researchers over at Hunch put together a heap of data to try and define the Mac and PC stereotypes, concluding that Mac users tend to be younger, while PC users avoid the party scene.

 Now, I am well aware that this will no doubt create some controversy among many of you but let’s have some fun here. Check out the infographic and let us know – are you a Mac person or a PC person?

 [Images via visual.ly & geek]

Build Your Own Smartphone Using A Raspberry Pi

How would you like to be the owner of a touchscreen smartphone that is unlike any other? – Well you can be, just build your own! That’s what David Hunt did, using his Raspberry Pi and a few other bits that came to a total cost of $158. That is slightly cheaper than your average smartphone but is it as good?
Well clearly it’s not as sophisticated as most handsets but it is one of the only smartphones that comes with an Ethernet jack, RCA Output and a full-sized HDMI port. Included in the build costs is a PiTFT display, 2500mAh lithium-polymer battery, GSM/GPRS radio module and antenna, DC-DC voltage convertor and the Raspberry Pi of course.

 

As you can see from the cost of the components, you’d be FAR better off going into your local phone store and picking up a normal smartphone, but hey, where’s the fun in that?” Hunt wrote on his blog. “I got a great kick out of the first phone call I made with this thing. And it won’t stay in one piece for long, I’ll be using those parts for other projects very soon!”

When switched on with the black toggle switch the PiPhone boots into the Raspbian operating system and then displays a numeric keypad. Hunt admits that “you wouldn’t actually use it in the real world”, especially because it gets rather hot and the battery likely only lasts a couple of hours, not to mention the rather bulky, ugly appearance.
But if you fancy giving this a go yourself then keep an eye out on GitHub, as Hunt has promised to release the code for his project if enough requests come in.

[Image via David Hunt]
SOURCE: http://www.davidhunt.ie/piphone-a-raspberry-pi-based-smartphone/

Samsung To Make Virtual Reality Headsets

Samsung is about to enter another major new category: virtual reality headsets. It is rumoured by sources close to Samsung that a virtual reality headset is not only in the pipeline, but it is set to be announced later this year. But as usual, the official line from Korea is, “Samsung doesn’t comment on rumour and speculation.”
The release’s urgency is said to be because of wanting to beat Facebook’s Oculus Rift and Sony’s Project Morpheus.  Some developers already have experimental versions of the headset, which, at least in development, is powered by Galaxy devices. The consumer model is rumoured to require the power of a next-generation device, no doubt the up and coming unannounced Galaxy series of devices.  Unlike the Galaxy Gear smart watch series, aparently Samsung’s in-house OS, Tizen, will not have anything to do with the VR headset.

 

The device is supposed to have an OLED screen, as good or better than in the second Rift dev kit.  There is no information on the connection process, but one would think it via a wire connection rather than wireless. Due to the fact that VR has a reliance on propinquity, a wired setup really is a requirement and any lag that does occur, ruins the experience for the user.
Apart from beating the competition to the market, Samsung is said to be targeting the device in a lower price bracket with its headset. Don’t expect anything too cheap! We are still talking about a VR headset here.  But, again no doubt to beat Oculus and Sony.
Obviously, this is a device that is meant for use on games by hardcore gamers. But what type of Android games?  As you may know, not all games directly transfer into a VR environment with ease. They look great on paper, but just don’t come across well.  I guess we will have to wait and see.
As always, if you would like to leave a sensible comment, then please do so in the comments section below.
[Image via vr-zone]
SOURCE: http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/22/samsung-vr-headset/?ncid=rss_truncated

Use Your Xbox One Controller With Your PC

Here’s a bit of good news for Xbox One gamers who also like to play games on their PC’s – thanks to a recent update from Microsoft, you can now use your Xbox One controller on your PC. After you download and install the new drivers, all you really have to do is plug in the Xbox One controller via a micro USB and you’re ready to play most any game you want to play.
While this is great news for dual gamers, it also has some gamers frustrated at the same time, since as of now people are required to play with a cord with the PC – limiting the Xbox One controller’s wireless capabilities. While a cord isn’t all that big of a deal in the long run, it does limit how some people prefer to play. Maybe there will be a day in the near future when the controllers will be able to be used wirelessly.

Plug N’ Play
 
While at first glance the One controller doesn’t appear all that different from its 360 predecessor, it is much thinner which many gamers find easier to use especially for long periods at a time.
If you’d like to download the drivers, you may do so here.
If you have an Xbox One, do you also play PC games? And, if so, do you prefer to use the same controller, or do you like to use a different one? Let us know your preferences in the comments section below!
 
[Image via News.Xbox]
SOURCE: http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/05/microsofts-xbox-one-controllers-now-work-with-pcs/