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Lenovo announces IdeaCentre A520, B340 and B345 all-in-ones running Windows 8
If yesterday was the day Lenovo unveiled its new Android products, today’s the day it turns its attention to Windows 8: in addition to announcing a slew of laptops, the company introduced three IdeaCentre all-in-ones, all slated to go on sale in October when Windows 8 launches. Of these, the flagship is clearly the A520, with its tilting 23-inch screen that can lie nearly flat. Included in that press release, though, you’ll also find details about the B340 / B345, a smaller, more affordable desktop with a less flashy design.
Starting with the A520, it’s the little brother to the A720, which we first saw back at CES. Like the A720, it has a screen that can be tilted between 5 and 90 degrees, except this particular model has a smaller 23-inch display (compared with 27 inches for the A720). That 1080p display is of IPS caliber and supports 10-point multitouch. Under the hood, it can be configured with a Core i7 CPU, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 1TB of HDD storage and an optional Blu-ray player. If you need graphics horsepower, though, you might want to skip ahead to read about those B series models, since the A520 will only be offered with integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics.
Indeed, graphics might be a good place to start when we talk about the B340 and B345, since the GPU is the one thing that really separates them. Though both will be offered with a 1GB AMD Radeon HD7470A card, only the B340 will be available with a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce 615. Otherwise, you’ll find the same key specs on both models: a 21.5-inch (1080p) touchscreen display, with a choice of a Core i7 processor or AMD quad-core APU on the inside. The two are also VESA mount-compatible, and can be configured with optional TV tuners.
The A520 will sell for $999 and up, while the B series will start at $599. Again, both will arrive in October, at which point we should be neck-deep in Windows 8 PCs to review.
FIFA Approves Use Of Select iBall Smart Soccer Ball (video)
FIFA has approved the use of the worlds first intelligent football, called the iBall which has been design to help referees know when a soccer ball has crossed the goal line or not.
FIFA has been the new Select’s iBall design over the past few months in the GoalRef system, and has now approved the new intelligent iBall system for final testing ready for use in professional football games. Watch the video after the jump to see how the Select iBall will help the game of football.
The iBall is constructed with an internal mesh of copper wire, which is then used to communicate with antennas mounted in the frame of the goal. When the ball passes over the line of the goal a notification is then sent to the referee’s wristwatch.
Peter Knap, CEO of Select explains: “It is challenging work to design an intelligent ball that can withstand Ronaldo’s kick and at the same time be able to communicate with a system on the goal line. We have been developing the soccer ball for more than 65 years, so we have a solid head start when it comes to ensuring quality in new solutions.”
Source: Slashgear
Wacom outs the Cintiq 24HD touch, adds multi-touch controls and more to its largest pen display
Hot off the heels of the more modest Wacom Cintiq 22HD’s introduction, the outfit has announced a new version of its 24HD pen display as well. Labeled the 24HD touch, the upcoming offering adds multi-touch functionality to the company’s 24-inch input device — just as the name would suggest. The added features don’t stop there. A touch-enabled 24HD also touts an improved display that shows 1.07 billion colors while covering 97% of Adobe’s RGB gamut and implementing RGB backlighting that improves on-screen color rendition. Similar to the sans-touch offering, you can expect to utilize Express Keys and Touch Rings to customize your workflow for maximum efficiency in addition to the touchscreen. When the 24HD touch hits shelves, it’ll play nice with Windows 8 and will work just fine without installing drivers. In order to customize those pricey multi-touch commands, though, you’ll need the requisite software.
If you splurged for the regular ol’ 24HD, we can understand your frustration. However, Wacom says that it intended for the touch model to be released at the same time as the pen-only version, but the development took a bit longer than anticipated. Part of the reason for the delay was the extra time needed to perfect features like palm rejection in the kit’s software. The peripheral company also hopes that software developers will take the gesture tech and create features that will showcase its full range of potential — your move, Adobe. Itchin’ to snag one already? Well, you’ll have to wait until sometime in August to get your hands on this model and be prepared to shell out $3699 for the pen display ($1100 more than the previous release). Need a bit more info before emptying your savings account? Hit the PR button for all the particulars or take closer look in the gallery below.
Lunatik TakTik Shockproof Rugged iPhone Case (video)
Lunatik the creators of the TikTok and LunaTik Apple Nano watch straps, have unveiled a new project on Kickstarter this week inn the form of the rugged Lunatik Taktik iPhone case.
Which has been designed to provide your iPhone with extreme shock and drop protection. The new Taktik iPhone case includes a shockproof suspension system that provides a 9mm impact truss around the edgers of your iPhone.
Which has then been encased in an aluminium case, complete with Gorilla Glass lens protector. Protecting your Apple iPhone from dust, and water damage. Watch the video after the jump to see it in action.
Source: Kickstarter
Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video)
Motorola is demonstrating how it expects TVs of the future will work with its DreamGallery concept. Powered by the company’s Medios cloud-service, the display is designed to let you browse content as if it was the internet — with bookmarks, personalized recommendations and interactive search tools. Its designed to work across your TV, computer, tablet and smartphone, aggregating Cable, Internet TV and VOD under a single interface that sits behind pull-tabs around the picture. If you’re curious to see if this is easier to use than TiVo, head on past the break to catch your first glimpse.
Autodesk Launches 123D Catch iPad App To Convert Photos In 3D Objects (video)
Autodesk has launched a couple of new iPad applications called 123D Catch and 123D Make Intro. The first 123D Catch has been created to provide an easy way to convert 2D photos into 3D objects.
The 123D Catch application has been designed to allow you to take photos with your iPad an then submit them for processing on the Autodesk Cloud. Your 2D photo is then automatically converted into a realistic 3D model which you can then view, share, and download.
The 123D Catch app lets you take upto 40 photos which can then be uploaded for processing, and the app includes interactive startup guides you help you through the process of creating your first 3D object using the service.
The other app launched this week by Autodesk called 123D Make Intro, has been designed to work the other way and turn 3D models into 2D build plans with animated assembly instructions.
Download them both for free now from the iTunes app store: 123D Catch – 123D Make Intro.
Source: Autodesk
Brydge Transforms Your iPad Into A MacBook (video)
If you are looking for a high quality keyboard case for your iPad, made from aerospace-grade aluminum with design styling to match Apple’s products. You might be interested in the new Brydge Kickstarter project.
Brydge has been designed to connect to your iPad using a patent pending click-in hinge provide you with a 180 degrees of movement. Whilst still holding your iPad securely in place. Watch the video after the jump to see it in action.
“Brydge’s aluminum body is machined and anodized so that it matches the look and feel of the iPad precisely. When paired together Brydge and your iPad appear to be two parts of the same device, blending style and functionality seamlessly. Unlike other products made of painted plastic in an effort to look similar to the iPad, Brydge does not fake it.”
The Brydge design is currently over on the Kickstarter website looking to raise enough pledges to make the jump from concept to design. So if you think it is something you could benefit from, jump over to the Kickstarter website now to make a pledge and help Brydge become a reality.
Source: Kickstarter
Adobe unveils CS6 and subscription-based Creative Cloud service, up for pre-order now (video)
Adobe’s biggest day of 2012? Go ahead, don’t be afraid to call it what it (probably) is. For starters, the outfit is introducing Creative Suite 6 to the world in formal fashion, with 14 applications either unveiled or refreshed. Photoshop CS6 is graduating from beta — seeing an update that’ll provide “near instant results” thanks to the Mercury Graphics Engine — while Content-Aware Patch and Content-Aware Move are sure to please artists suffering from the “Surely you can fix this in post!” clientele backlash. Adobe Muse is happily entering the scene for the first time, described as a “radical tool that’ll enables designers to create and publish HTML5 web sites without writing code.” (We’re still waiting for Flash to comment.)
Cyrus Klepcys Mars Watch (video)
Watchmaker Cyrus has unveiled a new addition to their range in the form of the Cyrus Klepcys Mars Watch. Which is a variation on the their Klepcys model that features a 3D moonphase, but this time its been replaced by a miniature version of the red planet, Mars.
The Mars globe has been created and rotates at exactly the same time as the real planet. Completing one revolution every 24 hours, 37 minutes and 22 seconds. Watch the video after the jump to see it in action.
Other unique features of the watch is the “Martian face” which has been included in the design and can be seen at about 7 O’clock on the watches face. The unique Klepcys watch is a collaboration between Cyrus and renowned watchmaker Jean-François Mojon, who also designed the Harry Winston Opus X watch.
The Cyrus Klepcys Mars Watch is being limited to just 66 pieces or as Cyrus says “66 earthlings will be able to enjoy this unique experience on their wrist.” Unfortunately no information on pricing or worldwide availability has been released as yet.
Source: Gizmodo : Unique Watch
Pebble E-Paper Watch Raises Over $3 Million In Kickstarter Pledges (video)
Last week we featured the Pebble E-Paper smartwatch concept which has been designed to provide a link to your iOS or Android smartphone from your wrist. Providing you with updates and messages as they arrive on your smartphone, and allowing you to connect to the phones GPS and systems.
The awesome watch concept is opening new avenues for developers and users, brining real-life functionality to your wrist, and just a few days after starting to raise pledges from the Kickstarter community. The Pebble Watch project has now passed the $3 million mark in pledges, and is still climbing with 32 days still to go.
The Pebble smartwatch is capable of loading applications and can be customised, and even programmed to suit your exact requirements. Watch the video below to see its creators talk you though their concept.
“Pebble is the first watch built for the 21st century. It’s infinitely customizable, with beautiful downloadable watchfaces and useful internet-connected apps. Pebble connects to iPhone and Android smartphones using Bluetooth, alerting you with a silent vibration to incoming calls, emails and messages. While designing Pebble, we strove to create a minimalist yet fashionable product that seamlessly blends into everyday life.”
So if you think the Pebble smartwatch is something you could benefit from, jump over to the Kickstarter website to make your pledge and help the Pebble make the jump from concept to production.
Source: Kickstarter
Microsoft’s Mustang Inside And Customisations Detailed (video)
Towards the end of last month Microsoft announced a concept car is was creating with help from West Coast Customs to inspired developers to build apps and automotive technologies for the future.
The project uses a 2012 Ford Mustang that looks like a 67 Mustang fastback. Now the finished car has been showcased by West Coast Customs showing exactly what gone inside Microsoft’s Mustang.
The video below show all the customisation that have been carried out on Microsoft’s Mustang from dashboard tablets, Xbox 360 consoles to rear projection display.
Using a Microsoft Windows smartphone you can keep tabs on the car’s location even when it is out of sight. Locate, unlock, and start the car all from the Viper SmartStart app. You can view more details about the customisation within the Mustang over at the Channel 19 website.
Source: Techie Buzz
ODOC iPhone Dock Twists To The Perfect Viewing Angle (video)
The ODOC iPhone dock is currently over on the Kick-starter website, looking to raise enough money to help it into production. One of the unique features of the ODOC iPhone and iPod docking station, is the ability to change the angle of your Apple device simply by twisting the dock. Allowing you to position it perfectly for Facetime or Skype calls.
The ODOC iPhone dock has been designed by Richard Singer an independent designer from Silicon Valley. Singer explains a little more about what makes his iPhone dock stand out from the crowd.
Watch The Future, Smartphone Wrist Control Concept
A new watch concept has been created by F.Bertrand called the “Watch The Future”, which has been designed to enable you to link to application on your smartphone. Enabling you to control and receive updates directly on your wrist.
The “Watch The Future” concept wrist watch can display the weather, your contacts, stock exchange information, SMS messages, Facebook updates, your GPS location and more. As well as keeping you update-to-date with the current time.
The innovative watch concept would keep the application you use most at easy access, and would even change the icons location on the strap according to the position of your wrist.
Subwing Is The Underwater Version Of Water Skiing (video)
Most people have seen water skiers in action or even been dragged behind boats on inflatable rings themselves, but how would you fancy being dragged behind the same boat underwater?
A new water sport product has been developed called the Subwing, which has been designed to enable you to do just that, and explore the depths as you are towed along. Watch the video after the jump to see it in action.
Introducing Firefox 3D View for Developers
Firefox now includes a 3D View as part of its suite of built-in developer tools.
Helpful for debugging, the 3D view stacks elements as they are nested in the DOM and lets you see elements that are hidden or off the page. You can zoom in and out, rotate and pan the view to see the page from any angle that is helpful to you.
Go to the Developer Menu, select Inspect, and then 3D View to see your pages or any website in 3D.
PoiseCam Ergonomic iPhone Video Capture Grip (video)
Anyone who has used their iPhone to capture video footage over long periods of time will already know it can get a little awkward and uncomfortable after a few minutes.
This is where the new PoiseCam iPhone 4 camera grip concepts comes in. It’s been developed by Mark Johnson and is currently over on the Kickstarter website looking to make the jump from concept to production. Watch the video after the jump to see it in action.
Using PoiseCam with the iPhone camera will greatly reduce arm and hand fatigue while shooting. Enabling you to shoot for longer creating more stable stable shots and smoother pans, tilts and rolls. Its designer and developer explains:
“The PoiseCam story begins in October of 2010. I was enjoying my new iPhone 4 and its amazing HD video quality while capturing my kids running, playing and enjoying the rides at a local pumpkin patch. I noticed that during long takes my hands started to tire out while squeezing the phone between my thumb and index finger. It seemed to get the job done, but the experience didn’t feel natural, nor was it very comfortable for longer shots. A fellow father next to me was shooting with his handy little camcorder and I thought: it would be nice to attach my phone to that camcorder so I can use the strap.”
So if you think you could benefit from using the PoiseCam iPhone camera grip, jump over to the Kickstater website to make a pledge.
Source: Kickstarter
iOS Projector Speaker Dock Concept
A concept iOS projector and speaker dock has been created by designer Chen Nanyu, which would allow the full range of Apple’s iOS devices to project on to a screen or wall for viewing.
The iOS Projector speaker docks combines a micro projector and speakers to make the unique concept possible for both home entertainment and business presentations.
The iOS Projector is also small enough to be portable allowing you to easily transport it whenever needed.Making sure you never miss out on your favourite streaming media in super wide screen.
Corning’s Vision Of Our Touchscreen Future (Video)
Touchscreen devices are now part of our everyday lives, in our smartphones and tablets, but what will touchscreen technology be like in 10 or 15 years time, and how will these technologies be integrated into our daily lives.
Corning, who make the Gorilla Glass and other glass for many of our touchscreen devices have put together a video of how they imagine us using touchscreen technology in the future.
We are have already seen a number of different transparent display device prototypes, and companies are starting to put some of these devices into production, we wonder how long it will be before some of the technology featured in the video is actually released.
Source Crave
Awesome iWatch Concept Re-visualised
iWatch is an on going concept that ADR Studios first visualised back in 2010. Now ADR have updated their design to look a little slimmer and added a few more features, but unfortunately its still only a concept at the moment.
The iWatch concept would be equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and be fitted with 32GB of internal memory. As well as a FaceTime camera allowing you to chat with friends directly from your wrist.
As with other devices the iWatch would enable you to install iWatch specific applications helping you customise and add additional features to your wrist mounted device.
ADR explain that the iWatch would be constructed from polycarbonate, aluminium, Kevlar and PK2, making it very robust and able to take everyday knocks and bumps in its stride.
Perhaps ADR need to head over to Kickstarter to help get this project off the ground, and speak to Apple nicely to get a custom iOS operating system developed. Just don’t expect to see it any time soon in stores.
