Hardware
New Microsoft LifeCam Bends Over Backward for You
Today, Microsoft Corp. reshapes the webcam experience with the LifeCam VX-5000, a webcam with a unique bendable attachment base that molds to virtually any surface — from a notebook to a desktop — so users can take it anywhere.
For personalized flair, the LifeCam VX-5000 features a brightly colored ring around the front of the webcam in the colors Cool Blue, Lucky Green and Fire Red, allowing consumers to choose their favorite to suit their style. To complement the fresh, new look, the LifeCam VX-5000 features MSN Photo Swap, a special feature that lets consumers share digital photos in midvideo conversation and see real-time reactions as both callers view the pictures. The new webcam arrives just in time to help share summer vacation memories and keep consumers connected throughout the year.
“With the LifeCam VX-5000 we are changing the perception of webcams from boring and bulky to fun and flexible,” said Michael Cowan, product marketing manager for the Hardware Division at Microsoft. “We designed this LifeCam to match the experience its technology delivers — it’s all about fun and letting consumers share their personalities.”
Microsoft is also offering the LifeCam VX-500 and the LifeChat LX-2000 — two affordable products, each with a unique, compact design. The LifeCam VX-500 is a versatile webcam designed to fit on notebooks and desktop PCs. The LifeChat LX-2000 is a full-size headset that folds down into a small, portable shape. Both are perfect products for consumers on the go.
Source- Microsoft Press Release
Microsoft, HCL launch world’s cheapest laptop
Microsoft Corporation and HCL Infosystems on Friday announced a series of joint initiatives, including launch of world’s cheapest ultra portable laptop and setting up of centre of excellence, which will employ over 500 professionals.
Priced at Rs 16,990, MiLeap brand of HCL laptops with Microsoft Windows XP Home operating system is the lowest priced among the MS operating system powered laptops, the company officials said.
"There is a huge potential in the PC market as India is selling about seven million PCs as compared to 32 million in China. Through this laptop we mean to increase the IT penetration," HCL Infosystems Chairman & CEO Ajai Chowdhary told reporters.
Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner said that by altering its operating system for HCL’s ultra portable laptop, the company has reinforced its commitment to offer the best and the latest technology to Indian consumers.
The companies also announced the setting up of a new Centre of Excellence, which will employ over 500 software professionals to create, design and deploy Microsoft technologies based solution frameworks across various industry verticals.
Source- Economic Times
Acer Announces Aspire Gemstone Blue Laptops
Acer introduced today the newly designed Aspire Gemstone Blue entertainment notebooks featuring 16-inch and 18.4-inch high-definition displays with a 1920×1080 resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio, Intel Core 2 Duo processors, and the latest Nvidia video cards.
The 16″ Aspire Gemstone Blue 6920G and the 8920G 18.4-incher also include the Blu-ray Disc drives, HDMI ports with HDCP support, and the True 5.1 output, “that sets a new standard for the notebook sound capability”. The Aspire 6920G model comes with the NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GS 512MB dedicated GPU and a 320GB hard drive, while the 8920G additionally has the 9650M GS 512MB option and an optional secondary hard drive for up to 640GB of storage.
These Windows Vista powered notebooks incorporate the Intel 4965AGN wireless module, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, and 56k modem connections, as well as a built in web camera.
An interesting design feature in the Gemstone Blue laptops is the CineDash media console, a touch-sensitive interface for multimedia control.
Acer has not officially published availability date and pricing for the new mobile entertainment PC systems.
Source 1 (Aspire 6920G) | Source 2 (Aspire 8920G)
Microsoft Delivers Sophistication of Windows Aero to New Wireless Laser Desktop 7000
Microsoft Corp. brings the beauty of Windows Aero from the PC to the devices that surround it with its latest keyboard and mouse desktop set, the Wireless Laser Desktop 7000, designed to complement the Windows Vista operating system with its striking design.
The new desktop set includes an ultrathin Comfort Curve keyboard and rechargeable mouse, delivering ultimate performance and comfort. The keyboard features a Windows Aero-inspired translucent design, floating Hot Keys and instant access to Windows Flip 3D,1 making this desktop a perfect companion for today’s Windows Vista-based PC.
The Wireless Laser Desktop 7000 will be widely available in April 2008 for an estimated retail price of $129.95 (U.S.).5 The Digital Media Keyboard 3000 will be widely available in June 2008 for an estimated retail price of $29.95 (U.S.).5 The Wireless Laser Desktop7000 and Digital Media Keyboard 3000 are now available for special pre-sale on Amazon.com and will ship in April and June respectively, when the products are widely released.
Source- Microsoft Press Release
Logitech Unveils First Wireless Stereo Headset Designed for Internet Calling with a PC
Today at CeBIT, Logitech unveiled the company’s first wireless stereo headset designed for Internet calling with a PC: the Logitech® ClearChat PC Wireless™ headset. The ClearChat PC Wireless headset combines high-performance stereo audio with 2.4 GHz wireless technology, allowing people the freedom to move around when they make VoIP calls – no wires attached.
The Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless enables people to move freely up to 33 feet (10 meters) from their computer. With the included USB transmitter, the headset effortlessly connects to a PC or Mac computer right out of the box – no software or pairing required. And to help ensure no call gets interrupted, the ClearChat PC Wireless headset’s 2.4 GHz wireless technology features both crisp, uncompressed stereo audio and an advanced algorithm that minimizes interference –even in the busiest wireless environments, such as an airport, office or hotel.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless headset is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in May for a suggested retail price of $99.99 (U.S.).
Source- Logitech Press Release
Logitech Unveils Official Wheel of Gran Turismo™ for PLAYSTATION®3
Today at the Game Developer’s Conference (GDC), Logitech the world’s leading developer of force feedback gaming wheels, announced the Logitech® Driving Force™ GT racing wheel, the official wheel of Gran Turismo™. Featuring powerful force feedback and an innovative 24-position real-time adjustment dial for on-the-fly control of brake bias, traction and damper settings, the Logitech Driving Force GT gives gamers the most accurate and authentic PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) racing experience.
“We’re excited to be working with Polyphony Digital again to deliver a wheel that will satisfy the needs of car enthusiasts, like me, around the world,” said Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech’s director of product marketing for gaming. “People who love the striking realism of the Gran Turismo racing series will discover that Logitech’s latest wheel will allow them to experience the cars the way they were meant to be driven. With the Logitech Driving Force GT, you’re not playing games anymore – you’re racing!”
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech Driving Force GT wheel is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in May. The suggested retail price is $149.99 (U.S.).
Source- Logitech Press Release
Intel’s Next-Gen Laptop Platform to be Named Centrino 2
Intel’s next-generation notebook platform codenamed “Montevina” will be called “Centrino 2“, DigiTimes reports according to sources at laptop manufacturers.
The chip maker has used the Centrino brand name for four generations of its notebook platforms including “Carmel”, “Sonoma”, “Napa”, and current “Santa Rosa” and “Santa Rosa Refresh”. This unchanging brand name has left consumers unable to identify the differences between laptop platforms reportedly. The new marketing strategy should give consumers the feeling of a tangible upgrade and will hopefully spur replacement demand, according to the report.
The upcoming Intel Centrino 2 “Montevina” platform will use the new 45-nanometer “Penryn” processors and has a 1066MHz front side bus, which is up from current 800MHz.
DigiTimes says that the new platform will be launched in June this year at Computex show in Taipei.
Source- Digitimes
Fujitsu Introduces First Intel Penryn LifeBooks
Fujitsu Computer Systems has introduced the LifeBook A6120, LifeBook N6470 and LifeBook E8410 desktop replacements, the company’s first notebooks powered by the line of next-generation 45-nanometer Intel Core 2 Duo “Penryn” mobile processors.
All three “Penryn”-based notebooks have improvemed performance, graphics capabilities, and battery life, over their 65nm “Merom”-powered precursors, according to the PC maker.
The Fujitsu Lifebook N6470, which replaces the LifeBook N6460, is equipped with a 17-inch widescreen display, the Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 processor at 2.6GHz, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 dedicated video card, and an optional Blu-Ray player. The N6470 provides up to 600GB of hard drive storage capacity.
The 15.4-inch widescreen LifeBook E8410 comes with the Core 2 Duo T8100 at 2.1GHz or T9300 at 2.5GHz, and the optional NVIDIA GeForce 8400M dedicated GPU.
The Fujitsu LifeBook A6120 also has a 15.4-inch display. It utilizes the Core 2 Duo T8100 or the T8300 at 2.4GHz.
The LifeBook E8410 laptop, available next week, is priced starting at $1,399. The LifeBook N6470 and A6120, available in February, are priced starting at $1,499 and $1,249, respectively.
