With the release of Microsoft Windows 8, HP has lined up a range of computers running the new operating system – from All-in-One desktops to notebooks – and two tablets!
HP has lined up a wide range of Windows 8 computers – from desktop AiOs and notebooks to its two new tablets.
Following its aborted foray into tablets last year (with the webOS-based TouchPad), HP will be launching not one but two tablets, based on Windows 8 – the HP ENVY x2 and the HP ElitePad 900.
Both will be available later this year and in January 2013 respectively. Below are some of the computers showcased during the HP’s “A Life Connected” event.
HP ENVY x2
Powerful and ultrathin hybrid notebook PC, with a detachable screen that becomes a full tablet when separated from the keyboard.
Ultra slim and lightweight, the docking mechanism has a seamless magnetic latch that smoothly guides the tablet into place.
Comes with Beats Audio for a rich, audio experience.
Available in late 2012. Price S$1,099.
HP ElitePad 900
The HP ElitePad 900 is HP’s premium thin and light Windows 8 tablet, designed for business.
Consumer-inspired design, and precision-crafted with quality materials like Corning Gorilla Glass 2 and sleek contoured edges.
Unique, productivity-enhancing ecosystem of elegantly designed Smart Jackets and other accessories.
Available in late January 2013. Price TBA.
Update (3 May 2013): The HP ElitePad 900 is now available in Singapore for S$1,099 (32GB SSD) and S$1,299 (64GB SSD).
HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4
The HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 brings the intuitive power of touch to a 14-inch Ultrabook format with up to 8 hours of battery life.
Powerful performance and modern, metallic good looks. Comes with Beats Audio and a booming subwoofer.
Available in late 2012 for S$1,399.
HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14 & Sleekbook 15
The HP Pavilion Sleekbook PCs provide the performance and easy applications that consumers need every day, in ultrathin 14-inch and 15.6-inch packages.
Available on October 26:
Sleekbook14 (AMD): S$699
Sleekbook14 (Intel i5): S$999
Sleekbook15: S$1,049
HP ENVY 23 & ENVY 20 TouchSmart AiO PC
The HP ENVY 23-inch and 20-inch consumer AiO PCs are the newest in the ENVY line and feature the latest touch technology in a one-cord solution with space-saving small footprint.
It is capable of sensing up to 10 fingers on the screen, so you can use both hands to play games, type or touch the screen.
Available in October:
HP ENVY 23: S$1,599
HP ENVY 20: S$1,199
HP Pavilion 20 AiO PC
The new HP Pavilion 20 is a powerful 20-inch non-touch AiO PC built for value-conscious consumers.
In the run up to Windows 8 official release on October 26, Sony has revealed its Fall lineup of Intel-based VAIO notebooks running on the new operating system – including the VAIO Duo 11 slate that comes with sliding keyboard.
Available from November 2012. VAIO Duo 11 will be sold at S$1,999 (i5-3317U processor) and S$2,699 (i7-3517U). Prices for the other notebooks TBA.
Sony’s new lineup of VAIO notebooks is helmed by the VAIO Duo 11, an Ultrabook slate with a slide-out keyboard and stylus pen; weighing only 1.3 kg and 17.85 mm thin. 11.6-inch display and available in November 2012 at S$1,999 (i5 CPU) and S$2,699 (i7 CPU).
Sony showcased its new VAIO lineup for the Fall at the Red Dot Museum in Singapore today.
New S Series models come in 13.3″ and 15.5″ screens, i5 and i7 CPUs and comes with new colour Red. 1.69 kg, 22.8 mm thin.
The new notebooks run on the latest Intel* chips and the new Windows 8 operating system, centering user experience around Touch interactivity.
These sleekly designed machines either have a 10-point multi-touch screen, or come with touchpads that enable users to utilise the touch interface of Windows 8.
As an electronics giant with a full range of electronic products, Sony demonstrated how the VAIO computers could be tightly integrated with other electronic gadgets in its stable.
These include large DLNA TV displays, cameras, video cameras, and Android smartphones.
Two new 14″E14P Series notebooks (i5 & i7). Note the soft-edged design with no bezels.
A VAIO user can therefore download, edit and share photos/videos taken with a camera or smartphone and view them either on the Web or on a large TV.
Two new 13.3″ VAIO T Series models (i5 & i7 CPU) using premium materials like magnesium and aluminium.
The VAIO Duo 11 ultrabook can function as a flat slate but has a slide-out keyboard to become a laptop.
The new S Series models has 5.5 hr battery life (additional 11 hr with optional extended battery) and a Dynamic Hybrid Graphics System that uses two graphics processors.
The two new T Series Ultrabooks has either SSD or hybrid HDD/SSD storage.
* In addition to the two new VAIO E14P Series models, the lineup also includes the VAIO E 11” and 15” series which are equipped with 3rd generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, or the AMD Radeon processor.
With the impending General Availability of Windows 8 on October 26, HP has showcased its range of All-in-One desktops, notebooks and tablets; and enunciated its vision of integrating these with smartphone usage and its printer product line – to enable a connected life.
HP showcases its extensive range of PCs and printers – and how they can be integrated to give users “A Life Connected”. Pictured here is the Officejet Pro 6700 Premium eAiO (left) and the ENVY x2 (right). Not shown to scale.
HP wants to help us integrate the disparate electronic gadgets in our digital lives seamlessly into “A Life Connected” – the theme for the showcase event.
HP is introducing two new tablets based on Windows 8. Pictured here is the ElitePad 900.
HP Singapore roped in local celebrity, Irene Ang, to demonstrate how an user could leverage the wide range of HP products for work and play, and move content and media easily between different devices.
Irene went on a fictitious holiday to Morocco, armed with HP’s recently unveiled HP Envy x2 hybrid notebook, that comes with a detachable keyboard, which she’d used to book her holiday and hotel.
Irene arrived at a Moroccan hotel where the staff used an HP EllitePad 900 tablet to check her in, printing out her check-in paperwork wirelessly using an HP printer.
The EllitePad 900 comes with a jacket that doubles battery life and provides additional expansion ports.
HP Photosmart 7520 eAiO
During her vacation in exotic Morocco, Irene snapped photos using her smartphone and used an HP app to upload and edit her photos online at Snapfish.
These photos are automatically synched with her tablet and AIO computer at home.
Along the way, she had time to do an “OppaN Irene Ang style” number to music streamed from her tablet.
And below is Oppan Irene Ang Style…
Here are some of the computers showcased during the entertaining event.
Follow this link to check out the new AiO inkjet printers with wireless direct printing technology.
Adobe introduces the latest versions of the photo and video editing software with revamped user interfaces that makes editing, organising and sharing easier.
Available as stand-alone products (S$131 each), Photoshop Elements 11 and Premiere Elements 11 can also be purchased together as a bundle (S$197).
Check the buying guide for Adobe Photoshop Elements 11, Premiere Elements 11 or the bundle.
Photoshop Elements 11 offers a complete solution for editing, organizing and sharing photo creations while Premiere Elements 11 offers easy creation of engaging home movies with professional flair.
Prices listed are the Adobe direct store prices in SGD and reseller prices may vary.
Prices do not include tax or shipping and handling.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 and Adobe Premiere Elements 11 software for Windows and Mac are now available here.
Both solutions are available for Windows and Mac.
Powerful, intuitive tools in Photoshop Elements 11
Make photos look their best with editing options that offer virtually everything from quick fixes to a number of creative possibilities.
A completely refreshed, user-friendly interface featuring the same engine as Adobe Photoshop – includes easily-navigated Quick, Guided and Expert editing modes; one-click options; a helpful Action bar; and big, bold icons to help users get the most from their shots.
Organise photos based on people, places (via Google maps geo-tagging) or events easily and intuitively.
New Guided Edits make pro-level effects like tilt-shift, vignettes and high and low-key easy to create.
New filters – Comic, Graphic Novel and Pen & Ink – inspire creativity by turning photos into stunning illustrations.
Intelligent Photoshop technology makes it easy to extract objects from different photos.
Easily share photos via email, Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo and more.
Easy pro-quality videos with Premiere Elements 11
Create attractive, pro-level videos with automated moviemaking options to take the work out of editing.
An entirely new and improved user interface including many of the same updates found in Photoshop Elements 11.
Add polish with a wide range of great-looking effects, transitions, themes, titles, disc menus, and professional-level effects and sound.
Give videos Hollywood movie styles with FilmLooks; easily apply slow and fast motion effects; dial-in colors with slider controls; effortlessly integrate blends for seamless transitions; and make adjustments with Quick Presets.
Show off finished creations with integrated video sharing on Vimeo.
Nubox and EpiCentre, both Apple Premium Reseller chains in Singapore, sold out their non-contracted iPhone 5 units nationwide when sales of the new smartphone commenced at 8am this morning.
This is the first time either are selling non-contracted iPhones on launch day. (All photos in this post taken by Nubox and EpiCentre)
Happy customers with their new iPhone 5 at Nubox Tampines Mall.
Nubox sold out its iPhone 5 units within 30 minutes while EpiCentre sold out its units within 2 hours.
Overnight queues at EpiCentre Somerset.
Both were unable to divulge the number of units sold as there was a gag order from Apple on sales figures.
Longest queue at for Nubox was at Tampines Mall with more than 200 people.
Nubox set up queue poles outside its outlets at 8pm last night, with people starting to queue at that time at Tampines Mall, which also had the longest queue of some 200 people.
1st 2 customers at Nubox@Raffles City – Felix Haryanto William (L) & Angus Tan. 18-yr-old polytechnic student Felix started the queue at 1 am this morning with his father. “My friends and I have been eagerly waiting for iPhone 5 since last December. I am an Apple fan and I just want the latest phone. We queued at Nubox for the launch of the new iPad in March and decided to come here again to queue for the new iPhone,” said Felix.
19-year-old Deepti Vasan queued with her father since 8 pm last night at Nubox@Tampines Mall. “We are looking forward to the larger screen which would be great for videos. We were very excited when we know that Nubox is selling iPhone 5. We still have an existing contract and it would be very expensive to break the contact,” said Deepti. Both father and daughter were delighted with their new 64GB iPhone 5.
For EpiCentre, the majority of the queues started forming from 8pm last night.
“I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a welcome crew as I entered the store,” said Ms Tang Yinghua, the first customer at the EpiCentre ION Orchard outlet. “I felt like a VIP as the crew clapped and cheered continuously as they activated my iPhone 5. It was an overwhelming experience and I can’t wait to use my iPhone 5 immediately.”
EpiCentre is offering promotional bundles for the iPhone 5, which includes trade-up promotions for customers upgrading their smartphones to the new Apple iPhone 5.
Trade-up prices vary depending on the smartphone model and conditions.
Accessories bundles include either the purchase of a Gosh iPhone 5 screen protector and a Gosh Cross Case at S$39.90 (usual price: S$70.90); or the purchase of any screen protector or phone case at 15% discount.
20-year-old Liu Ting Ting was the first customer to purchase an iPhone 5 from SingTel this morning.
Besides selling the iPhone 5, SingTel also launched a new version of deF!ND – its free mobile personal assistant app that integrates local information and enables bookings of services on the move.
Early-bird customers at SingTel’s iPhone 5 launch.
SingTel has organised a three-day launch event for the iPhone 5 starting this morning at 8am at Marina Bay Sands, Exhibition Hall D, Basement 2.
Liu Ting Ting jumping with joy.
A record 68,000 customers registered their interest over six days to purchase iPhone 5 from SingTel.
The 10,000 appointment slots to purchase iPhone 5 at our launch event were snapped-up within one and a half hours.
The first customer to purchase iPhone 5 is Ms Liu Ting Ting (age 20, student).
She had arrived last night (Thurs 20 Sep) at 8:30pm even though she had a confirmed appointment to purchase iPhone 5 this morning.
Liu Ting Ting with Allan Lew (R) and Yuen Kuan Moon (L) from SingTel.
She chose to camp overnight in order to be the first to get the phone.
SingTel also unveiled a new version of deF!ND, which features Singapore’s own voice-activated personal assistant, often dubbed the “Singapore Siri”.
First launched in November last year, the new version now features a significantly expanded database of more than 100,000 reviews on more than 15,000 eateries from HungryGoWhere, Singapore’s popular food website.
Users can quickly and easily browse through recommendations of highly-rated restaurants and hawkers nearest to their current location.
SingTel deF!ND can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.
deF!ND is now able to make intelligent movie recommendations based on users’ personal preferences and display screening times at GV, Shaw and Cathay cinemas nearest to their current location.
A virtual barometer predicts the user’s level of interest in all movies that are currently airing.
The app allows users to select seats and charge ticket purchases to their credit cards.
With deF!ND, users can also book taxis, locate ATMs, medical clinics and other essential amenities, find the best shopping deals and get updates on local events.
deF!ND is available for free download from the Apple App Store and Google Play store. It was developed in collaboration with app developer, Jinni Media.
The app draws from SingTel’s popular inSing.com database of more than 170,000 business listings.
The first three episodes of Cybergeddon has been released at 1pm today. The remaining six webisodes will be released over the next two days. Catch the movie at Yahoo!
Also check out “Cybergeddon” app – the free mobile game on the Apple App Store for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad; as well as Google Play store for Android devices.
Cybergeddon, Anthony E. Zuiker’s digital blockbuster will premiere globally on Tuesday, 25 September.
Cybergeddon follows agent Chloe Jocelyn (Missy Peregrym) as she investigates a slew of seemingly unrelated cyber-attacks with fellow agent Frank Parker (Manny Montana) and incarcerated master hacker Chase ‘Rabbit’ Rosen (Kick Gurry).
Anthony E. Zuiker and Missy Peregrym on the set of Cybergeddon in Toronto, Canada.
In a world where everyone is connected, Chloe and her team must break the worldwide cybercrime ring led by Gustov Dobreff (Olivier Martinez) before it is too late.
Olivier Martinez (from “Unfaithful”) acts as villain Gustov Dobreff.
The “movie” is actually a web serial comprising 9 webisodes to be released on Yahoo! over a period of three consecutive days starting 25 September 2012 (Tuesday).
Cybergeddon debuts on 25 September (Tuesday) on Yahoo! with three webisodes released each day for three consecutive days.You can watch the trailer here.
Cybergeddon will debut in over 25 countries and 10 languages.
The digital blockbuster was produced in Toronto, Canada and puts the spotlight on the growing threat of cybercrime, identity theft and vulnerabilities in our highly connected and digital lives.
Missy Peregrym (from “Rookie Blue”) acts as heroine Chloe Jocelyn.
Norton by Symantec consulted directly with the projects’ creators to lend credibility and technical insights that helped inform the narrative and led to the creation of a cybersecurity character in the film.
I found the show struck a good balance between technical depth and entertainment value.
Missy Peregrym’s character is framed by the villain in Cybergeddon.
There was an adequate supply of technical jargon to appease the informed hacker in the audience without boring the living daylights out of the layman viewer.
Manny Montana (from “Breakout Kings”) acts as agent Frank Parker.
In fact, well-designed animation was used to illustrate abstract hacking processes to help audiences appreciate the complexities and progress of various hacking processes.
Missy Peregrym in the Norton Security Operations Center (NSOC) in Cybergeddon.
The pace of the movie was maintained throughout so that the show felt like a regular action thriller – actually, there was plenty of chase and fight scenes, complete with pyrotechnics and gory stabs so even if you don’t understand any of the hacking bits, you can still enjoy the flick.
Re-creation of the Norton Security Operations Center (NSOC) for Cybergeddon.
LG has launched the Optimus G in Seoul, Korea today. Available in Korea next week and in key global markets in October.
The Optimus G is LG’s new flagship smartphone model, with 1.5 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor.
LG Optimus G
OS
Android 4.0.4 (ICS)
Screen
4.7″ WXGA, True HD IPSPlus
Resolution
1280 x 768
Battery
2,100 mAh, sealed
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 1.5 GHz Quad-Core Krait CPUs
Features
LTE, NFC
Camera
Rear: 13 MP*
Front: 1.3 MP
Video
1080p Full HD
Memory
RAM: 2 GB
Int: 32 GB
Ext: Nil
Size /mm
131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45
Weight
145 g
Price
TBA
* In certain markets, the phone could be shipped with an 8 MP camera.
The Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) phone has a camera that shoots an amazing 13 megapixels while the sealed battery is rated at 2,100 mAh.
The Optimus G has a 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS Plus (1280 x 768 pixels) screen and is only 8.45mm thin.
It is both LTE and NFC capable.
LG’s new flagship smartphone leverages the powerful 1.5 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU to provide speedy performance and a sleek user experience.
LG boasts that the Optimus G goes beyond multi-taking into “cross-tasking” of activities without limitations.
According to LG: whereas multi-tasking applies to running various applications at the same time, cross-tasking applies to complex tasks that can be completed simultaneously without having to compromise other tasks.
Some new UX features that will be included into the Optimus G to showcase its cross-tasking and engaging capabilities are listed below.
Olympus has unveiled two new cameras and three new lenses for Photokina 2012 (18-23 September). At the same time, it is consolidating all its compact cameras under the new STYLUS branding.
The Recommended Retail Price of the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 has just been announced.
Option 1: Single Lens Kit (S$1,098)
Body (Silver, Black or White)
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 IIR
Option 2: Double Zoom Kit (S$1,348)
Body (Silver, Black or White)
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 IIR
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 R
The new Olympus STYLUS XZ-2 with its selection of accessories. The PEN Lite E-PL5 has its own set of chic accessories.
Photokina 2012 begins tomorrow and ends on Sunday. Below is a summary of the slew of cameras and lenses that Olympus has lined up for the biennial trade show in Cologne, Germany.
PEN Lite E-PL5 micro four thirds MIL camera
Skipping the inauspicious number “4” in the Japanese language, Olympus introduces the E-PL5, the successor to the E-PL3.Available in October 2012 in Silver, Black or White.
Features:
16.05 megapixels
Live MOS Sensor
FAST AF
Touch AF Shutter
TruePic VI image engine
12 Art Filters including new “Water Colour” filter
STYLUS XZ-2 compact camera
The first member of the new STYLUS line, the XZ-2 is the successor to my favourite compact, the XZ-1.As the latest member of the STYLUS X series, the XZ-2 will be the flagship of the Olympus compact cameras.Available in November 2012 in Black.Features:
12 megapixels
f1.8-2.5 bright lens
4x Optical zoom
28mm wide angle
Touch AF Shutter
Swivel screen
11 Art Filters
Removable grip
Hybrid control ring around the lens
M.Zuiko DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0 Limited Edition Black Kit Lens
This lens will have a limited worldwide release of 3,000 sets, with 50 allocated to Singapore.Available in early October 2012.Features:
Dual Super Aspherical lens element
ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating
Fine-textured metallic outer finish
Snapshot focusing mechanism for pan-focus shooting
M.Zuiko DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 Lens
With product launch scheduled in the first half of 2013, the detailed product specifications are not determined yet.It will have the same snapshot focusing mechanism from the M.Zuiko DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0 lens.It will also feature the MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing.
M.Zuiko DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro Lens
This lens promises high resolution and contrast, as well as the ability to shoot close-up with 1x magnification.MSC mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing.Dust and splash proof construction for secure shooting under poor conditions.Enhanced control with focus limit switch and indicator window.
Following in the footsteps of the Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and Nikon D600, Canon has unveiled its full-frame DSLR. The 20.2-megapixel EOS 6D will be available in December and is priced at US$2,100 (S$2,570) for the body only.
Canon’s new full-frame DSLR, the 20.2-megapixel EOS 6D.
Full-frame DSLRs are in, going by the announcements and launch in the lead-up to Photokina in Cologne, Germany – which begins tomorrow and lasts until Sunday.
Photokina 2012
The biennial Photokina in Cologne, Germany is the world’s biggest trade fair for the photography and imaging industries.
This year’s exhibition will be from September 18–23, 2012. That’s from tomorrow till Sunday.
After Sony announced its Alpha SLT-A99 (and fixed-lens compact CyberShot RX-1); and Nikon launched its D600 last week, Canon has announced today its new full-frame shooter – the Canon EOS 6D, which will be available in December.
All the new Sony and Nikon full-frame cameras above have 24.3 megapixels. The Canon EOS 6D, which can be considered as the 60D with a full-frame sensor shoots 20.2 megapixels and is priced at US$2,100 (S$2,570).
Price of the Canon EOS 6D with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USZ zoom kit lens is $2,899 (S$3,545).
Powerful and ultrathin hybrid notebook PC, with a detachable screen that becomes a full tablet when separated from the keyboard.
The HP ElitePad 900 is HP’s premium thin and light Windows 8 tablet, designed for business.
The HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 brings the intuitive power of touch to a 14-inch Ultrabook format with up to 8 hours of battery life.
The HP Pavilion Sleekbook PCs provide the performance and easy applications that consumers need every day, in ultrathin 14-inch and 15.6-inch packages.
The HP ENVY 23-inch and 20-inch consumer AiO PCs are the newest in the ENVY line and feature the latest touch technology in a one-cord solution with space-saving small footprint.
The new HP Pavilion 20 is a powerful 20-inch non-touch AiO PC built for value-conscious consumers.
