Category: Computing

All the Computer and Laptop news, bundled with all add ons including Printers and Peripherals.

Apple to Bring Siri for Mac with OS X 10.12 Launch

It has always been clear that Apple’s main focus has been towards its iPhones. Yes, the Cupertino giant has a bunch of other products as well that sometimes tend to get pushed into the background, like its Macs. But that won’t be the case four months from now when Apple launches the OS X 10.12 that will introduce Siri for Mac.

Siri, the personal voice assistant for the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch will now come to the Mac as well. Apple has been busy testing versions of OS X with Siri for the past 3 years. After working out and polishing the interface, Apple will be ready to launch the feature publicly. Over the years, Apple has improved Siri’s functionality a lot, making it faster, smarter, more responsive and more personalised.

Back in September, news about Apple hiring Artificial Intelligence experts to improve Siri’s functionality made the rounds. Apple had hired at least 86 AI experts to work on machine learning alone, as well as employees with doctorates specializing in AI. It turned out that Apple’s effort did pay off as it launched a new and improved Siri during its September event. In terms of accuracy, Siri beats Google Now and Cortana, according to reports that came out in November.

Coming back to Siri for Mac, the voice assistant will have an icon placed in the OS X menu bar (next to the Spotlight magnifying glass icon) that will activate once clicked. Similar to the way it works on the iPhone, the Siri interface with the trippy colored sound waves will appear on the top right of the screen to indicate speech command.

Siri on the Mac will also have its own option in System Preferences. Siri will be able to respond to “Hey Siri” when the Mac is plugged to a power source, much like it is with the iPhone 6. The upcoming update to OS X is not likely to feature too many changes, but will rather come with some performance tweaks and minor software updates. It is also rumoured that Apple has begun development of iOS 10, and details on that may start pouring in, in the weeks to come.

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February 25, 2016
Intel Stops Overclocking of Non-K Skylake CPUs with Update

News that is sure to miff overclockers around the globe, Intel has gone ahead and released an update for its Skylake CPUs to stop users from overclocking processors which it believes they shouldn’t. For overclockers searching for an economical way to get a little more juice out of their powerful computing hardware, the skylake generation of processors came as a godsend.

Users with the locked, Non-K skylake processors towards the end of last year, started receiving BIOS updates from ASRock which enabled base clock frequency overclocking. Other motherboard vendors followed with such BIOS updates thus giving users a relatively inexpensive intel processor to overclock.

These Skylake processors that were discovered to be readily overclockable are now having their speeds clocked back down, with Intel shipping a new microcode update for the chips which closes a loophole.

Speaking about this, an Intel spokesperson said,” ”Intel regularly issues updates for our processors which our partners voluntarily incorporate into their BIOS. The latest update provided to partners includes, among other things, code that aligns with the position that we do not recommend overclocking processors that have not been designed to do so. Additionally, Intel does not warranty the operation of the processor beyond its specifications.”

With this, Intel has once again tried to push overclocking enthusiasts to an expensive corner where they have to shell out extra money just to buy unlocked K range processors which are also not covered under warranty for overclocking. Well played, Intel.

February 11, 2016
This Computer Program Can Read Your Thoughts

Welcome to the future where computers read your mind and Artificial Intelligence is on the cards. A new computer program developed by a team of researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle can decode your thoughts with the help of electrodes.

This program requires electrodes to be implanted in the mind of the subject. Based on the chemical changes that thoughts lead to, these electrodes would convey electrical signs which can then be read to decipher a person’s thoughts. The entire decoding process takes no more than a few milliseconds after an image is seen by the subject.

“Clinically, you could think of our result as a proof of concept toward building a communication mechanism for patients who are paralyzed or have had a stroke and are completely locked in,”says Rajesh Rao, a neuro-scientist at the University of Washington.

Any development in communication of this kind between a human and a machine is a huge leap -it could be of immense use for people who cannot speak or have any kind of trouble conveying their thoughts. This specific program, however, is not the first of its kind. There have been similar developments in the past where researchers recorded brain waves of viewers in the form of movie clips people were watching at the time.

Professor Xavier uses Cerebro, a computer, to amplify his powers of telepathy in X-Men. Could complex communication between computers and humans be here in the real world as well?

In this experiment conducted by Rajesh Rao’s team, a difference was observed between neural patterns when people saw images of houses and images of faces. Additionally, there were also different kinds of brain signals the computer required to decode the thoughts. Both these sets of patterns work in unison to help researchers understand the responses of the human mind, and decoding them in real time, better. More research in the field can help neuroscientists map the entire brain and its responses one day,

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February 3, 2016
2016 MacBook Range Set for a Possible June 13 Unveiling

Apple updated its MacBook range during this time last year, and fans and industry experts expect the tech giant to do the same this year too. Unlike how things have gone for the iPhone, Apple has managed to keep a tight lid on the information leaking out of Cupertino for its range of MacBooks.

But from whatever little is known courtesy of reports circulating on the Internet, one big upgrade that the 2016 MacBook range will see the inclusion of newer Skylake processors up from the present fifth-generation Broadwell chipsets. This upgrade could be significant in the sense that it will bring to the new lineup better performance with its improved hyperthreading architecture.

Additionally, for devices such as the MacBook Pro range the Skylake mobile CPUs are expected to deliver up to 2.5 times faster processing performance, 30 times better graphics performance, and three times the battery life of earlier generation processors owing to the 14nm chips used for manufacturing them.

To top it off Integrating Skylake will also allow the company’s complete lineup to run on the same core hardware from end to end, thus making life a lot easier for prospective customers around the globe.

Though there were rumors earlier of major design change, but such chatter has quietened a bit off late, and it is expected when it comes to aesthetic design no remodeling to the upcoming MacBooks will be seen.

Reports peg Apple to introduce the revamped MacBook lineup at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and possibly a larger 15-inch version could also be unveiled sometime in March which would be some surprise.

January 25, 2016
CES 2016: Alienware 13 Gets a Beautiful OLED Display

CES 2016 has seen a number of firsts. From the world’s thinnest TV to the world’s first transparent display, the technological fest has seen it all. Now, Alienware has joined the league of firsts by unveiling the world’s first OLED gaming laptop.

Those familiar with OLED displays will know why this is a big deal for a gaming laptop. OLEDs offer deeper blacks since there’s no need for a backlight and lower latency. Alienware has claimed that its new Alienware 13 laptop will have a one millisecond refresh rate thanks to OLED.

The reason behind the delay to embrace OLED screens for gaming laptops is that OLED panels used to be expensive in larger sizes, but they are now affordable enough to be used by Alienware without having its laptops cost and exuberant amount.

The Alienware 13 will be priced similar to its Quad-HD display variant. The starting price of the OLED model is $1499 and the laptop is expected to launch mid-April.

January 8, 2016
Coolest Tech at CES 2016 So Far

CES 2016 kicked off in the most spectacular way possible. The technological fest had everything a tech junkie could ask for. While drones and hover boards were the ones that stole the spotlight, there were some others that just inspired awe. Here are some of our favorites so far.

Razor Blade Stealth

Razer – maker of the coolest and most badass gadgets around – unveiled its 12.5-inch Razer Blade Stealth with Super HD 2,560×1,440-pixel resolution touchscreen display, a Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory and 128GB of solid-state storage. And since the laptop is a Razer product, the device comes with RGB backlit keyboard that lets you program every key to light up in individual colors.

Saving the best for last, the laptop also features Razer Core, an external graphics docking station which will arrive for an undisclosed price in the first half of this year.

Intel RealSense Technology

Intel reminded everyone that the future is indeed here. The chipmaker showed off its RealSense sensor technology, which allows computers to map an environment in real time and react to it. Intel used this technology in three different products – a helmet, a car, and a robot.

The Daqri is a smart helet that is aimed at construction workers and athletes. The helmet has inbuilt glasses that are AR-ready. The helmet uses RealSense 3D camera to create augmented reality on the screen of the glasses. The RealSense technology was also seen in Segway’s Advanced Personal Robots, which is a hoverboard that doubles into a robot. Finally, the technology was seen in a race car that showed movements on the screen following the driver wherever they turned their head.

Ehang 148 Drone

A Chinese company, Ehang Inc., unveiled what is being touted as the first ever drone capable of carrying a human being, on Wednesday at CES.

The Ehang 184 was unveiled yesterday as an electric-power drone that can carry up to 220 pounds and is capable of flying for 23 minutes. It looks like a small helicopter, but of course, along with the four doubled propellers of a drone. The air-conditioned cabin has room for one person and is capable of being charged fully in only two hours. It also has a reading light and space for a back-pack, just because.

Faraday Future’s FFZero1 Electric Concept

One of the coolest unveiling in the automotive departments comes from Faraday Future. The startup, which is backed by Chinese internet TV provider LeTV, unveiled its first-ever electric concept, the FFZero1 which will be production ready by 2018. The exterior design of the vehicle draws inspiration from the 1960s Batmobile.

The FFZero1 has a smartphone embedded in the steering wheel to give the vehicle a “sixth sense” that understands the driver’s preferences and is also capable of driving itself. The internet-connected FFZero1 has a top speed of 200mph (321 kph) and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. Furthermore, the car has what the company calls ‘aero tunnels’ that channels air through the car to reduce drag and cool the batteries.

Faraday Future research chief Nick Sampson said that the company can achieve production of the FFZero1 faster than other automakers thanks to its adoption of “variable production architecture”. “Our lifestyle is becoming very digital and connected, and the car industry isn’t responding to those needs quick enough,” Sampson said. “Our architecture allows us to create different batteries without completely re-engineering the thing each time.”

Fitbit Blaze

Fitbit – the company that’s currently dominating the fitness tracking market – showcased its new wearable that looks more like a smartwatch than any of its previous offerings. The smartwatch was also launched in India yesterday at Rs. 19,999 and is up for pre-orders.

The watch comes equipped with a sleep-tracker, GPS and Bluetooth Smart which notifies the user of calls, texts and calendars notifications. The user can also accept or reject calls using the watch when its connected to a compatible smartphone. On-screen controls also allows the user to navigate and play music from the connected smartphone. PurePulse feature of Blaze tracks the heart-rate of the user and helps make training routines more efficient.

Blaze seems high on design with its interchangeable bands, modular design and a high resolution colour touchscreen. It has a stainless steel display which further has three options to choose from -black, mist grey and camel. There is another option of a Luxe stainless steel band paired with the display frame available in silver.

January 8, 2016
Microsoft Surface Pro Range Launches in India

Microsoft fanboys, the day you’ve been waiting for is here. United States based tech giant, Microsoft has launched its highly appreciated laptop killer range, the Surface Pro in India today. The Surface Pro 3 models start at Rs 73,990, while the Surface Pro 4 range starts at Rs 89,990. The country being a make or break market for Microsoft, this over-the-top pricing for the Pro 3, and Pro 4 range could hurt Microsoft in the long run.

The Surface Pro 4 features a 12.3-inch Pixel Sense display, that can output a maximum resolution of 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI). It will run on a 6th Gen Intel Core m3, i5, or i7 processor. The device will have 4GB,8GB,16GB RAM depending on the variant of choice, and will be available in storage options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD drives. To add to this, the Surface Pro 4 will also come equipped with Intel HD Graphic chips, or an Intel Iris chip for the top of the line i7 variant.

The hybrid tablet will be powered by Windows 10, and the cool thing about the the device is that it turns into a fully-powered laptop while running a desktop software. Battery life is promised at just over 9 hours on a single charge, and the device will weigh not over 786 grams.A 5MP front, and 8MP camera at the back are also found on the tablet.

Surface Pro 3, on the other hand, has a smaller 12-inch ClearType screen that can output maximum resolution of 2160x1440p and will be available in Core i3 and Core i5 processor options. Further specifications reveal variants with 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD; 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD; and 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. The tablet comes with the same connectivity options as its newer sibling, but the camera on the front and back have 5MP resolution.

January 7, 2016
Microsoft to Launch Surface Pro 4 in India Tomorrow

Microsoft’s flagship 12 inch hybrid tablet that promises to put your laptop out of business for good is all set to take up Indian markets by storm in the coming days. Microsoft has started sending invites of the launch event for the Surface Pro in India on the 7th of January, 2016. Microsoft fearing a backlash because of the high price of the series had shied away from introducing the Surface Pro range in India for a long time, but its seems the company has decided to cast those apprehensions aside, and trust its loyal user base in the country.

The Surface Pro 4 whose pricing has not been disclosed by the company yet, looks set to retail in India over the Rs. 60,000 mark. For the hard earned money you spend, Satya Nadela, and Co. present to you a gorgeous piece of consumer hardware that can easily take on all the productivity tasks that you throw at it. This hybrid tablet is a sure-shot upgrade from the Surface Pro 3, but still leaves you wanting more when it comes to battery life.

The Surface Pro 4 features a 12.3-inch Pixel Sense display, that can output a maximum resolution of 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI). It will run on a 6th Gen Intel Core m3, i5, or i7 processor. The device will have 4GB,8GB,16GB RAM depending on the variant of choice, and will be available in storage options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD drives. To add to this, the Surface Pro 4 will also come equipped with Intel HD Graphic chips, or an Intel Iris chip for the top of the line i7 variant.

The hybrid tablet will be powered by Windows 10, and the cool thing about the the device is that it turns into a fully-powered laptop while running a desktop software. Battery life is promised at just over 9 hours on a single charge, and the device will weigh not over 786 grams. Not bad we say.

The Surface Pro 4 on paper looks like a device which if priced right could easily make deep inroads into the Indian consumer market, and keeping in mind how carefully Microsoft has been looking at India in the past year or so, come 7th of January, 2016 Indian consumers could well expect this game changer from the tech giant to be priced reasonably, and make way into their homes.

January 6, 2016
Asus Launches New EeeBook Series in India

Asus has expanded its portfolio with the launch of the Asus EeeBook E402 and Asus EeeBook E205SA in India today. The former is a 14-inch compact and lightweight notebook with HDD expansion slot up to 3 TB, while the later is an entry level convertible notebook with a sensitive and accurate touch display and up to 8 hours of battery life.

Asus has launched the two notebooks seeing the growing demand for affordable, compact and ultra-portable computing devices in the country. The company claims that their EeeBook series are pocket-friendly notebooks that are “elegantly crafted for high mobility and style”.

Asus EeeBook E402

Both the notebooks run on the latest Windows 10 64-bit OS. The 14-inch EeeBook E402 measures at 2.19 cm in thickness and weighs 1.65 kg. The device is powered by Intel Dual-Core Celeron N2840 processor and has an on-board memory of 2GB. The notebook also comes with Intel HD Graphics 4000, VGA web camera, and a 2-Cell Li-ion prismatic battery pack. Asus also claims that the E402 offers a large display, upgradable storage option and comes packed with technology aimed at improving user experience, all at an affordable price tag of Rs. 23,990.

The notebook features SonicMaster technology for audio, Splendid technology for the demanding viewing standards, and the company’s own Smart Gesture technology for multiple Windows gesture on the large touchpad.

Asus E2055A

Meanwhile, the entry-level 11.6-inch EeeBook E205SA comes with a metallic finish that gives it a premium look. The 360 degree convertible notebook weighs 1.20 kg and is being offered in two colour options – Dark Blue and Crystal Silver. Furthermore, the notebook promises 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, powered by a reversible USB-Type C port, and is priced at Rs. 18,999.

January 6, 2016
Lenovo Yoga 900S is the Thinnest, Lightest Laptop in the World

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016 doesn’t officially begin until Wednesday. However, the conference kicked off today with CES Unveiled, where some companies were allowed to preview their products in a smaller, closed space with limited numbers. Lenovo was one such company that kicked off the event with a bang, unveiling a bunch of products, among which is the Lenovo 900S convertible laptop.

The new Lenovo Yoga 900S, which is a spinoff of the Lenovo 900 that was unveiled at last year’s CES, is officially the world’s thinnest convertible laptop weighing at 2.2 pounds (0.99kg), making even the 3 pound MacBook Air look a little bloated. The 12.5-inch QHD display hybrid laptop also promises up to 10.5 hours of battery life thanks to Intel’s low energy Core M processors powering it, which means the performance of the laptop will take a hit.

That’s not all. Because of its carbon fibre construction, the Lenovo 900S measures at an incredibly thin 12.88 millimetres, which is the same as the iPhone 3GS. The laptop also comes with an active stylus for drawing. Starting at a price of $1,099, the Lenovo 900S will be available in the US in March. It’ll be interesting to see just how well a thinner, lighter laptop from Lenovo will do.

January 5, 2016
Here’s a Look at Some Great Deals on Laptops Ahead of Diwali
Has the festive Diwali air gotten to you yet? It is, afterall, the season to be a shopoholic. There are plenty of great offers and discounts available these days, if you know where to look. Today, if you happen to pass by online retailers, you can avail some great discounts on laptops.

The offers have a time period so if you’ve been thinking about getting a new laptop, you may want to head over to one of these websites and add a laptop to your cart soon. However, before you do so, you might need a better idea of what’s on sale. We’ve broken it down in terms of price range. Have a look and decide the right one for you.

Laptops Under Rs. 20,000

Dell Inspiron 3551

Dell’s new Inspiron 15 3551 does make an impression thanks to its thinner profile and its surprisingly long warranty. Running times are also better than most of the competition. The graphics aren’t the best here and only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.
- 2.66GHz Intel Pentium N3540 N3540 processor
- 4GB DDRL3 RAM
- 500GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive
- 15.6 inch screen, Intel HD Graphics
- Ubuntu Linux 14.04 SP1 operating system
The laptop is currently available at Rs. 17,999, down from Rs. 20,990, which is a 14% discount.

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Lenovo G50-30 80G001VNIN

The Lenovo G50 is also being offered at a 20% discount and is currently priced at Rs. 18,499. The laptop offers great performance for a low price. The G50-30 is apt for basic tasks like browsing, Skype or watching videos. The laptop only needs little power and operates quietly.
- 15.6-inch LED HD display
- Intel Pentium Quad Core N3540 Processor
- 2.16 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.66 GHz.
- 4GB DDR3L RAM
- 500GB storage and a 720p HD webcam.
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Laptops Under Rs. 30,000

Lenovo G40-45 (Notebook)

Looking for a budget-friendly laptop is not an easy task. Especially one that packs enough punch to get you through the day. Interestingly, the Lenovo G40 series, which is famous for its affordable prices, is powered by AMD A8 processors; a mobile quad-core system-on-chip (SoC) that integrates a Radeon R5 GPU. This laptop comes with an optical drive and gives a decent batter life with its four-cell battery. Overall, the laptop gives you the most bang for your buck.
- APU Quad Core A8
- 8 GB DDR3 RAM
- 1 TB HDD
- Free DOS
Dell Vostro 15 3558

The Dell Vostro is designed primarily as working device. It is powerful enough for daily tasks. This display isn’t anything to brag about, but it is decent for this price range. There’s a great discount going on for the Dell Vostro right now. The laptop is priced at Rs. 24,999 down from Rs. 28,799 and is being claimed fast.
- 15.6-inch LED backlit display
- 1.7GHz Intel Core-i3 4005U 4th generation processor
- 3.5 kg
- 4GB RAM and 1TB hard drive
- Intel HD Graphics 4400
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Laptops Under Rs. 40,000

Lenovo G50 80L0006HIN

Priced at Rs. 30,499, the laptop is being offered at a 22% discount. This laptop provides great graphics with a 2GB AMD Radeon graphic card. That is one of the key selling points of the G50 80. The laptop won’t heat much when playing graphically intense games and also comes with 1TB of internal storage.
- Intel Core i3 1.9GHz processor.
- 15.6-inch display with AMD Radeon R5 M230 2GB 3D graphics.
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB of internal storage.
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HP 15-ac101TU

For a laptop at this price level, the HP 15 looks really good. Instead of a simple texture, HP has gone with a diamond pattern for the lid which enhances the aesthetic appeal. The laptop is a decent entry point for those looking at a basic Windows 10 OS. The HP 15-ac101TU wins has a slim and sleek design. There’s a 10% discount on this HP laptop. Offered at Rs. 30,990, the deal is 60% claimed as of now.
- 5.6-inch screen with Intel HD Graphic 5500
- 2GHz Intel Core i3 5005u processor
- 4GB RAM and 1TB hard drive.
- Windows 10 pre-loaded. The deal is 60% claimed as of now.
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Other great deals worth mentioning:

Apple Macbook Pro

The Macbook is currently the best in 50K or above range and is currently available at a sweet price of Rs. 50, 999 down from Rs. 78, 990 which gives you an amazing 35% discount. So if you’re looking for a high-end laptop right now, this is the one to go for. The deal is 76% claimed already, so you may want to decide fast for this one.

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We’ll update the list as new deals come in. The prices mentioned above are subject to change as all mentioned deals are for limited periods of time only.
November 7, 2015
Microsoft Set to Launch the Surface Pro 4 and Lumia Phones in India

Microsoft held a Future Unleashed event in Mumbai today. CEO Satya Nadella delivered a keynote speech wherein he announced that the Surface Pro 4 will launch in India in January 2016. Microsoft has so far refused to sell the Surface range of tablets in India, believing that the market was not ready for high-end laptops and tablets.

Nadella also announced that the new Windows 10-powered Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones would launch in India next month. He also showcased the much talked about Continuum Mode that lets you hook up the smartphone to a keyboard and display, which in essence lets you use your smartphone like a laptop.

“We are reinventing computing with devices like the HoloLens to Microsoft Band and everything in between.”

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 starts at $899 (Rs. 60,000), the Pro 4 with i5 is priced at $999 (Rs. 65,000) and the Pro 4 with i7 is a whopping $1599 (Rs. 1 lakh). The Indian pricing may cost a little more due to taxes and there is no word yet on which versions Microsoft plans to bring to India.

Nadella’s trip to India come just a month after PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the Silicon Valley. Microsoft had earlier said that the company was working on making affordable Internet access available to 5 lakh villages in the country. Mark Zuckerberg also held a Townhall at IIT Delhi last week where he spoke about Facebook’s interest in providing basic internet to rural parts of the country.

Let us know your views on Microsofts newest products in the comments below.

November 5, 2015
Why a Chrome and Android Merger Could Spell Disaster for Google

In a merger that could probably spell disaster for Google, the company is planning to fold its Chrome OS into its Android OS. Why is this a bad thing? Well, the Chromebook with Chrome OS was introduced as a lightweight operating system with limited native apps for low-powered netbooks. It was meant for students who would do most of their networking through the browser.

With this merger, Google has basically stated that the Chromebook is opening the gates for a horde of Android apps. This will not only leave the Chromebook more cluttered, but could also invite potential security concerns.

Samsung Chromebook

The news is not unexpected, though. Plans for a Chrome and Android merger have been on the cards since 2013. In the past few years, Google has been getting Android apps to run on Chrome, and back in 2009, Google co-founder Sergey Brin himself said that Chrome OS and Android would “likely converge over time”.

The end result of this merger will be an all encompassing OS for both mobile devices and notebooks. Again, net security is the primary concern for people after this merger news. While Chrome OS has been relatively malware-free due to its minimalism, Android apps have been riddles with vulnerabilities. As expected, users took to Twitter to express their disappointment at Google’s latest move.

Most experts I know have deep respect for the security in Google’s Chrome OS. None have respect for Android. Sad that Android won vs Chrome.

— Christopher Soghoian (@csoghoian) October 29, 2015

Chrome OS is the most secure operating system you can buy. Lauded by experts everywhere for its design. Plz dont go away =(

— SecuriTay (@SwiftOnSecurity) October 29, 2015

October 30, 2015
Samsung Galaxy View Tablet Listed Online: Specs and Features

Samsung is trying to work its way into every section of your home. With a slew of smartphones, tablets and TVs being offered, the company wants to cater to the kitchen as well. Kitchen tablets are becoming a thing now after the recently launched Alcatel OneTouch Xess and Sony’s two-year-old Tablet Z Kitchen edition. Now Samsung is bringing its own kitchen device with the Galaxy View tablet.

The massive 18.3-inch tablet was first teased at IFA 2015 in September and has now been listed on Andorama with some key specifications. The listing suggests that the tablet sports an 18.4-inch full HD (1080p) display with a density of 120ppi, which means the tablet should not be used at arms length. It is powered by a 1.6GHz 64-bit Carmen2 (Exynos 7580) octa-core processor paired with 2GB of RAM. Carmen2 chip is a new moniker and very little is known about it as of now.

Further specs of the Galaxy View include 32 GB internal storage, expandable up to 128 GB via MicroSSD card slot. It also features a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera. No word yet on the rear camera. It also features a rather modest 5,700mAh battery capacity, and Samsung promises up to 8.5 hours of video playback.

The tablet comes with the usual connectivity options such as Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, A-GPS and GLONASS, with quad-band 3G and Cat.6 LTE, and a Wi-Fi only option may be available too.

The Galaxy View is Samsung’s answer to what comes in between the Galaxy tablet and Samsung TV. The company has yet to announce a launch date. Pre-orders for the tablet had already begun on Andorama and was priced at $599 until the site took it down for unknown reasons.

October 27, 2015
Asus Launches Windows 10-Powered VivoBook with 4K Display

Asus has been on a spree, launching laptops both low-end and high-end. October has seen 4 laptops already by the company (three A-series and one ZenBook). The new laptops have been releasing with the new Windows 10 operating system. Many, if not all, OEMs have been slowly updating their existing and upcoming laptops with Windows 10. Asus launched the Asus ViviBook 4K on Monday. This laptop falls under the high-end bracket, similar to the ZenBook UX305LA.

As the name suggests, the Asus VivoBook 4K is a 4K UHD (2160×3840 pixel) laptop with wide 178-degree viewing angles. The model comes with a choice of fifth or sixth-generation Intel core i7 processor, with the base model powered by a dual-core Core i7-5500U. The VivoBook comes with 8 GB RAM (expandable to 12 GB), 2 TB hard drive storage or SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce 940M graphics.

Of course, the highlight of the VivoBook is its 4K UHD display. The 15.6-inch, 3840 x 2160 resolution display has 8 million pixels and a 282ppi pixel density. That’s about 4 times the pixel density of a standard Full HD display. The laptop will be available in Icicle Gold, Glacier Grey, Black, and Navy Blue colours.

Other features include a Super-Multi DVD player, a 3-in-1 card reader, a VGA camera, two USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port, one VGA port, and one LAN RJ45 jack. The laptop also features 2W stereo speakers and a 2-cell 37Whr battery, and weighs about 2.3kg. The company has yet to unveil the price of the VivoBook, but since its understood that it is a high-end laptop similar to the ZenBook, you can expect the price tag anywhere between Rs. 80,000 – Rs. 1 lakh.

October 27, 2015