There are number of flexible and portable keyboards on the market today designed to interface with everything from laptop computers to smartphones and tablets. The problem with many of these thin and flexible keyboards is that the keys offer very little tactile feedback making typing difficult and uncomfortable. A company called Strategic Polymers Sciences is showing off a new flexible keyboard that has keys that provide more tactile feedback.
The manufacturer says that it’s thin keyboard uses shape-changing polymers that are able to replicate the feel and sound of clicking buttons people are used to from traditional computer keyboards. The company says that its keyboard could be used in laptops and ultrabooks by next year. Perhaps even more interesting is that the company is currently working on transparent coatings that would enable this type of keyboard on touchscreen devices.
The lack of tactile feedback is one of the biggest complaints when it comes to using on-screen keyboards for devices such as tablets and smartphones. The technology that the company uses takes advantage of the special polymer that dramatically and rapidly changes shape when the electric field is applied. The letters on the haptic keyboard developed by the company vibrate to confirm that they have been pressed.
The company says that vibration can also be used to create soundwaves to make the keys click or play music when pressed. The biggest benefit of the haptic keyboard over the standard keyboard that has actual physical buttons is thinness. The haptic keyboard is only 1.5 mm thick and it’s flexible. The manufacturer plans to begin shipping keyboards to equipment manufacturers in 2014.
The Anycast Touch is not only a sleeker incarnation of Sony’s all-in-one studio, with a slider design and a manageable-enough 6.6-kg (13-pound) body; it’s also the company’s first such system to feature a touchscreen interface. The machine sports two touch-enabled displays, allowing users to adjust audio controls, type via an on-screen keyboard and edit footage, among other functions. Video sources are assigned to one side of the panel, and tapping a particular input will bring up the footage in the middle preview window. It seems like an intuitive interface, especially given all the live-broadcasting controls on board — a six-input video switcher, a five-channel audio mixer, a built-in character and title generator, and a remote camera controller, just to name a few.
Aside from the touchscreens, built-in live-streaming capability is one of the Anycast Touch’s most unique features. On the show floor, Sony was sharing the product’s output with WiFi-enabled devices. According to the company, this functionality will be useful in educational settings, at houses of worship, corporate seminars and any other events intended to reach a broad audience. The Anycast could even help news producers scale back on their own gear, letting them trade those gigantic live trucks for live vans or sedans, for example. Pricing info isn’t set in stone, but Sony says the MSRP will be less than $20,000 when the device ships at the end of summer. There’s simply a ton of functionality here, so we definitely recommend checking out the studio-in-a-box in action in our hands-on video after the break for a bit more detail.
A company called Edigma has unveiled a series of large-format multitouch displays aimed at encouraging touch interactivity for a variety of needs. The displays are called Displax Pad and are described as all-in-one multitouch displays with a flat surface, sleek design, and customizable multiuser software. The displays are plug-and-play and ready to be plugged into a computer and used right out-of-the-box.
All of the multitouch components required for the displayed operate are embedded inside the casing and the screens can be hung in landscape or portrait modes. The displays include a software suite with several multitouch applications included. The large-format screens are available in 40, 42, 47, 55, and 65-inch sizes.
The screen supports 10 independent touches and has a completely flat glass touch surface. The display itself is full HD resolution and LED backlit. The body of the display is made from aluminum for durability. The screen is driven by a Mac mini computer with a 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 500 GB storage.
Graphics for the little computer handled by Intel HD graphics 4000. One odd bit about the Mac mini PC driving the display is that rather than running OS X, it runs Windows 8. The display has a pair of 10 W speakers integrated and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The native resolution of all five screen sizes is 1920 x 1080.
This stubby little stylus might look more like a crayon than something you’d usually use with your tablet, but it could be just the thing if you only occasionally need to ditch your digits for something more precise. More »
If you were thinking about picking up a VIZIO notebook or PC in the near future – wait just a second! They’ve just released the full lineup in Full HD mode with touchscreen interactivity and Windows 8! Of course while some of their lineup had one or two of these features before, now you can rest easy – greatness is here for all!
You’ll be seeing several different lineups here, each of them delivering the sleek metal looks and attention to detail we were so impressed by when we first reviewed one of their PCs last year (that was right before they switched over to touch!) Now you’ll want to head down to the timeline below to see all the touchscreen action and up-close-and-personal looks and touches we’ve had with these devices at CES 2013 before we go on a review rampage – make it so!
VIZIO All-in-One models
24-inch All-in-One Touch The smaller of the two options here is the first available for pre-order in Microsoft’s online store. You’ll find that this model brings on the more conservative (just by a bit!) display size complete with dual HDMI input, enhanced 2.1 audio system with subwoofer, and wireless controls – you’ll get a remote control for your entertainment bits and pieces, a multi-gesture touchpad, and a keyboard, too! Have a peek at our early review of the pre-touch iteration of the 24-inch All-in-one now! This model will sell for USD $1,279.99.
27-inch All-in-One Touch The one big difference between the 24- and 27-inch models here is the size of the display. They’ve both got the same number of inputs and outputs and all that good stuff, same accessories in the box and the same massive HD 1080p touchscreen technology at your disposal. This 27-inch model will sell for USD $1,549.99.
VIZIO Notebooks
14-inch HD+ Thin + Light Touch The smaller of the two new models we’ve got here has a 14-inch HD+ display and options for either AMD (A10 APU) or Intel (Core i7) processors. This model starts at USD $1,089.99.
15.6-inch Full HD Thin + Light Touch This is the top-of-the-line offering in laptop technology from VIZIO, bringing on Full HD on a 15.6-inch display also with the same quad-core processor options that the 14-inch model is available with: either AMD (A10 APU) or Intel (Core i7). You’ll also find this model available for pre-order now in Microsoft’s online store! This larger version will start at USD $1,189.99.
Included with each
All VIZIO machines here work with advanced Wi-Fi with 802.11ac (that’s the newest generation able to offer up to three times faster delivery of data past 802.11n.) They’ve all got 10-finger touchscreen technology up front, SRS Premium Sound HD audio systems with no less than DTS technology making it all roll right, and Microsoft Signature for Windows. With Microsoft Signature you’ve got a clean install of Windows 8 – no bloat-ware at all!
Sound like the lineup for you? Let us know if you’re planning to go all the way with VIZIO this season!
UPDATE: Comprehensive price list
We’ve now got the full list of prices as they’ll appear straight through the VIZIO online store immediately if not soon!
COWON JAPAN has introduced a compact and sleek MP3 player that is affordable and easy to use and has a very long battery life: continuous music max. 90 hours / movie play max. 13 hours. It has a 2.5 inch LCD touchscreen with 3 capacities: 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. Includes cable to play video with XVID SP/ASP, WMV 7/8/9 (Video codec), and with JetEffect 5.0. You can select from various sound effects (EQ, BBE, Mach3Bass, 3D Surround, MP Enhance, Stereo Enhanc, etc.), 9 Reverb modes and 48 preset …
This week at the 2013 New York International Auto Show we’ve had the opportunity to have a hands-on experience with the next-generation Buick Intellilink infotainment system. This system has been revealed as coming with the 2014 LaCrosse as well as the 2014 Regal, both vehicles working with nearly identical implementations of infotainment and media playback throughout. It all begins on an 8-inch touchscreen display that sits front and center of the vehicle, able to be accessed by the driver or the copilot with ease.
Buick’s next-generation IntelliLink infotainment system works with wireless connectivity for your mobile devices, customizable options galore, and an easy-to-use user interface from start to finish. And it’s all builds on a hearty connection of both safety and security with OnStar. If you’re an OnStar user, you’ll be able to access city-by-city weather reports and ultra-simple embedded navigation using their “traditional Blue button” – rather handy.
You’ll be working with connectivity to a selection of apps for music, starting with Pandora. With Pandora you’ll have a collection of custom-built radio stations with new music coming in by the day – you’ll also be working with a set of 60 “favorites”, starting with radio stations outside of Pandora. These stations can be AM, FM, or XM, and you’ll have plenty of space left over to store “favorites” in contacts, destinations, and music from media aside from radio.
You’ll be able to connect with your media and your apps for control of the many various things IntelliLink works with using your touchscreen or by controlling your system with your voice. IntelliLink employs natural language voice recognition allowing you to control most anything you’d be able to control with your finger. You can enter destinations, browse media, safely place calls, play music, and control a variety of other functions as well.
If you’re a fan of using your touchscreen interface, you’ll find the controls to be rather familiar. You can do what Buick calls a “fling” through your lists, swipe up and down, and drag all around – basic control cues you’ll have learned well by now due to your everyday use of your smartphone or tablet devices. You can also control your music, set destinations, and more with IntelliLink’s connection to your smartphone – this done with a USB cord or Bluetooth wirelessly.
Of course the audio experience you’re going to have with the output this IntelliLink system is controlling depends entirely on the vehicle you’re driving. With the 2014 Buick Regal you’ll be working with a new nine-speaker Bose sound system including “strategically placed” tweeters and a fabulous subwoofer – you’ve got an acoustically optimized interior as well. With the 2014 Buick LaCrosse you’ve got seven standard speakers including the, again, “strategically placed” tweeters as well as a subwoofer all coming together to complement a quiet, acoustically optimized interior – with optional 11-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound being available as well!
Have a peek at our Buick tag portal for more information on the IntelliLink system as it appears in more vehicles through the future, and don’t forget to check the rest of our Car Hub for auto action from here until forever!
This week we’re hearing a whole lot about what Microsoft’s first big update to Windows 8 will be doing for the operating system, hearing how this so-called “Windows Blue” will change the company’s fortunes for the better. What Windows Blue is, for those that haven’t heard of it, is a polishing of the less-then-fantastic bits and pieces of Windows 8, especially where it concerns the operating system’s user interface. Have a peek here at several of the finer points that’ve been leaked in early builds thus far.
At the moment you’re not going to be able to get Windows Blue without downloading it illegally or finding your way into a developer build. If you’re an average citizen, you’ll just have to wait – and we’re not sure yet when that wait will be over, but we’re hoping soon. Cross your fingers!
Real half-screen app snap
One of the most interesting discoveries you may have already made in Windows 8 is your ability to “snap” 2 apps at once, allowing yourself the ability to work with both at full-screen essentially simultaneously. The only bad part about it is the instant 75/25 share size – one app takes up most of the screen while the second app is so small you can barely use it. As PC World says so eloquently, “that particular design decision was… bone-headed.”
With Windows Blue, the default is 50/50, a much more realistic half-and-half situation for those of you that love to keep two things open at once. Along with this is the push for more touchscreen-friendly settings.
Computer Settings become touch-friendly
When you’re looking to change the settings on your Windows 8-toting machine, you find it a bit less than intuitive before Windows Blue. When the Windows Blue build comes to you, you’ll find the “modern” user interface to have been brought with a fury to your standard settings galore. Before Blue you had to head back down to your standard desktop mode and tap through (if you had only touch) with teeny-tiny hotspots until you had nothing more than pre-Windows 8 UI never intended for touch at all – fix, yes please.
Live Tile options expansion
As it was with the change-over between Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 8, this update to Windows 8 “Blue” will allow you much more control over your Live Tiles. Here you’ll be able to choose between 4×4 size, 4×2, 2×2, and 1×1. You’ll also be able to change the color of your standard tiles, and – believe it or not – one option has been erased from your options altogether. That is the quick-push of a tile from one location to another.
That option has gotten in our way more than it’s ever helped. That’s the option where you hold down on a tile and move it to a different location on your home screen – if you’ve tried to flick between sets of tiles and hold just a bit too long in Windows 8, that tile will fly to the other side of the screen (wherever you leave off with your finger, that is). With Windows Blue, you’ll have to right-click (or otherwise hold down with your finger) on a blank portion of your screen to activate a “Customization” option before you do any flicking – nice touch!
New Built-in Apps
With Windows Blue, as with all great massive operating system updates, there are a few app additions to entice those of us who would otherwise just ask “well yeah, but what do I actually GET when I update?” Here you’ll find some oddities, bits and pieces like a new calculator, alarm clock, and sound recorder – note how these would go great on a tablet or – how about that – a smartphone!
Personalization
For those of you that love to change the look of your user interface, the Personalization options panel has been pushed up to the forefront. Instead of having to dig down deep in the tunnels that are the old UI, here you’ll find this panel – touch-friendly and everything – up above your Tiles option – pull in from the right on your home screen and hit the settings – and go forth!
Pyle Audio has announced the launch of a new product designed to bring a large touch screen into your vehicle. The product is a 10.1-inch in-dash touchscreen Bluetooth/DVD receiver. The product carries model number PLD10BT. The 10.1-inch screen is motorized and fully detachable from the front screen panel.
The screen is also adjustable for optimal viewing and is equipped with last position memory so it can spring back to the last preferred position. Integrated Bluetooth technology allows the driver to stream audio directly from their iPhone to the infotainment system. Music streaming is also supported from Android or other devices support Bluetooth.
The entertainment system is compatible with VCD, MPEG4, MP3, DIVX, CD, CD-RW and has an audio/video auxiliary line input jack allowing the connection of other devices. The receiver has a 30-station memory and supports auto store and preset scans for convenience while driving. The device also comes with a wireless remote control allowing the passenger to control all functions including volume, repeat, DVD modes, and other functions.
The big 10.1-inch screen is detachable to make the system less of target for thieves. The 10.1-inch screen has a resolution of 1024 x 600 and a brightness of 400 nits. The Bluetooth connectivity also allows the driver to stream phone call information to the car’s audio system. The receiver also supports rearview camera input and the CD/DVD player portion of the system as anti-shock mechanisms to prevent skipping. The 10.1-inch In Dash Touch Screen receiver is available now for $284.99.
The desktop computer market is pretty much stagnant as more and more consumers move to notebooks, tablets, and smartphones as their primary devices. One of the bright spots in the desktop computer market continues to be the all-in-one computer or AIO. Most people are probably familiar with this sort machine that packs all the computer hardware in the same case as the display.
Dell has announced a new all-in-one computer that will be shipping on April 16 called the XPS 18. Dell claims the computer is their thinnest, lightest, and most versatile all-in-one ever offered. The computer will run Windows 8 and has an 18.4-inch capacitive touchscreen. That means users will be able to take advantage of all of the fancy touch-interaction that Windows 8 offers. It’s also designed to be portable – weighing in under 5 pounds – so you can lug it around your house and run it off of battery power if you’d like.
That 18.4-inch screen supports full 1080p HD resolution, and the machine will use Intel Core processors – of an as yet unspecified flavor. Dell says that the XPS 18 will be available in the US and select countries in Europe starting at $899.99(USD). It’s too bad the computer maker doesn’t say exactly what processor you get, how much RAM, and how much storage the base model offers. Those are rather key details, but we can assume will learn more closer to the launch date.
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