HP Launches Multi-touch Consumer Tablet PC

HP has announced the industry's first convertible notebook PC with multi-touch technology designed specifically for consumers.

Building upon the touch innovation HP developed for its TouchSmart desktop PCs, the HP TouchSmart tx2 Notebook PC was developed for people on the go.

The enhanced HP MediaSmart digital entertainment software suite on the tx2 allows users to more naturally select, organize and manipulate digital files such as photos, music, video and web content by simply touching the screen.

"Breezing through websites and enjoying photos or video at the tap, whisk or flick of a finger is an entirely new way to enjoy digital content on a notebook PC," said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Notebook Global Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. "With the introduction of the TouchSmart tx2, HP is providing users an easier, more natural way to interact with their PCs, and furthering touch innovation."

The tx2 recognizes simultaneous input from more than one finger using "capacitive multi-touch technology," which enables the use of gestures such as pinch, rotate, arc, flick, press and drag, and single and double tap.

The convertible design with a twist hinge allows consumers to enjoy the TouchSmart in three modes - PC, display and tablet. With a rechargeable digital ink pen, users can turn the tx2 into a tablet PC to write, sketch, draw, take notes or graph right onto the screen – and then automatically convert handwriting into typed text.

Starting at less than 4.5 pounds, the tx2 has a 12.1-inch diagonal BrightView LED display and an HP Imprint "Reaction" design.

In an effort to provide consumers with rich content through the Internet, HP has expanded its partnership with MTV Networks (MTVN) by offering video content from 10 television channels and online brands within MediaSmart's TV module.

Beginning in December, users can enjoy all the best content from Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central. MTVN also plans to make content from Atom, CMT, GameTrailers, Logo, Spike, The N and VH1 available within MediaSmart's TV module.

Powered by the AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processor or AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor and built on Windows Vista Home Premium, the tx2 will be made available worldwide in an array of configure-to-order options.

The HP tx Series Notebook Stand elevates the tx2, enhancing its usability while stationary, including making it possible to put the PC in an upright position for full interactivity with the touch screen.

The HP TouchSmart tx2 is available at starting price of $1,149.

Moto VE66 Announced

Motorola has announced the MOTO VE66 with enhanced CrystalTalk audio technology, a 5-megapixel camera and MP3 player-like navigation.

The slider device also boasts the first widgets integration on a Motorola mobile device.

"The MOTO VE66 delivers on consumer’s demand for more personalized listening and imaging experiences on a mobile phone," said Tracey Koziol, corporate vice president, Mobile Devices, Motorola. "With a diverse multi-media experience, the VE66 truly enables you to make a statement and express yourself on your terms."

MOTO VE66 amplifies conversations and helps reduce background noise with enhanced CrystalTalk technology. The VE66 also further enhances the audio quality with the addition of a second microphone, which helps eliminate more ambient background noise from the call.

On pressing a dedicated camera key, the VE66 will auto focus, activate an LED flash, if necessary, stabilize the image and reduce red eye. Automatic color saturation delivers whiter whites and crisper blacks.

The Wi-fi-enabled VE66 also features an MP3 player with USB 2.0 and integrated FM radio.

MOTO VE66 is expected to be available this quarter though no price has been attached to the phone as yet.

PRADA II Launched With BT Wrist Watch

About a month or so ago, LG and PRADA had announced another collaboration to bring out the next generation PRADA. The handset has now been officially launched and is set to hit stores in Europe by late November this year.

The latest edition of the PRADA Phone by LG (Model: LG-KF900) preserves the same original minimalist, totally touch screen exterior. A defining modification though involves a QWERTY keypad that slides out to give a more professional look.

The handset’s user interface has also received an improvement with LG’s latest active flash UI technology and haptic feedback on touch input. Dynamic upgrades to the software are well complimented by hardware extensions that include 3G capability with HSDPA up to 7.2 Mbps and an advanced 5 megapixel camera featuring slow motion video recording and DivX playback. Other features include Wi-fi, a full HTML browser and video calling capabilities.

Some of the contents included with the handset feature the PRADA Fall/Winter 2008 Lookbook, new PRADA animation films dedicated to the PRADA Phone by LG, and wallpapers illustrating principal themes from PRADA’s annual design collections dating back to 2001.

This time around, LG and PRADA have reinvented the mobile trend with another offering, the ‘PRADA Link’ (Model: LG-LBA-T950). Expected to release with the new handset, this sleek digital timepiece is a Bluetooth device that can remotely monitor phone calls as well as read full SMS text messages without having to extract the phone from a bag or pocket.

The new PRADA Phone by LG and the PRADA Link will be available at a starting price of Rs. 37, 113 (600 Euros) and Rs. 18,495 (299 Euros), respectively.

N96 Kicks Butt With Bruce Lee Edition

The Nokia N96 is apparently faring quite well in Hong Kong, in fact it seems to be doing so well that the company has launched an exclusive Bruce Lee edition of the all-in-one handset.

There are no dramatic changes in the handset’s design but the rear panel does come with an image and signature of the martial arts superstar. The handset will also come with preloaded content in the form of rare images of the legend (I would have settled for the full length movie of Game of Death) and some extremely cool accessories like an Enterbay Action figure of the actor in his famous yellow jumpsuit (GIMME!!!).

I’ll be honest with you. Being a fan from way back, even though I wasn’t all to thrilled with the handset after the review, I’d still get me one of these if it were launched here.

The handset is priced at approximately Rs. 64,000 (8,788 Chinese Yuan). The features remain unchanged – 16GB of internal memory with a microSD card slot for extension, 5MP camera with flash, Wi-Fi and GPS

Motorola Reveals New 5MP Cam Phone With Widgets

Motorola, Inc. has announced the arrival of MOTO VE66 with enhanced CrystalTalk audio technology. The sleek, slider device also boasts the first widgets integration on a Motorola mobile device, which means users would be able to receive easier, more seamless access to what matters most – whether you crave sports scores, stock tickers or RSS feeds from your favorite blogs.

“The MOTO VE66 delivers on consumer’s demand for more personalized listening and imaging experiences on a mobile phone,” said Tracey Koziol, corporate vice president, Mobile Devices, Motorola. “With a diverse multi-media experience, the VE66 truly enables you to make a statement and express yourself on your terms.”

MOTO VE66 amplifies your conversations and helps reduce background noise with enhanced CrystalTalk technology. From more superior voice quality to personalized noise adaptation, CrystalTalk makes a noticeable difference in the clarity and intelligibility of conversations while in a noisy environment. VE66 further enhances the audio quality with the addition of a second microphone, which helps eliminate more ambient background noise from the call.

The VE66 contains a number of features that you might expect to find on a dedicated digital camera. Its 5MP auto focus camera comes with an LED flash and automatic color saturation will try to deliver better whites and crisper blacks.

The handset also comes with a FastScroll one-touch navigation wheel for maneuvering through menus, an MP3 player with USB 2.0 access to data and downloads on your PC and Wi-Fi connectivity. There’s also an integrated FM radio with RDS and Stereo Bluetooth support.

MOTO VE66 is expected to be available Q4 2008 and there’s no pricing revealed yet.