Upcoming Windows 8 Hybrid notebooks/tablets to look forward to

So Windows 8 is finally here and Microsoft has set a very attractive upgrade price as well, if you’re coming from an earlier version of Windows. Along with the new OS, we’ll also be seeing a fleet of new notebooks, Ultrabooks, Hybrids and All-in-ones that will start hitting our retail shelves very soon. However, things are not as straightforward this time around. You see, we now have a new product category that Intel calls Ultrabook Convertibles. Essentially, this segment will feature all the hybrid PC and notebooks we’ve seen at exhibitions like Computex and IFA. These hybrids will also come in multiple flavours of Windows 8 Pro or Windows RT, not to mention the Windows 8 and Windows RT based tablets that will also be arriving. So you see, there’s a lot of chaos already. 

For the sake of simplicity and to bring some order to the chaos, today, we’ll only be focussing on hybrid notebooks or tablets that run Windows 8 Pro. Basically, hybrids that are powered by the x86 architecture – so we are talking about Intel-based CPUs. We’ve rounded up eight hybrids from Tier-1 brands that fit the bill. All these models will start shipping early next month.  

Dell XPS 12 Ultrabook
Dell first demoed this concept a couple of years ago at CES, but it never saw the light of day due to limitations of the OS. Now that Windows 8 has been redesigned with touch in mind, it makes perfect sense. The XPS 12 features a unique ‘flip-and-fold’ mechanism that transforms it into a tablet within seconds. It’s built using machined aluminium, bonded Gorilla Glass and carbon fibre, so it’s pretty durable. The scary part is when the locking mechanism for the screen fails; imagine trying to work on it in our local trains.

Flip and swipe

Specifications:

• CPU: 3rd Gen Intel Core i5/i7
• RAM: 4GB onwards
• Storage: Up to 256GB SSD
• GPU: Onboard
• Screen size and resolution: 12.5-inch (1920 x 1080)
• Price: Starts at $1200 (Rs 66,000)

Asus VivoTab Smart 
Asus has a big line-up of Windows 8 notebooks, all itching to climb onto retail shelves. Among them, we have the VivoTab Smart series, a tablet designed to pull off double duty as a notebook as well. At 580g, it’s pretty lightweight so you can use it for extended periods of time in tablet mode. The keyboard snaps onto the tablet and is pretty slim too, so it doesn’t increase the overall weight by much. Unlike the XPS 12, the Vivo Tab Smart uses Intel’s Atom CPU, so other than being less powerful, it should also be cheaper.

Slim and portable

Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Atom Z2760 dual-core
• RAM: 2GB
• Storage: 64GB
• GPU: Onboard
• Screen size: 10.1-inch (1366 x 768)
• Price: TBA

Sony VAIO Duo 11
Sony has taken inspiration from Asus’s Eee Pad Slider with the Duo 11. The tablet is powered by a choice of either Core i5 or i7 Intel CPU and also features a slide-out keyboard. The screen slides back to reveal the keyboard underneath. Some of the highlights of the VivoTab Smart is a Full HD IPS display, digitizer stylus, Dolby Home Theatre v4 technology, NFC and a lot more.

Inspired by the Eee Pad Slider

Specifications:

• CPU: 3rd Gen Intel Core i5/i7
• RAM: 4GB onwards
• Storage: Up to 256GB SSD
• GPU: Onboard
• Screen size: 11.6-inch (1920 x 1080)
• Price: Starts at $1,099 (Rs 60,500)   

HP Envy x2 
HP’s Envy x2 is similar in design to its new Spectre Ultrabook, but only with a detachable keyboard. Along with this, you also get Beats Audio, NFC and an 8MP rear facing camera as well as a front facing camera. The HP Envy x2 is expected to hit stores in December, so just in time for the holiday rush. The hybrid also features an optional stylus that lets you get creative.

HP's answer to hybrid notebooks

Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Atom Z2760 dual-core
• RAM: 2GB onwards
• Storage: Up to 64GB
• GPU: Onboard
• Screen size: 11.6-inch (1366 x 768)
• Price: TBA

Toshiba U925t Ultrabook 
Toshiba’s U925t consists of a tablet will a full-sized keyboard that slides out from underneath, transforming it into a full-fledged notebook. Unlike some slide-out designs like the Sony Duo 11, which has a smaller version of a QWERTY keyboard, Toshiba’s offering packs in a standard keyboard with good spacing between the keys. Of course, this has added to the weight and bulk of the notebook, so it’s not going to be as thin as the other hybrids.

Full-fledged keyboard hiding beneath

Specifications:

• CPU: 3rd Gen Intel Core i5
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• GPU: Onboard
• Screen size: 12.5-inch (1366 x 768)
• Price: $1,150 (Rs 63,200)

Microsoft Surface Pro 
This is Microsoft’s blueprint, if you will, for what Windows 8 hybrids should typically be like. The software giant took everyone by surprise when it unveiled the Surface a few months ago. As the name suggests, the tablet is designed to be used on a surface as it has a kickstand built into the chassis. The Pro version will also be a little bit thicker as compared to the RT version due to the Intel chipset.

Microsoft's reference design

Specifications:

• CPU: 3rd Gen Intel Core i5
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: Up to 128GB
• GPU: Onboard
• Screen size: 10.6-inch (1920 x 1080)
• Price: TBA

Acer W510 
Acer’s W510 features a uniquely designed keyboard dock with a hinge that rotates up to 295 degrees. What this does is enable you to use the keyboard as a stand while the tablet is suspended for your use. This angle is also highly flexible, so you can adjust it according to your seating position. The W510 also happens to be the first Intel CPU-based tablet with the Acer Always On Technology.

Comes with a unique keyboard dock

Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Atom Z2760 dual-core
• RAM: 2GB
• Storage: 64GB SSD
• GPU: Onboard
• Screen size: 10.1-inch (1366 x 768)
• Price: $599 (Rs 33,000)

Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T
Samsung’s ATIV tablet PC packs in powerful internals like Core i5 CPU, its own SuperBright Plus technology for the screen and S Pen technology. The tablet also comes bundled with a Transformer-style keyboard dock that expands the connectivity by adding a USB 3.0 port and Gigabit LAN.

S Pen makes a comeback

Specifications:

• CPU: 3rd Gen Intel Core i5
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage : 128GB SSD
• GPU: Onboard
• Screen size: 11.6-inch (1920 x 1080)
• Price: $1,199 (Rs 65,950)

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Samsung Announces Android 4.1 GALAXY Premier With 4.65" Screen

Samsung has announded the GALAXY Premier on their Ukrainian press site. The evleaks rumour of a few days ago was spot on: The newly announced handset looks a lot like the GALAXY S III (GS3),GALAXY S DUOS, and GALAXY S III Mini. There are no surprises in the specs department either — it features a 4.65" Super AMOLEDscreen and an 8 mp camera, as reported by SamMobile.com. Samsung hasn't said anything about the chipset, but going by the other handsets, you can expect a 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU.

Here's the list of specs confirmed by Samsung:

• 4.65" HD Super AMOLED screen with 720x1280 pixles.
• Wi-Fi, GPS (GLONASS), NFC, Bluetooth 4.0.
• 8 mp autofocus camera with LED flash.
• 1.9 mp front-facing HD camera.
• 8 / 16 GB internal storage, MicroSD card slot (up to 32GB).
• 3.5 mm headphone jack, MicroUSB port.
• Quad-band GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), Quad-band 3G (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); LTE (optional).
• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).
• Accelerometer, Digital compass, Proximity sensor, Light sensor, Gyroscope.
• 2100 mAh battery.

The GALAXY Premier will first hit Russian markets, by the end of next month. We don't have any pricing information, but since the specs are somewhere between the GS3 and GS3 Mini, it is unlikely to cross the Rs 30,000 mark.

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Angry Birds Star Wars Gameplay Video Revealed

Leading up to the release of its next spin-off Angry Birds iteration, for which Rovio has tied up withLucasfilm Ltd, the Finnish company has released the first gameplay video for Angry Birds Star Wars. While the slings are here to stay, the Birds will now fly in Jedi-land and bring out their lightsabres to slay the Bad Piggies!

The video opens with Red (the Red Bird) as Luke Skywalker and Stella (the Pink Bird) as Princess Leia. It gives you a quick overview of what you can expect in the latest version. It does look fun, and we'd like to see what powers each of the Star Wars Birds brings to the game. Here's the video:

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Android 4.0 Zync Cloud Z5 Phone With 5” Screen And 3G Dual-SIM Available For Rs 9500

"Phablets" are devices that fall between mobile phones and tablets in terms of screen size. More of them are becoming available in the Indian market; Zync has launched its own Cloud Z5. It runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), and is powered by a 1 GHz single-core CPU and 512 MB of RAM. The 5" screen has 5-point capacitive multi-touch capability and pixel dimensions of 800x480, which has become the de-facto standard in most low-cost tablets and smartphones. As a smartphone, it features two GSM SIM slots, and it has 3G capability — although it is not clear yet whether the high-speed data option is supported by both SIM cards or only one.

Internal storage is a paltry 4 GB, but Zync does try to make amends by providing a free 4 GB microSD card, which can be replaced by up to 32 GB. The Cloud Z5 also features an 8 mp rear and a 0.3 mp front camera. Here are the complete specifications:

• Dual-SIM, GSM 2G (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), WCDMA 3G 2100 MHz.
• Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Google Play.
• Apps: Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Aldiko e-Book Reader, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,Whatsapp, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, Skype with video calling, Google Maps, Zomato, Big Flix,Bollywood Hungama, Daily Horoscope, Picasa, Office Suite compatible with MS Word, Excel,PowerPoint).
• Games: Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, ibibo Games.
• 1 GHz CPU, 512 MB of DDR3 RAM.
• 4 GB internal storage, 4 GB microSD provided, 32 GB microSD supported.
• 5" TFT LCD 5-point capacitive multi-touch screen with pixel dimensions of 800x480.
• 8 megapixel rear and 0.3 megapixel front cameras.
• Wi-Fi  802.11 b/g, Wi-Fi hotspot and tethering, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, FM radio.
• Micro-USB port, 3.5 mm audio jack, stereo speakers, built-in microphone, No HDMI.
• Accelerometer, Gravity sensor.
• Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC.
• Video Formats: MP4, DivX, Xvid, FLV, MKV.
• 2500 mAh Li-ion battery, power backup duration not specified.
• 5.7" (l) x 3" (w) x 0.3" (7 mm) (d), 192 grams.
• Available Colours: Black.
• Package Contents: Handset, battery, screen guard, earphones, 4 GB microSD card, micro-USB data cable, charger, leather pouch, user manual, warranty card.

The low RAM is likely to result in performance issues. We are also not sure if a single-core CPU will be able to run ICS smoothly. Like other phablets, the Cloud Z5 does not feature an HDMI port, which would have allowed playback of HD movies on a large screen. (An HDMI port would also help differentiate the Cloud Z5 from the rest of the bunch.)

Thankfully, Google Play store is supported, so you can install a multitude of apps and games, in addition to the (many) pre-installed ones — including office productivity apps as well as social networking, IM, games, and entertainment applications. You get a free subscription to BIGFlix, but the duration hasn't yet been specified. Adobe Flash support allows you to watch streaming online videos.

The Zync Cloud Z5 is available in a black casing with textured finish at an MRP of Rs 12,000, which is higher than that of competing phablets. You can get it for a lot cheaper at Snapdeal.com for Rs 9500.

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Android 4.0 Byond 3G Mi-Book Mi3 With 7" Screen Launched For Rs 6100

The already crowded low-cost tablet market in India now has one more entrant, the 3G-compliant Mi-Book Mi3 from Byond. Powered by a 1.2 GHz Cortex A5 processor, the tab supports 3D content, and comes bundled with a pair of 3D glasses. Byond hasn't put up a product page as of this writing, but here is the list of features from an official press release:

• 7" TFT LCD 5-point capacitive multi-touch screen with pixel dimensions of 800x480.
• 1.2 GHz Cortex A5 CPU, 1 GB RAM.
• Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
• USB port, HDMI-Out, 3.5 mm audio jack.
• 2 mp main and VGA front camera.
• 8 GB internal storage, 32 GB microSD card slot.
• 4.8" (w) x 7.4" (l) x 0.4" (10.2 mm) (d), weighs 310 grams.
• Wi-Fi, 3G (via external dongle, does not feature a SIM slot); No Bluetooth support.
• 1080p video playpack, 3D support.
• Orientation sensor.
• 3200 mAh Li-Ion battery that offers 4 hours of web browsing and 6 hours of video playback.
• Box contents: Tablet, 3D goggles, Leather case, Earphones, OTG cable, Screen guard, Reliance Dongle coupon worth Rs 1000, Charger.
• Available colour: Black.

The slate comes preloaded with 3D games, plus productivity and entertainment apps. We don't yet know what kind of 3D content this tablet will feature, nor about the quality of the bundled glasses.

For 3D content, there are quite a few options that we've covered earlier: The 3D Life tablet from Swipe Telecom, for one. On the smartphone front, there is the LG Optimus 3D Max, and the HTC Evo. But 3D doesn't suit all users: Some people feel a sense of disorientation, or some discomfort, with fast-moving 3D images.

The Mi-Book Mi3 available for Rs 6100 at Flipkart.com,TheMobileStore.in, and other online stores.

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Android 4.2 Is "A New Flavor Of Jelly Bean"

Google has retained the operating system's name in the latest Android release, calling 4.2 "A new flavour of Jelly Bean". Here's a look at the new features in this iteration:

Photo Sphere camera: We have been using the Panoramafeature in some cameras for ages. Photo Sphere camera works the same way: It snaps pictures in every direction. Check out this video for a live demo of the feature:

Keyboard With Gesture Typing: If you've used the Swype app with your Android smartphone, you might be aware of what gesture typing is. Basically, you glide your fingers over the letters, and the software predicts the words. Predictive typing has been improved, and better text-to-speech capabilities have been added.

Multi-User Support (For Tablets Only): Taking a cue from the Xperia Tablet S, Google has provided multiple user accounts to sign in to tablets. This ensures that one tablet can be customised for several users. With this feature, each user gets a seperate homescreen, background, widgets, apps, and games. Further, there is no need to log out to get into another account; you can switch users, too.

Wireless Display: Users can share anything from the screen to an HDTV, but you will need a wireless display adapter. It's similar to the Air Play feature on Apple devices.

Daydream: Adds life to the idle screen of your Android device. The screen can now be lit up with your album photos, the latest news, etc.

Expandable, actionable notifications: Smartphones have had Notifications for ages, but this time, Google plans to add more functionality to notifications: Relevant actions can be selected directly from the notifications shade.

More details about these features are at this link. Did you get what you had expected in Android 4.2? Let us know in the comments below.

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Time to upgrade to Windows 8?

Microsoft recently unveiled Windows 8, the latest iteration of the world's most-used operating system. It's very different from desktop OSes as we know them: It's touch-friendly, and suitable for a new range of tablet PCs. The free-to-try Consumer Preview has given us a taste of what to expect from the retail version. Here's what to consider if you're thinking of upgrading your PC to Windows 8.

• Current OS: If you have an older OS like Windows Vista orXP, the upgrade might be worth it. XP users should consider that their OS will find it hard to keep up with the latest technologies. Vista users will see the value of the speed boost in everything Windows 8 — from boot-up time to running applications. Windows 7 users might do better sticking with their trusty OS; they'll derive the least advantage from an upgrade.
• Current hardware: Windows 8 has the same hardware requirements as Windows 7. If your PC runs Windows 7 well, you shouldn't have a problem upgrading. It's also very likely that all your current hardware will be compatible, and you won't need to install new drivers. But do check for the compatibility and availability of Windows 8 drivers for your hardware from the manufacturer's website before upgrading.
• Apps: If you use your smartphone more for the apps than for phone calls, Windows 8 will be appealing. Apps add functionality to the OS, just like programs do on a desktop or laptop. The difference here is that you can install them from a single Windows Store, rather than having to hunt for them all over the Net. Also, smartphone apps take advantage of the new UI, and will be better integrated with the OS. Windows Store is still lacking when it comes to sheer number of apps, and may not appear attractive right now. But with Windows 8 having been launched, we can expect a surge of apps over the coming few months.
• Modern UI: This will appeal more to smartphone users, more so to owners of Windows Phone devices. The tile-based UI is new to desktop computers, and actually makes sense if you happen to have a touchscreen. For a desktop user who wants to upgrade, the Modern UI will not be much use. It might actually be an irritant, because you will most likely switch to desktop mode immediately after logging in. After that, the UI is just like one element added to your familiar desktop OS.
• Learning curve: Apart from Modern UI, Windows 8 is very similar to earlier versions. You'll take some time to get used to Windows 8 only if you will use Modern UI — and that, because it's visual, is easier to master than a traditional desktop interface.
• Cloud integration: Microsoft's SkyDrive cloud service is tightly integrated with Windows 8. Almost every application installed on the OS takes advantage of SkyDrive. Its availability from other platforms (such as Windows Phone) allows files shared from one platform to be accessed from another, which makes it even more versatile.
• Version of Windows 8: Windows 8 Pro, aimed at power users, is the only version currently available. It will have some features (Remote Desktop server, Encrypting File System, Hyper-V, and Virtual Hard Disk Booting) which may not really be of use to a home user; these will be omitted in the basic version. However, the basic version — known simply as Windows 8 — will be available only next year. Windows RT is yet another version; it will only come pre-installed on ARM-based devices (such as tablet PCs).
• Upgrade pricing: The upgrade offer from Microsoft is enticing. You pay just Rs 700 if you bought (or will buy) a Windows 7 PC between 2nd June 2012 and 31st January 2013. If you have an older version of Windows, you pay Rs 2000 to upgrade. Considering that the retail version will cost more than Rs 11,000, this is a good time to upgrade!

Will you be upgrading to Windows 8?  Let us know!

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Tablet Grudge Match – The iPad vs The Surface

It was Steve Jobs’ vision to build a book-sized computer. The idea was to design a device that was ultra portable, while still being easy enough to use almost anywhere and was significantly larger than a mobile handset. Enter the iPad, the tablet that changed the face of mobile computing. Since its big announcement in 2010, Apple has revised its tablet device twice over. They’ve ruled that market in this space for quite a while and even though Samsung and others might have been close at its heels, it seems Apple's age old rival, Microsoft, just might manage to topple the mobile computing giant from Cupertino, California. 

We’ve heard the different rumours about variants of the Microsoft tablets for a few months now. Finally, although still a little away from an official launch, Microsoft’s Surface is here. Two variants of the Microsoft Surface – the RT and the Pro – have been announced. 

There are plenty of Windows users who love using iPads for a variety of purposes, but we’re sure there are significantly lesser Mac OS users using Windows-based laptops or other mobile computing devices running that OS. With the coming of Windows 8 and the unification between PC, tablet and phone on the cards, MS could have quite a bit in their arsenal to fight back with. 

Although the Surface is yet to be officially launched for the Indian or global markets, we thought we’d compare it with the iPad of equivalent functionality. Please keep in mind, this is a purely hypothetical and theoretical comparison as we have not yet tested the Surface device. 

Here’s a quick run down of the devices.

The Ever Loving iPad

From the initial release of the iPad, Apple has been working hard to make the device more powerful and give the user a better experience in terms of productivity, connectivity and performance. The iPad has seen a major upgrade from the second-generation version and now packs in a powerful Dual Core A5X processor, a built-in Quad Core GPU, Retina display, full HD 1080p video recording, Bluetooth Version 4.0 and the latest iOS6 OS. It’s come a long way since the initial model. 

iPad 3rd generation

The iPad has loads of benefits, but it also has its drawbacks. These range from simple charging issues to device connectivity and storage capacity limitations. 

Getting to the Surface 

On the other hand, Microsoft has been quietly watching and learning the market from what users demand and what the competition has to offer. With this, Microsoft has entered the arena ready to try change the game. While the RT is just a bigger version of a Windows-based handset (minus calling functionality), the Pro is a complete desktop PC in a tablet form. The RT runs on ARM-based processors, uses Windows apps and features USB peripheral connectivity and storage expansion options. The Pro edition is pretty much a fully-functional laptop minus the keypad and offers all the goodies one would expect out of a notebook. The all-new Modern UI, formerly known as Metro UI, brings a finger-friendly touchscreen experience to the Windows space, and add-on peripherals like keyboard attachments will ensure users get a fuller PC experience when required. 

Microsoft Surface RT

Here’s a quick look at the specs of both devices:

And the winner is.... (click to enlarge)

The outcome

Going purely by the specifications that are currently available for the Surface, it’s a toss up between the two. That being said, based on our score card, the Microsoft Surface RT manages to come out a little ahead of the Apple iPad. 

The processor on the iPad is of the dual core variety with 1GB of RAM. It has a built-in, quad core graphics processor, which makes the operating system more intuitive and saves power too, while the RT features a 1.4GHz quad core processor with 2GB of RAM, which should ideally not falter. 

Connectivity differences between the iPad and the RT

The chassis of the Surface RT seems tougher than the iPad, if we are to believe Steven Sinofsky (Windows President) who used it as a skateboard on the street – imagine doing this confidently with any iPad. The iPad is a tad lighter but a bit thicker too. 

The main differentiator between the two is the display. The iPad has a display almost an inch smaller than the RT but features Apple’s Retina Display and hence, watching a movie or playing games would be more enjoyable. However, a larger screen and the 16:9 aspect ratio of the Surface RT will definitely make video buffs happier.

Flip cover accessory of the iPad can be used only as a stand

While the iPad features full HD recording using its 5MP rear camera, the Surface RT can only do 720p videos, but on both cameras. 

The iPad has limitations to memory expansion, whereas the Surface RT can hold more storage via the built-in microSD slot. The PC interface is a standard microUSB on the RT, but the iPad has a proprietary connector and you have to tag along the USB cable wherever you go. 

The iPad doesn’t sport any standard USB connector option like the RT and you cannot connect a keyboard or mouse to it without an adapter or Bluetooth. 

A protective cover is available for the iPad and only works as a stand, while the same feature doubles up additionally as a physical keyboard in case of the Surface RT. Keep in mind that they’re both sold separately as accessories.

Flip cover accessory of the RT doubles as a keyboard too

Last, but not the least, accessories available for the iPad are huge, but it is just a starting phase for the Surface RT and too early to comment on. The same goes for the app Marketplace for the RT; while the App Store for the iPad and iPhone has more than 6 million apps at present, RT has a few thousand and counting.

Verdict

Since the Indian consumer market has a blend of Apple, Windows and Android operating system users, the price factor also matters most to them. While an affluent individual might not feel the pinch of the price he pays for the iPad and its apps, an Android user enjoys a lower priced device and low-to-free available apps from the Play Store. The Microsoft app department is still in its infant phase. Developers for the Surface RT Apps section are just beginning to set in, and it will take some time for the Surface RT to settle in the existing tablet market. As long as Microsoft manages to keep the price lower than the iPad, the Surface RT will try to eat into the iPad market here in India and possibly around the world too.

Apple fans rarely deviate from the OS and are staunchly loyal to the company. Nevertheless, it’s always interesting to see if the new tablet launch would make them change their minds. 

Now that you have in front of you, the major differences between the two premium tablets. It is up to you to choose which one is best for you. Do let us know what your choice would be based on our currently available parameters.

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