Press Releases

Acer announce the TravelMate 8481

I’m always on the road and rely upon having a notebook computer that’s always there when I need it and always ready for the job in hand. Over the years I’ve used dozens of different machines and few are up to a full days work. Acer think the have the solution with their TravelMate 8481, a machine they claim can keep on working for up to 9 hours straight.

Professionals spending most of their working life on the go need a notebook that is up to any challenge. A notebook capable of combining top performance with optimal security and extended battery life. Add to the mix a slim and light design and you have the TravelMate 8481, a true road warrior.

With the TravelMate 8481 there is no need to make compromises. First of all, it deliver all the power required for serious business on-the-go via the 2nd generation Intel Core processors that not only allows to run business productivity applications 60% faster than the previous generation, but it delivers smart performance that adapts to the task at hand, enabling more responsive multitasking while ensuring energy efficiency.

Furthermore, thanks to Intel HD Graphics 3000 the new model provides an impressive visual performance for sharper images and richer color. Using Intel® Wireless Display technology, it can share presentations or videos on HD displays or TVs via an easy to set up wireless connection. Smooth HD video playback and exceptionally clear image and sound will make any presentation really impressive.

Orange Daily Mobile Internet Bundle for EU surfing

Just last week the EU issued a directive telling mobile operators that they must reduce the cost of data for users roaming in Europe. Whether as a direct result of that directive or not Orange have today announced that they will have a new daily browsing bundle for Pay Monthly, Dongle and Small Business customers. The bundle will offer 30MB per day for £3, a significant saving over roaming without a bundle.

For those that need more than 30MB per day other options exist, details can be found below.

Good on ya Orange, expect to see other operators follow suit.

TouchType Inc launches flagship Swiftkey X App for Android smartphones and tablets

Obviously predictive text entry is nothing new, been around for ages and although it has evolved a bit over the years the same frustrations still exist, the default predicted word is all too often the wrong one!

The Swiftkey X app from TouchType is a bit different. The next step of the evolutionary step in predictive text, artificial intelligence and machine learning. It gets to know your habits and how you enter text in order to improve accuracy. TouchType say this increases text entry speed by up to 50%

Check out the full press release below or head over to the website.

ZTE signs agreement with Brightpoint for UK distribution

Matt posted earlier the details of the three new ZTE phones we got to have a play with at last nights London event. The main purpose of the event though was to announce the partnership ZTE now have with Brightpoint for UK distribution. This will mean that instead of just having carrier branded devices here, like we have seen with last years Orange San Francisco, you will soon be able to buy ZTE branded phones through the normal sim free retailers and high street shops.

ZTE certainly offer value for money and we have seen that with recent devices. Could the company follow in the footsteps of HTC and soon be one of the most common brands in the industry? I don’t see why not. They expect to sell more than 80 million handsets this year!

You can read the full press release below:

Sony launch external hard drives for home entertainment

Sony certainly aren’t the most obvious company to be launching external hard drives but their new 500GB UBS 3.0 drive is designed to be used with BRAVIA TV’s, Playstation 3 and Handycam camcorders. The HD-PG5U drive will connect to compatible BRAVIA models and allow direct recording on TV programmes while the supplied USB cable will allow you to copy content from Handycam camcorders without the need of a PC.

Full details can be found in the press release that follows.

LG Optimus 3D and new 3D games

LG are making the most of the Optimus 3D with the announcement of new 3D games that come from Gameloft. New devices will come with three titles pre-loaded, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, N.O.V.A. — Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance and Let’s Golf! 2, with a further fourteen titles available for download.

Sounds pretty interesting. You can see the full press release below:

LG Electronics (LG) announced its entry into the expanding handheld gaming market with the launch of the LG Optimus 3D in Korea and the introduction of 17 Stereoscopic 3D (S-3D) games from leading mobile video game developer Gameloft.

“Today’s smartphones have the horsepower to compete with the best portable gaming devices and LG Optimus 3D is our proof,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We think 3D is the natural next step in portable entertainment and LG is eager to throw its hat in the ring with the Optimus 3D and Gameloft’s ‘must-be-seen-to-be-believed’ titles.”

HTC Honoured with Eight Awards, Including the Prestigious IDEA Gold Award

News just in from HTC that they have been awarded honours by three international organisations, recognising their excellence in pioneering design.

I’ve always been a fan of HTC’s products and designs so I’m really pleased to see them recognised in such a way. Well done HTC.

Full press release follows:

Toshiba launches World’s first glasses-free 3D laptop in UK

Want a 3D laptop but don’t want the hassle of wearing glasses? Toshiba now has the answer with the Qosmio F750 3D.

Toshiba UK today announces the launch of the Qosmio F750 3D – a revolutionary new laptop with the ability to display mesmerizing 3D images without the need for 3D glasses. The Qosmio F750 3D can also display a combination of 2D and 3D images on screen at the same time, while a range of powerful, high-performance multimedia features ensures the laptop is perfect for even the most demanding tasks.

3D unplugged
The Qosmio F750 3D is designed for those looking for the ultimate 3D experience.  Like the world’s first glasses-free 3D television – the Toshiba REGZA GL1 – the Qosmio F750 3D uses a special lenticular 3D screen to give users the freedom to experience all the benefits of 3D entertainment, without the restrictions of having to wear 3D glasses. Glasses-free 3D technology adds a truly immersive element, perfect for experiencing 3D in a more natural and comfortable way, particularly for those that may already require prescription glasses. The 39.6cm (15.6″) screen also offers Full HD resolution for clear, vivid images, while a 120Hz refresh rate eliminates blur or ghosting with the fast moving images seen in action films and games.

You can see the full press release, specs and more pictures below:

Samsung Smart TV’s 3D Video-On-Demand service hits 1 million content views worldwide

Samsung Electronics Co. UK Ltd, the UK’s number one TV brand with the most awarded TV range, has announced that its 3D Video-on-Demand (VOD) service has passed the 1 million content views mark in just three months.

The number of 3D VOD content views passed the millionth milestone within 100 days since it was officially launched in March. This means that Samsung Smart TV users worldwide have played back 3D VOD content on average 10,000 times per day – an increase from 5,000 views per day in April.

The 3D VOD service, the only such service in the UK, allows consumers to access 3D content free and on-demand from Samsung Smart TVs. Samsung’s 3D VOD service currently has 28 types of free 3D content including films, music videos, children’s classics, documentaries and trailers from partner DreamWorks and by the end of 2011, 70 free 3D videos will be available through the ‘Explore 3D’ App.

Samsung scoops three awards at the Independent Business Awards

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, won three awards at this year’s Independent Business Awards, which recently took place at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club in Birmingham.

The Independent Business Awards are hosted by Independent Electrical Retailer magazine, who convey that the awards are the highest acclaimed celebration of excellence in the electrical industry, with the ceremony paying tribute to the people and companies operating within this marketplace.

Samsung scooped the Technical Innovation Award – Consumer Electronics for its Smart TV offering. The accolade recognises Samsung’s Smart TVs as the most innovative products with effectiveness being demonstrated via operational features and consumer benefits.