As the life cycle of Microsoft’s 12-year old operating
system comes ever so close, the Redmond company is now encouraging users to
upgrade to a newer operating system by offering them various incentives to make
the shift.
Its latest offering to XP users is a $50 credit for a new
tablet, laptop or all-in-one computer at the Microsoft Store. Moreover, the
company will offer users with a 90-day premium phone and chat support with no
extra cost. Lastly, Microsoft is giving a free data transfer service through
Lapalink that will allow users to migrate their files (including photos, videos
and music) from their hard drives to their new machines with no extra charge.
Users who will claim the offer can hose from a multitude of
devices from different manufacturers including HP, Asus, Acer, Dell, Nokia and
Lenovo. The offer will only last until April 30 and will only apply to
purchases within the US Microsoft Online Store.
The 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona isn’t only the
place where manufacturers showcase their consumer electronics products but it’s
also the place where they announce products for other markets.
Panasonic for one has announced two ToughPad smartphones in
the event that are meant for the business sector. The two ToughPad models run
on different operating systems – the first model (FZ-X1) runs on Android 4.2.2
while the other (FZ-E1) runs on Windows Embedded 8 Handheld.
Both models feature a 5-inch 720p display, 2GB of RAM, 32GB
of internal memory, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.0, LTE connectivity, GPS with GLONASS,
an 8MP+1.3MP camera combo and a 6200mAh battery that should last for 14 hours
of continuous use. Moreover, both models have IP certification that makes them
water and dust resistant.
The two differ mainly on the SoC installed in them. The Windows
version gets a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip with a 2.3GHz quad-core processor,
while the Android version packs a Snapdragon S4 chip with a 1.7GHz quad-core
processor.
The two ToughPad smartphones also have a modular design, and
users can replace individual components of the devices based on their needs.
Panasonic didn’t specify any details with regards to the availability of the
two ToughPads, but we expect prices to reach over $1300.
Back in October, Lenovo released its first 8-inch Windows
8.1 tablet the Miix2. The Miix2 was generally designed for consumers sporting consumer
level specs and features. But now Lenovo is attempting to capture the business
sector as well with its ThinkPad 8 tablet.
The ThinkPad 8 features an aluminium chassis and an 8.3-inch
display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. It also comes with a micro-HDMI
out, optional 4G connectivity a 2MP front-facing camera and an 8MP rear camera
with flash.
The Lenovo ThinkPad will be bundled with Microsoft Office
and will be available during the latter part of January for $399.
Barely a few months after Acer released its first 8-inch
tablet, the Taiwanese manufacturer announced its first 8-inch Windows 8.1
tablet – the Iconia W4.
Being the successor of the W3, the new tablet features an
improved screen with an optically bonded IPS display with a resolution of
1280x800 pixels. It also packs a faster Atom processor with Intel’s Bay trail
series. The Iconia W4 weighs around 0.91 pounds and measures around 0.42 inch
thick.
The tablet boasts a 5MP camera at the back and a 2MP camera
at the front. There’s also a micro-USB and micro-HDMI port on the device as
well as microSD card slot. And just like the W3, the tablet comes with an
optional keyboard.
The Acer Iconia W4 will retail for around $330 for the 32GB
version while the 64GB model will sell for $380.
Lenovo recently announced its newest 8-inch Windows 8.1
tablet – the Miix2, which packs an Intel quad-core processor, an IPS wide-angle
display, an optional stylus and a detachable cover.
The tablet measures a mere 8.35mm thick and weighs 350mg.
The device’s 8-inch screen delivers a 16:10 widescreen experience and features
a 10-point multi-touch and a 178-degree viewing angle. The tablet also comes
with two cameras: a 5MP at the back and 2MP at the front.
The Miix2 sports an Intel Bay Trail-T quad-core processor
with Clear Video HD technology and integrated Intel HD graphics. There’s a
128GB eMMC on-board storage which is expandable up to 32GB with a microSD Card
slot. It also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013
and can come with an optional stylus and detachable cover. The cover protects
the screen when not in use and double as a stand to prop the device when
viewing content.
The Lenovo Miix2 will be available later this month starting
at $299.
Dell today unveiled the newest members of its recently
revived Venue brand in an event in New York City.
A few weeks back, Dell announced at Intel’s Developer Forum
that it will be bringing back its Venue brand just in time for the release of
Windows 8.1. And today, the company has just announced two Windows 8.1-powered
tablets as well as two Android-powered Venue devices.
The Venue tablets are designed to give people on-the-go a
wide selection of sizes and options to meet their various needs. The
Windows-powered tablets are the Venue 8 Pro and the Venue 11 Pro.
As the name implies, the Venue 8 Pro and 11 Pro boasts an
8-inch and 11-inch displays respectively. Both tablets feature optional
advanced security features and services including TPM and Dell’s Enterprise
Service. The 8-inch version has a bright 720 IPS display and features advanced
connectivity options. It comes with Office 2013 Home & Student out of the
box and an optional Dell Active Stylus.
The 11-inch model on the other hand provides 2-in-14
flexibility as it doubles as an Ultrabook thanks to its detachable keyboard.
Moreover, the tablet has a removable/replaceable battery and has a large Full
HD display with wide viewing angles.
It is also compatible with other Dell-manufactured
accessories including an Active Stylus, Dell’s Slim Keyboard that also serves
as a cover for the screen when folded up and Dell’s Mobile Keyboard with
integrated battery that provides all-day productivity with a full sized
keyboard while extending battery life. There’s also a desktop dock that
delivers full productivity with its USB 3.0 ports, and dual display out ports
for display extension.
Aside from Windows-powered tablets, Dell is also releasing
two Android tablets – the Venue 7 and Venue 8. Both tablets run on Android
4.2.2 Jelly Bean (upgradeable to Android KitKat) and are designed to provide
consumers with an affordable yet feature-rich option when it comes to Android
tablets. Both tablets will also be offered in Wi-Fi only and 4G configurations.
All four Venue tablets will be powered by the latest Intel
chips with the Android tablets sporting an Intel Atom Z2760 (Clover Trail)
chipsets while the Venue Pro devices will pack the latest quad-core Bay Trail
processors.
The Dell Venue 7 and Venue 8 Android tablet will be priced
at $149.99 and $179.99 respectively, while the Venue 8 Pro and the Venue 11 Pro
will retail for $299.99 and $499.99 respectively. All four tablets will be
available by October 18.
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