Samsung is currently holding its press conference at CES, and is starting off by announcing that it will update its line of TVs with “smarter” ones.
The company is telling us that while we have many devices, the TV is the center. Samsung is promising to push boundaries and break down walls between the devices we already have.
Its “Smart TV” line will soon be able to update itself without you having to buy a new set every year, which is how we’re used to consuming brands of televisions.
Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronics America, discussed the companies strategy that uses the TV as the center piece, and includes content, service, and connectivity. Baxter says:
The TV that captures that approach? The Samsung ES8000, with dual-core processor that enables multitasking.
The TV set comes in sizes up to 75 inches, and finally includes an integrated camera for video conferencing. The company also says that 3D has been big for them, with 12 Million 3D Samsung TVs being sold to date, and the company plans on half of the new smarter TVs it releases to include 3D capabilities.
HTC asked to customize Windows RT, got completely shut out of the platform
The Microsoft ban hammer has never been in greater swing. With Windows Phone, Microsoft has ruled with an iron grip, setting standards upon standards, to ensure that all devices met a certain quality threshold. It also tightly managed what sort of modifications were allowed to the software, with the answer almost always being zero.
Today Bloomberg broke news that HTC will not be allowed to build Windows RT (the tablet version of Windows 8). Reasons included a lack of sales volume, and experience. However, another factor came into play:
What we can take from this is that Microsoft is following a similar path to its Windows Phone strategy, leaving OEMs little ability to tinker with code, and enforcing, I presume, strict minimum hardware specifications. HTC built the Sense UI for Android, which is one of its calling cards on that platform.
However, with Windows RT, such moves are a complete no go.
Without disrespect to HTC, I think that Microsoft is making the right move by not allowing for such modification; Windows 8 needs to be a unified experience. Consumer confusion will be pervasive enough, due to the operating system’s new features, that to add various third-party flavors to the mix would only befuddle all the more; why add to a tricky situation?
So, no HTC. The great Windows 8 hardware question is now narrower, but the big questions remain: will Windows 8 tablets be able to compete on quality and price with what Apple sells?
It’s worth remembering that HTC was a massive Windows Mobile provider.
TNW Review: Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad
Tablet keyboards are experiencing a surge in popularity recently; in fact many device makers are designing their new tablet devices to include a keyboard accessory the minute it launches.
Asus has enjoyed steady sales of its Transformer line of tablets, including a removable keyboard that bridges the gap between the mobile device and a notebook, and Microsoft has developed its new Surface tablets to operate with a magnetic cover that features a full multitouch keyboard on the inner side.
Currently the world’s most popular tablet device, the iPad has spawned a number of popular third-party keyboard accessories but Apple has never made its own (other than its official extensible Bluetooth keyboard that can be used across a range of products).
This has opened a gap for accessory specialists like Logitech to develop their own range of iPad accessories that combine great design and slim form factors but make the iPad more usable in certain environments.
One such product is the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover.
Announced back in April in the US, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is now available to buy in the UK for £89.99 , giving us the perfect opportunity to go hands-on with the accessory and determine whether it has enough bang for its buck (or should we say pound?).
Read below for our full review.
Before you have even take the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover out of its box, you will recognise just how thin it is. The box in which it comes could be mistaken for something you would find in a stationery supplier, holding plastic wallets or something similar.
However, once you free it from the box, you will realise just how much Logitech has managed to pack into its keyboard.
On the side is a switch to turn the Bluetooth functionality on or off, a pairing button and a charging slot (MicroUSB). The Ultrathin Keyboard Cover needs one full charge before use, but after that, Logitech says that you will be able to get up to six months.
The accessory is thinner than the iPad but matches its dimensions perfectly to operate as a cover when it isn’t in use. On the top of the Cover lies a small magnetic clip which will attach itself to the left-hand side of your iPad, where your Smart Cover would normally attach.
The keyboard takes up just over half of the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, positioned underneath a white plastic ridge that is angled to accomodate the iPad when it is turned horizontally. It’s really easy to fix the iPad in position and unless you are really moving it around, you shouldn’t experience any issues with it falling out.
The keys are fairly large, making it easy to locate them as a touch typist. They are closer together than a MacBook Pro, taking a little bit of time to acclimatise but you also have to factor in it’s impressively small form factor.
The Cover can be used on any surface, working well on both a desk and your lap (making it a perfect accompaniment if you were using it to take notes at a meeting or using it to write a blog post at an event). It’s light enough to be taken wherever you go but it’s not so light that it will tip over with the faintest touch.
Like a Mac, Logitech has taken extra care to include shortcut buttons that can be utilised by using the Fn button and a corresponding number key. For example; Fn+1 takes you to a Spotlight search, Fn+2 opens Safari and so on.
The shortcuts make it easy to cut and paste text, control your music, adjust the volume and lock the iPad. There’s also a dedicated Home button which is located where you would normally find the Escape key, limiting your touch input.
This additional support really makes the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover stand out. Where before you had the iPad on your lap and you were hammering away on a flat piece of glass, the iPad is fixed at a much more beneficial angle and if you utilise the keyboard shortcuts well, you barely need to touch the screen.
There’s no more pressing-to-hold and selecting text, the keyboard can do it all – and more.
iOS accessories have become a billion dollar business, this means that there is no shortage of iPad keyboards on the market. With a £89.99 price-tag, it’s not cheap either.
Fixing directly to the iPad via magnetic connectors, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is super portable and (as it demonstrates in the name) operates as a pretty useful cover, matching the finish of the iPad’s rear side. However, it won’t protect the reverse from damage, so it is recommended that you place it inside something a little softer and more giving if you are worried about dents or impact damage.
The magnetic clip can sometimes slip off the iPad, but because I carried it in a leather folio, I rarely noticed this.
When compared to the Asus Transformer range, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover might be lacking in terms of features (viewing angles can’t be adjusted and it can’t charge the iPad). However, Logitech markets its accessory as well designed, protective and slim — and that’s exactly what it is.
To test out its functionality, I penned part of this review using the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, it coped admirably as I transitioned between my desk and the front room.
Is it worth £89.99? I’d say so, but Logitech could do with including a wall charger in that price.