Let’s take a look at the compelling reasons to buy this ultraportable notebook-tablet hybrid:

A premium touch experience

If 13-inch laptops are too big for you to carry around and 10-inches too small, then HP ENVY x2 makes the perfect style statement with its 11.6-inch screen that works best for convertible devices. ENVY x2 provides a superb visual experience both indoor as well as outdoor. Featuring a multi-touch full HD display with IPS technology, HP ENVY x2 has the ability to take its user beyond the traditional keyboards and mouse experience with optimized touch interface. It boasts of a sophisticated all-metal aluminum design with edge-to-edge glass that offers soft, yet comfortable grip. The ENVY x2 weighs 3.1 pounds with its keyboard attached and just 1.5 pounds in its tablet mode.

The power of Windows 8

On an operating system level, the x2 runs on Windows 8 interface that supports all the apps you can think of. Windows 8 is fast and fluid and the core apps include in the device are Internet Explorer, News, Maps, etc. The Atomic processor is adequate to run all the legacy apps on the device. With Windows 8 technology, the HP’s TouchSmart experience goes beyond the desktop and delivers multi-touch technology to notebooks and tablet users.

Performance

With the latest Intel Core processors, the HP ENVY x2 Ultrabook is high on performance front. The notebook offers exclusive HP innovations like HP CoolSense technology for a cooler PC, HP ProtectSmart for hard drive protection, an HP Imagepad for gesture navigation and multi-finger control, an HP TrueVision HD Webcam, and apps like HP Connected Photo and HP Connected Music for easy access to the entertainment hub. Along with that, the convertible also offers mSATA solid-state drive with Intel Rapid Start, Intel Anti-Theft, Identity Protection, Smart Response, and Smart Connect technologies, and a full array of ports like Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, and USB 3.0.

Thus with all these features, HP ENVY x2 is an attractively built versatile laptop that comes at a relatively affordable price of $849.99.

5 Steps to voice chat on HP Mini

Step 1: Launch a web browser and go to a website offering voice chat software. Some popular options include Windows Live Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger. They are all available for free download.

Step 2: click on the ‘Download’ button and then click on the ‘Run’ button. Just go through the given instructions from the installation wizard and install the software on HP Mini.

Step 3: Now you  need to launch voice chat application on your HP Mini. For this, you need to log into your account by entering your username and password in the required fields. If you don’t already have an account, sign up first.

Step 4: click on ‘contacts’ from the menu bar and then select a contact from the contact list. Now you need to click on the ‘call’ button to start a voice chat conversation. You will get a pop-up dialog winow, prompting you to confirm that you want the app to use the microphone.

Step 5: Click on the ‘Yes’ button. The HP Mini’s microphone is now turned on. Your recipient will receive a notification of your intention to start a conversation.  Once the contact accepts your invite, you will be able to communicate through each other’s microphones and speakers.

Congrats! You can now enjoy voice chat on HP Mini.

A portable storage device, HP’s Pocket Playlist allows you to make wireless connections with your devices across the board, ruling out the necessity of Internet connection. This friendly, pocket-sized device acts as a portable hard drive and a media streaming device that offers you a complete entertainment solution in one go. With the power to stream unencrypted content to up to five mobile devices simultaneously without a data plan or an Internet connection, Pocket Playlist streams music, movies, TV shows, photos, videos, and everything that you want to share with your loved ones. The device conveniently supports Windows, Android, as well as iOS mobile devices, thus offering you a complete entertainment solution. The PlayOn’s PlayLater app allows you to manage all your DVR chores easily.

And the size – Pocket Playlist is just a tiny stick that is simple in looks, but powerful in its connectivity powers. The device supports more than 15 full-length movies, 7,500 songs, or 10,000 photos. According to HP, the Pocket Playlist offers DVR capabilities and you can use the device like a home digital video recorder as it comes with free one-month access to PlayLater, an app that lets you stream and record videos from various content streaming sites such as Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon on your multiple devices.

To be showcased by HP for the first time at CES 2013, Pocket Playlist will hit the stores by the mid of February for just $129.

HP has yet again come forward to support Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system, offering some pretty good reasons to consider Windows 8 devices over the rest, even the MacBook Pro. Not to forget that HP has recently unveiled the launch of its Windows-8 powered HP EliteBook Revolve.

Let’s take a look at the top three features that are embodied in Windows 8-powered EliteBook Revolve but are missing in MacBook:

Built-in connectivity to the cloud

If your work involves effective sharing of information beyond the walls of your office to partners and suppliers, then leveraging Windows 8 in-built connectivity to the cloud is ideal for you, due to easier connectivity to Windows Azure and other cloud-based providers. Moreover, HP EliteBook Revolve offers built-in 4G LTE or HSPA+ for quick and easy connectivity. On the other hand, MacBook still leverages on its Wi-Fi technology.

Touch-screen environment

Built-in to offer a mobile-web environment, Windows-8 offer smoother transition from touch-enabled smartphones and tablets to desktops and laptops, making it easier for users to switch between different device platforms. Along with this, Windows 8 also offers faster startup through Hybrid boot mode and enhanced power management. This is especially beneficial for people who are always on the go.

The power of convertible

The HP’s EliteBook Revolve is a Windows 8-powered traditional convertible that can be easily switched from touch-friendly tablet mode to the keyboard-powered notebook mode. This makes the convertible a perfect fit for business users, offering them operational intelligence whether they are on business tours, meetings, office, or at home. Along with this, the EliteBook Revolve offers an optional digital pen that offers a handy option for filling forms and taking notes.

Have your own compelling reasons to opt for Windows 8 devices over the rest? Don’t forget to post them in the comments section below.

Image credit: Hexus

Both these release – HP RP7 Retail System, model 7100 and HP RP3 contain forward-looking statements that will cover risk and uncertainties and will help retailers and hospitality business owners to better manage their operations.

Ray Carlin, general manager and vice president, Retail Solutions, HP said, “Retailers require highly reliable systems that can withstand the demands of a variety of environments.” “With these new offerings, HP is broadening our portfolio to meet the unique needs of our customers,” he further added.

The HP RP7 Retail System, Model 7100, offers intuitive and comfortable user experience for the harsh hospitality environment, thus optimizing the speed of services and improving guest experiences. The key features of this model include:

• A fanless, solid-state design to resist smoke, splashes, and dust.
• Touch-based display options along with optional integrated peripherals.
• Reduced energy costs and space-saving designs.
• Wall-mounting configurations with options for adding 10.4-inch customer-facing display with a combination of stylish peripherals.

The HP RP3 Retail System offers versatile and compact retail system with options for multiple store environments. The key features for this model include:

• Compact and convenient design.
• Integration of newer-generation retail peripherals, designed to withstand everyday wear and tear.
• Integrated wireless or wired LAN connectivity. This assists in back-office activities, online transactions, and more.
• Energy-efficient design for extremely low energy consumption.

Both the models come with a three-year limited warranty and will be available latest by January 2013.

When legends join hands, the result is always extraordinary. HP today announced its collaboration with DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. to create an epic adventure with a new level of visual richness and breakthrough animation of the studio’s upcoming saga, “Rise of the Guardians.” Scheduled for release on Nov. 21, “Rise of the Guardians,” like other DreamWorks Animation films, has been marked as the studio’s most technically advanced film to date.

Derek Chan, Head, Global Technology Operations, DreamWorks Animation said, “Our goal is to push the limits of what is possible in digital animation and storytelling.” He further added, “Using HP Converged Infrastructure technologies, we increase the functionality that allows our artists to create more innovative animation with every film.”

To achieve its goal, DreamWorks Animation uses a variety of HP Converged Infrastructure technologies, including:

HP Z800 and Z820 high-performance workstations, which are powered by Intel multi-core processors.

HP Remote Graphics Software, which allowed collaboration of artists that were split across multiple locations.

HP DreamColor professional monitors, which were used to provide color consistency across a number of departments through 1 billion active colors.

HP Networking supported the studio’s scalable 10G WAN/LAN infrastructure.

HP Flexible Compute Cloud Service, which helped the studio to stay within their data center footprint.

HP Storage facilitated data protection, storing of reference data, and archiving.

HP BladeSystem servers helped the studio to render higher throughputs.

HP Managed Print Services helped DreamWorks Animation to convert electronic workflows and digital images into living, color-rich documents.

Over the years, HP technology has played a major role in creating a number of DreamWorks Animation’s films, including “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda,” “Madagascar,” and “Puss in Boots.”

Image credit: CHUD

While HP will support the hardware components, it will not support the Windows part if the users wish to purchase new HP machines with Windows 7 installed on it, instead of Windows 8. However, the company’s decision does not affect its users on business-oriented product lines and companies purchasing new HP computers can happily go ahead and downgrade their systems to use Windows 7 OS.

The company, through its support service, declared, “If users choose to downgrade their HP consumer desktop or notebook system, HP will continue to support the hardware but if there is an issue where HP diagnostics are required or it is determined that the loaded software or upgrade operating system is causing the issue, HP may suggest returning the system to the original Windows 8 OS that shipped with the computer.”

Downgrades are not new in the computer industry and it is always seen that whenever a new OS is launched, many users downgrade their systems to the previously available versions on the pretexts of user-friendliness. And with Windows 8 modern user interface, it is quite certain that most of the users will refrain themselves from adopting the newly launched OS.

However, with HP being the only manufacturer to adopt this policy, whether users will be able to take this decision with a pinch of salt and stick to HP or will they move to other big brands like Dell and Lenovo, is something that we all need to look forward to.

What’s your take on HP’s decision? Do feed us back with your valuable comments.

Image credit: Techgadgets

The launch seems to be HP’s attempt to bridge the product gap as they have not launched any new product in the past seven years. HP, which currently hold less than 12% share in laser color printers, aims to occupy a larger market share in the multifunction printer market. HP’s printer business has lately been struggling due to declining revenue and earnings. Therefore, debuting new printer range seems to be Chief Executive Meg Whitman’s first effort to turn a fortune for the struggling technology giant. Printer cartridges were once HP’s forte and were responsible for more than 90% of the company’s revenue. But with increased competition from low-price suppliers and reduced printing needs, the company has been facing severe losses.

Though HP has not disclosed the prices for its models, the prices of its new printers, which are especially targeting the micro-business segment, are expected to be around $2,500 to $3,000. With these models, HP aims to offer affordable, HP-quality printing solutions to its users. It also aims to replace the more expensive laser printers with its cheaper ink-based printers. The new lineup will surely offer enhanced functionality and faster printing speeds when compared to its predecessors and will meet the varying needs of the customers.

The project, which has been underway for several months, will bring the WebOS user interface to the large-screen platform. This is being done in order to replace LG’s NetCast smart TV platform. But the major challenge for LG will be to incorporate apps like Yahoo widgets, Pandora, Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube to its new OS-based television. WebOS Nation reports that the software for all these apps are already under development for Enyo – the HTML5-based WebOS framework. Another stumbling challenge will be the slow booting speed of WebOS. The Korean electronics giant is supposed to fix this issue by leaving the OS running in the background even when the display is turned off.

Earlier this year, LG had made a statement that “some great technologies, such as our Cinema 3D Magic Remote and dual-core L9 chipset … would make an LG Google TV a popular choice for many customers,” but now LG has moved ahead with HP’s Open WebOS, rather than sticking with Google TV. LG seems to be unhappy with Google’s demands for using this platform.

So, when is the WebOS-based smart TV expected to launch? LG plans to showcase its first model at CES 2013, which is supposed to be held in the month of January.

ElitePad 900 has a 10.1-inch capacitive screen and WXGA multi-touch display built from Corning Gorilla Glass 2. It offers 1280×800 resolution and promises wide-viewing angles. Ergonomically designed, the tablet fits perfectly in your hands and is powered by next-generation Intel Atom processor with 2GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB storage capacity. Additionally, it features an 8-megapixel camera at the back with an LED flash and a front-facing video call camera that supports 1080p HD video.

Designed for Windows 8 operating system, ElitePad 900 can handle touch, pen, and voice input. It has a built-in MicroSDHC card slot and stereo speakers with in-built digital dual-array microphones. For connectivity purpose, it supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC wireless communication. Additional software in this tablet include HP ePrint, Cyberlink MediaSuite Windows Apps, HP PageLift, Skitch, Evernote, and Cyberlink YouCam Windows Apps. Since HP ElitePad 900 is an enterprise-oriented device, it will keep your data well-protected with various security features like HP BIOS Protection, HP Client Security, drive encryption, and Microsoft Defender.

It sports an array of jackets, called Smart Jackets that enhance the performance of the tablet by providing a host of additional features and longer battery life. For example, there’s a jacket that provides you extended battery support and allows you to boost the tablet’s battery life for up to 20 hours. Similarly, there’s an Expansion Jacket that has two full-sized USB ports, HDMI, and an SD card slot. Another jacket, the Productivity Jacket, includes an integrated keyboard along with SD and USB ports. Apart from providing optional features, these jackets also protect the tablet from scratches and drops. HP ElitePad Rugged Case provides military-grade durability and protection, along with enhancing the looks of the tablet. It protects the tablet from vibration, dust, extreme temperatures, and high altitudes. Various accessories will also be available for the tablet, which will include a stylus, a rugged cased, and a docking station.

HP ElitePad 900 will be launched in the month of January, but its price has not yet been announced.
Image credit: Business Insider