News Week of January 15, 2012

Intel CEO: Windows 8 tablets 'being queued up' for production

"Tablets are a little bit about hardware and an awful lot about software," he said. "Until you get to Ice Cream Sandwich, the offering isn't as powerful as with what's out there with Apple. As Ice Cream Sandwich tablets start shipping, you'll begin to see a little bit better receptivity...everything got a little bit better with ICS," he said, referring to Android 4.0.

Then he made an interesting comment about Windows 8 tablets and production schedules. "The other part of that test [of competing with iPad] of course is the Windows 8 tablets that are being queued up for production," he said.  (Source: Brooke Crothers, CNet)

Shoppers convert as often on tablets as on PCs

There is some heartening news for retailers weighing tablets like the iPad as a viable sales channel. Research from 16.2 billion visits to 150 e-retailer sites shows that the average conversion rate was 2.3% on tablets compared with 2.5% on laptop and desktop computers, says Adobe Digital Marketing Insights, the research arm of Adobe Inc.

However, consumers spent on average $123 per order when shopping with a tablet compared with $102 for those using laptop and desktop computers.

And tablets bested the average conversion rate and average order value on smartphones of 0.8% and $80, respectively.  (Source: Kevin Woodward, Internet Retailer)

GammaTech to Highlight Rugged Notebook and Tablet PCs at DistribuTECH

Rugged and cost-effective computer solutions to be showcased at DistribuTECH Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas.

Fremont, CA, January 20, 2012 --(PR.com)-- GammaTech Computer Corp., a major international manufacturer and supplier of innovative notebook and tablet computers, is scheduled to display three of its rugged products at DistribuTECH Conference & Exhibition. The show, to be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, will take place in San Antonio, Texas, January 24 - 26, 2012. GammaTech Computer Corporation will be exhibiting in Booth #3128.

GammaTech products are rugged, durable, and rigorously tested. They stand up to the most demanding situations, whether in the field, in an office, or positioned in a utility vehicle. The three models to be shown are built to Military 810G Standard for drop, shock, spill, and dust protection. Models offer security features such as Fingerprint Recognition, Smart Card Reader and TPM 1.2 support � and can be configured to meet the user�s unique requirements.

The following GammaTech models will be on display:

� The U12C is the perfect companion for mobile power users on the go. The U12C features a 12.1� WXGA Touch Screen with Digitizer and LED backlight display that quickly converts into a Tablet PC. This lightweight convertible style Tablet PC features I/O covered ports to protect from the hazards of dirt and dust. Powered by the Intel Core i5 processor, the U12C has maximized speed and data management. In addition, the U12C comes with a hard handle making portability a snap. It offers a number of sophisticated I/O modules that can encompass everything from a RS232 port or GPS to an optional second 2M-pixel auto focus camera. An optional vehicle docking station is also available.

� The RT10C fully rugged Tablet PC is built to meet the mobile demands of true on-the-job portable computer users. The RT10C is designed for industrial and construction industry applications, public works deployment and anywhere where the work environment demands a reliable and tough computing solution. The RT10C is built to Military 810G standards and is rated IP65 for dust and water protection. Features include a 10.2� high-resolution touch screen display with an LED backlight to eliminate eyestrain, a lightweight five-pound design, an Intel Core i7-620UE mobile processor with integrated HD graphics, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, and much more.

� The R13C rugged convertible computer is built to stand up to some of today�s harshest environments - it is tested to Military Standard 810G for drop, shock, and spill protection, plus explosive atmosphere, salt, fog, and freeze/thaw standards, while a version with Military Standard 461E/F is optional. The computer has a 13.3� multi-touch shock-mounted, 1000 NIT LCD sunlight readable screen with lock and eight-level adjustable LED with water-resistant backlit keyboard and IP65-grade enclosed portions. A pivot hinge allows the R13C to quickly and easily transform into a tablet PC. Additional features include an Intel Core Low Power i7-620LM vPro Processor, 8GB of system memory, 2.5� shock-mounted SATA hard drive, RS-232 serial port, built-in GPS receiver and much more.

Availability
The GammaTech product line is available through authorized resellers nationwide and at www.gammatech-durabook.com/whereToBuy.jsp. Every GammaTech product may be customized to user specifications.  (Source: Press Release)

Microsoft's Windows 8 tablet hardware requirements detailed

Windows 8 touch PCs must use digitizers supporting a minimum of five points, a requirement that is probably designed to avoid consumer confusion over multitouch machines. Microsoft is planning to support NFC technology in Windows 8, and PCs that take advantage of NFC must have "touch marks" that are marked on the hardware to prevent users from having to search for the touch point. Windows 8 tablets and convertible PCs must have five hardware buttons: power, rotation lock, Windows key and volume up / down. They will also have to use UEFI firmware, WLAN, Bluetooth 4.0, a 720P camera, and include a gyroscope. Microsoft's minimum resolution is 1366x768 for tablets, and vendors must also include at least one USB 2.0 port, a magnetometer, speakers, and an accelerometer. (Source: Tom Warren, The Verge)

iPad for Business Survey 2012

IT and business professionals use their iPads more intensively, across a wider range of scenarios. Fully 51% of IT decision-makers say they �always� use their iPad at work (and a further 40% say they sometimes
use it at work). Out-of-home usage is even more intense, with 79% of IT decision-makers saying that they �always� use their iPads �on the move�.

By contrast, only 54% say they �always� use their iPad at home. But to what extent is this usage leisure-related? Only 31% say they �always� use their iPad for entertainment; only 42% say they use it for personal
communication.

The picture that emerges from this survey involves IT and business professionals using their iPads as dual-purpose work/leisure devices, with a relatively strong emphasis on work functionality, and an extremely heavy emphasis on on the move usage.  (Source: IDG Connect)

Wintel tablet PCs may be priced from US$599-899

As for Intel and Microsoft, the sources pointed out that Intel and Microsoft are also struggling since if Microsoft drops its Windows 8 and Intel drops its Clover Trail-W prices, although the strategy could help raise Wintel-based tablet PC's market share, it could also seriously damage pricing in the PC market and bring down their gross margin performance. (Source: Monica Chen, Taipei; Joseph Tsai, Digitimes)

Smartphone, tablet revolution bites at Africa's heels

A recent Accenture report paints a picture of the rising trend. While consumers around the world still have strong ownership and usage of desktop or laptop computers, purchase intentions for consumers are slowly declining, while smart phone and tablet PC ownership is rising steeply. In the past 12 months, the percentage point increase in smart phone and tablet PC purchases almost equals the purchase decrease of computers and mobile feature phones, says Accenture. (Source: Evan Pickworth, Business Live)
Posted Tuesday, January 17, 2012 by ChrisD
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Killer Windows 8 tablet design: Bring back the HP tc1100

Tablets are here to stay no matter how you feel about them, and Windows 8 tablets will be appearing en masse later this year. We�re already starting to see the return of the convertible notebook, with several models displayed at the CES that have the tablet screen slip down on top of the keyboard for dual duty as both a tablet and a laptop. Rather than revisit the convertible notebook that yields a heavy, thick tablet, I�d like to see the rebirth of the hybrid HP tc1100 with the detachable keyboard.  (Source: James Kendrick, eWeek)
Posted Tuesday, January 17, 2012 by ChrisD
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