Laptop That Can Run Windows 8 & Android

Elasto Plastic & Rubber-like: Flexible 3D Printing Materials Posted: 04 Jun 2013 09:00 AM PDT 3D printing technology uses may expand even further with the invention of a new type of plastic. Two 3D printing services announced almost at the same time the creation of new flexible 3D printing materials. Called Elasto Plastic and Rubber-like, the two flexible materials could be used to create a wide range of 3D printed items, including clothing and footwear. Elasto Plastic could be used to print footwear. Elasto Plastic was revealed by 3D printing one-stop shop Shapeways. It is a strong plastic material that is nonetheless flexible, squishy and soft, which would make it the right choice for printing things that cannot be obtained with the current rigid plastic and resin-based materials available. The material is still in an experimental phase and is not yet available for the general public, according to Shapeways. It is only available for uploaded designs, meaning that people will be able to order items they have designed, printed in Elasto Plastic, but not the actual material. Shapeways will test the flexible material until July 9, selling it for $1.75 per cubic centimeter plus $1.95 handling fees per model. After the test run, the company will decide whether to keep the Elasto Plastic as a design material permanently. Meanwhile, Belgian 3D printing company Materialise also announced that it would be testing a new flexible material for 3D printing. Just like the Elasto Plastic, Materialise's Rubber-like will not be available in raw material shape to the general public. The material is priced at $2.6 per cubic centimeter. A coin purse printed with Rubber-like. The Belgian company has already used the Rubber-like to create an haute couture dress that was paraded at the Spring Fashion Week 2013 this year. Besides clothing and accessories, Rubber-like could also be used for various functional designs and gadgets that require shock absorption, the company said. If the materials are successful, this will pave the way for a significant expansion in the scope of 3D printed technology and 3D printed items. The flexible materials can be used to create clothing and footwear, but also many other objects that cannot be obtained from hard plastic, from furniture joints and flooring to medical devices or accessories.

Polar Stride Sensor: New GPS-Free Activity Tracker Posted: 04 Jun 2013 08:00 AM PDT U.S. fitness product manufacturer Polar has launched a new activity tracking device called Stride Sensor Bluetooth Smart. Unlike many other fitness products, the device works indoors because it does not require a GPS signal. Similar to TomTom's Runner Watch, the Polar Stride Sensor was designed especially for runners and it can keep track of all sorts of activity data, including speed, distance, running cadence and length of stride. The collected data can be then streamed to any iOS device such as iPod touch, iPad, iPhone 4S or iPhone5 via Bluetooth Smart connectivity. The user will thus be able to see their stats on their smartphone or tablet and easily assess their workout routine. The Stride Sensor is also compatible with Polar's iOS application Polar Beat. This application allows users to get real-time data about their running performance, which can let them know if they need to run harder or faster or slow down. For longer races, the app also offers an estimated finish time. Through the same Polar Stride Sensor Bluetooth Smart device, users can create their own training programs and interact and share their results with other runners on the special training site set up by Polar. The device can be clipped on the runner's shoe and is also shock and water resistant. But its most unique feature that sets it apart from other fitness trackers available on the market is the fact that it does not require a GPS signal and therefore can work indoors. This specification makes the Polar Stride Sensor an ideal choice to use in urban and remote areas where it is hard to maintain a strong data signal. It can also be used on a treadmill and will still be able to keep track of the distance crossed, even if the runner is not actually moving in space. Due to this feature, the device also sports reduced power requirements. Polar Stride Sensor is available for purchase on the Polar website and in specialty stores for $79.95.

Laptop That Can Run Windows 8 & Android Posted: 04 Jun 2013 04:00 AM PDT New devices have been unveiled ahead of the start of Computex, a tech show that will be running in Taipei, Taiwan from Tuesday to Saturday. Amongst some of the launches announced was a laptop that can run both Windows 8 and an Android OS. The Transformer Book Trio was Asus’ centrepiece during their news conference. They have marketed the product as a three-in-one device, which can be used as a desktop, laptop or 11.6in tablet. The main feature is that it can run on both the Jelly Bean version of Google’s Android and Windows 8. Some of the other announcements included an 8.1in tablet capable of running the full Windows 8 OS, and a 5.7in Android handset, which was labelled the “first phablet”- a cross between a phone and a tablet. Just a week ago researches were suggesting that PC sales were falling faster than previously thought. IDC had predicted that shipments of PCs (including desktops and laptops) would fall by 1.3 percent during 2013. They now predict it could be more like 7.8 percent. However, they think that tablet shipments will grow by 58.7 perccent, possibly overtaking PCs by 2015. One analyst said that the variety of computers being showcased was proof of innovation but that there was a risk that shoppers would be left perplexed. Ranjit Atwal, an analyst at the technology consultant Garner said “Many users have already moved away from wanting a fully functional PC to an iPad, Android tablet or smartphone.” He added, “As a result that leaves a smaller audience and now the challenge for PC makers is how to target this group, which is also-by its nature-likely to be more demanding. The problem is that by throwing so many different designs at the wall in an effort to meet the challenge of wooing them, they risk confusing shoppers rather than winning them over.” As Computex gets underway, watch out for other announcements and releases. We will of course, be covering them here at Techbeat.

Klipsch KMC 3 Speaker Delivers Accurate Sound Posted: 04 Jun 2013 03:00 AM PDT If you like your music really loud but still want to be able to enjoy extremely accurate sound, this is definitely the speaker system for you. The Klipsch KMC 3 is the first portable Bluetooth speaker manufactured by the company and it can definitely make some noise! The Klipsch KMC 3 should not be regarded just as a portable speaker, it is actually more of a fully portable sound system, being designed for accurate and powerful sound reproductions. KMC 3 is the initial product in Klipsch's Music Center series of wireless speakers, designed to commemorate Klipsch's partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, which resulted in the construction of one of the world's most popular live music venues, the Klipsch Music Center amphitheater. Klipsch's KMC 3 is the company's first portable speaker equipped with Bluetooth. This means that you can use the speakers to play music directly from your smartphone or tablet wirelessly. And if you're worried that this will affect the quality of sound, don't be: the system's apt-X technology allows for clear reproduction of sound, almost as if you're hearing the music played live. The speaker system has quite a volume range, with a maximum acoustic output of 105 dB.  Loaded with two full range drivers of 15W and one subwoofer of 35W, the speaker system also boasts 130W of peak power, promising impressive audio quality. Users can also connect non-Bluetooth devices to the speaker system through an auxiliary 3.5mm input. The system is equipped with an USB post as well, allowing users to charge their smartphones or tablets when the KMC 3 is connected to a power outlet. The speaker system is not exactly pocket sized, as it is 17 inch wide and weighs 7.8 pounds, but it is provided with a very handy handle that makes it easy to carry around. The KMC 3 is powered by eight D cell batteries which can last up to 26 hours of playback – less if you're running at maximum volume. The impressive Klipsch speaker was first unveiled at CES this year and will hit the shelves this month, with an equally impressive price tag: $400. But its features and sound quality are worth the price, especially if you're a music connoisseur who wants pitch perfect sound

Roku Seeks To Dominate Your Living Room Posted: 04 Jun 2013 02:00 AM PDT Home entertainment setups have come a long, long way since I was a kid. I don’t know about you, but I still remember the days when having a Betamax was such a novel thing. If you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, then you’re wonderfully young. Revel in all the technological wonders that you probably take for granted today! Anyhow, those days are gone, and today, all sorts of TV-digital TV service-streaming boxes-sound system combinations can be found at home, making home entertainment a truly enjoyable experience. While this niche is not exactly overcrowded, there are enough significant (streaming boxes) players vying for your attention – and your money. One of them is Roku, a California-based company that manufactures streaming boxes. Roku started with its first box way back in 2008, with the Roku DVP, the first Netflix Internet video streaming receiver. Today, Roku has several products, with the Roku 3 being the latest. What gives Roku the edge? For one, it does look good. And more and more, design is becoming a prime consideration for the average consumer. Two, the newest Roku box does have a lot of features, mainly making streaming such an easy thing – another critical point for users. Three, Roku boxes are considerably affordable. Furthermore, new developments point to Roku looking at a more aggressive approach – with the ultimate aim of being the dominant name in home entertainment. The news is that the company has just received a huge investment, a whopping $60 million! Thanks to Fidelity and other investors, Roku’s war chest has just been replenished, giving it the resources to expand its reach. Do not be surprised, therefore, if the next generation of smart TVs feature the Roku software  as the default. That alone is enough to propel the company to new heights, but we still cannot discount the hardware. While the sales figures (about 5 million to date) are rather pitiful compared to, say, Apple TV (at 13 million plus), the new round of investment just might help Roku get to more living rooms. What’s your home entertainment setup like? Would you consider Roku as an alternative?