HP launches Compaq Notebooks Announced in India

Hewlett-Packard (HP), a leading consumer Notebook PC brand in India, today announced the launch of its new series of Compaq notebooks targetted at young customers, a growing market segment for portables.

The nine series designed with preferences of the youth in mind and their needs for connectivity, entertainment and productivity, has factored in features like built in TV tuner card, blue ray drive and an infra red remote control.

The Compaq range of laptops is comes packed with multimedia features such as backlit keyboard, finger print reader and HDMI 1.3 along with a built in TV tuner card, Blue ray drive and an infra red remote control.

“This astounding product is a result of HP’s extensive research, focusing on user preferences amongst the youth. Keeping in mind the priorities of today’s young generation, HP has factored in features like the flush glass finish and the 3D drive guard. A unique blend of looks and durability, the new range is both attractive and sturdy.

Now, the generation next can not only enjoy the multimedia experience but flaunt their notebook with a oodles of style” commented Rajiev Grover, Director - Consumer Products, Personal Systems Group, Hewlett-Packard India.

Speaking on the growing size of laptops from around 80,000 in 2003 to an estimated 2.4 million in 2008, he said that the customer profile of those purchasing portables had changed.
“It is no longer just the middle-aged or mid or senior management personnel who were purchasing it. The customer profile had shifted to the young.”

The new range of HP Compaq notebooks carries a price tag between of Rs. 26,990 to Rs. 48,990.

Apple selling unlocked iPhone 3G in Hong Kong

Apple Inc. has begun selling unlocked iPhones in Hong Kong that can be used with any cell phone carrier.

The move appears to depart from the company's previous strategy of selling the popular device capable of working with 3G, or third-generation cellular networks, through specific service providers, usually with a required service contract. On its Hong Kong Web site, the Cupertino, California-based company is advertising unlocked iPhones, saying people can "buy directly from Apple" and choose their own carrier.

"iPhone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier," the Web site says. With free shipping, the 8-gigabyte phone sells for HK$5,400 (US$695) and the 16-gigabyte version costs HK$6,200 (US$798).
Apple's Hong Kong office could not be reached for comment Saturday. Previously, Hong Kong buyers could only officially purchase the phone from Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd.

with a two-year contract, although the device was widely available on the gray market. In the U.S., Apple sells 8-gigabyte iPhones for US$199 and 16-gigabyte models for US$299, both with a required two-year service contract with AT&T.

Toshiba is launching new Dynabook NX Series notebook

Toshiba introduced a new Dynabook NX Series notebook. Notebook comes with a 12.1’’ LED back lighted LCD screen with WXGA resolution (1280x800), an Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 CPU (1.20GHz), 2GB of RAM (up to 3GB), 128GB of SSD or 160GB of SATA HDD, as well as DVD Super Multi Drive, Wifi b/g/n, three USB ports, e-Sata port, and SD card slot. As per Akihabara News HDD version will run you about €1200 (or around $1736), while the SSD model will clock in at a hefty €1930 ($2793). The laptop is due out in late October, so if this sounds like your cup of tea, you might start saving the pennies right now.

The Imation Apollo Pro WX WUSB hard drive comes equipped with incremental backup software that allows consumers to automatically backup their notebook

Allen, Texas - WiQuest Communications, Inc., the acknowledged worldwide leader in WiMedia-based ultrawideband (UWB) solutions, today announced that WiQuest’s complete Wireless USB solution has been selected by Imation for the company’s new Apollo™ Pro WX external hard drive – a high-performing, wireless personal area storage device that offers a secure, no-touch, wireless backup solution for hassle-free back-up and storage of personal data.

“In a mobile notebook PC environment, the frequency in which consumers perform important incremental backups is affected by the hassle of finding and plugging in a USB cable”, said Steve Dwyer, hard disk business manager, Imation. “Now, the Apollo Pro WX drive offers Wireless USB enabled WiQuest technology, coupled with Imation’s integrated backup software. This solution allows consumers to take advantage of the simplicity of USB plug-n-play for mass storage devices, along with automatic backup of personal data – without the hassle of cables.”

The Apollo Pro WX comes equipped with incremental backup software that allows consumers to automatically backup their notebook PC. As the notebook PC comes “into range,” of the WUSB hard drive, the software can either perform an immediate backup upon wireless connection or perform the backup at the next scheduled time.

The Apollo Pro WX will utilize WiQuest’s complete WUSB solution. Compared with other multivendor Wireless USB solutions, WiQuest reduces time to market and risk by providing every component of the solution including silicon, reference designs, application software, firmware and drivers.

“By supporting Imation’s next generation mass storage devices, WiQuest continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing field proven Wireless USB solutions to expand the Wireless Workspace,” said Todd Brown, vice president of sales at WiQuest. “The integration of WiQuest’s proven Wireless USB technology with Imation’s data storage expertise delivers an exciting new class of easy to use wireless devices.”

The Apollo Pro WX will be available in Q4 where WUSB enabled laptops are sold and at authorized Imation distributors, wholesalers, resellers and etailers.