Tag Archives: HP

HP Slate surfaces again, this time showing off cameras, SD card slot & more

Over the weekend a tablet called iPad was released into the wild.  Taking a backseat to all the ruckus was HP, a company who knows a thing or two about the tablet game.  The HP Slate makes a brand new appearence in this video, boasting features that are noticably absent from the coveted iPad including dual cameras for Skype video chat, an SD card slot for expandable storage, and a USB port.  The Slate will run Windows 7 with a layer of HP’s TouchSmart UI laid on top.  Rumors are swirling that it’ll cost $529 and drop into customer’s hands this June, but I’ll make sure to report back when official word comes from HP.

[Via Engadget]

HP Slate gets demoed, revels in Adobe Flash & AIR

We caught a first glipse of the HP Slate revealed at CES 2010 by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.  Then we were told about the origins of the Slate in a short HP “special update” video.  Now we’ve got two new videos that shed a bit more light on HP’s iPad contender.  Since the Slate runs Windows 7, it’s not surprise that it will support Flash video.  HP is really going out of their way to show off Flash video and games, boasting a popular feature the popular iPad will likely never support (HTML 5, where are you?).  In the video above we also learn about the Adobe AIR apps the Slate will run, and we also get to see the on-screen keyboard it will display.  HP, these product teases are nice and all, but enough is enough–we want product details, price, a launch window at least!  Look after the break for a 30 second spot featuring the Slate.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading HP Slate gets demoed, revels in Adobe Flash & AIR

Rhys Darby shines in new HP ‘Let’s Do Amazing’ ad campaign

Rhys Darby of Flight of the Conchords fame (he played Bret & Jemaine’s boss Murray) stars in HP’s latest ad campaign.  The $40 million “Let’s Do Amazing” ad campaign includes a series of commercials that appear to reintroduce the HP brand to consumers in a new, different, and quite humorous way.  Dr. Dre lends a helping hand, making sure to promote his Dre Beats line of headphones and HP laptops.  Look after the break for a second commercial.

UPDATED: You’ll find all the current HP “Let’s Do Amazing” commercials featuring Rhys Darby, plus an interview with the FOTC alum and the “Internal Launch” video, after the break!

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading Rhys Darby shines in new HP ‘Let’s Do Amazing’ ad campaign

HP talks HP Slate

Remember that mysterious tablet from HP that was breifly handled at the Microsoft keynote at this year’s CES?  Well HP CTO Phil McKinney is here to go into a bit more detail about the origins of the HP Slate.  At its core it’s a multitouch tablet that runs Window 7; it’s the “rich media experience” that promises to set it apart from the rest of the pack.  It’s set to release sometime this year.

[Via Engadget]

HP’s ‘wall of touch’ prototype does not require touch

HP recently showed off its “wall of touch” concept to The Wall Street Journal.  HP labels it a “large digital sign” that allows users to interact with it.  Interestingly HP gives the user two options for said interaction: you can touch it as you normally would with, say, a Microsoft Surface table, or you can simply point to specific locations on the wall.  With the aid of integrated cameras and a magnetic strip the wall can detect when a user approaches and intentially interacts with it with hand gestures.  For now HP is selling this technology to companies who plan on using it in large public spaces.  In fact, Continental Airlines has one of the first walls installed in their Houston airport.  HP does leave the door open and hints that it may turn into a “mainstream product” if there’s enough interest and demand for it.  It would cost anywhere from “a couple thousand dollars” to $100,000, depending upon the built-in technologies (HD video cameras, etc.).  Be sure to check out a demo of HP’s “wall of touch” in the video above.

[Via Wall Street Journal; Engadget]

Are HP computers racist?

According to a computer store employee HP computer are racist against black people because their video camera software cannot recognize or track black faces.  White faces have no problem being recognized, as evidenced in this video.  HP responded to this rather awkward issue:

“We are working with our partners to learn more. The technology we use is built on standard algorithms that measure the difference in intensity of contrast between the eyes and the upper cheek and nose. We believe that the camera might have difficulty “seeing” contrast in conditions where there is insufficient foreground lighting.”

[Via Gizmodo]

HP utilizing tilt-shifting photography for latest ad campaign

And it rocks.

HP has used the techniques of tilt-shifting photography and minuature faking for the latest ad campaign called “Create Amazing.”  Tilt-shift photography “refers to the use of camera movements on small- and medium-format cameras, and sometimes specifically refers to the use of tilt for selective focus, often for simulating a miniature scene.”  Miniature faking is “a process in which a photograph of a life-size location or object is made to look like a photograph of a miniature scale model.  Blurring parts of the photo simulates the shallow depth of field normally encountered in close-up photography, making the scene seem much smaller than it actually is.”  “A miniature can also be simulated digitally, using an image editor to blur the top and bottom of the photograph, so that only the subject is sharp.”

UPDATE:  Apparently the video was taken off YouTube because the filmmaker still needs to clear it with HP.  I will repost as soon as it reappears on the Internet.

[Via Engadget; Wiki, here & here]

HP & Dr. Dre reveal the first Beats-branded laptop

This HP-branded Envy laptop wears the Dr. Dre Beats logo proud.  It is the first in a series of products Dre and HP have in the pipeline for music-oriented consumers looking for solid sound at an affordable price.  This limited edition Envy 15 features a 15-inch screen and comes in at 1-inches thin and 5.18-pounds.  It will include a ‘future’ Core i7 processor and will have the capacity for 16GB of RAM and two solid state drives.  Although official specs are limited for now, expect the Beats-inspired Envy 15 to cost at least $1,799, as its counterpart (the standard Envy) costs that much.  I will keep my ear to the ground and watch for updates on this and other Beats-branded machines.  The time for a revolution in better sound quality is now, right Dre?

[Via Engadget; Tom’s Hardware]

Dr. Dre + HP = revamped “digital music ecosystem”

Computer-maker HP, musical genius Dr. Dre, and Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine have announced a joint collaboration to make audio sound better, from what you hear on your computer to the earbuds or headphones you use on the go.

Iovine to CNET News: “We have to fix the entire chain.  Our position is to go to all the sources and try to improve sound and educate people…We can’t put anything weak in the line. Whoever puts out things that sound bad shouldn’t be as cool as something that sounds great.”  Iovine added: “I just want our product to sound better.  The record business committed many, many mistakes in the last 10 years, and I’m right in there.  One of them was letting its product get degraded.  It’s one thing to let it get stolen, it’s another to allow it to be degraded because then you really don’t have a chance…video games and TV quality are getting better and the quality of our work is getting lower. If that happens, then music will become disposable. That’s something we can fix.”

This is very interesting news for the music industry.  In today’s digital age of the MP3 format, iPods, and computers, it is very important that the sound of music quality does not disintegrate.  The iPod earbuds that ship with every iPod, for example, do not produce good enough sound for the listener.  Also, many computers are not constructed with speakers than can boast the proper bass and sound required for MP3s to be played at their potential.  In the end, it is all about music being played the way they were meant to be heard and I believe that this alliance between HP, Dre, and Interscope will lead the way in incorporating premium sound capability in all mediums from MP3 players to PC laptops.  Sources spilled to CNET News that “HP will release premium-priced laptops, headsets, and software featuring the “Beats by Dr. Dre” brand sometime this fall.”

[Via CNET]

Students create ingenious HP ad with synchronized printers

“Two students at London’s Kingston University pulled off a mesmerizing synchronized printing routine with a stable of HP printers.”  Keep in mind, they were “just one spool error away from a blinding fit of rage.”

“Present an idea which promotes HP Workstations ability to bring to life anything the creative mind can conceive.”  Filmed, edited and directed by Matt Robinson and Tom Wrigglesworth.

[Via Gizmodo; Vimeo]