HP announced pricing and availability of its Windows 8 notebooks, all in one and business PCs.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HP announced pricing and availability of its Windows 8  notebooks, all in one and business PCs.

HP Delivers Comprehensive Windows 8 PC Portfolio.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 24, 2012

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HP today announced availability and pricing details for its new lineup of consumer and business PCs that are designed to work with Windows 8.

The new HP products, ranging from stylish notebooks and desktops to a tablet, leverage premium materials and a purposeful design philosophy to deliver a distinct HP look and feel.

Unique form factors, including a hybrid PC with a detachable screen, a business tablet with functionality-boosting HP Smart Jackets and an ultrathin all-in-one (AiO) desktop, enable users to take advantage of Windows 8 along with HP innovations such as HP TouchSmart technology. They also offer HP Connected Photo powered by Snapfish by HP⁽¹⁾ and HP Connected Music powered by Meridian⁽²⁾ for convenient access to photos and music.

“HP’s portfolio of ultrathin notebooks, sleek all-in-ones and high-performance business PCs is designed to meet the needs of customers anticipating the release of the Windows 8 OS,” said James Mouton, senior vice president and general manager, Personal Computer Global Business Unit, HP. “Consumers and organizations now can choose from a broad range of HP PCs featuring multitouch displays, versatile form factors, sleek designs or customizable solutions that address their needs.”

HP consumer notebooks⁽³⁾

The HP consumer notebook portfolio featuring Windows 8 includes a hybrid PC and notebooks with slim and sophisticated designs, multitouch display technology, strong performance and great value.

• The HP ENVY x2 is a powerful, ultrathin hybrid PC that delivers the power of a notebook and the freedom of a tablet in one stylish, lightweight device. A notebook that doubles as a tablet, the HP ENVY x2 has a detachable screen that becomes a full tablet when separated from the keyboard via a seamless magnetic latch. The HP ENVY x2 includes a vivid 11.6-inch diagonal high-definition (HD)⁽⁴⁾ touch display,  Beats Audio, an HD webcam plus an 8-megapixel camera, and near field communication (NFC) technology that lets users share content, including photos, contacts and URLs, with a simple tap. Expected to be available in the United States on Nov. 14, starting at $849.99.
• The HP SpectreXT TouchSmart UltrabookTM is a premium Ultrabook featuring a 15.6-inch diagonal multitouch Radiance Full HD⁽⁴⁾ IPS display, strong performance and a sophisticated all-metal design. Measuring 17.9 millimeters (mm) thin, this Ultrabook is HP’s first notebook with Intel® Thunderbolt technology,⁽⁵⁾ providing blazing-fast transfer of music, movies and data to external devices. Expected to be available in the United States in December, starting at $1,399.99.
• The HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 features a 14-inch multitouch HD⁽⁴⁾ display, a booming subwoofer with Beats Audio and optional AMD graphics with 2 GB of graphics memory. Currently available for preorders in the United States, starting at $799.99.
• The HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14 and Pavilion Sleekbook 15 PCs are available in sparkling black and ruby red and provide the performance and easy applications consumers need every day—now in an ultrathin style. Currently available in the United States, starting at $499.99 and $579.99, respectively.
• The HP ENVY m4 notebook PC delivers the perfect balance of mobility, performance and entertainment in a thin and light package. Currently available in the United States at Best Buy, starting at $899.99.
• The HP Pavilion dm1 now offers up to 200 MB of free data per month for two years of fast 4G mobile broadband service operating on the T-Mobile network—all with no contracts or commitments.⁽⁶⁾ Currently available in the United States, starting at $499.99.

HP consumer all-in-one PCs and consumer desktops⁽³⁾

HP’s new consumer desktops include AiO and tower PCs featuring the latest multitouch technology and offering head-turning designs and powerful performance.

• The HP ENVY 23 and ENVY 20 TouchSmart AiO PCs deliver 10-point multitouch technology, 23- and 20-inch diagonal HD⁽⁴⁾ displays, and excellent performance for working, playing and staying connected. The HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart and HP ENVY 20 TouchSmart AiO PCs are currently available in the United States, starting at $999 and $799, respectively.
• The HP SpectreONE is a thin and elegant AiO PC featuring a 23.6-inch nontouch flush-glass full HD⁽⁴⁾ display, a unique curved back and NFC technology, making it an entertainment powerhouse. Expected to be available in the United States in November, starting at $1,299.
• The nontouch HP Pavilion 20 AiO delivers performance, an attractive space-saving design and intuitive features to keep users connected to family and friends, all at a great value. Currently available in the United States, starting at $449.
• The HP ENVY Phoenix h9 desktop PC delivers a powerful computing experience for users who enjoy creating digital content and immersive gaming. Currently available in the United States, starting at $899.

HP business PCs⁽³⁾

Delivering outstanding performance, versatility and value, HP’s business PC portfolio maximizes productivity for businesses and government organizations of any size.

• The HP ElitePad 900 is a true tablet for business that balances a beautiful design with enterprise-grade features, serviceability and support. The ultrathin and lightweight Windows 8-based tablet⁽⁷⁾ also features optional HP ElitePad Smart Jackets,⁽⁸⁾ which add connectivity options and longer battery life along with specific add-ons that customize the tablet for specialized uses. HP ElitePad 900 customers also receive a free 50GB Box account, to make it simple to share, access and collaborate with their files.⁽⁹⁾ Expected to be available in the United States in January 2013. Pricing will be announced closer to the commercial availability date.
• The HP EliteBook Folio 9470m Ultrabook is ultrathin, lightweight and efficient. With enterprise docking capabilities and a swappable battery, the EP EliteBook Folio is built for the on-the-go professional. The HP ElitePad Folio 9470m Ultrabook is expected to be available in the United States on Oct. 26, starting at $1,049.

HP announced touch-enabled notebooks on Aug. 30,  AiO and desktop PCs on Sept. 20, additional consumer notebooks and commercial PCs on Sept. 20, and an enterprise-ready tablet on Oct. 1.

HP support

HP is providing customers an array of simple and easy-to-access support tools and resources to help customers. They include:

• HP Support Assistant is an on-product tool that provides a one-stop shop to help maintain the PC and avoid or resolve problems using automated updates and self-help options. 
• HP is creating a designated web support page for its Windows 8-based devices. Customers can easily upgrade their Windows 7-based HP devices to Windows 8, obtain necessary drivers for their HP products as they become available and seek answers to their other Windows 8 support questions related to HP devices by visiting www.hp.com/go/win8support.
• Printing-related instructional videos are available at www.youtube.com/hpprintersupport and computing-related videos are available at www.youtube.com/howto4u.
• The HP Printer Install Wizard will be available for a majority of consumer printers and will help customers select and install their print drivers. The HP Printer Install Wizard is expected to be available at the support landing page.
• HP will host a free Expert Day on the HP Consumer Support Forums on Nov. 28 to answer any questions specific to Windows 8 compatibility with HP laptops, PCs and printers.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

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⁽¹⁾ Snapfish by HP mobile app download and Snapfish membership required. Internet service required and not included.

⁽²⁾  Availability of features varies by country. Streaming services may require a paid subscription. May not be compatible with all music files. Not compatible with DRM tracks. Internet access is required and not included.

⁽³⁾ Estimated U.S. street prices. Actual prices may vary. Not all models available in all regions.

⁽⁴⁾ High-definition content is required for high-definition images.

⁽⁵⁾ Thunderbolt is new technology that requires installation of driver updates for the product before use. Thunderbolt cable and Thunderbolt compatible device required and sold separately. Additional information for determining whether a device is Thunderbolt enabled for Windows 8 is available at https://thunderbolttechnology.net/products.

⁽⁶⁾ Registration required for service. Service starts on date of hardware purchase and is not available everywhere. 4G connection speeds will vary due to location, environment, network conditions and other factors. Available in the United States only.

⁽⁷⁾ This system is Windows 8 certified and supports the new Windows Store user interface. The integrated display resolution is below the threshold for Snap, a Windows Store interface feature that allows two Windows Store applications to be viewed simultaneously. This feature may be enabled by attaching an external 1,366 x 768 or higher resolution display.

⁽⁸⁾ Sold separately or as an optional feature.

⁽⁹⁾ Internet access required and not included. 50GB free individual Box account. Subscription required for additional storage space.

Amazon launches Whispercast a Kindle Free service for Schools and Business.

Amazon launches Whispercast a Kindle Free service for Schools and Business.

Announcing Whispercast for Kindle–A Free Self-Service Tool for Schools and Businesses to Manage Large Deployments of Kindles and Support Purchase and Distribution of Kindle Books and Documents Across Kindle E-Readers, Kindle Fires and Free Kindle Reading Apps

Whispercast will also include support for “bring your own device” programs for students and employees wanting to add their own devices to a Whispercast account, and in the coming months the ability to support distribution of applications from the Amazon Appstore for Android Amazon.com, Inc. today announced “Whispercast for Kindle,” giving schools and business customers a simple, scalable online tool for deploying Kindle devices and Kindle content. Whispercast provides a single access point to easily purchase and distribute Kindle books and documents for educational, marketing and employee incentive programs across Kindle devices and free Kindle reading applications for iPad, iPhone, Android phones and tablets, PCs and Macs. In the coming months, Whispercast will support distribution of Kindle Fire applications. Whispercast works with Kindle e-readers and Kindle Fire tablets, including the recently announced $69Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite 3G, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9” and Kindle Fire HD 8.9” 4G LTE. To learn more about Whispercast, visit http://whispercast.amazon.com. “Hundreds of thousands of students around the world are already reading on Kindle,” said Dave Limp, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “Today, we are announcing Whispercast, a free, scalable solution for school and business administrators to centrally manage thousands of Kindles and wirelessly distribute Kindle books as well as their own documents to their users. Organizations can also design bring-your-own-device programs at school or work using personally-owned Kindles, Kindle Fires, and other tablets using the free Kindle reading applications for receiving content.” Whispercast for Schools Whispercast gives teachers and educators access to millions of Kindle books, including best sellers and free classics, they can easily purchase and distribute to develop educational programs for every age group and level. And with Kindle books students no longer need to carry heavy textbooks. Kindle devices can also help meet the individual needs of students with features such as adjustable font sizes, line spacing, built-in dictionaries and the ability to add and share their own notes and highlights. Whispercast support for Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD and the free Kindle reading apps on iOS, Android, PC and Mac gives students the ability to explore and learn with full-color Kindle books, including interactive children’s books and websites. Schools can also register and seamlessly manage the settings on all their Kindles, including adding password protection, centrally configuring wireless connectivity to their organizations’ private networks and restricting individual purchases. “We have been using Kindles in our schools for two and half years, and our students are more enthusiastic than ever about reading and studying,” said Keith Mastroides, Principal at Clearwater High School. “We started with 2,000 Kindle e-readers at our school and the program has been so successful that we have expanded it beyond our school and now more than 122 schools in the district are using Kindles. Whispercast gives us the ability to better streamline the process to manage our Kindles and content, so we can continue to grow the program.” Whispercast for Business Whispercast makes it easy for business owners to manage and deploy fleets of Kindle e-readers and tablets as a way to support employee productivity or customer marketing initiatives. Additionally, Whispercast makes it easy to centrally distribute PDFs and other business documents such as a conference agenda or training materials to employees or customers. With “bring your own device” support businesses will be able to distribute documents and Kindle books to personally-owned Kindles and other devices with access to free Kindle reading applications. Businesses will also be able to use Whispercast to purchase and distribute applications from the Amazon Appstore for Kindle Fires in the coming months. “With Whispercast, our professional sales representatives can focus on helping our clients choose the medical information they want on their Kindle devices,” said Jim Donohue, Managing Director, Global Clinical Reference, Elsevier. “Rather than dealing with the logistics of shipping, managing and replacing physical books, hospitals and life sciences companies can now use Whispercast to immediately procure and distribute select Elsevier eBooks to their clinicians, researchers and staff.” Whispercast for Non-Profit Organizations Even nonprofit organizations with remote locations around the world have experienced the benefits of Whispercast. “Over the past year, Worldreader has trialed Whispercast to wirelessly deliver over 200,000 e-books to children in sub-Saharan Africa,” said David Risher, President of the literacy charity Worldreader. “With Whispercast, we are helping kids read more than ever. Kids no longer have to wait for a new book to be shipped. It is simply delivered electronically and waiting for them to start reading.” Whispercast Features Easily manage fleets of Kindles With Whispercast, administrators can register and assign users to all of their organizations’ Kindle devices at once, creating personalized Kindle experiences for each student or employee. Support for “bring your own device” With support for personal devices, organizations can invite employees, students, customers and partners to receive content from the organization on their Kindles. Create user groups Whispercast gives administrators the ability to assign users into one or more groups, such as specific class, grade level or corporate department. User groups make it easier to purchase and distribute content for each group’s unique needs. Control device settings, such as Wi-Fi and password protection Schools and businesses can configure device settings across all their Kindles, including configuring wireless connectivity to private networks for a simple and secure user experience as well as restricting web access and purchases. Wirelessly distribute Kindle books, documents and applications Whispercast makes it easy for organizations to centrally distribute Kindle books as well as documents on an individual basis. In the coming months, Whispercast administrators will be able to purchase and send Kindle Fire applications. Additionally, during the purchase process organizations will be able to select which content should be assigned to specific user groups they have created. Support for free Kindle reading apps on iOS, Android, and other devices Schools and businesses can purchase and send Kindle books and distribute documents to devices using any of the free Kindle reading apps, including iPads, iPhones, Android phones and tablets, PCs and Macs. Support for centralized procurement Organizations can efficiently purchase Kindle devices and content through a single payment method, including purchase orders, as well asAmazon gift cards or credit cards. For more information about Whispercast, visit http://whispercast.amazon.com.

HP unveils the Elite Pad 900 for Business.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HP Elite Pad.

HP unveils the Elite Pad 900 for Business.

HP is unveiling today the new tablet for business,the HP ElitePad 900 offers a 10.1-inch diagonal display, weighs just 1.5 pounds and measures 9.2 millimeters (mm) thin. The 16-by-10 aspect ratio maximizes the display area for ideal viewing of traditional business applications, as well as video content. Precision crafted, with an eye toward fit and finish, the HP ElitePad uses stylish, premium materials such as CNC-machined aluminum and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2.

Powered by next-generation Intel® mobile processors (Atom-based Intel Clover Trail processor), buffered by up to 2GB of RAM and with Windows 8 in. On the back are two slots: one for microSD cards, and another for 3G / 4G SIMs.

The HP ElitePad tablet's 1080p front-facing video camera and 8 megapixel (MP) rear camera with an LED flash and included CyberLink YouCam software help users easily communicate face to face, create high-definition (HD) web videos or record training videos without high production costs.

In stores in January 2013.

Press Release:

HP Unveils a True Tablet for Business

Smart Jacket ecosystem delivers complete computing solutions Designed for business and government, it features HP ElitePad Smart Jackets, which add connectivity options and an additional ultra-slim battery for longer runtime, along with specific add-ons that customize the tablet for specialized uses.

The HP ElitePad is an ultrathin, lightweight tablet designed for Windows 8 that delivers features to keep IT managers happy and touts a design that employees will crave. It offers the full serviceability, enhanced security and manageability found in HP Elite PCs, and military-grade durability for drops, vibration, dust, temperature extremes and high altitude.

"Businesses used to face a tough purchase decision: How to find a product that will delight employees and help them be more productive, while also making sure IT can secure and manage it," said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Printing and Personal Systems, HP. "The HP ElitePad meets all those tests. It combines the great style and user experience consumers demand with the features IT requires."

A tablet that is made for business

Ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in the hand, the HP ElitePad offers a 10.1-inch diagonal display, weighs just 1.5 pounds and measures 9.2 millimeters (mm) thin. The 16-by-10 aspect ratio maximizes the display area for ideal viewing of traditional business applications, as well as video content. Precision crafted, with an eye toward fit and finish, the HP ElitePad uses stylish, premium materials such as CNC-machined aluminum and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2.

Powered by next-generation Intel® mobile processors, the HP ElitePad delivers PC productivity for those on the go and Intel x86 compatibility for existing business application support. It is designed for Windows 8 and supports touch-, pen- or voice- based input. The HP ElitePad also provides power efficiency and smartphone-style convenience with compatibility for familiar Windows applications, as well as easy integration into existing IT environments.

The unique, productivity-enhancing ecosystem of HP Smart Jackets and additional accessories designed specifically for the HP ElitePad expand the tablet's potential, turning it into a total enterprise solution:

- HP ElitePad Productivity Jacket - includes an integrated keyboard, connectivity ports, SD card reader and adjustable viewing angles for a complete computing experience.

- HP ElitePad Expansion Jacket-adds USB, HDMI and other connectivity to get more done on the go. Adds even longer battery life when bundled with the optional HP ElitePad Jacket battery.

- The HP ElitePad Rugged Case- provides military-grade reliability and enhances the stylish profile of the ElitePad for added protection.

- HP ElitePad Docking Station- delivers an enterprise-class desktop experience with an added keyboard and monitor and also charges the tablet. Or, use it to set the tablet up as a secondary screen for phenomenal multitasking.

- HP Executive Tablet Pen-lets customers write messages and notes in their natural handwriting directly on screen and then save or convert to typed text for use in other applications.

Loaded with tools for mobile work or play

The HP ElitePad tablet's 1080p front-facing video camera and 8 megapixel (MP) rear camera with an LED flash and included CyberLink YouCam software help users easily communicate face to face, create high-definition (HD) web videos or record training videos without high production costs.

Powered by technology from HP Labs, the company's central research arm, new HP PageLift is an application that automatically trims, correctly lights and orients a captured image of a whiteboard, paper contract or other document so it is ready to use or share without requiring manual editing.

Users can easily print directly from their HP ElitePad to any ePrint-capable HP printer or to a networked HP printer without the need for downloading drivers. HP ePrint software allows users to print remotely at more than 24,000 public locations such as hotels and business service retailers. The HP ElitePad also helps small workgroups connect with HP Wireless Hotspot, a desktop application that allows users to share a wireless internet connection and network bandwidth.

Additional user-experience software includes the CyberLink Media suite, which enables users to manage and create audio and video content with the same easy-to-use interface as other HP business PCs. Plus, users can record and listen to audio with a stereo microphone and headset jack that feature the richness of SRS Audio.

Information management is made easy with Evernote, which captures, saves and synchronizes information across devices with impressively quick search capability, and Skitch software that eases collaboration with colleagues by quickly marking up images with captions or sketches.

Manageability, deployment and security for IT environments

The HP ElitePad offers a long life cycle, stable image and HP Global Series Support, all of which IT managers expect in an enterprise tablet. It also features a one-year standard warranty, with the option for a three-year warranty via HP Care Pack Services. The HP ElitePad is fully serviceable with an optional, industry-unique service tool for HP Self- Maintainers that allows customers to access the panel, battery, motherboard and unibody chassis, helping reduce downtime and keep sensitive data and devices in-house.

In addition, organizations will appreciate the enterprise-caliber data, device and identity protection from HP Client Security, including HP BIOS Protection, Security Manager and HP Drive Encryption. Additional security features include Device Access Manager, Computrace and Sparekey.

Device deployment and ongoing support and maintenance are made easy with x86 compatibility and support for HP Client Management solutions. The LANDesk Management Suite also increases security and eases management by providing exclusive tools to locate and protect data on lost devices, remotely capture SIM card info for mass WWAN activation and enforce geographic policies to remotely lock, full wipe or selectively wipe data

Availability

The HP ElitePad 900 is expected to be available in the United States in January 2013. Pricing information will be announced closer to availability.

This announcement follows HP's unveiling of touch-enabled notebooks on Aug. 30, all-in- one desktops on Sept. 10 and a new lineup of consumer and business PCs on Sept. 20.

Get the true tablet for business.

Our premium thin and light tablet is easy to deploy, effortless to manage, and simple to secure, with an elegant design and touch experience that puts productivity at your fingertips. Customize the HP ElitePad for your business using a complete suite of thoughtfully designed accessories. 

In stores January 2013.

HP

Q1 2012: Sales of Windows to businesses up.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Q1 2012: Sales of Windows to businesses up.

Microsoft saw an upturn in sales of Windows to businesses in the first calendar quarter of 2012, beating analyst expectations.

The company reported an 8% year-on-year rise in systems sales to companies, while sales to consumers remained flat, driving the Windows and Windows Live Division of the company to a 4% rise in revenue for the quarter ended 31st March, to $4.62 billion. Analysts had widely predicted a slump in PC sales, but shipments actually increased by 2%, according to IDC and Gartner.

Strong Windows 7 adoption continued with enterprise desktops on Windows 7 now up to 40% worldwide.

For the quarter overall, Microsoft posted a 6% growth in revenue, to $17.41 billion, and a 12% rise in operating income, up to $6.37 billion.

"We're driving toward exciting launches across the entire company, while delivering strong financial results," said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer at Microsoft. "With the upcoming release of new Windows 8 PCs and tablets, the next version of Office, and a wide array of products and services for the enterprise and consumers, we will be delivering exceptional value to all our customers in the year ahead."

Microsoft's Server & Tools division saw revenue rise 14% to $4.57 billion, driven by double-digit revenue growth in SQL Server and more than 20% growth in System Center revenue.

The Microsoft Business Division reported a 9% year-on-year rise in revenue, to $5.81 billion, with strong sales of Office 2010 and an 11% increase in from the Dynamics business.

The Online Services Division reported revenue of $707 million, a 6% increase from the prior year period, and operating loss improvement of approximately $300 million.

The Entertainment & Devices Division posted revenue of $1.62 billion, a decrease of 16% from the prior period due to a soft gaming console market.