Toshiba announces first NFC-enabled SD memory card

Toshiba has announced full-sized 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB SD memory cards that can shoot thumbnails over to your Android device for a quick preview simply by tapping your device to your camera. 16 thumbnails and available remaining space are shown through the dedicated Memory Card Preview App, though you'll still need to pop the SD card into a computer to get full access to the pictures. As neat as the mash-up of SD and NFC may be, Toshiba announced a Wi-Fi-enabled SD card that sounds decidedly more useful.

Toshiba's Flash Air III will let you access photos on the SD card from your Android and iOS device thanks to the Wi-Fi access point it creates. A unique pass-through feature will allow you to continue to access your local Wi-Fi for internet at the same time as the SD card. Many newer cameras offer this kind of functionality via Wi-Fi Direct out of the box, but it's a nice solution to have if you're with an older camera. I've been using Eyefi for this sort of thing for awhile, and it's really handy.

Toshiba's NFC cards will go on sale starting in February, though there's no mention of price. Meanwhile, the FlashAir III will be available starting in March starting at $79.99. Photographers, how do you use your Android devices while on a shoot?

Source: Toshiba, Toshiba

The Razer Forge is probably the Android TV box you'll want to buy

Right at the beginning of CES 2015 Razer, known primarily for its PC gaming products, launched its first Android TV device. The Forge TV is headed our way in Q1 for $99 on its own or $149 as part of a bundle with a game controller.

We stopped by the Razer booth to check it out, and one thing becomes pretty clear almost immediately. It's likely this is the Android TV box you're going to want to buy,

For that $99, which is the same price as the Google Nexus Player, remember, you're getting a Snapdragon 805 CPU, 16GB of on-board storage, 2GB of RAM, an Adreno 420 GPU, 802.11ac Wifi and Gigabit Ethernet. So you're getting more storage and Ethernet for the same money.

The box itself is pretty unassuming. It's just a small, square, black box that sits next to your TV. Oh, and it has an awesome green light glowing underneath. But it's essentially a similar size and form factor to Amazon's Fire TV. The Serval game controller is optional, but you get a decent discount by buying it with the box. It's comfortable to use and reminds a lot of the Xbox 360 controller. It's a similar size and a similar shape, so it'll feel familiar instantly to anyone who's ever used the Microsoft console.

The software is Android TV as we've seen on the Nexus Player and more recently introduced by Sony on its line of Bravia televisions. There's more than enough horsepower in the Forge to provide a smooth experience navigating through the UI. If you're not feeling the controller, Razer will be releasing a remote app for Android and iOS to use instead, though obviously you'll not be using it for any gaming.

Speaking of gaming, Razer will also be allowing PC game streaming to the Forge using its Cortex app for Windows. This will be available for free to Forge owners when it arrives in Q2 and will give you the chance to run PC and Steam games on your TV at 1080p/60fps. Since it isn't ready yet it's not being demonstrated at CES, so we'll reserve judgment until we get some actual hands on time.

In tandem with Cortex is the Turret, a keyboard and mouse combination for the gamer who prefers them as a control method. The keyboard has a fold out magnetic panel that stops the mouse from sliding off if you're resting it on your lap and adds the feeling of a more weighty gaming mouse when in actual fact its sized like a travel mouse. The keyboard also comes with dedicated Android keys alongside the more common Windows PC keys.

The Turret will run for $129 and supports Bluetooth LE or Wireless 2.4GHz. You don't need it to play PC games on the Forge, but it's a great option for those that want it. But even after just a short time with it, it's clear that the Forge TV is going to be one of the top Android TV devices out there as we go into a new year.

Huawei's Honor 6 Plus packs glass on both sides, uses two cameras for neat tricks

Huawei's latest device, the Honor 6 Plus, has been available for a few weeks now (in limited markets) but here at CES 2015 we've actually had an opportunity to get our hands on it. The Honor 6 Plus is a step above the Honor 6, and comes in at the equivalent of about $320 unlocked. It packs a metal and glass body, 5.5-inch 1080p display, quad-core processor and 3GB of RAM. But that's not necessarily the most impressive part — it also has dual 8MP cameras that are capable of some neat tricks, too.

For a device that costs just north of $300 unlocked, the Honor 6 Plus feels great and looks nice as well. The design calls back to the look of a few different phones — the iPhone 5s, Xperia Z line and Nexus 4 come to mind immediately. There's a metal band that wraps around three sides, with full panes of glass surrounding the front and back, and it comes in both black and white. The phone feels hefty and solid thanks to the material choices, though with glass on the back it's going to get scratched up over time.

The software experience — with Huawei's customization of Android 4.4.4 — was nearly identical to what we've seen on the other recent Huawei devices, and the internals seemed to push around the pixels just fine in our short time with it. But the Honor 6 Plus is mostly about the new unique camera setup, as it has two distinct 8MP cameras on the back and a bunch of software to take advantage of them.

The pair of cameras give you access to a great shooting mode that lets you adjust the focal point andaperture after you've already taken a photo, as well as a choice of apertures — from f/0.95 to f/16. The way it works is it uses both cameras at the same time to capture several photos at different apertures — think of it as taking several "layers" of a photo in quick succession. It creates a noticeable but small bit of shutter lag, but the results are worth it.

Hop into the gallery and you can see the picture you took at the aperture you set before capture, but you can also switch to an editing mode that really takes advantage of the cameras. You can tap to focus on any area in the frame, and at the same time adjust the aperture to get the right effect. You can crank it up to f/16 and bring everything in focus, or drop all the way down to f/0.95 and get very specific about the focal point to blur everything else out.

Honestly the camera interface and experience was pretty good, and the process of playing with apertures and focal points seemed to work really well. It offered up better output than other software-based solutions, and because both cameras are the same resolution there's no compromise to having them both on the back.

Lamborghini phone will cost you $6,000

The 88 Tauri has been announced by luxury brand Tonino Lamborghini at CES for those that have expensive taste. This is the company's second Android device, and like the first it commands a premium pricetag. Expect to shell out $6,000 for this piece of kit.

In terms of specs, the 88 Tauri is no slouch. You'll find a quad-core 2.3 GHz processor and 3 GB of RAM with 64 GB of local storage wrapped up in a stainless steel frame. The front offers a 5-inch 1080p display and 8 megapixel front-facing camera, while the rear has a 20 megapixel camera and a fancy leather coat. You'll even get some special edition premium headphones to go with it.

It's worth noting that the folks behind the 88 Tauri are purely a luxury brand whose founder happens to be the son of Ferruccio Lamborghini, of automotive fame. Regardless, on the phone you'll find the familiar raging bull crest and posh style that characterize both companies.

You can grab the 88 Tauri right now if you're burdened with way too much money, or read up on it more in the press release below.

Tonino Lamborghini Mobile Unveils Latest Fusion of Legendary Design, Cutting Edge Personal Tech: 88 Tauri Smartphone

Lamborghini Family Brings Iconic Styling, Outstanding Craftsmanship to Hand-Assembled, Limited Edition Android Phone

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tonino Lamborghini Mobile, the luxury personal technologies manufacturer that carries on a family tradition for iconic design, today unveiled its latest high-end Android smartphone, the 88 Tauri. Building on a catalog of unique luxury accessories ranging from wristwatches, eyewear and jewelry, to high-tech headphones, 88 Tauri's design aesthetic emphasizes quality materials in a sleek, distinctive package.

"Mobile phones are such personal devices that someone's choice of smartphone says a lot about them. 88 Tauri is the latest example of applying the Tonino Lamborghini design philosophy to the accessory we all use the most," said Gianluca Filippi, CEO Tonino Lamborghini Group. "Uncompromising quality in every detail, down to the stitching, and vibrant color choices help our devices – and users – to stand out from a sea of too-similar phones."

Real luxury is in details

Sharp geometric lines and color combinations represent the iconic Tonino Lamborghini style; the famous "Raging Bull" logo on the both sides of the phone conveys the spirit of the legendary Italian brand.

88 Tauri offers 3 color variants of its metal panel (black, gold and steel silver) and is finished with top-quality leather available in 5 colors (black, blue, red, orange and brown). Each phone is assembled by hand and receives a unique device number. Only 1,947 pieces of each colorway will be created. This number was chosen to honor the year of birth of the company's founder – Mr. Tonino Lamborghini.

Tech Specs

Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 801 processor with quad-core CPU at speeds of up to 2.3 GHz per core 3GB RAM Android 4.4 KitKat OS Dual SIM Dual Active LTE (DSDA) configuration (both SIM-cards are active at the same time) 5-inch Full HD display 64 GB of high-speed internal memory, expandable up to 128GB via microSD card USB 3.0 with direct phone-to-computer sync at 625 MB/s 3400 mAh battery capacity, providing up to 35 hours of life for calls in 3G networks and 1000 hours in standby mode. main 20MP auto-focus camera with a dual LED-flash, face recognition and white balance correction front-facing 8 MP camera 13 exclusive ringtones created by famed disc jockey and producer DJ Ravin

Availability

88 Tauri will be available in select stores around the world starting on January 5, 2015. For additional information about the product, prices and availability please visitwww.lamborghinimobile.com and www.lamborghini.it

"We are proud to present the latest and greatest in our family of luxury smartphones – the 88 Tauri, which combines cutting-edge mobile technology and unique features with the inimitable style and design that was characteristic for our company since its foundation. I am confident that our new flagship phone will open a new chapter in the history of Tonino Lamborghini Mobile and will raise the bar for luxury smartphones higher than ever before," said Mr. Tonino Lamborghini, founder and President of Tonino Lamborghini Group.

"88 Tauri is the latest example of our successful cooperation with Tonino Lamborghini Mobile, and we are happy to see our premium technology powering the latest in the world of luxury smartphones. The latest Snapdragon 801 processor offers new levels of performance, productivity and power efficiency, allowing a seamless and smooth user experience that helps 88 Tauri stand out in any crowd," said Raj Talluri, senior vice president of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

Insane Android gaming controller from Mad Catz will retail for $299

For those that take their gaming really seriously, Mad Catz has unveiled the new L.Y.N.X. 9. This $299.99 controller can fold up to fit in your pocket, and expand to accommodate a 7-inch tablet or dock a phone above. It connects over Bluetooth and has a keyboard add-on, a built-in trackpad, and a microphone to help you navigate.

The battery provides 30 hours of usage, which is more than enough for even the most impractically long gaming marathons. A dedicated app allows you to map custom profiles on a per-game basis, with sensitive sliders and all. You can play on the PC with this bad boy, too.

For those crazy enough to get in on this, you can pre-order the L.Y.N.X. 9 from Mad Catz here. Expect it to be shipping in March.

Source: Mad Catz

Hands-on with SanDisk's updated Dual USB Drive 3.0

At CES 2015 SanDisk came out with an updated version of their Dual USB Drive which now has the power of USB 3.0 technology. SanDisk has made the drive physically smaller with the added capability of storing the full size USB and microUSB sides of the drive inside itself until you want to plug it into your computer or your Android device.

To improve upon the older model, SanDisk made the microUSB end of the Dual USB Drive 3.0 longer than a standard plug so that even devices in thick cases would be able to plug it in and transfer files. With the drive you can backup your photos and videos that are taking up precious storage space on your device, provided your phone or tablet supports the USB OTG (On The Go) standard. The added benefit of this drive is that you can then turn around and quickly transfer your backed up photos and videos to your computer with a transfer speed of up to 130MB/s with the USB 3.0 end of the drive.

Paired with the Dual USB Drive 3.0 is SanDisk's own Memory Zone application that is available on the Google Play store. When the app is installed on your phone or tablet and you plug in the USB drive, the Memory Zone application will automatically open. Inside of the app users will be able to easily move files to and from their device with very little effort.

Overall the SanDisk Dual USB Drive 3.0 was near perfect for someone who would want to transfer data to their phone or tablet. While this might seem like a device that would only be good for quickly transferring a file or two to your computer, it is actually so much more. Since this has its own flash storage you don't necessarily need to immediately or ever plug it into your computer. As we start to depend on our phones and tablets for more of our everyday life, it can be useful to be capable of moving files around safely and easily. The drive is on sale now in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB variants and ranging in price from $22.99 to $64.99.

BBM on Android Wear is almost exactly what you'd expect

Today at CES 2015, BlackBerry announced that Android Wear support will soon be coming to BBM, and we went wrist-on to check out how it works. And, well, it works almost exactly like you'd expect. You get all the appropriate notifications on your connected Android Wear smartwatch (in this case it was demoed on a Moto 360), and the ability to reply.

BBM takes advantage of a lot of what's built in to the Android Wear SDK. When you get a new contact request, BBM doesn't show you the contact's photo (for security purposes). But once you're connected, that photo appears for any notifications you receive. When you get a message, swiping to the left gives you the option to reply, which you can do with canned replies or via Android Wear's really quite good voice dictation. It's easy and straight-forward, just as we would want BBM on Android Wear to be.

This is Panasonic's Android Auto head unit, coming to a car near you

Panasonic, a member of the Open Automotive Alliance, brought their incoming Android Auto powered head unit with them to CES 2015. This head unit is not a unit that consumers can buy and install themselves in their personal vehicles but it is one that will be coming soon to several different car OEMs.

We don't know much about the device in terms of specs, but we do know that it will be running Panasonic's custom software to handle all of the general car functions with support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for everything else. From the quick minute we had to play with this Android Auto implementation I can say that it was very clean, simple, and easy to use. There are a variety of media applications on the system but we only got to play with Google Play Music.

Not much has changed since we first saw the platform running on cars at Google I/O 2014, and right now that's okay — we just want to start seeing these in cars you can actually buy.

Audi/LG partnership yields mystery Android Wear smartwatch

At the Audi press conference at CES 2015 today, Audi hailed a series of partnerships with leading tech firms including LG, Samsung Display and NVIDIA as the carmaker unveiled new Android Wear-supported in-car systems. But the press conference wasn't call cars — Audi board member Ulrich Hackenberg kicked things off by summoning an Audi Prologue onto the stage using a mystery smartwatch.

The technology to integrate wearables with Audi's in-car systems was developed in partnership with LG, company execs revealed on-stage, however the model Hackenberg was wearing — a premium wearable with a leather strap — didn't match any design we're familiar with. The device appeared to be running an Android Wear-like interface, with an Audi watch face and additional options accessed by swiping right. The watch's three-button setup also differentiates it from current Android Wear offerings.

It's unclear at present whether this device is a future consumer LG smartwatch, or simply a one-off designed for this Audi demo. We're currently tracking down more info on this mystery wearable, and we'll update this story as more details become available.

Lenovo's new P90 smartphone is 64-bit, Intel and Android 5.0 Lollipop

Lenovo is at CES 2015 with a whole host of new devices, one of which is this, the new P90 smartphone. The headline news here is that we're looking at the first smartphone to utilise Intel's new 64-bit CPU and LTE Advanced modem.

It's not the smallest Android phone you're going to see this year, coming in with a 5.5-inch, 1080p display. But with that size comes a pretty enormous battery, 4000mAh to be precise. Other notable specs include 32GB of onboard storage, 2GB of RAM and Android 5.0 Lollipop with Lenovo's own Vibe UI 2.0 running on top.

Round the back we're looking at a 13MP camera with OIS, partnered by a 5MP shooter round the front with a bunch of beautifying selfie features. If you're into that sort of thing.

The P90 will be available in Pearl White, Onyx Black and Lava Red and will be available from February with pricing still to be confirmed. We'll be taking a closer look at the P90 later this week from Las Vegas, so keep your eyes peeled for that. In the mean time check out the full press release for this and Lenovo's other mobile releases below.

Lenovo Introduces New High Performance Smartphones and Mobile Accessories

Ultra-fast P90 smartphone with latest IntelTM 64- bit processor and Intel LTE-Advanced modem, VIBE X2 Pro limited edition with selfie flash accessory and VIBE V10 smartband wearable

LAS VEGAS – January 5, 2015 – Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show a lineup of full featured devices and accessories designed to  enhance the mobile experience of consumers on-the-go. The Lenovo P90 makes its debut appearance as the first smartphone powered by the newest 64-bit Intel® AtomTM processor and Intel XMMTM 7260 LTE-Advanced modem for outstanding mobile performance and speeds, while the award-winning VIBE X2 gets a bigger, bolder look with the X2 Pro limited edition smartphone and VIBE XtensionTM Selfie Flash. The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 wearable accessory rounds up the lineup with its E Ink display and industry-leading battery life.

First smartphone powered by Intel® AtomTM 64-bit processor and Intel LTE Advanced Modem The Lenovo P90 is the first smartphone to utilize the combination of the newest 64-bit Intel® AtomTM Z3560 processor with Intel's 5-mode XMMTM 7262 modem. These powerful components allow the P90 to provide incredible processing speeds in addition to supporting LTE-Advanced FDD & TDD for high-speed connectivity in global markets.

The Lenovo P90 smartphone is designed to provide the power and performance to let consumers go fast and get things done. Featuring a huge 4000mAh battery, the P90 is equipped to meet the pace and demand of today's lifestyle from morning until night. The P90's vibrant 5.5-inch FHD display, at an impressive 400ppi, lets mobile users enjoy content and relive their best moments with vivid colors and high-quality resolution.

In addition, the P90 sports an advanced 13MP rear camera with state-of-the-art stacking sensor and optical image stabilization for brilliant shots, even in low-light. The 5MP front camera is equipped with beautification features and gesture controls, while 4G LTE data speeds are ideal for streaming video and music, or gaming on the go. The P90 will be offered in Pearl White, Onyx Black and Lava Red.

VIBE smartphones gets bigger and faster with X2 Pro

Sporting the same eye-catching, award-winning layered design of the Lenovo X2, the Lenovo VIBE X2 Pro limited edition smartphone brings craftsmanship, power and style to the next level with its sleek, lightweight full-metal body. The VIBE X2 Pro packs a 5.3-inch FHD display with stunning visuals and a 64-bit Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM Octa-Core processor that delivers jaw-dropping performance and long- lasting battery life.

For greater ease of use, the Lenovo X2 Pro incorporates the intuitively designed VIBE 2.0 user interface, featuring personalized lock screen, Instant On camera, elegant transparent icons and more. The smartphone also utilizes dual 13 megapixel auto-focus cameras (front and rear) with LED flash, gesture controls and beautification features, which combines with the new VIBE XtensionTM Selfie Flash to capture flawless selfies.

Perfect selfie shots every time, all the time

The Lenovo VIBE XtensionTM Selfie Flash is the must-have accessory to capture every moment, no matter the lighting conditions. The pocket-sized flash plugs into the audio jack, giving the user a quick way to create ideal lighting and shutter sync to deliver brilliant, natural-looking pictures outside, inside and everywhere in between.

The Selfie Flash works by using 8 diffused LEDs to supplement available light for natural color tones, even in low light condition. The rechargeable flash provides up to 100 selfies in a single charge to snap and share pictures day and night, while the 100% shutter sync times seamlessly to capture picture- perfect selfies.

All-week, always-on wearable connectivity

The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 wearable accessory is designed to let users live their lives more connected and with less worry. Equipped with features like E Ink display, up to 7-day battery life with the display and Bluetooth always turned on, fitness functions, phone notifications and waterproofing, the VIBE Band helps users stay fit, connected and in the know anywhere they go. The E Ink display means no glare and a clear display – even in sunlight.

Users can receive instant notifications – calls, SMS, Facebook, Twitter, WeChat and more – with space for up to 150 characters on the crisp display, while fitness functions & tracking monitor fitness levels and activity to help users stay focused on their health goals.

Availability

The Lenovo P90 will be available beginning in February, 2015. The Lenovo VIBE X2 Pro will be available beginning in April, 2015. The Lenovo VIBE XtensionTM Selfie Flash will be available for use with the VIBE X2 Pro. The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 will be available beginning in April, 2015. Pricing: TBD

Lenovo shows off the Vibe Band E-ink wearable at CES 2015

To go along with its smartphone announcements, Lenovo today at CES 2015 unveiled a new wearable, the Vibe Band VB10. With an E-ink display, the Vibe Band promises week long battery life with all its features turned on, all of the time.

The Vibe Band combines more traditional smartwatch features such as, well, being a watch, and showing you your notifications and sprinkles them with some added fitness bits, too. Notification support includes Twitter, Facebook, WeChat and more, and the display can show 150 characters, so you can at least see an entire Tweet.

The Vibe Band will have a companion app too for your phone for tracking your fitness and setting up notification support. Oh, and it'll support both Android and iOS when it launches in April. We'll be spending a little more time with it later this week from Las Vegas, but for now be sure to check out Lenovo's full mobile press release below.

Lenovo Introduces New High Performance Smartphones and Mobile Accessories

Ultra-fast P90 smartphone with latest IntelTM 64- bit processor and Intel LTE-Advanced modem, VIBE X2 Pro limited edition with selfie flash accessory and VIBE V10 smartband wearable

LAS VEGAS – January 5, 2015 – Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show a lineup of full featured devices and accessories designed to  enhance the mobile experience of consumers on-the-go. The Lenovo P90 makes its debut appearance as the first smartphone powered by the newest 64-bit Intel® AtomTM processor and Intel XMMTM 7260 LTE-Advanced modem for outstanding mobile performance and speeds, while the award-winning VIBE X2 gets a bigger, bolder look with the X2 Pro limited edition smartphone and VIBE XtensionTM Selfie Flash. The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 wearable accessory rounds up the lineup with its E Ink display and industry-leading battery life.

First smartphone powered by Intel® AtomTM 64-bit processor and Intel LTE Advanced Modem The Lenovo P90 is the first smartphone to utilize the combination of the newest 64-bit Intel® AtomTM Z3560 processor with Intel's 5-mode XMMTM 7262 modem. These powerful components allow the P90 to provide incredible processing speeds in addition to supporting LTE-Advanced FDD & TDD for high-speed connectivity in global markets.

The Lenovo P90 smartphone is designed to provide the power and performance to let consumers go fast and get things done. Featuring a huge 4000mAh battery, the P90 is equipped to meet the pace and demand of today's lifestyle from morning until night. The P90's vibrant 5.5-inch FHD display, at an impressive 400ppi, lets mobile users enjoy content and relive their best moments with vivid colors and high-quality resolution.

In addition, the P90 sports an advanced 13MP rear camera with state-of-the-art stacking sensor and optical image stabilization for brilliant shots, even in low-light. The 5MP front camera is equipped with beautification features and gesture controls, while 4G LTE data speeds are ideal for streaming video and music, or gaming on the go. The P90 will be offered in Pearl White, Onyx Black and Lava Red.

VIBE smartphones gets bigger and faster with X2 Pro

Sporting the same eye-catching, award-winning layered design of the Lenovo X2, the Lenovo VIBE X2 Pro limited edition smartphone brings craftsmanship, power and style to the next level with its sleek, lightweight full-metal body. The VIBE X2 Pro packs a 5.3-inch FHD display with stunning visuals and a 64-bit Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM Octa-Core processor that delivers jaw-dropping performance and long- lasting battery life.

For greater ease of use, the Lenovo X2 Pro incorporates the intuitively designed VIBE 2.0 user interface, featuring personalized lock screen, Instant On camera, elegant transparent icons and more. The smartphone also utilizes dual 13 megapixel auto-focus cameras (front and rear) with LED flash, gesture controls and beautification features, which combines with the new VIBE XtensionTM Selfie Flash to capture flawless selfies.

Perfect selfie shots every time, all the time

The Lenovo VIBE XtensionTM Selfie Flash is the must-have accessory to capture every moment, no matter the lighting conditions. The pocket-sized flash plugs into the audio jack, giving the user a quick way to create ideal lighting and shutter sync to deliver brilliant, natural-looking pictures outside, inside and everywhere in between.

The Selfie Flash works by using 8 diffused LEDs to supplement available light for natural color tones, even in low light condition. The rechargeable flash provides up to 100 selfies in a single charge to snap and share pictures day and night, while the 100% shutter sync times seamlessly to capture picture- perfect selfies.

All-week, always-on wearable connectivity

The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 wearable accessory is designed to let users live their lives more connected and with less worry. Equipped with features like E Ink display, up to 7-day battery life with the display and Bluetooth always turned on, fitness functions, phone notifications and waterproofing, the VIBE Band helps users stay fit, connected and in the know anywhere they go. The E Ink display means no glare and a clear display – even in sunlight.

Users can receive instant notifications – calls, SMS, Facebook, Twitter, WeChat and more – with space for up to 150 characters on the crisp display, while fitness functions & tracking monitor fitness levels and activity to help users stay focused on their health goals.

Availability

The Lenovo P90 will be available beginning in February, 2015. The Lenovo VIBE X2 Pro will be available beginning in April, 2015. The Lenovo VIBE XtensionTM Selfie Flash will be available for use with the VIBE X2 Pro. The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 will be available beginning in April, 2015. Pricing: TBD

Volkswagen bringing Android Auto to its cars later this year

Volkswagen made a range of announcements at CES 2015 today, but one of the most interesting is a small mention that Android Auto will be coming to Volkswagen cars as part of the company's second-generation "modular infotainment platform" (MIB II) sometime in 2015.

From Volkswagen:

Later this year, VW will introduce the second generation "modular infotainment platform" (MIB II) in the United States. Along with the new infotainment system, MirrorLink™ will also be made available for the first time, integrating the apps and operating layout of numerous smartphones (including Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony) into cars. When MirrorLink™ is introduced, two other interfaces will also be launched under the App-Connect label: CarPlay™ (Apple®) and Android Auto™ (Google®). Simultaneously, VW will also launch CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ in the European market.

Mum's the word on exactly when we can expect Volkswagen's new lineup to debut with Android Auto this year, but this is a great sign for the budding platform nonetheless.

Source: Volkswagen

Seagate announces several new drives ahead of CES 2015

Seagate has unveiled its lineup for CES 2015, including some new Wi-Fi-enabled hard drives that let you take your data anywhere. Personal Cloud drives offer high-capacity storage for all of your media, accessible from devices such as your Android phone or a Chromecast, while the Seagate Wireless extends the space on your mobile device. They also announced a new portable hard drive in the Seagate Seven, which is said by Seagate to be the world's thinnest portable hard drive.

The Seagate Personal Cloud connects via ethernet to your wireless router. Once you've installed the Seagate Media app on your device, you can access the content stored on the Personal Cloud from anywhere. The Personal Cloud comes in multiple storage sizes, as well as a two-bay configuration. From Seagate:

Seagate Personal Cloud demystifies the often frustrating process of finding, accessing and enjoying photos, videos and music on the device of your choice. Once connected to a wireless router and after a free download of the Seagate Media app, users will be treated to an intuitive, media-rich browsing experience that makes playback of content an effortless and enjoyable experience.

The standard Personal Cloud comes in 3TB, 4TB, and 5TB capacities, while the Personal Cloud 2-Bay comes in 4TB, 6TB, and 8TB options. Both will be available later in January, and pricing for either model is yet to be announced.

The Seagate Wireless is a portable drive that lets you offload media from your mobile device. It offers 500GB of storage, and connects to your device through the Seagate Media app. The Wireless can support multiple connected devices at the same time. It will be available in early February for $129.99.

Seagate also announced the Seven portable hard drive. The Seven is a new slim drive featuring a stainless steel enclosure. It's a 500GB USB 3.0 drive that's only 7mm thick. It will see wide release later this month, and will retail for $99.99.

Source: Seagate 1, 2, 3

E FUN unveils four additions to its Nextbook Ares series of tablets

E FUN has announced today that it is introducing a set of new tablets to its Nextbook Ares Series. The Lollipop sporting tablets are set to be shown off at CES 2015 next week, a couple of which represent the first Intel powered Nextbook Android 2-in-1 tablet, as well as the first in the series to sport LTE connectivity.

The first of these new tablets is the Nextbook Ares 11, which features an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 IPS display, a 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Also coming along for the ride are a set of 2MP front and rear cameras and a magnetic detachable keyboard.

Next up are the Nextbook Ares 10L and 8L, which feature 10.1-inch and 8-inch 1280 x 800 displays, respectively. Both tablets boast the same internals, with a Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. Both models also feature 2MP front and rear cameras and LTE connectivity. Additionally, the 10L sports a magnetic detachable keyboard.

Finally, rounding things out is the Nextbook Ares 8, which has a — you guessed it — 8-inch 1280 x 800 display. The specs of this one are largely the same as the 10L and 8L, with the exception of no LTE and a different processor in the 1.3GHz MTK quad-core ARM Cortex A7.

As for availability, you can expect these tablets to go on sale in May of this year for the following prices:

• Nextbook Ares 8: $129
• Nextbook Ares 8L: $199
• Nextbook Ares 10L: $229
• Nextbook Ares 11: $249

Press release:

WEST COVINA, CA – January 2, 2015

E FUN, the fifth largest tablet supplier in the U.S.*, is expanding its line of Nextbook Android tablets at CES 2015 with four new models, including its first 4G/LTE connected tablet and 2-in-1, and first Intel-powered Android 2-in-1 tablet with keyboard. From kids and students to parents and grandparents, Nextbook offers consumers affordable tablet options with great out-of-box experiences. The 2015 new line of Nextbook Android tablets will be on display at the International CES in South Hall meeting room MP25477.

Nextbook Ares 11 - 11.6" 2-in-1

The first Intel powered Nextbook Android tablet is a perfect solution for students, professionals and casual users with an 11.6" screen and magnetic detachable keyboard. The 2-in-1 tablet running Android 5.0 Lollipop features a 1366x768 IPS screen, Quad-Core Intel® AtomTM Z3735F Processor (X86, 1.8GHz), 1GB DDR3L system memory, 64GB storage memory, Bluetooth 4.0, 2MP front and rear cameras, miniHDMI, microSD, microUSB, and a full sized USB port on the keyboard.

Nextbook Ares 10L - 10.1" 4G/LTE Connected 2-in-1

Everything you need is at your fingertips with the first 4G/LTE connected Nextbook 2-in-1 tablet running Android 5.0 Lollipop. Complete with a magnetic detachable keyboard, the 10.1" tablet features a 1280x800 IPS screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Quad-Core ARM Cortex A53 1.2GHz processor, 1GB DDR3 system memory, 16GB storage memory, Bluetooth 4.0, a GPS module, 2MP front and rear cameras, miniHDMI, microSD, microUSB and more.

Nextbook Ares 8L - 8" 4G/LTE Connected Tablet

Stay in touch everywhere you go with the first 4G/LTE connected Nextbook tablet running Android 5.0 Lollipop. This on-the-go tablet features a 1280x800 IPS screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Quad-Core ARM Cortex A53 1.2GHz processor, 1GB DDR3 system memory, 16GB storage memory, Bluetooth 4.0, a GPS module, 2MP front and rear cameras, miniHDMI, microSD, microUSB and more.

Nextbook Ares 8 - 8" Tablet

The slim and sleek 8" Nextbook Android 5.0 Lollipop tablet is perfect for work, home, and on-the-go with a 1280x800 IPS screen, MTK MT8127 Quad-Core ARM Cortex A7 1.3GHz processor, 1GB DDR3 system memory, 16GB storage memory, Bluetooth 4.0, a GPS module, front and rear cameras, miniHDMI, microSD, microUSB and more.

Quotes:

• "We are excited to expand our Nextbook product offerings in 2015 with upgraded Android tablets and 2-in-1's that are feature-rich with great prices," stated Jason Liszewski, managing director and VP of sales for E FUN. "To date we have sold well over four million tablets in North America and expect to be over five million by the end of 2015."
• "As we head into 2015, it will be interesting to see which telecom carrier E FUN decides to partner with on their connected tablets," said Jean Philippe Bouchard, research director, tablets at IDC. "Pushing into 4G is a smart choice, as IDC expects this segment of the market to enjoy solid growth in the coming years."

Pricing and Availability

The E FUN Nextbook Android tablets will be available in May 2015 with MSRPs of $129 (Nextbook Ares 8), $199 (Nextbook Ares 8L), $229 (Nextbook Ares 10L) and $249 (Nextbook Ares 11). * Full year 2013 tablet unit market share as per IDC Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker Q2 2014

About E FUN

E FUN, a designer and marketer of mobile lifestyle products, entered the North American market in late 2010. Since then, E FUN has grown to be one of the leading tablet brands at retail, achieving top five market share by volume in 2013. Its ongoing product innovation and partnerships set E FUN apart from competitors and provide customers with unique out of the box experiences. Its product offerings include Android and Windows tablets, home automation devices, and wearables. E FUN is headquartered in West Covina, California. For additional information regarding E FUN's Nextbook tablets, visit www.nextbookusa.com.

Acer has a new 15.6-inch Chromebook for CES 2015

Acer has revealed its newest Chromebook, with a big 15.6-inch display, as part of its CES 2015 announcements. Prices for the new Chromebook will start at $249.99 in the US.

Acer states:

The crisp and vibrant display comes in two options. The full HD display has a 1920x1080 resolution that ensures sharp and legible text as well as vivid, clear videos and photos. It also reveals more content on screen to reduce scrolling. In addition, it has wide viewing angles, so customers can comfortably share content such as movies, e-books and games. The second option is an HD 1366x768 resolution display that is ideal for budget-minded customers. Both options are Acer ComfyView displays, so they have anti-glare properties to minimize the amount of reflecting light for less eye strain.

The Acer Chromebook 15 can be bought with a number of hardware options, including the choice of either an Intel Core i3 or a Celeron processor, 2GB or 4GB of RAM or either a 16GB or 32GB SSD for storage. The Chromebook weighs 4.85 pounds but the company has yet to reveal its specific battery life. A release date for the Chromebook was not announced.

Acer has also revealed that its older Chromebook 13, with its 13.3-inch screen, will now be available with a touchscreen display for a price of $330. The non-touchscreen model was available for the starting price of $279.99.

Source: Acer