Computex Taipei 2013, which is often touted as Asia’s largest computer exhibition, saw a cornucopia of cloud technology services, touch applications and hardware design take centre stage this year—promising an era of evolving electronics. Most of the products on display were more powerful than their previous iterations and stored more data. They were also more compact when compared to previous generations, a sign of the increasing number of tiny electronic components.
Addressing reporters here, Karen Regis, Director, Ultrabook Marketing Strategy, PC Client Group, Intel, said, “You will see a huge increase in two-in-ones in the Ultrabook space, with higher capability and lower cost.”
About the long battery life (at least 6 hours of high definition playback) on 4th generation processor-based notebook and tablets, she said, “You can leave the power cable behind.”
Another technology that could change the way people buy online is through the “tap and pay” method. Intel has collaborated with MasterCard for a near-field communication (NFC) technology, which enables a user to tap a card on the smartphone and buy online.
On the other end of the spectrum, Acer introduced the Aspire Z3 AIO with a 23-inch 10-point display, and ASUS joined the smartphone-tablet battleground with the 6-inch FonePad Note. Another ultrabook showcased was the Taichi Ultrabook from ASUSTek Computer Inc. The dual screen notebook and tablet was 11.6 inches with full HD dual screens.
In the cloud section, the “Asia Pass for Google Apps” from MiTac Information Technology Corp. offered a workaround for connectivity to Google Apps, emails and documents, which can be very slow on home PC or mobile devices in Asia. A representative said Indian businesses working in other locations in Asia are potential users .
Mobile photo fans in India can look forward to taking instant printouts of photos they click on mobile phones. A gizmo will soon be available in India that will enable just that. Called Pringo, the device is a box which has a printer (plus a battery and colour cartridge) inside it. It is designed and manufactured by a Taiwanese company.
Coming to India
Tony Hsieh, Sales Manager, Hiti Digital, which designed and manufactures the printer in Taiwan, told The Hindu , “WeP Peripherals want to sell this in India, from Garden City….they want to go pan-India.” He said WeP told him last month in Bangalore that it wanted to become a distributor for the printer. The price is under discussion. But WeP, he said, “is ready”.
Gopalakrishnan P.K., Chief Executive Officer, WeP Peripherals, said, “I have nothing to comment on this at this stage.”
(This correspondent was recently in Taipei at the invitation of Intel.)
