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Lighter laptops, longer-lasting batteries for computers at CES 2015

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LAS VEGAS -- The halls and hotel suites of CES 2015 provided a huge number of noteworthy new computers, thanks to the introduction of new components, innovative new materials, and new ideas for how to make and sell PCs. Leading the charge was Intel, with its long-awaited  fifth-generation Core series CPUs , also known by the codename Broadwell. These processors will provide a modest boost to both performance and battery life in laptops, tablets, and hybrids, but more importantly, give major PC makers a good excuse to refresh product lines and add new models. Some of those new PCs make major jumps over past models, thanks to new design innovations. The most notable, for me, was the  Lenovo LaVie , a very thin and light 13-inch laptop made in conjunction with NEC. Thanks to a new magnesium-lithium alloy, it weighs less than any comparable system we've seen -- only 1.7 pounds or 0.8kg for a 13-inch clamshell laptop, or under 2.1 pounds or 1kg for a 13-inch hybrid.

3D Systems unveils ChefJet 3D printers for those with a sweet tooth

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LAS VEGAS -- If you prefer 3D printed candies to  3D printed cookies , 3D Systems has got you covered. The 3D printer maker on Wednesday introduced the ChefJet series, a new type of 3D printer entirely. They don't build plastic 3D objects -- instead, they make things you can eat. It's like a Star Trek replicator, if Star Fleet lived entirely off candy. The first two printers in this series are the ChefJet and the ChefJet Pro. The main difference between the two is the latter can print color while the former is monochrome. On top of that the ChefJet Pro has a larger build platform -- 10 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches (25.4 by 35.6 by 20.3 cm), compared with 8 inches by 8 inches by 6 inches (20.3 by 20.3 by 15.2 cm) of the other. 3D Systems says the ChefJet series' printable materials come in a variety of recipes, including chocolate, vanilla, mint, sour apple, cherry and watermelon. When used with the ChefJet Pro, all of them can be printed in full col

Windows 10 now running on more than 75 million devices four weeks after launch

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Microsoft  launched  the Windows 10 on June 29th in 190 countries worldwide. 24 hours after the roll out Microsoft  said  that it is running on more than 14 million devices, today the company’s Corporate Vice President of Marketing for Windows and Devices, Yusuf Mehdi  said  that Windows 10 is now running on more than 75 million devices worldwide. He also shared some insights about the adoption of Windows 10. Here are some interesting ones. More than 90,000 unique PC or tablet models have upgraded to Windows 10 Even some devices manufactured in 2007 have upgraded to Windows 10 In response to “tell me a joke”, Cortana has told over half a million jokes since launch. 10 million achievements unlocked: Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta Windows Store for Windows 10 has seen 6X more app downloads per device than Windows 8. Microsoft has released several cumulative updates for Windows 10 with a variety of fixes since the launch. Microsoft already said that Win

Lenovo A2010 gets official as India's cheapest 4G smartphone

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Today Lenovo has announced a new smartphone for the Indian market. It's called A2010 and it has become the subcontinent's cheapest 4G-capable handset. The Lenovo A2010 features a 4.5-inch 854x480 touchscreen, a 5 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 2 MP selfie shooter, MediaTek's MT6735M 64-bit SoC with 1 GHz quad-core CPU and Mali-T720 GPU, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, dual-SIM functionality, and a 2,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 131.5 x 66.5 x 9.9 mm, and it weighs 137g. It will be offered in black and white. The black model will be available exclusively at Flipkart through flash sales which start on September 3. Registrations for these are now open. The smartphone is priced at INR 4,990. That's currently around $76 or €68. According to a Flipkart exec, today one in three 4G phones sold in India is a Lenovo. So the A2010 could be pretty successful too. 1-source 2-source

Microsoft starts beta testing Arrow Launcher for Android

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Microsoft is clearly focusing to expand its presence on the Android platform. While  Cortana for Android  is already in works, the Redmond giant is also developing an Android launcher. Dubbed as Arrow Launcher, the app is now testing n private beta mode. Arrow Launcher offers three different home screens. The default option accommodates four app rows out of which the top row is dedicated to recent apps. The remaining three are for frequent apps.           Swipe up gesture from the bottom reveals a menu drawer that has recent contacts and shortcuts. The home screen on the left shows the frequently and recently contacted people, while the one on the right gives an option for notes and reminders. The dock can host up to four apps alongside the app drawer key in the center. The apps in the app drawer are laid out alphabetically and is quite similar to the app drawer layout in the Google Now Launcher in Android M. Users can also change wallpaper from the settings and can enable daily Bing w

European Samsung Galaxy Note5 shows up on Samsung's website

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The saga around the existence and availability of a European/international version of the Samsung  Galaxy Note5  continues. The mythical SM-N920F version has shown up on  FCC and  Bluetooth.org , and investigators on the matter have now spotted it on Samsung's own website. But before you get too worked up that the smartphone is coming to a store near you next week, you should know that the new bit of info is the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) value of the F variant. The numbers are also the same as other versions already in existence. A SAR number is far for confirmation on availability though, and by now  the only official word from Samsung states that the Galaxy Note5 won't be coming this side of the Atlantic this year. And even though the Korean report that claims an August 28 European launch date is the one we want to believe, there's still no solid data to corroborate it. 1- source 2- source

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 duo now up for pre-order in the US

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After having gone on sale in certain  markets such as Hong Kong  already, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0  and  Galaxy Tab S2 9.7  are now up for pre-order in the US. If you're after either tablet in Wi-Fi-only form, then you can already order from Samsung's own US online store . Each model comes in three color options: black, white, and gold. The 8-inch model is priced at $399.99, while the 9.7-inch Tab S2 goes for $499.99. So they're identical to Apple's latest iPads in this regard. More retailers should offer these devices later today, including Amazon and Best Buy. If, on the other hand, you'd rather get your Tab S2 from a carrier, complete with 4G LTE support, then both AT&T and T-Mobile will be happy to oblige. AT&T will start taking orders for the 9.7-inch version on September 4. The carrier will only have it in black, for $0 down and 20 monthly installments of $30. Alternatively, you can get it for $499.99 with a new two-year contract. You'll find