PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
CTO of Fujitsu Siemens Joseph Reger told onlookers at the show that ‘virtualised client PC environments’ carried on small devices would soon start seriously threatening the popularity of traditional client PCs. He was referring to emerging technology which allows applications, data and settings to be stored on a portable device, such as a smart phone or flash drive. This ‘environment’ can then be transferred onto a remote or multi user PC, transporting with it everything the users considers to be ‘theirs’. "In the future, we will be dealing with less devices and PC vendors need to learn how to deal with that," said Reger.
German firm Devolo was showcasing new home networking technology which is able to route TV signals through the mains. The firm has built on the same technology many firms are utilising to transfer data around the home using an adapted plug, and developed a way to route TV signals the same way. Once the adapter is connected to a set top box it can convert the TV signal to an IP signal, which is then piped around the home with a range of 200 meters. The firm plans to have a similar device out next year which will be able to handle satellite and cable TV.
Wherever there is any type of technology event, the Blu-ray/HD-DVD debate is sure to follow. A bolshy Frank Simonis, European chairman of the Blu-ray disk told Hanover how those in his camp planned to wipe out the competition. "Within three years it will just be Blu-ray," he claimed. The strong statements were perhaps bolstered by recent figures which show Blu-ray disks outselling HD-DVDs by quite some distance – though the statistics are often disputed. The launch of the PS3 next Friday will no doubt fortify Blu-ray disk sales in Europe.
Elsewhere Asus was showing off its leather-clad laptop with an LED Backlight, which is half the width and 30 per cent lighter than regular lamp ones. The backlight is less power draining, while the rest of the laptop’s specs include a Core 2 Duo processor U2400, 40-80GB hard disk and an external Blu-ray/DVD All-Format combo drive.
And finally, Acer unveiled a new version of its made-for-business mini PC called Veriton, for use in living rooms. The Veriton 1000, which is loaded with a digital and analogue TV tuner and a five-in-one memory card reader, will hit the market soon.
