PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Mobile World Congress 2016 has kicked off today (Monday 22nd February) and there has already been more tech announcements than you can shake a selfie stick at.
Here is PCR’s best attempt to round up the most interested news and announcements from the show so far.
HTC Vive pricing
The HTC Vive will set gamers back $799, that’s £200 more than the Oculus Rift. Powered by Valve’s SteamVR, the headset will ship with a controller for each hand and a pair of ‘lighthouse’ laser base stations to track movement.
The price was revealed at MWC, where UploadVR confirmed the HTC Vive will ship with an internal microphone and integrated Bluetooth support to communicate with a variety of smartphones.
Huawei Matebook
Huawei is fond of unveiling flagship devices at MWC and this year is no different. The firm has presented its first ever PC – the Huawei Matebook. Specs include a 6th Generation Intel Core m3, m5 or m7 processor, a fanless 2-in-1 design, 12-inch HD screen, and front and rear facing cameras.
HP Elite x3
The Elite x3 is the first built-for-business mobile device to deliver seamless phablet, laptop and desktop business productivity in a single device, said HP in its MWC announcement. By utilising Continuum in Windows 10, the Elite x3 enables multi-screen transitions between a phone scenario and a desktop PC scenario. Users can dock the Elite x3 to use it as a desktop or laptop, with the device also working as an on-the-go commercial-grade phablet.
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung has announced the newest additions to the Galaxy family of products, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. The two devices introduce the first Dual Pixel camera on a smartphone. The 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 and 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 edge are constructed with 3D glass and metal, have wireless charging and are water and dust resistance.
Intel Security has also detailed its involvement with the new Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge smartphones will come pre-installed with McAfee VirusScan. “With this collaboration, Samsung customers will be better protected with anti-malware technology that is already helping to provide a more secure mobile experience to more than 40 million Samsung Galaxy users globally,” said Intel.
Acer Liquid Zest smartphones
Acer’s new smartphone series includes the Liquid Zest and Liquid Zest 4G. The Zest will be available in the UK with prices starting at £89.99, while the Zest 4G will start at £119.99.
Lenovo TAB3 series
Lenovo has unveiled the TAB3 10 Business, an Android tablet engineered for business use, and the TAB3 7 and TAB3 8, Lenovo’s first series of ‘family-friendly’ tablets. The TAB3 10 Business offers full support for Android For Work and boasts an array of security and encryption options to help users keep these devices and the work-related data on them safe and secure.
Fujitsu Stylistic Q736 tablet
Fujitsu has launched what it calls its more secure 2-in-1 device at MWC 2016. The new STYLISTIC Q736 features different types of security technologies including Fujitsu’s PalmSecure palm vein biometric technology – which the firm says is more accurate, faster, easier and more hygienic than other biometric authentication scanners.
EmporiaCLASSIC handset
Emporia Telecom has launched the EmporiaCLASSIC, a handset for the older generations, which offers features such as adjustable text size, a large screen, and the emporia emergency call system and voice announcements.
Cisco announcements
Cisco has made a number of announcements at MWC already, including its collaboration with Ericsson and Intel to develop and trail the industry’s fir 5G router. Cisco has also launched its Ultra Services, aimed at simplifying automating and accelerating the mobile cloud. The firm has also unveiled that it is working with AT&T to combine powerful IoT tools to help businesses more easily deploy and monetise IoT apps.
