CES 2015: Wacom's new 'Active ES' powers Toshiba's Encore 2 Write tablets

PRESS RELEASE

TOKYO and LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Wacom Co., Ltd, announced that Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. and Toshiba Europe GmbH have adopted "Active ES" pen technology, Wacom's unique capacitive pen solution, for their new Windows 8.1 tablets, the Encore 2 Write (exhibited at CES in the Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth #11028). 

Wacom leads the industry with its EMR® (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) digital pen sensor solution, and reached 100 million units of component production (cumulative) in April 2014. Wacom has now extended its technology portfolio by adding the "Active ES" pen solution to address broadening needs for pens in mobile products.

The Active ES pen solution handles high performance pen and multi-finger touch inputs simultaneously with a single sensor and a single ASIC controller. It realizes a natural and intuitive writing experience with high speed, precision and pressure sensitivity. By supplying both Active ES and EMR pen solutions, Wacom continues to accelerate digital pen use on mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, and lead the way toward the era of digital stationery.

"Toshiba's Encore 2 Write tablets and TruPen stylus proves that Wacom's Active ES solution delivers a best-in-class writing and drawing experience, with accuracy and speed never seen before on tablets," said Masahiko Yamada, president and CEO of Wacom. "Our Active ES pen supports writing, drawing and editing in intricate details with pressure sensitivity, as well as flexibility in design and configuration for OEM partners."

Toshiba's new tablets running Windows 8.1 Update with Bing are ideal travel companions, delivering a powerful Intel® Atom™ performance to help users get the most out of their day.  The "TruPen" stylus brings high precision control to your work -- taking notes in meetings or lectures without sacrificing the writing feel of pen on paper, regardless of speed.

The TruPen is also ergonomically designed, making it comfortable to hold over long periods of time. Thanks to its pressure-sensitive tip, users are always in complete control of every line they write or draw. Furthermore, each model's elegant design features a special slot for attaching the pen to the tablet, so it's always handy for jotting down ideas or developing to-do lists.

By promoting the adoption of feel™ technologies in a variety of mobile devices, Wacom partners with industry leaders in making the world a more creative place.

CES 2015: Wacom announces Cintiq Companion 2

EDITOR'S NOTE: At long last!

PRESS RELEASE

New Cintiq Companion 2 is a powerful tablet for creative professionals seeking the best pen-on-screen experience and the freedom to create anywhere. Connects to Mac or PC while at home or work for unmatched flexibility!

TOKYO and VANCOUVER, Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at CES, Wacom introduces the Cintiq Companion 2, a powerful touchscreen tablet for professional creators of digital content who demand the very best pen-on-screen experience. It offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility, allowing users to explore and make their creative mark anywhere. The new mobile solution from Wacom works either as a fully fledged Windows® 8 tablet with all the creative input capabilities of a Cintiq or, when the need arises, will connect, via Cintiq Connect™, to the home or office Mac or PC and function as a primary or secondary Cintiq display with the renowned pen performance creative pros have depended on for years.

With 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition, the Cintiq Companion 2's Pro Pen performs like a traditional brush, pen or marker when used in combination with creative software applications from such companies as Adobe®, Autodesk®, Corel®, Smith Micro®, Pixologic® and many more. The pen and high-resolution screen (2560 x 1440) interact to provide a realistic pen-on-paper feel with limited glare that allows artists and designers to quickly produce detailed and accurate material without ever having to worry about art supplies.

Comfort and efficiency are important elements for any creative professional and the Cintiq Companion 2 is specifically designed to let users work faster and in a more relaxed and natural manner. The footprint, adjustable stand and sleek design allow users to work comfortably in a variety of environments including studios, client sites, planes, trains and wherever else creativity has a home. By incorporating the Pro Pen, multi-touch, 6 ExpressKeys™, Rocker Ring, Radial Menu and Cloud Services all onto the Companion 2, professionals are given a way to work that has virtually no limits. It's the choices to be able to set an ExpressKey to a particular shortcut or use multi-touch to manipulate an image that define the creative tablet's efficiency, intuitiveness and flexibility. Additionally, a digital workflow allows for immediate feedback from colleagues or clients and this type of collaboration can improve production significantly.   

Pricing and Availability The Cintiq Companion 2 supports creativity by offering everything necessary for productive art and design work whether in the studio or on the go. The Cintiq Companion 2 will be available at the Wacom eStore in several configurations this February – Value (64GB SSD, $1299.99 USD), Standard (128GB SSD, $1599.99 USD) and Premium (256GB SSD, $1999.99 USD). The Enhanced (512GB SSD, $2499.99 USD) and Enterprise (customizable, $2699.99 USD) versions are expected to begin shipping this coming spring.

CES 2015: Toshiba introduces Encore 2 Write Tablets

PRESS RELEASE

The First Consumer Tablets to Feature Feel Technologies by Wacom, Encore 2 Write Tablets Deliver Best-in-class Writing Experience, 10- and 8-inch Screen Size Options, Great Battery Life and Premium Tablet Features at Mainstream Prices

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-– Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced its Encore™ 2 Write tablets featuring a pressure-sensitive pen and an ultra-responsive screen for more paper-like precision. These progressive devices are the first Windows 8.1 tablets to feature latest-generation feel™ pen technologies by Wacom®, enabling new productivity possibilities for everyday users, while delivering well-balanced performance in a thin and light form factor with great battery life. Available in 8-inch and 10.1-inch diagonal screen sizes1, Encore 2 Write tablets are available for a starting price of $349.99 MSRP2.

“Whether you’re a compulsive scribbler, sketch artist or simply prefer handwriting notes in meetings, this tablet features technologies that make writing on screen feel more natural than ever. And because it’s a Windows tablet, it’s compatible with your favorite Office programs and apps, so you can get going right out of the box,” said Philip Osako, senior director of product marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division.

Toshiba’s exclusive TruPen™, included with Encore 2 Write tablets, is a “pro-grade” pen with a fine tip and 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity, enabling sharp strokes while minimizing lag for greater precision and accuracy. In hand, it virtually feels as natural as writing on paper.

“This is a very important milestone for Wacom, too, since the Encore 2 Write tablets are the first products adopting Wacom’s Active Electrostatics pen technology (branded feel™),” said Hidetoshi Kamoto, Head of the Component Business Unit at Wacom Co, Ltd. “By working with leading partners like Toshiba for more natural and intuitive user experiences on mobile devices, we are aiming to make the world a more creative place.”

Encore 2 Write tablets include a one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 Personal3, featuring full-versions of the latest Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook. Work online or offline and keep files in sync across devices with unlimited storage through OneDrive.

Also included with the tablet is Toshiba’s exclusive suite of Tru apps designed for the way you work. Included apps are:

TruNote™

Toshiba’s powerful yet easy-to-use note-taking app lets users effortlessly take lecture or meeting notes, make markups on photos and graphics, draw, doodle, paint and more. Featuring an all-new user interface that works with Microsoft Office, TruNote makes it easy to switch pen colors and textures, import images and photos, and organize notebooks. The app’s search functionality intuitively finds handwritten characters in any note4, and any text, drawing or image can be easily selected and exported into Word, PowerPoint or Excel. In addition, left-handed users will love the app as it features a mode that switches the menus from the left to the right side of the screen.

TruCapture™

Use the tablet’s built-in high resolution 8MP camera to capture notes from textbooks, blackboards, whiteboards and chalkboards and automatically straighten, sharpen and brighten the text for greater readability, which can then be imported into TruNote. It also features character recognition to quickly and easily extract information from printed text.

TruRecorder™

The next generation of audio archiving, Toshiba’s powerful TruRecorder app makes it easier than ever to record meetings, lectures and conversation and revisit them later. TruRecorder can parse the audio of a multi-party conversation, differentiating each speaker’s unique voice, and make it available for selective playback, providing an icon for each speaker.

Optimized for Productivity

Powered by the quad-core Intel® Atom™ processor and 2GB of RAM5, Encore 2 Write tablets provide all the performance and speed necessary for getting work done all day as well as fast start-up, browsing and multitasking in Windows 8.1. The tablets offer up to an 11-hour battery life6 for general usage and up to 8 hours of video playback. Stereo speakers plus Dolby® Digital Plus audio provide an immersive audio experience, while 802.11n dual band Wi-Fi® offers speedy streaming and smooth browsing. Encore 2 Write tablets additionally make it easy to enjoy content on compatible HDTVs with a built-in Micro HDMI® port (available on the 10”) and wireless display support right out of the box.

“Toshiba’s new Encore 2 Write with TruPen technology and Microsoft OneNote provide users with a new level of digital productivity,” said Peter Han, VP of Worldwide OEM Marketing, Microsoft Corp. “And the ability to sync their OneNote data in the cloud enhances their connected experience across devices.”

The tablets also feature 64GB of storage7, a full array of tablet sensors, including GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope and e-compass, a micro USB 2.0 port for powering the devices plus easy syncing and sharing with smartphones as well as a microSD™ card slot that supports up to 128GB cards to expand the storage capabilities.

Pricing and Availability

The Encore 2 Write tablets will be available for purchase starting on January 11, 2015 at select retailers, including Microsoft Stores and on toshiba.com/us. The 10.1-inch Encore 2 Write is priced at $399.99 MSRP and the 8-inch model is priced at $349.99 MSRP.

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CES 2015: Toshiba Unveils Penabled Portege Z20t

PRESS RELEASE

New Detachable Portégé Z20t Powered by Intel Core M Processor with Unprecedented Performance and Up to a 17.4-Hours of Battery Life Rating

LAS VEGAS, CES 2015, LVCC Central Hall Booth #11028—Jan. 6, 2015—Toshiba's Business Solutions Division (BSD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the Portégé® Z20t, a versatile premium 2-in-1 detachable PC with high-precision pen input designed for a wide range of uses. An Ultrabook and tablet in one, the device features a 12.5-inch Full HD IPS detachable display1, a sleek thin-and-light design and a reversible keyboard dock that offers users the flexibility to use it in any situation, enabling new productivity possibilities. Powered by Intel's® Core™ M processor and pen technologies by Wacom®, the Portégé Z20t delivers the performance users need plus up to a 17.4-hour battery life rating2.

"The Portégé Z20t is slim and lightweight, yet extremely durable and powerful with amazing battery life. With its multiple modes and high-precision pen input, the device is instantly adaptable to any scenario whether it is insurance adjusters filing claims, educators and students in the classroom, pharmaceutical sales reps on the road or meetings in the office," said Carl Pinto, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Business Solutions Division. "We have engineered this premium device to be the ultimate mobile companion, while still satisfying the security and management requirements critical to IT departments."

Designed for Portability and Flexibility
With a 12.5-inch display, the Portégé Z20t, provides the perfect balance between mobility and performance. Built with an extremely light, yet durable magnesium alloy, the tablet weighs only 1.6 pounds3 and when combined with the keyboard dock, just 3.3 pounds. The keyboard dock features a simple hinge mechanism that allows the tablet to be detached with one hand. The attachment mechanism is also reversible, enabling a presentation mode for showing content to a group of people.

The Portégé Z20t's Full HD IPS display delivers vibrant, clear detail with wide viewing angles. The 2-in-1's touch screen is ideal for business and education use, offering 10-point multi-touch support for both Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 Professional, and anti-fingerprint and anti-glare coatings that help reduce reflections, allowing for work under office lights or even outside. The device also features a Wacom digitizer with 2,048 points of sensitivity that enables amazing handwriting recognition and feels just like writing with a pen on paper using Toshiba's Digitizer Pen with Eraser. A secondary, emergency pen is stored conveniently in a dedicated slot on the tablet for anytime access.

Functionality and productivity are further enhanced by the inclusion of a spill-resistant LED backlit keyboard for working in dimly lit environments and an improved key design for comfortable typing. Additionally, the integrated Accupoint with its own dedicated buttons provides an alternative to the large clickpad for increased accuracy.

Impressive Performance in Every Mode
The Portégé Z20t is powered by Intel Core M processors, which offer the ideal combination of battery life and business-class performance in a single device. With the inclusion of these processors and Toshiba's engineering, the Portégé Z20t is housed in a fanless chassis with a premium, black magnesium alloy finish that operates silently with up to a 9.1-hour battery life rating as a tablet and an unprecedented 17.4-hour battery life rating with the keyboard dock.

The device features the new M.2 SSD interface and can be configured with a with a 128GB or 256GB solid state drive4 and up to 8GB of on-board LPDDR3 memory5 for easily multitasking. To ensure a comprehensive tablet experience, the device features a full array of sensors, including ambient light, gyroscope and an e-compass. The device also includes powerful wireless capabilities, including 802.11ac Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® v4.0.

Security and Durability Enterprises Require
The Portégé Z20t offers a number of advanced features designed to keep a business' critical data safe, including Toshiba's EasyGuard suite. A Kensington lock port is included, which can secure the keyboard to desks and ensures the tablet cannot be detached when docked. Trusted Platform Module (TPM) safeguards the data on local storage, while Intel® Active Management Technology (AMT) allows IT departments to monitor, maintain, repair, update and upgrade machines remotely. Designed, engineered, manufactured and tested in-house at Toshiba, each model has also passed several rigorous tests to meet Toshiba's quality standards, including the HALT (Highly Accelerated Lifestyle Test), which simulates accelerated use conditions to improve product reliability.

The Portégé Z20t is easy to manage within corporate IT environments with advanced manageability options, including Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), Toshiba Cloud Client Manager (TCCM) and Toshiba Smart Client Manager 2.0 (TSCM).

Connectivity for All Scenarios
The Portégé Z20t provides extensive options to connect to all the peripherals a business user might need in a "dongle free environment." In tablet mode, a Micro HDMI® port, Micro USB port and microSD™ slot are included for connecting to additional displays and fast data transfers. With the keyboard attached, users can make the most of additional connectivity without additional adapters, including full-size RGB, HDMI®, Gigabit Ethernet and two USB 3.0 port6.

Pricing and Availability
The Portégé Z20t will be available for purchase through Corporate Direct, Reseller Partners, business-focused e-tailers, such as CDW, PC Connection and Zones, as well as from ToshibaDirect.com in January 2015, starting at $1,399.00 MSRP7.

The Portégé WT20, sold without the digitizer and keyboard base will be available in February2015 starting at $899.00 MSRP.

Image Gallery: www.toshibapresscenter.com

1. Display. Any small bright dots that may appear on your display are an intrinsic characteristic of the thin film transistors manufacturing technology. See Display Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com.

2. Battery Life Rating. Measured by MobileMark® 2012 for comparison purposes only. Actual battery life may vary. See Battery Life Rating Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com 

3. Weight. Weight may vary. See Weight Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com

4. Solid State Drive Capacity. Drive capacity may vary. One Gigabyte (GB) means 109 = 1,000,000,000 bytes using powers of 10. See Solid State Drive Capacity Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com

5. Memory. Memory size may vary. See Memory Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com

6. USB 3.0. 5Gbps is the maximum theoretical interface transfer rate per the specifications of the Universal Serial Bus 3.0. Actual transfer rate will vary depending on your system configuration and other factors.

7. Price. Reseller prices may vary. MSRP means "Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price."

Caught on video: Lenovo's intriguing AnyPen tech

Admit it: you've always wanted to write or draw on a tablet with a fork. You haven't? How about with a USB key or screwdriver?

Uploaded by TechnologyGuide on 2015-01-05.

CES 2015: New 14- and 15-inch Lenovo Thinkpad Yogas announced

EDITOR'S NOTE: This item was buried in the previous release with the AnyPen lead, so I decided to run it as a separate news item. It's possible that the ActivePen mentioned will be Wacom's new Active Electrostatic technology or N-Trig, Synaptics or something else altogether. If the supplier is announced, I'll update this post. Otherwise we may need to wait until next month when the new Thinkpad Yoga models are expected to be available.

PRESS RELEASE

ThinkPad YOGA – Readying Professionals with Power of Two New Innovations

Lenovo created the new ThinkPad YOGA 12-in, 14-in and new 15-in convertibles to meet the needs of businesses and pro-sumers, striking the right balance between productivity and a great PC for personal use. Built for small office, home office and students, the ThinkPad YOGA gives users mobile flexibility featuring the new ActivePen technology in select models along with elegant design and business-optimized features including an optional Intel RealSense 3D camera on the ThinkPad YOGA 15.

Select ThinkPad YOGA models feature an optional ActivePen for convenient, accurate and precise handwriting. Ideal for productivity tasks like taking notes, sending emails or creating presentations, ActivePen closely mimicks a user’s actual handwriting on paper. The YOGA 12 continues to offer a digitizer/pen option that provides an internal garage for the pen. ThinkPad is creating an innovative hardware and software pen experience, regardless of pen technology.

With four modes and all day battery life, users can digitally write or enjoy any of the ThinkPad YOGA’s modes: type or write in Laptop mode, take class notes in Tablet mode, present to colleagues in Stand mode or just relax by watching a movie in Tent mode. And the convertible’s Lift n’ Lock keyboard makes switching between Laptop and Tablet modes trouble-free without keys getting stuck.

Thin and light at just 19mm thin and less than 1.5kg on the 12-in model, these stylish convertibles come in black with an attractive backlit keyboard as well as FHD touch screen display.

The business-ready ThinkPad YOGA also features another new technology to help small businesses: a built-in Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera. Lenovo’s first 3D camera in a laptop, it comes optional on the 15-in model. Today 3D cameras are being used by businesses for more personal video conferencing and scanning small objects for 3D printing applications.

The ThinkPad YOGA also comes ready for business with powerful up to 5th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processors, Windows 8.1 with optional vPro for managed environments (12-in only), large storage up to 1 TB and Dolby Home Theatre v4.

The ThinkPad YOGA models expand the overall computing experience with Lenovo’s SHAREit app to share files easily between devices. Small business users may opt to add support via Lenovo Services for their ThinkPad YOGA convertible, choosing among a variety of services: Accidental Damage Protection, Warranty Upgrade, Priority Technical Support and more.

The ThinkPad YOGA 12-in and 15-in models will be available beginning in February starting at $999 and $1,199 via business partners and www.lenovo.com.

The ThinkPad YOGA 14-in model will be available beginning in May starting at $1,199 via Best Buy and www.lenovo.com.

CES 2015: Lenovo Announces First Devices with 'AnyPen' Technology

PRESS RELEASE

Lenovo YOGA Family Takes Flexibility and Interactivity Even Further with New Technologies

LAS VEGAS – January 5, 2015 – Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show its new lineup of YOGA convertibles and tablets with new technologies that take flexibility and interactivity to a new level. The family includes the thin and light YOGA 3 in 11-in and 14-in models (in a 13-in chassis) built especially for today’s on-the-go and digitally-hungry consumers; the ThinkPad YOGA, optimized for businesses in a 12-in model, and a 14-in and 15-in model for pro-sumers with optional Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera; and the 8-in YOGA Tablet 2 with Windows, featuring Lenovo AnyPen Technology, that turns nearly any pen into a tablet writing tool.
 
No More Fingers, Lenovo AnyPen Technology Turns Pens and Pencils into Tablet Writing Tools
The 8-in YOGA Tablet 2 with Windows featuring AnyPen Technology extends the YOGA family tradition: the hardware not only adapts to users with its four modes, but it also provides a new, innovative writing solution that gives users a better way to interact with their device and distinguishes it from other tablets today.
 
With Lenovo AnyPen Technology, any pen or pencil1 becomes a handwriting tool – no stylus needed. Consumers can pick their preferred tool and use it directly on the tablet’s touch screen for easy navigation instead of relying on their finger. Lenovo AnyPen Technology makes handwriting on a tablet now as intuitive as writing on a piece of paper. Users will find this technology especially handy because smaller screen devices require more precise navigation than a finger. At the same time, Lenovo AnyPen Technology eliminates having to replace lost designated touch screen only styluses and the expense of purchasing one separately.  
 
As part of the YOGA Tablet 2 family announced in Fall 2014, the YOGA Tablet 2 8-in with Windows drew acclaim for its enhancements over the original YOGA Tablet. Not only does it have four unique modes unlike any other tablet on the market – Hold, Tilt, Stand and Hang – giving users more ways to do more, but it also features an unparalleled entertainment experience. Equipped with two front facing speakers, Wolfson Master Hi-Fi noise reduction and Dolby audio, this compact tablet goes large on entertainment. With Windows 8.1, its 8-in FHD display and Intel® Atom™ processor, users can strike a great balance between work and play. And mobile consumers will appreciate its extremely long battery life of up to 15 hours.
 
YOGA 3 – Flexible Fit for Today’s Consumer
The new YOGA 3 gives consumers even more flexibility with choices of an 11-in model or a new 14-in model with a backlit screen. Both convertibles showcase an envelope-thin design, measuring 18.3mm thin or less. In fact, the larger 14-in model gives users even more screen real estate yet remains extremely thin and light built in a 13-in chassis. And at just 15.8mm thin and 1.1kg, the 11-in model remains the lightest convertible in the YOGA family. Both feature the classic YOGA two-hinge design allowing 360° flexibility to give consumers amazing function and value with four special modes – Laptop, Stand, Tent and Tablet. Lenovo refined the hinge to now open and close more smoothly and also allow the screen to lay flat at 180°.
 
More than just beautiful technology, the new YOGA convertibles are performers with powerful up to 5th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processors on the 14-in model, Windows 8.1, FHD screens and fast 802.11 A/C WiFi. Strong performance deserves brilliantly loud and clear sound, so Lenovo equipped the YOGA 3 with stereo speakers and Waves audio. And for a more adaptive, intuitive experience, Lenovo includes Harmony intelligent software. Harmony helps users discover and customize applications and includes automatic brightness adjustment when reading a book, enables motion control or optimizes audio settings in specific modes and recommends new apps. 
 
Users can pick from fun color choices including the head-turning Clementine Orange, Platinum Silver, new Chalk White or Ebony Black.
 
ThinkPad YOGA – Readying Professionals with Power of Two New Innovations
Lenovo created the new ThinkPad YOGA 12-in, 14-in and new 15-in convertibles to meet the needs of businesses and pro-sumers, striking the right balance between productivity and a great PC for personal use.  Built for small office, home office and students, the ThinkPad YOGA gives users mobile flexibility featuring the new ActivePen technology in select models along with elegant design and business-optimized features including an optional Intel RealSense 3D camera on the ThinkPad YOGA 15.
 
Select ThinkPad YOGA models feature an optional ActivePen for convenient, accurate and precise handwriting. Ideal for productivity tasks like taking notes, sending emails or creating presentations, ActivePen closely mimicks a user’s actual handwriting on paper. The YOGA 12 continues to offer a digitizer/pen option that provides an internal garage for the pen. ThinkPad is creating an innovative hardware and software pen experience, regardless of pen technology.
 
With four modes and all day battery life, users can digitally write or enjoy any of the ThinkPad YOGA’s modes: type or write in Laptop mode, take class notes in Tablet mode, present to colleagues in Stand mode or just relax by watching a movie in Tent mode. And the convertible’s Lift n’ Lock keyboard makes switching between Laptop and Tablet modes trouble-free without keys getting stuck.
 
Thin and light at just 19mm thin and less than 1.5kg on the 12-in model, these stylish convertibles come in black with an attractive backlit keyboard as well as FHD touch screen display.
 
The business-ready ThinkPad YOGA also features another new technology to help small businesses: a built-in Intel® RealSense™ 3D camera. Lenovo’s first 3D camera in a laptop, it comes optional on the 15-in model. Today 3D cameras are being used by businesses for more personal video conferencing and scanning small objects for 3D printing applications.
 
The ThinkPad YOGA also comes ready for business with powerful up to 5th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processors, Windows 8.1 with optional vPro for managed environments (12-in only), large storage up to 1 TB and Dolby Home Theatre v4.
 
The ThinkPad YOGA models expand the overall computing experience with Lenovo’s SHAREit app to share files easily between devices. Small business users may opt to add support via Lenovo Services for their ThinkPad YOGA convertible, choosing among a variety of services: Accidental Damage Protection, Warranty Upgrade, Priority Technical Support and more. 
 
Quotes
“As users’ lifestyles evolve and change, so does our YOGA line of convertibles and tablets,” said Dilip Bhatia, vice president worldwide marketing and design, PC Group, Lenovo. “Our latest products fuse new handwriting technologies and 3D camera technologies with the flexibility, performance and a more adaptive computing experience the YOGA family is known for. All this adds up to making the PC more and more responsive to you.”
 
“Intel and Lenovo have a long history of working closely together to deliver compelling devices that address the needs of both consumers and business customers,” said Kirk Skaugen, Senior Vice President, Intel and General Manager, Client Computing Group. “Customers using the YOGA family will enjoy amazing new experiences, powered by Intel Atom, Core M and 5th Generation Intel Core processors and new Intel RealSense 3D Cameras.”
 
Pricing and Availability3
The 8-in YOGA Tablet 2 with Windows, featuring Lenovo AnyPen Technology will be available beginning in January with models starting at $299 via www.BestBuy.com and www.lenovo.com.
The YOGA 3 11-in and 14-in will be available in March with models starting at $799 and $979, respectively, via Best Buy and www.lenovo.com.
The ThinkPad YOGA 12-in and 15-in models will be available beginning in February starting at $999 and $1,199 via business partners and www.lenovo.com.
The ThinkPad YOGA 14-in model will be available beginning in May starting at $1,199 via Best Buy and www.lenovo.com.

1Any conductive object with a rounded metal or graphite point greater than 1mm in diameter can be used to write on screen.
2Color choices vary by model.  
3Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Products may only be available in selected markets. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.
 
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a $39 billion global Fortune 500 company and a leader in providing innovative consumer, commercial, and enterprise technology. Our portfolio of high-quality, secure products and services covers PCs (including the legendary Think and multimode YOGA brands), workstations, servers, storage, smart TVs and a family of mobile products like smartphones (including the Motorola brand), tablets and apps. Join us on LinkedIn, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@Lenovo) or visit us at www.lenovo.com.

N-Trig now selling replacement pens

N-Trig, the Israeli company behind the digitizer tech in the Surface Pro 3 and many other top Windows tablets and convertibles, has updated its website and now offers a link to a line of replacement pens available via Amazon.

Currently discounted to $40 from their $50 list price, the DuoSensePen2 models are not compatible with all N-Trig digitizers. The new pens can only be used with the following devices: Microsoft® Surface Pro 3, Sony VAIO® Duo 11/13, VAIO Tap 11, VAIO® FIT Family, Acer® Aspire ® R7 572, ASUS Taichi 21/31 and Fujitsu Stylistic Q702.

The pens come in an assortment of five colors.

I recently had a chance to compare the DuoSensePen2 (above, green) with other N-Trig pens from (top to bottom) Sony, Microsoft and Acer. The new model is a full inch shorter than the Surface Pro 3 pen, although it surprisingly doesn't feel much lighter.

A clip cap would be a welcomed addition and help to better balance the pen in the hand.  

The DuoSensePen2's nib is about the same consistency as the SP3 pen, slightly softer than the Sony's. Unfortunately, the pen does not ship with any spares.

Of the four N-Trig pens I've tried, I most like the feedback from the Acer Active Pen from my Aspire R7-572 convertible. Be aware that Acer's latest models use Synaptics digitizers and are not compatible. 

With the Surface Pro 3 pen selling for $50, these new N-Trig pens are a nice option if you'd like to save a few bucks on a replacement or spare. Hopefully for the next generation, N-Trig will lengthen the pen to a standard size and perhaps design a flared barrel that's closer to a traditional paintbrush.

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CBS News goes behind the scenes of Surface Pro 3 pen

Although this piece is dedicated to note-taking instead of art, it's always nice to see the lowly pen getting some respect in the media. Enjoy!

Deep inside Microsoft's brand new device laboratory outside Seattle, hundreds of designers are spending millions of dollars to perfect something we've all been using since grade school -- the pen. Meanwhile, startups like MailLift are building an entire company on the power of handwriting.

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