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Steven Sinofsky, ex Microsoft: The victim of an extremely complex web of the “western world” high-tech interests
See: Ballmer’s memo announcing Steven Sinofsky’s departure [CNET, Nov 12, 2012]
and Microsoft Announces Leadership Changes to Drive Next Wave of Products [Microsoft press release, Nov 12, 2012]
A Microsoft Without Sinofsky? Mini-Microsoft Monday, November 12, 2012
Well, I can’t believe it: Microsoft Announces Leadership Changes to Drive Next Wave of Products.
People walking the hallways tonight at work certainly can’t believe it. I can’t believe it – working at a Microsoft without Sinofsky?
Inconceivable.But, if you’re going to leave on a high-note, it doesn’t get much better. Mr. Sinofsky got a standing ovation from the Windows team during the Company Meeting for all that he’s done to take them on a multi-year journey to create Windows 7 and then hit the big multi-division reset button for Windows 8. He truly demonstrated technical leadership at its best.
And I don’t believe his departure rules him out at all for Microsoft CEO. In fact, I think if he stays in tech and becomes CEO of another company it makes him an even more obvious choice to come back to Microsoft as its leader.
Meanwhile, Ms. Larson-Green: best of luck following this act.
The only response to A Microsoft Without Sinofsky? I think is worth to include here as representing the only factual evidence which might be behind Steven Sinofsky’s abrupt departure from Microsoft (although not in such a direct way as you might think from this, see my remarks following that):
1. Monday, November 12, 2012 10:58:00 PM
So Sinofsky is gone and replaced with a completely talentless hack like Julie Larson-Green. Seriously? Her ascent through the ranks is a case study in the Peter Principle… I worked with Julie when she was on FrontPage, and she was nothing more than a talking head then. She’s now a ridiculous joke, and she’s running the show.
Surface RT is on track to be a disaster, as is the upcoming Surface Ultrabook thing. Someone stick a fork in Microsoft already, jeez.
2. Monday, November 12, 2012 11:31:00 PM
“What facts do you have to back that up? Sounds like you’re another opinionated MSoftie.
Also, why are you panning Julie already? Another ax to grind?”
First: I drive by the Microsoft store every day. The first week after Surface released it was fairly busy — it’s now a ghost town while the Apple store across the street is always SRO. Given that it’s the only store where can buy Surface, that tells you everything you need to know.
And seriously – real the media commentary. Even ignoring Ballmer’s “sales are modest” quote, they’re all saying that consumer interest has fallen off a cliff over the last week. It’s as dead as Windows Phone. But don’t take my word for it, just wait and see.
As for Julie, she’s one of those Microsofties who everyone always threw their hands up about whenver we heard she was promoted again. They are all over Microsoft — people with no actual talent but who excel in the art of succeeding in a big corporate environment. Seriously, search out her talks on Youtube — the woman is barely cogent at the best of times, and at her worst she’s an unintentional comedian.
I left Microsoft a while ago so my axes are long since ground. Now I just enjoy watching the clown car roll along.
So the real question is: Why “Surface RT is on track to be a disaster”?
My answer to that was already published yesterday:
Microsoft Surface with some questions about the performance and smoothness of the experience [this same blog, Nov 12, 2012]
In the end of that post I’ve included also the reasons for the performance and smoothness problems of Microsoft Surface as it stands now, and in very factual way:
Who is gaining with that?
It is no doubt that Intel is the party gaining most with that!
Look at the stakes:
– Intel market capitalisation: US$ 103.50B which is critical for large investors because a collapse of Intel may cause an unprecedented upheaval on the stock market. Also note that Windows 8 is the last chance for Intel to prevent such collapse to happen.
– Intel fabs which are:
Huge, numerous and most of them are representing the latest manufacturing technologies: see List of Intel manufacturing sites on Wikipedia
Each representing multibillion dollars of multi-year investments:
see New $5 billion Intel facility planned for Chandler [AZCentral.com, Feb 19, 2011] as the latest exampleA tremendous effort made by Intel to outgun its fabless competitors exactly through such cutting-edge manufacturing. It is now described not only as leading edge in terms of smaller die sizes and thus higher chip volumes on the same wafers, better performance and/or lower power use, but also speed and agility with the time to manufacture a component halved in the past five years.
Strategic for the US economy as whole to prevent its advanced manufacturing sector to go the way of its lower-tech predecessors – to Asia. See Insight: As chip plants get pricey, U.S. risks losing edge [Reuters, May 1, 2012].
Entering into a critical phase against its major by far fab competitor, TSMC for whom the capacity shortage of its leading 28nm nodes will end by December, 2012. See my Qualcomm’s critical reliance on supply constrained 28nm foundry capacity [this same ‘Experiencing the cloud’ blog, July 27-Nov 8, 2012] post as updated just 4 days ago. Considering that the competitive strength of all of its fabless competitors depend on TSMC manufacturing capabilities this is the most critical window for strategic survival in Intel’s whole history.
A further evidence of why Intel’s survival might be behind that is the fact that the latest mobile SoC from Intel, so called Clover Trail will be in the Windows 8 tablets only in the later part of November. Even the first tablets based on that, the Acer Iconia W510 models are “Temporarily out of stock” on the Amazon while it was oiginally promised to be available from Nov 9 in the US and Canada. See: Acer Iconia W510: Windows 8 Clover Trail (Intel Z2760) hybrid tablets from OEMs [this same ‘Experiencing the cloud’ blog, Oct 28, 2012]. So the tuning was going on well after the “final” Windows 8 launch of Oct 26, and might continue even these days.
Another evidence is the fact that the x86-based version of the Microsoft Surface, Surface Pro will arrive just 3 month later as was pointed out in the leParisien interview of Steve Ballmer referred to in beginning of this post. Moreover when it was announced it was for the much better performing Ivy Bridge processor, not the Clover Trail we indicated here as available in a numerous products by the end of November. This could mean a delivery of Surface Pro as late as January next year! Plenty of time to make the new Windows software and the available applications performing well and smooth in all respects.
Which needs only a few additional explanations, mainly for the overwhelming misunderstandings absolutely typical in the opinions about the reasons of Sinofsky’s abrupt departure from the company he was working for since he finished his university studies in 1989.
- Microsoft is sitting in the centre of an extremely complex web of interests. In fact most of the high-tech pile up of the “Western world” on the stock market is highly dependent on the course of actions Microsoft is taking along the ARM route of the hardware platform opportunity.
- As the HW future of the Android SW platform is already outside of the influence of that high-tech pile up, the only remaining potential to defend its diminishing position is in the Windows.
- The measures taken during the Windows development to pressure Microsoft and its CEO to “under-engineer” the Windows RT version (which is well reflected in Microsoft Surface as it was brought out 18 days ago) were clearly not enough to achieve the established goals of such a defensive strategy. It might even be the case that the “half-hearted” Windows RT effort was decided to be “downscaled” even further as a last ditch effort by the forces of “Western world high-tech pile-up” interests.
Just to remind you:
– The SoC behind the $48 Mogu M0 “peoplephone”, i.e. an Android smartphone for everybody to hit the Chinese market on November 15 [this same blog, Nov 9, 2012] is sold for about $6 according to CEO of Spreadtrum saying that 37% of its Q3CY12 revenue of US$187.9 million “mostly address the smartphones” which were 11 million SoCs in the official financial release then “raised” somewhat to 12 million towards the end of the Earnings Call.
– The leading entry level SoC for the Chinese made Android tablets, the Allwinner A10 and A13 is sold for $7 and $5 respectively, and the volume of them was quite high already in Q3CY12: 3.5 million SoCs in August rising to 5 million SoCs in October, according to Yoshida in China: ‘Shanzhai’ clouds tablet data [EE Times, Nov 8, 2012]
– Intel’s latest technology entry level SoC, the Z2760 “Cover Trail” should definitely be more than $50 (even much more) as the latest (Q1’12 intro, with the same 32nm litography) traditional Atom model D2550, having price indication, has a published tray price of $47. This means an order of magnitude SoC price difference considering that by the end of 2012 the entry level tablet SoCs will come down at least to 2xCortex-A9 performance at 1 GHz+ (could be even quadcore at 28nm litography, we will see), so performance wise there will be at least parity.
So these are the things everybody should think first and not the simplistic reasoning reflected everywhere. See a 24 hour search on “Sinofsky departure” which currently has headlines such as:
- Sinofsky’s departure from Microsoft: Politics or products to blame?
- Controversial Windows boss Steven Sinofsky leaves Microsoft
- Sources inside Microsoft say a clash of personalities led to Sinofsky’s departure
- The departure of Steven Sinofsky: Jump, or pushed?
-
Microsoft follows Forstall departure by firing their head of software Steve Sinofsky
-
Did Windows 8’s Metro interface cost Steven Sinofsky his job?
- Sinofsky Out: Were We Right about Windows 8 Usability?
End of the original post (as seen above), publication time: UTC 11:00 a.m.
Postscripts:
… Many have scratched their head about Windows RT, and in particular its lack of support for third-party “desktop” apps. Ultimately I think Windows RT is the result of heavy reliance on telemetry. … reliance on statistical analysis may explain why the end-user reaction to Windows RT and Windows 8 overall seems much better than that of pundits and power users. …
…
Why did 90+% of users choose to pay more for a Windows-based Netbook than to go with a Linux-based Netbook? If these devices were simply used for web browsing than the user behavior doesn’t make sense. We can speculate on this of course. Familiarity of UI, compatibility with devices such as printers, ability to run Windows applications (even though that is counter to the original idea behind netbooks), etc. As I said we can speculate. And analysts can survey customers and make their claims. But Microsoft? Microsoft has precise data from the CEIP.
…
And what do you think Microsoft got from the CEIP telemetry? I’m guessing that they saw the vast majority of Netbook usage was for web browsing, with use of Microsoft Office representing a much smaller but still substantial portion. And then I’m guessing they saw a dramatic fall-off with no apps really registering as significant. Netbooks were basically web browsing plus Office machines. Then they looked at the web usage and saw that a great deal of it matched the kinds of “consumption” apps that were popular on the iPhone and that they were going to target with the new Windows 8 “Metro” app model. And they saw heavy use of traditional Windows features like broad peripheral support, network connectivity, etc. Combine the actual usage data on Netbooks with the emergence of Natural User Interface and the re-invigoration of local apps that was demonstrated by the Apple App Store and you have Windows RT.
…
So take a look at Windows RT, or even better the Microsoft Surface, and realize what it is. The Surface is the intersection of Netbook meets iPad. It brings exactly what most users liked about Windows on Netbooks into the modern era while dispensing with much of the Windows world that Netbook users simply didn’t take advantage of. It is exactly what users told Microsoft via their actual usage data, extrapolated from the historical Netbook world into the modern device world, they wanted.
…
The use of Telemetry may explain why Windows 8, Windows RT, and the Surface seem to do better with average users than the pundits and power users out around and beyond two standard deviations. Windows RT and the Surface are designed to actual usage data on a segment of the computing spectrum that was also derided by many pundits and power users. A segment that garnered (as I recall) about 20% of PC unit volume before being obliterated in the “post-PC” shift. If Microsoft has used its wealth of telemetry to build something that nails the real world usage scenarios that originally made Netbooks popular, while also being roughly as good as the iPad for the scenarios Apple optimized for, than they have a huge winner. Even if pundits and power users don’t seem to like what they’ve done.
And if Windows RT fails? Well it could be the result of pundits and power users convincing the target audience not to give it a chance. Or it could be the result of poor design decisions being made despite having excellent data. Or it could be a series of marketing, sales, and partner missteps that have little to do with the product itself. Or it could be that particularly vicious form of lies known as statistics.
I was only a few reports down from Sinofsky and actually had the pleasure of working with him in person. Always very professional and energetic. Nothing unreasonable for a corporate environment. And definitely nothing like what people compare to Steve Jobs or Bill Gates (check out “BillG review” on the Internet for what THAT was like).
LOL, listen this is a great post and all but if he was truly great Ballmer would have kept him, more C level execs would have fought to keep him. The truth is there is a time and place for people like Sinofsky and there is time to ring them in and say “Hey you are making people’s lives hell!” That is a big deal by the way. MS may be a huge corporation with lots of people willing and wanting to work with them but word of mouth gets around and that is bad. …
- The Steven Sinofsky defended [Microsoft-News-com, Nov 17, 2012] article which contains a very well written defense of Sinofsky from a writer named Suril Amin (about whom it is only known that he was born in 1989, and from all that he is likely to be this LinkedIn person, this twitter person, this facebook person and with this 2011 resume) which is quite worth to read. His opinion is:
… Sinofsky has been nothing but excellent for Microsoft. He has fought for consumers and made the tough decisions that others would not have. Sinofsky made the trains run on time. He embraced the Metro design language, borrowing from the Zune team and Windows Phone team. It is quite clear that Sinofsky quit. I believe he wanted more power or certain decisions to go his way that did not and he ultimately decided to quit. Ballmer has been great at protecting himself and his position of CEO over the last decade. I do not think he wanted Sinofsky to gain more power and potentially become CEO down the road. It’s telling that he split Sinofsky’s position to two women who I think he can easily control. I think Sinofsky’s influence and legacy on the company will remain even though he is not there anymore. More things are going to be kept secret until it is the appropriate time to release the information. Microsoft will also get more and more into hardware. I believe we will see Sinofsky back a few years from now as CEO of Microsoft. …
Then the whole essence of his writing is summarized in the end as:
tl;dr: Steven Sinofsky rocks and was good for Microsoft! I also believe he quit on his own accord. Bloggers hate him because they had a direct financial loss due to having less information about the company and ignore the good he did.
P.S. Love/Hate relationship with Sinofsky and bloggers can be traced way back to 2007 starting with Long Zheng http://www.istartedsomething.com/20071207/director-windows-disclosure/
- Why Microsoft is disARMed? Because of the battle cry from Intel Haswell: “Mobile computing is not limited to tiny, low-performing devices” [this same blog, Nov 15, 2012]
- Technology explanation for lower software performance on ARM from here:
He explained that creating Windows 8 and its new tablet-friendly Windows Runtime has absorbed much of the C++ team’s energy.
“We’ve been really busy for two years with our biggest release ever. There’s an industry tsunami to the tablet revolution, the GPU compute revolution. Because C++ matters is why we’re at the centre of it. Now we can emphasise conformance again,” he said.“We have a really mature compiler and optimiser. It’s been around for a decade or two, on x86 and x64. Then we have a version 1 release of ARM. You can expect that to get better.”
Note that people present on that BUILD 2012 session and even having an opportunity to speak to Herb Sutter the day before were not only confirming the importance of the above but even adding to that: “the Visual C++ team had the biggest pressure inside Microsoft in the last 2 years as everybody was relying on them
- Re: Live Long and Prosper SteveSi by Steve Sinofsky [Hal’s (Im)Perfect Vision, Nov 14, 2012]
Hal. Hey there, I find myself feeling to offer some insight — relative to what you say above, I never initiated any discussions to bring together the organizations/products you describe and no one ever approached me to manage them as part of Windows 7 or 8. Basic organization theory as described by @teyc would support the current state as a practical working model.
If we had worked together you would know that historically, very few things moved into teams I managed as (you’ve no doubt seen in internal blogs) and when they did I usually pushed back hard looking for a cross-group way to achieve the goal (in other words, decide open issues rather than force an org change to subsequently decide something). It is far better to collaborate with the org in place and avoid the disruption unless it is on a product cycle boundary and far better to plan and execute together than just organize together.
in response to Hal Berenson’s earlies assumption in his post that:
Steven had apparently lost recent battles to bring both Windows Phone and the Developer Division under his control. I suspect that he saw those loses both as a roadblock to where he wanted to take Windows over the next few years, and a clear indication that his political power within Microsoft had peaked. At the very point where he should have been able to ask for, and receive, almost anything as reward for his proven success he got slapped down. And so he chose to leave.
then Berenson acknowledged in response:
Steven, thanks for the first hand insight. I am obviously going on what others in Microsoft have told me. And seriously, good luck with whatever you do next!
- Patch Tuesday pushes out 7 updates to the Surface, including a performance update [Microsoft.News.com, Nov 13, 2012]
Patch Tuesday, the second Tuesday of the month, and the time when Microsoft pushes out software updates for their products.
On this occasion this includes includes Microsoft’s first ARM computer, the Surface, and the update is a “Cumulative Update for performance/compatibility” and another is a firmware update which hopefully addresses the same issue.
…
We noticed definite performance improvements, including in multi-tasking, text input, quicker loading times and improvements in IE, including in tab switching and closing.
…
Techtony • a day ago
Not only the Surface was updated, The Asus Vivo Tab RT was also Updated. New Firmware Message and a total of 8 UpdatesRJD • 2 days ago Absolutely notice performance improvements across the board…loading apps, screen accuracy, word accuracy, IE improved to boot.
surur Mod Eric Hon • 2 days ago Apparently apps open faster.
GG002 surur • 2 days ago And less sound stuttering while Surface sleeps. At least buggy music playback while Sleep isn’t a problem for me anymore (knock on wood).
It is indeed faster. In some cases much faster. A Hungarian developer was measuring the improvement via the CPU usage with the Mandelbrot program as a benchmark: C#: +25%, C++: +110%!, C++ AMP (software emultaion): +72% improvements were found by him (see in this Facebook message in Hungarian).
- Digitimes Research: White-box tablet shipments to surpass 50 million units in 2012 [DIGITIMES, Nov 13, 2012]
White-box tablets are expected to see a surge in shipment growth in 2012 with volumes surpassing 50 million units, according to Digitimes Research senior analyst James Wang.
There are three major drivers that will help white-box tablets achieve strong growth in the year: a large number of potential consumers brought in by Android handsets, mature development of China-based processors, and decreasing costs of white-box tablets. With the addition of white-box tablet shipments, Android is expected to surpass iOS and become the largest mobile operating system in 2012, while 7-inch displays will also become the mainstream specification for tablets.
As the branded tablet PC market is seeing fierce competition in terms of technology, capacity, yield rates, patents and prices, the rise of white-box tablets has already made these players a new force in the tablet market, with some white-box players even seeing higher shipment volumes than first-tier vendors.
Digitimes Research believes that brand vendors should be aware of white-box tablet players’ developments in the future, since even platform designers such as Google and Microsoft have used their resources to increase price competition in the tablet market, and the situation may gradually turn to favor China-based players with expertise in lowering costs.
Source: Digitimes Research, November 2012
or from the Chinese version of the same [Nov 9, 2012]:
- another worthwhile comment on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 9:10:00 PM on A Microsoft Without Sinofsky? Mini-Microsoft Monday, November 12, 2012:
I’m not a microsoftie but I can see parallels with two other companies, where I used to work.
1. Lucent. Coasting along on their previous life as the original AT&T and Bell Labs and living on their monopoly profits, I found their upper echelon to be as political and non technical as I see MSFT’s descriptions today. Pat Russo was a BA in political science for crying out loud. And she ended up running and selling Bell Labs (!) to Alcatel. Before that she ran Kodak. See the pattern?
2. Carly Fiorina at HP. Before that she was at Lucent. BA in Political Science. Political Science. Well, okay then, let’s just have her run HP. What does HP mostly sell now? Ink?
The pattern is simple. You get a large corp running off a semi monopoly, then in due course the people who rise are the politicians and sales guys. The engineers get used and thrown aside.
Now apparently this Julia person isn’t an engineer and she’s going to run the OS group. Good luck with that.
- and yet another one on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 7:02:00 AM:
Lots of noise in the comments. Been out of Microsoft for 3 years and haven’t been in Steve Si’s org since he left the Office group.
I worked in the same group as Julie Larson before her meteoric rise. I wasn’t so impressed, but remember that Steve Si was very impressed. If he likes someone’s work, they rise to the top very, very quickly. I don’t think he was making those choices for political reasons. I think he was making those decisions for engineering and product quality. That said, does heading program management translate into running a large engineering organization. I don’t know as it’s been many, many years since I worked near Julie.
Steve Si never struck me as someone who cared about rising to be the CEO. He cared about designing products that could be built and then building it. I’m not sure as an engineering guy, he was the right guy for Balmer’s job.
- Thoughts on the new Windows leadership [Hal’s (Im)Perfect Vision, Nov 16, 2012]
I’ve had a number of people question if Julie Larson-Green is up to the task of running Windows Engineering. No one has questioned Tami Reller’s expanded responsibilities because, well, Tami is pretty much doing the same job she had before except that the buck now stops with her instead of falling on the shoulders of a division President. So I’ll focus this post on Julie and her new role. And moreover on the experiment it represents.
…
So is Julie a good choice? On a strategic level I think there was no one better positioned to finish the job of re-imagining Windows that started with Windows 8. I have some evidence that Julie is indeed easier to collaborate with than Steven was. And she’s inheriting from Steven a well-functioning engineering organization that, of course, she helped create. She doesn’t have to fix anything (major) that I know of on the organizational or engineering process fronts. That means she has time for her multi-discipline general management skills to mature while focusing most of her energy on completing the Windows re-invention. Plus, by splitting the business and engineering responsibilities across two executives (and taking on the President responsibilities himself) Steve has kept Julie’s new role from being too much of a stretch. So yes, I think Julie is a good choice. Hopefully we’ll be able to look back in a few years and say that she was a great choice.
-
Curiously enough Euronews operating under Euronews SA formed by nine shareholding companies (France Televisions (France), RAI (Italy), RTR (Russia), SSR (Switzerland), RTP (Portugal), RTBF (Belgium), ERT (Greece), TV4 (Sweeden) and NTU (Ukraine)) was first (among major media channels) to put the below very short report to the YouTube:
Windows executive leaves Microsoft Corp [Euronews YouTube channel, Nov 13, 2012 [~UTC 2:30 p.m.]]
- Then WSJLive was next to put this report, around one and a half hour later to the YouTube: Microsoft’s Windows Chief to Depart [WSJDigitalNetwork YouTube channel, Nov 13, 2012., 11:01 a.m. ET [UTC 4:01 p.m.]], this with a detailed assesment, so far also the closest one to mine (although still far from that):
Arik Hesseldahl, AllThingsD reporter was the expert journalist interviewed by WSJLive. See also the similarly titled Microsoft’s Windows Chief to Depart [The Wall Street Journal, November 13, 2012, 11:01 a.m. ET [UTC 4:01 p.m.]] article which this video was embedded into.
- The IDG News Service was curiously quite late on YouTube and with a brief type of report only: Windows head Steven Sinofsky to leave Microsoft [computerworld YouTube channel, November 13, 2012, 1:25 p.m. ET [UTC 5:25 p.m.]]
although a written article by the same people behind the video was published 10 hours earlier: Windows head Steven Sinofsky to leave Microsoft [November 13, 2012 02:10 AM ET [UTC 7:10 a.m.]] albeit with a different, initial content.
- The same WSJLive realized only 10 hours after its first video report seen above the fact that there are TWO heirs to the Sinofsky’s empire: The Women Behind Microsoft Windows [WSJDigitalNetwork YouTube channel, Nov 13, 2012., 9:13 p.m. ET [Nov 14, UTC 2:13 a.m.]]
yet WSJLive missed the most important point that both report to Steve Ballmer (see the press release). The written article which contains the same video embedded into it does not contain that fact either: Windows’ Future in Hands of Two Veterans [The Wall Street Journal, Nov 13, 2012., 9:13 p.m. ET [Nov 14, UTC 2:13 a.m.]]
- Yet another: Microsoft Landing 11-14-12 [firstbusinessnews YouTube channel, Nov 14, ~UTC 2:30 a.m.], this time tied to the stock market (see below)
From Wikipedia on First Business:
First Business is a nationally syndicated financial news and analysis television program, produced by First Business Network LLC, a subsidiary of Weigel Broadcasting, in Chicago. Anchor Angela Miles, Reporters Chuck Coppola, Bill Moller, and Executive Producer Harvey Moshman bring viewers commentary from the floors of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, as well as from their studios in the West Loop. The program covers the financial and economic markets including equities, futures, options,commodities, foreign exchange and geo-political news. …
Here’s the complete letter from Steven Sinofsky to employees [WinSuperSite, Nov 12, 2012]
From: Steven Sinofsky
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 6:42 PM
To: Microsoft – All Employees (QBDG)
Subject: RE: Windows Leadership ChangesWith the general availability of Windows 8/RT and Surface, I have decided it is time for me to take a step back from my responsibilities at Microsoft. I’ve always advocated using the break between product cycles as an opportunity to reflect and to look ahead, and that applies to me too.
After more than 23 years working on a wide range of Microsoft products, I have decided to leave the company to seek new opportunities that build on these experiences. My passion for building products is as strong as ever and I look forward focusing my energy and creativity along similar lines.
The Windows team, in partnerships across all of Microsoft and our industry, just completed products and services introducing a new era of Windows computing. It is an incredible experience to be part of a generational change in a unique product like Windows, one accomplished with an undeniable elegance. Building on Windows, Surface excels in design and utility for a new era of PCs. With the Store, Internet Explorer, Outlook.com, SkyDrive and more, each of which lead the way, this experience is connected to amazing cloud services.
It is inspiring to think of these efforts making their way into the hands of Microsoft’s next billion customers. We can reflect on this project as a remarkable achievement for each of us and for the team. Our work is not done, such is the world of technology, and so much more is in store for customers.
It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft. I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of everyone I have had the good fortune to work with at this awesome company. I am beyond grateful.
I have always promised myself when the right time came for me to change course, I would be brief, unlike one of my infamous short blog posts, and strive to be less memorable than the products and teams with which I have been proudly and humbly associated. The brevity of this announcement is simply a feature.
Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read—about me, opportunity, the company or its leadership.
As I’ve always believed in making space for new leaders as quickly as possible, this announcement is effective immediately and I will assist however needed with the transition.
I am super excited for what the future holds for the team and Microsoft.
With my deepest appreciation,
Steven Sinofsky
Sent from Surface RT
Microsoft Surface with some questions about the performance and smoothness of the experience
Update: Upstream supply chain sees Surface RT orders cut by half [DIGITIMES, Nov 28, 2012]
The upstream supply chain of Microsoft’s Surface RT has recently seen the tablet’s orders reduced by half, and with other Windows RT-based tablet orders also seeing weak performance, sources from the upstream supply chain believe the new operating system may not perform as well as expected in the market.
Microsoft originally expected to ship four million Surface RT devices by the end of 2012, but has recently reduced the orders by half to only two million units.
Although Asustek Computer, Samsung Electronics and Dell have all launched Windows RT-based tablets, consumer demand for those devices is also weak.
The sources also pointed out that Surface RT is also unlikely to achieve great performance in the upcoming quarter which may force Microsoft to bring out its Intel-based Surface Pro tablet earlier in December.
The sources also noted that Microsoft may consider reducing its Surface Pro price to attract more consumers; however, such a decision may put the already awkward relationship between the software giant and notebook vendors in an even worse situation.
Something is indeed wrong to a certain extent with the Microsoft Surface as in an earlier report even Microsoft CEO Says Surface Sales Starting ‘Modestly’ – Report [Capital.gr, Nov 10, 2012]. It was the first report in English from the news in leParisien. The French headline is even telling that: Microsoft: Steve Ballmer announces “a new tablet upscale”. And indeed we find in the Capital.gr report that:
The CEO also said that in the three months following Surface’s launch, Microsoft plans to offer a high-end version of its tablet equipped with Intel Corp.’s (INTC) new processor and a higher-definition screen.
So I have investigated what users have found during this two weeks with the Microsoft Surface tablet.
My conclusion: some software, including parts of the Windows RT operating system need tuning! In certain scenarios Microsoft Surface is definitely underperforming!
Updates: providing additional evidence of the “under-engineered” character of the Windows RT software for the Microsoft Surface
- Technology explanation for lower software performance on ARM from here:
He explained that creating Windows 8 and its new tablet-friendly Windows Runtime has absorbed much of the C++ team’s energy.
“We’ve been really busy for two years with our biggest release ever. There’s an industry tsunami to the tablet revolution, the GPU compute revolution. Because C++ matters is why we’re at the centre of it. Now we can emphasise conformance again,” he said.“We have a really mature compiler and optimiser. It’s been around for a decade or two, on x86 and x64. Then we have a version 1 release of ARM. You can expect that to get better.”
Note that people present on that BUILD 2012 session and even having an opportunity to speak to Herb Sutter the day before were not only confirming the importance of the above but even adding to that: “the Visual C++ team had the biggest pressure inside Microsoft in the last 2 years as everybody was relying on them”
- Patch Tuesday pushes out 7 updates to the Surface, including a performance update[Microsoft.News.com, Nov 13, 2012]
Patch Tuesday, the second Tuesday of the month, and the time when Microsoft pushes out software updates for their products.
On this occasion this includes includes Microsoft’s first ARM computer, the Surface, and the update is a “Cumulative Update for performance/compatibility” and another is a firmware update which hopefully addresses the same issue.
…
We noticed definite performance improvements, including in multi-tasking, text input, quicker loading times and improvements in IE, including in tab switching and closing.
…
Techtony • a day ago
Not only the Surface was updated, The Asus Vivo Tab RT was also Updated. New Firmware Message and a total of 8 UpdatesRJD • 2 days ago Absolutely notice performance improvements across the board…loading apps, screen accuracy, word accuracy, IE improved to boot.
surur Mod Eric Hon • 2 days ago Apparently apps open faster.
GG002 surur • 2 days ago And less sound stuttering while Surface sleeps. At least buggy music playback while Sleep isn’t a problem for me anymore (knock on wood).
It is indeed faster. In some cases much faster. A Hungarian developer was measuring the improvement via the CPU usage with the Mandelbrot program as a benchmark: C#: +25%, C++: +110%!, C++ AMP (software emultaion): +72% improvements were found by him (see in this Facebook message in Hungarian).
End of updates
I’ve also found videos on YouTube which will prove my point accordingly:
Microsoft Surface with Windows RT: Performance [lockergnome YouTube channel, Nov 4, 2012]
iPad 3 VS Surface: Fruit Ninja – Gaming Performance [DarGdgtZ YouTube channel, Oct 28, 2012]
Microsoft Surface RT HD video and gaming [Bravo0 YouTube channel, Nov 4, 2012]
The historic cadence leading to Microsoft Surface:
Was there enough time to tune everything properly? I thinks so. Look at the following history of the Windows on ARM (Windows RT) evolution:
CES 2011 – Windows on ARM Demos [leslie2823 YouTube channel, Jan 9, 2011]
NVIDIA quad-core Tegra 3 “Kal-El” quad-core processor demo blows us away [IntoMobile YouTube channel, Feb 15, 2011]
Directly related videos from NVIDIA published at the same time:
– Project Kal-El web-browsing benchmark [nvidia YouTube channel, Feb 15, 2011]
– Coremark performance on Kal-El [nvidia YouTube channel, Feb 15, 2011]
NVIDIA Tegra 3 Tablet running Windows 8 [minipcpro YouTube channel, June 2, 2011]
Nvidia Kal-El Windows 8 ARM tablet hands-on [Thisismynextvideo YouTube channel, Sept 14, 2011
Who is gaining with that?
It is no doubt that Intel is the party gaining most with that!
Look at the stakes:
– Intel market capitalisation: US$ 103.50B which is critical for large investors because a collapse of Intel may cause an unprecedented upheaval on the stock market. Also note that Windows 8 is the last chance for Intel to prevent such collapse to happen.
– Intel fabs which are:
- Huge, numerous and most of them are representing the latest manufacturing technologies: see List of Intel manufacturing sites on Wikipedia
- Each representing multibillion dollars of multi-year investments:
see New $5 billion Intel facility planned for Chandler [AZCentral.com, Feb 19, 2011] as the latest example - A tremendous effort made by Intel to outgun its fabless competitors exactly through such cutting-edge manufacturing. It is now described not only as leading edge in terms of smaller die sizes and thus higher chip volumes on the same wafers, better performance and/or lower power use, but also speed and agility with the time to manufacture a component halved in the past five years.
- Strategic for the US economy as whole to prevent its advanced manufacturing sector to go the way of its lower-tech predecessors – to Asia. See Insight: As chip plants get pricey, U.S. risks losing edge [Reuters, May 1, 2012].
- Entering into a critical phase against its major by far fab competitor, TSMC for whom the capacity shortage of its leading 28nm nodes will end by December, 2012. See my Qualcomm’s critical reliance on supply constrained 28nm foundry capacity [this same ‘Experiencing the cloud’ blog, July 27-Nov 8, 2012] post as updated just 4 days ago. Considering that the competitive strength of all of its fabless competitors depend on TSMC manufacturing capabilities this is the most critical window for strategic survival in Intel’s whole history.
A further evidence of why Intel’s survival might be behind that is the fact that the latest mobile SoC from Intel, so called Clover Trail will be in the Windows 8 tablets only in the later part of November. Even the first tablets based on that, the Acer Iconia W510 models are “Temporarily out of stock” on the Amazon while it was oiginally promised to be available from Nov 9 in the US and Canada. See: Acer Iconia W510: Windows 8 Clover Trail (Intel Z2760) hybrid tablets from OEMs [this same ‘Experiencing the cloud’ blog, Oct 28, 2012]. So the tuning was going on well after the “final” Windows 8 launch of Oct 26, and might continue even these days.
Another evidence is the fact that the x86-based version of the Microsoft Surface, Surface Pro will arrive just 3 month later as was pointed out in the leParisien interview of Steve Ballmer referred to in beginning of this post. Moreover when it was announced it was for the much better performing Ivy Bridge processor, not the Clover Trail we indicated here as available in a numerous products by the end of November. This could mean a delivery of Surface Pro as late as January next year! Plenty of time to make the new Windows software and the available applications performing well and smooth in all respects.
Other information on this blog:
– Microsoft Surface: its premium quality/price vs. even iPad3 [Oct 26, 2012]
– Microsoft Surface: First media reflections after the New-York press launch [Oct 26, 2012]
– Core post: Giving up the total OEM reliance strategy: the Microsoft Surface tablet [June 19, 2012]
Ouya $99 open console project based on Android Jelly Bean backed by $8.6M of crowd funding on Kickstarter
Android had a tremendous impetus for the ICT industry as a whole, and that role continues even more with projects like Ouya (withering this time the console business of Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo?):
Official OUYA Kickstarter Video [OUYAS YouTube channel, Aug 29, 2012]
More information:
– Ouya article on Wikipedia
– Ouya project microsite on Kickstarter indicating also the promised March 2013 delivery date and the $8.6M crowd funding (closed on Aug 9, 2012) vs. the initial $950K goal which made the Ouya Kickstarter the second highest earning in the Kickstarter’s history
– and the most amazing thing appreciated by so many that it is sufficient to inlude here a couple headlines from the most prestigious sources: Ouya No Bigger Than a Rubik’s Cube, Ouya will be about the size of a Rubik’s Cube, Ouya console “around size of Rubik’s cube“, Ouya Console Will Be As Small As a Rubik’s Cube etc.
– OUYA Console – Ask the experts at CVG [techradararchive YouTube channel, Oct 18, 2012]
The state of the project as of Oct 31, 2012:
Our CAD models and SLAs (plastic prototypes that provide us with a physical look and feel of the product) are finished, and we moved out of the design phase and into development a couple of weeks ago.
Last week was a huge milestone for us — we received our first development run of PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) for the console.
…
We are now in what’s referred to in the industry as the EVT (Engineering Verification Testing) phase.
Have a look at our PCB:
During the EVT phase, we’ll be testing both the console and the controller with our OUYA software. We’ll continue to verify our design and push the performance limits of our software. We’ll go through a couple more EVT build phases, as we weed out issues and refine the design for optimal performance and large-scale manufacturing, before we start cranking out OUYAs.
So, awesome news: we’re set to complete this EVT phase on time, and we’re in sync with our December target for developer kits. Since these dev kits are still in pre-production phase, we’ll build a limited quantity. Each one will be a collector’s item — unique in design, build and appearance. (So, they’ll look different from the consumer-ready units.)
SO LONG, ICE CREAM SANDWICH:
I’m happy to announce OUYA will run on Android Jelly Bean, the newest version of the Android operating system. We’re making the jump from the old version, Ice Cream Sandwich, to ensure that we’re running on the most up-to-date software available. You asked if it could be done, we looked into it, and we made it happen.
…
see: The big hardware update (and more) by Julie Uhrman, Ouya, Founder [Ouya project posts on Kickstarter, Oct 31, 2012]
OUYA Demo [OUYAS YouTube channel, July 10 , 2012]
from the time of starting to raise funding via Kickstarter.
And here is a recent independent evaluation of the project:
OUYA – The Game Pop News [SurrenderTwenty YouTube channel, Nov 5, 2012]
Ooo-Yah [Julieta Ramos on The Game Pop, Nov 7, 2012]
If you keep tabs on new tech and gaming news sites such as this one, you have no doubt heard of the OUYA. I will admit that the minute I heard of it, I was set to donate and get dibs on my own console. Here’s why: it’s open source; offers free-to-play titles; hacker friendly; decent specs ; runs on Android Jelly Bean; will have its own online store; it’s a brand new console; and most importantly, incredibly cheap going for $99 (w/o shipping).
Giants such as Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have led the game console market in recent years. In the 90’s, we longed for amazing graphics and innovative design from these companies, and they have delivered. But who would have thought that 10+ years later, those small portable devices we use to communicate with others were to become competition? This is the time of portable gaming, and it is a fascinating time in which all the tools to develop a game, such as the ones we fell in love with as kids, are easily accessible to anyone. In fact, a whole new wave of game applications has surfaced because of iPhones and Android phones. As your typical dork that has been fortunate to have had at least 1 modern console since childhood. I am thrilled and welcome the new device that will make people fall in love with consoles again.
That is why the OUYA was exciting on first impression. However, there are numerous things anyone supporting it should consider. Is the price tag too good to be true? In reality, yes, it is. After you do a bit of research on similar gadgets. You will find that there are bootleg devices that, more or less, offer similar features for a slightly smaller price tag and are already up for sale. The China based electronics manufacturer JinXing Digital (JXD) has developed a number of portable devices which run on the latest Android OS. Android’s very own MK808 4.1 Mini PC/TV Box was recently released as well with a price tag of $90 flat. Given that these devices did not get attention nor funding through Kickstarter, they offer similar features as the OUYA while not hiding their tech behind a brand new design which can require extensive production time and money. Think about it, folks. This is a brand new product. It will require patents, quality assurance testing, and numerous other factors that might become obstacles along development.
Some of us may be too young to recall or have heard of The Phantom. After googling it, I know your reaction will be similar to mine when I read about it, “How did this NOT take off?!” Just reading a brief bio on it, you realize it was ahead of the game. Its design was small, slick, and sexy… everything we love about our PS360Wii slims; you could play PC games on it; develop for it easily; play online. The people at Infinium Labs even had a working prototype at E3 in 2004—not just a well edited teaser video clip. It was unfortunate that it never made it to stores due to problems during production and online software.
But that was another time when online game play was not as strong as it is now. These days, online capability is a given for mostly any game and portable device. The team behind OUYA appear to have enough savvy in order to deliver something to its supporters. Just this past week, Julie Uhrman, OUYA founder and CEO, released news that the console was now in the development phase and meeting milestones in time. Will they be able to deliver in time? Will it actually succeed? Part of me remains hopeful and optimistic to see indie developers have a chance at putting their project out there through a brand new console that caters to them.
$48 Mogu M0 “peoplephone”, i.e. an Android smartphone for everybody to hit the Chinese market on November 15
This is a great historic moment as thanks to a highly optimized Android 2.3 (CyanogenMod 7 distribution which seems to support HW acceleration in the latest versions, see here and here, and besides about 400 people is working on Android for Spreadtrum so it definitely could have been done) version, able to run in 256MB RAM only, and the amazing ultra low-cost, but still quite well performing (Cortex-A5 @1GHz), SC6820 SoC from Spreadtrum some Chinese manufacturers behind the Mogu brand were able to bring out a sub $50 smartphone “for everybody of us”. This means not only a significant lowering of the price for the truly performing entry level smartphones, but also is marking the beginning of the demise of the classic feature phone segment. So it is a disruptive innovation of enormous significance.
Re: Lowest H2’12 device cost SoCs from Spreadtrum will redefine the entry level smartphone and feature phone markets [this same “Experiencing the Cloud” blog, July 26 – Aug 16, 2012]
Just here to notify you that SC6820-based “smartphone” will hit the Chinese market with a price as low as ￥299 [$48] next week. Link:http://www.moguphone.com/indexM0.html, note that M2 phone based on MTK6577 is also very cheap.
hyno111 on Nov 8, 2012
hyno111@gmail.com
74.125.19.23
On the top of the indicated website one can find to following illustrative content:
where:
– 蘑菇 人民机 means “Mushroom [the] people [machine]” as translated by Bing
-more precisely 蘑菇 mogu, the people (ordinary people) 人民, and …机 …machine but in fact …机 …phone (such as 手机cellphone) i.e. 蘑菇 人民机 means Mushroom peoplephone with Mushroom (Mogu) as the overall brand and peoplephone is a constructed noun expressing the “phone for everybody of us” idea in the most concise way as a kind of new market category name
Note that such kind of idea is deeply rooted in the history of the modern industrial world. The most vivid examples you could find in the history of cars and radios:
– The Ford Model T was the very first instance of the concept itself, then the proper naming appeared when the Volkswagen (literally meaning Peoplecar) company was founded in 1937 by the Nazi trade union, the German Labour Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront) for the People’s Car project. And the basic design for the Volkswagen Beetle was conceived back in 1925 by Béla Barényi during his mechanical engineering studies, the model vision finished in 1931, and appearing on the front page of the Motor-Kritik in 1934 (see this detailed Mercedes-Benz article about him). And after World War II France had the Citroën 2CV, Great Britain the Mini, Italy the Fiat 500, and East Germany the Trabant, just to indicate the most prominent examples of very successful “people’s cars” next to the overall leader, the Volkswagen Beetle.
– The Volksempfänger (German for “people’s receiver”) was a range of radio receivers developed by engineer Otto Griessing at the request of Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels. Great Britain had the Utility Radio from the last year of the World War II as a similar concept as well. And later we had the Transistor radio which indeed became essential part of people’s everyday life.
After searching on the wen I found that the first information about the Mogu M0 peoplephone became available last Saturday:
199 Yuan! Mogu M0 peoplephone upcoming release: 3.5 inch bright screen [IT之家(IThome.com), Nov 3, 2012]
… Mogu Cellphone, as rumored around the continent, is about to release a “Mogu M0″ model for ultra low-cost smartphones (Mogu peoplephone). The phone has a 3.5-inch high-definition highlighted display; 1GHz CPU; 256M RAM, 512M ROM; it is running the Android 2.3 operating system; supports Bluetooth/WiFi/FM/expansion card; has a dual SIM dual standby capability; priced at 229 yuan. The first 1000 pilot machines [as told in the later announcement of Nov 8 the “the first batch of 1,000 units”]will have a price of 199 yuan.
199 yuan for a smartphone, would you have expected it?
No wonder that “the first batch has been sold out” is currently on the shopping site http://moguphone.taobao.com/ with “the second batch ready to go” whatever does it mean from pricing point of view. The latest message of Mogu Cellphone microblogging site of Sina Wibo clarified it on Nov 8 as:
[The first thousand units of Mogu M0 pilot machine, November 15, at 10 o’clock in the morning sale] at 10 o’clock on November 15th, sold 1000 limited pilot, for pilot price of 199 dollars, instead of price of 299 Yuan. Buying Platform: Taobao Marketplace address is http://t.cn/zlmnjuU (please note collection), the Taobao platform limits to buy 800 units. Open supply after November 20, the public price is 299 yuan, details, please pay attention to official Mogu website: www.moguphone.com.
The company behind the Mogu brand is the 深圳市盛谷科技有限公司, Valley Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Sheng (or Shenzhen Sheng Valley Technology Limited as translated by Bing) which has a too broad About page not worth to include here. More relevant information I’ve found in the following job advertisement published on August 8:
Shenzhen Sheng Valley Technology Co., Ltd.
Emerging Internet companies, own multiple Taobao Malls, a brand for multiple manufacturers brand operation. The company mainly had an operation for high-end domestic mobile phones. Now the companies are in the high-speed development stage and require a lot of talent, we are looking for customer service, (art) designer, and administrative/executive staff. Learn more on Baidu more on google
- Company size :20-99
- Company Type: Private
- Company Industry: Computer
Contact:
- Company Web site:
- Address: Futian District, Shenzhen Huaqiang North the SED 雅苑 5P
- Tel: 18664986715
- Contact: Duan Sheng (段生)
- E-mail:
Phone quality inspector … Media Manager / microblogging operators / forum operators … Taobao manager … Mobile phone after-sales maintenance division … Taobao accounting … After-sale customer service … The financial … Head of mobile phone sales … Taobao customer service / the Taobao Commissioner … Taobao customer service (Beijing)
Fast staff recruitment could have started back in July as evidenced with this Art Editor / Design job placement ad which had the same company description.
Another useful company profile given for a designer and a web programmer job as of Aug 6, 2012 is stating a 1-49 company size, private ownership and Internet/e-commerce set of activities with a different description:
Shenzhen Sheng Valley Technology Co. Ltd. is focused on independent R&D and brand management for mobile intelligent terminals. “Integration, innovation, open” is Sheng Valley Technology’s business philosophy. “MOGU Magic Valley” is the [essence of] company’s efforts to build an Internet phone brand, [with which it] is committed to providing users with customizable, cost-effective, high playability smartphone products.
Sheng Valley Technology’s mobile team: 乐蛙
Company has team of empowering entrepreneurial passion and innovation, comprising of senior members of the mobile industry, mobile Internet industry, and e-commerce industry. Our team is advocating a simple, fast, innovative, open Internet culture. The vision of the team is to use the Internet to achieve a business model of disruptive innovation, enjoy the happiness of common entrepreneurial growth.
Strategic partners:
Currently has been the telecommunications industry, China Unicom, Tapas Mobile (点心), LeWa (Le frog 乐蛙), cyanogen (CyanogenMod), Mobile uncle (www.mobileuncle.com 移动叔叔), Seven Casket (www.7xz.com七匣子), All music (乐众), N multi-network (www.nduoa.com N多网), Mushroom Cloud Hack Machine (蘑菇云 刷机), Hack Wizard (刷机精灵等) [Shenzhen Bottle Technology Ltd 深圳瓶子科技有限公司] with which a strategic partnership is established, providing the safest, most convenient user-oriented Android OS hack machine service.
As seen from all the above Mogu as a local brand marketing company has all the critical technological and marketing ties in the Chinese Android ecosystem. With cyanogen they are even tied to the crucial Android Open Source Project via described in What is CyanogenMod [Oct 13, 2009 – Oct 17, 2012] as:
CyanogenMod(/sɪˈænoʊdʒəŋmäd/) is a customized, aftermarket firmware distribution for select Android devices.
Intended as a replacement for the software (also known as the “firmware” or “ROM”) that comes factory installed on your smartphone, CyanogenMod is based on the Android Open Source Project – the same base software used in all Android devices. However, CyanogenMod offers several benefits over the pre-installed firmware, including vastly flexible interface and customization, a wider set of new features, and sometimes significant improvements in performance.
CyanogenMod’s features may allow you to bypass software limitations imposed by carriers, which may prevent you from using the handset in a manner that they do not support. Such features include, but not limited to, the ability to overclock the device’s CPU, tether the device to your computer, or fully back up the device to your SD Card.
What CyanogenMod isn’t
CyanogenMod, however, does not “unlock” the device. Most carriers “lock” their handsets to prevent customers from buying a handset and moving to a different carrier. Carriers depend on these “exclusivity” agreements to bolster revenue. For example: if you buy an iPhone in the US, you are stuck with AT&T or Verizon, whichever you bought from. To use the handset on another carrier’s network it would be necessary to “unlock” the handset. This is done with a code based on the IMEI of the handset that can be provided by your carrier or firms on the internet that are slightly more reliable than a Nigerian Prince.
Unlocking cannot be done by installing CyanogenMod, or any other firmwarefor that matter.
…
The CyanogenMod firmware is currently based on code released by the Android Open Source Project’s “Gingerbread” (Android 2.3) development branch. CyanogenMod is primarily developed by Cyanogenbut includes contributions from the xda-developers community and other sources.
Licensing Controversy
Until version 4.1.11.1, CyanogenMod included several proprietary apps such as Gmail, Maps & the Android Market, which are included with stock versions of Android, but are not licensed for distribution with ‘custom’firmwares, such as CyanogenMod. Legally, Cyanogenwas not allowed to include these apps in CyanogenMod.
Google sent Cyanogen a Cease and Desist letter demanding he stop distribution of these apps and Cyanogenceased all development until a solution could be found.
The reactions of many CyanogenMod users was predictably hostile, with some claiming that Google’s legal threats hurt their own interests and violated their informal corporate motto to “Do No Evil”. After extensive media coverage (PC World, The Register, The Inquirer, Ars Technica, The H, ZDNet, Gigaom, and eWeek) and a statement from Google clarifying its position Google and Cyanogen negotiated an agreement in which Cyanogen could continue development on his firmware as long as he did not include Google’s proprietary “Google Experience” components.
To work around the licensing issues, it was further agreed that the proprietary Google apps may be backed-up from the stock firmware on the device and then re-installed onto CyanogenMod releases without infringing copyrights.
Cyanogen has warned that while issues no longer remain with Google, there are still potential licensing issues regarding proprietary, closed-source device drivers. However, he believes the licensing issues with the drivers can be worked out, and he is receiving assistance from Google employees to avoid any further licensing issues.
Furthermore the About the project | CyanogenMod [Nov 1, 2012] is giving the further up to date information:
CyanogenMod (pronounced sigh-AN-oh-jen-mod), is a customized, aftermarket firmware distribution for several Android devices (See above for supported devices & how to install CyanogenMod on said devices). Based on the Android Open Source Project, CyanogenMod is designed to increase performance and reliability over Android-based ROMs released by vendors and carriers such as Google, T-Mobile, HTC, etc. CyanogenMod also offers a variety of features & enhancements that are not currently found in these versions of Android.
While this build is heavily optimized, it is also capable of pushing your phone much harder. CyanogenMod and it’s team hold no responsibility to any damage caused to your phone, loss of earnings as a result of damaging your phone or anything else that is connected to the development of this rom.
For a list of devices officially supported by CyanogenMod, check out the official devices page. Such is the craze for CyanogenMod, that devices that aren’t officially supported, still manage to receive ports of the ROM courtesy of enthusiasts and developers. CyanogenMod offers the most barebone Android experience coupled with some very powerful tweaks. This whole package by now is not wholly developed by CyanogenMod developers alone, but is a collaborative effort between them and independent developers on sites like XDA-Developers.
Right now, CyanogenMod consists of two parallel and active major versions: CyanogenMod 7 is based on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), and CyanogenMod 10 is based on Android 4.1 (JB); CM10-capable devices are being phased out of CM7, but since there’s a large amount of devices still on the market that aren’t capable of fully running Android 4.x, CyanogenMod 7 exists to support them.
The variants of the firmware are split into categories, such as: Stable, Release Candidate, M-series and Nightlies. The Stable version, as suggested by the title, is the tried and tested variant of the firmware proven to be mostly bug free and suitable for daily use. The latest stable version is available for an assortment of the officially supported devices. A Release Candidate (RC) build may not be the final version, but a variant that has no fatal flaws or bugs, on the stabilization stages to become the final product that is the Stable variant. M-series releases behave similar to the RCs, but are considered ‘stable’ for our users. Lastly we have the Nightlies, which are as volatile as a firmware can get. These releases keep coming at an interval of a day or two and if you do end up trying one of these, do not be alarmed if the your device goes cuckoo on you. These ROMs are largely untested, and as advised by CyanogenMod, not meant for use for an average user. These releases, are meant to test untested waters that may or may not break your phone.
This CyanogenMod capabilities explain the following specification parameters of Mogu M0:
– Android 2.3
– 256MB RAM+512MB ROM
From the same specification list it is also important to note here:
– resolution: 320×480
– battery: 1280mAh
Furthermore: You can find all the information about the SC6820 story in the referred Lowest H2’12 device cost SoCs from Spreadtrum will redefine the entry level smartphone and feature phone marketspost. In order to have an immediate impact and convenience I will reproduce here the Spreadtrum product page as well:
SC6820 EDGE/GPRS/GSM 1GHz Low-Cost Smartphone Platform [Feb 29, 2012]
Designed with 40nm CMOS silicon, the SC6820 is a highly integrated, low-power platform for EDGE/WiFi mainstream smartphones. The single-chip solution supports multimode EDGE/GPRS/GSM and integrates a Cortex A5 1GHz processor, a dedicated GPU for graphics acceleration, and power management. Bringing the web and graphics performance of high-end handsets to the low-cost market segment, the SC6820 is delivered with turnkey Android and systems software that reduces the design time and resources required to deliver new handsets to market.
SC6820 Baseband Diagram
SC6820 Key Features
Core Description
- ARM Cortex-A5 core, clock speeds up to 1GHz
- Integrated DBB, ABB and PMU
Communication Features
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE standards, GSM850/EGSM900/DCS1800/PCS1900
- EGPRS Class 12
- HR, FR, EFR, AMR-NB
Multimedia Support For
- Mali 400 GPU: 30MTri/s, 256Mpix/s, OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0
- Decoder: MPEG4/H.263 720p@30fps; H.264 WVGA@30fps; VP8 WVGA@30fps
- Encoder: H.263/H.264/MPEG4 WVGA@30fps
- Video Streaming: MPEG4/H.263/H.264 WVGA@30fps
- 3G-324M Video Telephony
- 5 MP Camera Sub-system JPEG decoder/encoder (32MP/s)
- MP3/AAC/AAC+/MIDI/AMR-NB/WAV format
- Audio codec included
LCD Display Features
- Supports up to WVGA [800×480] resolution
- Built-in LCD Controller, touch panel controller
- Support for dual color LCD display modules
- Supports OSD / Rotation / Scaling
Memory I/F Support For
- 4Gbyte NAND flash (8 bit and 16 bit devices)
- HW ECC, multi-bit ECC
- 1Gbyte SDR/DDR SDRAM (16 bit and 32 bit devices)
Peripheral I/F Support For
- HS USB 2.0
- 3 x UART with built-in IrDA controller
- 2 x SPI interface, 3-wire SPI, 4-wire SPI, synchronous SPI
- 4 x I²C interfaces
- 2 x I²S and PCM interface
- 2 x SDIO interfaces
- 2 x SIM/USIM interfaces
- 4 x PWM outputs
- ETM port
- More than 100 GPIO pins
- 8 * 8 keyboard interfaces
Other Features
- Operating ambient temperature range: -45℃ to +95℃
- Low-power design, chip core voltage: 1.8V
- 13mm × 13mm 454-ball LFBGA package, 0.5mm ball pitch
With Asha Touch starting at $83 [Feb 22: $65] and Lumia at $186 [Feb 22: $168] Nokia targeting the entry-level and low-end smartphone markets–UPDATED [Dec 19, 2012] new entry prices and Lumia 505 (? $220 ?) with AMOLED ClearBlack and Gorilla Glass
Preliminary information: Core post: Smartphone-like Asha Touch from Nokia: targeting the next billion users with superior UX created for ultra low-cost and full touch S40 devices[this same blog, July 20, 2012 – Feb 12, 2013]
Update as Feb 5, 2013:
– Lumia 510 lowest retail price in India is Rs.8,924/ – [$US 168]
– Asha 305 lowest retail price in India is Rs.4,045/ – [$US 76]
Feb 22, 2013: Rs. 3,548/ — [$US 65]
Update as of Dec 19, 2012 :
– Lumia 510 lowest retail price in India is Rs.9,375/- [$US 172]
– Asha 305 lowest retail price in India is Rs.4,399/- [$US 81]
– Nokia Lumia 505 Price in India and Leaked Features [Price India Review, Dec 7, 2012]:
“Nokia Lumia 505 Price in India will be around Rs. 12,000 [$US 220]”
– NOKIA LUMIA 505 EXCLUSIVE TO MEXICO WITH TELCEL [Usuario Celular (User Cell), Dec 18, 2012] as translated by Google from Spanish
Nokia decided to launch their exclusive Nokia Lumia 505 in Mexico with Telcel, a phone with Windows Phone 7.8.
Until recently not known official details of this phone [Lumia 505 product page dated Dec 15, 2012 on Nokia Mexico site], but Nokia has already shown the features and here we bring to all.
First, as already mentioned, the Lumia 505 comes with Windows Phone 7.8, which runs on a Snapdragon processor along with 256 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal memory space.
The screen of the Nokia Lumia 505 is 3.7 inch AMOLED ClearBlack technology with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Corning Gorilla Glass has to avoid scratches on the screen.
It has a single 8-megapixel camera with autofocus, which also allows you to record video with a resolution of 640 x 480 VGA resolution.
Obviously includes 3G, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM Radio, Accelerometer, among others. Furthermore, the purchase of this phone include 7 GB of free storage on SkyDrive storage service in the cloud from Microsoft.
It will be available in three colors: Black, red and pink.
At the moment there is no official price, but hopefully not as expensive as you see, its features are modest. Once we have this data will update the post
[from Wikipedia: Telcel is a Mexican wireless telecommunications company, owned by América Móvil. Founded in 1989 and based in Mexico City, Telcel is the leading provider of wireless communications services in Mexico. As of December 31, 2006, Telcel’s cellular network covered more than 63% of the geographical area of Mexico, including all major cities, and 90% of Mexico’s population. Telcel holds concessions to operate a wireless network in all nine geographic regions in Mexico using both the 850 megahertz and 1900 megahertz radio spectrum. According to Cofetel (Comision Federal de Telecomunicaciones–Mexico’s Federal Telecommunications Commission), as of July 2008, Telcel’s subscribers represented an estimated 77.2% share of the Mexican wireless market. On August 2011, Telcel reported it has 66.9 million cellular subscribers.]
Update:
– High-volume Nokia Lumia superphones with Windows Phone 8 extended on the top for China, and on the entry level needed for Asia and Middle-East as well [this same ‘Experiencing the Cloud’ blog, Dec 5, 2012] where detailed information about the Lumia 620 is given
– Marko Ahtisaari from Nokia and Steven Guggenheimer from Microsoft on the Internet of Things day of LeWeb Paris’12 [this same ‘Experiencing the Cloud’ blog, Dec 5, 2012] where you could watch Marko Ahtisaari launching the Lumia 620 in 6 minutes on the LeWeb Paris’12
– Nokia increasing competition in entry-level to mid-range smartphone segment [DIGITIMES, Dec 7, 2012]
Nokia is strengthening its deployment in the entry-level to mid-range smartphone market with the launch of Lumia 620, a move which will affect the sale of Windows Phone 8 handsets rolled out by HTC and China-based smartphone brands, according to industry sources.
The Lumia 620, priced at US$250 unlocked, will hit the shelves in some markets in Asia, including China, in January 2013, prior to the launch of WP8 models by China-based vendors, indicated the sources, noting that the Lumia 620 will be also available in Europe and the Middle East later.
The Lumia 620 comes only one month after Nokia launched its first wave of WP8 phones, the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820, indicating Nokia’s strong efforts to regain market share, particularly in India, China and other emerging markets, the sources commented.
The move by Nokia may force HTC to also roll out low-priced WP8 models, as well as affect the pricing strategies of China-based brands, including Huawei and ZTE, which are set to launch WP8 phones soon, added the sources.
In addition to penetrating into the entry-level to mid-range sector, Nokia has announced that it is partnering with China Mobile to launch the Lumia 920T for the high-end segment in China.
HTC has launched its WP8X and WP8S smartphones in cooperation with China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom, respectively.
New Nokia Lumia 510, our most affordable Lumia smartphone [nokia YouTube channel, Oct 23, 2012]
Nokia Lumia 510 now available online for pre-order for Rs 9,999 [$US 186] [BGR India, Oct 31, 2012]
Nokia’s newly launched Lumia 510 is now available for pre-order FlipKart for Rs 9,999. FlipKart says that it will ship the product in six to eight working days. Nokia had previously said that it will price the device under Rs 11,000 and going by the FlipKart price it looks like Nokia has made good on the promise.
For those who don’t know, the Lumia 510 is perhaps the cheapest Windows Phone based smartphone in the market. It features a 4-inch display with a resolution of 800×480 pixels, a 5-megapixel camera, an 800MHz single-core processor, 256 MB of RAM, 4GB of internal memory and has a 1,300 mAh battery.
Additionally, users will get 7GB of free SkyDrive storage and it will ship with Windows Phone 7.5, but it will receive the update to Windows Phone 7.8.
All prices are from the FlipKart.com.
More information on the above: Official Nokia Comparison of the Specifications
Nokia Lumia 510 brings Windows Phone to lower price points [Oct 23, 2012]
Bright 4-inch display and signature Lumia experiences in Nokia’s new entry-level Windows Phone
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced the Nokia Lumia 510, a smart and modern entry-level smartphone. Featuring a bright, 4-inch display, the Nokia Lumia 510 makes the unique benefits of Lumia and Windows Phone even more affordable.
“With the Nokia Lumia 510 we continue to meet our commitment to bring Windows Phone to new, lower price points,” said Jo Harlow, executive vice president of Nokia Smart Devices. “People who use Windows Phone quickly realize how much more intuitive it is than other smartphone platforms, and Nokia Lumia is the best embodiment of the Windows Phone experience. With the Nokia Lumia 510 we’re looking forward to welcoming more people into the Windows Phone experience.”
Following on from the success of the Nokia Lumia 610, this latest addition to the Nokia Lumia range comes in five vivid colors for a fun and personal way to enjoy Windows Phone.
Windows Phone is different to other smartphone platforms thanks to Live Tiles, making it easy to see incoming messages and updates; People Hub, which brings together contacts and updates from across social networks into one location, and access to Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer 9 on the mobile.
Unique Lumia experiences also make the Nokia Lumia 510 unlike any other entry-level Windows Phone. Downloading the Camera Extras app provides exclusive digital lens functionality to go with the five megapixel camera and built-in autofocus. Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive and Nokia Transport also offer the most comprehensive smartphone location and navigation experience available.
The Nokia Lumia 510 will be available in red, yellow, cyan, white and black. Nokia estimates the retail price for the Nokia Lumia 510 to be around USD 199, excluding taxes and subsidies. Sales are planned to begin in November 2012, starting with India and China, and followed closely by other Asia-Pacific countries and South America.
For more information see:
– Core post: Nokia Design direction [this same blog, Aug 1 – Oct 29, 2012]
– The precursor of 2012 smartphone war: Nokia Lumia vs. Samsung Omnia W in India [this same blog, Jan 3 – July 9, 2012]
– Nokia’s strategy for “the next billion” based on software and web optimization with super low-cost 2.5/2.75G SoCs [this same blog, Feb 14 – April 23, 2012]
– Core post: MediaTek’s ‘smart-feature phone’ effort with likely Nokia tie-up [this same blog, Aug 15 – Sept 3, 2012]
– The Where Platform from Nokia: a company move to taking data as a raw material to build products [this same blog, April 7, 2012]
Acer Iconia W510: Windows 8 Clover Trail (Intel Z2760) hybrid tablets from OEMs
Update: Acer Iconia W510 Hybrid Tablet Overview by Chippy [Steve Chippy Paine YouTube channel, Dec 14, 2012]
Update: Acer pushing tablet shipments [DIGITIMES, Dec 12, 2012]
Acer originally believed that tablets would soon lose their attractiveness to consumers helping notebooks to regain their influence; however as market watchers and IT players mostly estimate giant growth in tablet shipments with volume to surpass those of notebooks in 2013, Acer has started turning aggressive about pushing its tablet shipments.
For 2013, Acer will have three major operating strategies – raising its brand position, pushing its tablet shipments, and expanding its gap with competitors in the touchscreen notebook market, according to company chairman JT Wang.
Acer is already set to announce new products in early 2013 and will also release Windows 8 Pro tablets in the second quarter of 2013, Wang noted.
Commenting about his recent meeting with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Wang noted that Microsoft’s strategy of launching Surface products is unlikely to be changed in the short term, but Ballmer fully understands PC brand vendors’ opinions.
Wang pointed out that Ballmer’s visit to Taiwan was to discuss how to boost Windows 8 demand, and a few directions to work on were proposed for the future.
Acer estimates that its tablet shipments will reach 1.8 million units in 2012, but plans to significantly raise the volume in 2013.
Acer recently appointed Tiffany Huang as its president of PC global operations, replacing Campbell Kan who will serve as special assistant to the chairman, JT Wang. Both appointments shall take effect from January 1, 2013.
Acer Iconia W510 preview: as Acer moves into the Windows 8 era, it returns to its netbook roots [engadget, Oct 9, 2012]
…
Look and feel
<very good video about look and feel, watch at the original place on engadget>
It was almost a year ago that Acer CEO J.T. Wang vowed the company would stop making “cheap and unprofitable products” and focus on more premium items — namely, Ultrabooks. And yet, the W510 feels like precisely the sort of low-end netbook that earned Acer its reputation for slipshod quality in the first place. Mostly, it’s the keyboard dock that’s the problem: the plastic buttons have a slightly scratchy feel, and look mismatched against the smooth, faux-metal keyboard deck. The hinge is also made of white, textured plastic that seems out of place next to the rest of the system. What’s more, there’s a large, unsightly gap between the hinge and the keyboard — again, netbook redux.
Not to go there, but we suspect it’s because of products like this that Microsoft’s management felt compelled to build the Surface. Even if you left the Surface out of this — and why not, since we don’t know how much it will cost? — you can still do better than this. Just ask Samsung: the company’s Series 5 Slate costs the same with a keyboard dock and has near-identical specs, but the design is considerably more elegant.
…
Wrap-up
Having met with Acer’s product team in person (and having read its executives quoted in the press), it’s obvious the company is eager to shed its reputation for cheap products and be taken more seriously as an OEM capable of building premium PCs. You can even see glimmers of that in the Iconia W510, with its lovely IPS display and optional accessories. Ultimately, though, the W510 does a disservice to Acer: with a chintzy build and a cramped, netbook-like keyboard, it confirms whatever pre-conceived notions shoppers may have about the brand. And with so many Windows 8 hybrids on the way, including one from Microsoft itself, Acer can’t afford to have its products get lost in the mix.
There is something to be excited about, though: the W510 performs well, and at $500, it’s attractively priced for a tablet running full Windows 8. The Clover Trail-based Atom processor inside makes for some zippy performance in Windows 8, and that nine-hour battery is also promising. We’ll be back with a full review in which we plan to put this guy through its paces, and we’ll be curious to see how it fares against similarly priced hybrids offering comparable specs. For all we know, the W510 will end up being exceptionally fast and longevous for its class. But you’d have to get past its homely exterior to appreciate it.
Since Acer has been the most vocal opponent of the Surface introduction by Microsoft, as well as Surface is indeed the point of reference for every 3d party hybrid from now on, let’s see next a detailed comparision of the Acer device with the Surface:
Please also read my previous posts about the Surface:
– Microsoft Surface: its premium quality/price vs. even iPad3 [Oct 26, 2012]
– Microsoft Surface: First media reflections after the New-York press launch [Oct 26, 2012]
After this it would be much easier to evaluate the very recent complaints from Acer:
UPDATE: Acer Offers Grim 4Q Outlook; Lowers Shipment Forecast [The Wall Street Journal, Oct 25, 2012], with slides from the Oct 25 Investor Conference inserted appropriately
…
Global PC shipments have fallen for the first time in over a decade, plunging more than 8% in the third quarter from a year earlier, according to industry researchers Gartner and IDC. A main reason is that consumers have been putting off computer purchases ahead of the release of Microsoft’s Windows 8.
Taipei-based Acer has suffered particularly, as it hasn’t diversified into growing sectors like tablet computers and smartphones as successfully as competitors like Lenovo Group Ltd. and Asustek Computer Inc., analysts say.
…
Acer Chairman and CEO J.T. Wang criticized Microsoft at an investor conference Thursday for throwing its partners into disarray with its decision to launch its own Surface tablet, saying retail stores have been unwilling to take on much inventory from companies like Acer ahead of the launch of the Surface.
“This kind of uncertainty we have never encountered in the last 20 years,” Mr. Wang said. “An industry leader competing with its partners is a very new situation….The uncertainty has really created a lot of negative impact on the ecosystem.”
Touch-based devices are likely to make up 5%-8% of Acer’s total shipments in the fourth quarter, it added.
Acer: Opportunity
– Acer expects the touch feature to stimulate PC shipment growth, particularly after the Windows 8 introduction.
– Acer has endeavored to improve the user experience in touch and is ready to embrace the new opportunity from touch and type in both supply and demand fronts.
Another Acer Iconia W510 preview [TheVerge YouTube channel, Oct 9, 2012]
Information published by Acer:
Note that the announced entry level W510-1674 is not available yet. Therefore it is not sure at all why the available entry model W510-1620 (32GB) has a $50 higher price. Microsoft Surface has a price of $599 with TouchCover (32GB) and $699 for the 64 GB version with TouchCover. In comparison the W510-1422 (64GB with keyboard dock) has a price of $749.99. So, as it stands now, the W510 has generally a $50 higher price than the Microsoft Surface.
W510-1620 | Product Model [Acer USA, Oct 9, 2012]
SKU: NT.L0KAA.003: … Keyboard dock sold separately
New twist
When detached from the dock, this tablet lets you stay productive and mobile with touch convenience and a light 10.1″ design. Need to do some typing? Connect the tablet to the keyboard dock1 and get to it. Then, if you want others to view the display, you can twist it up to 295 degrees.
W510-1620 | Model Datasheet [Acer USA, Oct 20, 2012]
Windows 8 – Intel® Atom™ Dual-Core Processor Z2760 1.5GHz with Intel® Burst technology up to 1.8GHz – 2GB DDR3 SDRAM – 32GB internal storage – 10.1″ HD display (1366 x 768) with integrated 5-point multitouch screen – Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator – Acer Invilink™ Nplify™ 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi – front and rear facing webcams – high-definition audio support – Bluetooth® – Micro-HDMI® – Micro-USB – 2-in-1 card reader – 2-cell battery – 1-year limited warranty
<more detailed specification by clicking on the link
NOTE THAT THERE LPDDR2 IS GIVEN INSTEAD OF DDR3>
W510-1666 | Product Model [Acer USA, Oct 9, 2012]:
SKU NT.L0KAA.001: Acer Iconia W510-1666 Intel Z2760 1.5GHz dual core processor, 64GB storage, Windows 8, 10.1 1366×768 IPS display. Keyboard dock sold separately
When detached from the dock, this tablet lets you stay productive and mobile with touch convenience and a light 10.1″ design. Need to do some typing? Connect the tablet to the keyboard dock1 and get to it. Then, if you want others to view the display, you can twist it up to 295 degrees.
W510-1666 | Model Datasheet [Acer USA, Oct 20, 2012]
Windows 8 – Intel® Atom™ Dual-Core Processor Z2760 1.5GHz with Intel® Burst technology up to 1.8GHz – 2GB DDR3 SDRAM – 64GB internal storage – 10.1″ HD display (1366 x 768) with integrated 5-point multitouch screen – Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator – Acer Invilink™ Nplify™ 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi – front and rear facing webcams – high-definition audio support – Bluetooth® – Micro-HDMI® – Micro-USB – 2-in-1 card reader – 2-cell battery – 1-year limited warranty
<more detailed specification by clicking on the link
NOTE THAT THERE LPDDR2 IS GIVEN INSTEAD OF DDR3>
W510-1892 | Product Model [Acer Canada, Oct 9, 2012]
SKU NT.L0KAA.004: … Keyboard dock sold separately
W510-1892 | Model Datasheet [Acer Canada, Oct 20, 2012]
Windows 8 – 64-bit version – 1.8GHz Intel® Atom™ Processor Z2760 (1MB L2 cache) – 2GB DDR3 SDRAM – 64GB solid state drive – 10.1″ HD LCD multi-touch display – 802.11b/g/n – Bluetooth® – 2-cell battery – 1-year limited warranty
<more detailed specification by clicking on the link>
Not on Acer US site but on reseller sites:
SKU NT.L0MAA.001: Acer Iconia W510-1422 Intel Z2760 1.5GHz dual core processor, 64GB storage, Windows 8, 10.1 1366×768 IPS display. Includes keyboard dock accessory $749.99 list price
Acer Iconia W510 Tablet PC With Windows 8 Is a Triple Threat Convertible [Acer America press release via Marketwire, Oct 9, 2012]
Editor’s Summary:
Acer Iconia W510 tablet PC delivers ultimate flexibility and performance in three different modes for an optimum experience with touch, typing and viewing
10.1-inch HD Gorilla Glass 2 display provides convenient 10-point touch, vibrant visuals
Superior battery life of up to 18 hours with keyboard dock, battery
Responsive performance in an incredibly thin form factor only 0.35-inches thin
Product available in the U.S. and Canada starting Nov. 9
Acer America, the world’s number two notebook provider(1), today announced that the Acer Iconia W510 tablet PC featuring Windows 8 will be available for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The new tablet PC features a sleek convertible design that can be used in three different modes to make computing more natural and intuitive.
Conventional tablet PC mode provides first-rate multi-touch navigation as customers enjoy the intuitive and comfortable design, as well as the responsive 10.1-inch HD LED-backlit Gorilla Glass 2 full high-definition screen that is beautiful, strong and scratch-resistant. The Gorilla Glass 2 display enhances the crisp and vibrant images, and is durable and flexible enough to handle the routine impacts of daily use.
The Intel Atom Z2760 mobile-optimized processor smoothly and seamlessly blazes through games, websites and new Windows 8 apps. Plus, in conventional tablet PC mode, the Acer Iconia W510 delivers up to 9 hours of battery life(2) for video playback or WiFi browsing to boost all-day productivity.
Customers get a boost in efficiency using the Iconia W510 in productivity mode. The keyboard dock seamlessly connects to the tablet PC, transforming it into a full-featured notebook for a first-rate typing experience. With it, the Iconia W510 becomes a powerhouse for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets and multimedia content. In addition, the keyboard dock houses an additional battery, extending battery life up to 18 hours for multi-day use, further ensuring productivity and uptime (2).
Rotating the keyboard on the Iconia W510 back 295 degrees allows it to be used as a stand for presentation mode. This hands-free usage mode is ideal for showing off the latest video, photo slideshow or presentation, while the display’s wide viewing angle ensures multiple people can comfortably enjoy the visuals. The W510’s 1366×768 resolution Gorilla Glass 2 HD display vibrantly highlights everything on it with consistent and accurate colors and clarity. HD audio support and two built-in stereo speakers ensure excellent sound quality.
“Customers will enjoy optimized experiences for touch, typing and viewing on the Iconia W510 tablet PC,” said Sumit Agnihotry, vice president of product marketing for Acer. “The versatility of the new tablet PC and durability of the Gorilla Glass 2 display pairs beautifully with the responsive performance to take advantage of the capabilities of Windows 8 for a first-rate tablet PC experience.”
The Acer Iconia W510 features the latest technology and extras that make it incredibly useful. The tablet PCs come with either a 64GB or 32GB SSD(3) to power on the device and retrieve data quickly and securely. The microSD card reader allows easy transfer of content to and from the tablet PC. The micro-USB port on the tablet PC and full-sized USB on the keyboard dock enable quick and convenient connections to external devices, such as printers and external HDD or USB flash drives. Plus, the Iconia W510 has a Micro HDMI port and dual independent display support for sharing content onto external displays.
The Iconia W510 is smartly designed with curved edges and a slim 0.35-inch thin build. The tablet PC weighs a mere 1.27 pounds, so it’s comfortable to hold for web browsing, reading, and enjoying Windows 8 apps on the go. With the full-featured keyboard, the Iconia W510 still measures just 0.84-inches thin and is very lightweight at only 2.63 pounds. Since customers will want to take it with them anywhere, the W510’s 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi provides a quick and reliable connection to hotspots. In addition, the new tablet PC can take advantage of location-based and travel applications with its integrated G-Sensor, E-Compass and Gyro-Meter.
The new Acer Iconia W510 features Acer Always On and Acer Always Connect technologies that enable data upload and retrieval anytime, anywhere, and deliver power-saving features as well. Acer Always On technology ensures the Iconia W510 powers on nearly instantly, similar to a TV or phone. In addition, it provides instant-resume functionality in just 1.5 seconds(4).
Acer Always Connect lets customers connect to previously used hotspots in just 2.5 seconds for better productivity and enjoyment(4). In addition, Always Connect features remote wakeup for AcerCloud applications, which makes digital content easy to access and share between their Iconia W510 and other PCs anytime, anywhere.
Dual Acer Crystal Eye webcams ensure customers can capture images and video, as well as enjoy video conferencing on the go. The front-facing 2MP HD 1080p camera captures video in 1920×1080 resolution that is crisp and clear. The 8MP HD rear camera also captures full HD 1080p video in 3264×2448 resolution with auto focus and LED flash support. Dolby® Home Theater® v4 boosts sound for headphones as well as built-in speakers. Plus, the built-in digital microphone ensures that audio is crisp and clear for video conferencing and video emails.
The Acer Iconia W510 tablet PC will be available starting November 9 at leading retailers across the U.S. and Canada in several configurations. For example, the W510-1422 with a 64GB SSD and the keyboard dock providing additional battery life is priced at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $749.99 USD and CAD. The Iconia W510-1674 comes with a 32GB SSD at the budget-friendly MSRP of only $499.99 USD and CAD.
Acer corporate customers in the U.S. and Canada can be assured the Acer Iconia W510P with Windows 8 Pro will support their legacy Windows programs as well as provide the security and authentication they need through the option of TPM (Trusted Platform Module). The Acer Iconia W510P is backed by an extended two-year warranty(5) and is priced at $799.99 USD and CAD.
About Acer
Since its founding in 1976, Acer has broken barriers between people and technology, enabling users to explore, create and grow. Acer ranks No. 2 for notebook PCs globally(1). The Acer Group employs 8,000 people across the globe, and revenues for 2011 reached US$15.7 billion.
Acer’s channel business model is instrumental to the company’s success, while its multi-brand approach integrates Acer, Gateway, and Packard Bell brands in worldwide markets. Acer designs environmentally friendly products and, with its vendors, has established a green supply chain.
Acer is proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement. That includes supporting the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and London 2012 Olympic Games.
More information is at www.acer-group.com.
© 2012 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. All offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by location. Applicable sales tax extra.
1.) Source: Gartner data, FY 2011.
2.) Actual battery life varies depending on product specifications, computer settings and applications or features launched. All batteries’ maximum capacity diminishes with time and use.
3.) Accessible capacity varies: (MB = 1 million bytes; GB = 1 billion bytes).
4.) In about 2.5 seconds with previously used access point. Time based on testing with the following applications open: Internet Explorer 9 (Internet search and email web pages), Microsoft PowerPoint viewer (file size 68 MB) and Microsoft Excel (file size 108 MB) of Microsoft Office 2010 Starter, and logged in to Windows Live Messenger 2011.
5.) Limited warranties and service agreements apply. May not be available in all locations. Availability varies. Other conditions apply. For a copy, write to Acer Customer Service, P.O. Box 6137, Temple, TX 76503.
The latest Acer video at least containing the W510:
Acer @ IFA Berlin 2012 [Acer YouTube channel, Sept 4, 2012]
Acer Iconia W510 – The new era of mobility [Acer press information, Aug 31, 2012]
Berlin, Germany
Mobility means more than the freedom of using a device anywhere; it’s also the freedom of using a device in more ways, according to our needs and moods. Developing the new ICONIA W510, Acer created a device designed for Windows 8 that offers excellent flexibility, allowing users to enjoy and share content, as well as be productive.
Calling the Acer ICONIA W510 a tablet would be reductive. While the high-resolution 10.1 display provides excellent entertainment, the innovative detachable keyboard is perfect for productivity and the touch optimized screen ensures better data consumption.
This tablet is the perfect device for users who want to enjoy a flawless touch experience, but want a device that is more flexible and can be used for productivity. The slim, easy to dock keyboard, not only offers a comfortable typing experience, but it extends the battery life up to 18 hours and allows users to rotate the tablet 295 degrees so that it can be used in presentation mode, great for watching a video or viewing a presentation.
Both tablet and keyboard are ultra slim and light, making them easy to carry around as well as comfortable to use. The 10.1-inch touchscreen, providing a wider viewing angle with more vibrant, consistent and accurate colors, is perfect for enjoying multimedia in tablet mode or for sharing videos and movies with friends when docked to the keyboard.
Thanks to this simple solution, this tablet provides optimal ergonomics and ease of use both on the go and at your desk. More connectivity options enhance the user experience, from the micro-HDMI port that allows immediate connectivity to an external monitor, to the micro-SD port to extend memory up to 32 GB.
In addition, thanks to the Always On, Always Connect technology, you can count on the Acer ICONIA W510 to keep you updated on what’s going in your social networks, and have the latest news at your fingertips, check your mails or watch a movie on the fly, review a presentation or enjoy games. This is the beauty of having a multi-touch screen tablet that offers seamless conversion between slate, keyboard and hands-free ergo-touch.
To ensure the integrity of the device, the ICONIA W510 embeds the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which allows security-enhanced generation of cryptographic keys and minimizes the risk data are compromised by physical theft or external hacker attack.
Thanks to TPM, the hardware is less vulnerable to software-based attacks, while authentication processes are conducted through a security-enhanced subsystem.
China’s HW engineering lead: The Rockchip RK292 series (RK2928 and RK2926) example
It was totally unexpected for a US company starting a new device project in China back in 2007 what kind of support network of vendors and designers was available for them in Taiwan or just across the water from Taiwan on the mainland. Here is an authentic recollection of that experience:
WHERE THE MIDDLE CLASS MANUFACTURING JOBS GO? [David Dehghan’s tumblr microblog, Feb 5, 2012]
This NY times article [How the U.S. Lost Out on iPhone Work, Jan 21, 2012] is a great example of why it’s so hard to create middle-class jobs in the U.S. now. From personal experience I can confirm all the point made in this article with respect to electronics manufacturing.
A few years a go [according to this and that it was around 2007] we were building a new phone and a special base station for it at Microsoft.
We designed most of the electrical and mechanical parts in Taiwan because that was where the support network of vendors and designers existed around you. If you wanted a new PCB board re-designed and manufactured it would be ready for you within hours. That would have taken a week in US. In Xiamen (just across the water from Taiwan on the mainland) we designed and built the special base station for the phone. When we wanted to select cables and connectors we just called the sales rep from the neighboring factory and he was in our meeting room within 30 min. We didn’t like what they had and we called another one he too was there within 30 min. With samples and designs in hand. Whatever we wanted they could manufacture within a day. It was pretty incredible.
Also the quality of craftsmanship was very high. People took care of producing the PCB boards and plastic phone enclosures we had ordered. The vendor network had all the latest prototyping and design equipment you could think of. There was no reason to get out of Taiwan or south of China for anything. They would beat any one on price, flexibility, and quick turnaround.
There is zero chance you can bring that echo system back to US or western world. There is never ending supply of cheap, qualified and trained manufacturing workers coming from inland China.
Now lets continue our debates about same sex marriage, abortion and border guards. Or Tibo, or whatever the hell his name is.
Five years later we have now a significant evolution from that when China has not only manufacturing lead in the digital products, but engineering lead as well, and along the whole value chain, from designing the SoCs to the finished products themselves! Mainland China could even rely on itself in all that.
Here is a very recent video showing the latest results of leading hardware engineering from mainland China: the Rockchip RK2928 specifically developed for the $40 and up entry level market of 2013 Android tablets, which was just first shown on the HKTDC in October 13, and here they have the first tablets on show already:
$49 RK2928 7″, $95 RK3066 8″ and other tablets by Firstview [Charbax YouTube channel, Oct 24, 2012]
Major learning for me here: with the IPS screen the cost is only $6 more.
FirstView (ShenZhen FirstView Electronic Co.,Ltd.) is one of the typical midsize factories in Shenzhen with 200-300 actual employees, established in beginning of last decade (2001 actually), growing from simpler digital products like MP players, photo frames, digital cameras etc., but now producing mostly tablet PCs, netbooks etc. with production capacity of 10,000pcs-20,000pcs of finished products per day and exporting worldwide as described in their “About” page titled still Jing Han Optronics_Tablet PC _ books _ Digital Photo Frame _MP4 player _MP3 play:
We are proud of our internationalism— 80% of our products are sold to developed countries in Europe and the Americas with the remaining 20% being sold in Asia, Africa and domestically. All of our products get the ROHS, CE, FC C Certificate. Having been cooperating with world-famous companies, such as Wal-mart, we are able to keep up with the latest international trends.
Companies like FirstView have quite broad, quite price competitive products which technologically always represent the latest advances. How are they able to achieve that given not really big resources, especially in terms of engineering.
Let’s look at this from the example of the latest Rockchip SoCs through the whole engineering and manufacturing chain:
A single core Terminator: Rockchip launched the strongest single-core chip RK2928 on the 2012 Hong Kong Electronics Fair [Rockchip press release in Chinese, Oct 18, 2012] as translated by Google and Bing with all the necessary manual editions:
The annual Hong Kong Electronics Fair was held between October 13 and 16, 2012 in Hong Kong, as scheduled. As a world-renowned exhibition, each electronic exhibition will attract many domestic and foreign firms, and the media are invited to attend on a grand scale. The famous RK3066 chip brand was launched on the 2012 Hong Kong Electronics Fair in April, and Rockchip was again to bring new products to participate in the 2012 Hong Kong Electronics Fair.
Single-core Terminator chips: the RK292 series
On the current Electronics Fair Rockchip showcased its latest research and development of a new chip series – the RK292 series. Compared to the classic generation of RK29 series, the RK292 series chips are designed for the single-core Cortex A9 architecture and 1GB DDR3 memory, with which there will be nearly 30% increase in performance compared to the previous generation.
The parameters of RK292 series chips
The series RK292 chips are upgrade products of the RK29 series, mainly for the low-end market, changing the Cortex-A8 architecture by turning to the popular Cortex A9 architecture. This has been done in such a way that while the performance is increased significantly, however the power consumption has been reduced compared to the previous generation. As such it can be described as a single core Terminator. It is understood that products equipped with the Rockchip single core solutions, aimed primarily for the European and developing countries markets, will become the lowest cost offerings among the industry’s single-core tablet solutions [said to be here and here aimed at $40 and up tablet price, ?probably in quantities of at least 1000?].
Tablet equipped with the RK2928 chip [shown at HKTDC]
Tablet equipped with the RK2926 chip [shown at HKTDC]
…
The RK2928 parameters in English from here:
Cheap Killer Strikes – Rockchip launched RK2926, RK2928 for Android Tablet PC [TabletPCPhones.com blog, Oct 17, 2012]
… RK2926/RK2928 is updated from RK2918, and they are changed in the old architecture of previous generation products, using the new Cortex-A9 architecture, support DDR3 and DDR3L [from the above parameter sheets it looks like that DDR3L is just for RK2928], and built-in Audio CODEC, LVDS have DVFS-power adjustment, you can support MLC NAND / E-MMC and i-NAND flash memory. RK2926 and RK2928 chips are slightly different in terms of functionality, the latter has integrated support of the HDMI 1.4a Controller and GPS baseband. In addition, both packages are different, the RK2926 chip uses LQP176 package, while the RK2928 chip using the BGA313 package. …
Currently Rockchip, located in the exhibition area 1CON, has shown the prototype Tablet PC of RK2926/RK2928, but because of IP licensing confidentiality, clocked graphics core specific configuration can’t be disclosed, but also no detailed performance test. Just from the point of view of the experience to get started, compared to the previous RK2918 Tablet PC operation, the fluency has improved, casual game can smooth run in prototype at the same time, and you would not feel a significant fever situation, the overall experience is still good for entry-level tablet PC market, this performance should be considered good. …
About the Rockchip company and especially about the immediately preceding generation RK9218 SoC, as well as their current flagship RK3066, you can find plenty of information in MWC 2012: Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics [this same blog, March 13, 2012]
Now a mid-size video about Rockchip RK2928 and RK2926 launched at the HKTDC Electronics Fair [Charbax YouTube channel, Oct 13, 2012] with the Marketing Vice-President of Rockchip, Chen Feng:
– RK2928 is [0:16] “so far the best performance single core product” [0:20]
– RK2928/26: [0:50] “next year tens of millions of these chip’s products” [0:55]
– for the RK3066 and above market [1:14] “soon we will have the 28nm chip [version] coming out, lower the cost, higher performance, lower power. And at the end of the year we will have four-core 28nm product coming out.” [1:30]
– the GPU in RK2928/RK2926 [2:18] “is a mystery … but there is a good GPU here” [2:24]
– regarding the smartphone market [9:10] “We have a very long view for that market. So we are also doing baseband but it’s … We’re always working on it. But when it will be our main business we will carefully seek. [9:29]
– [10:52] “We want to get into the notebook [too], so … Once the software environment getting mature, that the Android and more mobile people write applications on the platform. So sooner or later the software won’t be an issue, but [the issue becomes] how you can make the best [notebook] product. … There are rumors on the market Microsoft might port Office to Android, right? [11:44]
PCB Design House: Rockchip RK3066/RK2926 at Shenzhen Inpad Digital Technology [Charbax YouTube channel, Oct 21, 2012]
– When did you get RK2926 in house? [2:30] “We got it 1st of October. … Made PCB in 2 weeks only. [2:49]
– [5:02] How can you as company optimize the price [making] low, and power [too]? How can the team to do that, how you do this? [6:39] “Basically they [a separate team] communicate with the customer to understand their requirements, and based on that requirement they will choose the right component or do the right design for the customer. And also to simplify the design and process, so they can cut off the cost. [7:00]
– [10:03] So how many people work here? [10:06] “About 40 people. … About 30 engineers, 10 sales and our working staff.” [10:27]
– [10:26] So you are a PCB Design House. You get the CPU from Rockchip, you put that into PCB, and then work with the SMT, OEM, manufacturer? [10:37] “Yes” Different companies? [10:39] “Yes” So you work together? [10:41] “Yes”
– [10:44] How many PCBs are made with your design every year? [11:04] “More than one million.” Different manufacturers, not only one? [11:10] “Different” All in Shezhen? [11:15] “No … Some customers are in other provinces.” [11:24]
China Fabless: Rockchip rattled by Android tablet wars [Junko Yoshida at EE Times, Sept 25, 2012]
Just nine months ago, Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics, a developer of apps processor for tablets, looked almost invincible. …
… since then, the Android-based media tablet market has gotten far more competitive. By volume, the Android tablet sector has grown to an estimated 80 million units, outpacing the 75 million iPads sold by Apple thus far, according to estimates by Rockchip [marketing] vice president Feng Chen.
…
At the beginning of 2012, the target price of a 7-inch capacitive screen media tablet featuring Cortex-A8 was $99. That price has since dropped to around $65, due largely to Allwinner, a red-hot Chinese fabless company that has flooded the tablet market with its own turnkey system. … Rockchip’s situation vividly illustrates the challenges most Chinese fabless chip companies now face.
Notes regarding Allwinner:
#1 After checking a number of SoCs for a Linux and FLOSS related, it was found [on Dec 14, 2011] by a UK based platform initiative that Allwinner A10 – ARM Cortex A8 SoC “… has been developed in, and is sold in, the People’s Republic of China. Its mass-volume price is around $7, yet it is a 400-pin highly feature-rich 1.2ghz ARM Cortex A8 with a MALI400 GPU. It has the distinction of having the highest bang-per-buck ratio of any SoC available at the time of writing, by quite a margin. Its price and features is causing massive disruption of the tablet market in China (a minor recession was caused by widespread cancellation of prior committments to other SoCs!), as every factory in Shenzen scrambles to compete with hundreds of other factories for the same end-user market: tablets and PVRs.
For comparison: TI has brought out a new $5 ARM Cortex A8, but it is limited to 500mhz and it is extra cost for the version with a PowerVR 3D GPU. Ingenic’s jz4770 is about $7 in mass-volume but it is a 1ghz MIPS with a Vivante GC600 3D GPU. Details are harder to get hold of regarding the jz4770, but its interfaces are known not as feature-rich as the Allwinner (no HDMI output for example). AMLogic’s Cortex A9 is $13 in mass-volume, but is limited to 800mhz and a maximum of 512mb of RAM. …”
#2 At the end of February it was reported from China that: “Based on high cost performance, Allwinner A10 has good sales after the Spring Festival. The chips with high cost performance are welcome. … RockChip chips became cheaper and cheaper since Allwinner released A10. As the first chip of Allwinner, A10 is released with cheap price, which makes it has good sales. Allwinner is a famous company in MP3 times so that Allwinner has a strong customer base. In addition, A10 has few bugs since it is released. The performance of other chips is not stable in the beginning, such as RK2808 and VIA8505.
The agents who have ordered VIA chips go to order Allwinner A10. VIA will release VIA8850 next month [but mass production just started in June, see later] which is based on A9 core. The performance is not different from A10. It means that it does not have any advantage. VIA8850 will be cheaper than Allwinner A10. Allwinner will release A13 to compete with VIA8850 so that VIA will get in a difficult position. [Was more expensive than the [$5 priced] A13 when mass production started in June]”
During a recent interview with EE Times here, Rockchip’s Chen said, “This is a new world war we’re fighting.” … Indeed, nearly every apps processor [sic, SoC] vendor here is in a rough spot because “the time-to-market requirement has gotten much shorter,” he noted. “Worse, catching the market rhythm or cycle — at the right time – has become much harder.”
…
“… now, as end-product cycles get shorter, we do everything from designing a chip to developing a board and software that goes around the hardware — literally within a couple of months,” he explained. In March, for example, Rockchip
started to design itsdelivered samples of RK3066, a dual-core Cortex A9 chip with a quad-core Mali-400 GPU. By April [15], it hustled to showcase sample tablets based on the chip at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair. By May, the company began shipping the new apps processor to its customers.…
Note regarding the timing of RK3066 SoC development:
– The initial version of RK3066 datasheet brief is dated Oct 30, 2011. the 1.0 version of it February 15, 2012.
– The RK30xx platform was announced on Feb 27, 2012 with information that “Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor with up to 1.4GHz speed, implemented with Artisan Processor Optimization Pack (POP)” and that “Samples of the Rockchip RK30xx platform will be available in March 2012.”
…
Unlike other startups here, Rockchip has been profitable from the start. But as the tablet battle heats up, it also needs to find a way to move to the next level. “We are fighting a world war. We need the world’s top talent.”
The company also needs access to capital. Without it, Rockchip can’t even think about mergers or acquisitions. Organic growth alone won’t get it to the next level, Chen acknowledge, saying he expects consolidation in the Chinese fabless sector but “no Chinese companies want to give up.”
Lastly, Chen said, “We need to be clear on the market” so that Rockchip can choose its battles.
Factory Tour: Allwinner A10 PCB SMT line at the Jia Chuang Bo factory [Charbax YouTube channel, Oct 20, 2012]
SMT = Surface-mount technology
Factory Tour: $61 [in quantity of 1000] Allwinner A13 9″ Tablet being assembled at Jia Chuang Bo [Charbax YouTube channel, Oct 19, 2012]
Factory Tour: 9.7″ IPS 3G Allwinner A10 Tablet for $152 being assembled by Jia Chuang Bo [Charbax YouTube channel, Oct 19, 2012]
Jia Chuang Bo future products [Charbax YouTube channel, Oct 19, 2012]
SHENZHEN JCB TECHNOLOGY CO.LTD [March 14, 2011]
HAICHUANG TECHNOLOGY (HK)CO., LIMITED registered in HONGKONG, which is the head office of SHENZHEN JIA CHUANG BO Technology CO.LTD.
SHENZHEN JIA CHUANG BO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD , founded in 2001, which is a professional factory in designing, researching, manufacturing and marketing computer peripherals. We focus mainly on MID/Tablet PC and Media players. Now we have a workshop of 3,000 square meters and employ more than 300 staffs.
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We also offer OEM/ODM products and we pride ourselves on the ability to stay up-to-date in the rapidly changing market. OEM orders are welcome. We offer OEM/ODM services. Our R&D engineers can develop one new item in one week as your requirements. We have an innovative R&D team that is dedicated to meeting your requirements specifically.
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You can also browse through their current products (only MIDs/tablets now from 7” to 10”).
Microsoft Surface: its premium quality/price vs. even iPad3
Preliminary reading: Core post: Giving up the total OEM reliance strategy: the Microsoft Surface tablet [June 19, 2012]
IAm Panos Panay, GM of Microsoft Surface, AMAA – Ask Me or My Team Almost Anything [reddit, Oct 16, 2012]:
- Why 599 (with touch keypad)? Don’t you think thats too high considering where Microsoft is entering the tablet space? I think you will slash the price come holiday season. Can you shed some light on the pricing decision.
When you start to see it includes touch cover, clear type display with better contrast, twice as much storage, along with Office included, you have a pretty cool deal. I think you will find the value is extraordinary once you start using the product. When you compare it to last generation or smaller devices, you can quickly see the value you are getting with Surface.
See Panos Panay’s excellent Microsoft Surface talk on the press launch in New-York in the beginning of the Microsoft Surface: First media reflections after the New-York press launch [this same blog, Oct 26, 2012]
A summarized media opinion published after today’s general launch:
Microsoft Surface RT ..!!! just excite..!!!! [APPLEWORLDPRO, Oct 26, 2012]
1. Unique TouchCover and TypeCover
The Making of Touch Cover for Surface [surface YouTube channnel, Oct 23, 2012]
- Quick question regarding the cover. If you flip the cover back, say to rest the tablet flat on a surface or to hold it, is there a mechanism that disables the keyboard so that it’s not randomly typing? (This would be when the cover is flipped to the back of the device)
Hey this is Stevie, yes absolutely. Both TouchCover and TypeCover have sensors that understand orientation relative to Surface… in fact the Type and Touch Covers talk to Surface to figure out their relative position no matter the orientation of gravity of the device (pretty neat!). There are 3 positions modes: Closed (keys and mouse are off), Open to 180 degrees (keyboard and mousepad on), beyond 180 degrees to the back (keys and mouse off). That way you can flip back the covers and feel secure you are not pressing keys by mistake.
- How fast can you (personally) type on the Surface Touch keyboard? How about the Surface Type?
I am Yi-Min and I am on the User Research team. I can type about 86 wpm on the Touch Cover and I am typing on a Pink Touch Cover!
- What about the type cover? Do you type much faster? I’m wondering if I should get the type cover to take notes at school or if I can learn fast enough on the touch cover
Hi this is Stevie. It depends on how you type. I have been using both for a while, and love them both. I love the sleekness of Touch Cover. Touch Cover has a very special digitizer that we invented.. it senses the impact force of your key presses. We designed super-fast electronics and smart algorithm in the keyboard so that Touch Cover can profile your key press down to a 1ms (1000 times a second). Using that information Touch Cover can infer if the user meant to press the key or not.. It is a smart key. So even though there is no key travel, the user can rest their hands on top of the keyboard and find home position without accidentally triggering keys.. pretty cool! The first time I typed on a full working version of Touch Cover, I typed just as fast as I do on a normal keyboard. I am confident you will be able to type significantly faster on Touch Cover than an onscreen keyboard. And with a little practice you will even do better (maybe even faster!) For folks who really love and really need keys that have travel, then Type Cover is one of the best keyboards I have ever used (desktop or other). It has a super awesome snappy key mechanism that feels great (has a strong hysteresis curve). Honestly both are great… try them both, actually get them both.
- From here:
- What do you think will surprise people most when they get to start using or seeing the Surface?
- What feature are you most proud of and why?
- What do you feel sets Surface apart most from the competition?
- How would you convince someone to get it instead of the iPad?
I think the seamless transitions from state to state will be one of the best parts of the device!! As you open the cover, close the cover, flip it back, move into ‘get it done mode’ it will be an awesome experience. You will find yourself being productive when you need to and you can read,watch movies, and surf when you want to….
I also feel like the kickstand opening and closing will make you smile 🙂
Microsoft Surface Type Cover-hands on..!!!!! [APPLEWORLDPRO, Oct 26, 2012]
2. Unique kickstand
- Does the kickstand arrangement work for someone who wants to type with Surface on their lap? To me it looks like it’s only stable on a table top.
- I want to get a Surface for the wife, but she’d be typing Facebook updates while lounging on the couch. Would that work?
hey, I’ve been using my Surface for a couple of month now. It works on your lap in multiple ways. Typing on the lap works fine, Surface is great for typing while on your couch. There are so many ways it folds and adjusts to your typing needs. You will be pleasantly surprised. 🙂
Yes, she can certainly type Facebook updates from the couch while using Surface
- How did you determine the angle that the kickstand allows Surface to lean to?
We wanted the screen to be normal to the face. Voila, you then have a 22 degree angle.
Seriously we did a ton of studies around lighting, reflection, ergonomics, table height, etc…. and then made sure it looked perfect and felt perfectly balanced.
- Any chance you are working on a docking station for the Surface RT? Perhaps one that will work with the cover on?
The Kickstand and Touch/Type Cover is your docking station :-). We are pretty pumped about the experience you get by kicking out the kickstand and then being able to use the USB and HD out connections to do what is needed. We specifically thought of this scenario and optimized for it. It is a pretty cool experience.
The Surface Movement Commercial [surface YouTube channel, Oct 24, 2012]
- I wanted to ask where your philosophy for design language comes from.
To me, it’s a refined industrial look. It’s like Motorola products if they weren’t cheesy or 80’s inspired, or apple products with a dose of testosterone and a dash of fighter jet inspiration.
The fact that you make it functional with the lip on the non RT version is just a further testament to the strength of the design.
We saw this in the Zune HD and I absolutely loved it. I almostbought one on that alone.
I absolutely hope you guys carry this through to the Xbox next/720/Durango. It would be awesome to see a console with a black metal exterior.
Hi there, ralf here, creative director of Surface. Designing the surface was an effort to create a great stage for the software. We wanted to make sure that the hardware was a physical extension of our software. The language we found came together by choosing the right materials and revealing the essence of out an idea. Make it comfortable to hold, light and strong.
- Can you possibly expand on this? It kind of sounds like PR fluff that any company would say about their tablet design. The fact that you more faithfully execute it is beside the point.
What drives the black matte look (for the black)? The sharp angles? Why do you work with metal instead of plastic?
When you look at other pieces of design, what are your main inspirations for the surface?
Hey, here a bit more context. We started at looking at the software and thought about how to extend it into a physical product. We tried to stay away from any classic design language stuff, we didn’t want to have a bunch of styling in the way, we wanted to build a bridge between you and your digital things. We developed the idea that later turned into the keyboard covers and kickstand. Most of the time we spent on revealing the essence of this idea: How can we make it comfortable to hold? How do we fit our connectors, and so on.. Step by step we found the design. The language behind it is a point of view to make a very useful product. I don’t believe in defining a design language in shape. A design language should be a consistent approach to execute the vision you have.
Using magnesium allowed us to make our product thin, light and strong. The color we chose lets the physical product fade into the background and pronounces the screen as the main act.… a stage for your software
- Can you share some of the thought-process that lead to Microsoft building the Surface? It feels like a big departure from the company’s tendency to stay out of PC device hardware.
We have evolved the words, but the principle has stayed the same. We are focused on being a Stage for Windows . It is good to keep in mind that we have been in the Hardware business for sometime now, and with the combination of our history along with our very clear target of making Windows 8 great, it came together very clearly!! We really did start from a blank piece of paper and built the experience from the ground up knowing that we wanted to get it perfect as we designed the experence of Surface along side the experience of Windows 8.
- How did you calculate the 8hr battery life estimate? What were the test conditions?
- Why is there no NFC integration when WP8 is pushing it heavily?
- What was the toughest challenge you faced when designing the Surface?
Pavan, HW lead: We conducted testing across a variety of core scenarios such as local and streaming video playback (watching movies!), audio playback, wireless web browsing and productivity scenarios such as using Office and mail. We tested using different Wi-Fi networks with pre-production hardware and software. Hence the battery life numbers started early in the program as a model with calculations and then get verified with actual device HW and SW.
For the product design experience we were aiming for with Surface, the Mg metal enclosure, including the back case, was critical. This made good antenna design for NFC a trade-off in our development process.
The making of Microsoft Surface [surface YouTube channel, Oct 16, 2012]
4. ClearType Display Technology
- Do you think ~$700 is too much for a tablet that does not currently own a share of the market?
- I noticed that the Surface has a resolution of 1366×768 vs the iPad3 2048×1536. Do you think this will affect users considering the Surface vs the iPad ?
- What can us (your fans) realistically do to make Surface the number one tablet out there?
- Will Microsoft release more WinRT compatible applications other than the ones already mentioned in the release specs? What about other software vendors such as Adobe and Corel ?
Hey this is Stevie [Steven Bathiche]. Screen resolution is one component of perceived detail. The true measure of resolvability of a screen called Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), not Pixels. MTF is a combination of both contrast and resolution. There are over a dozen subsystems that effect this MTF number… Most folks just focus on one number out of dozens that effect perceived detail. Without good contrast resolution decreases. Check out contrast sensitivity of the human eye graph (http://www.telescope-optics.net/images/eye_contrast.PNG) and if you want more see the links below. Basically, as resolution/DPI increases the eye has becomes less sensitive. So as a result, the amount of light in a room and the reflections off the screen have a huge effect on the contrast of the display. In fact, a small amount of reflection can greatly reduce contrast and thus the perceived resolution of the display. With the ClearType Display technology we took a 3 pronged approach to maximize that perceived resolution and optimize for battery life, weight, and thickness. First prong, Microsoft has the best pixel rendering technology in the industry (cleartype 1.0 and 2.0) .. these are exclusive and unique to Windows, it smooths text regardless of pixel count. Second, we designed a custom 10.6” high-contrast wide-angle screen LCD screen. Lastly we optically bonded the screen with the thinnest optical stack anywhere on the market… something which is more commonly done on phones we are doing on Surface.
While this is not official, our current Cleartype measurements on the amount of light reflected off the screen is around 5.5%-6.2%, the new IPad has a measurement of 9.9% mirror reflections (see the displaymate link:http://www.displaymate.com/iPad_ShootOut_1.htm). Doing a side by side with the new iPad in a consistently lit room, we have had many people see more detail on Surface RT than on the Ipad with more resolution.
Some more links to share if you want to know more… (http://www.normankoren.com/Tutorials/MTF.html)… Also This is a great book to read if you really want to get into it: http://www.amazon.com/Contrast-Sensitivity-Effects-Quality-Monograph/dp/0819434965 or more here http://alexandria.tue.nl/extra2/9901043.pdf
EDIT: Hello, this is StevieB again. This is a great discussion. I wanted to elaborate some more. I hope folks understand that I am not saying that one resolution is better than the other. Nor that one display is better than the other. More so that the number of pixels is not the only metric which guarantees detail and image quality. It depends on many factors, some factors for which Surface optimizes for. So in some cases ClearType will look better and in other cases (darker environments) the iPad retina will look better. Further, in a number of cases the differences will be negligible.
Think of it this way. When digital cameras started riding the megapixel curve, some cameras had/have better image quality than cameras with more pixels. How can that be? We all intuitively understand that if a camera lens is poor the resultant image will be poor (low MTF) no matter how many pixels sits behind the lens. The combination of a good lens and a good image sensor results in a good high quality MTF image. That’s the same in a display where the optics are partly in your eye and partly on the display. If the display reflects a lot of room light off the screen it will reduce the contrast of the image, and the resultant image will be harder to see and the information will harder to make out. The contrast sensitivity chart of the eye tells us this. A display system is just like a camera but it runs in reverse (Reciprocity Law of light).
One of the more significant things affecting image quality of interactive displays is the addition of stuff in front of the display to enable capacitive touch. Currently most consumer touch system have a cover glass, and layers of transparent conductors between the cover glass and the display. Anything placed between the eye and the display will effect image quality. Engineering down those effects is one of the innovations we strived for in the ClearType display for Surface.
Because the whole optical stack is fused in the ClearType Display, there is only one significant optical boundary. This is the front surface where the index of refraction changes from 1 in air to about 1.5 in glass—btw this also happens to bring your finger closer to the image on the screen (think how a straw looks under water). So Surface reflects less ambient light, this increases contrast in any lit environment over devices that reflect more room light. Previously, I mentioned contrast and resolution are related. Decreased contrast will obscure high resolution content. They are inseparable, neither one is more or less important than the other. If you have high contrast but low resolution, the MTF (and image quality) is lower. If you have high resolution but low contrast, your MTF (and image quality) will also be lower.
Let me ask you this question. When you look up in the sky how many stars do you see? …. Well it depends on where you are. If you are out in the country there is not much light pollution, and the night sky lights up with stars. If you are in the city, there is a lot of light pollution so you may not see many. The stars are still there, it is the same sky, but the contrast is low, so as a consequence you do not see many stars. No matter how many “pixels” the sky has, you are not going to see anymore stars. On Surface, light pollution is low and as a result you will see more detail over any other device with lesser contrast. In a lit room just hold up a Surface, leave the display off, and hold up another tablet next to it and notice which one has the darker screen. This is your black point, your screen cannot go darker than in this situation.
My goal is to get information out there so that you reach a conclusion based on science. Most people don’t know this, but this is well understood in the displays technical community. Hope this helps!
Microsoft Surface RT vs iPad 3 [SlashGear YouTube channel, Oct 23, 2012]
5. USB support
- First of all, I’m super excited about the way Microsoft is heading with the new Surface… What kind of devices I can or can’t use with the USB-Port. Can I connect a printer? A regular keyboard? Can I connect a cell-phone to charge it?
BrettO here – Thanks for the excitement! We certainly feel it. Lots of questions so let me do my best. USB support – Numerous reports of 100’s of millions existing USB devices supported. Printers, Keyboards, Cameras – yes. Can I charge a phone – yes.
- Why did you and your team chose USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0?
Pavan: The full size USB 2.0 port on Surface supports hundreds of millions of devices that are out there… We chose USB 2.0 based on capability of the ARM SoCs during our development timeframe.
- Will Surface be able to import images from a digital camera or card reader via its USB port? Or is that for signed devices only?
BrettO here – Absolutely, uSD and USB 2.0. Most cameras will show up as mass storage device via USB.
Microsoft Surface + AirTurn AT-104 USB wireless page turner pedal [Hugh Sung YouTube channel, Oct 26, 2012]
6. The overall value proposition
- I have an iPad 2 and a Galaxy S2.
- Can you tell me something that’ll make me want to shift to your platform? I just can’t find a reason. What feature does the Surface have that may not seem like much but makes it amazing to use?
I am not sure what you do on your other devices and can not comment on it… however, I know that on Surface you can get a ton of stuff done. Given, we have a full operating system in Windows, we have the full suite of Office available, and the seamless transitioning in and out of different user states with touch cover… the ability to use it all day, use a USB port when needed to connect millions of devices, ultimately you have a full PC at your disposal…. you find yourself accomplishing a ton. Does this help?
Microsoft Surface RT Hands-on: At Boston Store [booredatwork YouTube channel, Oct 26, 2012]
Highly suggested Understanding the Microsoft Surface (a sort of Review) [Hal’s (Im)Perfect Vision blog, Oct 28, 2012] with the following excerpts to wet your appetite:
… The Surface is a great tablet. It is amazingly well-built and well thought out. As a pure piece of engineering it stands as an equal to the best Apple or anyone else has to offer. When you add Windows RT to the mix you get something that is, in the context of use as a “pure” tablet, a strong competitor to the iPad. There are definite differences, some strongly in the iPad’s favor (e.g., number of applications currently available), and some in Surface’s favor. In most cases the significance of those differences comes down to personal preference. …
… an important point I think is missed in most reviews. Everyone wants to compare the thickness and weight of devices as they come from the factory. They don’t do comparisons of thickness and weight in terms of how they are actually used by customers! … while the Surface is competitive in raw weight and size it may be outstanding in real world usage configuration. …
… The UI is inviting. The live tiles are awesome. … Six months from now everyone will think that swiping in from the edge of the screen is a completely intuitive way to bring up menus.
Windows RT, and thus the Surface, currently has a relatively small library of applications available. But it is growing fast. Twice last week I tweeted or blogged [the blog case: Living with a Windows “RT” Tablet [Oct 22, 2012] is worth to read as well] about how I missed some application that I’d been using on the iPad. Within a couple of days, once within hours, the missing app appeared in the Windows Store! … Don’t let the size of the Metro app library keep you from getting a Surface if you otherwise find it a compelling offering. …
Now we’re going to get to the core of the matter. What really makes the Surface difference. In your hands it is, at worst, yet another tablet. Prop it up on a table or other flat surface and something magical happens. The weaknesses of typing on a virtual keyboard or positioning on a capacitive touch screen fade away and you get all the benefits of a real keyboard and pointing device. Sure that shows up in simple ways, like being able to easily and accurately type in a password. For real magic though take a look back at that first graphic I posted. While walking around with the Surface in hand it would land in the same place on the Consumption/Creation scale with the iPad. But put it down, even on your lap, and it takes a giant leap in Creation capability.
… if the keyboard is just a “nice to have” feature for entering text while you are sitting down, or you can’t stand virtual keyboards, or you like having it on the odd chance you’ll need to write a long email or make a Powerpoint slide, then the Touch Cover is for you, However if you know you are going to be using the Surface as a notebook substitute much of the time, then you may just want to pay the price (both in thickness and a little more money) for the Type Cover.
…
The magic of the Surface is that you can use it all day purely as a tablet without paying a penalty for its ability to do Content Creation. That magic is enabled by Windows RT, but it is really brought to life by the Surface hardware. For any given user the choice of a Surface, another Windows RT or Windows 8 device, or indeed an iPad (or Android tablet) is going to come down to a lot of personal preferences. Sweeping attempts to position one or another as best don’t actually mean much. Where Surface, and Microsoft’s overall approach with Windows RT and Windows 8, shines is when you have a need to do Content Creation. Whether that is replacing some (or all) of your current use for a notebook or desktop computer, or just a desire to be more productive than is possible with a virtual keyboard, it is the place where the Surface shines.
ASUS: We are the real transformers, not Microsoft
Unveiling the ASUS Vivo Lineup [asus YouTube channel, Oct 12, 2012]
Here ASUS likens the New York City announcement for its touchscreen Windows 8 devices to the Apollo moon missions, the appearance of television, great sport events, Elvis Presley’s concerts, the fall of the Berlin wall, and having a child. Note that the ASUS rollout will come 3 days before Microsoft will launch its own offerings.
ASUS has definitely a lot of things to be afraid of Microsoft. Look at this latest The making of Microsoft Surface [surface YouTube channel, Oct 16, 2012] video from Microsoft:
or this The Surface Movement [surface YouTube channel, Oct 15, 2012] published a day before:
So ASUS also launched an Eee Pad | Transformer Pad Infinity | Videos site on October 15, 2012, the same day as Microsoft made its new Surface with Windows RT available for pre-order with promised delivery by Oct 26. The below video is one the four available on that site:
Experience the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity [asus YouTube channel, July 24, 2012]
There are three other videos which were made available on June 24/25, just after the Microsoft Surface was shown first time with big surprise: see Giving up the total OEM reliance strategy: the Microsoft Surface tablet [on this blog, June 19 – July 30, 2012].
In fact ASUS had a special press release with those three videos, explaing its leadership versus Microsoft with some text as well:
The ASUS Transformer Pad Design Story [ASUS press release, June 25, 2012]
Always at the forefront of technology, ASUS has proven with its Transformer Pad family of tablets that they are in tune with what consumers require from their mobile devices. Launched in March 2011, the [Tegra 2-based] Eee Pad Transformer showed ASUS’ ingenuity and innovative thinking with the Mobile Dock design. With the philosophy of “design thinking” implemented deep into the ASUS work culture, the Transformer Pad design team set out to create a tablet that not only provided media consumption, but also productivity for professional use. The tablets have evolved, and are now offered in a variety of price points and specifications, including the new Transformer Pad and Transformer Pad Infinity.
To celebrate the success of the Transformer Pad family of tablets, ASUS has created a series of videos detailing their story. Also available are interviews with various product directors and designers, so those who have purchased a Transformer can understand where it came from and better connect with their device.Getting Ready for Transformation
Every product created has a story, starting off from design sketches and following a long process cycle before a finished product is ready for mass production. The Transformer Pad family’s story starts with a brief introduction from ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih, and follows with an interview from a product director and the various stages of thought and design, then moves on to discuss how the Design Team moved ahead in creating the Eee Pad Transformer Prime. At the end is a peek of what’s in store for the future of the Transformer Pad family. The video is available for viewing via YouTube, at http://youtu.be/QWYTghVZpNo .[ASUS Transformer Pad – Getting Ready for Transformation [asus YouTube channel, June 24, 2012]]
The Next Transformation
Even before the success of the Eee Pad Transformer and Eee Transformer Prime, work was already well under way with the next two models: The Transformer Pad and Transformer Pad Infinity. With the foundations and lessons learned already in place from the original Transformer, ASUS set about designing their latest tablet offerings based on customer feedback to reach an even broader audience. The story of the new Transformer Pad family continues with the second design video, available to view via YouTube at: http://youtu.be/bqus37RcTSY[ASUS Transformer Pad – The Next Transformation [asus YouTube channel, June 24, 2012]]
ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity
Similar to the other tablets in the Transformer Pad family, the Infinity features true 2-in-1 innovation with the Mobile Dock. Everything that made the Transformer Pads the most sought after Android tablet has been made even better in the Infinity, most notably the Full HD display that provides super crisp images and video to users. At the heart of the Transformer Pad Infinity is NVIDIA®’s Tegra® 3 T33 4-PLUS-1™ quad-core CPU, which also contains a 12-core GeForce® GPU. The extra battery-saver core on the CPU handles low-power tasks such as active standby, music and video, and is transparent to the OS and applications. Running at 1.6GHz, the Transformer Pad Infinity’s quad-core processor drives the incredible Full HD experience, while the display’s 16:10 aspect ratio, 1920 x 1200 native resolution and wide 178-degree viewing angle means it’s perfect for watching Full HD video, playing the latest HD games and also browsing the web – both indoors and outdoors, thanks to the ultra-bright Super IPS+ technology built into the display. A 2MP front 8MP rear camera with large F/2.2 aperture and 5-element lens is tucked into an ultra-slim profile that’s 8.5mm thin, and features a metallic spun finish design that is beautifully accented in either Amethyst Gray or Champagne Gold colors. To highlight the launch of the Infinity, a video detailing its technical specifications has been created so consumers can see the attention to detail that went in to creating a device that is powerful yet fashion savvy at the same time. The video is available for viewing via YouTube, at http://youtu.be/s7YvXgHe5UY .[Exploring the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity [asus YouTube channel, June 25, 2012]]
And on the same day there came a press release from ASUS:
ASUS Sets Benchmark for Mobile Entertainment with the Transformer Pad Infinity [June 25, 2012
Experience entertainment like never before in glorious Full HD
First unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity is the world’s first Full HD Android™ tablet and sets a new benchmark for mobile entertainment. Featuring a Full HD 1920 x 1200 Super IPS+ display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2, ASUS SonicMaster technology, Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and an incredibly thin design complete with our exclusive metallic spun finish, the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity is the perfect companion for the heavy media consumer who is constantly on the move. It’s not all play with the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity though as the unique detachable Mobile Dock accessory transforms it from a tablet into a notebook. When docked, total battery life is rated at 14 hours and productivity is increased with the full QWERTY keyboard, multi-touch touchpad and USB/SD card ports.
Incredible Entertainment
At the heart of the Transformer Pad Infinity is NVIDIA®』s Tegra® 3 T33 4-PLUS-1™ quad-core CPU, which also contains a 12-core GeForce® GPU. The extra battery-saver core on the CPU handles low-power tasks such as active standby, music and video, and is transparent to the OS and applications. Running at 1.6GHz, the Transformer Pad Infinity’s quad-core processor drives the incredible Full HD experience, while the display’s 16:10 aspect ratio, 1920 x 1200 native resolution and wide 178-degree viewing angle means it’s perfect for watching Full HD video, playing the latest HD games and also browsing the web – both indoors and outdoors, thanks to the ultra-bright Super IPS+ technology built into the display.
Completing the Transformer Pad Infinity’s armory of entertainment-rich features is ASUS SonicMaster audio technology. Tuned by the ASUS Golden Ear team, SonicMaster Sound technology features a combination of advanced hardware and software designed to deliver immersive and lifelike audio.
Beautiful Design
The Transformer Pad Infinity features the gorgeous metallic spun finish that characterizes the ASUS Zen philosophy first unveiled with the ZENBOOK™ and Transformer Pad Prime, and comes in two stylish colors: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold. Thanks to the forged aluminum construction, the Transformer Pad Infinity is just 8.5mm thin and weighs only 598g, meaning it can easily be carried around all day. When combined with the ASUS exclusive Mobile Dock, the Infinity turns into a productivity workstation with up to 14 hours of extended battery life – the full QWERTY keyboard and multi-touch touchpad deliver a true notebook experience, while the USB port and SD card slot provide additional storage options for the business-focused user.
Wonderful Memories
An excellent 8MP rear camera with auto-focus and an LED flash allows the Transformer Pad Infinity to take sharp, vibrant and highly detailed photos thanks to its large F/2.2 aperture, 5-element lens, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, touch-to-focus capabilities, shallow depth of field, low light noise reduction and a wide 75-degree angle of view (28mm equivalent focal length). The rear camera also has the ability to record Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, while the 2MP front camera is ideally suited to video conferencing. With 32GB or 64GB of internal memory, 8GB of free storage on ASUS WebStorage for life, and a variety of external storage options, Transformer Pad Infinity users will be able to store and share their memories anytime, anywhere.
Unrivaled Capabilities
Running the Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity offers unrivaled performance and flexibility with advanced multitasking, rich notifications, customizable home screens and deep interactivity. Combining this with the blisteringly fast NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, Full HD Super IPS+ display, the ultra-slim design and beautiful metallic spun finish makes the Transformer Pad Infinity the perfect mobile entertainment companion.
Indeed Infinity was introduced back in January as you could see in ASUS press release [CES 2012] ASUS Embraces the Spirit of the Incredible at CES 2012 [Jan 10, 2012]
… ASUS also introduced the new Transformer 700 series — a premium 10.1” tablet that takes the Transformer series to new heights. Like the [Eee Pad Transformer Prime] TF 201, audio comes by way of the ASUS-exclusive SonicMaster technology. It features a Full HD 1920 x 1200 resolution screen that introduces users to a viewing experience never before seen on tablet PCs. In addition, it has an upgraded front facing 2MP camera along with a rear-facing 8MP camera with a F/2.4 aperture. The built-in LED flash allows for clear, bright photos even in low light environments. In terms of productivity stakes, the pre-installed SuperNote app is ideal for note-taking, with a user-friendly design that allows for easy file sharing while at the same time keeping data secure. …
while information about the “first generation transformers” is in my NVIDIA Tegra 3 and ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime [Nov 10, 2011].
The effective availability of Infinity, however, came much later:
– as in ASUS PadFone and upcoming Transformer Pad Lineup unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2012 [ASUS USA press release, Feb 27, 2012] it was announced that:
… ASUS is redefining the future of mobile computing devices and is excited to announce the new and innovative ASUS Transformer Pad lineup [instead of the previous EeePad Transformer line as the 1st generation]. Offering three distinct models to fit the unique needs of mobile media consumers, ASUS believes in providing consumers with choices. The ASUS Transformer Pad lineup includes the ASUS Transformer Pad Prime and upcoming ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity series and ASUS Transformer Pad 300 series. …
– then first the TF300 series were launched to the US market: ASUS Launches the Transformer Pad [ASUS USA press release, April 22, 2012]
… The TF300 series will be available shortly in Royal Blue at national retailers and online resellers at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price starting at $379** (16GB storage), with the optional mobile dock accessory priced at $149**. …
…
**Pricing and availability will vary by country and SKU. North American MSRP pricing listed. Suggested MSRP of $399 for the 32GB version. ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 will launch with Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and offer class leading support and updates via FOTA (free over the air). Launch color is Royal Blue. Iceberg White and Torch Red will be available at a later date.
[Experience the ASUS Transformer Pad [asus YouTube channel, April 22, 2012]]
– the effective opportunity to start talking about “The Incredible Transformations” came just by the Computex 2012 end of May/early June:
– where ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity Series was one of ASUS Products Win Six Computex 2012 Best Choice Awards [ASUS press release, June 1, 2012]
… Golden Award, Computer & System: ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity Series
The ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity Series is the world’s first Full HD tablet with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi. Its Super IPS+ display with 1920 x 1200 resolution and ASUS SonicMaster technology delivers cinematic audio-visuals, while next generation Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2 helps protect the screen with improved damage resistance.
The 4G LTE model is based on the powerful Qualcomm® MSM 8960 Snapdragon™ S4 Krait dual-core processor and is capable of download and upload speeds of up to 100Mbit/s and 50Mbit/s respectively. The Transformer Pad Infinity also has a 2MP front camera for video-conferencing, plus an 8MP rear camera with a large f2.2 aperture, 5-element lens and LED flash to ensure quality images even in the dark. …
– as even the TF300 series appeared in the price list of other countries like Malaysia just on June 6, Infinity (TF700 series) only on July 13 price list (with Nexus 7 actually), and becoming regular part of the ASUS Product Guide just in July-August (see the Singapore version dated July 6).
– It took even longer to deliver an LTE capable quad-core version of the TF300: ASUS Launches the Transformer Pad TF300TL [ASUS USA press release, Sept 28, 2012]
– The Windows RT version also came later on August 29 (although that was understandable), and with different device name, ASUS Vivo Tab RT (TF600):
– ASUS Announces the Incredible Vivo Tab and Vivo Tab RT tablets intended for Windows 8 at IFA [ASUS press release, Aug 29, 2012]
ASUS Announces the Incredible Vivo Tab and Vivo Tab RT tablets intended for Windows 8 at IFA
Two new tablets with a dual-purpose design that combines a high-resolution multi-touch display and a detachable QWERTY keyboard dock for a great Windows 8 experience.
IFA, Berlin, Germany, (August 29, 2012) — ASUS, a global leader in the new digital era, today announces two incredible new tablets intended to run Windows 8. First unveiled at Computex in June, the ASUS Vivo Tab and ASUS Vivo Tab RT (formerly known as the ASUS Tablet 810 and ASUS Tablet 600 respectively) open up a new world of mobile possibilities and transform expectations about what tablets can do.
Meet Vivo
With a name taken from the Latin verb “to live”, Vivo is designed as a constant companion that blends the familiar elegance of ASUS tablet design with Microsoft Corp.’s new touch-enabled Windows 8 operating system.
Vivo has a dual-purpose design that combines a high-resolution multi-touch Super IPS+ display with a detachable QWERTY keyboard dock to provide a great Windows 8 experience. ASUS TruVivid technology with Corning® Fit Glass gives improved colour clarity and superior scratch resistance, while the keyboard not only transforms Vivo into a convenient clamshell ultraportable, but also provides a secondary battery for prolonged mains-free use.
With an 11.6” screen backed by high-precision Wacom digitiser stylus technology, the Vivo Tab is designed with productivity in mind, while the ultra-light Vivo Tab RT is ideally suited to entertainment on the go. Get more done, enjoy new experiences and connect with others in exciting new ways — Vivo makes it all possible.
ASUS Vivo Tab
The ASUS Vivo Tab features the Next Generation Intel® Atom™ processor and has 2GB RAM with 64GB eMMC (embedded multimedia card) user storage. An incredible Windows 8 experience makes it a smart choice for professional and personal use. With support for 1024-level Wacom digitizer for precise work and navigation, ASUS Vivo Tab maximizes productivity and provides the best input experience.
Key to the Vivo Tab’s recipe for Windows 8 is the supplied mobile dock. This instantly transforms the tablet into a compact clamshell ultraportable, complete with full QWERTY keyboard, trackpad, two USB ports and second battery for extended use away from the mains.
The 11.6” display with a 1366 x 768 resolution uses Super IPS+ technology to deliver superior visual clarity both indoors and out, and its 10-point multi-touch is complemented by Wacom digitiser stylus technology for high-precision stylus input and a more natural writing experience.
Despite its compact dimensions and ultra-thin 8.7mm and 675g profile, the Vivo Tab still delivers superlative sound quality, thanks to the same SonicMaster technology used on ASUS’ award-winning notebooks. High-quality photographs can also be captured with the 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED flash, along with a 2-megapixel front-facing camera for video chats. The Vivo Tab also features a built-in NFC sensor, enabling the device to easily sync with other NFC-enabled devices.
ASUS Vivo Tab RT
The ASUS Vivo Tab RT has a slim and light profile that’s 8.3mm thin and 520g light. It features the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor and 12-core GPU for outstanding mobile graphics performance, along with 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC user storage. Supplied with Windows RT, tablet users with entertainment in mind will find a great partner in the Vivo Tab RT.
The Vivo Tab RT also has the same innovative Transformer design as the Vivo Tab and is supplied with its own mobile dock that provides a QWERTY keyboard, track pad, USB port and built-in battery.
Windows 8 apps, games and movies will look incredible on the Vivo Tab RT’s 10.1” display with 1366 x 768 resolution and Super IPS+ technology, while ASUS SonicMaster technology ensures top-quality audio. The Vivo Tab RT has the same high-quality front and rear cameras as the Vivo Tab too, making it an excellent all-round multimedia performer. It also features a built-in NFC sensor, enabling the device to easily sync with other NFC-enabled devices.
AVAILABILITY
First wave launch for Windows 8 GA
– and as Microsoft made Surface on pre-order ASUS did the same for Vivo Tab RT, and even the first 3d party video bacame available: First Look at the Asus Vivo Tab RT on Three [three YouTube channel, Oct 15, 2012]
A quick comparison of Microsoft and ASUS offering is given below:
|
ASUS (VIVO RT) TF600T-B1-GR |
Microsoft Surface with Windows RT |
|
|
$599.99** |
$499*** / $699 64GB with Black Touch Cover |
|
|
Display |
10.1″ HD (1366×768) Super IPS+, 10 finger multi-touch with OGS touch panel, backed by high-precision (1024-level) Wacom digitiser stylus technology, 600 nits, Outdoor Readable Mode, ASUS TruVivid technology with Corning® Fit Glass |
10.6″ ClearType HD Display 1366×768 pixels 16:9 (widescreen) 5-point multi-touch |
|
Chipset |
Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core T30 @1.3Ghz |
NVIDIA T30 |
|
Memory |
2GB DDR3 |
2GB RAM |
|
Graphics |
12-core GeForce® GPU |
12-core GeForce® GPU |
|
Storage |
32GB eMMC Flash |
32GB/64GB |
|
Operating system |
Windows RT |
Windows RT |
|
Wireless |
802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 |
802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 |
|
Front facing camera |
2MP for video chats |
720p HD (1280×720) LifeCam |
|
Rear camera |
8MP, auto-focus w/LED Flash |
720p HD (1280×720) LifeCam |
|
Sensor |
G-Sensor, Light Sensor, Gyroscope, E-compass, GPS |
Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass |
|
Audio |
Built-in streo speakers, Built-in microphone, Sonic Master |
Two microphones, Stereo speakers |
|
Interface |
1x Microphone-in jack 1x Headphone-out jack 1x Micro HDMI 1x Micro SD Card Reader NFC |
Full-size USB 2.0 microSDXC card slot Headset jack HD video out port Cover port |
|
Battery |
8 hours; Li-Polymer battery 6760mAh,(25W) |
Up to 8 hours mixed activity; 7-15 days idle life; |
|
Dimensions |
262 x 171 x 8.3 mm |
275 x 172 x 9.4 mm |
|
Weight |
520 g |
680 g |
***: with Black Touch Cover $599; 64GB with Black Touch Cover $699; separate Surface Type cover $129.99
Then here is a comparison of Microsoft offering with the Android based latest transformers already on the market:
*: Battery life tested under power saving mode, playing 720p video playback, Brightness:60nits, default volume with headphones.
**: the additional keyboard dock costs an extra $170; the keyboard docking stationin a bundle TF600T 32GB model the current price is $749.99
And for clickability I will repeat below the header of the table:
ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T-B1-BL
|
ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity TF700T-B1/C1-GR
|
ASUS (VIVO Tab RT) TF600T-B1-GR |
Entrepreneurial global brand building by the founder of the Chinese aigo [爱国者] company: a desparate attempt to avoid the death march of ruthless competition at home
What happens when you were immensely successful in the pre-iPhone/Android and pre-iPad era of digital products and you were not able to recognize the fundamental change which was coming? What happens when in addition to that your playing ground for the initial success was in mainland China but the most ruthless competitors of Android and iPad era were also from China? What happens when those ruthless competitors are playing a game of pure selection by survival now, and in addition on a battlefield filled by not less than hundreds of little known brands? Each struggling to survive on meager margins.
Welcome to the story of Feng Jun and to his recipe for survival by keeping as wide as only possible product range at home, and meantime hastily building a highest quality China brand in key countries globally in an alliance with top entreprenuers in other Chinese industries.
Remark: for those who want first to understand the enormous and quite innovative product range of aigo I would first recommend to make a product tour of its Chinese site (or take at least a quick PDF-based look at Aigopad, the future focus of the company):
Wonderful recommendation: [in the footer part of the homepage]
the smart pen MP6 Moonlight digital photo frame
digital camera [cat 69-1] digital camera [cat 142-1]
mobile storage king voice recorder Aigopad aigoU disk
somersault cloud phone observation king
Otherwise start from the story as it follows below and you will come to the product range in the end:
Feng Jun – Young Global Leaders [World Economic Forum, Jan 14, 2011]
Feng Jun
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Aigo [爱国者] Digital TechnologyFeng Jun is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Beijing Aigo Digital Technology, a leading Chinese consumer electronics company. Aigo’s merchandise includes tablets, digital cameras, MP3 players, portable storage solutions, monitors and other digital products. Feng started Aigo in 1993 with two employees and built it into the international brand that it is today. He is a Member of the Political Consultative Conference of Haidian District, Vice-Chairman of Beijing Electronics Chamber and a Member of the Beijing Industrial and Commercial Executive Committee. In 2005, Feng was selected to be a Member of the 10th session of the All-China Federation of Youth. In 2003, he was honoured with the Outstanding Award of the 6th China Youth Technological Innovation and in the prior year was selected as one of the Top 10 Chinese Technological New Talents. Feng has a degree in Civil Engineering from Tsinghua University [1992], an Executive MBA from Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management [2004] and a Doctorate in Psychology from Beijing Normal University.
His “1+1=11” presentation on MMF 2009 [monacomediaforum, Nov 13, 2009]
China’s Aigo to move boldly, compete with high-end global brands [Xinhua, Aug 8, 2010]
China’s digital giant aigo revealed its ambition to break into global high-end markets, with camera shops to be set up in the world’s most renowned luxury districts.
“Our grand plan is to open chain stores, featuring Chinese-styled cameras, on the Champs Elysees, New York’s Fifth Avenue, and other luxury centers within three years,” announced Feng Jun, president of aigo, during the ongoing fourth China Brand Festival held in Beijing.
“We hope to be neighbors with Louis Vuitton,” added Feng.
As a Chinese high-tech corporation most specialized in mobile storage devices, aigo has vowed to knock open the high-end market with its delicately-designed cameras with unique Chinese styles.
The Ge-Kiln digital cameras, released in June by aigo, feature the crackling surface resembling Ge Kiln porcelain made in the Song Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.).
“Every camera of this type has a unique pattern, representing the distinct identity of its owner,” said Feng.
“China’s digital brands are used to manufacturing cheap products, but we aim to make artworks out of our technology,” said Feng.
His advocacy of the ultimate consumer values from rigid and water-proof camera to “aigo Cloud” 8 months earlier and still twice as more powerful than Apple’s iCloud, on CES 2012 [milagromac YouTube channel, Jan 11, 2012]
Truly, madly, deeply successful [China Daily, Sept 28, 2011]
It’s clear aigo Digital Technology Co Ltd president Feng Jun has been insanely successful in the domestic electronics market.
But people thought he really was crazy when he became a vendor at Zhongguancun electronics market after graduating with an architecture degree from Tsinghua, one of the country’s most prestigious universities. Peddling simply wasn’t something a graduate did then.
“I am a madman,” he says. “Everybody agrees. My idea was I could generate more value in Zhongguancun than in an office.”
In the 1990s, the electronics market was a far cry from the “Silicon Valley of China” it’s celebrated as today.
“The only thing that made it different from a farmers’ market was that I brought computer cases and keyboards, rather than fruits and vegetables, on my tricycle,” Feng says.
He spent all his start-up money – 200 yuan ($31) he borrowed from his mother – to buy the bike.
Customer confidence was an issue Feng tackled by selling his keyboards for a 5 yuan profit, while others took 50 yuan.
“The other vendors thought it was strange to sell the keyboards for so little,” he recalls.
“But I only needed a tricycle for deliveries and was happy with 5 yuan.”
This is how he earned the nickname Feng Wukuai. (Wukuai means 5 yuan in Mandarin.)
He devised product demonstrations in which he would sprinkle water over the keyboards and bash them on the ground. When people saw how robust they were, they rushed to buy them.
“I could sell 600 a day,” he says.
In early September, the 42-year-old entrepreneur unveiled the aigo Cloud service, enabling users to access personal data from any digital cloud device, including mobile phones, computers and tablets. The service operates on the iOS, Android and Windows systems.
It’s China’s answer to Apple Inc’s iCloud service, which was introduced by former CEO Steve Jobs three months ago and will be available soon.
“Jobs is a real master, and I respect him very much,” says Feng, who dresses in Sun Yat-sen uniforms. “I’m proud we launched the service before Apple.”
Some netizens are skeptical of the service’s quality and mock Feng on Sina Weibo’s micro blog, the Chinese version of Twitter.
“I understand their suspicion that we’re not competent,” Feng says.
“But it’s time Chinese became self-confident. Time will tell.”
Feng created aigo in 1997 to brand the U discs, mp3 players, digital photo frames and mobile phones his Huaqi Information Digital Techonology Co Ltd produced, and changed the company’s name to aigo in 2010.
“The reason I succeeded so quickly is I put my heart and soul into research and development, ” he says.
He recalls making the risky move to introduce aigo’s digital camera in 2005. The decision was made after fierce debate, because China’s market was dominated by Japanese brands.
“The Japanese brands slashed their prices the instant our camera went on sale to drive me out of the market,” he says.
“But I was doing the right thing. So, why would I quit?”
Camera sales are stable but aigo is still losing money because of high R&D costs. Feng says he lost 3 million yuan last month.
“But I’m happy I provide cheaper cameras for Chinese,” he says.
“Other aigo products fill the profit gap.”
Feng posted on his Weibo in September 2010 that he would donate all of his money to charity before his death.
“My son said his classmate asked him why he studied so hard if he was going to inherit his father’s wealth,” he recalls.
“I was shocked and worried. As long as my son is capable, he doesn’t need my money.”
Although Zhongguancun is where his legacy began, he says he has no strong opinion about the news the government plans to shut down half the market’s shops by yearend.
“Zhongguancun’s competition is like the Olympic Games’,” he says.
“Quality counts. Winners and losers are both heroes. But cheating is never allowed. It’s survival of the fittest.”
Where is aigo going now? He is speaking about his 6 months old “aigo Etrepreneurs Alliance” initiative at the 8th CHINICT [TheCHINICT YouTube channel, June 28, 2012]
aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance Premiere [aigo news, Feb 28, 2012]
aigo entrepreneurs alliance premiere was held on Feb 25 with the topic of ‘good timing, geographical convenience and good human relations- aigo way to success’. Hundreds of entrepreneurs discussed that how they could unify each industry as one with Olympic mode and reach the top of the world.
The “aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance” (AEA) microsite of aigo.com (in Chinese)
Why AEA (Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance) invested in Flanders [InvestInFlanders YouTube channel, July 9, 2012]
Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance Names Belgium its Preferred Investment Destination in Europe [Belgium in China, Feb 27, 2012]
Press Conference February 24th, Embassy of Belgium, Press release
A vote among participants of Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance’s business trip through Europe last December lauded Belgium as their preferred investment destination. This news was made public on Friday February 24th by Belgian Minister of State Armand De Decker and Mr. Feng Jun, founder of the Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance and Chairman of Aigo Digital Technology Co. Ltd, at a joint press conference hosted at the Belgian Embassy.
Strategically positioned at the heart of Europe, Belgium is the ideal logistics hub for those who envisage outward expansion, so experienced the Chinese delegation. Home to the EU and NATO, Belgium’s location provides both access to European and international decision makers, as well as a highly skilled, productive and multi-lingual labour force. Other reasons why investors opted for Belgium are the affordable real estate prices, the quality of living standard and the advantageous tax regime.
The openness of Belgium’s economy, its excellent infrastructure and the creativity of its people are key elements which convinced Chinese companies such as Geely, Huawei, COSCO, the HNA group and ZTE to invest in Belgium. Bank of China and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) both set up a branch in Brussels to act as a link between Chinese and Belgian companies.
“I’m thrilled that the Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance discovered our assets. The companies coming to Belgium will be able to count on the full support of both federal and regional authorities and will enjoy the warm hospitality of the Belgian people”, said Minister of State Armand De Decker on Friday.
Mr. Feng Jun, founder of the Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance and chairman of Aigo Digital Technology, said that Belgium – with its geographical location, the second largest harbor of Europe and open economy – would make for the ideal Chinese investment destination. He further expressed hope and belief that “Chinese and Belgian cooperation in investment will build a bridge, one that will not only benefit both sides but the whole of Europe and the world”.
Olympic ideal helps companies go global [China Daily, Sept 12, 2012], only excerpts:
…
Host: Ok, sure. Here comes the first question. As we know, together with about 20 Chinese entrepreneurs, you established Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliances last year. How is it doing now? And I heard that you guys did some field research on the overseas market. What did you find out? Any ideas about how to tap into the global market?
Feng: The Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliances is an organization to help Chinese brands go global. There is nothing new about overseas research because we have done this a lot of times. What does count is some of us have established offices abroad. We began with Belgium, Britain, and Denmark, three amicable European countries. They welcome us a lot. So we will help Chinese enterprises get a foothold there step by step.
From Sept 13 to 20, a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs will visit Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, four ASEAN member countries, also very amicable. We will vote, after inspecting the local market, for two countries most suitable for setting up offices. The other two countries will therefore be scratched out. But they are actually winners. They stood out from all ten ASEAN member countries in the first place. They won already.
Host: I’m interested in how the organization, as the facilitator for Chinese enterprises to expand overseas, is received by the governments and people there.
Feng: They like us there because we are friendly. They like to deal with friendly people from China. In the past, Chinese went there mostly as tourists, shopping only, but rarely as entrepreneurs, except for some private business owners who landed there illegally. Those businesses couldn’t represent Chinese brands. Most Chinese brands have yet to go global. Now we get to unite these great domestic brands to expand overseas. It is beneficial for those countries because we create jobs and pay taxes. It is in their stakes to welcome Chinese enterprises.
The way we do it has been learned from the Olympic Games. We help Chinese brands to tap into the global market together, with “zero tolerance” for anything illegal, just like the Olympic Games do not tolerate illegal behavior like doping or any other things harmful to human beings. We do that too. We will not tolerate anything against laws or ethics so that we are able to improve the global image of Chinese brands and win more supporters and friends out there. With this support, and with our diligence and intelligence, we can create more values for the world.
Not only can we generate revenue for those countries, but we provide more great products and services for their neighboring countries. In this way, we can bring real profits for those countries.
Host:Speaking of “zero tolerance”, how many enterprises have offered to join the organization so far and by what standards do you pick them?
Feng: So far the organization has absorbed nearly 100 enterprises, including Gree Electric Appliances Inc and Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd, from various industries. Many enterprises which offered to join us are front runners in their industries. But our rule is to select at most one enterprise from each industry. There are more than 3,000 industries out there. We have to give up many enterprises. We are only capable of helping 500 Chinese enterprises, from different industries of course, go global together.
Another reason is to avoid conflicts because the biggest enemy for China is not from the outside but from inside. For instance, the minute the London Games ended, Chinese e-tailers plunged into a price war. They were almost at each other’s throat. Such a phenomenon is age-old in China. But our overseas partners are not any happier about this. Well, some may be cheering. But for those visionary partners and friends, they don’t really want to see conflicts within Chinese enterprises because the constant internal fighting will undermine services to the very end. It will even breed counterfeit products.
So what we need is a virtuous environment. We have to learn from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which acknowledges only one champion in each field, and select at most one sponsor from each industry. The way it performs can make sure that the Olympic Games is harmonious enough for everyone to create values instead of fighting with each other.
Host: You’re right. I feel the same way. I believe many Chinese people always wonder why we see “Made in China” quite often in foreign countries, but rarely Chinese brands. This begs the question: what makes it so hard for Chinese enterprises to go global? The organization provides a good platform for our private enterprises. Will it fare well in the future?
Feng: There are two reasons, I think. First, it’s only been 30 years since China’s reform and opening-up. Chinese enterprises have to lay a solid foundation first within China. That’s why most of them have been busy vying for the domestic market shares.
But internationalization is inevitable now, whether you like it or not. A big challenge for Chinese enterprises lies in that it’s very risky to go global alone. And the cost is very high. Once it succeeds, troubles follow. Many domestic firms start stealing its talents and clients, thus undermining its domestic market. Going global alone is a risk too high to take. But the truth is, it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. If you don’t come to them, they’ll come to you. By then there will be nowhere to hide. Therefore, we have to stick together when going global.
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China’s GDP per capita is less than one tenth that of Western Europe. The Chinese are so industrious, diligent, and intelligent, the only thing they need is to go to the outside world.
It is really quite risky and costly for us to explore the overseas market by ourself. It’s no easy thing for a newcomer to an unfamiliar place, especially when you break local laws, which will cost you a lot. So we decided to go out in a group. It’s less risky and local property developers are eager to accommodate us because we are a group of well-behaved companies. It’s like the Olympic Village welcoming athletes from around the world.
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We invite the top 3 companies of each industry to join our alliance, and those selected will be the alliance’s one and only in his industry.
You may ask what about the others? They can join our Club. Even if you are not one of the top 3 players in your industry, or just a small- and medium-sized company, you can be a member of our Club, which offers opportunities for SMEs to learn from the big companies in our alliance.
We organize 10 conferences each year to share information on internationalization. The top 3 players selected in our alliance will deliver lectures.
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So I urge Chinese companies to stop grappling with domestic rivals and to become comrades in arms.
The Alliance members can choose its favorable regions first, its peers in the Club can blaze trails in the rest of the world market so they will not compete in the same market, but become comrades conquering the world market. They can share their resources and exchange what they need, and become each other’s agent in his turf.
That would improve the relations between the companies, just like the harmonious atmosphere in the Olympic Family. People will spare more effort to create values instead of grappling with domestic peers, and turn their sights to the outside world outside.
Closing on this post:
Forum Debate: Demystifying Asia’s Entrepreneurs on the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2012 (World Economic Forum), in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
[Sept 11, 2012]
Are Asia’s entrepreneurs different from Western entrepreneurs?
Feng Jun, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aigo Digital Technology:
– starting with “1+1=11” and ending with “chess metaphore”: from [11:20] to [14:00]
– on respecting differences: from [19:36] to [20:13]
– on meeting foreign entrepreneurs [and agreeing that the principles are same everywhere] and on differences [to be respected] e.g. in China illustrated by the Chinese chess or the Chiese medicine: from [29:00] t0 [31:05]
– on “for Chinese companies our biggest problem is teamwork” which is leading to his Olympic story “China got 38 medals but all individual”: from [39:05] to [40:43]
– starting with questions “how many of you can play the Chinese chess and Mahjong?” when Chinese raised their hands, and “how many of you can play the bridge or international chess?” when Western people raised their hands >> leading to statement that “to become entrepreneurs Chinese need to settle down their internal circumstances, first and foremost the Chinese Mahjong sometimes has beaten us, which stems from thousands years of history” because “the Chinese emperors were afraid of their people coming together, therefore they used Mahjong to alienate the Chinese people, pitching them against each other in the Mahjong game, but in the international chess is all teamwork …”: from [41:55] to [43:55]
Feng Jun: no longer talk about “patriots” of the Patriots [China Economic Weekly, Oct 8, 2012] as translated from Chinese with Google and Bing with the necessary manual edits
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People actually want to hear Feng Jun talk about products and the future of the aigo, but on this Feng was unwilling to talk about.
Sony has what you have to what
On the afternoon of September 10, 2012, at the Davos Forum in Tianjin, Feng Jun, dressed in black Chinese Collar, came to collect the second day of the admission documents.
In the small courtyard next to the Registry, Feng Jun accepted the China Economic Weeklyin an interview on his holding to the aigo on the digital market: “I hope the Chinese national brand can exist, despite of some product losses, I am still clung to the digital market.”
Indeed, the aigo company is at a loss. In recent years, the digital camera market has increasingly been concentrated in large multinational companies, domestic camera manufacturers have been closed down, only Feng Jun adhere to the production. Feng Jun said: “We are at the obvious losses, loss of seven years.” Over time, Mr Feng admits that aigo have survived long.
Traditional digital brands are out of the market in China, according to Feng Jun’s words, today the maximum value of aigo is a contribution to the nation.
But one consumer told reporters: “five or six years ago, aigo was the leading national brand, in mobile storage, MP3, and some products for everyone to leave a deep impression. But now, we increasingly do not know what aigo is doing.”
Whatever aigo is doing, but it is a growing gap with international brands, what Feng Jun understood.
Feng Jun has his own reasons: “Sony has a pistol, you have to have a pistol; Sony has a rifle, you have to have a rifle; Sony has grenades, you have to have hand grenades, you are less like channels are likely to become compromised by the other party a path.” As far as the future is concerned, said Feng Jun, the tablet PC will become one of the priorities of the Patriots.
He believes that, the aigo is a comprehensive brand to have longer product lines so that shop and store surfaces could not be squashed by Sony, Canon, and aigo eroded away.
In the eyes of Feng Jun, manufacturers of electronic digital products must have a number of products, as focusing on single products as a guidance in times of crisis will inevitably lead to the bankruptcy of the enterprise. However, many people do not agree with Mr Feng. Communications industry expert Xiang Ligang said that, on the contrary, with large and comprehensive enterprise funds dispersed, as each product involves research and development, and as such each product could not have its own core technologies and competitiveness, it must be difficult to survive in the end.
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In 2003, the market share of the aigo mobile storage products consecutive years ranked first, the aigo MP3 had a good market performance, in 2007 aigo first launched the first MP5 multimedia player on the domestic market, in 2009 aigo launched the first cloud MP6 player.
However, in the last two or three years time, as smart phones and tablet PCs represented by Apple products quickly became mainstream, listening to music, storage and recording features went into those mobile devices. Wanting to blaze a new trail on the iPhone and iPad dominated market, could be difficult.
Today electronic photo frames, as well as mobile storage products and other superior products supporting the operations of aigo, such as cameras, mobile phones, e-books, and so on are facing losses.
Aigo is like the pawns at the river [in Chinese chess], and now has no escape route. In front of the media, Feng Jun has less love to talk about products and aigo’s core business, he loves talking about the Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance, he said it is now the only advocacy highlights. Feng believes that the current situation is forcing Chinese companies to go out, this is the only hope for the Chinese enterprises. On one hand, by entering the international market they could share the cost of R & D and improve the profitability of the enterprise. On the other hand, foreign markets will not discriminate against Chinese brands, China’s digital products can be sold in foreign countries at higher than the domestic prices.
Feng believes that, as a private enterprise, individual enterprises do not have the courage and strength alone for overseas adventures, they must form a concerted effort to open up overseas markets. Relative to the traditional digital products market the growth rate is slowing, helping enterprises to go out in order to bring value seems to be a better sense.
In response, some entrepreneurs and industry experts are not as sure. Communications industry expert Xiang Ligang told China Economic Weekly, he is very much in agreement that companies must go overseas, but does not agree with the form that they must ally with each other to go out, because enterprises inevitably produce competitive market behavior and take the market by “unity” between enterprises is not going to work.
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Feng Jun’s chess theory
Chinese people play chess, the Japanese Chess as well, and Indians play chess, the rules of these three are completely different. The chess pawns arch can change, so the morale and team spirit is relatively easy to achieve, everyone can venture in this system. Chinese Chess encourage is not to encourage entrepreneurship. Once across the river, became a dead stroke, go down go to die, as cannon fodder.
Feng Mahjong theory
The the mahjong rules may be the root of the Chinese nation can not be to Baotuan the most important one. Mahjong rules is to keep a close eye on the house, tight look to home, in order not to let the other win, these would rather destroy themselves going to destroy others. This rule so that the Chinese people can not unite, only against each other. …… Mahjong China punish those helpful point gun, who shot who is unlucky, and who help others unlucky, who when Lei Feng unlucky, lead to every Chinese dare not peddler, afraid to tell the truth, who revealed the secret unlucky, leading everyone in China to become individual.
Now I will suggest every reader to take a look at the home offerings of the aigo company:
欢迎光临爱国者官网·aigo爱国者 数码相机 数码摄像机 Mp3 Mp4 MP5 (aigo’s Chinese homepage). From this I would just recommend to take the product range tour as an illustration of Feng’s “as wide as only possible” idea for the home market: [in the footer part of the homepage]
Wonderful recommendation: [in the footer part of the homepage]
the smart pen MP6 Moonlight digital photo frame digital camera [cat 69-1] digital camera [cat 142-1]
mobile storage king voice recorder Aigopad aigoU disk somersault cloud phone observation king
And this just a selection from an even large range of offerings since there are the following product categories are available as well:
- Geyao products (camera, e-book reader, and 2 kind of digital photo frames)
- DIY Accessories etc. (15 quite different loudspeaker boxes and systems)
- aigo eBooks (8 different B/W and color devices)
- New energy products (the innovative aiPowo series, you need to look at!)
- Digital optoelectronic products (4 projectors and 4 digital microscopes)
- Happy Mouse Series (4 mice)
- Photon whiteboard (a quite innovative kind of whiteboard)
- Electronic educational products (children specific things)
- Movie this (a number of “tablet like” I would call “movie frames” and a color e-book)
- Cloud projector (a single product called “the world’s first the smart portable multimedia projector equipped with a cloud service”)
Out of the major recommendations I will include here just the Aigopad i.e. Tablet PC category in order to illustrate this – said to be strategic for aigo – family of products, how deep and wide they are by themselves: there are not less than 29 tablet products !
(when some images are gone you could take a PDF-based look at Aigopad at the time writing)
