I’ve got a number of device videos to talk about from MWC 2014 in Barcelone but before I hit the airport for the return home I wanted to take a closer look at the rugged keyboard case. Personally I love it and want it. The elitepad makes a great 10-inch tablet but if you add this keyboard case, you’re really set for a lot of on-the-road work. Video below.
Clearly the casing has more than just a keyboard inside. That full-size SD card slot is perfect for media creators.
Remember, the HP Elitepad has 64-bit Windows 8.1 (or Pro) and up to 128GB of storage and…tada!…4GB of RAM.
I also took a peek into the battery statistics. You’ve got a 30WH battery here and the device that has been in use on the HP booth for three days is showing some good figures. I’d say this is an 8-hour working device that would last for the rest of a day in connected standby.
A 3G version will be available.
I also took a look at a lightweight BT keyboard that had great keyboard feedback and a consumer-style case and cover.
This is fantastic news. Nokia maps and navigation services are, in my opinion the best in the business and on Windows 8.1 there’s a huge gap in the market for a decent solution. Via our friends over at The Digital Lifestyle I’ve just learnt that Nokia are opening up the Here mapping application beyond the Windows RT-based Lumia 2520. It’s going to be available in the Windows 8.1 store in the next few days.
Update 1/3/2014: Available now. Works smoothly on Baytrail-T tablets. No turn-by-turn.
I can’t confirm if turn-by-turn is included yet (interesting for those with 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablets that have GPS such as the ASUS Vivotab Note 8) but I can confirm that offline maps are supported, route planning, POI and more.
What I suspect is happening is that because Here is being offered for free, there might be up upgrade path to turn-by-turn, if Nokia deem it to be worthwhile developing that part of the app. Any Lumia 2520 owners care to comment?
I’m in Barcelona next week so I can’t wait to get the Full-HD Lenovo Miix 2 10 loaded-up with hi-res maps. Yes, I’ll be ripe for a mugging, but I’ll do it for you, dear reader !
Note: I’ll be getting some hands-on with the Lumia 2520 next week. Stay tuned.
Looking for a tablet that just might be your favorite mobile productivity tool, as well as being a good sofa-side consumption device? The ASUS Vivotab Note 8 might be the one because of its digitizer and an all-round solid performance. Are there any major issues though and how does the ASUS Vivotab Note 8 performance compared to other 8-inch Windows tablets? We’ve picked up the 32GB version of the Vivotab Note 8 and the full review is available below.
I ran a last-minute Google Hangout this evening which worked out well because not only was I able to present 5 Windows 8.1 tablets, I was also able to answer questions from the viewers. During the session I recorded a higher quality video for YouTube and both videos are embedded in this article.
Windows 8 has its problems. We all know there are new user-interface issues to sort out and for Microsoft and its wide-ranging collection of customers it must be one of the most difficult challenges of 2014. There are new features under the hood in Windows 8 too but despite the fact that they help to make it the best Windows operating system yet, no-one gives those features any consideration. Windows 8 is not a broken OS. Windows 8 is an HDR-Computing OS with some truly inspiring features, if you stop to take a look.
The ASUS Vivotab Note 8 is now available in the US Microsoft Store [Update: Now out of stock] and that’s great news because the ASUS Vivotab Note 8 is turning out to be one of the best 8-inch Windows tablets there is.
I’ve just unboxed two 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablets. The ASUS Vivotab Note 8 and Dell Venue Pro 8 both have digitizer layers but one has a Wacom layer and a pen compartment.
