Computex 2016 – The Integrator

Acer showcases “BeingWare” at Computex 2016

admin — Tue, 31 May 2016 04:54:33 +0000

Acer is showcasing its BeingWare vision at Computex 2016, which encompasses vertical business models with intelligent connected devices. As the “Internet of Things” evolves into the “Internet of Beings,” a human-centric network based on a collective of intelligence is necessary to make the swarms of smart devices more meaningful. The “Things” or devices not only require a reliable communication link to the cloud, which Acer’s BYOC platform provides, but also integration with services, empowering BeingWare applications to provide user-centric services and solutions that know, serve, and grow with the user.

To help accelerate the development of connected cars, Acer announced abMax01, a new car IoT module which acts as a gateway to the cloud. The turnkey solution for automotive manufacturers enables secure fleet management and big-data analysis, allowing control centers to optimize operations by analyzing and processing streaming data in real-time, and even predicting the need of maintenance before failure through machine learning.
The module accommodates an integrated SIM card to give IT managers flexibility in bringing existing hardware systems to the cloud, and allows them to deploy over-the-air (OTA) software and firmware updates in both commercial and consumer-use scenarios: automobile navigation map updates, gaming machine updates, new songs on karaoke machines and music player systems, to name a few. This advanced management method saves system integrators countless hours of manual updates by providing a convenient way to maintain fleets of vehicles via the BYOC platform.

Acer’s showcase at Computex 2016 offers a glimpse into what’s possible on the industrial side of things under the BeingWare vision with two partner projects showcasing Smart City applications. The first application includes cloud-connected street lamps with smart management to monitor energy usage and lower power consumption, while also featuring object detection to intelligently turn on or off, and environmental monitoring (air quality, temperature, humidity, noise and more) to send precise data back to the municipal service center. The second application shows Acer’s BYOC module built into industrial air tanks for safe monitoring; by sending data over the cloud reduces service hours in the field (manpower) while also lowers risks by keeping workers out of potentially dangerous situations.

A number of BYOC consumer applications will also be on display at Computex 2016. A bread maker is in this year’s lineup to demonstrate how consumers can use the cloud to start their favorite recipe so it is ready and fresh by the time they wake up, and also fine-tune the taste to their liking with recipes from the cloud. A smart tracker can help users keep tabs on their loved ones, be it elders, children, or even pets, with geo-fencing alerts to know when they wander off limits, and an emergency button to call for help when needed. BYOC provides device and appliance manufacturers with a one-stop-shop to connect to the cloud, from the hardware embedded to connect, worldwide infrastructure connectivity, OTA firmware updates solutions, and big-data analytics and dashboards.

Lauded for its CloudProfessor IoT education kit, Acer was nominated for a “Best Mobile Innovation for Education” at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this year. Building on this success, Acer has introduced new CloudProfessor kits running on Windows 10, which adds support for the student-friendly Scratch programming language. A variety of new CloudProfessor kits for Windows 10 with Gigo construction brick themes such as Ball Bot, Robot Man, Scorpio Bot, and many more new hardware will be on display during Computex.

The potential of BeingWare is set to explore the world of virtual reality with the announcement of Starbreeze AB and Acer Inc. in signing a letter of intent to form a joint venture for head mounted displays (HMD). The two companies aim to cooperate on bringing the StarVR HMD to the professional- and location-based entertainment market, an exemplary of the BeingWare business model that integrates hardware, software and services for vertical markets.

The BeingWare showcase is at Acer’s booth #M0420 at 4F Nangang Exhibition Hall during Computex Taipei 2016 (May 31 to June 4).

MSI includes VR gaming experience zones at Computex booth

admin — Tue, 31 May 2016 04:38:04 +0000

MSI, a world leader in high-end gaming hardware, has included VR experience zones at its booth at COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2016. Each VR experience zone features a variety of captivating VR experiences powered by top-rated MSI VR-ready products, HTC VIVE, VR content providers and more. Here we have a quick glimpse into MSI’s VR-optimized gaming hardware and some of the most riveting VR experiences that MSI has to offer.

MSI’s Vortex gaming desktop powers HTC Vive and theBlu: Luminous Abyss, taking visitos on a venture into the deepest region of the ocean to discover the iridescent abyss. In a truly immersive VR world where the real world seems to vanish, audiences get to experience a close encounter with various types of luminous marine creatures. Soaking their ears in the ocean’s roar, audiences are free to move around, picture themselves diving underwater and enjoy the sheer audio-visual sensation brought on by the ocean.

More highlights at the VR expreience zones include MSI’s high-end gaming laptops and desktops that pack unprecedented gaming power and innovative design. Visitors get a chance to see COMPUTEX Best Choice Golden Award 2016 winner MSI GS63 Stealth Pro gaming laptop, super high-end MSI GT83/GT73 Titan SLI gaming laptops, COMPUTEX d&i awards 2016 winner GS73 gaming laptop and more. Among the most revolutionary products of MSI, the Backpack PC delivers more than enough power to run The Lab: Xortex. Come experience the immersive thrills of navigating and avoiding incoming fire while shooting at a multitude of different spacecraft!

Gaming and entertainment aside, Virtual Reality is taking on a bigger role in commercial and industrial applications, such as architecture and construction, production, automobile, healthcare, education, etc. To meet the demands, MSI rolls out the world’s first NVIDIA® VR Ready professional mobile workstation WT72. Right at MSI’s VR experience zones, visitors have a chance to create a visually appealing VR experience using MSI WT72 and Autodesk Stingray Game Engine.

ASUS unveils Zenbo at Computex 2016

admin — Tue, 31 May 2016 03:59:52 +0000

ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih took the stage during the Zenvolution press event at Computex 2016 to unveil Zenbo, the first ASUS robot, along with a stunning portfolio of third-generation mobile products designed to provide users with revolutionary functionality for pursuing their passions. The incredible line-up includes the all-new ZenFone 3 family, featuring ZenFone 3 Deluxe, the new flagship ASUS smartphone with advanced camera technology that takes mobile photography to the next level; ZenFone 3, a feature-packed smartphone that brings premium design and empowering performance to users; and ZenFone 3 Ultra, an incredibly powerful smartphone with a 6.8-inch Full HD display that excels at entertainment. Also announced were ZenBook 3, an ultra-sleek and lightweight notebook with a premium aluminum design, along with ASUS Transformer 3 and ASUS Transformer 3 Pro, the world’s most versatile PCs that feature an unrivalled combination of mobility, convenience, and expandability.

While revealing ASUS Zenbo, Chairman Shih said, “For decades, humans have dreamed of owning such a companion: one that is smart, dear to our hearts, and always at our disposal. Our ambition is to enable robotic computing for every household.”

Joining Mr. Shih on stage, Intel’s Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Client Computing Group, Navin Shenoy said, “For nearly thirty years, Intel and ASUS have been collaborating to bring some of the most innovative PCs and devices to market. We are excited to continue that collaboration on the new ZenBook and Transformer 3 family powered by Intel Core processors, and we look forward to working closely with ASUS on expanding beyond traditional clients into new, emerging markets like robotics.”

ASUS Zenbo, the ZenFone 3 Series, the ASUS Transformer 3 Series, and a line-up of other all-new ASUS products are on display at the ASUS showroom at the Nangang Exhibition Hall at Taipei World Trade Center. Visitors to Computex 2016 are invited to visit the showroom to experience the revolutionary functionality of these latest ASUS innovations for themselves.