The futuristic Lenovo Yoga Book can digitize your paper notes

BERLIN — Cool doesn't even begin to describe Lenovo's Yoga Book, announced Wednesday at IFA 2016.

The Yoga Book is about the size of a children's hardcover book — Lenovo compared it side by side with a hardcover Dr. Seuss book — and serves as a mini tablet, laptop and a digital notebook

The Yoga Book is thin, light and wild. Lenovo is launching two versions — Android ($499) and Windows 10 ($599) — later this year.

10.1-inch full HD display.

IMAGE: MICHAEL RATHMAYR/MASHABLE

The device has a 10.1-inch full HD glossy display on one half and a matte surface on the other half. Its hinge allows the screen to fold 360 degrees backwards into a mini tablet.

With a touch of a button, the matte half turns on a "Halo" keyboard and trackpad layout. Typing on it is similar to typing on an iPad, which is to say, there's absolutely no tactile feedback and no actual key actuation. As much as I hate the shallow keyboard on the new MacBook, typing on a flat surface is even worse.

IMAGE: MICHAEL RATHMAYR/MASHABLE

IMAGE: MICHAEL RATHMAYR/MASHABLE

IMAGE: MICHAEL RATHMAYR/MASHABLE

I would go as far to say typing on the Yoga Book's keyboard is terrible. I typed slower and made a ton more errors than on a keyboard with real key travel.

Built-in digitizer.

IMAGE: MICHAEL RATHMAYR/MASHABLE

But there are a lot of cool features on the Yoga Book, too. The best is the digitizer. With the keyboard turned off, you can place a piece of paper on top and use a stylus with a real ballpoint tip to write or draw and the Yoga Book will make an exact digital copy on the screen for saving or sharing. It's basically digital carbon paper (if you're old enough to know what that is).

 Follow

Raymond Wong 💾📼🍕 

✔@raywongy

Lenovo Yoga Book makes digital carbon copies easy #IFA2016

2:55 AM - 1 Sep 2016

 
•  11 Retweet
 
•  55 likes

If this sounds familiar to Wacom's Smart Bamboo, that's because it is Wacom technology. The digitizer is sensitive enough to detect scribbles through a stack of paper.

Spec-wise, the Yoga Book is powered by a 2.4GHz quad-core Intel Atom x5 Processor, 4GB of RAM and has 64GB of storage (expandable via microSD card). Lenovo says there will be Wi-Fi and LTE models. There's also an 8-megapixel camera on the front. Lenovo claims up to 15 hours of battery life for the Android model and up to 13 hours for the Windows 10 version.

It's an interesting concept, to say the least. It's clearly aimed at students, notebook lovers and scrapbookers, but it's hard to tell if it'll ever take off.

IMAGE: MICHAEL RATHMAYR/MASHABLE

IMAGE: MICHAEL RATHMAYR/MASHABLE

IMAGE: MICHAEL RATHMAYR/MASHABLE

Will Intel’s Developer Forum highlight the future of IoT?

The Intel Developer Forum is happening over the next couple days, and was kicked off by a keynote by Intel CEO Brian Krzanich shedding light on a new wireless virtual reality (VR) headset dubbed Project Alloy.

Project Alloy is part of a greater focus on what Intel is calling Merged Reality. He also introduced Intel Joule, a sophisticated maker board with an Intel RealSense depth-sensing camera targeted at Internet of Things (IoT) developers.

Merged Reality is the shiniest of the projects featured during the keynote. Merged Reality involves an untethered, wireless VR headset with depth sensing and five-finger tracking thanks to a forward-facing RealSense camera that enables you to walk around a given space and use your real hands to manipulate the environment.

Sentiment among Intel’s development partners coming in to the conference hinted at a strong desire to hear more about Intel’s involvement with the advancement of IoT technologies. “I think the channel gets lots of focus from other manufacturers in the areas of [high-performance computing] and enthusiast, so the segment they need more guidance in is IoT,” said Kent Tibbils, vice president of marketing at ASI, a Fremont, Calif.-based Intel system builder recently told CRN. “This is not to say that Intel shouldn’t or doesn’t provide guidance for other categories, just that IoT is the one that is still more immature or open in terms of where the channel fits.”

Joule should spur lots of IoT prototyping

Intel didn’t leave attendees without an answer. Intel Joule features the company’s RealSense camera technology highlighted in the Project Alloy concept, in a small development kit that developers and entrepreneurs can use to quickly prototype a variety of IoT applications that can take advantage of this technology.

According to Intel:

Several Intel partners such as Microsoft and GE are demonstrating potential applications of this technology this week at IDF, including French company PivotHead which built augmented reality safety glasses for Airbus employees.

Another of the primary areas where developers are hoping to hear more is in the area of 5G wireless communications. Intel recently expanded on the importance of 5G to the next generation of connected devices, and with the White House announcing a $400 million initiative to aid in the research and development of a solid 5G standard, it stands to reason that many of its development partners are expecting Intel to shed light on its intentions during the forum.

Still pining for the 3.5mm headphone jack? Intel is here to comfort you

Upcoming smartphones might not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. It all still hangs on a rumor that Apple's iPhone will shun all connectors but its proprietary Lightning jack (some Android models out this year already did it). Still, this is a harsh reality for many consumers who likely aren't crazy about buying a dongle just to connect their headphones to a phone. 

But there might be a silver lining. And Intel, at its annual IDF show, is doing its best to persuade the public that USB Type-C is a better alternative to the 3.5mm connector. 

Cnet has the scoop from Intel architects Brad Saunders and Rahman Ismail, who had described a new USB audio standard that will hopefully come with a future iteration of USB Type-C. The details from the presentation can be found here. 

First, the obvious: A 3.5mm headphone jack and the necessary circuitry take space inside a phone — space which could be used for other things like a bigger speaker. The circuitry could also cause interference with the already crammed electronic guts of a phone. 

IMAGE: INTEL

More importantly, the 3.5mm headphone jack is an analog connector, meaning it can transfer sound but is otherwise quite dumb. In contrast, a USB Type-C connector can deliver preprocessed sound (so you could get noise cancellation or virtual surround even on regular headphones). It can also control how much power it sends (by disabling the microphone when it's not needed, for example). On the other hand, it can charge your noise-cancelling headphones while you're listening to music. 

The drawbacks, of course, are still there. You won't be able to charge your phone and listen to music at the same time (except with a special dongle). You'll also need a dongle to connect your old headphones with new phones. And you'll likely have to say "dongle" a lot. But the tradeoff might just be worth it. 

The updated USB Type-C specification will also include the ability to transfer video, as well as an authentication standard that should prevent connecting rogue or tampered-with devices from wreaking havoc on your system. 

Note that in the world of phones, all of this only pertains to Android devices, which manufacturers have largely committed to the USB Type-C standard. Samsung's new Galaxy Note 7 uses it, as do LG's G5 and Huawei's P9. But Apple will likely stick with its Lightning connector on the iPhone, which is also a digital connector that offers a variety of advantages over an analog jack. That said, Apple does use the USB Type-C connector on its latest MacBook.

Intel says the specification for the new standard should arrive later this quarter. 

You can now buy Intel's new feature-packed drone, but it'll cost you

Yuneec's Typhoon H drone (formally the Typhoon PRO with Intel RealSense Technology) is officially available for purchase from a variety of retailers, as the company announced at the Intel Development Forum on Tuesday afternoon.

Prices vary among sellers: Buydig is listing them for $1,299, though it doesn't come with Intel RealSense. B & H and Best Buy have the full versions for the official Pro retail price, $1,899. Wholesaler Jet is offering the drones (which, again, seem to be the basic version) at $1,035.58 if you opt out of free returns and pay by debit card. 

You can also buy the Intel RealSense Module separately to attach to the Typhoon H. These are available at Vertigo Drones and Ingenious Ingenuity for $399.99. 

Intel's Latest

Typhoon H Hexacopter

IMAGE: BEST BUY

Intel RealSense Module

IMAGE: VERTIGO DRONES

The drone's big appeal is that it uses intelligent obstacle navigation, which means it can chart its own alternative courses around obstacles. And, as Mashable's own Lance Ulanoff pointed out in his review, it's got a bunch of other cool features to play around with. 

The drone also comes with retractable landing gear, six rotors, an HD gimbal camera with 360 view and a smart mode that keeps the drone from flying too far away. Also, the remote — while offering real-time updates on altitude GPS and satellite availability, current position, altitude, speed, distance from pilot and photography presets, as well as a 7-inch-screen, two joysticks, five switches and a bunch more buttons — is very big and can be tricky. 

The Yuneec Typhoon H drone ships with this Ground Station remote control that features a built-in, 7-in. screen.

IMAGE: BRITTANY HERBERT/MASHABLE 

You can also take advantage of its many intelligent features. You can set the drone to orbit around you or some other object, to fly up and take aerial selfies, to fly a programmed route, to follow you with its camera, or, in "Home Mode," to return and land within 26 feet of you. 

Kinda like robot Lassie.

IMAGE: YUNEEC.COM

You can learn more about the drone by reading our full review or by watching Intel's promotional video below:

Will Intel’s Developer Forum highlight the future of IoT?

The Intel Developer Forum is happening over the next couple days, and was kicked off by a keynote by Intel CEO Brian Krzanich shedding light on a new wireless virtual reality (VR) headset dubbed Project Alloy.

Project Alloy is part of a greater focus on what Intel is calling Merged Reality. He also introduced Intel Joule, a sophisticated maker board with an Intel RealSense depth-sensing camera targeted at Internet of Things (IoT) developers.

Merged Reality is the shiniest of the projects featured during the keynote. Merged Reality involves an untethered, wireless VR headset with depth sensing and five-finger tracking thanks to a forward-facing RealSense camera that enables you to walk around a given space and use your real hands to manipulate the environment.

Sentiment among Intel’s development partners coming in to the conference hinted at a strong desire to hear more about Intel’s involvement with the advancement of IoT technologies. “I think the channel gets lots of focus from other manufacturers in the areas of [high-performance computing] and enthusiast, so the segment they need more guidance in is IoT,” said Kent Tibbils, vice president of marketing at ASI, a Fremont, Calif.-based Intel system builder recently told CRN. “This is not to say that Intel shouldn’t or doesn’t provide guidance for other categories, just that IoT is the one that is still more immature or open in terms of where the channel fits.”

Joule should spur lots of IoT prototyping

Intel didn’t leave attendees without an answer. Intel Joule features the company’s RealSense camera technology highlighted in the Project Alloy concept, in a small development kit that developers and entrepreneurs can use to quickly prototype a variety of IoT applications that can take advantage of this technology.

According to Intel:

Several Intel partners such as Microsoft and GE are demonstrating potential applications of this technology this week at IDF, including French company PivotHead which built augmented reality safety glasses for Airbus employees.

Another of the primary areas where developers are hoping to hear more is in the area of 5G wireless communications. Intel recently expanded on the importance of 5G to the next generation of connected devices, and with the White House announcing a $400 million initiative to aid in the research and development of a solid 5G standard, it stands to reason that many of its development partners are expecting Intel to shed light on its intentions during the forum.

Basis Peak watches recalled, service shutting down due to overheating

Basis Peak, a fitness watch tracking your health and sleep habits, is now being recalled by the company after reports of overheating.

The Intel subsidiary first sent a statement about the overheating issues mid-June and is now asking customers to stop wearing their watches and is shutting down service “immediately.”

“We had hoped to update the software on your watch to address the problem,” the company said in a statement. “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we aren’t able to develop such a solution without completely compromising the user experience. As a result, we are asking that you return your Basis Peak watch and authorized accessories for a full refund at your earliest convenience.”

Many of those who’d purchased the watch tweeted their disappointment at having to return the watch.

However, according to the company, the overheating issue has caused burns and blisters on approximately 0.2% of customers. Basis apologized in the statement, saying it was now concerned for customer’s safety.

Customers will still be able to access their data from the watch until the end of the year. They will also be issued a full refund for their purchase by visiting https://support.mybasis.com or calling one of the designated country numbers listed here.

Parent company Intel bought Basis for $100 million in 2014.

Hyundai sailing into a new era of smart ships

The world’s biggest shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) – working with Intel, SK Shipping, Microsoft, the Daejeon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation (DCCEI) and the Ulsan Center for Creative Economy and Innovation (UCCEI) – wants to bring smart ships to the world’s oceans.

An agreement signed by the group allows HHI and its partners to team up in an effort to help domestic information and computer technology businesses create software that improves the safety and well-being of crew members, meeting the needs of ship-owners and safe ship operation standards.

In 2019, the Ship Service Software should be applied to smart ships, if all goes according to planned.  Once applied, it will allow for remote medical treatment services for crew members, ballast tank inspections, virtual reality training, maintenance of important equipment and automatic voyage information reporting.

“The Korean shipbuilding industry was developed on the back of advanced manufacturing technology but now is the time for us to shift our focus to differentiated ship service technologies,” stated an HHI official. “We see that customized and value-added software will play a role in reviving the industry.”

Ship-owners, crews and customers work together on new tech

SK Shipping and HHI will offer smart ship platforms and technological mentoring services.  Meanwhile, UCCEI and DCCEI will conduct briefing sessions for shipbuilders and shipping lines to encourage the technology companies to participate.

HHI and Accenture, together, unveiled OceanLink this past May.  OceanLink, their version of a smart ship, is geared toward the shipbuilding, shipping, and onshore-logistics sectors. With a grouping of analytics software and sensors, ship-owners can keep track of a ship’s condition and status in real-time.  Along with this, owners are offered a vast range of ship operation data including location, weather, and onboard equipment and cargo status information.

Come out for the next season of America’s Greatest Makers

After a premiere season that saw Grush — an IoT-enabled gaming toothbrush aimed at getting kids to brush their teeth more effectively — take home the $1 million top prize, America’s Greatest Makers is coming back for another season of bringing IoT inventors together in a head-to-head battle for a sweet cash prize.

The primetime television show is produced by reality TV giant Mark Burnett, in partnership with Intel. Last season was especially exciting here at ReadWrite. Not only did we get to see emerging IoT technologies displayed on a national stage, but winning team was also an alumni of the IoT accelerator run by our parent company, Wearable IoT World.

This year, two IoT startup alumni are confirmed as auditioning  – SoundSight and Metron Force.

SoundSight produces an integrated video recording smart headphone that connects to your smartphone. Metron Force is a smart wristband for device radio control that uses intelligent wrist gestures.

“America’s Greatest Makers would be a good opportunity to explain how our technology differentiates us from the competition,” said Alex Hai, founder of Metron Force. “If we can tell our story to a national audience, our product will speak for itself.”

Makers to use new IoT technologies

Television series have a habit of upping the stakes. So for season two, in addition to Intel’s Curie Module that was used last year, Intel is making new technologies available to be integrated into the product.

The next-generation Intel Atom processor-based platform can provide contestants with advanced display, graphics and high-speed I/O in a low-power, small form-factor configuration for product ideas. And Intel’s RealSense ZR300 camera offers makers a small form-factor solution for contestants who want to add visual depth sensing and tracking capabilities to their product ideas.

“We’ve already been getting excited about what we can do with the Intel Atom,” says Stephen Chase, founder of SoundSight Smart-Headphones, about the audition process. “One of the things we’re most excited about with this competition that we would get to work closely with the brilliant people of Intel.”1 

The shows producers hope that the new technologies will elevate the competition. From Grush founder Ethan Schur’s experience, the lack of ability to code should not scare a potential applicant away. “If you find a problem big enough (to solve), you can prototype quickly,” he said. “There’s help out there. The maker community is there.”

Interested? You have until August 19th to apply here.