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Steam Box(es) at CES

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Half Life and online game merchant Steam developer Valve confirms its long rumoured "Steam Box" hardware plans with Piston, a home theatre PC (HTPC) from mini-PC maker Xi3.

PistonSeen in prototype form at CES 2013, according to Xi3 the Valve-sponsored Piston is "designed specifically to support both Steam and its Big Picture mode for residential and LAN party computer gaming on larger HD screens.”

The PC itself is based on Xi3's high-end offering, the X7A, and packs up to a 3.2GHz quad-core processor, 8GB RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, with a full complement of x8 USB slots (four 2.0, four 3.0), x4 eSATA slots, x2 Mini DisplayPorts and HDMI port, all within a modular design.

The OS of choice is Linux, together with Valve's Steam games marketplace.

Samsung Outs Youm Flexible Displays

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The Samsung CES 2013 keynote gives a glimpse of a more flexible future as it reveals the "Youm" flexible OLED series through a variety of prototypes.

Samsung YoumOne prototype visitors can test out at the show has a 5-inch display curving over right-hand edge of the device, providing a little bit of extra real estate to display text messages, stock tickers and other notifications. Lacking a radio or even an OS, the prototype is little more than a cool demo of the technology, and we doubt it will be available as an actual product in the future

Meanwhile a quick concept video from the Samsung keynote shows further applications of the technology, through renders of a foldable phone and another with a rollable display turning it into a tablet.

Vendors have been toying with flexible display technology for a while-- Samsung had a flexible OLED prototype at CES 2011, and actually owns the technology's developer, Liquivista. Other companies showing flexible devices throughout the years include LG Display, Nokia, Sony and Plastic Logic.

Go Samsung Highlights Innovations in CES Keynote

Go WSJ: Samsung Bets on Flexibility

Wearable LG Tech at CES

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LG follows the wearable technology trend at CES 2013 with the Smart Activity Tracker-- a wristband-style device similar to the likes of the Nike+ FuelBand and the Jawbone UP.

LG Smart Activity TrackerJust like those devices, the LG Smart Activity Tracker tracks fitness habits (via accelerometer and altimeter) once paired with a smartphone carrying a companion app. Nike+ FuelBand users will also be familiar with the dotted LED display, USB clasp and soft-touch rubber coating.

However the LG take on the concept is compatible with both iOS and Android, with Bluetooth connectivity allowing the touch-sensitive LED display to provide smartphone media control and caller info.

It also connects with LG smart TVs, allowing for workouts from the home through fitness apps.

The Smart Activity Tracker is slated for a Summer 2013 release in a handful of different colours.

Go LG

Lenovo to Split in Two?

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According to a leaked internal email from CEO Yang Yanqing, Lenovo will split into separate consumer and enterprise units from April 2013-- the Lenovo Business Group (LBG) and Think Business Group (TBG).

Lenovo ThinkSenior VP (mobile digital home) Liu Jun will lead LBG, which will focus the mainstream with consumer and business PCs and tablets, smartphones and smart TVs.

The second TBG unit is led by Senior VP (products Group) Dr. Peter Hortensius and will sell high-end Think products, enterprise workstations and servers through the incorporation of the recently formed Lenovo Enterprise Product Group.

The company will also split global business into four markets-- EMEA, China, N. America, and Asia-Pacific - Latin America.

Lenovo acquired the IBM PC business (and associated "Think" trademarks) for $650 million in cash and a further $600m in stock back in 2005. In his memo Yanqing admits Lenovo needs to do better in the higher end of the market, and the Think brand is the asset that should do the job.

Otherwise Lenovo is growing from strength to strength-- according to Gartner it was the only vendor to show growth (7.7% Y-o-Y) in W. Europe during Q3 2012, beating Dell to the #4 position in the quarterly vendor rankings.

Go Lenovo Divided into Two Groups (Sina Tech)

Apple Device Docks at CES

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Henge Docks reveals two docking stations ideal for Apple customers at CES 2013-- the Horizontal Dock for MacBook laptops and the Gravitas Dock for iDevices.

Henge DocksDesigned for use with either MacBook Pro or Air models, the Horizontal Dock expands laptop connectivity options to x3 external displays, x6 USB 3.0 ports, x2 audio devices, Ethernet, SD card and FireWire 800 port. It also adds further physical security through a Kensington lock.

Docking laptops involves a 4-point positioning system for properly alignmen with the device, while a simple button press takes care of undocking.

The dock weighs 2.5kg with an Apple-style solid metal chassis and should be available from Q3 2013, with a Thunderbolt version set for a Q4 release.

Meanwhile the Gravitas Dock is an all-metal device with 7.6cm diameter and 5cm height. All-metal construction makes it weigh nearly 1kg, providing stability to docked devices and single-handed undocking.

Available in either Lightning or 30-pin connector versions, the Gravitas features a USB port and audio line-out as well as 3 interchangeable inserts handling different iDevices and 3rd party cases. It should be available from Q2 2013.

Go Henge Docks

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