CES 2025 Is Here With AI In Everything!

 CES 2025 has officially kicked off this week with all the biggest names in tech showcasing their newest tech offerings. As expected AI is at the forefront of just about every single major announcement. With NVIDIA, Intel, AMD and Qualcomm all showcasing the latest in AI centric chips. While others such as LG Google, Hisense and TCL show off some of the newest in AI powered TVs and home theater gizmos. Not to take a back seat major auto manufactures have showed in force this year with Toyota, Volvo, BMW and others highlighting new AI integration and manufacturing advancements.  

As many expected AI has found its way into almost every device from the outrageous new personal robots. To the most mundane of children's toys. Just about everywhere you look someone is introducing a new AI powered gadget or gizmo of some sort!

Among the major announcements made was NVIDIA's CES keynote highlighting their newest RTX 50 series flagship GPUs as well as a very interesting new addition dubbed Project Digits. NVIDIA Project DIGITS, a personal AI supercomputer that provides AI researchers, data scientists and students worldwide with access to the power of the NVIDIA Grace Blackwell platform. With Project DIGITS, users can develop and run inference on models using their own desktop system, then seamlessly deploy the models on accelerated cloud or data center infrastructure.

As previously mentioned TV and display manufactures are looking to put AI to use in more ways than one. Google has announced they adding a slew of Gemini features to Google TV. With Gemini Google promises your interaction with your Google TV powered devices will be more natural and intuitive.  Offering things like summarized results, better search, and more total control over your connected devices. Google plans to release these new Gemini capabilities for new and existing Google TV devices toward the end of 2025.

In the auto arena Toyota took the wraps of some very ambitious projects including a move into space travel, autonomous vehicles and a very intriguing idea dubbed Toyota Woven City. This new 'Smart City" project is promised to be a hub for innovation, blending autonomous vehicles, AI and robotics

The concept of Toyota’s radical Woven City – which the Japanese automaker describes as a “test course for mobility” – was initially revealed in 2020. Now, five years later, the company says the first phase of construction is complete and ready for launch later this year.

It wouldn't be CES of course without the addition of tons of other gadgets. And it looks like there are plenty of those to choose from. The folks at ZDNET found everything from smart rings, to door locks. And did we mention the robots? It seems as though there is a robot for just about everything these days!

Securing the AI Revolution: A Collaborative Effort

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) presents exciting possibilities but also demands a strong focus on security. At Intel, the decided to take these challenges head on teaming with developers and adopters in safeguarding AI technology while navigating a complex landscape of guidelines and standards. Intel, along with other industry giants, believe in the power of collective action to address these challenges and ensure that security remains a top priority.

Intel Joins Forces with the Coalition for Secure AI (CoSAI)

Intel's CEO, Pat Gelsinger, recently unveiled a strategy for open and scalable AI systems at Intel Vision 2024. To further this vision, Intel joined the Coalition for Secure AI (CoSAI) as a founding member. CoSAI aims to equip practitioners and developers with the tools and guidance needed to build secure AI systems from the ground up.

This collaboration is a significant step for the industry, uniting leaders from diverse fields to develop and share comprehensive approaches, best practices, and methodologies for secure AI development and deployment. CoSAI's initial focus will be on software supply chain security, preparing defenders for evolving cybersecurity threats, and establishing AI security governance frameworks.

Prioritizing Security and User Protection in the AI Boom

The demand for AI is skyrocketing, and so are the security risks. As we have seen this week with the CrowdStrike outage cybersecurity is still evolving to keep up. It would seem with the widespread impact of thi outage that demand is far outpacing the current capabilities of some vendors and cybersecurity systems and experts. CoSAI  hopes that with a focus on protecting AI systems from attacks, ensuring their transparency, and building trust with users they will be able to prevent future situations like we have today. 

Unfortunately, we are already seeing hackers utilizing AI systems in taking advantage of the CrowdStrike outage chaos. They are setting up AI generated websites and portals, using realistic AI generated email for spear-phishing attacks and as CrowdStrike itself warned on their own blog post  hackers are even impersonating CrowdStrike employees in scam emails and phone calls, even selling bogus software purporting to fix the glitch.

As AI systems evolve and become even more prevalent, we are going to need groups like the CoSAI working with teams from Intel, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Google and others to do their due diligence! 

Are External AI Accelerators Coming Soon?

A couple years ago several companies introduced external GPUs. Portable boxes that held a top end GPU that could run the latest games on your small form factor PC or your otherwise under-equipped none gaming PC. They could be used on just about any PC to add in gaming or graphics  power without the need for a new build or major upgrade. With the need for today's computers to keep up with the draw of AI computing will we soon see add-on or scalable external AI Accelerator Box becoming the new thing?

The fundamentals of on-device AI computing are easy enough to understand. You put an NPU, AI ready GPU ect into a device and you are reasonably set. Most new laptops and desktops will come with these chip integrated. However, the need to add AI computing power to older machines, without a large scale upgrade, might be the next big draw. Much like add-on GPUs having a stand-alone AI Accelerator NPU might be a great solution.

Think of it this way, you own a PC or laptop that is a few years old and instead of buying something brand new you add on an external NPU or even GPU box the size of a standard portable hard drive. You instantly boost your computing power and/or graphics power. Now add to that you could potentially be running them in tandem and multiply your base computing power exponentially based on whatever configurations you have! You become your own distributed computing system running everything from one machine. You can then take those same devices and run the same level of computing from your laptop, work PC or possibly even your phone! 

Unlike a normal PC with an AI Accelerator Box you won't have to continuously upgrade. Rather you scale your computing power based on each new AI Box you add or swap out. Your base footprint would still be less than a single high end desktop, but with exponentially more compute power!

We do have a few solutions similar to what I'm suggesting today. ADLINK Tech has a portable NVIDIA RTX GPU and companies like Zotac still have their external GPUs. However, none of these offer the true scalability and raw AI processing power that I'm talking about. Eventually I believe well see some true standalone Intel or AMD based AI accelerator chips in external boxes setup for running as a daisy chained system.

What Are AI PCs? A Brief Explanation

Before I start with the explanation below I'd like to say that I believe that AI (artificial intelligence) as we are defining it today is not what most people envision as true 'artificial intelligence.' I look at it more as an augmented intelligence, one that uses your own interactions and those of users like you to generate best case answers, images, videos ect. We've been using the same software, same search algorithms, same voice commands, same pretty much everything for several years now. We never called it AI before because of the marketing strategy. Today we are just now seeing the marketing hype behind those same tools that have been learning our habits for years (I won't get started on the privacy issues here).

AI PCs - Intel's New Marketing Term

To put this simply the term AI PC is an Intel derived marketing term that requires specific Intel hardware and standards to apply. This doesn't mean that other PCs or devices can't run AI or that they aren't AI ready or AI chip equipped. So don't be confused here! 

Intel has stated that for a PC to receive the coveted "AI" label, it needs four things: a neural processing unit (NPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and the ability to handle Vector Neural Network Instructions (VNNI) and DP4a instructions (so that the GPU can handle video processing)  In other words what Intel is saying is that in order for them to call a new computer an AI PC it must be one with their latest CPU.

 

What is AI Ready and AI equipped

When it comes to slapping the AI ready label on things these are the few small things to know. AI apps and tools are currently used in two different ways. The difference between the two and how you are using them is really the difference in hardware requirements and what is needed. Basically any PC, smartphone, tablet or device can access and use cloud based AI.  On device generative tools require much better, more efficient hardware and that is were some of the confusion starts for most people.

One of the easiest ways to explain the hardware is to say the modern CPU as most people know it has become extremely outdated. New software changes take advantage of and use the GPU and a new NPU (secondary chip) to do the heavy work. These are both considered AI accelerators, deep learning processor, or neural processing units (NPUs). They have been specifically designed to accelerate artificial intelligence and machine learning applications and algorithms. (More on the differences here)

Tools like ChatGPT, Google image generator Gemini, or Microsoft CoPilot are all cloud based and do all their work in a cloud based system. This allows EVERY device to utilize AI because all the work is done by other, much more powerful systems, that then send the results to your PC or phone. This will soon change however as Intel has confirmed CoPilot and other applications will soon run locally on PCs and require better hardware to do so. 

PCs meeting those requirements are already shipping and other devices like the Apple iPhone, Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy phones are already using secondary more AI specific NPU chips for on-device AI.

In conclusion - don't be confused or fooled!
I'm writing this post I'm really hoping to take some confusion out of buying or upgrading your systems and hope that people aren't fooled into think they have to run out and search only for an AI PC to run their newly hyped apps. Yes newer hardware will eventually be required, and yes it only makes sense to adopt that hardware if you are already upgrading. No, that doesn't mean you will be left out if you don't!

Intel Wants to Help Keep Your Information Private During National Cyber Security Awareness Month

As we enter the first week in October we are reminded that this month is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. With that comes plenty of news, warnings and educational campaigns aimed at helping users at all levels to become more aware of the issues we all face with security and privacy.

Several major companies, including a long time geek favorite, Intel have announced their commitment to the National Cyber Security Alliance’s “Lock Down Your Login” Internet safety and security initiative.  The campaign, which was first announced by the White House in February, calls for all Americans to move beyond traditional username and password protections to better secure the important information in their email, banking, and social media accounts.

“Lock Down Your Login” provides consumers with information ranging from what strong authentication is, why it is important, and how it is implemented. FAQs provide details about the goals of the campaign, the limitations of traditional usernames and passwords, what kinds of information is collected and used to support authentication.

For their part in the National Cyber Security Alliance, Intel is offering users more information on True Key, a free application developed by Intel Security that offers users a multifactor password manager that secures and encrypts all your passwords. Unlike most traditional password managers, True Key utilizes unique-to-you factors, like face and fingerprints, or devices you already own and have registered, to use two-factor authentication allowing you to safely store all your passwords and guarantee that you'll be the only one using them.  Consumers can download this free app at www.truekey.com  — an easy way to enhance safety online.

Dying PC Market Means New Things For Intel

With PC sales continuing a downward spiral it should come as no surprise that major chip manufactures are looking to diversify offerings and move into more markets. That certainly is the case for the world's leading chip manufacture, Intel, who relies heavily on the Client Computing Group (CCG) side of their business to generate revenue. The company hopes 2016 will be different, as they are seeking to break their reliance on the PC market and move focus towards markets such as data centers, the Internet of Things and memory, which the company hopes will ultimately provide revenue exceeding that of PCs.

Intel's Data Center Group (DCG), IoT and memory divisions generated 40 percent of the company's revenue in the 2015 financial year. That will grow even more in 2016, said Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel, during a fourth quarter earnings call on Thursday.

Intel is expected to continue to drive innovation in the PC business, but it won't be the sole driver of the company's growth in 2016, Krzanich said. According to his statements, Krzanich believes Intel we see more diversification in the coming years. Stating that, "Our future as a company will increasingly be the virtuous cycle of opportunities in the data center, memory and IoT market segments."

Intel reported revenue of $14.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015, growing by 1 percent year-over-year, while profit was up 1 percent at $3.6 billion. CCG revenue was $8.8 billion, declining by 1 percent. Revenue for DCG in contrast grew 5 percent to $4.3 billion while the revenue of the IoT group was up 6 percent to $625 million.

For the past several years Intel has heeded the writing on the wall and has tried making the move away from a PC market that has seen steady declines as upgrade cycles and demand have shrunk thanks largely to more customers opting for mobile platforms over the traditional desktop or laptop.  

Worldwide PC shipments totaled 71.9 million units in the fourth quarter of 2015, declining by 10.6 percent year-over-year, according to IDC. According to Intel, desktop shipments declined by nine percent in 2015 compared to 2014. Laptop shipments were down 10 percent. The prices of PCs went up in 2015, which helped cut some losses.

So far Intel has unsuccessfully tried to diversify into the smartphone and tablet market. Intel's Atom chips account for only a small segment of the mobile market, finding their way into only a handful of smartphones and tablets that shipped in 2015.

With their acquisition of chipmaker Altera and the new offerings from that collaboration coming soon we may see that change. The first chips that combine Intel and Altera technology will be multi-chip modules, in which Intel's server chips and Altera FPGAs will be combined as separate processing units for servers. Samples of those chips are expected to be released this year with mass production ramping up down the road. Intel says we should also expect to see new chips from the the tandem making their way into cars, robots, the Internet of Things, automation equipment and other products in the near future.

Get The Best PC For Your Buying Dollar This Holiday Season

Apple's CEO Tim Cook this week may have questioned "Why would you buy a PC anymore", but the cold hard truth is many of us are still turning to laptops and desktops when it comes to filling the need for speed, power and raw multi-tasking. Ironic as Cook's statements seem to be that happens to be a good thing for Apple as they just recently reported record sales of Macs!

Like most geeks we have held fast to our belief that no matter how great that tablet or smartphone may be and how much you can accomplish with them these days. When it comes to performance you just can't compete with the capabilities of a full blown desktop, high-end laptop or a newer Intel 2in1 device.

When it comes to buying the best device to suite all your needs there are several schools of thought, all of which generally involve weighing your overall actual wants and needs. We know this can more often than not be extremely confusing especially during the upcoming holiday shopping season when we start seeing lots of bargains. So we've put together a little guide that we hope will help you out.

Desktops offer the most performance, upgrade-ability and longevity!

When it comes down to pure outright computing power nothing has yet to displace the Intel based desktop at the top. Even at what is considered the entry level you'll see more performance for day to day tasks than the average user would ever need. In addition to offering great performance desktops offer something few other platforms do, the ability to be upgraded and repaired which in turn gives them an incredible amount of longevity.

A $400-500 investment in a desktop today should very easily net you 4-5 good years of hard work, whereas most people purchasing tablets or smartphones at similar costs are generally swapping devices every couple years. Of course there is some trade-off, you obviously don't get the portability, but the overall investment is generally the best return. Steeping up and making a bit higher purchase now in the $700-800 or even the $800-1000 range will net you even more bang for your buck as you'll get much improved hardware that should be a little more 'future-proof' (a term I actually hate).

When looking at purchasing a desktop I almost always give then same one line of advice, "Buy The Best You Can Afford At This Time!" This doesn't mean you need to run out and buy the newest CPU's, the fastest or most RAM or dump $2000-3000 on a new machine. In fact, unless you are a gamer, you can avoid all of the above and get a great machine that will still offer you the best bang for your buck!

What it does mean though is try to keep a balance and learn where you can 'skimp' and where you can't. Typically you want the best CPU and GPU you can buy and can skimp on easier upgrades like RAM and hard drives, both of which are much easier and cheaper to upgrade down the road if needed. I always suggest avoiding slimline or none traditional cases as they can really limit your upgrade options down the road. During the holidays you also want to avoid the luster of those cheap $200-300 deals as they generally feature lower-end CPUs that may be perfectly fine for some basic uses they just don't offer the best in performance. Try to stick with an Intel Core i5 or better, or for more performance an Intel Core i7. Also try to stick with the newest generations.

Laptops and Intel 2-in-1's offer the most balance for the money!

When it comes getting the most overall value laptops and especially the new Intel 2in1 devices are hard to beat. Your costs might be a little more upfront when looking at a one to one comparison to a desktop but the benefit of portability can easily outweigh any performance that might be lost by going with a laptop over a comparably priced desktop. And while most of us geeks hate to use the words desktop replacement with today's technology and performance we are seeing from laptops and Intel 2in1 devices you really are given a full desktop replacement option.

Selecting a laptop or 2-in-1 device brings up a completely different set of questions and factors from trying to find a desktop. First and foremost is going to be deciding on use and how much portability you really need. If you are someone in school, working or always on the go then you'll likely want something that is slimmer and lightweight, more compact and easily carried which generally means smaller screen size. If you are a big gamer or need something with a ton more power or are someone that doesn't plan on totting that laptop with you everywhere you go then you can opt for a heftier package and in the end a larger screen.

I've always recommended getting a super portable option that packs the most power you can get. My train of thought is a simple one, most people start using their laptops on the go more than they generally think they would and having the most portable option you can get now saves you later. Additionally, monitors are cheap these days (heck most of us have an HDTV) making it easier and more cost effective to add a larger secondary screen down the road if you need to.

I personally opt for a 2-in-1 device, preferably something with a detachable or convertible screen. This gives me the option of using it both as a traditional laptop when I need my keyboard and more multi-tasking and tablet when I'm just doing my basic tasks.  I also look for as many connections as possible. I suggest HDMI so you can easily get video out (great for sharing to a TV), and at least two if not three usb ports. I connect a couple external devices like my usb mouse and hard drive so more ports are needed. Windows 10 these days is also a must have for me (it is still free as an upgrade but nice to have right out of the box!).


Closing thoughts on holiday PC shopping

As I mentioned above a few times, I always try to avoid some of the flashy low costs sales items of the holiday season especially when it comes to laptops and desktops. Generally these cheaper deals are cheaper for a reason and that is typically because they are lower specs or older tech. Saying that doesn't mean some of the deals aren't going to be great, especially deals in the mid to high end range, I'm talking more about the cheap, get you in the door $150-250 deals you see.

Again, if you are looking for something to last a few years and give your more bang for your buck you want to buy the best you can at this time. If you just want something that will 'make due for now' then those deals might work out for you. Just be sure to weigh the pro's and con's of each option.

So now the big question, what are you planning on buying this holiday season? Are you going to be out shopping for Black Friday 2015? And if so what tech deals are you looking at? Comment below and let us know!



#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel This could include Intel providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

Looking For A Geeky Father's Day Gift Idea?

Father's day is just right around the corner and we don't know a single dad that doesn't appreciate a cool geeky gift to help him celebrate his day! This year instead of that geeked out shirt or tie why not get dad something cool like an Intel 2 in 1 device that he can use everyday...heck he might even let you use it too!

Intel 2in1 devices offer dad's the best of both worlds, they get all the power and performance of a laptop in lightweight portable device that double as a tablet. This makes them the perfect companion, and gift idea, as dad can take it along just about anywhere like out to the game or to the driving range and still use it for work or at home to fill his multitasking power app needs.

Here are a couple Intel 2 in 1 suggestions we recommend checking out:

ASUS Transformer Book TP500LA-DS51T: The Asus Transformer Book Flip TP500LA-DS51T Tablet comes with 500 GB of hard disk and runs with 8GB of memory ensuring quickness and reliability. With a 15.6" screen and the latest in Intel Core i5 processing power dad can enjoy smooth, rich, and detailed sounds in music, movies, voice, and even gaming.

Lenovo Yoga 3 (11 inch): For dads that like a more compact design the 11" Yoga 3 fills the bill. Starting at a mere 2.6 lbs and just 0.6" thin, the Yoga 3 is ultraportable — it’s perfect for dads on the go.

Dell Inspiron 13 7000 Series 2-in-1 Special Edition: For that dad that needs something that really packs a punch the Inspiron 13 7000 Series 2-in-1 Special Edition is it. This Intel 2in1 combines tablet mobility and laptop performance by offering up a 5th Generation Intel Core i7-5500U Processor and 8GBs of RAM, meaning it will handle just about anything your dad can throw at it and more!

As you can see from our recommendations there are several great options to choose from. To help you find the best option for you we suggest checking out Intel's 2in1 site where you can get a quick side by side view of all of the latest offerings from ASUS, Dell Acer, Lenovo, HP and more!

#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel This could include Intel providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

Intel Joins Samsung Opens Experience Shops Exclusively in 50 Best Buy Stores

For you geeks out there that want to get the latest hands on experience with cutting edge technology you now have an exciting new opportunity. Intel has announced it will be opening 50 new "Intel Experience" shops exclusively in Best Buy retail stores at various locations across the nation.

"We wanted to give our customers a new way to experience Intel technology," said CJ Bruno, corporate vice president and general manager of Intel Americas. "It's an innovative way for Best Buy's customers to see, touch and engage with our latest products and experiences."

The area will be staffed by specially trained Best Buy Blue Shirts and will allow customers to explore:

• 3-D Printing Experience: On a touch-enabled, Intel-powered laptop, shoppers can design their own 3-D model of a robot and experience 3-D printing as featured robot designs get highlighted in the stores.
• Mars Escape Augmented Reality Game: Use powerful Intel tablets to design and race a Mars Rover. While being immersed in an augmented reality world, the users navigate their virtual space rovers through a physical Mars landscape.
• DJ Remixing Ne-Yo Experience: Budding musical artists can feel what it's like to perform in front of thousands of fans in an immersive, on-stage DJ experience on an Intel-powered 2 in 1 device. In collaboration with singer-song writer Ne-Yo, shoppers can remix his track and create a full-stage experience through controlling the stage lights.
• The Product Gallery: Experience the latest laptops, 2 in 1 devices and tablets powered by Intel processors.

Best Buy has been expanding its partnerships with several companies lately looking for way to engage more customers and offer them more than just the standard shopping experience. Last year they began their partnership with Samsung, placing Samsung Experience Shops in most retail locations. They also have a long standing partnership with Apple and are looking to add similar in-store customer support and experience kiosks from Microsoft, Amazon and Google to offer similar, yet not on the same scale.

Intel 2-in1 Devices The Ultimate Summertime Companion

Featuring all the power of a laptop with the added portability of a tablet, an
Intel 2 in 1 can make for the perfect summertime traveling companion.

Whether sitting on the beach, enjoying a quiet afternoon by the pool or just traveling to some of your favorite lunch spots, for us tech geeks staying connected and keeping productive is always a must. Sure you can do almost anything from those amazing smartphones these days, but having a larger screen sometimes is a must. Tablet are always great, but we don't always want to sacrifice productivity. For those wanting the best of both worlds I'd suggest checking out some of the newest #Intel2in1 devices.

On our days out of the office this summer we've been working from our new Dell Venue 11 Pro equipped with the Dell Tablet Keyboard. Like many of the Intel 2in1 devices on the market today this combo allows us to maintain portability with the standalone tablet as well as the ability to switch to a more productive platform with the full keyboard and extra battery.

So far we've managed to pack our Dell Venue 11 Pro with us on several day hikes and beach trips. The 10.8" full HD screen is super bright and offers a crisp viewing experience even when the sun is beating down. So far the 8MP camera has been great for snapping photos and since it is a Windows 8.1 device and offers a 'true Windows experience' we can use our favorite Adobe Suites for editing those photos.

When all that fun is over for the day and we are relaxing on the patio at our favorite brew spot, we snap on the Dell Tablet Keyboard, add on a wireless mouse and jump into work mode. This in our opinion is where the #2in1 platform really shines, you get the option of that true laptop-like experience. Since we have the ultrapowerful Intel Core i5 processor we can get multiple tasks done at the same time. Making it quicker and easier to get back to enjoying the fun in the sun.

How about you guys, how would you put your
Intel 2 in 1 to work this summertime? Share your ideas in a comment below!

#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel This could include Intel providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

Intel 2-in-1s: Getting The Best of A Tablet And Laptop All-In-One Device

The argument over which is better the laptop or the tablet is a never ending one. Each has their own merits with neither necessarily being a "winner," only a preference based on your specific needs. However, when choosing out latest geek gadget we asked ourselves, why choose between either? Why not get the best of both and get something that will offer the extremely convenient and portable features of a tablet, with all the powerful features a laptop has to offer?

When looking for the latest addition to our gadget family we took many factors into consideration. First, and foremost we had to think about what tasks we would need the device to handle on a daily basis and what we thought would be imperative for the device to perform. For example, for us a keyboard or the ability to use a keyboard is essential. Try typing out several long blog posts on a touchscreen and you will soon see why! We also needed something that offered a great deal of portability. I like to travel light and carry as little as possible.

Filling all of our needs has always been a bit tricky. Being tech junkies, of course we also have impeccable taste, so whatever devices we decide to grace the office with have to meet the highest standards. Given this, we decide to add our second #Intel2in1 device.

Meet our new Dell Venue 11 Pro! She came to us fully loaded and ready to tackle any of the geekiest tasks we could toss her way. Under the hood is an Intel Core i5 4210Y processor (3MB Cache, 1.5 GHz Dual-Core) processor, Windows 8.1, 4GBs of RAM and 128GB internal storage. To keep productivity up we added on Dell Tablet Keyboard with a built-in rechargeable battery that Dell says will increases our Dell Venue 11 Pro tablet's battery life by 50 percent.

As a stand alone tablet the Venue 11 Pro offers a 10.8 inch IPS Display with FHD (1920 x 1080) resolution with 10-pt capacitive touch. Which paired with Windows 8.1 gives you a fairly good tablet experience. Multi-touch is really response, the screen is bright and clear and videos really pop. Coupled with the keyboard and wireless Logitech mouse however, is where we really see her shine. The Core i5 and 4GBs of RAM means she purrs like a kitten, especially when compared to our other tablets and even our Samsung ATIV 2-in-1 that features an Intel Atom CPU. Multi-tasking with even some of the most demanding tasks we needed to accomplish was flawless.

Battery life was one area we were really concerned. We have not had the best of luck with out laptops nor our tablets. We are heavy users that like to have a full bright screen while running multiple programs. Both of which eat through battery life quickly. Both tablets and 2-in-1s should have great battery life. Tablets are built around a comparatively lower-powered processor, which typically gives tablets better battery life versus a 2-in-1 and considerable better life compared to laptops.

Here we were extremely surprised. Under fairly heavy usage our Core i7 based Samsung laptop gets a few hours at most battery time. Our tablets usually fair pretty well, but they aren't used nearly as much. When using the Dell Tablet Keyboard the battery on our Dell Venue 11 Pro was still running strong after 3+ hours, with 60-65% battery life left. That means we could have easily made it through a full work day on a single charge. Something we just can't do with most of our other devices.

The ability to seamlessly switch from a powerful tablet to an equally powerful, fully productive, laptop that really made us decide on an #Intel2in1 device. When on the go we can unplug and slim down with just the tablet, yet still have full access to all our Windows apps and content. Then when we need to ramp-up the power usage we can plug in our accessories like a keyboard, mouse or even external HDD and have more than enough juice to keep up with all our need.

For more details on the Dell Venue 11 Pro be sure to check back for our full review, which should be available shortly. If you need more details on selecting the best device for you checkout these suggestions from Intel!

#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel This could include Intel providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

Spring Cleaning and Organizing Made Easier With Your Intel 2in1

Organizing your daily life around the changing seasons can always be a challenge. However equipped with the right technology those challenges are easy overcome.

With spring in the air and summer quickly ushering it's way in there are plenty of things to do around a busy house or office. Warmer weather means a change in apparel, a change in goods and services used and for many spring cleaning. Keep track of those tasks can be a real challenge. Today we will discuss a few ideas that will keep you on track!

Create a checklist and check it twice!

A checklist goes a long way to helping you stay on track. Take the time to sit down and build a list of tasks you want to accomplish, things you need to buy and things to put away or take out for the season. I suggest creating more than a few lists and keeping track of them on a portable device. This is where a portable #Intel2in1 comes in handy. You can use the keyboard for typing out the long lists and the on-screen keyboard and touchscreen for when you are on the go.

There are several apps out there that will fit the bill. However, I suggest using Google Docs. This way you can sync your lists between all of your devices and always have it with you on the go.

Start with and stick to the BASICS!

Now that you hopefully have your checklist started you should have a good idea of what you want to accomplish. For most one of the biggest parts of spring cleaning is getting rid of clutter that you don't need. Here is another area the right tech can save the day!

Schedule and maintain your spring cleaning
Use the technology at your fingertips to make a schedule and stick to it. For many getting started is the hardest part of all. Create a schedule, sync it to your calendars (and to the team if you have one) and make sure you set alerts and get on the ball. Make it a priority!

Organize your junk: Putting that mess away
I you could see the office of most geeks and tech bloggers on most days you'd know that there are always new products, new packages and new toys laying around. One thing I learned a long time ago was there may be a place for everything, but not everything will ever find its place. This is why I now have a two step process.

First I create labels for all my boxes, storage bins and everything else I can label. Anything that is in a drawer, cabinet or storage closet is also cataloged during the cleaning process. We won't tally every last screw, but being able to create a document or Excel that details what it in storage room 2 goes a long way!

Second I chart the clutter. You'd be surprised how much it helps to snap a photo or two of the area you just organized. This is another area our #Intel2in1 comes in handy. Not only can we snap photos but I've even on occasion used the Digital Pen to create small diagrams or added notes of where we packed things away.

Sale off the clutter
Garage sales are a thing of the past. With a camera, a #2in1 tablet, a couple apps and some creativity you'll be up and selling your unwanted stuff in no time! We suggest snapping a few pictures then editing them using the touchscreen or even better adding some creative art working using the Digital Pen. Then you can post your items to Craigslist, eBay or Amazon. Since you have your portable tablet staying updated on the items that you have listed should be a breeze.

Stay on top of your services
When the seasons change so do your service needs. Hot weather often means needing an AC tune up, oil change, additional lawn services and more. It is always good to maintain a good contact list with the right people to call if the need arises. It is also helpful to note dates of past services as there are many things that need to be done annually, semi-annually or within certain other parameters.


Final thoughts
Technology certainly makes doing most of the tedious tasks much easier. Though I would say have the right technology just makes it that much more fun. Being the geeks we are we use as much tech as we can to take as much pain out of the process as possible. For us our #2in1 just happens to be the best option for everything involved. We love having a full keyboard or the longer typing sessions, camera for snapping pictures and full access to any of our apps we might need. If you want to checkout a few options click here to learn more about Intel 2 in 1. 

#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel This could include Intel providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

Geeks Work Hard and Play Harder

Being a tech blogger, social media guru and overall geek in general is loads of work. Technology changes at break-neck speeds and unfortunately in the 'always on, always connected' era never rests. So it should come at no surprise that we work hard. That however comes with a wonderful upside, we get to play hard as well.

There are always new gadgets to checkout, new sites and services to review, conferences and meetings and then of course the occasional LAN party or hack-fest to keep us busy. The great upside to that is access to some of the newest and best tech on the market, without which I doubt I could get through this hustled life unscathed.

With the many devices I have available to me the one that I always have in my geeks toolbox is my #Intel2in1. I've found, after much trial and error, that trying to fulfill my daily requirements was going to be more than most devices could handle. So I have decide an #2in1 device best suited my overall needs. It is portable enough for on the go use, yet still fill all the functionality and productivity requirement of the demanding geek lifestyle.

Being a blogger means needing something that not only hands the fast paced on the go lifestyle but something that meets our rigorous productivity needs when typing out articles or reviews. While being a geek means needing a device that can handle the demands of a few games, some photo editing and maybe even a few more demanding tasks.

Over the course of the next few weeks I'll be putting my new device to the stress test that is the everyday life of a blogger. Which will be followed by a post with a comprehensive review sharing my hands on experience. So be sure to check back for more!


#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel This could include Intel providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

Intel Announces The 2014 Intel Level Up Game Demo Contest

Game developers are you looking for a little recognition and a chance at some great prizes? Then checkout the 2014 Intel Level Up Game Demo Contest with over $13,000 in cash prizes, the chance for inclusion in the game demo in the STEAM DEMOS page and even the opportunity to have your game developed by the Valve Corp.

For full details check out the Intel Level Up Contest Rules the Intel Level Up Contest FAQ and the Intel Level Up Contest Forum

Participants can win in multiple categories except for the grand prize and game genre categories. An individual game demo can win the prize package in only one (1) of the game genre categories, consistent with the genre of the demo they submit.

1. Grand Prize Category: Professional/ Independent and student game developers who submit playable game demos that meet submission requirements and are selected by the contest judges will be eligible to win the “Game of the Year” grand prize category.
   1. “Game of the Year” grand prize winner will receive:
      • A USD 5.000,00 cash prize
      • Inclusion of their game demo in the Steam DEMOS page.
      • The opportunity to turn their game demo into a full playable game title and sign a Steam®** online gaming platform commercial distribution contract with Valve Corporation*. This will be offered to the winner but is subject to negotiation until both Valve Corporation* and the winner are in agreement.
2. Game Genre Prize Categories: All game developers who submit playable game demos that meet submission requirements and are selected by contest judges as winners in one of the Game Genre Prize Categories are eligible for the following prize package:
   • A USD 3.000,00 cash prize
     • Inclusion of their game demo in the Steam DEMOS page.
3. Skills & Craft Categories: All game developers who submit playable game demos that meet submission requirements and are selected by contest judges as winners in one of the Skills & Craft Categories are eligible for the following prize package:
   • A USD 3.000,00 cash prize
     • Inclusion of their game demo in the Steam DEMOS page.

For complete contest rules, requirements, and prize details, see the Terms and Conditions.

Intel To Dish Out $1.3 Million To Inventors Who 'Make It Wearable'

Intel is making a major leap into the 'wearable computing' market and they are looking for developers to help them make it happen. In his CES keynote address, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich issued a challenge to the smartest and most creative minds to participate in the Intel "Make It Wearable" challenge (PDF).

Intel will award $1.3 million in cash awards to winners and will connect contenders with industry luminaries to help realize their ideas. Winners will create wearable devices that will help computing evolve to become ever more personal and connected. The inventors are encouraged to consider areas of importance for the proliferation of wearable devices and ubiquitous computing, such as meaningful usages, aesthetics, battery life, security and privacy.

 Guidelines for submissions are as follows:

• The challenge will begin in summer 2014 and is open to individuals in selected countries to submit ideas via a website (makeit.intel.com) for new wearable products. 
• Winners will be announced by January 2015 
• The grand prize winner will receive US$500,000. The second and third place winners will receive $200,000 and S$100,000, respectively.
• The ten finalists will receive $50,000 to help get their ideas off the ground Each will be provided with more than 70 hours of intensive mentoring over two months
•  The product must be based on Intel technology and be a sensor or computing device that is attached, embedded or worn on the body. 
• Categories include fashion, wellness, social, education, environment, security and healthcare. 
• Judges and mentors will be luminaries in various fields related to wearables such as technology, entrepreneurship and design. 

Visit makeit.intel.com for more details, additional eligibility requirements and official rules, to be posted before submission opening.

Intel CEO Paul Otellini Stepping Down

Intel has announced that the company’s president and CEO, Paul Otellini, has decided to retire as the acting officer and director of the company at an annual stockholders’ meeting in May, starting what Intel is calling an orderly leadership transition over the next six months. Otellini’s decision to retire marks the close a remarkable career of nearly 40 years of continuous service with Intel.

“Paul Otellini has been a very strong leader, only the fifth CEO in the company’s great 45-year history, and one who has managed the company through challenging times and market transitions,” said Andy Bryant, chairman of the board. “The board is grateful for his innumerable contributions to the company and his distinguished tenure as CEO over the last eight years.”

“I’ve been privileged to lead one of the world’s greatest companies,” Otellini said. “After almost four decades with the company and eight years as CEO, it’s time to move on and transfer Intel’s helm to a new generation of leadership. I look forward to working with Andy, the board and the management team during the six-month transition period, and to being available as an advisor to management after retiring as CEO.”

Highlights of Otellini's tenure as Intel's CEO 
During Otellini’s tenure as CEO -- from the second quarter of 2005 through the third quarter of 2012 -- Intel:

• Generated cash from operations of $107 billion
• Made $23.5 billion in dividend payments
• Increased the quarterly dividend 181 percent from $0.08 to $0.225

From the end of 2005 through the end of 2011, Intel achieved record revenue and net income. During this period, annual revenue grew from $38.8 billion to $54 billion, while annual earnings-per-share grew from $1.40 to $2.39.

In addition to financial performance, Intel, under Otellini’s leadership, achieved notable successes in areas of strategic importance. During this period, the company:

• Transformed operations and the cost structure for long-term growth
• Achieved breakthrough innovations, including High-K/Metal gate and now 3-D Tri-gate transistors; and dramatic improvement in energy efficiency of Intel processors
• Reinvented the PC with Ultrabook devices
• Greatly expanded business partnerships and made strategic acquisitions that expanded Intel’s presence in security, software and mobile communications
• Delivered the first smartphones and tablets for sale with Intel inside
• Grew the vast network of cloud-based computing built on Intel products

Source: Intel Pressroom

Intel Ultrabook Temptations What Would You Do For An Ultrabook?

Even if a crowd of people were watching would you break the law in order to get your hands on the latest geek gadgets? How about use your powers of persuasion in order to talk several strangers into helping you out? Exactly how far would you go to get your hands on one of the hottest gadgets our there?

That’s exactly the question Intel Corporation asks in Ultrabook Temptations, a series of six light-hearted experiments filmed in four cities across three countries and recently posted to YouTube.

“People are drawn to Ultrabooks. When you see one, you just want one,” said
Claudine Pache, digital marketing manager for Intel Australia and New Zealand. “We created the ‘Ultrabook Temptations’ to see just how far people would go to get their hands on one.”

The six spontaneously filmed experiments were “temptations” for consumers, encouraging them to go a little beyond their everyday comfort zone to get their hands on a new Ultrabook. For example in one ”daring temptation” an Ultrabook is installed in a display case near a busy area with the simple instruction to “Smash Glass to Win Ultrabook” and a small hammer. Film crews were rolling as several passers-by looked on.

Would commuters prove daring enough to smash the glass in public and claim the prize? As the video above shows the answer is a resounding yes!

All six of the Ultrabook Temptations series videos can be seen at www.intel.com/ultrabooktemptations

Intel Answers 6 Commonly Asked SSD Questions

As a tech blogger and member of various forums often times I find myself facing some rather common questions from readers that aren't totally up on technology. Some of the more popular questions asked lately relate to solid state drives (SSD), what they are, what the benefits are and if you need them.

Here is a post courtesy of the Intel free press blog which might help the average user more clearly understand what SSDs are and their key benefits.

1. What is an SSD?
Forget file cabinets, photo albums and record collections -- increasingly, our personal computers are where we store life's important documents and memories. For years, the classic PC hard drive was the data-storage device of choice -- but now SSDs are rising fast in popularity.

SSDs use the same type of memory -- NAND flash -- found in USB "jump drives" and SD camera cards. But they're faster and have much higher capacities -- from 40 gigabytes up to 600 gigabytes.

2. Why are they so popular?
SSDs' biggest advantage is that they don't have any moving parts. Regular hard drives store data on magnetized platters spun by an electric motor at thousands of revolutions per minute. SSDs access and store memory in ways more similar to a microprocessor than a hard drive. And because they have no moving parts to break down or to misalign, SSDs are up to 10x as reliable as hard drives.

• They're rugged: The lack of moving parts makes SSDs much more rugged than regular hard drives. You can drop an SSD onto a concrete floor, watch it bounce and then plug it back into your computer with no problem. Don't even think of trying that with a regular hard-disk drive.
  
• They're fast: Because SSDs don't have to search for data over the entire surface of a spinning disk, they can access data much faster than hard drives. In fact, SSDs can access and transfer data twice as fast as even the fastest hard drives.
  

3. How do they improve your computing experience?
In many ways. Here are a few examples:

• Faster boot-up times: In one test (which can be seen on this YouTube video) two identical computers, one with an SSD and the other with a modern hard drive, are turned on at the same time. The SSD-equipped computer has Windows opened and running in 21 seconds. The hard drive-equipped computer takes 101 seconds to boot up -- five times longer!
  
• Faster responsiveness to apps: Opening up a number of programs at once? SSDs can access and open programs up to 66 percent faster than conventional hard drives.
  
• No noise: As hard drives get older, their moving parts tend to wear and they can get noisy. That's not a problem with SSDs -- because they have no moving parts, they make absolutely no sound to distract the computer user from his or her task or entertainment.
  
• Better battery life: SSDs are at least 20 percent more energy efficient than typical hard drives, thanks again to their lack of moving parts and efficient circuit design, meaning users' computer batteries should last longer between charges.
  
• Lower laptop temperatures: Notebooks with SSDs run about 12 degrees cooler than hard drive-equipped laptops. Because they can access data more quickly, SSDs help the CPU and chipset do their job faster and go back to a "sleep" state, keeping the computer cooler.
  

4. What makes them so fast?
A modern, 7,200-rpm hard drive can access data at a rate of about 150 MB/second. SSDs that use advanced multi-level cell technology, which crams more bits of information onto each transistor, can retrieve data at 500MB/second.

5. Why are SSDs so expensive?
In a nutshell, they cost more to make. SSDs are basically chips made with cutting-edge semiconductor process technology. Right now they're being made with the 25nm process by Intel and will soon transition to an even smaller, 20nm process.

6. When will the price come down?
All that performance does not come cheap. 120GB SSDs are available online starting around $150. For about the same amount, you can get a 3-terabyte hard drive -- 25 times more storage for less money.

While SSD prices are falling by about 50 percent per year, it will be quite some time -- if ever -- before SSDs are as cheap as hard drives, which store data on inexpensive magnetized platters.

But SSDs' sales growth shows that many computer users find the increased performance, energy savings and reliability worth the price premium.

6 SSD Questions, Answered

Intel Now Shipping Fixed 6-series Chipsets

According to DigiTimes Intel has begun shipping revised 6-series (Sandy Bridge) chipsets to first-tier notebook and motherboard manufactures. The new B3 stepping chipsets will replace the previously released defective units in the marketplace.

Late last month Intel announced they found a flaw in their new 6-Series 'Sandy Bridge' motherboards that resulted in degradation of some of the Serial ATA ports on those boards. Intel immediately halted shipments of the affected chipset and manufactures began a recall.

Originally the Cougar Point revision wasn't slated to hit OEMs until the end of the month. However pressures from manufacturers and a strong push towards AMD may have driven the company to bring a solution sooner than expected.

A Complete Sandy Bridge Recall List

Figuring that many of our readers might have questions or concerns over the potential recall of their motherboards, desktops or laptops I thought I'd try to post a complete list of details as we know them.

First and foremost, as the chipset flaw is said to only potentially affect a couple of SATA ports on most boards most motherboard manufactures are offering a voluntary recall. This means if you are already running a Sandy Bridge setup and are happy with it, or are willing to take the gamble you DO NOT have to return it. They are also offering you the option to wait until new the new boards are out sometime around April before you have to make any returns. There might be a few exceptions but here's a list of details from each manuf.

Motherboard Recalls:

ASUS

ASUS will provide total warranty services this includes the hassle-free return and/or replacement of all affected ASUS products. For all customers who already own any ASUS product affected by the design error identified by Intel, simply visit this page for detailed warranty and service hotline information.

ASUS notebook and desktop products are covered by a warranty service that addresses the design error, with both swap and sales return offered as options to customers.

For motherboards, ASUS is offering you the option of returning any possibly affected motherboard for a swap or sales return. All warranties for affected motherboards will be reset to give you enough time to carry out any exchanges.

Gigabyte

GIGABYTE will provide a replacement motherboard with the new 6 series chipset onboard at the end of April in order to reduce any inconvenience to customers who are affected by this issue.

GIGABYTE recommends that all customers who purchased GIGABYTE 6 series motherboards contact their local dealer (retail store where you purchased the motherboard) at the end of April for a motherboard exchange. GIGABYTE will provide an equivalent new motherboard replacement.

MSI

As mentioned in our previous post MSI plans a full replacement of any affected product. The MSI product you revieve will have similar or better specs than the one you are currently using. These new MSI products will become available in April and you can keep your current board until then. This way you will miss your product only for a very short period of time. MSI will release details about their return procedure before the end of February.

If you are not confident about your current MSI based 6 series product MSI offers you the possibility to return the product to your point of purchase which will credit you.

ECS

Upon availability of the new B3 Stepping of the Intel 6 Series Express Chipsets, ECS USA will replace customer’s product with a brand-new one. New motherboards are expected in April. ECS USA will keep its customers updated on this schedule.

Replacement for products currently in the market that are affected: P67H2-A(1.1), P67H2-A2(1.0), P67H2-A3(1.0), H67H2-M(1.1), H67H2-M3(1.0)
Work closely with its distributors and reseller channel on the return and replacement of current inventory
For end users in the U.S. (48 contiguous states), ECS USA offers the following:
o Customers who wish to keep the product or have any issue returning the product at the point of purchase, ECS USA will absorb the cost of the product exchange 100% by offering a product swap. If a customer has one of the above products, please communicate with ECS USA via one of the following methods to arrange a replacement once they become available: 1. Via e-mail (preferred method): elite@ecsusa.com 2. Via voice-mail: 510-771-0208. This is a voicemail, only.

Desktops and Laptops

Toshiba

Toshiba is offering a full recall of all affected models. At this time, Toshiba requests you return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. You should back up your data and remove any confidential, proprietary or personal information before returning the product. Below is a complete list of affected models.

For more details please see the Toshiba recall page

HP/Compaq

HP said customers can return their PC and either "choose a comparable product" or receive a full refund. We are waiting on further details as to which models were affected and where to return them however its safe to assume you need to return them to the retailer you purchased your product from.

HP said only a small number of consumer desktops and laptops were affected, along with one commercial desktop PC model sold to small-business customers in the Europe-Middle East-Africa market.

Dell

Dell has confirmed that only four Dell products on the market were affected: XPS 8300, the Vostro 460, the Alienware M17x R.3 and the Alienware Aurora R.3.

"We're committed to addressing this with customers who have already purchased one of the four products," the company said in a statement, however no further details were given.

Update: A Dell representative posted the following post on the Direct2Dell blog
For customers impacted by this issue, Dell offers a couple of solutions.  Customers experiencing issues will be supported under the warranty and service terms.  Once we have new chipsets from Intel in early April, we will provide a motherboard replacement that corrects the design issue at no cost to our customers.  Replacements will be provided at the customers’ location and convenience via authorized Dell service providers.  Affected customers may also take advantage of the applicable return policy, which may vary by region. 

Samsung

Samsung will allow refunds or exchanges for six computer models sold in South Korea and one in the U.S., no details on which models are affected or the return procedures was given

Several other companies as well as system builders like Cyberpower were also affected by the chipset flaw. Many of these companies have delayed shipping products, canceled orders or are contacting customers directly to resolve the issue. I suggest anyone with questions or concerns contact either the retailer they made their purchase from or contact the manufacturers directly.

Most retailers are offering full replacement or refunds of not only the boards but also the cpus and most the other components purchased with the boards.