Alcoa Consumer Electronics

Amazon’s Newest Kindle DX Proves Clearer and Sharper Images

A look at aluminum and design in consumer electronics
Mark Kasperowicz, Alcoa Inc.

On the tail of the latest Kindle release, Amazon has recently released its graphite version, the Kindle DX.  The all new, high contrast E-Ink screen uses a new and improved display with 50% better contrast resulting in clearer text and sharper images.

The beautiful 9.7” display is ideal for a broad range of reading material including graphic-rich books, PDFs, newspapers, blogs and magazines. Unlike LCD screens, the Kindle DX’s display looks and reads like paper, without a glare.  It reads as easily in bright sunlight as it does in your bedroom.  Display auto rotates from portrait to landscape as you turn the device so you can view full-width images, maps, graphs and web pages.

Battery life lasts for up to one week on a single charge with the wireless on.  Turn the wireless off and you can read for up to two.  Other features include the 3,500 book library which can also include periodicals and documents.

Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes your Kindle library and last read page across your Kindle, PC, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android phone and BlackBerry device.  So that your books can be read anytime, anywhere.

It comes with free 3G wireless with no monthly payments or annual contracts and starts at $379.00

Aluminum makes business netbooks differ from personal laptops

A look at aluminum and design in consumer electronics
Mark Kasperowicz, Alcoa Inc.

When buying a laptop, people compare business class netbooks, like the HP Mini 5102, to consumer related versions, the HP Mini 210, but what are the big differences?  They might not be seen to the eye but the differences are there and figuring out which is best for you will come down to the use of the netbook compared to your needs.

A key factor in laptop selection is durability.  The 5102 has a Duracoat keyboard finish and a metallic case with sturdier hinges to help handle the ‘life on the road’ demeanor.  It will be able to withstand scratches, minor drops and bumps.  Most business class netbooks will feature aluminum components that are more durable than the plastic used on consumer netbooks.

Alcoa’s Shion C. Hung lets us know that aluminum is so durable because it is six times stronger  and thirty times stiffer than plastic, making it able to resist damage from dropping and mishandling with less flexing and creaking.  He says, “Netbooks take a lot of beating as they are transported around.  They get dropped, scratched and bumped all the time.  As a metal, Aluminum is a perfect combination of strength, durability and light weight for this product.”

Consumer notebooks have gone to metal cases in the latest generation, so there is a chance that someday aluminum could come as standard as well.

 

 

Sony’s new Alpha 700, an SRL camera, includes magnesium-alloy and aluminum

A look at aluminum and design in consumer electronics
Mark Kasperowicz, Alcoa Inc.

Sony is releasing its second single-reflex-lens camera, the Alpha 700 with an interchangeable lens, in November.  The magnesium-alloy-and-aluminum body has been whittled down to 1.5 lbs.  With the Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, the camera can take up to 650 pictures and allowed the user to flip between manual modes and controls.

The image sensor takes photos at 12 megapixels and relies on new technology that cuts out the blurry feel given from low lighting. Other features include the anti-shake stabilizer and a higher, larger resolution screen that brightens in the daylight.  Standard features such as a self-timer, red eye reduction and a removable flash are included. The camera sound was even fine tuned.  Engineers designed a shutter based on audio experts’ polls to find out how a camera should click, along with how much “noise”, or pixilation, shows up in photos.

Most importantly is the use of aluminum in the camera.  Alcoa’s Satoshi Ogawa says, “With aluminum the camera will have a better surface finish such as anodizability that gives nice appearance to digital camera casing.”  He also says that because it is a small device that is handheld, lower weight is important so aluminum is the best choice. 

 

HP ProBook 4520s gives business professionals aluminum good looks, durability

A look at aluminum and design in consumer electronics
Mark Kasperowicz, Alcoa Inc.

The new HP ProBook 4520s, at just less than six pounds, is solid and sturdy enough to travel with you.  With its brushed aluminum exterior and the caviar color, the 15.6 inch high-definition matte screen attracts professionals who want a durable notebook that can handle their business needs as well as have the capability to watch a Blu-ray movie on a long business trip.

It has a mercury free LCD screen designed for maximum recyclability and has almost four hours of viewing time while running high-definition video playback at its maximum resolution. The 4520s had 2GB or RAM but has an optional upgrade to 4GB and an integrated graphics chipset.  It has three USB ports and an HDMI port is also available.

The 4520 has extensive wireless connectivity with being Wi-Fi certified with WLAN and Blutetooth.  The ArcSoft TotalMedia Suite allows editing and creating of video and audio files while running on the choice of 2010 Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors.

HP innovations help provide enhanced security with HP ProtectTools software, optional HP Fingerprint Sensor and Face Recognition to log on to websites and Windows.  The hard drive data is also protected with HP 3D DriveGuard.

Starting at $719, it is ideal for small business users on a budget.

Amazon uses aluminum in newest Kindle making it thinnest, lightest, most affordable

A look at aluminum and design in consumer electronics
Mark Kasperowicz, Alcoa Inc.

Amazon’s newest Kindle gives readers a reason to throw out their library cards.  At 10.2 ounces, just over 1/3 of an inch thick with an aluminum back, the Kindle can carry your personal library of up to 1,500 books.  In less than 60 seconds the paper-like display, which reads without glare, is delivered wirelessly with no PC required. Choose from over 620,000 books and the largest selection of the most popular books, including 109 New York Times® Best Sellers.  There are also capabilities to download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy.

The Kindle works on a 3G wireless that lets you download books with global coverage either at home or abroad in over 100 countries.  And with the long battery life, you can read for up to one whole week on a single charge with the wireless on, with wireless off for up to two weeks.  You can also carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go with the built-in PDF reader that has zoom capabilities.

Other cool features include the Text-to-Speech feature which allows Kindle to read content out loud.  As well as sharing your passion for reading with family and friends by posting your favorite passages to Facebook and Twitter directly from your Kindle. MP3 files are transferable to play background music while reading. You can also put a password on to lock and protect its functionality.

Newspaper reading is available by flipping between articles to make is easier and faster to browse the morning paper.  You can also clip and save articles for later. Kindle also bookmarks your pages and allows web browser access to site such as Google and Wikipedia.

Kindle ships with a U.S. power adapter and a micro-USB cable for charging your Kindle from a computer USB port. The U.S. power adapter supports voltages 100V-240V. There are no annual contracts, monthly fees or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots.  Accessories include an aluminum reading light and an aluminum metal hard case.

 
 

Black brushed aluminum chassis in Acer's Aspire TimelineX makes for thin, light design

A look at aluminum and design in consumer electronics
Mark Kasperowicz, Alcoa Inc.

Acer America released the Aspire TimelineX series of Calpella-based ulta-thin laptops.  The new portable PCs that are less than one inch thick, featuring a black brushed aluminum chassis, and have LED backlit displays.  They are equipped with a Core i3 or i5 processor, 3/4 GB of RAM and a 320 GB/500 GB hard drive.

Other features include Intel integrated graphics or Mobility Radeon HD 5650/HD5470, which are switchable, graphics, as well as Gigbit Ethernet and 802.11b/g/n WiFi.  There is a multi-gesture touchpad, a Crystal Eye webcam and the series is Bluetooth 2.1 and 3G optional. 

The series has four models which are the 11.6-inch Aspire Timeline 1830T, 13.3-inch 3820T, 14-inch 4820T and the 15.6-inch 5820T and start at $600, $730, $800 and $750, respectively.

 

Aluminum Slingbox 700U smaller than checkbook; travels with you

A look at aluminum and design in consumer electronics
Mark Kasperowicz, Alcoa Inc.

For television viewers, the Slingbox 700U is the quickest and easiest way to get your TV everywhere.  All you need is the Slingbox 700U.  It is the smallest Slingbox ever developed, smaller than a checkbook.  The sleek, industrial design came from wrapping the core processor in a recyclable cast-aluminum lattice.  This eliminated the need for a bulky box, which created a gorgeous exterior.

It is powered solely by its USB connection, eliminating the need for any additional wires or connectors.  It also enables television service providers to make an IP-enabled set-top box SlingLoaded™

The SlingLoaded technology allows viewers to watch video content in HD on their lap- or desktop, anywhere in the world.  By connecting the Slingbox 700U connects to it with the USB cable to make a compatible set-top box.

From here, the Slingbox 700U takes the video stream incoming form the set-top box and transcodes it.  Then, it passes it back to the set-top box where the video is streamed over the Internet on to the SlingPlayer™ on compatible devices.

The SlingPlayer, on the laptop, desktop computer or supported mobile platform, allows consumers to watch standard or HD content wherever they are located.  Also, they can view program guides as well as change channels, pause, fast forward or rewind.  Another cool feature is that DVR recordings are able to be set up with the on-screen virtual remote control.

To make it even more practical, the Slingbox supports the features of the SlingGuide service, whose powerful browse and search technology speeds the detection of existing and new programming.