CES 2015: HP Unveils Zvr “Blended Reality” Display

Read original story on: Forbes

Alongside with the expected updates of its 5K, 4K and “immersively curved” high-end displays, HP also unveils at CES today a new screen with the wow factor—a display that blurs the boundary between the digital and physical worlds. The new Zvr “Blended Reality” Display allows users to rotate, manipulate and navigate 3D images via its various embedded tracking sensors. Could this point to a new direction in the development of advanced interfaces?

Meet HP’s New Innovative PC Sprout And “Dumb” Smartwatch

Read original story on: Wired

Last week, HP unveiled Sprout, its newest PC offering. It features “HP Illuminator,” a downward-facing camera/scanner/projector combo that allows a user to easily digitalize physical objects and manipulate digital projections on an accompanying touch mat, placed where a keyboard would normally be. Innovatively blending virtual and physical reality, Sprout is set to ship on November 9.

In related news, HP has also launched a new smart-watch that leans heavier on luxury design than smart features. The MB Chronowing, led by fashion designer Michael Bastian, looks fantastic but doesn’t have a touchscreen. Instead, it relies on a black and white LCD for simple email and text notifications, and three chunky side buttons for navigation. HP has partnered with online fashion retailer Gilt to exclusively launch this watch on Nov. 7.

Why HP’s New Smartwatch Is Good-looking But Problematic

HP has offered a sneak peek of its new smartwatch, and it actually looks pretty good. Following the current trend of marrying tech with fashion, this new gear, set for release later this fall, is born out of a collaborative effort of HP, fashion designer Michael Bastian, and digital retailer Gilt.

Looking past its well-designed good looks and charm, however, the fact that HP is self-developing a third-party companion app compatible with both iOS and Android to control the smartwatch seems potentially problematic. Primarily positioned as a wearable extension for easier access to notifications, a smartwatch may function best when it is seamlessly incorporated as a native part of the operating system. After all, trying to please everyone usually just ends up alienating everyone.

Leap Motion Partners With HP

Leap Motion announced on Tuesday that it will partner with Hewlett-Packard to bring the startup’s now-famous motion-control technology to HP devices. The announcement didn’t specify what sorts of devices would be supported with Leap’s technology built in, but any machine with Leap’s technology embedded within it will include  a pre-loaded version of Airspace, Leap Motion’s app-store. According to Leap, the announcement has been coming for a year, and have done a lot of R&D work already to integrate with HP’s products. Before built-in Leap products arrive, HP will sell bundles, where a standalone Leap controller is sold along with a PC, much like Leap’s current deal with Asus earlier this year. But when built-in products arrive, it will be the first time that Leap’s technology will actually be embedded within another manufacturer’s products. According to HP, the technology will add an insubstantial amount of weight to any product. Expect to find the motion-control sensor, which connects to PC via USB, on sale on May 13 for $79.99.