Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Lenovo Pioneers "Interpersonal Computing" with Company’s First Table PC

Multi-user, multi-touch, multi-mode device makes computing collaborative. Connects families with library of learning and entertainment apps by top game-makers

LAS VEGAS - Monday, January 7th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

2013 International CES

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lenovo(HKSE: 0992)(PINK SHEETS: LNVGY) today announced the IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC, the company’s first "interpersonal PC," a multi-user, multi-touch, multi-mode device for the home that allows users to turn their personal computing experience into a shared computing experience.

As a Table PC, Horizoncan lie flat on any surface, lets two or more people use the screen at the same time, supports interactive physical gaming accessories and is designed for touch screen game-play among several players. Horizon takes advantage of Windows 8 touch functionality to bring customized games from Electronic Arts and Ubisoft to life in a way players have never seen before. Horizon can also easily transform into a 27-inch high-performance desktop to handle whatever productivity tasks users need to do.

At the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Showthis week, Lenovo also today demonstrated a large 39-inch wide-screen Table PC, code-named "Gamma." While still an early concept, Gamma illustrates the outstanding multi-user entertainment experiences such a large screen can provide and is indicative of Lenovo's future direction in Table PC computing.

“We've seen technology shifts across the four screens, from the desktop to the laptop, tablet and smartphone, and yet, while people have more computing power than ever before, there is still room for technologies like Horizon that bring people together. Horizon makes personal computing interpersonal computing with shared, collaborative experiences among several people,” said Peter Hortensius, president, Product Group, Lenovo. “Now many people can enjoy different photos, music and video on the same screen, and they can play games with our special accessories that blend physical and digital interaction. Horizon reflects our commitment to delivering the innovative products that define the PC Plus era.”

A Table PC for the Home

Horizon unleashes the power of Windows 8 and brings multi-player games to life with its gigantic screen, dynamic graphics and 10-finger touch. It comes with a special set of accessories including an e-dice and four joysticks and strikers to offer a completely new digital gaming experience that combines the physical gaming accessory with the on-screen action. For the player, the action is part physical, part digital - an activity that Lenovo refers to as "phygital."

The Horizon Table PC includes Lenovo App Shop, a dedicated apps store powered by Intel AppUp giving users access to 5,000+ multi-user entertainment apps. Horizon also comes with exclusive access or package of pre-loaded gaming and educational apps from industry leading vendors including Electronic Arts, FableVision, Open Labs, Ubisoft, FilmOn TVand hundreds of top games and apps from BlueStacks so players of all ages can:

    Become a real estate tycoon in a modern take on the classic MONOPOLY
    Maneuver the Lenovo joystick uniquely customized for FishingJoy and Raiding Company
    Discover, download and run chart-topping phone and tablet apps on the Horizon Table PC powered by BlueStacks
    Challenge friends and family to race their way to the finish line in Draw Race 2 HD
    Vie to grab the spotlight and be crowned King of the Opera
    Create music and songs like Grammy-award winning artists do with Stagelight
    Access more than 120 streaming TV channels on FilmOn TV
    Enjoy painting and coloring in the Paint, Color Corner app or play contest games in Lenovo Best Guess

With Horizon’s smart hinge system, users can easily lay it flat and in so doing, the Lenovo Aura multi-user, multi-touch interface (UI) will automatically activate. This simple UI lets families play, learn or enjoy multimedia content together on one screen. Aura also serves as a great way to launch pre-loaded gaming and educational apps or download new ones from the online app store.

In addition, Horizon performs beautifully as a family’s main all-in-one desktop for work and play. Its impressive large backlit screen can be seen from virtually any angle and its NVIDIA GeForce graphics make content look gorgeous with smooth and seamless video playback, eye-popping graphics and heart-pounding Dolby Home Theatre® v4 audio. To support such a command performance, Horizon is powered by Intel® Core™ i7 processors.

As an option, Horizon offers a moveable and space-saving Horizon Multimode Table. This adjustable table allows users to change the angle and height position of the Table PC, from lying flat to a straight-up, 'wall-like mount' at 90 degrees. Lenovo offers an array of protection services for the Horizon Table PC, including In-Home Warranty upgrades for service at the owner’s home or business and up to three years of warranty coverage. Additionally, Lenovo Premium Support’s expert technicians are available when needed with convenient over the phone or remote session support from the comfort of home.

Pricing and Availability1

The IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC will be available beginning in early summer through Lenovo business partners and www.lenovo.com. Prices start at approximately $1,699.

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About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE: 0992)(PINK SHEETS: LNVGY) is a $US30 billion personal technology company – and one of the top two PC makers globally, serving customers in more than 160 countries. Dedicated to building exceptionally engineered PCs and mobile internet devices, Lenovo’s business is built on product innovation, a highly efficient global supply chain and strong strategic execution. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the IBM Personal Computing Division, the Company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services. Its product lines include legendary Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations, and a family of mobile internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information, see www.lenovo.com.

1Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.

Quote Sheet

“Mobile games and apps that have millions of downloads are now globally available on Lenovo’s PCs including the Horizon Table PC,” said Apu Kumar, Senior VP of Sales and Business Development at BlueStacks. “Our strategic alliance with Lenovo enables their end users to marry their smartphones and tablets to their Lenovo PCs and seamlessly access and enjoy the same great content, apps and services across all their Lenovo devices.”

“Electronic Arts is delighted to be working with Lenovo to bring MONOPOLY to life on the IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC,” said Glenn Roland, Vice President of New Platforms and OEM at Electronic Arts. “The unique capabilities of the hardware allow us to reinvent tablet gaming for a new segment of consumers and transform our apps into fun, family-friendly tabletop gaming experiences.”

“People desire a more collaborative experience with their technology and that is just what Lenovo is delivering with its Intel-powered Horizon Table PC,” said Kirk Skaugen, corporate vice president, general manager PC client group, Intel Corporation. “We’re enthusiastic about the unprecedented innovation happening across all computing segments, bringing with it new experiences and uses.”

“FableVision’s mission is to inspire creativity and self-expression in kids and grown up kids around the world,” said Peter H. Reynolds, FableVision’s founder, creativity advocate, and New York Times #1 best-selling children’s book author and illustrator. “Lenovo’s large touch screen Horizon Table PC will unleash the potential of Animation-ish by putting the tools of creation into the hands of people around the world so they for the first time, collaboratively turn drawings into animations in just minutes.”

“It’s exciting to see Lenovo continue to drive innovation and creativity in their new hardware designs,” said Chris Cocks, GM Worldwide OEM Engineering Services, Microsoft. “With the 27 inch display, touch UI, built-in battery and new capabilities in Windows 8, the Horizon Table PC enables a range of computing scenarios, from PC productivity to social connectivity and family game play.”

“We’re pleased that Lenovo selected Stagelight as the music creation platform for the Horizon Table PC,” said Cliff Mountain, CEO, OpenLabs. Our easy music creation software combined with Horizon’s large touch screen allows musicians of all ages to get hands on with their music. As a parent of four kids, it’s great to see a device built for family use.

“Together we’re breaking new ground by bringing Ubisoft’s collection of exhilarating games to Lenovo’s Horizon Table PC and the Windows 8 operating system,” said Carrie Tice, senior director of strategic sales and partnerships, Ubisoft. “Horizon lets you play games the way they were intended to be played – many people using touch on a super-sized screen.”

Photo Captions:

Image # 1: The Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC is a 27 inch multi-user, multi-touch, multi-mode device for the home. Horizon allows two or more people to use the screen at the same time, supports interactive physical gaming accessories and is designed for touch screen game-play among several players. (Photo: Business Wire)

Image # 2: At the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show, Lenovo demonstrated a large 39-inch wide-screen Table PC, code-named "Gamma," to illustrate the outstanding multi-user entertainment experiences such a large screen can provide and to provide a look at Lenovo's future direction in Table PC computing. (Photo: Business Wire)

Contacts

Lenovo

Kristy Fair

919-257-6329

krisfair@lenovo.com



James Baussmann

212-871-4078

jamesb@text100.com