From Lenovo comes the first hybrid PC for consumers — the IdeaPad U1 hybrid notebook, which features a detachable screen. The IdeaPad U1’s unique design is engineered to provide consumers with two PCs in one device — each with its own processor and operating system — that work together or independently as either a clamshell laptop or a multitouch slate tablet.

When the IdeaPad U1 is in its traditional clamshell form, the system weighs 3.8 pounds, has an 11.6 inch HD LED screen and runs Windows 7. But when the 1.6 pound, multitouch screen is removed, it becomes an independent slate tablet with a powerful ARM processor, running Lenovo’s customized Skylight operating system. Leveraging the benefits of both CPUs, the two devices can synchronize to work as one with the ability to share battery power, 3G wireless, data and documents. In this way, the base laptop system can serve as a hub and docking station and the slate tablet as a mobile device. The two PCs have been engineered to work together and independently through Lenovo’s Hybrid Switch technology that enables seamless toggling between the two processors. For instance, users can surf the Web in laptop mode and then continue from the same point without interruption if they detach to tablet mode.

The IdeaPad U1’s laptop and tablet modes each support more than five hours of 3G Web browsing and 60 hours of 3G standby. In addition, the U1 comes with integrated video camera and two stereo speakers with integrated microphone. The hybrid notebook will be available in June, priced at about $1000.
 

Reading becomes interactive when the reader can query Internet resources to expand on the print experience. The Alex Dual Screen Android-Based eReader from Spring Design (www.springdesign.com) is the first eReader that allows users to browse the Internet with the device, while still reading. For example a student could view online videos of science experiments on the LCD screen while reading a textbook on the electronic paper display (EPD) screen. The Duet Navigator function within Alex enables users to search the Internet on the 3.5” color browser LCD screen while displaying books, periodicals and even personal, educational and corporate documents on the Alex’s paper-like 6” EPD screen. The Alex browser and virtual keyboard provide handy access to email, a calculator and will accommodate a growing number of programs from the Google Android community. Alex’s network connections with WiFi, 3G, EVDO/CDMA and GSM, makes it a global mobile wireless eReader device that gives users access to the Internet and their own personalized library on the go, whenever and wherever they need it. Alex is an open systems device with the ability to download any book or document that conforms to the Adobe ePUB/PDF/DRM standard or .txt or HTML format. This eReader becomes available next week, retailing for $400.
 

Many businessmen have to drag around at least two bags — one for a laptop and the other for a  projector. Now 3M wants to make that load a bit lighter with the MPro150 pocket projector, which is just over 5 inches long and weighs a mere 5.6 ounces. The MPro150 includes 1 GB internal memory, a micro SD card slot and a USB input for transferring files from a computer — allowing entire presentations to be pre-loaded onto the projector itself. The MPro150 supports Microsoft Office applications, as well as Adobe PDF, photos and video. Images up to 50-inches at 15 lumens brightness will impress in any indoor environment. The MPro150 has an integrated MP3 player and headphone jack. And it can turn into a theater-on-the-go with its integrated stereo speakers. Additional features include a flip stand, tripod and a variety of input cables, which make the MPro150 ready to use “out-of-the-box” with a wide range of today’s most popular video output gadgets. Available optional accessories include an adapter cable for Apple products, component video cable and car charger. The projector is shipping now, retailing at $395.