Lenovo today announced the IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC, a massive 27-inch tablet that the company calls an “interpersonal PC.” The idea is that it’s laid across a coffee table and then everybody can partake in messing around with the massive touch screen in a variety of ways, including multiplayer games like virtual air hockey.

“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.”

If the 27-inch Horizon isn’t doing it for you, Lenovo is also experimenting with a 39-inch table PC, code-named “Gamma.” The company says it’s in the early concept phase, but it “illustrates the outstanding multi-user entertainment experiences such a large screen can provide.”

The Horizon Table PC is obviously built for entertainment, and the hardware will come with a number of accessories when it ships later this year. For starters, it will come with e-dice and four joysticks for games that require a bit more precision than what its 10-finger touchscreen can provide. Speaking of games, the table PC features a number of casual experiences including Monopoly, Raiding Company, Draw Race 2 HD and more. It can also play a number of popular phone apps thanks to BlueStacks emulation technology.

Besides games, the Horizon is a Windows 8 PC so it has all the features you’ve come to expect from a Windows PC. Owners can share pictures, videos and other media all from the neck-straining comfort of their coffee table.

The Horizon Table PC will be made available in early Summer through the company’s Web site. The PC will start at a reasonable $1,699, but upgrading the device with extras will presumably push it past the $2,000 mark.

Stoneware is a privately held company that develops cloud computing and classroom management software. It is currently headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and has 67 employees. The price paid for Stoneware has not been disclosed, but Lenovo did state the acquisition “is not material to Lenovo’s earnings.”

“Adding Stoneware cloud computing into the Lenovo line up presents a significant opportunity to leverage their success, and enhance our PC Plus offerings, all to the benefit of our customers,“ said Peter Hortensius, president of the product group at Lenovo. “We have a history of innovation and embracing new technologies, and the talented team at Stoneware will fit in perfectly with our long-term strategy.”

It seems that Lenovo will be focusing on the enterprise side of its business. Along with the acquisition announcement, Lenovo stated that it is “aggressively expanding its product offerings” to people and businesses, specifically emphasizing connectedness across multiple devices. Lenovo expects to leverage Stoneware’s software to help users connect PCs, tablets, and smartphones. The company “aims to offer” secure, end-to end solutions for business customers.

“We are pleased to be joining forces with Lenovo,” said Rick German, CEO of Stoneware. “Lenovo is one of the largest and fastest growing technology companies in the world and for Stoneware, a small company with roots in the heartland of the United States, we are delighted to be given the opportunity to deliver real benefit to customers on a global stage.”

A commenter at SlashGear indicates that a Lenovo sales rep told him the date would be August 21st.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the lightest 14″ Ultrabook in the world, according to Lenovo.

“Created for those who demand the highest levels of performance, mobility, entertainment and design, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon exceeds Ultrabook specifications by using a premium carbon fiber rollcage to create a durable Ultrabook weighing less than three pounds,” the company says.

“Just like in the automotive industry, carbon fiber materials add structural strength and durability while minimizing weight,” the company adds on the product page.

It comes with embedded 3G connectivity and a mobile pay-as-you go option, and contains Intel vPro technology.

Lenovo also touts the fact that you can bring up the battery life of the device to 80% strength in as little as 35 minutes with its RapidCharge feature.

When the company introduced the X1 Carbon, it also revealed a new portfolio of ThinkPad laptops, the new ThinkPad X, T, W, and L Series models, which come with 3rd generation Intel Core processors and Lenovo Enhanced Experience 3.0. The laptops are 40% faster than typical Windows 7 computers, according to the company. These came out in June.

Teens in the United States apparently have a motivation problem when it comes to volunteering. A surprising 93% of them say they want to volunteer, but only 22% actually end up doing it; the other 71% say they didn’t get around to volunteering because, as is their typical adolescent wont, nobody asked them to volunteer (although that kinda defeats the purpose of volunteering, kiddos). Trying to tap into this unmotivated potential, DoSomething.org has launched a website for “The Hunt” that hopes to get teens started with effecting some positive changes in their communities. By working with the technological implements that teenagers seem addicted to these days, the companies will have participants communicate their progress throughout the 11-day challenge via cell phones, the internet, and social media.

Bing Senior Product Manager Karin Muskopf predicts that the integration of social media as a tool for building communities will help promote activism. “Bing’s new social features will play an integral role in helping participants search for the clues, connect with their Facebook friends for advice and see what experts recommend in order to quickly research and tackle the daily challenges,” she said.

Challenges in “The Hunt: 11 Days of Doing” will focus on humanitarian issues related to the environment, energy and recycling, poverty, violence and bullying, animal welfare, and more. Participants in the challenge will also be eligible for prizes like Lenovo Ultrabooks and scholarships.

The challenge has also enlisted the help of several celebrities like Hillary Duff, Cody Simpson, Rachael Leigh Cook, and this young lady, Shenae Grimes, who the internet tells me is on the relaunched version of Beverly Hills, 90210 (which the internet also tells me is simply titled 90210).

Video: Bing Teams with DoSomething.org and Lenovo to Kick-Off “The Hunt: 11 Days of Doing”

While this is generally good for the heart and soul of humanity, it also affords Bing a unique opportunity to introduce its newly launched design, the three-column format that integrates information from Facebook and Twitter into search results, to a young and likely obstinate generation of internet users. And I only say obstinate because what teenagers don’t look forward to velcroing themselves to the couch for the duration of their summer break and happily doing nothing? If Bing can break the pattern of irresistible laziness of adolescents, then toppling Google should be a walk in the park.

“We live in world where it’s not only undesirable to be without online access, it’s often disruptive to businesses. For that reason we wanted to create a flexible mobile broadband solution that would be unparalleled in its ability to help business users stay connected and working,” said Dilip Bhatia, vice president and general manager of the ThinkPad Business Unit at Lenovo. “Fundamentally, Lenovo Mobile Access gives individual and corporate customers options to determine how, when and where they want to connect with online applications and services, all at a price that fits their budget.”

The lowest-end “Time Pass” that can be bought for Lenovo Mobile Access is 30 minutes, costs $1.95 and has a 30 MB data limit. Users can also purchase a day-long pass for $8.95, though it has a 200 MB data limit. For those that travel often, Lenovo is also has monthly plans for 2 GB or 6 GB of data. The monthly plans are auto-renewable and can also be purchased by companies for allotment to employees.

“To date, connectivity has been ‘off the rack’ and one-size fits all-too many mobile users are forced to squeeze into a mobile broadband contract that gives them either more or less connectivity than they need, or they go without entirely,” said Richard Schwartz, president and CEO of Macheen. “With service by Macheen, Lenovo Mobile Access lets users trade ill-fitting plans for tailored connectivity featuring pay-as-you-go rates and customized access for any device, application and user. Quite literally, it’s access to cloud-based content, services and applications that fits the way users work and live, meaning virtually all ThinkPad users can enjoy the value of true mobility.”

Lenovo Mobile Access is already available for ThinkPad Classic and ThinkPad Edge devices with mobile data connectivity. The service is, so far, only available in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

The details of the recall have been listed on the CPSC site:

Name of Product: Lenovo ThinkCentre M70z and M90z desktop computers
Units: About 50,500
Manufacturer/Importer: Lenovo, of Morrisville, N.C.
Hazard: A defect in an internal component in the power supply can overheat and pose a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm received reports of one fire incident and one smoke incident in the U.S. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled all-in-one desktop computers, or PCs, are flat-panel monitors with the PC integrated into the monitor housing itself. The power supplies are also inside the monitor or PC housing. The computer chassis has a matte black finish with the brand name “ThinkCentre” in the lower left hand corner of the monitor front. The recalled desktop model numbers are M90z and M70z along with the serial number and manufacturing date code can be found on a label on the underside of the unit.

As Lenovo has pointed out, only certain computers of the series were affected, and consumers would need to check the serial numbers on their desktops. The numbers to look for are in the date code ranges 1001 to 1012, 1101 to 1112, 001 to 012 and 101 to 112.

Additional recall details:

Sold at: Online at Lenovo’s websites, by telephone and direct sales through Lenovo authorized distributors nationwide from May 2010 through January 2012 for about $500 for the M70z model and $800 for the M90z model.
Manufactured in: Mexico
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the computers, unplug the power supply and contact the firm to determine if your computer is included in the recall and to schedule an appointment for a free replacement of the power supply.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lenovo toll-free at (855)248-2194 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.lenovo.com/aiopsurecall

Any users who would like to report an incident with the product to the CPSC can do so here.

When you’ve defied the medical odds and lived 50 years longer than what medical experts said, devised some of the most important theories in physics and cosmology, and become a multi-million book selling author, then maybe you can have your PC’s delivered to you by Intel personally. Until then we can get a small glimpse into the relationship Stephen Hawking has developed with PC component manufacturer, Intel.

This story begins in 1997, when Hawking was working with AMD to help him with his custom PC needs, due to the motor neuron disease which left him with very little physical functionality. According to Travis Bonifield, the Intel application engineer who works with Hawking personally, the relationship began when Intel’s Co-Founder, Gordon Moore spoke personally with Hawking, “Stephen and Gordon met at a conference around 1997. Gordon noted that Stephen was using an AMD machine. Gordon asked Stephen, ‘Would you like to use an Intel computer moving forward? We’d be happy to build that for you and support it.‘ ”

If you’re wondering what’s powering Hawking’s latest PC, which is updated every 2 years, he’s sporting a Lenovo X220 tablet PC, with an Intel Core i7 processor. What’s really cool about the custom build is how it recognizes Hawking’s commands for his voice synthesizer.

Originally, Hawking would use a clicker which he could highlight various commands or words and then communicate them through the synthesizer. However, the nerve which allowed him the use of his thumbs would degrade which required Intel to devise a new solution. They eventually developed an infrared sensor which hangs off of Hawking’s glasses. The sensor detects light changes as he twitches his cheek, and allows him to select commands. Which is amazing. Watch it in action below.

Bonifield has been working with Hawking since 2001, when he took over the position from a previous engineer. One aspect of the job is having to deliver the PC’s from America to England, where Hawking lives. Bonifield mentions one of the less than glorious aspects of the project, “I actually take two systems out to Stephen [one is a backup]. One year I packed them in cases, checked them in as luggage and the airlines lost them for three days. The year after that I thought I’d ship them ahead of time. They got held up in customs for 3 days. This time I got lucky. My luggage showed up with me [laughs].”

Below is a photo of Bonifield holding up a replica of the custom PC he developed for Hawking, and a video of Hawking’s grad assistant installing it.

“While there is growing competition for streaming movies – it’s mostly on PCs and web-enabled TV –very little downloading is available on mobile devices,” the company says. “Movie DRM for the mobile is not the same as movie DRM for PC, (companies like Amazon/Blockbuster have created their own players to solve the download problem on PC, but are unable to both stream and download movies to mobile devices).”

Lenovo and mSpot have together developed their own DRM solutions for mobile movie downloads, using Microsoft’s PlayReady.  

According to mSpot, it’s the only player that is able to serve the “very fragmented market” cross platform with both iOS and Android.

“Amazon, Apple and Blockbuster boast the ability to download and instantly watch – but they are actually referring to TV shows; movies require a full download before you can watch them, (Apple states in their video tutorial, that you can start watching right away -while downloading), but fail to mention this doesn’t apply to movies,” mSpot says. “Amazon and Blockbuster have built their own DRM-enabled movie players, but users must still download the entire movie before watching.”

The company also points out that Blockbuster used to support iOS devices, but no longer offers this.

This last week was a big one for Covario. They had their annual conference. They changed their name. They announced a 16M funding round. They rolled out some cool new products. And, drum-roll please, they announced a partnership with Semphonic.

Well, maybe that wasn’t the lead. But the partnership is an interesting one – especially since some people might think we are competitors. Fortunately, neither they nor I really see it that way. Here’s the thinking behind the partnership.

Covario’s solution requires companies to feed information about online success back into their reporting solution from the web analytics tools. Makes sense, right? But a lot of their clients (and keep in mind these are mostly very complex multi-channel enterprises) have a hard time doing this: not only do they struggle with getting the web analytics set up right, they struggle with figuring out what the proper optimization goals need to be.

That’s our bread-and-butter, of course. In addition, Covario’s clientele heavily overlaps our areas of focus. They have more technology and probably less Financial Services and Media than Semphonic, but the types of clients (multi-channel, international, complex) and the focus on sites without traditional eCommerce events is very similar. So we’ll be providing these implementation services to Covario clients to make sure they get the best advantage out of all that slick enterprise reporting!

And while Semphonic does have a SEM reporting tool, it’s nothing like Covario’s. CampaignTracker isn’t an enterprise data integration tool – it doesn’t even remotely tackle that function. It isn’t an Enterprise tool at all, and it isn’t for PPC or SEO channel management. It has a fundamentally different purpose, different price-point and different set of users. These two products may live in the same galaxy, but they don’t co-exist in the same solar system. And let’s face it, Semphonic is a consulting company – that’s the heart, soul, core (and revenue) of our business. So when we started talking together, I think both sides quickly realized a partnership was possible.

Best of all, I really like the people there. They are very easy to talk to and do business with. They are smart. And their customers obviously like them a lot. I think the whole corporate culture was apparent in InflectionPoint; it’s a culture that I like and suspect most clients will too.

Their similarity in style to Semphonic was very obvious at InflectionPoint. In fact, there were many aspects of the conference that reminded me of X Change. Since we started X Change, I’ve developed a whole new interest in and (grudging) appreciation of Conferences. I notice lots of things I never thought about before.

This increased attention is a bit ironic, because I mostly don’t like Conferences. I’m not much of a schmoozer; I don’t really enjoy speaking (funny, because I love talking!); and I’ll be honest and admit that I find most conference presentations a bit tedious. Then, after a long day of being kind of bored, I’ll return home to the obligatory mountain of emails we all get and have to do my work.

This complaining is mostly a way of getting to the fact that I thought InflectionPoint was pretty damn good. A couple of notable wins:

    * Extremely limited self-promotion

    * No speakers over breakfast, lunch, dinner

    * Very polite involvement by sponsors (no time-wasting fluff)

    * Outstanding attendees

Unlike most company conferences, the chest-beating was amazingly minimal – they let their customers do almost all the talking. A great strategy since the customers had really good things to say. This reminded me of X Change – but since X Change isn’t designed as a Semphonic customer-only event I think their restraint is even more surprising.

Like X Change, they didn’t pollute breakfast and lunch with speakers. I hate having to speak while people eat. And I hate having to eat while people speak. They served good food, too. Major kudos!

They gave partners sponsorship slots but didn’t waste everybody’s time with long-winded sponsor plugs. We don’t do any sponsor slots at X Change, but this was as nicely handled as I’ve seen. Good job by the sponsors as well.

Most important – they brought together a really good group of people. Part of this is the fact that their products play mostly to very large efforts in very large companies. So they get really serious people involved. The panel I was on included truly senior interactive marketing folks from iVillage, Lenovo and Siemens plus David Falls from DoubleClick. And that’s pretty typical of the whole Conference make-up. Outstanding.

I was deeply impressed by the sophistication of that group. Not something you hear me saying every day. I especially enjoyed chatting with Barry Kresch – whose particular challenges at iVillage are very common in our media client-base. It seemed like we’ve done a lot of similar work and come to similar conclusions about how to effectively measure media sites.

I’m still not that big a fan of panel presentations. They feel a bit like political debates – more sound-bites than real discussion. That’s why I love X Change’s Huddle format. But I’m glad X Change is special that way – we need some kind of special sauce!

Ultimately, what impressed me most about the conference was the emphasis on providing value to their customers. As a consulting company, that makes me feel very comfortable with Covario. Not every software company spends more time listening to their customers than talking at them. Not every? Not many.

It must have been an amazing, exciting, draining week for the people at Covario – with so much news plus a big conference.  Congratulations guys. I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

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