DesignStudio
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HoloLens is helping Ford designers prototype cars quicker
When Google released Glass Enterprise, it took a consumer-oriented product written off as privacy-invading nonsense and made it incredibly useful for businesses. Microsoft is effectively doing the same with its $3,000, not-yet-for-consumers HoloLens by introducing it to designers who find that price a relative bargain. Take Ford, which has been testing HoloLens over the last year to help stylists and engineers visualize and test products, considerably shortening the design phase.
Tesla builds a fleet of mobile Model X showrooms
Tesla has announced that it's launching a fleet of mobile showrooms to spread the gospel of electric vehicles across America. The company has purchased six Airstream trailers and fitted them out as Tesla-branded "Design Studios," (shops) towed by a Model X SUV. Would-be purchasers are encouraged to hang out, pick out what sort of trim they'd choose and chat to the company's "product specialists" (salespeople).
Tesla shows us how a Model S is made, tailors EVs to your exact liking online (video)
Tesla is just three weeks away from delivering the Model S, but that hasn't stopped it from getting more in-depth with the construction of its first four-door EV. The automaker's first peek behind the scenes shows us just how quickly it can make the aluminum body parts that make the electric sedan: a single part can be stamped out in just six seconds. If you'd rather get to ordering a Model S than watching it built, though, Tesla is about to kick off Design Studio, a new way to customize the company's EVs for orders. Build-and-price sites aren't anything new, although Tesla will be rare in eventually letting you pull the trigger online instead of having to plead with a dealer to place an order. Design Studio goes up this week, with full sales in a few months; new details of the Model S production process will go live every Tuesday if you need a steady intravenous drip of Tesla news.
Synaptics promises better touchscreens with SignalClarity and Design Studio 4
Look, we recognize that touchscreens have come a long way in the last few years, but there's always room for improvement. Thankfully, Synaptics agrees and is rolling out an update to its ClearPad capacitive panels. At the heart of the improved system is a technology called SignalClarity, which boosts signal-to-noise ratio for better accuracy and finger separation. The new tech will not only lead to a better touchscreen experience, but it could also help drive down costs since manufacturers would be free to use lower cost components that might normally interfere with a capacitive panel. It'll be a little bit before the next-gen ClearPad makes is debut in a consumer product and chances are you won't see Synaptic brand emblazoned across the packaging of your next smartphone. That's ok though, we know it's in there working hard to keep our fingers happy. Check out the PR after the break for more details.
Dell Inspiron R refreshed with removable lids and Intel's latest processors
We'll be honest, we've never been the biggest fans of Dell's colorful, patterned lids -- not because some of them are pretty ugly, but because once you choose one hue, you're stuck with it forever (or at least until you need a new laptop). Well, Dell's finally solved that piece of the puzzle with its new Inspiron R series -- the 14-, 15.6- and 17.3-inch laptops all have swappable lids. Yep, it's sort of like those interchangeable Swatch watch faces from the 90s -- you can snap off the standard black cover, buy a new one for $39.99, and latch it right on. But that's not all Dell's changed with its mainstream laptops -- the rigs now have new chiclet keyboards, HD webcams, and a design that's similar to the new XPS line. For a budget system -- the 15R starts at $529.99 -- they actually feel pretty solid and the internal organs fit the same description. All three of the machines can be configured with brand new Sandy Bridge Core i3, i5, and i7 processors, Blu-ray drives, up to 8GB of RAM, six or nine-cell batteries, and USB 3.0 ports. Dell didn't forget about the graphics either -- the 14 will be available with AMD Radeon HD 6000M options, while the 15 and 17 grab a hold of NVIDIA's GeForce GT525. All three models should be up for order today on Dell's website with them heading to retailers later this spring. Hit the break for the full PR / specs and don't forget to check out the hands-on shots on your way. Update: We now have the correct spec sheet after the break! Update 2: Dell has just told us that the replaceable lids will actually be $39.99. %Gallery-119199%
Dell puts OPI nail polish on laptops, hits a 'home run' with MLB lids, robs us of all creativity
Oh, Dell. The laptop maker piqued everyone's interest for 30 seconds this morning with a glimpse of the upcoming Adamo XPS, but when push comes to shove all it has to sell anyone is some laptops with lipstick on them. Seriously. The company is partnered up with "renowned nail lacquer experts" OPI (which has a storied history in predicting fashionable colors for upcoming seasons, according to those in the know), and that means there'll be 26 new colors and patterns in the Dell Design Studio for you to pick from the next time you buy one of Dell's various adequate laptops. Colors will include 20 "classics" like "I'm Not Really a Waitress" (pictured), as well as some seasonal shades like "Dear Santa," "Merry Midnight" and "Smitten with Mitten." They will not include specs or info on the Adamo XPS. Update: Dell also showed off MLB designs for all 30 teams, with "fan," "classic," and "die-hard" designs for each, which will be available on Dell Design Studio, along with an updated selection of Artist and Product (RED) lids. Check out PR shots of both sets of lids, along with hands-on shots, below. %Gallery-74937% %Gallery-74938% %Gallery-74939%
Dell launches Design Studio for Inspiron 15, new FastTrack delivery service
Hey, you in the market for a cheap laptop with some crazy custom artwork glued to the lid? Dell's got you covered -- the Inspiron 15 has just been brought into the Design Studio fold, meaning you'll be able to select graphics from a wide variety of artists when you spec out your system. Most artwork seems to be priced around $60, but we're told that could vary -- considering the base Inspy 15 is just $499, we're assuming / hoping the ceiling won't be much higher. Dell's also launching a new FastTrack next-day delivery service for pre-configured machines -- the company claims it's constantly tracking orders and will be able to keep the most popular models on hand. Of course, that's sort of the opposite of the whole "totally custom laptop" thing Dell's pushing with Design Studio, but hey, sometimes you need a bog-standard PC, and you need it now.
Dell Design Studio blows it out with more than 120 new options
Dell's "stick some art on it" approach to laptop design got off to a bit of a rocky start, and the stylized lids can still be a tad incongruous with the rest of the laptop's staid design (Design Studio laptops are still limited to the Studio 15 and Studio 17), but there's no faulting Dell for volume. They just added 120 new designs, a slick new way to browse through the looks, and most importantly: some pretty good choices (along with enough stinkers to keep it interesting). New artists include Deanne Cheuk, Maya Hayuk, Jason Holley, TWEEQIM, Korakrit Arunanondchai, Filth, Robert Hargrave, Peter Stevens, Keith Warner and OBVLN. It's $85 a pop, and (PRODUCT) RED designs include a $20 contribution to Bono.
Dell opens doors on Design Studio for jazzing up Studio 15 / 17 laptops
It was HP who made the PC "personal again," but don't think Dell isn't doing its darnedest to make it ultra-personal... again. After seeing a number of Dell laptops get unorthodox paint jobs and hearing that it would make Art House machines CTO in 2009, we've now learned that Dell has swung open the doors to its all new Design Studio. Naturally, said studio was built to customize the outfit's Studio 15 and Studio 17 lappies, and it features an interactive gallery of original artwork commissioned exclusively for this initiative. Available for browsing right now, each unique image costs $75 to have "permanently tattooed into the laptop lid," meaning that you better heart that design a whole lot before pulling the final trigger.
