CES 2016: Samsung pivots its tablet game to Windows 10 with the TabPro S

Samsung unveiled a new tablet at CES but this one is running Windows 10. The TabPro S is the South Korean giant's dog in the exciting 2-in-1 fight, and answer to Microsoft's Surface line of devices.

Saying that this is "the best of a tablet and a laptop," Samsung has outfitted the TabPro S with a 12-inch AMOLED display, Intel Core M processor, 10-hour battery, 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM.

This tablet sports a USB Type-C port for charging and connectivity. Unlike most 2-in-1 tablet makers Samsung will gracefully include the skinny magnetic keyboard case in the package. There's a 4G-LTE variant as well. Pricing and availability are still unknown.

CES 2016: Samsung's new Gear S2 smartwatch will finally work with iPhones

Samsung unveiled yet another generation of its Galaxy Gear S2 smartwatches as part of its CES event in Las Vegas. Showing off two new editions including an 18K rose gold version and another in platinum, the wearables will have NFC for Samsung Pay contactless payments. While the Tizen powered Gear S2 will work with Samsung phones and certain Android-powered phones, Samsung has also made their latest wearable compatible with iPhones.

The extent of the compatibility is still unknown but at least Samsung has made it possible for more uses to consider their Gear S2 devices.

CES 2016: VW's Budd-e concept is a futuristic EV minivan

Volkswagen just unveiled its BUDD-e concept vehicle which holds the promise of many future technologies including a hypothetical 373 miles of range and ability to charge to 80 percent of battery capacity in about 15 minutes, this doesn't represent any technology currently available to VW but is more a marker for what's to come in the future.

With a fully reconfigurable interior reminiscent of older camper microbuses, the Budd-e concept also features 12.3-inch curved screen in front of the driver that blends into a 13.3-inch display in the center console. It's good to see VW aspiring for an all-electric future in a vehicle that, while purely conceptual, could generate interest in pursuing and developing more widespread technology, safety and energy efficient solutions.

Source: VW

Toyota’s AI initiatives now headed by former Google exec

Toyota has gotten itself a capable individual to head its artificial intelligence initiatives. James Kuffner, the former head of robotics and one of the key executives of Google’s driverless car efforts, is now head of Toyota’s US-based AI research lab. Kuffner believes Toyota’s business down the line could one day be concentrated or at least mainly work with robots. Toyota is promising US$1 billion in funding for the lab in its first five years, showing just how important this initiative is for the carmaker.

Toyota takes a different approach to how Google wants AI-assisted driving to work. Toyota believes humans should stay at the wheel for a longer transition period as they are aided in increasing degree by automation. The company aims to create vehicles and machines that can help its ageing population, such as finding ways to increase car access for the elderly and handicap as well as create new forms of mobility indoors.

Source: Financial Times