Pioneering Toshiba has more Gitex surprises in store

Last year, Toshiba's demonstrations of wireless wizardry were the talk of the show. This year, digital convergence and new multi-media applications will be the theme.

'Now that the industry as a whole has caught on to wireless technology, we will be focusing on showing how far ahead of the field we've moved,' says Ahmed Khalil, regional manager of Toshiba's computer systems division.

'Wireless mobile computing is at the heart of digital convergence but with a new dimension that brings together home entertainment systems, mobile PC, television set, DVD player, gaming console, and sound system.'

Toshiba's development of total digital convergence is underpinned by a new home media server, TransCube 20, that will revolutionise home networks and makes its Middle East debut at Gitex. It combines a TV tuner, movie, audio and PC data file server, and a wireless broadband router.

TransCube 20 is Toshiba's response to the growing market demand to maximise enjoyment from entertainment systems. It enables wireless usage of a TV set and two PCs so that live programmes, videos, DVDs, music, picture library, or gaming applications can be run simultaneously in different parts of the home - or outside - from a single central point.

The Transcube 20's 160GB hard-drive can store up to 230 hours of video recording and also has a 'chase play' feature that enables viewers to go back and watch from the beginning of a recording that's still in progress.
Innovations such as the TransCube exploit the emergence of ultra high-speed data transfer via high-speed wireless LAN technology, using 5GHz band that enables processing speeds of up to 100Mb per second.

The increasing availability of wireless LAN creates a parallel need to use the system most cost-effectively, so Toshiba's next generation of pocket and tablet PCs - due for release later this month - will be wireless Voice-Integrated Protocol ready (VoIP) with integrated software specially developed by Toshiba.

They will form the basis of a 'mobility communication system' that brings the latest advances in wireless technology to an integrated voice and data communication system and VoIP-based wireless-office solutions.

Toshiba's commitment to digital convergence in the home-entertainment field has also led to the introduction of the first 16:10 ratio wide-screen notebooks for movie watching. These will also be seen at Gitex for the first time in the Middle East.

In March this year Toshiba launched the first notebooks with Centrino mobile technology, Now, the introduction at Gitex of the new Satellite M30 series - targeted at the small office, home office (SoHo) sector - brings together the core Centrino benefits of improved performance, extended battery life, wireless connectivity, and form factor.

Next year, Toshiba will take extended battery life to unprecedented levels with the introduction of the first methanol fuel-cell operated notebook, boosting battery and operating time while reducing the need for frequent recharging. The fuel cell notebook will also be exhibited at Gitex.

Toshiba's innovative new-generation mobile PCs - with Centrino mobile technology and multi-media capabilities, are making true digital convergence a reality. Their powerful role as more than just portable computing tools will be fully demonstrated at Gitex.

Heading the product line up are:


•The Satellite M30 series, Toshiba's first Centrino-based 'business-to-consumer notebook. It combines Centrino mobile technology of up to 1.70GHz, up to 60GB hard disk, Nvidia GeForce FX Go5200 graphics, a 15.4-inch wide-screen display, Harman Kardon stereo speakers, DVD writing capabilities, convenient CD and DVD playback buttons. It also includes one-touch TV-out button to easily connect to a projector or television, Secure Digital slot and an i.Link (IEEE 1394) port.


•The new Satellite P10 is Toshiba's first portable wide-screen notebook designed as an all-in-one digital home entertainment console. The feature-rich P10 series includes a 15.4-inch wide-screen personal theatre display for greater mobility and flexibility while still enjoying built-in DVD writing/reading capabilities. The P10 series is package in an attractive dark blue metallic design, creating a centre-piece entertainment device that can easily be shown on a coffee table, living-room or home office. Ideal for gaming enthusiasts, the Satellite P10 incudes the latest Nvidia graphics processing unit (GeForce FX Go5200 or Go5600), delivering rich texture and 3D imagery to enhance the gaming experience.


•The new Satellite A30 is Wi-Fi ready and includes DVD writing capabilities and Intel Pentium 4 processor with speeds up to 3.06 GHz, along with many other enhance features. The A30 gives users easy unplugged connectivity in the office, at home or one of the many emerging public hotspots such as airports, cafes or hotels. Its DVD writing capability makes for uncomplicated backup and distribution of data, and the powerful blend of innovative design, multi-media capabilities and performance is ideal for consumers looking for excellent value for money, either as an affordable desktop replacement or as a low cost entry into mobile computing.