HP's first Chromebox springs into step, flaunts business and pleasure

Good things truly do come in threes if you're a fan of Google's Chrome OS. Not long after Asus and Dell threw their hats into the Chromebox ring, HP has come out with a compact PC of its own.

Initially launching in spring 2014 in the US, the HP Chromebox promises to be an uncomplicated affair.

Whack the 5-inch box wide on your desk, hook it up to an external monitor or TV via HDMI or DisplayPort and you're good to delve into Google's cloud-based ecosystem.

It's no slouch either: the device comes armed with a Haswell-powered Intel Core i7 CPU inside. Though that may seem like overkill for a PC that essentially functions through a Chrome browser, it's also compatible with Google's Chromebox for meetings videoconferencing service that leans on raw compute power to stream 1080p video.

Box of tricks

As such, HP is pitching it as a device that straddles the middle ground between business and pleasure. Companies can manage and configure the device through a web-based management console, and a built-in TPM (trusted platform module) is included for security.

Other features of note include a built-in VESA mount, four USB 3.0 ports, Bluetooth and the choice of three colour options - black, white or "ocean turqoise".

HP hasn't unveiled global availability or pricing for the model yet, but the inclusion of a chip from Intel's more powerful line of processors should ensure that it retails at slightly more than recently-unveiled competing models.

• How is Google making the Chromebox fit for business?

Via Engadget

First Great Western details free onboard Wi-Fi plan

Free Wi-Fi will be rolled out across the First Great Western fleet of trains next year. Nomad Digital has concluded an agreement with the train company that will see free internet access across all of the operator's lines in 2014 as well as on overnight services.

Wireless internet connectivity will be installed on all 53 of First Great Western's high-speed trains and Night Riviera services. This will be done as part of the company's new 23-month franchise.

The company first pledged to add the free Wi-Fi service in October this year. Work on fitting their fleet of trains will begin in May 2014, with the rollout set to be completed by the end of the same year. Passengers on the two daily Night Riviera services will also be able to access free Wi-Fi from June 2014.

Well received

Mark Hopwood, managing director of First Great Western, explained that the company had trialled the service on a fleet of trains serving the North Cotswolds. The proposition had been "very well received" by customers.

Customers on the train service will only need to have the ability to connect from their laptops or mobile devices to use the feature, regardless of their location in the train compartments. Any browser opened by them will automatically redirect them to the access page.

"I'm delighted to say that within the next year all high-speed and sleeper fleet customers will be able to read their emails, browse the web or simply catch up with friends on the move," he added.

Nomad Digital has seen vast increases in demand for Wi-Fi and other wireless connected services on trains worldwide over the past year. Andrew Taylor, Nomad's CEO, said that the company was "proud to be providing the technology as well as playing a central part in such a valuable service."

• Top tips for your WiFi security

Apple reportedly buying PrimeSense - the company behind the first Kinect sensor

Apple could be preparing to announce a major acquisition, with reports claiming it has struck a deal to buy the company behind the technology in the first Microsoft Kinect sensor.

According to Israeli newspaper Calcalist, Apple has snapped up PrimeSense for approximately $345m (around £214m, AU$368m), with the deal to be finalised within the next few days.

The news comes months after PrimeSense dismissed reports of Apple's interest and the rumoured $280m price tag.

However, it appears that negotiations may have been ongoing since the initial story broke in July, with an official announcement expected within the next two weeks.

Apple iTV integration?

What would Apple look to do with a motion tracking company all of its own? Well, much of the speculation surrounding the Apple iTV set has hinted at a motion controlled user interface along with Siri integration.

Calaclist's report says Apple's primary intention is to use PrimeSense's technology to power such an interface, but it could also make its way into future iPhone and iPad devices.

After playing a big role in the first sensor, PrimeSense technology is not being implemented within the new Xbox One Kinect. However, the company has continued to push the envelope with its motion sensing units.

According to the report Apple will implement the company's new Capri sensor, which is much smaller than earlier iterations, within the Apple iTV.

There's nothing official on this from either side yet, but as soon as something concrete comes out, we'll be sure to let you know.

• How will Apple iTV really work? We've put our heads together and come up with the solution...