HP Names Whitman President, CEO, Names Lane Executive Chairman

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As we’ve been hearing for days, Leo Apotheker is out and Meg Whitman is in at the top of HP.  Read on for details.

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HP made the changes at the top that have been rumored for days.  Here is what HP had to say:

HP today announced that its board of directors has appointed Meg Whitman as president and chief executive officer.

In addition, Ray Lane has moved from non-executive chairman to executive chairman of the board of directors, and the board intends to appoint a lead independent director promptly. These leadership appointments are effective immediately and follow the decision that Léo Apotheker step down as president and chief executive officer and resign as a director of the company.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Meg Whitman’s caliber and experience step up to lead HP,” said Lane. “We are at a critical moment and we need renewed leadership to successfully implement our strategy and take advantage of the market opportunities ahead. Meg is a technology visionary with a proven track record of execution. She is a strong communicator who is customer focused with deep leadership capabilities. Furthermore, as a member of HP’s board of directors for the past eight months, Meg has a solid understanding of our products and markets.”

Whitman said, “I am honored and excited to lead HP. I believe HP matters – it matters to Silicon Valley, California, the country and the world.”

Speaking on behalf of the board, Lane said, “We very much appreciate Léo’s efforts and his service to HP since his appointment last year. The board believes that the job of the HP CEO now requires additional attributes to successfully execute on the company’s strategy. Meg Whitman has the right operational and communication skills and leadership abilities to deliver improved execution and financial performance.”

As of 1600 Eastern, HP (NYSE: HPQ) was trading at $22.80, down $1.18 on a day that saw equities overall selling off in the face of worries about European banks and slowdowns in China’s manufacturing sector.

This is really an odd development.  Apotheker was hired 11 months ago, and the board is essentially saying that he lacked the communication and leadership abilities to handle the job.  Here’s hoping that Whitman can right the ship and establish some stability in the company’s leadership.

Many people will wonder if Whitman will bring back webOS devices and reverse the spinoff of the PC group that Apotheker announced just last month.  My bet is that webOS is still very dead, but really I doubt that anyone can answer either question today.

In addition, HP has scheduled a conference call to explain all of this at 1700 Eastern:

Financial analyst conference call details

HP will host an audio webcast for financial analysts and stockholders to discuss today’s announcement. Details are below:

When: Sept. 22, 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET

URL: http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=71087&eventID=4204723

It is recommended that attendees dial in 15 minutes early to avoid registration delays.

Tune in if you have time and hear the company spin.  At any rate, I’ll bring you updates as more information becomes available.

HP Press Release

The Home Server Show Episode 153 Out Now

Dave at the guys at the Home Server Show have released episode 153.

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Here’s what Dave has to say about this weeks show:

This episode contains two big debates. The first is should you use an SSD drive as your Windows Home Server operating system drive. The second is running Windows Home Server in a virtual environment or running other servers in a VM on your WHS 2011 server. There might not be a right answer to these debates but that won’t stop us from talking about them. Help us out in the forums on these topics.

As usual you can listen to the show from here.

WD Introduce New My Passport Studio and My Passport for Mac Portage Hard Drives

Western Digital today introduced its newest generation of My Passport portable hard drives specifically designed for use with Mac computers and Apple Time Machine, featuring compact, elegant Mac-inspired designs with high capacity storage options and exceptional security for today’s active lifestyles.

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My Passport® Studio boasts the all-metal design and performance needed for today’s discerning Mac user, serving as an ideal companion for the on-the-go photographer, videographer, graphic artist, or creative professional that produces, shares and consumes massive amounts of digital content daily. Offering up to 1 TB capacity, the My Passport Studio also provides multiple connectivity options with two FireWire® 800 ports and a USB 2.0 interface. The dual FireWire ports provide blazing fast upload and transfer speeds while also allowing users to daisy chain additional drives or other peripherals such as HD camcorders. My Passport Studio also features encryption and password protection software, and an all-new design constructed of metal for a sturdy feel in your hand and scratch resistance.

Housed in a stylish yet durable slim enclosure, the My Passport for Mac is designed for Mac users who need high capacity storage in an ultra-compact and lightweight design. Available in capacities up to 1 TB, My Passport for Mac remains a favourite among students and other Mac users whose work environments may include extensive travel or outdoor and adventure locations.

With minimal local storage on the MacBook® and MacBook Air® products, My Passport for Mac serves as an easy-to-use and reliable storage and back-up source for music, videos, photos and all digital content. Conveniently powered through its USB 2.0 interface, users can quickly connect the My Passport for Mac drive to their MacBook or MacBook Air without the need for additional cables or power source.

“Whether you are a member of the creative community or simply use your Mac to enjoy digital content on-the-go, users will find the perfect portable storage solution with WD’s My Passport Studio and My Passport for Mac high-capacity portable hard drives,” said Jim Welsh, executive vice president and general manager of WD’s branded products and consumer electronics groups. “We know the value our customers place on their digital content, which is why we set demanding requirements for durability, security, and long-term reliability, with all our drives.”

Pricing and Availability

WD’s My Passport Studio and My Passport for Mac are available on the WD store at www.wdstore.co.uk and at select retailers and distributors.

My Passport Studio (MSRP £ Sterling)

500 GB — £89.99

750 GB — £99.99

1 TB — £109.99

My Passport for Mac (MSRP in £ Sterling)

500 GB — £69.99

750 GB — £79.99

1 TB — £89.99

The Digital Lifestyle Show #321 – Not Digital Nirvana

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This weeks Digital Lifestyle Show has just been released – its show 321.

DLS Show

Here’s what Ian says about this week show:

Welcome to show 321, Garry is away but Andrew is back and we talk Windows 8 which we agree is looking good but he less impressed with the Windows Home Server situation and he gets on his soap box. We talk about how well Windows 8 works on a tablet, Windows Server 8 and drive pooling, running Windows on a Mac and new Media Center addins.

You can listen to or download the show from here.

Microsoft Release Critical 14.1.3 Update for Office for Mac 2011

Last week Microsoft released a critical update for Office for Mac 2011.

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Here’s what’s included in the update:

The Office for Mac 2011 14.1.3 Update includes the following improvements.

Improvements for Microsoft Office for Mac 2011

Office documents open in all browsers

This update resolves an issue that causes Office documents not to open in certain browsers.

Improvements for Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac 2011

Stability is improved in PowerPoint
This update fixes an issue that causes PowerPoint to close unexpectedly. This issue occurs when you press the Command and Tab keys to open another application when you are in Presenter view.

Improvements for Microsoft Excel for Mac 2011

Stability is improved in Excel

This update fixes an issue that causes Excel to close unexpectedly in the following situations:
When you move worksheets to a new worksheet or workbook.
When you save some files.
PivotTable field setting enabled.

This update enables the PivotTable field setting Show Items with no data.

Improvements for Microsoft Word for Mac 2011

 

Citation options in Dutch appear correctly.

This update fixes an issue that causes the Dutch version of Word to change the citation options to English after you install Office for Mac 2011 14.1 Service Pack 1.

Improvements for Microsoft Outlook for Mac 2011

 

Contact images display in the Contacts Search box

This update fixes an issue that causes Outlook not to display contact images in the Contacts Search box.

Import from Apple Mail is disabled in Outlook on Mac OS X 10.7 Lion

This update disables the option to import from Apple Mail in Outlook because it does not work as expected in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.

The “Remove from View” option is enabled for shared calendars

This update fixes an issue that occurs when the user adds shared calendars and opens the contextual menu for the shared calendar. The Remove from View option is disabled from the contextual menu.

Free/busy information for Exchange 2003-based mailboxes displays correctly

This update fixes an issues that causes the display of free/busy information for Exchange 2003-based mailboxes to be off by one hour when scheduling a meeting.

Time zone information is updated

This update provides updated time zone information.

Embedded Automation Release mControl v3

Over the years we have covered a lot of home automation products from Embedded Automation, and now they have just released mControl v3.

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mControl v3 is the next generation of Embedded Automation’s award-winning Digital Home Software platform. In addition to providing all of the features and functionality of mControl v2, mControl v3’s platform provides many new advancements:

  • Built-in support for Embedded Automation’s mBee line of ZigBee wireless technologies
  • mControl Editor – universal browser-based configuration and administration interface
  • Advanced surveillance with N-up camera display – allowing real-time streaming of standard
    and hi-definition IP cameras (using popular streaming standards)
  • Native iPad/iPhone App – free download from the Apple App Store
  • mRemote (with Module Maker) – integrated remote control interface with device editor allows
    integration of virtually any serial, IP or infrared (IR) device
  • Enhanced mobile user interface – optimized for smart phone browsers
  • Data Logging infrastructure – captures history of status and events for analysis and when used
    with Embedded Automation’s mChronicle utility, allows data to be sent to cloud databases for
    advanced analytics and charting
  • Enhanced database allows for device and macro reuse, and nested zones
  • RESTful API provides a simplified method for building apps around the mControl engine
  • Many other core and driver enhancements … more to come

For home owners, mControl v3 provides unrivaled value for home monitoring and control – without expensive and awkward plans. mControl v3 also provides our partners a scalable platform for advanced solutions. From making your personal home a better place or deploying an energy management solution to a range of homes, mControl v3 is the foundation for the Digital Home.

http://www.embeddedautomation.com/products/default.asp

New HP ProLiant MicroServer N40L Now Available

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The new HP ProLiant MicroServers – the N40L’s, are now available to buy. They would make an excellent self build Windows Home Server 2011 box or Small Business Server 2011 box.

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Check out the specs for the new MicroServers here.

ServerPlus has them in stock for £199.95 + VAT (although there is no cash back available on the new model at this time).

My Movies for Android 1.64 Now in Android Market

Today saw the release of version 1.64 of My Movies for Android.

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My Movies for Android is the fastest, easiest and most impressive way you have ever kept track of your movie collection. Using our high quality movie database of more than 350,000 titles on DVD and Blu-ray, you quickly get access to a large quantity of details of the titles in your movie collection, including movie trailers, high resolution covers and much, much more.

What’s in this version:

    1. Adds tablet interface for Honeycomb based tablets.
    2. Changes cover view to a shelf based view.
    3. Fixes various minor issues.

You can find My Movies for Android in Android Market in two editions, My Movies for Android Free and My Movies for Android Pro – the applications are identical with the exception that the free version is limited to maximum 50 titles, and only 10 items in trailers and title release lists.

The Pro version is available for DKK28 (~$5) + VAT in Europe. The free version allows you to fully evaluate the software before buying the pro version – if your collection already contains more than 50 titles, the free version simply only lets you synchronize the first 50.

Click here to open the pro application on Android Market.

Click here to open the free application on Android Market.

A Trip on the Heathrow ULTra Vehicle

Last month when heading to the airport to travel to IFA in Berlin I was surprised to find a cool new way of getting from the car park to the terminal – the ULTra pod!

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It was a bit like a ride at Disney World – you walk up to a station, a pod arrives, you get in and press the close button, then press the start button and away you go. You are whisked away and in minutes you arrive at the terminal. It was very cool!

Here is how they describe the system:

In summer 2011 the first public ULTra system — which is also the first commercial PRT system anywhere in the world — will open at London’s Heathrow Airport. Commissioned by BAA (formerly the British Airport Authority) the system comprises some 4 kilometers of guideway and will link one station in Terminal 5 to two remote stations in the Business car park.

The first phase of the ULTra network opens in summer 2011. It consists of 21 vehicles, two stations in the N3 Business Car Park and one station at Terminal 5.

An ULTra vehicle at Heathrow.

A single journey in either direction takes about 5-6 minutes and travels along approximately 1.2 miles (1.9km) of one-way guideway. For the majority of the trip to and from Terminal 5, the guideway structure consists of two lanes running in opposite directions separated by a central kerb, as shown on the right. This configuration gives the guideway a very small footprint, allowing ULTra to be installed within the very tight constraints posed by the present airport infrastructure.

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And here is a short video I took on it:

A ride on the Heathrow ULTra

Have you been on it yet? Tell us what you think!

Windows Phone 7 Mango Update to Start Rolling Out Shortly

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Today there was a post on the Windows Phone 7 blog saying that the Mango updates should start rolling out in the next week or two. This is great news for Windows Phone 7 users!

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Here is what Microsoft posted:

Hi everybody. Given all the recent speculation around the timing of our Mango update, I wanted to bring you up to speed on what to expect next.

For months, we and dozens of our partner companies have been laying the groundwork for the Windows Phone 7.5 update—and making solid progress. As a result, we now expect to start rolling it out in the next week or two. At that time, we’ll also refresh the Where’s My Phone Update? table to reflect the worldwide rollout status.

This also seems like a good time to caution against installing unofficial or leaked copies of Windows Phone software.

During the official Windows Phone 7.5 update process, every Windows Phone will also receive software from the handset manufacturer. This matched and paired firmware has been painstakingly tuned so your phone—and apps—work with all the new features of Windows Phone 7.5. Since your phone requires the proper firmware to function as designed, my advice is simple: steer clear of bootleg updates and homebrew tools.

By the way, in case you missed it, we recently released new versions of both the Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac and the Zune software for PCs, which you’ll need to update your phone. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to install it. I think you’ll like the update-related improvements, which speed up the overall update process and give you more control over backups. A small favor: When you update to Zune 4.8, you’ll be asked to participate in improving the update process. Please consider doing so.

I know you’re eager to get your hands on the next release of Windows Phone—and everyone involved with Windows Phone is equally excited and eager to deliver it to you. Please hang on—we’re almost there.

Eric Hautala

General Manager, Customer Experience Engineering

Let us know when your phone gets the update.

Installing SBS 2011 Essentials on SSD or SATA Hard Drives smaller than 160GB

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Introduction

This is a follow up article to Installing WHS 2011 on SSD or SATA Hard Drives smaller than 160GB that deals exclusively with Small Business Server 2011 Essentials. Soon after writing the original article and publishing it on Using Windows Home Server I realized that SBS 2011 Essentials would need a more detailed description in the cfg.ini file for the automated setup. This would have to include NetBIOS name, Domain Name, and the other particulars when setting up an Active Directory Domain. Since Windows Home Server is stand alone and does not include Active Directory the basic cfg.ini file is sufficient for the purpose it was intended for.

Who this Article is For?

This article is to be used with Small Business Server 2011 Essentials who want to install the before mentioned operating system on Hard Drives smaller than 160GB. This can be either Solid State Drives or even the traditional IDE-SATA drives.

Requirements

· A USB Flash Drive formatted NTFS

· SBS 2011 Essentials Install DVD

· A PC or Server that meets the minimum hardware requirements (with the exception of the hard drive minimum requirement)

· Monitor, Keyboard, and mouse.

Disclaimer

The How to information is intended as a guide or a helping resource to those who are trying to install Small Business Server 2011 Essentials on Hard Drives that are smaller than the usually minimum required 160GB. There is no 100% guarantee that this will install correctly as described in this article. I assume no responsibility for any consequences of the install and the user will assume the full risk of any adverse effects of a bad installation.

Instructions

1. Remove all Hard Drives currently connected to you system with the exception of the targeted SSD or traditional SATA Drive that will be used for either your SBS 2011 Essentials Operating System .

PLEASE NOTE Remember to insure all previous Data you want saved from the targeted drive is removed before installation or it will be permanently lost.

2. Format an NTFS USB Flash Drive, and create a file on it using notepad in the root called cfg.ini. (Insure there is nothing else on the USB

3. Open the cfg.ini in notepad or any other text editor

4. Cut and Paste the following into the cfg.ini file below once you have determined the correct values for the automated file parameters with the examples next to them. For more clarification on the values for the unattended answer file please go to the titlerequired.com Blog Site and read the Installing SBS Essentials using an Answer File article by Robert Pearman.

[WinPE]
ConfigDisk=1
CheckReqs=0
WindowsPartitionSize=MAX

[InitialConfiguration]
AcceptEula=True
AcceptOEMEula=True
CompanyName=XXXXXX                          (Example: CompanyName=UWHS)
Country=XX                                                    (Example: Country=US)
ServerName=XXXXXXXXXXXX                (Example: ServerName=UWHS-SBS2011)
DNSName=XXXXX.com                             (Example: DNSName=UWHS.com)
NetbiosName=XXXXXXXXXXXX             (Example: NetbiosName=UWHS-SBS2011)
Language=en-XX                                          (Example: Language=en-US)
Locale=en-XX                                                (Example: Locale=en-US)
Keyboard=XXXXXXXX                                (Example: Keyboard=00000409)
Settings=ALL
UserName=XXXX                                        (Example: UserName=Juser)
PlainTextPassword=XXXXXXXX            (Example: PlainTextPassword=Password1)
StdUserName=XXXXXX                            (Example: StdUserName=Jadmin)
StdUserPlainTextPassword=XXXXXXX (Example: StdUserPlainTextPassword=Password1)

Upon completion your cfg.ini file should look almost exactly like the example below, except of course for your own unique values for the unintended answer file parameters.

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5. Close the file and save it on the USB Flash Drive.

6. Insert the USB Flash Drive with the cfg.ini file into the targeted SBS 2011 Essentials Server’s empty USB Slot.

7. Power up your Server and insure that either you’re Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials install DVD has been inserted into your Servers ROM.

8. Once your Server has booted off the install DVD the Installer will read the CFG.ini file and begin the automated install process. There should be NO User Input required during this time.

9. When your Server Installer has finished its first part of the Install and goes to reboot for the 1st time REMOVE the USB Flash Drive and the Install DVD from your Server BEFORE your server boots back up(As shown below). This will allow the Server upon rebooting to find your hard drive and continue the installation from there without further interruption.

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10. No Further action on your part will be required and the rest of the install will finish automatically, again without any user intervention.

11. Once the installation has completed please plug in any other drives and continue with completing your server build.

Acknowledgements

I want to give big thanks to the following People in making this article possible…

UWHS Forum Member Mr. John Inwood (AKA Coalfield) for spending countless hours and referencing many different Microsoft forums for initially finding the solution to circumventing the 160GB minimum requirement in Windows Home Server 2011.

UWHS Forum Member Mr. Gnomatic for helping refining the execution of the installation process of this automated solution for installing hard drives less than 160GB.

Finally Mr. Robert Pearman over at titlerequired.com; for allowing me to refer to his article on refining the Unattended Answer File in Small Business Server 2011 Essentials.

DVBLink TVSource RC1 Patch Available

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DVBLogic have just released a patch to extend the beta period on their DVBLink 4 RC1 product suite.

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Download the patch here

Fixes:
– DVBLink server crashes in tvsource.dll or tvsource_info.dll when system has more than 8 tuners
– RTL4 (HD) jerky playback
– Weak TVSignal / dvblink server crash when one or more sources are playing TV and another TV source is started or web browser about page is opened

Notes
After RC1 installation do not add TVSource source and do not restore DVBLink configuration from backup before you applied the patch!
How to apply the patch:
– Stop dvblink server Windows service
– Copy bda.dev into <dvblink installation path>\templates\sources\tvsource\devices
– Copy bda.dev into <dvblink installation path>\common\product_info\devices
– Copy tvsource.dll into <dvblink installation path>\templates\sources\tvsource
– Copy tvsource_info.dll into <dvblink installation path>\common\product_info
– Copy tvsource_web_config.pyd into <dvblink installation path>\web_server\sources\tvsource
– Copy TVSourceExclusions.xml into <dvblink installation path>\common
– Start service again

VMware Workstation 8 Now Available Worldwide

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We talk about virtualisation products a lot here at UWHS, and now VMware have released Workstation 8.

Here is what they said:

We are incredibly excited about the release of VMware Workstation 8. In what some team members have called the biggest improvements in a decade, VMware Workstation 8 is your on-ramp to the cloud. With over 50 new features that include connectivity to vSphere, shared VMs, revamped UI, and ability to run the VMware Micro Cloud Foundry, it’s going to change the way you work with VMs. Let’s take a look at what Workstation 8 can do.

From your PC to the datacenter

As you and your organization start your journey to the cloud, Workstation 8 can help. Build and run a full web or cloud environment, including VMware Micro Cloud Foundry, right on your PC. Then when you are ready to move your virtual machines to the internal cloud, you simply drag and drop to upload them to vSphere.

Start sharing the benefits

Up until now Workstation has been limited to virtual machines running locally on your PC. Workstation 8 can run as a server to share virtual machines or host applications for your team, department or anyone else in your organization with enterprise-caliber control over user access. Say goodbye to the time consuming process of copying virtual machines to file servers or USB hard drives to share them.

Gain anytime, anywhere access

With Workstation 8 we have embraced the cloud. Workstation 8 can remotely connect to virtual machines running on vSphere, vCenter, and even another copy of Workstation on your network. Now you can leverage your PC and the internal cloud to access all of the virtual machines you need, regardless of where they are running.

New UI, new way to work

To harness all this power and connectivity, the Workstation 8 user interface has been completely revamped and streamlined with simplified menus, folder views, a live thumbnail bar and a new virtual machine library. The new virtual machine library makes it easy to view your local and remote virtual machines. Use search to quickly find the virtual machines that you need, whether they are running on your local PC, vSphere, or another instance of Workstation 8 on the network.

Run the most demanding applications

 

Workstation 8 continues to raise the bar in what you can do with a virtual machine. Workstation 8 supports 64GB RAM, HD audio, USB 3, and Bluetooth devices in a virtual machine with enhanced virtual SMP and 3D graphics performance. Workstation 8 is so powerful you can even run 64-bit virtual machines on vSphere which itself is running in a Workstation 8 virtual machine. This is not for the faint of heart!

For the complete list of new features, check out the release notes. Watch this blog for a deep dive into Workstation 8 features over the next few weeks.

Availability and pricing

VMware Workstation 8 is immediately available for purchase from the VMware online store for $199 and upgrades from VMware Workstation 6.x and 7.x are available for $99. VMware Workstation can also be purchased through VMware’s network of resellers and distributors. Or download a free 30-day trial. Customers with active VMware Basic or Production Support and Subscription Service can upgrade here.

What if I just bought VMware Workstation 7?

Customers who have purchased VMware Workstation 7 between 08/01/2011 and 09/30/2011 are eligible for a complimentary electronic upgrade under the VMware Workstation 8 Technology Guarantee Program. To get your complimentary electronic upgrade click here.

UWHS Giveaway: Win 5 Pairs of Tickets to the London International Technology Show

Next month see’s the London International Technology Show taking place at London’s ExCel centre. We have 5 pairs of tickets to giveaway.

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What is LITS?

The London International Technology Show (LITS) is a fantastic new consumer event taking place at London’s ExCel centre on the 21st – 23rd October 2011.

LITS will feature all the top technology brands and showcase everything from the latest tablets to hottest gaming software. If you want to touch, try and buy the latest technology then you need to be at LITS.

Just confirmed is the UK exclusive preview of Intel’s brand new wonderchip, showcased in one of the most awesome computer chassis ever made.

Another exclusive is the first demonstration in the UK of Berkeley Biotics’ eLEGS. A wearable exoskeleton robot that will give wheelchair users the chance to stand and walk again. You will not believe your eyes!

If that wasn’t enough you’ll be able to experience the latest products on the market, take advantage of some serious bargains (just in time for Christmas), get advice from the experts from the UK’s leading technology magazines and celebrate all that’s great in technology.

With more and more new features, exhibitors and speakers confirming daily, LITS is looking set to be the technology event of 2011.

Learn more about LITS here

How Do You Win?

Make sure that you follow us on Twitter (@aedney) and then tweet the following:

I want to win some LITS tickets with @aedney. Visit http://bit.ly/Ct7vB and RT for your chance to win.

Or just click the Tweet button below to do it automatically.

[twitter style=”horizontal” text=”I want to win some LITS tickets with @aedney. Visit http://bit.ly/Ct7vB and RT for your chance to win.” float=”left”]

The winners will be chosen at random. The prize only covers the tickets – the winners will be responsible for any transportation costs to the event.

The closing date will be Monday 26th September.

Good luck, and thanks to our friends at Dennis Publishing for the tickets.