We’ve written about it a lot, the music industry is about technology more than ever. Every day we move towards being more connected to music, with more options than ever to access our favourite artists, it’s no surprise tech companies like HP are seeking to be more integrated.
In mid-December, triplew.me was lucky enough to be invited to Saas Fee in Switzerland for the HP Winter Summit to see a range of their new lifestyle-inspired technology for 2012, while also seeing some of the Alps. Check out some of the images of the trip below.
This is Paul Kelly’s account of the trip up the mountains.
Packing for the journey to the heart of a land I only know for its chocolate and fondue, a realisation set in after checking weather.com. Actually it was a series of realisations:
So, after attacking the depths of my closet, and discovering a retro (not intentional) Holiday Jumper from 1993, I figured I was set for a few days checking out the latest HP had to offer, while taking in a few deep breaths of mountain air.
Arriving in Geneva I was lucky enough to share the three hour car trip to the Alps with DJ Monsieur Komplex, HP’s DJ. For a company with a direct collaboration with Monster Audio and Beats by Dre that must be a pretty sweet gig and I figured we’d at least get to the destination in one piece. Monsieur Komplex is one cool dude and it was indeed a pleasure heading up the Swiss Mountains with him.
After an initial night before the majority of the attendees came, I came across two new friends – Vlodimr from the Ukraine and Maxim from Russia. Now, how many jokes can you think of that start with “...an Australian, a Ukrainian and a Russian walk into an establishment in the Swiss Mountains...”.
Needless to say I was in bed by 11pm.
Perhaps Dubai has softened me. Although, according Vlodimr, Chicken Kiev is actually from Kiev and can be bought in its most tasty form (?) for around $5. The things you learn in the Swiss Alps.
It was the next morning, awaking to more snow, that it was time to get down to work. The excellent people at HP had arranged a great afternoon of activity with Sound CreatiON, actiON and another ON that involved HP’s fantastic lifestyle projects.
Led by Monsieur Komplex, this session focused on the leaps and bounds HP has made into integrating sound and entertainment options into its collaboration with Monster Audio and Beats by Dre. The new HP Pavilion dm4 Beats Edition is one tidy piece of kit (impressive too: it has an on-board subwoofer and has a nifty ‘b’ button to pump up the sound when you need...all in a fairly portable package) and will no doubt really push the buttons of those who not only like to listen to music, but are actively involved in creating it. After doing some remixing it was time learn some more.
We were also shown a new streaming service that will be standard on all HP devices called Rara.com, however this is unavailable in the Middle East. Hassle them if you want it – it does look nice n simple. In the meantime, pump grooveshark.com through your speakers.
This was a highlight of the ON sessions. Walking into the cavernous room we were confronted with a green screen, a huge 3D HP screen and a lot of camera equipment (and a dodgy looking small French fellow with a toy pistol).
All captured in 3D and able to be viewed on HP’s 3D devices (including the monster Envy 3D), which are becoming increasingly smarter. It’s also noteworthy that all the films were edited on-location in real time using HP computers running Adobe Premiere. Impressive pieces of kit.
As it transpired we weren’t there to watch someone else be in the action, we were about to become on-screen heroes as we played out a “beat the bad guy who attacks map readers in the middle of the Alps in a massive fight” moment.
Except, due to my exceptional size, and the diminutive Frenchman’s size, we decided to alter the script....should I be giving up my day job? (hint: my mid-sequence look of shock is because I actually, accidentally, punched the bad guy in the face instead of pretend-hit. Oops.).
fileHP.mp4So.........I’m a terrible actor.
This session’s name left little to the imagination. But instead of using a stylus, we used our hands to draw and assemble on the very cool TouchSmart range of PC’s. Using Adobe’s Illustrator and Photoshop we made some Holiday wrapping paper. Very cool, and very on-topic. The machines are actually fun to use...I had always thought a touch screen PC seemed pointless. Not so. At least for making Holiday paper!
Moving on, I found the coolest pieces of kit on the whole trip next. And the most nerdy. The HP Wireless Audio is a nifty little device that means your computer can stream your playlist across the whole house with each unit. AND THEN. There’s the catchily named HP Wireless TV Connect with WHDI that beams your laptop to your TV. Say no more. Portability.
But it wasn’t these pieces of home wireless frontier that pleased this correspondent. It was the even catchier named HP TopShot LaserJet Pro 200 M275nw. This beast can take a scan of a 3D image and boost it across to your computer.
So, after a long 4 hours of tough work it was time to retire for the evening. After the fondue and a tour of a Swiss Superclub called Popcorn, myself and my new friends formed over dropping bits of bread in cheese, Musicbound and Elektronista, headed back to retire at the chalet for the evening.
And after a 6 or so hour flight I was back to 28 degrees and happy times at triplew.me and looking forward to what gadgets HP has in store for 2012.
