"Blended Reality" - HP's Comeback Product

By Kaitlynn Bayne

HP has had a rough time recently.  If you think about it, HP hasn’t been in the spotlight for much other than their recent split into two companies.  But, after years of work, they are now coming out with what might be their comeback product. 

They don’t even refer to their newest computer as a PC.  It is under a completely new category called Sprout.  It consists of a computer screen- like a PC monitor, and a touch screen mat.   You can put a physical object (for example, a block) and Sprout can take a picture of it and convert it into a 3D image on the computer screen.  Similarly, if you find a picture you like on the computer, you can “flick” the picture, and it will appear on the mat screen.  Of course this doesn’t produce a physical object, but it appears on the mat, which allows you to rotate the object and make changes to it.  Sprout is part of HP’s new initiative called HP Blended Reality ecosystem.

HP is also introducing a new 3D printer that can be paired with Sprout.  This pair seems really cool for people interested in 3D and graphic design.  It’s a bit pricy- nearly $2000 for Sprout itself.  Because it is very focused on 3D design, I don’t see it becoming the newest staple in everyone’s household.  However, I think it will be a very useful new tool in Design schools and workplaces that deal with graphic design.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2014/10/29/hp-sprout-3d-printing-first-look/18105925/

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