14 DAY TRIAL // Over the last few days a buzz was created around a leaked picture that showcased a small-sized portable computer system, designed by Lenovo, which looked like a possible competitor for Sony's recently announced Vaio P netbook. Just recently, Lenovo posted some pictures of the device, further fueling the rumors according to which a new Lenovo netbook would soon surface, providing users with a different overall design, compared to most other similar products on the market. However, it seems that there's a reason why we have no technical specifications on said device.
Apparently, the pictures that have recently surfaced the Internet actually showcase a two-year-old concept that Lenovo's Beijing design center has referred to as the “Pocket Yoga.” Unfortunately for those who were holding their breath until the Pocket Yoga would become available, the PC vendor hasn't expressed its intention of releasing such a product. The concept was part of a design experiment, which hasn't made it to market. However, given the buzz that has been created around the possibility of such a product becoming available in stores, Lenovo could reconsider its position.
As you have probably seen in the pictures, the Pocket Yoga has adopted the shape of a large wallet, enabling users to easily put the device in their pockets and carry it along on their journeys. The surface of the notebook is covered with wallet leather, providing it with a more personal touch, something that most computer systems lack. The Pocket Yoga was meant to offer a 360-degree soft hinge design that could enable a higher level of usability and a new overall experience for the end-user.
Despite its relatively odd shape, the Lenovo Pocket Yoga might have some market potential, especially in today's computer market where the focus is shifting towards smaller-sized computer systems that are capable of providing the end-user with easy access to the Internet and the basic computing features. It’s also interesting that Lenovo's design team has been able to develop a computer design that is strongly related to that of the current netbooks on the market, one year before the netbook frenzy reached its current level.