14 DAY TRIAL // There used to be a time when only Smart TVs made up the Smart Display market, because all-in-one PCs kind of made smart monitors a bit redundant, but that's no longer the case, as the new monitor from ViewSonic will attest.
Called ViewSonic VSD231 smart display, it uses an NVIDIA Tegra 4 SoC (system-on-chip) to run.
It's what allows it to double as a TV in a pinch, or a secondary touch monitor to a laptop (thanks to 10-point touch tracking).
The newcomer measures 23 inches (that much could have been guessed from the name) and uses LED backlighting, as is pretty normal at this point.
The official announcement says that the product has a LAN port, specifically an RJ-46. That means that it's possible to use it as an extended desktop.
Say you have a server. You can link the monitor straight to it, and just connect a keyboard and mouse. You won't even need an actual desktop system to work.
If you're not using it at work, you can still employ the network port without the PC being turned on, just by activating the display and employing the social networking apps and widgets.
The monitors does have Android loaded on it after all, and the Tegra 4 SoC from NVIDIA is accompanied by most of the features found on tablets too.
So you can definitely put that 1080 Full HD resolution, 10-point multitouch support, SD reader and integrated 2 MP camera to good use, PC or no PC.
The SD card slot might be particularly important, because there doesn't seem to be much integrated storage space. Just enough for the OS really (Android Jelly Bean 4.3 operating system).
Furthermore, we're looking at Google GMS certification (essential for social media apps and cloud services) and USB connectivity, plus HDMI of course.
In addition to the VSD231, ViewSonic has revealed the 23-inch, LED-backlit SD-A235 Citrix XenMobile Smart Display, which is loaded with the Citrix WorxHome app. It's like the VSD231, only made for small/medium businesses, health care facilities, educational institutions and other customers that wouldn't put full-fledged desktop PCs to complete use.
"With educational institutions, medical facilities, and corporations looking for ways to cut costs, but not wanting to sacrifice productivity, the SD-A235 will increase efficiency in any VDI setting," said Jeff Volpe, president of ViewSonic Americas.
"Customers are looking for security and control to leverage their mobile and cloud-based investments, and the SD-A235 delivers this in one fully manageable and secure environment. ViewSonic is proud to offer an all-in-one technology solution that takes performance and productivity to a whole new level."