SlashGear

SlashGear Week in Review – Week 47 2009

Shane McGlaun — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:08:40 +0000

Week in review time again, here we go! The Lenovo IdeaPad Pineview netbook hit the FCC Monday. The FCC is one of the most prolific leaker of gadgets and gear around and we love them for it. The CrunchPad is now said to be steamrolling toward a launch and may have a sponsorship deal in place. Word was a few weeks back that the tablet was dead.

The ORNL updated its Jaguar supercomputer with new 6-core Opteron processors recently. The newly updated rig grabbed the top spot on the list of fastest supercomputers in the world. The Samsung Go netbook is coming to the AT&T Wireless network as a subsidized offering. The machine will hit November 22 for $199.99 after rebates and a new agreement.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 smartphone was spied on video this week. The snapdragon speed that the prototype spied previously lacked was in effect this time around. A paper claims that the Dell Streak MID will be hitting the AT&T network in 2010. I’m not sure that a MID will really make the grade; most of us want smartphones today.

A job listing over at Apple is looking for a game engineer. This has rumors swirling that Apple is set to develop first party games for its rumored tablet and the iPhone/iPod touch. We heard this week that the fix for the camera autofocus woes of the Droid may be as easy as wiping the lens well. Other reports claim that an unannounced software patch was pushed out to fix the issue.

The Windows Marketplace for Mobile hit WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 smartphones early in the week. The store had previously only been offered to those running WinMo 6.5 devices. The Malata R108T Windows 7 convertible touchscreen netbook broke cover Tuesday looking familiar. The rig has a 10.1-inch screen and Intel Atom processor, standard netbook fare.

MSI debuted the Wind Top AE2220 AIO 1080p computer mid-week with multitouch and a 21.5-inch display. The machine can be had with Intel Core 2 Duo power and Ion graphics. ATI unveiled the Radeon HD 5970 dual GPU video card this week. The thing is very powerful and has a price tag to match.

A report came in Wednesday that had Nokia using mostly Maemo rather than Symbian on its N-series devices by 2012. Nokia later came out and said that the announcement was premature. The sexy Dell Adamo XPS went on sale this week at $1799. It’s expensive; by man do I want one.

Vizio again grabbed the top spot on the LCD shipper list in the US for the quarter. People are flocking to the firms lower priced LCD TVs rather than the more expensive big names like Sony and Samsung. Sony Ericsson has confirmed that the Xperia X1 will not be getting a WinMo 6.5 update. A ROM hinted previously that such an update might be coming.

A new version of the ever popular Flip camcorder is coming in the first half of 2010 that has a sliding screen and WiFi. The WiFi will presumably allow you to send your movies directly to your computer without connecting a USB cable. The Sony Reader Daily Edition is available for preorder now for $400. The device has wireless access to the Sony eBook store.

Olive debuted a new 4HD Hi-Fi music server this week. The thing offers audiophile grade sound quality at a steep price of almost $2000. This is a strange report, the Apple tablet is said to be delayed until the second half of 2010 to get OLED and LCD versions. The odd part is how can a device be delayed when it was never officially announced?

Thursday we detailed the Chrome OS on video. The OS has been anticipated for a while and could replace Android in devices like netbooks. The Archos 9 PC tablet has been delayed with preorders shipping in December and the full retail launch pushed until 2010. You should be able to pick the thing up at retail locations once it launches.

Imation unveiled the world’s first wireless USB external storage solution Friday called the Pro WX. The HDD has a 30-foot range and enough speed for data backups sans cable. The Motorola Motus was spotted in a particularly blurry pic this week and promises an unusual form factor. The device appears to fold back.

The Pantech Impact is now avaialbl on the AT&T network for $99.99 after rebates. The device has haptics feedback for the touch panel front keypad. That’s it for this week, have a great Thanksgiving!

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Chrome OS: Waiting Is The Hardest Part…Though Necessary

Joanna Stern — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:33:51 +0000

Google has more than emphasized that its Chrome operating system will be super speedy; it will boot in only seven seconds and surfing the web will be just be quicker. The irony is that you will actually have to wait for Google’s OS to arrive and for a pretty long time in the technology world. After giving a preview yesterday of what is in store from the Internet giant’s computing platform, Google’s Sundar Pichai said that they are “a year away” from releasing products with the operating system. Yep, we are going to be waiting for a solid 365 days!

When it comes to technology I’m an instant satisfaction type of girl, so naturally I was less than thrilled about the long wait before we start seeing new laptops with Google’s Chrome OS preloaded. (By the way, the fact that you cannot download and install the OS yourself is total BS and a subject for another column.) But, I am resigned to accepting the product delay not only because it relates to Google geeks’ needing sufficient time to work on the back end of the OS and on other techy stuff for quality assurance, but also because other improvements and developments in mobile technology over the next year or two will make the Chrome OS worth waiting for and make it an overall better experience.

More ubiquitous wireless connectivity. Given Google’s deep roots in, you know, the Internet it makes sense that they have built an entire operating system on top of the web browser. Not only will you have the main functionality of a browser, but you will be able do more through web applications that are to be developed over the next year. Point is Google wants you to spend your time online and it is clear that there will be very little functionality (details are few and far between on this) to the OS if it isn’t connected to the Net. With WiFi being spotty at best, I would assume that most Chrome notebooks will have some sort of 3G technology. However, beyond 3G’s kick to the wallet it is also slow.

The fourth generation of cellular wireless is beginning to be rolled out with sporadic WiMax coverage areas, but that uptake will be a lot wider over the next year or so. In addition, Verizon’s 4G LTE network which promises even faster speeds is slated to be rolled out during 2010 and into the next decade. With the evolution of 4G in the coming years, Google Chrome OS netbooks will be a lot more useful and powerful than they would be if introduced at this moment in time.

Improved netbook, notebook form factors. In the last year alone we have seen the physical evolution of the netbook. What started out as a notebook with a 7-inch screen has now evolved into almost a real size laptop. With 10 to 12 inch displays that can accommodate better ergonomics and longer usage, netbooks are not only better in terms of function, but have improved in design and style. And this is only going to get better in the 2010 with companies designing and releasing smartbooks that can accommodate different types of form factors because of the smaller and fanless processor architecture. By mid-2010 we will have even better looking and more interestingly crafted mobile computers that will have hardware, as we are told by Google, that will be optimized for the new OS.

Web applications with more functionality than ever before. Apple released its application SDK a few months before it actually rolled out its application store, giving developers time to create some of the most impressive applications around. It will be the same with Chrome OS. Similar to the way Adobe Air has provided a whole new crop of connected applications for the desktop, developers will be hard at work for the next year figuring out services and features to bring to the new platform, including many that will support hardware graphics acceleration and multithreading. I have no doubt that Google’s web applications will surprise us with their capabilities, just as Android and iPhone applications have during the last year. The more time for those to brew the better.

Chrome OS netbooks and notebooks if released today just wouldn’t be as compelling as those that will hit the market a year or two from now. (In fact, I actually think that the end of 2010 may even be too early for Chrome OS given the wireless ubiquity issue.) As Google has said, it is working on the future of computing and, as always, we must wait for the future to arrive, just as we must wait for our operating systems to boot up.

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Intel Cedarview 2011 Atom platform detailed: 32nm & DDR3 support

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:53:44 +0000

We’re only now seeing the first Pineview netbooks – based on Intel’s next-gen Atom platform – begin to show themselves, but details are already emerging about the silicon company’s intentions for the platform after that. Come 2011, say Fudzilla, Intel are expected to out Cedarview, a 32nm processor with a new, DDR3-compatible memory controller.

That DDR3 compatibility is particularly interesting, as it will put Atom’s RAM support on a par with what Intel’s Core i7 – Bloomfield processors can utilize. However Intel will limit supported memory to single-channel sticks, though you’ll at least be able to use two DIMMs; that, say Fuzdilla, is confirmed for the nettop platform, but it’s likely to be the same situation for netbooks.

Pine Trail processors are expected to ship in early 2010 – with some sources saying as early as January – with the Atom N450 and N470 processors on sale throughout next year and into 2011. No specific release details for Cedar Trail processors are known.

[via Netbook Choice]

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Standalone PNDs to peak in 2012; 88% to be wirelessly-connected by 2015 say analysts

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:46:44 +0000

The arrival of Google Maps Navigation was enough justification for many to declare that standalone PNDs were dead and buried, but according to Berg Insight there’s still some way to go before the devices peak. The research firm estimate that dedicated PNDs will peak in 2012, with sales around the 50m units per year mark, after which they’ll decline. They also suggest that connected PNDs will have a slightly longer grasp on the market.

Such devices – which can generally access live traffic and weather information, together with speed camera locations and other route information – are tipped to make up 88-percent of the overall standalone PND market by 2015, with the technology “taken for granted” in just a few years time. Berg Insight finger refinement in business models as responsible for the increase.

[via Cellular-News]

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Pogoplug updated: Twitter & Facebook integration, more USB ports

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:06:44 +0000

Pogoplug have announced their second-generation device, and it aims to build on the usability of the original multimedia sharing brick. As well as a new hardware design, with four USB 2.0 ports versus the first-gen model’s single port, there’s also new software with better integration with social media and online galleries such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. The core concept, however, remains the same: a sixty-second setup, basically amounting to plugging in at least one hard-drive, an ethernet connection and power, and registering the Pogoplug serial number to a free account online.

Once that’s done, any drive plugged in to any of the four USB 2.0 ports (or, indeed, even more drives using a USB hub) can be accessed via the web interface, either locally or across the internet (either from a computer or certain smartphone mobile clients). There’s automatic synchronization between the Pogoplug account and iTunes, iPhoto or Windows Media Player libraries, together with more straightforward browsing and even a global search function that turns up content no matter which volume it’s stored on.

Pogoplug have also made sharing with third-parties – such as friends and family – easier, thanks to a new addressbook that automatically remembers anybody you previously shared a folder with. Shared slideshows can be created using drag & drop within the browser, and video - just like music on the first-gen model – can be streamed directly through the browser.

The company expect the second-gen Pogoplug to ship in time for the 2009 holidays, and are taking pre-orders now with an MRSP of $129; there are no ongoing service fees.

Press Release:

Second Generation Pogoplug™ Unveiled Today

Next-generation Hardware Design and Software Provide Enhanced Storage, Multimedia and Social Media Capabilities

San Francisco, Calif. – November 19, 2009 – Cloud Engines, Inc. unveiled the second generation of the award winning Pogoplug multimedia sharing device today giving consumers more flexibility to store personal content safely in the home and access, manage, and share it from anywhere on the Internet. The new Pogoplug hardware sports a new design boasting multiple USB ports supporting up to 4 external drives for expanded data capacity. The new Pogoplug also gives users improved sharing capabilities, an easy drag-and-drop interface to create engaging multi-media slide shows, seamless media playback, and enhanced sharing with friends on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Pogoplug acts like a gateway from your home or office through the Internet. It allows you to access, share and even stream your personal digital media directly to anybody, anywhere in the world. Your content always remains physically in your home or office, making it secure, convenient and available on your terms. Pogoplug is perfect for those individuals with increasingly mobile lifestyles and small businesses in need of simple, inexpensive mobile data access solutions.

“The reaction to the Pogoplug has been incredible. By listening to user feedback and following our own product roadmap, we are bringing a great second-generation product that gives our customers access to a host of new features that both improve the function of the Pogoplug, and add to the fun of using it as well.” said Daniel Putterman, CEO of Cloud Engines, Inc. “We are committed to giving our customers the best way to access their data from anywhere in the world, pushing the envelope with both product quality and design aesthetic. The result is what you see here today.”

NEW HARDWARE
The new Pogoplug design retains the simplicity and ease of use of the original while listening to consumer feedback and adding the ability to directly connect up to 4 external hard drives at once. The resulting product boasts an improved design with greatly improved functionality for users with multiple drives and an increasing need for easy synching and sharing of their digital libraries. This upgrade turns the Pogoplug into an even more prominent feature in the modern digital home or small business.

NEW FEATURES

Automatically Synchronize Photos, Videos, Music and Other Selected Content
Users can synchronize their Pogoplug with their PC or Mac to automatically import new content from popular applications such as iTunes, Windows Media Player, and iPhoto. This feature allows Pogoplug owners to “set it and forget it” and always have access to new photos, videos and music from anywhere on the Internet.

Drag-and-Drop Music and Photo Slideshows
Users can easily create and share fun and engaging slideshows using their stored photos, videos and music. Creating a slideshow with Pogoplug is as simple as drag and drop, and sharing these slideshows is just as easy as ever. Once a user’s link is shared and viewed, their slideshow will immediately begin with the photos, videos and music they selected, playing seamlessly in the viewer’s browser.

Easier Sharing with Pogoplug Address Book
Pogoplug Address Book greatly improves the speed and ease of use of sharing with a user’s friends and family. Pogoplug automatically remembers all email addresses entered in a user’s previous shares – even if that share no longer exists – and makes them available in an easy to use address book to make sharing truly one click away.

Global Search Across Multiple Drives and Pogoplugs
With support for multiple drives on a single Pogoplug (and multiple Pogoplugs on the same account) Pogoplug has added “global” search support across all of a user’s Pogoplugs and drives. Search filters are now a distinct feature, allowing users to view all of their photos, videos and music in a single organized view, or to search for a specific file across all Pogoplugs and drives.

Organize Your Music, Photos and Videos
Pogoplug automatically displays music by Album, Artist and Genre, and shows cover art for quick access to a user’s favorite music. Photos are now displayed by photo timeline and videos are only a click away, including the ability to watch a preview in the thumbnail itself.

Play movies directly from my.pogoplug.com, or even to the iPhone
Pogoplug now supports the playback of videos directly from a Pogoplug, with support for the most popular cameras, video cameras and mobile phones. Movies can be shared and viewed directly from the Pogoplug website – or even from an iPhone!

Pricing and Availability
We are currently taking Pre-Orders for Pogoplug at www.pogoplug.com Units will ship before the end of the year – just in time for the Holiday Season. The Pogoplug has a suggested retail price of $129, with no additional service fees.

USEFUL LINKS
• Pogoplug web site: www.pogoplug.com
• Product photos: www.flickr.com/photos/pogoplug
• Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/pogoplug
• Pogoplug online community: www.pogoplugged.com

ABOUT THE POGOPLUG
The Pogoplug is a device that connects up to 4 external hard drives to the Internet. It is designed for consumers who have an external hard drive and have high speed Internet. Consumers can securely access and share all of their content [Files, Photos, and Video] from any Web browser or enabled mobile device with no additional monthly fees. Free your inner drive.

ABOUT CLOUD ENGINES, INC.
Founded in 2007 by experienced entrepreneurs from the digital media and security industries, Cloud Engines is located in San Francisco, California. The company was formed with a mission to change the way personal content is stored and distributed over the Internet. The Cloud Engines philosophy is that by making a product simple, open and affordable, the community will participate in making it better. For more information, please visit our Web site, www.cloudengines.com.

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Pegatron Smartbook caught in wild (again)

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50:07 +0000

We were only talking earlier on today about Pegatron’s Smartbook plans, and then along comes Shanzai with a quick hands-on report with one of the company’s first models. There’s no telling whether this is merely a prototype or something we’ll see in Q1 2010 with a brand-name plastered across it, but we do know it was featured at ARM’s “Technical Symposium 2009″ in Taipei this week.

According to Shanzai, it’s a 10-inch unit with a fanless ARM processor – no word on whether that’s Qualcomm’s Snapdragon – that the company expect to have always-on connectivity and speedy boot times. Meanwhile battery life is deemed to be sufficient for “all day” use, and while we’re still more than mildly sceptical about such claims, we’re definitely hopeful that it turns out to be true.

The Pegatron machine looks slightly thicker than the Quanta prototype we played with earlier this week, though given the amount of flex in the Quanta’s keyboard that’s probably no bad thing. Only Lenovo have publicly confirmed that they’ll be pushing a Smartbook out the door in January.

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BlackBerry Pearl 9100 aka Striker live shots leak

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:14:34 +0000

With all the tweaks to their full-QWERTY range, it should come as no surprise that RIM have been planning some modifications to their Pearl line-up of compact BlackBerry handsets. CrackBerry have been sitting on some leaked shots of the upcoming BlackBerry Pearl 9100, internally code-named Striker, which has a reworked SureType keyboard and optical joystick.

No word on things like camera resolution, though there does appear to be an LED flash next to it, so we’re guessing the Pearl 9100 will hover near or roundabout the 3.2-megapixel level of its full-sized BlackBerry counterparts. The styling obviously follows on from the BlackBerry Bold 9700 which is no bad thing, and adds up to a rather handsome handset.

CrackBerry are promising more photos and details of the hardware in due course, so for the moment it’s leaked shots and nothing else. No word on when we might see the Pearl 9100 arrive on shelves, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it’s soon.

[Thanks Alex!]

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Samsung Omnia II hits Verizon on December 2

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:49:55 +0000

We saw the slick looking Samsung Omnia II when it first tipped up for preorder on Amazon earlier in the fall. The handset was cool and all, but the thing has a preorder price of $999 seriously hurting the attractiveness of the device. Engadget reports that it has had a look at the Verizon launch packet for the device and the handset it set to launch on the carrier on December 2.

The best news is that the handset will be a much more reasonably priced device once you sign away two years of your mobile phone freedom. The handset will sell for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. The phone has a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED display, 8GB of storage and a microSD card slot for expanding storage.

Other features include a 5MP camera and it runs Windows Mobile 6.5 Pro. Some feared the device might run WinMo 6.1 when we first caught wind of the device, so 6.5 is an improvement. Sounds like a nice handset and if you want one December 2 will be here before you know it.

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Subsidized HP Mini 110 hits AT&T

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:36:14 +0000

In mid-October Verizon announced that it was adding the HP Mini 110 netbook to its line of subsidized netbooks. Today AT&T has announced that it is also adding the Mini 110 to its own line of subsidized netbooks. The two machines are identical and the only thing that separates them is the network they run on.

The AT&T Mini 110 will be offered starting on November 22 for $199 after mail-in rebates. The netbook runs Windows 7 and weighs 2.57 pounds. The screen is 10.1-inches, is LED backlit, and has an anti-glare finish. The machine also has 1GB of RAM.

The CPU is an Intel Atom and the netbook has 160GB of storage. The machine requires an AT&T DataConnect plan of at least $35 per month providing a mere 200MB of data or a $60 monthly plan offering 5GB of data. With all things being equal, the AT&T 3G network is notoriously spotty, the Verizon network may be more robust in your area, it is in mine.

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Pantech Impact now available on AT&T network

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:25:09 +0000

We learned back in October that the Pantech Impact was coming to the AT&T network in time for the holiday season. What we didn’t hear back in October was exactly when the device would be offered. The Impact handset is now available on the AT&T Wireless network for $99.99 after a mail-in rebate.

We already know some of the specifications and features of the device, but I will run them down again. The device has a flip out full QWERTY keyboard and a range of shortcut keys for one-touch access to IM, text, email, and apps.

The headset has a second screen inside that is made for watching video and viewing pictures. Speakers are located on each side of the screen and the device has GPS built-in. The touchpad has feedback via buzzing and controls are located on the outside of the device for music and sending texts. The Impact sells for $149.99 before the mail-in rebate.

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Imation SSD Upgrade Kit breaks cover

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:11:25 +0000

When you install a new SSD into your computer, you have to get the data from your old drive to your new one. That can be the most challenging part of the transfer. Once you are done, it would be nice if you could use your old drive for something other than a doorstop. The new Imation SSD Upgrade Kit offers you something to do with your old drive after the transfer, but doesn’t come with software or hardware for moving the data from your existing drive to the new SSD.

You could use something along the lines of the SATA Wire I talked about yesterday. What you do get with the Imation kit is a 2.5-inch M-class SSD with 10-bit ECC. The sequential read performance of the SSD is 230MB/sec and the sequential write speed is 170MB/sec.

The coolest part about the Imation upgrade kit is that you also get an external SATA enclosure for turning your old drive into an external storage solution. That is much better than having nothing to do with that old drive once your migration is done. The upgrade kit starts at $194.99.

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Motorola MILESTONE gets second German carrier: Vodafone

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:05:43 +0000

There’s nary a sign of the Motorola MILESTONE (the Euro-spec version of the Motorola DROID we’ve been so enamoured of) in the UK or indeed across the majority of Europe, but German buyers now have a plurality of choice should they want an Android 2.0 handset. Joining O2 Germany is Vodafone Germany, who are now listing the MILESTONE priced from €99 ($148) with a new contract.

Alternatively, the SIM-free MILESTONE is available on its own, priced at €499.90 ($746). Aside from switching the DROID’s CDMA EVDO Rev.A connection to an HSDPA one, the MILESTONE is the same model as on sale in the US; you also get an 8GB microSD card and 1,400mAh battery.

However, unless it’s a mistake on the Vodafone Germany site, European buyers get a wired hands-free kit whereas US owners of the Verizon DROID found no such accessory in the box. Vodafone are also offering a free multimedia station to the first 1,000 people to buy the smartphone.

[via Twitter]

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Imation unveils Pro WX wireless external USB hard drive

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:54:10 +0000

There are hoards of external hard drives on the market that connect to your computer via USB. This is far form a new product category. Imation has announced a new external hard drive that connects via USB that does have something new. The Pro WX external hard drive is the world’s first external USB derive to use wireless USB technology.

Imation claims that the drive offers fast data transfer speeds and it has 1.5TB of storage space. The Pro WX uses a 3.5-inch form factor and has a Wireless USB data transfer rate of up to 15MBs/second. That means that the drive can back up the data from an average CD in 50 seconds.

The wireless range is 30 feet from the connected computer and uses what Imation calls a one-to-one connection to prevent the signal from being intercepted. The drive works with both Mac and Windows computers and is available now for $449.99.

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Asus Eee 1201N full specifications unveiled

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:43:19 +0000

Earlier this month we announced that the Asus Eee 1201n would be hitting the market in December. At the time, the specifications for the machine had not been unveiled. Today Asus is offering up the full specifications list for the machine.

We already know that the machine will be using NVIDIA Ion graphics. It will also feature an Intel Atom 330 dual-core processor and two DIMM dual-channel DDR2 architecture. The machine will ship with ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater installed.

The screen is 12.1-inches and has a resolution of 1366 x 768. An HDMI output supports up to 1080p resolution. The machine can be had with up to 3GB of RAM and 320GB of storage. 802.11b/g/n WiFi is built-in and the battery is a 6-cell 63Wh unit good for five hours. The machine measures 296mm W x 208mm D x 27.3-33.3mm H and weighs 3.22 pounds. Pricing is still unknown at this time.

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Xbox 360 piracy bans prompt inevitable class action suit

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:27:49 +0000

Been subject to the recent Microsoft ban-fest on Xbox Live, where up to 1m accounts are believed to have been locked out after being modified to play pirate discs? Livid and refusing to take responsibility? Then lawfirm AbingtonIP may be your salvation; they’re organising a class action lawsuit which alleges that Microsoft not only over-reacted and ended up blocking accounts where users weren’t involved in piracy, but that they did so at least partially to boost Xbox Live re-subscriptions with the advent of MW2 and Halo 3: ODST.

“Microsoft has chosen to use one of the most indiscriminate ‘weapons’ in its arsenal in an effort to combat piracy — as a result, use of this ‘weapon’ has resulted in a great deal of collateral damage — many people were affected who had nothing to do with piracy” AbingtonIP

AbingtonIP are hoping to hear from Xbox 360 gamers who either didn’t receive a pro-rated refund for their remaining subscription, or who have experienced hardware issues as a result of the ban. They maintain Microsoft’s actions were “convenient” in their timing; Microsoft are yet to comment.

[via Kotaku]

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Multiple Smartbooks arriving in Q1 2010 claim Pegatron

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:15:51 +0000

Having had a reasonably prolonged fondle with Quanta’s Android Smartbook prototype yesterday, we’re actually quite excited by the platform’s prospects. According to one of Pegatron’s general business managers, we shouldn’t have too long to wait, either; Jeremy Shu is claiming that the company has received orders from a number of clients for large volumes of Smartbooks, and he expects them to launch in Q1 2010 alongside carrier partnerships for the integrated 3G connectivity.

The initial models will use generic Linux OSes, but Google Chrome OS versions are expected to figure highly in the second half of next year according to Shu. As for pricing, there’s a decent chance that the initially-vaunted $200 sticker could pan out. Shu wouldn’t reveal any specific clients; so far the only confirmed Smartbook we’re expecting is the Snapdragon-based Lenovo model which should make an appearance at CES 2010 in January.

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Motorola Motus spotted; unusual form-factor vaunted

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:56:39 +0000

Perhaps we’re naive, but we’d have thought that the sort of people who get early access to unannounced mobile phones would also have a decent camera, but perhaps it’s the thrill of the unknown that causes heavy hand shake. No matter, you’re looking at a blurry image of the Motorola Motus, the company’s mid-rage Android smartphone expected to arrive in 2010, that showed up at the Motofan.ru forums.

Complete hardware specifications are unconfirmed, but as the photo obviously gives away there’s a full QWERTY hardware keyboard and CLIQ-style iconography below the display (though this time with soft-keys rather than hardware buttons). The ‘board doesn’t look especially ergonomic, however, so we’ll have to withhold usability judgement until we have a hands-on play ourselves.

One interesting suggestion with regards the form-factor is that the keyboard flips back and that the yellow spot is actually part of the 5-megapixel camera optics. When closed, the QWERTY would actually be visible on the back of the handset.

[via BGR]

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VISA pushing NFC, webserver-SIMs & more for mobile money [Video]

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:37:39 +0000

VISA hate carrying cash and they reckon you do too, and so they’re shouting about their new wireless payment systems. Recombu caught up with the company in Paris to look at three different ways of managing payments, ranging from a straightforward on-device app, wireless payments using NFC (near-field communications), and even a VISA app embedded into a SIM with its own mini-webserver.

Video demo after the cut

The benefit of the embedded SIM solution is that you can flip between handsets but still have access to your mobile payment system. The SIM itself basically offers a miniature, platform-independent webserver, which shows up on your cellphone in the same way that basic operator menus do now.

The VISA on-device app should be showing up over the next year, but we’ll have to wait a little longer for the embedded SIM; the company says that’s likely more than two years away down the pipeline. As for NFC devices, while there are certainly handsets using the technology available – Nokia are pushing a few out, in collaboration with their own Nokia Money service – we’ll need to see more of a tipping point before tapping your handset becomes the regular way to pay.

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