The idea is reminiscent of ASUS’ Padfone, which docks an Android smartphone into a larger screen section for tablet duty. However, unlike with the Padfone – the tablet of which is only functional when the phone is inserted – Chandra envisages each section of his LIFEBOOK concept being operable when separated. The laptop would have its own processor, storage, memory, optical drive and connectivity, similar to the tablet, each working standalone as well as synchronizing when brought back together.

That would increase cost but also flexibility, though you’d need to plug in an external keyboard if you wanted to enter text on the laptop while the tablet was undocked. On the upside, however, the processors in the tablet and phone could be used to augment the performance of the notebook itself, and handwriting entry or sketching would be easier.

Fujitsu hasn’t given any indication as to whether it will be using Chandra’s idea – or, indeed, any of the other entrants to the competition – for a future LIFEBOOK model. However similar propositions are apparently in the works; the i’m circle modular computer was announced at CES earlier in the month, sharing the intelligence of a wireless “core” pendant computer unit with various tablet, phone and display peripherals. That’s tipped to go on sale later this year.

[via Recombu]

Apparently, the little beastie runs Tegra 3 under the hood and packs Android 4.0 ICS for the operating system. The tablet is apparently going to launch in the US come May. The screen is a 1280 x 800 resolution unit measuring 10.1-inches. The tablet has 16GB of onboard storage, which will be enough for many users. If you need more it has a microSD card slot, it also rocks a SIM card slot.

The front camera is a 3MP unit with a rear camera packing in 8MP resolution. The price for the tablet is thought to be in the area of $630. I see nothing here that will make this tablet a success at that over $600 price. Fujitsu’s M532 is in with some stiff competition in the over $600 price category for tablets. Check out the video below and see for yourself.

[via Engadget]

This tablet is not the thinnest in the world, nor is it the sleekest in any way, but it is light. And it does not feel fragile in the least bit, that’s for sure. It runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb out of the box, and is powered by a Texas Instruments OMAP4430 1GHz dual-core processor. The display is 1280 x 800 pixels strong and it does seem to be, in general, a pretty OK tablet.

What you’re going to see in the hands-on video here is that this tablet runs a stock version of Honeycomb and has a collection of apps so strange it’ll make your head spin. Of course this version is the NTT Docomo iteration, that meaning it’s got carrier-added apps we (and I mean I) have never heard of before. When this device is released in the USA, expect it to have LTE speeds on AT&T. That’s not confirmed, but if I was a betting man, I’d bet on that.

“North America is our priority market,” revealed Fujitsu’s Senior Executive Vice President Hideyuki Saso in an interview at CES. The company is in the process of regaining full control over its operations, taking back Toshiba’s 19.9% stake in their joint-venture. It makes both Android and Windows Phones, but isn’t sure yet which niche it will target in North America.

“We would like to identify the right way of entering the North American market that would make use of our technology and expertise to make a steady landing”, said Saso. “We don’t want to be just another mobile phone. We want to be special”.

Some of the strengths the company hopes to draw on include its wide range of thin yet durable and waterproof handsets. Its Fujitsu Arrow F-07D smartphone is touted as the thinnest phone in the world at only 6.7mm thin.

[via AllThingsD]

SuVolta calls this new technology DDC for Deeply Depleted Channel. The technology could be making its way very soon to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets where systems-on-a-chip (SoC) technologies are aggressively competing to keep down power consumption, while providing greater performance.

The current mobile landscape is dominated by ARM chips with Intel pushing its way in, but SuVolta argues that its DDC technology has several advantages over Intel’s in the areas of cost and efficiency. The DDC technology is part of SuVolta’s PowerShrink platform and devices utilizing the SuVolta technology are expected to reach the market by the second half of 2012.

[via eWeek]

Stylishly starved, the Arrows F-07D does have to forgo some on the specs, packing in a moderate single-core 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 512MB of RAM. But it otherwise features a large 4-inch 480×854 display covered by Gorilla Glass, sports 1GB of internal memory, offers a 5-megapixel camera, and manages to squeeze in micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports.

Plus, the Arrows F-07D doesn’t cheat with a large hump on the backside like the DROID RAZR and other ultra-thin smartphones. This one’s uniformly thin, varying less than 2mm between its thinnest and thickest sections. The device is expected to launch on NTT DoCoMo in 2012. There’s no word on pricing yet.

[via Android Community]

Also inside this tablet is 1GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage, and a microSD card slot able to utilize up to a 32GB card. This device has a microUSB port, a microHDMI port, and of course is able to be dunked. You’ll see a video of this happening below, but until then, note that this tablet is thus far only set for Japan. What you’ll see for a USA release instead of a video like this is BRIGHT LIGHTS and flashing WORDS and all kinds of FIRE. Trust me on that one. Have a peek at this hands-on video:

The processor on this device is the same dual-core 1Ghz NVIDIA Tegra 2, a mightily well working chip in and of itself. Note that essentially every dual-core tablet with Android that came out inside 2011 had this same processor, including the hero device for Google’s Honeycomb platform, the Motorola XOOM. AGAIN UPDATE: this tablet has the Texas Instruments OMAP4430 dual-core processor, not NVIDIA’s Tegra 2. This information comes straight from Texas Instruments, while the incorrect information can be seen in the video below.

This of course doesn’t begin to add up against the other tablet we’ve seen this week, the Panasonic Toughpad A1 which appears very much to be impervious to most anything, not just H2O.

[via NotebookItalia]

The machine can be scaled up to a 1,024 rack configuration to reach the 23.2 petaflop performance level. Fujitsu is aiming the machine at things like drug development, disaster prevention and mitigation and other research that demands high performance from the computer. The processors inside the machine are SPARC64 IXfx units.

Each of the processors has 16 cores and uses water cooling to maximize the performance per watt with standalone performance levels of 236.5 gigaflops and a performance per watt of over 2 gigaflops. Each node of the supercomputer can pack in 32GB or 64GB of RAM with memory bandwidth of 85GB/s. The supercomputers will start shipping in January with a goal of 50 systems sold over the next three years.

Although no official details are available yet, the Arrows Tab F-01D is expected to have specs that are not too shabby. It will sport a 10.1-inch WXGA display, a TI OMAP 4430 1GHz dual-core processor, and possibly support for LTE connectivity along with GSM and GPRS compatibility for roaming abroad.

It’s also expected to have both a front-facing and rear-facing cameras, micro-USB, headphone jack, and 16GB internal storage expandable with a microSD card slot. The tablet, however, is only rumored for a September launch in Japan on NTT DoCoMo. There’s no word on whether it would make it here to the states and it’s also unclear just how waterproof it will be.

[via Android Community]

This Fujitsu Toshiba masterpiece going by the name of IS12T comes in a couple of fantastically loud colors or your choice of black, and it runs Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. This is the cellular partnerships’ first Windows Phone ever AND it appears very much to be the first device to be released with Mango out of the box. This device has a massive 13.2-megapixel camera, 32GB of internal storage, and is both waterproof and dust-resistant! What more could you want?

The release information coming straight from Twitter translates horribly with Google translate thusly – exciting!

Decided finally released information ★ IS12T ~ Windows Phone ~ latest model released ★! ! ♪ This title will be released in stores August 25, we accepted from today preordered! You may want to come, ♪ I please buy

You may want to come quickly because these phones are sure to sell off the shelf! Now we can only continue to pray to the Microsoft / Toshiba / Fujitsu gods that this device will somehow miraculously be released in the USA as well. Furthermore, a fellow by the name of Tezawaly from Nanapho.jp has snapped a photo I’m sure you’re gonna love to peek at: a whole three shelves full of IS12T handsets sitting ready to be held and tossed around! Unfortunately they’re all display units, of course:

[via WMPowerUser]

Meanwhile, there’s Global Phone support with both CDMA and GSM connectivity for use in Japan and elsewhere, GPS, six-axis motion sensing, WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. The display is 3.7-inches while the processor is Qualcomm’s 1GHz MSM8655 SoC.

Fujitsu and Toshiba look to have based much of the IS12T’s design and functionality on a previous Android smartphone, the REGZA T-01C, currently available through Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo. It has a 12-megapixel camera and is also semi-ruggedized with water- and dust-resilience. Yesterday, Microsoft confirmed that Windows Phone Mango had been “RTM” or “released to manufacturing” meaning that OEMs can now begin producing devices ready for launch.

That won’t happen for a couple of months yet, however, giving developers time to begin submitting Mango-compatible apps in August. The Fujitsu Toshiba Windows Phone IS12T will go on sale in September 2011 in Japan, on carrier KDDI.

Update: DigInfo.TV was on-hand to grab some playtime with the new Windows Phone; check out their video below:

Fujitsu is still mum on the pricing for the smartphone though so you will need to check tomorrow to see what the phone sells for. The F-07C still has some interesting features like the ability to run Windows 7 and Symbian on the same device. Fujitsu is calling the smartphone the world’s smallest PC. The smartphone uses an Intel Atom processor and has the full version of IE 9 browser installed.

The smartphone also ships with a 2-year license for Office Personal 2010. The QWERTY keyboard on the smartphone will let you thumb type away. The screen is a 4-inch unit with a resolution of 1024 x 600. The phone also has security features that allow it to be remotely locked if lost. The processor is an Atom Z600 running at 1.2GHz. The front camera is 0.32MP and the rear is a 5.1MP resolution camera. Main memory is 1GB and it stores to a 32GB eMMC SSD.

Microsoft’s Todd Brix, in a blog post today, announced the rollout of a new App Hub for Windows Phone developers. The refreshed portal allows developers to manage their accounts, stay up to date on Windows Phone developments, and submit apps. Brix then revealed that Mango app submissions will be accepted starting in August with the Windows Phone Release Candidate tools made available to developers later that month to finalize Mango apps.

Assuming no unexpected bugs turn up during the last half of August, it seems certain that Windows Phone Mango will be released in September with a possible debut at Microsoft’s Professional Developers Conference from September 13-16. During Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference last week, the company already showed off some upcoming phones running Mango builds, including a Fujitsu handset that may sport a 12-megapixel camera and a Samsung Galaxy S II look-alike.

[via IntoMobile]

Apple:
Apple’s New MacBook Airs To Launch Late Next Week
Apple’s Revamped LED Cinema Displays With Thunderbolt Coming Soon
Apple iOS 4.3.4 Released, PDF Vulnerability Fixed
ITC Finds HTC Infringes On Two Apple Patents

Google:
Android patent situation not critical insists Google CEO
Google+ Has Over 10 Million Users, 1 Billion Items Shared Per Day, Says CEO Larry Page
Google Activates 550,000 Android Devices Daily, Reaches 250,000 Android Market Apps
Google+ Corporate Accounts Testing To Launch Next Week
Google Games discovered in Google+ code
Android Market Files Hint At Google Music Store

Spotify:
Spotify US goes live
SlashGear 101: What is Spotify?
SlashGear Free Spotify Invite Giveaway

Microsoft:
Microsoft Reveals New Windows Phone 7 Mango Handsets From Samsung, Acer, And More
Fujitsu Windows Phone could be tweaked 12MP Android handset
Microsoft To Ship Windows Phone Mango Devices By September?

Netflix:
Netflix Announces Price Hike, Splits DVD And Streaming Plans
Is this the chance Netflix rivals have been waiting for?
Netflix lands on Nintendo 3DS today
Blockbuster Attempts Neftlix Customer Thievery in Wake of Price Hikes

Reviews:
Android Market 3.0.26 Hands-On and Review
Spotify Premium Mobile App and Service Review [USA]
Swiftkey X Review for Android Handsets
SwiftKey Tablet X Review
T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide Review
iRiver Story HD Review

Japanese site Nanapho flagged up the comparisons initially, and LiveSide threw together the side-by-side shots you can see above. Obviously it’s too soon to say exactly which of the hardware specs Fujitsu might have carried across, but the Android handset has a 4-inch LCD display with Toshiba’s Mobile REGZA Engine 3.0 graphics processing system, a 12.2-megapixel autofocus camera with 720p HD video capture, NFC and DLNA support.

It’s also water-resistant, if only down to a meter, so it should be able to cope with being dropped into a puddle or bath. Interestingly, there’s also what looks to be an icon for the Japanese NAVITIME app on the Windows Phone version, which could well be one of Fujitsu’s customizations to the platform.

Fujitsu isn’t the only company borrowing existing hardware for its Windows Phone line-up. Nokia’s “Sea Ray” handset is clearly built on the same chassis as the MeeGo-powered N9, though presumably the processor inside has been changed.

[via WMPowerUser]

In comparison to the Fujitsu FLEPia Lite, which the company put on sale last year, the new prototype is lighter at 220g and considerably thinner, too. That’s aided by the fact that cholesteric displays don’t require backlighting or any polarizing, filtering or reflecting layers. Meanwhile, the OS has been changed, from Windows CE to an unspecified Linux build.

According to Fujitsu’s engineers, the color range that the FLEPia panel can display is a conscious decision, balancing performance and breadth. “There is a trade-off between writing speed and display colors,” the company says, “and while it is 4,096 colors and 0.7 seconds right now, if we reduce the writing speed we can make a full color display.”

Currently, the display runs at 157 dpi, with over a 34-percent reflection ratio, 8:1 contrast ratio and 20-percent NTSC color coverage. The prototype can display JPEG, PDF and EPUB documents, though obviously that’s a limit of the software rather than the FLEPia panel itself. No word on when Fujitsu might slot it into a commercial ereader, at this stage.

[via The Digital Reader]

Fujitsu first showed the Lifebook TH40/D back in mid-May, with the touchscreen tablet having a 10.1-inch display and a full QWERTY keyboard with a built-in optical trackpad. Inside is Intel’s 1.5GHz Atom Z670 paired with 1GB of RAM, while ports include HDMI, two USB 2.0 and an SD card reader. OS is Windows 7.

The lack of official information leaves us speculating on why, exactly, the tablet has been delayed. Intel’s Atom Z670 chip could be the cause; the company said it was inside 10 models, including the Samsung Sliding PC 7, but we’re yet to see them actually hit the market. The Samsung pre-order page on Amazon, for instance, has been subsequently pulled.

Alternatively, it could be the sliding mechanism causing headaches, with the potentially complicated tilting and sliding hinge a source of long-term reliability concern. Fujitsu isn’t saying anything, and nor do we know when – or indeed if – the Lifebook TH40/D will make it to store shelves.

That keyboard module is hinged so it could be used in portrait or landscape modes. The only downside I see is that the concept keyboard looks to be touchscreen. Then again, since these are renderings it may just look like a touchscreen and actually be intended to show physical keys.

The design was developed for a Fujitsu contest to design a future computer. The little concept would measure 165mm square and be 17mm thick. This concept may never become a reality, but it could I see nothing here that is too far out of the realm of reality for tech today.

[via Technabob]

The F-022 will come to Beijing Digital Telecom on June 24 and will be in all of the firm’s 1000 stores around the country. The front of the phone is a gold tone color, has a diamond pattern on the front cover, and sports a 2-karat cubic zirconia. The weird feature of the phone is a small disc that the user can remove and spray their favorite perfume onto. This will make the phone smell like perfume.

The phone has an 8.1MP camera sensor that also has a special beautiful skin mode. This mode promises to enhance the look of the people’s skin in the photos. The camera also has a pupil tracking mode to be sure that the photos offer natural looking eyes. The phone is water resistant with IPX5/7/8 rating and it is dust resistant too with an IP5X rating. The main screen is 3-inches with a 480 x 854 resolution. It has a 0.3MP inside camera and offers 210 minutes of talk in 3G mode.

The new features include anytime USB charge that allows the notebook to recharge devices like smartphones that charge via USB allowing travelers to leave their charges at home of the other devices. Fujitsu doesn’t spell out what is special about the USB ports in the release, presumably they will charge the USB devices even when the computer is off. The line of notebooks also uses a new 0-watt AC adapter. The design of the adapter allows the charger to turn off when the battery is fully charged to save power and be greener and to protect the batteries from overcharging.

Another interesting feature is a new ScrollWheel that is located next to the touch pad on the machines. The wheel is designed to make navigation easier for scrolling documents and web pages up and down. It’s not a wheel like you see on a mouse, but another small indented section similar to the track pad. The line of notebooks will also support Intel Wireless Display WiDi tech to connect wirelessly to a display or projector. The machines will also have a modular drive bay that can be fitted with a second HDD, optical drive, or that cool new bay projector we have talked about before.

[via Fujitsu]

The version Pocket-lint played with is an actual production version of the tablet that will be offered in Japan. The tablet has a 10.1-inch screen that is touch capable. The keyboard on the version that you see here apparently has some extra keys around the space bar for Japanese users and the version for other areas will not have those making it more useful. I hope that means a larger space bar, that thing looks tiny.

The table weighs 1.1kg and has a HDMI port, dual USB 2.0 ports, an SD card slot, and a headphone jack. The TH40/D also has a hardware volume control. The processor inside is the Atom Z670 running at 1.5GHz. The tablet has 1GB of RAM, which isn’t very good considering the OS is Windows 7. The build quality is first rate according to Pocket-lint. For basic computing users wanting the most portability they can get, the TH40/D is worth your consideration.

[via Pocket-lint]

As for what that new software will get you, there’ll be threaded messaging that pulls in not only linked email conversations but SMS and Windows Live Messenger in the same thread, Groups – which can be linked to Live Tiles on the homescreen – and Twitter and LinkedIn support baked in at the OS level. Facial-recognition software will be used to streamline identifying people in photos for easier tagging on social networks like Facebook.

There’s also native speech-to-text and, conversely, text-to-speech, along with inclusion of apps in search results for individual Hubs. The Live Tiles themselves will be “more dynamic” and show more information, and there’s multitasking support (which we’re guessing will be further detailed at the event itself). The updated Internet Explorer 9 will have access to the phone, location and camera, as well as apps, to better tie in web-based content with local content. It’ll also get HTML5 and hardware-acceleration support.

There’s plenty more to be found in the press release below, and of course SlashGear is at the Microsoft event this morning to bring back all the details.

[via WMPowerUser]

Press Release (translated):

Microsoft announces a new version of Windows Phone, Mango

‘Mango’ brings an intelligent and simplified approach to communication, and Internet Applications

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Microsoft announced today the new version for Windows Phone called Mango that will bring over 500 new features that exceed the user experience of smartphones, communication, and Internet applications. The new version will be freely available to all terminals with Windows Phone and can be downloaded at the beginning of this summer. More details about scheduling updates for the terminal will be announced closer to launch. Also, Windows Phone will be available for new terminals, new partners from the manufacturers.

Andy Lees, President Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft Corp., “seven months ago, we kicked off this mission: to make smart phones smarter and easier to use by users. With Mango, Windows Phone is a big step forward in redefining the way users communicate, use applications and surf the Internet, so with half the effort now to get double results. ”

Communication: connecting and sharing information is easier

Interaction with the smartphone can be complicated by a multitude of applications and accounts disconnected people trying to keep up with all the ways that communicate – from telephones, messages, emails, status updates, tweets, check ins, by tagging and posting photos. To help users cope with the complexity created, update Mango organizes information around a person or group that interacts with and not around application use.

• Threads. You can toggle between messages, chat up, and Windows Live Messenger, all in the same conversation

• Groups. Contact groups Tiles custom Live turns to see the latest statuses and quickly send a message to an email or instant message to the entire group, directly from the Start screen

• Better integration with social networks. Twitter and LinkedIn contacts are integrated into the card and can include up Mango check-in, also have available one nine facial detection software that makes it easy tagging your photos or posting them on the Internet

• Linked inbox. More email accounts in a secure inbox, conversations are organized so you can view the most recent mail

• Hands-free messaging. Built-in speech-to-text and text-to-speech, which allows writing messages and chat hands-free

A more intelligent applications

Windows Phone will change the way users look applications. Today, their usefulness is measured taking into account what can be done with the application, but its promise lies in how it can be integrated directly into the center of the experience with the phone. Besides that you can receive notifications and updates of applications directly on the home screen, Mango will add applications to the search results in Windows Phone Hubs. As a result, a useful application will be available where needed.

• Connect App. By connecting and integrating applications on their search results in Windows Phone Hubs, including Music and Videos and Pictures, applications are visible when and where needed.

• Live Tile’s improved. You can get updated information without requiring applications to be open. Live Tiles are now more dynamic and can store more information.

• Multitasking. Applications can be rotated quickly and at the same time, others may run in the background, while retaining the performance and battery duration

Surfing the Internet beyond the browser

In addition to the inclusion of Internet Explorer, the update will connect the power of the internet Mango to the unique capabilities of the phone, and identify the location, camera and access to applications, to present a new way of browsing the Internet, which is now easier use and more relevant.

• Internet Explorer 9. The power of a PC browser-based IE9 support for HTML5 and support for hardware acceleration

• Recognize local (Local Scout). Providing local results and recommendations for nearby restaurants, shops and suggested activities, present in a user-friendly guide

• Bing Windows Phone. More ways to search the Internet, including Bing Vision, Voice and Music Search, so that decision making is easier

• Quick Cards (Quick Cards). When searching for a product, movie, event or place we provide a summary and relevant applications

Strengthening Ecosystem

Phone Windows ecosystem has increased steadily since the launch of Windows Phone 7 in October last year, with more than 17,000 applications available on the Marketplace, and Windows Terminal Phone available from a number of international partners and Microsoft, Nokia recently announced partnership . Mango will further expand Windows Phone ecosystem through partnerships with Acer, Fujitsu Ltd. and ZTE Corp.. Which were committed to produce devices with Windows Phone sites for various global markets until the end of this year. Moreover, a Beta version of Windows Phone free tools for developers, which will be used to create the next generation of applications and games Mango, will be posted on a public Microsoft site within 24 hours.

More about Mango for developers and a download link are available at: http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2011/05/24/developer-news-beta-mango-tools-available- today.aspx

The new machines include the Celsius H910 and H710 models. The H910 is a 17.3-inch screen machine offering lots of workspace and packing in available Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors with Intel vPro tech. The notebook also runs Windows 7 Pro and has NVIDIA Quadro 4000M or 3000M graphics with 336 or 240 CUDA cores depending on the GPU chosen. The H910 can have up to 32GB of RAM and sports Bluetooth, 3G, and more.

The H710 is very similar with a smaller 15.6-inch screen. It also has integrates WiFi, Bluetooth, and UMTS service. It is available with the same Intel Core i5 or i7 processors with vPro technology. This notebook can have up to 16GB of RAM and is offered with NVIDIA 1000M Quadro graphics packing in 96 CUDA cores. Exact pricing on the machine isn’t offered and Fujitsu notes that the machines are available now and the price varies on region and configuration. These notebooks will have high-end prices.

The tablet is going to have a 7-inch screen and will likely run Android 3.1 as the operating system. There are few details about the tablet at this time. It would be interesting to see the machine show up with the same sliding form factor as the TH40/D packing in a keyboard underneath the screen. I would bet it would come with the standard touchscreen tablet format we are all familiar with though. The price range for the tablet that is hinted at is a large one.

Fujitsu is looking at a range from $347 to $694. The low end of that scale is where we need to see some new Android tablets land. Most of the tablets are too expensive for many consumers to risk. Fujitsu will reportedly farm out the construction of the tablet to an unnamed Taiwanese ODM. Fujitsu is also said to be adding support for a stylus and a 3.5G module to the TH40/D when it launches in Taiwan with pricing for the model with those features at NT$30,000.

[via Android Community]

The Fujitsu LifeBook T901 features NVIDIA’s Optimus hybrid graphics technology and a 2.5GHz Core i5 processor. It has 2GB RAM, a 250GB hard drive protected by a shock sensor, and a dual-layer DVD burner. Its 13.3-inch touchscreen LCD display has a 1280 x 758 resolution and can also support five-finger capacitive multitouch with the $100 addition of a dual digitizer.

The modular bay also allows you to hook up either a secondary battery or a hard drive. There is also an integrated fingerprint reader for added security. It comes preloaded with Windows 7 Professional, with support for WiFi, Bluetooth, a webcam, dual microphones, and an HDMI output. Pricing starts at $1,899.

[via Electronista]

Fujitsu says that starting in July you will be able to order that pico projector as an option on the Lifebook P771 and S761 notebook models. In April, Fujitsu also said that the projector would be offered as an option on the P711 as well. This time around, we have a few more details on the projector. It will have integrated buttons for brightness and keystone correction, and it uses laser tech to offer color depth and crisp, clear images.

The more interesting thing in the latest release from Fujitsu isn’t that the pico projector in the drive bay will be on these notebooks. That we already knew about. The big news rather is that Fujitsu is also promising that the projector for the drive bay will eventually be offered for any Fujitsu notebook with a modular drive bay. The drive bay projector will ship starting July 1 and will cost EUR 499 with pricing varying by region.

The TH40 has a sliding form factor that reminds me of several smartphones that I have seen. The screen slides up and sits at a slight angle to reveal a keyboard underneath. The angle would make the screen more comfortable to view. Fujitsu calls the keyboard a “touch-type keyboard” which makes it sound virtual, but from the photo, it appears to be a normal keyboard with low profile keys. The screen of the machines is a 10.1-inch unit.

The overall thickness of the TH40 is 17.4mm and it weighs in at 1.1kg. That would make the machine very thin and portable. The TH40 will land in June and Fujitsu isn’t giving up the price just yet. The company is also mum on the hardware specs of the TH40 as well, we don’t even know the OS that will be used or what sort of processor will be inside the thing. We do know that it will be Blu-ray compatible with the use of an external drive, which likely means USB ports, and the screen is touch sensitive.

The Nexus S 4G smartphone hit Sprint and Best Buy stores yesterday, looking very round, and running Gingerbread.

Some new HP notebooks are here, for both business and consumers, the HP ProBook 5330m and the EliteBook 2560p and 2570p, plus the HP Mini 210.

Moar tablets! That’s what we say. Here are two: The BeBook Live is an affordable Android option, coming this summer, and the Fujitsu Stylistic Q550 is running Windows and channeling a netbook.

The HTC Salsa and ChaCha Facebook phones dance in for pre-order.

That’s it for our Morning Wrap-Up, stay tuned as the day goes on for more news and analysis.

The new slate is up for pre-order for the first time for people in the US and it has a price starting at $729. The slate has some interesting features that might make it appealing to business users. The machine runs Windows 7 for instance so it will work with some of the software you probably use in the office. It uses Intel Oak Trail platform and has a 10.1-inch screen. That 10.1-inch screen is a 1280 x 800 resolution unit.

The base model sells for $729 and for the money; you get a 30GB SSD and a dual cell battery. An upgraded version of the slate sells for $849 and gets the user 62GB of storage and a four-cell battery. Both of the units have front and rear cameras, HDMI output, and USB ports. They also have WiFi, a SD card reader, and more.

[via Engadget]

That little square is actual a palm vein reader that can see the unique vein structure in your palm and verify you are the correct user without you actually having to touch the palm to the vein reader. Other than the cool palm reader, the computer is your average business focused rig. It has a 15.6-inch screen and uses the Core i7-2620M CPU. The screen has a 1366 x 768 resolution and it has an Intel QM67 Express Chipset.

Other features include a 160GB HDD, and 1GB of RAM. It would be safe to assume that this machine also has WiFi onboard. The OS is Windows 7 Pro 32-bit and it will sell for 240,135 yen in Japan when it lands in the middle of May. The computer also has a cool power adapter that will stop drawing power when the battery is fully charged. That means that it consumes no power when if plugged in when the battery is fully charged.

[via PCWatch.impress]

Fujitsu has a couple new notebook that mobile workers that have to carry a projector may wet themselves over. The new machines are the Lifebook S761/C and P711/C notebook computers and both of them give up an optical drive to get a pico projector inside the optical bay. The loss of the optical drive won’t be a big deal for many people considering that many ultraportable on the market today have no optical drive either.

The difference in the two machines is the screen size, the S761/C is a 13.3-inch notebook and the P711/C is a 12.1-inch notebook. The pico projector inside the machines is an option and it has a resolution of 800 x 600. The 761 can be fitted with a Core i3-2310M, Celeron B810, or a Core i5-2520M processor. The screen resolution is 1366 x 768 and it has 160GB of storage and 1GB of RAM. The smaller machine has the same processor options minus the Celeron. Pricing and availability are both unknown.

[via AkihabaraNews]

It uses passive 3D glasses and the 15.6-inch screen has an Xpol 3D filter on it. The screen resolution is 1366 x 768 and it has 400nits brightness. The notebook uses an Intel Core 15-2410M 2.3GHz CPU and has integrated HD 3000 graphics.

Fujitsu putts 4GB of DDR3 RAM inside the machine and it has 500GB of storage. Power for the rig comes from a 6-cell battery that will power the machine for up to seven hours. The notebook also has a 1.3MP webcam and can record 3D video. The AH572 sells for $999.

Flash storage, DRAM, LCD panels, microcontrollers and other materials will all be impacted, according to iSuppli, though high existing stock levels of some components are expected to smooth the transition somewhat. Semiconductors, for instance, are only expected to be delayed by weeks, whereas NAND and DRAM are already seeing price surges of around 10- and 17-percent respectively. Solar panel production has also been affected, with AUO owned M. Setek shutting down its facilities as it investigates damage.

Texas Instruments has confirmed that its Miho plant – responsible primarily for analog and DLP wafer production – suffered substantial damage, and doesn’t expect full shipment capability until September 2011. Panasonic’s LCD fab has been more moderately impacted, though will suffer downtime due to its proximity to the most affected areas. Hitachi – which supplies displays for LG phones and Nintendo’s DS – has halted production as it assesses damage, while eight Sony production facilities have been similarly frozen while assessments take place. These include CD and Blu-ray production, Li-Ion battery manufacture and other components. Toshiba [pdf link] has warned its NAND production could drop by up to 20-percent, Apple being one well-known client of the flash storage, while it has also closed its CMOS image sensor plant which supplies Nokia among other clients.

Meanwhile, power shortages are impacting areas less physically affected by the earthquake, with TI reporting its attempts to shift production to other facilities are being delayed by the absence of stable power. Several undamaged Sony facilities are voluntarily offline in an attempt to conserve electricity, while Hitachi, Fujitsu, Toshiba and others are shutting down various levels of production, business operations and electronic signage in response. Specific products affected include Fujifilm’s X100 camera, according to reports, manufacture of which has temporarily ceased.

Even if production levels are stable, actually shipping components to OEMs remains an issue. Transport links have been heavily impacted, in addition to preventing employees from reaching production facilities. Although it’s easy to dismiss tech manufacture as a luxury amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Japan’s economic recovery is essential if the population is to get the long-term assistance and support it needs. That includes not just the sizable donations from Japanese businesses this past week, but stable employment moving forward.

It bears repeating, though, that the various aid, relief and rescue operations ongoing in Japan continue to need support today. You can find out more on how you can help here.

It’s not the first time the two companies have worked together, though the new agreement could see more high-power chipsets from Fujitsu Semiconductor. It’s likely that the company will supply its own Fujitsu smartphone arm, though the processors could also end up in tablets and other hardware.

Press Release:

Fujitsu Semiconductor and ARM Sign Comprehensive License Agreement

A strategic partnership using cutting-edge IP such as Cortex™-A15 and Mali graphics to expand global business

CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom & YOKOHAMA, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited and ARM today announced that they have signed a comprehensive license agreement for ARM IP products. Through this strategic agreement, Fujitsu Semiconductor will offer platforms featuring the latest ARM technology including the Cortex™-A15 processor, Mali™ graphics and CoreLink™ systems IP, in order to help accelerate its customers’ product development.

“The combination of ARM’s advanced processor, system and graphics technology and Fujitsu’s leadership in advanced SoC development forms a solid foundation for the development of pioneering semiconductor products.”
The two companies have been collaborating for more than a decade. More recently, Fujitsu Semiconductor launched sales of its FM3 family of general-purpose microcomputers equipped with the Cortex-M3 processor last November.

The agreement will enhance and deepen the companies’ partnership, and Fujitsu Semiconductor will provide its customers with cutting-edge ARM technology at an early stage as it develops new products in order to accelerate its customers’ product development.

The combination of compatible and scalable low-power processor IP, including the recently launched Cortex-A15 processor, graphics and fabric IP, will enable Fujitsu Semiconductor to continuously provide its customers with complete, full function SoC platforms featuring ARM technology, while significantly reducing time-to-market.

“Fujitsu Semiconductor is working to enhance its product appeal and boost its IP lineup,” said Corporate Senior Vice President Haruyoshi Yagi of Fujitsu Semiconductor. “One of the major ways in which we are doing this is with this comprehensive license agreement we have signed with ARM. This will allow our customers to select the ARM technology most suited for their application, and use a platform that combines it with other IP provided by us. These platforms will use our proven design and authentication technology, meaning we will be able to achieve high levels of quality and functionality, as well as a dramatic reduction in LSI development time.

“Fujitsu Semiconductor provides products that meet its customers’ needs in a timely manner over a wide range of applications. We are already moving ahead with the provision of IP to ASIC customers and the development of our ASSP, which are scheduled to be rolled out sequentially in the second half of 2011.

“In addition, we will share the Fujitsu Semiconductor product roadmap with ARM, and closely collaborate in the development of future ARM technologies, from the specification setting stage and up. As a strategic partner, we look forward to an even closer relationship with ARM.”

“In a constantly evolving marketplace, ARM is committed to empowering its Partners with the resources they need to not only remain competitive today, but to meet future technology challenges head-on,” said Tudor Brown, president, ARM. “The combination of ARM’s advanced processor, system and graphics technology and Fujitsu’s leadership in advanced SoC development forms a solid foundation for the development of pioneering semiconductor products.”

SUPA has been co-developed with The Fraunhofer Institute, and basically works in a similar – but higher-power – way to your electric toothbrush or Palm Touchstone. Outwardly invisible, the magneto-induction transmitter antennas allow for “park and play” computing, with a single display toted around to different rooms or cubicles.

As for the data, in the proof-of-concept that’s served with a wireless USB system with a roughly 10m range; hopefully that could be boosted to support whole-house (or office) range in the commercial versions. No word on pricing or specific availability at this stage, nor official photos of the system.

Press Release:

Fujitsu Shows World’s First Truly Wireless Display at CeBIT

Award-winning breakthrough power innovation consigns cables to the display technology history books

Munich/Hanover, February 28, 2011
Fujitsu today announces that it is showing a working design study of the world’s first truly wireless PC display at CeBIT 2011, which takes place in Hanover, Germany, from March 1-5. The leading European IT infrastructure provider expects that commercial wireless display models featuring the breakthrough innovation SUPA (Smart Universal Power Access) technology will go into production within the next year.

Incorporating wireless power technology developed by The Fraunhofer Institute and partners within a German research project funded by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Fujitsu proof-of-concept display is completely portable, cable-free, and the world’s first display using wireless to provide both the power and the signal for the screen. The technology paves the way for “park and play” computing, where displays are powered simply by being placed on a desktop or conference table hot-spot.

Wireless 22-inch Fujitsu displays are powered by SUPA technology (Smart Universal Power Antenna), drawing power via magneto-induction from transmitter antenna that can be built-in to desks or office panels. The smart-power antenna is concentrated on a hot-spot and the technology is completely safe, just like induction-based kitchen hobs and electric toothbrush chargers. The display receives picture images via wireless USB from a desktop or notebook, with a range of up to 10 meters.

At CeBIT, a futuristic office desk featuring the wireless display, designed by the furniture company Euskirchen, will receive a Universal Design Award 2011 . The Consumer Favorite category award will be handed over at 12:00 on Wednesday, March 2, at CeBIT in hall 19.

Says Rajat Kakar , Senior Vice Pr esident Workplace Systems at Fujitsu Technology Solutions: “We are planning to introduce the first models incorporating totally wireless power technology to our LED-backlit display range within the next year. This is another technology innovation from Fujitsu, following on from our 0-Watt PCs and displays. In operation, there’s no difference in quality from the desktop image – except that we’ve consigned cables to the history books of display technology.”

Pricing and regional availability for the truly wireless Fujitsu displays is still to be determined and will be revealed at the commercial product launch.

CeBIT visitors will find the wireless displays on the Fujitsu booth in the Dealers Only section (hall 15, booth F15).

The STYLISTIC Q550 Slate is aimed at use in all sorts of settings from the office to the hospital and industry. The Q550 has a 10.1-inch screen that is LED backlit and uses IPS tech. The machine has WLAN, Bluetooth, and optional mobile broadband. The Q550 runs an Atom processor and uses Windows 7 Pro 32-bit with 2GB of onboard memory.

The screen is anti-glare and will accept pen input and capacitive multi-touch as well. Portability is important and the tablet weighs a bit more than 1.5 pounds according to Fujitsu making it very portable. The battery is user removable and two or four cell options are available. Other features include cameras on front and rear, USB slots, HDMI out, audio out, a dock connector, VESA mounting support, and optional Gobi 3000 with GPS. Shipping is set for this spring with pricing starting at under $800.

Fujitsu’s Stylistic Q550 comes with a whole slew of enterprise level security features including a fingerprint reader, smartcard slot, and trusted-platform module (TPM). The tablet will run Windows 7 Professional using the Intel Oak Trail Atom processor and has a 10-inch LED touchscreen display that works with either stylus or finger.

The device comes with front and rear cameras, a choice of 32GB or 64GB SSD, an optional 3G module, and a USB port. Battery life is estimated at eight hours. The tablet should be available in Europe by April. There are no details yet on pricing or availability for the US.

[via Electronista]

The team attached a small eraser to the robots hand and then a human instructor guided it in a variety of sweeping motions. A force-torque sensor in the robots wrist recorded the patterns, forces applied other hand to erase the board, and then the robot was able to replicate the motions.

The cool part there isn’t that the bot learned to erase the whiteboard, but that the machine learned by being show what to do rather than being programmed. When you look at it from that point of view it’s a really cool project. Check out the video below to see Mr. Roboto in action.

via PlasticPals

The image sensor has 14MP resolution and can shoot eight frames per second at full resolution. It also uses the H.264 codec engine and can record video in 1080p resolution. The sensor is aimed at the mobile phone, camcorder, and digital camera markets.

The integration of the H.264 Full HD codec allows for stills and HD video with a single chip. The new chip also has a much-improved processing algorithm that has better quality and performance. It has two ARM processors, and a CPU core inside. Fujitsu says that the price of a sample for the new processor is 3,000 yen. In bulk, they would be cheaper naturally.

Video demo after the cut

Meanwhile content creation also gets some attention, being more like a stack of LEGO – i.e. you can actually produce documents – than a slab of chocolate. Meinolf does love content consumption, mind. The eagle-eyed might spot what looks to be a QWERTY keyboard dock in some of the sketches on the wall behind him.

Finally, rather than a scratchy kitchen scouring pad, the Stylistic Q550 will be like a soft scarf – somewhere welcoming and warm, thanks to the overlay showing a day-to-day pane of widgets, calendars, RSS feeds and more. We’ll have to actually wait and see how well the Fujitsu holds up in day to day use, but we definitely give the company credit for stepping out of the ordinary when it comes to their promos.

[via Notebook Italia]