Part of what makes the Beam so distinctive from the netbook rank-and-file is its twisting hinge section, which flips down to prop up the keyboard at a comfortable angle as well as to reveal the ports.  Since Tegra 2 supports 1080p Full HD, Mobinnova have fitted the Beam with an HDMI output along with the usual USB 2.0 and audio in/out; there’s also a multifunction connector which – with a dongle – adds ethernet and VGA.

Of course, one of the billing points of smartbooks is that they offer all-day connectivity and battery life, and so the Beam gets WiFi b/g, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and integrated triband UMTS/HSPA (850/1900/2100).  When it launches later this year it’ll be available exclusively with AT&T service in the US.  As for that battery, thanks to the frugal ARM Cortex A9 processor NVIDIA have picked for Tegra 2, Mobinnova still maintain you’ll see a full-day’s use despite the compact 232 x 186 x 20.5 mm size.

In use, Mobinnova’s OS – a custom UI built on top of Windows CE – proved smooth and responsive, and we were able to open up several Firefox tabs as well as play media simultaneously without any slowdown.  NVIDIA also showed us the Beam playing 1080p footage on an HDTV, which played without a pause.  Later on there’ll be an Android version of the Beam too, though that wasn’t ready for CES 2010.  The pay-off to the bag-friendly scale is a relatively small 8.9-inch (1024 x 600) LCD and a keyboard that’s a little on the cramped side for our liking, but there’s no arguing with the portability.

No word on pricing or specific release dates, but we’re hoping AT&T subsidies bring the Mobinnova Beam down to a sub-3G-netbook level.  More photos and a video demo below.

Mobinnova Beam with Tegra 2 hands-on:

The Beam runs Windows CE Embedded, with a custom UI on top of that underlying OS.  Mobinnova demonstrated one such UI a few months back, but there’s no word on exactly what will have made it to the production model.  The company has confirmed that, at least initially, there won’t be an app store for the Smartbook, although they’ll make some apps and games available as (potentially paid) downloads.

There’ll also be carrier customisation, but while the Beam has a GPS chip there won’t be a navigation app.  CTO Mark Anderson refuses to be drawn on potential monthly data costs (or indeed the initial cost of the Beam itself) but we’re tentatively optimistic about his talk of falling subscription rates.

These OSes, Rayfield, suggests, would make the most of Tegra’s frugal power requirements.  The chipset can play back video content with power draw of 1W or less, while an Atom CPU, he claims, would require several times that.  Nonetheless, Tegra is capable of high-definition playback, and NVIDIA believe that in combination with the surge in internet-based apps, consumers will happily give up “dehydrated laptops” running traditional Windows desktop OSes and instead choose longer runtimes, broader connectivity and increased HD performance from Tegra Smartbooks.

Meanwhile, Mobinnova have apparently confirmed that their Smartbook, presumably the Foxconn-manufacturered Mobinnova Elan, has been ordered by various carriers in Europe and North America, and will reach the market by the end of the year.  Another machine, produced by Compal, will also apparently go on sale before 2009 is out.

The main display is a 3-inch WQVGA panel, while underneath it there’s a smaller 1.15-inch 128 x 96 OLED navigation pad.  A 3-megapixel autofocus camera lurks around the back, with a VGA version up front for video calls, while there’s also TV-output, a mini USB connector and microSD card slot.

The HIGHSCREEN PP5420 uses Qualcomm’s 528MHz MSM7201ATM chipset, has Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and an FM radio.  It measures 114 x 53.5 x 13 mm and weighs 120g with the battery.

Vobis apparently intend to sell the HIGHSCREEN PP5420 for €360 ($507) when it arrives in Russia next week.  No talk of plans to release it in Europe or the US, so this may be one of those odd devices that we have to bemusedly admire from afar.

[via Android Community]

Video after the cut

The UI on show in the video is of NVIDIA’s own development, and is – according to NetbookNews – unlikely to ship on the production élan.  Instead, it’s being supplied to NVIDIA’s partners and they’re making their own changes as necessary. 

We’re still not entirely sure as to when the Mobinnova élan will begin shipping, though NVIDIA have been talking about at least one hardware release by the end of 2009.  That device – model unconfirmed – is expected to be priced at around $244 and launch on Black Friday.

Video overview after the cut

The élan has an 8.9-inch display and a distinctly nifty hinged port panel on the back, which should do a decent job of keeping dust and other things out of the sockets.  It weighs 1.84lbs and has integrated WiFi and 3G connectivity, plus it’s fanless.

We’re promised a second video with a walkthrough of the élan’s software soon, but we already know it has a custom 3D GUI and support for Office documents, YouTube and Hulu video.  More on the hardware specs of the Mobinnova machine here; we’re not entirely sure of when it will arrive, but it could be the tipped model expected at $244 on Black Friday.

There’s obviously Tegra’s clever hardware Flash acceleration, which means full web access and speedy HD videos from YouTube and Hulu, together with a 3D GUI and webcam.  Somehow, Mobinnova have managed to make all this fanless.

In addition to the élan there’s another Mobinnova Tegra device, the T8, which throws in a 10.1-inch touchscreen and GPS, plus HDMI and VGA outputs.  According to the company these are just the first two of several Tegra-based netbooks set for launch; no word on pricing or availability yet, though.

Press Release:

A NEW ERA IN MOBILE COMPUTING

MOBINNOVA UNVEILS THE “élan” WITH HOURS OF HD MULTIMEDIA AND INTERNET POWER “ON THE GO”—COMPUTEX

The Book-Size élan Powers Up Easily, Provides 5-10 Hours Continuous HD Video Playback, 24 Days Audio Playback, Internet Browsing And Graphics Never Seen On A Mobile Computing Device

June 2009, Taipei, Taiwan-A mobile computing revolution arrives June 2, at the Computex 2009 show in Taipei, where content providers, carriers and consumers get their first look at what may be a whole new category of high performance communication devices. The élan is first in Mobinnova’s line of ultra-portable computing devices powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra™ Computer-on-a-Chip. The 2 lb. élan is like a netbook in that it’s small, has a keyboard, and offers easy access to the Internet. However that’s where the similarities end. The élan powers up instantly, connects directly to a 3G wireless network, offers hours of continuous use, full page web browsing, and delivers graphics performance never seen before on a mobile computing device–all packaged in Mobinnova’s stylishly thin design. “This truly portable device is a pleasure to hold and to use. It offers 720p high-definition video playback, full Internet browsing and an impressive battery life,” says KC Kuo, Chairman and CEO of Mobinnova. “We like to say it ‘runs on fun’. It’s a real game changer.”

The size of a hardback book and weighing less than 2 lbs., the Mobinnova élan is compact, quiet and cool. “It’s the most powerful mobile Internet device you can easily pack in your purse, backpack or briefcase. You can use the élan for hours, even days between charges,” says Mike Holland, Vice President of Business Development for Mobinnova. You can also use it anywhere–on a plane to Nepal, at a café in Paris, on the sidelines of a soccer game, in a college dorm room, or sitting in bed. “The élan’s advanced power management means hours of viewing pictures, HD videos, Internet browsing, and reading and responding to email,” says Holland. The Mobinnova élan offers:

• 5-10 hours of continuous HD video playback on a single charge (dependent on screen usage).
• Up to 24 days of continuous audio playback on a single charge (if screen not in use while listening to audio).
• 8.9 inch screen size provides a rich viewing experience and full page web browsing.
• Ultra-light, compact design at 1.84 lbs (836g), 9.1 inches (232mm) x 7.3 inches (186 mm) x .8 inches (20.5 mm).
• NVIDIA Tegra-based platform that supports accelerated Adobe® Flash® animations and 720p high-definition video playback.
• Both Wi-Fi and 3G wireless connectivity, enabling you to check your email, social networking accounts, and do internet searches wherever you are.
• An innovative 3D graphical user interface.
• QWERTY keyboard and touchpad.
• Ability to view Microsoft® Office® and Adobe® documents.
• A webcam for sharing video.
• Fast, high resolution photo rendering, upload, and download.
• Fanless operation for a quite, cool experience.
• Advanced power management, allowing the élan to draw as little as 50mW during typical operation and 150mW during video playback, a fraction of most devices on the market today.

Mobinnova’s élan is the first in a family of mobile devices based on the Tegra platform from NVIDIA, the inventor of the GPU. Also being shown at Computex is the Mobinnova T8, which combines the same powerful platform with a 10.1″ touch screen, GPS, and HDMI and VGA video output. “Mobinnova has designed several interesting Tegra-based, mobile Internet devices that will surprise the market with their sleek, lightweight design and long battery life,” said Mike Rayfield, General Manager Tegra Business at NVIDIA. “Tegra adds the secret sauce to deliver a desktop-like Internet experience and cell phone-like battery life in these new designs.” “The Mobinnova élan and T8 answer the portable communications challenge,” says Mobinnova’s Chairman and CEO, KC Kuo. “We are honored to partner with NVIDIA to create products that make people’s lives easier, more productive, and more enjoyable.”