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 .:Latest Topics |
:: PC Perspective . News . Mobile
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 .:Mobile News
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: The Tech Report | Subject: Mobile
The ageing 300M series of embedded mobile GPUs is being updated with the predictably named 400M series. That family will consist of the GeForce GTX 470M, GTX 460M, GT 445M, GT 435M, GT425M, GT420M, and GT415M
all of which will bring more than just improved performance. They will all support Optimus technology and will support 3DVision when paired with a 120Hz screen. Walking around with nVIDIA's stereoscopic glasses make seem a bit odd but this might help nVIDIA come to the forefront of providing 3D display technologies. Drop by The Tech Report for
the detailed specs.
"At long last, Nvidia has a top-to-bottom lineup of DirectX 11 mobile graphics processors. The company has introduced seven new GeForce 400M-series graphics processors, which will complement the company's existing, GF100- based GeForce GTX 480M." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: InsideHW | Subject: Mobile
The ASUS 1215N is a 12.1" netbook with an unexpected secret, within the casing are two GPUs. For casual usage the power saving Intel GMA 3150 and when extra graphical power is needed to make the 1366x768 LCD really work then nVIDIA's ION2 is there to take over, just as you would see in an Optimus based system. InsideHW managed to get quick peek at a display model and you can read about their impressions over here.
"The new ASUS netbook, namely the 12" 1215N model, is one of the most powerful Eee PCs to have appeared thus far. First of all, ASUS has installed Intel's Atom D525, the new dual-core hyperthreading-enabled 1.8 GHz CPU, first presented at this year's Computex fair. D525 is actually the heir to the well-known D510 Atom CPU working at 1.66 GHz, but now also contains both DDR2 and DDR3 memory support..." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: AnandTech | Subject: Mobile
The Toshiba T235D sports some nice features behind its 13.3" 1366x768 LCD, a dual core Neo K625 @ 1.5GHz, 2x2GB DDR3-800 and it is a Radeon HD 4225 that provides the graphical power. It weighs under 4lbs with a 6 cell battery installed and is between 0.7" to 1.03" thick. The gaming performance is nothing to brag about but general performance shows improvement over the previous generation of mobile AMD solutions. If you are looking for a thin $600ish laptop and can't wait for Bobcat read the review at AnandTech and see if it peaks your interest. "Unlike the higher performance AMD parts, the Nile platform (and Geneva CPUs) compete in the ultraportable market. We've looked at a few laptops from the previous generation AMD Congo family, the Acer Ferrari One and the MSI Wind U230, but to date we haven't found anything that can seriously challenge the Intel ultraportable market. On the performance side, both Intel's CULV and AMD's ultraportables have easily pounded Atom netbooks into the ground, but where CULV laptops are able to hit 8+ hours of battery life we've yet to break the five hour mark with an AMD laptop (while using a moderately sized 6-cell battery). The Toshiba T235D changes that, and finally we have an AMD platform—and a Toshiba laptop—that we can recommend without a whole bunch of caveats." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Ryan Shrout | Source: engadget | Subject: Mobile
According to a story over at Engadget ASUS has announced a pair of new Eee PC's based on the newly unveiled Intel dual-core Atom Z550-series processors. It should come as no surprise though as ASUS is usually on top of these new technology releases. One of the two models will be the Eee PC 1015PEM that uses the 1.5 GHz Atom N550 processor and will feature the Intel integrated graphics and come with 2GB of DDR3 memory for about $450 US.
The second option will be basically be the same but will integrated NVIDIA's ION 2 technology for a more robust graphics solution. Expect the 1015PN to run just a bit higher in price and it should be available in September.
I am dubious as to the performance benefits the new Z550 will offer this already overwhelmed platform especially considering we have already seen dual-core processors in handful of netbooks; remember the Eee PC 1201N using the first ION platform? If Intel and ASUS can offer the same levels of performance with better battery life though, we are all for it.
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: The Tech Report | Subject: Mobile
ASUS' new U33Jc-A1 is a 13.3" notebook with an interesting look as it sports bamboo panelling on the outside and below the keyboard when opened. Inside lies a 2.4GHz i3-370M, 4GB DDR3-1066
on an HM55 board with Optimus to control the GeForce GT 310M with 1GB GDDR3 that powers the 1366x768 LCD screen. The Tech Report noticed a few blemishes on the laptops software and lackluster graphics but were quite taken by the look and would happily recommend the notebook to a fashion conscious non-gamer.
"Asus' U33Jc wraps a powerful thin-and-light notebook in a luxurious mix of bamboo and brushed aluminum. We find out if this $1,000 system is really as good as it looks." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: InsideHW | Subject: Mobile
It might historically have been the sole feeding grounds of IBM and then Lenovo but that hasn't stopped HP from making incursions into the providing office and mobile professionals with their own line of notebooks. The new HP ProBook 6540b is a 16" laptop with a dual core i5 430M @ 2.26 GHz, 2GB DDR3, a 320GB HDD and Intel's GMA HD driving the 15.6", 1366x768 display. There is a long list of connectors on this laptop, including DisplayPort which seems to be substituting for HDMI. It is fairly heavy and the battery life is not terribly long, neither of which is a disadvantage for a laptop destined to be sitting on a desktop most of its life. Drop by InsideHW for the full scoop.
"HP's ProBook series has imposed itself a great deal to business users and put potential buyers in a difficult position, having to make their pick among many options. HP has invested a lot in this segment, and good results were consequential. The popularity of ProBook worldwide is noticeable, and new models seem to keep pouring in. HP ProBook 6540b is a strictly business machine which performs all given tasks without compromise. We will underline the price of this model at the very beginning, going around 900€ ($1158-ish), since this is, after all, the basic information needed to rate and give an opinion of any notebook model…" Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: PC Perspective | Subject: Mobile
Toronto, Canada has been having a very warm summer which makes it the perfect testing ground for three new laptop coolers from Antec, the Basic, Mini, and Designer. The Basic model is very much that, a basic way to get some airflow underneath the laptop and is best suited for netbooks and notebooks under 14". Next the Mini which refers more to the size of the cooler, which is active, than to the size of the laptop expected. Finally the Designer which is also active and significantly more heavy duty than the other two cooler. Find out how well they did their job in his full review.
"The bottom line is that all three Antec coolers we've looked at today help reduce the operating temperature of the test notebook system. While the differences in temperature aren't drastic, the coolers do offer some improvement which should help in reducing some risk to premature hardware failure. The Designer and Mini coolers have fans that operate silently and can be barely heard above the notebook's own internal cooling mechanism - which is attractive to those who work in a quiet or professional environment." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jonathan Hung | Source: PC Perspective | Subject: Mobile
Here at PC Perspective, we've covered NVIDIA Optimus thoroughly by examining the underlaying technology and also products that integrate it (see our review of the 16" Asus N61v). We haven't been shy about recommending Optimus as something worth getting and our review of the Asus U30Jc shows it can help achieve a stunning 7+ hours of operation.
But what if you wanted an Optimus notebook with a little more CPU power, or perhaps more RAM, you may be out of luck with current Optimus offerings. Here is where Eurocom comes in. Today Eurocom is announcing the new B7110 FOX notebook - a totally configurable Optimus notebook down to your choice CPU, a second hard drive instead of an optical drive, and even your choice of thermal compound. However, you're stuck with the default NVIDIA GT 330M used by everyone else. 
The B7110 FOX comes in both 17.3" and 15.6" form factors and is highly configurable. The prices are fairly competitive to the pre-built offerings from major manufacturers. Check out the Eurocom B7110 FOX product page, or configure your own.
"Eurocom launches line of gamer-friendly notebooks with Optimus, the latest in graphics switching technology from NVIDIA.
Eurocom’s new line of gamer-friendly notebooks features NVIDIA's Optimus technology, which intelligently switches graphics between 1GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT330M and Intel HD integrated graphics to deliver optimal battery life (up to 240 minutes). It also offers a choice of 15.6” and 17.3” Full HD 1920x1080 displays and comes with Intel Core i5 and Core i7 technology. The EUROCOM Fox line is available for order today starting at $999 for 15.6" B5100M FOX and $1199 for 17.3" B7110 FOX model." 
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: AnandTech | Subject: Mobile
The MSI Wind U230 is a 12.1" notebook that has opted for the older Neo X2 L335 as opposed to one of the newer Turion based mobile processors. It features the RS780M northbridge and SB750 southbridge, 2GB of DDR2-800 and a 320GB 5400 RPM HDD, with a host of input and output connectors including HDMI. The performance is above average for this size of notebook but that comes with a price as is usual, the battery life is about 4 hours putting it far below Atom based laptops. Drop by AnandTech for the full specs. "It's an odd introduction because the MSI Wind U230 is a newer model with older hardware built in. The K10.5-based ultramobile processors from AMD are starting to trickle onto the market, but MSI is opting to offer the U230 using an Athlon Neo X2 L335 based off the older K8 core. Despite the venerable core that debuted with the Athlon 64 so long ago starting to show its age, it's still at least a reasonable alternative to people who don't want to suffer with Atom's "just enough" performance along with integrated graphics that get worse with each progressive generation (at least the GMA 950 could drive an HDMI port)." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: Hack a Day | Subject: Mobile
Over at Hack a Day is an example of ingenuity
for those who would like to be able to charge their cellphones without needing a plug and adaptor. With a little work this project will enable you to inductively charge your cellphone and you will not need to do anything that would void your warranty. The mod is external and the wiring uses the existing charging port so you do not have to worry about any soldering or other tricks, though you may end up looking for a different case or shell as the charging backplate needs to be attached to the phone somehow.
"[Derek Hughes] wanted to use inductive charging on his cellphone without voiding the warranty. He picked up a Pixi charging backplate meant for a Palm Pre and scavenged the coil and regulator circuitry from it. To make the electrical connection with his HTC HD2 he removed the mini-USB plug from a charging cable and connected it with 30 gauge wire. The whole package will fit beneath the back plate for use with a Touchstone charger (as we’ve seen with the HTC Evo) but there was one problem. The metal backplate from the HD2 interferes with the inductive charging. For now he’s using tape to hold everything together while searching for a plastic case replacement." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Ryan Shrout | Source: PC Perspective | Subject: Mobile
NVIDIA Optimus technology is a feature that allows discrete NVIDIA GPUs to interact with integrated graphics, either on a chipset or on a CPU package like Arrandale, in such a way that allows the performance of the discrete option to be available only when it is necessary and idle otherwise. This ability allows notebook vendors to include a discrete graphics solution in their design without having to worry about have it sucking up power and bringing down battery life when not in use.
We have tested a handful Optimus-enabled machines at PC Perspective and even if we haven't always loved everything about the notebooks themselves, the graphics technology has continued to impress.
Yesterday NVIDIA posted a new blog and video that demonstrates the updated Verde driver (that is what NVIDIA calls their own packaging of the graphics driver for mobile platforms) and some of the features it introduces. One addition I liked was the ability to enabled a task bar icon that will let you know if the GPU is powered on or off more easily.
Good stuff from the NVIDIA team as they continue to try to find a way to compete and innovate in the mobile space. The only change I would personally like to see is some color changing or icon changes that will let me know if the GPU is enabled or powered down without having to mouse over the icon. Also, an overlay that the user could enabled/disable while in full screen applications (like games) would also be a plus.
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: PC Perspective | Subject: Mobile
Yesterday Ryan finished up his review of the ASUS N61Jv Optimus Core i5 16" notebook. As the name implies this notebook does have Optimus technology allowing you to switch between the GeForce GT 325M GPU and the Intel HD graphics that are a part of the HM55 chipset. It is a bit on the heavy side at 6lbs, though a part of that weight is the battery which lasted 2 hours and 23 minutes
during Ryan's testing. Another feature worth mentioning is that this laptop has USB 3.0, something that can be very handy moving files back and forth when you are on the road. Check the review for a full list of the features and performance of the N61Jv.
"My overall experience with the ASUS N61Jv was extremely positive thanks to the performance the Core i3 processor and NVIDIA GT325M GPU offer, the large screen and keyboard/touch pad combination. For a 16-in notebook coming in over 6 lbs, which definitely puts it closer to the desktop replacement category than the thin and light, getting 2 hours and 23 minutes in our very strenuous battery testing was actually pretty solid making leaving without your power cord at least an option. The added goodies like USB 3.0 support definitely add the value of a notebook that sells for $899 which should make it a great option for a summer or fall college-bound consumer or anyone else on the lookout for this combination." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jonathan Hung | Source: engadget | Subject: Mobile
In the most current installment of the Slate of the Nation - Your Guide to Upcoming Slate Devices, I listed the MeeGo mobile OS as something worth keeping an eye on, but not necessarily something to go out of your way to acquire because of its early development state.
Well it seems MeeGo is getting a big boost on two fronts today and we may see MeeGo being used in a lot more places than you'd expect. The GENIVI Alliance (the "IVI" portion I suspect standing for "in-vehicle infotainment") announced today they will use MeeGo as the OS of choice for their in-car infotainment system. The Alliance, which consists of big automakers like BMW, GM, Mitsubishi, and Peugeot Citroen, didn't say when or which car models will get this feature, but I suspect it will be at least 1 model year before we even see prototypes in place (MeeGo handsets haven't even reached the market yet). Additionally, Intel today is announcing that it will be setting up an Atom and MeeGo research group in China to focus on mobile technology. According to the DigiTimes, sources say that the R&D group will work with "100 of the company's embedded product partners to develop about 1,000 types of Atom-and-MeeGo combination-based applications". That's a pretty specific number of partners and a specific target for prototypes. Intel's heavy investment in MeeGo is an interesting business maneuver to distance (or diversify) Atom processors from the cumbersome, yet capable, Windows 7. Sources: Nokia Blog, via Engadget. Digitimes.
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: PC Perspective | Subject: Mobile
Similar to the SSD Decoder Ring that Allyn created to bring some illumination to the internals of the new breed of hard drive, Jon spells out what you can find inside that tablet. From the OS that runs on the hardware to the internals themselves, he has covered all the current ultramobile platforms available. There is even a downloadable pdf at the end of the article so you can have a synopsis handy.
"Asus has two devices coming to market this coming quarter: the EP121 and the EP101TC. The EP121 reads more like a netbook than a slate device - it uses an Intel CULV Core2 Duo CPU and is loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium. On the other hand, the EP101TC uses Windows Embedded Compact 7 which is Microsoft’s portable device OS that is streamlined for shorter interactions." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jonathan Hung | Source: engadget | Subject: Mobile
Engadget has some tasty morsels from the slate word, and first up is Lenovo.
We've been covering Lenovo and their IdeaPad U1 "hybrid" notebook for some time here on PC Perspective. While the U1 is an interesting product, it doesn't appeal to users who just want a slate and don't care for the extra notebook base. Apparently Lenovo is going to launch a slate product in China called "LePad", following the branding established by their LePhone smartphone.  
Lenovo's IdeaPad U1 Hybrid (left), and LePhone (right). While these products are for the Chinese market only, there's hope that LePad and LePhone will make it out to the rest of the world. Up next is HP.   
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer getting personal with the HP Slate during CES 2010 ... just weeks before HP canceled the product. Ever since the cancellation of the much touted HP slate, the tech media has been watching HP very closely especially with anticipation of a new Palm WebOS product. Apparently, the HP Slate 500 appeared on the HP website. While little detail was provided, it did say it was Energy Star rated. So a look through the Energy Star product database revealed that the HP Slate 500 was indeed certified and that it was using an Intel Atom Z530 1.6GHz CPU. This can mean that HP is still planning a Windows 7 device, or that HP has gone with Atom for an Android based product.
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: Ars Technica | Subject: Mobile
If you suddenly find yourself in need of an internet connection and are far away from a nice open WiFi signal then the cell network can save you, if you can connect to it. Two popular choices are Sierra Wireless' Overdrive 4G which can connect to Sprint's 3G and 4G networks and Novatel's MiFi 2200 which comes in a Verizon and a Sprint model, both 3G connections. Apart from the aesthetic differences between the two devices, the most important aspect is the speed of the connection. Ars Technica tried both out in a variety of tests and you can see the results here.
"Wireless data hotspots are quickly becoming all the rage among travelers and geeks who don't like to be tied down to their homes and coffee shops. Though 3G USB sticks have been growing in popularity for years, the new WiFi hotspot-type units are picking up steam because they allow users to share their wireless data connections among multiple devices or a group of friends, so long as everyone has WiFi. Two of the most popular ones in the US right now are the Novatel MiFi from Verizon and the Overdrive 4G from Sprint. We managed to get our hands on both to give them a test run, and it turns out that deciding which is better wasn't quite as easy as we expected." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jonathan Hung | Source: Digitimes | Subject: Mobile
When it comes to 3D on a notebook computer, NVIDIA's 3D Vision has been getting a lot of attention. However, products using 3D Vision don't exactly appeal to the general consumer who is more interested in watching movies than 3D gaming and higher performance. According to this Digitimes report, MSI is looking to change this by adopting Dynamic Digital Depth's (try saying that 3 times fast) software which converts 2D images into 3D, and employs the use of polarized glasses.
Unlike active shutter glasses, polarized glasses are passive and inexpensive which would appeal to a broader audience. Polarized 3D technology works by restricting the angles at which images are received by the left and right eye, and can be commonly seen used in IMAX 3D movies. 
Arrows never looked more realistic than with polarized 3D! For those of you interested at a lower cost 3D gaming solution, DDD's TriDef has some game support (210 titles currently) although we have not tested this to see how well it works. Not much is known about MSI's new 3D notebook, but it appears they will aim to price it under $1000 USD. Previously, Lenovo has also announced that it will also be using DDD's TriDef technology in its upcoming IdeaPad Y560D. 
Jonathan Hung | Source: Netbook News | Subject: Mobile
During Computex, we followed Asus as they announced to the world that it was working on a 10" slate based on the enigmatic Windows Embedded Compact 7 called the Eee Pad 101TC. According to Netbook News, Asus will be switching from WEC7 to Android (presumably Android 2.2) thus making the total slate count using WEC7 a solid zero. This should be a relief to consumers as initial impressions of WEC7 were not very good.
If Asus is keeping the specs for the Eee Pad EP101TC the same as previously revealed, the Eee Android device will compete closely with MSI's WindPad 110 - both will be 10" units running NVIDIA Tegra 2. Netbook News believes we will see glimpses of the EP101TC this coming December which logically means lots of face time during CES 2011 in January. 
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: 3DCenter | Subject: Mobile
Verizon and Motorola have made the Droid X and you will soon be able to buy it, but you really might want to avoid it. One of the main attractions of this phone is that it uses the supposedly open source Android 2.1, allowing you to mod the OS and hardware and to play with a large variety of apps. How would your decision be influenced if you knew that any mod on this phone at all will kill it, requiring a hardware fix to bring it back to life. Slashdot reports on the new 'feature' offered to those who purchase rent this new phone, the eFuse will blow if there is any change to the the firmware, the kernel information or the bootloader. That wonderful feature will ensure that your phone will no longer work until you have an expensive hardware fix done for you. "If the eFuse fails to verify [the firmware information (what we call ROMS), the kernel information, and the bootloader version], then the eFuse receives a command to 'blow the fuse' or 'trip the fuse.' This results in the booting process becoming corrupted, followed by a permanent bricking of the phone. This FailSafe is activated anytime the bootloader is tampered with or any of the above three parts of the phone has been tampered with." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jonathan Hung | Source: The Register | Subject: Mobile
While this is all still speculation at the moment, the impact of this possibility has some real consequences in the legions of Blackberry users - RIM may be entering the slate device market by the end of the year.
According to the report at The Register (sourced: BetaNews), it is speculated that the Blackberry slate will be a 7" device, use a Marvell Armada 610 1GHz CPU which is capable of HD decoding, and presumably Flash 10.1 and Blackberry OS 6. Apparently, the device is being pushed up from the early 2011 release to late 2010 to compete in the lucrative, yet crowded holiday buying season. If there is any weight to these remarks, you can expect to see more news of this in the coming days and weeks. PS. I have dubbed this new RIM device the "Slateberry". If this term catches, you heard it here first... and I want royalties! :)
Jonathan Hung | Source: General | Subject: Mobile
While the HTC Evo and iPhone 4 have grabbed majority of the smartphone headlines of late, the Android-based Samsung Galaxy S has been winning the hearts of consumers. Given the customer satisfaction with the Galaxy S, when Samsung has revealed that their upcoming Galaxy Tab slate device will be coming before October, we sit up and pay attention.
Fuzzy-cam picture of the supposed Samsung Galaxy Tab. The final specifications for the Galaxy Tab have yet to be revealed (heck, the name "Galaxy Tab" isn't even an official name!), at least check the device is supposed to be a 7" AMOLED display, Android 2.2, a ARM Cortex A8 1.2GHz CPU, 16GB of NAND flash, and weighing 370 grams. It is also expected that the Tab will have a 3.2 MP camera, WiFi, 3G, and GPS. Although the technical specifications are based on rumours and Tweets, the remarks about the release date is from the horse's mouth - JK Shin at Samsung Mobile. October can't come soon enough. Source:Android Headlines.
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: AnandTech | Subject: Mobile
The AVADirect Clevo W880CU is quite a machine, a 17.3" 1920x1080 display which is powered by a Core i7-820QM, 4GB of DDR3-1333 and most importantly a GeForce GTX 480M. Surprisingly, the laptop weighs under 10lbs which is certainly heavier than a netbook shouldn't break your shoulder carrying it all day. The battery functions more like a UPS than a battery, as it disables most of the power of the GPU when you use the battery, not using Optimus but something similar. Even with that step down in power you will not see a full hour of usage browsing the web, and significantly less doing more intensive tasks. When you do use the mains the gaming performance is rather impressive, as you can see in AanndTech's full review.
"The shell of the Clevo W880CU we're reviewing today probably looks very familiar from Jarred's review of its predecessor, the W870CU, back in September 2009. Sure the red trim has been replaced by a tasteful chrome, and one of the ports is USB 3.0 now, but it's the same Clevo you've all known and... sort of loved." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jonathan Hung | Source: Digitimes | Subject: Mobile
The smaller but spunky spunky sidekick to Intel's Pentium may finally get the axe. According to a DigiTimes report, Intel will begin slowing production of the processor and finally ceasing new Celeron branded CPUs in 2011.
Originally released back in 1998 and based on the Pentium II core, it's a wonder that the Celeron line has lasted so long in light of the much more popular and similarly priced Atom. The upcoming Celeron P4600 and dual-core Atom N550 are both priced at $86 each (in 1000 unit trays) which further complicates product lines for system builders. 
In my opinion, the end of the Celeron couldn't come soon enough. With the high-profile Atom and low priced Core i3 processors, the Celeron was finding itself overshadowed and often confused in the minds of consumers.
Jonathan Hung | Source: Digitimes | Subject: Mobile
Digitimes is reporting that both Acer and Asus have successfully digested their current inventory of netbooks. This means that no new netbooks will be made by Asus or Acer until August reportedly. This coincides with Intel's deprecation of current Core CPUs and Atom CPUs.
A quick look at NewEgg reveals decent discounts on current Asus and Acer stock:
Are you going to wait for new models this upcoming quarter or you going to bite now and buy models nearing end of production? 
Jonathan Hung | Source: Lenovo | Subject: Mobile
Lenovo is readying to launch the IdeaCentre A310 in the Japanese market this July, and hopefully here overseas in the near future.
The IdeaCentre A310 is a stunning All-in-One PC featuring the Intel Core i3-350M and a 1920x1080 21.5" LED LCD panel. While a little short on the RAM side (up to 3 GB), it does have the unique HDMI input which allows it to be doubled as an external display for another source (i.e. a notebook or a game console). Priced at roughly $1466 USD, it's not exactly a cheap AIW, but is definitely one of the more beautiful ones we have seen - the screen is just 0.7 inches / 1.85 cm thick! The AIW market isn't as strong in the Western world as it is in Asia and Europe, but here's hoping the A310 makes it way here anyway. Via: PC Watch 
Michael Blumreich | Source: PC Perspective | Subject: Mobile
Google, already a search engine behemoth, is poised to enter the hardware market this year with a new portable computing device which will run the Android operating system. This move comes after Google has recently diversified its already formidable internet presence with a new browser called Chrome and, with its entry into the hardware sector of computing, the search-engine giant stands to become a force to be reckoned with in the next several years. If properly developed and marketed, the Android computing platform may very well evolve to the point that it will provide direct competition with Windows, Microsoft’s standby operating system. In fact, Android is already in use on several other devices including the Skating Alpha 680, which is a Chinese product marketed towards users in developing countries; Hewlett Packard is investigating whether the new operating system can be incorporated into future HP products. Asus (a company based in Taiwan) also markets a mini notebook which uses Android and is designed to primarily compete with the Apple iPad, now considered to be the portable computer by which all others are measured.
For users of newer cell phones and smart phones, the application of Android as a computer operating system should come as no surprise. In fact, thirty-four phones currently support the operating system and Android has quickly become the star of the cell phone market, with most users recognizing (and requesting) it by name. Blackberry, the leader in the cell phone industry with 36% market share, makes use of the Android system on their products. Moreover, because Android is a freely distributed program, it may very well eclipse Windows in popularity if it can compete when it comes to functionality. Windows generally costs several hundred dollars for a fully equipped system. Meego, a freely distributed Intel product, can also theoretically run on cell phones and portable computers but doesn’t have the current popularity or cultural relevance that Android seems to have captured in its short tenure. The fact that Google is striking while the iron is hot and capitalizing on Android’s recent popularity could mean good things for the company...and for you. After all, another choice in the historically limited OS market is great news for consumers everywhere. Michael Blumreich is a contributor for the aptly named laptop review site, LaptopReviews.com. He's currently a university student and lover of all things tech.
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: AnandTech | Subject: Mobile
What you notice about first on Dell's Adamo series is the aluminium unibody casing, very different from Apple's choice of shell but similar in that it is designed to be attention getting. Inside the differences mainly lie in two parts, the CPU has been upgraded to a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 and the storage is handled by an 80GB Intel X18-M G1 SSD. That does end up causing the price to double, putting it in a very expensive league of CULVs. AnandTech's testing shows that while the Adamo might not be the best performer it is a very good looking laptop.
Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
Jonathan Hung | Source: Toshiba | Subject: Mobile
Last week we posted some news about Toshiba's upcoming Android-Tegra powered SmartBooks. It looks like Toshiba is ready to launch a eBook store called "Book Place" to compliment those new products. What makes this different from all current offerings is that it uses Ray Kurzweil's Blio platform which preserves the original formatting of the text (for those nice old classics) while providing a free text-to-speech function for those with vision needs. Blio is also platform agnostic, so you can read your books regardless if you're running Ubuntu, Android, or Windows.
Undoubtedly this is a boost for Blio and gives Toshiba a foot through the door without having to build everything themselves. It is unclear what this partnership / licensing agreement means with respect to eBook content and Toshiba hardware. We expect to have more details in the coming weeks as Toshiba gears up for the busy Q4 season.
Ryan Shrout | Source: PC Perspective | Subject: Mobile
Apple has finally come forward and addressed the issues of the iPhone 4 antennae without condescending remarks from its CEO. As it turns out, according to this letter published by Apple today, the problem is not with the iPhone 4's antennae but rather the algorithm that Apple has been using to go from the signal decibel ratings to a non-linear "bar" scale that we are all used to. From the letter:
Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don’t know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.
There is so much about this that makes me cringe. Essentially, since the days of the original iPhone, Apple's software team has "accidentally" gotten it all wrong! To think that four years could go by without an engineer raising a hand to the issue seems insane and the conspiracy theories will pop up today, if they haven't already. 
Did Apple decide they wanted people to think better of their phones so they made it appear to have MORE signal strength than it really did? Was it something Apple and AT&T worked on together to try and counter the nagging critics of AT&T's service? We had a good chat with Anand Shimpi yesterday on This Week in Computer Hardware about the story on Anandtech.com that looked at the iPhone 4's signal strength and its very non-linear scale. (It's a great article and well worth the read.) This graph of that scale as it exists today tells the story: 
Image from Anandtech.com article linked above. Here you can see that first four "bars" of signal apparently scale over only 22 db of signal strength while that magical fifth bar scales 40 db!! That means that even moderate signals would likely be displaying 4 bars of strength when they should only have been showing 2 or 1, according to Apple's announcement today. We are meant to believe then that Apple simply made a mistake with its phones and that this was ALLLL a big mis-understading but it's hard to take it that way given the evidence that is out there now. It seems that only because the external antennae sees a sharper reduction in signal strength with a hand placed on the infamous left corner that this custom scale Apple has implemented is getting attention. From Anandtech.com: The fact of the matter is that either the most sensitive region of the antenna should have an insulative coating, or everyone should use a case. For a company that uses style heavily as a selling point, the latter isn't an option. And the former would require an unprecedented admission of fault on Apple's part.
The new phone might be a better phone, even with a more sensitive antennae, but Apple was obviously not being honest about the signal drops, about the fact that this phone should have a non-conductive material covering the antennae and now we know they weren't honest about its "bars to signal" relations. But don't worry, Apple is going to make things right: We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier
to see.
Well THAT is a relief.
Jeremy Hellstrom | Source: AnandTech | Subject: Mobile
AnandTech takes a look at the mobile market, laptops of the 14" or more variety as opposed to the now well established ultramobile segment. These models eschew the Atoms, Ions and Neos of the world in favour of the more powerful CPUs that are mobile varieties of desktop CPUs with full capabilities and integrated graphics chipsets that have seen large performance increases recently. Still not all are created equally and Anand covers the gamut from a $900 Acer Aspire to a $1505 ASUS G73Jh
that can game on a level comparable to many an enthusiasts desktop. There are a lot of choices and laptops are capable of some comparatively impressive feats to the notebooks available only a year ago, so head on over and meet some of the best.
"The back-to-school season is coming and refreshed product lines are already starting to appear on store shelves. While Intel's “Core 2010” line-up (i.e. Core i3/i5/i7 dual-core Arrandale processors) continues to dominate in terms of raw performance, AMD K10.5-based processors are actually starting to trickle into the market just as they promised at Computex, with AMD-powered notebooks available from every major vendor. Meanwhile, Intel has quietly refreshed its mobile line and added some low-voltage kit. It's an interesting market full of sort-of-competition and it isn't at all unlike the desktop processor and graphics markets." Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
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