Litl OS ‘Channels’ feature detailed on video

We have already seen some elements of the Litl OS used in its Webbook device a couple of weeks ago. The company has now given a more detailed video demonstration of the ‘Channels’ feature within Litl OS.

As a quick reminder, Litl OS is a custom operating system that presents the interface as a stack of cards. These cards are classified in three channels: Blue denotes the “permanent” cards and includes settings. White denotes the web cards, such as Mozilla whilst the black cards are channel headers and can be thought of as widgets (clock, weather etc). Read more

Toshiba Satellite T115 ultrathin reviewed – worth consideration

The Toshiba Satellite T115 (or T110 as it is known in the UK) is the company’s first CULV-powered 11.6-inch ultra-thin. Just as many companies jumped onto the netbook bandwagon, it looks like we are seeing a glut of 11.6-inch ultra-thins too. This is great news for the consumer, helping to drive competition.

Laptop Mag has its review up of the T115 and found that it delivered better performance than Atom netbooks as well as over 7 hours of battery life. However, compared to the Acer Aspire 1410, it underperforms on most tests whilst costing $80 more. It does have a slightly better battery life but the keyboard is also not as comfortable. Overall, they feel it is still worth a look, but there are other models that offer better value for money. Click through for the main review points. Read more

Packard Bell unveils dot S2 & XS Butterfly netbooks

Packard Bell is set to release a new 10.1-inch netbook called the dot S2. This model will be powered by Intel’s upcoming N450 Pineview Atom processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD and Windows 7. Given the Windows 7 support it’s strange why Packard Bell hasn’t opted for a higher capacity 250GB HDD.

Other features include a multi-touch touchpad, Wi-Fi, webcam and Dolby Sound. The Packard Bell dot S2 will be available in two colours, Night-sky Black and Cherry Red when it launches early next year. It’s price is expected to fall between €250 to €300. Read more

Fujitsu Lifebook MH380 Pineview netbook hits FCC

Fujitsu looks set to release a 10.1-inch netbook with the upcoming Intel Pineview processor. The MH380 / M380 LifeBook models have appeared going via the FCC and there is little known about the models at this stage.

What we do know is that it will come with a 10.1-inch high-resolution (1366 x 768) display, 1.66GHz N450 Atom processor, Atheros Wi-Fi (Draft-N) and an Ethernet port. The schematics show that it will have easy access to upgrade components and a removable battery. As we approach CES, I suspect we will see plenty more Pineview-powered models coming through the FCC.

Via Netbook Reviews.

Inventec Tegra-powered smartbook gets video hands-on

Inventec has shown off a new smartbook that sports the Nvidia Tegra T600 chipset. It boasts a boot time of around ten seconds and supports 1080p video playback using just 1W of power.

NetbookNews managed to get close-up with the Inventec smartbook and looks at the Windows CE boot time. Inventec is an ODM so if the device hits the market it will most likely come under a different name. Check out the video after the jump. Read more

Quanta Android smartbook unveiled [Video]

Qualcomm held a press event in London today, where it showed off different devices using its Snapdragon chipset. One of these was an Android smartbook from OEM Quanta. The fanless prototype is based on the Snapdragon chip and therefore very slimline.

The keyboard has been reconfigured to allow one-touch access to the homescreen, programs menu, applications and settings (such as 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). However, it did suffer from flex. Qualcomm confirmed that Lenovo’s smartbook will be even thinner with curvier edges. Check out a hands-on video from Slashgear after the break. Read more

A closer look at the litl OS [Video]

The litl webbook has been designed from the ground up, both in terms of hardware and software. The 12-inch screen can flip right over so that it can be used in ‘easel mode’. It uses a custom operating system that presents the interface as a stack of cards.

These cards are classified in three channels: Blue denotes the “permanent” cards and includes settings. White denotes the web cards, such as Mozilla whilst the black cards are channel headers and can be thought of as widgets (clock, weather etc).

Litl has released a video giving a closer look at the card view and also a look at the browser used. The browser is kept very simple and clean with the only buttons I could see for back/forward and Google search. You can check out the video after the break. Read more

Sony Vaio X dissected – engineering marvel

The super-skinny and luxurious Sony Vaio X has been taken apart to see just how Sony’s engineers pieced it together. The guys over at TechOn have a seven part hands-on and teardown that shows the skill involved in creating such a gorgeous piece of hardware.

The engineer who took it apart certainly appreciated the efforts Sony has taken to get the Vaio X into the market. He felt that it needed a close collaboration early on between designers, engineers and production plants. The cost of manufacturing such a device is double that for a normal notebook. Well it probably helps those who paid the massive premium for what is an underpowered device to sleep well at night.

Via Slashgear.

Netbook failure rate 20 percent higher than laptops

SquareTrade, a large independent warranty provider, has analysed the failure rates for over 30,000 laptops and netbooks covered by its warranty plans with some revealing insights. It found that just under a third of laptops will fail within three years and that netbooks are 20 percent more likely to fail.

Breaking down the results, SquareTrade found that 20.4 percent of laptop failures were due to hardware malfunctions and 10.4 percent were from accidental damage. Whilst one would expect netbooks to suffer a higher rate of accidental damage to their portability, apparently netbook hardware malfunctions were 20 percent higher than laptops. Read more

CrunchPad tablet still alive; to cost between $300 – $400

Mike Arrington’s CrunchPad tablet project is still underway and on schedule despite rumours to the contrary. Speaking on the Gillmor Gang video, he reaffirmed that the “CrunchPad is steamrolling” and that “costs keep coming down”. In terms of the price tag, Arrington expects the cost to sit somewhere between $300 and $400.

Interestingly, he expects the device to be supported by “soft revenue” from “sponsorships”. Further news is expected very soon according to Arrington, who hopefully will give further detail on how adverts will be implemented. This may involve preloaded links or adverts, however Arrington has promised that they will be used “without impacting the user experience”. You can check out the video after the break, with the CrunchPad action starting at around the 39 minute mark. Read more

Qualcomm to announce first smartbook on 12th November

Qualcomm is expected to announce its first smartbook device tomorrow (12th November) at an analyst meeting in New York. It is unknown whether this will be a prototype or whether it is the finished article and to be announced along with an OEM. For those that are interested the meeting starts at 10AM Eastern Time and you can listen to the meeting here.

Smartbooks are a new category of device that sports an ARM chipset and is always connected to the internet through a SoC (System on Chip) that combines 3G, wireless and GPS. The chips are also said to be highly energy efficient, which means long battery lives. Qualcomm says that 40 Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered products are in the works from 15 different manufacturers.

Via Forbes [via Netbooked].

Litl Webbook unboxed [Video]

Following on from the Litl Webbook launch last week, we’ve come across the first unboxing video of the device. Now this isn’t just another netbook unboxing video as it’s quite clear that the company has spent a lot of time and thought in both the packaging design and trying to incorporate the company’s ethos into it.

Litl has spent a lot of time keeping the packaging to a minimum and it’s nice to see that the box has been designed so it is easy to return the company, in case of a fault. You also get fourteen illustrated cards, which uses images to get across the company’s philosophies. This includes “less is more” and how they to try to “reinvent the wheel” when it comes to user interface. Check out the video after the break. Read more

Nokia Booklet 3G review roundup – let down by slow CPU & HDD

Reviews are starting to trickle out for Nokia’s first entry into the netbook segment. It seems that the Booklet 3G has had a bit of a mixed reception. Yes, it has superb build quality and a long battery life, but most of the negatives mirror our initial take of the device back in early September.

Crunchgear found that the Booklet 3G was too generic and underpowered to be considered a great product. Even in general use, the netbook was laggy when it came to rendering web pages and loading YouTube videos. As this netbook will mainly be sold on contract they also felt it was “folly” to be locked into a contract for 2 years given the lack of power under the hood. Read more

Nokia Booklet 3G hitting Best Buy stores on November 15th

The Nokia Booklet 3G netbook will be arriving in Best Buy stores from 15th November. Those of you who are Reward Zone members can place your pre-orders as we speak, however some stores already have them in stock. The Booklet 3G can be bought for $599.99 or $299.99 plus two-year AT&T data contract.

The Nokia Booklet 3G has a 10.1-inch (1280 x 720) display, measures just 20mm thick and is powered by a 1.6GHz Z530 Atom CPU, 1GB soldered RAM and a 120GB HDD. Other features include Bluetooth, HDMI-out and a 1.3MP webcam. For a ‘premium’ netbook however, it only gets Windows 7 Starter. Check out a larger image of the flyer after the break. Read more

Litl Webbook hands-on impressions & engineering videos

Litl should be commended for trying to do something different in the mobile computing space. Their Litl Webbook launched last week, it is a 12-inch device that has a special hinge allowing the display to fold over into “easel mode”. It also has its own Litl operating system with a unique GUI.

Hands-on impressions were few and far between last week, but Crunchgear managed to sit down with CEO John Chuang for a thorough overview of the Webbook. The machine isn’t a netbook par se as it only comes with a 2GB flash drive, however this isn’t too much of an issue as Litl targets the Webbook as an Internet consumption device (hence the name). This involves viewing photos, videos or checking the weather etc. Read more

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