Intel shipping Android 2.2 for netbooks within two months

Intel is preparing a fully native x86 version of Android 2.2 (Froyo) that it expects to ship to developers in the next two months. The company is hoping that this will ignite sales of Atom-powered netbooks and tablets.

Android was originally written for ARM processors, like those found in most current smartphones. This has meant Intel has had to play catch-up to port Android to x86 architecture.

“Our expectation is that (native x86 Android) will be based on the Froyo release and will be available this summer to developers” Renee James, Intel’s senior VP for software and services said.

Via APC.

MSI Wind12 U250 12.1-inch ultrathin gets official

MSI has officially announced its 12.1-inch AMD-powered Wind12 U250 ultraportable. The U250 will be armed with AMD’s new “Nile” ultrathin platform, more specifically a dual-core AMD Athlon II Neo (Geneva) processor that supports DDR3 memory. It also sports AMD’s latest RS880M chipset that supports HD graphics as well as UVD2 and DirectX 10.1.

The design seems similar to the U230 but will come with a Cobra Gray print that helps to protect it against scratches. The Wind12 U250 will come with a 12.1-inch glossy (1366 x 768) display, up to 8GB RAM and various HDD options (160/250/320GB). Other features include HDMI, Wi-Fi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1, a 1.3MP webcam, 4-in-1 card reader and three USB ports. Read more

Lenovo U1 Hybrid and Skylight to come out eventually after all?

Those of you worried that the Lenovo U1 Hybrid and Skylight ultraportable devices have been canned then fear not. The guys over at TabletPCReview sat down with some Lenovo reps who told them about new Android builds on both devices implying that they will see an eventual release.

Whilst the hardware is largely in tact, the custom Linux OS for the Skylight has been ditched in favour of Android. This has given them more confidence, especially since Lenovo has worked on Android with its smartphone in China. Release timelines still remain a mystery but fingers crossed it will be out in 2010.

Via Slashgear.

Toshiba AC100: Tegra 2-powered 10.1-inch Android smartbook official

Toshiba has announced the AC100 10.1-inch Android 2.1 netbook/smartbook powered by the 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 (250) chipset. The AC100 smartbook offers a super slim profile, 512MB RAM, 8GB of NAND flash, a start-up time of “less than a second” and a battery runtime of 8 hours (or seven days of standby under mixed use). It looks like a traditional netbook but is slimmer and comes in a striking black and orange design (well we like it) along with a full sized-keyboard. It weighs just 870g and measures 14mm at its thinnest point.

Toshiba have made slight tweaks to Android 2.1 to make it more suited as a netbook. You’ll get the usual homescreens that can be pre-configured and a number of apps will be pre-installed including Documents to Go for viewing and editing Microsoft Office files, a POP3 email client and a Toshiba Media Player. Read more

Acer’s ION 2 Aspire 532G 10” netbook cancelled?

Acer’s first 10-inch netbook the Aspire 532G has reportedly been cancelled according to Pierre from Blogeee. Apparently, technical problems meant that the Acer and Nvidia teams could not deliver on the performance front and hence cancelled the netbook. To be honest, this all sounds a bit too vague. Surely, other manufacturers are prepping 10-inch netbooks so why is Acer having difficulty?

If true, it would be a big blow to Acer and leave the ION netbook market pretty much to Asus. It’s not clear whether this cancellation is on a global basis, although if those technical issues are true, then I don’t see why region would make a difference.

New Alienware M11x Core i5, i7 models benched against old version

The original Alienware M11x came with basically two processor options, the 1.3GHz Pentium Dual-core SU7300 or 1.4GHz Intel Celeron SU4100. However, more recently, Dell revamped the M11x to feature the latest Core i5 and Core i7 processors, also bringing with it Nvidia’s power-saving Optimus technology.

NotebookReview managed to get hold of two Alienware M11x models at E3, one with the 1.066GHz Core i5-520UM processor and another with the 1.2GHz Core i7-640UM. They ran a wPrime test and compared the results to the original M11x they reviewed that sported the 1.4GHz SU4100. As you’d expect the Core i7 and Core i5 was faster than the SU4100, however overclocking the SU4100 gave it second place at 51.15 seconds compared to 39.47seconds (lower is better) for the Core i7-640UM. However, both the Core i5 and i7 models are also overclockable. Check out the results after the jump. Read more

Asus Eee PC 1201PN (single-core CPU, ION) now shipping in US

The Asus Eee PC 1201PN ION-powered netbook is now shipping at Amazon.com. As of writing both the Black (1201PN-PU17-BK) and Red (1201PN-PU17-RD) models are in stock for $484. The Silver model, however, is still at pre-order for the same price.

As a quick recap, the Eee PC 1201PN comes with a 12.1-inch (1366 x 768) display and is powered by a 1.66Ghz N450 Atom processor and next-generation ION. It is believed that this model does not come with Nvidia’s Optimus technology, although we’ll have to wait for official confirmation of this. Other specs include 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD (5400RPM), HDMI, W7 Home Premium, Wi-Fi (b/g/n) and a 0.3MP webcam.

Via Netbooked.

Dual-core Intel Atom N550 processor benched

Intel’s upcoming 1.5Ghz dual-core N550 Atom processor is due to land in devices in the second half of the year. There’s no doubt you’ll see a performance increase from current Pine Trail netbooks, but by just how much? Well Notebook Italia conducted some tests at Computex and shared the results.

They conducted some 7-Zip benchmarks comparing the performance against other Atom processors such as the Atom 330 and Atom D510 dual-core nettop processors along with the Atom N450 and Intel Core 2 Solo SU3300. Performance was broadly in line with the Atom D510 Pine Trail nettop processor but was nearly double that of the single-core N450 Atom processor found in most new netbooks. Read more

Surprise, surprise. Tablets eating into netbook market share

DisplaySearch has released its latest forecast report on netbook/notebook unit volumes and ASPs (average selling prices). Interestingly, selling prices in the netbook category increased due to new models with Atom Pine Trail processors and more features.

Unsurprisingly, the report goes on to say that a momentum shift is underway from tablets to netbooks. In Q1 2010, Apple shipped 700k iPads (6.5 percent of all netbook/slates). In Q2 2010 this number is expected to increase to +2 million iPads shipped. With more tablets expected to launch from H2 2010, netbooks will continue to lose share says the report. Read more

Jolicloud 1.0 to bring touchscreen support

Jolicloud v1.0 is set to bring with it full touchscreen support, just in time for the mass number of tablets and convertible netbooks that are due to hit the market. There’s no release date for the latest version, but we’ve attached a video after the break that shows a demonstration of the touch-enabled Jolicloud OS running on a Samsung NB30 netbook with touchscreen display. Read more

Samsung Galaxy Tape: 7-inch 1.2GHz tablet with Android 2.2

Some more details on the 7-inch tablet from Samsung that was leaked a few weeks back has come to the fore. First of all, it looks like the tablet has seen a name change from Galaxy Tab to Galaxy Tape and we also have the first details on specs.

The Samsung Galaxy Tape will have a 7-inch Super AMOLED display powered by a 1.2GHz A8 processor. It will come with 16GB internal storage and if that’s not enough there’ll also be a microSD card slot. The tablet will run Android 2.2 (Froyo) that has been skinned with Samsung’s Touchwiz 3.0 user interface. It will come with a 4000mAh battery. The tablet is expected to release in September.

Via Tinhte.

Asus Eee PC 1201K packs an AMD Geode processor

Asus has unveiled yet another 12.1-inch netbook today called the Eee PC 1201K. The model comes with a 1.4GHz AMD Geode NX 1750 processor (14w power consumption). The design is the same as all of the other 1201X Asus netbooks and this model will come with Windows XP.

Other features include 1GB RAM, Wi-Fi (b/g/n), a 0.3MP webcam, two USB ports and a 6-cell 47Whr battery good for only 2 hours of runtime. There´s no word on where Asus plans on marketing this machine or details on pricing right now. Read more

Intel’s Canoe Lake netbook gets switched on, first impressions [Video]

Earlier this week, Intel announced its Canoe Lake platform. This was a reference design that Intel was showcasing letting OEMs know just how thin a netbook can be complete with cutting edge components. It is only 14mm thick but manages to pack in a dual-core N550 Atom CPU, 2GB RAM and a 10-inch display.

Sascha from NetbookNews.de managed to get some hands-on time behind closed doors at Computex and says that it is one of the fastest netbooks he has used. Performance was “zippy” and whilst he managed to perform a Windows Experience Index (WEI) benchmark, he wasn’t able to divulge the score although he did say that we’ll “be pleased”. The price point will also be under $600, which appears to be well worth the premium over a typical netbook given the form-factor. Check out the hands-on video after the break. Read more

Samsung leaks image of Android ‘Galaxy Tab’ slate

Samsung is rumoured to launch at least three Android-powered tablet devices by the end of the year. The first will have a 7-inch screen with the nickname sPad, an 8-inch model will land in October whilst a 10-inch model is expected in December.

These rumours have gained further credence following Samsung South Africa’s official twitter channel leaking an image of the ‘Galaxy Tab’ tablet. This is a 7-inch model and has a high-resolution TFT screen. It also has a 3.5mm jack at the top. They also confirmed it will be Android powered and run its TouchWiz UI. Click through for a larger image. Read more

Asus Eee PC 1015T: AMD-powered 10-inch netbook

Another new 10-inch netbook the Asus Eee PC 1015 series cropped up today at Computex. The Eee PC 1015T looks very similar to the 1015P/PE range but will be powered by the AMD V105 processor and ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics.

It comes with a chiclet keyboard, large touchpad along with a matte lid and glossy 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) screen. As with the ION-powered 1015N there is only a single access panel to upgrade RAM. It will come with a 6-cell 56Wh battery good for 6 hours and USB 3.0 too. There are no details on price and availability right now.

Via Netbooked.

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