Qualcomm shipping 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon
June 1, 2010 at 9:11 am
If we ever do see smartbooks make a comeback, there is a likelihood that some may end up using some newly announced Snapdragon chipsets from Qualcomm. The 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260 and MSM8660 Snapdragon chips support 1080p video and get 3D/2D engines for Open GLES 2.0 and Open VG 1.1 acceleration.
Other features include a dedicated low power audio engine, integrated low power GPS, and support for 24-bit WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution displays. Both are sampling to manufacturers right now, which is likely to mean that smartphones and potentially smartbooks using the new chips may arrive before the year is out.
HP Compaq Airlife 100 smartbook reviewed – work in progress
May 21, 2010 at 2:20 pm
The 10.1-inch Snapdragon-powered Compaq Airlife 100 smartbook is one of the first on the market. It comes with a resistive touchscreen display, the Android operating system, 512MB RAM and a 16GB flash drive.
Carrypad has just published the first review I’ve seen of this device. They loved some of the headline features of smartbooks generally including the always on 3G experience and long battery life (18 hours from mixed use). However, internet connectivity was patchy and there is no included Android Market that mars the experience. Software is one of the main negatives with the feeling that Android is too “immature in large-screen” scenarios. Click here for the full review.
Nvidia Tegra 2 tablet video round-up
May 20, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Nvidia has been showing off a Foxconn-manufactured 8.9-inch Tegra 2 tablet prototype running Android 2.1. Nvidia weren’t revealing too much about the device but it is believed to have 1GB RAM, two USB ports, a front-facing camera and a 8.9-inch WSVGA screen. This model was just a reference design and a Nvidia spokesperson said that thinner and lighter designs are currently behind closed doors.
The tablet wasn’t spotted booting into Android, but a 3D game was being demonstrated, most likely to show off Tegra 2’s gaming prowess. A couple of sites including Engadget and NetbookNews managed to go hands-on with the device and we’ve attached some video hands-on after the break. Read more
Smartbooks delayed by Flash issues, tablet frenzy says ARM
May 6, 2010 at 3:02 pm
When the smartbook category was first announced, many didn’t expect that we’d still be waiting for the first device to make an appearance almost a year later. ARM’s marketing VP, Ian Drew, has commented on the delays and says that they have been caused by issues with Flash optimisation as well as cold feet from manufacturers.
“We thought [smartbooks] would be launched by now, but they’re not. We’ve seen things like Adobe slip — we’d originally scheduled for something like 2009,” said Drew. “Our target is mostly internet machines — it becomes sort of a requirement that they run the internet. [The delay in optimising] Flash has stalled it”. Read more
Tablet news roundup – Samsung S-Pad, Aigo and Jumper JK01-TT slates
May 4, 2010 at 10:51 am
It’s becoming trickier keeping up to date with all the tablet news given how everyone seems to be launching one these days. Today’s roundup brings news of three new tablets. Samsung is rumoured to be launching the S-Pad tablet that sports a 7-inch Super AMOLED display and the Android OS. It will include access to Samsung’s own app store and come with a USB dock. There are no pricing details although it’s expected to launch on contract from SK Telecom with a subsidised contract.
Aigo is planning a similarly sized 7-inch tablet that will also run Android 2.1, but will be powered by the Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset. It comes with a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 512MB RAM, and 4-32GB of internal storage. It also features an HDMI port, an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, 3120mAh battery and card reader. Read more
Dell Sparta and Athens netbooks leaked in Android roadmap
April 25, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Dell will launch a “netbook tablet “ and normal netbook, both sporting Android according to a leaked roadmap obtained by Android Central. The Dell Sparta netbook will come with a rotatable 11-inch (1024 x 768) display powered by an ARM processor. It will also come with optional 3G along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The Dell Athens netbook is more typical in its form-factor and will sport a similar sized display and ARM processor. It will have a thin chassis and weigh less than 900g (1.98lbs). These models are expected to launch during the Autumn. Check out a large screencap of this Dell roadmap after the break. Read more
Chrome OS smartbooks to be more expensive than Windows netbooks?
March 12, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Google ‘s Chrome operating system is not expected to launch until the second half later this year. Many question marks over OS remain, however what we do know is that Chrome OS will be heavily cloud based and Google is likely to dictate hardware requirements for devices running it.
Whilst the requirements are under wraps for now, it is believed to include relatively high performance graphics, SSDs and accelerometers. This has led Bob O’Donnell, VP of clients and displays at International Data Corp, to say that Chrome OS smartbooks will be even more expensive than Microsoft Windows-based netbooks. “PC OEMs say the hardware requirements—still under NDA–will make the systems actually more expensive than a Windows device, yet they don’t have anywhere near the applications support,” O’Donnell said. Read more
ARM expects 50 tablet devices due in 2010
March 10, 2010 at 6:17 pm
The impending release of the Apple iPad tablet will cause a rush to market of similar devices says ARM. The company expects that it will see ARM-powered 50 tablet devices launching globally this year. Not surprising, considering that this years CES and CeBIT were swamped with tablet devices of one form or another.
This is set to continue at the Computex show in Taipei in June, with ARM renting more space than last year to show off various mobile devices including tablets, smartbooks and e-readers. “The first tablet devices will launch in the second quarter by [mobile network] carriers,” said Roy Chen, ARM’s worldwide mobile computing ODM manager. “You’ll see a lot more in the third quarter.” Read more
Smartbook shipments expected to exceed 160 million by 2015
February 23, 2010 at 10:31 am
We are very excited about the smartbook form-factor here at NbC. Whilst some may question the need for yet another device category, smartbooks sit distinctly from netbooks in our view. Our definition of a smartbook is a device that is always connected and one that runs on an ARM-based chip.
Both are interconnected as ARM provides a SoC with embedded 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality. The result is similar to that of many smartphones, long battery life, a near enough instant resume function and the ability to check the internet from wherever you are. Read more
HP Compaq Airlife 100 smartbook unveiled
February 12, 2010 at 12:40 pm
HP Spain has announced the Compaq Airlife 100 smartbook. It comes with a 10.1-inch display and integrated 3G pointing to the ARM chipset (possibly a Qualcomm Snapdragon?) Other features include a 16GB SSD, Wi-Fi, card reader, webcam and a 12-hour battery life.
The Airlife 100 looks like a very attractive slim line device, sporting a flat-key keyboard and some additional shortkey buttons sitting besides the touchpad. I didn’t notice the mouse buttons, which could point to an integrated solution. It’s also difficult to tell whether it comes with a matte or glossy display and at what resolution. Read more
ARM CEO expects netbook domination in coming years
February 4, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Arm Chief Exective, Warren East, thinks that netbooks/smartbooks could penetrate as much as 90 percent of the total PC market in a few years time. You would expect East to be bullish, but even so they are quite bold predictions.
“Although netbooks are small today – maybe 10% of the PC market at most – we believe over the next several years that could completely change around and that could be 90% of the PC market. We see those products as an area for a lot of innovation and we want that innovation to be happening around the ARM architecture,” said East. Read more
Hivision PWS700CA 7-inch Android smartbook gets video review
January 30, 2010 at 5:51 pm
The Hivision PWS700CA is an intriguing little device. The smartbook sports a 7-inch (800 x 480) display and is powered by an ARM926 processor and runs Android. It weighs just 650g and counts 720p HD video playback as one of its features.
Charbax from ARMDevices has been playing around with one for a while and put it to the test in a thorough video review. Whilst you won’t see this hit Western shores just yet, he believes that if one of the big retail giants came on board it could sell for as cheap as $100. Check out the video after the jump. Read more
MSI prepping 10-inch Tegra/Android tablet for $500 later this year
January 29, 2010 at 9:30 am
MSI is planning on launching its 10-inch Tegra tablet, first shown off at CES, later this year for $500 according to Digitimes. It should be armed with Tegra’s Cortex A9 chipset and Android operating system.
This will pit it against the Apple iPad, with a similar price point, display and computing power. However the MSI tablet should benefit from multitasking and it is reported to be “thin and light.” Tegra should also be able to handle 1080p video as opposed to 720p for the Apple iPad. There are still question marks over a full spec-list but we’ll keep you posted.
Qualcomm fights back in ‘smartbook’ name dispute
January 28, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Qualcomm has released a statement, where it responds to Germany company Smartbook AG’s “aggressive campaign to prevent the continued use of the term “smartbooks” by journalists, manufacturers and consumers”.
Qualcomm goes on to say that it is complying with a restraining order in Germany that requires it to issue a disclaimer if it wants to use the smartbook term. It goes on to say that ‘smartbook’ is a generic term used to describe a subset of devices sitting between netbooks and smartphones.
Qualcomm is looking to cancel the trademark in Germany. Smartbook AG has been trying to register the term in other countries, however European countries have thrown out their request. Hopefully, we’ll see an end to this ridiculous dispute very quickly. Check out the full statement below. Read more
Nvidia Tegra 2 Tablet/Smartbook CES Roundup [Video]
January 9, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Following the official Nvidia Tegra 2 announcement, a whole number of different next-gen Tegra powered products were shown on the trade floor at CES. Rather than creating a post for every single one, we’ve summarised each below and attached any relevant videos. Most of these consisted of tablets, rather than smartbooks, but it gives you a good idea of what to expect over the coming year. Check out the Tegra 2 action after the jump. Read more
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