Nvidia Tegra 2 officially announced; 4x the power of its predecessor
January 7, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Nvidia has formally announced the 40nm Tegra 2 chipset. The new chip combines a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 processor (running up to 1GHz speeds) with Nvidia graphics to create a platform expected to be used in a number of HD tablets, smartbooks and smartphones launching this year.
As you would expect, Tegra 2 can stream 1080p video, has HDMI-out and benefits from Flash Player 10.1 hardware acceleration. It does all this with an all day battery life. According to Nvidia, Tegra can deliver over 16 hours of HD video (140 hours of music) on a single charge – astonishing if true. Read more
Nvidia prepping Tegra 2 announcement for CES 2010
December 16, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Nvidia’s Tegra chipset is similar to ION but differs in that it marries an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU whereas ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU instead. The benefits of the Tegra SoC (system-on-chip) includes the ability to handle 1080p video, HD Flash, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and a huge battery life. All of this while being very energy efficient.
However, Tegra hasn’t taken off as well as Nvidia would have hoped. It is used in the Zune HD but not too many other high profile products. In response to this, Nvidia is set to announce the second-generation Tegra chipset at CES in January. Tegra 2 is believed to be twice as powerful as the original and run on a 40nm dual-core ARM processor. A number of new devices sporting the Tegra 2 chipset are expected to appear at CES 2010. Read more
Inventec Tegra-powered smartbook gets video hands-on
November 22, 2009 at 4:27 pm
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
Nvidia Tegra 2 details emerge
November 5, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Details of the second generation of Nvidia’s Tegra platform are starting to emerge. Fudzilla is reporting that the new chip will arrive in 2010 and will use the dual-core ARM 9 processor. This will give it twice the computational and graphics power of the current Tegra chip according to “high ranking industry sources”.
Nvidia CEO, Jen-Hsun Huang, wants Tegra to account for over half of the company’s revenues in the next few years. Whilst it’s presence is likely to end up in high-end smartphones, they will also feature in smartbooks too.
Nvidia & Adobe’s GPU-accelerated Flash Player coming soon?
September 29, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Nvidia & Adobe has long-talked of releasing a hardware-accelerated support for Flash videos. Early builds of this player has been floating around with one such example on YouTube (although it has since been taken down). The video showcased YouTube HD videos being played on an ION-powered netbook.
The Flash player is expected to work with other Nvidia chipsets too including Tegra, which is expected to power smartbooks. It is still unclear when exactly the updated Flash player will launch or whether this hardware acceleration is exclusive to Nvidia GPUs. An official announcement is expected by Nvidia on 5th October.
Via Netbooked.
Mobinnova’s Tegra-powered élan smartbook gets priced
September 26, 2009 at 9:03 am
Mobinnova’s 8.9-inch élan smartbook was announced at Computex. One of the main highlights of the device is the fact that it sports the Nvidia Tegra platform. This means it can play HD video whilst being energy efficient too. The company claims that the élan offers 5-10 hours of 720p HD video playback in a package weighing just 836g and measuring 20.5mm in thickness.
As we gear up for a release by the end of the year in Asia, digi.163 has found out that the élan will cost $299 according to Nvidia reps. There’s no word when it will be hitting other regions like the US & Europe. If they don’t bump up the price too much for the western release, the élan could do very well for itself.
Via Shanzai.
Tegra-powered smartbooks running Google Chrome OS in development
September 24, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Earlier this month, rumours surfaced that smartbooks using the Nvidia Tegra platform were in development using Google’s upcoming Chrome OS. Now JKOnTheRun has heard directly from the horse’s mouth that these devices are indeed being planned. Mike Rayfield, Nvidia’s GM of Mobile Business, has said that Nvidia is “working closely with Google,” on the Chrome OS platform. Nvidia plan to support Windows Mobile/Google Android in the smartphone segment and Windows CE/Google Chrome OS in the smartbook segment.
The Tegra platform is different to ION in that it pairs an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M graphics). The benefits of Tegra includes the ability to handle 1080p video, HD Flash, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and a huge battery life. All of this while being very energy efficient.
Acer & Lenovo planning Tegra devices with Chrome OS?
September 1, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Google’s Chrome OS isn’t expected to hit netbooks until the second half of 2010, however Shanzai is reporting that it may be used in upcoming smartbooks. According to their sources, both Acer & Lenovo are working on Nvidia Tegra-based devices that will use Google’s new OS. They are also reporting that these devices could launch as early as next month.
It all sounded so plausible up until that last sentence. Given everything that Google has officially said about its Chrome OS regarding release dates, I’d be very surprised if they were at the stage of even launching Chrome OS as a beta product right now.
Inventec Rainbow / Mobinnova N910 Tegra smartbooks hands-on
August 7, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Computex 2009 saw the launch of a number of Nvidia Tegra-based smartbooks. The Tegra platform is different to ION in that it pairs an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M graphics). Nvidia has once again been doing the rounds in Taiwan to further promote its Tegra platform and did so via two smartbook devices.
The first, the Inventec Rainbow, was announced at Computex but we didn’t hear too much detailed information at the time. It has a 10.1-inch (1024 x 576) LED backlit display and is powered by the Tegra 600 platform (600MHz, ARM 11). It comes with 256MB RAM and just 256MB of flash memory. The Rainbow also has a choice of EVDO Rev.A or HSPA radios. Read more
Nvidia Firefly smartbook to launch in September?
July 23, 2009 at 9:51 am
Rumours of an Nvidia-branded Tegra netbook/smartbook launching later this year surfaced late last month. These rumours were quickly squashed by the company, denying any plans to sell its own brand of smartbooks. However, according to ODM sources, Nvidia will be releasing a Tegra-based device under the ‘Firefly’ name and it will launch in September.
Nvidia is already showing off a Firefly prototype to ODMs according to SemiAccurate. This device will come with the Tegra platform and Windows CE operating system. The Tegra platform is different to ION in that it pairs an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M graphics).
There’s little other information than that. The previous rumours talked of a Black Friday release in the United States, along with the device launching with a wireless carrier. I’d take all of this news with a pinch of salt, however it certainly seems like Nvidia is up to something. Whether this prototype sees the light of day is another thing.
Nvidia-branded Tegra smartbook to launch by year-end
June 25, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Nvidia will launch its own Tegra-powered smartbook by the end of the year according to Pocket Lint. Whilst details are scant, the model is expected to launch around “Black Friday” and cost around the $200 mark. Black Friday is normally one of the busiest shopping periods of the year and is the time that Americans start their Christmas shopping.
The technical specifications have yet to be finalised. Nvidia is expecting mobile phone operators to offer the smartbook on a two-year contract for no upfront cost. This particular device is likely to be just one of a number of smartbooks to launch by the time the year is out.
Update: Nvidia has denied plans to sell its own branded smartbooks according to Wired.
Mobinova’s Tegra-powered N910 gets hands-on impressions
June 20, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Nvidia’s Tegra platform was really only brought into the limelight at the recent Computex show in Taiwan, despite being introduced last June. The Tegra platform is different to ION in that it pairs an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M graphics). Whilst Nvidia has done well in getting the ION brand out into people’s minds, it looks like Tegra is set to follow. With some high profile devices, like the Zune HD, sporting the Tegra platform, it’s expected to become even more popular.
Nvidia claims that the Tegra processor is the “world’s smallest and lowest power computer-on-a-chip”. The chip will be able to handle 1080p video and will come with a massive battery life. Nvidia claim that it can handle 10 hours of 1080p video playback on a single charge. Read more
Nvidia: Windows CE performs better than Android on smartbooks
June 18, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Google’s Android operating system has been getting all of the column inches and hype relating to an eventual transition to netbooks and smartbooks. However, Nvidia feels that Windows CE is the more mature platform, as things stand, for Tegra-based smartbooks.
The Tegra platform is different to ION in that it pairs an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M graphics). Nvidia certainly has high hopes for the Tegra platform, with its CEO Jen-Hsun Huang predicting that Tegra will benefit from higher margins than its existing products and could contribute as much as half of Nvidia’s revenues within a few years. Read more
Video: Pegatron Vivid’s Tegra-powered netbook with dedicated web keys
June 17, 2009 at 6:33 pm
New products from the Computex show continue to roll in, courtesy of NetbookNews. This time round, we are shown the Pegatron Vivid which is an Nvidia Tegra-based device. Where this particular model differs from the rest is in having dedicated buttons on top of the keyboard for Yahoo!, Google, MSN and Skype.
Being a Tegra-powered device you can expect 1080p HD video playback through its HDMI port and strong battery life. The device has a matte display and a sealed battery, although it’s only a pre-production sample so that is likely to change. You’ll also find a fancy speaker integrated into the hinge. No word on pricing or availability right now. Check out the hands-on after the jump. Read more
Nvidia Tegra platform gets video demonstration
June 4, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Nvidia has really come out in force at the Computex show in Taiwan. It has shown off ION on 21 new devices as well as educating the world about its Tegra platform. Tegra marries an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with Nvidia 9400M graphics).
Nvidia claims Tegra to be one of the most powerful SOCs (system on chips) – able to handle 1080p video, HD Flash, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and a huge battery life. The video below (courtesy of NetbookNews) shows the trailer for the new Star Trek film running at a bitrate of 12-14Mbits. It also shows that the chip can run older games (like Quake) at 46fps. All of this at a maximum power consumption rate of just 1W. Read more
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