H-P says it's working on an array of products, including notebooks, that use the same type of finger-tapping interface popularized by Apple Inc.'s iPhone. H-P's so keen on the idea that it says it's trying to get touch-enabled notebook computers on the market within the next 18 months.
"We're focused on recognizing the potential of touch now," said Phil McKinney, the chief technology officer for the company's laptop-making Personal Systems Group. "We see touch as the almost preferred method for nontechnical users." (Source: Ben Charny, Wall Street Journal)
"Tablet PCs offer teachers and students a natural way to deal with a wide range of academic possibilities," says Dave Berque, professor and chair of computer science at DePauw University. "While traditional laptops are great for textual content, they don’t allow free-hand input of content."
In an interview with HotChalk, Dr. Berque adds, "However, the real educational power of a Tablet PC is leveraged by software systems that exploit the power of the pen. For instance, Microsoft Word allows teachers and students to make natural digital ink annotations on top of typed text. This can be useful when students are engaged in peer reviews or when a teacher is providing feedback on a student’s writing." (Source: DePauw University)
Aircell’s Gogo™ inflight Internet service to be available in first and economy classes on more than 330 Delta aircraft in 2009, the most expansive inflight broadband offering of any U.S. air carrier
Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) customers traveling throughout the continental United States will soon be offered the added convenience of broadband Wi-Fi access onboard the airline’s domestic fleet of more than 330 mainline aircraft.
Delta is joining with Aircell®, a 17-year leader in airborne communications for business and commercial aviation, to install the company’s Mobile Broadband Network on the carrier’s domestic fleet. The system, Gogo, will enable Delta customers traveling with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to access the Internet, corporate VPNs, corporate and personal e-mail accounts, as well as SMS texting and instant messaging services. Gogo will be available to customers for a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours.
“Delta remains committed to providing a travel experience that maximizes the time our customers spend with us onboard by offering them even more productivity options,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. ”Our customers asked for in-flight connectivity, and we’re responding by rolling out the most extensive Wi-Fi network in the sky. Beginning this fall, our passengers will have the ability to stay connected when they travel with us throughout the continental U.S.”
Gogo will be offered initially on Delta’s fleet of 133 MD88/90 aircraft and will rapidly expand to the remaining domestic fleet of more than 200 Boeing 737, 757 and 767-300 aircraft throughout the first half of 2009. The airline expects to have more than 330 aircraft complete by summer 2009. The full fleet agreement between Aircell and Delta will provide a consistent, convenient experience for customers traveling on the airline who wish to use the Gogo Internet service.
“The advent of Air-To-Ground (ATG) technology has made broadband connectivity in the cabin economically viable for the first time for commercial airlines,” said Jack Blumenstein, President and CEO, Aircell. “The game has changed and Delta will be among the first to provide an enhanced customer experience with broadband Wi-Fi access on more than 1,000 daily flights within the U.S.”
In addition to being the most cost-effective in-flight broadband technology available, the Aircell system is extremely light, requires minimal space on the aircraft and is installed overnight, making it a sound investment in a competitive, high fuel-price environment. (Source: Press Release)
Fujitsu's refresh of the U810 UMPC will hit the U.S. with the monniker of.... wait for it.... the U820. The diminutive mobile device is showing off for the F.C.C., so assuming there's no testing issues, we'll see the U820 sooner rather than later. It has the same 5.6-inch display at an eyeball popping 1024 x 600 resolution, but as we already knew, Fujitsu has reworked the small keyboard with an extra row of keys. Last we heard, this would be Atom-based and it looks like the Intel Atom Z530 is paired with the 945GU Express. (Source: Kewvin Tofel, jkOnTheRun)
Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2008 by ChrisD Rating: n/aComments (0)
The Asus Eee PC 901 is the new update to the Eee PC... the affordable mini notebook that shook up the laptop market in 2007. This $600 mobile companion features the new Intel Atom processor, but is it the best choice for your next travel laptop?
I took an in-depth look at the Eee PC 901 to find out if it has enough performance and features to take the top spot in the popular budget ultraportable category. (Source: JerryJ, Brighthand)
Last week Panasonic released its new UMPC, Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1, in Canada. Rugged, of course. (Available in the US since June.) In the photo the Panasonic rep is pouring water on the PC to show it continue working in harsh environments. This announcement is a good reminder how Tablet PC form factors have continued to diversify. Think about how many different types of Tablet PCs are available today.
Tablet taxonomy may have changed over the years, but fundamentally two familiar categories are the pillars: 1) Slate and 2) Convertible. (Source: Lora, WhatIsNew)
The ASUS Eee PC 901 is the new update to the Eee PC ... the affordable mini notebook that shook up the notebook market in 2007. This $550 mobile companion features the new Intel Atom processor, but is it the best choice for your next travel laptop? We took an in-depth look at the Eee PC 901 to find out if this mini notebook has enough performance and features to take the top spot in the popular budget ultraportable category.
IRVINE, Calif.--Samsung Electronics America, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the availability of two new ultra mobile personal computers (UMPC). The Q1U-CMXP, a Q1 ultra mobile model with integrated HSDPA 3G cellular modem and the Q1UP-V, a Q1 Ultra Premium featuring Vista Business, join Samsung’s current line of UMPC’s. Available nationwide at a suggested list price of $1,499 for the Q1U-CMXP and $1,449 for the Q1UP-V, these ultra mobile solutions are ideal for mobile professionals in a variety of vertical markets and environments, as well as the general consumer who is looking to stay productive or entertained commuting to and from work or even on vacation.
The Q1U-CMXP maximizes connectivity with integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, 10/100 BaseTX, and an integrated HSDPA 3G cellular modem supporting the AT&T Broadband Connect network. With unsurpassed wired and wireless connection options, the Q1U-CMXP provides ubiquitous communications regardless of one’s location via the AT&T nationwide cellular network. In addition, the model boasts the same specifications as the industry standard Q1 Ultra XP model launched in May of 2007.
The Q1UP-V with Microsoft Vista Business is designed for the commercial market, as well as those individuals that travel frequently, by delivering a high performance PC in a small form combined with enhanced features, extended battery life, and superior text entry thanks to the V1.5 split-QWERTY key caps. Fueled by an ultra fast 1.33 GHz Intel Core Solo U1500 Pentium ultra low voltage CPU and 2 GB of system memory, these components significantly enhance support for Microsoft Vista Business. The Q1UP-V pushes the Q1 Ultra Premium to the next level. Moreover, the Q1UP-V has integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, and 10/100 BaseTX providing users with various wired and wireless connectivity options, delivering a high-performance mobile computing solution that offers full PC functionality in an ultra-light package weighing under two pounds. Powering this premiere UMPC platform is a 6-cell, 57.7 watt Lithium-Ion polymer battery that provides up to seven hours of battery life for extended, continuous usage.
"With the growing adoption of Ultra Mobile Personal Computers, Samsung continues to lead the category it pioneered, by delivering high performance feature set solutions that meet a variety of vertical and horizontal market applications," said Bret Berg, senior product marketing manager of mobile computing products, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. "The availability of the Q1U-CMXP allows unlimited connectivity and the Q1UP-V delivers the latest Microsoft operating system with the horsepower needed for optimal performance. We anticipate that these Q1 Ultra models will be the most popular and successful additions to our product lineup.”
Samsung continues to deliver seamless means of communication allowing users to effortlessly combine the 300 pixel webcam along with a high-performance dual-array microphone and speakers, enabling face-to-face video chatting/video conferencing. The two models also include a 1.3 mega pixel camera for taking pictures and recording video.
Both the Q1U-CMXP and Q1UP-V models come standard with a one-year warranty. Additional accessories available from Samsung include a safeguard case designed by Otterbox to hold and protect the UMPC from damage that may occur from active lifestyles. Additional accessories include and external USB keyboard, a docking station that supports three additional USB 2.0 ports, an additional battery charger slot, audio-out and microphone-in ports, a GPS navigation receiver enabling pin-point location accuracy anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, extended-life battery packs, car charger, replacement stylus, AC adapters, and a DVD-RW+/- Dual Layer external Optical Disk Drive.
About Samsung Electronics America Information Technology Division
Samsung’s Information Technology Division (ITD) markets a complete line of award-winning LCD Monitor products, including professional large format LCD and Plasma displays. ITD also markets an award-winning line of color and monochrome laser printers and multifunction devices, video security systems and the family of Samsung Q1 Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers (UMPC). Samsung ITD is committed to supporting the needs of its channel partners in the professional, commercial, and corporate and SOHO markets. Based in Irvine, Calif., ITD is a division of Samsung Electronics America (SEA), a U.S. subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. (SEC). The SEA organization oversees the North American operations of Samsung, including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com, or call 1-800-SAMSUNG.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Network Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. (Source: Press Release)
Posted Thursday, July 31, 2008 by ChrisD Rating: 3Comments (0)
It’s “too small” says Toshiba’s Mark Whittard, and is not “commercially viable.” However, Tosh is confident it’ll launch an ultra-mobile PC very soon. Stay tuned for more as we hear it, and lets hope the finished device looks as good as the prototype! (Source: James Holland, ElectricPig)
Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2008 by ChrisD Rating: 2.5Comments (0)
Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation introduced the LifeBook T1010 Tablet PC convertible as part of an announcement that also included another T-Series Tablet PC convertible, the LifeBook T5010, and a number of new and updated notebooks. The introduction coincided with Intel's official announcement of the "Montevina" Centrino 2 platform that combines faster Core 2 Duo chips with Mobile Intel GM45 chipsets and the Intel WiFi Link 5000 series for faster wireless communication.
While all this new Intel technology certainly makes the new LifeBooks faster and more efficient machines, Fujitsu also used the opportunity to add models with the increasingly popular "wide" screens to its Tablet PC convertible lineup. Both new models sport a 13.3-inch wide aspect ratio display with 1280 x 800 pixel WXGA resolution. Unlike the higher-end T5010 that has an active electromagnetic digitizer and your choice of indoor or indoor/outdoor screen, the T1010 has a resisitive touchscreen and there is no outdoor-viewable screen option. (Source: Wireless Workforce Online)
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