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Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Intel appears to be firing on all cylinders at IDF. Besides whatever surprised they have planned for tomorrow, the chip-maker rolled out a prototype of a convertible laptop / tablet / MID / UMPC / netbook / super-gadget called the UrbanMax. There’s not much in the way of specs on the device, but as you can see from the photos, it utilizes a combination sliding / tilting screen to transform into any variety of configurations. The display is a resistive touchscreen, though it’s not clear what the guts are made up of here. The whole thing reminds us of a giant Tilt, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. One more pic after the break.

[Via jkkmobile]Continue reading Intel’s UrbanMax slider laptop concept unveiled at IDF

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Source: Joshua Topolsky

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Filed under: Handhelds

By now, you’ve surely realized that the Sharp-branded Willcom D4 is far from being the perfect handheld, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t be lusting over a few internal shots. Thankfully, one fearless owner decided to tear the MID down for our viewing pleasure (and to install a larger 1.8-inch HDD, but that’s beside the point), and everything you’ve hoped and dreamed of seeing is just one click away. Okay, so it’s not that dramatic, but it’s still worth a peek.

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Laptops

Things are looking rosy in Intel’s land of Atom, the little chip that could. Early reports from the chip maker indicate that Atom sales are brisk. After declaring a 25% rise in quarterly profit, Intel noted that the MID, netbook, and embedded-friendly Atom isn’t cannibalizing sales of its traditional processors. In fact, it notes that Atom chips are creating a completely new money machine. Intel calls Atom a “perfect recession product” as it plays well into people’s desire to pick up a second PC or a low-cost small computer for kids. Meanwhile, the embedded market hasn’t even been reported yet. Once those numbers come in, it will probably be time to call Atom a success.

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Source: Joshua Fruhlinger

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Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Not like we weren’t totally expecting this or anything, but Canonical has chosen Computex as the expo where it will officially showcase Ubuntu Netbook Remix. Hailed as a “reworked desktop image of Ubuntu built specifically for a new category of portable internet-centric devices,” the operating system will probably not be too foreign for those familiar with the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition. We are told that this flavor will feature a launcher that enables users to “get online more quickly and have faster access to their favorite applications,” and that it “leverages Moblin technologies optimized for the Intel Atom processor.” Unfortunately, devices pre-loaded with UNR aren’t apt to ship until “later in 2008,” though OEMs interested in getting in while there is still room on the bandwagon are encouraged to hit up Canonical. Full release waiting after the jump.

Continue reading Canonical makes Ubuntu Netbook Remix official at Computex

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Honestly, we’re exhausted by the sheer magnitude of 3G iPhone chatter swamping the rumor channels (and our inbox). Nevertheless, it would be a disservice to you, dear reader, if we let this one slide without comment. The perennial Apple touchscreen tablet rumor was given a fresh polish yesterday by Intel’s chief German Burgermeister. Hannes Schwaderer stated unequivocally that Apple would be using the new Intel Atom processor in a “future iPhone” which is slightly larger than the existing model due to a larger display. Of course, this isn’t the first time that Intel has openly discussed Apple’s plans to develop products based on Intel’s Centrino Atom, Mobile Internet Device (MID) platform. And as MacRumors and AppleInsider point out, an older rumor calls for a new multi-touch Apple tablet to launch mid-year with a 720 x 480 display on a device said to be about 1.5x the size of the current iPhone. With Intel officially launching Atom in June and Jobs’ next keynote scheduled for June 9th… well, it wouldn’t surprise us to see Otellini riding a chocolate pony on stage with a multi-touch Newton in hand. Actually, that would be surprising.

P.S. That’s a pic of Intel’s concept MID from Mr. Blurry Cam.

Update: Er, ZDNET.de has printed a disclaimer from Intel saying that ZDNET got the whole thing wrong. Intel claims that Schwaderer’s comments were generic and not based on specific knowledge about future iPhone models. Where’s the damning video evidence when you need it?

[Via MacRumors and AppleInsider]

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Source: Thomas Ricker

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Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

Just what we needed, another couple of me-too MIDs dropped into the world without a purpose. USI is naturally putting some fine tech in these devices, like a 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, up to 8GB of SSD, WiFi, Bluetooth, 512MB of RAM and a 1.2GHz Intel Atom processor, but given the lack of proof that an MID is even what consumers want at the moment, we’re having a hard time getting excited about these particular MIDs. The main claim to fame of the MID-200 (keyboard) and MID-150 (no keyboard) is a PCI-express slot for adding 3G or GPS, but the existing four hour battery life is certainly going to strain under the load of any additions. No word on price or a release date just yet.

[Via thegadgetsite]

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Source: Paul Miller

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Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

We haven’t heard much about ASUS’ R50/R50a UMPC since its debut at CES in January. Oh sure, it was on display at CeBIT but only to be overshadowed (literally) by its imposing 7-inch, R70 bro. With Intel properly official with Atom, Asus now tells us to expect the 5.6-inch R50 to rollout before June in both Linux and Vista flavors with a price above $500. Really, Asus, “above” $500, so is that $501, $1,000 or $1,500? A little bit more specificity please when you announce the expected November availability of the next R50 with keyboard, ok?

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Source: Thomas Ricker

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Filed under: Handhelds

Yeah, we know. We’ve seen this EB MID engineering sample kicking around for nearly a year now. However, this is the first time we’ve seen it running a rock-solid, VoIP application on that tiny Silverthorne, eh hrm, Atom processor. So solid, in fact, that Intel purposely crashes the OS while the VoIP call keeps on kicking. That piece of magic comes via Virtual Logic who keep the network stack and audio running in a virtualized Linux instance while the main OS reboots. Pretty compelling glimpse of a future without voice contracts. Don’t believe us? Check the video after the break.Continue reading Intel demos rock-solid VoIP call on MID

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Source: Thomas Ricker

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