Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Everex Going Bigger With Tiny Cloudbooks and Adding Next-Gen Wireless Joy [Mini-notebooks]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/324482617/everex-going-bigger-with-tiny-cloudbooks-and-adding-next+gen-wireless-joy

The mini-notebook market is heating up, with today bringing stats and shots of the Asus's latest Eee PC with its tiny screen and keys that might work with normal hands. Then later, we get news of a leak about Everex, Asus's competitor in this market, about its next Cloudbooks, including one with a 10.2-inch screen and 3G connectivity, and another with an 8.9-inch screen and WiMax.

No definite word on if they'll be using Intel's Atom processors or competitors from Via, or if they'll be XP or Linux machines, but the makers of the reference design, FIC, would confirm a screen resolution on the 10.2-inch model at 1024x600. It will also feature a 1.3-Megapixel camera, 2GB RAM, card reader, dual USB 2.0 and an express card slot.

Less details are known of the 8.9-inch model, though the specs should be similar, including resolution. The devices might be subsidized by 3G carriers like AT&T or Sprint—if they ever hit the US shores, which there's no promise of.

We liked the Cloudbooks we've seen so far, and we can't wait to see if a slightly larger model will actually be usable for those of us with big, bear-like hands. [PC Advisor, via Slashgear]

OCZ reveals Core Series SATA II 2.5 SSDs: 128GB for $479

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324053481/

Filed under: Storage

¡Aye carumba! OCZ Technology just made us do a double take this morning with the introduction of its all new Core Series SATA II 2.5 SSDs. Hailed as the "world's first truly affordable high-performance SSD for consumers," these drives check in at $169 (32GB), $259 (64GB) and $479 (128GB), which -- as you undoubtedly recognize -- are amazing price points. Each unit utilizes NAND flash technology, possesses a 1.5-million hour mean time before failure and delivers 120 - 143Mbps read / 80 - 93Mbps write speeds. The sub-0.35ms seek times are also worthy of a tip of the hat, and the low power consumption just makes things unnecessarily sweeter. OCZ doesn't mention a definitive ship date, but we're hoping that "available" mention means "right now."

[Via Electronista]

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Fujitsu unveils LifeBook P8010 Pink Gold Edition with WWAN

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324107827/

Filed under: Laptops

Fujitsu's LifeBook P8010 was a star in its own right, but just months after its release, that original version is already looking stale. The newfangled LifeBook P8010 Limited Pink Gold Edition sports a sure-to-be-polarizing high-gloss finish, integrated 3.5G (HSDPA) WWAN, 12.1-inch WXGA SuperFine widescreen panel and Intel's Core 2 Duo SL7100 processor. You'll also find essentials like a 1.3-megapixel camera, dual-layer DVD writer, a battery good for six hours and a fingerprint reader. Looks like this one will go for $2,899 over in Australia (that's around $2,748 in Yankee dollars), but we've no word on whether it'll roll out globally.

[Via BoingBoing]

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"First" US WiMAX deployment goes live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324142608/

Filed under: Wireless

Bet you didn't see this one coming. With everyone's eyes fixed firmly on Sprint's supposedly forthcoming US WiMAX deployment in Baltimore, Chicago and Washington, DC, DigitalBridge Communications has snuck in to steal a little of the spotlight. As we speak, America's "first" (um, really?) mobile WiMAX deployment has gone live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming courtesy of Alvarion's BreezeMAX gear. The firms are hoping that high-brow tourists that come to tackle the black diamonds of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will also bring their WiMAX-enabled device and / or WiMAX card to send enviable photos back home, but only time will tell if folks find value in the offering. DBC is expected to expand the network's reach in the area (which currently hits 3,000 homes and businesses), and then "add mobile capabilities throughout its 200,000-household footprint."

[Image courtesy of TerryDreams]

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Medion Akoya E1210 netbook gets unboxed

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324186142/

Filed under: Laptops

Just days after going on sale in Europe for €399, the Wind-esque Akoya mini laptop has been acquired and unboxed for all to see. As it stands, we're still not certain if this thing will ever head to US soil, but judging by the remarkable similarities to a few other low-cost lappies, we reckon we'll survive if it decides to stay put. Head on to the read link for a look at the shots.

[Via SlashGear]

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ASUS can't help itself, debuts Eee PC 904 HD

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324226963/

Filed under: Laptops

As if ASUS's Eee PC line wasn't already crowded enough, the company has now seen fit to debut a new Eee PC 904 HD model in addition to the three other 900-series units that made themselves known only yesterday. Contrary to what you may suspect, however, this particular model doesn't boast a full HD resolution, but rather a standard hard drive in place of a solid state option. Otherwise, it seems you can expect the same 8.9-inch display in 10-inch size casing as the regular 904, although there's unfortunately no word on the size of that hard drive, or any other specs for that matter. ASUS did confirm that it'd be the cheapest model in the new range though, with it coming in at £250 (or just under $500, and no doubt less minus the VAT and whatnot).

[Thanks, Ben]

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ASUS confirms intent to drain Eee brand with Eee Monitor

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324375186/

Filed under: Desktops, Displays

No, no -- this isn't the Eee-branded HDTV. That's another Eee monitor. Seriously ASUS, you deserve some kind of award, nay, banquet to celebrate this crowning achievement. You've single-handedly managed to drive a lust-worthy name six feet below the surface, and now the mere mention of "Eee" just puts us in a foul mood. Nevertheless, we'll attempt to crack something of smile while taking a look at the Eee Monitor, which -- unless that assortment of ports 'round back is completely for show -- isn't just a monitor at all. Rather, this looks to be some sort of all-in-one PC, or a totally fruity docking station at the very least. As with every other ASUS product, there's no pricing or release information coming until who knows when, but you can burn the Eee logo even deeper into your brain by checking out the gallery in the read link below.

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Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Opera Mobile 9.5 Beta Available July 15 [Opera Mobile 9.5]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/323357672/opera-mobile-95-beta-available-july-15

Since the desktop version of Opera 9.5 officially launched just a bit ago, you'd figure the mobile version would be close behind. You're right: Opera Mobile 9.5 Beta (for Windows Mobile) goes live July 15. It'll bring a lot of the desktop version's features down to your smartphone, including the same browser engine. Enjoy your few weeks left to gloat, HTC Touch Diamond owners. [Opera via via Phone Scoop]

Kilmatec's AirWater Machine Can Extract 5 Gallons of Water From the Air in 24 Hours [Magic Water Cooler]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/323571668/kilmatecs-airwater-machine-can-extract-5-gallons-of-water-from-the-air-in-24-hours

According to Kilmatec, their Base 1 AirWater Machine can extract up to 20 liters (around 5 gallons) of water from the air in a 24 hour period. Unlike a common dehumidifier, it also makes that water suitable for drinking by running it through a carbon filter and ultraviolet light chamber to eliminate any pollutants or bacteria. It can even dispense the water hot or cold. So, in essence, the Base 1 is like a water cooler that never needs refills.

If you are concerned about how much power something like this would consume, Kilmatec has answered that problem as well with a solar power option that can keep the water coming even in the harshest conditions. Five gallons in 24 hours may seem high—but that is actually a fairly common feat for a dehumidifier. Pricing information has not been made available. [Kilmatec via TRFJ via DVICE]