News

Apple annouces ultra-thin laptop – MacBook Air

In his keynote speech at the MacWorld Expo in San Francisco, Steve Jobs has unveiled the world’s thinnest laptop, called the MacBook Air. The computer will be just 0.76 inches (1.93cm) at its thickest point.

MacBook Air

The Apple head also launched online film rentals for iTunes users in the US from almost every major film studio, including Disney and Fox.

Mr Jobs admitted that Apple’s first attempt to put online video in the living room had failed.

Of the laptop, Mr Jobs said: “It’s an amazing feat of engineering.”

It does not have a CD or DVD drive in order to save space.

“It was built to be a wireless machine,” he added.

The laptop will compete with a range of portable devices, from companies such as Sony, Dell and Asus, which are building so-called sub-notebooks, designed to be lighter and more mobile.

The machine goes on sale in two weeks and costs from $1,799 in the US and comes with either a hard disc drive or solid state drive.

So the MacBook Air will go head to head with the Asus Eee PC probably!? And it doubles are a Frisbee apparently?

Posted By: Matt

[Post tag(s): Smartphone Blog, MacBook Air, Apple, Tracy & Matt]

E-TEN announces the Glofiish X650

E-TEN first introduced the option for a VGA display in May and since then has added several more models to its product lineup aimed at different customer needs. The latest X650 is designed to appeal to those seeking a compact, full-featured device that is also affordable.

Eten Glofiish X650

A VGA display offers several significant benefits to the user. The greater resolution (four times higher than that of a typical Pocket PC Phone) enables a larger proportion of a document, calendar, map, or web page etc. to be displayed on screen at once, increasing productivity. Additionally, the higher pixel density means that text appears sharper and easier to read while pictures and video appear more detailed. VGA is set to become one of the key specifications for Pocket PC Phones in the coming year.

The Glofiish X650 features E-TEN’s all-in-one connectivity solution comprising of worldwide GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. The device all comes preloaded with E-TENs exclusive software suite including Mobile Shell, Namecard Manager and Backup Utility as well as Microsoft Office Mobile, Windows Live and other utilities.

Specifications of the X650 include a Samsung SC3 processor at 500Mz, 256MB ROM, 2-megapixel auto-focus camera, FM Tuner, and FM Transmitter (subject to region). Dimensions of the handset are an ultra-compact 107 x 58 x 14.7mm with a weight of just 139g.

The Glofiish X650 is offered in two color choices, black and purple, and should be available worldwide in two to three weeks.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Eten, Glofiish, Eten Glofiish X650, Tracy & Matt]

Blu-ray Titles Outsell HD DVD

As a Playstation 3 owner and one with a new Full HD plasma TV I thought this was an interesting article.

According to a press release from CES a few days ago, Blu-Ray titles are outselling HD DVD titles but up to 3 to 1! Good new for PS3 owners I suspect.

While I can’t comment as to whether Blu-Ray is better than HD DVD or not as I don’t have an HD player (If someone wants to send me one for review then that’s fine!) but here is the press release from CES:

Blu-ray Disc movie titles outsold HD DVD in the United States by a nearly 2-to-1 margin last year, according to sales figures from Home Media Research, an independent market research firm.

Blu-ray titles outsold HD DVD in the United States every single week of the year, according to HMR. And Blu-ray editions of titles released on both formats consistently outsold their HD DVD counterparts by significant margins. Sales of the Blu-ray edition of “300,” the bestselling high-definition title to date, have outpaced sales of the HD DVD version by 2-to-1.

According to the European based market research firm, GfK media control – OCC, high-definition movie title sales in Europe were nearly 3-to-1 in favor of Blu-ray. And in Japan the margin was an overwhelming 14-to-1.

Sales of high-definition playback devices were even stronger in Blu-ray’s favor – more than 3 -to-1 in the United States, 10-to-1 in Europe and more than 100-to-1 in Japan.

The strong consumer preference for Blu-ray was cited by Warner Bros. as the principle reason for their January 4th decision to publish solely on Blu-ray Disc beginning in May of 2008.

Posted By: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Blu-Ray, Playstation 3, HD-DVD]

Neonode news

Great news for Neonode fans out there, Neonode have joined forces with a US sales chanel company to form Neonode USA. Hopefully this should mean that Neonode devices, such at the recently released N2 should make a mainstream appearance.

We’ve mentioned Neonode devices in the past, such as the excellent N1 released several years ago. I’ve always thought it a shame that so few people recognise the Neonode brand but fingers crossed that the new partnership should address this.

The Neonode N2

Here is the official press release:

Swedish mobile phone manufacturer, Neonode, today announced that it has joined with U.S. sales channel development and supply chain company, Distribution Management Consolidators Worldwide LLC (DMC), to form Neonode USA. The new entity will market existing and new innovative products within North America, Latin America and China, and will commercially market the Neonode technology globally.

DMC leverages more than 40 years of experience managing all aspects of a brand development and sales channel program for international manufacturers looking to break into the Chinese, North and Latin American markets. The company works closely with its partners to ensure that products are a cultural fit, seamlessly manages the entire supply chain, and can provide sufficient financing to ensure a rapid market penetration. The whole experience reduces capital expenses and increases the speed to market for new consumer products.

Neonode N2 is a technologically advanced multimedia mobile phone incorporating the proprietary “zForce” optical touch screen technology and the “neno” user interface. When launched by Neonode USA, these proprietary technologies will be marketed exclusively by Neonode USA around the globe to widen the distribution of Neonode’s intuitive solutions.

“Neonode USA will leverage the groundbreaking technologies developed by Neonode, while utilizing DMC’s marketing and brand building experience, distribution channel relationships and supply chain management expertise. Collectively we expect this partnership will bring Neonode N2, and a number of other Neonode products, to the market efficiently and effectively.” said Mikael Hagman, CEO and President of Neonode Inc.

Neonode USA will market existing Neonode products and its intellectual property, and will develop new products that incorporate the power of “zForce” and “neno”.

“We have seen the critical acclaim the Neonode N2 has received in Europe, and believe there is a great demand for this multimedia mobile handset in North America, China and Latin America. Neonode has introduced technologies that have the power to change the nature of more than just the mobile phone industry, and can be embedded into a wide-range of desirable consumer products. DMC will fully leverage Neonode’s valuable resources in order to maximize the opportunities to market these uniquely intuitive technologies across many product categories and business sectors,” said Andrew Lowinger, President and CEO of DMC.

Neonode and Neonode N2 made its United States debut at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the Central Hall 9817. Neonode USA’s main office will be located in New York.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): Tracy & Matt, Smartphone News, Neonode, N2, CES]

SanDisk Announces 12GB microSDHC Card

SanDisk just announced the release of their 12GB microSDHC memory card. Here’s what SanDisk had to say at CES:

SanDisk 12GB microSDHC

SanDisk today announced it has begun to sample 12-gigabyte microSDHC flash memory cards to major phone manufacturers for testing and evaluation. The 12GB card represents a 50 percent boost in card capacity from SanDisk’s industry-leading 8GB microSDHC cards, which are currently available worldwide, and highlights the growing popularity of mobile phones with storage-intensive features that include music players, digital cameras, video recording and playback and GPS capabilities.

“Mobile phones have become a key part of consumers’ lifestyles around the globe,” said Jeff Kost, senior vice president and general manager of the Mobile Consumer Solutions division at SanDisk. “What many people tend to overlook is the important role that removable storage cards play in enabling the key features of these fully featured mobile phones. In fact, many people are not even aware that their phone has a card slot which is why SanDisk recently launched its Wake Up Your Phone(TM) campaign.”

A 12GB microSDHC is ideal for storing large quantities of music, photos and video. For example, it will be able to store a combination of 1,500 songs, 3,600 photos and 24.5 hours of video.

SDHC is the designation for any SD or SD-based card that is larger than 2GB and adheres to the new SD 2.00 specification required for cards and hosts to support 4GB to 32GB capacities. The specification was developed by the SD Association, an industry standards board, which has also created three classes to define minimum sustained data transfer speed. These cards adhere to the SD Speed Class 4 Rating.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): Tracy & Matt, SanDisk, Cruzer, M2, microSDHC]

Astraware to join the Handmark family

Handmark and Astraware have announced a new business relationship in which Astraware will become part of the Handmark family.

From the press release:

Handmark and Astraware have worked together on entertainment projects for several years. Astraware undertook development work on the Tetris? Handmark major game license, and both companies already offer each other?s titles on their respective web shops.

Through the new relationship, Astraware will expand its existing UK games development studio to develop new high profile licenses as well as continuing work on original titles. In addition to Palm OS(R) and Windows Mobile(R), Astraware will release their first titles for Symbian(R) S60(R) and UIQ(R) in the first quarter of 2008, and will add games for BlackBerry(R) devices later in the year.

“We recognize the genius of the mobile gaming pioneers who created Astraware and welcome them to the Handmark family,” said Paul Reddick, Handmark CEO. “We share a passion for delivering superior mobile experiences.”

“For over 10 years, Astraware has successfully created some of the best mobile gaming brands in the industry, building a company through unparalleled focus on quality and customer satisfaction,” said Howard Tomlinson, co-founder and CEO of Astraware. “I am excited to be joining forces with Handmark and we will be able to focus our experience and talent on creating games across more platforms, and together we will become one of the most powerful forces in the mobile gaming industry.”

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Astraware, Astraware Casino, Windows Mobile Blog]

Windows Mobile 7 images leaked

It seems like only yesterday that we were talking about leaked screens and hacked versions of Windows Mobile 6 appearing on the web and this morning we wake up to see that Windows Mobile 7 images and specification have already been leaked.

Windows Mobile 7

WM7 is not expected to be released until the end of 2008 or the begining of 2009 but we can already see some of the new features that MS has in store for us courtesy of a leaked document mentioned on the ‘Inside Microsoft‘ website.

Looking through the details it’s is clear that WM7 is intended to be the Microsofts answer to the iPhone interface and will include ‘multitouch’ and gesture based touch screen control as well as motion based gesture control that will allow you to shake and tilt the device in order to control certain elements of the user interface.

WM7 Multitouch

WM7 Motion Detection

Windows Mobile 7 will use touch gestures, similar to how the iPhone does. You will be able to flick through lists, pan, swipe sideway, draw on the screen. A lot of emphasis has been put on making navigation easier and doing away with scrollbars, including a new scroll handle that allows for multiple ways of finding items extremely fast.

Windows Mobile 7 will use motion gestures, something the iPhone does not. It will not use an intricate and complicated series of gyroscopes and accelerometers. Instead, it will use the camera on the phone to detect motions and create appropriate actions. You will be able to shake, twist and otherwise manipulate the phone and get things done. The phone will be able to perform actions when placed face down on a surface, and it will know when it is in your pocket or bag.

Head over to ‘Inside Microsoft‘ for more info and then tell me you don’t want WM7 right now!

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Windows Mobile 7]

News from CES

I’m sure that most of you will know that CES (The Consumer Electronics Show) kicks off tomorrow morning in Las Vegas.

As always our contacts have promised to give us the latest news as soon as it breaks so I hope to have lots of news for you over the next few days.

From the CES website:

With more than four decades of success, the International CES reaches across global markets, connects the industry and enables CE innovations to grow and thrive.

The International CES is produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of consumer electronics products. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, CES]

i-mate JAMA 101 from Devicewire

The new range of i-mate devices have just arrived at Devicewire and the i-mate JAMA 101 and the i-mate ULTIMATE 6150 are now in stock. What’s even more impressive is that Devicewire have already dropped the price of the i-mate JAMA 101 by £20 meaning that you can pick up this bad boy for just under £200!

i-mate JAMA 101

The i-mate JAMA 101 is one of the world’s most compact Pocket PC phones. The large 2.4″ touch screen is housed in a stylish jet black finish.

Just like a mini PC with a built in mobile, digital camera, and MP3 Player, the i-mate™ JAMA 101 is ready for action. The large and dynamic full colour touch screen brings your emails, documents, photos, videos and games to life.

The i-mate JAMA 101 is powered by Windows Mobile 6. With access to all the latest Microsoft® tools just one click away, you can leave your laptop at home.

i-mate JAMA 101 Specification:

You can customise your JAMA 101 to suit your unique requirements. From Today Page images and web site favourites through to email accounts, the look and feel of your JAMA 101 is completely your call.

You can look forward to seeing our review online soon.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, i-mate JAMA 101, i-mate, i-mate ULTIMATE 6150]

Site changes

We’ve recently made some site changes and those of you with displays over 1024 pixels wide should have noticed that we’ve gone widescreen!

What you wont have noticed (Hopefully!) is that all of the underlying site code has changed. It should be seamless and I don’t think anything is broken yet. The main advantage here is that it allows us to make some of the bigger changes that we have planned for later in the year.

As always, please do let me know if you notice anything strange!

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Tracy & Matt]