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More Details Emerge on "xpPhone"

Ryan Whitwam — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:15:42 -0500

The upcoming xpPhone from ITG is, as the name suggests, running the Windows XP operating system. You may be thinking, “Why would anyone want a phone based on Windows XP?” Well, it’s probably going to be fast thanks to some sort of “AMD Super Mobile CPU”, and it has a massive 4.8-inch touchscreen. Most people probably don’t want to carry a phone that weighs almost a pound no matter how fast it is, but some will.

The xpPhone promises netbook-like specs including the aforementioned AMD CPU, 512 MB RAM, a USB port, full QWERTY keyboard, and up to 120 GB of hard drive storage. The phone will be available with GSM frequencies for three carriers: AT&T, Vodaphone, and Orange. A custom unified phone interface will be built into the device that allows the user to make calls and access applications.

No one has actually used the unit, so it is possible that the phone isn’t all that fast by computer standards. Would anything that makes a computer easy to use even transfer to this form factor? MIDs worked out so well, right? We’ll have to wait and see. No pricing or availability has been announced.

Leaked Video Shows Dell's Android-based Mini-tablet

Pulkit Chandna — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:38:48 -0500

The Wall Street Journal reported in June that Dell was developing an Android-powered mobile internet device (MID) or mini-tablet. A Vietnamese site, Tinhte.com, has leaked a video of what it claims is an engineering sample of the rumored mini-tablet.

The MID, which reportedly runs Android 2.0 and features a 5-inch touchscreen, likes to be addressed as the Dell Streak. All that is known at this moment is that the Streak features a 5MP camera with dual LED flash, WiFi/Bluetooth/3G connectivity, a microSD slot, and a 1,300mAh battery.

Image Credit: TinHte

Marvell Launches its ARM-ada of Application Processors

Pulkit Chandna — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:42:29 -0500

Santa Clara-based chip maker Marvell has launched a new range of CPUs called ARMADA. Based on the ARM instruction set, the new processors will power “smartphones, smartbooks, consumer and embedded devices, and displays.”

The largest producer of ARM chips in the world claims its ARMADA chips will enable mobile devices to deliver PC-like performance. Support for Adobe Flash and Blu-ray functionality should also enable ARMADA-toting mobile devices to deliver a rich multimedia experience.

Based on their intended device segment, the new application processors fall into four different series: the ARMADA 100, 500, 600 and 1000. "Launch of the ARMADA family represents a watershed event in mobile computing,” said Marvell’s co-founder and VP, Ms. Weili Dai.

Rumor: Intel to Suspend Orders for Atom Z Processors

Paul Lilly — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:27:02 -0500

Citing un-named "industry sources," news and rumor site DigiTimes says Intel has informed customers that it is no longer accepting orders for its Atom Z processors for use in netbooks, as the chip maker looks to clear out remaining inventory. But more than just an inventory dump, Intel apparently is looking to better distinguish between CPUs targeting netbooks and those aimed at the Mobile Internet Device (MID) market.

Intel is expected to completely cut off supply to netbook makers by the end of 2009, but sources say it will still fulfill orders already placed by Acer, Asus, and MSI, all three of which have been players in the netbook market since early on. There's no mention of Sony and its Atom Z-powered Vaio P, which has been rumored to be getting a refresh in October anyway.

Moving forward, Intel will begin focusing on its next generation netbook (Pine Trail) and MID (Moorestown) platforms, which are slated for a 2009 release.

Image Credit: Engadget

Intel Talking with Google Over Android-based MIDs

Pulkit Chandna — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:52:20 -0500

Intel had earlier made it clear that it doesn’t perceive Chrome OS as a threat to its open source OS Moblin. Now, according to a report, it wants to give a thrust to Google’s Android platform as well. According to a Digitimes report, the world’s leading chip manufacturer wants mobile internet devices (MIDs) based on its chips to run on Google’s Android platform. The report quotes sources at Taiwanese MID manufacturers. The report goes on to add that Android-based MIDs can only be expected once Intel’s Moorestown platform is out.

Image Credit: theSmartPda

Intel Not Threatened by Google Chrome OS

Pulkit Chandna — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:35:11 -0500

Google's announcement of Chrome OS hasn’t quite riled Intel’s feathers, if Michael Chen, director of Intel's embedded sales group (Asia-Pacific), can be taken for his word. As Chrome OS will primarily be targeted at MID devices, netbooks and nettops, it will always be on collision course with Moblin. For those of you who don’t know, Moblin is an open source OS that Intel developed for the above named device categories. "Our long-term goal is providing hardware for devices with different operating systems... more competition will drive up more innovations and that's good for consumers." Michael Chen said. Intel’s lack of concern is not entirely unprecedented, for companies usually greet a rival’s product with either customary skepticism or dubious unconcern. (Certified fake screenshot below)

Intel, Nokia Forge Alliance to Develop New Class of Mobile Computing Devices

Pulkit Chandna — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:44:18 -0500

Nokia and Intel have forged an alliance to develop a new breed of Intel Architecture-based mobile devices. Their collaboration, according to the press release announcing the partnership, will go beyond just smartphones and generic mobile devices; the two companies want their partnership to run the entire gamut of Mobile Internet Devices and embedded systems.

This partnership is a huge shot in the arm for Intel - which has been waiting for its chance to gain real traction in the mobile phone market - as it has found a huge customer for its mobile chipsets in the form of Nokia. Intel has also agreed to acquire a Nokia HSPA/3G modem IP license from Nokia. On the software front, they have resolved to give a push to open-source mobile Linux software projects.

Image Credit: Gadget Republic

Nvidia Unveils a Dozen Long-Lived Tegra Devices

Paul Lilly — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:40:48 -0500

At Computex today, Nvidia and its partners announced a dozen high-definition mobile internet devices (MIDs) built around the GPU maker's Tegra processor, the "world's smallest and lowest power computer-on-a-chip," according to Nvidia.

"The mobile computing revolution has arrived," stated Micheal Rayfield, general manger of mobile business at Nvidia. "These new Tegra-based products combine excellent Internet and media capabilities, always-on operation, and wireless connectivity for the un-tethered Internet experience consumers have been craving."

Not to be confused with MIDs as handheld devices (as Intel uses the term), Nvidia's MIDs include several Tegra-based netbooks and tablets. We'll let you be the judge on that one.

The Tegra platform brings several goodies to the table, including 25 days of music or 10-hours of 1080p video playback on a single charge, playing videogames at up to 46 frames per second, GPU accelerated Adobe Flash, and more.

According to Engadget, look for Tegra devices to start shipping by the end of the year for $200 or less.

Image Credit: Nvidia