Linux

Nokia launches touchscreen smartphone; Hackers boot Linux on the iPhone;

Paul Mah — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:00:12 -0500

> Nokia launches touchscreen smartphone, the N97. Article
> Hackers boot Linux on the iPhone. Article
> MSI unveils new netbooks sporting Intel Atom processors. Article
> QiGi i6 runs either Android or Windows Mobile operating system. Article
> Palm warns that last quarter's revenues will be "well below expectations." Article

And Finally... An editorial on how to protect yourself from telemarketers. Article

Netbooks eat into Microsoft's revenues

Paul Mah — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:09:36 -0500

Citigroup Global Markets analyst Brent Thill thinks that the drop in first-quarter earnings and revenues at Microsoft is related to the success of netbooks, or low-end laptops. In a report explicitly titled "Netbooks crash the party," Thill noted that "their sales are literally blowing the roof off any analyst's expectations." Sales of netbooks are expected to reach 11 million before the end of this year, and reach 41 million by 2012. This is phenomenal growth, considering that there were only half a million netbooks sold last year. Unfortunately for Microsoft, up to a quarter of netbooks run the Linux operating system, with the rest opting for the older--and cheaper--Windows XP Home Edition. Indeed, Microsoft has been forced to push back its planned obsolesce of the Windows XP operating system as a direct result of netbooks. Still, it is too early at this point to tell whether netbooks are cannibalizing sales of Microsoft's Vista operating system, or creating a brand new market as customers acquire netbooks as a secondary unit.

To read more on the article:
- check out this article from the Inquirer

Netbooks could prove an opportunity for Linux

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:01:28 -0400

Novell's chief technology and strategy officer for Linux thinks that the popularity of netbooks could prove an opportunity for the Linux operating system. This is because low-cost netbooks will invariably run Linux due to its lower storage footprint. Vendors selecting it will also avoid the higher licensing cost of the Windows operating system. Of course, Linux is also more easily tailored to work with unusual form factors and limited specifications, as pointed out by Ryan Paul over at Ars Technica. Unfortunately, more polishing probably needs to be done; the return rates disclosed by hardware manufacturer MSI reveals that the company's Linux-based netbooks are a staggering four times that of those with Windows installed. You can read more about the analysis here.

To read more on about Linux on netbooks:
- check out this article from PC World

New Atom chips due as early as next month

Paul Mah — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:52:00 -0400

If everything goes according to plan, Intel will launch its first dual-core Atom processor next month. This revelation was made by an Intel employee to a CNET reporter, even as senior vice president Pat Gelsinger delivered his Intel Developer Forum (IDF) keynote speech yesterday. Indeed, IDF saw Intel showcasing a plethora of Atom-based devices on operating systems ranging from Vista and XP, to Linux.

A Calpella system also was demonstrated, which is the mobile implementation of Intel's new Nehalem architecture. Due to appear late next year, the Calpella likely will feature a "turbo mode" technology that will dynamically switch off underutilized cores on a processor to conserve power. The idea is that two fully utilized cores is a better situation than running four cores inefficiently. It is fully built into the processor and requires no "operating system intervention."

For more on the story:
- check out this article from CNET News

Designing a dedicated web tablet

Paul Mah — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:48:35 -0400

Michael Arrington over at TechCrunch has issued a call to create a "dirt cheap touch screen web tablet" that will be used primarily to surf the Internet. The basic idea is to give it relatively low-end specifications and squeeze it all into the form factor of Apple's Macbook Air. The device will run nothing more than a customized fork of Firefox on top of a lean Linux kernel.

Apparently, a supply chain management company has said that such a machine can be created for just "a few hundred dollars." The goal though, is to get it down to below $300. So what's next now? Well, the marketing documents are being outlined, after which the specifications for the hardware will be drawn up. The response from the community to get this moving seems to be overwhelming so far. Check out the project page here.

For more on this Web Tablet:
- check out this article from TechCrunch

Canonical showcases UBuntu Netbook Remix distribution

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:46:27 -0400

Canonical, the commercial sponsor of well-known Linux distribution Ubuntu, will be demonstrating a reworked version of Ubuntu specially catered to netbooks at Computex this week. Based on the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition, the Ubuntu Netbook Remix is optimized for Intel's range of Atom processors. It also features a launcher that allows users to get on-line and access their favorite applications more quickly.

A number of OEMs already are expected to deliver devices running on the operating system by the later part of 2008. Remix will not be available as a free download though, according to marketing manager Gerry Carr. Instead, it will only be offered direct to prospective netbook vendors.

For more about Ubuntu Netbook Remix:
- check out the Canonical press release

Intel shows off new Atom processors

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:42:54 -0400

Intel has announced the availability of two Atom processors at the Computex 2008 conference in Taiwan this week. The Atom N270 processor is targeted at low-cost notebooks, while the Atom 230 is aimed at small desktops. Both processors feature 1.6GHz clock speeds and a 533MHz front side bus. Built on Intel's 45-nanometer manufacturing process, they are capable of supporting both Linux and Windows XP operating system.

Intel expects growth of the netbook and nettop market to exceed that of traditional desktops and even laptops. This will come about as households in emerging markets snap-up the cheaper offering, and households in mature markets acquire additional netbooks so that there potentially will be one device per person.

For more on Intel's Atom processors:
- check out this Computerworld article

Asus preps new Eees, WiMAX laptop

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

It's often been said that Asus' Eee PC--that sub-$500, ultraportable wonder--created an all new category of mobile device and a quick glance at the competition that has sprouted up since pretty much confirms that fact. But the company won't be able to coast on the Eee PC's success forever--at least not without an updated model. To that end, there are two new Eee models on the way. First up is the 8.9" Eee PC 900 model, which comes with either Linux or Windows XP pre-installed, 1GB of RAM and up to 20GB of storage--it will land in the U.S. on May 12 for $549. On the more distant horizon is a 10" model with a larger keyboard, which was recently confirmed by Asustek CEO Jerry Shen, though other details remain hazy.

And what of the WiMAX Eee PC, you might ask? While we haven't heard any news on that front in quite a while, we do know that Asus is now preparing to launch a different WiMAX machine that will take the form of an update to the company's full-sized Aspire 5920 laptop. While details on the machine itself have yet to be revealed, Asus has confirmed that the laptop not only will work on Sprint's XOHM WiMAX network, but also will be sold through Sprint as part of a service bundle.

For more on the latest from Asus:
- check out this Crave article on the Eee 900
- this PC World article on the 10" Eee
- and this InfoWorld article on the WiMAX machine

ALSO NOTED: Dell continues to hint at Eee PC clone; 3G iPhone rumors abound in Italy;

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Palm's Centro looks like it's headed to Verizon as well. Article
> The OLPC project may abandon Linux. Article
> Alltel My Circle customers get an extra number for free. Article
> HP iPAQ 900 shows up at the FCC. Article
> Dell continues to hint at Eee PC clone. Article
> Further details emerge on Motorola corporate restructuring. Article
> Mamma Mia! 3G iPhone rumors abound in Italy. Article

And Finally... Brazilian criminals use Eee PC in ATM heist. Article

HP Mini-Note 2133 gets real

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

Silly HP, you should have known that you couldn't hide anything from us. Right on schedule and exactly as described, here comes the Mini-Note 2133, HP's entry into the low-cost ultraportable laptop war. As for the specs, well, here's a refresher: the little guy clocks in at 2.6 pounds with a 1280x768 resolution, 8.9" screen, sports a Via C7-M processor (with speeds ranging from 1.0Ghz to 1.6Ghz), 512MB of RAM, between 4GB and 120GB of storage and either SuSE Linux or Vista Business. The Mini-Note is available now, at price points ranging from $499 to $749, depending on how decked out you want to get. "The Mini-Note is about as well made as the HTC Shift but costs only half as much," PC Magazine says in their review.

For more on the Mini-Note 2133:
- see this PC Magazine review