NVIDIA Tegra 2-powered Mobinnova Beam hands-on
By Joanna Stern 
posted January 7th 2010 4:54PM
posted January 7th 2010 4:54PM
Under the hood the Mobinnova Beam is powered by Tegra 2, which is based on a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 CPU and a GeForce GPU. It'll also have 256 MB of memory and pack 512MB of flash storage (though you can expand that with the SD card). The unit we saw was running Windows CE with a software interface developed by Mobinova, though the plan is to release an Android version. We still found it to be easy to navigate with all the applications centered on a carousel of sorts. As promised by NVIDIA, a 1080p video played on the 8.9-inch display and on a 42-inch 1080p Philips TV (take that Atom!) quite smoothly. In our brief hands-on the overall performance seemed snappier than the past Mobinovia with the first Tegra chip: Firefox opened in about 7 seconds and navigating to web pages was faster than we'd anticipated. We don't have any word on pricing, but Mobinova will only sell this bundled with AT&T connectivity. Hit the break for the full PR and some video.
Mobinnova To Deliver World's First HD Internet Smartbook On AT&T's 3G Mobile Broadband Network
Mobinnova BeamTM
Pioneers New Category of Mobile Computing Devices Powered By NVIDIA® TegraTM; Delivers Hours Of HD Video, Audio, Intuitive UI Design, Rich Graphical Experience, Roxio CinemaNow
Entertainment and Adobe Flash 10.1
January 2009 CES, Las Vegas-Mobinnova announced today that the Mobinnova BeamTM, the world's first HD Internet smartbook offering beautiful, 3D graphics never available before on an ultra portable device, will connect to AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network. Previously codenamed élan, the Mobinnova BeamTM, is the first in a family of products powered by the Next Generation NVIDIA® TegraTM mobile web processor.
"Smartbook on Steroids"- At first glance, the Mobinnova Beam looks like a netbook. It's small, weighs just two pounds, has a keyboard, offers easy access to the Internet and slips easily into a purse, backpack or briefcase. But unlike a netbook, the muscular Mobinnova BeamTM offers stunning capabilities, including the ability to provide hours of full-page web browsing, social networking, HD videos, music and high-end games.
"We like to say the Mobinnova Beam is a 'smartbook on steroids'," says KC Kuo, CEO of Mobinnova. "The Mobinnova BeamTM meets our company's goal of providing next generation, 'cloud ready'
products that allow easy, enjoyable and instant access to content for hours, even days. We look forward to connecting this device to AT&T's mobile broadband service, the nation's fastest 3G network."
"The Mobinnova Beam is a sleek device that will deliver a unique mobile media access experience," said Glenn Lurie, President, Emerging Devices, Resale and Partnerships, AT&T Mobility. "We look forward to working with Mobinnova to deliver entertainment and social networking over AT&T's nationwide mobile broadband network."
A NEW ERA IN MOBILE COMPUTING: MOBINNOVA UNVEILS THE "Mobinnova BeamTM" WITH HOURS OF HD MULTIMEDIA AND INTERNET POWER "ON THE GO"
The Mobinnova Beam
Features Include:
- NVIDIA Tegra - mobile web processor, which includes the world's first dual-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU running up to 1GHz, that provides blazing performance, while maximizing power efficiency and battery life.
- Browse more websites, watch streaming HD movies, and check email faster than any mobile device ever before. Enjoy hours of 1080p HD video by connecting it to an HDTV or high quality video "on the go," along with crystal-clear audio playback.
- Roxio CinemaNowTM
- Entertainment Platform-Now you can seamlessly access premium entertainment from virtually anywhere. Instantly browse, purchase and enjoy a broad catalog of digital movies and TV shows while on the road.
- Adobe Flash 10.1 support gives a superior graphical experience and enhanced browsing compatibility. 3D Interface provides a simple, elegant and engaging way to intuitively access the world of entertainmen. With customizable home screen widgets and RSS feeds. Always On, Instant Start-up ensures that no time is wasted booting up. Customized social networking through Facebook**, Twitter**, YellowPages**, and RSS reader widgets, integrated into the 3D interactive home screen interface. Capable of supporting up to 64GB of removable memory, storing music, movies, pictures, games and more.
- Full-page web browsing and realistic 3D graphical performance for amazing gaming/ viewing experience on an 8.9 inch screen.
- Ultra-light, stylishly slender design at 1.84 lbs (836g), 9.1 inches (232mm) x 7.3 inches (186 mm) x .8 inches (20.5 mm).
- Wi-Fi capable and with a qualified AT&T Data Connect plan, you can access AT&T's 3G and Wi-Fi networks. Check your email, social networking accounts, and search the internet at home and on the go. Webcam and fast, high resolution photo rendering, upload and download.
The Mobinnova BeamTM
Hardware Specifications:
Processor Type: NVIDIA® Tegra 250
Display: 8.9" TFT 1024 x 600 non-touch
Memory: 512MB DDR2-667 system RAM, 512MB NAND OS storage
Storage: 8-64GB SSD with expandable SD memory up to 64GB (sold separately)
Communications:
Connections & Expansion:
UMTS 850/1900/2100 HSPA 7.2/5.1 Mb/s
GSM 850/900/1800/1900
GPRS EDGE Class 12
Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g
Bluetooth**: BT 2.1 EDR
Ethernet: 10/100Mbps (with expansion option)
USB (USB 2.0, Host) X2 3.5mm jacks X2 for microphone and line-out HDMI for digital video out Extension port for VGA and Ethernet adapter SD/SDHC (SD2.0) card slot SIM card slot
Mobinnova BeamTM
Pioneers New Category of Mobile Computing Devices Powered By NVIDIA® TegraTM; Delivers Hours Of HD Video, Audio, Intuitive UI Design, Rich Graphical Experience, Roxio CinemaNow
Entertainment and Adobe Flash 10.1
January 2009 CES, Las Vegas-Mobinnova announced today that the Mobinnova BeamTM, the world's first HD Internet smartbook offering beautiful, 3D graphics never available before on an ultra portable device, will connect to AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network. Previously codenamed élan, the Mobinnova BeamTM, is the first in a family of products powered by the Next Generation NVIDIA® TegraTM mobile web processor.
"Smartbook on Steroids"- At first glance, the Mobinnova Beam looks like a netbook. It's small, weighs just two pounds, has a keyboard, offers easy access to the Internet and slips easily into a purse, backpack or briefcase. But unlike a netbook, the muscular Mobinnova BeamTM offers stunning capabilities, including the ability to provide hours of full-page web browsing, social networking, HD videos, music and high-end games.
"We like to say the Mobinnova Beam is a 'smartbook on steroids'," says KC Kuo, CEO of Mobinnova. "The Mobinnova BeamTM meets our company's goal of providing next generation, 'cloud ready'
products that allow easy, enjoyable and instant access to content for hours, even days. We look forward to connecting this device to AT&T's mobile broadband service, the nation's fastest 3G network."
"The Mobinnova Beam is a sleek device that will deliver a unique mobile media access experience," said Glenn Lurie, President, Emerging Devices, Resale and Partnerships, AT&T Mobility. "We look forward to working with Mobinnova to deliver entertainment and social networking over AT&T's nationwide mobile broadband network."
A NEW ERA IN MOBILE COMPUTING: MOBINNOVA UNVEILS THE "Mobinnova BeamTM" WITH HOURS OF HD MULTIMEDIA AND INTERNET POWER "ON THE GO"
The Mobinnova Beam
Features Include:
- NVIDIA Tegra - mobile web processor, which includes the world's first dual-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU running up to 1GHz, that provides blazing performance, while maximizing power efficiency and battery life.
- Browse more websites, watch streaming HD movies, and check email faster than any mobile device ever before. Enjoy hours of 1080p HD video by connecting it to an HDTV or high quality video "on the go," along with crystal-clear audio playback.
- Roxio CinemaNowTM
- Entertainment Platform-Now you can seamlessly access premium entertainment from virtually anywhere. Instantly browse, purchase and enjoy a broad catalog of digital movies and TV shows while on the road.
- Adobe Flash 10.1 support gives a superior graphical experience and enhanced browsing compatibility. 3D Interface provides a simple, elegant and engaging way to intuitively access the world of entertainmen. With customizable home screen widgets and RSS feeds. Always On, Instant Start-up ensures that no time is wasted booting up. Customized social networking through Facebook**, Twitter**, YellowPages**, and RSS reader widgets, integrated into the 3D interactive home screen interface. Capable of supporting up to 64GB of removable memory, storing music, movies, pictures, games and more.
- Full-page web browsing and realistic 3D graphical performance for amazing gaming/ viewing experience on an 8.9 inch screen.
- Ultra-light, stylishly slender design at 1.84 lbs (836g), 9.1 inches (232mm) x 7.3 inches (186 mm) x .8 inches (20.5 mm).
- Wi-Fi capable and with a qualified AT&T Data Connect plan, you can access AT&T's 3G and Wi-Fi networks. Check your email, social networking accounts, and search the internet at home and on the go. Webcam and fast, high resolution photo rendering, upload and download.
The Mobinnova BeamTM
Hardware Specifications:
Processor Type: NVIDIA® Tegra 250
Display: 8.9" TFT 1024 x 600 non-touch
Memory: 512MB DDR2-667 system RAM, 512MB NAND OS storage
Storage: 8-64GB SSD with expandable SD memory up to 64GB (sold separately)
Communications:
Connections & Expansion:
UMTS 850/1900/2100 HSPA 7.2/5.1 Mb/s
GSM 850/900/1800/1900
GPRS EDGE Class 12
Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g
Bluetooth**: BT 2.1 EDR
Ethernet: 10/100Mbps (with expansion option)
USB (USB 2.0, Host) X2 3.5mm jacks X2 for microphone and line-out HDMI for digital video out Extension port for VGA and Ethernet adapter SD/SDHC (SD2.0) card slot SIM card slot
http://www.viddler.com/explore/engadget/videos/924/
only selling it bundled with AT&T, way to shoot yourself on the foot.
The HD is too small to use as an audio device AND you can't plug in headphones without setting up the whole thing on a surface. I'm not impressed.
Great, exactly the same product design as the previous Tegra model that never launched... talk about innovation... NOT!
we all know Cortex A9 is fast, but I wonder how the new GoForce core compares to the PowerVR SGX that's dominating the industry. AMD should seriously considering buying them out
@Jon Rubinstein
you're a cool guy man.
I live in Asian and i got my pre hehe, i am so willing to help you guys promote and market it, look me up in singapore if you do come over! I am looking to develop applications on pre for my business. I am with herbalife. We have 1.5 million distributors. I am developing my own webportal currently!
1080p smooth?
Innovation? Hahaha!
you live in asian? what is that place like.
Nice... Just what I want: a smartbook/netbook form factor with HDMI out and an ARM based processor with GPU.
Can I hear $200 and support for Ubuntu?
Edit more.
7 sec first boot? thats not bad at all for a cold boot of ff; my atom netbook isn't much less
I was so excited until I read AT&T connectivity :(
Couldn't care less which network this is stuck to. i'll tether it to my Windows Mobile smartphone which happens to be on AT&T, just as i do with pretty much every device i need quick and dirty internet access on.
I'm sold - but when can I buy this in the UK?