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Lenovo's IdeaPad U8 makes official Olympics debut
Well, there it is, the Lenovo IdeaPad U8 launched official at the Beijing games just as we expected. With the launch come the final specs for this Asia-only MID we've seen incubating now for months: 4.8-inch touchscreen; the latest, sub-3 watt processor from Intel (uh hem, that'd be a Silverthorn-class Atom); 350-grams and 21 x 173 x 84-mm; up to 2GB memory and 6GB flash storage; dual-cameras; support for China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (CMMB) digital television via that protruding USB dongle; and 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, EDGE data and China-specific TD-SCDMA 3G, presumably. Expect to see it trotted out tomorrow as Intel's San Francisco IDF gets underway -- with any luck, it'll be sporting WiMAX for a North American / European release.[Via Pocketables]
Intel Centrino Atom becomes Atom, Atom still Atom, you're confused
Oh good, another marketing-speak change-up tossed our way from Intel. Apparently, the Centrino Atom naming convention is no more, leaving the in-house branded Menlow chipset used in MIDs and UMPCs essentially nameless. Atom, as you may recall, is the name of the Silverthorn and Diamondville-class CPUs. Got it? Of course you don't. No worries, that's why you've got us. You just focus on trying to understand the difference between MIDs and UMPCs and netbooks and ultra-portables and we'll take care of the rest.
Intel's Silverthorn becomes the Atom, Menlow the Centrino Atom
Another brain-shattering announcement that you've all been waiting for is here. Intel has officially dubbed the Silverthorn and Diamondville chips "Atom," and the Menlow platform has become the "Centrino Atom." We know, it's hard to believe the day has come, but it's finally happened. Obviously, the 45nm Atom chips, and Centrino Atom technology will be targeted for MIDs, UMPCs, and all manner of small, internet-centric devices. Undoubtedly an unending vista of total awesomeness awaits us now that they've got some fancy new names.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Hands-on with Intel's MID platform
Get your Silverthorn, red hot 45-nm dual-core "Silverthorn" processor and "Poulsbo" chipsets here. For some reason, we love to look at these future Menlow-based MID devices even though we've yet to find a home for the UMPC in our cold, jaded hearts. And that shiny bar above? Don't get your hopes up kiddo. It's that same slab of non-functional (but sexy) backlit plastic we've seen before and destined for delivery sometime in the next century.%Gallery-12837%
Intel's 2008 vs 2007 Mobile Internet Devices
We've seen 'em before, but seeing Intel's Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) side-by-size definitely brings a strong visual to their Ultra Mobile strategy. As you've probably already guessed, that's their codenamed, "Menlow" reference design on the left which some OEM will surely pickup in the 2008 timeframe. And yeah, it's an honest to goodness functioning device already shown-off during their MID platform's unveiling. On the right, the lowly-by-comparison "McCaslin" class device due later this year. Check the tiny Silverthorn-class processor comparison after the break.
Intel's Ultra Mobile strategy gets official
We already knew of Intel's 2007 "McCaslin" ultra mobile platform strategy after peeping their pre-show slides: professional UMPCs paired with consumer-oriented, Linux-based MIDs. Still, it's always good to get the official word even if it means that Intel must travel all the way to their IDF in Beijing to make it so. As the strategy goes, before 2007 is up we'll see product from Aigo, Asus, Fujitsu, Haier, HTC, and Samsung all based on the Intel A100 and A110 processors -- essentially underclocked Pentium M cores operating at 3W and certainly besting the UMPC underpinnings we saw in 2006. In the first half of 2008 then, Intel tells us to expect their "Menlow" platform of ultra mobile devices. Pumping Intel's 45-nm dual-core "Silverthorn" processor and "Poulsbo" chipset for longer battery life in smaller handheld devices. But if you're chomping at the bit for Intel's vision of the ultra mobile future, well, you'll be waiting around until well after 2008, boy. Intel doesn't expect to break into magical sub-0.5W territory until the naughts are up. Until then, you'll have to deal with mysterious slabs like the new Fujitsu pictured above. Update: UMPC Portal just pointed out something very interesting: Intel says that HTC's Shift UMPC is based on their A100/A110 processors. However, the engineering sample we pawed was running a 1.2GHz VIA proc. Looks like Intel scored themselves a major coup over HTC's Taiwanese neighbors.[Via Impress]
