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Pre-ordered Viliv X70s delayed to August 11, new customers might have to wait till September
The way we hear it, there are plenty of Viliv fans out there disappointed that Dynamism missed its promised delivery date for pre-ordered X70 units this week. The retailer says that component shortages are responsible for the delay and is now hoping to deliver by August 11, but there's worse news: new orders aren't expected to ship until September 2, turning what was once a fashionably late arrival to US shores into a rather embarrassing month-long delay.[Via Pocketables]
Video: Viliv X70 MID gets some use, makes quite an impression
We've had our eye on Viliv's X70 since it was nothing but a render... and a beautiful dream. Now it looks like the kids at jkOnTheRun have got their hands on one and have given it the what-for. The conclusion? If there is a MID in your future, you will want to give this thing some serious consideration. According to the reviewer, the 7-inch, 1024 × 600 display seems more than generous (especially after using the 4.8-inch S5 for any length of time), giving the user plenty of room for shuffling items around on the desktop with his or her phalanges. Besides looking good, this bad boy is also thinner than the aforementioned S5, even after throwing in a webcam. Other thoughts? "Reading e-books" in portrait mode is "awesome," apparently, and the speed is "very fast," as one would expect from a device with an SSD. He has yet to test the integrated 3G (yet), but rest assured that it is there. We're still holding out for a release date and a price for this guy -- but in the mean time, make sure you peep the video after the break.[Via SlashGear]
Dell's $299 Mini 10v (Inspiron 1011) goes on sale, kind of
You won't find it on-line yet, but Dell is already taking orders for its new Mini 10v netbook. At least in Denmark where Willy got his order in this morning. The biggest difference between the Mini 10v (aka, Inspiron 1011) and Mini 10 is the processor: the Mini 10v uses a netbook-standard N270 Diamondville-class Atom processor instead of the Z5xx Silverthorne-class processor found in the 10-inch original. What you give up in video processing performance (and perhaps battery life) you more than make for in price as the Mini 10v starts at $299, not $399 like the original.[Thanks, Willy N.]
Viliv S5 pre-order details firm up: $599 and it's yours May 8th
It's been a long and winding road filled with unboxings, impressions, and comparisons, but it looks like the last few details surrounding the U.S. release of Viliv's Atom-powered S5 MID have now finally been firmed up. According to retailer Dynamism, the device will be available for pre-order on April 27th (at 1PM Eastern) for just $599, or $50 less than previously expected, with the first orders expected to ship on May 8th. Better still, those that pre-order the S5 will also get a free spare battery, a car kit, and a leather pouch, which Dynamism says is a $135 value. No word on the number of units available in that initial batch but, if the Hong Kong and Korean releases are any indication, they could sell out pretty quickly.[Via thegadgetsite, thanks K.C.]
Viliv uncovers gorgeous X70 Atom Communication MID
Maybe we're just hot for sleek, thin, ultra sexy renders of handheld computing devices, but we dare anyone to call the unit pictured above unsightly (and mean it). Shortly after showcasing its swiveling S7 at CES, Viliv has taken the wraps off of its X70 Atom Communication MID. The handheld comes stocked with a 1.33GHz Atom Z520 CPU, a 7-inch WSVGA touchscreen, your choice of a 30GB / 60GB hard drive or an 8GB / 16GB SSD, Windows XP or Linux, a battery good for six hours of continuous movie playback, 1GB of RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, an SD / SDHC card slot, optional WiMAX / HSDPA modules, stereo speakers, a USB port and a built-in microphone for good measure. There's nary a mention of pricing / availability, but we're almost ready to hand over whatever it takes. Almost.[Via iTechNews]
Has the Atom-powered WiBrain i1 UMPC fallen off the map?
Or more importantly, do you even care? One quick glance over at WiBrain's website will leave you searching to no avail for any traces of the i1, and while it's a shame we might not ever see this hardware package mass produced, we can't say we're terribly surprised. We mean, really, how many of your nerdy friends have saved up for one of these unwieldy UMPCs over, say, a netbook or the like? If the i1 really puffed its last breath at IFA, at least we can say we went to its farewell party. Ah well, onward and upward, right?[Via Slashgear]Update: The unit is still hanging around on WiBrain's German website, which possibly explains its IFA presence. Maybe it's being reserved for a Europe-only introduction? Thanks, xtron!
Portwell ships Atom-based nano-ITX motherboard
With all these nettops, netbooks and plain ole motherboards flying every which-away, it's hard to say if Portwell's Atom-based nano-ITX board really is the first, but it's close enough to count in our book. Utilizing all sorts of legerdemain and black magic, the engineers at Portwell were able to craft a Linux-friendly mobo that measures just 4.72- x 4.72- x 0.65-inches and supports Intel's Silverthorne Atom while including six USB 2.0 ports, embedded audio and a gigabit Ethernet jack. The Nano-8044 can be ordered in two flavors -- the Z530, which packs a 1.6GHz CPU, or the Z510, which clocks in at 1.1GHz. As you could likely guess, this one's aimed primarily at point-of-sale machines, digital signage devices and other commercial applications, and the sub-10-watt power draw should keep energy costs to a minimum. Oh, and it should totally play Doom in a pinch.[Via LinuxDevices]
Next generation Atom processors for netbooks scheduled for Q3, 2009
Just as you were getting your head wrapped around Atom-branded Diamondville-class processors based on a Silverthorne architecture, along comes the next generation. Expected to arrive in Q3 of 2009, the new 45-nm Pineview processors will come in hyperthreaded single- and dual-core versions like the current generation Atom 2xx- and 3xx-series. However, the procs will be based on a new Lincroft micro-architecture boasting an integrated graphics core and memory manager that connects to memory via DMI, not a FSB. Unfortunately, the all important TDP power-draw off your tiny netbook's battery in currently undefined. Hit the read link for the full roadmap and processor timeline if that's the kind of thing that twirls your propellor.[Via RegHardware]
Compal's MID slider with global HSPA/EDGE data -- first UMPC it, now you don't
Compal's been a vocal supporter of Intel's MID followup to the tragic UMPC platform ever since It was announced in April of last year. Hell, the Taiwanese ODM even dedicated a team to crank out all the devices expected in the first half of 2008 but never came thanks in part, to Intel's Atom slippage. Now Compal looks ready to toss a MID to consumers (either direct or through a third-party manufacturer, it's not clear) with the unveiling of this handheld at Intel's IDF in San Francisco. The QWERTY slider packs GPS, a Linux-based OS with media player, browser, eMail and IM clients, and Option's GlobeTrotter Connect and GTM501 HSPA data kit offering tri-band HSUPA/HSDPA and quad-band GPRS/EDGE connectivity the world-over. No pricing or availability has been announced but we hope to hear more later today.Update: Ah ha, it's the same reference design used by Aigo's Patriot, aka, M528.%Gallery-29945%[Thanks, Stuart L. and LosOutlandos]
WiBrain to offer Atom / SSD / HSDPA-packin' I1 UMPC
Say what you will about the attractiveness (or lack thereof) of WiBrain's line of -- shall we say, unique -- UMPCs, but hardware wise, they're hard to bang on. The B1 just recently saw an update that added in a succulent SSD, and the all new I1 looks to share in that joyousness while also including two more tidbits we've been longing for. According to early reports, the I1 will feature a tweaked B1 design with a mildly updated casing, but the real fun is within; we're talking a 1.1GHz / 1.3GHz Intel Atom CPU, SSD options as roomy as 64GB, Windows XP or Linux running the show, 6-hours of battery life when browsing and a drool-worthy HSDPA module. Pricing has yet to be disclosed, but we are told to expect a worldwide launch (yes, including North America) in October. [Via Pocketables, thanks Jenn]
Intel's Centrino Atom chips are officially official
Intel officially took the wraps off its widely-discussed and readily-implemented Centrino Atom processor / system controller for MIDs last night, and while there aren't a lot of surprises in spec land, it was nice to finally get an idea of what these suckers will cost: Z500 - 800MHz, 0.65W TDP power, 400MHz FSB, 512K L2 cache ($45) Z510 - 1.1GHz, 2W TDP power, 400MHz FSB, 512K L2 cache ($45) Z520 - 1.33GHz, 2W TDP power, 533MHz FSB, 512K L2 cache ($65) Z530 - 1.6GHz, 2W TDP power, 533MHz FSB, 512K L2 cache ($95) Z540 - 1.86GHz, 2.4W TDP power, 533MHz FSB, 512K L2 cache ($160) That's the pricing per 1,000 units, and is a little bit more than that $30 1.6GHz Atom 230 we were hearing about, but it does include the CPU plus the System Controller Hub with integrated graphics, HD video playback, HD audio and other nifty I/O things like support for WiFi, WiMAX and cellular radios.
Atom processor to cost Intel just $6 to $8?
Ever since Intel compared the criticality of its (still) forthcoming Silverthorne (which now goes by Atom, if you couldn't guess) processor to the original Pentium last June, we've all wondered just how fantasmical our worlds would become when this thing finally dropped. Now, however, Tom's Hardware has discovered that the release may actually do more for Intel than we geeks. After consulting a source it believes to be quite credible, it found that the CPU -- which will likely sell for upwards of $30 at the low-end -- will cost Intel just "$6 to $8, including production, packaging and shipping." Without busting out the abacus, it's still fairly easy to see how profitable said chips could be if Intel can move these at even a snail's pace, but of course, we'd take the dollars and cents estimates with a grain of salt until they actually hit the market.[Via Digg]
Intel demos rock-solid VoIP call on MID
Yeah, we know. We've seen this EB MID engineering sample kicking around for nearly a year now. However, this is the first time we've seen it running a rock-solid, VoIP application on that tiny Silverthorne, eh hrm, Atom processor. So solid, in fact, that Intel purposely crashes the OS while the VoIP call keeps on kicking. That piece of magic comes via VirtualLogix who keep the network stack and audio running in a virtualized Linux instance while the main OS reboots. Pretty compelling glimpse of a future without voice contracts. Don't believe us? Check the video after the break.
Lippert intros CoreExpress-Menlow module for handheld devices
We've already seen plenty of prototypes of Menlow-based handhelds (or MIDs), but it looks like Germany's Lippert Embedded Computers is among the first to put together a finalized version of the core component of said devices, with it now showing off its CoreExpress-Menlow module. Aimed at everything from automotive to medical to point-of-service devices (in addition to more consumer-minded handhelds), this board measures just 2.6 x 2.3-inches and packs the expected Silverthorne processor, along with some soldered on RAM, built-in WiFi and GPS, and support for a number of different storage options, among other shrunk-down features. No word on pricing or availability just yet, however, although Lippert will apparently have more to say about that at the Embedded World 2008 trade show later this week.
Hands-on with Intel's Silverthorne-based MID prototype
That's right, kids. The crazy, long-iPhone prototype we saw demoed at IDF a few months back has made its way into our greedy hands. We've got to say, Intel should just bring this thing to market right now. While the UI wasn't up and running, just holding the thing, and checking out the demo shots of the interface was enough to give us big chills. It's thin, it's light, and we have to say, pretty darn fresh. If they keep up with this kind of work, we're fully prepared to be blown away in the future. Of note: the rep here claimed that the company now has even smaller and thinner versions of this thing in prototype -- though they don't seem to be at CES, and he kept reiterating that the prototype I was handling was slated for a 2009 release. Oh well, feast your eyes on the gallery.%Gallery-13071%
Apple prepping devices based on Intel's Silverthorne chip
We suppose it was always inevitable, but things are about to get quite interesting at the intersection of cellphone and laptop processors. According to Intel, Apple has apparently committed to using the company's 45nm Silverthorne chip in multiple products slated for 2008. The chip offers the processing power of second-generation Pentium M processors, with the power consumption of a cellphone chip. Of course, it's not just the processor. Apple is expected to emerge as a major supporter of Intel's whole "Menlow" Mobile Internet Device platform, which packages processor, graphics and connectivity into a small enough bundle to give iPhone-powering Samsung a run for its money in ultra mobile products -- and Intel has made it clear that it has its sights set on that very member of Apple's lineup wit. The best news for dreamers that've been holding out for a true Newton successor all this time is that the chips provide plenty of juice for a UMPC-type device should Apple choose to go down that path. [Thanks, Mark]
Intel demos iPhone-like MID of the future
Intel just keeps banging out the hits from IDF. After the handful of McCaslin "next-quarter" and "coming-soon" UMPCs we saw from the chipmaker (and associates), Intel started busting out prototypes from its forthcoming Menlow chipset, using smaller, 45nm Silverthorne CPUs, and the 2009/2010 offering Moorestown... which is the bad-boy you're looking at in these photos is based on. In a rather obvious homage to the iPhone, the chip-kingpin presented this do-anything, go-anywhere MID (provided you can cram this French-bread-sized device into a pocket). The device will feature a 45nm CPU as well, plus all kinds of goodies like integrated WiFi and WiMAX, and apparently 24 hours of battery life on a single charge. Obviously, this product will probably never see the light of day (at least not in this form factor), but then again -- you never really know. Check a few more photos after the break.Read -- Intel shows concept iPhone running on Moorestown platformRead -- Intel's iPhone clone, we're not jokingRead -- Intel Details Next Generation "Menlow" MID, UMPC Platform
Intel looking to delve into HDTV, mobile market
As the news continues to flow from Intel's Developer Forum, we're now hearing that the chip maker could make "surprise moves into consumer electronics chips." More specifically, it seems that the outfit is looking to "roll out a system-on-a-chip code-named Canmore aimed at HDTVs and other products," as well as Silverthorne, which would apparently be reserved for handheld devices. 'Course, Intel has dabbled in these areas without notable success in the past, but analysts are suggesting that gaining traction this time around "could be big" for the firm. Ah Intel, why the tease?
Intel CEO compares Silverthorne criticality with original Pentium
Intel's been throwing so many mobile processor codenames around in the past 12 months or so that we've resorted to hiring droids to constantly update pivot tables as chips are named and nixed from its ever-evolving roadmap. But being the weekend and all, it looks like we're stuck telling you about yet another presumably vital processor that's likely destined to hit cellphones, UMPCs, and other handheld computing platforms sometime in the not too distant future. According to an interview by Germany's FAZ, Intel's CEO compared the chip "to the original Pentium" in terms of importance to the company, and while Mr. Otellini didn't go into too much detail beyond that (can't blame him for keeping us curious), he did note that the firm hopes the 45nm CPU can infiltrate "10 to 20-percent of the mobile phone market."[Via TGDaily]