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Acer's Congo-based 11.6-inch Ferrari One: finally, a netbook with speed
We've seen a couple of netbooks that we'd actually consider to be mildly quick, but given that locating an Ion-based netbook is about as easy as entering North Korea with a US passport, we haven't had much of a chance to really love on 'em. Today, Acer is extending its boutique Ferrari lineup with the Ferrari One, an 11.6-inch machine that is among the first to rely on AMD's newly announced Congo platform. Packed within the chassis is a dual-core 1.2GHz Athlon X2 L310 CPU, ATI's Radeon 3200 graphics, an XPG port for connecting an external graphics solution, a 1,366 x 768 panel, WiFi, Bluetooth, optional WWAN and a 6-cell battery. You'll also notice AMD Vision and Windows 7 badges alongside the obligatory prancing pony, but you can bet you'll be paying dearly for this when it ships on (surprise, surprise) October 22nd. How dearly? Try £435 ($724), or roughly the cost of a single lug nut on an F430. [Via TrustedReviews]
Fujitsu Siemens' Lasso external graphics card get spotted, should hit retail soon
An external graphics card that's actually nearing release? Be still our hearts! Fujitsu Siemens' recently leaked external unit, which will be based on ATI XGP technology, is actually really, really close to hitting retail -- according to a piece over at Fudzilla, anyway. Slated to be titled Lasso, the RV670-based device should be more than enough to handle basic tasks, but unfortunately, benchmarks were off limits. On the upside, digital photography was not, so head on down to the read link for a few more snaps.
AMD's ATI XGP external laptop graphics platform goes legit
We've been hearing about ATI's external graphics schemes for years, but apparently XGP is finally ready to go. The platform houses an external graphics card -- ATI-branded, of course -- which connects to your laptop via a proprietary 4.0Gbps PCIe 2.0 connector. The new tech is being initially launched with AMD's new ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3800, which can work in a multi-GPU CrossFireX configuration with your laptop's internal graphics card. The first out of the gate with the tech is Fujitsu's AMILO Sa 3650, which packages a Mobility Radeon HD 3870 cardbut there's still no word pricing or exactly when or where this all is shipping. XGP also supports some extra USB 2.0 ports, Blu-ray decoding, and outputs over HDMI with integrated audio and DVI, powering up to four displays.
Game Park is dead, long live Game Park Holdings
When Game Park, creators of the GP32, split into Game Park and Game Park Holdings we all knew it would be a fight to the death. The market for niche portable gaming handhelds built by South Korean companies with the words "game" and "park" in their title is only so large, y'know? Something had to give. About one year after we brought you news of Game Park's GP32 successors, the XGP and XGP Mini, and just six months after showing off their sure-to-be-a-hit XGP kids handheld, Game Park has filed for bankruptcy.Want to check out what Game Park was all about at their official website? Too bad. It redirects to a shoe site now. The bloody Game Park console wars of 2006 are over; those of you who watched with eager anticipation, cheering on either Game Park or Game Park Holdings, can now begin the long and painful healing process. You can start by checking out Game Park Holding's GP2X: it's South Korean, has "game" and "park" in the title, and even has the letters X, G, and P in its handheld name. We think everything's gonna be okay after all ... [Via PSP Fanboy]
GamePark goes under, GamePark Holdings still kickin'
Word's been a little slow reaching our shores, but it appears that GamePark couldn't stand up to the competition from its GamePark Holdings spin-off, with the former company recently declaring bankruptcy and its website now ignominiously replaced by a shoe store. For those in need of a quick primer, GamePark is the company that brought us the original GP32 (pictured above) and, more recently, announced a number of different XGP handhelds. GamePark Holdings, on the other hand, emerged as a separate company after an apparent spat among GamePark employees about the direction of the company. Those that chose to defect quickly got their act together and delivered the more-popular GP2X device, presumably to the dismay of GamePark proper. While they don't appear to have made any comment on this latest development, we can only assume they're feeling a little bit vindicated, and no doubt celebrated with a bit of homebrew champagne.[Via PSP Fanboy]
New handheld competitor on the block - the XGP kids
One thing the PSP and Gamepark handhelds have in common is homebrew is very popular on both systems. But what separates the two is Gamepark actually encourages it, while Sony does everything in its power to stop it. And with that, Gamepark is set to release its third portable – the XGP kids – which looks like its design may have been inspired by the PSP.However, the design is pretty much where most comparisons stop. The XGP kids, which stands for eXtreme Game Player kids, is set to retail for a measly $75 and will use two AA batteries. Here are other specs: 140MHz ARM processor; A 2.2-inch, 220 x 176 LCD screen; 8MBs of RAM; 2MBs of flash memory; USB 1.1 file transfer support; and SD card slot While the XGP kids will most certainly not compete with the PSP or DS in commercial software, it may be possible to see success with its homebrew support and low price tag.(Via Engadget)
You know, for kids! Meet the "XGP kids"
The XGP series was created from the ashes of the popular homebrew handheld, the GP32. The company split into two following what we can only imagine was a boardroom slapfight, spinning off Gamepark Holdings, makers of the GP2X. Meanwhile, back at Gamepark HQ, they announced the (redesigned) XGP, XGP mini, and now the XGP kids. Seriously, that's the name.The diminutive handheld sports a 220x176px 2.2" screen, a 140MHz ARM processor, 8MB of RAM,16-bit sound, and SD card support. Apparently, this lowest end XGP unit is more like the GP32 than the others, meaning porting those GP32 homebrew classics should be a relatively trivial process. Still, there's not much about this unit that's screaming "kids" to us, besides the purported price. According to the entry on Wikipedia, the XGP kids is targeted at $75 while the XGP mini and XGP are targeted at $150 and $300 respectively. Now, if they can just figure out when they're going to release these things.[Via Engadget]
GamePark poised to release "XGP kids" handheld
Many people look upon GamePark's GP32 handheld console as a revolutionary product in the world of videogames -- it was, after all, one of the first platforms to actually encourage homebrew and emulation -- and now DCEmu is reporting that the company is poised to launch what it's calling the GP32's successor, the "XGP kids." Shaped more or less like a tiny PSP, this new model is the third in the XGP lineup (following the original XGP and XGP mini), none of which should be confused with the similarly-named GP2X (this latter console is manufactured by GamePark Holdings, a company composed mainly of disgruntled ex-GamePark employees). Although not all its specs will be revealed until September 16th, we do know that it will be powered by a 140MHz ARM processor (probably overclockable), sport a 2.2-inch, 220 x 176 LCD, feature 8MB of RAM and 2MB of flash memory, and support USB 1.1 file transfers, but unlike the GP32, will eschew the old school SmartMedia slot for more modern SD cards. The best part here is the anticipated price (according to Wikipedia, at least); unlike the $300 XGP, $230 GP2X, and $150 XGP mini, the XGP kids is expected to slide in at under a C-note -- $75, to be exact.[Via DCEmu]
Gamepark Holdings releases GP2X breakout board
Good news for GP2X owners: Gamepark Holdings (not to be confused with Gamepark, makers of the similarly-named XGP) has just released a breakout board that will turn your handheld console into a fully-functional, albeit underpowered, home PC. The board plugs into the EXT port on your device and features audio and video outs for hooking up an external monitor and sound system, four USB ports for attaching keyboards, mice, and joysticks, and RS232 and Jtag connectors for reflashing your firmware or running a debugging script on software you've developed. Although the kit -- available now for just $46 -- can be employed to create a home DivX or digital audio system, it will probably be most widely used in building emulation cabinets around the open-source, Linux-powered player. [Via DCEmu]
Gamepark returns with new XGP handhelds
Gamepark--not to be confused with GP2X manufacturer and Gamepark spin-off, Gamepark Holdings--have unveiled their redesigned XGP handheld gaming system and their new XGP nano micro Mini. You'll remember the XGP as the swivel-faced "bastard child of a PSP and a Sidekick." While Gamepark Holding's GP2X is being angled specifically as an open-source, emulation friendly handheld, the XGP is a decidedly commercial product.The real surprise isn't the redesign, but the entirely new unit dubbed the XGP Mini (image beneath the fold). Featuring a 2.2" screen and an SD card slot, the unit owes more than a little of its design to Nintendo's minuscule GBA micro. It's hard to imagine how either of these products could be successful--where competitors like the Ngage and Gizmondo weren't--if both of these products aren't going to encourage emulation. If you're having trouble keeping your XGPs, GP2Xs, GP32s, and Gameparks straight, check out the Wikipedia entry, which could either help or hurt your chances of understanding this mess.[Via Engadget][Update: fixed the name of the XGP Mini shown after the jump]
