Computex2009
Latest
ASUS 'Seamless Experience' is the best conception of the future we've seen in the past five minutes
Are you fully prepared to live in one company's most likely inaccurate and yet still totally awesome vision of the future? If not, check out the video after the break. ASUS tossed together its ideas into a "Seamless Experience" showing at its Computex 2009 booth. Apparently the future involves a lot of interactive countertops -- a sort of pervasive Surface-lite, which presents interactive, relevant info for objects placed on it. The tech also facilitates interaction between devices placed near each other, and can even capture data from a plain ol' piece of paper and integrate it into the system. Sure, it's been shown before, but we're sure once enough companies come up with this idea independently they'll be able to form two warring factions and fend off consumer adoption with a format war for years to come.Read - ASUS PRRead - Video from NewGadgets.de
Video: dmedia M0 gets the hands-on treatment
This little devil here's been bouncing around in some form or another for nearly a year, and now it looks like dmedia's M0 might actually see the light of day sometime soon. The video shows the 4.3-inch touchscreen device running Windows CE and sporting the specs that we'd been clued into many months ago, including: Samsung 533-800MHz CPU, 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen, and a 5-megapixel camera. No word yet on a price or Stateside release, but we'll be keeping our eyes peeled. Video after the break. [Via SlashGear]
Freescale netbook and Android-powered smartbook debut
We knew good and well that Freescale wouldn't let Qualcomm go and have all the fun with these newfangled smartbooks, and already we're seeing a few new devices powered by Freescale-branded semiconductors. In the video posted just after the break, the company's own Steve Sperle sat down to talk about a new Pegatron netbook (which handles 720p video playback with ease) as well as an Inventec "smartbook" which is just marginally larger than your average smartphone. In fact, we're rather impressed with the layout: a larger-than-average 4-inch display, a slideout QWERTY keyboard and Google's Android OS. Unfortunately, Mr. Sperle would only stick close to the "later this year" launch time frame that we'd already heard about, but so long as these smartbooks end up looking like overpowered smartphones, you can certainly consider our interest piqued.
Freescale whips up netbook and smartbook design concepts, waits for someone to notice
Does the world really, truly need another netbook? How about even a single one of these so-called smartbooks? Freescale's hoping the answer to both of those questions is "absolutely, yes," as it took the opportunity at Computex to showcase a half-dozen netbook and smartbook design concepts. Granted, there's better than a fair chance that all of the models you see below won't ever leave the render stage, but if they do, they'll obviously be based on one of Freescale's chips. We can't say we're mesmerized by any of 'em, but we're curious if you feel any different -- would you drop coin on any of these machines?[Via Slashgear]
Swiveling ASUS Eee PC T91 does multitouch in Windows 7
Like so many other dodgy things in life, ASUS' Eee PC T91 has been around the block a time or two. It wasn't until this week, however, that ASUS finally came clean with a full specifications list for the swivel-screen netvertible. The 3G-equipped machine also packs a GPS module, Bluetooth, WiFi, an 8.9-inch LED-backlit touch panel, Intel's Atom Z520 CPU, Ethernet, a multicard reader, VGA output, twin USB 2.0 sockets and audio in / out ports. Sadly, there's still no definite US release date, but we suspect it can't be too far off now. In related news, this very machine was caught showcasing its elite multitouch skills with Windows 7, and if you're interested in seeing exactly how that went down, hop on past the break and mash play.Read - Official Eee PC T91 specificationsRead - T91 multitouch on Windows 7
Lengda shows off stainless steel X10K netbook, 11.1-inch CULV model
Lengda isn't exactly one of the best known netbook manufactures around, but it looks to have made a decent enough showing for itself at Computex, where it had its new stainless steel X10K netbook on display (pictured above), along with its new 11.1-inch CULV-based M11A laptop. The former of those is basically your average 10.2-inch netbook, but with a bit of added weight from that stainless steel enclosure (and interchangeable cover), although the company is apparently also looking at producing an aluminum version. The M11A, on the other hand, looks to be among the first CULV laptops with an 11.1-inch screen, and sports a more traditional glossy plastic exterior, along with a few bonuses like an extendable TV / 3G antenna depending on the model. No word on pricing or availability just yet, but you can get a closer look at both of 'em after the break courtesy of the folks at Netbooknews.com.Read - Netbooknews.com, "Lengda X10K stainless steel netbook"Read - Netbooknews.com, "Lengda M11A 11.1-inch CULV notebook"
Computex offers Chinese gadget kitsch aplenty
Computex may finally be winding down, but with most of the big product announcements now out of the way, that only means there's a better chance for some of the hidden treasures of the show to shine, like this collection of Chinese-styled gadgets discovered by our pals at Engadget Chinese. That includes a stylish "Nah" box made of real china that actually contains a 1.5TB hard drive, a bamboo sheet that supposedly acts as a laptop cooling pad, a pair of vase-shaped speakers, various mice decorated with Chinese opera masks and, of course, no shortage of eye-catching USB drives. All of which are better demonstrated in pictures than words, so we recommend hitting up the gallery below.
Keepin' it real fake, Computex edition: Arc Mouse gets aped
Hey, Microsoft -- you're pretty proud of that Arc Mouse, yeah? If so, you should probably alert your legal team to the image shown above, as it seems one BOL-LINK has decided it best to just copy the arching input peripheral you helped pioneer and showcase it to onlookers in Taiwan. Then again, these guys did use a slightly different color scheme...
OCZ's Ion-based Neutrino and Colossus SSD hands-on at Computex
OCZ Technology's Ion-infused Neutrino may not look all that different than the existing model, but we all know it's the secret sauce within that makes it so magical. Our BFFs over at Engadget Chinese managed to spend a few quality seconds (some might say they "had a moment") with this very machine as well as the all new desktop-bound Colossus SSD. Sadly, the booth workers couldn't provide a definitive ship date or price for either, but the read link's still the place to go for a few hands-on shots as well as a video of the Ion Neutrino showing 3DMark 06 who's boss.
xpPhone runs Windows XP, gets costumed as a MID
You see, the name "xpPhone" is rather disingenuous here. At first glance, you may assume that you're about to discover what's likely the planet's first cellular telephone to run a full-fledged version of Windows XP. Sadly, we've got to slot the device shown above squarely into the MID category -- GSM support be darned. Still, we can't help but applaud the engineering efforts; after all, this thing somehow packs an AMD CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD, 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchpanel, WiFi, various cell radios, a 1.3 megapixel camera and a battery good for five solid hours of use into a device barely larger than the average, yawn-inducing MID found in every last corner of Computex. In fact, it's so impressive that we're beginning to question its authenticity as a real, working product. Much like the number of licks to the center of a Tootsie Pop, the world may never know.
Netronix EB-600 and EB-500 e-readers spotted at Computex
We can't say they look a whole heck of a lot different than the EB-300 and EB-100, but Netronix's EB-600 and EB-500 are still a push in the right direction. Seen at Computex, these e-readers pack a battery good for 8,000 page turns as well as a 6-inch (EB-600) / 5-inch (EB-500) e-ink display. We were even told that the EB-500 may end up with a slide-out keyboard, but as of now, all we can do is sit Indian style, meditate on the hands-on shots down in the read link and dream of what may some day be.
Mtube II mixes an Android tablet with an XP netbook
Been thinking about settling down with an XP netbook but can't get the idea of an Android tablet out of your mind? We understand your pain -- and so does Taiwan's Institute for Information Industry, which is showing off the Mtube II netbook / tablet at Computex. The slick remix of an HP Mini 1000 runs XP when in netbook configuration, but then switches over to Android on an unspecified ARM processor when the screen is pulled off and used as a tablet. Yes, it's basically the product most of us have daydreamed about for ages -- much like the Touch Book -- but there are some tradeoffs here: first, the Atom in the netbook base has been swapped for a VIA C7-M, so it's not exactly a rocket, and second, the screen is connected by VNC, so video performance isn't going to be all that great. We're hoping the additional year of development III says it needs will solve some of those problems, but until then you know we'll be doodling this thing all through math class. Videos after the break.
Conceptronic shows off potent Yuixx media streamer at Computex
Conceptronic has been doing a fairly admirable job with promoting itself as a serious player in the crowded media streamer market, and while its atypically designed Grab 'n Go was certainly worth a look at CES, it's the Yuixx that could really launch it into the next level. Shown over at Computex, this HD media streamer was loaded with broad format compatibility, Intel's fledgling CE 3100 media processor and support for Yahoo! widgets, TV tuning, a "Firefox-based" web browser, a 3.5-inch internal hard drive, WiFi and Ethernet. We're told that three variants will be made available for those looking for a more stripped-down version, and while an exact release date has yet to be set, an autumn introduction and a price range of around €250 ($354) to €450 ($638) is expected. Peek the read link for a few looks at the sleek user interface.
Mojo Mobility shows off wireless charging on Intel MIDs
Despite overwhelming evidence showing that MIDs just aren't the next big thing, Intel refuses to give up on the idea. To that end, Mojo Mobility has seemingly drank the Kool-Aid as well, showing off a new wireless charging system on those very devices at Computex. The Near Field Power solution can be integrated into mobile devices much like the Palm Pre, and the Mojo pad enables current to be transferred easily as soon as the device is laid to rest on said mat. Heck, it's even smart enough to turn itself off once the device reaches a full charge. Unfortunately, pricing for the Mojo system is still undisclosed, but we're told that several OEMs are already looking into baking it into their next-gen products.
Hands-on with ASUS' Eee PC 1101HGO at Computex
Our compatriots at Engadget Chinese have been doing all the leg work at Computex for us this week, and here's another beauty they caught sight of: the ASUS Eee PC 1101HGO. Yes, this is something we have not previously spied... or have we? This newest addition to the Seashell line is extremely similar to the 1101HA we've caught wind of, but this one's got 3G built in. The 11.6-inch, 1,366 x 768 resolution LCD-boasting PC houses an Intel Atom Z-series CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, three USB 2.0 sockets, a multicard reader, and a six-cell battery. We don't have any information about pricing or availability as of yet, but we'll let you know when we do. Two more shots after the break.
IAC Prodigy e-reader does EV-DO, HSPA, WiMAX and WiFi
While you might say Amazon's Kindle is lucky to have a single CDMA / EV-DO radio built-in, IAC would likely venture to disagree. Over at Computex, said firm was showcasing its Prodigy e-reader, which just so happens to pack every major wireless radio we can think of. EV-DO Rev. A? Check. WCDMA / HSPA? Check. WiMAX? Oh, definitely. 802.11b/g WiFi? For sure, dudes. And the fun doesn't stop there -- it's packing a 6-inch 800 x 600 e-paper touchscreen, 256MB of NAND Flash memory, 128MB of DDR memory, 2GB of NAND storage and a Marvell PXA310 processor. If all goes well, this little bugger will ship in Q4 over in Taiwan, but it'll be a cold day in Hades before it arrives on US soil. Video's after the break.
LED cooling fans steal sexy back from liquid-based solutions
Skipping the air cooled approach in favor of some fancy water-cooled rig? Think again, chum. Over at Computex, a smallish company going by the name of Fresh-Tech was on hand to demonstrate the absolutely howling device you see above: a LED-infused PC cooling fan. The fans can be programmed to display nearly anything you wish, and obviously these have the greatest impact on observers when installed in clear or translucent PC enclosures. Ghetto fabulous? Maybe. Nerdalicious? Totally.
Compal shows off Android-running, Snapdragon-powered smartbook
As if it wasn't clear already, smartbooks are one of the big trends (if not the biggest) to emerge out of this year's Computex, be they Snapdragon or Tegra-powered. Just as interesting as the devices themselves, however, is the fact that a number of manufacturers are looking at using Android as an OS for 'em, including big players like ASUS, and now Compal. While's ASUS' Snapdragon-based offering was impressive enough, Compal looks to have slightly outdone it by adding a customized interface at start-up, which is apparently just a taste of further "optimizations" to come. Details are otherwise a bit hard to come by, but you can head on past the break for a hands-on video courtesy of techvideoblog.com.
Computex: Pioneer's 3D interactive display brings you one step closer to seeing a girl in her knickers
Among the expected netbooks and digiframes encountered at this year's Computex, the gang at Engadget Chinese have stumbled across this beauty. Pioneer's unnamed 3D imaging / sensing device contains a wholesome, dancing three dimensional figure. The camera in the top of the cannister keeps an eye out for contact, and if the operator touches the figure, her clothes disappear... behaving much like the avatars you meet up with in the "red light district" of Second Life. No, this thing doesn't appear to be available commercially -- and shame on you for even asking! Video after the break.
Five new Moorestown-based MIDs announced at Computex
Pardon us while we take this opportunity to snag a nap, but seriously, we just cannot muster any excitement whatsoever about Mobile Internet Devices. Stuck somewhere between capable smartphones and these newfangled smartbooks, MIDs seem to be carving out a niche that precisely no one cares about. Though, we can say we're stoked about the forthcoming introduction of Moorestown -- the Atom needs a successor in the worst way. At any rate, those still hanging on in hopes of a turnaround have introduced new MIDs today at Computex, with EB, Quanta, Inventec, Aava Mobile and Compal (despite its recent skepticism) showcasing their wares. If you honestly think you could see yourself purchasing one of these unwanted devices in the next year or so, we've got plenty of images down there in the read link.[Via MIDMoves]
