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Former HP VP charged with stealing IBM trade secrets
The printer market isn't exactly full of the most interesting news, but it's still big money, and big money tends to bring out the worst in people -- like former HP VP Atul Malhotra, who was just charged with stealing trade secrets from his former employer IBM and emailing them to other HP execs. Apparently Malhotra requested some confidential sales data two months before he went from the three-letter company to the two-letter one, and when he got there he hit up some other senior execs with the files -- marking the subject line "For Your Eyes Only." Yeah, that's an effective way to keep a lid on things. Malhotra was fired from HP in 2006, so all this went down some time ago, and HP says it actually conducted an internal investigation about the matter before firing Malhotra and reporting the theft to both IBM and the authorities. Sure, sure -- but we'll know what's up when the next HP AIO is running a Cell chip.
Major tech companies joining forces to create massive patent shell company
Yeah, we hate patent trolls as much as anyone, but the Wall Street Journal says that a group of major tech companies have created a patent shield organization to fend off trolls that sounds to us like it'll eventually just be an even worse troll. The foundation, called the Allied Security Trust, will take $250,000 in buy-in money and $5M in escrow from member companies -- Verizon, Google, Ericsson, HP, and Cisco are apparently the founding corporations -- and use it to buy up patents to prevent future litigation. After a member company buys a patent, it will grant itself a non-exclusive license and sell it to AST, which will then license it to the other members. Of course, that means that AST will eventually own a large number of patents on common technology, which means it could very well become a aggressive patent litigant itself. Not to worry, says AST CEO Brian Hinman: the group will "never be an enforcement vehicle," and it isn't anyone's intention to "make money on the transactions." Sure, sure -- but any time players this big start putting this much potential cash on the line, we're not going to take random promises at face value. See you in Marshall, boys.
HP fax machines recalled, could turn resume into flames
Hey you. Yeah, you. You're about to beam that resume facsimile-style to a prospective employer, aren't you? If said machine is a Hewlett-Packard Fax 1010 or 1010xi, we're recommend firing (ahem) it over through email instead. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with HP, has issued a voluntary recall for the aforementioned fax machines after receiving three reports of "overheating," two of which resulted in "minor property damage." If you just so happen to own one of these machines, and you'd prefer your abode not be burned to the ground anytime soon, we'd suggest following the read link and applying for your rebate. After you unplug the machine and shove it in the freeze, of course.
HP Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition nabs NVIDIA GTX 280 graphics
Alienware was making some noise earlier today about being first out the gate with NVIDIA's new GeForce GTX 280 cards, but HP's gaming division isn't about get shown up: it's launching the HP Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition which features two GTX 280 cards in SLI today, and it says it'll be shipping almost a month sooner than Alienware for $6,600 -- just over a thousand dollars less than a similar Area-51 setup. That's fightin' talk, people -- hopefully these two will get their prices down to something actually reasonable by the time this is all over.
HP to finally ship the iPAQ 900 series business phone
We first heard about HP's iPAQ 900 / 914 3G Business Messenger in September of last year, and after a series of delays (which seem to be endemic to the iPAQ line), it looks like the device is finally set to start shipping. Nothing much has changed, except that a Windows Mobile 6.1 device with a 2.46-inch display, WiFi, GPS, HSDPA, and a 3 megapixel camera isn't exactly the hot sheets it was almost a year ago. That said, that chubby case hides a 1800mAh battery, which should let enterprise users get their business on for the better part of a full day. Should be shipping around the world starting June 30, although specific worldwide dates will vary.[Via WMPoweruser and Phone Scoop]Read - HP press releaseRead - Hands-on at Mobinaute
Voodoo PC teaser video hints at new machines
First Voodoo's home page had that little fire problem, and now this super-dramatic teaser video's making the rounds -- we'd say there's probably a new Voodoo desktop and laptop in store for us on June 10, by the looks of things. Vid after the break.
HP wants to buy EDS, assure acronym superiority over IBM (update: it's official)
We're not usually too down with enterprise-services action, but it's hard not to notice HP's $12-13B bid to buy out rival Electronic Data Systems. EDS is best remembered for that "Herding Cats" Super Bowl commercial, but things have been rough lately -- the company just posted 62 percent decline in first-quarter profits. Still, EDS remains a leader in technology outsourcing, and HP seems to think that it'll be better able to take down Big Blue's powerhouse services and consulting group if they merge. The deal isn't done yet, but we should know how things go soon.Update: The deal is done. HP confirmed that it's buying EDS for $25 per share or $12.5 billion. EDS will be rebranded, "EDS -- an HP company" in recognition of its own corporate blandness.
HP 2133 Mini-Note PC on sale now
Just in case you've been burying your face in those glowing reviews of HP's latest UMPC, here's a quick heads-up to inform you that the 2133 Mini-Note PC is actually available to order. As of this very moment, prospective buyers can select a unit of their own at HP's website, and with five models ranging from $499 to $849, we're sure there's a Mini-Note for you in there somewhere.[Thanks, Tharp]
HP Mini-Note 2133 officially official, reviewed
It's a full 24 hours after we expected it, but with looks this hot we're not surprised the HP Mini-Note 2133 is fashionably late. Specs are exactly what we'd heard and what was up on Amazon earlier: 2.6 pounds, Via C7-M processor, 1280x768 8.9-inch screen, full QWERTY keyboard that's just 8 percent smaller than normal, and a variety of configurations ranging from a $499 1.0GHz Linux-powered unit with 4GB of flash and 512MB of RAM to a maxed-out $749 config with a 1.6GHz processor, 120GB drive and Vista Business. Laptop managed to score some hands-on time, and from the video it looks like this thing might actually be as popular as HP is predicting -- except for those crazy side-mounted vertical mouse buttons, which are totally messing with our heads. Still no word on availability, but it seems like HP's ready to go -- anyone taking the plunge right away?Read - HP press releaseRead - HP specsUpdate: Plenty of early reviews are in. Things are looking good so far, check 'em out:Read - Laptop hands-on video (scroll down)Read - jkOnTheRun checks it outRead - Notebook Review, um, reviewRead - Notebooks.com blows it outRead - PC Mag review (4/5)
HP 2133 shows up on Amazon as the Mini-Note PC
It looks like the rumors of HP launching the sexy 2133 UMPC today were off the mark, but it certainly does seem like the diminutive laptop is coming soon -- placeholder pages for an "HP 2133 Mini-Note PC" have popped up at Amazon and other retailers. That's the first we've heard of the Mini-Note name, which is interesting in terribly uncreative way, but we're slightly more intrigued by the addition of a 1.0GHz SuSE model with 4GB of flash instead of a hard drive -- we'd originally heard that the 2133 would come in such a configuration, but none of the specs we'd seen so far had mentioned it. Of course, an empty Amazon product page with no pricing information doesn't make the 2133 any more official, but we've got a feeling it's pretty close -- come on HP, we know you're confident, let's see what you're hiding back there.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Read - Amazon product page for the 1.2GHz / 120GB configRead - Amazon product page for the 1.0GHz / 4GB flash config Read - Product listing on compsource.com
HP sends server customers virus-infected USB keys
We've seen a couple viruses make their way into the manufacturing process and onto shipping products, and it looks like HP Australia and its enterprise customers are the latest victims. USB keys shipped with some HP Proliant servers are infected with the Fakerecy and SillyFDC viruses, and the company's issued an alert saying that any up-to-date virus scanner should be able to tackle the nasties. It's a pretty low-grade threat -- the key is only used to install floppy disk drivers and neither virus is particularly destructive, but all you server admins Down Under might want to check your rigs just to be sure.[Via The Register]
HP UMPC 2133 specs revealed, street date of April 7th?
We'd been hearing that HP's slick UMPC 2133 was going sport VIA processors, and now we've got some more info to back that up -- we just received what appears to be a full spec list for the upcoming machine, and it's VIA C7-Ms all around, with graphics courtesy of a VIA Chrome 9 chipset. According to our source, these will hit on April 7th, and it looks like those pricing whispers were pretty accurate as well: $600 will buy you a 1.2GHz C7-M, a 120GB drive, 1GB of RAM and Vista Home Basic, while $749 bumps you up to 1.6GHz and Vista Business and adds Bluetooth, another gig of RAM, and a bigger battery. There's also a mysterious $849 Vista Basic model listed as having "regional" availability (the others are listed as "Smart Buy") with Bluetooth and bigger battery, but we don't see why it's more expensive than the Vista Business version. Regardless, what really caught our eye was the $549 model that shares the same specs as the $600 unit, but looks to be running SuSE Enterprise -- another rumor that's come true. That could be the one that HP expects to sell like hotcakes -- after all, the goal is to have people buy these "without a thought," and that's certainly not going to happen at $749. We'll see soon enough, we suppose. Full spec sheet after the break.
HP launches the 13.3-inch dv3000 laptop in Asia
It's been a while since the HP dv2000 laptop made its original appearance, and it looks like HP's giving the newest version a new model number as well as a slight redesign -- say bonjour to the dv3000. Based around an oh-so-hip 13.3-inch display, the overall look of the machine is basically the same as the older model, but it's slightly smaller. Inside, you're looking at a 2.5GHz T9300 Penryn Core 2 Duo, GeForce Go 8400M graphics with HDMI out, 2GB of RAM, a 160GB disk, VGA webcam, a dual-layer burner, and an unusual combo USB / eSATA port that we'd like to take a closer look at. Not a bad piece of kit for $1,399 -- too bad it's only coming out in Asia around May.%Gallery-18905%
HP so confident in the UMPC 2133 it's building 2m units?
HP apparently wasn't kidding when it said it expected people to buy that hot new UMPC 2133 sub-notebook "without a thought": DigiTimes is now reporting that the company has contracted Wistron to crank out two million units this year. That's an astonishingly high number -- almost 10 percent of HP's worldwide laptop sales last year -- and even wilder compared to the EeePC, which completely blew away expectations by selling 350,000 units worldwide last quarter, or Samsung's Q1, which has only moved a couple hundred thousand in two years on the market. Sure, the 2133 looks sexy as hell, but at a rumored $630, HP's going to have to put some serious sales muscle behind this guy to move that many -- it's just slightly too expensive to be an accessory, and probably way too underpowered to be your primary machine. On the other hand, while this is just a rumor and could be totally wrong, we'd actually like to think HP has a product so good it's going to roll the dice a little. Guess we'll find out soon enough, eh?[Via jkOnTheRun]
iPaq 210 finally ships, gets reviewed
For an otherwise-generic PDA, the iPaq 210 has already led a controversy-filled life filled with numerous delays, canceled pre-orders, retracted and clarified official statements from HP, and even a website bug that constantly promised shipment in two weeks -- but now it's finally here, and according to the crew at Brighthand, all that bake time seems to have paid off. The 210's 4-inch VGA-res screen drew high praise, of course, but what really set the 210 apart was the wealth of connectivity options -- with both CF and SDHC slots, the 210 can store up to 64GB of data, and transfer it over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and USB 2.0. The only issues seem to be a touchscreen that requires a firmer touch than usual and that high $450 MSRP -- but if you're among the few still in the market for a standalone PDA, the 210 is probably worth checking out.
HP to integrate Qualcomm's Gobi EV-DO / HSPA chip into laptops
It's not all just cellphones at Mobile World Congress -- HP and Qualcomm have just announced plans to ship laptops with Qualcomm's Gobi dual-3G chipset that supports both EV-DO and HSPA. That means you won't be locked into a carrier when you buy a laptop with an integrated WWAN modem -- and hardcore road warriors with multiple subscriptions will even be able to switch on the fly to the network with better coverage. HP says Gobi (officially the MDM1000 chip, but that's no fun) will be available on a range of laptops from ultraportables to high-performance models later this year, but there's no word on pricing just yet -- let's hope it falls into the "might as well" range, eh?
HP Pavilion tx2000 tablet goes on sale
It's a little late, but it looks like the HP is finally ready to take your money and hand over a tx2000 tablet. Nothing really new to report specs- or price-wise: $1,299 buys you a 2.1GHz AMD Turion, 2GB of RAM, GeForce Go 6150, 160GB disk, LightScribe dual-layer burner and a fingerprint reader, while $2,311 bumps you up to a 2.2GHz Turion, 250GB disk, Verizon 3G ExpressCard, and Vista Ultimate. And, of course, that 12.1-inch touchscreen that "has a digitizer!" Not a bad deal, actually -- anyone going to take the plunge?[Thanks, Sky]
HP's noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones hit the FCC
We didn't see these noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones hiding anywhere in HP's CES booth, so we can only assume the company is trying to sneak 'em by Uncle Sam while we're in Vegas. Of course, you know we're still on top of everything else that's going down even in the middle of CES, which is why we'll be rewarding HP for this deception with a full gallery of pictures. There's nothing going on here internally that's super-crazy, but the form factor is nicely classic, and noise-cancellation is always fun. Check it all out in the gallery -- and HP? We're watching, guys. %Gallery-13277%
Security exploit bricks HP and Compaq laptops
A Polish security researcher calling himself porkythepig is apparently gunning hard for HP this month, first exposing a slew of vulnerabilities that affected 83 different HP and Compaq models ten days ago, and today releasing an exploit that allows an attacker to brick any HP or Compaq laptop. The 'sploit takes advantage of a vulnerable ActiveX control in HP's Software Update, allowing a hacker to easily corrupt Windows kernel files, or even take control of the machine with a little more effort. Porkythepig says the bug affects HP and Compaq laptops running Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003 and Vista, and that simply disabling the Software Update mechanism may not prevent attackers from taking advantage of the vulnerability. Even still, those of you out there running HP / Compaq machines may want take a second to shut down Software Update until HP issues a patch.Update: Wow, we didn't realize how seriously everyone took their slang. For what it's worth, the definition of "bricked" has caused some amusingly serious discussion amongst Engadget editors today, and most agree that it should mean "dead beyond all repair" -- except for Nilay, who keeps stubbornly saying that people "un-brick" devices all the time. We'll stick to the most common definition for now, so no, this exploit didn't "brick" anything.[Via Slashdot]
Blackbird 002 gets a little cheaper for the holidays, now starting at $2,399
The Blackbird 002 has always been a little pricey, but HP is taking a little of the sting out for the holidays, letting gamers score the base model of the high-powered system for $2,399 instead of the usual $2,700. The limited-time deal includes a liquid-cooled 2.66GHz E6750 Core 2 Duo, 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT graphics, 2GB of RAM, and a Logitech gaming mouse and keyboard. HP is also throwing in a copy of Valve's The Orange Box, and you can bump the OS up to Vista Ultimate for free if you're so inclined. There's no word on how long this price will last, however, so interested gamers might want to start shaking out their couch cushions sometime soon.
