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Freescale reveals 7-inch smartbook reference design, hopes to see it ship for $200
Freescale Semiconductor is helping to kick this year's CES off with a bang, as its latest reference smartbook design actually has somewhat of a sexy flair to it. Currently, the model is little more than a great idea, but the company is hoping to have it available for partner evaluation starting next month. In theory, at least, this "smartbook tablet" would boast an ultrathin form factor, weigh around 0.8 pounds and get powered by a 1GHz i.MX515 processor. Other specs would include 512MB of DDR2 RAM, a 1,024 x 600 touch panel, 4GB to 64GB of internal storage, a microSD expansion slot, optional 3G WWAN module, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, a USB 2.0 socket, audio in / out, 3 megapixel camera, inbuilt 3-axis accelerometer, an ambient light sensor and a 1,900mAh battery. We aren't quite sure what kind of bulk discounts Freescale is counting on, but it's hoping that this design will "enable a second generation of smartbook products with prices less than $200." We dig the ambition and all, but we're guessing OEMs will actually want to turn a profit should they sign on to sell something like this. %Gallery-81144%
Elektrobit Moorestown MID reference design is more like it
We're kinda-sorta coming around on the MIDs now that we've gotten a chance to play with Moblin 2.0, but it'll take some great hardware to really convince us (or hell, anyone) -- like this promising first Moorestown reference design from Elektrobit. Yeah, it's not quite the amazing mockup device that Intel's been showing off for a couple years, but it's still pretty attractive, and it's actually pretty small at just a half-inch thick with a four-inch HD screen. You're also looking at HDMI out, either WiMAX or 3G mobile broadband, and voice capability. Sadly, none of this will ship until Intel delivers the Mooretown chips, so we won't be able to do anything except sniff vapor until 2010.[Via Linux Devices]
Yuhua's Xphone-SDK runs Android, doesn't look like poo
If you enjoyed feasting your eyes on that DSTL1 from General Mobile a couple weeks back, pay extra close attention here. Turns out that phone was designed by Chinese firm Yuhua, and they're back at it with a second Android device -- this time a reference design, seemingly without a distributor lined up -- the Xphone-SDK. We'd argue that this one looks even better than the DSTL1 did (from the renders here, anyway), but the specs suffer, stepping down to just 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM on board. As usual, you're left with just EDGE data, though a 3G version is promised down the road -- not to say it matters too much unless a brand decides to pick it up and sell it. What do ya say, General Mobile?[Via Phandroid]
Dual-display laptop design has wings
Perhaps it's just that nostalgia for the ThinkPad 701 but there's something about this dual-display reference design that's causing optical interrupts all over Engadget editorial. It's certainly not as elegant as some other dual-display laptops we've seen, but what it gives up in looks, the Electronic Keyboards, Inc. design makes up for in practicality. They're currently pitching it to OEMs and will gladly sell you the related US patents if interested. Though given our choice, we'd be more interested in patents related to an elongated trackpad which doubles as a secondary glass display or e-Ink informational widget. Hey, a boy can dream can't he? [Via The Raw Feed]
VIA OpenBook hands-on
We got to spend a little bit of time with a prototype of VIA's new OpenBook reference design, and while it's not going to revolutionize anything, VIA does seem to have a pretty good grasp on the balance of value, size and power necessary to compete in the subnotebook game. They were showing it off with Vista (though it will be available in XP and Linux versions as well), with an interface that was plenty responsive, and while the video we saw wasn't an incredible display of multimedia showmanship, it was neat to see on the C7-M all the same. Our two main gripes are the seeming thickness of the device -- 1.4-inches might be par for the course, but with this small of a laptop it seems awkwardly thick -- and the itty-bitty, cheap-looking keyboard that doesn't utilize the whole width of the laptop. The hope with a reference design is that some manufacturer might even be able to improve on VIA's version, and we'd say the first problem point to address is the keyboard. That said, we're quite impressed that VIA's crammed as much inside the OpenBook as it has, and perks like 3G / 4G connectivity, a trio of USB ports and a media card reader are making that MacBook Air look positively last century. Now the waiting game for one of the dozens of OEM types to start pumping these out of factories and into the arms of cherub-faced mini-note fans the world over. Video is after the break.%Gallery-23754%
Purple Labs announces cheap Linux-based reference design
3GSM's "3G For All" campaign lives on in the hearts and minds of companies around the globe that are looking to capitalize on developing nations' nascent 3G networks, and this little gem is a pretty good start. Purple Labs, a purveyor of mobile Linux software stacks, has teamed up with NXP Semiconductors to announce the "Purple Magic" reference design, a flip phone that features 3G data, video calling, media playback, Bluetooth, and a Java virtual machine for a purely theoretical retail price of under $100. Though there's no telling who'll pick up the platform -- or when, for that matter -- it's good to see that companies have their eyes on the prize and have the technology and know-how to get high speed devices pumped out for pretty dirt cheap. Look for the Purple Magic to make its public debut at MWC later this month.[Via MobileTechNews]
No joke: Qualcomm's Snapdragon prototypes don't use Snapdragon
We seriously have no idea what Qualcomm was thinking here, but it turns out that those two so-called "Snapdragon prototypes" being shown at CES this year... wait for it... don't use the Snapdragon platform. Now, that would've been just fine with us had Qualcomm made it clear that they were built using its existing chipsets, but they didn't. Here's the best part: Qualcomm actually contacted us with a minor correction on our original story (they wanted us to point out that their ARM-based cores are highly customized) without bothering to mention that our "Snapdragon-powered" statement was not accurate. Anyway, it turns out that the Anchorage and Fairbanks prototypes are merely meant to demonstrate "examples of what Snapdragon-enabled devices will feature," which begs the question: if the current MSM series chipsets are capable of the same functionality, aren't those probably the wrong features to be demonstrating? That behavior walks a fine line between poorly executed PR and outright deception, Qualcomm, and we'd ask that you not let it happen again.[Thanks, Sascha]
Microsoft turns Xbox RoL into prototype Windows Home Server
In case you missed its debut at WinHEC, we've got a few pics of Microsoft's Windows Home Server reference design to get your gadget juices swishing. The mini "hockeypuck" sports a green halo (or is it Halo?) to indicate a healthy system. Presumably, it then switches to a red ring of death a la the Xbox Ring of Light in the event of trouble. Microsoft claims that no one has taken up their offer to turn the prototype production, although a Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 running WHS sure comes close.%Gallery-3437%
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.
AMD unveils living room PC reference design: world squints in wonder
The days of finding brands like Microsoft, Apple, Intel, and Cisco limited to the office-space are long gone. Windows Media Center devices designed around Intel's Viiv platform and soon, Apple's iTV (or whatever the final name will be) are perfectly happy to snuggle up with the living room TV and a bowl of WiFi. So no surprise to find AMD coveting a cut of that turf too, with this, their new living room PC reference design -- a prototype AMD hopes will be copied by manufacturers to bring AMD's Live! entertainment platform to market that much faster. AMD's VP of Consumer Business, Joe Menard, said that these living room PCs "may come out next year" and might even include quiet running, fanless designs if we read into his comments just a bit. With Windows Vista Media Center installed, the device will then be capable of storing all your digital media for pumping back out the TV or other PCs on the home network. Yeah, we know, that's a lousy picture but it's all that AMD is offering -- come on AMD, nobody dances with the wallflower.
