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McAfee and Intel partner up to put anti-theft tech in Ultrabooks
Intel has long provided hardware-level anti-theft technology, primarily for its enterprise customers. But, as users become increasingly mobile, the need to extend those protections to average consumers has become more and more apparent. McAfee is teaming up with Chipzilla to create a consumer-friendly software package that will interact with the chip-level anti-theft tech that will be packed into every Ultrabook. Details about the software are pretty slim for the moment, but we know it'll feature remote lock, remote wipe and location tracking to help you recover you precious lappy and keep your personal data out of the hands of ne'er-do-wells. The suite will start shipping alongside the tiny notebooks next year, but while you wait, check out the PR after the break.
Toshiba's Portege Z830 climbs out of Dell's Inspiron 600m at IDF 2011 (video)
Apple's original MacBook Air may have fit inside a traditional office envelope, but it seems that Intel's got a few tricks up its sleeve, too. Here at IDF 2011, Mooly Eden -- vice president and general manager of the PC Client Group -- ripped a Toshiba Portege Z830 Ultrabook out of a Dell Inspiron 600m. For those unaware, we first touched the former last week, while the M600 saw its big reveal in the early days of 2005. Seems we've come quite a ways in six short years, huh? %Gallery-133751%
This is what Intel's Haswell microarchitecture looks like (video from IDF)
Intel already showcased the future of solar-powered computing, but if you're wondering what silicon from 2013 looks like today... well, have a gander! The chip shown above (and in the gallery / videos below) is Intel's Haswell microarchitecture, a platform that is destined to slip into slimmer-than-slim laptops and Ultrabooks of the future. As mentioned yesterday, it's built on 22nm process technology, relies on the company's 3D Tri-gate transistors and should lead to over ten full days of connected standby battery life in mobile devices. So, now you know what it feels like to be in The Twilight Zone. %Gallery-133747%
Ultrabooks invade IDF 2011, Toshiba Portege Z830 makes cameo (video)
While we've already seen Ultrabooks from a bevy of brand name manufacturers -- Toshiba (which we caught on video below), Lenovo, ASUS and Acer -- ODMs are now joining the thin and light party here at IDF. There's one catch, however: this row of Ultrabooks from the likes of Pegatron, LG, Invetec and Foxconn aren't nearly as svelte as their branded counterparts, leading us to believe that Intel's specs aren't quite as rigorous as we'd originally thought. Video proof after the break. Myriam Joire contributed to this report. %Gallery-133549%
Asus UX31 vs. UX21... fight! (video)
We'd handled ASUS' UX21 back at Computex, but we'd never gotten up close and personal with its larger brother, the UX31 -- until now. We spotted the 13.3-inch aluminum beaut just chilling at the Ultrabook pavilion at Intel's Developer Forum. With the same 0.67-inch profile as its smaller sibling, that larger footprint means it's naturally a bit heavier (2.9 pounds), yet it's available with the same Core i5 (or optional i7) innards. Expect more when the duo goes on sale later this month, but for now take a peek at our hand-on video after the break. Myriam Joire contributed to this report. %Gallery-133567%
Intel demos Haswell-enabled, solar-powered computing at IDF 2011
During the IDF keynote today in San Francisco, Intel demoed a solar-powered PC running Windows based on its long-teased Haswell microarchitecture -- complete with labcoats and LOLcats. As a refresher, Haswell is based on the same 22nm technology as Ivy Bridge, reduces power by 20x compared to current designs, and will help Ultrabooks achieve ten days of connected standby by 2013. Intel's CEO Paul Otellini mentioned that Haswell will further accelerate Ultrabook innovation with the help of the company's revolutionary 3D tri-gate transistors. Check out the solar-powered future in our gallery below. %Gallery-133491% Dante Cesa contributed to this report.
Microsoft shows Windows 8 on existing Ultrabooks, acts like it's never seen a thin laptop before
The majority of first-gen Ultrabooks aren't on sale yet -- not even with Windows 7 -- but Microsoft's already showing off tomorrow's best and brightest with Windows 8. We already knew that Windows 8 would theoretically run on a now-ancient Lenovo S10, but if you're concerned about "futureproofing," it looks as if the thinnest and lightest in the Wintel world will be good enough to run a developer build of Win8. You know -- when the files hit the wild tonight at 8PM PT. %Gallery-133493%
We're live at Intel Developer Forum 2011!
Not ready for a bevy of chip related news from Chipzilla? Tough noogies, because we're here, live at IDF 2011 in sunny / cloudy San Francisco! Go on and prepare yourself for a healthy helping of Ultrabooks, chipsets, fireballs and of course, music by Katy Perry. Or Smash Mouth. The jury's still out on all but the last two, but you know where to stay locked to find out.
NVIDIA CEO sees major growth in mobile processing, quad-core tablets coming this year
During a sitdown with reporters yesterday, NVIDIA Chief Executive Jen-Hsun Huang discussed his company's near- and long-term financial outlook, while providing some insight into the chipmaker's quad-core future. According to Huang, NVIDIA expects to rake in between $4.7 and $5 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2013, with revenue from its mobile chip unit projected to mushroom tenfold by 2015, to a whopping $20 billion. Huang acknowledged that these predictions could be affected by external factors, including the ongoing patent wars between tablet and smartphone manufacturers, but didn't seem too concerned about their immediate impact. "At this point, it looks like it's much ado about nothing," he said. In fact, Huang foresees rather robust growth in the mobile processing sector, estimating that there are about 100 million devices that will need chips this year -- a figure that could soon rise to one billion, on the strength of more affordable handsets, efficient ARM processors and the rise of ultra-thin notebooks. And, despite his recent disappointment, Huang expects Android tablets to comprise a full 50 percent of the market in the near future, claiming that NVIDIA's Tegra chips can currently be found in 70 percent of all slates running Google's OS, and about half of all Android-based smartphones. In the short-term, meanwhile, NVIDIA is busy developing its quad-core mobile processors -- which, according to the exec, should appear in tablets during the third or fourth quarter of this year (quad-core smartphones, however, may be further down the road). Huang also sees room to develop wireless-enabled, Snapdragon-like processors, thanks to NVIDIA's recent acquisition of Icera, but he hasn't given up on GPUs, either, predicting that demand for graphics performance will remain stable. The loquacious CEO went on to divine that Windows 8 will support apps designed for Windows 7 (implying, perhaps, that Microsoft's Silverlight platform will play a major role in future cloud-based developments), while contending that smaller, "clamshell devices" with keyboards will ultimately win out of over the Ultrabook strategy that Intel has been pursuing. For the moment, though, Huang seems pretty comfortable with NVIDIA's position in the mobile processing market, citing only Qualcomm as primary competition. "We're the only people seriously on the dance floor with Qualcomm," he argued, adding that companies without a solid mobile strategy are "in deep turd." You can find more of Huang's insights at the source links below.
Popularity of the MacBook Air to limit early Ultrabook production
Intel and its manufacturing partners are gearing up to launch its line of Ultrabooks, a thin notebook that'll compete with the MacBook Pro. Instead of a blow-out launch, a report from Digitimes suggests companies like Lenovo, Asus and Acer are taking a more conservative approach. Ultrabook manufacturers have reportedly order a mere 50,000 units which will land in retail outlets this fall. These companies will gauge the acceptance of this new line before ramping up production. The popularity of the MacBook Air, which is quickly becoming one of Apple's best-selling model this year, is one factor contributing to this limited production. Even if they can undercut the MacBook Air with a sub-$1000 price tag, notebook manufacturers may have a hard time competing with Apple's slim, but powerful MacBook Air model. [Via TechCrunch]
Engadget Podcast 254 - 09.02.2011
We like to call this edition of the Engadget Podcast The Engadget Podcast Without Borders because we just don't care where the news comes from. If it smells like news, we'll be there, no matter where there is, and we'll come together every right here to boil it all down for you. It's that simple. It's the Engadget Podcast, now with more Richard.Host: Tim Stevens, Brian HeaterGuests: Richard Lawler, Richard LaiProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Dancing With Myself01:25 - Engadget NYC Reader Meetup recap02:30 - We're live from IFA 2011!02:41 - Toshiba announces AT200 tablet, 10.1-inch display and only 7.7mm thick03:25 - Toshiba AT200 hands-on (video)06:10 - Lenovo announces IdeaPad A1, the $199 Android tablet, we go hands-on (video)13:49 - Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 hands-on (video)18:42 - Samsung Galaxy Note announced: 5.3-inch display, built-in-stylus, custom 'S Pen' apps21:30 - Samsung Galaxy Note hands-on (video)30:30 - Toshiba's glasses free 3D TV launches in Europe as the ZL2 this December32:50 - Sony HMZ-T1 headset hits IFA, we go hands-on (video)34:53 - Lenovo announces U300s Ultrabook, U300 and U400 IdeaPads, we go hands-on (video)38:30 - Toshiba's Portege Z830 is an ultraslim, ultrasexy Ultrabook41:00 - HTC's 10-inch Puccini tablet gets official as Jetstream, brings LTE and laughable price to AT&T42:00 - Exclusive: HTC Puccini in the wild, AT&T LTE support confirmed!43:07 - Sony Tablet S preview50:00 - Sony officially renames the S2 the Tablet P, opens up about the software (video)54:22 - US government files to block proposed AT&T / T-Mobile merger (update: companies respond)57:13 - Offline Google Mail hands-on58:21 - Listener questionsHear the podcastSubscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)Contact the podcastSend your questions to @tim_stevens.Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005)E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot comTwitter: @tim_stevens, @bheater, @richardlai, @rjcc
Acer Aspire Ultrabook S3 hands-on (update: video!)
If you haven't heard, Acer's gone and (officially) jumped on the Ultrabook bandwagon, announcing the 13mm-thin Aspire S3. We're here live at IFA in Berlin and just got some much-anticipated hands-on time. At the press conference that just wrapped, we were treated to a raft of promises -- seven-hour battery life, 1.5 seconds to resume from sleep, two to connect to a wireless network and "no compromise" performance courtesy of ultra low voltage Core i3, i5 and i7 processors. So did our first impression come anywhere near matching the hype? Read on to find out. %Gallery-132465%
Acer Aspire Ultrabook S3 officially announced, starts at 799 euros
And the march of the Ultrabooks continues. Following on the heels of Toshiba and Lenovo, Acer just announced the Aspire S3 at its IFA press conference -- confirming that unequivocal leak we spotted earlier a few days ago. The machine, made of magnesium-alloy, measures an anorexic 13mm thin and weighs just 1.4 kilograms. We're told it promises not just instant on access, but near-instant connectivity -- Acer says it will wake from sleep in 1.5 seconds and register and connect to hotspots in about two. Other specs include a 13.3-inch (1366 x 768) display, ultra low voltage Core i3, i5 and i7 CPUs, a choice of solid-state storage or HDDs, Bluetooth 4.0 and a vent-free bottom so that you're not left with first-degree burns. Depending on the configuration, the battery life is rated for up to seven hours or up to 50 days in sleep mode. So far we're just hearing European pricing (€799 to €1,199), though Acer confirms it'll arrive stateside by the end of September. Update: Yes, we know we made a typo regarding the weight. The correct spec is 1.4kg. Thanks to all of you who pointed that out.
Lenovo announces U300s Ultrabook, U300 and U400 IdeaPads, we go hands-on (video)
The unchallenged reign of the MacBook Air on the thin-and-light domain is nearing an end -- the Ultrabooks are coming, and the Lenovo U300s looks to be one of the strongest competitors we've yet seen. It's a new entry to the IdeaPad lineup, the thinnest and lightest of a redesigned and reborn U Series that will also include the slightly stockier 13.3-inch U300 and the even bigger but even more serious 14-inch U400. All three are shipping in October, and we recently got a chance to try out the tiny trio. Read on for full details and our full impressions. %Gallery-132309%
Toshiba's Portege Z830 is an ultraslim, ultrasexy Ultrabook
Ready for your first helping of Ultrabook? Because it's here. Behold: Toshiba's Portege Z830. Checking in at 2.5 pounds and 0.63 inches thick, the 13.3-inch magnesium-clad beaut that lies before you is 20 percent lighter and 40 percent thinner than its (relatively) svelte sibling, the R380. But don't be fooled by that diminutive profile, as Toshiba still managed to cram some serious silicon (an optional Core i7 CPU), up to 6GB of RAM and an eight-cell 47Wh battery inside. On top of those guts resides a keyboard that's both backlit and spill-resistant (!), a 1366 x 768 display and a 1.3 megapixel webcam in the lid. Also onboard are three USB ports -- one 3.0 and two 2.0, one of which does sleep and charge -- an Ethernet jack, HDMI and VGA output and an SD card slot. There's also the obligatory 802.11b/g/n WiFi radio, along with optional Intel Wireless Display. We're still waiting for a full rundown of the various configurations and specs, but Toshiba did tell us that the Z830 line will start at under $1,000 when it goes on sale come November. Until then, hop past the break for some brief impressions of a prototype unit. %Gallery-132225% %Gallery-132253%
Acer's Ultrabook S3 up for pre-order on Italian site, is this the Aspire 3951?
We caught a sneak peek of Acer's Aspire 3951 Ultrabook in the wild a few days ago, and now we have some unofficial specs and pricing to complement the svelte laptop. A report over on Notebook Italia points to an Italian retailer's live pre-order page for an Ultrabook S3 -- naming that matches the Aspire S branding on the company's IFA booth. The notebook, listed as retailing for around 786 euros (or $1,133), is purported to include a Core i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB of storage and an additional 20GB SSD. Much has been made of ASUS' and Intel's desire to hit the Ultrabook market at a sub-$1000 price point and, currency conversion aside, it's looking like Acer could also hit that target for its planned 13.3- and 11-inch ultraportables. With the Taiwanese electronics maker's official IFA presentation just two days away, expect to get the full skinny on these anorexic notebook entries.
Acer Aspire 3951 photos leaked, new Ultrabooks to launch in September
We don't mind eyeballing a few impossibly clean renders when we get wind of a new toy, but there's nothing like the real McCoy. Today's bones slipped out of a (now pulled) HDblog hands-on of the Acer Aspire 3951 Ultrabook, possibly leaked ahead of an IFA 2011 embargo. The genuine article looks nearly identical to its rendered counterpart, albeit a bit thicker and more plasticky. The unveiled 13.3-inch MacBook Air competitor reportedly sports a second generation Intel Core processor, boots from sleep in under two seconds, and is only 13mm thick. The price? While there is no official word on this exact model, Acer head-honcho JT Wang mentioned last week that the outfit was prepping to launch a new Ultrabook in September for about $800. Lines up nicely with the Acer 3951's rumored $770-960 price range, doesn't it?
Lenovo nearly doubles net profits in Q1 earnings report, not so certain about 'mainstream' Ultrabooks by end of year
Lenovo's enjoying a bright and sunny Thursday in Hong Kong today, where the company has just unveiled a Q1 2011 / 2012 earnings report that's full of rosy news. According to the report, Lenovo's revenues jumped to $5.92 billion during the fiscal quarter, representing a 15 percent increase over last year's figures, while net profits nearly doubled to $108 million (compared to $54.9 million last year). Global PC sales, meanwhile, nudged upward 23 percent -- even at a time when most other manufacturers are seeing relatively sluggish growth. During an earnings conference call this morning, COO Rory Read provided a little insight into his company's approach to the growing Ultrabook sector, while hinting at future price reductions. Speaking to reporters, Reed assured that Lenovo would "invest in innovation to be a leader" in the Ultrabook market, adding that prices for its MacBook Air competitors may reach "mainstream" (sub-$1,000) levels by 2012: "I wouldn't say by the end of the year necessarily but...that's definitely going to happen." Head past the break for Lenovo's financial summary, along with the full PR. [Original photo by Cory Grenier]
Intel Ultrabooks get $300 million investment fund, prep for low-carb diet
Intel Capital has stumped up $300 million to "drive innovation" in the burgeoning Ultrabook market. The cash will go to projects that refine user interaction (hint: more touchscreens), reduce power consumption and create devices no thicker than 21mm (0.8-inches). Intel is clearly hoping to lure back all those customers who have ditched laptops for tablets by undercutting the popular Samsung Series 9 and Macbook Air. The company's new mantra? "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels".
Acer's creator Stan Shih calls iPad, MacBook Air "short-term phenomena"
The founder of Taiwan-based PC manufacturing firm Acer, Stan Shih, seems to be doing some wishful thinking out loud these days. He recently commented that the "fads" for ultrabooks and tablets are "short-term phenomena," urging notebook component suppliers to innovate and make more value-added products. That isn't keeping Acer from coming out with their own competitors to the iPad and MacBook Air. Acer is mounting a competitor to the iPad in the form of a 7-inch Iconia tablet that should be hitting the market soon at a US$345 price point. A look at the company's product lineup for the U.S. shows an Aspire TimelineX notebook with a 1-inch "ultra-slender" design. Shih did tip his hat to Apple, noting that Apple has been successful with the iPad through outside-the-box thinking that other notebook manufacturers should emulate. Shih also commented that consumers want "products with low price and convenience," seemingly ignoring the fact that current competitors to the iPad such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, HP TouchPad, and BlackBerry PlayBook all seem to be having problems gaining a footing in the tablet market.
