Asus Eee News, Mods, and Hacks

Acer AO532h Atom N450 Netbook Is Available For Pre-Order

2010-01-06T21:33:00.000-08:00

From I4U News -

Acer unveiled its new 10'1" AO532h on Monday and it is now available on pre-order at Amazon for $349.00 Specs include the new Atom N450, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, memory card reader, WiFi, webcam, multi-gesture track pad, and three USB ports. It is also available in different battery configurations starting at $299.99. Available color options Garnet Red, Onlyx Blue and Matrix Silver.

Toshiba Brings T100 Laptops To CES 2010

2010-01-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

From I4U News -

Toshiba has unveiled their ultra-thin multi-media T100 laptop line at CES 2010. All models are less than one inch thick and weigh under four lbs, with full-sized keyboards, hard drive impact sensors and a USB port with "Sleep and Charge" technology.

The T135D features either a AMD Turion Neo X2, Neo X2, or Athlon Neo MV-40, a 13.3" backlit LED, Windows 7 Home, ATI Radeon 3200 graphics, 4GB DDR2 RAM, and up to a 320 GB HDD, Wifi b/g/n, 10/100 Ethernet, 6 hours 6 cell battery, HDMI out, a 5-in-1 ard reader, webcam with face recognition, and 2 normal USB ports. Its smaller sibling, T115D, has the same features except for the 11.6" screen and 2 GB DDR2 RAM.

Chinese Ubuntu Windows XP GUI clone

2010-01-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

For those who want their Ubuntu with the familiarity of Windows XP, you can check out the YMLF OS, an Ubuntu distro that clones the look and feel of Windows XP. The only catch is it is Chinese, being developed by a group in China.

YMLF OS website.

iTablet rumors: March arrival, learning curve

2010-01-06T15:35:00.000-08:00

From Ars Technica -

Several sources have reported that Apple will announc its tablet in the last week of January (either Tuesday or Wednesday of that week), with the product going on sale in March. Per French site Mac4Ever, Apple is also expected to unveil an SDK and tablet "simulator", which may already be in the hands of a select number of developers asked by Apple to modify existing iPhone apps to work with a larger screen. Those apps are expected to be demoed at the product announcement.

That developers could modify existing iPhone apps to work on the tablet suggests that it will have a user interface very similar to the iPhone. However, the tablet is expected to have some new UI features and will require a steep learning curve.

Lenovo Ideapad S10-3t up for Pre-order too

2010-01-05T21:58:00.000-08:00

Lenovo S10-3t 0651-37U 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)Netbook Reviews has reported the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t is now on pre-order at Amazon. Specs include a 10 inch capacitive, multi-touch screen that can be rotated 180 degrees and folded down over the keyboard to be used as a tablet, 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450, 1 GB RAM and 250 GB hard drive for $499.99 There is a better S10-3t with a 1.83GHz Intel Atom N470 processor and more RAM; however, that version has not shown up for pre-order yet. It should be priced at $599.99.

Lenovo's IdeaPad U1 Is One Smart Laptop/Tablet Hybrid

2010-01-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

From Gizmodo -

Lenovo's IdeaPad U1 is a clever combination of multi-touch tablet and laptop. As a stand-alone tablet, the screen uses a custom version of Linux and a Qualcomm ARM Snapdragon processor, allowing to maximize battery life. When both halves are together, it runs on Windows 7 on the more powerful Intel Core 2 Duo SU processor. Other features include 4GB RAM (512MB in slate/tablet mode), two USB 2.0 ports, eSATA, VGA, HDMI, 4-in-1 memory card reader, and a 1.3-Megapixel camera. Not too bad for about a thousand bucks.

Apple to Ship Tablet Device in March

2010-01-04T18:50:00.000-08:00

According to the The Wall Streeet Journal, Apple will unveil a new multimedia tablet device later this month, but isn't planning to ship the product until March. The new product will come with a 10 to 11-inch touch screen, and will likely be priced at $1,000, possibly including a WiFi subscription.

Pine Trail spawns Toshiba, Gateway Netbooks

2010-01-03T17:54:00.000-08:00

From CNET -

The number of Pine Trail netbooks continue to grow as Toshiba and Gateway are expected to intro their respective models at the upcoming CES. Listings for both in fact have appeared on the Canadian reseller Web site Future Shop featuring similar specs: the 1.66GHz Atom, 160GB (Gateway) or 250GB (Toshiba) HD, a 10.1" screen, 1GB RAM, Intel GMA 3150 Express graphics, and Windows 7 Starter. The Gateway Netbook is listed at $299 Canadian, or about US$285. Toshiba's Netbook is listed at $459 Canadian, or $US438.

Ebooks outsell paper ones on Christmas Day

2010-01-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

From TG Daily -

Amazon has announcemd that on Christmas Day, for the first time ever, Kindle books outsold paper ones. While its claim that the Kindle is "the most gifted item in Amazon's history" seems pretty implausible, the numbers do show is that e-books are becoming mainstream. And when all those people ordering on Christmas Day have finished their current book, they'll be back to the store for more.

Enigmatic Apple tablet looks like a bigger iPhone

2010-01-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

From TG Daily -

Per Kaifu Lee, ex-president of Google China, Apple's upcoming tablet device will feature a 10.1"h screen, webcam and an "awesome UI. The tablet combines the functions of both netbook and Amazon's Kindle e-reader. It has virtual keyboard for text entry and a webcam for video conferencing. To add credence to the claim, iPhone developers were reportedly told to prepare their apps for an upcoming demo that would run at full-screen resolutions, rather than the standard 320x480 iPhone format.

Asus to close Eee Stick and LCD divisions?

2010-01-02T15:21:00.000-08:00

From Digitimes -

Asus is reportedly considering closing down the departments that handle its Eee Stick, LCD TV and monitor product lines due to unsatisfactory shipments and profits. The opto-mechatronics department was formerly the optical drive department when the company was still in partnership with Pioneer. But it has not generated any significant results with the Eee Stick product lines and its staff is now down to 20 from the original 100. And while Asus has landed new orders for LCD monitors, the price war has resulted in losses.

Asus was rumored to be scaling back on Eee PC development but apparently has decided to focus on Pine Trail-based netbooks in order to keep its market share.

The company has denied the rumors.

Shipments of 9.7" e-book readers to grow 300% in 2010

2010-01-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

From Digitimes -

With shipments for larger-size 9- and 9.7" e-book readers projected to surge in 2010, ebook panel producers Prime View International and AU Optronics will concentrate on larger-size production, including 7-, 8-, and 9.7" models, this year.

Currently, market leader Amazon offers the 6" Kindle and 9.7-inch Kindle DX readers. Sony has a 5-inch model. Barnes & Noble's Nook has a 6" panel but the company is working with Plastic Logic to launch a larger-size model (8.5-inch x 11-inch) using plastic substrates later this month.

Global e-book reader shipments were expected to reach 3.5-4 million units last year.

HTC To Launch Apple iSlate Competitor

2010-01-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

From SmartHouse -

Aside from the Nexus One smartphone HTC and Google are expected to launch on January 6, the partners are now also rumored to be launching an Android Tablet. Google has sent out invites for an "Android press gathering" in Mountain View although it has declined to give any details.

The two companies have been working closely the past 18 months and are said to have several working models of a touch tablet, one or some of which will shown privately to core HTC customers at the CES Show.

HTC Bringing Android Tablet To CES 2010?

2010-01-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

From I4U News -

SlashGear has reported that HTC is working on a Qualcomm-based Chrome OS-powered Android device tablet. HTC has been rumored to be working with Adobe on the tablet, so this could mean Android/Flash functionality is included. Word is the tablet will be shown to a select group of HTC customers at the upcoming CES 2010.

Android Powered 7-inch ‘Home’ Tablet

2010-01-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

From Cloned in China -

Midbbs.cn has reported on an Android tablet from a Chinese manufacturer. The device is still under development so the "Home" name might just be a product code. What is known is that it is powered by Android OS, has a 7" 800 x 480 display and looks similar to the RAmos W7 Android powered MID.

Acer Aspire One AO532h joins the Pine Trail party at $299

2009-12-31T16:29:00.000-08:00

From Engadget -

Acer has announced its first Pine Trail-based netbook, the 10" Acer Aspire One A0535h. Specs include the Intel Atom N450 CPU, GMA 1350 graphics, Windows 7 Starter, 1GB RAM, 160GB HD, and a 4,400 mAh six-cell battery with 10 hours battery life. Most impressive is the $299 price which undercuts most of the competition, including the $380 Pine Trail Eee PC 1005PE, by at least $50.

Ion netbooks head-to-head: Atom, overcharged?

2009-12-30T15:58:00.000-08:00

From Engadget -

Engaget spent the past few weeks do a face-off on four of the new Ion netbooks launched in the last few months - ASUS Eee PC 1201N, Lenovo IdeaPad S12, HP Mini 311 and the Samsung N510. The HP was the choice for design and battery life; the Lenovo for the keyboard, touchpad and screen; and the Asus for graphics and HD performance and for overall performance, and logically, as the winner of the face-off.

However, results were generally a bit disappointing - even the Asus' graphics feel dated especially since Intel's Pine Trail Atom is now available in comparable ULV laptops for a just a few more dollars.

Google Chrome OS-based netbook tech specs are out

2009-12-29T13:26:00.000-08:00

From IB Times -

The tech specs of the rumored Google Chrome OS-based netbook are out and it appears to be a high performance machine. Possible specs include Chrome OS, Nvidia Tegra chipset, ARM CPU, 10.1" TFT HD-ready multi-touch display, 64GB SSD, WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, Ethernet port, USB ports, webcam, 3.5mm audio jack, multi-card reader, among others.

It is expected to launch in Q4 2010, will reportedly have preinstalled Google apps such as Google Map, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calender and Google Search by Voice. The netbook will be subsidized at a sub-$300 price and sold directly to consumers by Google. However, Google will tie up with one or more network operators and sell it as part of a 3G bundle.

FuseProject touts $75 concept tablet

2009-12-29T02:44:00.000-08:00

From TG Daily -

FuseProject has unveiled a $75 XO-3 concept tablet.   Although still in the design phase, the device is expected to feature an all plastic, semi-flexible screen that can be optimized in both transmissive and reflective modes. FuseProject founder Yves Behar hopes to radically shrink the frame around the XO-3's display and deploy a virtual keyboard for the production units.

$228 eMachines Netbook Walmart

2009-12-28T01:18:00.000-08:00

From I4U News -

Walmart is now offering an eMachines netbook for $228. The eMachines EM250-1162 has a 10.1" screen, 250GB HDD and 1GB RAM. There are a minimum of 10 units per store.

More details on the Walmart in-store sale can be found on Walmart.

HP webcams racist?

2009-12-25T15:59:00.000-08:00

Uploaded by wzamen01

"The face tracking feature of the HP web cam will not recognize or track black faces."

Aojie offer $199 netbook with one year guarantee

2009-12-24T15:18:00.000-08:00

From Shanzai -

Aojie has teamed up with a third party IT service company that has service centers in various regions in China to enable it to offer a one year warranty on their latest netbook model which they sell for around US$199. Specs include Atom N270, 160GB hard drive and 1GB RAM.

Aojie website here. It is in Chinese but has an English version.

Samsung NB30 netbook with Intel Atom N450

2009-12-24T15:09:00.000-08:00

From Wireless Goodness -

For those looking for a Pineview netbook, the Samsung NB30 features an Intel Atom N450, a 10.1” screen, 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM and 802.11 b/g/n WiFi. Battery life on the NB30 is listed as 6.5 hours. The stock status for the NB30 is listed as “Temporarily Sold Out,” but it should be available in the next few weeks.

ASUS Eee Pad to use multi-touch, Tegra?

2009-12-24T15:05:00.000-08:00

From Electronista -

Per rumors going around, the Asus Eee Pad will use some form of NVIDIA's Tegra chipset, including the next-generation model, giving the 4- to 7-inch device at least 720p HD and possibly 1080p. In addition, per Netbook News, multi-touch input is as good as confirmed thus implying the use of Android 2.x as the operating system since neither Windows CE nor Mobile supports that while Windows 7 does not support ARM processors.

7'' Apple Tablet To Launch In January?

2009-12-24T14:53:00.000-08:00

From I4U News -

Boy Genius reports that an exceedingly reliable tipster has informed them there is a "100% chance" of a 7" Apple tablet coming and it will be officially announced in January 2010.