I read a post on Linux Devices showing what is going to be a new UMPC on the market very soon. It’s the Cloudbook (or CE1200V), manufactured by Everex. It’s basically a 7-inch screen ultra-portable computer, with some impressive characteristics, if they prove to be true. It’s going to pack a 1.2 GHz ultra-lov voltage processor and a reuglar hard disk. Unlike the EEE PC I wrote about weeks ago, which has 4 GB of solid-state disk (SSD) space, the Cloudbook will have 30 GB hard disk. According to Linux Devices, there will be a developer version of the new product, featuring a touch screen interface. The regular Cloudbook will ship mid-January for about $400, while the developer version will ship a bit earlier, probably at the very beginning of January.

I must say this UMPC looks a bit better than the EEE PC. Firstly, the screen actually occupies more space on the inside of the cover, while the EEE PC’s screen has big fat margins around it. The overall look is also more appealing, to me anyway, but I guess it’s best to wait for actual action shots. Here’s a couple of pictures I picked up on Linux Devices:

Share This

Amazon released its own ebook reader called Kindle. At first glance the device looks quite good. Here are the technical details from the Amazon Kindle page:

• Display: 6″ diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 4-level gray scale
• Size (in inches): 7.5″ x 5.3″ x 0.7″
• Weight: 10.3 ounces
• System requirements: None, because it doesn’t require a computer

Amazon has gone far in making it easier for consumers to purchase content through Amazon. Kindle has wireless connectivity using the same 3G network as mobile phones, and it’s called Amazon Whispernet. Unlike WiFi, the user doesn’t have to bother with locating a hotspot. Amazon promieses there are no confusing service plans, yearly contracts, or monthly wireless bills because they’ve taken care of it for their consumers. Buying content is as easy as a 1-click operation, with Amazon shopping integrated into the device. Users can buy books, magazines, subscribe to newspaper editions, and there are special trial periods for many of the publications to give users a chance in trying out whether a particular content is interesting enough for them to subscribe to for a longer period of time.

Amazon boasts a paper like screen which shows crisp text and images using the latest electronic paper technology, where the actual ink is dispersed electronically allowing for greater precision and display quality. The device also features a full qwerty keyboard, and ergonomically designed function buttons for easy content browsing. Kindle retails for $399 on Amazon.

Although Kindle looks reasonably good, I’d still wait a while until more sophisticated and thinner devices hit the market, like the recently covered Seiko Epson ebook reader prototype. Sony had a very successful model, the PRS 500, which ironically was sold on Amazon until recently. Although e-book readers have their place on the market, it may be more useful to wait for a more all-in-one device in the future like a tablet PC with improved screen reading. Although tablet PCs are still expensive, if a future ebook reader/tablet computer can be placed somewhere in the middle, that would be breakthrough.

For more pictures go here.

Share This

It has been a while since e-book readers have appeared on the market. There are several models available, such as the Sony PRS 500. What makes this one different is the fact that it’s only 3mm thin. The model is not available on the market yet, it’s more like a prototype of something that will appear in the future.

Here are some technical details: view dimensions (180×120mm), thickness (3mm), weight (57g), contrast ratio (8:1), reflectivity (43%), redrawing time (0.7s), battery (one CR1220 button cell; good for 1400 screen redraws). And here’s a picture of the new e-ink reader concept:

I like the design very much, although the edges and corners could be made a bit rounder which would add to the already pretty sophisticated look. I don’t know how the display would behave on a sunny day, but I suppose you will always find a shady spot for reading anyway, so that may prove to be less of a problem than it would seem. See more pictures of the Seiko Epson e-ink ebook reader on Engadget.

Share This

Found this on Laptopmag.com who did a review of the newly born ASUS Eee PC. I already wrote about the Eee PC hitting the market earlier, but this is the first actual review I’ve come across. The review also features a nice photo gallery of the Eee PC, so enjoy.

Share This

Image credit: ASUS

The new 7” screen ultra-portable PC has hit the markets, well in Taiwan anyway. The sales seem to be going great thus far, according to PC World. I have long been desiring a device that would allow for many of my daily tasks to be done in environments other than my office or home. The size is almost perfect and allows you to perform tasks such as email correspondence, blog post writing, image upload and stuff like that. With weight under 1kg and compact dimensions it’s pretty easy to carry around, although you still need a bag or a backpack. It uses solid state disk technology (SSD) which means the data stored is shock resistant, and thus safe in a portable environment.

The prices range is about $300 US (give or take depending on the model). It ships with a Linux based OS, although it’s Windows XP compatible. Some of the built-in goodies are the 7” LCD wide-screen (800×480), 900 MHz Celeron Processor, ASUS Linux OS, webcam (optional), stereo speakers, modem, ethernet, wi-fi, VGA output, audio & USB ports, SD card reader. ASUS boasts this product to allow for complete mobility and a new experience in Internet browsing. Well, it’s certainly got all the mobility ingredients, although for the life of me, I don’t understand why the screen is so small with so much obvious extra space around it. They could easily have fitted an inch and a half more in that frame. The price is in the right neighborhood, so I will definitely think about once the Eee PC heads for Europe.

Official ASUS press release.

Eee PC official site

Share This

Ducati, the famous motorbike manufacturer, has decided to wonder into personal computing technology. After Ferrari laptops, McLaren mobile phone, this time it’s something smaller - a flash drive that really shows sleek Ducati motorbike curves.

The new flash drive boasts 20Mb/s transfer rate and 4GB capacity, both worthy of the super fast looking housing. It really looks like a motorbike fuel tank. This would make a great multi-functional key chain, especially if attached to Ducati bike keys :)  If only this happened sooner, a couple of years ago, when the then new Ducati model was featured in Matrix Reloaded (you know the part when Trinity has to rescue the Key Maker from the moving truck on the freeway) …

See more details on the SanDisk website, the manufacturer of the flash drive.

Share This