Just downloaded the new version of Gmail Mobile and so far all I can say is “wow”! Much better than the previous versions, and I’ve tried several on my Sony Ericsson P1i. There was always something wrong with them (no full screen, loads too long, blocks in the middle of work, I couldn’t just enter an email address, but had to save it in contacts first, etc).

This new version loads in a couple of seconds (with a loading indicator - neat ), and goes full screen right away. Additionally, the interface is automatically set for my language (Serbian Cyrillic) which is also nice. The menu is much better organized, and most of all, I like the fact I can now enter an email address without having to put it in my address book first, something that annoyed me very much in the previous versions. There are some other goodies as well, such as easy search through email archive, and switching between multiple Gmail accounts (!), offline email drafting and reading of recent messages. Also there are neat shortcuts for those with a QWERTY or other similar keyboards.

If you haven’t already, switch to the new version, it’s a lot better! Here are the links for download and more information:

Download from here
More info on the Google Mobile blog

Update: just realized I forgot to mention touch scrolling. Yes, finally you can now scroll through your inbox using your finger, provided you have a touch screen mobile phone. Oh, what a joyful upgrade!

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VIA has released the open source notebook project - the VIA OpenBook. It’s not a product you can buy at the local electronics dealer, but rather a unique approach to mobile computing. VIA has opened the architecture of its latest product design to the public, making CAD drawings available. Basically, if you’ve got the resources to manufacture the casing, and put together electronic components, you can build your own custom tailored open source notebook.

Some of the specifications are:

• Processor: 1.6GHz VIA C7®-M ULV Processor
• Chipset: VIA VX800 unified chipset
• Memory: DDR2 SO-DIMM up to 2GB
• HDD: 80GB Hard-Disk or above
• Screen: 8.9″ WVGA 1024X600 LED screen
• Graphics: VIA Chrome9 HC3 DX9 3D engine with shared system memory up to 256MB
• WiFi and Bluetooth
• webcam, and more…

Here’s the video in which Richard Brown (VIA Technologies) explains how the idea of an open source notebook came to be:

It would take a hell of an enthusiast engineer to put this together as an individual, but the project will allow small manufacturers to make some very interesting variations of the new notebook. I am guessing some pretty interesting products are about to hit the market, and for a low price as well. BTW, the new notebook can run Windows XP or Vista, and most (or all) Linux distributions.

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If you were thinking about getting an ultra-portable PC or sub-notebook, you’ll have to gather information about a lot of new devices that have appeared in the last months. Brad Linder over at Liliputing.com wrote a great post which gives an overview of ultra-portable devices along with specifications. A great list that should be helpful if you’re still wondering what to get. The list includes:

• Asus Eee PC 701
• Dreambook Light IL1
• Everex Cloudbook
• HP 2133 Mini-Note (HP Mini)
• Asus Eee PC 900
• ECS G10IL
• Everex Cloudbook Max
• MSI Wind
• 2Go PC
• 3k Longitude
• ACi Ultra-mini
• Airis Kira
• Blue Digital Systems Deep Blue
• Elonex One
• Fukato Datacask
• HCL MiLeap X
• Jisus
• Kohjinsha SCC
• Medion Akoya Mini
• Noahpad
• Nohrtec Gecko
• Proview Handbook PC-81001
• Sungjut TangoX
• Gigabyte M912

So, there you go. This should you give a lot to think about before you buy.

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As announced earlier, the new HP 2133 or Mini-Note is here, except it’s probably going to be simply called HP Mini. I don’t want to get into too much detail about it (read the HP 2133/Mini specs here), so maybe this hands-on video from jkOnTheRun.com will suffice (it’s kinda long, a little more than 30 minutes):

I don’t know… I still like the design, but I was a little put off by the amount of time it took to fire-up from hibernation, and the one shown was the top model. The size is okay, but you still need a backpack to carry it around (although a small one at that). We need smaller.

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To follow up on what I wrote initially when the HP 2133 was announced, according to a post on Engadget, it’s coming on April 7, with a starting price of US$549 (running SuSE Enterprise). They also got their hands on the specs, so here they are:

I don’t understand why there isn’t an option with SuSE and Bluetooth for, say, $600. Bluetooth must come with MS Windows?!? I hope this will change.

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The next generation of EEE PC will sport a touch-screen interface and other goodies, such as a GPS module most probably. According to DigiTimes, the new 8.9-incher will go for around US$500 which is pretty good. The new EEE PC will have SSD space from 8-12 Gb, unlike the currently available model with 4 Gb of SSD space. One of the things that I also like is the fact that the new bigger screen will also have a higher resolution (1024×600 pixels).

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Sounds like a name for a car concept featuring a hybrid power plant, but it’s actually the latest sub-notebook warrior. It’s a very sexy design featuring things like built-in webcam, three USB 2.0 ports, ethernet, 56Kb/s modem (?!). Info is pretty thin for now, with everyone waiting for ECS (Elitegroup Group Systems) to give out more information. The design is good though…

Images from pocket-lint.co.uk

I just love the keyboard, and the design is very agreeable with me, as it reminds me of the VAIO I used to have (well, still got it, but broken, awaiting reparation). Some already call it the EEE PC killer (although HP Compaq 2133, better looking than EEE BTW, and Cloudbook are threatened as well). I don’t know, but it definitely looks good, maybe because it brings a little bit of a Mac Book and Sony VAIO mix that the others lack as far as design is considered.

According to Pocket Link, the device comes with a HSPDA 7.2 datacard built-in, so we’ve got mobile broadband connectivity. I am expecting the G10IL to feature all the wireless connectivity it can with WiFi and Bluetooth. There’s no optical drive, which is kinda expected for a device this size. Judging from the picture and hand-to-casing size ratio, it’s going to be a nine-incher. ECS is aiming at a below $500 price mark, which sounds alright.

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Just saw this on Engadget - HP revealed their new UMPC, the HP Compaq 2133. I must say I am very pleased with the design. The “lifestyle accessory” really looks good. Even though it’s more an ultra-portable laptop, such as the Everex Cloudbook and the EEE PC, rather than what we’ve been used to calling an UMPC, its size is indeed small. Plus, it looks way better than the two afore mentioned models. According to Engadget, the new mobile computer sports an 8.9” scratch resistant wide-screen format (1366×766px), ExpressCard/54 slot, Wireless LAN, an almost full-sized QWERTY (95% full size), integrated web cam, and optional SSD and all that in a 2.5-pound (1.125 kg) anodized aluminum casing. It will be running Windows Vista or Linux.

I don’t know about you, but me wants one. I’d carry it everywhere and call it “precious”.

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Even though the Macbook Air was unveiled days ago, I didn’t want to write anything until someone actually put it under some working conditions so we can all get an idea of what Air is all about. When I saw the first images I was impressed by the design, which didn’t surprise me since Apple is well known for beautifully designed devices, but was immediately vexed by the high price tag (~$1800) considering the hardware that’s offered. Well, Engadget released a detailed review of the Macbook Air, and to use their words “the Air is a tough call”.

There are plenty of points about the new Apple laptop to discuss, but it’s best if you take a look at the review and the discussion thereafter. Like the iPhone, there are reasons for buying Macbook Air, but also plenty of reasons for choosing an alternative.

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When I first wrote about the EEE PC a couple of months back, the news said it would come in the price range of $350-$450 depending on the configurations. Well, it seems someone has decided that the standrad EEE PC setup simply wasn’t enough. They’ve gone so far in adding stuff to it, that they actually brought the price up to about $800. But, just check out all the goodies this “pimped” version offers:

• USB hubs
• GPS module
• Bluetooth
• SDHC card reader
• Adata SDHC 8 GB
• Corsair VoyagerGT 4 GB USB drive
• Switch + Prototypingboards
• Intel Wireless adapter
• Airplay FM transmitter
• Conexant Modem
• Crucial 2 GB DDR2 module

Whether you’d want these things added to your EEE PC is not important. What is, however, is the fact that the EEE PC is quite expandable and customizable (if you need it to be).

[Via: Clumpc.com + more picture there]

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