Skyfire, a company which specializes in mobile web browsing technology, released a Beta version of their new mobile web browser which should deliver PC browsing quality to mobile phones. The idea is to allow mobile web surfers to do anything they would on a PC based web browser, without any restrictions or limitations. There are already mobile web browsers that are very good like Opera Mobile and Opera Mini, Internet Explorer Mobile, which all do a very decent job of presenting web content.

Skyfire promises greater speed, no technology limitations (supports latest Flash version, Quick Time and Java embedded content).

“We’re talking about full-featured PC versions of your favorite web sites. Skyfire gives you speedy page loads, full audio, video, images, dynamic Flash content, advanced Ajax, Java and more – just like your PC.”

Okay, that sounds pretty good. The browser is still in Beta, but you can sign-up for testing right away. There is only a version of the software for Windows Mobile phones for the time being (and US based numbers only), but Skyfire promises versions for Symiban as well. Here’s their video which shows a demonstration of the new product:

It’s free, so if you are in the US, have a Windows Mobile phone, sign up for the Beta release and get an early taste.

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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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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:

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Google announced a new strategic inititaive for development of electricity from renewable energy sources. Electricity produced this way would be cheaper than electricity produced from coal. The initiative, refered to as RE<C, is to be focused on advanced solar power, wind power, enhanced geothermal systems and other breakthrough technologies. Engineers are getting hired as well as energy experts to lead research and development work for the RE<C. In 2008 Google expects to spend tens of millions on research and development in renewable energy resources. They are also contemplating investing hundreds of millions in renewable energy projects that will generate positive returns.

Larry Page, Google co-founder, said:

There has been tremendous work already on renewable energy. Technologies have been developed that can mature into industries capable of providing electricity cheaper than coal. Solar thermal technology, for example, provides a very plausible path to providing renewable energy cheaper than coal. We are also very interested in further developing other technologies that have potential to be cost-competitive and green. We are aware of several promising technologies, and believe there are many more out there.

Read more about this on Google Press Center.

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This is different, I must admit. A self powered dynamic architecture building. The video is catchy enough by itself, but the technology explained, if indeed it comes to life, will be a breakthrough. I especially like the energy supply solution - wind turbines embedded between floors in horizontal planes. The power generators will be able to output about a minimum of 40 MW of power, enough to power several buildings. The first, in a series of buildings to be built around the world, will be erected in Dubai (refered to by some as the “city of the future”). Well, they’ve certainly got the cash to make it happen.

The dynamic architecture concept was introduced by David Fisher, a Florentine (Florence, Italy) architect.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Have you seen the movie Gattaca? People can easily check someone’s DNA information by going to a public service terminal and requesting that information. Well, it seems that kind of future is almost upon us. At the Web 2.0 Summit, Craig Venter, a biologist working on projects having to do with gene sequencing, said it won’t be long before DNA sequencing becomes part of a standard medical test. What was a biologist doing at a Web 2.0 conference? Well, he was interviewed by Tim O’Reilly on stage, in the effort to show how close biology and information science are tied together, and have been for some time. Mr. Venter supports genetic transparency and predicts a future in which someone can easily find your DNA information on search engines or “Google a date’s DNA”. People will be able to see whether someone they are thinking about getting involved with has a hereditary disease or other genetically induced health anomaly that may have a negative impact on offspring.

Is this the kind of future we are aiming for as a global society? I am not sure this is the right way to go, although movies are usually pretty good in showing things that will come to pass in the future, so this may actually become reality. On one side, it may be useful to know your potential partner is carrying DNA code that may cause health or other problems for offspring, but on the other hand there are other factors in survival, especially in the human society.

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