Apple To Put More Pressure On Netbooks with New iPads?
If you thought Apple was satisfied with all the market-share that it has grabbed with iPad, think again. It is already planning iPad 2, and we could see different iPad sizes and flavors in the near future. According to Digitimes, Apple could introduce smaller screen iPads to hit many new market segments and expand its platform.
Apple has recently placed new iPad orders to Taiwan-based component makers for the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 with 9.7-inch, 5.6-inch and 7-inch models all included.
While a 5.6 inch iPad is almost too close in size to iPod Touch, it does make sense for Apple. Many netbook fans were using 7″ and 8.9″ models before 10.1″ units started dominating the market. Consumers like having options (even with Apple products). Apple could bring OLED screens to its iPad units (though there are some doubts about this part of the rumor).
Apple iPad to Destroy The Nebook Market?
Apple may be having a big trouble to deal with as far as iPhone 4 is concerned. But that has not stopped the iPad from eating netbooks’ lunch. The iPad is not designed to necessarily replace a netbook. There are certain areas that netbooks have distinct advantage in over the iPad. Besides, netbooks are still a big hit among traveling business individuals. But that does not mean the iPad is not doing some damage to the netbook market. There are a ton of apps available for this device in iTunes which give business individuals cheaper ways to get things done on the go. No matter how light some netbooks are, they are never going to beat an iPad in portability department.
Goldman Sachs 5Cs are just a few reasons why Apple iPad is going to be a big trouble for tablet makers:
- Consumption
- Content
- Connected
- Constant Operation
- Commerce (more…)
B&N Targets Students with NOOKstudy
A while ago, Amazon started a partnership with ASUS to bring the free Kindle software to a select ASUS netbook models. Barnes & Noble may not have such plans in place, but it does intend to give students who own a laptop/netbook a very handy tool to study their text-books without having to carry the load around with them. NOOKstudy lets students download thousands of digital text-books to study and take highlights on. It’s also capable of capturing lecture notes and offers full-color (as opposed to what you get on devices such as Kindle DX and nook).
Protect Your Netbook with DRI® Waterproof Sleeve
So you want to take your netbook outdoors but do not want to worry about weather conditions? While your netbook could survive rainy weather, you do not want to take any chances with your device. DRI® Waterproof Sleeve for netbooks is designed for those of you who want to protect your mini laptop against wet accidents or less than favorable weather conditions. This sleeve is made of 100% RF welded construction that is air tight and does not allow any liquid in. (more…)
Sony To Develop a Super Netbook?
We have been netbooks that are ebook readers or gaming machines at the same time. But we have not had a company develop a netbook that offers both features. Sony intends to change that. According to Wall Street Journal, “people familiar with the matter” have claimed that Sony is developing a super netbook that can be used as a gaming device and an e-book reader at the same time. Could this be about the Sony patent that was unveiled a while ago?
Credit liliputing.com
Acer, ASUS To Wait for N550?
Dual core netbooks are on their way. ATOM N550 is a processor that is expected to feature in many new machines in the next few months. Asus and Acer both seem interested in taking advantage of this processor, which could explain why they have frozen their new netbook models till mid-August 2010. In essence, netbook makers to see what Intel does with its Celeron processors. Intel has sent mixed messages to manufacturers in the past. If Celeron goes, ATOM processors will have much more room to grow.
Although Intel reportedly plans to phase out Celeron processors and let Atom CPUs taking over the entry-level notebook segment, since Intel still has not yet officially confirmed the rumor, most of the notebook brands are taking a wait-and-observe attitude. (more…)
Gateway LT32 AMD Netbook Launched
It’s about time netbook fans got their hands on AMD netbooks. AMD was reluctant about the netbook market a while ago. But its processors are now making their way to this market. Gateway LT32 is the latest family of netbooks that will take advantage of an AMD processor. AMD’s Athlon II Neo K12 which clocks at 1.7 GHz is one-core processor, but it can hold up its own against comparable processors.
As Maximum PC reports, the team behind this product family are pretty excited about its chances:
The Gateway LT32 is a true ultra-mobile entertainment powerhouse netbook… It delivers a heightened level of performance and HD entertainment with the powerful combination of AMD Neo processors, ATI graphics, and the crisp and clear HD display. The HDMI port means that customers can enjoy their digital entertainment on a large external display wherever they go. (more…)
Use Your Netbook Outdoors with Pixel Qi display
Netbook screen can be tough on your eyes especially if you use them outdoors. They can put a bit of strain on your eyes after a while. That’s why E-ink powered devices are so popular. They make reading documents for long hours much more convenient than regular laptops. Thanks to Pixel Qi display, you can add a similar type of functionality to your netbook. It turns your display into a dual mode screen that can be used under sun-light and in darker rooms. This display lets you turn your netbook’s backlight off to read on it more effectively.
This one-of-a-kind, plug-and-play 10.1-inch display offers two modes–an easy-to-read, real color, multi-media mode or a crisp, low power e-reader mode. The sunlight-ready, e-reader mode makes it easy to use outdoors.
These screens rival the best e-paper displays on the market today but in addition have video refresh and fully saturated color. The e-paper mode has 3 times the resolution of the fully saturated color mode allowing for a high resolution reading experience without sacrifice to super color fidelity for graphics. In addition these screens can be used in sunlight.
This is truly an exciting piece of technology. Devices such as Kindle are very one-dimensional. Having the ability to read on netbooks like you would on a Nook or Kindle is a huge plus. This display has been tested with Samsung N130 & Lenovo S10-2, but there is no reason it should not work with other 10.1 inch netbooks. (more…)
Google CEO: No Google Chrome OS Netbook
Those of you who have been waiting for Google to release a Google-branded netbook to push Chrome OS will have to look for another device. Google did use Nexus One to push Android. Even though there won’t be a Nexus Two, Nexus One was impressive enough to get a positive reaction from the Android community. According to Eric Schmidt, there won’t be a need for a Nexus Two or a Chrome OS Google netbook. When asked about the possibility of a Google netbook to push Chrome OS, here’s how Eric Schmidt responded:
We have a reference spec for Chrome OS, we have a couple of hardware partners all lined up and the open source is all out there. It’s on schedule and it will happen later this year. Let’s see how well those partners do first. My guess is we won’t need to.
Mr. Schmidt has a point. There are plenty of partners that can help Chrome OS get off the ground. More importantly, the company has shown that it is not exactly great in the hardware business. Let’s face it. Anyway you look at it, Nexus One was a failure. The idea that Google is stopping the device after just one generation does not translate into success but failure.
Lenovo Ideapad Gets an Upgrade
Lenovo Ideapad is one of the most underrated netbook families on the market. When people talk about netbooks, HP, ASUS, and Acer stand out. Lenovo has some of the best models around, especially for business professionals. The latest Lenovo netbook, Lenovo Ideapad S10-3 0647, takes advantage of ATOM N455, supporting DDR 3 RAMs, and is quite slim.
Typing on this netbook won’t be that hard either, considering its 98% full size keyboard. The device is super slim and weighs only 2.76 lbs, which is pretty tempting for any netbook fan.
Lenovo Ideapad S10-3 is developed to give business owners the tools they need to protect and move their data. Its active protection system protects your data against shocks. DirectShare lets you share your data with another laptop without using an Internet connection. Veriface face recognition is pretty nice to have too. (more…)
