Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
ASUS, the pioneer and leader in the category with nearly 7 million Eee PC netbooks sold to date, today announced a new netbook that is certain to put a sparkle into children’s eyes-the Disney Netpal by ASUS.
The product of a collaboration between ASUS and Disney Consumer Products (DCP), every facet of the Disney Netpal-from its hardware to its software-is infused with the Eee PC’s trademark ease-of-use and Disney’s charm, making it a child’s perfect study buddy and play pal.
Developed with parents and kids in mind, the Disney Netpal by ASUS boasts a durable, reinforced mechanical design, and offers a truly magical and engaging computing experience with its unique Disney user interface.
Features include more than 40 robust parental control options, an 8.9-inch LCD display, Wi-Fi capabilities, Windows XP Home, and kid-friendly software featuring Disney characters and icons in stunning visual environments.
Browsers and email have extra filters to assure that kids only get access to safe content, and parents can easily select whom children can correspond with via email. The Magic Desktop “gadget tray” offers a creatively designed 2D menu displaying Disney email, Disney browser and Disney parental control options.
“We’re proud to be involved in the creation of this very unique netbook for kids,” said Eric Chen, Vice President of ASUS’ Systems Business Group. “The Disney Netpal is creatively designed in a way that truly keeps the Disney magic alive, and its state-of-the-art features make it an excellent choice for kids and families.”
“Today’s kids are a digital generation,” said Chris Heatherly, head of DCP’s Toymorrow team and VP of toys for Disney Consumer Products. “Parents are comfortable with their kids using the Internet, but they want to be assured that their kids are having a safe online experience. The Disney Netpal, jointly designed by ASUS and our Disney Toymorrow team, is a no-compromise device. There are plenty of terrific features and fun applications designed just for kids, but parents have ultimate control over the experience, with the power to set limits on how their kids are using the PC.”
Computing Is Fun: Disney-themed Desktop, Applications and Games
From the lively Disney graphics on the LCD lid and Mickey-shaped webcam lens to the Disney-themed desktop* and special Disney applications, the Disney Netpal by ASUS perfectly captures the magic of Disney.
Kids can dress their desktops-aptly named Magic Desktop-in a wide variety of customizable themes featuring the lovable characters from Disney’s and Disney∙Pixar’s animated blockbusters, including Cars, Club Penguin, Disney Classic Characters, Disney Fairies, Disney Princess, Vintage Mickey Mouse, Toy Story and WALL-E. Themes that appeal to slightly older kids, such as Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers styles, are also available.
Computing Is Easy: Kid-friendly Magic Desktop, Applications and Widgets
The Disney Netpal by ASUS is designed to go from package to play in just minutes. Its Magic Desktop is an easy-to-use interface specially tailored to kids, boasting large icons and visual instructions that make it easy for kids to operate the computer.
Rounding off the Disney Netpal by ASUS’ kid-friendly edutainment features is a collection of easily-accessible widgets, including an alarm clock, a digital memo pad which inserts “reminder notes” on the Magic Desktop, and a calculator.
Computing Is Safe: Durable Design with Robust Kid-safe Features
The Disney Netpal by ASUS is designed to be kid-safe, both in terms of durability and content permissions. In terms of the former, the Disney Netpal by ASUS has a reinforced mechanical design that can withstand significant abuse, a spill-proof keyboard that protects against inadvertent liquid spills, and ShockShield Data Protection that guards against data loss when the computer is subjected to impacts.
It also has a stable embedded polymer battery, which is safer as it prevents kids from inadvertently accessing or removing the battery and thereby subjecting themselves to electrical dangers.
[Via: infibeam]
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Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
BenQ is bringing more enjoyment and quality to the lives of today’s on-the-go Internet generation with the official launch of their latest ultra-portable netbook, the 13.3″ Joybook Lite T131. At a petite 1.8kg (3.97lbs.), the T131 effortlessly enables multimedia/Internet entertainment to become a take-anywhere companion for consumers of all age groups.
Everyday digital fun – such as web browsing, video chatting, email, IM, home/office networking, games, and movies – is brought in-hand and on-demand with an eye-pleasing 13.3″ super-enhanced UltraVivid screen, AMD’s next-generation Yukon mobile platform, integrated microphone and fun-packed webcam, and WiFi connectivity.
“This newest netbook from BenQ reflects the personality and lifestyle of the Internet adventurer – spontaneous, resourceful, daring, and capable of handling whatever comes its way,” said Peter Chen, General Manager of BenQ’s Technology and Product Center. “Visuals are exhilarating and performance is without hesitation, ensuring pure and uncompromised mobile enjoyment of the digital age.”
A svelte 320mm(W) x 240mm(D) x 28mm(H) (12.6″ x 9.45″ x 1.1″) form belies the considerable capabilities of the T131 netbook. The large 250-nit CCFL screen is super-charged by BenQ’s exclusive UltraVivid Technology, Display Brilliance Enhancement Film (DBEF), and a low-reflectivity, anti-glare coating that keeps movies, games, office applications, and Internet activities lookin’ great wherever you go…from bedroom to sidewalk café.
HD audio, VoIP, and smart noise suppression and echo cancellation also promote spontaneity by ensuring video web chats with friends and video conferencing with business clients are always clear-sounding.
Also uncharacteristic of the netbook’s compact size and modest price tag is a big 320GB hard disk drive, high-resolution 1.3MP webcam featuring fun WebCam Companion, two built-in speakers, integrated microphone, and high-speed WiFi.
Likewise unexpected in this diminutive netbook is a generously-sized keyboard featuring isolated “Chiclet” style keys for easier, less error-prone typing. An SD/MMC card reader and two USB ports further testify to the T131’s well-thought engineering.
Available in a choice of opulent midnight blue or snowy white, the Joybook Lite T131 netbook will be available June in China.
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Friday, June 12th, 2009
As per the recent report, hoping ride a recent surge in movies and TV shows filmed in 3-D, Acer Inc. plans to release a notebook PC this fall equipped with a 15.6-inch 3-D screen.
Campbell Kan, vice president of Acer’s mobile computing unit, told the Taiwanese magazine, Digitimes on Monday that the notebook will have built-in software that can correctly display 3-D movies but also convert regular 2-D movies into 3-D.
A request for confirmation with Acer officials in the U.S. was not returned immediately. Acer is not the first company to offer 3-D-enabled notebooks. Sharp Corp. released its Actius RD3D notebook with nearly identical 3-D rendering capabilities in 2003.
Biotech researchers, car designers and architects are the targets for the Actius RD3D. But unfortunately, it was discontinued within few years of time span even within that specialized business audience it did not work out.
In the year 2006, 3-D laptop was panned by sister magazine PC World as being hard on the eyes and for being one of the 25 worst tech products of all time for its poor 3-D effects. Acer notebook is expected to have a better chance to work apparently aimed at a consumer audience.
Lots of Hollywood movies were filmed in 3-D released in last three years, which includes, animated movies such as Monsters vs. Aliens, Bolt, Chicken Little and Up, action-heavy or gory movies such as Journey to the Center of the Earth, My Bloody Valentine and Scar, and concert films such as U2 3D and Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert.
Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, directors and many more directors of Hollywood have given their support in 3-D films. Recently, number of network TV shows and commercials broadcast has also been in 3-D. TVs with 3-D screen are also built by the consumer electronics companies like Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Technnologies Inc.
Kan said, “Users of Acer’s first-generation notebook will still need to wear stereoscopic glasses for the 3-D to be effective, though future models should be able to show the content in 3-D without special glasses”. Kan said that the notebook will ship with Windows 7 and be available at the end of October. Prices and names still remains mystery.
[Via: infibeam]
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Monday, June 1st, 2009
French designer Nicolas Cinguion has come up with the rather unorthodox S.MP3 portable media player, where the earbuds can be wrapped within its own circular design when not in use to keep things neat, tidy and untangled.
It is not as though something like this wasn’t though of in the past, but the overall hardware design is refreshing to look at. Too bad this design is obsolete with the growing popularity of Bluetooth wireless headphones for portable media players.
[Via: ubergizmo]
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Monday, May 18th, 2009
iUnika of Spain is currently working on a new netbook – so what’s new with it, considering just about any other computer manufacturer cannot wait to jump aboard the bandwagon if they haven’t done so already? iUnika’s version is going to be slightly different from the rest as it will be greener – not by the color, but by the way it is powered.
The iUnika Gyy netbook will be solar powered, but you can tell that solar power won’t bring your netbook very far as it is modestly equipped with the following :-
- 400 MHz MIPS processor
- 128MB RAM
- 8″ display at 800 x 480 resolution
- 64GB SSD
- USB 2.0 connectivity
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet support
- Optional GPRS connectivity
The solar panel is located on the netbook’s lid so that it can always remain charged should you place the Gyy strategically against the window.
[Via: ubergizmo]
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Saturday, May 16th, 2009
MSI has decided to unveil its latest gaming notebook, the GX723 right when the week is over, although doing so earlier could mean having the notebook shipped by today for a long weekend of pure gaming bliss.
Still, this 17″ desktop replacement unit is not meant to be your best travel companion considering its size and weight, but if you can’t get enough of gaming on the go without resorting to handheld portables, then the GX723 is worth considering with the specifications listed here.
- 512MB GeForce GT 130M graphics chipset
- Turbo Mode
- Intel Core 2 Duo processor
- Five internal speakers for Dolby sound support
- 320GB/500GB hard drive
- 4GB RAM
- 2-megapixel webcam
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Blu-ray/DVD drive
- 6- or 9-cell battery
[Via: ubergizmo]
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Friday, May 15th, 2009
IdeaPad systems are generally meant for home and office use. Lenovo has introduced one more IdeaPad system to expand the series. Under the IdeaPad S series, the all new S10-2 notebook offers a revised version over the IdeaPad S10 netbook.
Lenovo describes it as a considerably friendlier version with a rounded design and a thinner lighter chasis. It weights only 2.2 pounds and comes along with a 10.1 inch LED display, an enhanced keyboard, a larger keypad, and a range of lid colour options.
This netbook is powered with the help of a 1.6 GHz Atom N270 processor and utilizes a Windows XP operating system. Featuring additional features like a 3G network and an extra USB port for added connectivity, it has a 1 GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive, Wi-Fi and a 1.3 megapixel camera.
Currently, it seems that the S10-2 comes along with the Linux-based instant-on features that makes it possible to quickly access the web or the media, doing away with the need to boot Windows XP.
It is available in black and pink colour tones. Currently, the starting price for the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-2 netbook is $349, or around Rs 17,200 for the core iteration model and around $399, which is around Rs. 19,690 for the 3G-enabled device.
[Via: Infibeam]
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Friday, May 15th, 2009
There is a new Aspire One in town, and hopefully Acer doesn’t take the same route as Asus by diluting the Aspire One brand to include a whole range of computers and accessories that even professors have lost count of.
The Acer Aspire One 571 is different from the rest, although from the outside, you will notice very little changes. Specifications of the Aspire One 571 include :-
- 10.1″ LCD display at 1,280 x 720 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Intel Atom N280 processor
- Quartics Q1721 Multimedia Coprocessor
- Decoding and encoding of H.264 and other codecs
- Hardware scaling and filtering support
- Optical disc drive
[Via: ubergizmo]
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Friday, May 8th, 2009
Surf with the Eee PC Seashell – The beach brings to mind images of clear blue oceans, soft silk-like sand and, of course, the seashells. ASUS has taken one of nature’s most beautiful designs and combined it with the best of today’s innovations to provide users with the most stylishly functional Eee PC yet.
Weighing just 1.1kg, the Eee PC Seashell is a highly portable companion that users can carry about, allowing them to surf the Internet, watch videos or keep in touch with their friends and family-even while at the beach.
Equipped with a more-than-ample 10-inch display, ergonomically designed keyboard, intelligent energy management system and an intuitive multi-touch touch-pad, the Eee PC Seashell aims to provide users with the best mobile computing experience, wherever their journeys take them.
Elegantly Beautiful Seashell-inspired Design - With a design inspired by a seashell, the Eee PC Seashell is enveloped in an opalescent glossy exterior-created through In-Mold Roller technology-that is not only a head-turner wherever it goes, but also serves as a protective shell providing scratch resistance for day-to-day durability.
Like the light sprinkling of fine sand on the exterior of a seashell, the lid is graced with tiny reflective specks which glisten in the light, adding the crowning touches to an already exquisite design.
Likened to prying open an oyster to reveal its treasure within, the subtly curved lid reveals a 10-inch LED-backlit WSVGA glare-type display which provides users with a more-than-ample view for documents and multimedia files. An ergonomically designed keyboard makes typing on-the-move a breeze, measuring in at 92% compared to its conventional desktop counterpart.
Designed for Mobility and Long Computing Hours - Boasting a profile measuring just 1-inch in depth and weighing 1.1kg, the svelte and lightweight Eee PC Seashell’s compact dimensions make it the perfect runabout Internet device anywhere.
It also packs 6 hours of battery life for many fun-filled hours on the road with a single charge, making it a truly perfect all-day entertainment companion. Super Hybrid Engine intelligently monitors the programs being used and deploys just the right amount of power required, all the while conserving power by constantly making adjustments between performance and power.
A Treasure Trove of Innovative Solutions for Simplicity and Convenience - The coup de grâce to the versatility of the Eee PC Seashell are the technological innovations that make it the best companion for the road. A multi-touch track pad allows users to intuitively zoom in or out of pictures via pinching, or navigating up and down pages by sliding along the touchpad.
The Eee PC Seashell boasts a 2.5-inch SATA II 160GB hard disk drive for more-than-ample storage for music, videos and movies. It also features 10GB of online Eee Storage for access to files anytime, anywhere. 802.11b/g/n wireless connectivity allows users to connect to the Internet, as well as keep in touch with family and friends wherever they are.
[Via: Infibeam]
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Thursday, May 7th, 2009
Creative launches yet another portable media player, the ZEN MX which has hit the market to entice Japanese consumers with its must-have features. The audio device looks similar to the company’s existing players, but has a bit of alteration in the control button layout.
The latest ZEN player is embedded with a 2.5-inch LCD display and a resolution of 320×240 pixels, an integrated FM radio tuner and voice recording capability with support for CMV video format. It enables users to convert the video file into the supported format. Creative offers its Centrale software; easing their workload. Furthermore, it can easily play files like MP3, WMA (with DRM) and Audible 4.
Available in models with 8GB or 16GB of internal memory, the portable media player also has an SDHC memory card slot for expandability. Apart from the storage space, the ZEN MX comes with an integrated battery that claims to offer 30 hours and 5 hours of audio and video playback, respectively.
The Creative ZEN MX media player is likely to be available for purchase in the Japanese market from May 5, 2009. The all new 8GB model is going to be priced at $102 (approx. Rs. 5,065), whereas the 16GB version retails for $144 (approx. Rs. 7,153).
[Via: Infibeam]
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