Intel risks 'bundling' graphics processor with new Core 32 nm CPUs
We've seen integrated graphics from Intel for several years, integrated into the chipsets of value-priced desktop and notebook PCs. Intel's 3D rendering capability has never been superior to that of discrete GPUs such as Nvidia's or ATI's but it's never had to be. But today, adhering to a plan set out by Intel in September 2008, that integration moves one step further, moving the company's 45 nm iGFX graphics processor onto the same die along with the 32 nm Core processor.
That means integrated graphics is not just for motherboards any more. Using the high-k-plus-metal-gate lithography process breakthrough announced in January 2007, which premiered during the previous 45 nm "Nehalem" generation, Intel's new "Westmere" generation CPUs for Core i3, i5, and i7 will feature a graphics processor clocked as high as 900 MHz -- essentially the same one used in Intel's previous integrated graphics chipsets.
Palm announces Pre Plus, Pixi Plus coming to Verizon on January 25
Palm didn't have a radical new device to show off at CES 2010, but the company did unveil improvements to its Pre and Pixi models, giving both phones the "Plus" moniker. The upgrades will be coming to Verizon -- not Sprint -- on January 25, but pricing was not disclosed by the company.
The Palm Pre Plus comes with double the internal memory of the original, bringing storage to 16GB. The "Home" button on the front of the device was removed, and comes standard with the induction charger. Pre fans looking to upgrade will be pleased with the improved keyboard on the Plus, along with a more snappy sliding mechanism.
Hands-on with Palm's new Pre Plus and Pixi Plus
Verizon Wireless has a ton of pull in terms of a mobile device's presence in the US market. After all, look what it has done for Android. It wasn't until the Droid was revealed that a real explosion for Google's mobile OS took place.
Palm today announced its signature WebOS devices, as the Pre and the Pixi have been upgraded and dropped onto Verizon's network. The Pre Plus and Pixi Plus feature twice as much storage as their predecessors, Wi-Fi, out of the box support for Touchstone inductive charging, and of course, EV-DO rev. A 3G on Verizon's network.
CES 2010: Where did Windows Mobile go, and what will take its place?
Microsoft's big theme coming out of 2009 was "Three Screens and a Cloud." Thanks to a few power outages punctuating yesterday evening's keynote, there were often more clouds than there were screens. But when the smoke and the steam cleared, it turned out there was one less screen than people were expecting -- in some respects, the biggest screen of all: the small screen.
I discussed the lack of progress on the Windows Mobile front earlier this afternoon with Contributing Analyst Carmi Levy.
Hands-on with HTC's 'featurephone killer,' the Smart
Consumers have displayed a preference for versatile smartphone platforms, and their growth in the last two years has been significant. Some experts subscribe to the belief that the mobile device market will eventually be made up of two things: Smartphones and Pay-as-you-go Voice/SMS burners.
Featurephones, in short, are going extinct.
CES 2010: E-readers on the rise
Amazon, Sony, and Barnes & Noble are now getting some intense new rivalry in the e-reader ring. With an entire section of the CES show floor devoted this year to e-readers, vendors demoing new entries in the category range from Samsung and Fujitsu to start-ups like Spring Design. Shiny new bells and whistles are on the way, too, including color LCD screens.
At Pepcom's Digital Experience press event last night, Samsung showed off new e-readers equipped with handwriting capabilities. As CES opens its doors to the public today, attendees visiting Samsung's booth will be able to try out Samsung's six-inch E-6 e-reader, priced at $399, and 10-inch E-100, priced at $699.
Why Steve Ballmer's CES keynote was boring: Microsoft is looking back, not forward
Three things were missing from Microsoft's Consumer Electronics Show 2010 opening keynote: Vision. Vision. Vision. OK, that's one thing times three, but o-o-oh was it missing. What wasn't missing: Microsoft's investment in the past.
The keynote, featuring CEO Steve Ballmer and accompanied by Entertainment & Devices president Robbie Bach, trumpeted what Microsoft long ago called "better together" -- a term that may be as much relic at the company as the strategy should be. Who knows what term Microsoft now uses for the strategy, which is about making Product A better by connecting it to Product B, or C. Better together is a sensible marketing strategy, but from a product development perspective worked -- ah, better -- for Microsoft when it was a growth company.
Sprint dishes up portable 3G/4G hotspot in 10 U.S. markets
In mid-2009, Novatel launched its MiFi portable 3G hotspot on both Verizon and Sprint, but last night Sprint upped the ante with a dual-mode 3G/WiMAX portable hotspot from Sierra Wireless called the Overdrive.
The pocketable hotspot will cost $100 with a two-year, $60 per month Sprint contract. It is similar to the Novatel MiFi in function, but features a monochrome LCD operating panel, a micro-USB port, and a microSD slot which looks to be a promising bonus, as the device can act as a modem, router, and baby fileserver.
Hands-on with Motorola's strange new Android phone, the Backflip
Motorola is fully committed to the Android platform, so that means with an increased number of devices on the platform, there are bound to be some experimental and outlandish ones coming from Motorola in the near future.
One of those is going to be called the Motorola Backflip, which on first glance resembles the Cliq in overall size, shape, and UI. But the similarities end there. Without a doubt the most unusual Android handset to date: the Backflip is hinged like an inside-out clamshell, features a full QWERTY keyboard on the outside of the chassis, and has a touchscreen which features a trackpad on its back side.
Spring Design's Alex e-reader to go on sale next month for $399
Its similarity to the Barnes & Noble Nook may have spurred a lawsuit, but that isn't stopping Spring Design from releasing its dual-screen e-reader to the public next month. The Android-based e-reader bears a remarkable resemblance to the Nook, but has a larger bottom screen with full Web browsing and virtual keyboard capabilities. Alex also features a variety of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, 3G GSM and EVDO/CDMA. But the device's $399 price point is $150 higher than its competitors, leading us to wonder how much traction it'll gain in the marketplace.
Alex goes on sale February 22 from Spring Design's Web site.
HP: 'Slate' PC shown by Ballmer set for some time in 2010
A Hewlett-Packard spokesperson would only confirm to Betanews this morning that the unnamed 'slate' PC demonstrated by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer during his keynote address to CES 2010 yesterday evening, was not a current entry in the TouchSmart series being demonstrated to consumers by HP at the show this week. Rather, it's a completely new product that will likely have a new brand and a special campaign, and its availability is only being slated for "this year."
With a number of other PCs being unveiled yesterday for near-immediate availability, including the convertible TouchSmart tm2 tablet/notebook (available January 17 at $949 MSRP), it would appear the earliest product cycle that the HP "slate" would make is the back-to-school timeframe. That would peg a product announcement for around August. Expect the price point to be premium.
CES 2010 Microsoft keynote: Not much Windows Mobile, but Project Natal for Christmas
If you believe the forecast, there does not appear to be much hint of Windows Mobile in the air tonight at CES -- this even though Samsung was among the smartphone manufacturers demonstrating new commitments to WM6. Whether or not Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talks about it tonight, the topic on many people's minds when he's through will be Windows Mobile. Where's the momentum? Is there any momentum? "Wait until March" will be as good an answer as "No."
8:11pm PT: "When something like Project Natal comes along, it rips up your rulebook and throws it away."
CES 2010: Cisco's videoconferencing heads to consumers' HDTVs
This spring, Cisco will launch trials with Verizon and France Telecom around HDTV-enabled videoconferencing, with commercial applications in health care, "family-to-family," and musical entertainment likely to follow starting in the second half of 2010, said Cisco CEO John Chambers, in a press conference at CES in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
In a series of demos, Chambers showed how Cisco's emerging TelePresence system can be used in both health care and remote communications between family members.
FCC to delay broadband plan report to Congress, says Commissioner
February 17 had been the deadline for the US Federal Communications Commission to deliver a report to Congress specifying the details of its national broadband plan -- a proposal that would require new federal regulations, and potentially new legislation. But a spokesperson for FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell told Betanews Wednesday evening that Chairman Julius Genachowski had personally informed him the report would not make the deadline.
"I am disappointed that the FCC's broadband team is unable to deliver a national broadband plan to Congress by the statutorily mandated deadline," reads Comm. McDowell's statement this evening. "At the same time, I appreciate that Chairman Genachowski shared the news of his decision with me Tuesday afternoon. Once we receive a draft plan, I hope the document will reflect the benefit of the additional time being prepared to prepare it."
Is the Internet full? AT&T's dire warnings sound a too-familiar theme
In public policy, there's a concept known as the "Statue of Liberty ploy" (not to be confused with the Statue of Liberty play): Faced with any sort of budget cuts in a given area, officials say sorrowfully that they will be forced to shut down the Statue of Liberty, counting on the huge public outcry that ensues to restore funding.
We're seeing that now from AT&T, in its efforts to influence public policy.
First was its performance with the FCC at the end of the year, saying that in order to provide broadband access to everyone in the US, it would be forced to shut down the landline telephone network, regardless of the fact that millions of people still use it. We saw something similar in early December, where AT&T said that, due to its pesky iPhone users being so greedy, it would be forced to implement usage-based pricing if they didn't pace themselves.
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