Tag Archive

Eric Schmidt confirms Chrome OS is on schedule, on target

The last time we heard anything about the launch schedule for Google’s Chrome OS it was summer of last year. At that time we were told a rather vague “second half of 2010″ and, now that we’re entering the second quarter of the year, forgive us if we were starting to get a bit doubtful about that timeline. But, Google’s Eric Schmidt is here to assuage our fears, speaking at the Abu Dhabi Media Summit and indicating the little OS is still on track for that same, rather vague release window. That we’re still not getting a more specific date makes us think we’re probably looking at a release toward the end of the second half of this year, but just the same it seems like you shouldn’t wipe that Chrome-powered netbook off your wishlist for this upcoming holiday season just yet.

Eric Schmidt confirms Chrome OS is on schedule, on target originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  t-break: Tech  | Email this | Comments

Smartbook concept should be realized

This Smartbook does not describe a kind of consumer electronics device, but is a conceptual portable computer instead, where this smartphone can be flipped open to reveal a QWERTY keyboard which can be synchronized with its personalized PC tablet. Definitely something that we would like to see in the real world, but we guess it will remain nothing but a pipe dream at the moment. Since this is but a concept, we guess you can basically imagine it comes with the most drool-worthy of hardware specifications, but it will most probably run on the Android OS considering the Chrome browser is on display here.

Permalink: Smartbook concept should be realized from Ubergizmo | RSS Sponsor: Win a Fellowes Microshred Paper Shredder!

HTML5 vs. Flash comparison finds a few surprises, settles few debates

Think we’d all be better off if HTML5 could somehow instantly replace Flash overnight? Not necessarily, according to a set of comparisons from Jan Ozer of the Streaming Learning Center website, which found that while HTML5 did come out ahead in many respects, it wasn’t exactly a clear winner. The tests weren’t completely scientific, but they did find that HTML5 clearly performed better than Flash 10 or 10.1 in Safari on a Mac, although the differences were less clear cut in Google Chrome or Firefox. On the other hand, Flash more than held its own on Windows, and Flash Player 10.1 was actually 58% more efficient than HTML5 in Google Chrome on the Windows system tested. As you may have deduced, one of the big factors accounting for that discrepancy is that Flash is able to take advantage of GPU hardware acceleration in Windows, while Adobe is effectively cut out of the loop on Mac — something it has complained about quite publicly. According to Ozer, the differences between HTML5 and Flash playback on a Mac could be virtually eliminated if Flash could make use of GPU acceleration. Hit up the link below for all the numbers.

Update: Mike Chambers has performed some additional tests that he says shows that “does not perform consistently worse on Mac than on Windows.” Check out the complete results here.

HTML5 vs. Flash comparison finds a few surprises, settles few debates originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink ReadWriteWeb  |  Streaming Learning Center  | Email this | Comments

Chrome OS tablet is no unicorn

The Chrome OS tablet is not a fable, with Freescale parading their Chrome-powered tablet that comes with a 7″ display. It will retail for around $200 a pop when released, running on hardware which is known as the i.MX51. Well, assuming the two Benjamin price point remains, it will definitely prove to be a worthy competitor to whatever tablet that hits the market, but the question remains as to what the point of Freescale’s Chrome-powered tablet is meant for. Would you get a tablet simply because it is cheap?

Permalink: Chrome OS tablet is no unicorn from Ubergizmo | RSS Sponsor: Win a Fellowes Microshred Paper Shredder!

Freescale’s 7-inch tablet runs Android, Chromium OS or Linux, costs $200 (video)

Remember the $200 smartbook reference design that we saw at CES this year? Well, it’s back, it’s holding on to that same price and 7-inch enclosure, but this time it’s also showing off an expanded OS compatibility. Adapting the open source Chromium OS and another Linux variant to the ARM architecture of the prototype device was apparently not much of a hurdle for Freescale, who has an Android option in the works as well and claims to be just optimizing and enhancing the user experience at this point. Presumably one of the enhancements will be the installation of a capacitive touchscreen as the present demonstration requires either a mouse and keyboard or a resistive torture test to operate, but we’ll accept the company’s explanation that this is just a proof of concept and not the final product. Slide past the break to see some HTML5 video running on this bargain bin tablet, and hope that your friendly neighborhood OEM picks these designs up for some retail action.

Continue reading Freescale’s 7-inch tablet runs Android, Chromium OS or Linux, costs $200 (video)

Freescale’s 7-inch tablet runs Android, Chromium OS or Linux, costs $200 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink thechromesource  |  ARMdevices.net  | Email this | Comments

Google Chrome OS ‘business version’ coming in 2011

Google Chrome OS ‘business version’ coming in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Chromium Netbooks  |  Network World  | Email this | Comments

Keepin’ it real fake: HP Mini 5101 knockoff is almost as good, almost as expensive as the real thing

Coveting a beautiful new netbook but can’t quite manage the $399 for a new HP Mini 5101/5102? Maybe this knock-off would fit your budget, looking more or less indistinguishable from the real thing. The ports have a slightly different layout (with some of them looking a wee bit askew) and the red hue here doesn’t have quite the same lustre of the real thing — but it is awfully close, right down to the chrome HP logo on the lid. How much would you pay for this piece of impressioned gadgetry? How about $337? Sure, the difference is enough to cover a copy of Heavy Rain, but could you live with yourself typing your e-mail every day on a lie? Beyond that, we have a suspicion this thing wouldn’t last much longer than the Origami Killer’s victims.

Keepin’ it real fake: HP Mini 5101 knockoff is almost as good, almost as expensive as the real thing originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  M.I.C. Gadget  | Email this | Comments

Patriot shows off a monster 40 SSD-equipped computer

Say what you will, but $60k seems like a fair price for such a beast. Patroit recorded 155,000 IOPS/s on the computer. I ran the same test on my 5400 RPM notebook drive and got 401. Just think, you wouldn’t have to wait for file transfers anymore, game levels would load nearly instantly, and Windows would boot faster than Chrome OS. (maybe) But then again it costs more than most a convertible Corvette and you might not like the type of ladies the computer attracts.

Steve Ballmer emphasizes importance of the cloud, Google pretty much does likewise

Microsoft has had its run-ins with the cloud before, but if CEO Steve Ballmer is being serious (and we’re guessing he is), the company is about to get even more connected. Speaking with computer science students this week at the University of Washington, Ballmer was quoted as saying that “a year from now… 90 percent [of Microsoft employees would be working in the cloud].” He went on to say that the cloud base “is the bet, if you will, for our company,” and he noted that it’ll “create opportunities for all the folks in [the] room to do important research and build important projects.” It’s not like any of this is an epiphany, though; we’ve already seen a shift to Google Documents given the ability to access it from any web-connected computer, and with the proliferation of broadband on the up and up, it’s only a matter of time before it’s more convenient to open a web app than to wait for your taskbar to stop bouncing. In related news, Google Europe boss John Herlihy has essentially mirrored those thoughts, calling the desktop an item that will be “irrelevant” in three years. Why? Largely because most everything you’ll need a tower for will be available via a mobile or the web, but we all know that sect of hardcore gamers will keep the beige boxes rolling for at least another score.

Steve Ballmer emphasizes importance of the cloud, Google pretty much does likewise originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Computer World, Silicon Republic  | Email this | Comments

Jolicloud Robby final release out before April

Jolicloud’s team recently made it known that the final release of their Robby version is ready to rock and roll before March is over, where this update will boast a bunch of features which include Intel Atom Pine Trail and VIA C7-M processor support, a web application platform that is based on the Google Chrome browser, a new desktop mode which caters for nettops and machines with displays larger than 11″ among many others. Great to know it plays nice with all of the Intel-powered netbooks on the market, including older Intel Celeron processors.

Permalink: Jolicloud Robby final release out before April from Ubergizmo | RSS Sponsor: Win a Fellowes Microshred Paper Shredder!

TuneWear TuneSonic Crystal with Mic and Control earphones

The TuneSonic Crystal with Mic and Control earphones from TuneWear boasts 9mm neodymium drivers which are touted to offer clear sound, featuring magnetic shielding and a rubberized guard on the Y-connector that offers extra protection. This design will see the integration of a single Crystallized Swarovski Elements rhinestone located on the back of each earpiece, while an integrated remote control provides you with a wide range of different uses. You can choose from chrome or pink finishes for $50 apiece.

Permalink: TuneWear TuneSonic Crystal with Mic and Control earphones from Ubergizmo | RSS Sponsor: Win a Fellowes Microshred Paper Shredder!

Sanyo’s new SPL Eneloop hybrid bike charges on flats to pull you up hills

There comes a time in every bicyclist’s life when you come to realize “I really don’t want to pedal up that hill.” For those riding a Sanyo Eneloop, they don’t have to. The series of bikes has been getting more advanced over the years, and the new SPL models are the smartest yet. Whereas previous editions could only regeneratively charge themselves on downhills or when the brakes were applied, this new series can juice up while the rider is pedaling along on the flats. This presumably increases the rolling resistance somewhat but the new “Eco Charge Mode” is said to boost range by 53 percent. More importantly, a new chrome basket shows that this ride means business. It won’t come cheap, though, shipping to Japanese pedalers on April 21 for ¥157,290, or about $1,800. For that kind of money we’ll stick with our fleet of Huffy 10-speeds.

Sanyo’s new SPL Eneloop hybrid bike charges on flats to pull you up hills originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Akihabara News  |  Sanyo  | Email this | Comments