SkyCross iMAT Antenna Offers Simultaneous Bluetooth & Wi-Fi In Netbooks
Mobility is key in the netbook world, and manufacturers are always racing to pack the most punch into the smallest space, provided they can do so at a price amenable to consumers. New technology has a huge impact on netbook makers’ ability to do just that, and the new SkyCross iMAT antenna is the next logical step in netbook improvement.
The Skycross iMAT antenna is meant to combine multiple functions into one device – an antenna that supports simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection. By providing 35 dB of isolation between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals, the new antenna will allow netbook users to access both without interference.
By cutting out the need for Wi-Fi cards and Bluetooth models, some netbooks implementing the SkyCross iMAT antenna will have room for accessories like 3G cards or flash memory.
Via I4U.
Kohjinsha Netbook Comes With TV Tuner
The 10.1-inch Kohjinsha MT6WX16AR netbook offers all the standard features that current netbooks have to offer – an Atom processor, 1 to 2 GB of RAM memory, and up to 160 GB of harddrive space (among other specifications. What differentiates it from the competition though, is that this ultraportable device has a One-Seg TV tuner.
In addition, the MT6WX16AR offers features such as wi-fi, ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0, a webcam, and a 3-in-1 card reader. The operating system for this netbook will be Windows XP Home SP3. This netbook is not yet being sold on the market, but when it is released, will start selling at a price of $499.
Via Softpedia.
New 10.1-Inch Acer Aspire One On The Way
Acer is on the move and has confirmed that it is releasing a larger version of its Aspire One netbook in Q1 of 2009. Now we have some details for you.
The new Acer Aspire One is intended to be a “larger evolution” of the previous model, rather than a replacement. It will have the same 1024×600 resolution but optionally contain integrated 3G and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.
They got rid of the second SD slot, as internal memory probably wasn’t a problem on the old machine, and there’s only one DIMM slot for RAM with a max of 2 GB support. Both Linux and Windows XP will run on the new netbook but we don’t know at what capacity.
The trackpad buttons moved down from the side to underneath, and there’s a new sleek looking brushed metal paneling around the keyboard. Expect the new 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One netbook on store shelves this February.
Via SlashGear.
Behold Lenovo’s New IdeaPad
The IdeaPad S10e has been released and is prepared to stun consumers with some interesting new features.
Firstly, it will rock an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator that “easily handles your image processing”, according to Lenovo. It’s also got Intel High Definition Audio, an interesting feature for the manufacturer to include. While the S10 is no Indamixx DJ machine, the HD Audio feature means the new netbook will be excellent for listening to music. It will also allow the user to play sound through separate audio channels simultaneously.
The netbook is slender and portable, weighing in at a mere 2.65 lbs. It’s also only an inch thin, so as Lenovo says “you can take it wherever your day takes you.”
A microphone and webcam are integrated into the interface of the netbook, as well as an ExpressCard slot for easy connection to WWAN. It will be Bluetooth-enabled for use with mobile phones and headsets.
The newest and most intriguing feature, however, is the new Lenovo security device. CSRD, or Constant Secure Remote Disable, offers an easy, user-centric security method that doesn’t require the intervention of any tech-experts or the police. With this amazing new technology you can prevent access to your files just by text messaging your netbook. I need say no more – this is undeniably awesome.
The S10 will run Windows XP, using the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom with 512 MB of RAM. Spec-wise, the Ideapad S10 isn’t the best netbook around, but the new features are definitely tempting.
Toshiba NB100 Netbook
The new Toshiba NB100 netbook has hit the market, boasting a few enticing features to differentiate it from the competition.
The Toshiba features the same Atom processor used by the Eee PC, MSI Wind, and Mini-9. At a standard 1.6 GHz with Wi-Fi, bluetooth, Ethernet, USB ports and a memory card slot, the NB100 seems somewhat basic in most areas. There is one aspect to the netbook, however, that I think is something to be excited about.
The most fascinating thing is that the USB connectors on Toshiba’s first netbook are designated ’sleep-and-charge’. What this means is your USB-connected devices (cell phones, MP3 players, etc.) can be charged through the netbook without you needing to even turn on the machine. This step seems to be part of a new wave of efforts (that we noted in yesterday’s article) towards improving the efficiency of these devices. With business travelers and college kids not needing to carry around as many power adapters, this feature will definitely make the NB100 all the more attractive to the netbook market.
The flip side here is that the keyboard of the Toshiba NB100 is sadly somewhat imperfect. While it may not be an issue for the more enduring among us, typing for long periods may become uncomfortable and difficult. Instead of being appropriate for the 8.9-inch size of the thing, the keyboard seems as though it were built for a 7-inch netbook. While netbooks like the Dell Mini-12 (which we covered a few days ago) have shown a trend towards improved keyboard usability on smaller devices, the Toshiba NB100 is somewhat substandard in this respect.
Personally, the sleep-and-charge feature sounds interesting and intelligent, but not worth the small keyboard. However, with its first netbook certainly up to par in other areas, Toshiba looks to be willing to experiment with the netbook market. We should expect some promising things in the future.
Dell Releases New Mini 12 Netbook In US
It’s turning out to be quite the week for new netbook releases! The Dell Inspiron Mini 12, which has been available in Japan for some time now, has become available in the USA.
The Mini 12 sports a massive 12 inch display, one of the largest screens seen in netbooks so far. It starts at a moderately pricey $549.
This new release is yet another example of Dell’s willingness to gamble on the new netbook market and take hold early. This attitude is a stark contrast to those of companies such as Apple, whose conservatism may save them a lot of money or lose them just as much.
Dell had previously taken strides into the netbook market with its Mini 9 last September, which was a cheap $349 but had only 4 GB of disk storage and lacked bluetooth. The Mini 9 also only came with Linux’s Ubuntu, charging an extra $50 for XP. Its 9 inch screen was a more standard size for netbooks.
The new Mini 12, to contrast, has bluetooth and will run Vista Home Edition. Its operating system has been criticized as a poor choice for netbooks, with detractors citing its resource demand and lack of features to compensate. There is unfortunately no option to get the Mini 12 loaded with XP, which puts the new netbook in some danger. Otherwise, it is exceptional for its laptop-like screen size and good looks and its netbook features.
It will come in both white and black.
Some specs:
- Intel Atom 1.33 GHz, 533 MHz bus, 512k cache
- Windows Vista Home Basic
- 12.1 inch screen @ 1280×800
- 1GB RAM @ 533MHz
- 40GB hard drive @ 4200 RPM
- No optical drive
- Wireless 802.11g
- Integrated webcam
- Bluetooth 2.0
- 3 USB 2.0 ports
- VGA video connector
- Audio in/out
- 3-in-1 media card reader
- Megabit Ethernet
- 0.92″ thick
- 2.72 lbs
