New IBM Netbook Package Designed for African Businesses
IBM is unveiling a new netbook software pack that is expected to help businesses in Africa. It will partner with Canonical, which means the package will come with a Linux-based OS and be designed for cloud computing.
The idea is to offer African businesses an alternative to expensive traditional computer options. Netbooks have been valuable for these businesses, cutting costs for workers. The new software package, known as the IMB Client for Smart Work, should cut costs even further.
The package offers e-mail, word processing, a spreadsheet app, and social networking/communication tools.
Bob Picciano, GM of IBM Lotus Softwae, explained what emerging businesses can gain from the new setup:
“Businesses in emerging markets are looking to gain the freedom and flexibility afforded by open standards… The IBM Client for Smart Work builds on the movement toward open standards and Web-based personal computing by giving people the power to work smarter, regardless of device.”
As netbooks are used more and more, their applications in education and the business sector show grow as well. It will be very exciting to see what comes of this new union.
Via CNet.
T-Mobile Introduces Netbook-Broadband Package
T-Mobile is getting in the mix as 2008 ends by introducing its netbook/mobile broadband program. It should be a big competitor in the growing ‘netbook bundle’ market.
They will be giving out ASUS Eee PC 904HD netbooks, USB modem sticks, 3 GB monthly fair use amount, 200 free texts, and cheap Wi-Fi access with the purchase of a 24 month contract. If you’re in the market for that kind of thing this has to look unbelievably attractive. Download speed for the netbooks is around 4.5 mbps.
The particular model they’re offering has ” 8.9-widescreen display, an Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM, a 80GB HDD, WiFi, a card reader, Windows XP Home and a webcam.” T-Mobile is also expected to launch two similar models soon, but we don’t know if they’ll be laptops or netbooks.
The kicker? Acer, which has been leading the netbook market so far, got replaced by ASUS because it failed to supply enough netbooks. The only other open mobile phone network without a netbook package is O2.
Via ITProPortal.
