ZTE has debuted its first Android smartphone using the Intel 32nm Atom processor platform at the Spring Intel Developer Forum in Beijing. The unfortunately-named ZTE Geek houses the Clover Trail+ processor running at 2GHz, housed inside a device that appears to be inspired by the company's Grand S LTE offering.
Intel and Toyota have announced a joint research venture to investigate new usage models of mobile device connectivity in cars. With connected cars now comprising the third-fastest growing technological device behind smartphones and tablets, the companies are working together to create an integrated solution. Intel will work with Toyota to embed its Atom-family of processors in vehicles in order to form, what the companies call, "a seamless bridge" between the vehicle and user’s mobile devices.
HP today announced Project Moonshot, a new industry initiative to help customers reduce complexity, energy use and costs. The program has three components: a new server development platform, a customer discovery lab, and partner program that includes AMD, ARM Holdings, Calxeda, Canonical and Red Hat. The server development platform, code-named Redstone, will initially use ARM processors and add Intel Atom processors in the future.
Taiwan-based Red Flag Software announced at the Meego conference in San Francisco today that it plans offer an OS for tablets based on the open source software platform Meego v1.2. Named Midinux Tablet Edition, Red Flag will show off a tablet running the new platform at the Computex Conference in Taipei at the end of the month.
The MSI Windpad 100W is now on sale through the UK’s Simply Electronics. The Windows 7 tablet, based on the Intel “Menlow” platform is said to have battery life “over 6 hours”. This makes it more competitive than some other Wintel Atom tablets such as HP’s Slate 500, which delivers less than 5 hours of battery life.
Intel is reportedly aiming to advance its Atom architecture with chips based on 15 nanometer processes. The technology would represent a significant leap, as current Atom offerings are all based circuits with a minimum of 45nm technology. Even the Cedar Trail platform, scheduled succeed the Pine Trail series in 2011, will be the first Atoms to be based on a 32nm process.
PC maker Lenovo is planning to launch a 12-inch netbook powered by the recently released Intel Atom N280 CPU, says a Monday DigiTimes report. Known as the IdeaPad S20, the netbook would violate Intel's restrictions for the use of its Atom chips, which aren't normally allowed for systems with greater than 10-inch screens. Lenovo would have to pay about a $10 premium per chip when purchased in bulk. Despite this, Lenovo is believed to be wagering that its offering of a unique product would help it boost sales and avoid competing in the hotly contested 10-inch market.
Fujitsu recently introduced a number of new notebooks in six new series, with a pair of Atom-powered, 5.6-inch convertible PCs in the LOOX U series as the headliners. At the same time, the computer maker has released details for the 16-inch Biblo NW, the 12.1-inch Biblo LOOX R, 14.1-inch Biblo S, 14.1- and 13.3-inch Biblo MG, and the 15.4- and 15.6-inch Biblo NF.
The previously announced BenQ S6 mobile Internet device (MID) that launched in Italy will be making its way to other markets soon, as indicated by BenQ’s global product page for the gadget. The device uses an Intel Atom processor running at 800MHz and a 4.8-inch, 800x480 touchscreen for data access that is faster than 3G but not quite up to 4G network speeds. A video user guide has also surfaced, showcasing the device’s Free Surf user interface.
South Korea‘s LG introduced the Xnote Mini netbook on Friday, claiming that at 2.6lbs, it is the lightest netbook from a South Korean manufacturer. Apart from the distinction, the 10-inch netbook features an Intel Atom processor rated at 1.6GHz, along with a 160GB HDD. RAM should be fixed at 1GB, while Wi-Fi and 3G access will be part of the specs. Previously unveiled as the X110, the netbook is meant to appeal to women who do not want to lug around heavy computers.
