Efika MX Smartbook from Genesi

The term smart book has always been overused and it seems it either has very complex meaning or no specific meaning at all. What it promises is a lightweight device for internet browsing that is quite cheap. Genesi created the smartbook just for that cause. This is an unknown company so we yet have to [...]

Freescale Smartbook prototype announced – can play HD videos!

Freescale has unveiled its new smartbook prototype design – a tablet with a 7-inch touchscreen display that docs with a keyboard. Since it is a smartbook, it uses Freescale iMX515 processor that is based on ARM-infrastructure.

It runs Debian Linux and weighs less than 2 pounds! Measuring just 200x128x14.9cm, it features a resistive display. While Freescale could have gone with the capacitive one, it restrained itself to resistive to keep the overall cost of the Smartbook as-low-as possible. The price tag of the WiFi only version is going to be $199. Expect a bit higher price for the 3G+WiFi version.

It has a 4-16GB SSD, single USB port, micro-SD slot, webcam and headphone jack. There are two buttons – Back and Menu on the left of its display.

The Freescale Smartbook, which has not been given any name yet, worked with the Canonical – the people behind Ubuntu and ThunderSoft to create a widget environment so that people find Linux easier to use. The Smartbook includes ATi’s HD decoder. Since there is no mention of HDMI port on it, it makes less sense to play HD movies on a small screen.

Freescale is also considering Google Android for their Smartbook.

MontaVista Linux OS Boots in Just One Second!

Folks at MontaVista are demonstrating an embedded Linux OS which can boot in just 1 second! Yes, it is not a mirage. We finally have a desktop OS that can boot in just one second. According to MontaVista, such incredible boot speed was achieved by starting the application stack along with the bootloader; keeping the uncompressed, highly-optimized kernel along in the NOR-flash and by loading only the required-drivers. Now, only if they could port to work on netbooks

“The achievement of one second boot from cold power to operational status is a breakthrough in embedded Linux performance,” said MontaVista CTO Jim Ready in a statement. “It’s always been thought that embedded Linux could never perform at this level of speed and efficiency. We’re proud to be the first embedded Linux vendor to achieve and demonstrate this demanding level of performance.”

Click on read more to see it in action and its full press release

Sandisk launches SSDs for netbooks – pSSD P2 and S2 SSD

We have waited long enough for Sandisk to make its entry to the netbook market and they have finally unveiled pSSD P2 and S2 SSD. The S2 SSD offers 9000 vRPM (virtual revolutions per minute). Both of these new SSDs use a new technology called nCache which basically allocates a dedicated 320MB for caching which improves the overall performance.

Both of these SSDs are available in 8, 16, 32 and 64 GB capacities.

“Canonical is enabling original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and designers (ODMs) to offer consumers a fantastic user experience with Ubuntu Netbook Remix running on netbooks,” said Chris Kenyon, director, OEM services, Canonical. “Our tests have shown SanDisk second generation pSSD equipped with nCache performing significantly better than a 5400 RPM HDD, providing Ubuntu users with the speed and stability that they need.”

“All-day battery life is critical in the netbook space, where OEMs carefully evaluate each component for optimal energy efficiency,” said Glen Burchers, marketing director, consumer segment, Freescale. “Like Freescale’s i.MX51 processor, SanDisk’s pSSDs are designed with power management in mind, thus addressing critical market requirements.”