More Maemo based devices coming – Nokia to develop Maemo based devices for high-end segment

Nokia has decided to focus on the development of the Maemo based MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices) for the high end mobile computing segment. Few days back, Nokia unveiled Nokia N900 which is based on Maemo platform and now Nokia will releasing even more MIDs in the future

It is unclear whether the upcoming MIDs will have cellphone functionality or not.

Netbook vendors to take ultra-thin notebook segment seriously now

Big Chinese netbook makers, including the likes of Hasee Computer and Wanlida Group, are now planning to step into ultra-thin notebook segment. According to the sources, there is a slowdown in the netbook market which has made them take the decision to manufacture ultra-thin notebooks.

Ultra-thin notebooks from Hasee are expected to reach the consumer market at the end of this year. It is not an unknown fact that the profits have become slimmer than ever in the netbook market. On the other hand, the ultra-thin notebook market is yet to bloom and thus this market has a huge potential

Evil Plan? Intel to make the netbooks “children only” market?

Wow! Who would have expected this? In some random talk, Intel’s chief ‘re-iterated’ the fact that netbooks will become more of a market targeted towards children.

Although Intel’s Atom processors are at the top and most dominant in the netbook market, folks at Intel are still not happy with the unbelievable progress made by the netbook segment. Reason behind this is simple: Netbooks have now started to really hurt the sales of the notebooks. Netbooks are the perfect way to do your basic work: web-surfing, office document editing, basic photo retouching (using Photoshop) and so on. You do not need an insanely powerful (and expensive) Core 2 duo-equipped computer to do the aforementioned tasks. When you are mobile, one of the most important thing that matters is the battery life. Most of the modern day netbooks offer 6 hours-plus of battery life and some of them even offer 8 hours too.

Coming back to the point: It would be an extremely unintelligent step, if Intel is bent upon making the netbook a “children only” market. Netbooks have been able to do something which the UMPCs (which is now a niche market) failed to do, that is to become a mass market product.

Netbook with Mac OS X! – The MiniBook

According to Apple, netbooks may be ‘crap’, but not for the millions of netbook lovers around the world! Here is the statement by Apple’s chief,

When I look at netbooks, I see cracked keyboards, terrible software, junky hardware, very small screens. It’s just not a good consumer experience and not something we would put the Mac brand on. It’s a segment we would not choose to play in.

A Russian company called RussianMac is now offering a netbook with OS X pre-installed! The netbooks looks exactly the same like ASUS EEE 1000H and they are calling it a “MiniBook”.

Click to read more!

CONFIRMED: No Apple Netbook coming

After months and months of rumors about the Apple netbook, Apple’s chief operating officer finally confirmed in harsh words that Apple will never produce netbooks as they do not deserve the MAC brand. Here are the exact words,

When I look at netbooks, I see cracked keyboards, terrible software, junky hardware, very small screens. It’s just not a good consumer experience and not something we would put the Mac brand on. It’s a segment we would not choose to play in.

He further said, if you want smaller screens, you can go ahead and buy iPhone/iPod for that. This makes me wonder how can an iPod Touch replace my netbook. I own several Windows Mobile devices along with iPod Touch (latest 2G version) and I firmly think that in no way they can ever replace my EEE 1000H.

iPod Touch and Netbooks are both two very different devices. Both of them have their own specific use. I like iPod Touch and WM devices as they are way more mobile than any netbook in the market. But, when I need to do some serious work, I always look up to my EEE 1000H (which is still very portable as compared to normal notebooks).

What this actually shows? This shows that Apple’s Chief operating officer, Tim Cook has actually never used any of the modern day netbooks as none of them have cramped keyboard, ‘junky hardware’ or terrible software.

Compal reducing R&D support for MIDs – Are they not selling well?

MID (Mobile Internet Devices) is a segment which started along with UMPCs (ultra mobile PCs) and Netbook. Both UMPCs and MIDs simply failed to take off.

The Compal Electronics has reduced its R&D resources specifically allocated for MIDs due to the uncertain business outlook for the segment, according to industry sources.

However, Compal made a wise move by shifting those employees to the netbook R&D segment.