Asus working on an App Store for Eee Pad

Asus’ CEO, Jerry Shen has told engadget at CeBIT 2010 that they are working on an AppStore for its upcoming slate tablet, Eee Pad. Also, on using ARM processors in netbooks, he said that x86 infrastructure is required to provide better experience to the users and ARM processors are more suited for “one piece PCs”.

This is a clear indication that Asus is not going to roll-out a clamshell smartbook anytime soon.

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A netbook/smartbook for just $73 – by Singworld Windows CE netbook

Boy! These smartbooks are turning out be really cheap. Here is a 7-inch smartbook from Sungworld priced ridiculously low at $73. Of course, at $73, you cannot expect a netbook running XP. It has a ARM processor running at 300MHz clock speed, made by VIA. It has a 7-inch WVGA (800×480) display and comes with 1GB of storage. It runs Windows CE and comes with a built-in 1800mAh battery

Few days back, we mentioned a netbook/smartbook that costs $50 and is able to run Linux. Now, we have a slightly higher priced smartbook by Singworld that runs Windows CE OS. How low can they go?! Anyday, I would choose the one running Linux though over the Windows CE

Broadcom to develop an ARM-cortex A9 CPU

Broadcom, popular maker of computer chips has announced recently that they are working to make their own ARM cortex A9 processor. Right now, they have not said where this chip will be used, but we expect it to be used in Smartbooks: netbooks based on non-x86 platform.

A single core Cortex A9 is capable of delivering twice the performance of current crop of smartphones. When talked into the context of smartbooks, it can have upto 4 cores(!), making multitasking smooth and enjoyable experience

NVidia Tegra Smartbooks with Google Chrome OS – Thumbs-up

In starting of September, the rumor blew from China that Lenovo and Acer could be releasing NVidia Tegra based Smartbooks which will run Google Chrome OS. According to the latest news bits, these Tegra based Smartbooks could actually land by the end of this month.

For those who have doubts about the upcoming Tegra platform, it can handle HD playback with ease with power consumption even lower than the Atom processors that are used in wide variety of netbooks right now

2GHz ARM Cortex-A9 Chip coming to the Linux device near you

Last Wednesday, ARM Ltd announced that their 2GHz version of the Cortex-A9 microprocesor. This 2GHz ARM CPU is aimed at smartbooks and smartphones. The most exciting point to note is that this powerful CPU consumes just 0.5w even while running at its peak.

ARM actually wanted its speedy cortex CPU to battle against the Intel Atom CPU which are used in most of the netbooks. Sadly, Microsoft has no plans to port it to the ARM platform. Call it fortunate or unfortunate, you will be stucked with Linux powered smartbooks. Do not get us wrong. We love Linux, especially Ubuntu, but majority of the people find Windows OS more gratifying.

I feel acutely that Microsoft should consider porting Windows 7 (or atleast Windows XP) to ARM architecture. This would enable manufactures to make phones and ARM-based MIDs run desktop operating systems like Windows XP/7 or even Mac OS X.

Szmovi P610 – HP Mini 1000 clone

It seems that there is a need to make website on clone netbooks and smartbooks, because every now and then we get acquainted with the different replicas and clones of various netbooks. The Szmovi P610 10.1-inch netbook looks exactly like the HP Mini 1000.

With a price tag of $352, it comes with an Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, integrated 3G and a 320GB HDD and 1.3MP webcam. Even the display resolution is same: 1024×576. However, with a smaller capacity battery (2-cell), do not expect it even cross 1.5 hours.

ASUS Snapdragon Smartbook – Launch postponed

ASUS has decided to halt the release of their ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon smartbook. We mentioned a couple of months about ASUS releasing their Smartbook.

What could be the possible reason for delaying their Smartbook is the fact that ASUS suffered revenue loss which was in the news today.

CEO Jerry Shen doesn’t have high hopes for the smartbook market, he is quoted as saying, ”Currently, I don’t see a clear market for smartbooks.”

So there are two reasons for it. First, lets face it that ACER is kind-of becoming the undisputed leader in the netbook market although it entered after ASUS in the world of netbooks and thus ASUS is not able to sell achive its sales targets. Secondly, demand for Smartbooks is currently unknown. Last month, Acer decided to delay the launch of their netbook. Acer’s Smartbook will be running Android OS and Acer thinks that there is not-enough demand for the Android OS and thus has decided to postpone the release of their Smartbook.

Qualcomm betting a lot on Smartbooks – says future is very bright for Smartbook

Qualcomm is giving its best endeavor to increase its sales and thinks that computers in the future will be just like Mobile Phones. By computers, they mean Smartbooks which are basically netbooks running Android, Google Chrome OS or Linux.

Most of the upcoming Smartbooks will be using ARM processors, precisely Qualcomm ARM-based CPUs.

Consumers want computers that will run all day on one battery charge, don’t need to be switched off and are always receiving data, said Jacobs, whose company is the world’s biggest maker of mobile-phone chips.

According to Qualcomm, people do not want to carry a bulky laptop and its charger all day with them. They want a device that can run all day and remain connected too. More than 12 companies have decided to use the Snapdragon’s chip, which runs at 1GHz clock speed. The future is surely very exciting and we are waiting for the Snapdragon-based netbooks AKA Smartbooks to hit the market

Expect lots of Smartbooks in coming months

Many manufacturers, including Acer, Foxconn, Compal, Pegatron and Inventec will start shipping ARM-based smartbooks. The new ARM-based smartbooks will be smaller in size, and a bit cheaper, contrary to Atom powered netbook. But obviously they won’t be as good, and also won’t be able to run a proper version of Windows. You will stuck with Linux or Win CE, and may see Android in few of them, too.

Asustek, the second biggest netbook maker, is looking to launch its smartbooks later in November or December. Reason? They believe that therer is not enough demand for such devices and would rather wait for the feedbacks of this new product class.

That said, the main advantage of these netbooks will be that it will be very compact. The first models are expected to have 8.9-inch displays and will cost around $200.

CONFIRMED: Qualcomm will launch Smartbooks at the end of this year

Qualcomm has confirmed that they will be launching ‘smartbooks’ at the end of this year. Qualcomm will be using their fast Snapdragon processor in their smartbooks as-well-as in their upcoming mobile phones. Qualcomm is pretty sure that it will be able to sell 2.5 billion units by the end of year 2011.

So what makes Smartbooks better than the existing cellphones and MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices)? Smartbooks will give you a very powerful smartphone in your hand and will come with both voice and data capabilities. Unlike netbooks and MIDs, the smartbooks can remain connected all the time. No need of shutting your device down or putting your device into hibernation. All that will all day battery-life and integrated GPS.

Also, we are happy to know that smartbooks will cost less than the existing netbooks. This indicates that the smartbooks should cost less than $400. If they are able to do that, it will be a huge hit among the consumers.