Pixel Qi manufacturing delays fixed, ready for 'some of the largest computer companies in the world'

Pixel Qi manufacturing delays fixed, ready for 'some of the largest computer companies in the world': "

We've long had a thing for Pixel Qi and its energy sipping dual-mode LCDs with switchable backlight; displays that carve out a niche between traditional LCDs hungry for power and long living e-paper displays. Unfortunately, even though Pixel Qi began to ramp production lines late last year, we still haven't seen the displays shipping in any retail products. Turns out that while the screens have been made available in some 'specialized products that aren't sold in stores yet,' Pixel Qi's manufacturer of choice ran into some snags that slowed down deployments. That seems set to change according to a new blog post by CEO Mary Lou Jepsen. Manufacturing has now ramped to the schedule and scale required to meet 'strong pull from the some of the largest computer companies in the world.' Mary Lou also tells us that Pixel Qi's DIY display kit partner will be announced shortly and that it has 'wider viewing angle technology' coming in the fall that should help rectify one of Pixel Qi's weaknesses. So yeah, good news all around, but we've heard these promises before and still don't have product in hand.

Rumor: Intel to launch Atom N500 series in June, ASUS netbooks to follow

Rumor: Intel to launch Atom N500 series in June, ASUS netbooks to follow: "Details on this one are pretty light at the moment, but DigiTimes is reporting that Intel will be launching its Atom N500 series of dual-core processors this June. That word comes from the site's 'sources from notebook players,' who also say that Intel will be revealing more details on its third generation netbook platform at the same time. Unfortunately, that's about as specific as they're getting right now, but there are naturally some netbooks rumored to be launching alongside the new processors as well, with ASUS apparently already planning at least one N500-based netbook for the third quarter of this year that will sell for around $575. Of course, Intel itself isn't saying any more on the matter than it did during its recent earnings call, but the timing of the rumor does line up suspiciously well with this year's Computex (June 1-5), which would be as good a place as any for a big netbook-related launch

NVIDIA Verde to sync up desktop and laptop GPU driver releases, generate smiles galore

NVIDIA Verde to sync up desktop and laptop GPU driver releases, generate smiles galore: "

Good news, mobile gamers -- NVIDIA's looking out for you and yours, and if you're tired of lobbying to Congress about the inequities between driver releases for desktop GPUs and driver releases for mobile GPUs, you can finally move on to some other just cause. NVIDIA's Verde driver program has been a relative success over the years, but it's about to become a lot more gnarly when the company outs its 256 Series drivers in a few months. At that time, NVIDIA plans to 'completely unify its GPU drivers, so mobile and desktop users will be able to get the latest releases simultaneously.' Users won't find the desktop and laptop drivers in the same package, but we're sure each one will be clearly marked on the download page. It's worth noting, however, that these unified releases will only work with laptops featuring discrete GPUs, hybrid solutions utilizing NVIDIA-branded IGPs and Optimus-enabled machines; rigs with multi-vendor solutions (like the Alienware M11x, which uses an integrated set from Intel) won't be allowed to join the party.

Neofonie's WePad tablet shown to German journalists, seems legit

Neofonie's WePad tablet shown to German journalists, seems legit: "

Though 'Neofonie' is the most apt name for a vaporware company we've heard since 'Phantom,' it's looking like that very firm's 11.6-inch WePad tablet is actually the real deal. Fed up with all the skepticism it has received of late, the German firm just held a press conference in Berlin to show off a pair of working devices and allay our fears. Netbooknews.de was on the scene, and they took a pair of high-res videos that prove the tablets do, in fact, have a working (though somewhat laggy) touchscreen, and that fancy-pants vertical UI is quite functional. Full screen YouTube videos were choppy, but they played, and the Atom N450 CPU loaded OpenOffice and flipped through browser windows without a hitch. But don't take our word for it -- watch the whole 25-minute demonstration after the break, plus a bonus video from AndroidPIT. Then, if you'd be so kind, tell us what the nice company reps are saying.

TomTom Go Live 1000 taken for first test drive (video)

TomTom Go Live 1000 taken for first test drive (video): "

We've just returned from a ride with the TomTom Go Live 1000. In general, the device met our relatively high expectations set by a purported flagship navigator from the likes of TomTom. Unfortunately, the prototype unit guiding our vehicle was limited to a scripted demonstration on pre-selected routes. And when we did veer off course thanks to an unhelpful, but rather posh, voice guiding us to turn left a bit early, it took about 8 seconds for the ARM 11 device to reroute -- not bad but not exactly the 0 seconds we were promised during the pitch. Again, we were told that this was the result of using a prototype device... though it must be a near production-ready model given the summer launch timeframe. The unit also wasn't equipped with the automatic volume adjustment that raises and lowers volume based on the ambient noise around it. We did witness the Webkit UI in action and it does seem significantly improved based on our brief 15 minute test ride with it. However, it was still cumbersome enough to give our tour guide (a TomTom quality manager) fits as he tried to jump between 2D and 3D navigation modes. And the capacitive touchscreen was a mixed bag: at times it seemed to require the kind of finger mashing usually reserved for resistive screens; at others it was a bit too sensitive to effectively target street names from a pick list while being jostled about on a Dutch road (accidentally brushing the display selected the entry either above or below the street desired). As bad as all this sounds, we had the good fortune to have a Garmin nuvi 1690 in the vehicle with us to go head-to-head, flagship-to-flagship, and the Go Live 1000 was the clear winner in getting us back to our starting location. Check the Go Live 1000 in action after the break.

ASUS Eee PC T101MT review

ASUS Eee PC T101MT review: "

A really good netvertible -- that's all we want. No, not just a netbook with a touchscreen, but a device with a combination of solid ergonomics and performance in clamshell mode that can swivel into a really responsive tablet. It doesn't seem like too much to ask for, right? And after being disappointed by the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t, we really thought the $499 ASUS Eee PC T101MT -- with its multitouch screen, chiclet keyboard, and standard netbook organs -- could have been it. Keyword being could. But, as you may have guessed by now from our wistful tone, there are a few reasons this particular convertible netbook didn't turn out to be all peaches and cream. If you know what's good for you, you'll be hitting that read more link to find out what was this Eee lacking in our full review.

Geely IG is covered in solar cells, two years away from marketability

Geely IG is covered in solar cells, two years away from marketability: "

Chinese carmaker Geely is no stranger to building derivative designs, and its latest PHEV effort takes so much inspiration from Volkswagen's Beetle that even the press release begins with a metaphor about caterpillars flourishing into butterflies. That's also a little nod to the car's development, which has seen its initial design overhauled into the four-seater, photovoltaic cell-laden transporter you see above. The powertrain is still a hybrid number and not entirely electric, but seagull-wing doors have been added for some extra flair. Geely's IG is currently on display at the Beijing Auto Show, alongside its all-electric EK-1 and EK-2 brethren, the latter of which is promised to deliver 150kmph top speeds together with 180km cruising ranges and an 18-minute recharge time for 80 percent of the battery capacity. We'll believe it when we see it. This trifecta, along with a pair of other alternative fuel vehicles, is slated to 'be marketed' in two years' time. You can wait that long, can't you?"

Pasen MID5 packs Android, cures insomnia

Pasen MID5 packs Android, cures insomnia: "

What do we have here? Pasen, a company who's been boring us to death for years with its MP4 players (and at least one full-on KIRF) has finally come out with something we could conceivably see ourselves wanting to own. Crazy, huh? It's called the MID5 and as a device its about as revolutionary and original as its name, featuring a 5-inch (800 x 480) LTPS LCD display, WiFi, HDMI out, and support for 720p H.264 video as well as many of your fave formats (including DivX / XviD, RMVB, and MKV. Additionally, the company is boasting up to 10 hours of music or 4.5 hours of video playback. The OS is, predictably these days, Android. No word on a release date yet but when it is available it should go for around $200.

ASUS Eee PC T101MT now shipping to the form factor indecisive

ASUS Eee PC T101MT now shipping to the form factor indecisive: "

Still thinking long and hard about some of those iPad alternatives? Well, ASUS' 10-inch Eee PC T101MT is undoubtedly for those that can't make the call on netbook vs. tablet, and like clockwork the Atom N450-powered netvertible is creeping up on stateside order pages in search of $500 of your hard earned cash. Unfortunately, for that price you'll only be getting single touch input since its Windows 7 Starter OS lacks multitouch support, but our guess is that slightly more expensive SKUs with Win 7 Premium will start popping up soon. We'd certainly urge you to wait on our full review, but if you're too eager to put your fingers all over that capacitive screen and chiclet keyboard, reach for your wallet and hit one of those source links.

Onda VX560 looks like a slate, acts like a PMP, outputs 1080p

Onda VX560 looks like a slate, acts like a PMP, outputs 1080p: "

The kids at Onda have had a sideline in nondescript PMPs for years now, but that doesn't mean they lack dreams and aspirations, no sir! The VX560 shows 'em taking a cautious step up the evolutionary ladder with a 7-inch touchscreen slate that rocks 1080p video output via HDMI, support for a plethora of video formats (including H.264, AVI, MOV, MPG, and FLV), a 800 x 480 display, an array of ebook formats (including PDF, PDB, and CHM), and text-to-speech -- although exactly what language it will be reading in is anybody's guess. You know what else is 'anybody's guess?' When it will be released, and for what price.

New European Mio Navman line uses Tom Tom maps, fails to mention Wordy Rappinghood

New European Mio Navman line uses Tom Tom maps, fails to mention Wordy Rappinghood: "

If you're in Europe, and you like getting from one place to the next as much as we do, you'll undoubtedly be delighted to know that Mio is unveiling three new Navman GPS systems, all of which feature Tom Tom's IQ Routes technology as well as Mio's LearnMe feature. Navman 575 (£149.99, or around $230) offers a 4.7-inch display, while users of the 470 and 475 models ($150) will have to make do with a 4.3-inch screen. Also included in this bonanza of navigation are a free year of real time traffic and safety camera info, Google Send-To-GPS (for sending Maps locations to the unit via USB), SiRFStar InstantFix, and more. Look for these to launch in May.

ICD's Tegra 2-powered Gemini is the most feature-complete tablet we've seen yet

ICD's Tegra 2-powered Gemini is the most feature-complete tablet we've seen yet: "

Built around the 1GHz Tegra 2 SOC, the 11.2-inch ICD Gemini should provide comparable endurance to Apple's A4-sporting iPad, while besting it in the grunt stakes with its glorious ability to chew through 1080p video when required. If that wasn't enough, the rest of this thing's spec sheet reads like a wishlist. Headlined by a 3G connection that allows cellular voice calls (crazy, we know!), it also includes a user-replaceable 40Wh battery, an SD card reader, FM radio, GPS, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, MicroUSB connectivity to PCs and USB peripherals, stereo speakers, and dual webcams -- a 2 megapixel front-facing unit and a 5 megapixel autofocusing snapper on the back. Multitouch displays will be available in both resistive and capacitive flavors, with the 1,366 x 768 resolution being filled by Google's snappy Android OS. Oh, and did we mention it will run Flash? Because it will. Full specs and a comparison to its direct competitors await after the break, though we've yet to find out when this JooJoo killer will be making its arrival or at what price.



Update: We've come across a couple of real (i.e. not rendered) pictures of an earlier prototype for the Gemini, which looks generic as hell but should give you a good idea of the dimensions and scale of the device in question. Yours after the break.

Gallery: ICD Gemini official pictures

Pasen MID5 packs Android, cures insomnia

Pasen MID5 packs Android, cures insomnia: "

What do we have here? Pasen, a company who's been boring us to death for years with its MP4 players (and at least one full-on KIRF) has finally come out with something we could conceivably see ourselves wanting to own. Crazy, huh? It's called the MID5 and as a device its about as revolutionary and original as its name, featuring a 5-inch (800 x 480) LTPS LCD display, WiFi, HDMI out, and support for 720p H.264 video as well as many of your fave formats (including DivX / XviD, RMVB, and MKV. Additionally, the company is boasting up to 10 hours of music or 4.5 hours of video playback. The OS is, predictably these days, Android. No word on a release date yet but when it is available it should go for around $200.

ASUS Eee PC T101MT now shipping to the form factor indecisive

ASUS Eee PC T101MT now shipping to the form factor indecisive: "

Still thinking long and hard about some of those iPad alternatives? Well, ASUS' 10-inch Eee PC T101MT is undoubtedly for those that can't make the call on netbook vs. tablet, and like clockwork the Atom N450-powered netvertible is creeping up on stateside order pages in search of $500 of your hard earned cash. Unfortunately, for that price you'll only be getting single touch input since its Windows 7 Starter OS lacks multitouch support, but our guess is that slightly more expensive SKUs with Win 7 Premium will start popping up soon. We'd certainly urge you to wait on our full review, but if you're too eager to put your fingers all over that capacitive screen and chiclet keyboard, reach for your wallet and hit one of those source links.

Onda VX560 looks like a slate, acts like a PMP, outputs 1080p

Onda VX560 looks like a slate, acts like a PMP, outputs 1080p: "

The kids at Onda have had a sideline in nondescript PMPs for years now, but that doesn't mean they lack dreams and aspirations, no sir! The VX560 shows 'em taking a cautious step up the evolutionary ladder with a 7-inch touchscreen slate that rocks 1080p video output via HDMI, support for a plethora of video formats (including H.264, AVI, MOV, MPG, and FLV), a 800 x 480 display, an array of ebook formats (including PDF, PDB, and CHM), and text-to-speech -- although exactly what language it will be reading in is anybody's guess. You know what else is 'anybody's guess?' When it will be released, and for what price.

New European Mio Navman line uses Tom Tom maps, fails to mention Wordy Rappinghood

New European Mio Navman line uses Tom Tom maps, fails to mention Wordy Rappinghood: "

If you're in Europe, and you like getting from one place to the next as much as we do, you'll undoubtedly be delighted to know that Mio is unveiling three new Navman GPS systems, all of which feature Tom Tom's IQ Routes technology as well as Mio's LearnMe feature. Navman 575 (£149.99, or around $230) offers a 4.7-inch display, while users of the 470 and 475 models ($150) will have to make do with a 4.3-inch screen. Also included in this bonanza of navigation are a free year of real time traffic and safety camera info, Google Send-To-GPS (for sending Maps locations to the unit via USB), SiRFStar InstantFix, and more. Look for these to launch in May.

Continue reading New European Mio Navman line uses Tom Tom maps, fails to mention Wordy Rappinghood

NVIDIA Ion 2 Acer and ASUS netbooks won't ship until late May

NVIDIA Ion 2 Acer and ASUS netbooks won't ship until late May: "

NVIDIA's next generation Ion platform was announced back in early March, so naturally we've been wondering where all the souped-up netbooks based on the tech have been hiding. We wish we had better news, but it looks like the wait will have to go on a little while longer. While NVIDIA claims no delay on its end, ASUS and Acer have confirmed that their respective Ion 2 netbooks will not arrive until the end of May or even as late as the beginning of June in the US. The 12-inch ASUS 1201PN, which packs a dual-core Atom processor and a 16-core Ion chip, is set to hit Europe and Asia in mid to late May and will make its US debut in June. Similarly, Acer's 10-inch Aspire One 532G is planned to be released around Computex in early June. We just have a feeling there will be some more joining the Ion 2 netbook brigade in the interim, but it's looking like we'll just have to kick off the summer with another Ion showdown.

PlayStation 3.30 firmware is a go, 3D games support 'prepped'

PlayStation 3.30 firmware is a go, 3D games support 'prepped': "When the PlayStation blog said firmware 3.30 -- you know, the one that 'preps' the console for added 3D support (games for now, not movies) -- was 'coming soon,' we figured that meant some indeterminate day or week ahead. Not so; we just turned on our Sony consoles and, lo and behold, we got a new update sent our way. There's nothing you can do with the third dimension at this point, but take solace in a handful of Trophy enhancements. And Linux support? Don't be silly, it's not coming back.

Archos 7 Home Tablet up for pre-order on Amazon for $199

Archos 7 Home Tablet up for pre-order on Amazon for $199: "

The Archos 7 Home Tablet already went up for pre-order overseas last month, but it's now finally available to order over here as well courtesy of Amazon, with more retailers undoubtedly set to follow soon. While there's still no word on an exact release date (Archos has only said the 'end of April'), the 7-inch tablet can now be ordered for $199.99, which is one of the more inexpensive ways to get a taste of Android without having to sign a contract. Still not sure what you might be getting into? Then be sure to check out our hands-on for a quick overview of the device.

Quick Tip: Learning About HTML5 Local Storage

Quick Tip: Learning About HTML5 Local Storage: "

In today’s video quick tip, we’re going to build a working, though very basic, to-do list in just a minute or two. Thanks to HTML5’s local storage, we can make advanced browsers “remember” what we type, even after the browser is closed or is refreshed.

Subscribe to our YouTube page to watch all of the video tutorials!
Or, watch this video on Screenr.com.

“localStorage sets fields on the domain. Even when you close the browser, reopen it, and go back to the site, it remembers all fields in localStorage.”
-QuirksBlog

While obviously not supported across all browsers, we can expect this method to work, most notably, in Internet Explorer 8, Safari 4, and Firefox 3.5. Note that, to compensate for older browsers that won’t recognize local storage, you should first test to determine whether window.localStorage exists.

via http://www.findmebyip.com/litmus/

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