Intel lays out roadmap for Centrino 2 platform

Daily Tech reports, Intel is planning to roll out their roadmap for their Montevina based Centrino 2 platform. They will be arriving in June this year and will be featuring two lines which are "Performance" and "Small Form Factor "On that former front, you can expect processors ranging form 2.26GHz to 2.8GHz, with a TDP rating of either 25W or 35W and prices from $209 to $530. The Small Form Factor line, on the other hand, is considerably more over the map, boasting processor speeds from 1.2GHz all the way up to 2.2GHz, and TDP ratings ranging from a mere 5.5W to 25W (prices will be between $262 to $316). 

Dont look nowhere as MacBook rumours of Montevina platform ones are already swinging in. As you have already known that Apple released their Santa Rosa platform Penryn processors MacBooks and MacBook Pro yesterday. Note: the newest MacBooks are not Montevina based but Santa Rosa. 

Apple Event confirmed on March 6th

Yes, finally, it's confirmed. The event you all have been awaited for so long will be held at the town hall on March 6th. Following the image above, it's about the iPhone software roadmap. Besides, you can also see the big ENTERPRISE word at front, means enterprise software, maybe huh?

Update= COO Tim Cook. Cook, speaking at a Goldman Sachs investor's conference in Vegas says that Apple has not tied up iPhone exclusivity and are opening to new ways of selling it's iPhone. It's not what we have heard before "have to make carrier relationships to make visual voicemail work". Now, it has changed. We may see iPhone partnerships in Asia soon   

iPhone and iPod Touch 1.1.4 is here

iPhone and iPod Touch firmware update 1.1.4 just hit iTunes. Don't panic, it isn't what you SDK guys wanted yet. Yes, it stated that 1.1.4 only offers several bug fixes, that's all.  So, for jailbreak ones, I currently still did not catch up with those, but you can get more information at TUAW. Alright, the update comes in a 160MB update. Go get it now.

Meet Penryn MacBooks !!!

Alright, the rumours this morning was turned out to be totally true. There are now new fresh updates to Apple's MacBooks and MacBook Pros. However, the Books received speed bumps, higher and bigger hard drives and RAM. Not only that, it now runs Intel cool slicking Penryn chips.  So, let's get the lowdown.

For the MacBook line, the new entry level one will be packing 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 1GB ram and 120GB hard drive . For the mid end and higher end MacBooks, they will be coming with 2.4GHz processors with standard 2GB ram and  160 GB hard drive for mid end white one while a 250GB hard drive for Black MacBooks.

For the MacBook Pros,  they will be starting at 2.4 Ghz core 2 duo processors for the 15 inch and 2.5Ghz for the 17 inch with option up to 2.6 Ghz. Standard configurations for the RAM and hard drive are 2GB RAM and 200GB as starting point. 250GB are for the upper models 15 inches and 17 inches while 300 GB and 200 GB as an option. Nvidia 8600GT now starts at 256MB vRAM and 512MB vRAM for higher end models.The other new stuff you will be seeing on MBP are multi touch trackpads ala the Air and LED backlit displays as an option.

All of the above new models are selling at the exact same price. 

Seing new MacBooks on March 2nd?

It comes no surprise as there are already leaked numbers in Best Buy stores of new MacBooks. Since early 2008, Apple have been continously giving the Apple Store new stuffs. You have already seen the Apple TV updates, iPod Touch and iPhones update, Time Capsule , iTunes movie rentals and lots more. But, we are still awaiting for the arrival of the iPhone SDK. However, it is already close to March and nothing has appeared yet.Guys at Engadget got hold on Best Buy database listing. You'll note that whatever MB402LL/A turns out to be, it's said to be in stock on March 2nd, which is just a few days away -- but also note that current MacBook Pros have MA-series model numbers, while the regular MacBook has traditionally carried the MB designation. That's interesting, but we doubt a $1,999 MacBook is about to surface -- besides, the current MacBook box is 15 inches square, smaller than the 17 inches listed here. (Yes, we measured.) As always, we'll see when we see -- come on Tuesday, you're almost here.

Oh yeah, shots of the Future Shop inventory system, listing the upcoming MB402LL/A and MB403LL/A SKUs from Apple as being priced at CA$1149 and CA$1349, respectively. That's MacBook pricing

Apple patents Surface like technology

Well, from the patents of double screen Macs to "iPod Boombox" and now a Surface-like touch screen patent, this is getting pretty scary. Apple today patents a new filing that probably shows a Microsoft Surface like device . It shows kinda like a large touch screen device. The patent designed to be used by two hands at once and supporting different actions depending on the location of your palms. I suggests moving windows on screen or maybe Expose. However, of course like always nothing can be confirmed if a real product may appear in the near future. Apple fanboys, get your wild imagination going on , who knows, your dream may just come true.

Oh and, according to iSuppli, Apple seem to be lowering their flash memory orders and may result in little iPods. That wouldn't be great at all as it also may cause Apple to not releasing more newer flash iPods.

Apple patents something everybody wants

Yes, the above picture shows Apple's new patent showing some advanced multi-touch technology for their multi-touch trackpads that current MacBook Air adopts. It shows that advanced multi-touch techniques maybe coming and Apple describes the current multi touch techniques are more as like basic. So, you can see that operations like system control, file management and browser navigation appears. While the filing details using a combination of the thumb and two fingers to cut, copy and paste -- something that seems awfully relevant to that little iPhone thing Apple sells -- what we're most intrigued by is the description of the "side pinky swipe" to control system functions like volume and screen brightness. Since the side of the pinky produces a different shape than your fingertip on the touch sensor, the system can automatically recognize it, making it ideal for quick adjustments -- we're already dreaming up lists of macros to trigger. Of course, there's no telling if and when we'll ever see this stuff in a product, but it's probably not a coincidence the iPhone, iPod touch, and MacBook Air all use the same Broadcom touch controller -- let's hope those long-awaited new MacBook Pros join the club, eh?

Windows XP SP3 RC2 out!

Yes, for all Vista haters and XP users, u can now snag up the update for your XP SP3 and bump it all the way to RC2 through Windows update. You have to download a little registry key to help Windows Update know you're RC2 fodder, and remove any previous version of SP3 from your machine, but it should be smooth sailing from there. However, of course, non-genuine systems are not permit for this.

Microsoft announces games for Zune(about time)

Not that I really care or waited for this future, but yes. Zune users now can get games on your Zunes and play them by flickering the Zune pads. It was announced at the Microsoft GDC keynote. Microsoft announced XNA Studio developers will be able to use the Zune as a multiplayer wireless mobile gaming platform. Details are sparse at this point, but it looks like it's going to be second gen Zunes only, since it was specifically mentioned that it'd take advantage of the touchpad controls.

For starters, first-gen Zunes don't appear to be ruled out by any means, but it's going to be dependent on the game controls.

Zauri, the sample space shooter game demoed today, uses the Zunepad, thus wouldn't work (as well) on a Zune 30. Nothing has been decided as to whether games will universally require 2nd-gen Zunes, though.
Use of the Zunepad in Zauri was as a trackpad and omnidirectional -- it wasn't just up / down / left / right, as in the menus.
Right now the system partitions a mere 16MB for storing games, although this might change.
Right now there isn't a professional-grade SDK to announce; all titles should initially be done up in XNA Studio.
Means of distribution (i.e. games loaded through an installer, through the Zune desktop app, or through Zune Marketplace?) has not yet been decided.
The first beta development tools will be out this Spring.
There are no plans for Zune game sharing (yet), so to play with a friend wirelessly you both must have the game on your Zune.

HD DVD loses the war against Blu-Ray

It's official. Toshiba just made a statement saying, " it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders." Cessation of the player and recorders are targeted for March 2008. Volume production of HD DVD disk drives for PCs and games will end in the same time frame. However, Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation did say that Toshiba will, "continue to assess the position of notebook PCs with integrated HD DVD drives." That's it folks, the format war is over, Blu-ray has won. The war finally ends. Toshiba did not said that they have any plans for working with Blu-Ray or any other deal. Of course,you HD DVD owners will still get support and service from Toshiba.

Sony's Bluetooth NWZ-A820 series Players

Remember there was  a sketchy image that hit FCC showing stereo Bluetooth players from Sony, well it's official. Today, Sony announced their new NWZ-A820 series Bluetooth stereo media players. They are much more strengthen now with up to 16GB of flash, 2.4 inch screen, EX headphones, Stereo Bluetooth of course and for the battery performance, 10 hours of video(H.264,MPEG4, AVC) and 36 hours of audio(MP3, AAC, DRM'd WMA, and linear PCM supported). It will be available in black,silver, pink and gold. The version models will be NWZ-A826,8,9, for 4GB,8GB and 16GB respectvely. They will be hitting Europe in April with an unknown price.

Apple Store Is Down and Up

Yes, you probably saw my recent post. The price drops are so near. Well, let's take a look. The price drops were absolutely true but not on the rumoured product which was the iPhone and iPod Touch. So, this is the deal. It is iPod shuffle's day. The tiny device got a $30 price drop making it down from $79 to $49 only. That is wonderful. However, later then, the Apple Store was down again and here popped up the new 2GB version iPod Shuffle. It is even cheaper than the original 1GB version Shuffle which makes the 2GB version only $69.No change of design or anything but yes a product RED version . 

iPod Shuffle-1GB=$49

       2GB=$69

However, no word on the rumoured price drop of iPhones and iPod Touch. Maybe it will show up next Tuesday or so.

Price Drops on iphone and ipod Touch coming soon?

Alright, I know you are probably anxious wanting to know what's the price going to be. Let me tell u this. Word on the street is Apple may be lowering prices on their flash ipods soon.Guessed is the flash prices dropping. Alright, the 16Gb iPhone may drop from $499 to $399 which is the price for the current 8GB iPhone. For the iPod Touchs, they may be having a similar $100 price drops on their 16Gb and 32Gb versions. 16Gb version may drop from current $399 to $299 while 32GB version will drop to $399. Cool right? For the 8Gb version, it may be gone or maybe will drop to $199 only which is even cheaper than the iPod Classic.

Mtron's 1.8 inch 128GB SSD

For people who may not know what is SSDs. Ok, let me just speed through everything. SSD(Solid State Drive)are flash memorys grouped together in a small drive. It's like the next gen for hard drives. And SSD are faster, lighter and smaller and does not have any spinning disks. So, we have heard 64GbSSD, 128Gb SSD, 832Gb SSD and lots more. But there are all are as big as 2.5 inch. But today, Mtron has revealed a new SSD. Try squeezing 128GB of memory into a 1.8 inch SSD. New in the house. However, SSDs are still pricey and probably not worth it. The 128Gb 1.8 inch Mtron SSD will set you back for around $1600. And yes, there is an SSD option for Apple's MacBook Air and comes in very pricey.

The War Will End!

Let's keep it short and nice, as the war between the format war(Blu-Ray And HD DVD) will not end. Updates for the war, word has it that Toshiba president Atsutoshi Nishida will be announcing the final discontinuation of HD DVD tomorrow, as well as halted sales of hardware and media by March (as in days from now). However, no refunds or anything for HD DVD users. Don't know much but word's on the street is Toshiba may wan't to acquire Blu_-Ray and be as one. Funny, Right, we will see.

Blu-Ray V.S. HD DVD!! Is It Over??

According to reports, it is definitely true that Toshiba is about to drop their long battled HD DVD. Yes, it's true. Recently, HD DVD was also dumped by Wal-Mart and NetFlix. And according to a Japanese translation, it's offcial that Toshiba will do so as their DVD manufacturing facilities in Japan has officially planned to shut down and let's hope to get official word from Toshiba.

Samsung's New TouchWiz UI

Lots of phone news these few days as Mobile World Congress was being held at Barcelona. The guys at Phone Scoop got a chance to hands on Samsung's new TouchWiz UI that is packed with the new Samsung's Armani(F480). The UI will be used on any upcoming Samsung touch screen phones . A video is put together by Phone Scoop after the break.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF9rcmX83yQ

Mobile Updates

Let's talk about upcoming.

Nokia's CEO claimed that they have no plans of an Windows Mobile phone anytime around. However, attention are put on their upcoming S60 Touch UI in the second quarter of this year. S60 Touch UI is putting on demo at MWC 08 which guys at Engadget already got hold of it yesterday. The S60 Touch UI spots same UI but now Touch techniques. Look to see the phones around 2nd quarter. Secondly, Nokia also launched their Yamake Games for N-Gage S60 users. This "Yamake" is a way for users to create mini games by customising the text, pictures and lots more. The mini games created or customised can later be shared with other S60 N-Gage users.

Yes, this are good news. The long awaited Google's Android OS SDK(Software Development Kit) is out. Several menu visual changes have been made and it looks quite simple and slick. However, still no real phones for consumers out there, have to wait.

A Couple Of Apple Updates

Few days ago, Apple released their second(so far) update for their latest OS (Leopard), introducing 10.5.2. Mac users can snag the update through software update. The update comes around 300++ MB. Basically, there are ton of fixes in this update, including lots of bug fixes and overall 3rd party application stability and support and also network stability. Some of the more noticeably features are like : Menu bar can now be not so translucent(Tiger style), Time Machine status appears in the menu bar, stacks upgraded with list view and folder view and of course widgets have improved (Dictionary). Full feature list at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307109 .

Next up, we got Apple TV Take 2 update. Yes, the new Take 2 firmware update is right on schedule and Apple TV users out there can get it now through network update. Updated users can see that the new greeting menu is changed and also of course the new main menu. The overall UI is quite slick with now ability to do all the renting stuff, Flickr viewing, iTunes Store browsing and lots more.

Lastly, Walt Mossberg reported Lenovo's forthcoming Thinkpad X300 can also fit in a Manila folder. Yes, Macbook Air is not the only guy now. It is thin too(0.73 inch to 0.83 inch thick). Whatelse, this guy brings loads of ports and features, with removable battery, 3 USB 2.0 ports, up to 4GB RAM, fingerprint reader, Intel Core 2 Duo SL7100, 120GB SATA hard drive or optional 64GB SSD, and optional WWAN to boot. All this weighs in at about 1.42KG.

Vista SP1 Beta already here

Yes, indeed. Sorry for telling you guys this late. Vista fan boys can now get their hands on Windows Vista Service Pack 1 beta through a system update( I guess cause I don't really have a Vista computer or what to try). Anyways, CNET reviewed it and pretty summed things up pretty clearly. The new service pack fixed plenty of bugs and also drivers support. But things seem to slow down a little in the beta. So, be aware that all beta testers should not expect things to be noticeabl fast. Still, things should get more better in the later release in March when (Windows Vista Service Pack 1(non-beta) hits the shelves.

Too Much To Cover

Well, Mobile World Congress has kicked start. As you know, I'm a student and have an exam tomorrow, lucky for me to still get to cover this event. Alright, I have already covered the HTC phones . For the rest, I really apologise to all cause I will not be spelling all the following phone details but of course I will link all the sources below.

Ok,

Sony Ericsson- Z770-clamshell,all the life need applications like web surfing and mail bla bla. The GSM / EDGE 900 / 1800 / 1900, HSDPA 2100 handset will hit shelves in the second quarter in Vogue Red, Graphite Black, and Exquisite Gold.http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/10/the-sony-ericsson-z770-your-life-in-a-clamshell/

SE G700 and G900- G700- 2.4 inch display (touchscreen, of course) with a 3.2 megapixel camera. The G900 has wi-fi and 5MP camera with continous shooting mode. Features a feature of jotting down to-do notes or stickies to the main screen.http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/10/sony-ericssons-g700-and-g900-touchscreen-organizers/

SEW980- more like the W350i(the one at CES) sliding phone,8GB internal storage
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/10/the-sony-ericsson-w980/

SE C702 and C902-http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/10/two-for-the-cyber-shot-crowd-sony-ericsson-intros-c702-and-c902/

Top choice- Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1- touch panel interface, very coolhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/10/video-sony-ericssons-xperia-x1-panel-interface/

the rest- Motorola Z6W,W161,W181http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/motorolas-pathetic-mwc-showing-z6w-w181-and-w161/

These below are Nokia N96,N78, 6210 and 6220 navigators

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/the-nokia-n96-redefines-high-end/
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/nokias-6210-navigator-6220-classic-and-maps-2-0/
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/the-nokia-n78-in-european-and-north-american-flavors/

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/samsungs-3g-f480-dual-touch-chic-g400-flip-and-f400-bando-slider/ samsung phones

Mobile World Congress Kicked Start

Advantage(right)

HTC P3470(left)

Just back in early January at CES, Sony Ericsson revealed three Sony Ericsson phones, the W960i,W350i and Z555i. Those phones totally rocked out. FYI, Mobile World Congress(11-14 Feb) kicked start today and Sony Ericsson and HTC kicked it off at first. 

HTC unveiled two new models , introducing HTC P3470 and the slide upgrade of HTC Advantage X751. The foremost one (Pharos) looks very smooth on the outside, great features on the inside.A ordinary  2 megapixel camera, 256MB ROM / 128MB RAM, microSD, Bluetooth 2.0, and a roomy enough 2.8-inch QVGA flush touchscreen (á la the Touch) and €449 ($650) price tag -. However, no HSDPA or UMTS, just plain old EDGE which is enough for you lower end guys. 

Next up, the Advantage, nothing much for this guy, just a slide bump on the flash memory(upped to 16GB memory from the 8GB microdrive). The new Advantage X751 is packing features TouchFLO, Opera Mobile 9, and Google Maps, as well as all the rest of the features you've come to know and love: GPS (with TomTom Navigator 6), 5-inch VGA display, 624MHz processor, ATI video acceleration (ahem), 256MB ROM / 128MB RAM, tri-band HSDPA, quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE, magnetic QWERTY keyboard, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Windows Mobile 6.1. It will be out in Europe around March.

Sony Ericsson to be covered next post.

BlackBerrys patents are back!

Remember there was a mocked up picture back few months ago, showing a possible BlackBerry 9000 series with touch screen interface like the iphone. Guess what, the patents have arrived and it's showing a much more surprise . They patented a nice tilt-and-slide patent which kinds of slide it up and bend it towards you. That's style. The display would be far better and the full size keyboard would shine. Plus, we could be seing some intresting touch technology, probably something that is better than the multi touch technology the iPhone adopts currently. With the iPhone gaining the main attraction, RIM could stand a chance to lead the market back in place and make those business users and celebs put their smile back on. And hopefully Mobile World Congress next week -- will tell if these patents are going to be put to good use (hopefully as a team) in your next BlackBerry, but we're certainly intrigued.

Another Patent From Apple!!

No stranger to the odd patent filing, Apple has once again delved into the dark waters of the unknown with an application for an Apple TV-like device with iChat-esque functionality, amongst others. In the patent, the company suggests a number of uses for widget overlays during video, including those triggered by content and timing, as well as widgets used for menus and navigation. The patent demonstrates how real-time widget updates may coincide with live broadcast television -- such as a scorecard overlay for a sporting event -- and also showcases a video chat function which can be used simultaneously during the playback or broadcast of content. Additionally, the filing shows a new remote which would have hot buttons for quick access to widgets, navigation, and the automatic milkshake mode (we might have wishfully made up that last one). Sure it looks good, but we'd happily take the latest Apple TV update until this comes along.

Vista SP1 heading your way or is already here??

According to Reuters, the long awaited update to the Vista OS(not Windows 7) , Vista Service Pack 1 is heading consumers by March. Not to mention the download link will be arriving very soon. As for the server 2008, it will be arriving on 1st of March. 

Update: Vista SP1 appeared to be leaked in Torrent style and is available for download now. So, for kids out there anxiously waiting for the update can get their hands on it now. 

iPhone and iPod Touch(bumped memory and exploit came)

Of course you should know that on the last Tuesday, Apple store was down and up again later. People were speculating about a memory bump of iPhones and iPod Touch which was leaked with several pictures over the net during that day. Well, guess what, it was absolutel turned out to be right. The new iPhones with 16GB and iPod Touch 32GB is available at retail stores for $499. And it was even cheaper than the original launch price whih was $599 which later got lowered to $399. Anyhow, an exploit followed up this evening which will affect any iPhone an iPod touch who carries 1.0.2 firmware version right up till 1.1.3 firmware(current). It will affect the devices when surfed to any websites that is loaded with Malicious code contained. Crazy but still no patches were released from Apple yet.

3G iPhone The Hard Way!!

Still bragging to your friends that you hate iPhone because of it's EDGE network, think no further cause JoikuSpot is here to help. The JoikuSpot application, just released very recently will enable an S60 devices to share their network for all. Turn them into a wireless hotspot for your iPhones. Easily, once installed and configured , the application will fulfill your needs to do speedy swiping and two-finger expanding and contracting in your iPhone's Safari. Not too shabby, if only you have an unlimited plan.  Hit the link below

JoikuSpot

$44.6 Billion For Yahoo!

It's finally official for the long time rumour. Microsoft is certainly confirmed offering a $44.6 Billion for Yahoo!. This is certainly shocking for everybody as the software giant takes this move to join the competition. Steve Ballmer says, "We have great respect for Yahoo!, and together we can offer an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market."The proposal was laid out to Yahoo! through a letter that also confirmed that the rumour was right back in 2006.

Also, we will have to wait and see what's Yahoo decisons and we will see Microsoft and Yahoo! being a team. Everybody's waiting, what's the deal, Yahoo?

iPods And iPhones

• You have all already probably seen before iPods crashing to the street, dropping off a building, falling down the stairs and blah blah blah. But that's not all, Mike Beauchamp's iPhone was left ona open highway for almost an hour. he left it on his trunk and drove off from a gas station -- and the kicker is that just as he was about to run out and grab it, he watched it get run over by a 18 wheel semi truck. Shockingly, the unit still work perfectly, even receiving a call as Mike finally nabbed it. Obviously, it's missing a few chunks and there are some broken pixels, but the touch sensitivity is solid, and it sounds like Mike's been talking to Apple PR about using it in a promo -- how's that for random luck?

• It turns out that 17-year-olds probably aren't that good at studying electrical interference -- and its effect on pacemakers -- created by iPods. Unlike the data presented to the Heart Rhythm Society last year by a high-school student, which demonstrated the music player's ability to interfere with heart-regulating devices, the FDA now says that the gadgets are completely safe for use. Researchers measured magnetic fields produced by four different models of Apple's ubiquitous device, and found no reason why your grandmother can't keep jamming to her South of Heaven reissue. Said FDA researcher Howard Bassen, "Based on the observations of our in-vitro study we conclude that no interference effects can occur in pacemakers exposed to the iPods we tested." We hope the FDA will follow this up with a definitive study on the effects of boomboxes on hip implants.