Computex Watch -- The Skinny on Laptops, New Mobile Devices

posted by Ken Kaplan on June 03, 2009

Wow, lots of new innovations on being unveiled at Computex in Taipei during the first few days. I’ve been keeping my eyes on a few people there on the scene, and from there branching out to see the reaction from gadget lovers who aren’t at the show (like me).

Gizmodo’s Adrian Covert hit early with “Intel unleashed a flurry of new processors at Computex, including the T9900 Core 2 Duo, which clocks in at a speedy 3.06 GHz—the first Penryn-based Core 2 Duo chip to do so.” and Ubergizmo gave their take, “Intel Makes Mobile More Mobile @ Computex.”

Steve “Chippy” Paine — travel sponsored by Intel — wrapped up his first day ever at Computex like this: “Listen, netbooks and ‘thin is in’ notebooks are cool and all that but can we have some MID and UMPC love please?” But from there, it looks like he was getting all he was looking for…and more. Here are some items he shared on Twitter:

• Intel: Hurry Up Get Idle. HUGI. More performance increases battery life. Demo on stage.
• Xandros Moblin App store just announced.
• At Moblin Overview meeting. Packed in here. Have a handfull of Moblin glossies. Serious stuff!! (Why am I suprised?)
• Sounds like moorestown will come slightly earlier than expected.
• New article: Moorestown, Moblin and Voice Demonstrations from Intel

Moblin is an optimized Linux operating system project that delivers a visually rich Internet and media experience on Intel Atom processor-based devices including mobile Internet devices (MIDs), netbooks/nettops, in-vehicle infotainment and embedded systems.

Before he even knew what Moblin was, Intel Insider Frank Gruber — travel sponsored by Intel — was on a flight to Taipei testing out a a few mobile Internet devices, and shared this review of the Viliv S5 and BenQ MIDs just as he arrived at Computex. On his first full day at Computex, Frank video streamed the Moblin conference.

Back in the U.S., JKOnTheRun got a visit from the DHL delivery man and shared what I’ve been waiting for since getting my hands on the Viliv S5 MID with Intel Atom inside. Here’s JK’s video “Mobile Tech Minutes: First Look at the Viliv X70 UMPC”

Then I caught this video from Robin Smit. It got me thinking of all the innovation going on — from better chips to sleeker designs and better functionality — and its really happening in many parts of the world. It’s inspiring many people to experiment and push the envelope of what’s possible today with Internet phones, netbooks and laptops.

The Intel Atom processor for netbooks and mobile Internet devices was launched at last year’s Computex. In one year, we’ve seen many new devices hitting the market, and this momentum is poised to continue with the next generation Atom platform. And with higher performing, more energy efficient mobile processors now available, we ought to start seeing ultra thin, lighter laptops in our busy, on-the-go lives.

There are lots of new things coming out of Computex that could bring more mobile computing to the masses. I’m going to sift through some of the Intel news and technology briefings going at at the event, and keep watching the action on Twitter.

Please share your favorite highlights from the event, where you were there or watching from afar like me.

 

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tagged: benq, centrino2, computex, frankgruber, intel, intelatom, intelinsiders, laptops, midmoves, mobileinternetdevices, moblin, viliv