Nokia's leaked MeeGo device resembles dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500 reference platform

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/nokias-leaked-meego-device-resembles-dual-core-st-ericsson-u850/

Yesterday's leaked image of a purported Nokia tablet device seems to have been more informative than we initially believed it to be. An eagle-eyed forum member over on mobile-review has spotted the similarity between it and a reference platform for ST-Ericsson's U8500 system-on-chip. Last we heard, that little powerhouse was running a pair of 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A9 cores, so excuse us if we find the prospect of it driving Nokia's next flagship a rather exciting one. You can see video of the reference device in question after the break -- it ends on the delicious and unequivocal assertion from the ST-Ericsson rep that Nokia has signed up to deliver the U8500 in an upcoming device. Bear in mind, however, that the video is from November of last year and we still don't know for sure that the Nokia slate above is its MeeGo progenitor or just a prototype. Either way, the U8500 is expected in smartphones at some point in the first half of this year, which kind of fits Nokia's roadmap, no?

[Image Credit: Cor72z]

Continue reading Nokia's leaked MeeGo device resembles dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500 reference platform

Nokia's leaked MeeGo device resembles dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500 reference platform originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP / Palm's 9.7-inch Topaz tablet to use 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8660, Adreno 220 GPU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/hp-palms-9-7-inch-topaz-tablet-to-use-1-2ghz-qualcomm-msm8660/

Looks like those whispers we heard about HP's Topaz having a 1.2GHz Qualcomm CPU were true. The folks over at Pre Central just scored an internal document detailing presumed specifications of HP's forthcoming 9.7-inch tablet, and it looks like the aforesaid CPU will be joined by an integrated Adreno 220 GPU, 512MB of DDR2 memory, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and dual-band 802.11b/g/n WiFi. We're told to expect an oleophobic Gorilla Glass screen with a standard XGA (1024 x 768) resolution, options for 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage, optional WWAN, an accelerometer, gyroscope, light sensor, microphone and a battery that'll last for around eight hours in ideal circumstances. Naturally, webOS will be onboard, and we're hearing that a WiFi-only model will indeed hit the market at some point. As for the connected versions? HSPA, LTE and CDMA variants are rumored, with the former two likely to be SIM-locked while all three carry A-GPS.

It should be noted that these documents were apparently fresh as of last fall, so everything is clearly subject to change. That said, we're digging the reports that HP will be doing everything it can to fully support Flash on this here slate, and it may also consider a partnership with Blio for the digital bookworms in attendance. Naturally, cloud services is shaping up to be a huge deal, and it'll definitely support inductive charging via the Touchstone v2. These docs also affirm what we'd heard about integrated Beats Audio technology and Tap to Share, with the second-gen Touchstone to also handle wireless picture sharing, cordless audio streaming and tether-free video beaming (just to name a few). Hit the source link the full skinny, and feel free to pressure HP to move February 9th a little closer to today.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

HP / Palm's 9.7-inch Topaz tablet to use 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8660, Adreno 220 GPU originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon tweaking low-end data plans, using '3G' distinction to upcharge for LTE

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/verizon-tweaking-low-end-data-plans-using-3g-distinction-to-u/

Well, that didn't last very long at all: looks like Verizon is killing off its $15 150MB data plan for smartphones altogether, instead corralling folks into the $30 unlimited option. Of course, with the proliferation of data-hungry smartphone apps on Android (and soon, the iPhone), 250MB per month of usage is becoming less and less reasonable by the day, so we can't say we're terribly surprised. Meanwhile, the $9.99 25MB feature phone data option is getting a bump up to 75MB with $10 per 75MB overage, a slight drop from the 20 cent / MB overage that those customers deal with currently. Finally, you'll notice that the $30 unlimited plan is now qualified as applying to "feature phones and 3G smartphones," not merely "smartphones" as they were before -- a nod to the fact that Verizon's upcoming LTE handsets won't be eligible for the same pricing. What, did you think you were going to be blazing on your ThunderBolt at 20 or 30Mbps without a care in the world?

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Verizon tweaking low-end data plans, using '3G' distinction to upcharge for LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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webOS tablet interface leak suggests new gesture controls, same old good looks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/webos-tablet-interface-leak-suggests-new-gesture-controls-same/

What, a full spec sheet for the Topaz not good enough for you? Fine, Pre Central has managed to dig up another little document from HP's 2010 archives, this one delving into tablet-specific UI elements in webOS. The first notable thing is the inclusion of more sophisticated gesture and tap controls, with double-tap, tap-and-hold, and even two-finger tap-and-drag actions serving some unspecified functions in the tablet version of the software. Tabbed browsing also makes an appearance, alongside an auto-expanding email client and a page-turning element, all of which may or may not be in the final build shipping with the final devices. Until finality is reached, however, the source link is your best buddy.

[Thanks, Ryan]

webOS tablet interface leak suggests new gesture controls, same old good looks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LED headlights can add up to six miles of electric vehicle range

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/led-headlights-can-add-up-to-six-miles-of-electric-vehicle-range/

We've been charting the progression of in-home lighting, CFLs replacing incandescents but themselves slowly walking the path obsolescence as LED bulbs get cheaper and more common. It's much the same on the vehicle lighting front, with LEDs taking over more and more automotive lighting, and now OSRAM Sylvania is giving us another reason to make that happen sooner. LED bulbs can provide the same amount of light as traditional incandescent car bulbs with less than 25 percent the energy draw. On a gas-powered auto that's not such a big deal, where LEDs are being used primarily because of benefits like cooler temps, longer life, and greater stylistic freedom, but on an EV that reduction in current draw can offer as much as a six mile boost in range on a single charge. That may not sound like much, but if you ever run out of juice five miles from home you might just change your mind.

Continue reading LED headlights can add up to six miles of electric vehicle range

LED headlights can add up to six miles of electric vehicle range originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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