Well, here’s something you don’t see every day: Intel’s got a concept laptop here at IDF that features three OLED touchscreens below the 15-inch screen. In keeping with the hype of the moment, the primary idea is to run widgets and other passive apps on the little screens, but they’re actually integrated with the main screen, so you can flick content up to view it full-size, and even use the mouse to interact with the widgets instead of your fingers. It’s definitely cool, but it’s also definitely a little odd in practice — although Intel says they’re talking to OEMs, things will have to be significantly refined before this can hit production. More pics in the gallery, video after the break.
SAN FRANCISCO — Intel showed off a spiffy new version of Moblin, a Linux operating system designed for mobile gadgets. Initially targeted at netbooks, Intel has now hinted that it will extend the system’s reach to mobile phones.
Intel started the Moblin initiative last year in a bid to maximize the potential of netbooks and other devices that use the company’s Atom processor. But this is the first time that it has shown how the operating system, which is built on a Linux core, will appear to users.
“Moblin will be ready in time when Moorestown (the successor to the current Atom platform) ships next year,” Paul Otellini, CEO of Intel told developers at the Intel Developer Forum, an Intel-hosted conference, on Tuesday.
Although Intel did not explicitly say it was planning a smartphone version of Moblin, the company showed a screenshot of the Moblin user interface (above) with phonelike functionality such as notification for missed calls.
Moblin’s user interface is reminiscent of the recently launched Android phone from Motorola, the Cliq. Moblin brings together updates from social networking sites, the browser, news, calendar and phone call updates into a single screen called Myzone.
The social network aggregation idea is one that has become extremely popular among smartphone makers. With the Pre, Palm was the first handset manufacturer to meld contacts, e-mail and social networking information into a single interface. Since then, Motorola and the HTC Hero have adopted a similar approach.
Intel initially aimed Moblin at netbooks, which largely run Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system. But with Moblin potentially running on mobile phones, Intel is walking into an extremely competitive segment. Last year, Google launched Android, an open source mobile operating system built on the Linux kernel. Android is fast becoming a favorite among handset makers such as HTC and Motorola.
So far, Intel doesn’t have a processor for smartphones. But the company has ambitions to get into that fast-growing market. Earlier this year, Intel said it is working with LG to create a new line of smartphone-like internet devices based on the Moorestown platform and the Moblin operating system. The two companies plan to release the device next year.
Meanwhile, Intel’s Moblin developers have been moving forward with their new OS. In January, they released an alpha version of Moblin, with which interested users could test multiple levels of the core Linux operating system including the boot process, connectivity, networking manager and user interface development tools.
At its developer conference Tuesday, Intel showed a slick interface that seemed to be designed to work well with both touchscreen and standard displays. Moblin screens will have a top bar with access to seven broad categories including applications such as a calendar, e-mail, browser as well as online connectivity options and a world clock.
Moblin is designed for multitasking, says Intel. So if a call comes up during web browsing, the interface allows users to switch easily to another application, such as the camera or a map program.
The latest demo is the first sign that Moblin could become a rival to Android and even the iPhone. But with no devices in the market yet that use the operating system, Moblin remains a dream for Intel.
We know, we know — you’re probably still waiting for the Apple tablet that’ll never come, but how’s about a prototype alternative from said outfit’s arch enemy to tide you over? Gizmodo has just let slip details surrounding what was previously a top secret project deep within the lairs of Redmond, but given that this is more of an advanced proof of concept than anything else, we’re doing our best to curb our inner enthusiasm about a near-term release. We’re told that the folding device could eventually ship with dual 7-inch displays, both of which support multitouch gestures and can also be controlled via a stylus. It should too boast a camera and possibly an inductive charging pad on the rear, though we can’t help but be a wee bit frightened by hearing that the user interface is “complex.” Essentially, the Courier is a touch-friendly, two-screen tablet that can’t let go of the tried-and-true pen input method, and your guess is as good as ours when it comes to purpose. Though, something tells us ASUS might just have the answer. Video’s after the break.
While the world eagerly awaits Apple’s fabled touchscreen tablet, Microsoft has unveiled one of its own. It’s called Courier.
The Courier, still in late-prototype stages of development, is a dual-screen device that folds like a booklet. It features dual 7-inch multitouch screens connected by a hinge. The interface is designed to detect finger gestures as well as a stylus for writing, flicking and drawing.
Microsoft introduced the gadget at Gizmodo Gallery in New York. Gizmodo has the full scoop, including a video and more images.
Keep in mind, however, that this is a prototype device, and unless Microsoft confirms it will be an official product, we might not even see one in stores. If it becomes official, it could be a long time till we can actually buy one. Still, this is exciting stuff.
It was the best of ideas. It was the worst of ideas. It was the age of innovation. It was the age of stagnation. It was the epoch of developing a bold new computing platform. It was the epoch of churning out another piece of converged electronics nobody needs.
Rumors have been swirling that PC operating system heavyweights Apple and Microsoft are developing forays into the world of tablet computing. Such devices will face strong competition from netbooks featuring low prices and a large library of applications remains to be seen. Two new entrants to the hardware world, the CrunchPad and Always Innovating’s Touch Book, have already begun panning for gold with their Linux-based tablets. However, the waters are now attracting larger rivals designing tablets powered by Microsoft operating systems, albeit different ones.
Entering one of the few new categories at IFA earlier this month, Toshiba announced the JournE Touch, a 7″ touch-enabled tablet running Windows CE designed for addressing the usual range of converged device chores, including accessing social networks and content playback, but there are a few tricks up its slender sleeve.
It feels like the whole world is holding its breath for the Apple tablet. But maybe we’ve all been dreaming about the wrong device. This is Courier, Microsoft’s astonishing take on the tablet.
Courier is a real device, and we’ve heard that it’s in …
Hardly any laptop computers come without built-in wireless nowadays. However, if yours lacks Wi-Fi, or if you want to quickly upgrade to Wireless-N without something sticking out of the USB port, Trendnet has something to offer you.
The TEW-648UB Wireless-N USB adapter from Trendnet
You want to go green, you really do. And you’ve taken the steps to take your carbon footprint from Sasquatch-sized to ballerina-slipper tiny by cutting transcontinental flights, separating green and brown glass, even outfitting your home with fluorescent lights. But what about gadgets? We’ve got you covered. Be it transportation, recreation or energy calibration, Wired.com has reviewed five pieces of tech that’ll get you greener than a St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Ford scored a direct hit on the Camry Hybrid, topping the Toyota by 5 mpg, and almost took down the 41-mpg Honda Insight. But as Ford was shooting for fuel efficiency, it didn’t forget a car should be fun to drive and a joy to use. On that score, the Fusion excels. It combines excellent fit and finish with smooth driving dynamics in a handsome mid-size sedan that also happens to get excellent mileage.
The beauty of Ford’s hybrid system is it has none of the shudder or lag often experienced in hybrids when the electric motor hands off propulsion to the gasoline engine. It’s seamless, as is the electronic continuously variable transmission. Ford muttered something about “proprietary” when we asked how it pulled that off, then mentioned the terms “variable cam timing” and “variable voltage converter” before saying it had nothing more to say.
WIRED: European styling meets Japanese fuel economy in an American car built in Mexico. Go as fast as 47 mph on electric power. Clever dashboard makes hypermiling fun. More gadgets than Best Buy, and they’re all useful.
TIRED: Battery eats up trunk space. Climate control knobs are so low you’ve got to take your eyes off the road. Why is the light switch on the dash, not the turn signal stalk?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
