Hasta La Gadget!

It’s pretty clear NVIDIA already has some big plans for its new nettop / netbook-specific Ion platform, and it looks like its reach is about to get broader still, with company president Jen-Hsun Huang reportedly confirming that the platform will also support VIA’s Nano processor by the end of the year. As you may recall, the two companies had been in off and on talks about a partnership last year before things finally fell though in November, and there was even a point where it seemed like NVIDIA might actually acquire VIA. No word from Intel on this latest development, although it doesn’t seem like it’ll be affecting the Atom’s status as the go-to processor in the short term. There’s also unfortunately no indication as to exactly what sort of VIA-powered, Ion-based systems we can expect to see, although it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if they followed the Ion / Atom combo and went with a nettop first.

[Via GadgetMix.com]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

NVIDIA Ion platform to support VIA Nano processors this year originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nano-sized letters are one thing, but nothing impresses the nanotechnology community like creepy crawly nanotech, and some researchers from Rice University look to have fully delivered on that point with their latest so-called “nanocar.” At about two nanometers in length, the new nanocar apparently doesn’t represent a drastic reduction in size over the previous incarnation, but it does have the notable advantage of being able to “travel” across surfaces at room temperature (a temperature of 200° Celsius was required before). Interestingly, that breakthrough was actually discovered by accident, and was later able to be confirmed using a mix of time-lapse photography and a new tracking algorithm. As you might have guessed, however, they’re still quite a ways away from being able to actually control the car, although the researchers say using six wheels instead of four could help with that, as could tracks to keep ’em going in one direction.

[Via DailyTech]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Rice University rolls out new and improved “nanocar” originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eager to get your digits onto an NC20 keyboard? Sadly, we can’t help you there, but we can point out something to whet your appetite until shipment day dawns. Samsung’s UK branch has hosted up the NC20 user manual, and while it doesn’t really offer too many nuggets that we weren’t already aware of, it still proves that this here netbook will arrive with the oh-so-promising 1.3GHz VIA Nano U225 CPU. Additionally, you’ll find a 12.1-inch WXGA display (1,280 x 800), VIA Chrome 9 HC3 graphics, a multicard reader, Ethernet / USB 2.0 ports, optional WiFi / Bluetooth and your choice of HDD or SSD. Check out the links below for more on the hardware details and a new load of press shots, and start saving you pennies now, ’cause early estimates put this one at around $500 or so.

[Via NotebookItalia]

Filed under: Laptops

Samsung publishes NC20 user manual, new images surface originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We had a chance to sit down with VIA’s VP of sales and marketing, Richard Brown, earlier today to discuss the finer points of the company’s position in the marketplace. While it was a intriguing conversation (mostly about the state of netbook and smartphone CPUs in 2009), our eye was caught by a prototype netbook he’d brought with him. The ‘book in question is a Nano-driven model that will be sold under the “Dr. Mobile” brand name and dubbed the “FreeStyle.” The system boasts a 1.3GHz CPU (which can be clocked to 1.6GHz), runs atop the VX800 chipset, features an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display, a proper trackpad with two real buttons, and sports 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, and optional onboard mobile broadband. Besides having a truly healthy amount of screen real estate for such a small display, the laptop was surprisingly stylish and lightweight — a welcome change from the stream of generic netbooks we’ve seen as of late. The company expects it to clock in at $500 when it hits around February, and says that the CPU outperforms similarly-spec’d Atom chips, with decent support for Vista. We should see a working model on the floor at CES, so keep your eyes peeled for a followup. For now, enjoy the hands-on!

Filed under: Laptops

Nano-powered “FreeStyle” netbook hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adding to a small stack of rumors about a supposed iPhone nano, case-maker Vaja today quietly added the category to its website (pictured after the break). Frankly, we’re not sure what to think. There are a number of ways in which Apple could produce a cheaper phone or alter its subsidy deals, so the idea of an iPhone that’s simply smaller makes very little sense. Yet, here we are showing off the site of a reputable accessory manufacturer with a brand new phone listed — ostensibly just a teensy version of the iPhone 3G. Of course, this is probably just rumor, speculation, lies, corruption, signs of an unquenchable thirst for power, and a glimpse at the machinations behind one of the greatest conspiracies mankind has ever known. So, we’re posing the question to the biggest brains of all: the Engadget reader. Is Apple working on an iPhone nano?

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Continue reading What is the deal with the iPhone nano?

Filed under: Cellphones

What is the deal with the iPhone nano? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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