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Dell’s first entry into the Tablet PC market will command big bucks

Nearly seven months after the Latitude XT was first shown to the world, Dell is finally making its first Tablet PC available to consumers. Dell says that its new 3.53-pound Latitude XT is a ground-breaking device and is among the thinnest and lightest in its class.

The 12.1″ Latitude XT has both pen and capacitive touch technology. Capacitive touch allows users to manipulate items on the screen without the need to apply pressure directly to the display.

Click for more on Dell Announces $2,499 Latitude XT Tablet PC »

The first tablet by top enterprise PC maker Dell could be a step toward bringing tablets from their traditional markets into the mainstream.

After an article appeared on the Engadget Web site Dec. 6, a Dell spokesperson confirmed that the PC vendor will unveil its new tablet offering—the Latitude XT—at a Dec. 11 event.

In May, Dell first revealed through its Direct2Dell blog that it would offer a convertible tablet PC by year’s end that would be geared for the enterprise and several vertical markets, including health care and education.

Click for more on Dell Tablet News Leaks Out »

The oft-rumoured Apple Tablet PC is actually very real, and on its way soon.

CNET claims to have spoken to an anonymous tipster at Asus who claims to be working with Apple to produce the tablet. ‘We’re guessing it’ll be based on Intel Core architecture, a tweaked version of Leopard, and have all the multi-touch, CoverFlow goodness we’ve seen in the iPhone and iPod touch.

Click for more on Asus Insider Claims Apple Tablet Is Real »

Microsoft Corp., facing new competition from Apple Inc., is working with sellers of its Windows Mobile phones to cut prices below $100.

AT&T Inc. began offering the 3125 Windows Mobile model for $49.99. Another phone will go on sale for less than $100 next month, Microsoft said, declining to name the company selling the device.

Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, competes with Apple and Symbian Ltd. in developing phones that handle e- mail and surf the Internet. More consumers are buying such devices, so-called smart phones, which had been the domain of corporate customers. As competition grows, Microsoft is cutting prices to appeal to a broader range of shoppers.

Click for more on Microsoft, Facing iPhone Challenge, Plans Phones for Under $100 »

Google has released a new version of its Gmail for mobile application, which works on most phones that are Java ME enabled as well as BlackBerry devices.

The new version is faster than before (30% faster overall and 80% faster for some tasks), consumes a lot less data and boasts a fair bit of new features. The latter includes a contacts viewer, an outgoing mail footer, click-to-call phone numbers, emails that are saved for later re-editing and Gmail keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks faster (on phones with full keyboards). The list sure sounds like a lot of useful features have been added without slowing down the program; has anyone tried the new version and begs to differ?

Mozilla is ramping up efforts to bring Internet and software platforms to cell phones, including a mobile version of Firefox.

Mozilla VP of engineering Mike Schroepfer wrote in his official company blog this week that Mozilla is expanding its mobile presence because the time and place are finally right.

Click for more on Mozilla makes headway in mobile browser market »

A summary of Windows XP power schemes as they relate to Intel processor throttling. Old topic, but one still relevant as many business notebooks still use XP.

In Windows XP, you can access the power profiles by going to Control Panel -> Power Options -> Power Schemes. There are a number of Windows XP built-in power schemes and from this user interface, it’s easy to assume that’s the only difference between each of the power schemes, but in truth there are hidden meanings to each setting when it comes to how the processor is programmed to react to different loads (computing tasks).

Click for more on Processor Throttling In Windows XP »

Microsoft rebuts talk at DiskCon that current Vista drivers must be improved for hybrid drives to work better.

Microsoft on Sept. 21 denied claims by hard drive industry executives and analysts that the world’s largest software company isn’t providing optimized drivers for the new hybrid drives about to come into the market.

Click for more on Microsoft: Vista Supports Hybrid Storage Drives »

With a planned $5 billion dollar build-out by Sprint, a growing ecosystem of WiMax device manufacturers, and some progress on the interoperability and standard fronts, the wireless technology is about to go public in a big way, according to the chipmaker.

We’ve been hearing about it for years, especially from Intel. WiMax will bring “true mobile connectivity.” WiMax will be a superior fourth generation network. WiMax will deliver broadband wireless internet service at speeds five times faster than 3G networks. And yet, despite all these promises, the mobile standard (IEEE 802.16) has remained a hyped concept instead of a viable option for the public at large.

Click for more on Intel: WiMax Equipment by Next Year »

A team of UK researchers is combining the power of social network Facebook with communications tool Bluetooth to learn more about human interactions.

Users register with the Facebook tool, called Cityware, that tracks encounters in the real world via Bluetooth. The project, which is backed by Nokia, HP Labs and Vodafone.

Researcher said:

“The really nice thing about Bluetooth is that when you are walking down the street, although you are not talking to anyone, your Bluetooth device can be talking to other devices.”

The team is also working on an application for virtual world Second Life.

Source: BBC News