Well, leave it up to the western hemisphere to manage to get their hands on the new Dell Mini 5 tablet aka, the Dell Streak. A prototype surfaced on the Shenzhen black market this week and, in one case, is being sold for the equivalent of $1,098. Guarantee that that price is at least double what the retail price will be.
And the specs are the same as they were before: Android 1.6, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 5-inch 800x480 touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3G. Not too big but should run pretty smoothly. What concerns me is the size. 5-inches is too large to really fit easily in your pocket but is too small to be anything more than a web browsing device. I don’t look forward to trying to use the on-screen keyboard on it either.
It’s things like this that make me wish I had access to a “black market.” Of course, legality issues would stop me from purchasing but you know, I like to window shop too. I don’t know, I guess it’s just the mystique of the thing that intrigues me. Oh well. I’ll just have to hope the Streak goes into US production.
Motorola has been suffering ever since its glory days of the RAZR. But with the DROID now boosting sales and another 20 smartphones due out in the coming year, we can only hope that stockholders will turn it around for Motorola.
One of those 20 smartphones, however, might help out the cause. Motorola’s Co-Ceo Sanjay Jha confirmed that one of those smartphones will be partnered with Google. More interestingly, however, not only will it support Android, but it will not be a telco phone, instead sold directly to consumers through Google.
Whether or not this is the rumored Nexus Two enterprise edition that we have heard about is still unknown.
Thats what a leak from a disgruntled ex-employee of Microsoft’s has posted. Basically, it is PDF of a Microsoft Project file with tentative schedules for the release of many new products for the next few years. Now, the leaker, aka Chris Green, has put a fairly large amount of disclaimers on this file so it is not sure how much of this is legitimate fact.
But looking past that, the PDF states that Windows 8 will be released to manufacturing (RTM) on July 1st, 2011. 2011… thats only giving Windows 7 two years in the spotlight. This fact leads me to believe that Windows 8 won’t be a jump like 7 or Vista but rather more of an upgrade.
Along with it are RTM dates for Windows Server 2012 and Office 2012. Both of which fall a year later at July 2nd, 2012. The PDF has many other dates for many other products as well. Things like Visual Studio 2010, Sharepoint 2013, SQL 2011, etc…
So whether these are fake or not, I’ll leave up to you to decide. Tell me your thoughts on this.
Apple’s announcement of the iPad has created quite a stir. Many of us have had the time to reflect on how we might use or not use the new tablet. For a look at two opposing views, I asked our editor Robert Nelson to point/counterpoint with me.
Are you going to get one?
JG: I dont’ think I’ll be getting an iPad. The device is neither my smartphone nor a laptop I can bang out “work” on. I just don’t need an entertainment device that is bigger than my iPhone. Robert: Am I going to get one? I am slightly upset that I cannot place my order, or even a pre-order yet.
The iPad is neither smartphone nor laptop. Debate.
JG: And that is the problem. Apple is really good at taking a popular existing product and making it remarkable. They’ve deviated this formula with Apple TV and now again with the iPad and it might suffer similar consequences. They are trying to find a third screen and beyond my smartphone, laptop and HDTV, I don’t need one. Robert: And that is the reason I want one. I like my smartphone, both the HTC Hero and iPhone 3GS that I use, but there are times when I want to surf on something bigger and do not need or want to use a netbook or laptop. That is where the iPad will fit in. I do agree with JG though, this is not a case of Apple taking an existing product and making it better. Honestly this is not the most appealing tablet right now, but it has the apps.
Are we seeing the future of Mac computers?
JG: The only thing that makes sense to me, other than Apple is out to Kindle-bust, is this is how they see the future of computers. Forget the desktops/laptops, Apple could be creating computers that are on the go. The keyboard intro’d on day one starts to lead me toward that idea. Now maybe thats an idea that could stick, a tablet that is your primary home computer but we’ll need to see more peripherals and ports for that to happen, right? Robert: I hope not. Personally I still use a desktop (iMac) for my primary computing needs. But at the same time could see this replacing my netbook or even a regular laptop, well it could replace them assuming at some point Apple will allow us to run multiple apps.
There was a lot of talk about Apple as a mobile company. Just how mobile is the tablet?
JG: I’ve got issues here. When I am mobile, 95% I am after specific answers, so I grab my phone and get it. When I am in my car and my kids ask for the 987th time, “are we there yet”, my iPhone gets handed back and serenity is restored. For plane trips, my phone (along with a battery backup case, like the one from Energizer) is pulled out for games and movies. It does all these things OK. Not amazing, like the iPad would but OK. Plus, I already have the smartphone with me that can do the job. Robert: I think it will be mobile enough for my needs. As far as around the house use, the iPad will be lightweight and small enough to easily use, say, while lying in bed. As far as being on-the-go, I am certainly not going to be running around the store carrying an iPad like I would my iPhone, but at the same time it would be nice for my kids in the back seat, or my to distract my wife from my crazy driving. I could also see this being added to a gear bag in addition to my netbook, after all its only an extra 1.5 pounds. So, yes, I guess its mobile enough—at least for me.
No Flash means no Hulu
JG: Right now, there is no Flash on the iPad. Adobe seems steamed about it as they have been over the exclusion on the iPhone. Without Flash many of today’s sites, such as Hulu, means we can’t access them. As an entertainment device without Hulu is frustrating. Won’t the JooJoo have Flash? Robert: Flash and Hulu, little loss for me. I would say that people put far more desire into getting Flash support than needed. Sure there are times when I would like to have it, such as when I am trying to follow a link to something, but those are rare for me. No offense to all the Hulu fans, but there are plenty of other ways I can entertain myself.
Summary Just because Robert and I don’t agree doesn’t mean that the iPad will win or lose. We recognize that the product was only demo’d briefly and there are tons of things we don’t know about. Apple has a pretty good way of building enthusiasm before launch and we expect that will happen again. The question is, will it be enough to entice you.
Apart from the fact that the Kingston DataTraveler 5000 comes in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities, this is no ordinary USB flash drive. It comes with a built-in 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption. In the unlikely event that you lose your USB flash drive, it would take ages to crack your data. How hard could it be? For starters, the flash drive is FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified with Level 3 pending, featuring XTS cipher mode and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) algorithms, all approved up to Suite B standards by the U.S. government. I have no idea what I just said, all I know is that your USB flash drive’s data is secure in the hands of the DataTraveler 5000. They’re priced at $111 for 2GB, $185 for 4GB, $231 for 8GB and $400 for 16GB capacities.
With Android finding its way into more mobile devices, Firefox Mobile is now set to conquer Android-powered devices. Apparently, someone at the German Mozilla Community website, camp-firefox.de, announced that the first usable version of Firefox Mobile for Android will be available in February and, coincidentally, the Google Labs site listed a Labs Night meeting on January 26th, where Jay Sullivan (Mozilla VP of Mobile) discussed their mobile strategy and demoed the Firefox for Android beta. The Firefox team had better start working on a functional version of Firefox Mobile for Android now that Android is getting a lot of attention.
FROM APPLETELL - It is probably a good idea to take some steps to protect all of the personal data stored on your iPhone, just in case the device goes AWOL. These apps can help you out. MORE »
Yet another BlackBerry handset has been making the rounds lately, first we saw some leaked images and now we are seeing a brief hands-on video. The handset is the Magnum and has a Bold-like design but also features a touchscreen display
Other features of the BlackBerry Magnum include a microUSB connector, microSD card and a clickable touchscreen display. It was noted as being a cross between the Bold and the Storm. In other words it offers a touchscreen display as well as a full QWERTY keyboard.
Unfortunately, the device that is being shown off in the video is a prototype, and a prototype that does not have a working OS. But at the same time, this video does offer some solid evidence of the upcoming Magnum.
Though nothing has been made official just yet, some are calling for this handset to be announced during Mobile World Congress.
FROM GAMERTELL - The iPad may look like an oversized iPhone but how will it stand up as a game system? Click through for Gamertell’s analysis of the iPad and ow will it will - or will not - work as a game system… MORE »
FROM GAMERTELL - Researchers from Canada’s Queen’s University are developing a way to make interactive board games that might not even require a projector… MORE »
Although much of the Internet is focused on the Apple iPad that is not the only tablet that we are going to see this year. Just recently MSI have announced plans to launch a tablet of their own. The details are still pretty light, but what we can tell you so far sounds good.
The tablet is going to be Tegra-based and is expected to be available later this year. Or a little more specifically, it was noted that it will be available in the second half of 2010. Price wise, MSI are hoping to have it right around the $500 level.
Other details include that it will have a 10-inch color touchscreen display, wireless support and be “light-weight and thin for mobility.” The good part here comes in another statement which came courtesy of MSI sales director Sambora Chen who noted that it will have “all the functions of a regular notebook.” Something we cannot say about the iPad.
FROM GAMERTELL - The already legendary “Immaculate Deflection” owes a debt to the footbal videogames of yesteryear, according to the guy that caught the improbable pass. MORE »
A little bit of good news has come by way of Netflix, well good news for Netflix anyway—it seems they have added 1 million new subscribers in Q4 2009.
And in addition they are now touting a total of 12.3 million subscribers with revenue up and the churn rate down. In short it seems that Netflix is seeing a fair amount of success at the moment.
The revenue was noted as being $444.5 million which was up from the previous quarter. The churn rate was 3.9% for Q4, which was down from 4.2% in the same quarter of the previous year.
Other details that were announced include that more than 48% of their subscribers watched a streaming movie in 2009, which is up from 28% in 2008.
Moving forward into 2010 Netflix expects subscribers to be at 13.5 to 13.8 million by the end of the first quarter and revenue up to somewhere between $490 and $496 million.
A few interesting tidbits in regards to Netflix growth include that it took them 4 years to reach 1 million subscribers and now they have added that in just one quarter. Also, they expect to pay $600 million in postage fees this year alone.
FROM APPLETELL - Apple wasted little time by posting their first iPad walkthrough video, and now you can stream the entire media event of yesterday’s announcement. MORE »
FROM GAMERTELL - A suspect wanted for grand theft auto actually got arrested while playing Grand Theft Auto. No doubt Jack Thompson is en route to the scene… MORE »
In a nice partnership, Evernote has announced that they have partnered with Sony and will have their software pre-installed on VAIO computers.
“We’re thrilled to be working closely with the VAIO Business Group of Sony to bring Evernote to millions of individuals worldwide,” said Phil Libin, CEO of Evernote.
Those purchasing a VAIO computer with Evernote will not only have access to the software, but also a few extra features that are not available on any other Evernote for Windows computer.
The additional features include the ability to create a WebCam note and for customers that purchase a VAIO model that feature the Quick Web Access functionality, they will be able to have that quick launch browser launch with Evernote Web Clipper for quicker clipping and saving.
As far as availability, the Evernote equipped VAIO models will begin to show up in stores in the Spring of 2010.
FROM APPLETELL - Throughout the coming weeks (months and years), there’s going to be plenty of talk about the iPad. TechVI got these conversation going early in a video interview with me and Techmeme’s Rich DeMuru. MORE »
Those looking for a discounted Palm Pre Plus or Pixi Plus may want to listen up for a minute. The deals are coming through Cell Store by way of PreCentral and will let you grab the Pre Plus for $99.99 and the Pixi Plus free of charge. Both prices do require the standard two-year agreement with Verizon and come after instant discounts. In other words—no messy mail-in-rebates. And in addition, there is also free Fed-Ex shipping.
Motorola has been suffering ever since its glory days of the RAZR. But with the DROID now boosting sales and another 20 smartphones due out in the coming year, we can only hope that stockholders will turn it around for Motorola.
With Android finding its way into more mobile devices, Firefox Mobile is now set to conquer Android-powered devices. Apparently, someone at the German Mozilla Community website, camp-firefox.de, announced that the first usable version of Firefox Mobile for Android will be available in February and, coincidentally, the Google Labs site listed a 
Although much of the Internet is focused on the Apple iPad that is not the only tablet that we are going to see this year. Just recently MSI have announced plans to launch a tablet of their own. The details are still pretty light, but what we can tell you so far sounds good.
A little bit of good news has come by way of Netflix, well good news for Netflix anyway—it seems they have added 1 million new subscribers in Q4 2009. 
In a nice partnership, Evernote has announced that they have partnered with Sony and will have their software pre-installed on VAIO computers. 
Those looking for a discounted 
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