Smart phones

Cottage is a process, a region in the early stages of an industry can achieve very effective results, all heavy criticism of the cottage a few years ago mobile phones, now that sounds much better on smaller, because the cottage phone not only to the Shenzhen Electronics product development, but also the whole mobile industry, lower retail prices, to benefit the consumers.
“If this product does not infringe the intellectual property, innovation, and price has been accepted by all, that it reflects the needs of the market.” Provincial Information Office yesterday held the conference, Provincial Intellectual Property Office Tao Kaiyuan, introduced the Intellectual Property Protection in Guangdong last year, will also address representatives of States Consulate Zhusui reporter’s question. April 26 is World Intellectual Property Day. Tao Kaiyuan, said in 2009, the Guangdong side to create outstanding achievements in intellectual property rights, a number of indicators ranked first in the country.
Tao Kaiyuan, said the province last year, and granting patent applications were 126,000 and 84,000, of which invention patent application and granting were 32,000 and 11,000, both ranked first in the nation. In addition, new well-known trademarks in 2009 Guangdong 54, totaled 192, continue to rank first.
Intellectual property protection in Guangdong has achieved remarkable results in the same time, many local enterprises are also growing awareness of rights protection. Wang Jing, Guangdong Province Higher People’s Court on behalf of the consuls, last year the hospital received a total of 660 foreign-related intellectual property cases, of which nearly half of the cases is the right person to initiate proceedings as a plaintiff.
Canton Fair has just concluded the first phase, there are customers find the exhibition hall there are many “cottage” products such as cottage IPA D and so on. A reporter’s question, how should this look? Tao Kaiyuan answer, intellectual property rights in the Canton Fair is a very important element. “The ‘cottage’ products, any infringement of intellectual property, we must resolutely combat, but for the infringement and those who do not have innovation, we should encourage.”
Tao Kaiyuan, that those who do not violate the law, the price has been accepted by the public so-called “cottage” products, is a market demand. “However, for enterprises, long term, the product must be revitalized to rely on innovation, simply by imitating the development is undesirable.”

The WePad is an 11.6 inch tablet computer running Google Android with a highly polished custom user interface. And it’s kind of everything the Apple iPad isn’t. The WePad has a high resolution 1366 x 768 pixel display, USB ports, support for Adobe Flash, HDMI output, and a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor and Broadcom Crystal HD video accelerator for handling HD video playback.

Unfortunately when Germany company Neofonie launched the tablet a few weeks ago, the only prototype on hand was showing a video demo of the user interface instead of running the actual software that’s supposed to ship with the WePad. So Neofonie produced a new video showing he UI in action. And now the company has gone a few steps further by inviting a handful of tech journalists back to get a closer look at the WePad.

After the break you can find hands-on videos from Android Pit and Netbook News.de.

Unfortunately all of the videos are in German. But there’s a good 35 minutes of footage showing that the WePad really does work the way it’s supposed to.

The home screen is full of widgets for Facebook, Google, and other services. I’m particularly impressed with the sidebar where you can scroll your finger to change your position on the home screen to see different widgets.

Neofonie has also added a series of promotional photos of the tablet to its web site, including the one above. You can find more at WePad.mobi.

Asus is expected to launch a new 12.1 inch notebook with an Intel Atom processor and NVIDIA ION graphics next month. It’s called the Eee PC 1201PN and it will be one of the first machines with NVIDIA’s next-generation ION graphics and a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor. But if you were holding out for a dual core version, it looks like you might not have to wait that long. Notebook Italia reports that Asus will launch another model called the Eee PC 1215N in June, with a dual core Intel Atom N500 processor and NVIDIA ION graphics.

There’s not a lot of information available about the 1215N at this point. But it will reportedly support NVIDIA Optimus technology which allows the computer to automatically switch between the NVIDIA high performance graphics card and the integrated Intel GMA 3150 graphics depending on what programs you’re running. This helps prolong battery life while giving you a performance boost when you need it.

French site Blogee reports that NVIDIA Optimus technology will not be available in the Eee PC 1201PN with its single-core Atom chip, despite earlier reports suggesting it would.

Update: Hardware Zone reports that the Eee PC 1201PN will be available with several different single and dual core Atom chips… but that the reason it won’t support Optimus is that Asus wants to have one of the first next-gen ION notebooks on the market. It’s not clear if that means Optimus isn’t ready for prime time yet, or if there just hasn’t been time to implement it properly.

Hardware Zone also suggests that Optimus won’t work with any computer running Windows 7 Starter Edition, but I haven’t heard of any computers slated to ship with Windows 7 Starter and NVIDIA ION graphics, so the point is probably moot.

Synaptics has introduced technology to support multitouch touchpads on systems running Linux. Up until now, Synaptics drivers were available primarily for Windows systems with supported touchpads. But the Synaptics Gesture Suite Linux (SGS-L) is available for a variety of Linux distributions including Fedora, Millos Linpus, Red Flag, SUSE, Ubuntu, and Xandros. Synaptics says Google Chrome OS and other operating systems built on Linux should also be supported.

The gesture suite includes multitouch gestures including pinching to zoom, twisting to rotate, and using two fingers to scroll.

This doesn’t mean you can simply download the SGS-L and install it on your notebook though. At least not yet. Synaptics is making the software available for free to OEM and ODM partners that purchase Synaptics TouchPads and ClickPads for use in their computers and other products. The idea is that consumers will be able to purchase notebooks that ship with Linux which already have multitouch gesture support out of the box.

I doubt it will take too long before we start to see Linux distributions start to incorporate the technology though. If that happens, you might be able to purchase a notebook with Windows, install a Linux distribution such as Fedora or Ubuntu yourself, and find that it supports multitouch out of the box. But I don’t think we’re there quite yet

Microsoft released in May last year, the final preview version of Windows 7 (hereinafter referred to RC version), the number of users have downloaded a trial. But from this month, the installation Windows7 RC version of the computer will be forced to restart once every 2 hours, and the restart will not be saved when the user opens the document.

At the same time, Microsoft said will be July 13 this year, the termination of all versions of XP SP2, and Win2000 systems technical support. To industry sources, Microsoft’s “Genuine Raiders” role is emerging, as an ordinary user, the genuine system, Windows 7 appears to be the only option.

Microsoft previously released in accordance with the timetable, from March 1 this year, the last year, download Windows7 RC version of the user can not continue to function normally Trial RC version of the operating system. Once the user continue to use, the word computer will reboot every 2 hours once, and will not restart automatically save the user opens the document. However, if the user stand it restart your computer frequently, you can continue to use Windows7 RC version in June of this year.

Microsoft said users can try Windows7 RC version until this year in June. In June this year, after the installation Windows7 RC version of the computer will boot to black; the same time, the desktop will show a Windows Activation window, informing users of the system is not genuine software. “This is a good reminder for the user to encourage them to use genuine software.” Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said Simon Leung.

Genuine strategy in the Windows 7, when in full swing, including the Windows XP system, including some of the old models have had to risk being left behind end. Microsoft said this year, starting April 13, Microsoft officials will not be without service pack for Windows Vista version provides weekly security update, any exposed security vulnerabilities in a timely manner will not be officially released patch, Vista SP1, SP2 users will not be affected temporarily. This year’s July 13, Microsoft will end all versions of WindowsXP SP2, and Win2000 systems technical support.

Experts believe that the termination of services, though does not affect the normal use by users, but the security of the system is not effectively protected.

Apple Tuesday announced that its Google Nexus One smart phone manufacturer HTC to prosecute accused the Taiwanese manufacturers have violated 20 iPhone (mobile Internet) patents.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement, we can stand by and observe our competitors stealing our patented inventions, or we could have done something. We have decided to do something to this. We believe that competition is healthy. However, the competition should create its own original technology, not to steal our technology.

Apple’s alleged violation of HTC’s user interface with the iPhone, infrastructure and hardware related to the 20 patents.

Apple said that the litigation to the United States District Court in Delaware, and proposed to the United States International Trade Commission filed a complaint.

Since the 2007 launch of Apple’s iPhone has already sold more than 4,000 million of these handsets.

HTC for many major mobile phone manufacturers are Apple’s competitors, Google in January of this year launched Nexus One mobile phone manufacturers.

Nokia, Apple is currently being prosecuted, accused of violating a patent. Apple has brought counter-claims in this lawsuit.

Dell decided to suspend the closure of the United States, North Carolina, Winston - Salem (Winston-Salem) in a desktop assembly plant project.

As a series of cost-cutting part of the plan, the plant scheduled to shut down last month, but Dell has now said that as market conditions improved, the plant’s closing time will be postponed at least until July of this year. Dell has previously decided to postpone the closing time in April.

The plant was put into use in 2005, the peak period, a total of 1,100 employees. Dell Inspiron 1721 battery cuts in November last year, half of the factory employees, laid off about 500 people. As the world’s third-largest computer maker, Dell employees in Texas, the total number of the central region up to 1.6 million people.

Dell reported a recently released, the company ended January 31, within the fiscal fourth quarter profit of 334 million U.S. dollars, 14.9 billion U.S. dollars to achieve revenue; the same period last fiscal year profit of 351 million U.S. dollars, 13.4 billion U.S. dollars to achieve revenue .

Released last week, thanks to Apple iPad, Tablet PC’s future products that have once again become a hot market. Bill Gates (Bill Gates) as early as 2001 on the Tablet PC is expected to replace the laptop.

Now, other PC makers hope that they can eventually create a market for this technology.

However, Apple accounted for the market focus, Hewlett-Packard are also exploiting Windows-based system, Slate has attracted a lot of attention, but Dell has taken a different approach.

Has been since early January, Dell has been demonstrating its Mini 5; The touch-screen device than the Apple and HP’s product size should be small. This product looks like an oversized iPhone, using Google’s Android operating system. Dell said that, Mini 5 will be on sale later this year. Dell’s vice president for mobile products Yuehansuode (John Thode) has been trying for two years proved, already has a smartphone and notebook computers to consumers will be willing to buy what computing products.

Dell really has been carrying out consumer surveys to arrive at their conclusions. Sood said: “Consumers want the product price can not be expensive and appearance must be thin, have to have a longer battery life time.” What is surprising is the market already has products that meet this criteria: Automotive navigation equipment. But the navigation equipment does not have the Internet access conditions.

Sood said that Dell is very optimistic about the prospects for portable Internet access devices, because they think that such products can be staggered with the Apple iPhone or a tablet PC competition. With the mobile phone tariff and PC hardware prices continue to decline, it seems there is a low-cost Internet access product market.

Sood said that Dell is now introduced a new flat-panel products, Apple’s competitors will have more market space; he did not think the original iPhone Apple iPad able to obtain the kind of fanaticism market reaction. He said, iPhone’s success is difficult to once again performed a miracle, Apple will face more competition this time.

However, he predicted the development prospects of flat-panel market cautious. Sood said: “If someone tells you they know exactly the future market, then they were either Apple, or is bragging.”

1, web browsing insufficiency

While Apple CEO Steve Jobs (Steve Jobs) was not revealed at the press conference, but the iPad browser does not support Flash, which makes a lot of sites can not be displayed correctly on the iPad. Even if not entirely dependent on Flash, but many popular websites will continue to use Flash to build a number of elements, so iPad browsing these Web sites can not display all the contents. This problem can not be ignored.

2, does not support multi-tasking

If you wish to use iWork office is also able to surf the web, it will certainly be disappointed, because this function can not be achieved iPad. Jobs also did not mention at the press conference iPad does not support multi-tasking. In the area of today’s tablet PCs, multi-tasking is not only a demand can even say that is a must.

3, can not output video

Despite the iPad known to support HD content through iTunes, but after reading iPad will be found that the product is not equipped with video output interface. This allows users to high-definition TV or monitor can not watch video content. So far, iPad video capabilities still seems to rely on iTunes to achieve.

Four, can not print documents

When a user receives important files on the Mac and want to print it out, just click the “Print” button can be realized. However, iPad does not provide this feature. While Apple iPad positioned between a iPhone (mobile Internet), and notebooks between the products, but this Tablet PC can not connect to other devices print jobs. The lack of this feature would make many people hesitant to buy when the iPad.

5, the lack of DVD or Blu-ray drive

iPad is not equipped with CD-ROM. Indeed, iPad is a mobile device is not ready to replace the computer. However, Apple still use them as an entertainment device to promote, in that case, naturally should be provided to facilitate the playback of movies or television.

6, Starter Edition is not meaningful to

Many people believe that the minimum price of 499 U.S. dollars is reasonable enough to attract consumers to buy iPad. But to note that 499 U.S. dollars in iPad Starter Edition does not include 3G modules, and storage space is only 16GB. This product is only applicable to those who use the iPad at home and do not store too much content users, but the positioning of iPad is a portable entertainment device. If the lack of 3G connectivity, and storage space is only 16GB, it can not provide a rich mobile entertainment experience.

7, reading experience poor

As the iPad did not use E-Ink technology or OLED display, it can not be achieved a long time to read, but reading it is Apple’s critically-acclaimed feature. Indeed, iPad technology allows users to view color books, but more suitable for E-Ink e-reader, because the technology can mimic the real books, but also to read a long time without fatigue. With the iPad reading on the iPhone is like the queen, like reading, for most readers, this is not the best experience.

8, does not support USB devices

While Jobs said, iPad is equipped with many built-in feature, but users still inevitably have to add some peripherals. Because not equipped with USB and FireWire interfaces, it is difficult to add peripherals. Although Apple says it can use peripherals through an external base, but users must have another reason to buy products. Does not support the USB interface is Apple committed a big mistake.

9, application compatibility, good

Apple spent a lot of time to developers to demonstrate the application of iPad operation. Apple even said that, iPhone application store without modification of existing products can be run on the iPad. Nevertheless, iPhone applications still need to be upgraded to be able to adapt to iPad larger screen. This is disappointing.

10, is expected to show a better alternative

Steve Jobs said at the press conference, iPad is a revolutionary product. But through further investigation we can easily find that this is only a queen-size iPod Touch only. More importantly, Dell, HP and other vendors in this area is likely to launch better products. Apple certainly do not want users to know this, but when the user is not aware of iPad best of tablet PCs on the market, there may be a surprise.

U.S. market research company Retrevo Pulse’s consumer survey found that U.S. consumers a new Apple Tablet PC iPad little interest in buying a lot of potential consumers now feel that they do not need this Tablet PC.

Retrevo on January 16 to January 20 Apple iPad released before and 27 January to 3 February, after Apple released this product, random survey of more than 1,000 Retrevo users. The results showed that in Apple’s iPad before the release, 48% said they had heard of this product, but 26% of the people that there is no interest in buying. In Apple’s January 27 release of this product, 80% said they know the iPad, but 52% said they do not intend to buy.

Retrevo also asked consumers to Apple’s iPad before and after the introduction of the need for tablet PCs. The results showed that, Apple released iPad before, 49% of respondents said they do not need Tablet PCs, while Apple after the release of this data into a 61%.

The survey also showed that 59% of consumers unwilling to pay an extra 130 U.S. dollars for the iPad with 3G Internet access, only 12% of people expressed their willingness to add money to buy the 3G functionality.