Aside from the IdeaPad S9 and S10 netbooks, Lenovo has also launched a new ultra-portable MID called the IdeaPad U8. It runs on an Atom Z500 800MHz processor that’s complemented by a 1GB RAM, a 4.8-inch touch screen, 6GB SSD, Bluetooth, GPS, WiFI, rear and front video camera, EDGE, 3G, CMMB tuner (China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting), and a Linux OS. The U8 was unveiled during the recently concluded Olympics, thus the rationale behind the Olympic-themed rear design.

[via generationmp3]

More pics and details after the break.

According to Yeski.com, it’ll cost 4999 Yuan which is roughly € 500. It certainly isn’t as affordable as the Acer Aspire One, which kind of puts it in a difficulty situation. It’s actually a cross between a laptop and a phone, but doesn’t offer the full functionality of either devices. Now that there are more affordable and likewise portable netbooks are out in the market, who would be enticed to buy this more expensive yet functionally-limited MID? I know I wouldn’t, but that’s just my personal opinion, how about you guys?

DesbloqueioBr was the first iPhone 3G unlocker using a hardware solution - the same solution (reprogrammed SIM card adapter) that first unlocked the iPhone EDGE. The Brazilian hack will not be available for free and we’re looking at a possible $250 to $375 to break free from the debilitating roaming charges of AT&T O2 and other iPhone eclusive distributors. As for the iPhone 2.0 software, we don’t know if the DesbloquieoBr SIM unlocker will do anything to it, though it would be stupid to suggest,  SIM adapter would also open up the software for non-App Store applications.

[via engadget] Continue reading for the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1lQWH24hv4

The trouble is, FuriouSIM has difficulty getting ahold of the new hardware. You heard it right - these SIM magicians couldn’t get their hands on the iPhone 3G. So they are offering new iPhone 3G owners a good deal. Six hundred bucks, if you send them your iPhone. Any takers?

[product via cellphone9]

Apple may opt for P.A. Semi’s super-efficient chip, boasting 300% more power efficiency compared to closest competitors. Dan Dobberpuhl, the founder, as developed a dual 64-bit 2GHz chip powered at 5 to 13 watts. Apple has been in talks with P.A. Semi before they went to put Intel processors on their Macs. Apple has spent $278 million to buy out the company and may be a warning shot to Intel and ARM, the provider of iPhone’s and iPod Touch’s processor. For handhelds P.A. Semi has its work cut out for it. The competition is fierce with ARM boasting a 0.25 watt A9 chip at 1GHz, VIA with a 0.1 watt chip that runs at 500MHz and Intel’s Atom running at 800MHz for .8 watt of power.

[via cellphones]

The Korean company iRiver has been the super star of CES 2008. After introducing a bunch of new models for the US market, it’s not much of a stretch to call iRiver the Nokia of the PMP industry. The new iRiver P20, SPINN, M20 and LPlayer reminds us slightly of Nokia’s Nseries phones. Closer even than the aforementioned iRiver models, the Unit II (Unit2) is the very definition of convergence. The 7-inch monitor is a touch screen and communicates with the media center base wirelessly. It’s got everything, Web connectivity, VoIP, multimedia playback and a camera - we mentioned it was a 1.3 megapixel lens but as the guy in the video mentions, they can add a lens with a higher megapixel count on the product they’ll eventually sell. The remote opens up to reveal a keypad and also works as an IP phone when folded. It’s cheap for $700. Unfortunately, it will be available in Korea late 2008 and in the US in early 2009.

[source]

Apple’s decision to put multi-touch technology on its first phone certainly paid dividends. So why not put the technology on a MacBook? Before we start looking into the not-too distanct future (MacWorld 2008 begins in a few days), here’s a company in Taiwan showing off its multi-touch innovation in Las Vegas.

The laptop is an old and bulky Asus and though the screen remains the origial LCD that came with the computer, the trackpad has been modded to support multi-touch. You can resize, rotate and do other nifty stuff using two fingers. Taiwan’s Elantech calls this “Multi-fingers Smart Pad.”

[via cellphones.ca]

Sandisk has officially announced a 32GB version of the Sansa View. This will, hopefully, set the Sansa View apart i the highly competitive PMP market. The 8GB and 16GB Sansa View will still be available for an MSRP of $149.99 $199.99 respectively. The 32GB Sansa View it will be available in February in the United States with an MSRP of $349.99.

Even more interesting is Sandisk’s new 12GB microSDHC. It’s the largest capacity microSD for mobile phones. Sandisk believes that removable storage will be increasingly important in an industry that loves more and more features on mobile phones. The Sandisk microSD is capable of storing 1,500 songs , 3,600 photos and 24.5 hours of video together. No pricing yet.

Microvision’s portable projector cannot be mounted on Motorola phone just yet. Nevertheless, the company has a PDA-sized gadget that’ll wow the ants off industry insiders at the Consumer Electronics Show. The device is aptly code-named SHOW and it will be capable of projecting a 12 to 100-inch 848 x 480-pixel WVGA image for 2.5 hours.

We have no idea when Microvision can put this PicoP mini-projector technology on cellphones and PMPs, but until then it looks a tad boring to me. Not to mention, too businesslike.

[via engadget]

This time it’s not just software anymore but hardware as well. To be honest, a hand held designed specifically for gaming has always been a good idea. With hardware like this, Nokia couldn’t expect very challenging games to be played on its handsets - but with retractable grips for both hands, the Finnish company might just start to dream of taking the mobile gaming industry by storm. The only problem with the drawing above are the cross keys on the right hand side. Can’t Nokia’s designers come up with a sleeker button configuration?

[via mobilemag]

Suddenly Asus little 7-inch-screen laptop becomes as cool as the iPhone. Just owning an Eee PC already makes you as cool as an iPhone owner, so it is only fitting that someone modded an Eee PC to have a touch screen. This particular mod works very well on an Eee PC running Windows XP. Firefox browsing is fast working both for finger and stylus input. Price tag is $60 for the car touch screen (eBay) on top of the price of the galaxy Eee PC. The car screen is actually terrific and seems impregnable.

[jkkmobile via engadget]