Knight's List

Netbooks, iPhones and Laptops.. all the same?

2008-10-27T05:25:00.000-07:00

Interesteing article or rather response to a posting on NewMobileComputing.com. It raises the question of what's the dividing line between the laptop, netbook and even iPhone. As I've observed before, it depends on who's asking the question and what they're looking for. Packaging these devices with certain software and maketing them to a specific audience can increase the profitability, but at the heart, as the writer points out, with the right software (moslty available for FREE) any of these devices can be a phone, personal media player, email station, etc. This starts to push the marketers of these devices in interesting directions.. is there a killer app? killer design for a target group? Hook them with that "one thing" and don't sweat the rest... they can download what you're not offering in the bundle. Just hope they're making money off the hardware or the app store.

Asus EEE Top... Video/walk though

2008-10-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

Full walk through of the new Asus EEE Top

It's got a nice 15" screen and a simplied Windows UI. I like HP's UI adds better.. come to think about it.. would be nice of the sold them to non HP users. HINT HINT.
[via Gizmodo]

Microsoft Consumer "Surface" Table Coming Soon?

2008-10-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

From the article, it appears a consumer priced and focused touch table is in the works. Finally. Although my home built kitchen table version will be larger, I still think this is cool.

[via Gizmodo]

OLO, iPhone powered Netbook

2008-10-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, I love this idea.. this connects to the old Brick PC concept and few others that have been floating around for a while.
Combine a Netbook and make the storage and UI of an iPhone integral to the whole experience...
Very cool. One problem... everytime Apple changes the physical specs of the iPhone, you have to change laptops?

More..
I think the concept is valid. People are investing in these devices (iPhone, etc..) and could leverage it..

http://olo-computer.com/
[via Gizmodo]

Asus Touchscreen

2008-10-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

Asus finally announces a touchscreen, a ~$700 device - 1.6Mhz Intel Atom, 1GB RAM, 150GB HD, 15 screen (interesting), XP. The look at feel looks... very homey... as in not corporate, not business... .maybe... more home.. kitchen use...

The UI isn't going for the HP slick look but it looks like they've taken a riff on their Splashtop quick boot Linux OS. from the pic is still looks like this is a front-end on top of XP.

[via Gizmodo]

Motive Aquired by Alcatel-Lucent

2008-10-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

My old Austin company (I was employee #46) Motive was bought by Alcatel-Lucnet.
They're the hardware/software company that sells commercial and residential solutions for digital communication. Also the makers of TikiTag!

Projected menus @ restaruant

2008-10-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

In London's West-End...
http://www.contemporist.com/2008/10/07/inamo-restaurant-interior-by-blacksheep/

Not really new technology.. just new application. Cool London restaraunt projects menus and aesthetic designs on table tops... The projectors and lights are integrated into a cool form factor above the tables. The tables are interactive and touch interaces.

[via Engadget]

Voice Application Server brought to you by Microsoft

2008-09-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

I worked on some voice XML applications a few years back using the TELLME.com servers. Now I find out Microsoft bought them. Wow. I've heard they will be selling an iPhone app soon.

John

Images from NextFest

2008-09-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

My images can be found here.

Archos PMP will have 3G modem

2008-09-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

Interesting.. wonder what the store front will offer.. and if you can off load the content to PC?

[via Engadget]

Inside teardown of Lenovo's S10 Ideapad

2008-09-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

The tear down can be seen here. Also, Liliputing, website focused on.. you guessed it; small computers.

[via Engadget]

New Iriver to battle IPod?

2008-09-29T05:32:00.001-07:00

The Spinn Ships October 3rd, lacks wifi, plays just about everything.

[via Engadget]

NextFest Starts in Chicago

2008-09-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

I'm going to Wired's NextFest this weekend. Hopefully will be able to blog and update my photo stream late Saturday/early Sunday.

Exhibits:
http://www.wirednextfest.com/inform/2008/exhibits.php

OpenFrame Get's Real with Intel Atom

2008-09-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

The touchscreen home phone from OpenPeak get's real. Flash based apps framework similar to the Chumby. Now... I want to know what's running on the phones and can I put apps on them too? Lot's of possibilities with connected devices around the home.

[via Engadget via HotHardware]

Samsung Bundling Scanbuy Shopper

2008-09-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

Samsung is starting to bundle the Scanbuy 2d barcode reading software with some phones. Good news.. but a FREE standard wasy to read these and QCodes might be nicer.

From [Engadget]