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By now, we all know the standard specs for netbooks.  So many companies use the Intel Atom CPU, it’s sometimes easy to forget there is another major competitor in the field.  One of the few netbooks to use something other than Intel processors was the original HP Mini-note.  HP used the VIA Nano CPU, partially because the Atom wasn’t available yet.  VIA has recently shown where the Nano chips are going, but it is going to take a while.

The dual core version of the Nano isn’t due out until June 2010 according to VIA’s roadmap.  However, there isn’t much information on the dual core Nano aside from the fact that it will feature a “new process technology” and it will be compatible with current motherboards using VIA Nanos. 

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It seems fairly obvious by now that NAND flash memory is slowly overtaking hard drive based memory.  With new chips from Intel and Micron, it just came a step closer.  The two companies have been working together on flash memory and have announced that they are mass producing standard 300mm chips with 32Gb of storage space.  Continued after the break.

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The latest Mobile Internet Device (MID) coming from UMID, at first glance looks like any other netbook on the market, except this one is much smaller and much more equipped than many.

As for features, the MID will have a 4.8-inch touchscreen display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, either a 1.1GHz or 1.3GHz Intel Atom processor, a max of 1GB RAM, up to 32GB of SSD storage, a 1.3-megapixel webcam and a microSD card slot. 

Sadly, it has just one USB 2.0 port.  Other features include the standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well as WiMax, WiBro, HSDPA and both DMB-T and DVB-T digital TV tuners.  Still unstated was a release date, or any pricing information.

Plenty of pics after the break.

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In the video after the break, you’ll see Intel CEO Paul Otellini demoing an unnamed mobile internet device.  This time, Intel shows a device that is 100% touchscreen and has GPS, a camera and connectivity on board.  Watching the video, the first thing that came to my mind is Google phone OS Android.

That is because the demo was about the MID smart camera.  Using the camera, the device is able to translate Chinese very quickly and is able to add relevant YouTube videos, web pages and more all based on your GPS position and what the camera identifies.  The concept is you get all the information you desire, when you need it, where you need it.

Hit the jump to see the video and what this MID can do for you.

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Sections: Communications, Smartphones, Computers, Mobile Computers, Hardware, Gadgets / Other, GPS/Navigation, Web, Google

Intel and Asus have just launched a site yesterday that allows everybody and anybody to help them to design a PC.  WebPC is looking for collaborators to work together to help the two companies bring about a “community designed” PC.  Their ultimate goal is to be able to actually market this community designed PC, as it would be the first like it in the world.  With the motto of “You Dream it.  ASUS Builds it.  Intel inside it.“ on the front page, it’s easy to see how you can get lured in to being a part of the vision. Continued after the break.

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Sections: Computers, Mobile Computers, Laptops, Networking, Software / Applications, Wireless, Gadgets / Other, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Gaming, Portable, Web, Web 2.0, Websites

While most likely not their only game plan, Intel ponied up to the netbook game by buying netbook.com.  By combining the grim economic outlook with one part of tech that continues to boom, Intel is hedging their bets that netbooks will continue to thrive, perhaps even more so in the run up to the holidays.

But what’s a netbook?

Find out by clicking more

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Yesterday’s stock tumble has hit tech businesses hard. Nasdaq, which is primarily tech businesses, fell nearly 200 points, and several big tech businesses saw similar drops.  Apple fell 18%, AMD nearly 17%, and Intel over 10%. Similarly, Google saw its stock fall over $50 to $381 a share. That’s nearly a 12% drop.

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Sections: Tech News, Computers, Web, Google

By now most of us are probably aware of the Intel Atom processor, the little chip inside nearly all of the netbooks out right now.  Intel has started shipping a desktop version of the processor with two cores.  Intel is saying that it is made specially for “nettops.“  A nettop being to a desktop computer as a netbook is to a notebook computer.

These new chips will allow for small footprint desktops with little electricity usage to be released at low price points.  According to the eWeek article, Intel is hoping the Dual Core Atom will help sell PCs in China and India for families who don’t yet have computers in the homes.  It could also be used for cheap computer for North American and European families who are looking to add another computer to their home.  It would also make sense for public terminals, such as in a public library where the PCs are usually used only for word processing and Internet access anyway.

Can you get by with a machine using this chip?  Hit the jump to find out.

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Toshiba unveiled not just one but seven new notebooks which all belong to its SS RX2 notebook series. These are models T9GG, T9G, T8GG, T8G. T7GG, T7G, and S7G. All seven notebooks are packed with a 12.1-inch LCD screen with a 1,280 x 800 WXGA resolution, 1.20GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 processor, Intel GS45 Express Chipset, 2GB of RAM which can be expanded up to 3G, Wi-Fi, a fingerprint sensor, SD/SDHC card slot, three USB ports, one e-SATA port and a DVD SuperMulti Drive.

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Tired of all those chargers for all of your gadgets?  Cameras, cell phones, PSPs, laptops, everything has a power cord even if it’s portable.  In a few years that may be a thing of the past (well, maybe more than a few years).  Intel has been researching wireless charging technology and has shown it off for the first time.

Intel’s system uses two metal rings connected by to a power amplifier.  The two rings transmit power to any device close to it.  Sure, it’s not entirely efficient (the numbers seem to say it’s only about 75 percent efficient when transmitting 60 watts two feet), but it given time that could improve.  The Wired article assures that the technology is safe for humans, so that’s a plus.

Imagining the day when all our gadgets could be charged wirelessly, when laptops aren’t bound to the wall when the battery runs out makes me quite happy.  I doubt that day will come very soon, but it’d be nice if it did.

Read [Wired]

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