Kal El - Nvidia's "Superman" :)

 Tegra 3 (Kal-El)

 The new generation of Nvidia's mobile SoC is codenamed Kal El, guess that Superman has fans everywhere or they just might tease their competitors in the likes of Texas Instruments or Qualcomm.
 The race is on ladies and gents, place your bets and let's get started before it's too late 'cause I doubt that someone will find the "kryptonite" to stop Nvidia's "Superman" on his tracks...
 Here are some of the specs for all ya geeks (hot tech chicks included) out there:

 Processor: Quad Core ARM Cortex A9 MP Core, up to 1.5 GHz;

 Graphics: 12 Core Nvidia GPU with support for 3D stereo and Ultra Low Power GPU mode,
                  video output up to 2560x1600 pixels and 1080p H.264 High Profile video decode.

 The Kal EL's CPU and GPU are to be about five times faster than those on Tegra 2 wich is already faster than any other SoC. For all Superman's fans out there there's no word on X-ray vision capability yet :p

 Tegra 3 SoC (system on a chip) will be available later this year for Android based tablets and for smartphones starting from 2012. Microsoft's Windows 8 would run on SoC's just fine but I guess that each software program that the user would want to run would have to be recompiled.
 Who knows? Someday, maybe the mobile apps for iOS and Android will replace the desktop/notebook ones... or maybe I'm thinking too far ahead since there are still lots of people who use Windows XP and bulky desktop PC's on a daily basis.
 The mobile technology gets better by the day, and it's up to the users/consumers to set the trends. Based on the fact that many of the users want to play 3D games and watch HD video on the go, the mobile technology is constantly developing and improving.
 Meanwhile I'm lookin' forward for your comments. See ya!

 Links: NVIDIA Kal El reference tablet
           NVIDIA Tegra
           Mobile Technology

Tablet hardware - Netbook form factor

 Toshiba AC100

 To begin with, I started this blog writing about "smartbooks" and today I can give you a heads up regarding this category of devices.
 The AC100 is a niche product and in my opinion it has been launched ahead of its time. The "smartbook" defines a product that has the hardware of a smartphone inside a netbook form factor.

 Nowadays the smartphones tend to be an important part of our everyday lives and interesting crossovers have emerged (see the Motorola Atrix and its docking station).
 Nevertheless the Nvidia Tegra 250 SOC (system on a chip) has been designed for every mobile form factor that exists today. Today the users tend to own a notebook, a tablet ('cause of the hype) and a smartphone. Sooner or later you'll think about having a single device that can do it all. The AC100 isn't such a product by any means but it's a step forward. It has great hardware and the Android 2.2 does the job well although the Android Market is not officially supported. "Let's roll" - this time with the specs, not with the Autobots :)

- 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 250 SoC (built around a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor);

- 8GB, 16GB or 32 GB SSD;

- 512MB of DDR2 memory;

- 802.11n WiFi, optional 3G data, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;

- 1.3 megapixel webcam;

- HDMI out;

- headphones jack;

- microphone jack;

- 1x USB 2.0;

- SD card reader;

- 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 pixel display;

- integrated stereo speakers;

- "fanless" design - no noise during operation;

 The keyboard is comfortable to use whether you write e-mails, chat with friends or edit a doc. The chassis is quite slim an the weight of the device is "featherweight".
 I'm not aware of future software updates for AC100 but Toshiba released an update by the end of July that solved some battery draining issues. They might be able to update the AC100 with an Android 3 version aka Honeycomb given that the Asus Transformer runs it pretty well.
 So, what the future holds? Quad core tablets and netbooks for mobile fan(s)atics...

 Links: AC100
           Hacking the AC100

FinePix for FinePeople :)

 Fujifilm FinePix Z900 EXR

 Remember the old days when you had to carry around a bulky cam to shoot even the most casual set of pics? Well, compact cameras aren't a novelty but the set of specs gets better by the day. Here's what the Z900 has to offer:

 - 16 megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor;

 - 5x optical zoom covering 28-140mm (35mm equivalent);

 - 3.5 inch touch-screen LCD with Multi Touch functionality;

 - rich user interface using Vector fonts/graphics and Flash animation;

 - CMOS Shift Image Stabilisation;

 - up to ISO 6400;

 - 1600% wide dynamic range;

 - high speed shooting up to 12 frames per second;

 - Full HD movie capture using H.264 (MOV) format;

 - mini HDMI port;

 - new EXR Auto mode featuring 27 scenes;

 - 360° Panorama mode;

 The compact size makes it ideal to take it everywhere, though it's not waterproof. Its performance wouldn't match a DSLR camera so pros might get the Z900 as a secondary camera. It's still summer people, so be sure to take a camera along on your vacation!

Link: FinePix Z900 EXR

K10 + K1 = K11

 Acer K11 projector

 The K11 is the world’s smallest projector featuring 200 lumens brightness and offering great mobility by fitting in your pocket.

 The projector has an intuitive user interface and offers easy setups for various environments like: your mom's living room, your office, your garage, the back of your limo, etc.

 With a 2000:1 contrast ratio the K11 delivers good image quality. The native SVGA resolution of 858×600 pixels and 4:3 aspect ratio is ready for photos, presentations and multimedia.

 Get your popcorn ready 'cause the K11 can also be adjusted to a 16:9 aspect ratio suitable for watching movies.

 Rounding up the specs it features: 1x HDMI port, 1x USB 2.0 port, a SD card reader, 1x D-sub and 1x composite video/audio. The retail box should also include a remote control and a carrying bag.

 So, globetrotters and traveling businessmen/women alike, this one might be for you. Have a good one!

 Links: Acer K11

           Projection calculator