CEOs Sacked, Cloudy Forecast. Consolidation Coming?

Here are the new kids on the block: Samsung, Motorola, HTC. Maybe LG.

Here are the guys who don't get it. Let's call them the "old guys": Asus, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, HP...though HP gets a pass because its Palm acquisition has yet to play out. RIM probably belongs here too given the limitations they've put on Playbook and the weird marketing.

Wild Cards: Amazon And Barnes and Noble. Sony And Nintendo Should be with the Old Guys but I'm gonna give them the benefit of the doubt.

So far, the new kids are doing well. Dazzling the market with new Windows Phone 7 and Android gears. And just completed 3 months of 2011, we'll see more Android 3, Honeycomb, tablets hit the market and continue what the iPad did last year: putting a hurt on the laptop market and possibly finishing off the netbooks.

The old guys spew a lot of double talk about how their experience in enterprise will ultimately demonstrate that they new guys's tablets, including the iPad, will not have a chance. They came out with fuzzy math to show how the tablet is more expensive.

And yet, so far, vaporware.

Because it's a Friday afternoon, let me put this out there. Dell is going to fail. The rest of the old guys probably will struggle bit time as well as the mobile market shifts in terms of needs and what the new type of computing the tablets represent.

And like HP having to go out and buy Palm for the Web OS, I wonder if others will need to do the same to stay viable over the next decade.

Dell has to make an acquisition or two. As an old guy, Dell is still making loads of cash. And the PC market isn't just going to disappear overnight. And of the new guys, Motorola Mobile (MMI) is the weakest and smallest.

Can Dell come in and scoop them up and instantly gain strong street cred with Xoom and Droid? It has done that in the past with the gaming laptop maker, Alienware. On top of that, there's talk that Motorola is making their own OS to distance themselves from Android and Windows Phone 7.

Dell will probably see what their lineup will do against others. It will gain no traction and the blogs and investors will demand action. They'll probably have to go out buy what they need. All that matters is when Michael Dell pulls the trigger. I'm predicting it'll be Motorola because RIM will be too expensive. Plus, RIM's got a couple of erratic co-CEOs that might clash with Dell.

For the other old guys, 2011 will be exciting not because of their new products which are largely based on old thinking but what they will do once they fail. Aside of HP's Touchpad, the rest of the Android tablets will be hard to differentiate. And though some might hope that a Windows tablet OS might save them, that is probably a 2012 thing, more likely 2013 given Micrsoft's track record to promise but under deliver.

The ebook sellers and the gaming guys, Wildcard guys, present a very interest dynamics going forward. And they have an opportunity to play big roles or completely disappear into nothingness. I'm looking foward to speculate what could come of them.

Right now, the situations for the old guys are more dire. HP has to succeed with the Touchpad and the next Web OS smartphones. Dell will fail miserably and look for an answer through a buyout.

The same is probably true for the rest of the old guys. Their only opening is in Asia where many of these old guys can still count as their stronghold. However, that window will close quickly once Apple has its iPad 2 supply issues figured out (Steve Jobs has $60+ billion in the bank to do just that) and more Apple stores start opening up.

Tablet Today: Where Is HP and Dell?

Everyone know that HP and Dell are the two biggest PC makers in the world. And while the PC market is not going anywhere (I happen to like laptops and think the future continues to be bright), there are additional facets to the mobile computing market. And laptop computing is being encroached upon.

Mobile devices like the iPhone and tablets are coming up fast. And in these two markets, HP has not made much of a splash and Dell barely dipped its toe in it. So, the question I posed is where do these two successful veterans of the PC market fit in the smartphone and tablet markets?

Battery Saving Tips For Laptops

I found a 3-year old post on battery saving tips for laptop users. I came across it when I googled about the battery life saving potentials of adding extra RAM.

It's been a while since I've talked about battery life and tips. I was beginning to sound like a broken record. Having said that, battery life has increased in the last couple of years especially those offered by Apple (drawback is that they don't allow users to easily change out the battery). Typically, Macbooks ranges from 9-10 hours of use. I only see HP and Dell advertise use of 9-cell batteries which I think do well enough for most folks working under a normal load.

But more battery life the better I say. And frankly, this post ain't all that much more different anything that I have written up in the past year for laptops, iPhones, or other mobile devices. Dimming, defragging, conditioning. I'm sure you've heard all that before.

And while battery life has improved through a variety of technical advances, the fact that we are still using the same battery-saving techniques say volumes about the state of battery development. It's 2010 and we still haven't see methane-powered fuel cells. Or even hydrogen powered cell phones.

So, while I have also shared my opinions and news about green tech and the enthusiastic push from some quarters of the government and entrenpreurs, I like to see a mini stimulus for trying to make a giant leap forward for mobile devices. Perhaps we might see that in the course of researchers trying to find a way to store renewable energy source, miniaturization will still be required to apply any new technology.

For now, I leave you with a 3-year old post on saving battery life that is very much still relevant today.

More at Fried Beef (I know, weird blog name).

Optimal Size For a Tablet

3.5". Or 10" as what Apple put in the iPad?

Dell's new Android based slate has a 5" screen. Barnes and Noble's Nook offers a 6". So what's the perfect size?

I suppose it depends on what you want to do with it. The iPad offer a good size for viewing documents and the Internet. And as with any video, the bigger the screen the better.

Plus, it offers a semi-full sized keyboard for two hand typing. However, it does take some getting used to. In the beginning, I found it not as easy as typing on the iPhone with my thumbs but it did get better over time.

So it brings me to thumb-typing. I think for folks who complained about typing on a touch-screen, it probably works better then the screen is bigger. I think the ideal size is 4-5 inches though I'm doing quite well on the 3.5" on the iPhone.

At the end of the day though, the onscreen keyboard does play a role in how well the typing experience goes. I simply am unable to type as fast with the Android keyboard. From verion 1.0 to 1.5 to 1.6 to 2.1, Google has made noticeable improvement. Supposedly, 2.2 is even better but even Google engineers say they've got a lot way to go.

Having said that, my experience typing on the Nexus One has lead me to believe that 5-7" screen size would be optimal for a user who want to thumb-type no matter of the OS platform used. Plus, a tablet or slate that is 5-7" should wait much less than the iPad which weighs in at 1.5".

I'm sure we'll see a wide range of screen sizes. Pretty sure we'll see ones bigger than 10". It's a matter of balancing the user's needs.

I'm happy with the 10" iPad because of the large screen that works for both productivity as well as entertainment. Eventually, I think I'll probably have with a smaller size tablet to serve as my mobile communication center when I don't find the need to take the iPad with me. I would be fine with something that has a 5" screen.

On balance, I would be looking for a 7" tablet because it can as a mini iPad that can fit in my jacket or a small messenger bag.

Netbook 2.0

The biggest news in the netbook realm is that Acer has gained quite a bit of ground with their Aspire netbooks and that netbook sales are eating up shares in the laptops world at the expensive of their bigger but more capable brethren. More than that, it's killing margins and revenue growth at HP and Dell.

It's beginning to look like a downward spiral at this point. But some are beginning to come out to the market with a different take on netbooks. We'll come to this point in a bit.

First, please read Onxo's previous post on what happened to the promises of netbook. SSD. Long battery life. Instant-on.

Now, let's come back. Netbooks are evolving as they should. Technology evolves. But they're evolving into bigger netbooks. More power requirements. Faster chips (though you wouldn't know it). It's become a laptop again but without the optical drive. But they carry a higher price. Still, it's a netbook wanting to do more.

Eventually, the margins and revenues on that will suffer as well. Netbook makers are fooling themselves. They need netbooks in their line but they all need products that differentiate themselves from the rest.

Sony has the Viao P and, well, Apple has nothing. But neither companies want to have anything to do with netbooks. For the pack of PC makers, someone needs to get started on netbook 2.0 so that they can break out of this shell they're in. It's killing them. I mean that literally.

OS X Without the Mac

Traditionally, with we talk about Apple's Mac with the OS, we refer to it as "Mac OS X".

Now, Appleinsider has revealed that Apple has decided to trademark the "OS X" with the "Mac".  As explained, it's likely because Apple's OS exists in multiple devices that are not Macs:  iPhone, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.

Not to mention on a myriad of non-sanctioned devices like my MacWind.  So here's where I think this is interesting.  Just OS X.  

What I'm about to say is mere speculation on my part (I have no sources, this is not a rumor, but just my educationed musing) but consistent with Apple traditon of taking unassuming steps that are laid out on a road map that eventually somewhere.   Can this be the towards possibly licensing OS X for use outside of Mac computers?

Here's why based on Apple's past actions.

• PowerPC to Intel transition - no one thought that was possible.  Blood enemies and all.  Things change.  Time change.
• Apple has AMD chips running OS X in Cupertino.  We have to be very naive to think otherwise.  Cell chips?  You bet.  
• No disk drive.  Now, no user changeable batteries on some Macbooks.  Already, that exists in the iPod and iPhone lines.  And let's not forget no firewire on the unibody Macbooks.  Apple is very sneaky at adopting new technology as they are at dropping older ones.
• USB - Apple wasn't the first to use it but it was certainly the one that introduced the public to it with the original iMac.
• iPod Touch with recoding abilities.  Right.  VOIP is more like it.  iChat Voice or Video years down the line?  Definitely.
• Some experience now with certifying apps - may translate that experience into hardware certifications.

Those are behaviors that Apple has exhibited in the past that had me wondering about this trademark change and potential of OS X licensing.  Nothing in those behaviors sugget OS X on Viaos or Inspirons.  Nor should we just take Apple's word if Apple executives, Cook or Schiller, offers Apple's explanation for this change in trademark.  

Apple likes to surprise people so don't be surprised if OS X licensing is in the cards.  Apple will still make Macs.  And as far as licensing, I'm sure Jobs and Co. has made sure Apple always come out on top - in technical and financial terms.

If this happens, it'll be soon.  Windows 7 is coming soon.  Based on personal judgment and what I'm reading in the press, Redmond may have a remedy for it OS woes. The public is still fuming over Vista and corporations are sticking with XP.  If Apple wanted to take OS marketshare, this is the time.

Source:  Appleinsider

Note:  I know the other side of the argument:  Steve Jobs will never let this happen.  I'm almost with you on this one.  Jobs has never public said he regretted not licensing the Mac OS in the 80s but he has publicly said he marvelled at Microsoft's ability to make deals.  Maybe Jobs, health willing, will try to make a few of his own now.

Wide-Spread SSD Deployment in 2009?

While many of us who watch Steve Jobs and Apple, among other companies and mobile characters, mourn the passing of an annual event where Mac faithfuls gather in SF for the Macworld keynote, it was at Macworld 2008 that Steve introduced to us the Macbook Air with a 64GB of SSD as its main storage.

Now, Apple is by no means the first company to put an SSD in its laptops.  XO and EEE PC all came out with SSD as their storage.  I think even Dell also had SSD options for its laptop lines.

Then 32GB and 64GB.  The 64GB option from Apple originally cost $1000.  Today, Apple is offering the 128GB option for $500.  Half the price and double the storage.  Now, Toshiba is offering a 512GB SSD option with 240MB a sec read and 200MB a sec write.  Oh, did I mention that its suppose to last over a hundred years?  I wonder what the warranty will be like.

Speed, sturdiness, and power efficiency are all why SSD will likely play in important role in future laptops and mobile devices.  Not only that, it's a backup option making its way into servers as well.  In recent tests by some blogs, the speed and power efficiency are not quite there yet but for studiness alone, it's worth it.

Besides, it's a natural evolution from regular hard drives.  With SSD prices dropping so fast, I'm willing to call 2009 year of SSD.  A cursory check of some online stores show a big drop in SSD prices.  Some are low enough (but nowhere near the price of regular HD) that it is an option for people who are data worth protecting.

Now, I'm not saying SSD drives will overtake regular HD in 2009.  But I certainly do see more SSDs offered as an option.  Besides, with the recession...anyway.

Here are just some examples:

• 32GB - $75 and up
• 64GB - $135 and up
• 128GB - $249 and up
• 256GB
• 512GB - From Toshiba.  No price yet.  Samples will be available for testing in Q1.  

What do you think?  Is there an SSD in your future?

Via Electronista, Toshiba

White Spaces - What It Means for Mobile Warriors

Yesterday, Onxo talked about FCC's decision to open up white spaces for wireless broadband access.  You're asking:  what does it matter?  It is just another wireless network like 3G and EDGE.  Also, like Wi-Fi.  Well, here is the fantastic news.

• Another option.  Will no longer beholden to wireless providers with ancient biz practices.
• Accessibility.  Convenience.  Innovation.  Whether you live in the cities or rural parts of the country, you will have an option for wireless connectivity.  It will also for wireless providers to compete in areas where they don't deem worthy of providing access to.  
• In the beginning, not even lower prices but over time with competition, we may be looking at White spaces services competing with 3G, LTE, and WiMax.  
• In due time, we will also see competition with the devices that support the different segments of the wireless market.  
• In due time, we will also see devices that let mobile warriors access one network to another without having to buy a brand new network card or mobile device.
  

PC Mag did a nice article about white spaces and I suggest you head over and read about it.  Just so you know how fast this is moving, Dell has already indicated it will add wireless receivers to future laptops that will be able to access wireless Internet through white spaces services.  HP, Microsoft, Motorola, Dell, and Google are among the lead proponents of white spaces.

White spaces is everywhere.  And that is what so cool about it.

• We already know it does video.  We can see greater and faster video communication.
• Use it like you use your Wi-Fi now.  In fact, you already know this but the fact that it can go through walls will make it one of the better wireless network deployments.  
• If you are out in the middle of nowhere, you may be able to set up a wireless hub that uses white spaces.
• Though not initially as cheap as DSL, it's competitive to those of wireless broadband for 3G.  However, costs may go down if there is an ad supported business model.  You don't think Google is doing this out of the kind of its own heart do you?  It's a corporation, and by nature, it has no heart.  
• 50-mile radius per access point.  How far does your current Wi-Fi network go now?

So, when can we expect this new magic?  According the PC Magazine, demo on 2009 and finished products in 2010.  

Links:

• Wireless Innovation Alliance
• TG Daily
• PC Magazine
• Washington Post
• Onxo - FCC endorses white spaces
• Onxo - Model for expanded Wi-Fi coverage
• Onxo discusses mobility for political junkies
• AWS-3 Saga Continues

White Spaces Battle Update

We last updated you on Monday when the broadcasters, NBA, MLB, and the NFL lobbied the FCC to delay the November 4th vote.  And other the other side, we got Dell, Google, Microsoft, and Motorola.  Sprinkled on top are national legislators.

Guess who else got involved?  Dolly Parton.  I'll cut to the chase.  I'm guessing someone wrote the letter to the FCC and Dolly just signed it.  Seriously, she's cool.  I mean it.  She knows music, the business, and she looks great.

But white spaces she knows not.  She's joined by a lot of other singers who fear interference from white spaces devices on their performances.  I'm not dismissing their concerns.  However, according to Cnet, "The report noted that geo-location technology, which uses a database to help devices identify and avoid spectrum bands known to already be in use, worked very well in avoiding interference".

Anyway, my feeling is that this will go ahead on November 4th.  There'll be a lot of election results to watch on Election Day.

Links:

• Onxo summarizes latest White Spaces battle.
• FCC Endorses White Spaces Use For Wireless Internet.
• The Register
• CNet News 
• Information Week 
• Fierce Wireless explains more about the performers' concerns 

Another Telecom To Offer Netbooks (US Need To Follow)

GigaOM, via Engadget, reports another telecom offering netbooks in exchange for muli-year subscriptions.

This time, it's an India company who has teamed up with multiple companies to made this deal work.  This is a concept that isn't new but we at Onxo believes strongly in.  Unfortunately, we've yet to see anything like this in the United States.

Why?  Your guess is as good as any financial analysts as mine.  But this is a growing trend among wireless providers who are seeking to expand beyond traditional voice revenue streams.  It is inevitable that American telecoms have to deal with increase number of subscribers.

Sprint will soon unlease additional WiMax-ready mobile devices.  Though we have no idea of subsidies will be involved, it's a no brainer that it will help them attract a customer base.

It's only a matter of time, my friends.  Vodafone is already offering Dell laptops

Via Engadget , GigaOM

Onxo Posts and Others on this matter:

• Should Apple offer subsidized Macbooks with wireless services?
• EEE PC with 3G connectivity.
• 3G modem sales rises.
• Vodafone and Dell offer netbooks with wireless plans.
• Engadget on Wind U120 with 3G connectivity.
• Engadget on T-Mobile's EEE PC offer in UK.
• Wired reports Asus adding 3G to EEE PC.  Coming soon.

Economic Woes Got Tech Companies Worried

How worried are tech companies?

Worried enough for Microsoft's general counsel to implore the United States House of Representatives to pass the $700 bail-out, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.

Since Monday,  tech heavy Nasdaq took a nose dive as investors bailed on Intel, Google, and Micosoft (among others).

Without credit tight and banks hoarding cash, a lot of companies, not necessarily the ones I mentioned here (they're all cash rich), will cut back on expansion or upgrades.  In Google's situation, a companies may cut back on advertising.

Furthermore, Dell and HP had mentioned they were cutting back on research and development for 2009.  I am sure it's not a coincidence the announcements came as tech spending will be curtailed in the short-term.

No one know how long this will last.  Nor how innovations will be affected by all this.

I keep track of a set of stocks myself and it was ugly.  The Senate passed a similar legislation tonight that the House rejected on Monday.  It remains to be seen if the House will follow their counterparts in the Senate.

I hope and pray all my fellow mobile warriors will weather this.  Even if this bail-out, whether you support it or not, does get passed by Congress, it'll take a while for the credit system to go through the macroeconomic jungle to get to those of us on Main Street.

Note:  Steve Balmer seems unable to make up his mind on this issue.  Read here for more.

Apple's Plan For Economic Bumps

If you don't already know by how, Apple stock got hammered with a 17% drop with a couple of downgrades.  It has since received 3% but the market has not closed yet as of this writing.

But with banks failing, housing bubble bust, huge slowdown in consumer spending, companies should be reining in costs, circle the wagon, and, in some cases, cut their workforce.  But not Apple.

As of August this year, there are about 240 stores with about 70 more future stores to be opened.  It like I hear a new store open every week.

In the past, Apple had stated they were going to innovate their way through of economic troubles.  I guess they failed to mention the expansion part too.  At the time, it sounded like just talk.

Thinking back now and with questions about Apple's $20 billion in the bank (good banks I hope), they stand to do a lot of things some of their competitors, even big ones with smaller amount of cash on hand, cannot do.  last week, HP and Dell both announced intentions to cut notebook R&D for the coming fiscal year.  That's the typical response I would expect from corporate entities that are trying to get past economic turbulence and hope for brighter days.

Now both HP and Dell will weather any problem in the near term because they both have a lot of cash and lines of credit but they also have a lot of moving parts, a lot more than Apple.  There, Apple can poise to position itself to expand even during dark financial days for the rest of its competitors.

• Has the cool factor - still make gears and mobile devices like the iPod and iPhones that everyone wants.
• With cash and more every quarter, Apple can afford to expand and plan for long-term growth, if it may mean at the expensive of short-term margins.
• A good analogy is that Apple Stores are like embassies and Geniuses are good-well ambassadors who help you with Macbook or iPhone questions.
• Increased visibility.  With 2,000 ATT store locations, 240 Apple stores, and about 600 Best Buy locations, the iPhone can be in places where it naturally isn't like Verizon or Sprint retail locations.  The increase footprint gives Apple added exposure.
• Added retail locations offer Apple a better fighting chance against Samsung, Nokia, and Blackberries that are just about everywhere you go.
• If you want something done, do it yourself.  Apple presence in the past was stunted by sales people untrained in Apple-ware and have zero or little knowledge about its software and hardware.  By training its own people at Apple stores and Best Buy locations, it stands a better chance of provider potential customers the right information (propaganda?).
• Apple's pull.  Having an Apple store is a good thing.  It draws retail traffic.
• Location, location, location.  In southern California, you've got stores - South Coast, Pasadena, Manhattan Beach, Century City, Beverly Center, The Grove, and Newport just to name a few.  You can't get more retail shelter from economic woes on Main Street than these "bling bling" locations.  I'm sure it's like that everywhere else.  

I wonder if Apple knows something we don't about consumer spending and their growth prospects. While I don't claim to know anything about their plans, take a look at where they've got the stores and you'll find economic bullet-proof.  It stands to gain a lot when the economy turns around.

Still, I really am looking forward to these innovative new products Mac blogs keep advertising about.

Source:  Wiki Apple Store (there's like a wiki entry for everything) and info Apple Store

SSD Pricing Drop

Less than a year ago when Apple introduced the Macbook Air, the 64GB SSD was priced at about $1000.

There were a lot of discussion about the worth of such storage devices and whether these drives will ever complete with traditional hard drives.  Then a mere seven weeks ago, we reported that Dell was offering the 128GB SSD, twice the storage of the Macbook Air, for $450.

At that time, Apple was still pricing the 64GB option at $500.

Today, we are excited to tell you that at least one SSD model from Super Talent launched the 64GB and 128GB SSDs at $179 and $299 respectively.

What?!  You didn't read wrong nor did we mistyped.  While these are low-end drives (slower read/write), they are a perfect option for anyone interested in solid-state storage.  Now, if you're interested in making sure your data has the best protection, these SSDs may be what you're looking for.

For executives, managers, or even students who have a lot to lose if your data is lost, the premium is well worth it.  We thought so when the Dell's 128GB SSD costed 50% more than these drives, and we certainly believe it more so now.

For someone who is interested in getting a new Macbook when Apple refreshes its line-up, I am seriously contemplating replacing the stock hard drive for one of these SSDs either as backup or the primary drive.

Plus, there may be added savings in battery life.

Related SSD posts:

• SSD Drive Is Worth It 
• Tom's Hardware on SSD
• Sandisk - What to do next?
• 256GB SSD - A Gamer Changer -Still no info on pricing.

State of Mobile Computing

These days, we've been focused on smartphones and mobile devices like the iPhone and G1 with respect to mobile computing.  Regardless of which came you're in, these little devices pack a big punch.  Excel crunchers they're not but these phones and devices have the heart of lions.

But laptops and netbooks will not be denied as they are still the workhorses of most mobile warriors.  But given the economic instability and uncertain outlook, are the days of high-end laptops coming to an end?

After all, a netbook equipped with Vista, Windows, and Linux (and if you happen to hack your EEE PC to run OS X) are capable of doing 95% of all the tasks that one traditionally use a laptop for.  You can say 100% if you insists in running large Excel spreadsheets and going at a slow pace with large Photoshopping tasks.

Micrsoft Watch, a pro-Windows blog documented growth in the future will coming largely from netbooks as the units will go from over 5 million this year to about 50 million units in 2012.  Whatever the OS market-share is by 2012, this trend, which I largely agree with, may mean a couple of things:

• Power average price sales for laptops/netbooks - not sure if "analysts" will lump the laptop and netbook into one big pot.
• Price drop due to competition for revenue - not necessarily fighting over consumers
• Shrinking revenue and may even knock one or two PC makers out of the market as due to stagnant growth. (Mergers)
• Linux will gain shares at the expense of Vista.  XP may continue it's dominance.
• Netbook costs subsidized by wireless providers for annual/biannual commitments for 3G access.

Suffice to say, netbooks are cheap, powerful, and improves mobility when added with big batteries.  And they are here to stay.  The landscape of laptops will change as a result.  We won't know if the laptop will welcome this new brethren or will have to compete with it on the open market.

So far, just about everyone has a netbook or two (or seven as in the case for Asus) except Apple.  I'm guess Apple will join the fight with a netbook of their own but something entirely different.  I do see them outfit a device with the iPhone and iPod Touch's OS with a bigger touch screen (and with a premium). 

Here are just some of the players:

• MSI Wind 
• HP Mini Note - just wish it uses an Atom
• Dell Mini 9 
• Asus EEE PC 
• OLPC XO 

Source:  Microsoft Watch

256GB SSD - Definitely A Game Changer

We've talked about game changers a lot this summer.  Here's another:  Toshiba's 256GB

It offers 120MB per sec read and 80MB per sec write.  Not bad.  At the same time, they also came out with 8-32GB models as well.

The 256GB model offers much improvements include wear over earlier models.  Electronista has no info on price and availability just yet but we're sure this is not just for any averge Joe mobile warrior like myself.

However, just as we've said before, it's worth it if you've got deep pockets.  A month ago, we reported Dell offer the 128GB SSD option for $450.  We don't claim to know what Toshiba's 256GB version will cost but data is data.

When the Macbook Air was released, the 64GB option was about $1000 that dropped to $500 in months.  We'll have a better picture of performance and costs once more and more laptops sport SSD.

64GB SSDs can be purchased for $210.  Prices are dropping rather quickly.  Definitely a worth consideration.

EEE PC With 3G - What Onxo Predicted All Along

We did not predict this because we're geniuses.  It's just a natural progression.  And we're so glad to see it realized.

EEE PC, model 901 with Intel's Atom for a brain and up to 8 hours of battery, will have 3.75G HSUPA internet connection.  No word on network, price, or anything that will affect purchasing decisions at this moment.  We'll keep watch over this.

Why?  What good is a laptop without adequate battery life?  Well, in recent years, we've gone from two to about 5 hours now.  Not bad.

But in the 21st Century, what good is a laptop to a mobile warrior who has to literally compete without an always on connection to the Internet and all the information he or she needs to stay on top of the game.  Never mind the entertainment aspect on top of this as well.

Of course, EEE PC is not the first.  Dell already has a deal with Vodafone to sell its Mini 9 with a service plan.  Acer's Aspire One is also in the game.

We think 2009 will be huge for netbooks that have 3G connectivity.  We also think we'll see more deals like Dell and Vodafone as well.  It also makes sense for Wi-Fi to get into the game.  These netbooks are priced low enough to be subsidized by the wireless providers.

It makes sense for someone to get in on this quickly.  My guess for the US market:  Sprint with WiMax or Verizon who boasts the biggest 3G network in the US.

Related Onxo posts:

• 3G Modem Growth Set To Explode
• Should Apple offer wireless access option to Macbooks?

Source:  T3

Should Apple Offer Wireless Broadband Option?

If people want evidence that Apple may want to take advantage of the halo-effect generated by its mobile platform, Apple should offer at the minimum the Macbook Air with a wireless plan.

Would some of you executive mobile warriors like that?  I’m not an executive and I would.  But I’m not so sure this would make economic sense for Apple.  And Apple is out to make money.

Unless, Apple can take that iPhone revenue-sharing model and apply it to their Macbook lines, specifically the Air.  Or, as Onxo has advocated previously, have the wireless providers shell out money upfront to subsidize part of the cost of the laptop and recoup the expense through multi-year contracts.

Right now, the costs of laptop with wireless broadband are passed along to the consumer and that is just plain stupid if you think about it.  Wireless broadband should not be a privilege for only those who truly need it.  Instead, wireless providers should be advocates and entice more businesses, educational institutions, or high net worth individuals to adopt mobile broadband as a new way to work and play. And over time, that may drive costs down.

Vodafone will soon start selling Dell’s new netbook.  At this time, pricing is not available.  For full size laptops, HP offers a pretty comprehensive package from Verizon, ATT, and Sprint.  Not bad.  But consider the premium and the need for a voice plan, this is not exactly what I’m talking about here.  This is not what's needed to drive demand.

But I do sense a move for laptop brands to work with wireless providers to eventually offer services to regular consumers.  After all, there already are broadband providers that include desktops with multi-year contracts.  So, why not wireless access and laptops?

Related Articles:

• 3G Adoption in US Higher Than Europe.
• Would laptops with wireless subscriptions work?
• Model for Expanded WiFi Access.

Dell Earnings Show Innovation Is Not Simply Changing Looks

Dell's earnings was down quite a bit last week.  As a result there was a lot of questions for Dell's future and the industry at large.  Could what happened to Dell's earnings report this week be what is coming for the rest of the tech industry?  More importantly, could this have been avoided?  It all depends on what they said happened and what the reality is.


The economic state the world is in now definitely has an impact on tech spending and there is no argument from anyone about it.  I think we're in for a longer period of slugginess than I think anyone care to admit.  It was good that US Treasury finally acknowledged that we've got issues.  Now, does this bad quarter for Dell also extend to IBM, HP, or Apple?


Obviously, we won't know until these companies report their earnings.  But does this point to a deeper problem being suffered by tech companies these days?  Technology has improved incrementally but stagnation from the labs of these tech companies is also evident.  The biggest technological improvement, if you can call it that, is the proliferation of these so-call netbooks.  Seriously, that's the best these companies have been able to come up with in the last couple of years.  


As far as mobility is concerned (or computing or electronics in general), there really has not been true innovation since Intel and Microsoft tried to convince us that UMPCs are the next step in mobile computing.  True mobility means being able to take your mobile device anywhere you want and being able to power it. It was cool watching the promotional videos for this new class of devices but the truth is of the matter is we're not there yet.  Battery life is one component.  Guess what the other is?


Wireless connectivity also plays a big part.  In truth, whether it'll be 3G, WiMax, or whatever gen 4 mobile 


Once we have these two components in place, there will also be the matter of creating mobile devices that can truly take mobile work, computing, and entertainment to another level.  Building wireless capability like Intel is doing with WiMax is a good first step but mobile devices like tablets or some new class of mobile devices, which we believe Apple and Google are trying to create and dominate, 


So in summary, and we'll make it sound like all this is a piece of cake, is as follows:

• New battery technology - fuel cell, or a combination of super efficient components and battery packaging.
• Wireless broadband - we're talking about unmetered, unfettered access.   About a week ago, Onxo discussed what the Federal Communications Commission chairman wanted for the US.  
• True revolutionary UI and packaging for the form.  

HP has announced their intention to release touch-screened computers next year.  We already have a variety of such devices on the market, albeit incomplete solutions what seems like lackluster implementation, and totally lack of user experience.  

We'll just have to wait until that happens.  Who's going to offer us the total convergence that offer the best complete mobile solution?

Tom's Hardware on SSD

I like the fact that SSD is catching up so quickly.  Tom's Hardware is comparing 14 of them.  Here at Onxo, we believe it's good to stay ahead of the curve especially if your data is very dear to you.  And what data isn't?

They broke it down to into three categories:  performance, mainstream, and premium.  While the sizes vary as far as the SSD capacity, performance are not always the same.  This is a fact with regular hard drives as well.

What you will have to decide for yourself is if performance is more important or capacity.  Personally, I like capacity.

For the Samsung SSD recommended by Tom's, Extremetech also has a more indepth review.

There is a way to get certain SSD cheaper than just going out there and picking up one up yourself.  More tier one computer makers are now offering SSD as an option, and the price is usually cheaper by a couple of hundred dollars.  Last week, we noted Dell was offer a 128GB SSD for about $500.

So far, Apple, Dell, and Lenovo are pushing these drives (if you don't count the netbook manufacturers).  There is also rumblings that Apple will start offer SSD as an option across their whole line.

Related Onxo reading:

• SSD is Worth It
  
• Effectiveness on School Laptop Programs
• Intel's Next Generation Mobile Platform

Sunday Laptop Deals Run-Down For August 17, 2008

It's that time of the week ago.  What's a good laptop this week from the megastores for your mobile life.  To start off there is a Office Max deal, a bundle really, for $700.  What do you get?

HP Pavilion Notebook Bundle (Pavilion dv6911, C4480, SwissGear Backpack)

• 3GB RAM
• T5550, 1.83Ghz
• Webcam
• 200GB HD
• Vista
• Printer C4480, 30ppm black, 23 ppm color
• media card reader

Is this a good deal?  The chip is Core 2 Duo and slightly slower than its 2.0Ghz brethren.  Compared to the Dell Studio 1535, it has a smaller hard drive but makes it up with a printer and a backpack as part of the bundle.  

Given the bundle, it should work seamless as both the laptop and printer are both made by HP.  C4480 All-In-One Printer (print, copies, scans, no fax) being sold for $60 on amazon while HP and Apple has it for $100.  I

It's a decent deal but nothing I would rush out to get.  Compared to Dell, I would just get this over it.  Without the bundle, the Pavilion costs about $600-650.  In total, buyers may be looking at a savings of $40-$70 dollars.  

Now this week's laptops from the stores:

The notable this week comes from Office Depot with the Toshiba laptop.  It offers a USB charger that continues to charge your iPods even when the machine is still off.  In addition, you can pick up MS Office for $100 more.  There is also an FM Tuner if you want to listen to the radio while you hack out a report for your client or fine-tune your lab report for your o-chem class (I was a biochemistry major).

I also like the DV5-1002NR from Best Buy.  If you do get this one, make sure you bring your ad.  The online price is $20 more.  There is also the DV5-1004NR that did not meet Onxo's cut.  The 1004 version cost $850, that's $200 more than the 2002 version.  What's the different?  A faster chip.  You can decide for yourself if a 100mhz different is worth the premium.

As always, there are Macbooks.  Rumblings from the Internet this week is that the Macbook Air is due for an upgrade in CPU, memory, and the systems within it.  This is like to happen any day now, as it is being reported.  I don't buy it.  Apple is in the midst of their back to school deal (free iPod Touch with purpose of Macbook for faculties and college students only) and they are concentrating on their iPhone launches in the next few weeks.  Apple has a lot on its plate.  We will not be seeing any new Macbooks until late September.

Also note the amount of memory that comes with the laptop.  3 or 4GB.  As a rule of thumb, more memory the better.  So, we'll start looking at laptops with 4GB unless we see a 3GB laptop with a killer price.  I've noticed a lot of older models with 2 or 3GB with great prices but don't be deceived.  These laptops also typically sport older chipsets and subsystems.  If you're not sure, do a bit of research.

MORE MEMORY:  Now, we're going to tell you something you're not going to like.  4GB is great but let's be honest, I'm beginning to see systems that offer up to 8GB.  You may want to keep an eye on that.  Windows 7 is coming out in 2010.  OS X Snow Leopard will under a slime-down and some tuning to streamline application footprint but I'm betting we're still headed in the direction where 8GB would be ideal.

It really depends on how long you'll be keeping your laptop.  For most of mobile warriors out there, there is nothing for us to worry at this time.  But don't be surprised over the next year when system requirements, not just minimum memory requirements, are greatly increased.