Netbook sales have been doing pretty well since its release to the market all those years ago, but somehow the Apple iPad looks set to end the good times. According to a report released by Morgan Stanley, the Apple iPad has adversely affected sales growth of netbooks and other devices including Apple’s own iPod Touch, eReader and handheld video game consoles, not to mention notebooks as well. Bear in mind that these figures point only towards the US market, so it might be early hype of the iPad that resulted in a skewed chart that is expected to normalize in due day.

Permalink: Apple iPad throws a spanner in the works for netbook sales from Ubergizmo | Hot: Macbook Pro Review, iPad Review

Orginal post by Mike

There has been quite a bit of hype by smartbooks recently, though the reality is that there hardly is any smartbook in the market at the moment, despite the fact that models such as Lenovo’s Skylight were supposed to be launched in April, it’s now May and you’d be hard pressed to find one in stores near you. An ARM representative has taken the instance to give a few reasons as to why there is the delay in the release of smartbooks. First off, it seems that Flash isn’t entirely ready just yet, and hasn’t been optimized for ARM based platforms. Next comes the tricky subject of tablets, where manufacturers might have some trouble with tablets and smartbooks competing with each other. Finally, there is plus the subject of Linux, as Linux-based netbooks never really took off as well as those powered by Windows XP. Bundle all those points together, and you more or less have a rough concept as to what’s keeping smartbooks off the shelves at the moment.

Permalink: ARM Representative Provides Hints About Smartbooks Delay from Ubergizmo | Hot: Macbook Pro Review, ipad-review.html">iPad Review

Orginal post by Mike

There has been quite a bit of hype by smartbooks recently, though the reality is that there hardly is any smartbook in the market at the moment, despite the fact that models such as Lenovo’s Skylight were supposed to be launched in April, it’s now May and you’d be hard pressed to find one in stores near you. An ARM representative has taken the instance to give a few reasons as to why there is the delay in the release of smartbooks. First off, it seems that Flash isn’t entirely ready just yet, and hasn’t been optimized for ARM based platforms. Next comes the tricky subject of tablets, where manufacturers might have some trouble with tablets and smartbooks competing with each other. Finally, there is additionally the subject of Linux, as Linux-based netbooks never really took off as well as those powered by Windows XP. Bundle all those points together, and you more or less have a rough concept as to what’s keeping smartbooks off the shelves at the moment.

Permalink: ARM Representative Gives Some Ideas On The Delay Of Smartbooks from Ubergizmo | Hot: Macbook Pro Review, ipad-review.html">iPad Review

Orginal post by Mike

Gizmodo reported today that the Microsoft Courier Tablet project has been canceled. The report must have been particularly bitter for Gizmodo, as the blog was first to uncover the project and referred to it many times as one that would ship Real Soon Now.

whether Gizmodo wants to see why Microsoft canceled Courier, they should read my September 23 column, "Why Microsoft's 'Courier' Tablet Will Never Exist."

Even now, Gizmodo seems betrayed and confused by the move, saying that Courier was "compelling," "innovative," and that they "loved" the interface.

The reason Gizmodo loved the "product" so much is that it was a fantasy product, not a real one. It's easy to conjure up magic when you don't have to build something.

that is one of the long-standing problems I have with a lot of tech coverage by both blogs and the mainstream media — they're indifferent to the distinction within an actual, real, shippable product — say, the Apple iPad — and the mere view for a product conjured up with Hollywood special effects — say, the Microsoft Courier.

I even wrote a column about that phenomenon (centered on the hype that followed Gizmodo's Courier coverage) called "Dispatch From Gadget Fantasy land." It makes delightful reading now that it appears the Courier will never exist.

adequate! Let's all shout blogs and news organizations on reporting vague ideas as imminent products that will soon be on the market. It's just sloppy reporting.

Orginal post by Mike

Gizmodo reported today that the Microsoft Courier Tablet project has been canceled. The report must have been particularly bitter for Gizmodo, as the blog was first to uncover the project and referred to it many times as one that would ship Real Soon Now.

whether Gizmodo wants to see why Microsoft canceled Courier, they should read my September 23 column, "Why Microsoft's 'Courier' Tablet Will Never Exist."

Even now, Gizmodo seems betrayed and confused by the move, saying that Courier was "compelling," "innovative," and that they "loved" the interface.

The reason Gizmodo loved the "product" so much is that it was a fantasy product, not a real one. It's easy to conjure up magic when you don't have to build something.

that is one of the long-standing problems I have with a lot of tech coverage by both blogs and the mainstream media — they're indifferent to the distinction within an actual, real, shippable product — say, the Apple iPad — and the mere concept for a product conjured up with Hollywood special effects — say, the Microsoft Courier.

I even wrote a column about that phenomenon (centered on the hype that followed Gizmodo's Courier coverage) called "Dispatch From Gadget Fantasy land." It makes delightful reading now that it appears the Courier will never exist.

adequate! Let's all signal blogs and news organizations on reporting vague ideas as imminent products that will soon be on the market. It's just sloppy reporting.

Orginal post by Mike

With the Iron Man 2 movie just around the corner (and more or less guaranteed to be a summer blockbuster), you can be certain that hype which pursues the movie will have a trail of merchandise to go along with it. Case in point, the $20–plus Iron Man 2 walkie talkies that ought to keep junior and friends happy, talking with one another at a distance while portraying to be Iron Man and War Machine, taking down baddies surrounding them from all sides. Too poor the real Iron Man would’ve had way cooler communication tools than that…

Permalink: Iron Man 2 walkie talkies from Ubergizmo | Hot: Macbook Pro Review, ipad-review.html">iPad Review

Orginal post by Mike

Is the tablet PC market getting a little crowded recently? Aside from Apple’s iPad and HP’s Slate, not many tablets in the market stand out or generate much hype. Will the Hanvon F10 Touchpad invent any difference? It actually looks quite familiar, and could possibly be a variant of the Hanvon BA10E that we caught sight of at CeBIT. Apparently it will be going from $500-$600, though there isn’t any official word on pricing and stock availability. Specifications of the Hanvon F10 Touchpad include:

Permalink: Hanvon F10 Tablet To Enter Tablet Market from Ubergizmo | Hot: Macbook Pro Review, ipad-review.html">iPad Review

Orginal post by Mike

Is the tablet PC market getting a little crowded recently? Aside from Apple’s iPad and HP’s Slate, not many tablets in the market stand out or generate much hype. Will the Hanvon F10 Touchpad produce any difference? It actually looks quite familiar, and could possibly be a variant of the Hanvon BA10E that we caught sight of at CeBIT. Apparently it will be going from $500-$600, though there isn’t any official word on pricing and stock availability. Specifications of the Hanvon F10 Touchpad include:

Permalink: Hanvon F10 Tablet To Enter Tablet Market from Ubergizmo | Hot: Macbook Pro Review, ipad-review.html">iPad Review

Orginal post by Mike

Ah, there is nothing quite like having an official video of a device that you’re introducing to the masses in order to increase the hype, case in point the official HTC Droid Incredible video from Verizon Wireless that sees pspecialist Derek supply a rather enthusiastic rundown of the Incredible as well as its plethora of features. Nothing really groundbreaking in the video, although we’re fairly certain that its list of specifications will definitely place you on the forefront of technology.

Permalink: Verizon offers official HTC Droid Incredible video from Ubergizmo | Hot: Sony Vaio Z Review, ipad-review.html">iPad Review

Orginal post by Mike

Despite all the hype and leaks about the upcoming iPhone 4G and the “iPhone” label at the back of it, we’re fairly certain that that “Leady Apple” phone isn’t the iPhone 4G. It’s probably safe to assume that “Leady” is probably a typo of Lady, since the phone does seem geared a little bit towards the fairer sex. Specifications of that phone are fairly standard, with the usual built-in games, media playback features, digital camera, FM radio and mirror-finish display. It’s quite cool to have a rounded display, but it browsing the World Wide Web on such a display would probably be disappointing.

Permalink: Leady Apple Is No iPhone 4G from Ubergizmo | Hot: Sony Vaio Z Review, ipad-review.html">iPad Review

Orginal post by Mike