Acer has outed a pair of notebooks using AMD’s Fusion APU processors. The Acer Aspire 5253 and Aspire 4253 hit the 15.6- and 14-inch sizes respectively, and each use AMD’s 1.6GHz E-350 processor paired with Radeon HD 6470 512MB graphics. There’s also HDMI connectivity for 1080p HD output, along with a DVD burner and optional Bluetooth 3.0.
Other connectivity includes a choice of WiFi b/g or WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA, gigabit ethernet and a multiformat memory card reader. There’s also a webcam, stereo speakers and a multitouch trackpad.
Acer reckons the 4400 mAh 6-cell battery is good for up to 3hrs 20mins runtime. Both the Acer Aspire 5253 and Aspire 4253 are expected to hit the UK in Q2 2011, pricing tba.
Press Release:
Acer debuts the Aspire 5253 and 4253 notebooks With the new AMD Fusion processors
CES Las Vegas, January 7th 2011 – Whether you are looking for a notebook with accelerated performance for productivity or with impressive graphics capabilities for your favourite HD entertainment, don’t look further: The new Acer Aspire 5253 and 4253 are the answer to your needs!
Designed for productivity, family entertainment and kids education, the Aspire x253 series enriches every day computing with better high-definition enjoyment, great multitasking and impressive power savings.
At the heart of these laptops is the powerful new AMD E-Series Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) and the VISION Engine from AMD, enabling stutter-free HD movies and HD Internet video streaming, enough processing power to handle even the most demanding applications, DirectX® 11 capable graphics and extended battery life. Advanced multitasking, playing highly detailed games, music and photo editing, creating/editing HD movies the Aspire x253 notebooks are the perfect instruments to let you unleash your creativity.
The Aspire x253 series comes with Clear.fi, Acer’s new media sharing system based on the idea that it’s easier if all multimedia content is simply brought into a single system with a common interface. No matter where they are. Clear.fi is a cross-platform solution that works straight out of the box, automatically detecting the Clear.fi-enabled devices connected to the wireless home network, and then allowing all digital content stored on any of these to be shared seamlessly using the Clear.fi media interface.
The new Aspires comes in two format sizes – 35.5 cm (14”) for the Aspire 4253, and 39.5 cm (15.6”) for the Aspire 5253 – with high-definition Acer CineCrystal™ LED backlit displays presenting more details and clarity for a startling realism. Featuring a 16:9 aspect ratio and high resolution the Aspire x253 series ensure breathtaking visuals in high definition for the ultimate cinematic entertainment experience at home or away.
What’s more, latest version of HDMI® standard not only lets you bring the HD experience the bigger screen, but adds support for extremely high video resolutions that go far beyond today’s 1080p systems and incorporates a dedicated data channel, allowing users to consolidate video, audio and data streams into a single cable and take full advantage of IP enabled devices
Powerful processors speed up your productivity, while DDR3 memory (up to 8GB for the Aspire 5253) ensures an ultra fast system response and a seamless handling of multitasking demands. As for storage, large capacity hard disks provide generous space to easily stow your growing digital archive. Plus, the card reader ensured effortless file transfer and sharing.
Several connectivity solutions simplify Internet access and communication. Acer InviLink™ 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED®, supporting Acer SignalUp™ wireless technology, ensure reliable wireless connectivity, whereas Gigabit Ethernet provides ultra-fast and stable wired communication. Optional Bluetooth 3.0 is perfect for short-range quick and secure data transfer. In addition, you can take advantage of the built-in Acer Crystal Eye high-definition webcam and microphone to engage in live chats with your friends around the world or set up business video-conferences.
Protected from scratches and fingerprints by a practical textured finish that conveys a home look and feel, the Aspire x253 series flaunts a streamlined profile, for greater mobility. These notebooks are available in three color options – Mesh Black, Mesh Brown, and Mesh Red – with palm rest in matching shade and finish, for a more appealing look. On the Acer FineTip keyboard typing is easy, fast and accurate, on account of the large keys, while the multi-gesture touchpad offers mouse-free, fingertip convenience for zooming, rotating, navigating and browsing.
Environmentally conscious, these laptops adopt technology, materials and processes that comply with prevailing international standards. This is why the displays use LED lamps that reduce power consumption while offering a better performance and the energy efficient processors ensure longer battery life for greater mobility.
The Acer Aspire x253 is expected Q2 in the UK, pricing TBA.
Samsung has just launched a brand new netbook and notebook over in India, after their official unveiling back in September. Samsung says that these new notebooks show their commitment to providing the best portability, performance, and an enhanced battery life, all the while putting it together in a nice package.
The NF210 netbook features a 10.1-inch LED backlit, anti-glare display, integrated WiFi, and 2GB of RAM under the hood. Samsung would also like to point out that this is the first Samsung-branded netbook to be powered by an Intel Atom dual-core processor. The netbook also features SRS surround sound, and Bluetooth 3.0. You’ll find 3 USB 2.0 ports, and Samsung says the NF210 features “Fast Start,” which means users will be able to start up the netbook faster than usual. There’s also a 6-cell battery for good measure. Expected retail in India is Rs. 22,900.
Lastly, the SF510 notebook features a 15.6-inch LED backlit HD dispay, with integrated WiFi, 1GB NVIDIA GPU, and 4GB of RAM. Potential owners will be able to use either an Intel Core i3 or Core i5 processor. There’s an integrated webcam, an HDMI port, and a spill-proof keyboard. Samsung should be pricing the SF510, which also features Fast Boot and Samsung’s AllShare media-sharing software, for around Rs. 55,490.
Acer may be calling this “100 percent smartphone. 100 percent tablet,” but something just doesn’t add up there. That being said, we have to agree that a 1024×480 screen resolution on a 4.8-inch smartphone is downright drool-worthy. Clocking in at just a smidgen smaller than Dell’s Streak, this here phone (no finalized name has been bestowed quite yet) was just revealed at Acer’s Global press event in New York City. It was only shown briefly, demonstrating an unknown version of Android and the “evolution of Acer UI.” Specs wise, there’s a two megapixel front-facing camera, eight megapixel rear camera (with LED flash), 720p video recording, a six-axis Gyroscope + accelerometer package and LED edge lighting. Per usual, Acer’s keeping a lid on any pricing estimates, but it’ll be shipping out to gape-jawed customers everywhere in April 2011.
Update: We’ve got the full PR after the break, which informs us of the atypical 21:9 aspect ratio in use here as well as its “full metal body.” Curiously enough, it’s also rocking a curved back (is that a trend we spot?), Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11n WiFi, HSDPA support, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and an HDMI output. Delicious, all the way around.
Update 2: Does that elongated form factor seem a wee bit familiar? It should.
Elecom is on a roll with wireless gadgets lately, especially those that take advantage of Bluetooth connectivity. After yesterday’s unveiling of their brand new Bluetooth wireless keyboard, featuring integrated left- and right-click mouse buttons and a trackball, this new wireless mouse seems to be the perfect addition. It’s part of Elecom’s M-BT6BL series, and if you like color options, the new mouse has them.
Of course, we should also point out that, just like the Bluetooth keyboard before it, this new mouse is scheduled to land in Japan well before it launches anywhere else. So, if you’re liking what you see, then you’ll have to make a trip to get your hands on it, at least for now. But, to get your hands on Elecom’s first Bluetooth 3.0 wireless mouse, it may be worth it, right?
Features wise, the mouse measures in at a small 74.3mm x 52.3mm x 33.4mm, and it weighs only 43g without any batteries installed. But, if you need to put batteries in it, you’ll need to find yourself a pair of AAAs. The mouse features 800/1600 DPI resolution, and it will be made available in Japan some time in December. You’ll be able to choose from red, white, or black.
We’re guessing that this newfangled SmartPOP feature works a lot like Lenovo’s Constant Connect (or perhaps LG’s own Air Sync?), but either way, the feature set is still fairly innovative. On the surface, LG is today introducing its X170 netbook — a 10.1-incher with an Atom N455 (or N550), 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and integrated Intel GMA 3150 graphics. But it’s the accompanying SmartPOP feature that’s really worth a second glance; purportedly, the system utilizes Bluetooth 3.0 in order to connect to your LG phone (supported models haven’t been made public thus far) and do all sorts of things. Syncing your files and email is just the beginning — once you’re in, you can send an SMS, view contacts / files and dial a phone number from the comfort of your PC. We’re guessing that future uses will be somewhat more impressive than existing ones, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right? Word on the street has this one going for just under $700 in South Korea, and we’re definitely hoping that mobile there is included for that price.
The first time Nokia’s N8-00 popped up on our radar was way back in early February of this year. On that chilly, misty morning, we learned of a mythical being capable of shooting 12 megapixel stills, recording 720p video, outputting via HDMI, and — most importantly — ushering in the promised Symbian^3 touch revolution. It’s been a long road of leaks, teasers, hands-ons, and previews since then, but at long last, the legend of the N8 has become a purchasable commodity. All the early specs have survived, including the 3.5-inch AMOLED display, but the key question today, as it was at the beginning, relates to that all-new software within: does Symbian^3 succeed in elevating Nokia’s touchscreen experience or does it drag down an otherwise stellar combination of high-end parts? For that verdict and much, much more, join us after the break.
Samsung’s Wave S8500 was a classic case of great hardware let down by mediocre software – in its case bada – and unfortunately we’ve no reason to assume its successor will be any different. The Samsung Wave II S8530 looks a whole lot like the original Wave but in fact has a bigger 3.7-inch Super LCD touchscreen rather than the S8500′s 3.3-inch Super AMOLED panel.
Beyond that, it’s pretty much a facsimile of the original specifications, with UMTS/HSPA, WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0, along with a 5-megapixel camera and flash capable of 720p HD video recording. Samsung’s own 1GHz Hummingbird CPU keeps things moving, and there’s a microSD card slot, TV output and access to Samsung’s bada app store.
The Samsung Wave II S8530 is expected to land in Germany in November, and be priced at €429 ($587). If we were feeling cynical, we might wonder whether this incremental update is in fact a way for Samsung to work around much-rumored Super AMOLED panel shortages.
Acer’s UK press team has been atypically loquacious today in disclosing the expected launch window and Android version for its upcoming Liquid Metal handset. We’ve confirmed ourselves that the end of October is the period now circled on Her Majesty’s calendar, though we suspect the rest of Europe, if not the entire world, will be getting to grips with the Froyo-packing smartphone at about that time as well. The unconfirmed specs (gotta keep a little mystery, right?) include the same 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7230 as inside the T-Mobile G2, a 3.6-inch display with 800 x 480 resolution, Bluetooth 3.0 onboard, and the handsome backplate you see above, which seems to have been made out of brushed aluminum. So how do you feel, is there room for yet another contender on your smartphone wishlist?
We can’t say we were overwhelmingly convinced with Samsung’s bada smartphone OS back when we reviewed the Wave S8500, the handset’s high-end specs doing most of the wowing, so we’ll be interested to see how a more affordable model fares. Samsung has just outed the Wave 723 (GT-S7320E), apparently intended to further “democritize” the smartphone market, with a 3.2-inch WQVGA LCD display, 5-megapixel camera and dualband UMTS/HSPA.
There’s also Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi b/g/n and A-GPS, together with 90MB of internal storage and a microSD card slot. Unfortunately there isn’t the same high-end A/V codec support as we’ve seen on other recent Samsung handsets; the Wave 723 makes do with MPEG4, H.263 and H.264, eschewing DivX and Xvid.
Still, it’s a more entry-level step into bada ownership, if that’s something you really want, together with the fledgling bada application store. No word on pricing, but Samsung says the Wave 723 will arrive in Germany next month, followed by broader European availability, Asia and Africa.
Press Release:
Samsung Takes Brilliant Next Step in Democratization of Smart Phone Market, with Launch of the Wave 723
SEOUL, Korea – August 30, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the launch of the Wave 723 (Model : GT-S7320E), the newest smart phone based on its open smart phone platform, Samsung bada. The device reinforces Samsung’s commitment to democratizing the smart phone market and enabling access for all. Through the launch of the Wave 723, Samsung will deliver a remarkable smart phone experience to a broader demographic of users.
The Wave 723 combines a crystal clear 3.2-inch TFT-LCD display with an application-centric interface that allows users to seamlessly and directly access applications that support their daily needs and lifestyles. The Social Hub feature helps you stay organized while staying connected with friends and family everywhere, anytime. These features are enhanced by the latest Wi-Fi technology that delivers faster download speeds and gives users access from greater distances.
The smart phone is ideal for people who are on the move and excited to share their lives using Samsung’s most efficient and intelligent mobile technology. It has been designed to deliver the highest performance and quality to so that users can take full advantage of all aspects of the online experience from their mobile phone. The Wave 723 will be available starting in September 2010 in Germany and will be gradually rolled out to other European markets including Southeast Asia, the Middle East Asia, and Africa.
“The Wave 723 reflects our relentless pursuit of the best in mobile technologies by optimizing the application and social media experience. In new and innovative ways, the Wave 723 delivers on Samsung’s goal to give a rich, connected smart phone experience to everyone,” said JK Shin, President and Head of the Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics.
The Wave 723 has been designed to open the door to an expanded and rich application environment giving users access to applications that will help them to enhance and organize their lives. The Wave 723 offers easy and direct access to the Samsung Apps store for browsing, purchasing and downloading of free and premium apps. Featuring a wealth of games, navigation, social networking, e-book, health and lifestyle applications, Samsung Apps allows the Samsung Wave 723 to be a true lifestyle assistant with localized services that specific and dedicated to individual lifestyles.
The bada platform is at the core of Samsung’s application-centric vision and allows for the open development of apps of all kinds. Wave 723 is developed based on the bada SDK 1.1. The SDK 1.1 has Auto-UI scaling feature where application developers can reproduce applications to work on Wave 723 from already developed bada Application on Wave with minimum effort. With this feature, more rich applications can be delivered to users in advance.
Equipped with the latest Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), the Wave 723 lets users take advantage of download speeds while reaching networks at greater distances. It has an easy and simplified downloading process so you can get apps to your phone faster than ever. This means users can take full advantage of the application-centric nature of the Wave 723 without having to wait for the applications to download.
The Wave 723 has also been designed to not just be powerful in performance but beautiful to look at. It measures a thin 11.8mm with a metallic back cover, making the Wave 723 sleek and modern, while at the same time reflecting the mobile’s technological prowess. Its new leather flip cover offers protection to the mobile as well as a sophisticated flair. Its natural-material is the perfect contrast to the mobile’s metal chassis showing that a handset can combine balance and beauty.
Well, fancy that. Just after showing you a new Eee USB hard drive, we’ve got Asus showcasing a new, 10-inch netbook with the same branding. If you’re looking for a new netbook, this new Eee PC model may be the next best choice, but then again, some of the features you’ll find in this new model are pretty commonplace within the netbook market.
The Asus Eee PC 1016P is still missing a product page, in its own right, but it is being showcased on Asus’ website now. So, that next logical step will probably happen right around the corner here. However, despite the official page missing, previous reports of the netbook’s existence have the full list of specs already available, and we’ve no reason to think that they’ll change much in the coming weeks. Under the hood you’ll find an Intel Atom N455 CPU, Bluetooth 3.0, a 320GB hard drive, and 2GB of RAM to give you an extra boost in your daily computing needs. It has DDR3 support, and the battery life is clocked at 13 hours on a single charge.
As for the other details, they look like this: Windows 7 Starter, a 10-inch LED-backlit WSVGA screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600, a 0.3MP front-facing camera, stereo speakers, 3 USB 3.0 ports and 1 LAN RJ-45 port. It also comes with a card reader, and the battery is of the 6-cell variety. It will come in black and silver, whenever it officially launches. There’s still no word on that official release date, nor is there a price point that we can reveal to you today.
