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HP launches its TouchSmart tm2t series tablet PC that comes with a 12.1-inch capacitive touchscreen with LED-backlight and 1280×800 resolution. Starting at $949.99, the tm2t series is boosted by Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300/SU9600 CULV processor, up to 8GB of RAM and either integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD or 512MB ATI Mobilty Radeon HD4550 graphics card.

The new TouchSmart tm2t is equipped with up to 500GB hard drive and a 8X DVD SuperMulti burner. It comes with webcam, optional fingerprint scanner, built-in Altec Lansing stereo speakers, 5-in-1 card reader, and support for WiFi. This tablet has a brushed aluminum in argento blush finish.

French site blogeee.net shows us some documents of Asus’ upcoming EeeTop PC ET2010PNT all-in-one desktop PC that is equipped with NVIDIA’s ION2 Geforce G310 graphics card with hardware video decoding.

The ET2010PNT gets Intel Atom Pine Trail D510 dual core processor and runs Windows 7 OS. It has a 20-inch 1600×1200 HD LCD display.

If you frequently travel to a lot of different places, then you are doubtless familiar with one of the biggest challenges facing today’s jet-setter - finding a decent cup of coffee.
Well, help is on the way. In fact, scratch that, it’s here. Danish fancy-gadget-seller Stelton is now offering the world’s smallest battery-powered espresso machine.

Called Simply Espresso, this caffeine-lover’s steamy-dream-come-true was designed for Stelton by French tech company Nielsen Innovation. It is reportedly quite easy to use, and even reaches a pressure of 16 bar, just like the big boys. And at just 23 x 8 centimeters (9 x 3 inches), the stainless steel beauty will easily fit in a suitcase... you might have to pack a couple less pairs of underwear, but priorities are priorities. (MD)

From the first time we saw Nokia's N900 handheld computer we thought that it would be the ultimate communications device.
With a large screen, fast processor, open OS and Firefox based browser, it seemed destined to become one of Nokia's major success stories. This was early September 2009, Nokia was showing off the device at their NokiaWorld conference, along with a new version of their N97 Symbian smartphone, and it looked like the N900 was the flagship product the the N97 SHOULD have been when it came out a few months earlier. We jumped on the bandwagon and were early supporters of the device.

Fast forward to the end of 2009 and it seems like the N97, now with its 2.0 firmware, is the better device despite all the power user advantages that the N900 should be enjoying. Meanwhile Nokia can't seem to get the N900 software stable enough for executives and power users to depend upon.

We also really like the way that Nokia has opened up the Maemo OS platform to developers. But it's just impossible to ignore the fact that Nokia isn't able to put enough power behind Maemo to compete with Google and their Android OS. In the same time that Nokia has managed to soft launch one Maemo device, there have been a dozen Android devices from multiple vendors, and 40 or 50 more scheduled for 2010. Additionally, there are over 20,000 applications available from third parties already for Android. There's a few quality applications for Maemo, but honestly you can count them on your fingers and toes, and none of them are really mission critical.

The software
Nearly all of our disappointments, with the exception of battery life which we'll address separately, are software related - although Nokia is putting out updates regularly. While the core applications are good, they show a general lack of maturity, and left us thinking that two thirds of the things that you'd like to be able to configure and change just weren't configurable.

In a recent example that it is being proactive on the software front, Nokia released a firmware update the adds support for the still widely used Exchange 2003 E-mail/calendar/address book (previously there was only support for Exchange 2007).

Advanced messaging including Skype, Google Talk, and SIP (VoIP) has been beautifully integrated into the native address book, dialer, and SMS/IM client, but isn't polished or configurable enough. For example, Skype is fully integrated as a core service for the N900. It works wonderfully for making Skype calls via WiFi, and offers Skype "chat" as well. This integration is so complete that the Skype status of you Skype contact shows up in the address book and on desktop icons.

It's impressive and powerful, but it also comes with address book integration problems that cause multiple entries for your contacts, and while these can be "merged" together using a feature of the N900 address book, these merged entries don't sync back to Exchange correctly. And good luck trying on "un-merge" two entries if you make a mistake during the merging process.

There's also the issue that any instant messaging "conversation" you have (including Skype chat) sets off your N900's alarms with every line of text received. In a more mature product there would be some way to have it "beep" when the conversation was started, but keep quiet after for subsequent messages. There's a general lack of font selectability in e-mail and chat applications, which is something that would add to usability but just isn't configurable. We could make an exhaustive list, but there's little point; the platform needs more time to mature.

Impressive browsing
Despite its shortcomings, there is potential with the N900, and it shines as a mobile browsing device. Nokia based the native browser on Mozilla's Firefox and it's the closest thing to a desktop browser we've ever seen before in a mobile device. In fact many of the add-ons built for the desktop version of Firefox will work with minimal changes on the N900. Multi-tasking support allows multiple applications to be running at once, and multiple browser sessions to be running at the same time. Switching between windows is fast and simple, and it's easy to launch new tasks without disturbing your existing ones.

Battery life
The N900 is approximately 20% bigger than Nokia's N97 flagship Symbian device, has a larger screen (800x600 vs. 640x360), and a faster processor, yet for some inexplicable reason Nokia chose to equip it with a smaller battery. While using the N900 configured for exchange syncing and with moderate calling and browsing, we found that we couldn't last a full day on a charge. It's almost as bad as an iPhone in this respect, but at least with the N900 you can swap in a second battery, the iPhone gives you no such option.

Overall, we'd have to say we're frustrated with the N900. We had high hopes for the device, and it seems that there's a lot of work still needed to bring the Maemo platform to maturity. The key to this will be to have core applications that are rock solid and to attract third party developers that will write applications for the platform. Nokia really isn't there yet with either of these, and frankly we're not sure how they can win the hearts and minds of the developers with the lead the Apple and Google have with their platforms. For now we're just going to wait and see how quickly Nokia can shave off the sharp corners on Maemo, improve the core applications on the N900, and generally make the device more usable. Until then, Nokia's N900's potential remains, for the most part, unrealized. (MD

Helsinki: Nokia said it would defend itself vigorously against Apple's new complaint to the United States International Trade Commission.
The two phone giants are in the midst of a major legal battle, which started last October when Nokia charged Apple for using its patented technologies without paying for them. Apple filed the new ITC complaint on Friday.

"Nokia will study the complaint when it is received and continue to defend itself vigorously," said a company spokesman.

"However, this does not alter the fact that Apple has failed to agree appropriate terms for using Nokia technology and has been seeking a free ride on Nokia's innovation since it shipped the first iPhone in 2007," he said.

In late December Nokia also filed a claim with the ITC, alleging Apple infringed seven of its patents in "virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers" sold.

"The fact that two such prominent companies have now filed complaints will likely mean the ITC will seek to deal with this as a matter of urgency," said Ben Wood, head of research at British consultancy CCS Insight.

"That said, a lengthy legal battle is almost inevitable irrespective of a decision from the trade commission," he said.

The ITC can ban selling products in the United States -- a market crucial for Apple, but Nokia makes only a fraction of its sales there.

Analysts say it could take years to solve the legal battle. "This dispute is still in its infancy. I don't think Nokia is finished with evaluating the infringements by Apple, it might be just the surface," said Steven Nathasingh, chief executive of U.S. research firm Vaxa Inc.

Nokia, along with Ericsson and Qualcomm, holds many key patents for making mobile phones.

Nokia has stumbled badly in the fast-growing smartphone sector and relative newcomer Apple has gained ground against the market leader thanks to the iPhone, but still trails Nokia in smartphones sales.

The legal dispute, potentially involving hundreds of millions of dollars in annual royalties, reflects the shifting balance of power in the mobile industry as cellphones morph into handheld computers that can play video games and surf the Web.

Apple, which entered the industry in mid-2007, overtook Nokia in the September quarter as the cellphone maker generating the highest total operating profit. (Reuters)

Perhaps the best piece of advice I never got was "leave your flashlight in an obvious, easily accessible place”, because the one time you’ll really need it will be during a power outage or a blown fuse and the last thing you want at that time is wonder where the heck you put it.
Oh, and keep it fully charged (you know why). While the mPower Emergency Illuminator won’t insist you keep it close by, it does have some impressive features – battery technology that will last up to 20 years (though not if you use it continuously) and a USB outlet which lets you charge other devices.

Designed by the Porsche Design Studios and manufactured by mPhase Technologies, the mPower Emergency Illuminator LED flashlight has two separate battery “tubes” – one is for normal use and holds two CR123 batteries, while the other has what mPhase Technologies calls the OnCommand Reserve Battery. If the regular CR123 batteries run down, the Reserve Battery takes over – even after laying idle for 20 years.

Though not rechargeable, you can grab a replacement battery for your mPower unit for around US$25 (let’s just hope they’re still making them in 20 years time).

The trick will be to get hold of one before you find yourself sitting in your living room during a black out trying to read a newspaper with only a solitary candle.

mPhase Technologies has been named an International CES Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree and expects the product to become available in March 2010. (MD)

The company claims to have produced for the first time, a notebook from an aluminum unibody enclosure, which makes the MacBook thinner, lighter, durable and yes more appealing.
Apple has the reputation of never failing to please its customers and the new Apple MacBook is the proof!

Apple has included a comfortable and responsive keyboard, making your typing activities stress free. The two available models are the 2.0 GHz MacBook and the 2.4 GHz MacBook. The latter like the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, comes with an illuminated keyboard, which efficiently helps you in low light conditions. The trackpad now with the Multi-Touch gestures also serves as the button. The absence of the buttons means you have greater space to move your fingers around the silky smooth glass surface. You can use two fingers to scroll up and down a page, pinch to zoom in and out and experience the three and four finger swipe gestures.

The 13.3 inch LED backlit screen enchants the user with its glossy display. The aluminum casing is well combined with the glass that extends to the corners of the notebook, without any integrated metal. The LED backlit display produces a better display quality and is more power saving than the ordinary display screens.

The MacBook makes it possible to play 3D games, view movies with a rich array of colours and use graphic-intensive applications such as iPhoto and iMovie at high speeds. Thanks to the built-in NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphic card, graphic performance is now delivered up to five times faster.

A hard drive of up to 320 GB allows you to carry all your favourite movies and songs and important documents on the go. You can even upgrade to a 128 GB solid-state drive, consisting of immovable parts, which greatly enhances the disk’s durability. The SuperDrive enables you to burn your movies or data, taking the load off your notebook and making room for more storage.

The machine encloses the grand Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which has the 2.0 GHz or 2.4 GHz running speed, depending upon the model. A 2 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SD RAM lets you run multiple applications simultaneously without slowing down your notebook. In addition, there are two included So-DIMM slots that support up to 4 GB of RAM. A promising combination of the processor and RAM ensures a faster performance laptop, meeting up to your demands.

The MacBook features the Mac OS X v10.5 leopard, which also comes with installed softwares like Quick Look, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD player, Photo Booth and X Code Developer Tools.

There are two USB 2.0 ports, through which you may connect any desired accessory, be it your printer, scanner or a USB mouse. A Mini Display Port is included in the notebook, which allows connection for the new Apple LED Cinema Display. The MagSafe power port protects your system and valuable data through a trip-proof connection. In addition to this, you can even safeguard your MacBook, battery and hard drive via the Kensington lock slot. Audio line in and out slots also accompany these expansion slots.

At the top of your MacBook, rests the iSight camera- which is almost hidden. You can use it to capture pictures and videos or use it as a web cam. You can add effects to your photos by using the iSight with the Photo Booth.

The MacBook offers Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet technology, all integrated in its perfectly designed board. The battery can support up to 5 hours of wireless connectivity. Bluetooth can be very handy at times, especially when you want to connect a keyboard or mouse but don’t want the wires to restrict your movements. Apple itself offers many wireless keyboards and mice, which connect you to your notebook via the Bluetooth.

Last but not the least; Apple MacBook is greener than any of its competitors. The notebook is not only mercury and arsenic free, but also completely eliminates the use of chlorine and bromine compounds throughout its manufacture. Made up of glass and aluminum only, almost whole of the MacBook can be recycled.

I would highly recommend the Apple MacBook, which serves as your iPod, your iPhone and your notebook, brought together into one piece of machinery on your lap. Its ideal combination of durable hardware and software makes it a compact, portable and efficient laptop. True, Apple has given us the taste of the next generation notebooks, with no doubt that MacBook would be one of the leaders. (MD)