Todays & Tomorrows Technology

AMD are planning to announce a new flagship processor, the 3.4GHz Phenom II, to take on Intel’s Core 2 Quad range, according to a number of sites. The so-called AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition has been spotted on the ASRock site, which seemingly confirms that it will have the same cache and 125W TDP as the Phenom II X4 955.

News of the unannounced chip has prompted speculation about pricing for AMD’s new flagship. Currently the X4 955 – the highest-spec CPU in AMD’s Phenom II range today – is priced at around $245; Intel’s highest-spec Core 2 Quad CPU meanwhile, the Q9650, is around $320.

AMD might choose to price the new 3.4GHz processor up near the Q9650, at least at first, before dropping it down so as to remain competitive when Intel begin delivering Lynnfield processors later in 2009. Lynnfield chips will slot into Intel’s i5 and i7 mid- and high-range processor lines.

HTC’s TouchFLO 3D UI for Windows Mobile is arguably the best way to navigate Microsoft’s platform, but now that we’ve seen the latest Sense UI on the HTC Hero it’s losing some of its gloss. Happily HTC haven’t ceased all work on TouchFLO 3D, and screenshots and a video demo of version 2.5 have emerged to whet our appetites.

The most obvious improvement is that HTC have buried Windows Mobile even further underneath their home-grown UI. Looking at the video demo below, you have to really go looking for the underlying OS; general, day-to-day use won’t really unearth it.

There are also new shortcuts on the homepage, the introduction of Footprints – HTC’s geotagging system – and a freshly swollen settings dialog that covers even more options. Interestingly, TouchFLO 3D v2.5 is said to only work on WVGA devices like the HTC Touch HD, Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2; no word on when we can expect to see it released, nor if it will be offered as an upgrade to existing smartphone users.

Intel’s upcoming 32nm Clarkdale processor could be seeing a release sooner than expected, according to unnamed sources at motherboard manufacturers. The company has reportedly brought forward mass-production of the Clarkdale CPU to Q4 2009, compared to the original Q1 2010 date on their timetable.
Clarkdale will have two cores each capable of two threads, and include integrated graphics and a memory controller. It’s expected to be positioned as the company’s latest mainstream desktop processor, and account for 10-percent of OEM shipments in Q4 2009, rising to 20-percent in Q1 2010.

That’s still behind 45nm-process chips, which will still account for an expected 78-percent of OEM desktop shipments in the new year. Intel themselves have declined to comment on the report.

Rumors regarding a PSP phone have circulated for almost as long as the gaming handheld itself has been available, and despite Sony’s best efforts they refuse to die down. According to the Nikkei business daily this weekend, Sony is looking to set up a department that would explore gaming/phone hybrid devices; the team could be established as early as July, suggests the report.
While the Nikkei’s sources are unspecified, the Sony project is tipped to bring together their own gaming-device experience and the cellular functionality of Sony Ericsson handsets. That implies that the project may not be a Sony Ericsson device but solely bear Sony’s branding; previous rumors have suggested strong internal disagreement over Sony Ericsson handsets using the PlayStation name.

Sony themselves have declined to comment on the report, which does at least make a change from the usual “we have no plans” we tend to hear from them. Their most recent handheld, the PSP Go, has WiFi but no 3G connectivity; however as it relies on digital distribution for its gaming titles and content, it would be a likely candidate for the sort of anywhere-downloads integrated WWAN would permit.

According to an internal Microsoft tipster, the upcoming Zune HD will be available in 16GB and 32GB capacities, and be priced from $249 to $280 for the entry-level model. The company is considering a 64GB Zune HD later on in the model year, but the first of the PMPs will arrive in September; that tallies with previous rumors that fingered September 5th.

The source – a software engineer within Microsoft who claims that, while he chose to leak independently, his actions are known and unofficially sanctioned by the company – also suggests that movies are finally coming to the Zune Marketplace, and that the team are working on the final licensing agreements with the major studios. That content will be available in HD.

If that starting price turns out to be accurate, it will position the Zune HD above Apple’s rival iPod touch PMPs. The Zune’s Tegra HD-capable chipset, HDMI output and AMOLED multitouch-capable display are likely culprits for pushing up prices; it remains to be seen whether Microsoft can sufficiently persuade consumers that their platform is finally better than Apple’s.

Details of a new device in Logitech’s distributed audio streamer range have emerged, the Logitech Squeezebox Touch. A WiFi-connected base-station controller with 4.3-inch color touchscreen and integrated stereo speakers, the Squeezebox Touch can seemingly both integrated with an existing setup as well as be used to access online music and internet radio.

The Touch supports MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, AAC and Apple Lossless, among other formats, together with MP3, Ogg and WMA internet radio streams. Its WiFi b/g connection supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 encryption, and there’s also a 10/100 ethernet port. A USB host port will allow you to plug in a USB drive, plus there’s an SD card slot for loading music and photos that way.

In addition to the onboard speakers there’s also a headphone jack, stereo RCA output, digital optical and digital coax outputs. Logitech have even squeezed an ambient light sensor and proximity sensor into the bezel. No word on release date or US pricing as yet.

According to Dave Zatz, both the Squeezebox Duet and Squeezebox Boom are also in for an upgrade, though no details on exactly what will change.

The clock is counting down to HTC’s London press event, with a little over three hours to go until we get to see exactly what the smartphone manufacturer has in store. We’re fully expecting to see a new Android handset, most likely the HTC Hero, which we’re hearing that the company has been quietly showing off to select groups of journalists and analysts. SlashGear will be at the event this morning, bringing you all the details.

The Hero is expected to feature similar hardware to the HTC Magic, so figure a capacitive touchscreen, 3G and WiFi connectivity, GPS and a camera. What stands it apart are the modifications HTC have apparently made to Android; while the company’s first two devices have pretty much delivered the typical Google platform experience, leaked ROM builds from the Hero suggest a new UI called “Rosie”.

Rosie blends some of HTC’s TouchFLO 3D UI, as seen on their Windows Mobile devices, with Android, and we’re hearing very positive things from those running the ROM on their devices. Other rumors, though, are saying that HTC will bring a second device, similar to the Hero but with a QWERTY keyboard, called Memphis along today. We’ll only know when the curtain (likely metaphorically) goes up, so keep reading SlashGear to find out all the news today.

Intel are about to announce a deal whereby they will supply Nokia with mobile processors, according to an anonymous Bloomberg tipster. The deal is expected to be revealed today in a conference call with Anand Chandrasekher, senior VP of Intel’s ultra-mobility group; Intel themselves have only confirmed that they have an “important announcement” to make.

What’s unclear at present is the nature of the chips Intel will be supplying Nokia. The company’s CEO has previously said that they’ve considered a move into the notebook or netbook segment, though failed to specify whether such a device would take the form of a traditional, 3G-connected laptop, or something more unusual such as a MID or UMPC.

It seems likely, then, that Nokia are looking to use Intel’s Moorestown platform, expected to arrive in 2010, or – further in the future – their Medfield platform for smartphones that’s penciled in for 2011.

Details of Verizon’s upcoming Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone, the HTC Ozone, have leaked, detailing not only the handset’s full specifications but pricing and other tidbits. The Verizon Ozone XV6800 will have a 2.4-inch QVGA non-touchscreen display and full QWERTY keyboard, and not only access the carrier’s EVDO Rev.A network but have globalphone quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity for roaming use.

Verizon will supply the Ozone with a pre-fitted SIM, and in some regions users will be able to choose between local networks. Other specs include a 2-megapixel autofocus camera with video recording, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP wireless stereo support. There’s also a microSD card slot, 256MB ROM and 128MB RAM, GPS – that can use, but isn’t limited to, Verizon VZ Navigator – voice command and visual voicemail support.

The whole thing measures 4.5 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches and weighs 3.7oz with its 1,500mAh battery; talktime is rated at 290 minutes, or 324hrs standby. According to the leaked information, the Verizon Wireless HTC Ozone will go on sale online on June 29th, followed by in-store on July 13th, priced at $119.99 with a two-year agreement. Alternatively it’s $189.99 with a one-year contract or $429.99 contract-free.

The surprise is perhaps diminished thanks to their joining the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) back in December 2008, but according to Taiwanese industry sources Toshiba are currently developing an Android-based cellphone. No details regarding the smartphone have been disclosed, and Toshiba themselves are yet to publicly announce any Android intentions.

One possibility, however, is that Toshiba are considering a Qualcomm Snapdragon based Android device. The company’s TG01 Windows Mobile smartphone already uses the Snapdragon chipset, and Qualcomm themselves demonstrated Android running on a reference prototype back at CES in January. Such a handset could have significantly improved AV capabilities, with various Snapdragon processors supporting anything from integrated WWAN and GPS to high-definition support, mobile digital TV, HSPA+ and WiFi.

Back when Toshiba joined the OHA - at the same time as Garmin, ASUS and Sony Ericsson – no specific intent for any one member was given. Instead, they were tipped to either “deploy compatible Android devices, contribute significant code to the Android Open Source Project, or support the ecosystem through products and services that will accelerate the availability of Android-based devices.”

RIM’s BlackBerry Onyx 9020 could be the second handset from the company to feature an optical trackpad instead of the usual trackball. While previous leaked shots of pre-release Onyx hardware have shown the smartphone with a trackball, according to the latest news from CrackBerry’s trusted sources the final production version will definitely get the trackpad.

The buttons on the Onyx have apparently also been reworked slightly, in part to better accommodate the trackpad. No photos of the updated BlackBerry have been released, nor concrete justification for the design decision, but it’s believed to be an attempt to minimize hardware failure and reliance on mechanical input methods.

What’s still unknown is when we can expect the Onyx to actually arrive on store shelves. The last we heard, back in March, was that it would land on AT&T and perhaps as a different version – with UMA support – for T-Mobile USA.

Dell’s upcoming 12-inch budget notebook, the Vostro 1220, has leaked, and it scores a few points for being neither CULV nor Atom based. Instead, the Vostro 1220 gets an Intel Core 2 Duo T6750 processor, up to 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard-drive, plus a DVD burner.

There’s also an ExpressCard slot, SD card reader and biometric fingerprint security. Ports seemingly include three USB 2.0, ethernet, a modem, VGA and audio in/out, and there’s a row of handy touch-sensitive media control buttons above the keyboard.

We’re not sure of pricing or availability for the Dell Vostro 1220, but it’s likely to be on the cheap end of the scale. It could very well take the place of the Dell Inspiron Mini 12, the demise of which has been rumored since February.

Never one to under-egg the photography pudding, Nikon have organized two separate press conferences in the upcoming months, first on July 30th and then another on August 4th. That’s prompted speculation as to which two products might be imminent; the Nikon D300s, with its SD card slot, seems a likely candidate for one date, but there’s less certainty about the second DSLR.
Over at Photography Bay, they’re speculating about two main possibilities. Firstly, that Nikon will replace their D60 entry-level DSLR, perhaps by adding video recording capabilities so as to stay in line with entry-level rivals; second, that the Nikon D3s will be replaced.

CrunchGear are putting their money on a D60 replacement, based on the premise that the obvious update to the D3s – again, video recording – would be less important on a professional DSLR. Of course, there’s always the chance that Nikon will use one event to unveil their new point-and-shoot range.

The thought of Swedish uber-car manufacturer Koenigsegg ever actually putting their Quant concept car into production was a laughable joke back when they revealed it in March. The solar electric vehicle was billed as a “car of the future” designed to showcase NLV Solar’s nifty photovoltaic and accumulator tech; now, according to one Koenigsegg insider, the firm intends to put the Quant into limited production.

The concept behind the Quant is straightforward: as well as a standard recharging system, which is apparently capable of fully juicing the supercar in 20 minutes, the whole thing has a photovoltaic coating that constantly tops up the batteries. That means the Quant is good for a 500km range, helped by the slippery aerodynamic shape.

Of course, since this is Koenigsegg we’re talking about, speed isn’t in short supply either. Twin rear-wheel drive electric motors can push the Quant 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 170mph. Not bad for a four-seater with gullwing doors, 3-zone climate control, at least six airbags and all the usual electronic safety gubbins.

Commentators are already linking the leak to Koenigsegg’s recent buyout bid for Saab, though there’s no telling whether the two are connected. Whatever the badge on the front, look out Tesla: Sweden is coming for you.

The latest batch of new laptop and ultraportable rumors are spilling out of the Far-East, tipping new touchscreen models running Windows 7 and at least one ultra-thin from LG. According to industry sources, HP, Acer and Lenovo have all placed orders with Taiwanese capacitive touchscreen manufacturer Cando; meanwhile MSI are said to be supplying LG with an ultra-thin notebook that will ship in the second half of 2009.

The Cando touchscreens in question are the company’s 12.1-inch model, which have recently become the first such panel to receive Windows 7 compatibility certification. That means Microsoft agree that the panels will work with Windows 7’s extensive multitouch technology. Shipments are expected to begin in August, with Cando currently capable of producing 400,000 to 500,000 panels per month, rising to 1m per month in 2010.

As for the LG ultra-thin notebooks, no hardware specifications are known but according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News report the company is in talks with telecom providers regarding bundling WWAN connectivity. That would imply that the notebook will have integrated 3G.

In-the-wild photos of Dell’s upcoming Latitude Z600 notebook have emerged, and while there are no solid specifications known at present, it’s looking to be an interesting portable. The Z600 is tipped as having a 15-inch display, while the logos suggest Intel’s Centrino platform serves up the underlying grunt.

There’s also a fingerprint scanner, webcam and an oddly angled rear section that holds the ethernet port. Ports include USB 2.0 and DisplayPort; we’d expect there to be WiFi and Bluetooth inside, too.

No news on when we might see an official reveal from Dell for the Latitude Z600, but with units in the wild it seems only a matter of time until the spec sheet is confirmed. More photos of the notebook in the gallery below.

Olympus’ E-P1 Micro Four Thirds digital camera is expected to make its official debut on Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to hear about the appealing snapper today if we can. The E-P1 is, according to the latest spec-leak, expected to have a 13-megapixel sensor, 200-6400 ISO range and 60-1/4000 shutter speed, together with supporting 720p video recording.
According to the leak, the E-P1 will support up to 7 minutes of 720p recording or up to 14 minutes of 480p resolution recording. Stills can be captured in RAW, JPEG or RAW + JPEG formats, and there’s a Liveview LCD with electronic shake correction.

Eleven-area autofocus round out the leak. It’s expected to be priced at ¥90,000 ($917) for the kit, with a bundle including both 17mm and 14-42mm lenses coming in at ¥130,000 ($1,324). Alternatively the 17mm lens is believed to be priced at ¥10,000 ($101) while the 14-42mm version is ¥35,000 ($356).

The 11.6-inch netbook/CULV segment continues to look to be the next area of growth in budget ultraportables, as display panel manufacturer Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) are tipped to have secured orders with both Dell and Samsung. The company has been demonstrating the 11.6-inch panel along with a 13.3-inch version intended for CULV machines at the Display Taiwan 2009 expo.

Also on show have been 3D-capable panels and a multitouch display intended for netbooks. No word on whether they have been picked up by manufacturers yet.

The 11.6-inch CPT display, like most of its size, runs at 1366 x 768 resolution. It has a 220 cd/m2 brightness rating and 3.6W power consumption; CPT expect it to go into mass production come July 2009, though there’s no word on when we can expect to see the Samsung and Dell machines using it.

Intel’s upcoming CPU plans continue to leak out, with motherboard manufacturers apparently tipping a new entry-level Celeron range in Q3 2009 together with a new Core i7 processor in Q4. The Intel Celeron E3000 series will replace the existing E1000 series, and initially consist of 45nm 2.4GHz and 2.5GHz chips. As for the performance chip, that will be the 3.2GHz Core i7 960.

The E3000 Celeron processors will each have 1MB of L2 cache, an 800MHz FSB and 65W TDP. The E3200 will run at 2.4GHz while the E3300 will run at 2.5GHz, and both will support VT-x virtualization. That means Windows 7’s XP Mode will run.

According to the unspecified sources, Intel expect the new E3000 range to account for 10-percent of their entry-level CPU shipments in Q4 2009, rising to 21-percent in Q1 2010. Meanwhile the D410 nettop chip is predicted to capture 6-percent in the first-quarter next year, lagging behind the faster D510 with 25-percent.

More on Samsung’s upcoming B7610 Louvre this morning, and the suggestion that in fact the handset is set to arrive as the Samsung Omnia Pro. New photos, including a live-shot of the smartphone, have emerged, together with specifications seemingly confirming the 3.5-inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen, HSDPA/HSUPA and WiFi connectivity, and a 5.1-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash.

While the Omnia Pro will run Windows Mobile 6.1 (with an upgrade to 6.5 once that’s released, unless Samsung postpone their launch until the new OS is available) it will also have different UIs to pick from: one “Pro” and one “Media” which presumably offers a more PMP-styled interface. There’ll also be a dedicated button to switch between them.

Other specifications include GPS, DLNA support, a TV-out connection, Bluetooth and FM radio, plus a microSDHC card slot (up to 32GB supported) and 1GB of onboard storage. The battery is tipped as a 1,500mAh pack, while the CPU is an unspecified 800MHz chip. DivX, WMV and H.264 acceleration is supported. There’s talk that the Samsung Omnia Pro will land in August 2009.