Netbook Evangelist | The blog with information resources for netbooks

At a press event in New York City this week, Dell and two partners rolled out a new product that will compete in the home market versus kids’ netbooks slated for release this fall by Eee maker Asus and Disney.

The upcoming Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition is based on a low-end, slimmed down version of Dell’s current Mini 10 netbook, known internally as a “bear” edition, noted Bill Holden, a Dell product management executive, speaking with Betanews at the event.

But the new netbook will be more than a “toy,” said Leigh Ann Brodsky, president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products. Targeted at home use as a “secondary PC,” the product will feature parental controls devised by Dell, along with Nickelodeon-branded wallpaper, icons, and Web portals; bundled security software from McAfee; and an icon linking to Whyville.net, an educationally oriented virtual world created by Numedeon mainly for eight-to-15-year-olds.

Although the first release of the new netbook will run Windows XP, Dell and its partners Nickelodeon and Numedeon, Inc. expect to add Linux as an alternative in the next iteration, according to Holden.

Dell is using Nickelodeon’s “slime” as one product design theme, but other designs will include Nickelodeon properties iCarly and SpongeBob SquarePants. The three companies are also looking at collaborating on netbooks for the school market, Holden told Betanews.

Also this week, wire reports surfaced that the city of Portland, Maine, is weighing the purchase of 2,200 Dell netbooks for high-school students, at a total cost of $1.1 million, in place of the originally planned but more costly Apple iBooks. If the Dell deal is approved by the local school board, students will get the netbooks in October.

At the event in Manhattan on Tuesday night, James B. Bower, chairman and “chief visionary officer” of Numedeon, confirmed to Betanews that his company has been talking with Dell about the prospect of working together in the education market.

Other organizations already active in the school netbook space include Intel, with its Classmate; and One Laptop Per Child (OLPC).

Dell plans to start selling the new netbooks for home use in October, at Wal-Mart stores and on Walmart.com. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced.

Also at the New York City press event, Dell previewed Microsoft’s Windows 7 running on one of its Adamo PC notebooks.

Sony’s VAIO lineup of notebooks has a new addition – this time round a netbook, the VAIO W series! The sturdily-built, fast-performing 10-inch netbook possesses the key characteristics of the Sony VAIO notebook, but in a much smaller, easy-to-carry package!

The elegantly-designed VAIO W series netbook is just perfect for sending emails and instant messages, as well as browsing the Internet. In addition, the netbook is equipped with a built-in VAIO Multimedia Suite, which is a handy amalgamation of video and photo editing tools to enable users create their own high-quality home movies and slideshows – anywhere, anytime.

Pre-installed with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition operating system and Atom N280 1.66 Ghz processor, the VAIO W series netbook boasts an LED-backlit display that support a 16:9 aspect ratio; and a sleek 1366 x 768-resolution screen.

The other features of the newly-launched, Rs. 29,990-priced, netbook include a 160GB hard drive; 1 GB DDR2 RAM; two convenient USB ports; incorporated Bluetooth technology; a built-in webcam and microphone; and a 3-cell lithium ion battery.

The VAIO W netbook also features a built-in Wi-Fi, which not only facilitates a high-speed connection to Internet, but also keeps the users plugged into their favorite media. In addition, the VAIO ‘Media plus’ feature enables the streaming of photos, music and videos from the VAIO W, to be enjoyed on a compatible TV via a DLNA-compliant device!

After announcing its support for the Android platform, Cellular South wants to join another wave – netbooks. The carrier unveiled its latest offering – the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook with built-in 3G modem.

You’ve probably already heard everything about the Mini 10, but let me shortly recap its specs, nonetheless: it comes with a 10.1-inch screen, 160GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, mentioned 3G modem, Intel Atom Z520 processor, and Windows XP Home Edition.

As for the pricing, Cellular South will offer Dell’s baby in black and white for $199 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year mobile broadband agreement which starts at $39.99 ($29.99 for students). The first 2,400 customers to place a netbook order also will receive a free USB thumb drive with the original Transformers movie…

While Google’s Chrome OS made far bigger headlines, PCWorld examined Moblin: A First Look at Intel’s Open-Source OS the other day. If you’re surprised Intel wants to be in the operating system business, remember they work closely with all OS vendors from Microsoft down to various Linux distributions. After all, the more operating system choices you have that run better on Intel chips, like the Atom processor in every netbook, the more Intel chips you purchase.

One great point from the PCWorld article is the ability now for operating system vendors to rethink almost everything for the netbook platform. We think of a netbook as a low powered laptop, but really its power is directed less to spreadsheet crunching and more to graphics and multimedia playing. After all, kids view YouTube and Hulu more than they crunchspreadsheets. The article makes another good point that netbooks, being so small and portable, become the ultimate “personal” computer because they’re so easy to take with you.

Many Linux distributions (Moblin is based on Fedora from RedHat) offer multiple desktop views. This allows you to arrange your apps across multiple screens that rotate like a PC-based Lazy Susan. You can keep the apps open you want to use, but assign them to different screen views so you don’t have to cram them all into one screen with windows overlapping windows.

Moblin does this differently, using what they call zones. While similar to multiple desktops, Intel hasn’t seemed to work out the details yet. However, a new take on a better way to manage your apps and windows is always welcome, and I give Intel kudos for trying new things.

I don’t expect Moblin to overtake Windows, or Chrome OS, or any major Linux distribution like Ubuntu. I do expect Moblin, because it’s from Intel, to get a closer look and make its mark as a proof of concept OS as the world of netbooks rearranges the world of personal computing. That alone makes it worthwhile, so thanks, Intel.

Google is pairing with the two leading netbook manufacturers and a host of other vendors for the initial rollout of its Chrome operating system.

Shortly after unveiling its brand-new operating system, Google posted a FAQ on its Google Chrome Blog outlining the initial slate of hardware partners it has lined up to build and design a device that the new OS will run on.

Two of the first-run partners are Asus and Acer, which, in the netbook field is no surprise. Asus invented the netbook and Acer has quickly come to dominate that market. Both are strong players in the field and in many ways lead netbook innovation.

The other hardware partners include Hewlett-Packard — the overall market-share leader in shipped PCs — Lenovo and Toshiba. Chipmakers Freescale, Texas Instruments and Qualcomm are also on board.

Google address the cost of its Chrome OS as well, assuring potential users that because it will be an open-source product, the OS will be free.

While the announcement of the Chrome OS sent shockwaves through the blogosphere, it’s still important to note that a product is still some ways away. According to Google, the source code for the browser will be available later this year with Chrome OS coming out of beta in the second half of 2010.

It will be interesting to see how Chrome is built and, perhaps, learn more about why Google is focusing on netbooks. While that market may be exploding in sales, a netbook is most often a secondary device. Built with an Intel Atom processor and lower memory and storage, netbooks aren’t equipped to run the business applications required on a full-size notebook or desktop.

And if Google is serious about making a run at Microsoft Windows, something the blogosphere seems to be sure of, Chrome will have to migrate onto business platforms. Netbooks, then, could simply be a proving ground for the OS to see if the search engine giant’s approach to an operating system — namely that the Web is all users need — will work.

Then again, it could be possible that Google doesn’t have designs on Windows. Netbooks are designed for surfing the Web, interacting on social networks, streaming video and other tasks that don’t require much power. If the Chrome OS is designed just to harness the power of the Web in a lightweight manner, then netbooks, and whatever market share Google can grab there, might be the right platform.

French Portable Media Player Archos has revealed that the 9th version of its Tablet PC will be released for Christmas at least in the US and hopefully on this side of the Atlantic as well.

The Archos 9 PC Tablet is a magnificent 8.9-inch capacitive touchscreen PC that even comes with an optical trackball and it will also comes with Windows 7 rather than Vista.

It packs an Intel Atom Z515 processor running at 1.2GHz, 1GB RAM, a 1024×600 pixel screen, WIFi, Optional HSUPA module, a 1.3-megapixel camera and a 60GB hard disk drive (probably traditional to keep prices down). There are also mentions of two DVB-T tuners that will be omitted from the US version.

Expect the Archos 9 PCTablet to come with Windows Office, Web TV & Radio, video conference, antivirus, parental control, photos and movies edition applications and more. The base price of the Archos 9 has been set at £450 while the 120GB version will be charged at £500.

Furthermore, an Archos executive told Tech website Pocket-lint that the company will be launching an Android-based Tablet PC on the 15th of September.

The device will apparently merge an ultra thin internet media tablet with a mobile phone, something that might look like the Toshiba TG01 but without Windows Mobile.

It had to happen. Only the timing seems a bit off because of the recession. But there’s gonna be a Disney netbook, a “Netpal” for 6-12 year-olds, made by netbook pioneer Asustek and selling for $350 at Toys “R” Us starting in late July. A version with more storage and a longer battery will go through Amazon.com and other retailers. The widget should go international by the end of the year. It’s based on Atom and XP with an 8.9-inch screen, 16GB or 160GB of storage, Wi-Fi, integrated web cam, heavy parental controls and a cutesy user interface.

French portable media players maker Archos introduced last night the Archos 9, a Windows 7 powered touchscreen-only Internet tablet. Calling it a MiniPC, the Archos 9 is not exactly the Google Android-touting Archos MID everybody was expecting.

The skinny Archos 9 (0.63 inch thick) weighs just under 1.8 pounds and features a 8.9-inch resistive touchscreen display (1024 by 600 pixels resolution). The company also managed to pack inside a 80GB hard drive and to antennas for DVB-T broadcasts (for viewing a channel and recording another one at the same time).

Archos 9 is powered by an Intel Atom Z515 processors clocked at 1.2 GHz and runs with 1GB of DDR2 RAM. In terms of connectivity, the tablet can satisfy most modern needs with Wi-FI (802.11 b/g), Bluetooth 2.1, a 10/100 Ethernet port and two USB 2.0 ports.

Keeping consistent with its PMP siblings, the Archos 9 has an audio and video output (VGA), two stereo speakers and can easily place Skype calls with its integrated 1.3-megapixel camera and microphone. An optical trackpad and an on-screen keyboard can be used for navigation and data input.

The surprise with the new Archos 9 is the operating system. For a few months now, the French company was expected to launch a Google Android-based mobile Internet device (see “11 Cool Android Prototypes We’d Like to See”), but Windows 7 has now replaced it in this line-up.

Of course, having Windows 7 on board means that the Archos 9 will only be available in late October, when Microsoft will introduce the final version of the OS on the market. The target pricing for the Archos 9 is around $635, and exact availability dates are yet to be announced.

Verizon on Thursday said the HP Mini 1151NR would be available through its stores. The $200 price tag includes a $50 mail-in rebate. The service plan starts at $40 a month.

Verizon is not the first to subsidize the price of a netbook in return for a long-term data plan. AT&T recently launched a trial offer of mini-laptops starting at $50. The promotion is only available in the Atlanta and Philadelphia areas and requires customers to sign up forAT&T (NYSE: T)’s at-home DSL and 3G wireless service for two years. The package starts at $60 a month.

In choosing to offer netbooks, AT&T and Verizon are tapping into the hottest-selling segment of the PC market. While analysts expect a decline in sales of standard-size laptops and desktops this year because of the economic recession, sales of netbooks are expected to increase 80% over last year to account for about 8% of the PC market, according to Gartner.

The HP Mini 1151NR has a 10-inch display and is powered by a 1.6-GHz N270 Atom processor from Intel (NSDQ: INTC). The product comes with 1 GB of memory, an 80-GB hard drive, and a keyboard that’s 92% of standard size. The system weighs almost 2.5 pounds, is an inch thick, and comes with Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)’s Windows XP Home Edition.

Acer have finally taken the wraps off of their 11.6-inch netbook, the predictably-named Acer Aspire One 11.6. The subject of numerous photo-leaks over the past months, the 11.6-inch Aspire One packs the usual Intel Atom processor, paired with the Mobile Intel US15W Express Chipset, 160GB hard-drive and WiFi b/g, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity.

All that is packed into a chassis just 2.5cm thick. Acer also include a soft-touch keyboard, Dolby Pro Logic sound and an LED backlit WXGA display; the whole thing weighs just over one kilo and can run for up to 8hrs on the 6-cell 5,200mAh battery. We’re not entirely sure which Atom CPU Acer have picked; previous rumors tipped it as the Z530.

Other specs include a webcam, VGA and LAN outputs (that have, as we saw in the early leaks, been pushed back to the hinge section so as to save space), and a multitouch-capable trackpad. We’re still waiting to hear back on pricing and availability for the Acer Aspire One 11.6-inch.