Gigabyte Reveals 2 New WinMo Handsets

Gigabyte also joined the fray of the mobile phone world with two new touchscreen Windows Mobile professional handsets - the MS820 and S1200 - 3G ready handsets.

The GSmart MS820 is equipped with -

    * a 2.8-inch, 480 x 640) pixel touchscreen with 65K 

       colors and an accelerometer           

    * MicroSD cards support

    * Qualcomm 7200A, 528MHz processor

    * Wi-Fi, EDGE/GPRS

    * Bluetooth and SUB 2.0 (mini)

    * 5 megapixel AF camera, face detection

    * GPS (SIRF Star III)

With its Marvell PXA270, 520MHz processor and what the company is calling “Flight” design (meaning fast, streamlined and light) and material that integrates the elements of leather and metal, the MS720 does appear quite fashionable. Gigabyte has also integrated a brand-new user interface called Smart Touch III that will run on the Windows 6.1 Professional OS.

"Since established, GBC has always commits to be ‘the World-Class Brand’, and insists that the perfect quality is the most important base of a sustainable branding. Our commitments have been approved by repeatedly winning the Taiwan Excellence Awards.” said Dr. Stanley Jenq, the CEO of GIGA-BYTE Communications Inc., “Different from other smart phones, MS820 shows the varieties of life, because it integrates elegant & fashionable elements, and combines business with entertainment inner spirit, which will definitely meet the diversified requirements of consumers.” continued by Dr. Jenq.

The second handset, the GSmart S1200 comes equipped with -

    * a 3.1-inch WVGA (480 x 800) touchscreen with 

       65K colors and an accelerometer

    * MicroSD cards support

    * Qualcomm 7200A, 528MHz processor

    * Wi-Fi, EDGE/GPRS

    * Bluetooth and SUB 2.0 (mini)

    * 3 megapixel AF camera

    * GPS

According to reports, the handset will possibly run on a Windows 6.1 Professional of the newer 6.5 version. Nothing official has been stated from the company yet. Gigabyte is also using a customized Flash UI in the S1200 handset to enhance the functionality of the handset’s various features and menus.

There’s no pricing or information on the availability of these handsets just yet. They were however showcased at MWC 09.

Lenovo Introduces New Range of Mobile Thinkpad Laptops

Lenovo announced the debut of ThinkPad W700, a self proclaimed first-ever 17-inch widescreen mobile workstation for high end graphics work. Along with NVIDIA Quadro FX mobile graphics, the ThinkPad W700 incorporates the industry's first built-in digitizer and color calibrator in a mobile workstation. The workstation supports the upcoming Intel mobile quad core processor and meets the Energy Star 5.0 program for computers, which takes effect in July 2009.

"Given the specific and intensive needs of niche user segments like photographers and digital designers, we have created the ultimate mobile workstation." said Jaivinder Singh Gill, Executive Director, Commercial Business, Lenovo India. "Lenovo has packed the ThinkPad W700 with sheer power, performance and cutting-edge innovation, thus, providing the perfect mobile solution for our users. We believe that the ThinkPad W700 will revolutionize and outperform the industry with its optimized speed, unmatched stability and ultimate visual experience."

Supporting the latest Intel processor technologies, the ThinkPad W700 can be configured with up to 8 GB of memory. Lenovo also offers models with Intel vPro technology for complete manageability. This mobile workstation can also be equipped with dual internal hard drives with RAID configurations, including solid state drive storage. It also includes NVIDIA Quadro FX 2700M and 3700M Open GL with up to 1 GB of dedicated video memory

Besides, the ThinkPad W700 features WiFi wireless connectivity, Bluetooth and ultra wideband technology. It comes with optional 400-nit WUXGA display and 72 percent wide color gamut. Additionally the workstation comes with an optional compact flash reader and Blu-ray DVD burner/ player.

The ThinkPad W700 mobile workstation is available through www.lenovo.in and Lenovo business partners and costs Rs. 1,49,000.

MWC 09: LG Launches New Netbook

LG Electronics has launched a new netbook, the LG-X120, that comes with 3G HSPA connection and in a compact, portable design.

The netbook features a 160GB hard drive, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, SRS WOW HD and TruSurround XT.

With Smart-Link technology and a simple USB cable, LG-X120 connects to regular computers to share files or install new applications, accessing data even from the computer's CD or DVD drive. An advanced security function allows users to safely share files while connected to other devices, without compromising important information.

The LG-X120 features a soft textured, classic white exterior and has a matt surface that resists fingerprints and scratches. Weighing in at 1.2kg, the laptop has a battery life of 3.5 hours for the 3 cell battery and 7 hours for the 6 cell battery.

LG-X120 will be available in March in Europe. Pricing hasn't been announced yet. 

MWC 09: Texas Instruments Announces New Chipset for Pocket Projector Range

At GSMA Mobile World Congress, Texas Instruments DLP Products announced the newest chipset in the DLP Pico family with availability slated for late 2009. Small enough to embed into the most compact mobile phones and gadgets, DLP Products has effectively scaled the display technology down to the size of a raisin trying very hard not to compromise on picture quality and screen size.

"Building upon the success of the first DLP Pico chipset, which has HVGA resolution and enables leading brands to deliver cutting-edge products across the globe, this new chipset increases performance benchmarks," said Frank J. Moizio, Manager, DLP Emerging Markets business. "The new chipset provides WVGA resolution, higher brightness and power efficiency; all while enabling thinner, smaller optical engine modules to meet the demands of contemporary handheld devices."

The newest DLP Pico chipset can be paired with a TI OMAP application processor to deliver the ultimate mobile user experience. The DLP Pico chipset is a combination of the DLP Pico chip and the DLP Pico processor. It is optimized for applications in mobile and handheld devices.

The new DLP Pico solution delivers the following features:

    * WVGA (854x480) - Native DVD resolution

    * Enables >20% thinner optical module height

    * Enables >20% smaller optical module volume

    * Incorporates technology advances that increase both brightness and power          efficiency

    * Enables industry leading contrast ratio of better than 1000:1

    * Impressive full RGB color gamut

HotSpot Launches 'Mobi SafeGuard'

HotSpot, a multi-brand telecom retail chain, has launched 'Mobi SafeGuard', a unique, all-inclusive warranty for mobile handsets. Applicable when purchased with new handsets, Mobi SafeGuard covers repair of all kinds of handset faults including liquid and physical damage for a 2 year period.

Sanjeev Mahajan, CEO, HotSpot Retail Ltd. said, "Indian consumers have the purchasing power and inclination to own good handsets but also look for reassurance of its service in the long-run. Mobi SafeGuard redefines the traditional covenants of mobile phone warranty by covering the handset device for liquid and physical damage, a service that is not covered even under the manufacturer’s warranty."

He went on to say that Mobi SafeGuard also provides a 2-year extended warranty that adds to the average life of the phone, and moreover if the handset is not repairable, HotSpot would provide a refund equivalent to 50% of the existing market value of the particular mobile handset model.

Cost of the handset            Cost of Mobi SafeGuard

Up to Rs. 5,000                  Rs. 300

Rs. 5001 – Rs. 10000          Rs. 600

Rs. 10001 – Rs. 15000        Rs. 1200

Rs. 15001 and above          Rs. 1500

Mobi SafeGuard is available at most multi-brand outlets and can initially be purchased with GSM handsets of Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, and Sony Ericsson.