August 28, 2007
Google Phone is Confirmed Real
An insider at electronics manufacturer HTC has told Crunch Gear that the rumored Google Phone is for real. Google is evaluating over 20 HTC models. The Google Phone will come with Google Maps with builtin GPS, Gmail email and calendar applications. Google Talk will enable VOIP over WiFi. The release date is Q1 of 2008.
The tipper said Windows Mobile 6 is in the running at the OS, but other sites say a modified version of Linux. Other speculate Google will use it as a loss leader for mobile ad revenue, so the initial launch price may be jaw-dropping. Look out Motorola, Nokia, RIMM, and Apple, there's a new kid in smartphone town and it has billions of dollars to bring to the table.
Now if they can win the major upcoming FCC spectrum auction, maybe we can do some real fun things like put Verizon and AT&T out of business with a free WiFi phone functionality with nation-wide coverage? Go Google Go!
August 27, 2007
Whil Wheaton PAX Keynote Speech Audio
Our good friends at Joystiq have put up the audio file for Whil Wheaton's keynote speech at PAX 2007. I listened to it and if you're a old school gamer, it will bring a smile to your face. One of the best gamer oriented speeches I have ever heard. Pump up your fist and feel the electricity. Wii-ton! In fact, I liked it so much I just ordered his book, Just a Geek, on Amazon.
Sony VAIO LT PC/TV Specs
Sony announced their version of the Apple iMac today. It will come with a 22 inch LCD display, 1.3 megapixel camera, Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and 2GB of RAM. It can also be used as an HDTV, Tivo like PVR using Windows Vista, and a Blu-ray player (optional feature). The cheapest model will cost $1900 and the HD model will be $2900. It is slated to be available in October, so count your pennies. Competition these days means steal your competitor's ideas shamelessly.
Acer Acquires Gateway
It's been a long way down for Gateway as the company got squeezed on the low-end by Asian companies and the high-end by the two PC clone stalwarts of HP and Dell. Acer announced today it will acquire Gateway for $710 million to jump over Lenovo and become the third largest PC maker in the world. The combined company will have over $15 billion in revenue with 20 million units sold annually.
The deal is expected to close sometime in December pending the approval by the Taiwan and U.S. governments. Acer said it will keep multiple brand names, but we wonder if they will bring the spotted cow boxes back?
