Archive for March, 2012
Quad-core Snapdragon S4 due in Windows 8 ultrabooks
Written by Electronista | Gadgets for Geeks
Saturday, 31 March 2012 19:55
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Qualcomm hopes ARM ultrabooks to take off


Qualcomm senior VP Rob Chandhok in discussion Friday made clear that the quad-core version of the Snapdragon S4 would be destined for Windows 8 notebooks. Confirming that ARM wouldn't be confined to tablets for Windows 8, Chandhok told IDG that he expected them to show up Intel's ultrabook concept with thinner designs and longer battery life. They would share the 28 nanometer process behind the dual-core versions, but the extra power would make them more viable for games and more complex apps as the software underwent an "maturation."

ARM-powered ultrabooks may face challenges getting acceptance. A handful of companies like HP and Toshiba have tried ARM-based notebooks running Android, but they sold in small enough numbers that they quickly lost momentum. Windows 8 on ARM doesn't have backwards compatibility with either pre-8 apps or with traditional desktop apps outside of a handful of pre-selected Microsoft apps.

The platform's fate could still be different. As Windows 8 is a desktop OS, it should get major apps optimized for a notebook screen instead of the moblie-only apps of Android. Technology advances since the first ARM PCs could also lead to a better experience through performance closer to a regular notebook as well as longer battery life that could provide a clear incentive over an Intel-based PC.

Only a few Windows 8 devices are expected for the possible October launch, most of which would be tablets. How many would use the S4 weren't clear, and at least one or more will use chips from NVIDIA and TI.


By Electronista Staff

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Sinking Mugs Are a Functional April Fool’s Day Prank [Pranks]
Written by Andrew Liszewski
Saturday, 31 March 2012 18:00
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Sinking Mugs Are a Functional April Fool's Day PrankYou're probably not going to fool most adults into thinking these ceramic coffee mugs have actually sunk into a table. But kids are easy targets, and this sight gag is sure to blow their minds. Even if it's not April 1st.

For those who might be wondering how such sorcery is possible—don't worry—the mugs don't bend the laws physics or require the mastery of a portal gun. They were just moulded with the bottoms sheared off to create this effect.

Sinking Mugs Are a Functional April Fool's Day PrankAt $15 each in brown or white it's definitely a pricey gag, but the mugs are still functional. And as an added bonus, their limited capacity could be an easy way to cut down on your caffeine consumption every morning. [Rakuten via Matomeno]

 
In Brazil Soda Fountains Dispense Free Mobile Internet Access [Advertising]
Written by Andrew Liszewski
Saturday, 31 March 2012 14:00
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In Brazil Soda Fountains Dispense Free Mobile Internet AccessFinding free internet access in the US just means hunting down the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot. But in Brazil those are few and far between. So Coca-Cola's ad agency, Ogilvy & Mather, created these Coke-branded machines that dispense free mobile data instead of sugar water.

Installed at a Coke store located on the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, users still have to physically use the machine by pressing their phones against a fake tap which allows them to download a special Coke-themed browser. And every time they 'refill' their phones they're given 20 megabytes worth of credits which can be used in the browser to stream music, download weather forecasts, or browse social networks like Facebook or Twitter.

For the time being the dispenser is being beta-tested by around 50 users with Android handsets. But once all the kinks are worked out, Coca-Cola hopes to install more of the machines and expand their availability to other smartphones as well. So in the meantime you'll probably want to just avoid sticking your smartphone under random soda fountains hoping for a free mobile data payout. [Ogilvy via AdAge via PSFK]