OQO Shuts Down Repairs, Discontinues Phone Lines

It's not a surprise, but ailing UMPC company OQO has just stopped support service and closed down their phone lines, citing "financial constraints." That's pretty much the end of OQO. [OQOTalk via Engadget]

Dynamism Giving Away Freebies with a Viliv S5 Purchase

The first 400 people to buy a $599 Viliv S5 Premium UMPC today will also receive a leather carrying case, extra battery and car kit (valued at $135). [Dynamism - Thanks Douglas!]

OQO Cancels All Pre-Orders, We Come to an Obvious Conclusion

Despite widespread speculation about the company's health, OQO has been fairly coy about their financial situation. Now, they've canceled all pre-orders for their upcoming Model 2+ UMPC. Sort of like a dying company might do! More »

Beta Version of Asus T91 Tablet Netbook Gets Touched All Over

Sascha of Netbooknews.de got to muck around with the beta-version of Asus' T91 tablet netbook. While the UI is still rough around the edges, it looks to be a promising addition to the tablet family. More »

Some Korean UMPC Has Maybe the Best Box Art Ever

At this point, we could really care less about a Korea-only UMPC, for obvious reasons. Unless the box art looks like this. Take notes, US gadget manufacturers. [Engadget]

OQO Model 2+ Is +10 Awesome: OLED Touchscreen, Global 3G and Speed UP

Not much left to divulge beyond what leaked already about the OQO Model 02+: It's newly endowed with a stunning OLED touchscreen, global 3G and faster 1.86GHz Atom CPU. But! It's only $1500. And pics! More »

OQO Model 02+ to Launch at CES With OLED Screen, Atom Processor, Touch Technology

OQO will launch a revamped version of their Model 02 UMPC, dubbing it the Model 02+ and endowing it with an OLED display, embedded touchscreen, Worldwide 3G internet, and a 1.86 GHz Atom processor. More »

Are Netbooks Too Small?

About the only way a guy my size can use a netbook is with one hand. Seriously, those things can be super tiny. But what do you think? How small is too small? More »

Tiny Sony Laptop Hits FCC--Is This A Sony Netbook?

The computer rear-end in this photo is a Sony machine that's just hit the FCC. There're a couple of things that make it interesting: it's labeled with PCG-1P1L, making it synonymous with Vaio numbering. It was tested for 802.11 Wi-Fi in b, g and n flavors, with Bluetooth and both EVDO and HSPA. Its label reveals it'll run a Windows OS, and the label size gives a clue to the size of the machine: about 9.7 by 4.7 inches. And that's tiny. Sure, Sony's made small Vaios before, but this is in the 3G-toting HP Mini 1000 size range. Which raises the obvious question: Is this a Sony netbook? It's impossible to tell, at least for the while, but over to you in the comments. [FCC]

Dell Mini 9 Netbook Gets 32GB Solid State Drive Option For a Measly $100

Dell's Mini 9 may be going for a pretty good price already (and an irritating disk error) but check out this deal sweetener: Dell's added a 32GB SSD option for just $100. The base model with that larger solid state drive is thus $449—and to me, that's pretty bonkers good value. [Dell via Engadget via Geekygadgets]

Tiny Imovio iKit Handtop Computer is a Decade Too Late

At first glance, the iMe (sorry!) iKit handtop computer sounds pretty fandabbydozy: it's a tiny, folding, 2.8-inch screen, QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi-enabled, webcam and Bluetooth-packing, multimedia-playing computer. But then you learn that it's got just a 3-hour battery life in operation, doesn't have 3G connectivity and if you even want to connect a mobile broadband dongle you'll have to get one with an "optional" internal USB connection. It's basically the tiny portable PDA computer we all fancied back in the 90s. More »

Asus Planning to Release Touchscreen Eee PC Within Six Months

Asustek executive Samson Hu has confirmed his company's plans to release a touchscreen Eee PC variant for sale by Q1 of 2009. It's not known whether the devices will look like the touch panel Eee mods that have been floating around or take the shape of a tablet, but we'll see in January when the first models are shown at CES. That's not all though — further announcements indicated that the Eee line is changing is some more subtle ways. More »

Add an Integrated GPS Receiver to Hackable Dell Mini 9

Modders prodding around inside the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 have discovered that there is a lot of potential to add new functionality thanks to some areas with empty space. That having been said, MyDellMini member Tom Beauchamp used a pocket next to the Bluetooth adapter to add a super-small GPS receiver. If using your PC for navigation sounds appealing and danger is your middle name, Beauchamp has provided a complete set of instructions on how to do it yourself. At the very least, the project illustrates the potential of the Dell Mini 9 as a hackable device. [MyDellMini]

OQO CEO Resigns, Might Not Mean Good News For the UMPC Maker

Dennis Moore of OQO has just resigned as their CEO. It's rarely good news when your CEO resigns and says he found a better opportunity elsewhere, but we're hoping the startup continues to refine their UMPC into something everyone can get behind. [Dennis Moore Blog via Gotta Be Mobile]

HiVision Shows Off Sub-$100 Linux Mini Laptop

China's HiVision has debuted a Linux-based laptop that makes the OLPC seem ridiculously expensive. For $98, you get a MIPS-based processor, 1GB flash storage, 3 USB ports, Ethernet, an SDHC card reader, WiFi, audio in and out, voice-chat and Firefox browser support on a Linux user interface. No word who this is being marketed towards, but with a price tag that low, maybe this will end up being the device that fulfills Nicholas Negroponte's much criticized mission. The video above is Tech Video Blog's review of Hivision's miniNote (hmm, naming conflict with HP in the near future?) at IFC 2008. [Tech Video Blog via The Earth Times]

Eee PC 1000H Price Drops Even Lower; $450 on Amazon, $360 on MWave

In case Asus' $100 price drop in July just wasn't enough to make up your mind on whether to spring for a new Eee PC 1000H, the mini-marvel's gotten even cheaper now. Amazon is selling an 80GB, XP-equipped 1000H for just $450. Mwave also has several in stock for either $450 (while supplies last) or, if you're willing to go for an open box product, an almost criminal $359. [Amazon and mwave via Liliputing]

Acer Aspire One With Integrated 3G

According to BGR, The 8.9" Aspire One netbook is expected to be available with integrated 3G starting this November in Taiwan. The upgrade will cost an additional $95 over the standard model, but there is no word on when we might see a similar bundle arriving in the States. However, integrated 3G was always part of the plan, so with any luck we won't have to wait too long. On a related note, jkOnTheRun spotted a Japanese newspaper flyer that appears to offer a similar bundle with the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and the HP 2133 along with a $370 subsidy when users sign up for a two-year 3G plan with Emobile. [BGR and jkOnTheRun] More »

Insipron Mini 9 Going for $99 if You Buy Another Dell

Until 6AM September 9th, according to Dell's own blog, if you buy a Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330 machine from Dell, you can buy an Inspiron Mini 9 for a suitable mini price of $99. It's a mini bargain. [Direct2Dell]

Dell Inspiron 910 Gets Release Date: This Friday, September 5th.

We've been following the news and leaks on Dell's Eee PC answer, the Inspiron 910, and now here's some more info: we've learned it'll be released on September 5th. The news is not concrete, for sure, and there's no word on pricing, but that date's soon: this Friday, ultra-portable PC fans. Update: The Wall St Journal is now reporting a different date, September 4th.

(Presumably) Very Cheap Tablet PCs by NEC

See this tablet? It's new from NEC and features the same monotonous specs (1.6GHz Atom, 512MB-1GB RAM and 80GB HD) that we see in those cheapie mini-notebooks like the Asus Eee. Running XP or Vista and loaded with a 12 or 15-inch touchscreen, it's by no means beautiful, but this NEC could be the forebear of a new netbook-tablet market. We don't have pricing or release details at this time, but we'll keep a lookout, just for you. [Akihabara News]

Lenovo's Ideapad U8 MID Under Starter's Orders at Olympics

Way back in April was when we first showed you details on Lenovo's Ideapad U8 mobile internet device, and Lenovo's just launched it at the Beijing Olympics. The palmtop phone/PC has an Intel Atom Z500 ticking away inside at 800MHz, GPS, dual cameras, and with 1GB of RAM and a sizable 6GB SSD. Connectivity-wise, it's fully loaded with 802.11 b/g wi-fi, Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G support and apparently "WiMAX support." There's also a dongle for picking up China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting signals so you can watch the Olympics for free. But therein lies the rub: The 10.6-ounce, vaguely PSP-like U8 is a China-only gizmo, so you won't care that it'll have a price "equivalent" to other smartphones. [Pocketables]

Specs and Prices for Lenovo's Ideapad S9 Lite Notebook Hits Web

Lenovo recently went official with details on the upcoming Ideapad S10 ultra-portable notebook, and now there's data on a little brother version, the S9 Lite. The S9 will have a slightly smaller screen, at 8.9-inches, with a 300-kilopixel webcam, 512MB of RAM and a 4GB SSD. It's got the same Atom N270 and 945 GSE chipset, though, so it sounds very much like its bigger S10 brother, and comes with Linux and a "multitouch function" trackpad. In three colors, the diminutive PC will cost you $370 upon launch in Hong Kong. [UMPCFever via Engadget]

Fujitsu Siemens Could Debut Amilo Mini Notebook on August 28

Fujitsu Siemens looks like it's about ready to launch the svelte Amilo Mini. According to IDG News, the company has announced a press event for August 28 at the IFA show in Berlin, and the signs and portents indicate a big reveal could happen at that time. The specs don't really differentiate the Amilo Mini from the plethora of other ultra portable notebooks hitting the market these days, but it does boast changeable face plates (brown, black, pink, and red). Cost is expected to fall between $600-800. [Liliputing]

Gigabyte's 3G-Capable MID M528 Coming Out On Sept 17 For $689

A release date and price has been set for UMPC contender Gigabyte's MID M528, a diminutive portable computer with a slide out keyboard, according to the folks over at UMPC Portal. A product page on Gigabyte's site put the cost at $689 and availability on Sept. 17. The page then disappeared, but not before intrepid internet surfers could get a nice screen grab. More »

Asus' Ultimate Eee PC S101 Will Have 64GB SSD, $899 Price Tag

The shiny brown machine in the photo there is apparently the top-of-the-range Eee PC S101 that was shown in Asus' leaked presentation last month. It looks just a little bigger than the white 901 model next to it, and it will be about 0.87-inches deep, have a 10.1-inch LED-lit LCD, and have an Intel Atom purring away inside. What makes it "ultimate" is presumably in part its SSD: it'll come with either a 32GB or 64GB solid-state drive, and that's why the two models will cost around $699 and $899 when available in October. And they may not carry the "Eee" label, or so the rumor goes. [PChome.tw]

Lenovo's Ideapad S10 Ultra-Portable Notebook PC Officially Due in September

Lenovo's gone official with details on its Ideapad S10 ultra-portable notebook: it'll come with Windows XP pre-installed, measure 9.8 x 7.2 inches, weigh just 2.4-pounds in its lightest configuration, and pack in a LED back-lit 10-inch screen. Powered by Intel Atom N270 and 945 GSE express chipset, the diminutive PC also has some advanced heat-dissipation tech so that your lap and wrists won't get overheated. Interestingly Lenovo notes that "In some countries there will be 9-inch versions," different colors and "Linux preloads"... but doesn't say if those systems will hit the US eventually. Initially then, the S10 will cost you either $399 for a 512MB memory, 80GB HDD model or $450 for a 1GB, 160GB HDD model, and comes in black red or white. Press release info below. More »

WiBrain I1 UMPC Gets Intel Atom Processor

The original WiBrain B1E was relatively inexpensive for a UMPC at $699, but it definitely fell well short of greatness. However, the manufacturer has made some upgrades with the upcoming I1 model that should address some of its predecessor's shortcomings. New features include: your choice of 1.1GHz (Z510) and 1.33GHz (Z520) Atom processors, a WWAN antenna, SD card slot, an optional SSD and a slightly different finish. Users can also choose between a Linux and XP machine with a 30GB or 60GB hard drive or a 64GB SSD. Pricing and a release date have not been announced. [Dynamism via Pocketables]

Asus to Release 23 Eee Models, Fail Grandma Test 23 Times

It shouldn't be a surprise, really, as Asus has already whored the Eee brand strength to computer peripherals and even a television, but in a recent presentation the company revealed a sort of USDA computer pyramid prescribing an Eee for every class of buyer. And whether or not the majority of these 23 models are cheap, tiny laptops (unlikely) or the pyramid represents the Eee branding hitting all Asus laptops (a bit more likely), the whole line is looking like a confusing mess to consumers who just heard about the Eee for the first time. [Engadget China via Engadget]

Eee PC's to Get "Whole Day" Batteries, Says Rumor

Not content with muddying-up the waters of the Eee brand, Asustek is apparently keen to "push out software and hardware upgrades every month to fill gaps in the netbook market." Though that sounds like a bad idea, at least one benefit may come of it: according to Digitimes, one of the upcoming products will be a "whole day" battery for the Eee UMPCs. Digitimes also talks about an "internet storage" solution, and cooperation with European telecoms vendors. Interesting stuff, though since it seems slightly unsubstantiated, we'll wait 'til we hear something concrete to believe it. [Digitimes]

Eee PC 1000H Price Drops, Now $549

Looks like Asus listened to us when we complained about the price of their biggest and best Eee PC yet, the Eee PC 1000H. It's been on sale for less than a week, but Newegg's already dropped the price by $100. In case that was the only thing preventing you from taking a bite out of Eee, go pick it up now for $549. [Mobile Stylus]