If and when we will ever see the M20 in the states is open for debate. After all, we are still waiting on the Linux-powered G60. The problem is that many people probably stopped caring about a Garmin GPS phone months ago. [CENS via Engadget]

According to Digitimes, Benson Lin, president of Asustek Computer's Asia-Pacific division said that 10-inch models account for 95% of the company's sales. 7-inch models make up the other 5%.

To be honest, I'm surprised 8.9-inches is not a popular option. Maybe I'm just weird, but I always though that screen size hit the sweet spot between fitting into a purse and still having a somewhat usable keyboard. [Digitimes]

Asus head Jonney Shih told the Times' Saul Hansell that the forthcoming Eee Phone will be integral for controlling a home full of innovative Asus gear—from Eee Top touchscreen PCs to the company's crazy new PC-in-a-keyboard home theater machine that wowed us at CES. It doesn't look like Saul pressed him on Android, but that has been the flavor of the rumors so far, and if you're going to do a modern smartphone on the cheap these days, Android's zero licensing fees probably make it the way to go. Look for it in the first half of this year, sayeth the rumors. [NYTimes]

The Eee Top will definitely not please gamers, Photoshop pros or their ilk, but the simplified custom interface (made for touching!) and clean design make it a decent option for more casual, social PC users. As for pricing, the desktop is going for about $565 in Taiwan, but I'm willing to bet it'll be closer to the $400 to $500 price point when it comes to the U.S. [Engadget Chinese]

Chassis ATX/Micro-ATX SGCC 0.6MM
Chassis Size 190 x 426 x 469mm (expanded)
434 x 87 x 434mm (folded)
Drive Bay 4 x internal 5.25" Optical Drive Bays
1 x internal 3.5" Floppy Drive Bays
4 x internal 3.5" Hard Disk Drive Bays
Front I/O Ports USB x 2
Audio x 2
1394 x 1 (optional)
Expansion Slots PCI x 7
Ventilation Front 120/92/80mm fan x 1
Rear 120/92/80mm fan x 1
Side 80mm fan x 1 (optional)

[Asus via Hot Hardware]

So the Eee was a minor global hit with the budget-conscious and started to get a bit of brand recognition out there. What next? Never the strategic thinkers, the company did what any Taiwan firm would do—flood the market with brand and line extensions...

...ASUS is no different from most in this regard. Sure, they have an Italian as their "design director", but no other outside adviser with any sort of influence. Their leadership is all very local with a local mindset, not those of the foreign-educated Korean type that Samsung brought in when it wanted to start revolutionizing its corporate culture.

And that's an important point: It took Samsung and others many years to become powerful global brands. And many of those early years were spent reforming the company from within and building a strong focus on a corporate mission and strategy. They didn't waste a lot of time on chasing feeble trends.

Granted, we've been a little confused by Asus' Eee line-up as well. We'd love to see them return to their roots and maybe stop slapping the name Eee on things that aren't cheap and netbooky. But blaming the dilution of their brand on them being Taiwanese is, considering the amount of tech-based success stories that have come out of the island, facetious.

Look at HTC, for example. The maker of the first Google Android handset has watched its revenues skyrocket at ten times the pace of the standard phone market. Or maybe Acer, who now commands second place in notebook shipments and third in PC shipments all over the world. While Taiwan's brands still aren't as globally recognized as their Korean and Japanese neighbors, the countries are all following pretty similar paths—moving from components manufacturing to high-tech, name-brand merchandise.

Besides, both Japan and South Korea got their best known brands up there without giving up "Asian corporate culture.” Samsung, despite its attempts to open up and adhere to global competition standards, is still run by a chaebol. Sony only appointed its first non-Japanese CEO two years ago. While there are tons of problems with the closed nature of Asian conglomerates, a “lack of focus” and iffy brand-building gimmicks probably aren't on that list.

And lastly, can you really call the netbook a “feeble trend?” A study in September pegged low-cost laptops as the driving force behind increased PC shipments at a time of economic sluggishness. If anything, Asus is the proud daddy of a movement that's changed the entire industry. Not all of Asus' recent moves have seemed particularly smart. But thinking their nationality has something to do with it—that's just plain dumb. [Cnet Asia]

Skype video calling just got a lot more Grandma-friendly with Asus' new AiGuru SV1. It's a dedicated Skype-compatible standalone videophone with a "simple-to-use, icon-based interface" meaning Granny can speak to you and see you without having to mess around with computers. There's a 7-inch LCD, integrated VGA webcam (of course), it connects over 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi or Ethernet to a router, and even packs a battery so it'll let users chat for 20 minutes without mains power if needs be. It's the first Skype-blessed videophone, and you'll be able to buy one for Granny in early October for $299. All that remains then is persuading her that the sci-fi-like box is really easy to use, and cheap too. Press release below.

Taipei, Taiwan, September 18, 2008 – September 18, 2008 - ASUS today unveiled the AiGuru SV1, the world's first Skype Certified™ videophone dedicated to unlimited video calling over the Internet. Boasting a large 7" display and a built-in webcam, speaker and microphone, the WiFi-capable videophone lets users make unlimited video calls for free to other Skype users without the need for a computer.

Its simple-to-use, icon-based interface and intuitive button layout take the complexity out of Internet calling - making it easy for anyone to make and receive Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls. Users can even join voice conferences, making the ASUS AiGuru SV1 an inexpensive, all-in-one voice and video conferencing solution for small businesses. Furthermore, the ASUS AiGuru SV1 also allows users to make and receive calls to and from fixed and mobile lines at really cheap rates.

"The AiGuru SV1 is Skype's first foray with a partner into the videophone category," said Jonathan Cristensen, Skype's general manager, mobile and hardware devices. "With more than 25% of Skype-to-Skype calls including video, we know that video is fast becoming a mainstream way for people to communicate. The videophone offers the benefits of video calling to a much wider audience, allowing friends and families to share their worlds face-to-face without being tied to a computer."

Free Calls Whenever, Wherever and Forever
With the ASUS AiGuru SV1, free unlimited video and voice calls can be made to anyone on Skype. Whether it's a father, child, or business colleague receiving a video or voice call, they do not have to be using a videophone; as long as they are connected to Skype - via a computer or a Skype-enabled device - the call will always be free. This enables people worldwide to make Skype-to-Skype calls either at home or the office whenever the need or mood strikes, without having to worry about cost. ASUS AiGuru SV1 users looking to make outgoing and receive incoming calls to and from fixed and mobile lines can subscribe to one of Skype's popular unlimited calling* subscriptions or purchase Skype credit to make outgoing calls at www.skype.com

Great Video and Voice Communications Experience
The ASUS AiGuru SV1 is designed specifically for video calling and is equipped with a large, high-resolution 7" TFT LCD and an integrated webcam, for the best video calling quality. The ASUS AiGuru SV1 also features a built-in microphone and speaker supporting exceptional sound quality. Users who wish to have privacy during their calls can use a standard mini-jack headset and microphone.

Easy to Set Up and Easy to Use
The ASUS AiGuru SV1 offers the quickest and easiest way to make free video calls - at no point is a computer or additional software required. Users can get up and running in three simple steps:
1. Connect to a broadband connection, either wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable
2. Sign-in with an existing Skype name or create a new one
3. Start video calling

The videophone is as easy to use as it is to set up. Its icon-driven user interface and clean, clearly labeled button layout are designed to be immediately intuitive to users.

With its WiFi capability, small footprint and rechargeable battery power system, the ASUS AiGuru SV1 also offers convenience in its portability. The user is neither tied to a wall socket nor a computer during use, which means the videophone can be moved from room to room without hassle, and without interrupting or dropping a call.

Availability
The ASUS AiGuru SV1 will initially be available for pre-order on September 18, 2008 in Europe and North America from Skype's online shop (www.skype.com/shop). It will be on sale at the beginning of October 2008 priced $299.95/€249.95/£199.95. The videophone will be available in retail outlets in the Asia Pacific region later this year.

*Unlimited calling: All calls are subject to Skype's fair usage policy which is set at 10,000 minutes per month (which equates to more than 5 hours of calling per day). Unlimited calls to landlines in up to 36 countries worldwide are included. Calls to premium, non-geographic and other special numbers are excluded.

Specifications
Key Skype features

- Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls
- Call fixed lines and mobiles with Skype credit and/or subscriptions
- Online Number (SkypeIn™) – allows anyone to reach you on Skype
Presence
- Call forwarding
- Skype Voicemail
- Participate in voice conference calls (as a guest only)

Interface
Wireless: 802.11 b/g
Wired: 10/100Mb Ethernet port

Protocols
DHCP/Static IP/PPPoE

Dimensions
202 mm (L) x 123 mm (W) x 253 mm (H)

Weight
1.6 kg

Display
800 X 480 pixel 7" TFT LCD

Camera type
Built in Webcam CMOS (640 X 480 pixels)

Audio
Integrated Speaker
Internal Microphone

Power supply
AC Adaptor: 12V/3A

Battery life
Talking Time : 20 minutes
Standby Time : 30 minutes

Battery charging time
2 hours

Operating distance
Wireless: 50 m (actual transmission distance may vary depending on operating conditions)

Keypad and buttons
- Power button
- Volume keys
- 5-way navigation (Up, Down, Left, Right and Select keys)
- Menu key
- Back key
- Call key
- End key

I/O connectors
- 3.5 mm Headphone jack and Microphone jack
- RJ-45 connector
- USB type A connector
- DC Jack
- Battery connector

[Asus]

Automatically translated text:

Eee PC 900 free upgrade to replace Tai capacity 5800 mAh battery

Dear Asustek users

Hello, Thank you for the support and love Asustek.

EeePC 900 series with the four cells of the battery (4400mAh) and (5800 mAh) two. Because of Hong Kong products in the conference at the scene a short time display time, the company only display four cells (5800mAh) for samples, but the media reports, so that customers have the misconception that and the actual shipping 4 cells (4400mAh) specifications are inconsistent, Shuo are deeply sorry.

All customers of the Hong Kong-based Asustek's long-term support and love, Asustek decided ASUS HK Royal Club Hong Kong EeePC 900 users a free upgrade and replace all 4 cells (5800mAh) batteries.

Once again, thank you for your support and love Asustek products

Telephone: ASUS HK Royal Club
Kowloon: 29581620
Hong Kong: 35824770

Asustek Jingshang

Reviewers were given a 4-cell, 5800mAh battery. Consumers, on the other hand, were given a 4-cell, 4400mAh battery. Big difference. Asus claimed that the batteries given to testers were a mistake and that they'd planned to roll out the larger batteries to the public shortly. And at the moment, Asus is considering a replacement program.

With a super portable machine like the Eee PC, battery life may be the most important factor in day to day usage. Let's hope this issue gets sorted out. [digitimes]

Also of note: even though the 900 includes a whole 1GB of RAM, the processor is the same Celeron model we had in the original Eee. CNET was hoping to see an Atom stuck in there for more power and battery life. So overall, despite the extra RAM and storage, CNET sees the upgrades as a bit superficial. Given our long-term impressions of the Eee, superficial was a good place for Asus to start. [cnet]