Maybe all the interest in Android 2.0 got them interested again.

As a reminder, Smartbooks are just Qualcomm's name for netbooks that use ARM-based processors, which are needed to run Android. (Acer actually ported Android to Atom processors for its Aspire One netbook). Nvidia is also pushing its ARM-based Tegra chip for Smartbooks. [Shanzai (translated)]

The leaked 12-inch Eee PC 1201N apparently has Nvidia Ion graphics (GeForce 9400M chipset) along with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N330 Dual Core processor. That along with 3GB RAM, and a 320GB HD should make it one of the most powerful Atom netbooks around.

There is also the rumored Eee PC 1201HA which will have the same 12-inch chassis but is said to have less powerful guts with the standard Atom processor and chipset. Since both will be running Windows 7, don't expect to see these guys to get all official until October 22. [EeePC.IT via Liliputing]

There was speculation that many netbook vendors wouldn't choose Windows 7 Starter because of its limitations, including the inability to change the wallpaper and run Areo, and opt to go with the similarly priced, yet outdated Windows XP. However it appears that ASUS is betting on Win 7.

According to the road map most of its upcoming 10-inch netbook line, which includes its 1005HA and 1008HA series will run Windows 7 Starter (which IMHO kinda sucks).

We have heard from a source that ASUS will focus on Windows 7 on netbooks and has been working with Microsoft to tweak the BIOS of the Eee PCs. That still won't fix Starter's limitations, however.

The roadmap also reveals that a $499 12-inch ASUS 1201N which will pack Nvidia's Ion solution (Intel's Atom N270 and GeForce 9400M graphics) and run Windows 7 Home Premium is set to release sometime in October. It will have a six-cell battery and a 250GB hard drive.

It also looks like ASUS will slap some multitouch on top of the Eee PC T91 and put on Windows 7 Home Premium.[Eee User Forum via NetbookNews]

Seriously. What are they selling here? [moko via NetbookReviews - Thanks, Matt!]

Now bear in mind this is the single-touch, XP-based model that was shown back at CES, not the multitouch version that's been buzzed about as of late. In other words, it's a touchscreen netbook with a versatile hinge. The specs, according to BuyDig, include an Atom Z520 processor clocked at 1.33GHz, a 16GB SSD (plus 20GB of "Eee storage," which I assume to be an SD card is an ASUS online service), 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth and 802.11n Wi-Fi. You could do worse on a tablet, spec-wise—and really, for $500, I'm not sure you could do better. [Portable Monkey via Slashgear]

Our goal is to provide products that are better than Apple's.

I actually find this quote refreshing. It's rare that any company admits shortcomings of their products, and it's even rarer that a company points to another company who is doing things better, who can serve as a model.

Of course, Asus probably sees Apple as less of a competitor than Acer, the king of netbooks. More on that little rivalry over at the NYT. [NYT via Engadget]

Addressing questions about the device, Asustek's chairman said:

Frankly speaking, the first question, I would like to apologize that, if you look at Asus booth we've decided not to display this product... I think you may have seen the devices on Qualcomm's booth but actually, I think this is a company decision so far we would not like to show this device. That's what I can tell you so far. I would like to apologize for that.

This sounds like typical backpeddling, as if their hardware partner just let the cat out of the bag a bit early. Not so, apparently:

For the time being this project is not a priority because our engineering resources are limited.

Since we've seen the device already, I assume this means that the software challenge at hand isn't something that the company is ready to tackle. And really, that's fair—overhauling a smartphone interface so that it behaves naturally with a non-touch, keyboard-and-trackpad-based netbook is a huge undertaking. [PC World]

We'll presumably hear more about the new Eee line once Computex starts tomorrow, but for now we can see the larger Eee will be packing the same guts as the one Mark reviewed except for that mysterious, huge battery. We're not sure if we can believe Asus on that stat, but if it gets even half that, we'll be pleased. [Engadget]

From the outside, this particular model is a spitting image of the fantastic 1008HA Seashell, but this is just one of a few styles the company is showing off at Computex. Inside is a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, which is based on ARM architecture and first used in a smartphone, not a netbook—though their latest update to the platform, also announced at Computex, has unashamed netbook ambitions. Using this hardware means that this particular Eee doesn't need a fan—or even a heatsink—to keep cool, and that power consumption would be slight, even compared to netbooks based on Intel's power-sipping Atom.

As evidenced by the video below, the concept of using raw Android on a netbook is still flawed from a usability standpoint, but that's nothing a little interface tweaking couldn't take care of. [Tweaktown]

I mean, it's a mini convertible touchscreen laptop with GPS and a TV tuner. It's also under an inch thick and weighs two pounds. That's why I'm glad to see that Asus has finally scheduled it for releases (be it in the UK only) this June for £449. We'll see what the localized price turns out to be, because $670 is a little steep for anything packing an Atom processor. [Electricpig]

Jump to minute 2:00 to get into the test itself:

Yes, the iPhone wins. Even with its software keyboard, it proves more accurate than the netbook's tiny keys. I think I see him doing some finger sliding with the iPhone at one point—which is a good way to get accurate typing under stress conditions—but my guess is that the iPhone word prediction and correction did the rest of the trick.

Some will argue that this test is too extreme and it will not happen in real life. Obviously, those people have never ridden the New York City subway, which sometimes gets pretty close to this experience. Specially in some of the express lines, which feel like a amusement park crazy ride rather than a train. Sure, maybe the subway turns don't generate three times the force of gravity, but to me it feels close enough. [Crave UK]

The 10-inch netbook is ordinary in every other way, loaded with the typical N280 Atom chipset (that's the newer one), 1GB RAM, 120GB hard drive, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. And while it may look like a bit like a Mac, from what we can tell, the body is aluminum only around the keyboard, meaning that the underside is still plastic.

The 1004DN is 3.2 pounds (when loaded with a 6-hour, 6-cell battery) and 1.3 inches thick at its chunkiest point. It should begin shipping overseas in April, but there's no word on pricing at this time. [Asus via Electricpig]

According to Asus CEO Jerry Shen:

...internally we have one team dedicated to studying voice recognition. Touch and gesture input is universal, whereas language is not universal...The first Eee PC or Eee Top products implementing voice-recognition and features will be ready by Q3/Q4 2009 – with our dedicated development team working with third parties in both Japan and the US and reporting directly to me. So this is something we will see very soon...

Hmm, it's a fine idea for home (if it works). But I'd rather not be talking to my netbook at Starbucks. [TechRadar]

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]

The 1.66GHz N280 is only a 0.06GHz jump over its N270 processor, but the 667MHz front-side bus and the pairing of the GN40 chipset with its hardware-based 720p HD video decoder is really where its at. That will lead to better HD viewing with less power consumption.

However, Nvidia is still looming looming on the horizon with their Atom-ion plaform and its full on 1080p capability. If you simply can't wait for that to go down, the Eee PC 1000HE will be the first netbook to ship with the N280/GN40 combo and is now available for pre-order. [PC World via Wired Gadget Lab]

A member who claims to have “very little knowledge on computer things” managed to take about his 900HA and turn it into a touchscreen notebook. All you need is a screwdriver, some tape, a plastic card, a solderless touchscreen kit and some extra wires.

Pretty neat, if it works! A 900Ha is only $320-ish on Amazon and this method doesn't seem to add more than another $100 to the cost. Maybe if Asus hasn't released the T91 in the next month, it'll be time for me to get my screwdriver out. [Eee User Forum - Thanks Shoangore!]

To create his deformed battery contraption, he got the Lithium Ion cells from his old laptop, sticking them together with wire and electrical tape, and then dispossessed himself from any sense of aesthetics or shame. [Eee User via Portable Monkey]

As JKOnTheRun points out, these are not the blazing-est SSDs you'll find (they're rated at 90 MB/s read and 55 MB/s write), but for $169 it's not a bad boost for your S101's paltry 16GB drive. [Super Talent via JKOnTheRun]

He got his done at NYC Resistor; if you remember our etch-a-fest at the Gizmodo Gallery thanks to Phil and friends from Make (among these, a sweet Epilog etcher), you know how cool these can turn out. This is one of the best I've seen—glossy black plastic really takes kindly to the laser's touch. [Kotaku]

I'd say it falls under the drunk/brilliant category. According to Einfach Eee website (Varning! German!) the box will include an Atom processor, 2GB of RAM, a 1-4TB HDD, and 802.11n MIMO, and slot-loading DVD burner, a router and a touchscreen.

The intent of including the touchscreen is simple: it negates the need to either pipe into the NAS over the network or connection an external display, mouse and keyboard. Simple tasks, such as configuring the access point, moving files, setting permissions and burning DVDs (and hopefully direct media playback and torrent controls—with its DVI port, this could make a pretty amazing media PC) should all be manageable through the touchscreen.

To top it off, the $600 reported price is surprisingly low. ASUS says the D200 will ship in Q1 '09. For more pics and specs, head over to [Einfach Eee.—Thanks, Johannes]