Acer to move into mobile devices

Following the success of Apple's iphone, other computer manufacturers are branching out into the world of mobile devices, the New York Times reports.

Acer have moved from making no phones to no less than eight, with more models to be unveiled before the end of the year. Gianfranco Lanci, Acer CEO, says that the smartphone market "is the natural direction of our long-term mobile strategy".

The newspaper also reports that Dell and Asus are also planning to move into the smartphone market.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/technology/16cell.html

New Sony Mini Vaio

Please see the link below for a review in the Telegraph:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid2888913001/bclid1387917998/bctid10252485001

The ad has also been featured on elle.com.  They've gone down a similar avenue to the HP Vivienne Tam netbook, asking in the ad, "What's missing in your handbag? Your new season must have!"

Ad clicks through to a dedicated mini site where you can enter a competition to win one of the netbooks and watch some videos of the product being used in Paris, Bruges and Rome.

To fill in on the specs:

- weighs 638 grams

- 120mm x 245mm x 19.8mm

- 60gb memory, 2gb ram

- windows vista

....and costs a whopping £849!

There's a small picture taken from the website above. Please email me if you want to have a look at the bigger version.

Google to introduce phone services

Google is to introduce a service called "Voice", similar to Skype.

Google boss Eric Schmidt believes that mobile is the next big opportunity, stating recently that he believed that mobile search revenues would overtake those on PC within a few years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7938799.stm

HP believes a shift in research will help it survive the recession

In 2008 HP announced that it would be aligning the work done in its lab with its business goals, a shift which it now believes will allow the company to survive the global recession.

One of the major changes is that the business unit will now help decide which research projects should be funded and which shouldn't.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7943300.stm

Greenest Mac Book Ever

Apple have launched a new Mac Book, which is apparently their greenest ever. Just a few of its features include:

- 100% recyclable aluminium/glass casing
- Runs on a quarter of the power of a lightbulb
- Made without using some harmful toxins such as mercury

The ad, below, went live on Tuesday 17th February and was apparently on during last night's Brit Awards.

Microsoft to move into retail

In a surprise move, Microsoft has announced that it will be opening a line of branded shops. The stores will sell a range of Windows PCs and mobile phones. 

The firm have hired David Porter, an executive from the movie studio Dreamworks and previous WalMart executive, to oversee the operation.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/feb/13/microsoft-stores

Apple co-founder to compete on Dancing with the Stars

Steve Wozniak has been confirmed as a contestant on the US dance competition Dancing with the Stars.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7878566.stm