Monday, May 3, 2010

MeeGo has Coming-Out Party at IDF Beijing


Earlier this month in Beijing, Intel provided the first public demonstrations of its new MeeGo mobile Linux platform. The MeeGo, which promises to provide a lightweight yet feature-robust OS for a number of applications, is the result of a partnership with Nokia and previous work in mobile Linux under the banner Moblin (MeeGo = Moblin + Maemo).
Currently being touted for inclusion with smart phones, tablets, connected televisions, netbooks and embedded applications including automotive and digital display verticals, MeeGo provides a compelling solution for designers looking for a robust OS without high cost and complex customization. The solution, which was first shown operating on an Intel-powered netbook, was showcased as providing a substantial set of features for end-users while still being customizable for developers.
As with any off-the-shelf software solution,
extensive testing of software and hardware interaction will be necessary to ensure a complete and satisfactory user experience. But with many articles pointing out the promise of MeeGo for low-cost and low-power devices like mobile phones, MeeGo might have the appeal to spread into many different verticals.
Intel is currently targeting a May 2010 release of the open source
MeeGo solution. Learn more at the extensive MeeGo website, which includes many resources for developers.

Budget SSD Market Continues to Grow

As the solid-state drive (SSD) market continues to expand, consumers are increasingly able to select features and options to meet their individual needs. While some want the most powerful SSD money can buy, others are looking for the best value. And as more SSDs enter the market, the value-conscious consumer will soon be celebrating.
A number of companies have recently introduced lines of SSDs aimed at the budget-conscious consumer, reducing the cost of an SSD without sacrificing performance. In March,
OCZ Technology was one of the first companies to break the $100 barrier with the release of the 32G Onyx SSD. Super Talent Technology recently introduced its own line of value SSDs, dubbed the Super Talent VSSD. The VSSDs are available in capacities from 8G to 64G and start as low as $65.
SSDs offer several benefits over traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). SSDs deliver increased speed and
power efficiency, enabling better battery life. The use of flash memory improves data access capabilities, resulting in a shorter bootup time and faster application loading. Overall, SSDs provide a more rugged and portable computing experience than their HDD counterparts.
Budget
SSD products continue to emerge, meeting users’ demands for increased speed and performance while keeping costs low. The overall SSD market growth has been incredible, and the trend is expected to continue. For the manufacturers, appealing to budget-conscious consumers may be the best way to see widespread market adoption.