ASUS Mini PCs – Eee Box B206 and B204 announced

ASUS seriously wants to conquer that part of market which was always ruled by Apple – starting with “all-in-one” PCs, and now with a miniature “PC in a box” models. Apple was one of the first companies, who offered fully functional PC in a small and compact form. They named the main idea of these PCs with a strange letter combination: BYODKM, which stands for “Bring your own display, keyboard, and mouse” – this, by the words of Apple, is all you need to connect and have a working PC. However, Apple discontinued Mac Mini production, so ASUS has a lot of possibilities to overcome its competitor from Cupertino. In the recent press-release, ASUS presented two new models: ASUS Eee Box B204 and B206, which are continuing the Eee Box lineup. Let’s look what they added in the new models, details follow.

ASUS Eee Box B204 and B206 look just like previous models looked like. The only difference is hardware, which is now more advanced, and is fully prepared for our HD era. Largest improvement over the past models is updated graphics card that now possess HD capabilities: both models has ATI Radeon HD 3400 inside, with 256 MB of graphics memory and HDMI output. Main processor remained the same – Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz. Other hardware details include 1 GB of RAM, 160 GB HDD (SATA II), card reader for many card types, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Gigabit Ethernet, DVI port and four USB 2.0 ports. For an operating system ASUS chose Windows XP Home edition that is preinstalled on every Eee Box PC. In addition, they offer Eee Storage feature, which equals in 10 GB of online storage. One can ask, what is the difference between B206 and B204 models? The differences are simple: B204 has Bluetooth and internal battery, while B206 hasn’t.

On the multimedia side, both mini PCs have some bonus features. They have remote control included, so user will be capable of using Eee Box from the distance without any hassle with settings. ASUS packed them with its own multimedia program, named Eee Cinema, which is made for simple and comfortable way to play HD video.

Although new ASUS gadgets look pretty interesting, they are only planned for release. These mini PCs will be a good choice for a media center PC, not only because they offer quite good performance in a small and elegant case, but also they are much quieter than usual PC.

Nokia releases firmware v12.043 for N96 smartphone

Nokia releases firmware v12.043 for N96 smartphone

The last month of each year is not probably the time for only big releases, so people could feel themselves free to choose New Year presents for their friend and relatives, but it is also the good time for manufacturers nevertheless to get busy with what was not perfect thru the past year. The case in which we are mentioning it is the latest Nokia N96 firmware update v12.043 available from today’s morning December 08. And it is a good move from Nokia I suppose, because even within a few hours from the moment after first lucky N96 users have installed v12.043 to it, the web started filling up with positive comments. Well done for Nokia as it may now expect better profits from smartphones in the “hot” season of winter. So, let’s see what N96 firmware v12.043 is all about.

First of all mind you that the latest N96 v12.043 firmware is not up to bring too many of new features. As we started with Nokia was not perfect with its flagman N96 model, now is a good time to fix it along with many other Nokia devices which get their firmware updates regularly. That is exactly the way it should be and it doesn’t mean that Nokia puts up for sale underfulfilled gadgets. In the meanwhile, the updated devices show a bit more of what was expected, not only patches for obvious bloopers. More concrete on N96 with v12.043, it now has: camera performance update. It shows in less motion blur and color bloom effect. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have enhanced interoperability. Messaging fix doesn’t alter SMS text into MMS if case when the SMS was sent to more than 20 numbers. With an additional download, compatibility with Nokia Email service is available. And, except for fixing crushing applications, many more changes in screen settings, themes and ringtones, etc.

Overall firmware v12.043 made N96 faster and more reliable with plus 45 free MB RAM after boot. The updating pack has 120 MB at Nokia official web site, or over-the-air it would be only 3 MB.

Nokia 6260 Slide comes with the New Year

Nokia 6260 Slide comes with the New Year
Yes, finally, by the end of November 2008 we declare that Nokia 6260 Slide is now official and ready to hit the stores. Not the greatest release of the month, of course, especially on the background of Blackberry Storm which is literally hunted down because there recently were not enough Blackberries for all of those who were saving their precious money for it. But Nokia 6260 was also a quite wanted mobile phone since mid summer when its very first spy photos appeared on the web. Release date is settled for the January 2009.

One of the best things I like in Nokia 6260 is the fact that despite its market positioning as a democratic gadget without tons of newest features, lots of people still find it exceptionally appealing. And this is a testimony of Nokia’s leadership in proper mobile phone development. Upcoming 6260 slider is user-friendly, good-looking cell phone by me. Design similar to 6220 classic, isn’t it? Apart form it, Nokia 6260 will have practically the same camera. It is Carl Zeiss camera, with 5.0 Mpix, autofocus and flash. Also a 320 x 480 display with 2.4 inches and a numeric keypad. Slider form factor with a numeric keypad is better for 6260 than a QWERTY would be I suppose.

Nokia 6260 Slide is up to provide its owner with a certain range of Internet services. Nokia developers say they want people to share some pleasant moments of their lives via HSUPA fast pictures and movies uploads, and see needed files downloading them with HSDPA, plus some Ovi services and first Nokia Maps AGPS Series 40 to the pile.

Now the biggest question is “When?”. Nokia 6260 Slide will be available right after everyone have stopped buying Christmas presents – early January 2009. Price tag – 299 Euros.