It looks like NVIDIA is quite busy with its new Tegra family of “computers-on-a-chip” these days, as it has been revealed that besides the usual mobile platforms it should be working on to support (i.e. Windows Mobile, Windows CE and Google Android), it has also been working on the up-and-coming Google Chrome OS with Google itself. NVIDIA’s GM of Mobile Business Mike Rayfield spilled the beans to JKOnTheRun’s Kevin Tofel saying, “Nvidia is “working closely with Google,” on the Chrome OS platform” and that it isn’t just meant for handheld devices.

Why would anyone want a mobile computer with Tegra on it, you ask? Well, its main selling point according to NVIDIA is that it easily supports hi-def video playback and that it uses less power than Intel’s Atom processor for the said task. Some people may find this adequate in a mobile device, but sad to say, I am not one of them. NVIDIA makes a good point in saying that the “cloud” can be a good alternative for desktop apps, but for me they will never be able to replace the best desktop programs I use (or at least not any time soon). But Chrome OS is supposed to change this, so let’s hope the products hit the market in time for a closer evaluation.

Via JKOnTheRun

Back in June, Mobinnova introduced the Elan netbook, a new portable computer that offered 5-10 hours of high definition video viewing thanks to it being based on NVIDIA’s Tegra platform. It has been showcased recently and according to a report from DigiTimes it has already received orders from telecom service providers in Europe and North America, where it will appear before the end of 2009. Foxconn has been identified as the primary manufacturer of this Tegra-based “smartbook” while it is said that Compal Communication is also supposed to make one before year-end. Apart from supposedly excellent high-definition video playback and slightly longer battery life (than average), there doesn’t seem to be anything special about Tegra. I suppose I will have to see when I get my hands on a unit of my own for testing.

Via DigiTimes

Pocket-lint received a confirmation from Nvidia regarding the release of its netbook powered by the new Tegra chip. If everything goes as plan, we might be looking at a sub-$200 netbook soon. In fact, the release date was even already confirmed – “Black Friday” in the U.S.

For those not in the loop, like me who only learn about this information, the Tegra chip are currently present in Microsoft’s Zune HD. As such the said netbook would have full support for HD video as well as Flash technology.

Although no final specs are available yet, this is rather not that important if you don’t put your expectations too high. And besides what power can you possibly ask for a netbook that would cost you only $199?

Nonetheless, a prototype is already available for the said netbook. And such protype features an 8.9-inch screen, Wi-Fi, 3G, and webcam. It is currently runnin gon Microsoft’s CE OS. Interestingly, Nvidia also mention that the final product could be loaded with the Google Android OS instead.

Via Pocket-Lint

The first mini notebook to feature the NVidia ION graphics processor, the Dospara Prime Note Cresion NA, has been released for sale in Japan.

Specifications of the unit include the graphics power of the NVidia Ion along with an Atom 330 CPU, a 12.1 inch glossy display (so bordering on netbook/mini-notebook), 2GB of RAM, a DVD drive, 320GB HDD, webcam and Bluetooth. All in all its a powerful little unit which is running Windows XP as it’s operating system.

The product page can be found here: Dospara Prime Note Cresion NA for the newly released product which retails on the website at 59,980 Yen.

via

According to unnamed industry sources cited by DigiTimes in one of its latest reports, Asus is reportedly considering launching new netbooks and nettops with NVIDIA’s Ion platform for enhanced graphics performance on these low-cost machines. Knowing that there are already several products with the NVIDIA Ion chip either out in the market or currently on the way, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Asus plans such a move to stay competitive. DigiTimes even goes as far as to mention the possible name of the first upcoming Ion-based Asus nettop: the Eee Box B1006. Now, if only this computer doesn’t get crippled with a small-time Atom processor, Asus just might have a winner in their hands. We’ll see if they ever announce this for a possible release in Q3 2009.

Via DigiTimes

Digitimes have posted reporting that Lenovo are to produce two other models of netbook, in the second quarter of 2009, to add to the 12 inch netbook that was announced earlier this week.

Lenovo are to introduce an 11.6 inch and another 12 inch netbook and this second newly announced 12 inch netbook will use the Intel Atom processor and Nvidia’s Ion combination which produces a graphically capable netbook that is energy efficient at the same time. The company are also considering producing a 13″ model that would also run on the Ion platform.

We’ve already told you about NVIDIA’s upcoming Tegra chips that could theoretically power $99 MIDs, but now you can see it on video. Not the chip itself, but a proof of concept device that’s got it inside, which NVIDIA showcased in its booth in the now on-going MWC 2009. One of NVIDIA’s proof of concept units was shown with Android, while another was playing 1080P video effortlessly as handheld device. Engadget’s got a bunch of videos showing the chipset’s performance, and it should be enough to convince any non-believer: Tegra “just works.” At least for now. Hopefully, they plant this into at least a couple of devices that will be released in the summer.

Via Engadget

NVIDIA has announced its plans to launch a $99 mobile Internet device that’s equipped with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard similar to what we have pictured above. This device will be powered by the company’s Tegra 600 chipset and Windows CE with some sort of skin on top, HD video playback, several days of battery life and always-on wireless connectivity, among other features. At the moment, no manufacturer has taken up the task of actually designing and working on building NVIDIA’s conceptualized MIDs, but if any company does and they get it right we just might have a promising product in the horizon.

Via Engadget

Nvidia’s general manager of MCP business Drew Henry recently revealed that the very first ION-based product will be a nettop instead of a netbook, and that it will launch in June for $299 USD. Who was going to launch it first (whether it was MSI, Acer, or Asus) wasn’t specified, however, and we are only left to speculation. Nvidia also announced that their new product has passed Microsoft Windows Vista WHQL certification and can support high-definition multimedia and graphics processing. This means that netbooks/nettops should be able to show HD video content easily once the platform launches. That still doesn’t fix the problem of low resolution netbook screens, though. In any case, if you were waiting for more info on ION, there’s all that you can gleam at the moment.

Via DigiTimes

VIA sources have indicated that they and Nvidia have suspended the deal that was set up in April this year, to work on a platform for netbooks and MID’s together.

This was to be a another ‘cooperation’ between the two companies that are already working together to build desktop PC components, that could have seen the VIA C7 and Nano processors paired with MCP79 IGP chipsets which could have seen the two companies become a bigger ‘player’ in the netbook phenomenon.