The S-series has a 2-inch QVGA screen, that not only plays back WMA, AAC and MP3 audio formats, but also WMV and MP4 video. SensMe is featured on a Walkman player for the first time, previously only on Sony Ericsson Walkman-branded phones. For those unfamiliar, the SensMe engine analyzes a song for various qualities and maps it on an X-Y chart. From there you can select what type of music you want to listen to according to "mood". The S-series is only 7.5mm thick, has 40 hours of audio playback and 10 hours of video playback on a single charge.

The E-series is Sony's mid-range Walkman offering, which features the same audio and video playback the S-series offers, but lacks the noise cancellation and SensMe features. Unlike the S-series, the E comes in multiple colors, including black, red, blue and pink. It has 45 hours of audio playback and 8 hours of video playback. The E-series is also available in 4 GB and 8 GB sizes.

The B-series is Sony's no-nonsense line of Walkman players that only play music. But in addition to audio playback, the B-series also serves as a voice recorder and FM radio. It has 16 hours of battery life and also comes in multiple colors like the E-series. The B-series plugs directly into your USB port for drag and drop file transfer and comes in 1 GB and 2 GB sizes.

All the players above are expected to be available in September. The 4 GB S-series will cost $150, while the 8 GB will cost $180. The 4 GB E-series will cost $100 and the 8 GB $140. Lastly, the 1 GB B-series will sell for $45 and the 2 GB will be $60. [Sony]

SONY RAISES THE CURTAIN ON NEW WALKMAN PLAYERS THAT DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO AND VIDEO

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 28, 2008 – From noise-cancellation for frequent travelers to affordability for customers on a budget, Sony today unveiled three new Walkman® players (series S, E and B) that have something to offer nearly every customer segment.

“Whether the fit and finish, the engineering or the integration of unique technologies, each of these new series has different points of appeal,” said Mitch Li, product manager for Walkman players in the Digital Imaging and Audio Division at Sony Electronics. “These new Walkman players satisfy the need of consumers who don’t want to sacrifice sound quality for the digital music and MP3 experience.”

S-Series Walkman Players

The top-end, format-friendly Walkman S-series broadens options for enjoying tunes from multiple sources, including many download stores and personal music collections. The supplied Content Transfer software even simplifies “drag and drop” transfer of non-DRM music, videos, podcasts and playlists from online music services to Walkman players. If you’re migrating your personal collection of ripped tracks from another MP3 player, there’s no need to re-rip all your tunes from your CDs.

Support for popular audio and video codecs is enhanced because the S-series Walkman devices play Windows Media Video (WMV) files with DRM, allowing you to enjoy rights-protected movies and video clips from other media collections.

Additionally, the S-series Walkman players are the first MP3 players with Sony’s SensMe™ Channels function, which automatically creates channels that can align with a user’s preferences. Based on Sony’s SensMe Channels function, the S-series players analyze a user’s music collection and suggest channels based on each song’s speed, mood and rhythm. They create a choice of 11 themed channels from upbeat pop to emotional ballads.

In-Flight Noise Cancellation

Whether commuting, flying high or just listening to music at home, the new S-series Walkman players help diminish background noise while improving your overall listening experience. The top-end S-series Walkman players feature integrated active noise cancellation with supplied 13.5mm EX noise canceling headphones and an accessory cable that extends the noise canceling functionality of the device. On airplanes, travellers can – for the first time – connect the S-series player directly to a plane’s audio video system with the included accessory cable and enjoy regular in-flight entertainment with the bonus of high-quality noise cancellation.

Just 7.5mm thin, the super-light S-series is the slimmest Walkman player in any of the new series. It has a bright, high-contrast 2-inch QVGA LCD screen (measured diagonally) that has an ultra-quick response time, with smooth playback at up to 30 frames per second and selectable horizontal/vertical viewing. The interface can be personalized with the user’s choice of 10 pre-installed wallpaper images or their favorite digital photo.

E-Series Walkman Players

The E-series combines high-quality video and audio performance to create the perfect device for enjoying favorite photos and video clips. Like the S-series, all E-series models are format friendly, easily playing back ripped tracks from your personal music collection, music store downloads and rights-managed video clips. Non-DRM files can be transferred by “drag and drop” from online music services to Walkman players.

Support for popular audio and video codecs is enhanced because the E-series Walkman players can also support Windows Media Video (WMV) with DRM, allowing rights-protected movies and video clips from other media collections.

B-Series Walkman Players

The affordable entry-level Walkman B-series player offers the high-quality sound that users have come to expect from Sony. The ultra-portable devices can connect to your PC’s USB port for easy “drag and drop” file transfers. Like all other Walkman models, open support for Windows Media Audio (WMA) and MP3 codecs enables users to buy, copy and manage music to fit their needs.

The stylish design is enhanced by an illuminator that pulses in time with the music when the bass button is pressed. The device has an FM radio for enjoying favorite stations and a voice recorder that’s great for capturing memos, shopping lists or random thoughts while you’re on the move.

Battery Life

The battery life is up to 40 hours of music playback for S-series, up to 45 hours for the E-series and up to 16 hours for the B-series. The battery life is up to 10 hours of video playback for S-series, up to 8 hours for the E-series. The battery life is also up to 30 hours of audio playback for the S-series when the noise-cancellation feature is activated. Actual battery life may vary upon usage patterns, product settings, battery and environmental conditions.

Sony’s Open Platform Means More Choice

The E- and S-series Walkman players support an open platform, providing more choices for downloading and managing music and video collections online. The devices can support security-enhanced Windows Media Audio (WMA), as well as non-secure AAC, linear PCM and MP3 music formats plus JPEG files for photos, in addition to the WMV with DRM, AVC (H.264/AVC) Baseline Profile and MPEG-4 video codecs.

Pricing and Availability

The S-series of Walkman noise canceling video MP3 players come in two different storage capacities in black:

* The NWZ-S736F has approximately 4GB of internal storage and will cost about $150.
* The NWZ-S738F has approximately 8GB of internal storage and will cost about $180.

The E-series of Walkman video MP3 players will be available in the following configurations:

* The NWZ-E436F comes in black, red, pink, blue, has approximately 4GB of internal storage and costs about $100.
* The NWZ-E438F comes in black, red, pink, has approximately 8GB of internal storage, and costs about $140.

The B-series of Walkman MP3 players come in two different capacities and four colors:

* The NWZ-B133F player has approximately 1GB of internal storage; comes in black, red and blue and will cost about $45.
* The NWZ-B135F player has approximately 2GB of internal storage; comes in black, red and pink and will cost about $60.

Presales have begun for the new Walkman models online at www.sonystyle.com/walkman and at Sony Style stores. The players will be available in September across the country at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.

Frequent travellers who at the same time happen to own Apple’s shiny handset will be glad to know AT&T has added two new international iPhone data plans.

The two plans involve 100MB and 200MB of data and are available for an additional $119.99 and $199.99 a month, respectively. 67 countries are included with the “discounted international data” plans: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, France, French Guiana, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, The Netherlands, Netherland Antilles, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, United Kingdom and Vatican City.

The other group where rate is rate is $0.0195/KB, include such countries as Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Brunei, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Macau, Macedonia (former Yugoslavia), Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Venezuela.

Finally, if you happen to be in some other country not mentioned above, expect to pay $.010/KB.

[Via: BGR, AT&T]

---
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• AT&T launches international iPhone data plans - Data Global Plan
• AT&T announces International Calling for AT&T Unity customers
• AT&T offering monster iPhone rate plans with thousands of minutes!
• AT&T to limit unlimited data plans to 5GB a month?
• AT&T rolls out Apple iPhone for corporate and business customers

Other features include built-in 128MB NAND flash memory for maps, removable and rechargeable NP-120 1600 mAh Li-ion battery, and 9 menu buttons to enable frequent used functions.

Holux GR-130 is IPX6 waterproof for those rainy days on the golf course. Not sure when this will hit the market but we’ll be sure to keep you updated.

AT&T was calling me to set up an interview with their CTO, but all I could hear was garbled noise on my AT&T iPhone. "I can't really hear you!" I shouted, as if volume would clear the channel. It's always been like this, in my home in San Francisco.

While the howls of iPhone 3G reception issues get louder and louder, I've always wondered if it was the network's fault, as some Swedish scientists and journalists have recently suggested. Maybe it's just new AT&T customers making the bulk of the noise. From my experience, the phone isn't blameless, but the network is a major part of the issue.

Continuing the call on an land line, I said I'd be glad to meet with John Donovan. To be perfectly honest, on a certain level, I didn't really want to ask questions. All I wanted to do was get the guy in front of me and berate him for his network's voice quality and reception, relatively slow 3G rollout and coverage. AT&T's been last in all those metrics for years (according to JD Powers) and they were still raking in the bucks as the nation's largest carrier. But after meeting him, I'm certain John Donovan has the intent the Old AT&T didn't. And a detailed plan on how to make "More Bars in More Places" less like a joke and more like a promise. In fact, Donovan surprised me when he said, "We want to be number one in all those metrics." Here's the outline of the plan, which Donovan provided later — as well as some straight talk from an AT&T engineer.

•Cell site splitting. We’re deploying about 1,500 new cell sites this year. This enhances service quality in two ways – we’re expanding the geographic reach of the network, and in some places, we’re adding cell sites in existing territory to improve coverage and capacity.

•We monitor the usage for both data and voice on each and every cell site sector, combine that with our forecasts and customer feedback to target specific locations where we need to augment capacity via further cell splits.

•TDMA turndown. Earlier this year we turned down our TDMA/Analog networks. That allowed us to free up key spectrum to redeploy into the UMTS/HSPA network. Not only does that give us the opportunity to increase overall capacity on UMTS/HSPA, it enables us to deploy UMTS/HSPA at 850 Mhz (vs 1900 Mhz). This 850 spectrum provides optimum in-building coverage. We’re in the midst of turning up this spectrum on the UMTS-HSPA network across the country.

•Short measurement intervals. We’re deploying capabilities to measure network performance in much shorter intervals. This capability will be especially important to maximize service quality during major events. For example, during a Final Four or World Series game, traffic on the network will spike during time outs, or when a great play, bad call, or something else big happens. In normal circumstances, we might measure traffic and performance a few times per hour, but in these situations, we’ll monitor every few minutes to ensure maximum performance during the spikes that occur in real time.

•Wireless backhaul. We’re leveraging our U-verse and metro Ethernet fiber deployments to enhance wireless backhaul connections in many areas. We’re moving more and more of our wireless backhaul onto the 40 Gbps AT&T backbone network. So … the investments we’re making to maximize service quality on the wired side also benefit our wireless customers.

•Drive testing. AT&T technicians and other third-party vendors will drive-test its network nearly 30 million miles in the next year to improve the network’s coverage and quality.

•Hundreds of technicians from third-party testing companies, infrastructure vendors and AT&T technicians use specially designed vehicles to travel throughout the country and test the signal strength and coverage of AT&T’s ALLOVER Network.

•Along with drive-testing its own network, AT&T drive-tests competitors’ networks to ensure that its coverage and quality are equal to or better than other companies providing service in the area.

•The drive-test results help to prioritize where the company invests in new cell sites and equipment that enhances the network quality and coverage.

While a great deal of the document above is fairly obvious, there are many roadblocks to executing the plan and improving the network. Donovan's interview revealed some details of the plan above, but some engineers within the ranks gave me a great deal of insight, too.

A large part of the problem, Donovan said, is that people would complain, and yet, by all of their measurements, the user should have had full bars in the place and at the time they reported the poor coverage. Hence the need for better tools and more frequent sampling, instead of several times per hour, they'd do it every few minutes during congested periods. A great deal of that testing is done using network tools, but drive testing will help, and AT&T also tests their competitors' networks for comparison.

Adding more towers in a place is not simple. It's a local affair, requiring navigation of local building codes and politics. Somewhere like SF makes that hard, but the hilly terrain wouldn't help the situation either. And while 30 million miles of driving sounds like a good idea, the engineers I talked to insisted that drive testing is really just a final check once you've got enough towers in place. "Save the money on drive testing and build sites or improve sites we already have...[by] buying t-1s to increase capacity." He also commented that adding 1500 towers alone isn't enough to solve the problem.

Turning down analog networks sounds like a winning strategy, as long as you don't mind grandma's cell call quality being degraded. The activation of the 850MHz band will also enable better indoor reception, which is going to be critical in expanding data/voice quality as user counts go up. Donovan also said that they'd shift their allocation of bandwidth towards data from voice, which makes sense. Analog aside, the EDGE legacy is taking up resources on the towers which are shared with 3G. As one of the engineers said, having UMTS and GSM use the same antennas causes "interference and performance. It’s like putting a splitter on a garden hose the flow is still there but volume is cut in half on each side." (This is where Verizon and Sprint have an advantage.)

And as Wired has realized, 3G range being more limited, AT&T can't actually blanket a city by using the same tower locations as their EDGE counterparts. But my engineer friend also said, "We went from 2.5g experts to 3g novices." They don't have the training or experience to find or fix issues as well as they do on EDGE networks. Many in the field are also lacking the expensive test gear for UMTS to find bad channels and interference.

Why didn't AT&T make these investments in the first place, while Starbucks and T-Mobile worked on Wi-Fi hotspots and Sprint/Verizon went 3G ahead of the curve? Money.

And while AT&T's financially conservative strategies in the past have limited expansion, there's no reason they couldn't also do so in the future. I asked Donovan if caution was the overriding strategy behind waiting to match Sprint's initial 3G rollout, he replied, "I'd like to say we're deliberate. " He added that initially meeting the voice quality and data rates of Sprint's 3G network would have been both technically and financially impossible, despite the customer benefit. (One only needs to look at Sprint's financial weakness now to appreciate the wisdom of his point.) He also pointed out that by waiting, they got to leapfrog the limitations of Sprint's EVDO networks, referring to the extended data rates their network will eventually run at, at a better value. "The most astute thing you can do is be as late as possible and as fast as possible. Because it's going to cost you more if you do it too early, and if you do it too late, you don't get the features you want."

When AT&T's LTE networks do make the jump past Sprint, from 1.7Mbit to 7Mbit to 11Mbit to 20Mbit, their bottle neck will move to their backend infrastructure. To counteract that, they'll depend on their extensive wired and fiber backhauls the company has. But, in areas where the telco is owned by AT&T, AT&T wireless still has to buy lines from themselves and the budget isn’t there. According to at least one engineer, "We still operate at the field as two completely different companies. While at the top they see “ONE” we see many."

Will AT&T succeed at having the best call quality, coverage and reception? Who knows. But at least here, we have their plans on record and can hold them to the goal. After all, they're the biggest carrier — they've got a responsibility to all of us to make their network the best, no matter what the cost.

I just want to be able to hear the other person on the end of the line.

When I'm taking a trip (which looking at my latest credit card bill, might be a rhetorical statement for quite some time), I admit the main factor I consider when picking flights is cost (quickly followed by time of day - no way can I get to an airport before 5AM).

My mom, on the other hand, wants to know everything: how many seats does the plane have, what's the legroom like in coach, will there be a cafe at the airport that's open before 5AM (hey, things don't always go my way...).

Travel obsessives now have all their prayers answered thanks to a new site called Inside Trip, which allows users to compare flights by factors ranging from lost bag rank to seat comfort, giving each trip an overall trip quality rating.

I like to live life on the edge, and find out when I get there (you can't possibly account for every variable, after all), but for frequent travelers or anyone like my mom who just has to know, this could be a real boon.

Via Geeksugar.

Posted by Diane    Category: on the web
Tags: travel
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]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:21:01 +0000 trip inside trip travel trip quality credit card bill flights compare flights travel obsessives lost bag rank Inside Trip: for every travel variable you can think of http://mobileratty.com/article/3ac98c87bc2d2796e5ddf3326359c567 http://mobileratty.com/article/3ac98c87bc2d2796e5ddf3326359c567

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies today launched the fuel cell industry’s first direct ethanol product, the Bio Energy Diversity Kit, which uses tiny amounts of alcohol and water as its fuel. The product marks another step in Horizon’s commercialization of fuel cells in portable electronics.

The Bio Energy Discovery Kit is a simple educational product used to introduce fuel cell technology to students, aspiring scientists, teachers and engineers. The kit features a fuel cell powered desktop fan that uses a 90‐ percent water, 10‐percent ethanol mix as the source fuel for transforming an electrochemical reaction into electrical energy.

Most fuel cell related developments targeting consumer electronics have so far focused on using liquid methanol (DMFC) as a fuel source. Horizon’s new direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC) can generate small amounts of power for days or weeks at a time using tiny amounts of simple household alcohol, such as diluted vodka.

HP had a few new laptops to show off today, including its smallest and lightest notebook to date with a built-in optical drive. Featured were two HP laptops - one a tablet - and a Compaq.

The HP EliteBook 2530p and HP EliteBook 2730p are expected to be available by early September, pricing around $1,500 and $1,670 starting, respectively. The HP Compaq 2230s is currently available for around $1,000. You can get full details after the jump via HP’s press release.

HP Lightens the Load for Business Travelers
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 18, 2008

HP today introduced three ultra-portable notebook computers, including a three-pound(1) EliteBook, the smallest and lightest HP notebook with a built-in optical drive.

Inspired by aircraft construction and designed for style-conscious mobile professionals, the HP EliteBook 2530p features the sleek and durable HP DuraCase – a brushed, anodized aluminum exterior casing combined with a magnesium alloy chassis that is engineered to pass several military-standard durability tests such as extreme temperature, dust and humidity.(2)

The HP EliteBook 2730p is an ultra-thin, convertible tablet that – with a twist of the screen – transforms from an ultra-light notebook PC into a pen-based tablet. The value-priced HP Compaq 2230s rounds out one of the most comprehensive ultra-portable notebook lineups in the industry.

“HP continues to distinguish the EliteBook brand with sophisticated, innovative designs that combine military-standard durability with easy-to-use features and the right levels of performance,” said Keith LeFebvre, vice president and general manager, Business Notebooks, Personal Systems Group – Americas, HP. “These great-looking notebooks can withstand the rigors of the road, meet the most demanding tasks and keep up with the ever-changing mobile lifestyle.”

New notebooks for the corporate road warrior

The HP EliteBook series incorporates the latest Intel® processors, solid-state hard drives and the most up-to-date wireless technologies, making them ideal for the business user on the go.

Offering the latest Intel technology for extended battery life and enhanced system performance, HP EliteBooks also support Intel Core™ 2 Duo(3) ultra-low-voltage (ULV) or low-voltage (LV) processors to optimize performance and minimize power consumption.

The two new EliteBook models feature an optional integrated 2 megapixel webcam with business card reader software, and an integrated HP NightLight that shines on the keyboard to improve visibility in low light. A shock-resistant hard drive and spill-resistant keyboard, standard with the HP EliteBook series, help defend data against bumps, drops and spills.

HP EliteBook 2530p Notebook PC – For the business professional on the go, HP’s smallest and lightest-weight business notebook offers performance in a 3.19-pound package. (1) The 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen HP Illumi-Lite LED display is lighter than standard notebook display technology and improves battery life by up to 90 minutes.(4)

The HP EliteBook 2530p offers the choice of an ultra-small 1.8-inch hard drive with a built-in optical drive or a higher-capacity 2.5-inch hard drive. For added protection against bang-ups, the inner magnesium shell of the notebook’s HP DuraCase is equipped with a honeycomb pattern that is thermally bonded to anodized aluminum for a solid construction to withstand active day-to-day use on the road.

HP EliteBook 2730p Notebook PC – This high-performing, ultra-thin, convertible tablet sports an innovative design and weighs in at only 3.7 pounds.(1) Rotating the screen transforms it into a pen-based tablet measuring only 1.11-inches thin. New features include an integrated touchpad, tablet buttons and a jog dial. Frequent travelers can take advantage of the optional ultra-slim battery accessory that offers up to 12 combined hours of battery life.(4) The HP EliteBook 2730p also supports a convenient, ultra-slim docking solution with an integrated DVD+/-RW drive.

Style and affordability

Stylish and powerful, the 4.07-pound(1) HP Compaq 2230s Notebook PC offers a 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen display and a satin, reflective, black-on-black surface. With the Wi-Fi-certified wireless local area network (WLAN) and integrated Bluetooth® wireless technology, mobile professionals can send and receive emails or access the Internet – at work, at home or at their favorite hotspots.(5) This modernized classic business notebook includes HP 3D DriveGuard, which uses a three-axis accelerometer to detect sudden movement and initiate protective action, helping safeguard the hard drive against bumps or drops.

Security options on energy-efficient notebooks

All HP business notebooks are designed with the environment in mind, offering energy-efficient features and select materials for easier recycling. Both the EliteBook 2530p and 2730p have an Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Gold rating and feature a mercury-free Illumi-Lite LED display, which is lighter and more energy-efficient than standard notebook display technology. HP has set a goal to remove all mercury – a potentially hazardous substance commonly found in notebook screens – from its notebooks by 2010.

The notebooks feature HP Mobile Broadband with built-in Gobi technology from Qualcomm and use a single module, the HP un2400, to support multiple mobile broadband network technologies and mobile operators. This increases users’ international roaming options and offers greater choice and flexibility in choosing a mobile data plan.(6)

Included HP QuickLook 2 software provides access to email, calendar, task and contact information within seconds at the touch of a button with no need to boot the operating system.(7) HP SpareKey addresses the hassle of forgotten passwords by using a sequence of three predetermined personal identification questions to gain entry into the system.(8)

All of the new notebook models are loaded with strong security features, including HP ProtectTools Security Manager and Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools, which encodes information on the hard drive to make sensitive information unreadable if a notebook is lost or stolen. For added data security, the built-in File Sanitizer permanently deletes individual files, folders and personally identifiable information from the notebook, allowing customers to recycle the notebook with confidence that their business data has been removed.

Pricing and availability(9)

The HP EliteBook 2530p and HP EliteBook 2730p are expected to be available by early September, with estimated starting U.S. street pricing of $1,499 and $1,670, respectively.

The HP Compaq 2230s is currently available at an estimated starting U.S. street price of $999.

More information about these HP notebook PCs and other HP mobility solutions is available in an online press kit at http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2008/mobility/index.html.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

(1) Weight will vary by configuration.

(2) Testing was not intended to demonstrate fitness for U.S. Department of Defense contracts requirements or for military use. Test results are not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions.

(3) Dual Core is a new technology designed to improve performance of certain software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. 64-bit computing on Intel architecture requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers and applications enabled for Intel 64 architecture. Processors will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel 64 architecture-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary depending on hardware and software configurations. More information is available at www.intel.com/info/em64t.

(4) Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, loaded applications, features and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will decrease with time and usage.

(5) Wireless access point required and is not included. Availability of public wireless access points is limited. Wireless Internet use requires separately purchased Internet service contract.

(6) Gobi and Broadband technologies require separately purchased wireless data service contracts. Check with local service provider for coverage and availability.

(7) HP QuickLook 2 is accessible when the notebook is off or in hibernation from Microsoft Windows® XP or Microsoft Windows Vista®. Timings may vary depending on the system configuration and state.

(8) Requires initial user setup.

(9) Estimated street prices, actual pricing may vary.

HP

HP had a few new laptops to show off today, including its smallest and lightest notebook to date with a built-in optical drive. Featured were two HP laptops - one a tablet - and a Compaq.

The HP EliteBook 2530p and HP EliteBook 2730p are expected to be available by early September, pricing around $1,500 and $1,670 starting, respectively. The HP Compaq 2230s is currently available for around $1,000. You can get full details after the jump via HP’s press release.

HP Lightens the Load for Business Travelers
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 18, 2008

HP today introduced three ultra-portable notebook computers, including a three-pound(1) EliteBook, the smallest and lightest HP notebook with a built-in optical drive.

Inspired by aircraft construction and designed for style-conscious mobile professionals, the HP EliteBook 2530p features the sleek and durable HP DuraCase – a brushed, anodized aluminum exterior casing combined with a magnesium alloy chassis that is engineered to pass several military-standard durability tests such as extreme temperature, dust and humidity.(2)

The HP EliteBook 2730p is an ultra-thin, convertible tablet that – with a twist of the screen – transforms from an ultra-light notebook PC into a pen-based tablet. The value-priced HP Compaq 2230s rounds out one of the most comprehensive ultra-portable notebook lineups in the industry.

“HP continues to distinguish the EliteBook brand with sophisticated, innovative designs that combine military-standard durability with easy-to-use features and the right levels of performance,” said Keith LeFebvre, vice president and general manager, Business Notebooks, Personal Systems Group – Americas, HP. “These great-looking notebooks can withstand the rigors of the road, meet the most demanding tasks and keep up with the ever-changing mobile lifestyle.”

New notebooks for the corporate road warrior

The HP EliteBook series incorporates the latest Intel® processors, solid-state hard drives and the most up-to-date wireless technologies, making them ideal for the business user on the go.

Offering the latest Intel technology for extended battery life and enhanced system performance, HP EliteBooks also support Intel Core™ 2 Duo(3) ultra-low-voltage (ULV) or low-voltage (LV) processors to optimize performance and minimize power consumption.

The two new EliteBook models feature an optional integrated 2 megapixel webcam with business card reader software, and an integrated HP NightLight that shines on the keyboard to improve visibility in low light. A shock-resistant hard drive and spill-resistant keyboard, standard with the HP EliteBook series, help defend data against bumps, drops and spills.

HP EliteBook 2530p Notebook PC – For the business professional on the go, HP’s smallest and lightest-weight business notebook offers performance in a 3.19-pound package. (1) The 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen HP Illumi-Lite LED display is lighter than standard notebook display technology and improves battery life by up to 90 minutes.(4)

The HP EliteBook 2530p offers the choice of an ultra-small 1.8-inch hard drive with a built-in optical drive or a higher-capacity 2.5-inch hard drive. For added protection against bang-ups, the inner magnesium shell of the notebook’s HP DuraCase is equipped with a honeycomb pattern that is thermally bonded to anodized aluminum for a solid construction to withstand active day-to-day use on the road.

HP EliteBook 2730p Notebook PC – This high-performing, ultra-thin, convertible tablet sports an innovative design and weighs in at only 3.7 pounds.(1) Rotating the screen transforms it into a pen-based tablet measuring only 1.11-inches thin. New features include an integrated touchpad, tablet buttons and a jog dial. Frequent travelers can take advantage of the optional ultra-slim battery accessory that offers up to 12 combined hours of battery life.(4) The HP EliteBook 2730p also supports a convenient, ultra-slim docking solution with an integrated DVD+/-RW drive.

Style and affordability

Stylish and powerful, the 4.07-pound(1) HP Compaq 2230s Notebook PC offers a 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen display and a satin, reflective, black-on-black surface. With the Wi-Fi-certified wireless local area network (WLAN) and integrated Bluetooth® wireless technology, mobile professionals can send and receive emails or access the Internet – at work, at home or at their favorite hotspots.(5) This modernized classic business notebook includes HP 3D DriveGuard, which uses a three-axis accelerometer to detect sudden movement and initiate protective action, helping safeguard the hard drive against bumps or drops.

Security options on energy-efficient notebooks

All HP business notebooks are designed with the environment in mind, offering energy-efficient features and select materials for easier recycling. Both the EliteBook 2530p and 2730p have an Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Gold rating and feature a mercury-free Illumi-Lite LED display, which is lighter and more energy-efficient than standard notebook display technology. HP has set a goal to remove all mercury – a potentially hazardous substance commonly found in notebook screens – from its notebooks by 2010.

The notebooks feature HP Mobile Broadband with built-in Gobi technology from Qualcomm and use a single module, the HP un2400, to support multiple mobile broadband network technologies and mobile operators. This increases users’ international roaming options and offers greater choice and flexibility in choosing a mobile data plan.(6)

Included HP QuickLook 2 software provides access to email, calendar, task and contact information within seconds at the touch of a button with no need to boot the operating system.(7) HP SpareKey addresses the hassle of forgotten passwords by using a sequence of three predetermined personal identification questions to gain entry into the system.(8)

All of the new notebook models are loaded with strong security features, including HP ProtectTools Security Manager and Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools, which encodes information on the hard drive to make sensitive information unreadable if a notebook is lost or stolen. For added data security, the built-in File Sanitizer permanently deletes individual files, folders and personally identifiable information from the notebook, allowing customers to recycle the notebook with confidence that their business data has been removed.

Pricing and availability(9)

The HP EliteBook 2530p and HP EliteBook 2730p are expected to be available by early September, with estimated starting U.S. street pricing of $1,499 and $1,670, respectively.

The HP Compaq 2230s is currently available at an estimated starting U.S. street price of $999.

More information about these HP notebook PCs and other HP mobility solutions is available in an online press kit at http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2008/mobility/index.html.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

(1) Weight will vary by configuration.

(2) Testing was not intended to demonstrate fitness for U.S. Department of Defense contracts requirements or for military use. Test results are not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions.

(3) Dual Core is a new technology designed to improve performance of certain software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. 64-bit computing on Intel architecture requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers and applications enabled for Intel 64 architecture. Processors will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel 64 architecture-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary depending on hardware and software configurations. More information is available at www.intel.com/info/em64t.

(4) Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, loaded applications, features and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will decrease with time and usage.

(5) Wireless access point required and is not included. Availability of public wireless access points is limited. Wireless Internet use requires separately purchased Internet service contract.

(6) Gobi and Broadband technologies require separately purchased wireless data service contracts. Check with local service provider for coverage and availability.

(7) HP QuickLook 2 is accessible when the notebook is off or in hibernation from Microsoft Windows® XP or Microsoft Windows Vista®. Timings may vary depending on the system configuration and state.

(8) Requires initial user setup.

(9) Estimated street prices, actual pricing may vary.

HP

A colleague of mine, Carli Morgenstein, informed me that an AT&T wireless support representative made efforts to "boost" her iPhone 3G cell phone network, and since then her 3G connectivity has dramatically improved.

Morgenstein, a designer at Macworld, said before speaking with AT&T she was having frequent problems receiving and making calls; sometimes she would receive a voicemail an hour after someone actually left it. She said she explained the issue to AT&T on Friday evening, and the support representative acknowledged that her "network is low and we're going to boost it." Then, while staying on the line with Morgenstein, AT&T "did something from their end" and called each member on Morgenstein's family plan to confirm the boost was successful.

"It was really, really weird, but now it's working a lot better," Morgenstein said. She added that 3G connectivity has improved for the other members on her family plan as well.

If the method detailed by Morgenstein is valid, it could quell widespread concern regarding iPhone 3G connectivity issues.

However, I'm extremely skeptical, since plenty of users have called AT&T's tech support and haven't succeeded in getting anything fixed. AT&T spokesperson Brad Mays said he is also unfamiliar with this method but speculated that it could be a newly added procedure. We're awaiting a response from AT&T's wireless team about this account.

Meanwhile, maybe you can help, Gadget Lab readers: Do any of you have similar success stories about getting AT&T to remotely boost your 3G connectivity performance? If so, feel free to e-mail us or comment below. 

Also see:

• Participate in Wired.com's Global iPhone 3G Study
• What's Wrong With the 3G in iPhone 3G?
• IPhone 3G Users Heated Over Network Issues

(Photo credit: Fr3d.org/Flickr)