Gadgets and Gizmos

Apple MacBook (late 2009 edition)

Apple hasn’t messed too much with the white plastic MacBook for this late 2009 refresh, but it has spruced up its entry-level laptop to bring it into line with its MacBook Pro models.

The most obvious change is the move to a unibody enclosure, but this is cast from a single slab of slick polycarbonate rather than the aluminium ingot of the MacBook Pro. Nonetheless, the single-piece construction improves overall rigidity and even reduces weight by a small amount, but its construction isn’t completely seamless. The base is a separate strip of non-slip plastic that’s better suited to being scraped across desktops than the rest of the shiny case. (more…)

Motorola Promises 20 Smartphones in 2010

In one of its most important releases in recent times, the Motorola Droid, was formally introduced by the company CEO Sanjay Jha at a press meet on Thursday. The ocassion was also apt for describing Motorola’s plans to regain its lost glory.
The once dominant cellphone manufacturer plans to release as many as 20 new smartphones in 2010! This of course is apart from the normal feature phones we can expect. While Motorola might have taken a while to get its act together, it finally seems to be on the right track now. Jha confirmed that number of new smartphones would be in “multiple tens”, before going on to reveal that 20 smartphones would see the light of the day next year.
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HP introduces ‘Thinspiration’

BANGALORE, INDIA: Hewlett-Packard India (HP), on Wednesday announced the launch of ‘Thinspiration’ notebooks.

With new designs and features, the thin and ultra portable new notebook portfolio from HP includes the limited edition HP Mini by Studio Tord Boontje, the HP Pavilion dm1 and dm3 and the ultra-slim HP ProBook 5310m that deliver an optimal balance of mobility and cater to a wide spectrum of consumers.

Ravi Swaminathan, president, personal Systems Group, Hewlett-Packard India said, “The launch of the ‘thin and light’ range raises the bar for the category, while promising a new paradigm for the Indian consumer – ‘light weight’ and ’style’ bundled with world class performance. Our new range of notebooks further consolidates our position as the undisputed leader in notebook design.” (more…)

Airtel launches triple-play game

India’s largest private sector telecom player Bharti Airtel has launched a triple-play arcade puzzle game Getris on all three services of Airtel — mobile, Internet and direct to home (DTH).

Based on the popular game Tetris, Getris is targeted at the 14-18 age group and was available for a free preview on Diwali for Airtel’s mobile, broadband and DTH customers. (more…)

Motorola Swings to Profit

Motorola Inc. swung to a third-quarter profit ahead of the debut of two key new smartphones aimed at turning around its momentum.

The Schaumburg, Ill., company also made official veteran executive Edward Fitzpatrick’s role as chief financial officer, which he had filled on an interim basis since February. He has been with Motorola since 2000.

The troubled handset maker has struggled with crafting a desirable handset, but that appears to be changing after it unveiled the Cliq for T-Mobile USA and the Droid for Verizon Wireless. Neither device, however, is yet available, and Wall Street has largely given the company a pass, preferring to wait and use the phones’ results as a more accurate gauge of future performance. (more…)