Download Accuweather App for Windows Phone 7

Owners of mobile phones running under Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system have now a new application available for download for their devices, namely Accuweather, providing info coming from the already highly popular weather website.

The new mobile software was meant to offer users the possibility to access a wide range of weather related information straight on the mobile phones in their hands.

There are various features the application arrives on shelves with, all meant to provide users with a great experience while on the go.

Some of these include animated radar, complemented by satellite maps and interactive Bing Maps, along with a series of weather videos, and more.

The features list of Accuweather for Windows Phone 7 includes:

- Accurate and localized forecasts for all global locations. Forecasts include hourly forecasts for the next twenty-four hours, plus day and night weather forecasts and information for the next ten days. All updated hourly.
- Panoramic views with easy swiping between your stored locations (up to seven plus your current GPS location).
- Current weather conditions include time, temperature, wind speed, wind gust speed, and wind direction; humidity, visibility, UV Index, cloud cover, pressure, and sunrise and sunset.
- Severe Weather Alarms for all global locations and severe Weather Alerts for the U.S. – visible from all screens.
- Special lifestyle forecasts, such as conditions for specific sports and other outdoor activities.

The mobile software will provide users with day and night forecasts that include precipitation amounts, along with wind data.

Not to mention that it also provides Accuweather's RealFeel temps, which provides info on how it should feel outside based on conditions like wind, humidity and other factors.

Accuweather for Windows Phone 7 was already made available for download via the Windows Phone Marketplace, and can be found here (Zune link). The new mobile application can be downloaded and installed for free.

ASUS Tosses an AMD Geode CPU in the Eee PC 1201K

Tries to bring some diversity

ASUS has been for a long time now a pioneer in the netbook space, with the outfit's Eee PC line having included a wide range of models. It now appears that ASUS has gone one step further and has updated its Eee PC product line with the new 1201K model, designed to take advantage of an AMD processor. However, unlike some of the other netbooks that have been released on the market, this AMD-powered Eee PC comes built with a Geode NX 1750 processor, as opposed to the Athlon Neo CPUs you'd find in other AMD-based netbooks.

While the reason behind this configuration is yet unknown, the new netbook does come with a set of specifications close to that of other netbooks on the market. The aforementioned processor is clocked at 1.4GHz and has been combined with SIS 741CX/964 chipset and 1GB of DDR RAM. The configuration is apparently good enough to support a 12.1-inch screen and a resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels.

Additional features of the new ASUS Eee PC netbook include the wireless 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a 0.3MP webcam and the usual array of ports, including VGA, 2 USB 2.0 ports, RJ-45 LAN, audio jacks and card reader. The system will apparently offer a choice for a 160GB, 250GB or 320GB hard disk drive and it will be powered by a 6-cell battery pack.

Weighing in at 1.46KG, the Eee PC 1201K brings back an operating system that some might have forgotten, after the debut of Microsoft's Windows 7 OS, namely that old Windows XP that was on every new netbook, back when the netbook craze was just starting to kick off. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a while before we can provide you with the details regarding the availability and pricing of ASUS's new “experiment.” Still, given the configuration we might see this as a low-priced alternative to current netbooks, offering a nice battery life.

New World - Gigabyte to Unveil New 10-Inch Netbooks at CeBIT 2009

One powered by Intel's N280 processor

As some of you already know, early next month, on March 3, people in the IT industry will be waiting for the start of the CeBIT show in Hanover, Germany. There, various companies are expected to debut a number of new products, giving us a pretty general idea of how the computer market will look like for the ongoing year. One of those companies is Gigabyte, which has
recently showcased the TouchNote M1028 small-sized computer system at the MWC in Barcelona. The company is expected to further expand its TouchNote series with the addition of new 10-inch netbooks, which will be showcased at the CeBIT show, next month.

Aside from the Atom-powered TouchNote M1028, the Taiwanese company will also be showcasing two other 10-inch touchscreen netbooks, the M1024 and the M1022. According to available details, the M1024 will be designed as a thinner and lighter version of the M1028, while the M1022 will be boasting Intel's latest Atom processor, the 1.66GHz N280. Both systems are expected to make their debut at the CeBIT show in Hanover, Germany next month.

The TouchNote M1028 Gigabyte showcased at MWC last week has been featured with a 10-inch touchscreen display, boasting a resolution of 1024 by 600 pixels. The system is powered by the already successful 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU, coupled with 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and all the connectivity options available for most netbooks on the market, including WiFi, Bluetooth, ExpressCard slot, SD card reader and an integrated 1.3MP webcam.

As you might expect, the M1028 has been featured with Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, but the company is yet to provide details regarding the netbook's pricing. Fortunately, CeBIT is just days away and we are expecting to find out more during the show.

2009 - Acer Sets Netbook Target for 2009, Aims for Top Spot

Plans on selling 10 million 10-inch netbooks

Acer, the world's leading vendor of netbook computer systems, has recently expressed its netbook target for 2009, as it plans to continue leading this fast growing market. The PC vendor expects that its netbook shipments will account for approximately 50% of the total estimated netbook sales of 25 and 30 million units. With such plans, Acer is basically aiming at
becoming the market's leading netbook vendor, providing its users with low-power, low-cost computer systems that are featured with 9-inch and 10-inch displays.

Last year Acer managed to outpace ASUS in terms of the highest number of netbook units sold. That is a noteworthy achievement, especially if you consider that ASUS is the pioneer of netbook systems. Acer managed to reach the top spot by releasing an 8.9-inch netbook, dubbed Aspire One, which provided users with the very basics in computing technology. Much like every other netbook on the market, the Aspire One was built on an Intel Atom processor platform, enabling users to take advantage of an Internet-ready system that is low on power consumption.

However, the PC vendor has now seen the opportunity for 10-inch netbooks, which the company believes will become the form factor of choice this year. On that note, Acer released its first 10-inch netbook, also dubbed Aspire One, earlier this year. This netbook is expected to help the company maintain its market leadership, providing users with a 10-inch form factor, but with specifications pretty much similar to the company's first Aspire One netbook.

Acer's 10-inch Aspire One boasts a 10.1-inch LED backlit LCD screen, a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, integrated GMA 950 graphics, a 160GB hard drive, WiFi, Ethernet, 5-in-1 card reader and a choice for a 3-cell or a 6-cell battery. The company expects to sell approximately 10 million units this year, of its 10-inch netbook model alone.

HP's Q1 Profit Down 9.5%, Company Cuts Salaries

Doesn't put the blame on the netbook business


Palo Alto, California-based HP, the world's leading PC vendor, has recently announced the financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended on January 31, 2009. According to the company, the net revenue for the first quarter of 2009 was of $28.8 billion, up 1% from the company's earnings in the same period a year earlier and up to 4% when adjusted to the effects of the currency. As expected the company's financial results were affected by the ongoing world economic crisis, which has been cutting through the sales of almost every major company out there.

“HP is a market leader executing well in a tough market,” said Mark Hurd, HP chairman and chief executive officer. “Our market strength, disciplined cost management and diverse portfolio allowed us to differentiate HP in the global marketplace and gain share in key markets.”

According to the numbers presented by the company, the profit was at $1.9 billion, or 75 cents per share, which is 9.5 percent down from the profit recorded by the company in the same quarter, a year ago, at $2.1 billion, or 80 cents per share. The PC vendor recorded revenue declines in every area of its business except for its EDS unit, which it purchased last year. The unit recorded a revenue increase of 116 percent to $8.7 billion.

“I'm particularly pleased with the results of our Services segment. We now have a second segment with significant recurring revenues,” Chief Executive Mark Hurd said during a call with analysts.

Unfortunately, the company's revenue from the notebook business has dropped 13 percent, while in the desktop business the revenue was down 25 percent. HP's total PC shipments were down 4 percent for the quarter. However, the company's chief executive took some time in discussing the effects of the netbook business on the company's sales of fully-fledged notebooks. “It's not a move to Netbooks that's cannibalizing in this quarter. What you have is someone who was buying more thickly configured notebooks now buying more thinly configured,” Hurd said. “There's not a significant phenomenon of ASPs (declining) in the HP lineup caused by Netbooks.”

There have been a series of expressed concerns regarding the netbook business segment, as these systems are said to be seriously affecting the sales of cheaper, fully-fledged notebooks.

According to the company, following the recent numbers for the first fiscal quarter of the ongoing year, HP will be reducing compensation and benefits across the board. Executive Council members will see a pay reduction of 15 percent each, while other execs will see about a 10 percent pay reduction. The company's chief executive's base pay will be decreased by 20 percent, while exempt employees' salaries will be cut 5 percent, with those of non-exempt employees reduced by 2.5 percent.

Following the recent numbers, HP said that it would forecast a revenue decline of 2 percent to 3 percent, between 84 cents and 86 cents per share.

BenQ Rolls Out Its First All-in-One nScreen PC

Meet the 18.5-inch nScreen i91

It appears that the number of PC vendors that are launching all-in-one computer systems is increasing everyday, as BenQ has just announced its first AIO PC, dubbed the nScreen i91. The system has been designed to provide users with an 18.5-inch display It appears that the number of PC vendors that are launching all-in-one computer systems is increasing everyday, as BenQ has just announced its first AIO PC, dubbed the nScreen i91. The system has been designed to provide users with an 18.5-inch display, which also houses the hardware components required to deliver a fully-fledged computing experience.
Unlike most of the recently launched all-in-one PCs, the new nScreen i91 from BenQ hasn't been built on an Intel Atom processor, as it appears BenQ decided to take a rather different approach, by incorporating AMD's technologies.

“In our dedication to bringing enjoyment and quality to life, BenQ is committed to bringing innovative designs and ‘Lookin’ Great’ products based on our understanding of consumers' lifestyle and demands, ” said Conway Lee, CEO and president of BenQ Corp. “As consumers are looking for more in their Internet experience, BenQ will continue to release ‘n’ series products. In essence, ‘n’ is a trademark representing the joy and fulfillment that come with connection to the global Internet. Through the ‘n’ series, we expect to enhance consumers’ Internet experience, enrich their online enjoyment and help with their pursuit of a digital lifestyle.”

As far as the new system's technical sheet is concerned, users should be expecting the performance delivered by a 1.5GHz AMD Sempron CPU, coupled with 1GB of RAM memory and the graphics capabilities of an ATI Radeon X1200 chipset. The new model is shipped with a 160GB, 5400 RPM hard disk drive, but the company also provides users with options for 4GB, 8GB or 16GB solid state drives, which will boost the system's overall performance. Additionally, the nScreen i91 is equipped with an Ethernet connection and a Wi-Fi wireless module, for an easy Internet connection.

Priced at about $517, the new nScreen i91 is featured with a Windows XP operating system and is currently on sale in Taiwan., which also houses the hardware components required to deliver a fully-fledged computing experience.
Unlike most of the recently launched all-in-one PCs, the new nScreen i91 from BenQ hasn't been built on an Intel Atom processor, as it appears BenQ decided to take a rather different approach, by incorporating AMD's technologies.

“In our dedication to bringing enjoyment and quality to life, BenQ is committed to bringing innovative designs and ‘Lookin’ Great’ products based on our understanding of consumers' lifestyle and demands, ” said Conway Lee, CEO and president of BenQ Corp. “As consumers are looking for more in their Internet experience, BenQ will continue to release ‘n’ series products. In essence, ‘n’ is a trademark representing the joy and fulfillment that come with connection to the global Internet. Through the ‘n’ series, we expect to enhance consumers’ Internet experience, enrich their online enjoyment and help with their pursuit of a digital lifestyle.”

As far as the new system's technical sheet is concerned, users should be expecting the performance delivered by a 1.5GHz AMD Sempron CPU, coupled with 1GB of RAM memory and the graphics capabilities of an ATI Radeon X1200 chipset. The new model is shipped with a 160GB, 5400 RPM hard disk drive, but the company also provides users with options for 4GB, 8GB or 16GB solid state drives, which will boost the system's overall performance. Additionally, the nScreen i91 is equipped with an Ethernet connection and a Wi-Fi wireless module, for an easy Internet connection.

Priced at about $517, the new nScreen i91 is featured with a Windows XP operating system and is currently on sale in Taiwan. It appears that the number of PC vendors that are launching all-in-one computer systems is increasing everyday, as BenQ has just announced its first AIO PC, dubbed the nScreen i91. The system has been designed to provide users with an 18.5-inch display, which also houses the hardware components required to deliver a fully-fledged computing experience.
Unlike most of the recently launched all-in-one PCs, the new nScreen i91 from BenQ hasn't been built on an Intel Atom processor, as it appears BenQ decided to take a rather different approach, by incorporating AMD's technologies.

“In our dedication to bringing enjoyment and quality to life, BenQ is committed to bringing innovative designs and ‘Lookin’ Great’ products based on our understanding of consumers' lifestyle and demands, ” said Conway Lee, CEO and president of BenQ Corp. “As consumers are looking for more in their Internet experience, BenQ will continue to release ‘n’ series products. In essence, ‘n’ is a trademark representing the joy and fulfillment that come with connection to the global Internet. Through the ‘n’ series, we expect to enhance consumers’ Internet experience, enrich their online enjoyment and help with their pursuit of a digital lifestyle.”

As far as the new system's technical sheet is concerned, users should be expecting the performance delivered by a 1.5GHz AMD Sempron CPU, coupled with 1GB of RAM memory and the graphics capabilities of an ATI Radeon X1200 chipset. The new model is shipped with a 160GB, 5400 RPM hard disk drive, but the company also provides users with options for 4GB, 8GB or 16GB solid state drives, which will boost the system's overall performance. Additionally, the nScreen i91 is equipped with an Ethernet connection and a Wi-Fi wireless module, for an easy Internet connection.

Priced at about $517, the new nScreen i91 is featured with a Windows XP operating system and is currently on sale in Taiwan.