Mobile Computing : Concept & Wireless
Intel again showed us a concept system today which we saw in Barretts day 1 keynote – the Newport system. The system is based on the idea that it is always on and always connected, thus the user has different needs to someone who will turn on a system to use. The laptop is based on a clamshell form factor, with dual band wireless networking, Bluetooth technology, and GPRS all integrated in to the solution. Something new which we have not seen before is the integrated second display within the system, we mentioned this yesterday. This second display is located on the top of the system and can be used to do simple tasks such as messaging, and checking ones calendar. The Newport can also act as a communication device, it can take and reroute calls – also you can specify what happens with certain calls. Intel reported that the concept "Newport" system has 6 hours battery life during the clamshell design and when in the "Tablet" mode it has 2.5 Hours of life.
Above and Below you can see Closelid Computing
With all of these new developments they do not cure some of the key factors which users seek within a mobile unit – extended battery life. The entire point is that people don’t like to be plugged in and waiting for anything – let alone for power. An Intel investment company – “PolyFuel" whom have been developing a new form of battery – as a small startup they have already created a cell which can hold a lot higher power than a normal laptop and within a year they are proposing to have a cell which is capable of doing 150W, which is 3 times as much as the 48W which is currently used. This will leave consumers with around 15 hours of battery life.
Intel stated that the Centrino platform has been accepted in to the market place well by large OEMs and already companies such as IBM, Toshiba, FIC, ASUS, and Gateway have systems built around the platform.
