PCW: Intel, Dell Innovate for Mobile Users, Windows Sleeps
PCW: Intel, Dell Innovate for Mobile Users, Windows Sleeps
by , 1:15 PM EDT, August 19th, 2008
Dell, Intel and their partners have sidestepped Windows and developed some key technologies for mobile users, according to PCWorld. For example, users can check e-mail without booting Windows on a Dell notebook. This is a disaster for Microsoft.
The technology is called "Latitude ON," and according to Mike Elgan with PCWorld, it could also be called 'Windows OFF."
The goal of the project, previously called "BlackTop," was to give notebook computer users the kinds of functionality that a BlackBerry has: instant access to e-mail and messaging.
That's achieved by adding a second, low-power ARM processor, flash storage and a modified SUSE Linux separate from the notebook's main CPU and Windows OS.
As a result, users can instantly check their e-mail, and messages from the Internet can force a wake up from sleep. The Linux system also has viewers for PDF documents. With the Latitude ON system, the battery lasts for days instead of hours.
"From a Microsoft perspective, Latitude ON represents a debacle comparable to the UMPC disaster," Mr. Elgan noted. "Microsoft led a big push to drive sales of Vista-based Ultra-Mobile PCs, all of which failed catastrophically in the market, rejected by users in favor of first Linux, then XP-based subnotebooks."
Mr. Elgan summed up with this observation: "Now, Microsoft is on the sidelines while its closest partners innovate using companies that compete with Microsoft in the software marketplace. When will Microsoft itself wake up from 'sleep mode'?"
Observer Comments
QuoteGuest wrote:
To work around Windows being slow and clunky, let's embed a second computer, running a completely separate OS, that people can use to actually get things done.
Oh good grief. This feature would be just as useful on a Mac.
Yes, it's FUNNY that this is happening to Microsoft, but it has nothing to do with Windows. The benefits are the same for ANY laptop running ANY OS.
QuoteGuest wrote:QuoteGuest wrote:
To work around Windows being slow and clunky, let's embed a second computer, running a completely separate OS, that people can use to actually get things done.
Oh good grief. This feature would be just as useful on a Mac.
Yes, it's FUNNY that this is happening to Microsoft, but it has nothing to do with Windows. The benefits are the same for ANY laptop running ANY OS.
Nonsense. MacBooks have instant wake-up and fast reconnection to the network. There would be little to no benefit of such a work-around on Macs.
QuoteGuest wrote:
Nonsense. MacBooks have instant wake-up and fast reconnection to the network. There would be little to no benefit of such a work-around on Macs.
That's true only if you put the MacBook to "sleep," rather than turning it off. If you turn it off, it has to boot up when you turn it back on. The MacBook does use power while in sleep mode.
Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.
Recent Headlines - Updated November 8th
- Sat, 7:58 PM
- News - Apple TV 3.0.1 Update Fixes Missing Content Bug
- Fri, 7:45 PM
- Rumor - Taiwan Leak Shows Verizon UTMS/CDMA iPhone for Q3 2010
- 6:40 PM
- News - iPhone Moves Into RadioShack
- 6:30 PM
- News - Apple to Open Stunning Paris Apple Store in Le Louvre on Saturday
- 5:43 PM
- Free on iTunes - Dictionary, Dictionary, Dictionary, And More
- 4:09 PM
- John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 11/6) Failure IS an Option
- 3:32 PM
- Games - The Latest App Store Games: Gravity Sling, RocketBird, Ground Effect, Checkers!
- 2:25 PM
- Games - Star Soccer 2010 for Mac Puts Gamers in Role of Up-and-Coming Player
- 2:15 PM
- How-To - The Mysteries of Rosetta Housekeeping
- 1:33 PM
- News - iPhone Game Developer Sued for Collecting User’s Cell Numbers
- 1:17 PM
- Games - Warhammer Online Expands Trial Play Option
- 11:19 AM
- Rumor - Apple May Be Bringing RFID to the iPhone
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
- TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
RamJet Memory: Mac Pro 8-core 8GB Kit $199.99, 4GB Kits $109.99! Sale on MacBook and MacBook Pro 8GB kits $549.99! New MacBook DDR3 2GB for $49.99. iMac and Mac mini 4GB Kits for $79.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click here
OWC: Get the Right Memory for Your Mac Top Quality, Competitive Price, Lifetime Backed Free Expert Support + Installation Videos too! MacBook & mini 8GB, iMac 16GB, Mac Pro up to 32GB. Click here
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.

