ASUS FonePad reaches certification, may meld an Atom tablet with Android

Posted on 04/02/2013 by Jon Fingas

No, not PadFone. FonePad. According to Indonesia's wireless regulator Postel, ASUS is trying to certify a FonePad K004 tablet that would switch up device names, not to mention create its fair share of mix-ups. But what is it? Based on that K004 codename and a match with a Thai retailer's listing, Notebook Italia believes it's none other than the recently leaked ME371MG, an Atom Z2420-based, 7-inch tablet that would run Jelly Bean. It might also carry 3G and justify its name through built-in phone functionality. We're skeptical when the specs aren't confirmed, and don't entirely line up -- there's just 8GB of space in the retail entry versus the originally claimed 16GB, as an example. If there's any fuel to the fire, however, the new round of MeMo Pads will eventually have some Intel-powered (if confusingly-named) company.

Filed under: Tablets, ASUS

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Via: Notebook Italia, Blog of Mobile

Source: Postel, Digiland (cached)

Acer intros Liquid C1 smartphone packing Intel Lexington, low price to match

Posted on 31/01/2013 by Jon Fingas

Remember that unnamed Acer phone we caught skulking about Intel's CES event? It's been given a proper launch: meet the Liquid C1. True to form, the fully revealed device centers around a Lexington-based, 1.2GHz Atom Z2420 processor. The chip gives the C1 enough grunt to power an 8-megapixel camera with burst shooting while keeping the price in check, at about 9,990 baht ($335) off-contract for the inaugural Thailand release in February. Locals will otherwise get a solid Android 4.0 smartphone with a 4.3-inch display, HSPA+ 3G and a battery that lasts for nine hours of 3G talk. Other countries in southeast Asia are next on the list to get Acer's turn at an Intel-powered handset, although we wouldn't expect to see it everywhere -- Intel's Uday Marty warns ZDNet that the absence of LTE will keep phones like the C1 away from markets where the faster data is commonplace.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Acer

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Source: ZDNet

Safaricom announces the Yolo, Africa’s first Intel-powered smartphone

Posted on 24/01/2013 by Mark Hearn

Intel is finally opening its wings and spreading its mobile influence to Africa, as Kenya's Safaricom has officially introduced the Yolo phone. The device, which will be the very first Intel-powered smartphone on the continent, will be priced at Kshs 10,999 ($126) and bundled with 500MB of data. The handset supports HSPA+ network connectivity and packs a Z2420 Atom processor that reaches speeds of up to 1.2GHz. If that CPU sounds familiar, it should, because it's the same "Lexington" chip that we sampled a few weeks back at CES. As for the rest of the Yolo's specs, you'll be looking at Android 4.0 on a 3.5-inch display and snapping pictures with a 5-megapixel shooter capable of recording 1080p HD video. Not looking to compete with top-shelf handsets, Safaricom hopes to catch the eye of frugal first-time buyers with this budget-friendly device. If you fit the bill, you may want to check out the Yolo as soon as possible -- after all, your phone only lives once.

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Safaricom, Intel Introduce Yolo[TM], Africa's First Smartphone with Intel Inside

Nairobi, Kenya, 24th January 2013 -- Leading integrated communications provider Safaricom Limited today announced the Yolo[TM] smartphone, the first smartphone for Africa with Intel Inside(R).

The device is aimed at the growing number of cost-conscious and first-time buyers in Kenya who do not want to sacrifice device performance or user experience for cost. The Yolo smartphone will be sold in Safaricom shops countrywide at the entry price of Kshs. 10,999 and comes bundled with free 500 MB data.

The phone is based on Intel's latest smartphone platform for emerging markets, launched earlier this month at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). With Intel Inside, users of the Yolo smartphone are assured of fast Web browsing, impressive multimedia capabilities and a great Android* applications experience.

"We're redefining what cost-conscious Kenyans can expect from a smartphone," said Peter Arina, general manager, Safaricom' s Consumer Business Unit. "The Intel-based Yolo smartphone strikes a unique balance between price and performance - we consider it to be a real breakthrough. It's great news that Kenya will be the launch country in Africa for smartphones with Intel Inside and we expect a great reception from our customers."

"We are delighted to partner with Safaricom in bringing the first smartphone with Intel Inside to Kenyan consumers" said Aysegul Ildeniz, Regional Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa Region. "The new handset extends the benefits of Intel technology to more smartphone users around the world and we believe that Kenyan consumers will welcome the increased functionality and overall value of the device. We look forward to our continued cooperation with Safaricom."

The Yolo[TM] smartphone is based on the Intel Smartphone Reference Design for the value segment of the smartphone market. The device is powered by the Intel(R) Atom[TM] processor Z2420 with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology that can achieve speeds of up to 1.2 GHz. The efficiency of this technology package helps to enable a smooth and responsive user experience, which includes support for 1080p HD video capture, and a camera with advanced imaging capabilities, including burst mode that allows people to capture seven pictures in a second in 5-megapixel quality.

The device is housed in a compact design and features a 3.5-inch touchscreen display for crisp text and images, support for FM radio and an expandable memory slot for greater flexibility, and HSPA+ modem support with Intel's XMM 6265 modem for global roaming. The handset can also be enabled with McAfee mobile security software, providing consumers with added protection as well as data backup and restore capabilities when needed1.

About Intel
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.

Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Atom, Intel Inside, the Intel Inside logo and Yolo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Intel

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: Intel

An early look at Intel’s ‘Lexington’ platform: Atom, tailored for emerging markets (update: video)

Posted on 08/01/2013 by Dana Wollman

Good morning, kids! We're here at Intel's CES booth, where the company is showing off a low-end reference smartphone running the Atom Z2420 processor, which is part of the new "Lexington" family of chips tailored for emerging markets. We learned yesterday that three manufactures are on board, with Acer being the biggest name.

Curiously, though, the handset we just found is completely unmarked, and Intel won't say who makes it. It also won't share any specs other than the processor, though we already know what the platform is capable of: up to 1.2GHz of clock speed, 1080p video at 30 fps, HSPA+ connectivity and, support for dual 5MP / 1.3MP cameras. Whatever this phone is, it won't do more than that. Still, despite not knowing much, we wanted to give you a look at this device anyway because we thought it would be a good opportunity to give you some early impressions of the performance. Head past the break to see what we found.

Continue reading An early look at Intel's 'Lexington' platform: Atom, tailored for emerging markets (update: video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Intel

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Visualized: Intel Lexington-based smartphones from Acer and Xolo

Posted on 08/01/2013 by Myriam Joire

At Intel's press conference today here in Las Vegas we got a chance to see smartphones from Acer and Xolo based on chipzilla's Lexington platform. This new SoC follows in Medfield's footsteps but is targeted primarily at emerging markets. It scales up to 1.2GHz, supports 1080p video and features HSPA+ with dual SIMs. We were not given any specs and were only allowed to look (in fact we got in trouble for touching) so stay tuned for more details as we find out more. Until then, go ahead and take a look at our gallery below.

Gallery: Intel Lexington-based smartphones eyes-on