iKit: Linux Netbook as Ultra-Mini
After the glut of netbooks on the market, Imovio, an offshoot of U.S. company Comsciences, presents the iKit Multimedia Messenger, a palm-sized netbook with Linux.
With a dimension of 3.7" x 2.6" x 0.6" and a weight of 4 oz. (including battery), the iKit is more like a PDA (the company calls it a pocket mobile companion). The device is equipped with Bluetooth and WLAN and is perfect for chats and email, although it brings along other applications. Included are those for multimedia such as graphic display and a video player. Its camera is 0.3 megapixels, it has a built-in mic, and a mini-USB port for a stereo headset. The browser provided is Opera Mini 4.1.
The Linux platform is based on Kernel 2.4.19 and the user interface works in a proprietary manner with Qt modules. Per vendor specifications, the CPU is Marvell PXA270 running at 312 MHz. Internal memory is 128 Mbyte RAM and 64 Mbyte SDRAM, rather scant when applied to OS and applications. A Micro SD slot accommodates external memory. The display is 2.8" at 320x240 pixels. The battery with 1050 mAh should last three hours.
The keypad is QWERTY with a numeric pad and a few hot keys for application startup.
The less than convincing reliance on Linux shows by the list of supported formats: WAV and MP3 are there, but not Ogg, and its PC synchronization is with flavors of MS Outlook. Imovio is also promising models running on Windows Mobile and the Android platform.
The playing field of the iKit device is clearly WLAN environments. The Bluetooth option links with the web over a GSM mobile phone. The iKit is priced at about $170. The company's roadmap shows the first quarter of 2009 as the official launch.
| Gallery (5 images) |
|---|
|
Tag Cloud
News
-
Heartbleed Bleeds On
According to a report, many potential victims of the Heartbleed attack have patched their systems, but few have cleaned up the crime scene to protect themselves from the effects of a previous intrusion.
-
Drone Brain Goes Open Source
DARPA and NICTA release the code for the ultra-secure microkernel system used in aerial drones.
-
Password Management Services Vulnerable to Attack
Should you trust an online service to store your online passwords?
-
New Raspberry Pi Adds Two USB Ports
New B+ board lets you build cool things without the complication of a powered USB hub.
-
Microsoft Grabs No-IP.com Domains
Redmond rushes in to root out alleged malware haven.
-
Firefox Steps into 3D
New initiative will bring futuristic virtual reality effects to the web surfing experience.
-
New Trojan Targets Online Banking
Dyreza malware launches a man-in-the-middle attack that compromises SSL.
-
HP Rolls Out Massive Cloud Network
New cloud combines worldwide access with local attention to data security.
-
New Attack Targets Wireless Logins
A first cousin of the recent Heartbleed attack affects EAP-based wireless and peer-to-peer authentication.
-
Geeks Petition for Free Lenovo BIOS
FOSS community acts to protect freedom of choice for laptop devices.