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Today in Mobile News:

Intel Corp is betting on a big expansion of "ultra-mobile" computing, an idea that could hinge on how many gadgets people are willing to tote around.

In an interview on Monday at the International Consumer Electronics Show CES, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said energy-efficient, Web-connected computers with full keyboards and screens in the 10cm (4-inch) neighborhood can give people more of what they want from the Internet than cellphones can.

To help stimulate the technology, Intel plans in the next few months to begin shipping processors and associated "chipsets" that demand relatively little power and are smaller than standard PC processors, allowing them to be crammed into tinier devices, which would be built by other companies.

Eyeing a similar market, wireless chip maker Qualcomm Inc also has built prototypes of little Web devices.

Its chief operating officer said he expects manufacturers to take up the blueprints and begin selling what he calls "portable computers" by the end of this year.
So far, so-called ultra-mobile computers, smaller than average laptops but bigger and more fully featured than most cellphones, have gotten a tepid response.

With the devices' prices often beyond US$1,000, many potential buyers have found little reason to scale down from their notebook computers or up from cellphones that have been improving their Web browsing experience.

"How do you make people realize that this is something advantageous to them and different from the notebook experience?"

"That's the trick. Nobody's been very good at that yet. ... It's not as widely compelling as it needs to be if they want it to compete on the level of a phone or a PC.

We feel distinctions will cease to matter, especially since small Web devices can incorporate cellphone functions, and Apple Inc's iPhone showed that combination devices can be elegant.

"You're projecting an end stage on an early technology," he said. "That's a risky thing to do."

To be sure, even with cellphones in nearly every pocket or purse, another gadget could be appealing if it does something particularly compelling. For example, more and more cellphones play music, but plenty of people also carry MP3 players that do the job better.

In a keynote speech on Monday at CES, Otellini tried to show that ultra-mobile PCs -- he prefers the name "mobile Internet devices" to better distinguish them from laptops -- offer a new kind of information-on-the-go bliss.

He demonstrated how a US traveler to Beijing might use a pocket computer to get real-time navigation tips and instant translations of signs, menus and conversation from Chinese.
Otellini acknowledged that this vision for ultra-mobile computing might not be fully realized for a few years.

For one thing, little PCs need longer battery lives so people can tote them around and use them all day.

Intel also expects wireless broadband networks based on the Wi-MAX standard will develop much further to enable connectivity on the devices. These computers could also make use of cellular networks.

Learn More about: Wi-Max

That is the connectivity route favored by Qualcomm, which is a major supplier to the wireless industry. Wireless carriers first will need to come up with more enticing data pricing plans.

Sony Mylo

Portable web device helps you stay in touch on the go.
Proof that wireless carriers will be crucial is in the weak reception for Sony Corp's Mylo Personal Communicator. Designed for people on the go, this device allows users to connect to the internet and interact with their favorite social networking (Facebook) and Flash-based video ( YouTube) sites.

The device, which comes in black and white and features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and boasts a 3.5" display. The keyboard is backlit for ease-of-use. In the presentation, it appeared to be similar to a Sidekick in design, without the phone functionality.

Recently added to its capabilities is the ability to use AIM, Facebook and YouTube. It also supports Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger and Skype, if you're into voice-to-voice communication. Users do not need a contract to use the device and can connect free using any Wayport hot spot locations, including over 9000 McDonalds.

The unit also boasts a 1.5 mega pixel camera and supports several helpful widgets. It can also play MP3s, AAC, ATRAC or WMA files and will offer free game downloads as well.

The unit comes in black or white and will be available later in the month. Wi-Fi may not be the sexiest thing out there now, but it's real and here and growing like mad.



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