Gateway crams 14” screen into 13” laptop

Thursday Gateway said that it revamped its ID Series and NV Series of notebooks with “stylish designs” and the latest in mobile technology. But the company also said that it managed to cram a 14-inch HD widescreen backlit LED display - with full edge-to-edge glass thank you very much - into a chassis typically used for smaller 13.3-inch models. We're not talking about clown car physics here, but close.

The laptop with the ultra-tight chassis is the Gateway ID47 and arrives in either an “Infinity Blue Liquid” or a “Brushed Platinum” design, depending on your fancy, both of which sport an aluminum cover with a stainless steel laser-engraved logo. There are also three tasty models to choose, ranging from $679.99 to $699.99. All three offer Windows 7 Home Premium, second generation Core i5 and i3 processors, 4 GB of RAM, integrated Intel HD graphics, Dolby Home Theater, HDMI output and more.

“The fashionable look and feel of the new Gateway ID Series is the perfect complement for today's on-the-go savvy computer user,” the company said. “The sculpted edges, elegant blend of finishes and sleek form factor of the ID Series will inspire creativity for digital media creation and enjoyment as well as fluid social networking.”

Gateway's revamped NV Series isn't quite as “snug” as the ID Series, but the 15.6-inch HD widescreen LED-backlit display makes up for size difference offering a cinematic view of your favorite movies, games and websites. This series features either a subtle geometric pattern or the digital wave pattern on the matte chassis lid.

Thursday the company pointed out the new NV57 Series, but the only one currently listed its the NV57H13u which features a dual-core Intel Core i3-2310M @ 2.10 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, a 640 GB HDD and an Intel HD 3000 GPU with 128 MB of dedicated system memory. Gateway also mentioned the NV55 series: nine laptops with processors ranging from the dual-core Intel Pentium P6200 to the dual-core Intel Core i3 to the AMD A8-3500M, all of which range from $449.99 to $629.99.

Gateway also added that the ID Series and NV Series both feature USB 3.0 ports, single-touch backup, quick-use hotkeys for social networking, integrated 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Certified connectivity, integrated HD 1.3MP webcams and PowerSmart Technology for extra-long battery uptime. The Gateway ID notebooks are available at retailers now in the United States and Canada, but the Gateway NV notebooks are available at retailers now only in the United States.
source: 2DayBlog.com

IPhone 5G Sighting Shows Edge-to-Edge Screen

What's purported to be an "iPhone 5G" case with an edge-to-edge screen has surfaced at Asian trading site AliBaba.com, Electronista reported Saturday.

The listing on Guangdong, China-based Kulcase's trading site shows the front and back of what it claims to be the "Newest design crystal case for apple iPhone 5g." The unconfirmed case mockup is colored teal—we're guessing that odd choice doesn't make Apple's final cut for the iPhone 5—and has the flash component moved away from the rear camera, which would be a change from earlier versions of the iPhone.

The steady drumbeat of rumors about Apple's plans for the iPhone 5 seem to have fallen off in the past few weeks. But in March and April, speculative stories about delays, a faster processor and the like were flying off the shelves.

One thing that lends some credence to the AliBaba.com sighting is that Apple has already had trouble keeping its case designs for new products under wraps, notes AppleInsider.

Three employees of Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn Electronics were reportedly charged in March with leaking the iPad 2's case design to third-party accessory suppliers.

The workers, employed at Foxconn's Shenzen, China plant, were arrested by Chinese authorities on Dec. 26, 2010 and officially charged with violating company trade secret regulations on March 23, according to reports.

Foxconn, a subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry, assembles iPads, iPhones and iPods for Apple.

Images of iPad 2 cases featuring a rear-facing camera and a thinner profile than the first-generation media tablet from Apple began to surface last December. At the time, Foxconn reported its suspicions that the design had been leaked by its own employees, according to reports.

PCmag

iPhone '5G' case shows edge-to-edge screen, moved flash

A very early instance of a 2011 iPhone case has shown up in a listing at Asian trading site AliBaba. Guangdong-based Kulcase is selling what it claims is a crystal case for an "iPhone 5G." The construction and the placeholder inside it suggest not only a larger, edge-to-edge screen but that the flash has moved from directly next to the rear camera to the corner on the other side, presumably to improve its performance.

Whether or not the case is accurate is difficult to determine. Some rumors have pointed to a radical overhaul of the iPhone for this year that would support the existence of an edge-to-edge screen and possibly other changes. Others have pointed to just a modest iPhone 4 respin, although at least one of these has referenced an edge-to-edge display.

A side glance isn't available and would help determine the plans, since the argument for a major redesign has pointed to a tapered shape.

Small Chinese companies have, in the past, regularly and illegally obtained Apple design blueprints in advance and started manufacturing cases even when it turned out the design changed slightly before launch. The problem was finally acknowledged this year when Foxconn had employees arrested for passing on iPad 2 information months in advance. A company from Guangdong in the mainland would be an unusual choice given its distance from Foxconn's usual factories, although the cases themselves would ship out of the port of Shenzhen, Foxconn's core manufacturing base.

The new iPhone, regardless of design, isn't anticipated until September but would start manufacturing in July and might give time for early schematics to show.

 Electronista

Sharp Aquos SH-12C hits high-end Android with 3D, qHD screen

Sharp pushed to keep Android on top in Japan by launching a new flagship with multiple firsts for the country. The Aquos SH-12C carries two rear eight-megapixel cameras that, like the Evo 3D, can shoot 3D video or still photos. Its 4.2-inch display is both one of the sharpest in Japan at 540x960 but also provides glasses-free 3D to show off the resulting footage.

The inside isn't quite as powerful as in the HTC phone or the LG Optimus 3D but is still at the high end with a 1.4GHz, single-core Snapdragon MSM8255 and 512MB of RAM. Sharp is delivering the SH-12C with Android 2.3 out of the box and has added its own extras through both its TapFlow UI and Japan-friendly extras like a 1Seg over-the-air TV tuner.

NTT DoCoMo is so far the initial carrier for the new Aquos and will start taking pre-orders on May 14 with a May 20 ship date. Sharp hasn't detailed expansion plans, but it did promise a 3D smartphone for the US and may see the SH-12C as its opportunity.

Electronista