HTC lowers flagship model's price

Current HTC TyTN II users got the good news that their devices will receive an official upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1. Now, here's the icing on the cake for potential owners--HTC has lowered the retail price to S$1,188, down from its original of S$1,348. This will come into effect tomorrow, so those who were planning to get one today, breathe a sigh of relief and wait one more day. Price cuts for the TyTN II have also been announced in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, so if you are in one of those countries, check with your local HTC office for the new price.

Though we know HTC does this as a habit (reduce retail prices after a period on the market) for many of its products, it's uncanny that it came at a time when Samsung just released its SGH-i780, which trumps all other Windows Mobile PDA-phones for value at S$828. That's fine by us--let the companies duke it out, while consumers reap lower prices across the category.

Intel tackles laptop theft

With computing device reaching handheld sizes, it's small wonder that casual theft will become a major concern in the near future. Intel, which has high hopes for UMPC and MID devices to hit mainstream markets in the near future, is taking a serious look at anti-theft technology.

Unlike current security measures which focus only on locking up your data, this initiative looks to rendering the entire notebook unusable if it falls into unauthorized hands. This should deter potential criminals from stealing the laptop and refurbishing it for resale. More information on the technical details should be available later this year.

Via Gizmodo

Intel shows off second-generation Classmate PC

We've been seeing blurry cell phone pics and hearing rumors for weeks, but Intel is finally showing off the next generation of its Classmate PC at the Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai.

The new Classmate is, as we expected, the same machine we saw a few weeks ago in some surreptitiously taken photos, and referred to at the time by Intel's generic NetBook platform name. Then, last week, we learned that one of the companies selling the new Classmate would be a laptop vendor named Computer Technology Link, or CTL, and it was going to call the Classmate PC 2 the 2go PC (Intel is creating the basic reference design, while OEMs in different regions will manufacture the systems).

The Classmate is designed for students, and Andrew Chien, an Intel vice president and director of Intel Research, said in a statement;"Only 5 percent of the world's children today have access to a PC or to the Internet. Education is one of the best examples of how technology improves our lives."

The new version of the Classmate (we looked at the original last year) trades the 2GB SSD drive for a more traditional 30GB hard drive, and increases the display from 7 to 9 inches--changes intended to appeal to what the company calls "mature" markets, which mean the US and other Western countries where it should sell for about US$400, depending on the configuration.

We got to spend a few days checking out one of the new Classmate PCs last week, and you can check out our full review for more details.

Via CNET Crave

InFocus debuts DarkChip 4 1080p beamer in Asia

InFocus has probably beaten just about everyone else in debuting a DarkChip 4-based product in Asia. Its latest Play Big IN83 is one of the first full-HD DLP projectors here to feature this new Texas Instrument video engine, translating to an instant 25 percent contrast boost over its ex-flagship IN82. This model also has a S$9,999 (US$7,352.21) sticker price, identical to the latter at launch months back.

Aside from the enhanced 15,000:1 dynamic contrast, there're minimal changes on the plate. You will still get color-enhancing BrilliantColor technology, Hollywood-standard hues (D65 color temperature), HDMI 1.3 input and a one-of-a-kind design. With this, InFocus will be offering a complete range of 1080p DLPs, from the DarkChip (DC) 2 Play Big IN81 to DC3 IN82, and now, DC4 IN83.

Iron Man gets his own phone

It seems as if the hype over Iron Man has been going on forever, so we're surprised that it's taken this long for someone to release a phone dedicated to the movie. (Side note: Are we the only ones who think Robert Downey Jr. is totally miscast?)

Like other promotional movie phones, including Homer Simpson's cellie, this customized LG Shine will bear the colors of its hero and include exclusive footage from the film. The main difference is that this handset is finished in 18k gold (not iron) and will be given away in an online drawing, according to Pocket-lint, which spotted it on display at the CTIA trade show in Vegas.

As for us, we're holding out for the next Superman movie to see if they issue phones made of kryptonite.

Via Crave CNET

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