If you’re looking for a 13.3-inch ultraportable with some style, reasonable performance and a sub-$1,000 price tag then, according to NetbookLive, you should immediately be wiring your money to ASUS.  They’ve been reviewing the ASUS UL30A, and reckon it’s actually the best ultraportable on offer in its price-bracket.

Earning particular praise are the specifications – which start with Intel’s Core 2 Duo SU9600 from the company’s CULV range, and then bolt on 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard-drive and GMA 4500 graphics – and the connectivity; ASUS stuff not only WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth inside this particular notebook, but the UL30A also gets an integrated 3G modem.  The battery – rated for up to 9hrs – managed a healthy 6, and build quality is high.

In the minuses column are a chiclet keyboard that shows more flex than you’d want, an insanely glossy display and a mere 0.3-megapixel webcam.  Not bad at all, and while we’ll save our own enthusiasm until we have a chance to go hands-on with the ASUS UL30A ourselves, this certainly seems to be a vote for the compact ultraportable.

It’s only been a day since we reported that Nokia was planning on keeping carrier branding as far away from the N900 and Maemo-enabled devices as possible, but it looks like all of that just changed. In a big way. And now, it seems that Nokia is taking a stand in the other direction, leaving us to wonder what the deal really is. Was our excitement misplaced? Or is Nokia just trying to calm the waters, before any real announcements regarding the upcoming N900’s release on carriers is released?

Nokia has come forward to clear the air, either way. They went ahead and put the clamp down, saying that the reports which “erroneously suggested that Nokia will not support operator customizations for Maemo devices are simply incorrect.” The full report is lengthy, but it basically boils down to the fact that Nokia is apparently very open to letting carriers customize Maemo devices, which obviously includes the imminent release of the N900.

Carrier customizations aren’t anything new, at least if you’re not on an iPhone, Android device, or the Palm Pre (or the upcoming Pixi). While social network integration seems to be one of the biggest common denominators in upcoming phones, carrier customizations seem to also be going by the wayside, at least by some of the bigger names in the business. Is this a good or bad thing? That really depends on what you like. If you’ve got AT&T and don’t mind all of their U-verse applications on your featurephone, then you’ve got no issues. But if one of the reasons you love your iPhone so much is because there’s no AT&T software on there, then you’ll probably be a little upset by this news.

Dell have outed their latest XPS performance desktops, the 8000-series and 9000-series, based on Intel’s Core i5 and Core i7 processors, together with pushing their latest CULV notebooks, the Inspiron 14z and 15z, out of the door.  The 8000 and 9000 desktops have optional Blu-ray drives, standard DVD burners, and start from $799.

There’s also up to 16GB of RAM on offer, space for dual hard-drives and a choice of video cards from both ATI and NVIDIA.  Ports include eight USB 2.0 and an eSATA, together with a multiformat card reader, plus there’s a tray up top where you can leave your PMP while its recharging.  The XPS 9000 starts from $1,999.

As for the CULV notebooks, the 14z and 15z are 14-inches and 15.6-inches respectively, and use Intel’s Core 2 Duo SU9400 1.4GHz processor paired with up to 8GB of RAM and GMA X4500HD graphics.  The displays both run at 1,366 x 768 and there’s up to 500GB of storage; meanwhile connectivity includes WiFi a/g/n and Bluetooth, plus a multiformat card reader, 1.3-megapixel webcam and 6-cell battery.  Prices start from $599.

Press Release:

DELL’S NEW STUDIO XPS DESKTOPS HANDLE DAUNTING CREATIVE TASKS WITH EASE

• XPS 8000 Makes Creating, Sharing Photo, Video Projects A Cinch
• Newest Intel Desktop Processors Deliver Raw Power
• Optional 3D graphics Bundle for Immersive Gaming Experience

ROUND ROCK, Texas, Sept. 8, 2009 – Because many people now live their lives online, they need computers that make it easy to create their own entertainment experiences and share them with others, whether that means building and sharing photo albums and home videos or playing computer games with people halfway around the world. Dell today launched the new Studio XPS 8000 and Studio XPS 9000 desktop computers designed for people who insist on raw power to tackle those tasks.

Gamers and multi-media enthusiasts have come to trust the performance of Dell’s XPS laptops and desktops. The Studio XPS 8000 introduced worldwide today includes Intel’s newest and powerful desktop processors, the Corei5 Quad Core and Core i7Quad Core, to race through the most elaborate photo files and Hi-Def video. For eye-popping realism, there are optional 3D capabilities that can deliver a truly immersive gaming experience.

The News:
• New Dell Studio XPS 8000, starting at $799, offers great performance for some of the most demanding applications like photo and video editing and computer games.
• Newest Intel Core i5 Quad Core and i7 Quad Core processors deliver raw power.
• Integrated 7.1 high-definition surround sound for theater-like experience direct from the desktop.
• Optional Blu-ray Disc and Blu-ray Disc burner so users can create the high-def DVDs.
• Optional 3D capabilities for gamers who demand realistic and stunning graphics.

Dell also announced the Studio XPS 9000 with new performance graphics options. The Studio XPS 9000 is one of Dell’s most powerful and expandable entertainment desktop computers, so people can be sure that their computer will have enough memory to chronicle every digitized aspect of their lives.

Lightweight and ultra-thin Dell Inspiron laptop models were also announced today for U.S. customers. The Inspiron 14z and Inspiron 15z are each about 1-inch thin and include Intel’s new low-voltage, performance processors that offer exceptional battery life. Similarly thin, the Inspiron 11z was announced last month, offering full laptop PC performance in a netbook-sized computer.

Quote:
“Some people need every bit of performance they can get from their computer,” said Michael Scheschuk, director of consumer products. “The Studio XPS 8000 and Studio XPS 9000 are some of the most powerful computers we have ever offered and have the capabilities to handle the most demanding tasks of high-def video, digital imaging and 3D gaming. They are designed to provide the best experience for today’s most demanding users.”

Press Release:

DELL’S NEW INSPIRON ‘Z’ LAPTOPS PROVE BEAUTY AND BRAUN GO TOGETHER

· Inspiron 14z and 15z Pack Power in Ultra-slim Profile
· New Intel Ultra-low Voltage Processors Deliver Extended Entertainment
· Easily Personalized with Choice of Performance Configurations

ROUND ROCK, Texas, Sept. 8, 2009 – Dell is taking thin to an all-new level in performance with its new “Z” model laptops. Featuring thinner, lighter bodies, longer-lasting “power-sipping” batteries, and incredible performance, the new Inspiron 14z and 15z feature stunning wide-screen displays, ample hard-drive storage and a range of entertainment options, making it easy to take your fun and entertainment on the road for extended periods of time.

The thinnest-ever models of Dell’s most popular consumer laptop PC, the new Inspiron 14z and 15z are about 1-inch thin, slim enough to fit in any bag, and feature the newest Intel Core Solo 2 ultra-low voltage processors for extended entertainment capability and Web surfing. They join the recently introduced Inspiron 11z, rounding out the Inspiron “z” portfolio of thin, “power-sipping” laptops.

The News:
· Thin Is In (about 1-inch tall) Dell consumer laptops with 16:9 displays in 14-inch (14z) and 15.6-inch (15z) models.
· Choice of Intel Pentium Core 2 Solo ultra-low voltage, Core 2 and Core 2 duo processors.
· Up to 500 GB, 7,200 RPM hard drives; Included DVD drive;
· Up to 8GB DDR3, 1,066MHz.
· Standard Wi-Fi and optional Mobile Broadband.
· Choice of 4-cell (4-hour) or 6-cell (8-hour) batteries .
· Express Charge (4- and 6-cell batteries) are 80% recharged in 60 minutes.
The Inspiron 14z and 15z are available in black or cherry red and can be purchased from $599 in retail stores and at www.dell.com beginning today, with worldwide availability in the coming weeks.

Also today, Dell announced the new Studio XPS 8000 desktop PC, with worldwide availability. Building upon the XPS performance legacy, the Studio XPS 8000 includes a choice of Intel’s newest, most powerful desktop processors, the Core i5 Quad Core and Core i7 Quad Core, and a 3D graphics bundle providing the most immersive gaming experience.

Quotes:
“People who want mobility, value, great performance and easy Internet access have made Inspiron our most popular consumer brand,” said Glen Robson, general manager Dell consumer laptops. “These new, thin, lighter-weight systems offer all-day performance with the latest Intel power-saving processors.”

Fresh details and this rather fetching official render of the upcoming BlackBerry Bold 9700 (aka the BlackBerry Onyx) have emerged, courtesy of CIO.  Prematurely distributed by T-Mobile USA, they confirm that the Bold 9700 will pack both 3G and WiFi, together with support for UMA VoIP.

“The BlackBerry ‘Onyx’ sports a premium experience and design with a high-gloss black finish and leather grain detail on the back. Boasting features such as high-speed 3G Web browsing, Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail and support for corporate and personal e-mail options, the ‘Onyx’ will satisfy all your on-the-go needs. Also the phone comes preloaded with mobile applications from BlackBerry App World, including Amazon MP3 store for quick and easy music downloads and TeleNav GPS Navigator for turn-by-turn directions.” T-Mobile USA

The Amazon MP3 store app being preloaded suggests that RIM and the online retailer have done a similar deal to Palm and the Pre, making on-device downloads of music far more straightforward.  It’s unclear whether this app is different to the one currently available to download separately for BlackBerry devices.

CIO snapped through a T-Mobile embargo to release the image and details, the official break date of which was early November.  The carrier suggest they’ll have the BlackBerry Bold 9700 on the market before the end of the year, so it looks like there’s a roughly 1.5 month window in which it’ll hit shelves.  No idea of pricing, but this is a top-end smartphone so figure in the $200 region with a new contract.

There are lots of men and women out there who really like cars and for many of these folks the exotic car is one of the vehicles that get them the most excited. Marques like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche get the hearts of enthusiasts around the globe fluttering.

The reality of having a fascination with vehicles that can cost up to a million dollars each is that the vast majority of fans of exotic cars will never sit in one let alone drive one. Gresso has a sleek line of flash drives that are a far cry from owning an exotic car, but are made from similar materials.

The Grand Monaco collection is made from titanium that is coated with ceramic and the drive has carbon fiber inserts as well. There are two models the double Security and the Classic. The double security drive has two USB drives with 32GB of storage each for $500. The traditional drive is offered in 32GB ($300), 16GB ($200), and 8GB ($150).

I have no problem with computers and accessories like mice, keyboards, and LCDs that go out of their way to look good. It’s cool to have a high-tech device that looks high-tech. The caveat is that the devices need to work well and not just look good.

Asus has unveiled a new line of LCDs called the MS series that includes the MS246, MS236, MS227, MS226, and MS202. Asus reports the line was inspired by the binary state with contrasting elements of 1 and 0. I guess we can assume that the round stand is the 0 and the stick-like LCD profile is the 1.

The screens have full HD 1080p resolution and a contrast ratio of 50,000:1 with a 2ms response time and featuring Asus’ splendid Video Intelligence Technology. The screen is only 16.5mm thick in profile and has a glossy black bezel. The buttons for controlling the display are LED touch sensitive units and the rear of the screen is in pearl-white. The 246 is a 23.6-inch screen, the 236 is a 23-inch, the 226H is a 21.5-inch screen, the 227 is a 22-inch screen, and the 202N/D is a 20-inch unit.

Verizon has officially launched two new Samsung messaging devices, the SCH-U960 Rogue and the SCH-U450 Intensity.  The two handsets each have slide-out QWERTY keyboards, but where the Rogue has a 3.1-inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen, the Intensity makes do with a standard 2.1-inch LCD display.

The Rogue also packs a 3-megapixel camera with flash, various formats of email, shortcuts to social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter, and a microSD slot good with cards up to 16GB in capacity.  There’s also an Office file viewer, full messaging suite, on-device video editing capabilities and support for Verizon’s VCAST video on demand service.

As for the Intensity, that too has a web browser, IM and messaging, though lacks the enterprise email support of the Rogue.  It has a 1.3-megapixel camera, microSD slot, VCAST Music download support and VZ Navigator support.  Both offer voice commands and picture messaging.

The Samsung Rogue will be available today in bronze/black for $99.99 (after a $100 mail-in rebate and with a two-year agreement); Verizon have also added some new data packages, which offer 25MB per month for $9.99 or 75MB for $19.99.  Meanwhile the Samsung Intensity is on sale today for $29.99 (after a $50 mail-in rebate) in charcoal grey in-store or “flamingo red” online.

Press Release:

VERIZON WIRELESS ANNOUNCES TWO NEW MESSAGING PHONES – SAMSUNG ROGUE(tm) AND SAMSUNG INTENSITY(tm)

Samsung Rogue Debuts as Verizon Wireless’ Flagship Phone for New Data Pricing Option

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and DALLAS – Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced the availability of two new messaging phones – the Samsung Rogue(tm) and the Samsung Intensity(tm).

Samsung Rogue

The Samsung Rogue is a sleek messaging phone with a full touch display that provides an optimized messaging experience with a horizontal slide-out, four-row QWERTY keyboard, threaded messaging and one-touch access to popular social networking widgets, including Facebook(r), MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and Photobucket. The Samsung Rogue also features innovative speech capabilities powered by Nuance that allow customers to launch and control a variety of applications and services with simple voice commands as well as dictate text messages.

The Samsung Rogue will serve as the flagship phone for the company’s new data pricing option available to customers beginning today. The new data pricing gives Verizon Wireless customers more freedom to select how much data and the type of data they want to use. Samsung Rogue customers who want to check e-mail; surf the Web; and download applications, games or ringtones will be able to select either a 25 MB for $9.99 monthly access option or a 75 MB for $19.99 monthly access option to couple with their Nationwide plan.

Customers who want to watch full-length TV shows plus news, sports, weather and live entertainment video clips can also add Verizon Wireless’ new V CAST Video on Demand plan that gives customers access to unlimited basic video clips, ESPN MVP and unlimited megabytes for their V CAST Video usage for $10.00 monthly. The new V CAST Video on Demand plan replaces the $15.00 V CAST VPak. These changes will not impact existing customers.

Following are additional key features and specifications for the Samsung Rogue.

* Available in bronze/black color

* 3.1-inch ultra-brilliant touch screen

o Widescreen WVGA AMOLED (Wide Video Graphics Array Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) responsive touch screen results in one of the brightest and clearest displays on a mobile phone in the United States

o Slide out horizontally to reveal a four-row QWERTY keypad

* Full HTML Web browsing capabilities with one-touch access to social networking sites via shortcut widgets

* Full messaging suite including SMS, MMS, Mobile IM, Mobile Email and Corporate Email

* 3.0 megapixel camera with flash and video capture and on-device editing capabilities

* Supports Verizon Wireless services including V CAST Music with Rhapsody, V CAST Video, and Visual Voice Mail

* Media Center-capable – downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services, such as VZ NavigatorSM and Chaperone(r), and more

* Pre-loaded games including “NEED FOR SPEED(tm) Undercover,” “Resident Evil: Degeneration,” and “Tetris(r) and Dice”

* microSD(tm) card slot with support for up to 16 GB (card purchased separately)

* File Viewer can view Microsoft(r) Word, Microsoft(r) Excel(r), Microsoft(r) PowerPoint(r) and Adobe(r) PDF documents stored on a memory card

Samsung Intensity

The Samsung Intensity is a feature-packed phone that offers customers a convenient way to stay connected to family, friends, and anyone else their thumbs can get a hold of through its full line of advanced messaging capabilities such as Mobile IM; text, picture and voice messaging with threaded messaging feature; Mobile Email; and the Mobile Web browser.

Following are additional key features and specifications for the Samsung Intensity.

* Available in a Charcoal Grey color in all sales channels and available in Flamingo Red online only at www.verizonwireless.com

* 2.1-inch display with horizontal slide-out four-row QWERTY keypad with dedicated Messaging key and Favorites key for easily texting and calling friends and family

* Mobile Web browser for Internet access

* Music player

* Full messaging capabilities including Mobile IM; Mobile Email; Chat; and text, picture, and voice messaging

* 1.3 megapixel camera with Night Shot, Self Timer, Multishot and Shutter Sound selection

* Compatible with PC client for V CAST Music with Rhapsody (over-the-air downloads are not supported on the Samsung Intensity)

* Voice commands such as Voice Dial, Menu Readout, Digital Dial Readout, TXT Message Readout, Call Announcement, My Verizon, and Help

* Media Center-capable – downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services, such as VZ NavigatorSM, and more

* microSD(tm) card slot with support for up to 16 GB (card purchased separately)

Price and availability:

* The Samsung Rogue is available today for $99.99 after a $100.00 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement, and the Samsung Intensity in Charcoal Grey is available today for $29.99 after a $50.00 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. The Samsung Intensity in Flamingo Red is available beginning today exclusively online at no charge with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate as a debit card that can be used anywhere debit cards are accepted.

* Customers can purchase the Samsung Rogue and Samsung Intensity in Charcoal Grey beginning today at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores or online at www.verizonwireless.com. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungmobileusa.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Samsung Mobile is proud to provide ENERGY STAR-qualified power adapters with its mobile phones and accessories. ENERGY STAR qualified products use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy.

Samsung Electronics release Corby touchscreen phone S3650 which designed to support for the young mobile users. The Samsung Corby has full touch phone for social media revolution and social network support.

As you know Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace are the most favorite social network and touch for every lifestyle by using Samsung Corby. It has 2.8-inch QVGA screen deliver quality online video with quad band connectivity.

Samsung today unveiled WB5000 DSLR camera, 12.5 mega pixel camera equipped with the most powerful lens ever offered on a compact Samsung digital camera. The WB5000s has 24x optical zoom, 26mm wide-angle lens which is supported by the dual image stabilization Samsung. It combines optical and digital stabilization enabling it to reduce blur, especially when using the lens at its maximum zoom.

The Samsung WB5000 has high performance Schneider-Kreuznach which offers an impressive 24x optical zoom with a 26mm focal length wide-angle 35mm equivalent range (focal length 26mm-624mm). It can be used for shooting high quality digital still images and video recording HD 720p H.264.

LG release a new LCD monitor W2363V with full HD 23-inch screen. The monitor offer 1000:1 contrast ratio and 70000:1 DFC mode sport. It has a brightness of 300cd/m2, a 2ms response time, 2 HDMI ports and SRS audio support.

The price of LG W2363V around USD 320 and will be hit the Japan market on the end of September 2009.