September 21, 2010
Facebook may build a branded smartphone
ZD Net
Scott Ard writes about the possibility of a Facebook-branded smartphone.
“Facebook denied a story published this weekend that says the company is ‘building a mobile phone,’ but CNET News has confirmed that the social-networking giant has reached out to hardware manufacturers and carriers seeking input on a potential Facebook-branded phone. TechCrunch published a story saying: ‘Facebook is building a mobile phone … or rather, they’re building the software for the phone and working with a third party to actually build the hardware.’ Facebook quickly tried to discredit the story, with a spokesman telling CNET News that ‘Facebook is not building a phone. Our view is that almost all experiences would be better if they were social, so integrating deeply into existing platforms and operating systems is a good way to enable this.’”
Lenovo LePad tablet expected to ship this December
ZD Net
Rachel King writes about Lenovo’s LePad tablet availability.
“Speaking of a crowding tablet market, Lenovo’s LePad, which has been floating around all year, is finally expected to ship starting in December. According to Engadget, the Android-based LePad will first be released in China by the end of the year. No word when the 10.1-inch slate will see North America just yet, but there will be a second ‘hybrid’ version, which is comprised of a keyboard and laptop parts. Specs on that are sparse, but Engadget predicts it will be Intel-based and run on Windows rather than Android.”
Motorola has plans for a tablet computer; won’t launch until next year
ZD Net
Rachel King shares details about an upcoming tablet device from Motorola.
“According to the Wall Street Journal, Motorola is ‘aiming’ to launch a tablet. However, the company has chosen to bypass the holiday season and to ‘hopefully’ debut the slate computer in early 2011.”