Wistron Pursebook, 1GHz Snapdragon ARM CPU (April 2009).
A smartbook is a class of mobile device that combines certain features of both a smartphone and netbook.[1][2] Smartbooks deliver features including always on, all-day battery life, 3G and/or WiFi connectivity and GPS (all typically found in smartphones) in a laptop or tablet-style body with a screen size of 5 to 10 inches and a physical or soft touch screen QWERTY keyboard.[3]
Smartbooks are powered by ARM processors, which are more energy-efficient than traditional x86 processors that are typically found in desktop and laptop computers.[1] Smartbooks use variants of the Linux operating system, such as Google’s Android or Chrome OS among others, rather than Microsoft Windows (which currently requires an x86 processor). By using ARM and Linux smartbooks expel the traditional Wintel platform. The ARM processor used in the Smartbook allows it to achieve its longer battery life.[4][5]
Smartbooks tend to be designed more for entertainment purposes than for productivity purposes and typically are targeted to work with online applications[6] and may be also sold subsidized through mobile network operators, like mobile phones, along with a wireless data plan.[7] Nokia’s touchscreen enabled N900 has many of the features of smartbooks. The concept of smartbooks was firstly published by Qualcomm in the first half of 2009[4] and devices were expected to hit market as early as in the last quarter of the year, but due to difficulties in adapting some key software (most likely Adobe’s proprietary Adobe Flash Player) to ARM platform a delay occurred.[5] About 20 devices are expected to roll out in the first quarter of 2010.[8][9]
A German company Smartbook AG sells laptops under the brand Smartbook. The company holds a trademark for the word Smartbook in a number of countries (not including some big markets like United States, China, Japan or India) and is at the moment acting to preempt others from using the term smartbook to describe their products.[10][11]
References
- ^ a b Scott Stein (10 January 2010). “CES: What, exactly, is a smartbook? Highlights from the show floor”. cnet. http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-10431884-269.html. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ^ Following a definition given by Qualcomm Inc. in June 2009
- ^ A related smartbook definition is given by Freescale. http://smartmobiledevices.wordpress.com/2009/07/23/smartbook-vs-netbook/
- ^ a b Qualcomm touts the smartbook to rival netbooks, smartphones
- ^ a b ‘Smartbooks’ Latest to Join Crowded Computer Market – WSJ.com
- ^ Will smartbooks replace netbooks? | Technology | The Guardian
- ^ Ganapat, Priya (2008-12-15). “The Next Netbook Trend: Cellphone-Like Contract Deals” – Wired News.
- ^ Ready or not, 2010 could be the year of the smartbooks
- ^ 대한민국 IT포털의 중심! 이티뉴스
- ^ David Adams, Publishers Caught in Smartbook Dispute OSnews, 16th Dec 2009.
- ^ Smartbook AG site dedicated to the trademark
Links
- Qualcomm Smartbook microsite
- The SmartBook blog
- Smartbook Talk Forum
- ARM Community Blogs on Smart Mobile Devices
- Smartbook Trademark Infosite
News stories
- Smartbook tablet design runs Linux, Android
- Smartbook Playing Field Wide Open for Linux
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
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