Mobinnova announced what appears to be the first mini-laptop using Nvidia's Tegra system-on-chip (SoC). The "Elan" has an 8.9-inch screen, 3G and WiFi connectivity, provides up to ten hours of video playback on a charge, and wraps Windows CE in a custom user interface, Mobinnova says.
The Elan resembles an Intel Atom-based netbook, but it's actually -- though Mobinnova didn't itself name-check the term -- a smartbook. Promoted by Freescale, Qualcomm, and Via, "smartbook" seems to be the industry's new moniker for mini-laptops using ARM-based processors, and running Windows CE, Windows Mobile, or a Linux variant.
Of these devices, Mobinnova's new product is apparently the first to use Nvidia's Tegra SoC, which integrates an ARM11 core, an HD video processor, an imaging processor, an audio processor, and an ultra-low power GeForce graphics processing unit. It's claimed the SoC gives the Elan an unrivaled combination of processing power and battery life: For example, the device supports 720p HD video and accelerated Adobe Flash animations, yet it also offers from five to ten hours of video playback on a single charge, the company says.
Mobinnova adds that the Elan can actually play back audio for up to 24 days continuously on a charge, provided that its screen is not in use simultaneously. Advanced power management allows the device to draw as little as 50mW during typical operation and 150mW during video playback, the company claims.
Memory and storage specifications for the Elan weren't released, but we're guessing that the device employs flash storage. Typical netbook -- er, smartbook -- features cited by Mobinnova for the Elan include an 8.9-inch screen, a webcam, a touchpad, and a QWERTY keyboard.
According to Mobinnova, the Elan runs Windows CE, wrapping it in an "innovative 3D graphical user interface," and allows viewing of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat documents. The device is said to include both WiFi and 3G wireless connectivity, though further details of the latter weren't provided.
Though it didn't release images, Mobinnova says that it will also offer the T8, an enhanced version of the Elan that adds a 10.1-inch touchscreen, GPS, plus VGA and HDMI outputs.
Features and specifications released by Mobinnova for the Elan include the following:
Processor -- Nvidia Tegra SoC (specific model and clock speed not cited)
Memory -- n/s
Display -- 8.9-inch display (resolution n/s)
Storage -- n/s
Networking:
WiFi
3G (details n/s)
Other I/O -- n/s, but USB presumed
Expansion -- n/s
Battery life -- Five to 10 hours of continuous HD video playback; up to 24 days of continuous audio playback (with screen blanked)
Dimensions -- 9.1 x 7.3 x 8 inches (232 x 186 x 20.5mm)
Weight -- 1.85 pounds (836g)
Mike Holland, vice president of business development for Mobinnova, stated, "It's the most powerful mobile Internet device you can easily pack in your purse, backpack or briefcase. You can use the Elan for hours, even days between charges."
Background
Nvidia's Tegra APX (Click image for further information)
Nvidia launched its Tegra line in February 2008 with the APX 2500, later renamed as the Tegra APX. The APX (right) is based on an ARM11 core, is said to support ARM's "MPCore" interconnect technology for multi-core designs. It employs low-power DDR (LP-DDR) memory, and offers both NOR and NAND flash support.
As far as we're aware, Nvidia still has not publicly released packaging information for the APX, touted as "the world's smallest computer on a chip." However, as the photo above makes clear, the SoC is smaller than a dime. The SoC integrates not only the ARM core, but also an HD video processor, imaging processor, audio processor, and an ultra-low power (ULP) GeForce graphics processing unit (see below), according to the company.
Nvidia's Tegra
Nvidia says the APX's ULP GeForce core is the "lowest-power 3D hardware solution available" capable of playing back HD video in 720p resolution. Other touted features and benefits of the core include:
Nvidia says devices built using the Tegra APX, which apparently clocks at 600MHz, can have cameras up to 12 megapixels, and can also connect to external LCD or CRT displays, with resolutions up to 1280 x 1024 pixels. TV output supports composite, S-video, and HDMI connectors, with resolution up to 1280 x 720.
In June, Nvidia announced two additional Tegra SoCs, the 600 and 650, which clock at 650MHz and 750MHz, respectively, and add IDE interfaces. The company says the 650 is capable of driving a 1680 x 1050 external LCD display, and providing true 1080p HD video playback (though battery life at 1080p could be a third of that at 720p, the company's marketing materials suggest).
Windows support
There's nothing technologically to prevent a Tegra smartbook from running Google's Android or another Linux variant instead of Windows CE or Windows Mobile. However, Nvidia has reportedly offered only a Windows Mobile SDK (software development kit) and tools, and promoted Windows on its Tegra development platform. Shown below, the development platform also incorporates Atheros' ROCm wireless networking, Infineon's XMM 6080 HSDPA modem technology, NXP's PCF50626 power management unit, and Wolfson's WM8753 audio codec, according to Nvidia.
Nvidia's Tegra development platform emphasizes Windows Mobile (Click either view to enlarge)
While Mobinnova did not release any information about what web browser the Elan uses, Opera Software has announced a version of its browser optimized for the Tegra. The browser is claimed to tap into the Tegra's OpenGL ES 2.0 capabilities, delivering smooth performance and "significantly reduced battery consumption."
Nvidia's Tegra demo software running on the Mobinnova Elan Source: Engadget China (click to play)
Further information
Mobinnova did not release pricing or availability for the Elan. More information may become available from the company's website, here.
