intel

Apple scores as second best global brand in new report

Apple is the second best brand in the world, according to market research firm Interbrand.

Among the 100 best global brands for the year, Apple came in just behind top-seated Coca-Cola. Based on specific factors, Coca-Cola scored a total brand value of $77.8 million, while Apple was given a value of $76.5 million.

In ascending to second place, Apple saw a 129 percent rise in its brand value since last year, the largest gain among all the brands on the list.

How does Interbrand choose which brands it considers best?

The research firm uses three factors: 1) the … Read more

The 404 1,141: Where we feed the dogs (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Zynga and Hasbro announce board game versions of the most annoying Facebook ones.

- Will.i.am and Simon Cowell considering X-Factor style show, for tech.

- New Ninja Turtles cartoon replaces Cowabunga with....

Bathroom break video: Longboarder attacked by a deer.… Read more

Remember ultrabooks? Yeah, no one else does either

Ultrabook sales are going to be pretty disappointing this year, according to a report from IHS iSuppli (see its release below). And that's bad news for Intel and the PC makers who use its chips.

IHS slashed its estimates for shipments of the thin-and-light notebooks to 10.3 million this year, down from its previous forecast of 22 million. More than half of those shipments should come in the fourth quarter, the tech research firm said, likely boosted by the introduction of Microsoft's new Windows operating system.

IHS also expects 2013 to be less rosy, with shipments totaling … Read more

HP aims for business users with ElitePad 900 Windows 8 tablet

Expect HP's ElitePad 900 tablet to join several other business-focused mobile devices over the next few months. Intel's mobile push, along with that of Microsoft and Windows 8, will ensure no shortage of similar products. Whether HP can differentiate its tablet is another question, but from what we've seen of the ElitePad 900, we can at least say that it's taking the challenge seriously.

In terms of hard specs, the ElitePad 900 offers a 10.1-inch, 1,280x800-pixel Gorilla Glass-coated display. HP says the tablet as a whole will weigh around 1.5 pounds, and comes … Read more

Intel and partners may be late to the tablet party, but they're here

Intel and its hardware partners will launch a broad attack on the tablet market today.

Standing alongside Intel at an event in San Francisco are executives from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung and ZTE. Those companies are showcasing new Windows 8 tablets and convertible devices.

Many, if not most, of the devices have already been unveiled, such as HP's Envy x2, Dell's Latitude 10, and Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2.

All of the devices feature Intel's dual-core Z2760 "Clover Trail" (PDF) Atom Processor, a power-efficient system-on-a-chip that allows partners to build tablets as thin as … Read more

Trouble in paradise? Cracks show in Microsoft-Intel alliance

When Microsoft unveiled its Surface tablets earlier this year, Intel executives were shocked.

Microsoft started developing its self-branded tablets -- including one that uses an Intel chip -- without notifying Intel or asking for help. Intel, like many of Microsoft's other partners, didn't find out about Surface until shortly before the event, and it did not play a role in the announcement. Microsoft decided to go it alone, much like rival Apple has done.

Microsoft's decision represents new territory for the software and chip giants -- collectively known as the Wintel alliance to many in the industry … Read more

We really do think Windows 8 is great, Intel says

Intel insists Windows 8 is going to be "one of the best things that ever happened to" the company, despite a report yesterday that CEO Paul Otellini questioned the software's readiness.

According to Bloomberg, Otellini told staffers in Taiwan that Microsoft is releasing Windows 8 before it's completely ready. But the Bloomberg report noted that he also said it's the right decision, allowing Microsoft and the PC makers to compete with new products during the key holiday season.

The comments still raised questions, however, about Windows 8, as well as the relationship between Microsoft and … Read more

Intel CEO slams Windows 8, says it's not ready -- report

Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini slammed Windows 8 during a meeting with employees in Taiwan, according to a Bloomberg report, saying the operating system still has bugs and is being released before it's ready.

Otellini said Windows still needs some improvements, according to Bloomberg. But Otellini also said releasing Windows 8 before it's completely ready is the correct decision to help Microsoft and the PC makers compete against Apple during the key holiday season. He added that Microsoft can make changes after Windows 8 ships, the report said.

Microsoft and Intel have been close partners over the years, … Read more

Intel touts inexpensive ultrabooks

Ultrabooks aren't expensive. That's Intel's mantra these days. So, is the chipmaker right?

"Ultrabook Prices Hit Sub-$750 As Holidays Loom", Intel said in a post today. And, when queried, the chipmaker produced a fairly extensive list of sub-$700 laptops.

Select sub-$700 ultrabooks, as cited by Intel:

$699.99 Inspiron 14z ultrabook (14-inch) $699.99 Lenovo IdeaPad ultrabook (13-inch) $599.99 Lenovo IdeaPad U310 (13-inch) $663.20 Lenovo IdeaPad U310 (13-inch) $679.99 Acer Aspire ultrabook (14-inch) $679.99 HP Envy ultrabook (14-inch)

So, what pushes these models into sub-$700 territory?

Many … Read more