openbook

Buzz Out Loud 1230: The accumulation of little indignities (podcast)

The indignities start with problem in the New York studio that keep Molly from being visible on today's show, and then end with the realization that all those browser preferences are basically a trackable fingerprint that's further eroding any illusion of online privacy you might have ever had. Also, Google's getting into the phone business. Again.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video)… Read more

Unimpressive Firefox add-on

OpenBook is a Firefox add-on that promises to customize users' bookmarking experience. While it does work--to some extent--it doesn't do everything it promises, and doesn't make much of an effort to help you use it. In the end, it's a bit disappointing.

Firefox automatically installs add-ons like OpenBook when you download them, and you access and configure them from the Firefox add-on menu. OpenBook's interface consists of a small selection of check boxes and radio buttons. You can choose which components of Firefox's bookmarking dialogue you want OpenBook to display, including the keyword, URL, and … Read more

Report: Sony to make low-cost mininotebook

Sony is prepping a notebook based on Via's OpenBook reference design, PC World is reporting.

At the WiMax Expo taking place in Taipei, contract manufacturer Quanta Computer showed a mini-laptop based on Via's just-released design that will be out in the third quarter of this year. A sharp-eyed reporter spotted Sony as the listed manufacturer for the device. When questioned, Quanta representatives apparently clammed up, and it doesn't appear Sony will be commenting either.

The mini notebook has an 8.9-inch screen, at least an 80GB hard drive, will use a 1.6-Gigahertz C7-M processor from Via, … Read more

Via opens up its mini-notebook design

Chip designer Via Technologies unveiled its OpenBook Mini-Note reference design on Monday, in a move that throws some open source into its core business of developing chips for mobile devices.

The OpenBook design aims to aid PC makers in creating ultra-small notebooks based on Via's Ultra Mobility Platform. Last year, the company trotted out its Via NanoBook reference design, a prototype designed to compete against rivals in the small-computer market but at a lower cost.

"By making the CAD files of the external panels for the OpenBook available for download, Via has simplified design customization. You can now … Read more