Ubuntu 11.04 will use Unity as the default desktop

In his keynote address at the Ubuntu Developer Summit Mark Shuttleworth has announced that Ubuntu 11.04 will use a new desktop version of Unity for the default desktop environment.

‘Desktop Unity’ will be installed as the default desktop for users whose hardware support it. Improved work on the hardware front will ensure as many users are able to benefit from the unified interface as possible.

Further work on improving window management and performance along with better accessibility will be key aims for Unity development during the Natty cycle.

A focus will be placed on file-management in particular with Shuttleworth feeling the old way of managing files & folder ‘is broken’. As such work this cycle will aim to ‘correct the broken bits’, missing features and UI issues many Netbook users have found irksome in the Unit file-management dash.

Developers will be able to create extra ‘places’ for users to add to the ‘Dash’ and multi-touch functionality to the shell as a whole will be introduced using the uTouch framework.

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Lumigon T1 Android Phone

Denmark-based Lumigon has presented his unique T1 Android phone. What sets him apart from the rest of the inclusion of an FM transmitter (not receiver) HDMI Dock to double Bang & Olufsen ICEpower’s audio amplifier and the ability as a universal remote control for your various AV devices. The phone as well as BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9100 AT&T Phone is expected by the end of this year, so that there are about two months to arrive to make everything right. Specifications include the Lumigon T1:

• 800MHz Freescale chip i.MX515
• Qualcomm HSDPA Modem
• 3.5-inch 480 x 800 pixel capacitive touch-screen display
• 5-megapixel camera with autofocus
• A-GPS
• Bluetooth
• FM Radio
• B & O ICEpower audio amplifier
• FM Transmitter
• HDMI Dock

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Apple brings FaceTime to Mac OS X

As expected, Apple has announced that FaceTime will be coming to Mac OS X. The video chat utility was first introduced in iOS for the iPhone and later extended to the iPod touch. During the company's Back to the Mac event, executive Phil Schiller claimed FaceTime has been added to 19 million devices in the first four months of availability.

The Mac variant automatically rotates the video to landscape or portrait mode, depending on the orientation of the iPhone or iPod touch. Users can also choose to view the video in a small window or fullscreen.

FaceTime for Mac will be available today as a free public beta.

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HP Slate 500 running Windows 7 re-emerges

The Hewlett Packard slate PC has been listed on the company's website, with the company also applying to trademark the term "PalmPad" – fuelling speculation about the company's plans to introduce what many were referring to earlier this year as a potential 'iPad killer' tablet PC.

The latest details on the HP Slate, from a listing on the HP website, claims that it will feature an 8.9-inch screen, two cameras and run on Windows 7.
Win 7 or Palm WebOS?
HP, the world's largest PC maker, originally announced its plans to release the HP Slate running on Windows 7 OS earlier in 2010.
Since that time, HP has acquired Palm, and is looking to develop Palm's WebOS mobile operating system for a range of new devices, including tablet PCs.
HP has listed the one model of the HP Slate 500 on its website. The device includes an 8.9-inch touchscreen and runs on Windows 7 Premium. The device also has two cameras -- one video and one still -- for users to do "web conferencing," according to the listing.
The HP Slate 500 is described as follows:
"No matter where you are or what kind of fun you're in the mood for, the HP Slate 500 is all you need. Exclusive HP software gives you access to photos, videos and everything on the Internet with just a touch, while Windows 7 Premium gives you the power to do what you want.
"The unique design and 22.6 cm (8.9") screen put the full Internet in your hands, while two cameras (video and still) let you capture life as it happens or participate in web conferencing.
Adjust the screen orientation to fit your content and use the pen to write or draw as if on a piece of paper. Whatever you want to do, the HP Slate 500 helps you do it – and makes it more fun too."

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BlackBerry Style (9670) is a clamshell QWERTY flip phone

Research in Motion is really starting to dabble into other “unconventional” form factors for the BlackBerry line. The Storm was the first touchscreen. The Torch the first slider. And the Style could be the first QWERTY flip phone.

You may have already seen the BlackBerry 9670, mostly as rumor and hearsay, but it seems that the model number is no longer enough. That’s why we hear about Pearls, Curves, Bolds, and so on. We fully expected a “name” to go with the BlackBerry 9670, but Style? Well, that’s the word that’s currently making its way around the Internet today. This isn’t the first time that RIM has had a flip phone — you might remember thePearl Flip — but the BlackBerry Style will be the first flip with full QWERTY. Maybe Curve Flip may have been more appropriate.

In any case, the BlackBerry 9670 Style will be a CDMA device and it appears to be running BB OS 6 right out of the box.

BlackBerry 9670 clamshell to be branded the BlackBerry Style [Crackberry]

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