We've just heard from our friends over at TweakTown that Gigabyte will be releasing gaming motherboards at CES 2011. According to TT, the first board seems to be called "G1-Killer" ... and has been advertised for around USD $299.00. It's expected to be packed with features, including a black PCB and support for Sandy Bridge ... but who knows? We'll have to wait and see.

Image taken from TweakTown

ZTE, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions has unveiled its 7" Tablet ... the Z-Pad. It's powered by an Android OS 2.1 (2.2 at launch) and features a dual core CPU (probably Qualcomm or ARM) WiFi, G-sensor, Bluetooth, GPS, 1.3Mega camera and a SD card slot.

The tablet market is set to explode in 2011 ... so it's a good idea to shop around. Samsung Galaxy Tab may be stealing all the limelight ... but wait for the iPad 2 (early 2011, Q1) or possibly Blackberry's Playbook.

"Theoretically, Boxee is like a cheaper Google TV that can play back every file type imaginable, as well as stream internet videos through its browser + Flash player setup. In reality, it only does one of those things well.

Boxee, the software, was the first suite to give people a 10-foot TV experience on their Macs and PCs, taking web video and hiding it under a pretty UI for couch viewing. Removing the computer from the picture and putting all this functionality into a $200 box is a recipe for success—that is, if the major broadcast networks weren't so damn hostile towards Boxee (and Google TV)."

Source: Gizmodo

"Created by a former chiropractor, the laser mouse tilts in all directions, but not with the aim of moving the cursor or controlling anything on screen as one would think. It wobbles for one reason and one reason only: to relieve arm tension and reduce the risk of Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). Today the company's releasing a smaller, more mobile version of ErgoMotion, now called the Whirl Mini, for $49.95."

Source: Engadget

"Among Acer's announced initial batch of tablet PCs, a 10.1-inch Windows 7-based model is believed to use AMD's Ontario APU codenamed C-50, according to sources from notebook players.

The 10.1-inch Windows 7-based model features two 1.3-megapixel webcams, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity and comes with a docking station that features a keyboard and charger. The tablet PC is set for launch in February 2011. The dual-core C-50 APU, which consumers only 9W of power, is currently priced at about US$55-60 and includes an integrated Radeon HD 6250 graphics chip.

In addition to AMD-based models, Acer will also launch a 7-inch Qualcomm Snapdragon-based model and a 10.1-inch Nvidia Tegra 2-based model both supporting Wi-Fi and 3G and set for launch in April 2011."

Source: Digitimes

"It was just about a year and a half ago that Google started talking up plans for its Chrome OS. As I recall, a number of bloggers and reporters began tolling the death knell for Windows at that time, claiming Google’s “operating-system-less” OS would trump Windows 7, Windows 8 and maybe even Mac OS X.

So where is it? In June 2009, Google officials said to expect Chrome OS to ship in the second half of 2010. In mid-November 2010, CEO Eric Schmidt said Chrome OS was still a few months away. Schmidt also said that Android should be considered the touch-centric OS, whereas Chrome OS is more suited for machines with keyboards. But that isn’t stopping folks from pining for a Chrome OS tablet.

I had a chance to ask the Googlers about Chrome OS  recently, and was told that a preview version of Google OS is still going to hit this year and be available in test form on several new form factors."

Source: ZDNet

"Acer announced four tablet PCs and a dual-touch panel notebook named Iconia in New York on November 24 with assistance from its manufacturing partners in Taiwan.

A 10-inch Tegra 2-based tablet PC and the Iconia notebook are both manufactured by Compal Electronics, while a 4.8-inch Qualcomm Snapdragon-based model is manufactured by Compel Communications. A 7-inch Qualcomm Snapdragon-based model is made by Quanta Computer with a Windows 7-based 10-inch model made by Wistron.

Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci pointed out that most research firms believe global tablet PC shipments will reach about 40-50 million units in 2011 and as the company's tablet PC products will mostly launch by the end of the first quarter of 2011, the company expects its shipments to account for 10-20% of global shipments after the launch. Acer expects the Windows 7 model to launch in February 2011 with ARM-based models to be launched in March or April."

Source: Digitimes

"Creative hasn't gone public with a US release window for its Ziio tablets, but it's probably only a matter of time -- the 7-inch model arrived at the FCC this week, complete with user manual and lovely snapshots of its innards all laid out. There's no mistaking that ZiiLABS ZMS-08 system-on-a-chip front and center, flanked by four slabs of NAND flash from Hynix Semiconductor, and in the upper left-hand corner you can even see the AzureWave chip responsible for its 802.11 b/g WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth functions. None of this simple beauty can make up for the fact that a resistive touchscreen is calling all the shots, but battery life should be relatively long -- FCC documentation describes a chunky 5,000mAh lithium-ion cell, images of which are below."

Source: Engadget