Smartbook

{{Short description|Class of mobile device}} [[File:Wistron Pursebook.jpg|thumb|Wistron Pursebook, with {{nowrap|1 GHz}} Snapdragon ARM CPU (April 2009)]] A '''smartbook''' is a class of mobile device that combined certain features of both a smartphone and netbook computer, produced between 2009 and 2010.<ref name="cnet_1">{{cite web |url=http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-10431884-269.html |title=CES: What, exactly, is a smartbook? Highlights from the show floor |author=Scott Stein |date= January 10, 2010 |publisher=CNET Networks |access-date= June 5, 2011}}</ref> Smartbooks were advertised with features such as always on, all-day battery life, 3G, or Wi-Fi connectivity and GPS (all typically found in smartphones) in a laptop or tablet-style body with a screen size of 5 to 10 inches and a physical or soft touchscreen keyboard.<ref>A related smartbook definition is given by Freescale. http://smartmobiledevices.wordpress.com/2009/07/23/smartbook-vs-netbook/</ref>

A German company sold laptops under the brand ''Smartbook'' and held a trademark for the word in many countries (not including some big markets like United States, China, Japan, or India). It acted to preempt others from using the term ''smartbook'' to describe their products.<ref name="osnews">{{cite web |title= Publishers Caught in Smartbook Dispute |author= David Adams |date= December 16, 2009 |work= OSnews blog |url= http://www.osnews.com/story/22623 |access-date= June 6, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="info">{{cite web |title= Smartbook AG |work= web site |url= http://smartbook.info/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090211173044/http://smartbook.info/ |archive-date= February 11, 2009 |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref>

Smartbooks tended to be designed more for entertainment purposes than for productivity and typically targeted to work with online applications.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jul/29/smartbooks-netbooks | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=The smartbook has been waiting 28 years to be the next best thing | first=Jack | last=Schofield | date=2009-07-29 | access-date=2010-05-23}}</ref> They were projected to be sold subsidized through mobile network operators, like mobile phones, along with a wireless data plan.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= The Next Netbook Trend: Cellphone-Like Contract Deals |author= Priya Ganapat |date= December 15, 2008 |magazine= Wired Gaget Lab blog |url= http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/12/next-time-you-s.html |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref>

The advent of much more popular tablets like Android tablets and the iPad, coupled with the prevailing popularity of conventional desktop computers and laptops have displaced the smartbook.<ref name="tablets" />

==History== The smartbook concept was mentioned by Qualcomm in May 2009 during marketing for its Snapdragon technology, with products expected later that year.<ref name="eetimes"/> Difficulties in adapting key software (in particular, Adobe's proprietary Flash Player) to the ARM architecture<ref name="wsj55"/> delayed releases until the first quarter of 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.etnews.co.kr/news/detail.html?id=200912280010|title=Smart book Roll out in the 1Q of Next Year|work=etnews.co.kr|date=28 December 2009|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref>

Smartbooks would have been powered by processors which were more energy-efficient than traditional ones typically found in desktop and laptop computers.<ref name="cnet_1"/> The first smartbooks were expected to use variants of the Linux operating system, such as Google's Android or ChromeOS. The ARM processor would have allowed them to achieve longer battery life than many larger devices using x86 processors.<ref name="eetimes">{{cite web |title= Qualcomm touts the smartbook to rival netbooks, smartphones |author= John Walke |date= May 29, 2009 |work= EE Times |url=http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4195400/Qualcomm-touts-the-smartbook-to-rival-netbooks-smartphones |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="wsj55">{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704234304574626541267909328 | work=The Wall Street Journal | title='Smartbooks' Latest to Join Crowded Computer Market |author=Don Clark | date=2009-12-29}}</ref> In February 2010, ABI Research projected that 163 million smartbooks would ship in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title= 163 Million Smartbooks Expected to Ship in 2015 |work= News release |publisher= ABI Research |date= February 22, 2010 |url= http://www.abiresearch.com/press/1609-163+Million+Smartbooks+Expected+to+Ship+in+2015 |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref>

In many countries the word ''Smartbook'' was a trademark registered by Smartbook AG.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120805184351/http://www.wipo.int/ipdl/en/madrid/key.jsp?KEY=1015854/ International Mark – (1015854) smartbook]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yuccatree.de/2009/08/schreiben-vom-anwalt-ich-darf-das-wort-smartbook-nicht-mehr-benutzen/|title=Schreiben vom Anwalt: Ich darf das Wort "Smartbook" nicht mehr benutzen - YuccaTree Post +|work=yuccatree.de|date=28 August 2009|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> In August 2009 a German court ruled Qualcomm must block access from Germany to all its webpages containing the word ''Smartbook'' unless Smartbook AG is mentioned.<ref>{{cite web |title= Marken-Ärger ums Smartbook |date= August 31, 2009 |work= Heise mobil |url= http://www.heise.de/mobil/meldung/Marken-aerger-ums-Smartbook-753855.html |access-date= June 5, 2011}} (German)</ref> Smartbook AG defended its trademark.<ref name="info"/><ref name="forbes">{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/11/17/qualcomm-trademark-netbook-technology-wireless-smartbook.html | work=Forbes |author=Elizabeth Woyke | title=Qualcomm's Smartbook Dispute | date=November 17, 2009 |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref> A February 2010 ruling prevented Lenovo from using the term.<ref name="trademark">{{cite web |title= German Court Orders Lenovo to Stop Using 'smartbook' |author= Agam Shah |work= PC World |date= February 11, 2010 |url= https://www.pcworld.com/article/189126/german_court_orders_lenovo_to_stop_using_smartbook.html |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref>

By the end of 2010, Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs admitted that tablet computers such as the iPad already occupied the niche of the smartbook, so the name was dropped.<ref name="tablets">{{cite web |title= Tablets killed Smartbooks says Qualcomm CEO |author= Chris Davies |work= Slashgear blog |date= September 8, 2010 |url= http://www.slashgear.com/tablets-killed-smartbooks-says-qualcomm-ceo-08101260/ |access-date= June 5, 2011}}</ref> In February 2011 Qualcomm won its legal battle when the German patent office ruled the words "smart" and "book" could be used.<ref>{{cite web |title= Qualcomm fends off Smartbook AG, can legally write 'smartbook' on the platform's tombstone |author= Tim Stevens |work= Engadget.com blog |date= February 18, 2011 |url= https://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/qualcomm-fends-off-smartbook-ag-can-legally-write-smartbook-o/ |access-date= June 6, 2011 }}</ref> However, several trademarks have been registered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/304119768/DE|title=DPMAregister - Marken - Registerauskunft|work=dpma.de|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/305055151/DE|title=DPMAregister - Marken - Registerauskunft|work=dpma.de|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/305064177/DE|title=DPMAregister - Marken - Registerauskunft|work=dpma.de|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/306573237/DE|title=DPMAregister - Marken - Registerauskunft|work=dpma.de|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref>

==Designs==

===Always Innovating Touch Book=== In March 2009 the Always Innovating company announced the Touch Book.<ref name="always">{{cite web |title= Always Innovating |work= official web site |url= http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/ |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref> It was based on the Texas Instruments OMAP 3530 which implemented the ARM Cortex-A8 architecture. It was originally developed from the Texas Instruments Beagle Board. It had a touchscreen and a detachable keyboard which contained a second battery. The device came with a Linux operating system and the company offered to license their hardware designs.<ref name="always"/><ref>{{cite web |title= Net Tablet: Always Innovating Touch Book |date= March 2, 2009 |author= Jane McEntegart |work= Tom's Hardware web site |url= http://www.tomshardware.com/news/netbook-tablet-touch-book-always,7143.html |access-date= June 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Always Innovating Touch Book gets unboxed; first impressions mixed |author= Chris Davies |work= Slashgear blog |date= August 20, 2009 |url=http://www.slashgear.com/always-innovating-touch-book-gets-unboxed-first-impressions-mixed-2052980/ |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref>

===Sharp Netwalker=== [[File:Sharp PC-Z1.jpg|thumb|The Sharp PC-Z1 as seen on IFA 2009]] Sharp Electronics, introduced their PC-Z1 "Netwalker" device in August 2009 with a promised ship date of October 2009. It featured a 5.5" touchscreen, runs Ubuntu on an ARM Cortex-A8 based Freescale i.MX515 and was packaged in a small clamshell design. Sharp reported the device weighs less than 500 grams and will run 10 hours on one battery charge. The device is said to run 720p video, and have both 2D and 3D graphics acceleration. It comes with Adobe Flash Lite 3.1 installed.<ref>[https://www.pcworld.com/article/171090/sharp_to_launch_ultramobile_device_with_arm_chip.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a41:g26:r31:c0.001256:b27454802:z0 Sharp to Launch Ultramobile Device With Arm Chip].PC World</ref>

===Pegatron prototype=== Pegatron, an Asus company, showed a working prototype of a smartbook in August 2009. It consisted of an ARM Cortex-A8 based Freescale i.MX515 supports 2D/3D graphics as well as 720p HD video, 512 MB DDR2 RAM, 1024x600 8.9" LCD screen, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11g and run off a SD card. It also featured one USB and one micro USB port, a VGA port as well as a card reader. The smartbook ran Ubuntu Netbook 9.04 and contained a version of Adobe Flash Player which was out of date. The bill of materials for the Pegatron smartbook prototype was $120.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itproportal.com/2009/08/19/uk-exclusive-preview-pink-pegatron-smartbook/|title=UK Exclusive Preview : Pink Pegatron Smartbook|first=Desire|last=Athow|work=itproportal.com|date=19 August 2009|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref>

In November 2009 Pegatron said it had received a large number of orders for smartbooks that would launch in early 2010. The devices were rumored to sell for about $200 when subsidized. Asus announced plans to release their own smartbook in the first quarter of 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/30/asus_likes_arm_after_all/|title=Asus CEO signals Q1 2010 smartbook launch|first=Tony|last=Smith|work=The Register|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref>

=== Lenovo Skylight === {{main article|Lenovo Skylight}} Qualcomm was expected to announce a smartbook on November 12, 2009, at an analyst meeting.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/2009/11/10/smartbook-netbook-chips-technology-personal-qualcomm.html |work=Forbes |author= Elizabeth Woyke |title=Qualcomm To Announce First Smartbook |date= November 10, 2009 |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref> A Lenovo device concept was shown, and announced in January 2010. In May 2010 the Skylight was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web |title= Lenovo - Skylight - Light up your web |work= official web site |publisher= Lenovo Group |date= May 28, 2010 |url= http://www.lenovoskylight.com/ |access-date= June 5, 2011 }}</ref>

=== Compaq Airlife 100 === In late January 2010 a U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) listing featured a device from HP that was referred as ''smartbook'', while a prototype of the same device was already shown earlier. In beginning February on Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, HP announced it will bring this device to market. The specifications will most likely be following:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/02/12/compaq-airlife-100-puts-android-os-snapdragon-cpu-and-an-ssd-b/|title=Compaq Airlife 100 puts Android OS, Snapdragon CPU, and an SSD behind 10.1-inch touchscreen|work=engadget.com|date=12 February 2010 |access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref><ref>[http://es.engadget.com/2010/02/12/compaq-airlife-100-se-adelanta-al-mwc-netbook-con-ssd-y-androi/ Compaq Airlife 100 se adelanta al MWC – Netbook táctil con SSD y Android]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXzfIWgMgSg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/LXzfIWgMgSg |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=HP Compaq Airlife 100 Android Laptop at Mobile World Congress 2010|last=Charbax|date=17 February 2010|access-date=14 January 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02084190&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN |title=Overview - HP Customer Care (United States - English) |website=h10025.www1.hp.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424081119/http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02084190&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN |archive-date=24 April 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

* CPU: 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor * Operating system: Android * Display: 10.1 inch touchscreen * Storage: 16 GB SSD * Networking: 3G and Wi-Fi * Battery: up to 12 hours, 10 days in standby mode

In the end of March 2010 the smartbook made an appearance at FCC again, this time listing its 3G capabilities. According to FCC, the device will support GSM 850 and 1900, as well as WCDMA II and V bands. These WCDMA bands may indicate the usage in AT&T network in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wirelessgoodness.com/2010/03/22/compaq-airlife-100-passes-through-the-fcc-with-att-3g-bands/ |title=Compaq Airlife 100 passes through the FCC with AT&T 3G bands | |publisher=Wirelessgoodness.com |date=2010-03-22 |access-date=2011-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011214740/http://www.wirelessgoodness.com/2010/03/22/compaq-airlife-100-passes-through-the-fcc-with-att-3g-bands/ |archive-date=2011-10-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=FCC Office of Engineering and Technology |url=http://fccid.net/number.php?id=336047&fcc= |title=OET List Exhibits Report |publisher=fcc.gov |access-date=2011-09-19}}</ref> Details of the product is now available on the HP website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smartbooktalk.com/smartbook-news-reviews-f4/compaq-airlife-100-smartbook-specs-and-review-t232.html |title=Compaq Airlife 100 Smartbook Specs and Review : Smartbook News & Reviews - Smartbook User Community Forum |publisher=Smartbooktalk.com |access-date=2011-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304070754/http://www.smartbooktalk.com/smartbook-news-reviews-f4/compaq-airlife-100-smartbook-specs-and-review-t232.html|archive-date=2012-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://smartbookblog.com/2010/04/hp-releases-smartbook-specs-still-no-release-date/ |title=The Smartbook Blog | HP RELEASES SMARTBOOK SPECS: STILL NO RELEASE DATE |access-date=2010-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427013752/http://smartbookblog.com/2010/04/hp-releases-smartbook-specs-still-no-release-date/ |archive-date=2010-04-27 }}</ref>

===Toshiba AC100=== {{main article|Toshiba AC100}} In June 2010, a smartbook device from Toshiba was announced. It features Nvidia Tegra processor and is able to remain in stand-by mode for up to 7 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eu.press.toshiba.eu/en/articles/press/Toshiba_AC100 |title=Toshiba Europe GmbH - Content Press |publisher=Eu.press.toshiba.eu |access-date=2011-09-19}}</ref><ref>http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/generic/b2c-toshiba-ac100 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> The device was officially available at the Toshiba United Kingdom site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smartbooktalk.com/smartbook-news-reviews-f4/buy-toshiba-ac100-smartbooks-293-pounds-t337.html |title=Buy Toshiba AC100 smartbooks @ 293 pounds : Smartbook News & Reviews - Smartbook User Community Forum |publisher=Smartbooktalk.com |access-date=2011-09-19}}</ref> Originally delivered with Android v2.1 (upgradable to v2.2 since 2011 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carrypad.com/2011/02/22/ac100-gets-froyo-the-smartbook-lives-video/|title=AC100 Gets Froyo. The Smartbook Lives! – Video - Carrypad|work=carrypad.com|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref>) it can also be modified to run a customized Linux distribution.

In Japan, was sold as "Dynabook AZ".

===Genesi Efika MX=== The Genesi company announced an MX Smartbook as part of their Efika line in August 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title= Efika MX Smartbook On Sale |date= August 27, 2010 |work= News release |publisher= Genesi |url= http://www.genesi-usa.com/press/2010/8/27/ |access-date= June 6, 2011}}</ref> It was originally priced at US$349, and some reviewers questioned if it was small enough to fit this definition.<ref>{{cite web |title= Efika MX Smartbook now on sale for an exceedingly unattractive price |author= Darren Murph |work= Engadget.com blog |date= September 5, 2010 |url= https://www.engadget.com/2010/09/05/efika-mx-smartbook-now-on-sale-for-an-exceedingly-unattractive-p/ |access-date= June 6, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Efika MX Smartbook |work= official web site |publisher= Genesi USA |url= http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook |access-date= June 6, 2011 }}</ref> It is ostensibly a derivative of the above-mentioned Pegatron design.

===Others=== In September 2009, Foxconn announced it is working on smartbook development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/171560/foxconn_developing_inexpensive_armbased_smartbooks.html|title=Foxconn Developing Inexpensive, Arm-based Smartbooks|work=pcworld.com|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> In November 2009, a Quanta Computer pre-production Snapdragon powered sample smartbook device that ran Android was unveiled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netbooknews.com/1152/quanta-unveils-android-smartbook-running-snapdragon/ |title=Quanta Unveils Android Smartbook running Snapdragon | Netbooknews - Netbooks, Netbook Reviews, Smartbooks and more |publisher=Netbooknews |date=2009-11-24 |access-date=2011-09-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.silicon.com/technology/mobile/2009/11/20/photos-the-android-smartbook-fired-up-by-qualcomms-snapdragon-39658903/ |title=Photos: The Android smartbook fired up by Qualcomm's Snapdragon | Mobile |publisher=silicon.com |access-date=2011-09-19}}</ref> Companies like Acer Inc. planned to release a smartbook, but due to the popularity of tablets, MacBook Air and Ultrabooks, plans were scrapped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techhive.com/article/209521/Google_Upcoming_Chrome_Smartbooks_Are_Already_Passe.html|title=Google's Chrome Smartbooks Have Already Lost to Apple's MacBook Air|work=techhive.com|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== *[http://blogs.arm.com/smart-mobile-devices/index.php ARM Community Blogs on Smart Mobile Devices]

===News stories=== *{{cite web|url=http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Freescale-smartbook-tablet-design/|title=Smartbook tablet design runs Linux, Android|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128165644/http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Freescale-smartbook-tablet-design/|archive-date=2013-01-28}} *[http://ldn.linuxfoundation.org/blog-entry/smartbook-playing-field-wide-open-linux Smartbook Playing Field Wide Open for Linux]

Category:Classes of computers Category:Smartbooks Category:Japanese inventions Category:Laptops