Today, Toshiba announced the release of their new concept PC called the Libretto. The Libretto provides its user with dual 7-inch multitouch displays, Intel Pentium U5400 1.2 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, 62 GB solid-state HD, 1 megapixel webcam, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, micro-SD card slot, and Windows 7 Home Premium. This tight little package will weigh in at a mere 1.8 pounds and have an 8-cell Li-ion battery. The Libretto is set to hit the market in the coming months, and will retail for $1,099. The unit is priced several hundred dollars higher than the iPad and netbooks, but then again, it looks like you are getting quite a bit more. We’ve got the full press release for you after the bounce. Let us know what you think?

Toshiba Unveils New libretto Concept PC with Dual-Touch Screen Design

Revealed as Part of Toshiba’s 25th Anniversary of Laptop Innovation Milestone, libretto W100 Demonstrates Next-Gen Ultra-Mobile PC Design With Full Windows 7 Functionality

IRVINE, Calif. – June 21, 2010 – Embodying a quarter-century of innovation, Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the libretto® W100, a next-gen ultra-mobile concept PC. This limited-edition 25th Anniversary device goes beyond slates, netbooks and smartphones to deliver something more: a full Windows® 7 experience that can be enjoyed across two multi-touch touch screens.

“The libretto W100 continues the libretto brand’s heritage of defying convention by packaging a full Windows computing experience into highly compact ultra-mobile form factor,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “This concept PC sets the pace for Toshiba’s continued commitment to innovation, demonstrating what’s possible in the next generation of ultra-mobile PCs. “We will issue a limited run of the libretto W100,” continued Pinto. “We design our products around the way people actually want to use them, so getting this concept PC out into the hands of early technology adopters will allow us to gather invaluable feedback that we can filter into future product developments.”

Optimized for Versatility, Performance and Convenience The libretto W100 is powered by Windows 7 Home Premium and comes equipped with an Intel® Pentium® processor1, 2GB of fast DDR3 memory2 and a 62GB solid state drive3 – plenty of horsepower for enjoying rich Internet and multimedia content. With the libretto W100, users can take advantage of all the Windows applications they commonly use, including productivity apps like Microsoft Office and video chat like Skype™. Built-in connectivity features, including 802.11b/g/n4 and Bluetooth®5 give users the flexibility to connect from any hotspot or pair the device with their favorite wireless accessories, such as a mouse, headphones and more.

Innovative Design for Multi-tasking on the Go

With an ultra-portable weight of just 1.8 pounds6, the libretto W100 is designed to deliver a rich Internet experience, multimedia playback and the freedom to multi-task – just like a standard laptop – but with the advantage of two seven-inch diagonal touch screens7 to work, watch and play on. The multi-touch screens can work independently or together, giving users the flexibility to decide how they want to use them. Surf the Web on one screen while checking e-mail on the other, view two documents simultaneously or view a webpage across both screens. A built-in 3D accelerometer allows the libretto W100 to rotate into portrait or landscape modes, making the device look and feel more like a book, newspaper or magazine. Designed for portability, the libretto W100 features a compact and durable clamshell design with a brushed metallic finish. The traditional clamshell design allows the device to fold up for easier portability, while protecting the screens from breaks and scratches. Measuring a mere 4.84 inches by 7.95 inches when closed, the device fits easily into almost any bag or jacket pocket.

“Since producing the first Intel 286-based clamshell laptop 25 years ago, Toshiba has continued to take a leadership role in bringing new mobile computing technologies to market,” said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies. “This new libretto is yet another showcase of the company’s technological laptop prowess – they have their minds on the future and a unique, creative view on delivering innovations and form factors that provide a full computing experience in very small packages.”

Simplified Navigation with Premium Toshiba Apps

The libretto W100 features six virtual keyboard modes plus a virtual touchpad. The keyboards feature haptic technology, providing sensory feedback when the keys are selected, making typing fast, accurate and easy. Keyboard modes include simple, full, numeric 10-key and split thumb mode keyboard styles, providing users with options to fit their own personal style or task. To make navigation as easy as possible, the libretto W100 includes several premium Toshiba apps that enhance the computing experience.

• Toshiba Bulletin Board gives users greater personalization of their desktops with fast access to daily activities, tasks and projects, plus the ability to drag and drop photos, videos, links, documents and application shortcuts into one place.
• Toshiba ReelTime™ helps users easily find files based on when they were opened with a simple visual history. With the flick of a finger, quickly scroll through automatically generated previews of documents, photos, videos and more, filter by file type or use the calendar to go back weeks or months.
• File Browser makes it easier to access file folders and applications.
• Quick access to the apps and keyboards are easily accessible via on-screen icons.

Features available on the Toshiba libretto W100 include:
– Dual 7.0-inch diagonal multi-touch displays7 (1024 x 600)
– 6-mode virtual keyboard with haptic response
– Windows® 7 Home Premium operating system
– Intel® Pentium® U5400 processor1 (1.2GHz)
– 2GB DDR3 memory2
– 62GB Solid State Drive3
– 1.0 megapixel HD Webcam with Toshiba Face Recognition
– 802.11 b/g/n wireless4
– Bluetooth 2.1+EDR5
– MicroSD card slot
– One USB 2.0 port
– TOSHIBA Bulletin Board, ReelTime™ and PC Health Monitor software
– 8-cell battery
– 7.95″ (W) x 4.84″(D) x 1.2″(H)
– 1.8 lbs.6

Availability

A limited number of the libretto W100 concept PC will be available for purchase later this summer from select retailers and direct from Toshiba at toshibadirect.com.

Image Gallery: http://bit.ly/librettoW100

Connect with Toshiba on Twitter at twitter.com/ToshibaLaptops and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToshibaLaptopsUS.

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Toshiba and Fujitsu confirmed on Thursday that the two Japanese companies will be merging their mobile phone business units. As part of the merger, Toshiba will spin off its mobile division into a new company with Fujitsu acquiring a majority stake in this newly formed venture. The resulting company will become Japan’s second largest mobile phone maker with an estimated 18.7% market share. Details are expected to be finalized in July with the merged company beginning operations in October of this year.

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Toshiba has announced the birth of their 128 GB NAND flash memory module. The new flash storage chip “integrates sixteen 64Gbit NAND chips” onto a minuscule 17 x 22 x 1.4mm chip. Toshiba writes: “Demand continues to grow for large density chips that support high-resolution video and deliver enhanced storage, particularly in the area of embedded memories with a controller function that minimize development requirements and ease integration into system designs.” Let’s hope we see these new 128 GB beasts in slates and smartphones in the very near future. We’ve got the full press release for you after the bump.

[Via Slash Gear]

TOSHIBA LAUNCHES INDUSTRY’S LARGEST EMBEDDED NAND FLASH MEMORY MODULES

eMMC™ Compliant Embedded Memories Combine up to 128GB NAND and a Controller in a Single Package

IRVINE, Calif., June 16, 2010— Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc ., and its parent company Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced the launch of a 128-gigabyte (GB)1 embedded NAND flash memory module, the highest capacity yet achieved in the industry. The module is fully compliant with the latest e-MMC™ standard, and is designed for application in a wide range of digital consumer products, including smartphones, tablet PCs and digital video cameras. Samples will be available in September, and mass production will start in the fourth quarter (October to December) of 2010.

The new 128GB embedded device integrates sixteen 64Gbit (equal to 8GB) NAND chips fabricated with Toshiba’s cutting-edge 32nm process technology and a dedicated controller into a small package 17 x 22 x 1.4mm. Toshiba is the first company to succeed in combining sixteen 64Gbit NAND chips, and applied advanced chip thinning and layering technologies to realize individual chips that are only 30 micrometers thick.

Toshiba offers a comprehensive line-up of single-package embedded NAND Flash memories in densities from 2GB to 128GB. They integrate a controller to manage basic control functions for NAND applications, and are compatible with the JEDEC e-MMC™ Version 4.4 and its new features. New samples of 64GB chips will also be available from August.

Demand continues to grow for large density chips that support high-resolution video and deliver enhanced storage, particularly in the area of embedded memories with a controller function that minimize development requirements and ease integration into system designs. Toshiba has established itself as an innovator in this key area, and is now reinforcing its leadership by being first to announce a 128GB generation module.

Key Features: The JEDEC e-MMC™ V4.4 compliant interface handles essential functions, including writing block management, error correction and driver software. It simplifies system development, allowing manufacturers to minimize development costs and speed time to market for new and upgraded products. The 128GB device stacks sixteen 64Gbit chips fabricated with leading-edge 32nm process technology. Application of advanced chip thinning, layering and wire bonding technologies has allowed Toshiba to achieve individual chips only 30 micrometers thick, and to layer and bond them in a small package. The result is an embedded flash memory module with the industry’s highest density.

The new products are sealed in a small FBGA package only 17 x 22 x 1.4mm and has a signal layout compliant with the JEDEC eMMC™ V4.4.

Specifications e-MMC™ Interface JEDEC e-MMC™ V4.4 standard HS-MMC interface

Power Supply Voltage 2.7V to 3.6V (memory core); 1.65V to 1.95V / 2.7V to 3.6V (interface)

Bus width x1, x4, x8

Write Speed* 21MB per sec. (Sequential/Interleave Mode) 21MB per sec.6 (Sequential/No Interleave Mode)*

Read Speed* 46MB per sec. (Sequential Mode/Interleave Mode) 55MB per sec. (Sequential/No Interleave Mode)*

Temperature range -25degrees to +85degees Celsius

Package 153Ball FBGA (+84 support balls)

Having sold some 1.5 million Windows-based computers, Toshiba saw it’s U.S. PC sales grow an impressive 50% in Q1. The sales, which were greatly aided by a recovering economy, were also accelerated thanks to interest in Windows 7. Toshiba is now the 4th largest mover of PCs in the U.S. As for the future, Toshiba’s GM of digital products has said the company is planning on introducing a series of tablets this year, with some running Microsoft’s Windows 7 and others Google’s Android. Some analysts have predicted that such a move would do nothing but throw a wrench into Toshiba’s netbook sales, but the company is confident that the two categories of devices can be sold side by side with minimal cannibalization. The U.S. market for tablets is expected to swell to 50 million units by 2014.

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VUDU has taken a great leap forward, moving from its small lineup of streaming media set-top boxes and its presence on a few home entertainment devices to being the embedded media service of choice for LG, Mitsubishi, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Toshiba and VIZIO. The popular streaming movie service will be installed on select models of broadband TVs and Blu-ray players across all partners, an arrangement that may put millions of VUDU-enabled home entertainment devices into living rooms across America. Customers who purchase a VUDU-spiced HDTV or Blu-ray player will be able to access VUDU’s 3,000 strong on-demand HD movie catalog and its exclusive 1080p HDX formatted feature films. VUDU also announced its new VUDU Apps application platform, a cloud-based application service that allows customers to browse photos, stream video, access social network sites and more from the comfort of their favorite chair. They’ve got over 100 applications in the catalog and they will be available on broadband HDTVs from Mitsubishi, SANYO, Sharp and Toshiba and on broadband Blu-ray players from Toshiba. We need this. Now.

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In the future, the cost of your next smartphone might decrease by a few pennies thanks to a new lawsuit brought on by Nokia against some of the world’s largest LCD manufactures. Filed simultaneously in both the United States and the England on November 25th, Nokia is alleging that AU Optronics, Hitachi, LG, Philips, Samsung, Seiko Epson, Sharp, Toshiba and others willingly conspired to “artificially inflated the price of liquid crystal displays ultimately incorporated into LCD products purchased by Nokia, causing Nokia to pay higher prices.” Earlier this year, AT&T started a similar lawsuit after LG, Chunghwa Picture Tubes and Sharp pled guilty to price fixing which eventually caused Hitatchi to come clean. Of course with Nokia’s financial situation being what it is, any savings brought on by a successful lawsuit could just as easily — and most likely — be contributed towards the companies profit margins. So far Nokia has yet to go on the record regarding the remedies it is seeking, but we imagine the information will become clear soon enough.Read

Windows Mobile fans take note — 30 new handsets powered by your mobile OS of choice will supposedly be debuting before you again sing a drunken version of Auld Lang Syne. Benjamin Tan, senior director of the GCR Mobile Team Unit at Microsoft China, let loose the rumor that an avalanche of new Windows Mobile 6.5 handsets from HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, Acer, Toshiba, HP and more will be released in the waning months of 2009. Carriers who have jumped on board this Window Mobile bonanza include AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone, NTT DoCoMO, Softbank Mobile,  SKT, Telstra and Telus. Bottom line: no matter where you are located or what you prefer in a smartphone, there will apparently be a Windows Phone to suit your needs in 2009.

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Following a long a grueling battle that forced the company to bury its now-defunct “next generation” home entertainment media tech, Toshiba was left bleeding worse than a naked cheerleader in an axe murderer flick. It’s been just over a year since we all attended HD DVD’s $1 billion funeral and now it appears that Toshiba is done grieving. A year is enough time, right? According to the the Japanese newspaper the Yomiuri Shimbun, the beaten electronics giant plans to join the dark side and issue a Blu-ray player by year’s end. It’s first BD offering will reportedly play DVDs as well as Blu-ray discs, though the price point is still unknown. Tosh is supposedly considering a Blu-ray recorder as well but no time line was specified so odds are we won’t see it this year. The move makes sense of course — Toshiba has to keep up with the times and 1080p is hotter than Hansel right now. It’s going to have to sell a whole lot of players to make up for that $1 billion it lost in the format war, however. Best of luck to you, Tosh.

[Via HD-Report]

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Know this right now, NTT DoCoMo subscribers… We hate you. Ok fine, we don’t really hate you at all — we’re just insanely jealous right now because the Japanese carrier just launched the Toshiba TG01. Sure NTT DoCoMo tried its best to minimize jealousy by renaming this screamer of a WinMo handset “T-01A”, but to no avail. If you don’t recall this beast for one reason or another, allow us to refresh your memory: 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 4.1-inch WVGA (800 x 480 pixel) touchscreen with on-screen trackpad, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, GPS, G-sensor, microSDHC support and DivX support. Enough said. Pricing is still a bit unclear but it doesn’t matter really — unlocked imports are likely going to be the closest we come to this puppy, at least for the foreseeable future.

Thanks, Rev!

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If these newly-leaked docs turn out to be authentic, Toshiba has apparently gone Snapdragon and Windows Mobile 6.5 crazy! The reported 2009-2010 roadmap reveals two new TG-series mobile phones, two K-Series MIDs and one larger L-Series Internet tablet. All five devices pack the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and run Windows Mobile 6.5. Expected release dates start in Q4 2009 and extend to Q1 2010. Hit the jump for a full rundown and mock-ups of these five rumored mobile devices.

First off is the Toshiba TG02, a slim handset with a massive display, targeted for the mobile warrior:

• 4.1-inch WVGA touchscreen
• 1GHz Snapdragon processor
• Windows Mobile 6.5
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• HSDPA
• Integrated GPS
• IPX4 water resistant
• Thickness of 9.9 mm

Next is the multimedia-centric Toshiba TG03 handset:

• 4.1-inch WVGA touchscreen
• 1GHz Snapdragon processor
• Windows Mobile 6.5
• 5 megapixel camera
• 5.1 channel speaker
• HSDPA

Following the handsets, we have two smaller and three MIDs starting with the Toshiba K01:

• QWERTY slider
• 4.1-inch display
• 1GHz Snapdragon processor
• 3.2 Megapixel Camera
• Windows Mobile 6.5

The Toshiba K02 is a smaller and presumably more affordable MID:

• 3.5-inch display
• 1GHz Snapdragon processor
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Windows Mobile 6.5

Last but not least is the larger Toshiba L01. Details are sparse on this model:

• 7-inch screen
• 1GHz Snapdragon processor
• Windows Mobile 6.5
• What looks to be a removable or separate wireless keyboard

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Ok, we’re not exactly sure what happened here but someone definitely screwed the pooch when assembling a recent FCC application. We’re guessing someone at Toshiba fell asleep at the wheel when slapping its FCC application together but the bottom line is it looks like we now have preliminary details on another new handset from Toshiba. Despite the fact that the well-covered TG01 is pictured throughout the filing, the documents cover a handset dubbed TM5-E01 — a Windows Mobile clam shell with specs as follows:

• Tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900), UMTS2100 connectivity
• QSD8250 CPU (Snapdragon), 256 MB of RAM, 512MB ROM
• Windows Mobile 6 Professional OS
• Primary display: 3-inch 800 × 480 WVGA touchscreen
• Secondary display: 0.8-inch 96 × 39 black & white OLED LCD
• Camera (unknown resolution)
• Wi-Fi
• aGPS
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• miniUSB
• microSD memory card slot
• Dimensions: 117x 64×19.8mm, 183g

Hmmm. This thing could actually be kind of sexy… A Snapdragon-powered Windows Mobile flip phone. We’ll definitely keep an eye peeled to see how this unfolds.

[Via Unwired View]

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Toshiba plans to wow us all at MWC 2009 with a Windows Mobile handset that rocks a blazing fast processor and jaw-dropping display. The TG01 will be the first mobile handset to incorporate the 1GHz snapdragon processor from Qualcomm and will sport a 4.1″ WVGA resistive touchscreen with on-screen trackpad, HSDPA, aGPS, G-sensor, microSDHC support and DivX support. Toshiba calls it “faster, slimmer and better than the iPhone” – fighting words if we’ve ever heard them. The handset is reported to run Windows Mobile 6.1 with full flash support which suggests it will ship with Internet Explorer Mobile 6 as well. With Toshiba boasting that “We’ve taken all the technology from our TVs and put that into the screen”, we are already lining up our favorite movies and converting them to DivX for viewing on this drool-worthy screen. Will this be enough to revive Toshiba’s smartphone business? Only time and some solid carrier deals will tell.

[Via T3]

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Toshiba upped the ante in SSD storage capacity by announcing the latest additions to its NAND flash SSD drive portfolio. Coming in at a whopping 512GB, its 2.5″ SSD is the current reigning champion in terms of sheer storage capacity. For those who don’t need or can’t afford such a large-sized and presumably hefty-priced drive, Toshiba is also offering its 2.5″ drives in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities. Notebook and netbook owners have not been left out in the cold as Toshiba is also producing 1.8″ drives and 1.8″ SSD flash modules in capacities of 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The drives promise to deliver a maximum sequential read speed of 240MBps and a maximum sequential write speed of 200MBps along with AES encryption. The new drives will be on display at CES 2009 with samples available from January to March 2009. Mass production and general consumer availability will not begin until April to June 2009.

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Netbooks are neat little computers and are making internet tablets obsolete. The only problem with these little laptops is that, well, they’re little and that doesn’t allow for much in terms of power, memory, and hard drive space. Well, Toshiba has answered the call for the latter and will be making 256GB solid state drives. Pretty soon, spinning hard drives will likely be phased out in favor of more reliable, not to mention faster, SSDs. The Toshiba SSD is expected to have a read and write speed of 120MBps and 70MBps, respectively, and will use an SATA 3.0-Gbps interface. Small, lightweight, and power-packed, these drives are perfect for increasingly shrinking computers such as the Dell Mini 9 and Asus Eee PC.

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