Photos : Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8650A Released, Smartbooks Run Android Already

By published

Ahead of Taiwan's Computex, Qualcomm has unveiled the new version of its Snapdragon chipset, the QSD8650A, which is based on a 45nm manufacturing process and allows Qualcomm to boost its speed from 1GHz to 1.3GHz.

Compared to the earlier version which equips Toshiba's gorgeous TG01 smartphone, the new chipset consumes 30 percent less power with a standby power consumption of 10mW. This should mean a much, much longer battery life compared to netbooks.

Qualcomm has managed to keep the same physical size for the Snapdragon at 15mmx15mm surface area but promises GPS, Bluetooth 2.1, support for WiFi and multi-mode support for UMTS and CDMA 3G connectivity. The QSD8650A also boasts support WXGA displays and mobile TV technologies like MediaFLO, DVB-H, and ISDB-T.

But the paradigm shift will happen later this year when Qualcomm ships its QSD8672 processor in bulk. With two computing core running at 1.5GHz, it should provide smartbooks with the extra oomph to slay bloated netbooks once and for all.

Tweaktown also reported that Asus has a modified EEE PC Smartbook running Android on a Snapdragon chipset and amongst the photos that were snapped, was a Snapdragon-based tablet laptop. Photos are courtesy of Tweaktown.

and join more than 1450 other followers.

Our Comments

It is interesting to find out that the biggest netbook manufacturers have already queued up to build up the next Smartbooks, which proves that competition is a good thing. It also shows that Smartbooks should benefit from economies of scale as they share the same chassis. Yuo can see that the keyboard in the Tweaktown photos carry a Windows Key.

Related Links

Qualcomm announces new 1.3GHz chipset with 30 percent power improvement

http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=7157 (opens in new tab)

Qualcomm to Showcase New Advances in Mobile Technology at COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2009

http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20090531/LA2498731052009-1.html (opens in new tab)

1.3GHz Snapdragon QSD8650A chipset announced by Qualcomm

http://bit.ly/19NVOi (opens in new tab)

Eee PC running Android seen at Computex

http://bit.ly/krD40 (opens in new tab)

Qualcomm's Snapdragon Smartbooks Miss the Point

http://bit.ly/7886M (opens in new tab)

Qualcomm unveils 45nm Snapdragon chipset

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2243268/qualcomm-unveils-snapdragon (opens in new tab)

Qualcomm unveils new 1.3GHz Snapdragon chipset

http://bit.ly/53smm (opens in new tab)

Désiré Athow
Désiré Athow

Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled in website building and web hosting when DHTML and frames were en vogue and started writing about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium. Following an eight-year stint at ITProPortal.com where he discovered the joys of global tech-fests, Désiré now heads up TechRadar Pro. Previously he was a freelance technology journalist at Incisive Media, Breakthrough Publishing and Vnunet, and Business Magazine. He also launched and hosted the first Tech Radio Show on Radio Plus.