racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

The big tech news this week involves HP announcing plans to exit the hardware business and focus instead on enterprise software. HP will be spinning off its PC business, and is dropping webOS altogether, possibly licensing it to another manufacturer.

Along with this announcement, HP dropped prices of its TouchPad tablet to $99 for the 16GB model and $149 for the 32GB model. The sale price sparked rush purchases across the US, UK and other parts of the world where the TouchPad was sold.

HP TouchPad to Run Android & Ubuntu Linux

Now the bigger piece of news here is that while the TouchPad is considered a dead platform in terms of webOS, developers are starting to tweak the hardware to run other operating systems, notably Android and Ubuntu Linux. So far, hackers have been successful at installing Ubuntu, and an Android Gingerbread port is underway. Will Android and Ubuntu Linux be the saving grace for the HP TouchPad? Has HP done its own TouchPad a favor in terms of sales and desirability by killing off webOS? People are calling it the best $99 tablet ever. With Android coming soon, it’s going to be even better.

In other news …

Facebook on a startup buying spree

Facebook is facing tough competition from newcomer Google+. The company is therefore on the lookout for more startups with interesting ideas, and is set to acquire 20 companies this year (double last year’s 10). These will include talent and products related to design, user interface and mobile services. Do you (or your app) have what it takes to be a Facebook acqusition?

Google Chrome OS Does Windows

Google’s Chromebooks are trying to attract enterprise markets by offering a leasing scheme, with Chromebooks for $28 per month. But the latest Chrome OS build supports Citrix Receiver, which gives virtualization access to users. This means Chromebook users can run Windows apps through an enterprise Citrix server. For people who are worrying about having to adjust to Linux (or the Chromebook interface), this might help with the decision to go full-on with the cloud.

Marketing professionals are targeting you via email

Marketers are increasingly targeting their campaigns through tailor-fit messages. And while social networks are becoming more and more popular, marketers still prefer sending out email messages, since these are more direct and evoke more action from the recipients. If you’re an online marketing pro, what have you been doing to improve the performance of your campaigns?

Google App Inventor Decommissioned

Meanwhile, back on the Android front, Google is reportedly deprecating App Inventor, which used to be an easy wasy to create applications through a GUI interface. Time to brush up on our programming skills?

I’m a known HP fan. I’ve actually owned four HP laptops and netbooks so far. I like HP for its design and for the relatively affordable prices of its consumer-oriented models.

With regard to warranty, HP hasn’t failed me. Its distributor MSI-ECS has serviced my computers twice. First, when my Compaq V2617TS had a defective fan, HP replaced the fan, as well as the entire lid and front bezel. I got a new LCD, plus a previously non-existent WiFi antenna. Second was when I had my B1256TU battery replaced. Both were done at the 11th hour, right before warranty expired.

However, HP’s service seems to be on the decline. Popular laptop club and retailer Cooltoyz wrote about how they have lost confidence in HP because of issues with the Compaq CQ-40 line. This was allegedly due to the “Line of Fate” issue with the LCD, in which the screen will eventually–and inevitably–flicker and just die out.

Above: laptops and netbooks stacked for size reference. Asus EeePC 900 12G, HP 2133 Mini Note, HP Compaq Presario B1256TU, Compaq Presario V2617TS

Above: laptops and netbooks rounded up for size reference. Clockwise from left: HP Compaq Presario B1256TU, Compaq Presario V2617TS, Asus EeePC 900 12G, HP 2133 Mini Note

Send me more review units, guys!

(These are for my reviews over at koobten.com and myasuseee.com.)

I picked up an HP 2133 Mini Note review unit last Friday and I’m test driving this little wonder. Well, I have mixed impressions, which mostly agree with other reviews online. I have issues with responsiveness, temperature, and battery life. I’m loving the almost-full-sized keyboard, the screen and the general look and feel of the anodized aluminum casing. It reminds me of the 12″ PowerBook of old, actually.

I’m running a series on koobten.com, so you might want to watch out for that these next few days. This will help me decide whether to ultimately make the jump and acquire one for myself, or stick with the Asus Eee (or perhaps go for other brands).

Looks like HP’s marketing for the Mini Note in the Philippines is in full gear. Check out this commercial clip (via YouTube, posted by makemineamini.com.ph; note that the video is inaccessible from my frontpage, but is embedded after the jump).

Celebrity endorsers include Pat Evangelista, Amanda Griffin, Brad Turvey and Tristan Encarnacion.

You can also win yourself an HP Mini Note by joining their raffle. You can either write an essay or have your pic taken with the HP Mini Note van. Darn, I was driving alongside this van last week, and I didn’t know about the promo!

I’ve been reading reviews, though, that the Mini is slow compared to its contemporaries. So given the cost considerations, people are opting for other brands. Still, those who are style-conscious would probably prefer the Mini Note. I have yet to get my hands on one (possibly a review unit, or one of my own). I want to see for myself if the Mini Note is worth the hype.