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Windows 8.1 launched this week. So did a bunch of tablets and laptops running the operating system, including the first devices with Intel Atom Bay Trail chips.
Ubuntu 13.10 also launched this week. While it’s a minor update for desktop users, it’s the first version of the popular Linux-based operating system to fully support phones and tablets.
It’s been a busy week in the mobile tech world… and oh yeah, I also managed to fit in a review of the HP Chromebook 11. How’s that for being cross-platform?
Here are some of the most popular posts from Liliputing from the week of 10/12 to 10/18.
- First Look: Asus Transformer Book T100
This is the tablet/notebook hybrid that netbook fans have been waiting for. It offers decent performance, a small size, long battery life, and support for touch or keyboard input. It’s not for everyone: The keyboard and touchpad are kind of small, and performance isn’t quite up to ultrabook standards. But the Transformer Book T100 shows a lot of promise for low-cost portable tablets and notebooks with Windows 8.1 and Intel Bay Trail chips. - Meet the first 10 inch Windows 8.1 tablets
Asus isn’t the only company with a 10 inch Windows 8.1 tablet. Dell, Fujitsu, HP, and Microsoft also have new tablets they’d like to sell you. - Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro now available for $1000 and up
The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro is a ultrabook/tablet hybrid just like the original Yoga, but it has a faster processor, longer battery life, a thinner and lighter design, and a crazy high-res display. With prices starting at $1000, it’s also actually pretty reasonably priced. - HP Chromebook 11 review
On paper, the HP Chromebook 11 sounds a lot like last year’s Samsung Series 3 Chromebook. The specs are similar, but HP’s model has a nicer display, a nice design, a decent keyboard, and a few other features that make it worth considering if you’re looking for an inexpensive and very portable notebook — as long as long battery life isn’t at the top of your priority list. - Running Ubuntu apps on the HP Chromebook 11 (video)
HP’s new chromebook ships with Google’s Chrome operating system which is surprisingly useful if you can get most of your activities done using web apps. But if there are a native desktop apps you can’t live without (or if you’re just looking for a cheap, portable Linux notebook), it’s very easy to install Ubuntu side-by-side with Chrome. - Ubuntu 13.10 launches for desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets
Speaking of Ubuntu, the latest version of the popular Linux-based operating system launched this week, and for the first time it’s officially available for mobile devices such as phones as well as for traditional PCs. - Handwriting recognition broken on latest Galaxy Note models, here’s how to fix it (maybe)
Have one of Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note devices and having trouble using the keyboard with handwriting recognition? Here’s a tip that might help. - Coming soon: OmniROM “open ROM” for Android devices
A team of well-known developers in the Android custom ROM world are coming together to offer a new version of Android with a focus on community feedback and some special features including multi-window apps.