Netbooks
Analysts had dismal PC shipment projections for 2009. Gartner predicted an 11.9% decline in PC shipments for the year. But netbooks, the emerging class of scaled-down mobile PCs, were projected to increase 9% over 2008. In December 2008, IDC predicted that 21.5 million netbooks would ship in 2009.
While traditional PCs and desktop sales are falling flat, the more mobile netbook is expected to thrive. Netbooks are light, small, ultra-portable and are designed for on-the-go use. Their portability and low price points have made these devices very attractive to consumers.
Netbook features are scaled-down from the traditional PC. But, device makers are adding components like location that improve device functionality and take advantage of the unique netbook user experience. Location aware netbooks can provide turn-by-turn navigation, location based social networking and games, neighborhood-level local search, and useful applications for business and leisure travelers.
Dell's Mini 10 netbook includes Skyhook Wireless XPS for location. By integrating GPS and the Wi-Fi Positioning System from Skyhook Wireless, the Mini 10 will serve the needs of highly mobile netbook users. Location on the Mini 10 enables the Loki Dashbord, a web portal that feeds user location to websites like Flickr, Yahoo News, Yelp and Topix. On the Dashboard these sites display location-relevant photos, news, restaurant reviews. Skyhook also enables native apps on the netbook like CoPilot, a turn-by-turn navigation app. By offering location that works everywhere netbook users travel, Dell 's netbooks stands out from its competitors.