Samsung unveils Ativ S, world’s first Windows Phone 8 device

If you’ve been wondering what the first dual-core Windows Phone would look like, this is it. Today, the Korean electronics giant took the wraps off the Samsung Ativ S, the world’s first smartphone running Windows Phone 8.

The Ativ S (Ativ is “Vita” spelled backward) features a slim design, a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display, and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. There’s also compatibility for HSPA+42.

In addition, the Ativ S packs in a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and an LED flash, and a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera.

Taking full advantage of new software capabilities announced for Windows Phone 8 in June, there’s a microSD card and support for NFC (think file-sharing and, soon, payment).

Samsung has also added a very large 2,300mAh battery that should promise longer life, and 1GB of RAM. It’ll come in 16GB and 32GB storage versions, and will feature a host of Samsung apps, like the Music Hub and the Media Hub for the U.S. market.

13-inch Retina MacBook Pro displays in production

Apple’s Retina display tech will arrive on a more affordable MacBook Pro.

Production is under way for a Retina display targeted at a more mainstream MacBook Pro, CNET has learned.

Production has begun of a 2,560-by-1,600 pixel density display that will land on a 13.3-inch MacBook Pro, NPD DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim told.

“The supply chain indications are that it’s for a MacBook Pro 13.3 — not a MacBook Air,” said Shim.

Displays are being made by Samsung, LGD, and Sharp, he said.

Shim said that production volume is expected to be substantially higher out of the gate compared to the current 15.4-inch Retina MacBook Pro.

“With 15.4 it’s production of a few hundred thousand units versus one to two million for the 13.3,” he said. That 13.3-inch production began in the third quarter.

Apple, Samsung once again unable to pare down patent case

Lack of resolution from latest meeting means the jury will likely decide the companies’ high-stakes dispute.

Apple and Samsung told a federal judge yesterday that they have unable to reduce the number of claims against each other in their on-going patent-infringement lawsuit, increasing the likelihood that the jury will decide their high-stakes dispute.

Windows 8 tweeners take on Apple

Tablet or tweener? Does the Microsoft camp’s convergence argument win the day?

Acer Aspire touchscreen ultrabook.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has been clear about tablet-laptop convergence: not interested.

But Microsoft, Intel, Asus, Acer, Lenovo, and a long list of PC makers are. Very.

That would be due to Windows 8 and its touch-centric Metro interface, of course. This is driving PC makers to come up with novel hybrid designs that function as both a tablet and laptop, as was amply demonstrated at Computex this week.

There will basically be two choices offered.

–Products like the Acer Aspire S7 that are ultrabooks with touchscreens.
–And more extreme designs, i.e., true convertibles like the Asus dual-screen Taichi.

I like the idea of an ultrabook with a touchscreen. I mean, why not offer a product with that option? It’s silly not to.

That said, I do see hurdles for the products that take convergence a step further. It’s really hard to completely smash two opposing usage modes together. In that sense, Tim Cook may be right: PC makers will be hard pressed to come up with anything as elegant as the iPad, or as popular.

But getting back to what I like about Windows 8. I’ve had a few chances to use the Samsung Series 7 Slate running early versions of Windows 8.