Jolicloud pre-beta is now on

Jolicloud, the popular Ubuntu UltimateNetbookRemix based operating system for netbooks has come out of its invite only alpha form for everyone to use. Differences between this pre-beta and the red robby alpha version include a new startup screen and also an option to install from an existing windows system without harming/overwriting windows.

"Dear Alpha tester,

As you may know, Jolicloud has recently entered into public Pre-Beta.

Anyone can now go on our new website at http://www.jolicloud.com/ to download and install Jolicloud on their netbook.

This was an emotional moment for us but also a very busy time. If you have not upgraded to Pre-Beta yet, you can do it now. We took extra time to make sure the migration goes smoothly. You will be asked to update twice (the first update will be for the updating program and the second will install the Pre-Beta packages). You will know that you are on the Pre-Beta as soon as you reboot and see the new opening screen. Lots of small improvements have been done, and our new theme should react faster. Some of you should enjoy faster boot and the new kernel update should improve things.

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your amazing support and feedback. We would never have gotten this far without you. As an Alpha member you have been instrumental to the development of Jolicloud. Therefore we want to tag all our early users and give them a special "founding member" status on their profile. Those who register after the launch of the Pre-Beta won't have that status.

So what's in our Pre-Beta?

Jolicloud can now be installed from your Windows XP or 7 directly with Jolicloud Express, our new easy Windows installer. The key install is still available, but if you have friends with a Windows netbook that want to try Jolicloud while keeping Windows and their data safe they can do it!

Support for 98% of the netbooks available in the market.

With the new Jolicloud, we are supporting GMA500 netbooks (with HD support) and we are working hard to get the new NVIDIA® ION™ supported.

The system and drivers have been updated to work with all netbooks. However if WiFi, sound or video is affected by the upgrade, send us an email at feedback@jolicloud.com making sure that you provide details, including what specific type of netbook you are using.

In any case you should consider following our Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/jolicloud. We use it to announce the latest info and updates about Jolicloud.

Together with your support and feedback let's bring Jolicloud to full Beta mode in early 2010.

We really hope you'll enjoy this Pre-Beta.

Jolicloud is in the short list for the Crunchies Awards! To help Jolicloud win the Best International Startup Award please vote here: http://crunchies2009.techcrunch.com/vote/

From all the Jolicloud Team, we wish you a Happy New Year!"

Netbook sales predicted to slow as ULV computers get cheaper

According to research firm DisplaySearch:

"Netbook shipments are expected to total 33.3 million units by year's end, for a year-over-year growth of 103 percent, says DisplaySearch. But in 2010, growth will slow to less than 20 percent, thanks to the new breed of notebook computers with ultra-low voltage processors and sub-$500 price points."

For as long as netbooks have been around, the niche of people that only want a tiny laptop that can barely do more than the basics has been largely filled, and a newer group of consumers that are searching for more powerful third generation netbooks find their salvation in cheaper, lower price point ULV based laptops. As Engadget points out however:

"Of course, 20% growth still means that netbook shipments should be in the neighborhood of 40 million for 2010, and DisplaySearch even estimates that growth will hold steady at about 20% for 2011, so we wouldn't be so quick to put them on deathwatch just yet."

Read- Linux for Devices
Read- DisplaySearch

Here is something you probably didn't know

This story on The Consumerist caught my eye, HP ink costs more than human blood [link]. Take that HP! I knew the ink was expensive when I spent $40 on two ink tanks for my friend who said they only last a couple of weeks.

What did you get?

So, now that Christmas and the other holidays have mostly passed, what did you get for the holidays? Sound off in the comments, we would really like to hear.

The silence is broken

And so after more than seven months of inactivity, the silence is broken. I would like to spend this time to welcome everybody back to Huntertech, and to say Happy Holidays.