Lenovo has stirred up the mobile device market, launching its first smartbook--another mobile device category that is a cross between a netbook and smartphone but without calling functions.

The device, called Skylight, weighs 1.95 pounds and looks like a netbook with a 10.6-inch screen and compact keyboard, but it costs less and is designed for users that want plain access to the Internet without computer functionality, Ninis Samuel, marketing director at Lenovo told ComputerWeek.

The device is based on Qualcomm's Arm-based Snapdragon processor and offers 10 hours of battery life and includes 3G mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity. Smartbooks are supposed to fill a need for consumers that like the simplicity of smartphones in the form of a PC device, Samuel said.

The smartbook will be available this spring for $499 in the United States, with discounted pricing available with the purchase of a 3G data plan through AT&T.

"To match that demand and growth, the consumers want innovative devices that can connect to the Internet and multimedia on the go," Samuel said. The device is expected to be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show, which is starting Jan. 7.

For more:
- see this ComputerWeek article

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