HP updated the EliteBook and ProBook series with new devices and its aluminum and Sandy Bridge CPUs all around. Two new EliteBook models, 8460p and 8560p, stand at 14-inch and 15.6-inch respectively and have rugged magnesium-aluminum alloy cases, which meet the MIL-STD 810G requirements.

The two models come with a variety of Sandy Bridge processors (i3, i5 and i7) with up to 16GB of RAM and either integrated graphics or AMD Radeon HD 6470M. For storage, there’s either HDD (up to 750GB) or SSD (up to 160GB).

The 8460p and 8560p offer plenty of USB ports (including two USB 3.0 ports and a eSATA/USB combo) and 3, 6 or 9 cell batteries. HP estimates that the 8460p can go for 32 hours using their Ultra-Capacity Notebook Battery. I will believe that when I see it. The 14-inch model (8460p) weighs 2.07kg and the 15.6-inch model (8560p) weighs 2.73kg. The ProBook series received a trio of new models 6360b (13-inch), 6460b (14-inch) and 6560 (15.6-inch). The cases are made of bead-blasted aluminum and magnesium and the keyboard is spill-resistant.

The three ProBooks have their choice of i3, i5 and i7 processors, up to 16GB of RAM and up to 750GB HDD/160GB SSD. The 13” model (6360b) relies on Intel HD Graphics 3000, while the bigger models can swap it for AMD Radeon HD 6470M.

The 13-inch model comes in at 1.9kg, while the 14-inch and 15.6-inch models weigh 2.02kg and 2.5kg respectively. There are four new s-series ProBooks too, ranging from 12-inch to 17.3-inch with brushed aluminum casings and Core i3, i5, i7 processors.

The Xperia arc, Sony Ericsson latest Android flagship, was recently bumming about being the thinnest smartphone in the world, but the crown has already passed to the ridiculously thin NEC MEDIAS N-04C. As you might guess from the unwieldly name this is a Japanese handset.

More specifically its a DoCoMo handset and it measures just 7.7mm thick. The slim profile still sees it pack in a 4 inch screen, 1seg TV tuner and of course NFC wireless payment options. The handset is running Android 2.2 and it will be available soon. in Japan only I am afraid.

Verizon has just updated its V Cast Android app and the revamped music program now includes multiple ways to purchases music. The new Verizon V Cast Android app now ditches the DRM too, as you can purchase full tracks, ringtones and ringback tones without the restrictions. You’ll be able to purchase the three things individually or as a bundle and there will also be a recommendation button to find similar tracks.

"Verizon Wireless is taking a leap forward with V CAST Music. We are bringing the different kinds of music people love to have on their phones together in one, easy-to-use application, making it easy for customers to get what they want at lower prices" said Greg Haller, vice president, Consumer Solutions for Verizon Wireless, in a prepared statement. "We have added features to V CAST Music that make it simple and more fun to enjoy your favorite music on your phone and with your friends and family."

The Verizon V Cast Android app is available for Android 2.1 devices and above on Big Red and it will be preloaded on many of the carrier devices. This is Big Red latest attempt to augment this platform, as it also has a V Cast Android app store.

Manufacturers of processors and systems on chip became active of late and attack us with their new solutions. Texas Instruments handled the issue with creativity and offered their vision of devices and use scenarios for the second part of 2012 when TI OMAP5 will start featuring in commercial products. To my mind it sounds too revolutionary and I am not sure all their forecasts will come true, but I like the concept in general.

Accenture recently surveyed 1,100 people from 11 different countries that fit under the label of "tech-forwar". Thats someone who uses at least 4 web based services and owns at least 4 internet connected devices; even I do not fit in this category since I have only got 2 laptops and 1 smartphone. When it comes to which countries are the most enthusiastic about mobile payments Asia leads the pack with 69% saying they cannot wait to start using mobile commerce. The exact percentages per country are: China (76%), India (75%), Korea (56%) and Japan (47%). Does not Japan already have the best mobile payments infrastructure in the world? Anyway, outside of Asia the next country most excited about our cellphone wallet future is Brazil, with 70% saying they want it, now. Where does America and Europe sit? All the way on the bottom. If you combine their scores it still only reaches a 26% level of interest. One thing that sprang up across the globe was the risk of privacy breaches and identity theft: about 73% of all people surveyed said they are scared about the potential downsides that come from mobile payments.

Best part about this survey are the responses people gave as to who should be responsible for handling transactions: 59% said it would be done by existing credit card companies, 54% said wireless operators, 52% said software companies, 52% said large store chains and device makers are at the bottom with 48%. In other words, people want choice. If they want to pair up their device to their Visa, let them. If they’re rather use a service made by Apple or Google, fine. If they want to stop by their local grocery store and top up their account every once in a while, that’s good too. In much the same way we all carry multiple cards in our wallets, it looks like people want to adopt the same behavior on their mobile device.