According to the latest tech chatter, Acer has the MacBook Air in its sights and plans to offer a competitive product in the form of an ultra-thin measuring a scant 1.9 centimeters.

Rumor also has it that Acer plans on cramming one of Intel's next-gen Calpella ULV processors into its upcoming ultra-thin. We're talking about one of Intel's ULV Core i5 or i7 processors here, which would be no small deal. These chips come rated at up to 1.2GHz, but can ramp as high as 1.8GHz and 2.26GHz in Turbo Boost mode, and they also support Hyperthreading.

If this thing comes to fruition, it would offer traditional notebook-like performance in a frame smaller than the company's existing Timeline series.

No other details are yet available, including price or availability.

Image Credit: Acer (Timline notebook displayed)

They say talk is cheap, and thanks to Vodafone, it really is. We mean that literally - the handset maker today announced the release of a pair of ultra low-cost handsets -- Vodafone 150 and Vodafone 250 -- both of which are intended for emerging markets.

"The cost of mobile handsets can be one of the most significant barriers for people in accessing and benefiting from the growing number of socially valuable mobile services. The lives of people who use these phones will be changed and improved as they become part of the mobile society," said Patrick Chomet, Vodafone's Group Director of Terminals.

Vodafone says the 150 will retail unsubsidized for less than $15, while the 250 will cost less than $20. Both phones include a 5-way navigation key, voice and SMS, GSM 900/1800, polyphonic ringontes, vibration, alarm clock, calculator, 2 embedded games, and enough memory to store up to 100 phonebook entries (plus SMS storage). Where the 250 ups the ante over the 150 is in the former's 1.45-inch color screen with 128x128 pixels and FM support. The 150 sports a 1-inch monochrome display with 96x96 pixels and no FM radio.

YouTube Video Demo

Image Credit: Vodafone

Citing un-named "industry sources," news and rumor site DigiTimes says you can expect capacitive touch panels to move into the mainstream as the touch panel of choice for upcoming handsets.

Most of Taiwan's major handset display makers have started producing capacitive touch screens, including Wintek, Sintek Photronic, Cando, Emerging Display Technologies, and Giantplus Technologies.

These aren't just trial runs, either. Sintek plans to kick up production to 24 million capacitive touch panels (3.5-inch equivalents) each month, while Giantplus is on track for volume production with 1 million 3.5-inch equivalents a month by the third quarter of 2010.

For a primer on capacitive vs resistive touch screen technology, see here.

Image Credit: kf12.com

Microsoft's Windows 7 Team sent out an email this morning reminding Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) users that the free ride is almost over.

"While most people who tested Windows 7 have now moved to the final version, some are still running the Release Candidate. If you haven't moved yet, it's time to replace the RC," the Windows 7 Team wrote.

In case you're fuzzy on the dates, here are the ones to remember:

• March 1, 2010: PC's with Windows 7 RC installed will begin shutting down every two hours. Work will not be saved during these shutdowns
• June 1, 2010: Windows 7 RC fully expires

Once June 1 rolls around, you may continue to use the RC in two hour spurts, but you'll also have to tolerate a solid black background with a persistent message on the desktop, as well as periodic notifications alerting you that your copy is no longer genuine.

The good news (for some of you) is it's tax time, so if you're getting a big refund this year, you can add Windows 7 to the list of annual computer upgrades.