Congratulations appear to be in order around the virtual halls of GBM today. Mr. GBM and Mr. Notebooks.com, Xavier Lanier, was just re-awarded the honor of being a Microsoft MVP in the area of Touch/Tablet. I do believe that this is the second year Microsoft has recognized Xavier’s keen insights with the award. That keeps him in the ranks of several other Microsoft MVPs around here.

So, sound off and give Xavier a hearty round of congratulations for his achievement.

Xavier Lanier is Re-Awarded Microsoft MVP for Touch/Tablet is a post by Warner Crocker from Gotta Be Mobile.

It has been far too long since we’ve brought you a GBM Podcast. That’s mostly due to everyone on the team’s hectic schedules in our non-GBM lives, and we apologize to those of you who’ve missed the podcasts. We hope that GBM Podcast #66 gets us back on the right track and that we’ll be able to do them more frequently.

And what better way to get back on the right track than to talk about the big news with one of the men who made the big news about Notebooks.com buying GottaBeMobile.com. So, for GBM Podcast #66, I sit down with Xavier Lanier and give him a chance to tell us a little bit about himself and his background and some of his plans for GBM.

Xavier is a great guy and one heckuva geek, so sit back and enjoy listening to some great conversation about gadgets, Tablet PCs, and all things mobile.   You won’t believe what age he claims he started his geek streak. This is a great way for our readers, listeners and viewers to begin to get to know Xavier.

Check out these links we refer to in the Podcast:

A Microsoft Vision for 2019

And here’s that amazing video Xavier speaks about featuring a 13 month old operating an HP TouchSmart

Download the podcast directly here.

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GBM Podcast #66: Meet Xavier Lanier is a post by Warner Crocker from Gotta Be Mobile.

Hey folks, Rob Bushway and Xavier Lanier here to bring you some exciting news.

Since launching in February 2006, GottaBeMobile.com has become a foremost authority for news, reviews, and commentary in the mobile PC space. In the past three years, we have grown from a site with just two guys and a passion for tablet PCs to an authority in the mobile pc space featuring 8 writers producing a wide array of media content. Needless to say, we have been really busy at GottaBeMobile and are very excited about this next step.

We’re happy to announce that GottaBeMobile.com has been acquired by Notebooks.com, another authority in the mobile computing space. Combined, the two sites will continue to serve millions of mobile technology enthusiasts and buyers.

What this Means for GottaBeMobile.com

GottaBeMobile.com readers can expect to see even more great content from the bloggers you’ve come to count on. GottaBeMobile.com’s founder, Rob Bushway, will now be able to focus on writing and producing content for GottaBeMobile.com, while also freeing up time to focus energies at home.   There will be no major changes to the format or tone of GottaBeMobile.com as the mixture of news, commentary, and reviews has proved successful.   Notebooks.com will continue to invest in GottaBeMobile.com and improve it however its readers and staff see fit. You can expect to see Notebooks.com writers contributing to GottaBeMobile.com from time to time.

Why GottaBeMobile.com/Notebooks.com

It is Notebooks.com’s goal to dramatically expand its reach in 2009. We are in the midst of bringing on more bloggers from writers of all backgrounds, ranging from industry insiders and experts to students and casual users.

GottaBeMobile.com’s stable of award-winning bloggers is second to none and have incredible insight into the ultra-mobile and Tablet PC space. Five of the GottaBeMobile.com bloggers have earned Microsoft MVP awards and all are respected tremendously in the mobile technology community.

Over the past few years, we have come to know and respect each other’s staff and work.

Thank you again for your amazing support of GottaBeMobile.com over the past three years. We are very excited about what the next three years will bring and look forward to blazing the trail right alongside you!

For GottaBeMobile.com and Notebooks.com,

Rob Bushway and Xavier Lanier

GottaBeMobile.com and Notebooks.com Ink a Deal is a post by Rob Bushway from Gotta Be Mobile.

After we posted up video of   Notebooks.com’s Xavier Lanier packing a 6-cell battery for the HP Mini 1000, the netbook world went crazy. There was finally proof that a 6-cell battery battery was available for this popular netbook, and it was finally within grasp.

Now thanks to the folks at HPMiniForums.com and PortableMonkey, there is finally a way to order one – for the whopping price of $153.90!!! Head over to this HP ordering page and look for part number: 517581-001.

via Engadget

HP Mini 1000 6-cell Now Available – for $154! is a post by Rob Bushway from Gotta Be Mobile.

OK, we like to think we travel pretty light and mobile when covering an event like CES 2009. Our good friend and colleague at Notebooks.com, Xavier Lanier, has proven us to be nothing but weak pretenders to the light and mobile crown. Take a look at this video and check out how Xavier carries more gear, batteries, storage, and even a kitchen sink or two in a Scott eVest fleece. Rob, Truc, and I were alternating between astonishment and lust as we watched Xavier unload all he carries with him.

Check out the video after the jump. You will be amazed.

Think about this, Xavier says this saves him carrying a bag on the plane and when asked how he passed through security at the gate he said he had no problem. In my case, they would probably make me unload it all.

I bet you’ll see some GBM team members sporting these vests sometime in the future.

CES 2009: Getting Really, Really Mobile with Xavier from Notebooks.com is a post by Warner Crocker from Gotta Be Mobile.

Comparing notes at CntrStg with fellow blogger Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com, he tipped us to this little gem. Freescale and Pegatron are looking to bring an ARM based Netbook to market priced at $199 to $299. The design is promising eight hours of battery life in a very thin form factor. Xavier tells us he wasn’t expecting much from the form factor until he held it in his hands, but then quickly changed his mind as the device was much thinner than any other Netbook and that it is extremely well built. The current prototype has an 8.9 inch display but that may grow to 10 inches.

The designer for this device is Alain-De Lee, who also designed the look and feel of the Lamborghini special edition notebook. We’ll try to hook up and see if we can get some hands on with this. Thanks, Xavier for the tip. Check out his site for video and more pictures and the press release.

CES 2009: Freescale ARM Based Netbook Targeted at $199 to $299 is a post by Warner Crocker from Gotta Be Mobile.