Gedoubleu Tech News

Let It Snow This Jolly Season

2011-12-24T12:55:00.000+08:00

Wishing for a white christmas your entire life like us in Malaysia? An article on The Star wrote that Malaysians are fascinated by snow. Head on to Youtube and give the snowflake button a click this holiday season. Not all videos are having this button though. Head past the break for a Nokia Purity Unboxing Video with snow. Merry Christmas everyone!

Ice Cream Sandwich ROM comes to HTC Sensation. Rooting unavoidable.

2011-12-22T19:52:00.001+08:00

Want a taste of Android latest dessert Ice-Cream Sandwich on your HTC Sensation, here it is in the form of a custom ROM. The ROM comes skinned with the ever-so-popular Sense UI at its latest release Sense 3.5 which somewhat covers up all the visual candies ICS has for us. Face Unlock is among the many new features working in this ROM. Since this is still in its beta stage, don't expect things to be sunshine and roses while using this ROM. You may download the ROM and other required files at the XDA thread. Head on past the break for some screen shots.

HTC Sensation SLCD manufactured by 2 companies

2011-11-18T07:01:00.001+08:00

The SLCD displays on the HTC Sensation are manufactured by 2 companies namely Sharp and Acer. The latter was commonly found in many HTC Sensation, which is also suspected to have manufacturing defects which lead to the infamous dust under the screen problem. However, the Acer display gives a whiter white than the Sharp display. It also maintain the colour when viewed at an angle. Many HTC Sensation which has been sent in to HTC for a screen replacement to fix the dust problem had their screens replaced with Sharp displays. The move to Sharp displays may probably solve the dust issue. There are also noticeable improvement in contrast and flickering when compared to Acer's. Severe flickering as seen on Acer displays are not present in Sharp displays. However, do note that the Sharp display has a serious colour shift when viewed at an angle. The display suffers a great yellow tint when viewed at an angle and the white is more yellowish compared to Acer's. Head on past the break for more info and the workaround to adjust the colour on Sharp's SLCD.

Acer SLCD
Benefits:

Whiter white (personal preference)
Only slight pinkish tint when viewed at an angle

Disadvantages:

Most likely the reason for dust problem
Lower contrast compared to Sharp
Text flickering is severe especially when white text on black
Ghosting is said to occur as well
Said to have pixelation issues

Sharp SLCD

Benefits:

Warmer white (personal preference)
~~Higher contrast~~ Mixed reactions. Some say Acer has better blacks while some say Sharp does it better
Text flickering is minimal or does not occur at all
Said to be sharper

Disadvantages:

Colours are overly warm which makes white looks like yellow
Severe fluorescence yellow tint when viewed at an angle
On our unit particularly, a touchscreen issue occured after having been replaced

To check which display you have, download Terminal Emulator (Free from Market) and key in dmesg

Look for the line: Panel Type = PANEL_ID_PYD_

Whereby AUO means Acer and SHARP means Sharp.

For people with the Sharp SLCD and wants a cooler colour tone, download

Screen Adjuster 1.6

and increase the blue value for your display. This should improve the yellowing issue.

Images courtesy of Patrick Hill (graffixnyc of XDA Forum)

Samsung Galaxy Note Lands on Malaysia

2011-11-11T08:59:00.001+08:00

Celcom is offering the Samsung Galaxy Note now with a price as low as RM1368 with an 18-month contract. Grab yours now from any Samsung Elite Partner Stores, Celcom or Digi outlet. The first 100 to buy from Pavilion (near Esprit), Kuala Lumpur will get a free Galaxy Note Cover with Swarovski crystals. To people living in the far north or south, head on to Queensbay Mall (South Side), Penang or Aeon Tebrau (near Harris Bookstore), Johor Bahru respectively to get the Cover with Swarovski crystals if you are the first 50 buyer. Do note that the first 9999 Galaxy Note buyer through Samsung Elite Partner Stores, Celcom and Digi outlets will be given a complimentary Galaxy note Leather Flip Cover.

HTC Sensation XL has arrived on Malaysian shores

2011-11-10T22:15:00.002+08:00

With the announcement of HTC teaming up with Beats Audio earlier this year, HTC Sensation XE have been launched with strong emphasis on audio capabilities and a faster processor coupled with a Beats earphone. HTC Sensation XL was announced during October this year. While it does pack a larger 4.7-inch screen over the Sensation, the hardware specs are lower witha single-core processor, no memory card slot and lower WVGA resolution. The Sensation XL comes out-of-the box with Sense UI 3.5. UPDATE: And it's confirmed to be available in HTC Retail Stores at a recommended retail price of RM2099. For those of you who're planning to sign a contract, Digi is offering the device from as low as RM1399 if you sign for a 2-year contract at RM48 per month.

HTC Edge: First Quad-Core Phone

2011-11-08T11:37:00.003+08:00

4.7 inches. 720p resolution. 8 megapixel camera with f/2.2 aperture. Beats audio. Sounds good? But the best feature has to be the Tegra 3 supposedly powering this beast. Four 1.5 GHz cores which is double the core count of current generation smartphones. Whether it offers double the performance remains to be seen.

Android version is currently unconfirmed but it might come with Gingerbread considering that Ice Cream Sandwich has no need for the capacitive keys at the bottom. But HTC has promised to bring Ice Cream Sandwich as an upgrade to users soon.

We can expect to see this beast arriving in the 1st half of 2012.

SOURCE: Pocketnow

7 Apps to Metro"lise" Your Android Device

2011-11-05T19:49:00.001+08:00

Let's face it. The Metro UI of the Windows Phone is one of the simplest and slickest interface. However, it's mostly a love it or hate it situation for everyone. Android lover will criticise the lack of home screens and widgets. The lack of apps is another reason users does not opt for a Windows Phone. But what if we get the best of both world. Let's say, we have the vast amount of over 250000 apps offered in the Android market and the simple and slick Metro UI. Read on to find out just how you can do that in some short simple steps.

The first and most important is of course the 7 Launcher which replaces the stock launcher on your Android.

Next up is to replace those Android lock screen to a WP7 style lock screen. We have WP7Lock Lite to do just that.

Photo Safari Lite is the WP7 look-alike photo gallery app. Even though it's long past Beta, this app crashed a few times on the HTC Sensation we tested in. The app runs just fine on our Samsung Galaxy S II though. Let's just blame qHD resolution on the HTC Sensation for this one.

How can we live without a music player right? UberMusic does just that but it cost $3.49 from the Market. The default skin is in some ways look like the player on WP7 devices but to push that identical level up a notch, you may download Metro UberMusic Skin from the Market for free.

WP7 Dialer Lite does the job of replacing your stock dialer app. It of course have a WP7-ish interface and also have a smart dial feature. For devices with qHD display, the dial pad may be a little off grid but nothing serious, just not utilising the full screen estate.

Messaging Metro Beta is the app to replace your stock messaging app. While it gives you the aesthetic Metro look, be reminded that this app is still in beta, so expect to hit some error message from time to time.

Well, how can we live without our email client right? WP7 Email does a decent job to retrieve and send your emails. It supports IMAP, POP3, and EXCHANGE clients. Currently in its first version release, do expect some bugs as well.

That's seven apps in total but let's just add some extras to this. We can't get enough of these Metro goodness.
You can have a Metro-like keyboard by purchasing Smart Keyboard PRO at $2.75 from the Market. Subsequently, download Windows Phone 7 Skin from the Market and you get a nice Metro-styled keyboard. Hope you guys enjoy your WP7 look-alike device. Surprisingly, this isn't just a show-off thing, it's practically a workable replacement. Well, thank the flexibility of Android OS. Summary of the apps below.

7 Launcher
WP7Lock Lite
Photo Safari Lite
UberMusic with Metro UberMusic Skin
WP7 Dialer Lite
Messaging Metro Beta
WP7 Email
Smart Keyboard PRO with Windows Phone 7 Skin

Sony Ericsson : Android 2.3.4 Update "Gesture Input"

2011-11-03T20:24:00.002+08:00

As most of us know, Sony Ericsson released the Gingerbread 2.3.4 update way later than other manufacturers. The update will be available for all unlocked phones and most operator variants but there will be local deviations. There are also some deviations on feature upgrade depending on phone model. Google Talk video chat will only be available for phones with front facing camera. Xperia™ PLAY will not get 3D panorama sweep but it will get HD video recording and the other goodies below. Most phones released this year comes with Android 2.3.4 out of the box.

Among the highlights of the update are:

Google Talk with Video Chat for smartphones with front-facing cameras
Updated Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality for enhanced like, share and discover abilities.
Xperia™ smartphones introducing world’s first 3D Sweep Panorama functionality powered by Sony.
16x video zoom
The software upgrade will enable consumers to turn their Xperia™ smartphone into a mini-mobile PC by connecting USB peripherals (mouse, keyboard or game controller) to Sony Ericsson LiveDock™ multimedia station. Connect the smartphone to a TV via HDMI to get a big screen experience.
Gesture input – text input by swiping the finger from one letter to the next
WiFi DLNA
Screen capture – allows the user to share a screen grab from anywhere in the phone.

Does the highlighted feature ring a bell? Sounds like Swype right? You can judge for yourself after the break.

Oh well, built in Swype under a different name.

SOURCE: Sony Ericsson

Nokia 600: Axed before Birth

2011-11-03T20:01:00.004+08:00

Remember that there was a third Symbian Belle smartphone that was announced along with the Nokia 700 and 701? Nokia obviously cancelled the Nokia 600 and is determined to pretending that it never happened.

Nokia 600 was announced in August and was expected to hit the shelves before Q3 ended, but that obviously never happened. We got no official comment from Nokia about the delay and now it appears that the phone has been cancelled.

All pages dedicated to the Belle-running Nokia 600 are now gone from the Nokia servers and even the Nokia developer website has no mention of it. Videos, featuring the Nokia 600 have been removed from the Nokia YouTube channels and if we hadn't actually seen the announcement we'd really be inclined to believe that the phone never existed.

It could be that there were some issues with its mass production or that the Finns want to focus more of your attention to their WP-running Lumia smartphones. Could also be so that it will not compete with the Nokia 500. Either way, if you had your sight set on the Nokia 600 you'll need to move along and find another device that suits your needs.

More pictures of this not-to-be phone after the break.

SOURCE : GSMArena

Nokia Purity, Listen to the purest music

2011-10-27T12:35:00.002+08:00

HTC partnered with Beats Audio aiming to provide a better audio experience to users. Nokia have chosen to partner with Monster to produce a new line of headphones and earbuds named Nokia Purity. They come in many colours as what you would expect from the Finnish company. The design is pure with minimal nonsense as what the name Purity suggest. Nokia Purity line supports Windows Phone with Media Playback and Volume controls and supports hands-free calls. No local pricing details known at the moment.

Nokia Lumia 710 lighting up the future of Nokia alongside the Lumia 800 UPDATE : No microSD slot

2011-10-26T18:42:00.004+08:00

The Nokia Lumia 710 is announced alongside the Nokia Lumia 800. It packs the same 1.4Ghz spotted in the Lumia 800 but with a smaller 3.7-inch screen and a 5mpx sensor instead of 8mpx. Lumia 710 offers 5 interchangeable back covers, black, white, cyan, fuchsia and yellow delighting the lively people. The phone comes in either black or white. The Lumia 710 is priced at €210 (RM910), definitely a deal since it's packing the same punch as the Lumia 800. Head past the break for specs video and pictures.

Key specifications
- Qualcomm MSM8255 1.4Ghz single-core processor
- 512mb RAM
- 8 GB internal memory ~~with~~ without micro-SD support
- 3.7-inch 800x480 pixels Clear Black Display
- 5-megapixel F2.4 auto-focus camera with LED flash and 4x digital zoom
- 720p video recording at 30fps
- 1300mAh BP-3L battery
- Micro-SIM

The First Real Windows Phone : Nokia Lumia 800

2011-10-26T18:23:00.003+08:00

Nokia announced the first Windows Phone device through the partnership of Nokia and Microsoft during Nokia World at London, the Nokia Lumia 800. It looks identical to the Maemo Harmattan-based Nokia N9, spotting a similarly sized 3.9 inch Clear Black Display. The Lumia 800 packs a 1.4Ghz single core processor with graphics hardware-accceleration to give that smooth user experience. The Nokia Lumia 800 is priced at €420 (RM1820)

Maxis Malaysia to offer Samsung Galaxy S II at RM799 for the first 300 customers

2011-06-19T21:30:00.001+08:00

An advertisement was on today's copy of The Star paper. Maxis is offering the first 300 customers the all new Dual-Core Samsung Galaxy S II at a promotion price of only RM799. The offer will be held on 22nd June at Midvalley Megamall Centre Court Concourse area. While this seems like a pretty good deal, there're terms behind it. However, nothing is shown in Maxis website. Apparently, customers wishing to get at this price will have to sign up to a minimum voice plan of RM80 coupled with 3GB monthly internet at RM88 for a contract period of 24 months. The above promotion price is offered during the press launch at 3pm. Make sure you head down to Midvalley Megamall to be among the first to grab this mighty beast at such a low price considering you actually want the plan.

Anonymous to hack Malaysia government website

2011-06-15T17:13:00.000+08:00

Anonymous to aim at Malaysia Government Website for executing act of censorship on filesharing sites. Video after the break.

Asus shipping 300,000 Eee Pad Transformers following closely behind the iPad

2011-06-14T13:22:00.000+08:00

While many of you may be enjoying iPad 2, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer has made quite an impression for the Android fans in the tablet segment. Besides having the unique keyboard dock, it contains nothing less than what you would expect from current tablet. Packing a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, it's undeniably at top notch in terms of hardware specifications. One thing Asustek didn't quite succeeded is to sustain the market demand with enough supply. Shortage of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer is happening al around the globe. This may well be thought to be an unexpectedly high demand but according to Softpedia, Asustek managed to ship only 10,000 units of these lovely gadget instead of the supposedly 300,000 units in the month of May due to component shortage. Jerry Shen, CEO of Asustek says that he expects to sell 300,000 of these devices this month, totalling with 400,000 units ship in April and May to be the second most shipped tablet tailing the iPad 2. Let's just hope they solve the component shortage for such demands.

SOURCE Softpedia, Taiwan Economic News

T Mobile : Angry Birds Live

2011-06-12T17:01:00.000+08:00

Live-sized Angry Birds at Barcelona. Complete with real shooting birds and exploding pigs!

SOURCE YouTube

Review : 1Malaysia Netbook

2011-06-03T10:49:00.003+08:00

The government has started a scheme offering netbooks to families with incomes of below RM3000. It is purposed to help recipients study smarter. Wonder how these netbooks are of help since it comes with no educational software whatsoever. The only productivity softwares found pre-installed on these netbooks are Microsoft Word and Excel. Other than the two mentioned, you're practically looking at an empty copy of Windows.

Recipient must also subscribe to broadband or have a pre-existing broadband connection. The minimum required is a Streamyx Zone ID, which will cost RM25/month. The broadband package offered is RM60 per month, with free WiFi modem as well. Hey, thought this scheme was for families with low income and they are expecting us to fork out extra money? Considering that it has nothing inside that is of help to studies except Word and Excel, at least with an internet connection, the students can stay on WikiPedia and read up or of course reroute to Facebook at times.

Okay let's get on to the review after the break.

A 1Malaysia netbook came in last Tuesday, when top politicians came and gave a speech which was a plain waste of time.

The netbook received is a Malaysia made, SMART Aurora Lite. However, the user manual suggests it is just a re-branded China netbook. See for yourself.

I wouldn't want to believe this is the work of Malaysians. Maybe these guys were half-drunk when they wrote the manual.

On to serious business now.

Powered by an Intel Atom N455, I didn't look up to it. Being used to mid-range desktops, the performance of a low-power mobile processor scare me a little. Well, at least it was given free. Specs are listed on a sticker. The box was plain blank. No specs or anything you expect from packaging of consumer electronics were of sight..

DESIGN

It comes in pure black with a 1Malaysia emblem on the lid.

And this is after having spent some hard time peeling the sticker off. Hey, it has the look of those notebooks corporates use from IBM or Lenovo. Plain black & sleek, the curves of the netbook are also very nice, but it will not stand out of the crowd.

The battery is rounded to conform with the ends. The ends have a nice metal touch to it. That is about all the shiny goodness you can find on this netbook.

USER INTERFACE

The keyboard of this netbook is pretty nice, comparable to most notebook keyboards tried. Even when compared to my current Pleomax keyboard, it is also quite nice to type on. Once you get the hang of it, you can should be able to type with ease. However, the panel below the keyboard flexes when the keys are pressed. That due to the thin material used.

The touchpad is not very sensitive. The scrollbar works rather erratically. There is also no multi-touch support. The surface is matte and smooth. Stick to a mouse whenever possible cause it spoils the joy of using it when you use the touchpad.

I/O PORTS

There are 3 USB ports, one VGA output port, a microphone port and a headphone port, as well as an SD card reader. There is also a LAN port which will be rarely used due to the WiFi capabilities.

In this unit, the headphone port no longer works. Definitely not a widespread problem as units received by other people works just fine.

DISPLAY/AUDIO

The display is a glossy 10" LCD with a 1024x600 resolution. Nothing to shout about considering all the IPS display and high PPI you get these days but it is clear enough for normal usage.

As you can see, lots of lights are reflected. Irritating when the display is showing something dark. The display also has poor vertical viewing angle, shifting from bright to dark when you view it from different angles. What do you expect from a display with no IPS right?

The stereo speakers are placed on the underside of the front edge of the lower half of the netbook. The sound quality is so-so but they are LOUD.

BATTERY/PERFORMANCE

The battery doesn't last very long. Being a 3-cell battery, it can only last about 2 hours on regular usage. I have not tested the battery performance fully because I always use it with the supplied adaptor/charger.

The performance is to be expected from an Intel Atom netbook. Have a look at the Windows Experience Index of this netbook.

Angry Birds for PC and Plants vs Zombies 2 are playable on this system. What suprised me was that Super Dancer Online (SDO) is also playable, although with a little lagginess when the action picks up.

CONCLUSION

It will definitely be enough for any work-related task that need to be performed by a student, unless he needs it for image editing for school projects. It is well worth it and I hope the recipients will make full use of this netbook to enhance their studies.

Apple testing A5-packing MacBook Air?

2011-05-29T11:45:00.000+08:00

We've seen it put its processing power behind the iPad 2 and heard rumors of its presence in the upcoming fifth-gen iPhone, but could Apple really be considering putting its mobile-minded A5 processor in a MacBook Air? According to Japanese website, Macotakara, a trial of the ARM chip is already underway. Apple's reportedly been experimenting with a Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Air with the A5 on board, and "according to someone who has seen a model running with [Apple's] A5 processor, the performance is better than had been thought." Two weeks ago, we reported on rumors that the upcoming MacBook Air refresh could be on its way as early as next month, featuring Intel's Sandy Bridge 17W mobile processors -- a claim we'd say could hold water. Of course, this information has trickled a ways down the grapevine, and the presence of an A5-packing test vehicle doesn't mean much anyway, but you can consider our interest piqued, regardless.

VIA CNET

SOURCE Macotakara

Nokia using ads to go straight against Apple iOS devices

2011-05-28T17:41:00.000+08:00

Nokia might be having a downward slope in sales, market share and even its own share value but that does not stop Nokia India from being a little more than loyal to fight back with a strong ad suggesting a direct attack on iOS devices. Nokia suggest that iDoalotmore on Nokia smartphones even if Symbian is moving away from the limelight since the announcement for Nokia to make transitions from Nokia to Windows Phone 7.

SOURCE Nokia India

World's First 64GB MicroSD card unveiled by Kingmax

2011-05-26T17:42:00.000+08:00

The record-setter microSD manufacturer, Kingmax which manufactured the world's first 4GB SD2.0 compliant MicroSD card 4 years back returns with an all new record set to make your multimedia experience unforgettable. Kingmax unveiled the first 64GB micro SDXC having a class 6 rating. While there's still a relatively low number of devices out there supporting this card, you might want to start saving now to get this piece of memory enhance your future devices. No words on when this will be on sale. Now, we can save the 50gb Avatar to our PMP to watch.

SOURCE Kingmax

Glasses free 3D comes to iOS devices through i3D app (video)

2011-05-24T18:45:00.001+08:00

i3D is a new app that can create a glasses-free 3D display on iDevices, using a technology known as Head-Coupled Perspective (HCP). Developed by the folks from the Engineering Human-Computer Interaction (EHCI) Research Group, HCP uses a front facing camera to track the movements of a user's head, allowing the app to adjust the display accordingly. The result is a monocular 3D screen that creates the illusion of looking into a box. If the concept sounds a little familiar, it could be because Google unveiled a similar headtracking feature for Ice Cream Sandwich during the opening keynote at this month's I/O event. And by "similar" we mean "pretty much the exact same thing." i3D is now available for free in the iTunes Store and runs on the iPad 2, iPhone 4 and fourth generation iPod Touch. You can compare both iOS and Ice Cream Sandwich 3D generators after the break (Google's demo kicks off around the 16:50 mark).

VIA Engadget
SOURCE iTunes

Nokia's Windows Phones will feature dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500, says STMicroelectronics chief

2011-05-20T20:29:00.002+08:00

As you'll no doubt be aware, Qualcomm currently enjoys a stranglehold on processing hardware inside Windows Phone handsets. Its Snapdragon chip stars in both Microsoft's original and updated chassis spec for the platform, but its hegemony may soon be coming to an end. STMicroelectronics (the ST in ST-Ericsson) boss Carlo Bozotti is cited by Forbes as saying that Nokia will use ST-Ericsson hardware to power at least some of its Windows Phones. The dual-core U8500, a long-time Nokia favorite, is touted as the first such system-on-chip to appear, with its successors helping to populate Nokia's expansive WP lineup in 2012. The only intel we've had so far on Nokia's initial handsets for the new OS revolved around Qualcomm-based devices, so even if ST-Ericsson is indeed going to infiltrate the Windows Phone ecosystem, it doesn't look likely to be among the very first Nokias out of the gate. Now, will N9 still get the U8500 since ST Ericsson have proven their point that U8500 will make it in Nokia devices? Let's hope it does.

Nokia N9 with Meego the Ultimate Device?

2011-05-19T20:19:00.000+08:00

We've definitely heard lots of rumors on Nokia N9 since last year. Then E7 was released making us thought N9 leak was a prototype of N9 which will never hit the shelves. We even have words saying that N9 would be running on WP7 instead of Meego. Elop mentioned that N9 has a close to perfection hardware. A couple days back, Nokia N9 hit the FCC, making us all too surprise and yesterday we were teased by the above video having known that N9 comes packed with 12mpx Carl Zeiss. The glimpse of UI we are seeing represent much of Symbian Anna due released soon. Meego Facebook page confirmed it was running Meego though.

What will we be expecting hidden in the N9? Since the rumor has been around since last year when dual-core processors wasn't powering your average smartphone, 1Ghz TI Omap3 was mentioned back then. Intel came into picture having mentioned that an Atom clocked at 1.2Ghz will be equipped. But still, Atom in a phone? Atoms don’t even see to be power efficient enough to run in tablets, and they have more space for batteries. @Addiermedina mentioned in a tweet that N9 will be equipped with Broadcom BCM2763 capable of processing FullHD medias.

ST Ericsson U8500 platform having ARM Cortex A9 coupled with Mali 400 GPU is the next possible candidate. A hint towards the U8500 in the N9 brings the Linaro Wiki: A fast search for “N900″ brings up a lot of hits. Linaro, an open source company which focuses on middleware and low level software, is funded by ST Erricson but not by Broadcom or Intel. These speculation should come clear during the Meego Conference from 23th May to 25th May at San Francisco.

Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab getting Gingerbread update in mid-May

2011-05-16T23:58:00.000+08:00

After encountering a little hitch with its mid-April Gingerbread delivery, Samsung is now ready to boot up Kies for another try. The company has this morning released word that it intends to update its entire Galaxy S family line, starting with models in the UK and Nordic countries from the middle of this month. The rest of the globe, including North America, will follow suit "according to the regional plan." Also benefiting from a Gingerbread upgrade will be the 7-inch Galaxy Tab, which already got a taste of Android 2.3 in Italy, and the company's bevy of budget Galaxy devices, the Ace, Gio, Fit and mini.

SOURCE Engadget

Apple iMac refreshed with latest Quad-Core processors and Thunderbolt

2011-05-03T22:08:00.001+08:00

As we have said in an earlier post, Apple iMac has indeed been refreshed with the latest Sandy Bridge i5 or i7 Quad-Core processors. Prices starts at $1199 for the 21.5-inch model with 2.5Ghz i5 Quad-Core processor. The 21.5-inch iMac features 1920-by-1080 resolution while the 27-inch iMac boasts even greater resolution of 2560-by-1440. Both the 21.5-inch and 27-inch models have IPS displays which offers a stunning viewing angle.

The lowest ranged 21.5-inch is equipped with 512MB AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor while followed by Radeon HD 6770M and with 6970M being equipped in the highest end model.

FaceTime which has been an added feature on iPhone 4, iPod Touch 4th Gen and iPad 2 is now featured on iMac.It has a FaceTime HD camera which is capable of videos up to 2560-by-1600 in pixels.

One other new feature which can never be left out is the added Thunderbolt port on the iMac. You'll be seeing 1 Thunderbolt port on the 21.5-inch model and 2 on the 27-inch model.

On the plus side, we're now given a SDXC card slot which though is not widely used at the moment is great for all future electronics with capacities up to 2TB.

The exterior pretty much looks the same but much has changed with the interior so head on to Apple Store now to get one which ships within 24 hours.

SOURCE Apple

How Barack Obama Found Osama bin Laden

2011-05-03T21:27:00.000+08:00

Thanks to the social media, Osama bin Laden was killed. Now, Foursquare might be the other reason.

SOURCE Facebook (Only In Malaysia)

FREE at Ovi Store!!! Avatar, Spider-Man, H.A.W.X., Assassins Creed, Settlers, Angry Birds Seasons and MORE! All free at Ovi Store right now!

2011-05-03T01:36:00.000+08:00

Today we reported that Angry Birds Rio was Free at the Ovi Store and that possibly Fruit Ninja and Worms HD were free too. For some reason, even more premium titles are appearing FREE for your (legal :p) downloading joy. These are all awesome games, and worth their price (when they weren’t free) but now even more brilliant now that they’re free. Use the Ovi Store app on your phone to search and find the following apps. List after the break.

Avatar
Spider-Man Total Mayhem HD
H.A.W.X HD
Worms HD
Fruit Ninja
GT Racing: Motor Academy HD
Settlers HD
Hero of Sparta
Assassins Creed
Guitar Rock Tour HD
Angry Birds Rio
Angry Birds Seasons

There may be more.
Update: And there are! Cheers folks for the update!

Sims 3 HD
Monopoly Classic HD
Pac-man Championship
Farm Frenzy
Tetris HD

These all appear in addition to the paid version. The icon in Ovi Store has a little yellow gift ribbon on it. I’m not sure what this promotion is, is it some good gesture thing? Timed, unlabelled free trial thing? Ovi Store Hack? What are we celebrating? These all play fine btw.It’s also not the first time Nokia’s given us free premium games. Galaxy on Fire, Rollercoaster, NFS Shift and Real Golf 2011.

SOURCE MyNokiaBlog

Win yourself an iPad 2, Blackberry Bold 3 or iPod Touch by joining The Great ChurpChurp Race

2011-05-03T01:27:00.000+08:00

Are you ready to join The Great ChurpChurp Race? The contest is pretty simple. All you have to do is Share the campaigns in ChurpChurp. Well, of course you have to signup to ChurpChurp before participating in the contest. Stand a chance to win iPad 2, Blackberry Bold 3 or iPod Touch and what's more. There are even 100 movie passes as consolation prizes up for grab. What are you waiting for! Hit the link below to join The Great or should I say AMAZING ChurpChurp Race.

Qualcomm shows off MSM8660's slick video performance on development kit (video)

2011-05-02T17:37:00.001+08:00

If you've been closely tracking the development of Qualcomm's 1.5GHz dual-core MSM8660, you would've already seen AnandTech's impressive set of benchmark results back in early April. But of course, it'd be more convincing to actually see this chipset in action, so Qualcomm's latest videos of its Mobile Development Platform should satisfy your curiosity. As demoed after the break, this Snapdragon's Adreno 220 is seen effortlessly handling in-page HTML5 video streaming, Flash video streaming, and 1080p playback. And as a sideshow, Qualcomm even put its current-gen single-core QSD8255 head-to-head with a rival dual-core chipset -- no doubt a Tegra 2 in an LG Optimus 2x -- and easily won the Flash video contest. All of this might lure you into getting the MDP as your next everyday phone, but here's the bad news: this professional kit will cost you a dear $1,350. So unless you're feeling very generous, you'd probably want to wait for the consumer devices to arrive in the summer -- think EVO 3D, Sensation (with GSM-flavored MSM8260, naturally), Flyer, and TouchPad.

PRESS RELEASE

BSQUARE Announces General Availability of the Next Generation Snapdragon Mobile Development Platform Based on the MSM8660 Processor

New Platform Accelerates Android Application Development

Bellevue, Wash., – April 27, 2011 – BSQUARE Corporation (NASDAQ: BSQR), a leading enabler of smart, connected devices, today announced general availability of the next generation of the SnapdragonTM Mobile Development Platform (MDP) for AndroidTM, a development platform based on Qualcomm's dual-core MSM8660TM Snapdragon processor running speeds of up to 1.5 GHz.

The MSM8660-based Snapdragon MDP provides application developers and device manufacturers with early access to a high-performance platform used to develop, test and optimize Android applications for a wide range of pre-commercial devices. This new generation of the Snapdragon MDP offers developers powerful built-in graphics, power management and other profiling tools, which, when complemented by BSQUARE professional engineering services and TestQuest test automation solutions, enable developers to accelerate time to market for Android applications.

BSQUARE began providing customers with the first-generation Snapdragon MDP, based on the MSM8655TM processor, in December of 2010. This new generation of the Snapdragon MDP, based on the MSM8660 processor, introduces new features, including a dual-core CPU that supports asynchronous architecture and console quality and stereoscopic 3D graphics performance.

As with the MSM8655-based Snapdragon MDP, BSQUARE will also support developers and manufacturers using the MSM8660-based Snapdragon MDP with engineering services, as well as technical support and access to the BSQUARE Knowledge Base, documentation, complimentary tools and Snapdragon MDP software updates. Users of the MSM8660- based Snapdragon MDP can also benefit from the industry-leading TestQuest automated testing solutions from BSQUARE, which support testing of Android solutions and the MSM8660-based Snapdragon MDP.

"The need to accelerate development of high-quality Android applications continues to grow along with the size of the Android market," said John Traynor, vice president of products for BSQUARE. "The MSM8660-based Snapdragon MDP, with a dual core CPU and Adreno® 220 GPU, is one of the fastest development devices currently on the mobile market. When combined with BSQUARE support and services, the MSM8660-based Snapdragon MDP, along with the MSM8655- based Snapdragon MDP, will be key drivers in helping to accelerate the development of innovative applications."

The MSM8660-based Snapdragon MDP, available at www.bsquare.com/qualcomm, includes the MSM8660-based smartphone form-factor with a 3.61″ WVGA responsive multi-touch touch screen display, asynchronous dual-core CPUs running independently at up to 1.5 GHz, Adreno 220 GPU, 13MP rear camera, 1MP front camera, stereo loudspeakers, 1GB of RAM , and 16GB of storage memory. To help developers optimize their applications for Snapdragon platforms, specific tools are also available from Qualcomm including the Adreno Profiler for optimizing 3D graphics performance and the TrepnTM Profiler for optimizing application power usage.

"We are thrilled to work on the next generation of the Snapdragon MDP with BSQUARE," said Tia Cassett, senior director of business development for Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. "The combination of a powerful developer device in the MSM8660-based Snapdragon MDP and support and services from BSQUARE means faster time to market for Android developers."

VIA Engadget, SlashGear
SOURCE Qualcomm

Tactile kiss transmission device finally makes it okay to smooch your computer (video)

2011-05-02T17:28:00.000+08:00

They say the vast majority of communication is done physically rather than verbally, but in the realm of technological advances we seem to have rather neglected the transmission of physical contact. Thankfully, there's always Japan to provide us with off-the-wall innovations, this latest one being a kiss transmission device that will record, relay, and -- if you wish it -- replay your finest tongue gymnastics. It's the height of simplicity at the moment, with a plastic implement taking input from one person's mouth and conveying it to a second box, intended to be gobbled up by the recipient of this techno-affection, who may respond in kind or just sit back and enjoy the thrill of it. The researchers sagely point out that there's more to be done, as the sense of taste, manner of breathing, and moistness of the tongue are all important aspects of a kiss that have yet to be recreated. Once they do get their kiss transmitter to v2.0, however, they envision a pretty neat market for it in reselling kiss replays performed by celebrities. For now, you can see a celeb-free video demo after the break.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE DigInfo

Samsung's Galaxy S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 now rolling out to certain countries

2011-05-02T17:17:00.000+08:00

While Samsung has yet to announce an actual date for its new Galaxy Players in the US, their international counterparts are already heading towards other parts of the world for a head start. The Galaxy S WiFi 4.0 is said to be debuting in Russia followed by other countries, whereas its 5.0 sibling will be launched in Switzerland. In terms of specs, not much has changed since we last saw these 1GHz, DivX-friendly Android PMPs, and yes, they'll still be shipped with Froyo "with a possibility to upgrade to 2.3 Gingerbread." To be frank, we'd rather just go for the beefier Galaxy S II instead.

PRESS RELEASE

Samsung Launches GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0:Smart Mobile Entertainment
- Two different sizes combine greater entertainment opportunities with smartphone-like innovation and app experiences

SEOUL--(Korea Newswire) May 2, 2011 -- Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading provider of Smart Mobile Devices, today launched GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and a fresh addition to its smart player portfolio, the GALAXY S WiFi 5.0.

Each featuring 4" and 5" screen-sizes and delivering the powerful application experiences as the original GALAXY S, the two versions give users an unrivalled entertainment experience through a clear display, a swift 1GHz processor and the Android™ 2.2 "Froyo" platform. The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 will be first available in Russia and will be gradually rolled out in other countries. The GALAXY S WiFi 5.0 will be first available in Switzerland.

"With the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 we're delivering a rich, immersive experience for multimedia enthusiasts." said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung's Mobile Communications Business. "A large, high-quality screen, a world of fun and useful applications and great communications services make this a powerhouse device at an affordable price.

The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 will deliver all the rich smartphone experiences of the GALAXY S smartphone. With video communications via VoIP services and rich video and music entertainment with multi-codec support, the Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 will keep you constantly entertained.

Stunning Performance, Powerful Features

Key Features of the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 include:

- Display: The clear display makes web surfing and multimedia viewing a joy. Keep your lifestyle mobile - enjoy movies, your favourite TV shows, photos and web-browsing anywhere. Samsung's latest mDNIe image engine technology ensures that video and images look stunning.

- Android™ 2.2 "Froyo": The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 feature the Froyo operating system, with a possibility to upgrade to 2.3 Gingerbread.

- Application Customization: With access to over 150,000 apps available on Android Market™, the Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 are fully customizable smart devices. Integrated GPS support further expands the capabilities of the device, letting you benefit from Google's map services and directory applications.

- Google Mobile Services: Enjoy premium Google™ services such as Gmail™, Google Talk™ and YouTube™. Utilize voice recognition technology to search with Google faster than ever on the Internet. Stay plugged into the world with premier Google applications.

- Samsung Social Hub: Your entire social life in your hand. Simultaneously post messages and pictures on Flickr, Facebook, and Twitter using Samsung's Social Hub. The integrated address book provides the ultimate command & control station for the most popular SNS services. Synchronize your personal calendar with friends, family, and the latest events.

- VoIP Voice & Video Calls: The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 utilize cost-effective video and voice communications services. The Qik application allows video chat which can be shared over social network services.

- HD Video & Images: A camera lets you shoot and share your life, capturing high-quality video or still images. The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 support DivX HD, allowing high-definition video playback; Support for various codec standards including MPEG4, H264, DivX, XviD, WMV codecs ensures you can enjoy huge catalogues of content from all over the web.

- Audio excellence: The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 "Smart Player" put entertainment at its core, designed to deliver the best possible audio and video experience. Samsung SoundAlive™ technology provides unrivalled sound quality, with deeper bass and greater tone articulation.

- Enhanced Memory Capability: Packed with generous 8/16 GB memory, plus mircoSD slot and powered by a powerful 1GHz for an industry leading performance, the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 are equipped to handle any user demand.

SOURCE Engadget

Angry Bird found in the wood. (Endangered species)

2011-05-02T17:07:00.000+08:00

SOURCE Switch

The T-Mobile Royal Wedding

2011-05-02T09:49:00.001+08:00

SOURCE Youtube

Motorola promises more Atrix-like laptop docks for future phones

2011-05-02T09:23:00.000+08:00

Motorola's Atrix 4G laptop dock was a seriously sweet concept, which is why we were so disappointed when it failed to pan out. Sounds like Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha is ready to give it another try, though -- on the company's earnings results call this past week, he told investors that Moto is planning a whole series of Lapdock devices in the second half of the year:

You will see multiple devices from us in the second half launching with these capabilities, and we will expand the range of our Lapdock devices so we cover a broader price point, addressing both the enterprise premium tier as well as more consumer tiers.

"We plan on introducing successive iterations of our Webtop software and accessories that incorporate improved productivity tools and multiple price points," he also said, echoing previous promises to include Webtop in all high-end smartphones starting this summer. Perhaps those closely spaced I/O ports on the Droid Bionic and Targa won't go to waste after all? If you simply can't wait, Sanjay claims there's also an official price drop inbound for the Atrix 4G -- AT&T will offer a bundle with the Lapdock and phone for $400 later this month.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE Motorola Mobility

Researchers create two 100 terabit per second optical connections, dare us to torrent something

2011-05-02T09:10:00.000+08:00

Even a woman with a 40 Gbps internet connection might feel a twinge of jealousy at this news -- Japan has successfully tested two separate 100 terabit per second data links that use a single optical fiber to carry their loads. New Scientist reports that NEC scholars stuffed the light from 370 lasers into 165 kilometers of fiber to achieve a speed of 101.7 Tbps, while NICT researchers set a new record of 109 Tbps using a special fiber with seven cores to manage the trick. We imagine that Alcatel-Lucent and NTT aren't sitting still. Not that we really care who has the fastest fiber... just so long as one end leads to our house.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE New Scientist

Gigabyte's S1080 Windows tablet undressed by the FCC

2011-05-01T22:07:00.001+08:00

Looks like Gigabyte's S1080 tablet, which landed in Taiwan earlier this month, is getting ready to hit shelves here in the US. The 10.1-inch Windows 7 slate stopped by the FCC, where it got cracked open and had its silicon-packed innards exposed for the camera. There's nothing new to glean here -- specs are still the same (dual-core Atom, 320GB hard drive, etcetera) and we haven't heard anything about a much-needed price drop, but if you want a quick peak under the hood, check out the gallery after the break!

VIA Engadget, Wireless Goodness
SOURCE FCC

Video: Suuuperfast barcode scanner for S^3 – Even works EDoF and old S60 – demoed on Nokia N8/E7/N95

2011-05-01T21:48:00.002+08:00

Barcode scanners – nifty little things if you can bother to open the app other than that gimmicky inspired moment when you try it out to see if it actually works. You need to get it in focus though to get the image right. That takes time for the focusing to get it perfect.
Some do some sort of continuous autofocus thing and adjusts by itself. You just have to hold the phone still.
Anyway, basically with this app, the barcode is scanned instantly. Somehow like those barcode scanner guns you’d see in the grocery store/shops etc. In the time it takes to beep, it’s scanned.
Another bigger plus is that it also somehow seems to work for EDoF cameras. The demo specifically mentions working with EDoF, working with different angles so you don’t have to be as precise as the old barcode scanner apps. Video after the break.

The cool thing with barcode scanners is NOT the scanning, but what that information can direct us to. More info on the product, price listings, comparisons, coupons, discounts, business cards, links etc (e.g. QR codes. Used to be a geek thing now being used more and more for promitions. Something like this would be useful as it’s instant, whip out, bam. It seems that mostly a software thing, it could reach a little bit further than NFC for now, which would need more extensive hardware deployment).

SOURCE My Nokia Blog

Leaked Windows 8 builds reveal Windows Store and its logo

2011-05-01T20:43:00.001+08:00

Microsoft is working on something along those lines to deliver in Windows 8. In fact, some of the bits are already in place in the leaked Windows 8 builds which have been shared on private FTP servers and torrent sites around the Web.

As spotted by some Russian enthusiasts who were digging around in the system folders in the Windows 8 Milestone 3 build, a handful of folders exist which confirm the early stages of the Windows Store. On your Windows desktop, the store will be comprised of several components, including a runtime module, service, and licensing client — each of which is called out in a folder name.

The Windows Store logo is also hiding within the Windows 8 files, though it’s just a 24 by 24 pixel .PNG. The above is a photoshop image. It’s fairly consistent with Microsoft’s other logos, with its multiple stacked squares and rounded corners. Two .HTML pages are also nestled away amongst the files, and based on the font used on the error page it’s safe to assume that the Metro design language will once again be front and center in the Windows Store.

SOURCE Geek.com

Apple preparing to introduce Sandy Bridge iMacs early next week

2011-05-01T20:31:00.002+08:00

We will be expecting Apple to deliver a much-needed refresh to its iMac line of all-in-one desktops, adopting Intel's newest family of Core processors, Sandy Bridge and the latest in personal computing I/O technology. Apple Insider have sources saying that Apple plans to introduce the new models on Tuesday, May 3, swapping out the systems' first-gen Core i processors and miniDisplay ports for second-generation Core i chips and the company's new high-speed Thunderbolt port. However, rumors that 2011 would see changes to the iMacs' display panel size and the inclusion of 6000-series AMD Radeon HD chips, could not be confirmed with any degree of certaint. Let us wait for Apple to give us the eye-popping surprise.

SOURCE Apple Insider

Crazy nose stylus lets you use your phone if your hands are busy

2011-05-01T20:22:00.001+08:00

The problem with most touchscreen smartphones is that you need two hands to run them. This weird looking nose stylus solves that problem, by letting you peck away using your nose when your other hand is...uh...preoccupied.

Created by admitted bathtub smartphone user Dominic Wilcox using plaster wrapped around an existing touchscreen stylus, the extended proboscis is long enough to reach the screen at a distance where you can still focus on it.

My problem is that it instantly reminded me of the mask Alex wore in A Clockwork Orange, so imagine how your partner would feel if they came in and saw you wearing this thing. Still, it's not any nuttier than operating your iPhone with a Slim Jim.

I think Wilcox needs a catchy name like The Droog for his creation, then he would have something that would sell. More pictures after the break.

SOURCE DVICE

VIA Gizmodo

Game Over for Incentivized App Downloads

2011-05-01T20:19:00.000+08:00

The business model of incentivized app downloads was recently dealt a death sentence by Apple. Apple said incentivized app downloads were driving inaccurate rankings in the App Store, almost certainly because essentially paying consumers to download apps was a way of gaming a ranking system that used downloads as a key metric. To be fair, there were many quality apps taking advantage of the loophole in the ranking system, but that era has ended. And so have the days of companies making money hand over fist in the incentivized downloads business, better known in the industry as Cost Per Install or CPI.

So how exactly did it work? Say you’re playing a game that offers you virtual currency; the game might ask you to download an advertised application in exchange for virtual credits within that game. You install the app and get your in-game currency. The app gets a new install and pays for that. This quickly generates bursts of installs, immediately boosting an app’s ranking in the app store.

Looks like developers need to look for another loophole to gain ranks now.

SOURCE Tech Crunch

Internet Entrepreneurs Are Like Professional Athletes, They Peak Around 25

2011-05-01T20:13:00.000+08:00

“Consumer Internet entrepreneurs are like pro basketball players,” said a venture capitalist recently while discussing the prospects for a thirty-something founder, “They peak at 25, by 30 they’re usually done.” Why? Because young entrepreneurs are more creative and imaginative, and are willing put 100% of their lives into their startups, he said. “It’s not a guess, this is a data driven observation,” says the VC. However, there are plenty of founders that, like Michael Jordan, can peak way beyond 25 (and the peak basketball age is really probably at least a 27). “Those tend to be the repeat success founders,” he said, “the rules don’t apply to them.”
Should a startup founder be looking to make a name for themselves before they hit 30, or give up?

SOURCE Tech Crunch

Nanocones make solar cells more efficient, sinister looking

2011-05-01T20:06:00.000+08:00

Going green is de rigeur, so the sun is becoming a much-preferred source of power. However, solar cells' inefficient harvesting of helical energies is a major reason they haven't usurped the power of petroleum. Good thing the big brains at Oak Ridge National Labratory are looking to change that with nanocone-based solar technology. The teeny-tiny cones are made of zinc oxide and create "an intrinsic electric field distribution" to improve electrical charge transport within solar cells. We aren't sure what that means, but we do know the prickly-looking design provides a 3.2 percent light-to-power conversion efficiency that's a substantial improvement over the meager 1.8 percent offered by today's flat photovoltaics made of similar materials. That's 80 percent more efficient, and 100 percent more awesome.

VIA Engadget, Physorg
SOURCE ORNL

First Family Views Shuttle Atlantis

2011-05-01T11:46:00.002+08:00

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia, left, Sasha, Mrs. Obama's mother Marian Robinson, astronaut Janet Kavandi and United Space Alliance project lead for thermal protection systems Terry White, walk under the landing gear of the space shuttle Atlantis as they visit Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

SOURCE NASA

Triton 36,000 submarine to plumb ocean's deepest depths, comes in yellow (video)

2011-05-01T09:57:00.003+08:00

Richard Branson's not the only one eager to explore that other 70 percent of the world. Triton Submarines has designed a three-passenger sub able to dive 36,000 feet, reaching the deepest part of the world's oceans. And while Sir Richard envisions a spaceship-like craft, Triton's design evokes old school bathyspheres: it's a glass globe. Of course, water pressure poses a serious engineering challenge when you descend seven miles below the surface -- the last manned sub to reach that depth had only a single, small window made of plexiglass. The current design uses borosilicate glass (like those transparent displays we, um, saw through a while back) that actually grows stronger as depth pressure increases; it took eight months of careful heating and cooling to produce. Assuming the glass holds, it will take about 75 minutes to reach the bottom of the ocean. Anyone considering a test run should check out the PR video after the break, showing Triton's other submarines in action.

VIA Engadget, Slashgear
SOURCE Triton Submarines

I-O Data's HDCA-UT3.0K drive offers USB 3.0 and 3TB of storage

2011-05-01T09:52:00.000+08:00

If you've been on the hunt for the biggest, fastest hard drive around, it seems your options are expanding. I-O Data just introduced the HDCA-UT3.0K external hard drive, which offers USB 3.0 support and 3TB of storage, which, as the company notes, makes it an ideal companion for TVs with a USB recording mode. Struggling to resist the charm of its blue LED and the possibility of owning more storage than you'll ever need? Look for it in mid-May with a price of ¥26,400 ($324).

Royal wedding livestream breaks hearts, records

2011-05-01T09:48:00.000+08:00

No frogs transformed into princes and no wicked stepmothers were vanquished -- not on camera, at least -- but today's royal wedding managed to capture the world's imagination. Thanks to partnerships with CBS, the Associated Press, UK Press Association, and Entertainment Tonight, the marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton broke viewing records on Livestream.com, maxing out at 300,000 simultaneous viewers and a total of "at least 2 million" unique users, according to Max Haot, the site's CEO. We reached out to YouTube and Facebook to see how they did on the streaming front, but neither site has a final tally -- though a Facebook spokesperson did tell us that 6,819,072 people have commented on the wedding in the past 24 hours. We don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but we hear News Corp. has secured the rights to the Royal Divorce -- just in case.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE Mashable

Digi WWWOW Award

2011-04-30T21:44:00.003+08:00

DiGi passionately believes in Internet For All. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, or what your point of views are – The Internet has a place for everyone to be themselves. For the first time in Malaysia, we’re celebrating the Internet with the DiGi WWWOW Awards that is by the people and for the people. The choice is in your hands!

Vote for your favourite online movers and shakers. Think you’re one of them too? Then nominate yourself and stand a chance to win awesome prizes! Head on to WWWOW AWARDS to participate now!

VOTE FOR US NOW
to make Gedoubleu Tech News
an even better blog!

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SOURCE Digi WWWOW Awards

SIM-sized satellites to lift off with Endeavour this afternoon

2011-04-30T17:25:00.001+08:00

They won't be beaming GPS or radio signals back to Earth anytime soon, but these one-inch-square satellites could one day travel to distant planets -- without fuel. Developed over a period of three years by a team of undergraduates at Cornell University, the Sprite chips could eventually be used for communication, flying in clusters like tiny space plankton. After hitching a ride on-board the final space shuttle Endeavour mission this afternoon, the three prototype satellites will be mounted outside the International Space Station, where they'll sit for the next few years, exposed to conditions found only beyond our atmosphere. Perhaps someday we'll even see some "Spprite" KIRFs by the time China's own space station is ready to hit the launchpad in 2020.

PRESS RELEASE

Cornell chips in to final Endeavour

ITHACA, N.Y. – Three prototype Cornell-developed, fingernail-sized satellites – collecting the solar wind's chemistry, radiation and particle-impact data – will be mounted on the International Space Station after the space shuttle Endeavour delivers them on its final flight, which is scheduled to launch at 3:47 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 29.

President Barack Obama and Cornell alumna U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, (D-Ariz.), who has not been seen publicly since the Jan. 8 attack in Tucson, Ariz., plan to attend the launch. The Endeavour crew is led by Commander Mark Kelly, Giffords' husband.

The thin, 1-inch-square chips, named "Sprite," in development for three years in the lab of Mason Peck, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, will be mounted to the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-8) pallet. The pallet will be attached to the space station, exposing the chips to the harsh conditions of space to see how they hold up and transmit data.

Although grapefruit-size satellites have been launched before, they have functioned much like larger satellites. The flight dynamics of a chip satellite are fundamentally different from these larger "CubeSats."

"Their small size allows them to travel like space dust," said Peck. "Blown by solar winds, they can 'sail' to distant locations without fuel. We're actually trying to create a new capability and build it from the ground up. We want to learn what's the bare minimum we can design for communication from space," Peck said.

When the MISSE-8 panel is removed and returned to Earth in a few years, the survival of the prototypes will be assessed.

The trip to space is the result of a phone call about a year ago, when one of Peck's colleagues called to ask if he had anything small that could be ready within a few weeks time to put on the MISSE-8 pallet, as a small patch of space had opened up.

"He didn't know that we had been working on the satellite-on-a-chip program for a long time, and over the next week we put together these prototypes," Peck said.

The three prototypes were built entirely by Cornell undergraduates Zac Manchester '11 and Ryan Zhou '10 and doctoral candidate Justin Atchison '10.

The prototypes are physically identical, but each transmits differently.

"They all emit at the same frequency ... [but] they are different and distinct from each other in ways that we can recognize on the ground," said Peck. "That's very important because it's a pathfinder for something we hope to do in the future. We want to launch a huge number of these things simultaneously but still sort out which is which."

The current prototypes are mostly made of commercial parts, but Peck's group has partnered with Draper Lab in Boston to work on making a more space-ready prototype.

"We're seeing such an explosion in personal electronics ... all these components are super high performance, and they have far outstripped what the aerospace industry has at its disposal," said Peck, noting that these technologies were used on the small satellites.

Cornell, he added, plays a leading role in the field of chip satellites. "We are definitely the first to launch something, and we are the first to be looking at the flight dynamics as a way to enable new ways to explore space," he said.

VIA Engadget, Dvice
SOURCE Cornell Chronicle Online

Formula 1 cars set to go all electric in the pit lane from 2013 onwards, racing purists outraged already

2011-04-30T17:20:00.000+08:00

Formula 1, the pinnacle of gas-powered racing, is more often at odds with the eco-conscious electric car movement than in tune with it, but here's an exception to that rule. The FIA, the sport's governing body, announced back in December of last year a move to a hybrid four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is still on track to be introduced in the 2013 season, and Williams boss Adam Parr has now enlightened us on some of the benefits of the new power setup. Noting that future cars' kinetic energy recovery system will be four times as powerful as on current models, Parr says enough electric juice will be available to power each one-seater through its journey into and out of the pit lane. That would mean that at least for the tame, speed-restricted portions of a race, the F1 gas guzzlers you know and love will be humming along in almost perfect silence while using good old electricity. Unfortunately, it's exactly that lack of vroom vroom that old timers like Bernie Ecclestone and Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo are afraid of, describing the new hybrid stuff as sounding "terrible" and insisting on the sport sticking to its V8 roots. Then again, as Parr says, if you don't move with the times, the times leave you behind.

VIA Engadget, CNET
SOURCE Reuters

Intel touts 50Gbps interconnect by 2015, will make it work with tablets and smartphones too

2011-04-30T17:17:00.000+08:00

Woah there, Mr. Speedy. We've barely caught up with the 10Gbps Thunderbolt interconnect, debuted in the new Macbook Pro, and now Intel's hyperactive researchers are already chattering away about something five times faster. They're promising a new interconnect, ready in four years, that will combine silicon and optical components (a technology called silicon photonics) to pump 50Gbps over distances of up to 100m. That's the sort of speed Intel predicts will be necessary to handle, say, ultra-HD 4k video being streamed between smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes and TVs. Intel insists that poor old Mr. Thunderbolt won't be forced into early retirement, but if we were him we'd be speaking to an employment lawyer right about now.

VIA Engadget, TG Daily
SOURCE IDG News (PC World)

White iPhone 4 thickness creates issue for case makers, owners

2011-04-30T17:14:00.001+08:00

By now you've probably seen the latest spectacle to consume the white iPhone 4: it's thicker than the black model. The image above illustrates the point using a piece of lead from a mechanical pencil. So what, you say, in righteous indignation to a device that shipped ten months late. Well, the size difference creates a potential consumer issue since cases (at least the good ones) are manufactured against the tight tolerances supplied by Apple. We've confirmed ourselves, that an Incase slider that fits a black iPhone 4 just fine has to be forced into place on the new white model. Unfortunately, Apple's own spec page doesn't highlight the change in thickness (measured at 9.5mm by TiPb). Instead it still shows a 9.3mm depth with a tiny disclaimer stating, "Actual size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process." The result is confusion -- will this case fit or won't it? -- which is never a good thing for consumers.

But why is the white iPhone 4 thicker? Phil Schiller mentioned that Apple needed to add extra UV protection among other tweaks, in an attempt to reduce the "unexpected interactions" between the white cover and the internal components. As such, Apple apparently needed to sacrifice some slimness for a better functioning white phone. In the end, we have what looks to be four different size / button configurations that must be considered when purchasing a shrink-wrapped case for your white iPhone 4, black iPhone 4, white Verizon iPhone 4, or black Verizon iPhone 4. Good luck with that.

VIA Engadget
More Coverage Mac Rumours, TiPB

LG's MeeGo smartphone and tablet prototypes to be demonstrated next month

2011-04-30T17:10:00.000+08:00

You may have written off MeeGo handsets after Nokia all but abandoned the OS -- LG hasn't. While the company doesn't have any "definitive plans" to release a MeeGo smartphone commercially yet, LG is willing to show off some ports of MeeGo on multiple prototypes, including tablets and smartphones, at next month's MeeGo conference in San Francisco. With any luck, LG will use the spotlight to announce its intentions, proper like, and make a MeeGo handset running Intel silicon a retail reality in 2011 .

VIA Engadget
SOURCE Meego Experts

Samsung Galaxy S II review

2011-04-29T18:27:00.003+08:00

If you don't already know all about the Samsung Galaxy S II, where have you been the past two months? The successor to one of the most popular Android handsets to date carries a burden of expectation almost as sizable as its 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen. It promises to be thinner, lighter, and faster than the Galaxy S that preceded it, while garnishing Android 2.3.3 with a set of TouchWiz customizations that might actually enhance, rather than hinder, the user experience. As such, the Galaxy S II earns Samsung full marks for ambition, but does this slinky new smartphone live up to its interstellar hype? Continue your read here.

SOURCE Engadget

Ubuntu 11.04 'Natty Narwhal' brings new Unity UI, controversy to the desktop

2011-04-29T07:35:00.000+08:00

It's April, the fourth month of the year, and that means it's time for a new Ubuntu release. (This also true of the tenth month of the year -- those Canonical folks like to keep busy.) Ubuntu 11.04, or Natty Narwhal as the kids are calling it, is here and packing some significant changes from earlier editions of the Linux distro. The most obvious being the arrival of the Unity desktop environment, which was previously relegated to netbooks. It's got integrated search, a combination launcher and taskbar, and app menus that have been moved to the top of the screen à la OS X -- basically it's harvested the best ideas from Apple and Microsoft and splashed a pretty coat of aubergine paint on it. The new UI is not without its detractors and reportedly has some stability issues, but you can always choose "Ubuntu Classic" to stick with Gnome. The update also makes Firefox 4 the default browser and replaces the Rhythmbox music manager with the sleeker and more functional Banshee. Hit up the source link to download the 700MB ISO -- it's free and you can try it without installing, so what's there to lose?

VIA Engadget
SOURCE Ubuntu

Visualized: a Foxconn worker walks into an Apple store...

2011-04-24T20:24:00.000+08:00

... and thinks, "I should ask for another raise."

VIA Engadget

Dell's 10-inch Android and Windows tablets get names, specs, release dates

2011-04-24T20:22:00.000+08:00

Well, well, what have we here? A pair of 10-inch Dell tablets, one running Windows 7 on those fancy new Oak Trail chips from Intel and the other pushing Android 3.0 with a Tegra T25. We already saw these devices leaked in February, but now we have some specs and release dates. The Wintel powered Latitude ST boasts a resolution of 1366 x 768, 2GB of RAM, up to a 128GB SSD, GPS, an accelerometer, both front- and rear-facing cameras, an 8-hour removable battery, and "1080p video output," which we assume means HDMI-out. The Android-flavored Streak Pro opts for a 1200 x 800 panel, but keeps the pair of cameras (and two mics) for video chats, while adding an unspecified mobile broadband radio and slathering Dell's Stage UI on top of Honeycomb (whether or not that's a good thing is purely a matter of taste). Pricing is still up in the air, but the leaked roadmap indicates the Streak Pro will land in June, followed by the Latitude XT3 convertible tablet in July, and the Latitude ST in October.

VIA NetbookNews, Engadget
SOURCE AndroidCentral

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 shows up online, looks freakishly thin

2011-04-24T11:30:00.002+08:00

ThinkPad aficionados mourning the loss of the X300 series of ultraportable laptops might have something mighty fine to look forward to in the near future. A ThinkPad X1 has shown up at Swiss e-tailer Tell IT systems and other online locations, replete with a 2.5GHz Core i5-2520M CPU, a 160GB SSD, a 13.3-inch Gorilla Glass screen, and as you can see above, a profile thin enough to rival the likes of the Samsung Series 9 and Apple MacBook Air. The X1 is said to be 21.5mm thick, so it doesn't quite match those crazy cats, but -- provided we're not looking at an extremely elaborate hoax here -- it'll still be the thinnest ThinkPad by far when it launches. One 8GB stick of RAM, an SDXC card reader, and a 1366 x 768 resolution fill out the list of salient specs, while a price of 2,585 CHF ($2,920 / RM8 789.56) sits alongside a promised delivery date of May 20th on Tell IT's website. You'll find a couple more images of Lenovo's purported new bread slicer after the break.

SOURCE: engadget

2011-04-24T11:06:00.004+08:00

The GigaPan Epic Pro has been privy to the making of some pretty monumental and highly detailed panoramic images, and now the gigapixel gadget is getting an upgrade. The latest firmware update to the robotic camera mount brings even more exposures per position, a "dedicated mirror lock-up" for bulky lenses, and a time display that tells you how long it will take to work its panoramic magic. Among other things, the update also includes a set of new aspect ratios and the ability to take time lapse panoramas. If you're already packing a GigaPan Epic Pro, you can download the update at the source link below for free -- a brand new rig, on the other hand, will set you back a substantial $900 (RM2709.10). That ain't cheap, but there's a reason it's called the GigaPan Epic Pro. Full PR after the break.
AWARD-WINNING GIGAPAN EPIC PRO NOW HAS NEW FEATURES

New Firmware Release Further Empowers DSLRs to Capture High-Res Panoramas

PORTLAND, Ore. – April 22, 2011 – A new version of firmware is available for the awardwinning GigaPan EPIC Pro robotic camera mount. New firmware gives photographers a wider range of functions, including new settings to enhance high dynamic ranges (HDR) imaging.

Customers who purchase the EPIC Pro will receive a free extra battery pack, complimentary with their purchase, for a limited time.

Current EPIC Pro users can download the new firmware to replace the previous version, at no additional charge. The new firmware download is available here.

New firmware features include:
Exposure Bracketing for HDR Capture – Works with your camera's AEB (automatic exposure bracketing) firmware to capture multiple exposures per position. Can exceed the camera firmware's brackets and exposure separation when in 'Bulb' mode.

Dedicated Mirror Lock-up Setting – Helps prevent blurriness in photos when using larger, heavier lenses, where lack of settling is amplified by optical magnification.

Time Display – Displays the hours and minutes it will take the EPIC Pro to capture a panorama, based on your settings. Ideal for time-sensitive shoots, such as events, or when remaining daylight is limited.

Time Lapse Panoramas – Allows you to capture a sequence of panoramas over a set period of time with a new timer.

Additional Aspect Ratios – Provides custom values (0.50:1, 0.55:1... through 2.00:1) in addition to standard values: 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9.

SOURCE: engadget, GigaPan Systems

Mitsubishi i MiEV priced to move, rolls out slowly across US

2011-04-24T10:56:00.002+08:00

Mitsubishi promised a fall 2011 launch for the i MiEV here in the US, and we're happy to report the company is right on schedule -- so long as you live in California, Oregon, Washington, or Hawaii. Those states will be the first to see the subcompact at the dealership this November. The all-electric car will make its debut in the northeastern US by March of next year, with the a nationwide rollout expected by December 2012. The basic ES model will start at $27,990, while the SE demands $29,990 for luxuries like a leather covered steering wheel and "upgrade[d] seating material." Both are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, which could push the price of entry down to just above $20,000 -- making the Mitsubishi i almost as easy on your wallet as it is on the Earth. PR after the break.

2012 Mitsubishi i - At-A-Glance
Thu, Apr 21, 2011

The breakthrough Mitsubishi i is the most affordable 100% electric-powered mass-market production vehicle available in North America. Its net MSRP* after federal tax credit is a very affordable $20,490 for the standard ES model and only $22,490 for the upgrade SE version, making the starting price for the all-new Mitsubishi i several thousand less than other mass produced electric vehicles available in the market.

Powered by Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (MiEV) technology, the rear-wheel drive vehicle's drive system includes a 49 kW (66 bhp) AC synchronous electric motor; an 88 cell, 330V lithium-ion battery pack for a peak storage of 16 kWh; and a single fixed reduction gear transmission. This electric motor is capable of producing its peak torque of 145 lb. ft. almost instantaneously when accelerating from a standstill; the vehicle has a top speed of approximately 80 mph.

This electric vehicle's (EV) shift selector allows the driver to choose between three different drive settings in order to optimize driving fun, increase driving efficiency or to amplify energy recycling from the vehicle's regenerative braking system:

"D"-position
Allows the driver to experience maximum performance as it generates 100% torque in direct response to accelerator input.

"Eco"-position
Helps to reduce the rate of battery consumption to maximize "energy" economy.

"B"-position
Increases the regenerative brake biasing to augment energy recycling (power production is the same as in the "D" position).

The Mitsubishi i can be recharged using three advantageous methods: A 240V/15A Level 2 home EVSE Eaton charging system (estimated charge time from very low battery to full charge – 6 hours; charging method recommended by Mitsubishi), a CHAdeMO Level 3 public quick charging station (estimated charge time from very low battery to 80% full – 30 minutes; requires optional DC charging port available as an option on SE trim level), and through the conventional 120V Level 1 portable charging cable that plugs into a standard wall outlet (estimated charge time from very low battery to full charge – 22.5 hours; included on all Mitsubishi i models),.

The targeted driving range of the Mitsubishi i is a very robust 85 miles/charge (based upon the EPA LA4 city cycle). All Mitsubishi i models come with an 8-year/100,000 mile battery warranty.

The Mitsubishi i may be compact in its overall dimensions, but this EV's clever packaging and design make for very roomy and comfortable accommodations for four adult-size passengers. With its relatively tall roofline, rear-mounted electric motor and battery pack placed safely and securely in a watertight, stainless steel safety cell underneath the floor of the passenger compartment, even the rear passengers will experience an exceptionally satisfying degree of legroom. There's even a small cargo area at the back of the vehicle that is more than capable of carrying numerous bags of groceries or purchases from the local mall. And with the 50/50 rear seats folded flat, the cargo capacity expands greatly, allowing the Mitsubishi i to become the preferred vehicle for weekend trips for bulkier items at a discount warehouse or home improvement retailer.

Comfort and convenience features included on every Mitsubishi i include energy-efficient HVAC systems consisting of an electric manual air conditioner with micron filter and an electric compressor cabin heater, a driver's side heated seat, power windows/mirrors/door locks, a sweet-sounding 4 speaker 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3/WMA playback, auxiliary 12V DC power outlet, 3-spoke steering wheel, floor mats, vehicle security system and the very clever MiEV remote system that allows the battery pack to be charged via timer as well as pre-activating either the air conditioning or heater.

Optional features available on the upgrade SE trim model include a Premium Package ($2790) that includes an HDD navigation system with rearview camera, FUSE Hands-free Link System™ with USB port and handy steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and a DC quick charging port that allows the Mitsubishi i battery pack to be rapidly recharged from one of the many Level 3 chargers that are installed around North America (with more being installed every day) – only 30 minutes to take a very low battery level all the way up to 80% full!

Residents of cold climate regions (ambient temperatures that can drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit) are strongly recommended to take advantage of the very reasonably-priced Cold Zone package ($150) that includes a Li-Ion Battery Warming system and heated outside side mirrors. This package is available on both ES and SE trim levels.

Standard safety features on every Mitsubishi i include anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA); brake override system; Active Stability Control (ASC) and Traction Control Logic (TCL); Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS); and advanced dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS), side air bags and side curtain air bags. Specialized EV-related safety items include a high-voltage cut-off system and an Approaching Vehicle Audible System (AVAS) to help alert pedestrians to the approaching vehicle.

Mitsubishi anticipates an initial rollout of their game-changing EV into its dealership network in California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii by November 2011, followed by the northeastern U.S. market by March 2012 with nationwide availability expected by December 2012.

*Includes federal tax credit of up to $7500. Retail MSRP of ES starts $27,990 and SE starts at $29,990

Key Specifications
Wheelbase: 100.4 in.
Length: 144.8 in.
Height: 63.6 in.
Width: 62.4 in.
Curb weight: 2,595 lbs.

Major Standard Features

145/65 R15 front and 175/60 R15 rear low rolling resistant tires
100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3/WMA playback capability and 4 speakers
On-board recharging system with 120V portable 8 amp charging cable
MiEV remote system (pre-activated air conditioning, heater and timer battery charging)
Front ventilated disc and rear drum brakes with regenerative brake power system
Speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Approaching Vehicle Audio System (AVAS) for alerting pedestrians
Electric manual air conditioning with micron filter
Electric compressor cabin heater
Driver seat heater
Advanced air bag system with dual-stage supplemental front air bags
3-spoke steering wheel
Driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant protection
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and brake override system
Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL)
Tire Pressure monitoring System (TPMS)
High voltage cut-off system
Engine immobilizer anti-theft system
Remote keyless entry
Power windows, locks and mirrors
LED rear combination tail lamps
50/50-split fold-down and recline rear seats
Optional Cold Zone Package, includes Li-Ion battery Warming System, heated outer side mirrors

Mitsubishi i SE adds:

15-in. alloy wheels
360-watt, 8 speaker deluxe audio system
Leather wrap steering wheel and shift knob
Upgrade seating material
Fog lamps with DRL function
Auto on/off headlamps
Silver interior accents
2-tone instrument panel (brown/black)
Passenger vanity mirror
Optional Cold Zone package includes Li-Ion Battery Warming system, heated outer side mirrors
Optional Premium package includes HDD navigation system with rearview camera monitor, FUSE Hands-free Link™ with USB port and steering wheel-mounted audio controls, DC port for quick charger, Li-Ion Battery Warming system, heated outer side mirrors

Sounds very nice to me. When will Malaysians be able to use a EV comfortably? :D

SOURCE : engadget

Ford makes list of the 25 most EV-friendly cities, still likes selling cars to residents elsewhere

2011-04-23T10:37:00.003+08:00

So, you saw a Volt, Leaf, or Focus Electric and were convinced to go green, but are unsure whether your local municipality is as eco-friendly as you are. Well, Ford has done your homework for you (without even demanding your lunch money in return), and identified the "25 Most Electric Vehicle-Ready Cities" in the US. What makes a metropolis worthy of such status in the eyes of the Blue Oval boys? A utilities structure that allows off-peak charging, for starters, plus reduced red tape for getting your EV permits and inspections, incentives for offsetting up-front customer costs, urban plans for charging infrastructure, and EV-friendly city advisory committees. If your town's lacking in those areas, perhaps it's time to give your city counsel a ring -- part of being an eco-warrior is political activism, right? PR's after the break.

Charged up: Ford Pushes for Electric Vehicle-Readiness across the U.S.

Ford is working with cities and utility partners to identify key infrastructure building blocks that will enable metropolitan areas to be EV ready.

Cities across the United States are and can take a variety of steps now to enhance the readiness of their communities for electric vehicle use and customer installation

Ford considers infrastructure development an essential part of making EVs a viable option for consumers as more automotive companies release plug-in vehicles

DEARBORN, Mich., April 13, 2011 – While Ford is gearing up to launch the all-new Focus Electric later this year and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid in 2012, cities around the country also are preparing for the arrival of new electric vehicles. Some of the key actions Ford has identified in working with cities and utility partners include:

Utility rate structure that encourages "off-peak" or nighttime EV charging to minimize demand on the existing electric grid

Streamlined permitting and inspection process to support customer and commercial EV infrastructure installation

Integrated advisory committees that include participation from electric utilities, vehicle manufacturers and dealers, municipalities, EV customers and local coalitions

Urban planning approach to optimize public/commercial EV charge locations

Infrastructure incentives to offset a portion of customer costs for hardware/installation

"As more and more electric vehicles come to market, it's incredibly important that cities develop action plans including infrastructure development and permitting solutions to ensure these vehicles are a viable solution for citizens," said Mike Tinskey, Ford's manager of Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure. "Ford continues outreach with cities across the country to spread best practices and work with multiple partners including local utilities, auto manufacturers, technology companies and others to support a successful integration of electric vehicles."

Ford is working with a growing list of metropolitan areas that are stepping up their EV preparations and infrastructure, including:

Atlanta
Hartford, Conn
Raleigh, N.C

Austin, Texas
Honolulu
Richmond, Va.

Baltimore
Houston
Sacramento, Calif.

Boston
Indianapolis
San Diego

Charlotte, N.C.
Los Angeles
San Francisco Bay Area

Chicago
New York
Seattle

Dallas
Orlando, Fla.
Washington, D.C.

Denver
Phoenix

Detroit
Portland, Ore.

"Our electric grid has plenty of capacity to support electric transportation. The key for local utilities is to offer incentives so EV customers are encouraged to charge during the nighttime hours when plenty of capacity is available," said Tinskey. "Additionally, at a local level, we are encouraged many cities are taking an urban planning approach to public charge station locations – which will result in locations that are used more often and an efficient use of investment dollars. The best cities are learning from others and taking a best practices approach."

Ford is also encouraged by specialized approaches some cities are taking to support electric vehicles. For example, Boston, New York City and Philadelphia are looking into opportunities to promote travel between the cities by electric vehicle. Additionally, each city is hiring an electric vehicle policy coordinator to help improve efficiency of the permitting processes.

The power of choice

Electrification is an important piece of Ford's overall product sustainability strategy. Ford's aggressive strategy includes the launch of five electrified vehicles in North America by 2012 and Europe by 2013. Ford launched the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van in 2010, will launch Focus Electric later this year and will introduce C-MAX Hybrid, a second next-generation lithium-ion battery hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid in 2012. The range of electrified vehicles allows Ford to meet a variety of consumer driving needs.

Wonder when will Kuala Lumpur be listed? LOL

SOURCE: engadget

Gigabyte G1.Sniper X58 review

2011-04-22T20:55:00.003+08:00

In a previous review I already mentioned that the Intel X58 chipset is a gift that keeps on giving, like a Duracell battery that keeps on going. Well, it's not so much the chipset rather then the stuff designed around it that keeps it going.

Two and a half years after its release new products still flood the market based on this chipset and as it seems, it's getting more and more high-end with each motherboard release we receive and test.

I mean you guys read the ASUS rampage III Black edition review not to long ago, and now it's time to go to Gigabyte. They decided to spice up and refresh their X58 series motherboards as well, armed with a snazzy marketing theme they wanted to build something for the true gamer and not so much the uber hardcore overclock -- and that might just work out really well for them.

And with much success, the Killer series was born, with good looks, excellent performance, great overclockability and then in addition to it all extra's, adding a SATA 6G controller, USB 3.0, but also the BigFoot KillerNIC has been integrated into this motherboard, and... Realtek audio? Heck it's been kicked out. There's actually a fully fetched Creative Labs X-Fi (20K2) DSP mounted into the motherboard to bring better audio capability into your PC. All in all it's a very impressive motherboard not only features wise, yet also in terms of sheer design. The motherboard as tested today actually brings back memories of the early X58 motherboards from eVGA styling wise with the black PCB and the green colored PCie slots. And considering these are good memories, heck have a look yourself, meet the Gigabyte G1 Sniper gaming edition motherboard as the design is a sheer class on its own.

SOURCE : guru3d

2011-04-22T17:51:00.002+08:00

Two weeks ago they already brought you a quick overview of the entry level Radeon HD 6450, well guess what ? AMD has more on the table. Three cards are now officially released in the low-end segment, namely the AMD Radeon HD 6670, HD 6570 and 6450.

All small, cute and tiny products that have been released by AMD to address a sizable market.. Products that could be handy for desktop usage and hey now, it might sit mighty fine in a HTPC.

The Radeon HD 6400/6500 and 6600 series addresses the low-level market yet AMD has decided to double the number of stream processors available to the Caicos (6400) core over previous products and Turks for the 6500 and 6600 series. All these cards come with:

Graphics core DirectX® 11
Eyefinity displays Up to 3
Low Board Power
Frame Buffer 512MB-1GB
Memory Type GDDR5/DDR3
Available Display outputs HDMI 1.4, DP 1.2, DVI, VGA.
Form factor Low profile
Thermal Active or Passive cooling

The three low-segment series 6000 cards"

Radeon HD 6450 -- All the graphics card have a 40nm based GPU and start at a very decent 160 SPs, as well as 8 texturing units, 16 Z/Stencil ROP units and 4 color ROP units for the 6450. The clock frequencies will vary based on models, ranging from 625 towards 725 MHz. The card can now be configured with faster GDDR5 memory, AMD is now allowing for up to 1GB of GDDR5 video buffer to be installed that can be clocked between 800MHz and 900MHz. The TDP is 20W for the DDR3 models adn 27 Watt for the GDDR5 models.

Radeon HD 6570 -- All the graphics card have a 40nm based GPU and start at a very decent 480 SPs, as well as 24 texturing units, 32 Z/Stencil ROP units and 8 color ROP units for the 6570. The clock frequencies will be 650 MHz. The card is configured with faster GDDR5 memory or could as well be equipped with DDR3 memory, AMD is now allowing 512 up to 1GB of GDDR5 video buffer to be installed that can be clocked between 800MHz and 900MHz. This card will have a 44W TDP.

Radeon HD 6670 -- All the graphics card have a 40nm based GPU, the transistor count for his model is 716M and is comes with at a very decent 480 SPs, as well as 24 texturing units, 32 Z/Stencil ROP units and 8 color ROP units for the 6670. The clock frequency will be 800 MHz. The card is configured with faster GDDR5 (4000 MHz effective) memory, AMD is now allowing 512 or 1GB of GDDR5 video buffer to be installed allowing it a 64 GB/s bandwidth. This card will have a 66W TDP.

The Radeon HD 6670 is the card we'll briefly review today.

Continue reading at guru3d

SOURCE: guru3d

GeForce ForceWare 270.61 WHQL Released

2011-04-22T17:43:00.002+08:00

This is the first WHQL-certified release from the Release 270 family of drivers (versions 270.xx to 274.xx). You can read more about this family of drivers on GeForce.com.

This driver package supports GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500-series desktop GPUs as well as ION desktop GPUs. This driver package also includes the 3D Vision Controller driver.

Download

ForceWare 270.61 Win 7 Vista 32-bit WHQL
ForceWare 270.61 Win 7 Vista 64-bit WHQL

New in Release 270.61

GPU Support

Adds support for the newly released GeForce GTX 590, GeForce GTX 560 Ti and GeForce GTX 550 Ti GPUs.

Performance

Increases performance for GeForce 400 Series and 500 Series GPUs in several PC games vs. v266.58 WHQL drivers. The following are examples of some of the most significant improvements measured on Windows 7. Results will vary depending on your GPU and system configuration:

GeForce GTX 580:

Up to 516% in Dragon Age 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF Very High, SSAO on)
Up to 326% in Dragon Age 2 (1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF Very High, SSAO on)
Up to 11% in Just Cause 2 (1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF, Concrete Jungle)
Up to 11% in Just Cause 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF, Concrete Jungle)
Up to 7% in Civilization V (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
Up to 6% in Far Cry 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
Up to 5% in Civilization V (SLI 1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
Up to 5% in Left 4 Dead 2 (1920x1200 noAA/AF, Outdoor)
Up to 5% in Left 4 Dead 2 (SLI 2560x1600 4xAA/16xAF, Outdoor)
Up to 4% in H.A.W.X. 2 (SLI 1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
Up to 4% in Mafia 2 (SLI 2560x1600 AA on/16xAF, PhysX = High)

GeForce GTX 560 Ti:

Up to 461% in Dragon Age 2 (SLI 1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF, Very High)
Up to 241% in Dragon Age 2 (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Very High)
Up to 19% in Just Cause 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF, Concrete Jungle)
Up to 13% in Just Cause 2 (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Concrete Jungle)
Up to 6% in Far Cry 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
Up to 5% in Call of Duty: Black Ops (1920x1200 noAA/AF, Jungle Map)
Up to 5% in H.A.W.X. 2 (SLI 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
Up to 4% in Call of Duty: Black Ops (SLI 2560x1600 4xAA/16xAF, Jungle Map)
Up to 4% in Civilization V (1920x1200 noAA/AF, Max settings)
Up to 4% in Left 4 Dead 2 (SLI 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Outdoor)
Up to 4% in Metro 2033 (SLI 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, PhysX on)

SOURCE: guru3d

Razer Hydra motion controller gets summer release, Portal 2 bundle

2011-04-22T17:16:00.004+08:00

Remember the Razer Hydra controller that let you materialize portals with a real electromagnetic orb? Those motion sensing sticks will be available for pre-order in May and will go on sale in June, two months after this week's release of Portal 2, the game it was first demoed with. However, Razer'll still charge you for a copy of the murderous robot game if you want the fancy gizmo, as it's pricing the bundle at $140 -- understandably more expensive that the "below $100" price that it was targeting for the controller alone. Two months is a pretty long time to wait to play the already-available title, and Razer isn't offering any info on a standalone version of the Sixense-based magnetic peripheral. On the upside, though, Joystiq got its hands on a list of compatible titles, which includes 122 games on top of the aforementioned sequel.

The official mini-site at Razer Hydra and the list of supported games here.

SOURCE : engadget

White iPhone 4 used to demo new multitasking, Spotlight search in 'test version' of iOS? (video)

2011-04-19T23:27:00.000+08:00

We've just laid eyes on a video from the prolific leaksters over at Tinhte, who claim they not only have a white iPhone 4 from Apple, but it's one with a "test version" of iOS that nobody else has yet seen. It's difficult to ascertain how legitimate this software is -- it could just be a neatly done jailbreak mod -- but that site has a track record of getting its hands on Apple gear ahead of the pack. With that said, the multitasking menu shown here substitutes the current use of apps' icons to represent them with a visual of each app's open window. You can tap on a window to expand it (replete with animation) to fill the screen or long-press on it to bring up the familiar "x" button for shutting it down. This is all accompanied by a new "Search iPhone" dialog at the very top, which sends you into Spotlight search that looks very much the way it currently does (though it seems to no longer be accessible with a left swipe from the first homescreen as on previous versions of iOS). Jump past the break for the video.

Update: A second video has been uncovered, this one showing that we're looking at a prototype unit and taking us on a tour around its body. A visit to the Settings menu shows a 64GB storage capacity, while app folder creation is also handled a little differently from iOS 4. The presence of the Touch Fighter app on this phone, which Apple built to show off the capabilities of earlier versions of the handset, and other internal-looking software seems to point to this indeed being some form of iOS beta build. Of course, it might not be iOS 5 at all, but simply a never-released version of iOS 4. All we know for sure is that the video's after the break.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE Tinhte

Erase a CD like a boss (video)

2011-04-19T19:08:00.003+08:00

And here we thought that electricity was only good for reanimating monsters. Video after the break.

VIA Engadget, HardOCP
SOURCE Photonicinduction (YouTube)

Panasonic chains Toughbook to a snowmobile, shows signs of life post-torture (video)

2011-04-19T19:02:00.001+08:00

We've never questioned the rigidity of Panasonic's Toughbook line -- after all, we've been shown just how rugged these things are time and time again -- but a new video from the company is just too clever to pass over. Sure, it hardly makes any clearer what's already clear, but just in case you were still having doubts, Panny's Toughbook line is mighty tough. As in, tough enough to survive being towed behind a snowmobile in bitterly cold conditions. Unfortunately, the company only shows the screen lighting up after the ride's done, so there's still the possibility that the keyboard is totally shot -- but hey, props for being alive at all, right? Have a look yourself in the video above.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE YouTube (Panasonic)

Apple spent nearly $5.7b on Samsung parts in 2010, faces 'strong' response to its patent suit

2011-04-19T18:55:00.000+08:00

Want some numerical context to last night's revelation that Apple is suing Samsung Electronics for copying the iPhone and iPad? How does $5.7 billion sound? That's how much Apple spent on buying up parts from Samsung last year, according to the AFP, which cites the Cupertino company as Samsung's second-biggest client after Sony. Given the breadth of Samsung's component manufacturing, these expenditures can and probably do span everything from flash storage and RAM to processing chips to displays. What's fascinating here -- and illustrative of the psychopathic nature of corporations -- is that in spite of this massive interdependency, Apple's lodged a broadly worded patent assault on a major prong of Samsung's business (smartphones and tablets) and now Samsung's been quoted as saying it has "no choice but [to] respond strongly." A company official has apparently expressed the belief that Apple may be infringing on some of Samsung's wireless patents, which means we can probably look forward to another fat batch of papers being submitted to the Northern District of California court. Lovely.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE AFP (Yahoo! News)

HECTOR insect-inspired hexapod walking robot is a smooth operator (video)

2011-04-19T18:53:00.000+08:00

We've seen some rather nightmare-inducing robots inspired by insects, but, once again, the folks at Germany's Bielefeld University have managed to turn something inherently creepy into a rather lighthearted affair. HECTOR, or hexapod cognitive autonomously operating robot, was designed to help its creators understand how exactly real animals manage to move so gracefully. Physically speaking, HECTOR sports six legs, with 18 joints in total, that protrude from an exoskeleton made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Its legs are given a rather life-like range of motion provided by a special set of "elastic joint drives" and a series of "biologically inspired" algorithms, and its exoskeleton can carry a load weighing 30 kilograms -- the robot itself weighs a mere 12 kilograms. What's more, HECTOR's built to learn from its experiences. Okay, so a three foot robotic insect that can carry nearly three times its weight does sound kind of creepy in retrospect, but HECTOR really does have some smooth moves. You can see for yourself in the video after the break.

VIA Gizmag, Engadget
SOURCE Bielefeld University

Fastec's DSLR-sized TS3Cine does 720p at 720fps for $30,000

2011-04-19T18:48:00.002+08:00

For years, consumers have been able to shoot slow-motion videos -- mostly with the help of Casio's line of slightly gimmicky point-and-shoots. But Fastec's TS3Cine aims for a more discerning customer -- the kind of videographer who might spice up a promo or short with some slow-mo action. Unlike Casio's cameras, which cut the resolution to little more than thumbnail-size as you crank the frame rate, the TS3Cine does 720p video at 720fps, and 1280 x 1024 at 500fps. It's only when you further slow down the video (up to 20,000fps) that the image size starts to shrink. This camera also has a badass design, pairing a DSLR-like body with a gargantuan 7-inch WVGA LCD that effectively eliminates the need for an external monitor. Pros have their choice of a C-Mount, F-Mount, and optional SL-Mount, and can upgrade to a 256GB SSD for a cool two grand if the standard 128GB one isn't roomy enough. It also has Gigabit Ethernet and USB ports, HDMI-out, support for an external power source, and a removable battery. Can't afford the $29,900 price tag? If you're in the Boston area, at least, you can rent it for $625 a day, a price that includes a tripod and two batteries -- enough juice for up to six hours of shooting. Head on past the break for a sample video clip and a tour of this beastly camera in action.

VIA Wide Open Camera, Engadget
SOURCE TS3Cine

Redsn0w untethered jailbreak updated for iOS 4.3.2, still no love for iPad 2

2011-04-19T18:39:00.000+08:00

Good news for all iOS jailbreakers: turns out the latest 4.3.2 update is still vulnerable to the same untethered hacking method used by redsn0w for 4.3.1, so Dev-Team's @i0n1c simply had to port his code over to the new kernel to keep the jailbreak alive. As before, the almighty iPad 2 is still not supported here, and ultrasn0w unlockers are reminded to wait for the new PwnageTool release later this week; but the rest of you can go ahead and grab the new tool at the source link.

Update: Eke! Looks like the existing build is causing issues for iPhone owners -- hang tight, we're hearing that a fixed version is on the way!

VIA Engadget
SOURCE Dev-Team

Apple sues Samsung for 'copying' the iPhone and iPad

2011-04-19T18:16:00.000+08:00

Whoa! In the world of big-time lawsuits, this must be just about the biggest. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has sued Samsung Electronics for copying "the look and feel" of its iPad tablet and iPhone smartphone. This relates to the Samsung Galaxy S 4G, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the iPhone 3G / 3GS models, and the slightly less obvious Epic 4G, Nexus S, and Galaxy Tab (presumably the older 7-inch model, since the newer ones aren't out yet) devices. The claim for intellectual property infringement is phrased as follows:

"Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products."

The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of California on Friday and seeks injunctions against Samsung, damages (both actual and punitive), and a finding that the infringement was willful. Lest we forget, the rarest outcome in such legal tussles is for an actual judgment to actually be handed down, so the greatest likelihood is that this will just lead to another round of grudging handshakes and licensing going one way with money going the other way, but still, it's fun to see the big dogs barking at each other.

Another aspect to these proceedings that shouldn't be overlooked is that, on the software front, they boil down to iOS versus Android (again). When Apple calls Samsung uninventive in its user interface, it's talking more about Android's perceived imitation of the iPhone's interface than whatever TouchWiz tweaks Samsung has slapped on top. And hey, if you're going to sue Google indirectly, you can't leave a major player like Samsung outside the courtroom, it just wouldn't be fair.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE Wall Street Journal

Samsung promises a dual-core 2GHz smartphone 'by next year'

2011-04-19T17:54:00.000+08:00

Are you ready for a scorching-fast future? Samsung sure is, as today the Maeli Business Newspaper reports "a high-ranking" company official has disclosed Samsung's intention to deliver a dual-core smartphone that runs at 2GHz. That's 2GHz for each core, not the specious 1GHz multiplied by two mathematics that Sanjay Jha likes to dabble in. ARM already has a dual-core Cortex-A9 design capable of scaling such speed heights, which is most probably the basis on which Samsung is building its future processor on. The report goes on to state that Samsung will consider selling the chips separately, so you wouldn't necessarily have to buy a Samsung-branded handset in order to have what's being described as desktop-class performance in the palm of your hand. Man, just as we prepared one dual-core comparison chart, here comes the next next big thing.

VIA Engadget, Daum.net, Mashables (Yahoo! News)
SOURCE Maeli Business Newspaper

Viewsonic G Tablet gets firmware update with Flash, USB peripheral support

2011-04-18T16:06:00.002+08:00

Viewsonic's G Tablet may not have made much of splash when it debuted last fall, but it's certainly been picking up a bit of steam as of late. A recent price drop brought its cost down to just $280, and hackers have even managed to overclock its processor to 1.4GHz and get it running CyanogenMod 7 to boot. Now Viewsonic itself has given the tablet a further boost, with a new firmware update bringing support for both Flash and USB peripherals, which can apparently also be used with a docking station. The update's of the over-the-air variety, and should be waiting for you if you haven't turned on your G Tablet in the past few days.

SPECIFICATIONS

1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 - Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU
512MB DDR2 memory
2D/3D Graphics processing
HD Video encode and decode
Ultra-low power GeForce GPU
1080p video playback processor
OpenGL ES 2.0
32-bit LP-DDR2, DDR2

More details on the specifications at Viewsonic GTablet

SOURCE: Viewsonic, engadget

NASA animation depicts Curiosity's soft landing on Mars, courtesy of a 'sky crane' (video)

2011-04-14T21:11:00.001+08:00

Sending a rover to a distant planet is no small feat, so we might as well make the landing even more spectacular, right? That's exactly what NASA has in mind for its Curiosity Mars rover, albeit for more practical reasons. Launching in late 2011 and expected to land on Mars in August 2012, this mobile laboratory will see a unique descent after entering the Martian atmosphere: there'll be the usual separation from the heatshield and backshell, but at about 380 seconds into the entry, the rover will be gently lowered down by wire from a "sky crane," as opposed to taking a leap of faith. Once the landing is complete, the hovering sky crane will then detach from the rover and fly off for a dramatic disposal -- let's just hope it won't hit the now-dormant Spirit. See for yourself in the video above.

VIA Space, Engadget
SOURCE NASA

Conceptual 'Fujitsu Lifebook X2' folds into quarters, makes regular notebooks look lame

2011-04-14T20:52:00.001+08:00

Being that doomsday and the robot apocalypse are nearing quickly, now seems an appropriate time to gaze into the future of laptop design, right? Well, maybe those anomalies aren't actually around the corner, but you know us -- we always fancy a warm cup of concept tea. Designer Park Hyun Jin over at Yanko recently posted some renders of the Fujitsu Lifebook X2, a laptop-like invention of his fervent imagination that allows for two orientations thanks to its four folds. The design features a full QWERTY keyboard that can be used when the notebook is folded out in full, as well as a half-folded option with an onscreen keyboard, pictured above. Naturally, we'd love for this concept design to become a reality, but we can't wrap our brains around the seam between the two screens. Well actually, we could probably get used to it.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE Yanko Design

Crysis 2 Review

2011-04-14T19:33:00.002+08:00

One of the most awaited games of 2011, Crysis 2 pits the player against aliens (Cephs) and human soldiers (CELL). Players will play as a one man army with a super suit named Nanosuit 2 in a devastated New York. I have personally played the game and it really looks nice! However many complained of the "watered down graphics" and the lack of DX11 support out from the box. Personally, it is one of the prettiest games I have seen. I can't alt+tab out of the game so I am sorry for the lack of screenshots proving the prettiness of this game. It might be one of the prettiest FPS you can play out there. Even my GTX460 1GB is stressed out even though it supports only DX9. I will take screenshots tomorrow when I play it again.

To read a professional review on all the aspects of the game, please head to Crysis 2 PC review [PCGamer]. To test if your PC will support this game go to http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/ and select Crysis 2 from the drop down menu.

The minimum specifications required is:

OS: XP/Vista/Windows 7

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo with 2Ghz, AMD Athlon 64 x2 2Ghz

2 GB RAM

HDD: 9 GB

DVD ROM: 8x

GPU: NVidia 8800GT 512Mb RAM, ATI 3850HD 512Mb RAM

Audio: DirectX 9.0c

Keyboard, Mouse or Microsoft Xbox360 Controller for Windows

SOURCE: PCGamer, System Requirements Lab, crysis.wikia

2011-04-12T23:46:00.002+08:00

That crazy new 326ppi device that Nokia busted out this morning has finally made contact with our eager hands. The E6 is extremely compact, stainless steel accounts for its back cover and camera bezel, but weight is feathery and general feel in the hand is terrific. You're limited to a 2.46-inch screen, but Nokia's otherwise standard resolution of 640 x 480 looks pretty awesome when squeezed into such dimensions. Check out the gallery of pics below and we'll have video for you soon as well!

Update: Video hands-on can now be found after the break. Let's start off with the headline spec, that 326dpi pixel density. in practical use, it's not resoundingly noticeable, as the UI icons are resized accordingly, but where we expect to really see the benefits of it will be in web browsing, where you'll be able to fit oodles of content on your screen without losing detail. It's not AMOLED like the rest of Nokia's current line, but it's a very high quality LCD, not much of a loss to our eyes. We're still very much liking the size and curvature of the E6, although we noted a touch of UI lag with it as we did with the X7. Symbian, in spite of the update, is still not perfected. That said, you're getting a massive 1500mAh battery, which will be used sparingly by the smaller display and 680MHz CPU. Up to nine hours of video playback are promised, while 720p recording is also available for those keen on making the most of the 8 megapixel camera on the back. Construction is solid, the keyboard feels as good as what you'll be used to on the E72, but the OS still fails to convince. Good thing, then, that Nokia plans to keep updating the software as we move forward.

Click here for E6 hands-on photo gallery on Engadget.

VIA Engadget

JBL ships AirPlay-enabled On Air speaker dock, charges stiff premium for wireless luxury

2011-04-12T20:14:00.001+08:00

It's a familiar face, sure, but there's a key ingredient thrown here that's been lacking on JBL's prior iDevice docks: AirPlay. We're still waiting (and waiting) to see if Apple's going to expand its licensing program to allow third-party vendors the ability to toss in AirPlay video streaming, but for now, JBL's taking advantage of what's out there. The On Air Wireless AirPlay speaker dock -- which is shipping today to Best Buy and Apple Stores after being teased a few weeks ago -- is now good and official, enabling consumers to wirelessly stream their iTunes library from Macs, PCs, iPhones, iPods or iPads right to the dock. Aside from a rather unorthodox design (which should go a long way to dispersing jams in a 360-degree fashion), you'll also find a color LCD, digital FM radio, an inbuilt alarm clock, DSP technology and a proprietary adapter that enables it to be worn as headgear at your next rave. We're guessing that final bit makes the $349.99 price tag entirely more palatable.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE JBL, Best Buy, Apple

P67, X58, And NF200: The Best Platform For CrossFire And SLI

2011-04-12T17:12:00.003+08:00

Most enthusiast swing between buying a Sandy Bridge or Bloomfield processor for gaming, now that the pricing is almost similar. Buying a Bloomfield system opens the route to upgrade to a Gulftown 6-core processor when the prices comes down to reasonable rates while buying a Sandy Bridge setup will enable one to upgrade to the Ivy Bridge architecture later. However, there are pros and cons as in any case involving technology and money spent. The advantages and shortcomings of Intel’s mainstream platforms are well-known to anyone who follows technology. A total of sixteen PCIe 2.0 lanes originating from the CPU reduce latency (good) and total available bandwidth (bad) compared to Intel’s high-end X58 chipset which has up to 36 lanes. Which would be the best choice to spend your hard-earned cash on right now?

An unlocked multiplier on the K-series processors makes overclocking a piece of cake. On the other hand, though, the CPU also only supports two graphics cards for SLI configurations. That's actually a limitation imposed by Nvidia. Technically, P67 enables the processor's 16 lanes and trio of PCIe controllers.

Artificial roadblocks aside, those limitations allow Intel’s high-end X58 chipset to remain a top choice for extreme enthusiasts, given 36 PCIe 2.0 lanes supporting up to four graphics cards in x8 arrangements with four lanes to spare. Too bad unlocked multipliers for that platform are limited to very expensive Extreme Edition CPUs. But even still, overclocking via the base clock gives less expensive processors access to faster interface speeds. And of course, there's the benefit of a triple-channel memory controller, providing up to 50% more bandwidth than any of Intel’s mainstream solutions (even if the advantage is largely academic).

Whether triple-channel memory and twice the base clock can help a 4 GHz Core i7 CPU based on the Bloomfield design (an overclocked Core i7-920) overcome the architectural advancements of a 4 GHz Core i7 processor based on Sandy Bridge (an overclocked Core i7-2600K), and how much of a difference Nvidia’s lane-multiplying NF200 PCIe bridge makes when 16 or 32 lanes aren’t enough. Tom's Hardware seems really determined to find out. Read it all at Tom's Hardware.

SOURCE: Tom's Hardware

Nokia E6 and Nokia X7 Official

2011-04-12T16:53:00.003+08:00

The largest phone manufacturer, Nokia has officially announced two smartphones running the Symbian "Anna" update aimed at different demographics. Welcome the new E6 for the businessman and the X7 for the multimedia addict.

Optimized for Business

The E6 has a VGA resolution on a 2.46-inch display that equates to 326ppi. Talk about pixel density! Nokia's Symbian "Anna" update has found itself a delightful little carrier to market in the new E6. This business-centric device touts awesome battery life, with up to a month of standby time, features both a touchscreen and a portrait QWERTY keyboard, and will be targetting E71 / E72 upgraders, BlackBerry lovers and, evidently, pixel density enthusiasts

Multimedia-centric

The Nokia X7, unfit for a US launch, has finally found a home with Three in the UK. The heavily leaked stainless steel handset runs an updated Symbian^3 "Anna" OS that finally introduces a vastly improved browser and portrait QWERTY with split-view data entry among its 50 new enhancements. Rounding out the specs are an 8 megapixel cam with dual-LED flash, 4-inch OLED ClearBlack display, HD video recording, and 256MB RAM / 1GB ROM with an 8GB memory card tossed in the box. Nokia tells us that the X7 features 720p video recording and a 680MHz CPU -- presumably the same old (and we mean old) ARM 11 proc found in the N8 and E7.

Nokia E6 extends business mobility range and Nokia X7 introduces a new entertainment device for mobile gamers, both using the latest update of Symbian software
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced the Nokia E6 and the Nokia X7, two new smartphones aimed at business people and entertainment enthusiasts respectively. The two devices are the first Nokia smartphones to contain the updated Symbian software, with new icons and usability enhancements such as improved text input, a faster browser and refreshed Ovi Maps.
"We are further strengthening Nokia's smartphone portfolio with these two new devices, both of which offer a more beautiful and intuitive user experience that will soon also be available for the Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia C7 and Nokia C6-01," said Jo Harlow, head of Nokia's Smart Devices business. "With these new products and more Symbian devices and user enhancements coming in the near future, we are confident we can keep existing Nokia smartphone customers engaged, as well as attract new first-time and competitor smartphone users."
Following on from Nokia's highly successful Nokia E71 and Nokia E72 devices, the Nokia E6 is a sleek business smartphone with a full QWERTY keypad and a high resolution touch display. Designed using premium materials such as glass and stainless steel, the device comes in a compact size that makes it easy to use with either one hand or two. The Nokia E6 offers exceptional battery life and the best out-of-the-box Microsoft messaging experience on a business smartphone, including access to Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Communicator Mobile and Microsoft SharePoint.
The Nokia X7 is an entertainment-focused smartphone with a large 4" display ideal for gaming, and an 8 Megapixel camera for capturing pictures and HD-quality video. A distinctively designed device, the Nokia X7 is made from a combination of seamless stainless steel and glass – delivering a solid and durable feel in the hand. The Nokia X7 comes preloaded with the popular Galaxy on Fire and Asphalt 5 HD games.
The Nokia E6 and Nokia X7 are also the first smartphones to contain the complete update of the Symbian software user experience. This update offers a host of usability enhancements, including fresh, new icons, improved text input, a faster internet browsing experience and a refreshed Ovi Maps application with improved search and new public transport routes. The renewed software also offers a strong set of new features aimed at business users in particular, including true enterprise grade security with hardware accelerated encryption, and new e-mail features such as full meeting request support.
In coming months the software update, which is nick-named Symbian Anna, will also be available as standard on newly shipping Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia C7 and Nokia C6-01 devices, as well as available to download on previously purchased models of those same smartphones.
For developers, Symbian Anna greatly enhances the user experience on Nokia smartphones and makes the Qt business opportunity with Nokia even greater. Read more at: http://blogs.forum.nokia.com/blog/nokia-developer-news/
For more details on the Nokia X7 and Nokia E6, please visit: http://events.nokia.com/discover-symbian

SOURCE: engadget (X7), engadget (E6)

Intel Z68 chipset to launch May 8

2011-04-12T16:04:00.003+08:00

Intel’s new Z68 chipset is set to debut on May 8, just in time to commemorate VE Day.

The new chipset is designed with high-end Sandy Bridge processors in mind and it will deliver a few features lacking on P67 and H67 products. The Z68 should deliver improved overclocking performance, as well as support for RST SSD caching and a host of other features geared towards the premium markets.

Basically, Z68 will be the chipset of choice for Sandy Bridge processors and best of all, it shouldn’t end up much pricier than existing 67-series boards.

However for whatever reason it may be, Intel still hasn't provided built-in USB3.0 support, instead allowing third-party manufacturers to add on their own USB3.0 solutions.

The Z68 chipset might also be a better choice for those who feel paranoid about getting "used" motherboards due to cost-saving tactics by motherboard manufacturers who recall the faulty boards, and just replace the faulty chipset of P67/H67 motherboards with new B3 revisions and shipping it out as new boards. For more info on the P67/H67 before B3 revision flaw, visit guru3d.

A preview of Z68 performance: Intel Z68 Express Chipset Preview: SSD Caching And Quick Sync [Tom's Hardware]

SOURCE: Fudzilla, guru3d, Tom's Hardware

World's 1st Carbon Fibre Bluetooth Headset

2011-04-12T15:44:00.003+08:00

The aptly named Carbon by Bluetrek is claimed to be the 1st carbon fibre bluetooth headset. It weighs in at a mere 5.9 grams, touts Bluetooth v3.0 support, and allows for four and a half hours of talk time or five days on standby. For those wanting to match your bluetooth headset with your sporty spoiler on your car, you are welcome to place an order at Bluetrek. For USD70 (RM212), it might just be the thing to fulfill your desire for all things carbon fibre.

Specifications

Talk time : Up to 4.5 hours
Standby time : Up to 5 days
Weight : 5.9 g (0.27 oz)
Size (L x W x T) : 74 x 19 x 20 mm (2.9 x 0.74 x 0.78 inch) (Diameter of carbon fiber tube is 55mm)
Bluetooth specification : V3.0, backward compatible
NoiseLock™ noise cancellation
Multipoint technology
Voice instructions in 3 languages: English, Spanish and Mandarin

Accessories:
1 plastic hook
4 diff size Erogobuds Advance ® earbuds
MicroUSB cable for charging
Removable pen clip
Carrying case

Noted : Sales package contents may vary by country. Specifications are subject to change without notice. The availability of particular products and services may vary by region

SOURCE : Bluetrek , engadget

Ralph Lauren's solar-panel backpack charges your phone in hours, your credit card in seconds

2011-04-12T09:44:00.001+08:00

We're excited to see Ralph Lauren outing its first solar-equipped knapsack as part of its RLX sports line. Four solar cells around back harness the sun's power to generate 3.45 watts -- completely juicing up an iPhone in a purported two-to-three hours, assuming you've got "proper sunlight orientation," of course. Like the optional orange hue (it also comes in black), the sun-sucking cells aren't particularly low profile -- but for $800 don't you want something, uh, recognizable? Still, if you simply must be that guy be sure to hit the source link and don't look back, but for everyone else, might we recommend a portable USB charger for a little less coin?

VIA Complex, Engadget
SOURCE Ralph Lauren

Apple reportedly hires top UK gaming PR execs from Nintendo and Activision

2011-04-12T06:19:00.001+08:00

As you may have noticed, Apple has been more serious about gaming lately that it was even during its Pippin-fueled haze in the mid-1990s, and it's now offering yet more evidence of just how invested it is with a pair of new hires. While the company isn't confirming the move just yet, MCV is reporting that Apple has snatched up Nintendo UK's former head of communications, Rob Saunders, who just left the big N last week and will apparently be focusing on PR for iOS apps at Apple. What's more, he'll reportedly be joined at Apple by former Activision PR director Nick Grange, who's said to be focusing specifically on the iPad -- which, as we've seen, can be a pretty versatile gaming device in its own right.

VIA Apple Insider, Engadget
SOURCE MCV UK

LG shows off 47-inch transparent IPS LCD with multitouch and Full HD resolution (video)

2011-04-11T23:22:00.002+08:00

Where Samsung leads, LG inevitably follows (and vice versa, of course). The Korean electronic arms race has now heated up by an extra few degrees with LG's demo of a crazy new 47-inch display that packs in everything a geek could want: IPS technology, 1080p resolution, multitouch, and some good old transparency... just because. This so-called Window Display is sadly intended for advertisers and other digital signage proprietors, meaning that even if it wasn't still at the concept stage, it likely wouldn't be populating living rooms anyway. Ah well, so long as LG makes sure John Anderton and the precrime unit get one, we'll be happy. Video for the rest of us after the break.

VIA Engadget
SOURCE Oled-Display