1/4/09 - 1/11/09 | technicalupdates

Jan 10, 2009

HP officially launches Firebird with Voodoo DNA

We figured it was destined for a CES release, and HP has confirmed that today's the day. The hotly anticipated Firebird with Voodoo DNA has been properly introduced to the world, and within it will come an Intel Core 2 Quad CPU, twin NVIDIA GeForce 9800S graphics cards in an SLI configuration, hot-swappable 320GB hard drives (two of 'em) and an advanced thermal management system to keep things cool, calm, collected and quiet. As we'd heard, the rig will be available starting on January 9th for as little as $1,799 directly from Voodoo, while those too frightened to hand over their credit card information online can hold tight 'til it hits select retailers (read: best Buy, most likely) on February 1st. Have a look at Rahul Sood and team gloating ad nauseum over this thing just after the break.

ASUS Eee Top ET1602 touchscreen all-in-one gets reviewed

ASUS's touchscreen Eee Top ET1602 all-in-one was certainly adored in a pre-staged way by small children when it launched last month, but Slashgear's taken it for a spin and found that it actually deserves the love. The 15.6-inch resistive touchscreen wasn't on par with the capacitive screen in HP's TouchSmart or the active digitizer in newer tablet PCs, but it did the job, and ASUS's Windows XP "Easy Mode" launcher and bundled touch apps were intuitive and friendly, although certain apps would drop back into XP's mouse-oriented interface at times. Under the hood, the netbook-class 1.6GHz Atom, 1GB of RAM, and GMA950 graphics didn't rock anyone's world, but they managed general browsing and 720p video playback without issue. All in all, it seems like ASUS has built an interesting little AIO for the expected US price of $450 -- now if they'd just start shipping them here, we'd find out for ourselves. Hit the read link for the full review.

HP Firebird 803 tower with VoodooDNA leaked!

We always loved us that Voodoo-designed HP Blackbird 002, but it was certainly a behemoth. Now it looks like the duo are going for a more realistic size -- and hopefully pricepoint -- with the all-new HP Firebird PC 803 that just fell in our lap, a gaming tower which flips the disc drive and most other components on their sides to save on space. The resulting kit seems to have more in common with gaming consoles than desktop PCs in terms of design, with very little configurability or expansion available, but the leaked specs are still quite palatable to the modern PC gamer:

NVIDIA nForce 760i SLI chipset
Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz processor
4GB of RAM
Dual NVIDIA GeForce 9800S cards
Two 320GB SATA drives
Blu-ray
5-in-1 card reader
6 USB, 1 FireWire, 2 eSATA, 1 S/PDIF and 1 DVI dual-link
Bluetooth
802.11n WiFi

To save on space (and heat), the Firebird actually uses an external power supply, but we suppose the included wireless keyboard and mouse should help to make up for that clutter. As you've probably gleaned from the specs, those small form factor 9800S cards aren't going to be putting away the frame rates quite like the cutting edge cards from NVIDIA and AMD, and the seeming lack of expandability makes the (theoretical) up-front cost savings seem a bit less exciting, but for a certain type of gamer the Firebird could be a welcome respite from monstrous, unrealistic and just-as-quickly-outmoded performance towers.
P.S.: Rahul's dubious rant about the boutique gaming industry -- which Voodoo still serves -- makes a lot more sense in this light.

AMD's Phenom II CPU goes on sale online in a curious, quiet fashion

Uh, AMD? We know most of your staffers are probably throwing back a glass of Egg Nog right about now, but you might want to get out something akin to a simple press release acknowledging the release of your dual-core Phenom II processor. For those keeping track, we've now seen the CPU announced via an outlet other than AMD, purchased by a normal citizen without access to AMD's labs and now, for sale on the world wide web. Word has it that the units will start shipping on December 27th, which will probably be prior to an actual confession of their existence in the retail channel by AMD. Not that we're complaining about the distinctly different than usual approach here, but our heads are certainly spinning.

AMD's Phenom goes on a budget with the Athlon X2 7000 series

Hot on the heels of word that the 45nm Phenom II chip is up for grabs, AMD has announced that its 65nm predecessor has been relegated to budget duty. The new Phenom-based Athlon X2 7000 chips are now available, replacing the aged X2 6000 and delivering an affordable HyperTransport bus boost to 3.6GHz, 2MB of L3 cache, but still just 1MB on L2. It's a dual-core processor, unlike the higher-spec Phenoms, and consumes 95-watts. That's a handy drop from the X2 6000's 125-watt rating, but isn't exactly frugal compared to some of AMD's other Phenom offerings. The 2.7GHz X2 7750 black edition is available now in bulk for just under $80, and appears to be retailing for around $90. Meanwhile a paler, cheaper, 2.5GHz version is shipping just for OEMs -- but that shouldn't stop you home builders from finding one if you're really inclined.

AMD intros Athlon X2 chips featuring Phenom design

AMD has introduced new dual-core desktop processors aimed at the value end of the consumer market. Available now, the new Athlon X2 7000 series are the company’s first dual core chips based on its Phenom quad design, which means they have three levels of cache and support the faster HyperTransport 3.0 bus.

The new series comprises the 2.5GHz Athlon X2 7550, which will be available only to system builders, and the 2.7GHz Athlon X2 7750 'Black Edition' with an unlocked multiplier for improved overclocking priced at $79 – check out some benchmarks here. Both processors include 512KB of L2 cache per core and a shared L3 cache of 2 MB. The chips are part of AMD’s latest Cartwheel platform aimed at the budget market, which also includes the AMD 780G chipset and ATI Radeon 3200 integrated graphics.

ASUS debuts 18.4-inch W90 gaming laptop at CES 2009

to span the laps of both you and your lover? ASUS has you covered. Here in the desert, the outfit has introduced a potent 18.4-inch gaming rig with a 1080p panel, twin ATI Got an itch for a gaming laptop that's big enoughmobility radeon HD 4870 X2 GPUs, three RAM slots (a world's first, mind you) stuffed with 6GB of DDR2 memory, a Core 2 Duo processor, a half dozen (seriously) Altec Lansing speakers and a Turbo Gear function that will enable users to overclock the system and boost performance by as much as 25%. A few more configurations are available, including one with a 17-inch panel, an NVIDIA graphics option, dual HDDs, an optional Blu-ray drive and enough ports to put your average desktop to shame.

HP's new Mini 2140 stuffs Atom, larger screen into original form factor

Just when we thought HP had moved on, what with the Mini 1000 getting all the love these days, HP has returned to its original Mini-Note 2100 series of netbooks with the 2140. Supposedly aimed at businesses, the new netbook loses that sluggish VIA C7-M of its predecessors and replaces it with -- you guessed it -- a 1.6GHz Atom processor. There's also a 80GB or 160GB hard drive onboard and a 10-inch screen available in 1366 x 768 and 1024 x 567 resolutions, plus that lovable ExpressCard / 54 slot hasn't gone anywhere, but the machine remains otherwise mostly unchanged. Prices start at $499 for the base model, and OS choices include XP Home / Pro, SuSe Linux, FreeDOS and Windows Vista Home Basic / Premium. The laptop is certainly a nice step up over the Mini 1000, but we sure could use a bit more power under the hood. You know, for business.

HP greets us with 13.3-inch Pavilion dv3 entertainment laptop

While you and HP can argue the rest of the night away about the most accurate moniker for its Pavilion dv2, the dv3 is definitely an ultraportable. The AMD-powered machine comes in a plethora of configurations with CPUs ranging from 2GHz (Athlon X2 QL-62) to 2.4GHz (Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86), ATI's Radeon HD 3200 graphics, up to 8GB of DDR2 RAM, 160/250/320/400GB hard drive choices, WiFi / Bluetooth, a dual-layer DVD burner, gigabit Ethernet, an ExpressCard slot and a satisfactory array of ports including three usb 2.0 sockets, VGA, HDMI, eSATA combo (with a third USB port) and audio in / out. Users can select from a six or nine-cell battery, and there's even an optional fingerprint reader if you're unashamedly paranoid. Interested? It's available today, junior, for $799 and up.

Lenovo's ThinkPad W700ds now really official: starts at $3,663

It's sort of tough to say that Lenovo's ThinkPad W700ds is not yet official, but if you've been scouring the intarwebz for a legitimate press release from the outfit, here's your sign. The dual screen beast is at long last being confirmed by Lenovo, offering up workstation performance along with a 17-inch primary display and a 10-inch secondary slide-out panel. Details about exact configurations are scant, but we are told that prospective buyers will be able to equip theirs with high-end Intel CPUs, optional RAID HDD / SSD setups, NVIDIA Quadro FX graphics, up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, dual-link DVI / Display Port / VGA support, a 7-in-1 card reader, five USB ports, WiFi, optional WiMAX, a smartcard reader and a dual thermal solution to keep it from melting your legs and / or desk. Reportedly, the machine will be available today starting at $3,663, but as of now, it's still nowhere to be found on the firm's US website.

Lenovo debuts three new Y Series midrange laptops

Lenovo has just dropped the dime on its new IdeaPad Y Series notebooks, including the 14-inch Y450, the 15.6-inch Y550 and the 16-inch Y650. All of these guys feature 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen displays, up to 500GB storage, up to 4GB memory, surround sound, optional NVIDIA GFX graphics, a multi-touch touchpad, and facial recognition technology. Additionally, the 16-inch Y650 comes packing JBL speakers and an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts screen brightness levels. And these bad boys are pretty small -- measuring one inch at their thinnest point they weigh a mere 5.6 pounds. Heading out of the gates in March, MSRPs starts at $1,199 for the IdeaPad Y650 and $829 for the IdeaPad Y550 and Y450. Check out the full press release after the break.
"Thin is In" for Consumer PC Design as Lenovo Debuts All-in-One Desktop and 16-inch Laptop
Marks One Year Anniversary with New Collection of Trend-Setting Entertainment-Focused PCs
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – January 5, 2009: Lenovo today announced the latest additions to its Idea brand of personal computers for consumers. The new PCs push the envelope in the pursuit of thinner and more stylish designs, and combine these attributes with unique features like facial recognition and high-definition entertainment technologies to give consumers a computing experience like no other. There are four new IdeaPad laptops – the IdeaPad Y650, the thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptop in its class1, the Y550 and Y430 laptops with a similar family design to the Y650, and the thinnest all-in-one desktop PC, the IdeaCentre A600. With the explosive growth of social networking, Lenovo also continues to enhance its IdeaPad S10 netbook with new instant on capability, facial recognition and easy access to Lenovo's social networking community.
"With the launch of our global consumer Idea brand a year ago, we've shown the world that PC technology can be powerful and beautiful," said Liu Jun, senior vice president and president, Consumer Business Group, Lenovo. "This year, we will keep pushing the limits of good design, balancing form and function, as you'll see exhibited in our super-thin, 16-inch laptop and all-in-one desktop. This unique blend of design and engineering sets us apart from competitors and gives consumers a new kind of entertainment and computing experience."
IdeaPad Y650, Y550, Y450 Laptops
Lenovo's latest IdeaPad Y Series laptops deliver powerful Hi-Definition entertainment in new sizes that are smaller, thinner and lighter than the previous generation to give more choices to consumers. The three Y Series laptops – the Y650, Y550, and Y450 – share the same modern soft black design featuring an interlocked hexagon pattern on the top cover along with a discrete copper accent around the perimeter of the laptop.
Lenovo delivers its first 16-inch widescreen laptop, the IdeaPad Y650, to the distinction of being the thinnest and lightest laptop in its class1. In fact, the laptop weighs even lighter than many 15-inch laptops, providing users with an additional inch of screen space without compromising on mobility. Making use of special materials like carbon fiber, as used in the aerospace and automotive industries, Lenovo has engineered the laptop down to a slender one-inch at its thinnest point with a weight of just 5.6 pounds.
The expanded Y Series add three new 16:9 screen sizes: the 16-inch Y650, the 15.6-inch Y550, and the 14-inch Y450 laptops. The new Y Series laptops are configurable with up to 500GB of hard drive storage space and up to 4GB of DDR3 memory.
Designed for HD and Multimedia
To provide an exceptional Hi-Definition entertainment and multimedia experience, the Y Series laptops are equipped with 16:9 format glossy widescreen panels, optional latest generation NVIDIA GFX graphics for gaming and smooth HD video playback and Dolby® Home Theater™ surround sound. The IdeaPad Y650 laptop also features JBL speakers for a rich, resonate sound.
The Y Series includes the new Lenovo OneKey™ Theater software to enhance the audio and visual experience. By pressing a button, OneKey Theater gives users an easy way to adjust the PC's display and sound effect settings. Users can switch from normal mode to movie mode on the fly to optimize the picture when watching movies or playing games. The Y Series also includes Lenovo Desktop Navigator so users can toggle between shortcuts, files and other frequently used programs just by placing their finger along the touch-sensitive slide bar. For extra convenience, users can simply use the multi-touch touchpad below the keyboard and use their fingertips to enlarge or reduce image size. Additionally, an ambient light sensor on the IdeaPad Y650 laptop automatically adjusts screen brightness based on surrounding light conditions, helping to reduce eye strain.
Lenovo has added new levels of performance to its Y Series by equipping them with the latest Intel processors as well as DDR3 memory to help applications respond more quickly under multi-tasking conditions. Now users can burn DVDs in less time, compress and open large documents more easily and enjoy smoother, more realistic gaming. Y Series laptops have several wireless connectivity options including WiFi and optional Bluetooth.
For added convenience, Lenovo's latest VeriFace™ facial recognition technology combines Windows log-in and file encryption for logging onto the PC and for password-protecting individual files.
The new Y Series also features Lenovo's OneKey™ Rescue System to help users to recover their data and restore critical system files after system failures, viruses and other mishaps.
Pricing and Availability4
The new IdeaPad Y650, Y550, Y450 laptops and S10 netbook will be available beginning in March. Manufacturer suggested retail pricing (MSRP) for models starts at $1,199 for the IdeaPad Y650, $829 for the IdeaPad Y550 and Y450, and $349 for the IdeaPad S10 netbook. The IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one desktop will be available beginning in April with MSRP for models starting at $999.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo's business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group's acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.
1Thinnest and lightest in the 16-inch laptop screen class, including offerings from Acer, Sony, HP and Lenovo.
2Compared with competitor existing all-in-ones from Apple, HP, Dell and Sony.
3VOIP functionality requires VOIP software which is freely available for download from a wide range of 3rd party vendors
4Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.

More 10-inch Acer Aspire One rumors trickle out

We'd already gotten a solid word from Acer Taiwan president Scott Lin that there would indeed be a 10-inch Aspire One in early 2009, and now we've got some purported pictures and informations to chew on. according to the Aspire One fan-blog macles*, the upcoming revision will come in white, black and red flavors, with a 10.1-inch screen (at the same 1024 x 600 resolution of the existing model) and options for 3G and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. Perhaps most exciting -- to us non-mutants, anyways -- is the removal of those pesky trackpad-flanking mouse buttons, with a regular-looking button below the trackpad instead doing the honors. Less exciting, however, is the purported lack of Linux and SSD SKUs. The laptop also dropped its Storage Expansion slot in lieu of a good old-fashioned multi-card reader. All-in-all, it sounds like some very mainstream tweaks to an already ultra-popular netbook, and we can't fault Acer for that. Word is the new Aspire One will be landing in February, no mention of price just yet.

Japanese DIYer shows ASUS how not to make an Eee Tablet PC

ASUS hinted at some alternative Eee form factors in the Spring of last year, but it's a Japanese modder that's showing the company exactly how it shouldn't approach an Eee-branded tablet PC. It's a touch tough to understand exactly what's going on, but here's what is (partially) clear: the hack job took around ten hours to complete, and the outer edges are inexplicably covered in aluminum foil. It's encased in some sort of transparent housing -- which we suppose is pretty nifty for showing off the internals -- and the retrofitted touchpanel provides the tasty tablet functionality. Apparently this guy spent around ?11,000 ($128) over and above the cost of the Eee pc in order to construct the final result pictured above -- the question is: was it really worth it?

More VAIO P specs leak out

Sony's not playing it too coy with the upcoming VAIO P -- some more detailed specs on the widescreen netbook have leaked out, and they're just about what we expected: a 1.33GHz atom Z520, 2GB of RAM, standard HDD with optional SSD, GPS, and a 3G WWAN card, all for about €700 ($974). No word on that crazy rumored 1600 x 768 display resolution, but apparently that sexy Photoshopped VAIO TT pic we saw is close to the real thing, trackstick and all. We'll see -- for close to $1000, this guy had better run vista a hell of a lot better than the similarly-spec'd ASUS R50A UMPC Portal just trashed in a review.

Jan 9, 2009

Dell’s Studio XPS 1640 gets rough-handled and photographed

The new XPS 1340 and 1640 laptops just appeared yesterday, and now (a mere day late) have been given the blessing of officialdom from Dell. Of course, we already knew all there was to know about them when it comes to specs, so rather more interesting is the first review of the bigger of the two, also called the XPS 16. The 2.4GHz machine scored high marks both when it comes to aesthetics and overall performance, but the thing got a little too hot for comfort, costs a good bit more than the competition, and those glossy screens are always controversial. Overall it sounds like a nice machine if you have the dough -- and don't mind a little glare.

dell introduces 15.6-inch Inspiron 15 laptop: starts at $600
YackTrack shows you all the places people are commenting

Sony gets official with VAIO P: world's lightest 8-inch netbook

Not that we really needed Sony to tell us something we already knew, but we certainly appreciate the gesture. The hotly anticipated VAIO P is for real, and it's coming in as the world's lightest 8-inch netbook at just 1.4 pounds. The Vista-based device packs an almost unbelievable 1,600 x 768 resolution LED-backlit XBRITE-ECO LCD display, 802.11n WiFi, 3G WWAN, Bluetooth, a battery good for four hours (eight hours with the optional high-capacity cell) and a GPS module for good measure. You'll also find an instant-on mode that launches directly into Sony's Xross Media Bar interface, and the inbuilt webcam will keep the video chats going well into the morning. It'll start shipping in early February (in garnet red, emerald green, onyx black, crystal white and classic black hues) for $900 and up, and you can peek the full release just after the break.
SONY UNVEils WORLD's Lightest 8-inch notebook
Full-Featured VAIO PC Fuses Style, Mobility and Connectivity for Anytime, Anywhere Computing
LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #14200), Jan. 7,2009 Sony today took the wraps off the world's lightest 8-inch notebook- the new VAIO® P Series Lifestyle PC.
About the size of a business envelope and roughly as thin as a cell phone, the VAIO Lifestyle PC weighs just 1.4 pounds and is small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or handbag while integrating full-PC features.
The model incorporates a high-resolution, 1600 x 768, LED backlit 8-inch ultra-wide display (diagonal), making it easy to view everything from entire spreadsheets to full web pages- no side-to-side scrolling necessary. It also incorporates Sony's XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology, producing images in brilliant detail for razor-sharp viewing on-the-go.
Stylish enough to take anywhere, the unit is available in an array of eye-catching colors, including garnet red, emerald green, onyx black, crystal white and classic black. Matching carrying cases and Bluetooth® color-coordinated mice are available to complete the look.
"The VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC is your portal to the world, delivering entertainment and computing in a head-turning device that's small enough to put in your pocket," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. "Designed for the fashionista in all of us, it's the ideal companion."
Engineered to provide the feel of a larger notebook, the VAIO Lifestyle PC provides a convenient typing experience by extending the keyboard to the perimeters of the chassis maximizing the typing area. The spacing between keys has also been engineered to help reduce typing mistakes making it perfect for long fingernails.
The notebook incorporates built-in wireless WAN 3G Mobile Broadband, 802.11n wi-fi and bluetooth technologies. Users can toggle among various wireless options for the most efficient connection – Wi-Fi for working at a coffee shop; Bluetooth for peripherals; and Mobile Broadband service on the Verizon Wireless nationwide network when traveling outside the reach of hotspots (subscription required).
The unit features up to four hours of battery life with the included standard capacity battery and eight hours with the large capacity battery (sold separate).
It also incorporates real-time GPS functionality, making it easy to find restaurants, hotels or special sites of interest. Destinations can be found by simply typing in an address or keyword and then following the turn-by-turn directions. The Lifestyle PC even includes estimated drive times to let you know how far you are from a destination. No Internet connection is required in the United States or Canada.
The unit also has an instant-mode option that launches directly into Sony's Xross Media Bar™ interface, so you can rapidly boot up and access music, video, photos and the Web. A built-in webcam lets you video chat with family, friends and colleagues. A third-party service is required.
The PC comes with the Windows Vista® operating system, supporting office applications and all the software programs routinely found in full-size notebooks. A windows arrangement utility has been added to easily organize all open documents or websites with one touch, positioning them neatly along side each other on a single screen.
The VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC will retail for about $900. It will be available for pre-orders tomorrow online at www.sony.com/pr/pseries. It will also be sold at Sony Style® stores starting later this month and at other major retailers around the country beginning in February.

Sony VAIO P hands-on

We just grabbed a first look at Sony's new vaio P. At first glance, the screen is bright and ultrasharp -- certainly stretching the limits of our eyesight. We'd say the keys are a little bit light and shallow for our taste, but good as far as most "netbooks" go, and the "nipple," like all like pointers, will take getting used to and careful calibration, though it's definatly sensitive. It's certainly not hefty, but we'd say there's the standard amount of sony build quality, and while high for a netbook, $900 doesn't "feel" too far off. We love lightweight, but this netbook almost feels like it lacks innards, the real deal seems almost like it's a mock-up device. Videos of all its best sides after the break.

ASUS Eee PC T91 and T101H touchscreen tablet hands-on

We got a quick look at ASUS’s new Eee pc tablets today, the T91 and T10h . The netbook heritage is unmistakable — you only have to peep the 8.9-inch and 10-inch respective screen sizes and Atom processors — but the two machines offer up full-on swivel tablet functionality, and look pretty good doing it. The chiclet keyboard on the T101H is a slight improvement over the standard Eee PC keyboard on the T91 — which is a tad less firm, and with less room for distinct spacing. We found the hinge to be just alright, only rotating in a clockwise direction, and showing bit of “give.” Otherwise it’s pretty standard Eee, with ASUS’s standard march toward sexy and the deepest stack of SKUs in the industry.

Windows Mobile-powered concept MID hands-on

Well, what have we here? While waltzing about the ces floor today, we stumbled upon a conceptual Mio MID that looks suspiciously like Sony’s VAIO P. The currently unnamed device was actually lookin’ pretty sharp, as it boasted a 7-inch WVGA (800 x 480) resolution display, integrated WiFi, a non-removable battery good for eight hours or so and a full QWERTY keyboard. It was also packing a trackball setup, an SD card slot, a few USB ports and audio in / out. We were told that the design was still being finalized and that it wouldn’t ship until mid-2009 at the earliest, and while we’d love to see this piece ship Stateside, we have our doubts. Oh, and did we mention that this thing runs on an evidently skinned version of Windows Mobile? Because it does. Peek the gallery below if you’re in disbelief.

ViewSonic launches Atom-based computing line

ViewSonic has just introduced a new computing line geared towards the netbook / nettop set. All three Atom-based machines sport Windows XP Home, a 1.6GHz processor, 1GB RAM and 160GB storage. VieBook is a 10.2-inch netbook with all the usual connectivity options and an MSRP of $429. The VPC100 ViePC is an all-in-one device, measuring a mere 35mm thin, with an 18.5-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio LCD screen and should be priced at $549. Rounding up the lineup, the LinkPC is a nettop, designed to be strapped to the back of any VESA compatible monitor, and has an MSRP of $399. The latter becomes available sometime in March, while the other two will be doing their thing in February. ViewSonic Introduces Netbook, All-in-One pc and Attachable PC; Announces Cloud Computing Initiative
New visual computing line increases affordability, mobility, productivity and saves desktop space
2009 International CES
LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ViewSonic® Corp., a leading global provider of visual display products, today unveiled its new computing line, which includes its first netbook, the VieBook™, an all-in-one PC, the VPC100 ViePC™, and an attachable PC, the LinkPC™.
VieBook netbook
ViewSonic’s netbook is an ideal solution to fulfill the growing need for an ultra portable, daily use computer. At 2.6 pounds, the VieBook is highly-mobile, Internet-centric and offers users a lightweight yet powerful option for their on-the-go needs.
The VieBook features a 10.2-inch screen, Intel® Atom™ 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of memory, 160GB hard drive, 10/100 Ethernet LAN connection, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel Webcam, 4-in-1 card reader, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition and three-hour battery life. Its overall size, weight and functionality make it a perfect companion for road warriors and students.
The VieBook has a competitive MSRP of $429 and will be available in February 2009.
VPC100 ViePC, all-in-one PC
Designed as a space-saver at 35mm thin, the VPC100 ViePC is ideal for office productivity and Web-based applications. An 18.5-inch display device, the ViePC features a 16:9 aspect ratio LCD screen so users can experience razor-sharp images in crisp detail.
The product is powered by an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor and has 1GB memory, a 160GB hard drive, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 802.11b/g WiFi, 1.3 megapixel Webcam, DVD + / - RW, integrated stereo speakers, 3-in-1 card reader and Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. Its slim size and affordability make it ideal for office workers, call centers, libraries, emergency operations centers, interactive kiosks and information terminals.
The ViePC has an MSRP of $549 and will be available in February 2009.
LinkPC, attachable PC
The LinkPC is a PC box that can be attached to the back of any VESA® compatible monitor, making it a cost-effective, space-saving and energy-efficient solution for basic office tasks and Internet-based programs. Existing monitors can get a facelift and be easily upgraded with the LinkPC.
The device features an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor and has 1GB memory, a 160GB hard drive, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 802.11b/g WiFi, VGA output, serial port, four USB 2.0 ports and Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
The LinkPC has an MSRP of $399 and will be available in March 2009.
Cloud computing initiative
ViewSonic’s three new computing platforms are a key component of the company’s cloud computing initiative, assisting with the transformation of desktop PCs evolving into Web-centric displays that communicate to software applications running on the Internet.
According to the Pew Research Center, individuals are increasingly using cloud computing. Upward to 69% of Americans use Webmail services, store data online or use software programs whose functionality is located on the Web1. This means expensive notebooks and PCs with excessive computing power are not essential as desktop applications and software are no longer a necessity. As cloud computing gains popularity, becoming a staple in corporate, commercial and organizational environments, the new ViewSonic line of visual computing products is a natural progression to aid the shift in demand for portability and mobility.
“We are excited to provide our channel partners a new line of products that offer their customers options to upgrade existing equipment and save costs on future deployments,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager of ViewSonic North America. “Backed by 20 years of display experience and with strong PC partners to deliver computing demands, this powerful combination positions ViewSonic to supply affordable products at excellent quality.”
ViewSonic’s new visual computing line will be on display at Bellagio Ballroom 6 during the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, from January 8-9, 2009. For more information on ViewSonic products, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

Windows 7 Beta Available For Public Download

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at consumer Electronics Show announced that the company's next operating system Windows 7, will be launched later this year, while the beta version will be available for public download from Friday(9th January,2009). The cuccessor to Windows Vista will streamline everyday tasks, cut boot-up time, extend battery life and make it simple to weave "smart" devices into home networks.

For More Detail: CLICK HERE

Jan 7, 2009

BLACKBERRY PEARL FLIP 8220

Blackberry has launched its new smartphone BLACKBERRY PEARL FLIP 8220 whcih is loaded with great features and awesome design.

Features:
Sure Type Technology:

The Sure Technology provide innovative keyboard design and software which enables to type easly and faster on small handheld devices. It is also combined with spell checker to naotify if there is any spelling mistake while typing.

Camera:

The phone is equipped with 2-megapixel camera it also enables to shoot motion picture apart from still pictures. Pictures can latter be chared with friends using messages.

Phone also loaded with all modern features like Wi-Fi, blutooth with A2DP, aupports for microSD card of up to 8GB. It also has Gps and Blacberry Map feature.
The gadget has 2.6inch main internal screen coupled with an external screen ahich is used for notifications and basic display options.
Phone is claimed to have 4 hour of talk time.

Cost: Rs21,990

For More Detail: CLICK HERE

LOGITECH DRIVING FORCE GT

Designed specially for the upcoming Gran Turismo 5 Video Game. It aims at accurately simulating understeer, oversteer and even traction loss.

Features:
Control:
24-position realtime adjustment dial: Fine-tune brake bias, traction control system (TCS), and other settings on the fly for unprecedented control over your car's performance.
900-degree wheel rotation: Go 2.5 times around lock to lock, just as you would behind the wheel of many real cars.
Force feedback technology: Feel every inch of the road for maximum control and the ultimate racing experience.
Gas and brake pedals: Get precise throttle and brake response with true-to-life pedals.
Sequential stick shift: Go through the gears for the ultimate in control.

Comfort:
Rubber-overmold rim: Enjoy a comfortable grip during intense races.
Solid, one-piece wheel construction: Drive with confidence knowing this rigid, sturdy wheel won't squeak or flex during aggressive maneuvers.

Performance:
Custom tuned for popular games: See and feel every bit of wheel movement reflected in-game, without dead zones or lag.
Ultra-precise optical encoding: Experience reliable and accurate handling race after race after race.

Specifications:

System Requirements

Package Contents

Cost : $219 approx
For More Detail: CLICK HERE

MOTOYUVA EM325

Those who are looking for a low end mobile music phone might want to consider Motorola's new EM325.

The new Motoyuva EM325 is loaded with following features:
1.Equipped with a 3.5 mm headphone port.
2.The Motoyuva handset features a 1.8 inch screen.
3.The slider phone comes fitted with 1.3 megapixel camera.
4.Supports MP3 playback, stereo FM radio and Bluetooth.
5.Onboard memory can store up to 1,000 contacts and 750 messages.
6.Memory is expandable to 2GB via Micro SD card that can be used to store songs and other data.

Motoyuva EM325 is available at Rs 5,599

For more detail: CLICK HERE

LEAP YEAR BUG ZAPS ZUNE MUSIC PLAYER

Thousands of the MP3 Microsoft's Zune music players stopped working on NEW YEAR's Eve around the world. Microsoft described it as bug in the device's internal clock.
Bug only affected the original, 30GB versions of the music player that was introduced by Redmond Washington based Mirosoft in 2006 as its answer to Apple's widly popular iPod. Later devices with 80GB and 120GB of memory were not affected.
Microsoft was alerted to the problem when ZUNE forums and discussion boards lit uo overnight with complaints from Zune owners around the world that their players had stopped working.
The company initially put statement saying owners of the 30GB Zune may experience "issues" when booting up the device, asked for patience, and apologises for the inconvenience.
Several hours later, another statement on Microsoft's Zune.net explained the problem and said it would essentially resolve itself.
"There is a bug in the internal clock driver causing the 30 GB device to improperly handle the last day of a leap year,"Microsoft said.
"The issue should be resolved over the next 24 hours as the time change moves to January 1, 2009,"it said. "We expect the internal clock on the Zune 30GB devices will automatically reset tomorrow."
By tomorrow users were asked to allow the battery to fully run out of power before the unit can restart successfully. Then simply ensure that your device is recharged and turn it back on.

For details: CLICK HERE

GADGETS THAT WILL RULE 2009:

Some of the gadget which will become popular or will rule in 2009 are ..............

SONY NOEBOOK:
As computing and web-based applications will become popular in 2009 so 2009 will belong to netbooks such as the tiny Asus EEE PC. SONy NETBOOK is one of them which is stylish compact device coupled with an -inch widescreen LCD. By use of chips like Intel Silverthorne abd Dimondvulle Atom processors, and the Nvidia Tegra which will push performance while taking machines closer lasting all day on single battery.

NINTENDO DSI:

Ninntendo has announced the new land enhanced 'DSi'. It features two lickable 3.25 inch screens, the bottom one being the touchscreen. It also provide SD card slot, on which one can store music ot photos you click. Another important features is its .3 megapixel camera. It will cost around $190.

OLED TVs:
After LCD and Plasma sets flattend themselves to no end, it's turn to TVs with organic Light Emitting Diode(OLED) screens. OLEDS are capable of richer colors and are way thinner than even the most anorexic LCD. Samsung recently showed off its 40-ich, OLED TV- and it was just 8.9 mm thick.

HYBRID BLU-RAY:

Hybrid Blu-Ray is another double layered disc which enable us to store same movie in two different format. Top layer could store the BLU-Ray version while the lower layer will store in regular DVD. If you just own a DVD player you can still watch a movie that release on this HYBRID DISC and enjoy hi-def splendour once you buy a Blu-Ray disc player.

Sony Ericsson C902 Cyber-shot™ Camera Phone – Luscious Red

Do more than just talk with the multi-functional C902 Cyber-shot™ camera phone. Packed with features, this device has a 5.0 megapixel camera with Auto Focus, Face Detection and a built-in xenon flash with red-eye correction. It's also easy to share your photos with friends using picture messaging6 or posting them to a blog.9 In addition, this phone is a full-functioning music player with a built in FM tuner. Also available in Swift Black.

5 Megapixel camera
Stylish and slim with an innovative design, C902 gives you a true Cyber-shot™ camera experience with 5 megapixel camera. 16x digital zoom with auto focus, an image and video stabilizer, Photo flash, BestPic™ technology with light, Auto rotate, Face detection technology and Photo fix are few of great features included. All these come together for high quality pictures. Photo flash will turn on automatically for pictures and you can now use light with BestPic™ technology and when recording videos. A picture can be easily shared with friends and family via picture messaging6, email9 or blog9. Pictures can also be transferred to another phone or computer using any available transfer method, such as Bluetooth® technology3 or USB cable. The camera is protected by a lens cover and the horizontal user interface allows for easier camera handling.

8 Camera touch keys
If you need to adjust the camera settings, onscreen touch keys appear above and below the camera viewfinder. They act as shortcuts to commonly used camera features such as shoot modes, scenes, time and more.

Face detection technology
The camera brings an off-center face into focus if there are people in the picture. The camera will find and focus on a face and make it look sharp. No more blurred faces on your pictures!

BestPic™ technology with light
A unique function for Sony Ericsson camera imaging. Taking a single picture or even a burst of pictures does not always catch the moment, which may have been just before or just after the camera key was pressed. BestPic™ technology is designed to solve this problem. Press the camera key half way down and the camera starts capturing pictures. Press the key fully down, and nine pictures appear automatically. The pictures range from left (just before pressing the camera key fully down) to center (camera key fully down) to right (just after pressing the camera key fully down). The center picture is the default picture, but not necessarily the best one. Browse the picture series and save the best pictures. BestPic™ technology has been updated and can now be used together with light.

Auto rotate
Capturing a portrait photo with a horizontal camera usually results in a picture that must be rotated when viewed. Auto rotate registers picture orientation when the picture is taken, whether in portrait or landscape mode, and saves this information with the picture. When viewed, the picture appears as the orientation with which it was taken.

Photo tags
Navigate through your captured photos and thousands of downsized photos transferred from your computer. View captured photos and video clips in an intuitive timeline view. Play animated slide shows with music and different moods. Tag your photos to find them faster. The built-in sensor in the camera ensures that all photos are rotated correctly.

Motion Control Gaming
Play games on your phone in a new way with Motion Control Gaming technology. You can move your C902 to control gaming functions in a similar way as a game controller. Tilt the phone forwards, backwards, left or right to accelerate, decelerate, turn left or turn right. Additionally, with Java™, users can download9 new games and skill levels to further enhance their entertainment experience.

Cost: $549.99

For Details On Specification:
CLICK HERE

PANASONIC BLU RAY DISC PLAYER

With integration of Panasonic BLU RAY DISC player and home theater receiver, surround sound
speakers, and HD plasme deliver the best in BLU RAY technolgy.

Some Of The Features of Panasonic Blu Ray Disc are:

EXCELLENT HD IMAGES:

Panasonic Uses P4HD that enables the panasonic Blu-Ray Disc Player to process 15 billion pixel per second
which results into an astounding depth and clarity rendered in rich, vibrant colors.

EXPLOSIVE SOUND:

The Hd images when coupled with 7.1 channel surround sound give an
remarkable experience of viewing.
From delicate sound of misty cloud to the thunderous boom of
concert hall Panasonic brings you magnificient sound that embodies both
power and purity.

ONE TOUCH CONROL:

Panasonic uses EZ Sync HDAVI control that links the operation of your entire panasonic home theater
system, making it easy to enjoy beauty of HD entertainment and BLU RAY technology.

For More Information: CLICK HERE

New Philips Luxe MP3 Player

The new Philips Luxe MP3 player, which can also sync up with mobile phones via Bluetooth to answer calls using its built in microphone.
The 21gm device features a tiny singleline LCD display, and is fitted with flash memory that can be used to store MP3 and WMA audio files through the USB port. Equipped with the proprietary FullSound technology for better audio quality, the new gadget boasts of up to 10 hours of music playback or 4 hour of talktime.
The Luxe, which also supports FM Radio will be put on the market in January.

Cost: $89 for 2GB (Rs 4,300 approx.)
$99 for 4GB (Rs 4,800 approx.)

So guys keep visiting this blog and get informed whenever this gadget will be launched in the market..........

For Details: CLICK HERE

SAMSUNG NC10

As laptop sales increase in India, samsung has forayed into the 'notebook' pc market with the NC10. Sporting a 10.2-inch widescreen LED display with a native resolution of 1024x600 pixels, the device comes with Windows XP. Powered by the 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, the 1.33 kg mini-notebook boasts of a 160GB hard drive, 1GB RAM, dual speakers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, 3-in-1 memory card slapt, and a built-in 1.3-megapixel Webcam. The NC10 also claims a battery life of around eight hours on a single charge of tes 6-cell lithium-ion battery.

Cost: Rs 28,477

For More Detail:CLICK HERE

The LaVie Laptop:

NEC has come up with their latest laptop computer, the LaVie.
The LaVie is equipped with intel core 2 Duo processor P8600(2.4GHz), 4GB RAM
a 45.4 inch widescreen TFT display. The notebook will start retailing
internatonally this month.

HOW TO BUILD SUPERCOMPUTER FROM THE PS3!

Scientists at US university of Massachusetts Dartmouth-Professor Gaurav Khanna and PrincipalInvestigator Chris Poulin-have created a step by step guide to building a home brewed supercomputer that can also help reduce the cost of research computing.
Found on www.ps3cluster.org, the resource illustrates how to create a high performance supercomputer by using a soy playstation 3(PS3) in a grid.
"Science budgets have been significantly dropping over the last decade," Khanna said.
"Here's a way that people can do science projects less expensively. This new website will show people how to move forward."
Typically, scientists rent supercomputer time."A simulation can cost more than 5,000
hrs at $1/hour at any of the supercomputer facilities. For the same cost, you can
build your own supercomputer and t works just as well,"Khanna said."Plus you can use it over again and again.
The guide to bulid the PS3 grid is freely available to the public under na open source license.
As of now scientists are seeking input from industry and researchers to determine
future project direction.

SONY BLU-RAY DISC PLAYER AND HOME THEATER SYSTEM

Those looking for a complete home theatre might want to consider sony's new new Blu-Ray disc player(BDP-S350), and its highly-compatible home theater system(HTSF2300).
Amongst its myriad features, the BDP-S350 features an external port to enable extra storage capacity, and it can also upscale standard definition DVDs to near HD quality. Even if the DVD is old and scratched, the player promises minimal degradation in picture quality. And then there's the 1,000 watts HTSF2300 home theater system that promises "a powerful listening experience" from its 5.1 channel surround sound. The gadgets are also equipped with proprietory Sony technology that lets one operate both devices with a single remote control.
In adition, sony's set up system caliberate all speaker according to its placement, distance and delay.

Cost: Rs 24,990 and Rs 36,990 respectively...

ASUS EEE PC 904HA

ASUS recently launched its latest Eee PC, the 904HA. Weighing a mere 1.4 Kgs, the gadget is laoded with an intel Atom N 270 processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB SATA harddirve, an 8.9 inch screen, high speed connectivity with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, and even a 1.3 megapixel Webcam.
The device that boasts of a 6-cell lithium ion battery.

cost: Rs22,990

For Detail: CLICK HERE

HTC TOUCH 3G

HTC has launched an upgrade to its popular Touch handset, the Touch 3G. Sorting a 2.8 inch touchscreen TFT, the phone is powered by a 528MHz processor and is fitted with 192MB RAM and 256MB ROM- expandable via microSD. Running on Moblie 6.1 and the proprietary TouchFLO navigation system, it boasts of a 3.15-megapixel camera, built in GPS, A-GPS, Pocket Office, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Cost: Rs 28,450

For More Detail: CLICK HERE

NEW TECHNOLOGY TO DISABLE AND LOCATE STOLEN LAPTOPS

Intel is joining hands with mobile giant Ericsson to develop a new chip that allows a user whose laptop has been stolen to remotly disable access to the device, via SMS. The chip will also be fitted with mobile bradband technology that sends back a GPS signal of the Laptop's current loaction, letting the user to track down the stolen Laptop.

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