Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Acer Aspire One available in Europe

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/326678038/

Filed under: Laptops

According to reports, Acer's tiny Aspire One laptop is now available in three breathtaking variations: the A110L, A150L, and A150X. The A110L sports an Atom N270 CPU, Intel's 946GSE chipset, 512MB or 1GB of RAM, 8GB of NAND flash storage, an 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 display, 802.11b/g, and three USB ports. The other two models come equipped with the same specs, save for a 120GB hard drive in place of the flash storage, and are offered with Linpus Linux, or Windows XP. Excited? Retailers in Germany already claim to have the A110L in stock now, selling for €329 (or about $518).

[Via Fudzilla]

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Samsung i900 Omnia vs. HTC Touch Diamond... fight!

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/326777422/

Filed under: Cellphones

At this point, neither the HTC Touch Diamond nor the Samsung i900 Omnia need any introduction, but we're happy to announce that these two have stepped into the squared circle and faced off in an epic nine-page battle. Reviewers manhandled both phones for an extended time and broke down the UI, hardware, features and overall usability, so if that sounds like something you'd be interested in, cover your face and head on down to the read link. We're warning you though, it gets ugly.

[Thanks, Chavdar]

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Non-planar devices promise downloadable hardware, interactive soda cans

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/326887404/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Scientists have been up to some wacky (and amazing) stuff in the world of flexible computers and organic user interfaces. Putting our standard concept of computers aside, researches at the Human Media Laboratory at Queen's University in Canada are developing what are called "non-planar" devices: computers that can change shape while using three-dimensional and touch-driven interfaces. The "tank top" user interface is a smart fabric based around two-handed, multi-finger touch sensing. Paired with flexible displays and computers that can change shape to achieve different computing outcomes, you have what they call the computer of the future: computers that can download (and turn into) new hardware, foldable paper computers, and interactive / disposable product designs, because, you know, the advertisers won't be able to wait to get their hands on the first interactive soda can.

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Most dial-up users don't want to upgrade their connections

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/326947841/

Filed under: Networking

So here's a bit of brilliant statistics work for you: The Pew Internet & American Life research project has determined after endless polling and number crunching that 62 percent of American dial-up users have no interest in upgrading their connections to something a bit more peppy. In fact, only 14 percent of them would upgrade if they could. They cite high prices, barrier to entry, and -- ooh, is Survivor on? We look at it this way: if you're not already on broadband with the multitude of options, and you can get broadband (i.e. you're not stranded out in the wilderness) in one way shape or form, you probably just don't really care, and we can make fun of you because you're not reading this post anyway.

[Via Switched]

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Fujitsu Siemens' Lasso external graphics card get spotted, should hit retail soon

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/327435580/

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

An external graphics card that's actually nearing release? Be still our hearts! Fujitsu Siemens' recently leaked external unit, which will be based on ATI XGP technology, is actually really, really close to hitting retail -- according to a piece over at Fudzilla, anyway. Slated to be titled Lasso, the RV670-based device should be more than enough to handle basic tasks, but unfortunately, benchmarks were off limits. On the upside, digital photography was not, so head on down to the read link for a few more snaps.

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Researchers boast of progress with printed electronics

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/327268432/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

There's certainly no shortage of researchers working on printable electronics these days, but a group from the EU-funded CONTACT project is now boasting of a "major step" towards being able to print electronics on everyday materials. At the moment, they seem to be focused primarily on printing organic TFT displays directly onto glass plates, which apparently required the use of some aggressive solvents that "attack" the organic materials between the TFT and liquid crystal layers. Their current Labratester 1 printer (pictured above) apparently still has some problems precisely lining up each layer, however, but they say that'll be fixed with the addition of some optical cameras in the Labratester 2 machine they're now working on. Eventually, they say the system could be used to easily and cheaply print displays directly on watch faces or glasses, or even print other electronics onto paper or other fabrics.

[Via Protein Feed, image courtesy of NSMZ]

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3D mammograms increase breast cancer detection by 23 percent

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/327449970/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Scientists have developed stereo mammograms -- breast X-rays taken with special cameras and at multiple angles -- that they say can help them increase detection of breast cancer by 23-percent while decreasing false alarms by 46-percent. By overlaying images taken at different angles or using 3D glasses, Researchers at the Mayo clining say they can now see behind dense tissue that would normally block potential problem areas. Since early detection is a key factor in beating breast cancer, this is an exciting new development.

[Via Slashgear]

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Gigabyte gets official with 8.9-inch M912V swivel screen netbook

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/327519958/

Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

It has taken long enough, but Gigabyte finally saw fit to make official its intriguing M912V. If you'll recall, this critter popped up and caught eyes at Computex, as it's essentially a netbook with a swivel screen -- think Tablet PC, but miniature. Specs wise, you're looking at an 8.9-inch WXGA (1,280 x 768) LED-backlit panel, Intel's 1.6GHz Atom processor, a 2.5-inch HDD (120/160/250GB), 1.3-megapixel camera, twin 1.5-watt speakers, 1GB of RAM and your choice of Windows XP, Vista or Linux. Furthermore, you'll find Bluetooth, WiFi, an ExpressCard slot, a wide of array of ports and even an option for HSDPA expansion. It should be noted that there's no internal optical drive (nor a price or release date just yet), but at least Gigabyte's offering up a netbook with some inkling of innovation, right?

[Via PCLaunches]

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OS X-installing EFiX device gets a price, release date

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/327705634/

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

The folks at EFiX don't exactly have the best record of sticking to promised release dates, but the company's CEO and lead engineer, Wilhelm von Vnukov, now tells us that the V2 edition of the OSX-installing device for desktop PCs will be available on Monday (July 7th), "I think," with the V1 version set to follow three to four weeks later (still no word on the promised device for laptops). According to the website, the only difference between the two is the addition for support of "several motherboards" on the V2, as well as "experimental support for some prototype motherboards." What's more, the company has also now confirmed that the price for the initial batch will be €80 (or about $125), although availability seems to be confined to Taiwan and Bulgaria at the moment, with a number of other countries (including the United States) listed as being "in negotiation." The company is also promiising that the price will be substantially lower once the device enters mass production, although it's unsurprisingly not making any promises as to when that might happen.

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The BMW Museum's kinetic sculpture takes your brain to another dimension

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/327904764/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Ready to have your gray matter softly stroked? Perhaps you should take a trip to BMW's recently opened museum in Munich, where a kinetic sculpture comprising 714 metallic balls suspended in air will soothe your weary mind. It's one of those things that's better seen than described, but if you can imagine a wave of undulating orbs that appear to weightlessly float, you'll start to get the idea. Can't afford the flight? Check out the video -- which features some serious easy listening jams -- after the break and see the installation in action.

[Via BMWCCA]

Continue reading The BMW Museum's kinetic sculpture takes your brain to another dimension

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