Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Super Talent's 2TB PCIe RAIDDrive promises 1.3GBps sequential writes, 1.2GBps reads

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/super-talents-2tb-raiddrive-promises-incredible-1-3gbps-writes/

These PCIe SSD drives can't arrive fast enough for our needs... ok, wants considering the thousands they cost. The latest announcement comes by way of Super Talent Technology with its new 2TB RAIDDrive. The card slips into a PCIe x8 slot and ships in Enterprise (battery backed), Workstation, and Gamer (!) configurations with MLC (cheap, fast) or SLC (expensive, faster) NAND and optional RAID 5 capability. Super Talent claims that its RAIDDrives "are capable of delivering sequential Read speeds of up to 1.2GB/s, sequential Write speeds of up to 1.3GB/s." Unfortunately, no ship date or price was announced, only that we'll get more "performance details" in June. Presumably that means something useful like random IOPS benchmarks.

[Via Impress]

Filed under: Storage

Super Talent's 2TB PCIe RAIDDrive promises 1.3GBps sequential writes, 1.2GBps reads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia's Point & Find service makes reality better

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/nokias-point-and-find-service-makes-reality-better/

Nokia just tip-toed out for a glimpse at innovation with the beta release of its new Point & Find application and service. Simply aim the camera of your Nokia phone at any object in meat-space and the Point & Find application will access relevant data off the Internet. Ok, not any object as the beta only recognizes movie posters at the moment, but that's the long term plan. Point & Find uses real-time image processing to recognize real-world objects in a Nokia database of virtually tagged items using the phone's camera, Internet connection, and GPS data. The software also recognizes bar codes and supports category-specific text-entry search. The beta software is a free download for Nokia owners in the UK and get this, the US too. Man, Nokia's getting serious about US market share.

Gallery: Nokia's Point & Find service makes reality better

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia's Point & Find service makes reality better originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia E71x graces us with its presence

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/nokia-e71x-graces-us-with-its-presence/

Our time with it was all too brief, but we had just a few moments to play with a SIM-less E71x last evening -- and yes, we're pretty sure this blacked-out beauty is going to sell like Canadian bananas when it launches on AT&T in the next few weeks, especially at that enticing $99.99 price point. Anyone who's handled an original E71 will know exactly what's going on here: slim, sexy, totally usable keypad, and WiFi. Too bad they weren't able to cram in a 3.5mm jack on the E71x to complement the addition of S60 3.2, but hey, we're just going to count our sub-hundred-dollar blessings and move on.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Nokia E71x graces us with its presence originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Niveus goes consumer-level with tantalizing Zone HTPC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/niveus-goes-consumer-level-with-tantalizing-zone-htpc/

Each year at CEDIA, we've been downright floored with Niveus' lineup. Unfortunately, it's out of reach for the vast majority of "mainstreet" dwellers. At long (long!) last, the company has decided to expand its reach and offer a product for the blue collars in America, and on paper, the Zone looks like a real champ in the flagging HTPC arena. Measuring in at 6.5- x 6.5- x 1.97-inches, this 3.2 pound box packs an awful lot of media playing oomph into a ridiculously small enclosure. Specs wise, we're looking at a 2GHz Core 2 Duo T5750 CPU, 2GB of RAM, gigabit Ethernet, a 160GB SATA drive, slot-loading Blu-ray optical drive, front-mounted IR receiver, bundled media remote, Intel's GMA X4500 HD graphics, HDMI 1.3 / eSATA ports and support for 7.1-channel surround sound. Over on the software front, you'll see Windows Vista Home Premium along with Niveus' own suite of apps (Movie Library, Studio, Media Server Companion and Weather). Unlike any other Niveus system, consumers can purchase the Zone for $1,499 directly from the outfit's website, and there's also a unique Zone Community down in the read link; check out a promotional vid after the break if you wish.

Continue reading Niveus goes consumer-level with tantalizing Zone HTPC

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Niveus goes consumer-level with tantalizing Zone HTPC originally appeared on En! gadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ever Win's EWP1000 is another pico projector

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/ever-wins-ewp1000-is-another-pico-projector/

Ever Win's EWP1000 is another pico projector

Every week we consistently get another couple new pico projectors to tell you about, and since the market for these things can't possibly be big enough to support all these releases the only possible explanation is that people are continually losing the things. Assuming that's the case, Ever Win's EWP1000 could be your next misplaced projector. As such it has fairly forgettable specs, including 10 lumens of brightness, VGA (640 x 480) resolution, projection sizes of between 5- and 50-inches, and about 80 minutes of battery life on a charge. About the only thing distancing this from the competition is its Ferengi-inspired styling, giving it a more notable look than most others and possibly making it perfect for your next Tongo party. But, with no price or availability, we won't blame you if you don't remember this tomorrow either.

Continue reading Ever Win's EWP1000 is another pico projector

Filed under: Displays

Ever Win's EWP1000 is another pico projector originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T's Samsung Impression hands-on with video

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/atandts-samsung-impression-hands-on-with-video/

With AT&T's Samsung Impression packing things like quad-band GSM, dual-band HSPA for the Americas and a supremely useable QWERTY keypad, we're suitably impressed. All that magic aside, the screen, a fairly giant 3.2-inch AMOLED number, is where the big draw for us lies. The display is completely stunning and viewable from just about any angle, the keypad is pretty much right on, and the set just feels like money to hold onto. Coupled with a reasonable 3 megapixel cam with digital zoom and geotagging support, and we're expecting this to be a wildly popular device at its $200 price point. We tried to capture the beauty of the Impression with vids -- we've taken the leap from VGA -- and pics which you'll find right after the break.

Continue reading AT&T's Samsung Impression hands-on with video

Filed under: Cellphones

AT&T's Samsung Impression hands-on with video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PrimeTime2Go brings full-length TV episodes to BlackBerry Bold, Curve 8900

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/primetime2go-brings-full-length-tv-episodes-to-blackberry-bold/

Ah, so the rumors were true. As BlackBerry App World descends upon the masses today, a particularly unique service is launching alongside of it: QuickPlay Media's PrimeTime2Go. Unlike options from Sprint and AT&T, this alternative delivers video only over WiFi, though this arrangement does enable it to work on all carriers. The app will bring full-length television shows to certain BlackBerry smartphones, and with deals inked with NBC, CBS and MTV, we'd say the selection should be pretty good. As for details, it'll run users $7.99 per month, though it will only operate (initially, at least) on the BlackBerry Bold and Curve 8900, sold by AT&T and T-Mobile, respectively. So, is this the break that mobile TV has been waiting for? Or is this yet another option that better get used to being shunned?

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Video

PrimeTime2Go brings full-length TV episodes to BlackBerry Bold, Curve 8900 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T's Samsung Propel Pro hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/atandts-samsung-propel-pro-hands-on/

AT&T's Propel Pro ups the ante not only in build quality and material, but the new set is also reborn as a proper smartphone thanks to the inclusion of Windows Mobile 6.1. Though like its predecessor, we find a QWERTY keypad for the much loved messaging features, a 3 megapixel camera, and a well thought out and put together metal housing -- though the latter does add heft to an already chubby device. So, what do we like? Well, the display is right on, the keypad is solid, and the $149 price tag is definitely going to win it some fans looking for a messaging device that'll do a bit more. The heft on the other hand is a bit much, and we're still troubled by the almost square form factor, but what do we know, people loved the Samsung Propel. We'll take some more time to get to know it tomorrow and hopefully add a little video to the mix -- and some decent lighting.

Filed under: Cellphones

AT&T's Samsung Propel Pro hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ViewSonic ships 22-inch VT2230 1080p LCD monitor

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/viewsonic-ships-22-inch-vt2230-1080p-lcd-monitor/

Not ready to go big screen? Just need a medium sized set to handle your bedroom Xbox 360 addiction? ViewSonic's got a new one ready to splash down in your abode -- the 22-inch VT2230. Said panel checks in with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, VGA / HDMI inputs, a built-in ATSC / NTSC / QAM TV tuner and a relatively small price tag. Further specs include a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, five millisecond response time, 300 nits of brightness and twin 3-watt speakers. Sure, nothing mind-blowing or anything, but it's not half bad for $349.

Gallery: ViewSonic ships 22-inch VT2230 1080p LCD monitor

Filed under: Displays

ViewSonic ships 22-inch VT2230 1080p LCD monitor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SmartQ 5 MID gets unboxed

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/smartq-5-mid-gets-unboxed/

We've already seen the SmartQ 5 MID out in the wild, and even sporting Ubuntu, but those sitting on pins and needles for the inevitable unboxing can now finally rest easy, as Kam Leung has stepped up and done the honors. From the looks of it, however, there's nothing but the bare minimum included with the 4.3-inch MID / PMP although, judging from the pics, SmartQ may have been wise to at least include a dust cloth. Hit up the link below for the full show, and then start figuring out the best way to import one of these if you're sold on it, as there's still no word of an official release 'round here.

Filed under: Handhelds

SmartQ 5 MID gets unboxed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CradlePoint bringing WiMAX to existing fleet of portable routers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/cradlepoint-bringing-wimax-to-existing-fleet-of-portable-routers/

While Clearwire's Clear Spot (which is really just a refashioned PHS-300) will handle WiMAX right out of the box, those who own one of CradlePoint's existing portable routers are flat out of luck... or are they? Said company has just announced that starting today, shipments of its business-class routers -- including the MBR800, MBR1000, and MBR1100 line of mobile broadband routers, CTR500 mobile broadband travel router, and CBA250 cellular broadband adapter -- will have WiMAX compatibility built in. Furthermore, a forthcoming (April 6th) firmware update will enable existing CradlePoint products to accept select WiMAX devices, and yes, it'll be made available for no charge at all. Talk about throwing a bone to your loyal customers.

Filed under: Wireless, Networking

CradlePoint bringing WiMAX to existing fleet of portable routers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Primitive Word Counter Analyzes Word and Phrase Frequency [Downloads]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/fKoG_j6IeHc/primitive-word-counter-analyzes-word-and-phrase-frequency

You can check the number of words in just about any word processing program, but what about the distribution of those words?

Primitive Word Counter analyzes text from your clipboard or file and returns the frequency of words and phrases in the text. You can set a minimum word length and have it ignore numbers to trim down the volume of replies it returns. Primitive Word Counter automatically scrubs out punctuation and control characters from the text, if you need to count those take a look at previously reviewed WordCount, which allows you to toggle the counting of non-word elements in your text. Primitive Word Counter is freeware, Windows only.

Primitive Word Counter [Primitive Zone]

ok, I admit it, advertising still works - http://ping.fm/V7usL - just kidding ... :-)

Aqua, Hydra or Simply Water; It Needs To Be Clean

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/ns6onILYBFo/

I don't think I need to highlight the importance of clean drinking water to you elite crowd, but it is a major issue in many developing countries and war-torn zones. When designer Martin Bolton conducted a survey of the potable water that most rural houses in South Africa used, he was appalled at the quality and decided to do something about it. He devised an ingenious Potpaz Ceramic Filter system that is aimed at being a low cost water treatment device optimally suited to South African rural conditions.

Trying to keep the authenticity of the explanation of its working, here is what Martin has to say about the filter's working:

Operation of the filter unit

The ceramic filter element is filled with water to be filtered, the water then saturates the ceramic filter element and slowly filters through the pores at a rate of between 1.5 to 2.5 liters per hour, provided the filter is kept full (as stated on the leaflet received from the existing filter element manufacturers). The filter needs the weight of the unfiltered water in the element to create sufficient pressure to push the water through the pores. The water filtering through the filter element drips into the receptacle where it is stored, ready for consumption. Users' tap water from the plastic spigot attached through the receptacle wall. The covering lid prevents insects and dust from getting into contact with the filter element.

It has been shown that the filter element is able to improve the health related microbial quality of the water by means of the action of filtration. Effectiveness of the filter element, with regards to disinfection, can be increased with the application of colloidal silver to the filter element.
Colloidal silver is an effective antibacterial water treating agent in the form of tiny silver particles suspended in liquid. It is a disinfectant that prevents bacterial growth in the ceramic filter and assists in inactivating the bacteria in the filter. It is applied to the Potpaz filter in the form of a painted-on solution, or by dipping (after the firing process) thereby allowing the solution to soak into the porous ceramic filter where it remains. A study indicates that after 15 years in operation, the colloidal silver is still effective in the ceramic filter. The only routine maintenance of the filter components is as follows: The filter element needs to be scrubbed and rinsed once the flow-rate decreases considerably (possible once a month), and the inside of the receptacle needs to be cleaned with soap and water once a month.

Designer: Martin Bolton

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Dissected Samsung LCD Panel Bares It All [Dissected]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/f47cxTz0m_c/dissected-samsung-lcd-panel-bares-it-all

If you've ever wanted to see a flatscreen TV's innards and how all its gizzards fit into the TV's supermodel-thin body—but you've never had the guts to do it yourself—Samsung has dissected it for you.

With a LCD flat panel from its 6000 series, Samsung reveals, layer by layer, everything from its LED backlight—which is actually lit up from the sides of the panel—all the way to the front bezel. The gallery can be seen at the Samsung Experience in New York City this week, but we've got a photo recap for you if it'll physically hurt you to see this beautiful panel shredded in person. [DVice]

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