Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Sony announces own backside illuminated CMOS -- take that OmniVision

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/309522345/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Well, there you have it: the BSI gauntlet has been officially thrown. Sony just announced its own backside-illuminated CMOS sensor meant to rival OmniVision's achievement. Sony's sensor features 1.75 micron pixels totalling 5 effective megapixels capable of 60fps and offers low noise at twice the sensitivity of traditional sensors at the same pixel size. That's a signal to noise ratio of +8dB (+6dB sensitivity, -2dB noise), nerds. Nice Sony, but OmniVision's 8 megapixel sensor targeting cameraphones (Sony's is apparently targeting digital cameras and camcorders) brings the pixels down to 1.4 microns (with 0.9 micron pixels on the roadmap) albeit with an undisclosed SNR. Regardless, we look forward to seeing our friends' chemically-spiked club shots in excruciatingly slovenly detail later this year.

BSI, learn it -- it's shaping up to do for imaging what perpendicular did for magnetic storage.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

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Toshiba's 1.8-inch 160GB disk hits 5400RPM for netbooks

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/309390245/

Filed under: Laptops, Storage

Who makes a 160GB, 1.8-inch SATA disk spinning at 5400RPM? Nobody, until today. Toshiba just announced the industry's largest-capacity / fastest 160GB MK1617GSG disk for ultra-portables and netbook-class machines. While others have hit the magical 160GB mark in an 8-mm thick form factor, this is the first 1.8-inch SATA to reach 5400RPM. Oh, and because you're about to ask: no, it's too chubby for an iPod classic (where that speed wouldn't likely be noticed) or ultra-thin laptop like the MacBook Air or Envy 133. Thanks for asking though.

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Honlai's QingBar MP101 iPhone projector makes us want more

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/309546910/

Filed under: Displays

Looks like Honlai had more than one mini-projector on display at Computex. The MP101 is capable of throwing a 15- to 27-inch display form your iPhone or iPod touch in a 4:3 aspect ratio. Unfortunately, we're talking just 10-15 lumens and a 200:1 contrast. Still, it'll do for a quick and dirty LCoS jones. See a working prototype after the break.

[Via AVING and DisplayBlog]

Continue reading Honlai's QingBar MP101 iPhone projector makes us want more

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Video: NeoVisus Gaze prototype enables handsfree computer control

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/309608357/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

If you're tired of worrying about carpal tunnel syndrome setting in and ruining your ability to surf the intarwebz, Martin Tall is cooking up an alternative to the tried-and-true mouse / keyboard control combo. The NeoVisus Gaze prototype, quite simply, enables computer users to control the action on screen with just their eyes. Granted, this setup works entirely better when viewing photos than, say, typing up a thesis -- but there's always voice recognition software for that, right? Check out the demonstration video below.

Continue reading Video: NeoVisus Gaze prototype enables handsfree computer control

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Verizon snags LG Dare, Decoy and Chocolate 3

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/309685902/

Filed under: Cellphones

So, what do you do after announcing your intentions to spend nearly $30 billion on America's fifth largest carrier? Why, you announce a trio of new phones for the summertime, that's what. Verizon Wireless is trumpeting the launch of the Dare (pictured), Decoy and Chocolate 3, all of which are being provided by LG. As for the Dare, you'll find 3G, V CAST, VZ Navigator and a 3.2-megapixel camera, while the Decoy becomes the world's first handset with a Bluetooth headset integrated into its body. Finally, the Chocolate 3 goes all flip-phone on us and includes an FM transmitter, twin speakers, 1GB of internal storage, 2-megapixel camera and V CAST support. Unfortunately, VZW hasn't dished out official details on pricing just yet, but you can find out for sure when they go on sale later this month, June 16th and sometime in July (in order of mention).

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AOC launches 22-inch 2230Fh LCD monitor

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/309735216/

Shortly after bringing the Envision L42H761 to market, AOC has decided to cater to those looking for something a touch smaller. The 22-inch 2230Fh LCD should work just fine as a computer monitor or bedroom HDTV, provided that you bring your own source of programming. The unit packs a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, 20,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 2-millisecond response time, a "glossy piano-black finish," integrated speakers and VGA / DVI / HDMI inputs. Best of all, this thing won't be putting any huge dent in your wallet with its $299.99 sticker. Full release after the jump.

Gallery: AOC launches 22-inch 2230Fh LCD monitor

Continue reading AOC launches 22-inch 2230Fh LCD monitor

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LED sphere project does still images and video at 1,800 rpm

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/309771748/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

If by chance you're looking for yet another LED-heavy DIY project to tackle, you may want to take a gander at this so-called persistence-of-vision LED sphere, which will let you pump out some super-low res still images or video on a spinning 3D screen. That's accomplished using a single ring of tri-color LEDs, which spins at a rate fast enough to display any combination of red, green or blue pixels along the surface of the resulting sphere, giving you an impressive 3-bit color depth (no video of it in action though, sadly). That, of course, is slightly easier said than done, and there unfortunately isn't a step-by-step how-to to guide you through the process, though we're guessing anyone actually pondering such a project will be able to make do well enough on their own.

[Via MAKE:Blog]

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HP says to expect multi-touch laptops "long before" Windows 7

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/309823310/

Filed under: Laptops

Fresh from showing off its TouchSmart 2 all-in-one device, HP has now dropped word that we can expect to see some multi-touch laptops from the company as well. That none-too-surprising bit of news comes straight from HP's Kevin Frost, general manager of the consumer notebook division, who says that we can expect the laptops to show up "long before" the launch of multi-touch-friendly Windows 7 OS (supposedly on track for a 2010 release). Somewhat interestingly, HP technical marketing manager Kevin Wentzel adds that the one of the bigger obstacles at the moment is in developing suitable software, not hardware, for laptops.

[Via Electronista]

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Snow Leopard to drop PowerPC support?

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/309796522/

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

PowerPC users, your days could be numbered. According to an alleged screenshot of Snow Leopard's system requirements, only Intel CPUs will get to take a ride on the 10.6 train as of now. The grab comes from an early version of the OS seeded to developers at WWDC this week, though given that Jobsy said we're a year out from an actual release, these things could change. Still, it's not looking promising for those of you who've stood by your older models -- but Apple shutting out legacy users doesn't come as a real shock, does it?

[Via Mac Rumors; Thanks, Kiwi616]

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OLPC X2

source: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/fullimage.php?image=10509

X300 vs Envy 133 vs MacBook Air... Fight!

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/308789770/

Filed under: Laptops

Suddenly the 13.3-inch ultra-portable market is looking a might bit crowded. At the same time, it's never looked better now that we have the choice of Lenovo's X300, Apple's MacBook Air, and Voodoo's just announced Envy 133. Decisions, decisions.

ThinkPad X300	Envy 133	MacBook Air
0.73 to 0.92-inches	0.70-inches	0.16 to 0.76-inches
2.9 to 3.1-pounds*	3.37-pounds	3 pounds
13.3-inch LED	13.3-inch LED	13.3-inch LED
1,440 x 900	1,280 x 800	1,280 x 800
Removable Battery	Removable Battery	Not Removable
Ethernet	External	via USB adapter
3x USB	1x USB, 1x USB/eSATA	1x USB
DVD	External	External
1.2GHz Core 2 Duo	1.8GHz Core 2 Duo	1.8GHz Core 2 Duo
GMA X3100	GMA X3100	GMA X3100
SSD only	SSD only (?)	HDD or SSD
Vista	Vista	Vista or OS X
$2,700 to $3,000*	$2,099 starting	$1,800 to $3,100*
Business minded	Instant on Voodoo IOS	Cuts cake

*Depending upon configuration

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Blackberry OS 4.6 for 9000 / 9500 gets detailed

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/308813573/

Filed under: Cellphones

We had heard that the introduction of the BlackBerry Bold (9000) / Thunder (9500) could usher in the long-awaited BlackBerry OS 4.6, and now we're just about ready to believe it. A new listing over at Horizon Wireless Online details the forthcoming operating system, and notes that it will bring along richer browsing (which entails a whole host of improvements), click zooming with the trackball, Music Sync, an option to select Home screen grid size and support for continuous spell checking (among other things). Hey RIM, can we get that "richer browsing experience" on say, the Curve / Pearl?

[Thanks, Peter]

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Digifriends MID coming to US via Sprint / Nextwave

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/308825686/

Filed under: Handhelds

Unfortunately, we've yet to hear if the Digifriends MID we toyed with at CES will be updated before launching in the US of A, but either way, you can bank on it coming. Reportedly, Peter Kim, the project supervisor at Digifriends USA, has informed Pocketables that the unit spotted in January will be arriving Stateside with "contracted sales through Sprint and NextWave." Pricing remains a mystery, but we're told to expect said unit to be available "very soon." The edge of our seat can barely take all of this pressure.

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WhiteKnightTwo scheduled to rollout in July, fly in September

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/308840459/

Filed under: Transportation

WhiteKnightTwo

While much of the attention surrounding Virgin Galactic's race to space tourism has surrounded its SpaceShipTwo, word has come that carrier ship WhiteKnightTwo will rollout in late July, and after some ground tests, take to the skies by September. With this rollout come some new details about the composite, twin-boom mothership, which Virgin Galactic is selling as an "open architecture" that they are clearly open to pimping for other applications. Says Prez Will Whitehorn, "WhiteKnightTwo is the world's most advanced payload carrier. It has the best fuel efficiency of any aircraft ever built in history. It is the world's first 100% carbon composite aircraft." They are even looking into using WhiteKnightTwo as a forest fire water bomber with its payload capacity. Nonetheless, we care because the giant ship that will carry rich people to space at $200,000 a pop is going to be flying by September. Press passes please?

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Researchers show off flexible, band-aid-sized tactile display

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/308913874/

Filed under: Wearables

We've seen tactile displays of all shapes and sizes, but none quite like this latest creation from a group of researchers at Korea's Sungkyunkwan University and the University of Nevada, which promises to be at your disposal whenever you need it. That's possible thanks to the electroactive polymer material the display is based on, which consists of eight layers of tiny actuator films that have been sprayed with electrodes in a specific pattern, allowing the skin to be stimulated without any additional electromechanical transmission. In addition to making it possible to wrap the display around your finger like a band-aid, that also makes the system extremely power efficient and, apparently, cost effective and easy to manufacture. As with other tactile displays, the researchers say this one could be especially useful as a braille display for the blind, although they don't see any shortage of other potential applications, with them foreseeing it being used in everything from virtual keyboards to tele-surgical gloves.

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