Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Monday, August 04, 2008

Intel's Larrabee Multi-Core GPU Chips Get Detail, Timescale [Larrabee]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/355164396/intels-larrabee-multi+core-gpu-chips-get-detail-timescale

About a year ago, we first brought you news on Intel's Larrabee multi-cored GPU chips, but some new info is hitting the intertubes and hints that the chips could have uses beyond graphics. An alternative to developing faster—but hotter—processors, Larrabee will have between 16 and 48 processor cores aboard, all compatible with the classic x86 instruction set.

This massively-parallel architecture is ideally suited to gaming systems, of course, but Intel plans on extending its usefulness into the handheld and even supercomputing domains. Larrabee's chief designer puts the new chip architecture "on the level of the 432 or the Itanium." It'll be competing against next-gen chips from Nvidia and ATI, which will have between 256 and 800 cores, so Larrabee is relying on its "high speed ring" which interconnects cores more efficiently than current designs. Should be available in late 2009 or early 2010. Interesting stuff. [NYTimes]

Lenovo's Ideapad S10 Ultra-Portable Notebook PC Gets Official, Due in September [Umpc]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/355225300/lenovos-ideapad-s10-ultra+portable-notebook-pc-gets-official-due-in-september

Lenovo's gone official with details on its Ideapad S10 ultra-portable notebook: it'll come with Windows XP pre-installed, measure 9.8 x 7.2 inches, weigh just 2.4-pounds in its lightest configuration, and pack in a LED back-lit 10-inch screen. Powered by Intel Atom N270 and 945 GSE express chipset, the diminutive PC also has some advanced heat-dissipation tech so that your lap and wrists won't get overheated. Interestingly Lenovo notes that "In some countries there will be 9-inch versions," different colors and "Linux preloads"... but doesn't say if those systems will hit the US eventually. Initially then, the S10 will cost you either $399 for a 512MB memory, 80GB HDD model or $450 for a 1GB, 160GB HDD model, and comes in black red or white. Press release info below.

• Integrated 1.3M Camera
• 2 stereo speakers
• Multi-touch Pad & near full size Keyboard (85% full size)
• Integrated Wireless 802.11 b/g,10/100 Ethernet, Bluetooth
• Express card slot for WWAN expansion
• Up to 2-GB Memory
• 4in1 Multi-card Reader
• Form factor: 250.2 x 183 x 22-27.5mm, lightest configuration of 1.1 kg
• Large Panel 10.2" wide, LED backlight 1024x600 WSVGA
• Intel Integrated Graphics GMA 950
• Intel N270 CPU 1.6 GHz & Intel 945GSE Chipset
• Large HDD capacity 160G 9.5mm 2.5" SATA HDD (5400 rpm)
• Battery up to 3 hours with 3-cell battery, and up to 6 hours with 6-cell battery

The S10 also comes with a dedicated Lenovo graphical UI for best energy management options so you can optimize its battery life, and a "one-touch" rescue data recovery system. With Lenovo's might behind it, does it sound like an Eee PC killer? What do you think, chaps? [Lenovo]

Zepto unleashes potent Nexus A15 gaming laptop

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/352883034/

Filed under: Laptops

Anyone remotely familiar with the Zepto brand understands that it doesn't mess around when it comes to PC gaming, and anyone (in the UK, at least) remotely interested in treating themselves to an all new machine should certainly give this one a glance. The 15.4-inch Nexus A15 arrives in a fairly respectable £599 ($1,181) / £699 ($1,378) base configuration, but things get entirely more exciting when adding in the 2.53GHz Intel P9500 CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive (or 32GB SSD, if that's your thing), a Blu-ray optical drive and a 6-cell battery sure to wither away in no time flat. All the regulars are on board too: WiFi, NVIDIA's GeForce 9600M GT, Windows Vista, audio in / out, a multicard reader, Ethernet and a few USB ports for good measure. Have fun making those previously mentioned price points look absurdly small.

[Via PCLaunches, thanks vinit]

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Nippon Signal shows off pocket-sized SVGA projector

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/352931451/

Filed under: Displays

It looks like the potential for visual pollution from micro projectors just keeps on increasing by the day, with Nippon Signal now following up Mint's just-announced VGA projector with an even smaller SVGA projector of its own. This one measures a mere 90 x 55 x 20 millimeters, and it makes use of lasers and a pair of MEMS scanners to project an image, unlike some other tiny projectors that rely on a more conventional LED light source. Unfortunately, this particular projector still seems to be in the prototype stage, and it doesn't look like Nippon Signal is planning to bring it to market itself, although it does seem that the technology could be commercialized "soon."

[Via About Projectors]

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Hitachi jacks perpendicular recording density to 610Gb / square inch

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/353059867/

Filed under: Storage

Hitachi sure does love some perpendicular recording, and in between making trippy videos about the tech, it seems like it's busy improving it -- the company just announced that it's increased the max storage density of magnetic recording to 610Gb per square inch. That's far denser than current techniques, and it could lead to a 2.5x increase in capacity for hard drives -- and what's more, Hitachi says it shows that hard drive capacities have the ability to increase at a rate of 40 percent annually for the foreseeable future. Looks like the Tera Era might actually be here, eh?

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Keepin' it real fake, part CXXVII: OQO G900 mimics Palm Centro

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/354047243/

Filed under: Cellphones

Well it seems OQO is ~~lowering~~ raising the bar from the handset it appears to be aping by packing more goodies into its decidedly Centro-inspired set. The G900 features a 624MHz CPU, 128MB memory, quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE, a 2 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 6.1, Bluetooth, and raises the bar with a dash of WiFi. Of course, this set may not find its way to a provider's shelves near you, but it's refreshing to see KIRF done right, and perhaps even done better for a change. Come on, sing it with us, Go OQO Go!

Update: As some readers have pointed out, this handset actually appears to be an OQO clone knocking off a Palm Centro, so yeah, it's just gotten better.

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Folding Plica concept phone makes our eyes widen

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/354363985/

Filed under: Cellphones

Mmm, touchscreens. Expansive, gorgeous touchscreens. That pretty much sums up our initial impressions after taking one hard look at James Piatt's Plica concept. As you can tell, this foldable cellie opens up to reveal a pair of touchscreens just begging to be used for web browsing, texting and photo viewing. There's also a mini-USB port and a headphone jack, though we'd certainly be interested to see how he plans on slipping a battery in there that lasts more than a hour or two. Can we get a major handset manufacturer to look in this direction -- pretty please?

[Via gadgetell]

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Video: SSD-infused Eee PC 1000 boots in 30 seconds

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/354647351/

Filed under: Laptops

Even with Express Gate installed, it took ASUS' Eee Box a good 35 seconds before an application could be used. On this particular Eee PC 1000, it took around half a minute for the entire system to load. The secret? An ultra-speedy 40GB SSD packed within. Hop on past the break for proof of the feat, but don't blink for an extraordinarily long period of time.

[Thanks, Roman]

Continue reading Video: SSD-infused Eee PC 1000 boots in 30 seconds

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AMP test drives all-electric Saturn Sky on video

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/355009420/

Filed under: Transportation

Remember that Ohio-based firm that planned on converting 300 or so Saturn Skys into all-electric roadsters? Advanced Mechanical Products ring a bell? At any rate, said outfit has just hosted up a video of its fourth test drive of a prototype, which is shown sporting an "Electric" badge on the front fender and a whole mess of batteries and wires underneath the hood. Oh, and then there's that unmistakable whizzing sound as it cruises on by. Check out the video after the jump.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading AMP test drives all-electric Saturn Sky on video

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iriver Spinn caught on video, kills without words

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/355062587/

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Oh yes it is. iriver's 3.3-inch Spinn media player with AMOLED display has finally been captured on video. That gives us a first look at the new SPINN Wheel controller and how it assists with navigating the touch-screen display with haptic feedback. Gotta say, the navigation looks extremely impressive causing our want factor to burrow a bit deeper down into our wallets. Check the UI in action after the break.

[Via iriverfans.com]

Continue reading iriver Spinn caught on video, kills without words

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