Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Intel's new Nehalem-EX CPUs rock servers with eight cores, 16 threads, infinite sex appeal

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/intels-new-nehalem-ex-cpus-rock-servers-with-eight-cores-16-th/

Intel's new Nehalem-EX CPUs rock servers with eight cores, 16 threads, infinite sex appeal

What's that, you have an array of six-core CPUs in your rack? That is so last year. You're going to feel pretty foolish when all the cool admins start popping eight-core chips up in their closets this fall. That's the number on offer in Intel's latest, the Nehalem-EX. It's an evolution of the architecture that some of you may be spinning in your Core i7 machines, but boosted to support up to 16 threads and 24MB of cache. 2.3 billion transistors make the magic happen here, and Intel is pledging a nine-times improvement in memory bandwidth over the Xeon 7400. Chips are set to start hitting sockets sometime later this year, and while nobody's talking prices, staying hip in the enterprise server CPU crowd doesn't come cheap.

Filed under: Desktops

Intel's new Nehalem-EX CPUs rock servers with eight cores, 16 threads, infinite sex appeal originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung shows off latest, biggest, bendiest AMOLED prototype

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/samsung-shows-of-latest-biggest-bendiest-amoled-prototype/

Samsung shows off latest, biggest, bendiest AMOLED prototype

Today the flexible OLED is still a very rare thing, usually confined to dark corners of exhibitors booths at trade shows or grainy photos from some research facility. Sadly that doesn't look to change anytime in the immediate future, but Samsung is at least still making progress with the tech, demonstrating a new 6.5-inch flexible prototype at SID 2009 in San Antonio. It's bigger than the earlier examples we've seen from the company, and apparently a little bendier too, but beyond those juicy facts -- and knowing that it can display scenes from The Sound of Music -- we don't know a thing about it.

Filed under: Displays

Samsung shows off latest, biggest, bendiest AMOLED prototype originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG demos ultra-bright Full HD 3D monitor

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/video-lg-demos-ultra-bright-full-hd-3d-monitor/

LG's certainly been known to dabble in the third-dimension, and while we're still waiting for it to ship those "one or two" 3D TVs this year, at least we're confident that it's getting closer. Over in South Korea, the company has showcased a new Full HD (1080p) 3D monitor with what it says is the highest brightness level of any competing panel. Sadly, viewers are still required to don glasses when ingesting the action, but this take on the tech enables said eyewear to be somewhat thinner and less cumbersome. Have a peek at the vid down in the read link.

Filed under: Displays

LG demos ultra-bright Full HD 3D monitor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So long, HSPA+: AT&T "likely" moving straight from 7.2Mbps to LTE

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/so-long-hspa-atandt-likely-moving-straight-from-7-2mbps-to-lt/

At Mobile World Congress, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega had mentioned to us that AT&T was "better off" than Verizon thanks to 3GPP Release 7's capabilities to extend existing HSPA infrastructure through to 21Mbps and beyond by using the wonders of HSPA+ before the company would need to bite the bullet and get moving on LTE. We're not sure whether Big Red's aggressive LTE plans have AT&T rethinking its strategy or if it just wants to save time, money, and energy by avoiding yet another interim rollout, but we're now being told by a company spokesman that "it's likely that timelines for LTE standards will lead us directly from 7.2 to LTE." He mentions that HSPA+ is "still an option," but at any rate, this is a markedly different tone than we've heard in the past -- even as late as last month -- and if this means we're getting LTE even a single day sooner, we're all for it.

Filed under: Wireless

So long, HSPA+: AT&T "likely" moving straight from 7.2Mbps to LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MSI's X-Slim X340 now shipping in US for $899.99

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/msis-x-slim-x340-now-shipping-in-us-for-899-99/

It's hard to say if our harmless threats influenced the MSRP here, but either way, we'll take it. MSI has finally (finally!) come clean with a set price on its succulent X-Slim X340, and while we heard through the grapevine awhile back that it would ship here for under a grand, we definitely had our doubts. Starting today, eager consumers can order one for the low, low price of $899.99, which buys you an Intel ULV SU3500 processor, Vista Home Premium, a 13.4-inch 1,366 x 768 resolution display, GMA 4500MHD graphics and 2GB of DDR2 RAM. There's also a 320GB hard drive, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, 4-cell battery (an 8-cell is optional), 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, twin USB 2.0 sockets, VGA / HDMI outputs and an SD / MMC card reader. The 0.78-inches thick machine is shipping today in the US of A from a bevy of e-tailers, and you can peek the full release just after the break.

Continue reading MSI's X-Slim X340 now shipping in US for $899.99

Filed under: Laptops

MSI's X-Slim X340 now shipping in US for $899.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Ion hands-on and unboxing

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/google-ion-hands-on-and-unboxing/

Looks like Chris' hatred wasn't totally unfounded. We just got our hands on a Google Ion -- which as you can tell is a spitting image of the HTC Magic -- complete with 30 days' worth of T-Mobile service on an included SIM card. It's not a public release model, but seems fully capable. Yes, it's got Cupcake, and while the portrait keyboard seems more cramped than the iPhone's, we found it very comfortable to type in landscape mode. Form factor wise, this thing is as sexy as hardware gets -- light, sleek, and thin. The only thing that exceeds our love for it right now is its own love for fingerprints -- seriously, the entire body and screen attract them like flies to honey. Colorful similes aside, hit up the gallery below for all the pics you could ask for.

Gallery: Google Ion unboxing and hands-on

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Google Ion hands-on and unboxing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google I/O attendees getting free unlocked HTC Magic with T-Mobile 3G

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/google-i-o-attendees-getting-free-unlocked-htc-magic-with-us-3g/

In case you needed yet another reason to nerd out with Android developers for a couple days in scenic San Francisco, here's a doozy: every attendee is getting hooked up with an unlocked HTC Magic in black plus 30 days of voice and 3G data service. While the carrier isn't specified, we certainly wouldn't be surprised if it ended up being T-Mobile, which would make this an AWS version of the phone -- and a probable precursor to the presumed myTouch 3G release (or whatever they end up calling it) later this year. In the meantime, I/O attendees -- and yes, that includes you, Ross Miller -- we hate you out of sheer, raging envy.

Update: Confirmed -- it's a T-Mobile SIM, hence AWS 3G!

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Google I/O attendees getting free unlocked HTC Magic with T-Mobile 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kumo? Bing? But can this dog hunt? And will $80 - $100 million make any difference? RT @amklaassen http://ping.fm/YcTUA

HP to Release Budget Ultrathin Laptops Later This Year [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/f5e1yXusOlo/hp-to-release-budget-ultrathin-laptops-later-this-year

Intel told us to expect cheap, thin, midsized laptops to start showing up in major laptop manufacturers' catalogs this summer, and sure enough, Lenovo announced theirs one week later. Next up, according to Digitimes: Hewlett-Packard.

As per usual, Digitimes cites trusted sources in the "Taiwan manufacturing industry" who say that HP is gearing up to first incorporate Intel CULV processors into existing laptops, after which they'll design their very own cut-rate ultrathin laptop, basically inline with the Aspire Timeline or Lenovo U350. They won't ship until Q4 of this year though, by which time the field will be a little more crowded. [Digitimes—Shown above: HP Chameleon concept by Nikita Buyanov]

Viliv S5 Air, HSDPA-equipped Air Ready coming to China in June

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/viliv-s5-air-hsdpa-equipped-air-ready-coming-to-china-in-june/

The Viliv S5 has had its fair share of positive reviews, in spite of its not-as-friendly $600 price tag, and now it looks like the company's ready to up the ante with the S5 Air and S5 Air Ready, according to a report from our friends at Engadget Chinese. From what we gather, both will see an improved, haptic keyboard and support Chinese character input / handwriting input, while the Air Ready also throws in HSDPA to boot. Those in the country can pick one up reportedly in June for an as of yet unknown price, while the rest of us around the world will just have to wait and see if Viliv decides to launch it anywhere else.

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

Viliv S5 Air, HSDPA-equipped Air Ready coming to China in June originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 00:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Freelock Self-Locking Cycle Concept [Concepts]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/lB-dyEVXAt4/freelock-self+locking-cycle-concept

If you're tired of carrying a lock around with you every where you ride, the Freelock is a self-locking bicycle whose seat also functions as a built in lock, which is apparently as secure as an old bicycle with a typical chain lock.

The handlebars and body of the bike can rotate around to accommodate different angles of the poles and racks the lock latches onto. Sounds like it would be a quite handy concept, but I'm sure the idea of lugging around a chain lock won't be so bad once you realize your tires have gone missing... again. [Yanko]

Would You Pay for In-Flight Wi-Fi? [Qotd]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/KE_BbBz-ZlY/would-you-pay-for-in+flight-wi+fi

Runway Girl Mary Kirby has been covering inflight Wi-Fi for quite a while. She notices that while Wi-Fi is going free in cafes, parks, and hotels, the airlines want you to pay.

There's obviously a cost in maintaining and expanding the air Wi-Fi network, but who should pay for it, the airlines or you? 50-50? Would you pay extra in a ticket to get Wi-Fi access? Maybe it should be free for longer flights?

Your answer in the comments. [Runway Girl]

Defense Department developing portable hacking device for soldiers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/defense-department-developing-portable-hacking-device-for-soldie/

It's not exactly news that the Department of Defense is looking at ways to make hacking a more practical weapon, but it looks to really be stepping up its game with its latest project, which promises to make complicated attacks as simple as a few button presses. That would apparently be possible thanks to a slightly mysterious device that'd be small enough to carry around in a backpack, but powerful enough to do everything from breaking into a wireless network to hacking into SCADA (or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems (used at power plants, nuclear facilities, and the like). While complete details are obviously a bit light, the system would apparently be able to, for instance, map out the nodes in a wireless network, cause them to disconnect, and watch them come back online to identify weak spots. It would then present the "hacker" with various attack attributes that could simply be adjusted using sliders on a touchscreen. No word if the soldiers will also be rewarded with Achievements.

[Via Softpedia]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Networking

Defense Department developing portable hacking device for soldiers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canonical giving Ubuntu the gift of Android apps

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/canonical-giving-ubuntu-the-gift-of-android-apps/

Well, here's a wild new spin on the Android for netbooks debate: Canonical, commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, is creating an Android execution environment that would allow Android apps to run on Ubuntu and other desktop-style Linux distros, which seems like the best of both worlds for netbooks in most cases. Canonical already has a working prototype of the execution environment, and plans on making the necessary changes to the kernel in its next version of Ubuntu to give Android all the juice it needs at the core level and will open source the project soon. Things are still early, and there's a lot of work to do before this is going to really make the highly specialized Java-based Android apps actually usable on regular Linux -- they're currently working on granting Android access to the Ubuntu file system, for instance -- but we love where this is headed.

[Thanks, Michael Y.; Image courtesy of Scott James Remnant]

Filed under: Desktops, Handhelds, Laptops

Canonical giving Ubuntu the gift of Android apps originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp slings out industry's thinnest solar modules for cellphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/sharp-slings-out-industrys-thinnest-solar-modules-for-cellphone/

Timely, no? Just a month after Sharp aided in producing the planet's first waterproof solar cellphone, the aforementioned outfit has just announced the industry's thinnest solar module for handsets. Checking in at just 0.8 millimeters thick, the LR0GC02 shouldn't take up too much space on your ~~daughter's~~ great-granddaughter's smartphone, and while Sharp isn't handing over too many details just yet, we figure it'll pretty much do what it says. You know -- charge the handset it's integrated into whenever sunlight is available. As for when we'll see these in cellphones everywhere? Take a wild guess, tree-hugger.

[Via Akihabara News]

Filed under: Cellphones, Displays

Sharp slings out industry's thinnest solar modules for cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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