Rumor: Google Testing Outbound Calling from Google Talk?

If this found image is to be believed, Google is in the midst of testing a SkypeOut-like service with their own Google Talk. If you're not familiar, Google Talk is their IM and PC to PC calling app that's tied into other Google apps like GMail.

Why's this interesting? Well, seeing as Google is Google, they'd no doubt integrate calling into some of their other popular products as well. How about (since they're #1 business is still advertising) making you listen to an ad before you make a free call? Or, if you have to pay, making you pay through Google Checkout in order to get a lower fee? Both interesting, and both possible if Google really is going forward with PC-to-phone calling. – Jason Chen

Google Talk Dialpad PC to Phone VOIP to Challenge SkypeOut? [Search Engine Journal]

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Touchless Cellphone Concept From A Parallel Universe

This is the latest scifi-slash-absurd design concept from branko Lukic. The Tarati is a phone with no keys, you pass your fingers through the keyholes to dial. Lukic describes it best:

Tarati enables the user to connect with others by passing fingers, in order, through key holes. This action of dialing alone is a more magical experience and, hence, more indicative of what's really happening beyond the visible realm. ... Tarati beckons the user to "touch" someone without physically touching a single key. Its design reflects human connectivity in a less material/mechanical, more sensual, way.

Reach out and touch someone, eh? Sounds like a good commercial jingle for a rotary phone company. –Noah Robischon

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NVIDIA's CUDA turns GPUs into high-powered CPUs

Posted May 25th 2007 5:57AM by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

NVIDIA's been dancing around the general-purpose processor market for a while now -- we've heard reports that the company is developing an x86 chip, and it bought PortalPlayer last year for $357 million. Well, at this year's Microprocessor Forum the company took another small step by announcing that the final release of CUDA, its framework for utilizing high-end NVIDIA GPUs as CPUs, which will be available to developers in the second half of the year. While the idea of using a GPU as a secondary high-performance processor isn't a new one -- Folding@Home already runs on NVIDIA and ATI chips, and the Peakstream system already leverages GPUs -- CUDA should make it easier for developers to tap into high-performance graphics devices whenever they're available, without having to specifically tailor their apps to do so. CUDA, which stands for "compute unifed device architecture," currently only supports the GeForce 8800 and 8600 and Quadro FX 4600 and 5600, so it's of limited appeal right now, but here's hoping the next gen of NVIDIA chips supports CUDA from the get-go -- the Engadget Folding@Home team is looking for a few new recruits.

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Art Inspired Speakers

We need not say Artcoustics have turned true to its brand name. All the products jubilantly share this Artcoustics vision for combining stunning audio performance with beautiful aesthetics, not sacrificing one for the other. The Art inspired speakers is one of their recent creations. The High-quality speakers are draped in excellent piece of art work thereby taking your home décor to celestial heights. The speaker covers are ink jet with stock art or your own custom images. You home theatres would love clinging next to these speakers.

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EcoSmart fire from EcoGreen is Ventless

Fireplaces that offer elegance, low maintenance, eco-friendly and state of the art are hard to come by. If all of the above and more are there on your checklist then EcoSmart fire from EcoGreen Fire is what you are looking for. The modular design allows you to place the open flame nigh on any surface. The new Ventless fire is ideal for apartments that require a cozy fireplace. It offers a selection of grates and surrounds that complement your home environment. It requires no utility connection as it burns with Denatured Ethanol. Practically maintenance free, because the renewable fuel source burns till it is empty, thereafter it needs to be refilled.

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