Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, March 21, 2008

Bout' Time: Sprint's Web-Capable Phones Getting Real Web Browsers [Sprint]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/255113181/bout-time-sprints-web+capable-phones-getting-real-web-browsers

Instead of unreadably cramming the internets into half-assed mobile browsers, Sprint's rolling out a full-fledged browser for "virtually all" of its phones that can do the web dance. They're using Openwave's OpenWeb, which supposedly will make for a more desktop-like and less crap-like internet experience, even on sites not optimized for mobile devices. It'll hit handsets in a couple weeks. [Treo Central]

Intel Sets Low Price for its Atom CPU [Atom]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/254956754/intel-sets-low-price-for-its-atom-cpu

Intel has set a price for its low-cost N270 notebook CPU: a mere $44. Now that actually does seem pretty cheap to us, so perhaps Intel's promise of much cheaper computers in the future will come true. At the same time Intel announced two 65nm Centrino CPUs, both aimed at the entry-level laptop market. The Celeron 585 is a 2.16GHz processor costing $107, and the 575 runs at 2GHz and costs $86. It's just possible Intel's "nettop" design will work out after all.[Digitimes]

Japanese Graves with QR Codes Link to Memorial Websites [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/255101082/japanese-graves-with-qr-codes-link-to-memorial-websites

In Japan, QR codes are everywhere. Little boxes of data that can be turned into web links, they're found on advertisements everywhere, allowing people to get more info by simply pointing their phone at it. Now, QR codes are being found in more unorthodox places: on graves.

Yep, now if you're interested in finding out a bit more about the dead person in question, you can simply point your phone at the grave and be automatically taken to a memorial website. The sites are generally small, simple collections of photos or videos formatted for the small screens of phones. Here's an example of one, although if I had a website address linked to my gravestone it would almost definitely link to this. It's my legacy! [J-Cast via Trends in Japan]

The Many Faces of the Tancher Transformer Concept Phone [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/255153305/the-many-faces-of-the-tancher-transformer-concept-phone

Once again we dip into the bin of impressive but implausible concepts with this Tancher Transformer phone design from Shkinder Maxim. The device can be configured in countless ways to act as a multimedia player and projector with support for holographic image projection and 3-D scanning.

If that wasn't outrageous enough, there are also ideas that involve a built in voice analyzer for lie detection and some drivel about a "present emotions" function that analyzes brain activity to record what you are feeling. Obviously, most of that is completely ridiculous, but the rotating axis design was intriguing enough to score a third place finish at this year's Tancher design awards. [Tancher via Gearfuse]

PufferSphere 360-Degree Display System Is Blow-Up Fabulousness [Pufferfish]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/255437453/puffersphere-360+degree-display--system-is-blow+up-fabulousness

Designed for trade fairs, stage shows and parties (yay!), the PufferSphere is an interactive digital spherical display that I want in my house. If my house was big enough, that is. The inflatable globe with a 360º field of view plugs into the mains, and can be wall-mounted, stuck on the ceiling or even used outside, if you think that standing it on its base is a bit infra dig. There's a video below of the PufferSphere in action.

[Pufferfish via DESIGNSPOTTER]

HTC's Dream again rumored to be first Android phone

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/254879885/

Filed under: Cellphones

We've been hearing about the HTC Dream (likely not pictured above) for what seems like an eternity on a tech timeline. Now "a person close to the situation" tells InfoWorld that the Dream is indeed HTC's Android phone. Remember, HTC is widely expected to be the first from the gate with a retail phone featuring Google's open source OS. The Dream is said to measure 3-inches wide by 5-inches long and feature a full QWERTY keypad that "either slides out or swivels." Right, exactly what Forbes told us 5 months ago. Still, it's always a good sign when the rumor mongers align. Whatever happens, we certainly expect the first Android phone to be exceptionally spec'd as a showcase of the OS' power and possibilities to come.

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ECS' Atom-based G10IL gets more attractive by the minute

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/254893118/

Filed under: Laptops

Upon initial inspection, we had a hunch the ECS G10IL would emerge as one of the most desirable of the low-cost lappies. Now that ECS has filled us all in on a few more pertinent details, we're feeling all the more sure of that assertion. According to new specifications loosed on the outfit's own website, we can look forward to a Diamondville, er, Atom CPU, Windows XP or Linux under the hood, a single RAM slot (up to 2GB), an HDD or SSD, 1.3-megapixel webcam, 4-in-1 multicard reader, a 8.2- / 10.2-inch glossy display and a 4- / 6-cell battery for good measure. Oh, and if you were wondering if Bluetooth and WiFi would tag along with the built-in HSDPA / HSUPA, the answer's yes (at least on the big fellow). So, does the G10IL have your attention now, or what?

[Via DailyTech]

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Scientists concoct material that superconducts at room temperature

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/254919762/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

While the temperature at which superconduction has occurred has been steadily rising throughout history, a potential breakthrough could open up a whole new world of possibilities in the computing realm. Reportedly, a pair of ~~mad~~ scientists from Canada and Germany have developed a silicon-hydrogen compound that can superconduct at room temperature. The secret, they say, is that the silane-based matter is "super-compressed," and they were able to achieve such compression by "adding hydrogen to a compound with silicon that reduced the amount of compression needed to achieve superconductivity." Granted, the work done so far was classified as "theoretical," but hopefully it won't be long (read: during our lifetime would be nice) before such technology finds its way into gaming rigs (among other things) the world over.

[Via Slashdot]

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