Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Daewoo Lucoms hops in low-cost laptop game with Lukid

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/318978490/

Filed under: Laptops

Daewoo Lucoms is no stranger to building smallish computers, but it seems to have taken a few obvious design cues from Intel's 2go PC when crafting its own Lukid. According to the firm's site, this kid-friendly PC includes a 900MHz Celeron M ULV processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, a 9-inch display, 30GB hard drive and Windows XP Home Edition. There's also two USB jacks, audio in / out, WiFi, Ethernet and a rather unsightly (though quite useful, we imagine) carry handle. Expect this one to land in South Korea for around ₩549,000 ($531), though we haven't heard a peep in regard to availability elsewhere in the world.

[Via AVING]

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DARPA's Vulcan engine combines turbo jet with scramjet, faces will melt

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/319038699/

Filed under: Transportation

DARPA vulcan

When you're building a jet that exponentially accelerates past Mach 6 -- as one does -- you need to come up with a way to get it off the ground. Scramjets, or Constant Volume Combustion (CVC) engines, use compressed air and a reduced nozzle to accelerate planes, and they're a hot technology in aviation. Problem is, you have to get them to Mach 4 before the magic happens. Traditionally, scramjet tests have involved strapping the craft to supersonic jets to get the jet up to speed -- not a very cost-effective solution. DARPA has come up with a hybrid engine design called Vulcan that can power a craft like the Falcon HTV-3X to the magical point with a turbo jet and then switch to the CVC to get the craft to the promised land. They expect to have a working prototype by 2012. Check the concept video after the break.

Continue reading DARPA's Vulcan engine combines turbo jet with scramjet, faces will melt

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Intel's 2.8GHz Core 2 Extreme Mobile X9000 gets tested

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/319146652/

Filed under: Laptops

Who says you need a desktop chip packed within a 3-inch thick, 15-pound beast of a "laptop" to get decent FPS while at a LAN party? Intel's speedy Core 2 Extreme Mobile X9000 checks in at 2.8GHz (prior to overclocking, of course), and promises to punish today's latest games while sipping less power and generating less heat than the aforementioned alternatives. The gurus over at HotHardware were able to sit down with said chip and put it to the test; overall, the Mobile X9000 "proved itself to be as fast as its desktop counterparts in many scenarios, all the while consuming less power as a complete system in the Dell XPS M730 notebook testbed." If you're the type that gets all hot and bothered by benchmarks and graphs, there's plenty of those in the read link below.

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Nokia dishes out OS2008 Feature Upgrade for N810 / N800

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/319146649/

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

The first official OS2008 update came to Nokia's internet tablets late last year, and those yearning for yet another can finally breath a sigh of relief. Reportedly, the company has pushed out the OS2008 Feature Upgrade for the N810 and N800, but we are told that users will still need to "reflash the device in order to install this release." Thankfully, future OS updates are slated to be provided over-the-air without the need to reflash. The changelog is actually quite lengthy, but the highlights include an open source email application based on Modest and the tinymail framework, simplified account setup and the introduction of Chinese character rendering support in email, browser and RSS feeds. Let us know how it goes, will ya?

[Image courtesy of Seartipy, thanks Ryan]

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Mitsubishi's LaserVue 65-inch and 75-inchers due this fall

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/319397586/

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

We got a first glimpse of Mitsubishi's brand new rear-projection-ish laser-based TV tech, LaserVue, back at CES, but now the sets are just about primed for action, and should be hitting store shelves, as previously noted, Q3 2008. LaserVue will debut in 65-inch and 73-inch, with the 65-inch version hitting the scene first. Mitsubishi is still pretty coy about what exactly makes the technology tick -- other than the "zomg, lasers" aspect -- but is quick to point out the 200 percent color gamut that LaserVue provides, more than twice that of most traditional HDTVs. The sets also run at 120Hz, and boast 500 nits of brightness. Head to head against LCD and plasma sets we had trouble finding the differences, other than the color depth (particularly in the reds, almost too much so, though we're sure you can tweak that). Have no fear: the blacks are black, the brights are bright, and the viewing angle puts DLP to shame. That said, we're hearing price points are going to be more comparable to plasma and LCD than DLP, so Mitsubishi might have its work cut out for it in convincing consumers that these new "chubby," 10-inch thick TVs are the way to go. We're not entirely convinced ourselves, though one aspect can't be disputed: LaserVue draws under 200 watts, about half that of LCD and a third of plasma.

Gallery: Mitsubishi's LaserVue 65-inch and 75-inchers due this fall

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Monday, June 23, 2008

CNRS learns to control nanoscale strain in CPUs, heads to Jedi training

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/317745139/

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

We've always heard that Chewbacca and friends had the power to control nanoscale strain in processors in a galaxy far, far away, but we Earthlings are just now getting caught up. Researchers at the Centre d'élaboration de matériaux et d'études structurales (CEMES-CNRS) have reportedly patented a measurement device that will essentially "enable manufacturers to improve microprocessor production methods and optimize future computers." We'll warn you, the meat of this stuff is pretty technical, but the take home is this: the technique has a good chance at "optimizing strain modeling in transistors and enhancing their electrical efficiency," which is just what we need for more potent chips that demand less energy. And that's something even a layman can appreciate.

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Sunday, June 22, 2008

Firefox 3.0 USB Lets You Take Your Browser Everywhere [Firefox]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/317728165/firefox-30-usb-lets-you-take-your-browser-everywhere

Those of you need Firefox 3 on the go can now get a portable USB edition of the browser from PortableApps.com. The download lets you launch Firefox from your USB and lets you bring all your extensions and bookmarks with you while making sure that the computer you're using doesn't end up saving your info. The file is 8MB and free (though, as with all open source stuff, I'm sure the folks at PortableApps would love it if you threw them a few bucks). [Portable Apps]

Researcher crafts tattoo / scar matching system to nab outlaws

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/317405431/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Passports and licenses are so last century -- these days, sophisticated crooks can change their identity on a whim, and one particular Michigan State University researcher is looking to stay one step ahead. Anil Jain has created an automatic image retrieval system dubbed Tattoo-ID, which "includes an annotated database containing images of scars, marks and tattoos" that is "linked to the criminal history records of all the suspects and convicts who have a tattoo." Essentially, the application will give law enforcement the ability to query on permanent skin markings, which sure beats manually flipping through ginormous books of images just hoping for a match. Reportedly, Jain and his team are continuing to improve the system, but there's been no word on how long it'll take before implementation can begin. Better stay on the straight and narrow, ~~Zune Guy~~ Microsoft Zune.

[Via TG Daily]

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Concentrating Solar SolFocus Looking for Funds

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/earth2tech/~3/316278921/

SolFocus, which makes systems that concentrate sunlight onto solar cells, has been slowly adding to its war chest over the last year. And according to a report out today from VentureWire, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company isn’t done fundraising just yet, and is looking to add between $60 million and $80 million in a Series C round. That would be in addition to the $95 million that the firm has already raised.

Concentrating solar photovoltaic systems are a weird bird. They fall somewhere between the massive solar thermal plants being built in the desert, and the standard photovoltaic panels that are becoming common on rooftops around the world. Unlike standard solar panel systems, “concentrating PV” setups use arrays with lenses and curved mirrors to focus the sunlight onto cells, which can produce more power with less material — SolFocus notes a 1 square centimeter cell can capture more than 500 square centimeters of sunlight. The setup reduces the amount of largely silicon-based panels used, and can significantly cut down on the cost of the system.

SolFocus is a little over two years old and is trying to grow fast in an attempt to commercialize its technology. The company is already selling select products to customers for installations as test sites, like a 500-kilowatt installation for the Institute of Concentration Photovoltaic Systems program in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Last July it bought Madrid-based solar tracking company InSpira to help scale the business by bringing down the cost of the trackers it uses.

The VentureWire report says SolFocus is now looking to raise funds for “growth and manufacturing.” Previously the company was funded by New Enterprise Associates, Moser Baer India, David Gelbaum, Metasystem Group, NGEN Partners and Yellowstone Capital.

Sunlight + Semiconductors = Clean Water

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/earth2tech/~3/316947122/

With all the concern over data centers sucking up enormous amounts of power and worries about the many gallons of water required to make semiconductors, one would never think that chips could offer a solution to some of the world’s resource and environmental problems. But the semiconductor industry really, really wants you to use its chips to make life greener.

And in some cases, technology does offer an answer. An engineer from Mexico, for example, has used four different types of Freescale low-power processors to help distill water using sunlight, glass and a system of semiconductors to estimate water needs and deliver it around the house. The Digital Sun Distiller, from Jose Luis Rojas, won a design challenge put forth by chip maker Freescale.

Distillers generally work by taking collected household water and funneling it into a clear chamber box with a diagonal roof that is heated by the sun. The heat is high enough to kill impurities in the water, leaving a film of potable condensation on the roof of the distiller. That condensation then drips down the angled roof into a clean water receptacle.

It’s pretty low tech, but the addition of one of its chip to sense impurities, heat and to direct the water around the home is what made the technology so compelling for Freescale. Rojas plans to use the $50,000 prize money to help bring his product to market.

NHK Projector Features Insane 7680 x 4320 (8K) Resolution [Too Much Hd]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/316442674/nhk-projector-features-insane-7680-x-4320-8k-resolution

Japanese TV broadcaster NHK has demonstrated Super Hi-Vision, their whopping 32 megapixel, 8K (7680 x 4320) ultra-high definition projector technology using two LCoS projectors with a combined 8,000 lumens brightness and a towering 6.6m x 3.7m 300-inch projection screen. For those of you who are counting, that absolutely obliterates the 4K (3840 x 2,160) full-HD standard. They have even developed a matching 8K studio camera. Once again this begs the question: is there such a thing as too much HD? [CNET]

Mid-Range Graphics Card Showdown: Nvidia 9800 GTX+ Slides Past ATI Radeon HD 4850 [Nvidia]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/316482460/mid+range-graphics-card-showdown-nvidia-9800-gtx%252B-slides-past-ati-radeon-hd-4850

Poised and waiting for ATI's latest graphics card to hit, Nvidia immediately fired off the 9800 GTX+, a nimbler version of its behemoth 9800 GTX, aggressively priced at $229 to put serious pressure on the $199 HD 4850. Benchmarks comparing the two weren't available yesterday, but PC Perspective has 'em up now. In short, while the HD 4850 can mostly keep up with Nvidia's older, regular 9800 GTX, the steroid-injected 9800 GTX+ has enough juice to edge it out in almost every single benchmark. The Radeon HD 4850 has about a month on the shelf to itself before the 9800 GTX+ hits though. Check out PC Perspective for more graphs and numbers than your brain wants to deal with on a Friday. [PC Perspective via Engadget]

GeoEye-1 Commercial Satellite Packs Military Power [Global Imaging]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/316535642/geoeye+1-commercial-satellite-packs-military-power

Next month, a commercial satellite named the GeoEye-1 will go into the Earth's orbit. Its highest resolution photos—shots that will spot a 16-inch beachball—will be reserved for military use. However, slightly lower resolution imagery will be made available in the commercial sector, like Google Earth.

Military imagery can resolve images as small as .17 square meters. Commercial limitations are about double that size at .36 square meters. The new satellite will be able to capture 700,000 square kilometers a day (which Technology Review points out is roughly the size of Texas).

But the best news is that GeoEye already sells shots to Yahoo, Google and Microsoft that we get to see through their various mapping portals. In other words, we'll soon be getting a free upgrade to our favorite satellite imaging services. Good stuff. So watch the cleavage, ladies, lest you be an unwilling accomplice to the rapidly growing satellite voyeur trend. (Note: if such sites actually exist, please email tips...for research purposes.)

The Cloud Is Your Furryoptics Best Friend, Strangely Turns Me On [Furryoptics]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/316855510/the-cloud-is-your-furryoptics-best-friend-strangely-turns-me-on

MIT mobile experience lab's latest experiment is The Cloud, a pseudo-organic life form made of carbon glass that perceives humans using hundreds of sensors. It responds with sounds and light, using more than 15,000 individually-controlled optical hairs. That's 40 miles of fiber optics inside this 13-foot long furry. After seeing it in action, I have to admit that there's something strangely sensual and even erotic about it. Or maybe it's just the pretty girl in the tight pink dress caressing it in the video.

The Cloud is located in Florence, outside the Fortezza da Basso, so if you are around the area soon, don't forget to give it a big hug from us. [Design Boom via Cool Hunting]

4GB Camcorder USB Pen Captures Your Thoughts On Paper, Video [Camcorder Pen]

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/317063726/4gb-camcorder-usb-pen-captures-your-thoughts-on-paper-video

Camcorder pens often sacrifice the whole "writing" thing in the name of capturing video, but this one from BrickHouse Security does write, and has considerably bigger storage capacity than previous video pens, too. It's a big pricey, but if you're into the whole Maxwell Smart lifestyle it could make a nice, voyeuristic addition to your repertoire. Two hours of battery time per charge, 30 hours of audio and/or video (4GB), and a potential restraining order are available to you for $250. [BrickStone Security via GeekAlerts]

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