Wednesday, June 17, 2009

RF Cochlea Is a Super-Powered Signal Processor Modeled After the Inner Ear [Future Tech]

RF Cochlea Is a Super-Powered Signal Processor Modeled After the Inner Ear [Future Tech]

RF signal processors are pretty commonplace in consumer electronics. Which is exactly why it's exciting that two MIT researchers have created a super-radio based around the function of the human ear that's substantially faster and 100x more power efficient than today's signal processors.

The inner ear is able to take in all the noise in a surrounding area, and adapt how it processes the sound accordingly. Gizmag says that in a similar fashion, the RF Cochlea is able to analyze a wide range of frequencies, and maximize how it routes data for maximum bandwidth and minimal power consumption. In testing, these designs have been faster than anything they've ever seen before.

What this means for the rest of us is the development of faster, smarter radios for signals such as television channels, cellphones, wi-fi, etc... These "smart radios" could not only take unused bandwidth from one application and put it to work in another, but they could also learn to avoid certain frequencies based on the radio waves in their current location. The end result would be stronger, clearer wireless signals.

The researchers also think it would be possible to commercialize this technology within a couple of years, if someone was so motivated. I like that. [Gizmag]




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Zune HD Packs Nvidia Tegra: Better Video and Better Battery Life [Zune Hd]

Zune HD Packs Nvidia Tegra: Better Video and Better Battery Life [Zune Hd]

If you were wondering how the Zune HD could pack in such iPod touch-beating smoothness into such a small size, we might have an answer for you: It's packing Nvidia's teeny, high-performance Tegra processor.

As we explained in our Giz Explains: Low-Power Chipsets, Nvidia's Tegra proc is designed to handle high-def video and Flash with buttery smoothness in small packages, just like the Zune HD. So while this is as yet still unconfirmed, given that we haven't had confirmation from Microsoft, it makes a lot of sense and would actually be a very smart move—and the sources reporting the rumor seem very certain that it's true. With a Tegra processor, the Zune HD would certainly be able to decode videos with far less necessary power than with any other chipset, which means better battery life combined with better video quality. What else could you want from a next-gen PMP? [PC Perspective]




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Toshiba NB205 Netbook Gets 8 and a Half Hours of Real-Time Battery Life [NetBooks]

Toshiba NB205 Netbook Gets 8 and a Half Hours of Real-Time Battery Life [NetBooks]

10-inch, Atom-based netbooks tend to blend together in the mind, as they all have similar specs and similar designs. But when you can boast an insane 8.5 hour battery life in real-world conditions, we sit up and take notice.

Laptop Mag took a gander at Toshiba's NB205 netbook and found an awful lot to be happy about. The netbook, which boasts the same specs as every other 10-inch netbook out there (1.66GHz Atom, 160GB hard drive, 1GB RAM, Windows XP) seems to really bring it in the non-component hardware department, with a stellar keyboard and thankfully normal-human-sized trackpad along with an LED-backlit display and, of course, that crazy 6-cell battery. They managed to eke out 8 hours and 33 minutes of real time battery life, which means continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi. That's far and away the best battery life we've seen on this category of netbook, and with its above-average performance, it definitely looks like a mini-laptop worth your attention if you're in the market for a 10-incher. [Laptop Mag]




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VuNow's internet video-to-TV streamer finds a home in Sherwood receivers

VuNow's internet video-to-TV streamer finds a home in Sherwood receivers


The VuNow platform is sitting a lot prettier, as it has grabbed an OEM deal to be included in Sherwood's upcoming line of receivers. Already making an appearance as the Netgear ITV2000 standalone unit, now high end amps and surround sound systems will have access to a variety of internet video sources without additional hardware. Verismo's said it will be pursuing many different opportunities for its technology, we'll wait and see where the YouTube / CNN / ESPN and more streaming hardware shows up next, though your cable box would appear to be a safe bet.

Continue reading VuNow's internet video-to-TV streamer finds a home in Sherwood receivers

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VuNow's internet video-to-TV streamer finds a home in Sherwood receivers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney and ASUS announce Netpal netbook for kids

Disney and ASUS announce Netpal netbook for kids


Past Disney gadgets may have been heavier on the Disney than the gadget, but we're guessing there'll be at least a few parents out there a little envious of ASUS's new Disney-branded Netpal netbook for kids, which will be available in your choice of "Princess Pink" or "Magic Blue" colors (the latter replete with tiny Mickey Mouse icons). In addition to that eye-catching exterior, each netbook also packs a custom, kid-friendly Disney interface, along with a range of built-in parental controls, and some customizable themes based on Mickey Mouse, Toy Story, Wall-E, and other Disney properties. As you might expect, however, the netbook itself is just a standard 8.9-inch Eee PC, but it is at least available with either a 16GB SSD drive or a standard 160GB hard drive. No word on a release date just yet, but it looks like this one will set you back $350.

[Via GadgetMix.com]

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Disney and ASUS announce Netpal netbook for kids originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched On: When netbooks suffer from 'Droid rage

Switched On: When netbooks suffer from 'Droid rage

Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Despite powering only a handful of handsets available on the market, Android has already had a significant impact on the competitive landscape in smartphones. Looking at its primary rivals that run on a variety of hardware from multiple manufacturers, Android has provided a free and highly customizable licensed challenge to Windows Mobile, And competition with the Google-developed mobile operating system may have also provided the final push of Symbian into the world of open source.

Just because Android has turned the tables, though, does not mean it should be used on devices that rest on them. Recently, the infatuation with Android has led to much speculation and supplication regarding the operating system as an alternative on netbooks and less proven "gaptops" that live between the smartphone and the notebook. But while blazing benchmarks may erase any speed records set by netbooks running Windows, they can't erase what amounts to a weak case for Android on these devices.

Recent history shows that the overwhelming majority of consumers want Windows on their netbooks. This has become especially true as the market has shifted from the quasi-appliance like original Asus Eee, with its suboptimal 7" screen, to most netbooks running 10" and now even larger screens and vendors such as Dell and HP that are pillars of the Windows hardware world have grabbed market share. Even these manufacturers have more to gain by going with their own twist on Linux. HP, for example, has created a unique and differentiated experience with its Linux environment for netbooks. It will take some time before various Android implementations are so unique. It's unclear why an Android-based netbook would fare much better than Linux-based netbooks have.

Continue reading Switched On: When netbooks suffer from 'Droid rage

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Switched On: When netbooks suffer from 'Droid rage originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tegra might power Zune HD, definitely does augmented zombie reality

Tegra might power Zune HD, definitely does augmented zombie reality

Ready for a double dose of Tegra newsbits? We've been wondering what's packed in the Zune HD for some time now, but apparently PC Perspective has had the answer since Computex and didn't realize the newsworthiness until now. According to the article, NVIDIA staffers told the site that its uber-powerful Tegra processor will be the heart and soul of Microsoft's revised PMP. There's been no official word from anyone, and for all we know it might've been some (possibly misinformed) employee mouthing off for kicks. If true, however, it'd be one helluva 'screw you' from Microsoft to Windows Mobile fans, who've been waiting over a year at this point to see some retail hardware running on NVIDIA's mobile platform. We've put in calls to both companies for some sort of statement, but we're not getting our hopes up.

In other news, a group of researchers from Georgia Tech and Savannah College of Art and Design are showing off some of CPU's impressive potential with an augmented reality game ARhrrrr. Using a Tegra-powered mobile dev kit, the game projects a 3D town based on a two-dimensional diagram where you tap the screen to shoot zombies, or lay Skittles in real life to serve as virtual bombs. We've seen similar implementations before, but we're admittedly quite infatuated with this one, and as a bonus, there's video of the demo after the break.

Read - Zune HD uses NVIDIA Tegra processor
Read - Augmented Environments Lab: ARhrrrr!

Continue reading Tegra might power Zune HD, definitely does augmented zombie reality

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Tegra might power Zune HD, definitely does augmented zombie reality originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon puts code where its mouth is: releases Kindle source to the world

Amazon puts code where its mouth is: releases Kindle source to the world


Well, here's a nice start to what Jeff Bezos was saying about giving the Kindle reader team some competition: Amazon just released source code for all its Kindle devices. It's fairly basic Linux underneath (kernel 2.6.22 on the latest 2.1 software), but obviously includes E Ink drivers and other relevant hardware support. What's unclear without compiling one of these and booting it up (to our untrained eyes, anyway) is whether Amazon stripped out its various DRM and licensed codec support -- MP3 and Audible seem very likely candidates for explosion, even if turns out Amazon did leave in its own Kindle Book DRM. We're also lacking an actual specific license for the code, though the folder we unpacked the OS to is called "gplrelease," so hopefully we're looking at the GNU General Public License -- which would mean manufacturers can take and repurpose this code to build their own Kindle clone / destroyer / gentle homage.

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Amazon puts code where its mouth is: releases Kindle source to the world originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

3G-equipped Acer Aspire One 531 netbook hits the US

3G-equipped Acer Aspire One 531 netbook hits the US


Acer's Aspire One 531 has been floating around Europe since April, but it looks like it's finally made its way to a few retailers over here, and in a couple of different versions no less. Those include the AO531h-1791 "Pro" version, and the AO531h-1440 and AO531h-1766 "Normal" versions, the former of which packs 2GB of RAM and XP Professional, while the latter two dial things back to 1GB of RAM and XP Home. Otherwise, you'll get the same 10.1-inch 1,024 x 600 display on each, along with the usual Atom N270 processor, a 160GB hard drive, and built-in 3G, which can bring the price of the normal version down to just $150 if you also sign up for an AT&T service plan. Plan on spending upwards of $450 if you want to go your own way.

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3G-equipped Acer Aspire One 531 netbook hits the US originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BenQ gets its AMD Yukon kicks with the Joybook Lite T131

BenQ gets its AMD Yukon kicks with the Joybook Lite T131


AMD's all about the thin-and-light category with its latest chips, and BenQ is happy to oblige with this new Joybook Lite T131 running AMD's Yukon chipset. At 4 pounds and 1.1-inches thick, however, the 13.3-inch laptop isn't incredibly notable in either department -- especially since it's short a disc drive -- but it's still a pretty attractive little unit. There's a 320GB HDD, SD reader and our favorite, an anti-glare screen, but other than the webcam and mic the laptop is pretty low on perks. It's available in either "opulent midnight blue" or "snowy white" and will be hitting China in June, with no word on price or when they might spread the love.

[Via SlashGear]

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BenQ gets its AMD Yukon kicks with the Joybook Lite T131 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huawei U8230 Android phone officially launched at CommunicAsia

Huawei U8230 Android phone officially launched at CommunicAsia


Remember that mysterious Huawei Android number from MWC? It's all grown up and officially launched as the U8230 now. Specs are still maddeningly ambiguous, however -- the only hard info we've got is a 3.5-inch touchscreen and a 1500mAH battery, which is said to be the largest battery "among Android-powered handsets currently available." Considering the only set that's really out there is the notoriously battery-poor G1, that's not such a radical claim, but we'd sure love to test this one out in person when this launches (perhaps on T-Mobile?) alongside the 2.8-inch Windows Mobile-powered C8000 later this year.

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Huawei U8230 Android phone officially launched at CommunicAsia originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin-Asus G60 slated for August launch, will be last non-Android Linux phone for the couple

Garmin-Asus G60 slated for August launch, will be last non-Android Linux phone for the couple

Garmin-Asus G60 slated for August launch, will be last non-Android Linux phone for the couple
What's that, you're still holding your breath waiting for the G60 release? Breathe, child, breathe, it's still going to be a little while before you can get your nav on with this celly. Obviously it didn't make the first half of the year as initially planned, but the Garmin-Asus partnership is now saying that the phone will still arrive at its retail destination before 2010, with some places seeing it in just two months time. Why the delays? Apparently its custom flavor of Linux is at least part of the problem, leading the corporate couple's marriage counselors to suggest a move to Android for all future, non-WinMo handsets -- devices that, contrary to earlier reports, will also launch before the end of the year. So, G60 in August, or potentially even hotter Android nav phone a few months later? Decisions, decisions.

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Garmin-Asus G60 slated for August launch, will be last non-Android Linux phone for the couple originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Western Digital recants, announces its SiliconDrive III range of SSDs

Western Digital recants, announces its SiliconDrive III range of SSDs


What a difference six months makes. Back before Christmas, one of the VPs at Western Digital was saying that the company only "enters markets that exist," meaning, of course, that we had to take all the tales of SSDs that we heard (in product spec sheets and reviews) on faith alone. Since then the company's acquired SiliconSystems and -- a short trip down the road to Damascus later -- it's announcing the SiliconDrive III product range. SiliconSystems' meat and potatoes were heavy hitters in such industries as communications, aerospace, and military, and it seems that WD's new range will continue to target these markets. According to The Register, the range sports SiSMART (which keeps tabs on the drive's status in real-time, notifying the user when it needs to be replaced) and includes 2.5-inch (SATA and PATA) and 1.8-inch Micro SATA devices, featuring native SATA 3Gb/s or ATA-7 interfaces with up to 100MB/s read speeds write speeds up to 80MB/s. Max available capacity is 120GB. No word yet on specific products or prices, but you'll know as soon as we do.

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Western Digital recants, announces its SiliconDrive III range of SSDs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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