Thursday, October 07, 2010

Hitachi-LG unveils 2nd generation hybrid optical drive with flash-based storage to boot

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/hitachi-lg-unveils-2nd-generation-hybrid-optical-drive-with-flas/

The Hitachi-LG Data Storage joint venture has itself fostered yet another mixed product, combining both an optical disk drive and flash storage into a single form factor. The 2nd generation of its Hybrid Drive uses Micron's 25nm NAND flash memory in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB capacities (with those figures to rise in later iterations, naturally) and can be united with either DVD or Blu-ray players -- perfect for laptops and other portable devices with just one drive to spare. (The one stretched out on display, pictured above, was a 12.7mm slim DVD-RW tray type). Hitachi housed samples of the drive at its CEATEC booth and even showed off a few example products (first generation drive, too). Care to see what could be under the hood of a future purchase? Pictures below.

Hitachi-LG unveils 2nd generation hybrid optical drive with flash-based storage to boot originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whatâs the Difference Between JPG, PNG, and GIF? [Images]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5656669/whats-the-difference-between-jpg-png-and-gif

What's the Difference Between JPG, PNG, and GIF?As we keep building on old image technology, types of file formats keep piling up, each with their own nuances and uses. JPG, PNG, and GIF have become the most common, but what sets them apart from each other?

These formats have become the most popular because of their compatibility with modern browsers, broadband speeds, and the needs of average users. Join us as we take a detailed look at each format, and cover the strengths and weaknesses of each.

JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

JPG was a filetype developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) to be a standard for professional photographers. Like the method ZIP files use to find redundancies in files to compress data, JPGs compress image data by reducing sections of images to blocks of pixels or "tiles." JPG compression has the unfortunate side effect of being permanent, however, as the technology for the file was created for storing large photographic image files in surprisingly small spaces, and not for photo editing.

KeizersgrachtReguliersgrachtAmsterdam compressed

JPGs have become the de facto standard image of the internet because they can be compressed so much. A typical JPG can be compressed at a ratio of anywhere from 2:1 to as high as 100:1, depending on your settings. Particularly back in the days of dial-up internet, JPGs were the only viable way to send image information.

However, because of the lossy nature of JPG, it is not an ideal way to store art files. Even the highest quality setting for JPG is compressed, and will change the look of your image, if only slightly. JPG is also not an ideal medium for typography, crisp lines, or even photographs with sharp edges, as they are often blurred or smeared out by anti-aliasing. What is potentially worse, is that this loss can accumulate-saving multiple versions of artwork can cause degradation with every save. Even so, it is common to see these things saved as JPG, simply because the filetype is so ubiquitous.

24bitJPGClose up of a high quality JPG

JPGcompressedClose up of a very lossy JPG.

The Joint Photographic Experts Group developed lossless JPG technology to combat this serious problem of quality degradation. However, because of dial-up speeds and general lack of interest in high quality non-degrading files, the JPG-LS standard never caught on.

It is possible to download plugins that allow users to open and save the lossless JPG2000, and some programs, like Apple's Preview application, can read and save JPG2000 directly out of the box.

JPGs support 24-bit RGB and CMYK, as well as 8-bit Grayscale. I personally do not recommend using CMYK color spaces in JPGs. It's also important to note that Grayscale JPGs do not compress nearly as much as color ones do.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)

GIF, like JPG, is an older filetype, and one generally associated with the internet as opposed to photography. GIF stands for "Graphics Interchange Format" and employs the same lossless LZW compression that TIFF images use. This technology was once controversial (for patent enforcement issues) but has become an accepted format since all patents have expired.

8bitClose up of an 8-bit color GIF.

GIF is by nature an 8-bit color file, meaning they are limited to a palette of 256 colors, which can be picked from the RGB color model and saved to a Color Look Up Table (CLUT), or simply "Color Table." There are, however, standard color palettes, like the "Web Safe" palette. An important note is that Grayscale images are by nature an 8-bit palette, so saving them as GIF is fairly ideal.

Apart from support for transparency, GIF also is supports animations, limiting every frame to 256 preselected colors.

DANCING_BABY

While GIF is not lossy like JPG, conversion to 8-bit color distorts many images, using dither filters to optically blend, or "diffuse," colors, similar to halftone dots or pointilism. This can radically alter an image for the worse, or, in some cases, be used to create an interesting effect.

Because of this non-lossy format, GIF can be used to keep tight lines on typography and geometric shapes, although these things are better suited to vector graphic files like SVG or the Adobe Illustrator native format, AI.

GIF is not ideal for modern photography, nor image storage. At small sizes with very limited color tables, GIF images can be smaller than JPG files. But at most ordinary sizes, JPG compression will create a smaller image. They are largely out of date, useful only to create dancing babies or to sometimes create rough transparencies.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics)

What's the Difference Between JPG, PNG, and GIF?

PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics (or, depending on whom you ask, the recursive "PNG-Not-GIF"). It was developed as an open alternative to GIF, which used the proprietary LZW compression algorithm discussed earlier. PNG is an excellent filetype for internet graphics, as it supports transparency in browsers with an elegance that GIF does not possess. Notice how the transparent color changes and blends with the background. Right-click the image to see. This is actually one image that is on four different background colors. (Ed. Note: As our system decided it didn't want to play along with the images, this isn't actually a PNG. You can check out the original image on How-To Geek.)

PNG supports 8-bit color like GIF, but also supports 24-bit color RGB, like JPG does. They are also non-lossy files, compressing photographic images without degrading image quality. PNG tends to be the biggest of the three filetypes and isn't supported by some (usually older) browsers.

In addition to being an excellent format for transparency, the non-lossy nature of 24-bit PNG is ideal for screenshot software, allowing pixel for pixel reproduction of your desktop environment.

Which to use?

What's the Difference Between JPG, PNG, and GIF?

From left to right, these files are: 24-bit JPG Compressed, 8-bit GIF, 8-bit PNG, Full Quality 24-bit JPG, and 24-bit PNG. Note that the file sizes increase in this same direction.

PNG is the largest image type for bigger images, often containing information you may or may not find useful, depending on your needs. 8-bit PNG is an option, but GIF is smaller. Neither are optimal options for photography, as JPG is much smaller than lossless PNG with only minimal loss of quality. And for storage of high resolution files, JPG compresses to tiny proportions, with quality loss only visible on close inspection.

In short: PNG is good option for transparency and non-lossy, smaller files. Larger files, not so much, unless you demand non-lossy images. GIF is largely a novelty and only useful for animation, but can produce small 8-bit images. JPG is still the king for photographs and photo-like images on the internet, but be careful, as your file can degrade with every save.

Image of Keizersgracht, in Amsterdam by Massimo Catarinella via Wikipedia, released under Creative Commons license. Derivative images available under the same license. I don't care to know who created the dancing baby.

What's the Difference Between JPG, PNG, and GIF?The How-To Geek explains the technology that geeks love. You can catch daily updates on Twitter or Facebook.

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Concept Phone Made From Copper Charges in Pockets Using a Thermogenerator [Concepts]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5657903/concept-phone-made-from-copper-charges-in-pockets-using-a-thermogenerator

Concept Phone Made From Copper Charges in Pockets Using a ThermogeneratorWhat would you sacrifice for a phone that charges by inducting heat from your body? An OS? A brand-name you can be proud of? A touchscreen? That's the question I pose to you, after spotting this concept Nokia phone.

It's been dreamed up by English designer Patrick Hyland, who envisions the phone to be made from copper and capable of drawing heat from your body (or something like an overheating laptop), converting it to energy. That's by way of a thermogenerator that's been placed in the copper E-Cu phone ("E" for environment, and "Cu" for copper, naturally).

I'm not so sure the increasing prices (and demand) for copper will ever make this phone a reality, but in the meantime it's nice to see someone use the Nokia name for good. Unlike, err, Nokia. [Dezeen via Recombu]

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RIM pushes out software update for BlackBerry Torch, promises speed improvements aplenty

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/rim-pushes-out-software-update-for-blackberry-torch-promises-sp/

Well, it looks RIM hasn't been ignoring all those complaints about its less than speedy BlackBerry Torch -- the company has just pushed out an updated version of BlackBerry 6 for the device that promises a whole host of speed improvements. That includes faster page loading and improved panning in the browser, improved responsiveness after unlocking the device, faster application launching, exiting and switching, faster rendering and smoother transitions on the home screen, faster rendering of thumbnails in the picture application, and faster and smoother scrolling in the message list and when reading email -- oh, and improved audio quality too. Look for the update (v6.0.0.695) to begin rolling out directly to devices over the next week and a half, or simply hit up either RIM or AT&T below to skip the wait and download the update right now.

RIM pushes out software update for BlackBerry Torch, promises speed improvements aplenty originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech Revue and accessories hands-on! (Update: video of video calling!)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/logitech-revue-and-accessories-hands-on/

We just got some serious hands-on time with the Logitech Revue Google TV box, and it's all pretty slick, hardware-wise. The Keyboard and Mini Controller are just as well-done as you'd expect from Logitech, and the video calling features worked pretty seamlessly. We also managed to confirm that the Dish Network DVR integration is exclusive to Logitech -- it won't work on Sony Google TV devices, which is totally strange. We're headed back for video and we'll have some more in-depth impressions in a bit, but check out the pretty pictures in the galleries below for now.

Update: Dish and Google have both chimed in to clarify the "exclusive" deal. While Dish will exclusively sell Logitech's Google TV hardware, any other devices, including the ones from Sony, will pair with its DVRs in exactly the same way. Fragmentation (apparently) avoided -- for now.

Update 2: Okay, we've added some impressions just after the break. We're still trying to figure out exactly what's going on with the whole Dish integration thing, since we can't seem to get a straight answer, but we'll keep digging and let you know.


Continue reading Logitech Revue and accessories hands-on! (Update: video of video calling!)

Logitech Revue and accessories hands-on! (Update: video of video calling!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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