IBM cluster powers Murchison Widefield Array's radio telescope, answers mysteries of the universe faster than ever (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/24/ibm-cluster-powers-murchison-widefield-array-radio-telescope/

Radio telescope operators have as much of a problem coping with the avalanche of data as getting that information in the first place. The Victoria University of Wellington is all too aware and is leaning on IBM for a powerful (if very tongue-tying) iDataPlex dx360 M3 compute cluster to sift through the deluge at the upcoming Murchison Widefield Array. Combined, the 4,096 array antennas probing deep space and solar atmospherics will have the Xeon-based cluster tackling signal data to the tune of 8GB per second, and about 50TB per day -- that's a Nexus 7's worth of astronomy faster than you can sneeze, folks. A 10Gbps network connection will feed the results to Perth to save scientists a roughly 435-mile trek. Construction is still in mid-stride, but the $51 million Australian ($52.2 million US) being spent on the Murchison array may be worthwhile if it helps solve the riddles of star formation and solar flares.

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File! d under: Science

IBM cluster powers Murchison Widefield Array's radio telescope, answers mysteries of the universe faster than ever (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 20:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lytro finally rolls out Windows desktop software, celebrates with free shipping

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/24/lytro-finally-rolls-out-windows-desktop-software-celebrates-wit/

As cool as the Lytro camera's post-picture taking focusing technology is, it's hard to overlook some of the product's shortcomings -- not the least of which is the fact that the company only offered a Mac solution when the device launched earlier this year. Lytro has finally addressed that oversight, with the release of a desktop application for Windows. To use it, your system will need to be running Windows 7 with 2GB of RAM and at least an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU (you can find the full list of minimum specs in the source link below). To celebrate the launch, Lytro's offering up free shipping on camera orders this week. Also new are the Lytro tripod mount and USB wall charger accessories.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Lytro finally rolls out Windows desktop software, celebrates with free shipping originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adapter Lets Canon EF Lenses Play Nice with Micro Four Thirds (and Sony NEX Cameras) [Photography]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5928567/adapter-lets-canon-ef-lenses-play-nice-with-micro-four-thirds

If you're not blown away by the selection of lenses available for your Sony NEX or Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera, Kipon has just announced its own adapter that lets photographers use older Canon EF mount lenses, complete with electronic aperture control.

Kipon's adapter isn't the first to offer such functionality—Metabones has one that's been on back-order for ages, but it only works with Sony's NEX mirrorless cameras. Kipon's offering will work with Micro Four Thirds cameras as well, like the Olympus PEN E-P2, but currently a lot of other questions are left unanswered. Will it support other electronic functionality like autofocus or image stabilization? Can Canon's newer EF-S mount lenses also be used (with some compromises)? And most importantly, when will the adapter be available and will it be cheaper than Metabone's $400 solution?

[Kipon via DPreview]

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Intel porting Jelly Bean to its Atom architecture, is in no hurry to tell you when it's done

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/24/intel-bringing-jelly-bean-to-atom/

Intel has revealed that it's working on bringing Jelly Bean to its low-power Atom architecture. In an email to PC World, company rep Suzy Greenberg confirmed the project was ongoing, but didn't offer a timeline as to when the latest flavor of Google's mobile OS would arrive on a device. It's the same story regarding when Ice Cream Sandwich would turn up on Medfield-powered devices like the San Diego and its brethren. The report also pours cold water on hopes for Clover Trail powered Android gear -- saying that it's pencilled in as a Windows 8-only platform.

Filed under: Cellphones

Intel porting Jelly Bean to its Atom architecture, is in no hurry to tell you when it's done originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast doubles broadband speeds 'in certain markets,' launches 305Mbps Xfinity Platinum service

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/24/comcast-doubles-broadband-speeds-xfinity-platinum/

Comcast has just done the deed -- following a rumor on the matter, it's launching 305Mbps (down) / 65Mbps (up) Xfinity Platinum internet service in the highly populated Northeast division of the United States. For those who've been around a while, you may remember a time where one would weep upon finding out that Verizon's FiOS simply wasn't available at a desired location. Now, however, Comcast is doing its darnedest to rival fiber-to-the-home options with blisteringly fast cable service.

In addition to its new flagship tier, the provider is also doubling the speeds of two of its existing internet speed tiers in certain markets at no additional cost. Specifically, Xfinity Blast! customers will now get download speeds of up to 50Mbps (formerly 25 Mbps), and Extreme 50 customers will now receive speeds of up to 105Mbps (formerly 50 Mbps). According to GigaOM, the ultra-desirable Platinum service will ring up at $300 per month, which is a full $90 more than Verizon's own 300Mbps FiOS option. Of course, this probably means that you'll hit your monthly cap a heck of a lot faster, but hey -- at least you'll get bragging rights.

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Filed under: Internet

Comcast doubles broadband speeds 'in certain markets,' launches 305Mbps Xfinity Platinum service originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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