Oct 29

XP Deadline Now Extended for Low-Cost Desktops

Posted in: Software, Today's Chili, Windows XP

This article was written on June 03, 2008 by CyberNet.

windows xp home edition on low cost desktops.pngWithout too much hesitation, Microsoft continues to extend the date that XP will be available for the ultra low-cost PC’s. First they extended the date in April for low-cost laptops until 2010 because Vista usually requires too many resources to be run on them, but now the life of Windows XP has been extended for low-cost desktop PCs as well.

The general category of desktop computers that will have Windows XP installed on them are called Nettops (and the laptops are called netbooks), or in other words, desktops that are ultra low-cost. In the official Microsoft Press Release, they say:

“Customers and partners have made it clear to us that they want Windows on their netbooks and nettops. We are committed to providing Windows solutions for these devices, helping to ensure a high-quality experience for both our partners and customers.”

As PCWorld.com points out, an example of an ultra low-cost desktop PC that will be able to run XP is the Asus Eee Box which hasn’t hit the market quite yet, but will soon. Now that Microsoft has opened the doors for XP to be available on the low-cost laptops and desktops, will they end up specifying the hardware configurations that vendors can use with XP? These desktops are great for those who do very basic things like check email and browse the web, something a good chunk of computer users do and nothing more.

Knowing the strengths of XP, it will be a great operating system for these new netbooks and nettops which very well could be the next “big-thing” in the computer world. With the Eee PC gaining popularity and other computer companies creating their own version, all of the computer manufacturers are going to want to be selling Netbooks and Nettops and XP will continue to gain in popularity.

Thanks for the tip Omar!

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Oct 26

New Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 4000 Keyboard Caters to Vista Users

Posted in: Today's Chili, Windows Vista

This article was written on March 20, 2007 by CyberNet.

Microsoft4000Microsoft has announced that their newest keyboard, the Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 4000 (also includes the Laser Mouse 5000)will be ready for purchase next month for $79.95. Several sites around the web are already taking orders for them.

This is part of Microsoft’s effort to expand their line of hardware that caters to Vista users.  Nearly all of the features you’ll recognize from previous keyboards, but there are new ones like:

  • Windows Gadget Button – Gadget are an important customization element with Windows Vista, and now a Windows Gadget Button will give you one-touch access to information like weather, stocks, etc.
  • Windows LiveCall Button – “Speed dialing for webcams” – with one-touch you can start an instant message conversation, or a video call.

Other nice features that some of their previous models have that you’ll also see with the Laser Desktop 4000 include a zoom button that will allow you to zoom in and out of pictures and maps, and customizable hot keys that you can use to launch your favorite programs.

And in case you’re not familiar with the Laser Mouse 5000, you’ll enjoy a magnifier tool that enlarges a specific section of your screen so that you can easily edit images and documents, and a tilt wheel which gives you 4–way scrolling.

Sean Butterworth who’s the product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware says, “The Wireless Laser Desktop 4000 is the latest in our growing line of products optimized for Windows Vista and illustrates how we continue to diversify our product line to meet a broad range of consumers’ desktop needs.”

It doesn’t appear much different from previous keyboards, and the only main difference is the addition of a couple keys to make your Vista experience better. It also has the comfort curve design that has generally gone over well with people who have purchased keyboards with this design.From the sounds of it, expect to see other Vista specific related peripherals coming from Microsoft.

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Oct 23

Optimus Keyboard: Some Production/Parts Costs Revealed

Posted in: Today's Chili

This article was written on December 13, 2006 by CyberNet.

Many of us were in awe and disappointed when the Optimus keyboard was announced to be in black & white along with a price tag of $1200. We knew that it couldn’t be cheap to build these but $1200 for a computer keyboard seemed a little outlandish.

I find reading the Optimus blog to be a lot of fun because there are hardly any companies that clue in the rest of the world on their design process. Now the latest post on the Optimus blog details some of the costs that are associated with the manufacturing of the keyboard:

For the Optimus-103 OLEDs have to be custom-made. We have to choose the manufacturer next week (there are some of them), define the specs and finance every production stage including the tooling. Tooling itself costs a minimum of US$70-100k. Production cycle takes at least three months. Every display costs about US$10. Multiply that by the number of active keys.

Remember that the $10 is not for all 103 keys because the “space bar, return, both shifts, numeric keypad, the arrow keys and some other keys of secondary importance” will just be backlit to save some money. That right there knocks off about 25 OLEDs ($250 in parts) that would be needed.

There is no way that I could afford the $1200 for the keyboard, which is what the black & white version was said to cost, but I am sure over the years that the price will continue to fall as the parts become cheaper to manufacture. Look back at how expensive laptops and plasma/LCD televisions were a few years ago and then it is obvious that this technology will follow a similar path.

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Oct 23

Laser Plasma Used To Produce 3D Designs

Posted in: Today's Chili

This article was written on February 27, 2006 by CyberNet.

Laser Plasma Used To Produce 3D Designs

The images you see above were created by a Japanese Institute which utilizes dot-array placement in empty space. In order to make this possible, however, a very high quality laser is necessary which is why this product is not mainstream.

The technicalities on how this works is beyond what many people would understand, and because of a lack of being able to paraphrase the process here is the essentials on how it works:

The emission time of the laser pulse light is approximately a nanosecond (10-9 sec). The device uses one pulse for each dot. The human eye will recognize the after-image effect of plasma emission from displays up to 100 dot/sec. By synchronizing these pulses and controlling them with software, the device can draw any 3D objects in air.

News Source: PhysOrg.com

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Oct 21

Wal-Mart Tests “Solution Centers by Dell”

Posted in: Software, Today's Chili

This article was written on July 17, 2008 by CyberNet.

walmart and dell solution.pngDell and Wal-Mart are getting friendly with each other by teaming up to offer “Geek Squad” like services at select Wal-Mart stores. Best Buy has done well with their tech services that the Geek Squad offers, and Wal-Mart and Dell are expecting their solution centers will be a great opportunity for them to meet the needs of their customers who want technology in their homes but aren’t quite sure how to set-it-up or manage it.

At this point, there are only 15 planned “Solution Centers by Dell,” as they are being called, and they will be found in the Dallas, Texas area. Services that they’ll offer include set-up of high-definition TVs and home theater installations, computer repair, and consulting and set-up of wireless technology. If all goes well with their test-run, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Wal-Mart and Dell expand their services and open solution centers around the country.

Dell posted about their solution center concept on their Direct2Dell blog and said “These services will be available on Dell and other branded systems and include things like home television installations, wireless network set-up, computer upgrades, services designed to protect computers, and in-home training.”

It’ll definitely be interesting to see if the demand is there from Wal-Mart customers. It could certainly help Wal-Mart in the customer satisfaction area if they’re able to do it right. Wal-Mart has started to sell more of the high-end electronics including expensive HD TV’s, so they just might have the right crowd willing to pay for support services. Did we mention that their prices are competitive and actually cheaper than Geek Squad? One example is for the installation of computer memory. In-store it will cost $29 at Wal-Mart and $39 at Best Buy. If the consumer chooses to have it done in-home it is $99 through Wal-Mart and $139 through Best Buy.

Source

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Oct 11

iPhone Tops Smartphone Sales in July

Posted in: Phones, Today's Chili

This article was written on September 04, 2007 by CyberNet.

During the month of July, Apple’s iPhone accounted for 1.8% of the mobile handset sales.  While this number may not seem like much, it’s quite an accomplishment for Apple, particularly because it’s their first time entering the mobile phone industry.  This information came from a recent survey conducted by ISuppli who also revealed that the iPhone outsold Smartphones for the month, another impressive accomplishment.

While I’ve heard time after time that the iPhone is no replacement for a Smartphone, particularly those who use it for business, it would appear that people are willing to set the Smartphone aside and give the iPhone a try. In the Smartphone category we find devices like the Blackberry, Palm Portfolio, and others from companies like Motorola, Nokia, and Samsung – all of which the iPhone managed to out-sell!

palm vs iphone

If you had to take a guess at the demographics of those buying the iPhone, what would they be? Chances are you’re spot-on. My guess was that the majority of iPhone owners are under 40, and male. As it turns out, I wasn’t too far off. According to the study, most iPhone owners are male, under the age of 35, with a college degree.

As a “crossover phone” that finds itself competing with both Smartphones and Feature Phones, I don’t think we can underestimate the power of the iPhone. The first two days of activations may have fallen below what analysts projected, but the month of July was a pretty big one for them. And to boot, analysts are still expecting that Apple will be able to sell 4.5 million iPhones this year alone!

Source:

Reuters

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Oct 01

Get Ready For The 3Gbps SATA II Hard Drive

Posted in: Today's Chili

This article was written on January 15, 2006 by CyberNet.

Get Ready For The 3Gbps SATA II Hard Drive

If you are one of those people that complain about the speed of your computer, then this might be the hard drive for you. The Buffalo SATA II hard drive will offer amazing 3Gbps transfer speeds which beats all current hard drive transfer speeds by far. This might give that HD recording in Windows Vista the speed it will probably need.

News Source: Gizmodo

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Sep 28

Microsoft’s Mobile Mouse Flash Drive Combo

Posted in: flash, Gadgets, Microsoft, mobile, Today's Chili, Wireless

This article was written on September 13, 2007 by CyberNet.

mobile memory mouse Microsoft just introduced a new mouse "with a mind of its own" -the Mobile Memory Mouse 8000. What’s unique about it is that the transceiver which you’d normally have to plug in via USB anyways to use the mouse includes 1GB of Flash Memory. It’s not going to be on the shelves until about October, and the price is set at $99. While it’s a great idea, especially for college students, the price seems a little high for only including 1GB of flash memory – especially when you take into consideration that you can buy a 4 GB Flash Drive for $35 and a 16 GB Flash Drive for $100.

Despite the fact that it may be a little pricey for the amount of memory you get, it’ll definitely be convenient for those who usually carry a mouse with them as well as a flash drive. Giga Om reviewed this mouse yesterday and said the mouse "doesn’t make much sense. I mean, who carries their mouse without a laptop?" I’m not sure the point of this mouse is for those who only want to carry a flash drive with them. When I was a college student, I always had my laptop, a mouse, and a flash drive with me. While a flash drive certainly doesn’t take up much room, using the Mobile Memory Mouse would just mean one less thing I had to carry, and one less USB port I’d have to use.

Other features that this mouse has besides the transceiver with 1GB of Flash memory include:

  • 2.4 GHz wireless technology
  • USB rechargeable with magnetic connectors
  • High definition laser technology
  • Battery life indicator

While the idea of a mobile mouse that includes storage is new, I think there will definitely be a group of consumers willing to snatch up the Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 for $99 bucks. If by chance you’d like to pre-order this mouse, you can do so at Amazon.

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Sep 27

Intel prices fresh Core i5 and i7 mobile parts

Posted in: availability, CoreI5, CoreI7, dual-core, intel, laptop, Laptops, price, pricing, processor, processors, Today's Chili

We’d say Intel is delivering its new chips like clockwork, but then our favorite timepieces don’t usually leak anywhere near as often as Chipzilla’s roadmaps. The now well known 2.66GHz Core i5-580M has finally been made official, costing $266, alongside an identically clocked family mate in the Core i5-560M, which will set bulk buyers back $225 a piece. From what we know of those two, the major difference is that the 580M can Turbo Boost its way to 3.33GHz whereas the 560M maxes out at a humbler 3.2GHz. Both are overshadowed, however, by the new i7-640M colossus, which runs at 2.8GHz by default and will reach 3.4GHz when called upon — yours for only $346. Of course, should the 35W TDPs of those chips seem too gaudy for you, Intel’s wisely dropping a pair of 18W parts as well: the Core i5-560UM slinks along at 1.33GHz and asks for $250, while the Core i7-680UM raises those numbers to 1.46GHz and $317, respectively. Finally, for the perfect balance of power and efficiency, the i7-660LM couples 2.26GHz (or 3.06GHz in Turbo mode) to a 25W thermal envelope. It matches the 640M with a $346 unit price. All these CPUs sport a pair of 32nm cores alongside a 45nm integrated graphics unit and there are absolutely no Performance Upgrade Card anywhere in sight!

Intel prices fresh Core i5 and i7 mobile parts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 23

Marvell unveils 1.5GHz triple-core application processor, all current smartphones look on in envy

Posted in: arm, processor, Smartphones, tablets, Today's Chili, usb 3.0, Usb3.0

Marvell’s decided to whip out the “game changer” tag for its latest slice of silicon, but when you read the spec sheet that accompanies it, you might be willing to forgive it. Just this once. The new Armada 628 application processor delivers three cores, two of which crank along at 1.5GHz, and enough graphical prowess to churn 200 million triangles a second. You might remember we were once impressed by the Hummingbird’s 90 million — yeah, not so much anymore. The 628 is capable of 1080p 3D video and graphics (meaning it can sustain two simultaneous 1080p streams, one for each eye) and pledges to have an “ultra” low power profile: more than 10 hours of 1080p video or 140 hours of music playback are on offer. If that’s not enough, it’s also the first mobile SOC to include USB 3.0 support, adding yet another speed crown to its bulging resume. Now if it can also be SuperSpeedy in coming to market, that’d be just swell.

Continue reading Marvell unveils 1.5GHz triple-core application processor, all current smartphones look on in envy

Marvell unveils 1.5GHz triple-core application processor, all current smartphones look on in envy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 06:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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