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News
Microsoft Extends Deadline for Windows XP
Hearing the cries of consumers and computer manufacturers, Microsoft announced that it will extend the deadline for selling Windows XP, so the operating system can continue to be used in low-cost PCs and laptops. The news was welcomed by many, as most low-cost machines are not capable of running Microsoft's more demanding Vista operating system, but are more than able to handle XP. With the popularity of smaller, low-cost PCs on the rise, many consumers have indicated that they want Windows on their PCs, a demand Microsoft didn't ignore. The new deadline will extend Windows XP's life to June 2010.
June 4, 2008
Intel Releases the Atom
Intel released its Atom processors this week, which are geared towards a new generation of small, low-cost, devices the company is referring to as netbooks and nettops. These small Internet devices will be able to benefit from the processors by not only being able to take advantage of their full features while consuming less power, but by keeping mobile device costs lower as well. "This is our smallest processor built with the world's smallest transistors. The Intel Atom processor is based on an entirely new design, built for low power and designed specifically for a new wave of Mobile Internet Devices and simple, low-cost PC's. This small wonder is a fundamental new shift in design, small yet powerful enough to enable a big Internet experience on these new devices. We believe it will unleash new innovation across the industry," said Intel Executive Vice President Sean Maloney. Based on an entirely new microarchitecture, the Intel Atom processor was developed specifically for targeted performance and low power while maintaining full Intel Core microarchitecture instruction set compatibility. Intel Atom processors also feature multiple threads for better performance and increased system responsiveness.
June 4, 2008
Starbucks Offers Free AT&T Wi-Fi to its Customers
Starbucks has announced that it will offer up to two hours of free Wi-Fi access to its customers via its partnership with AT&T. Starbuck's customers will need to be members of its rewards program in order to take advantage of the deal, and they must keep their rewards cards active (either by purchasing items or loading the card with additional funds) 30 days prior to the time they plan on using the Wi-Fi access. The two hour time blocks can only be used once per day, and must be used within one session. In other words, you can't use one hour in the morning and another in the afternoon. Starbucks has said that they are working on making using the two hour blocks of time more flexible, and that users who require more time can purchase extra time through one of several plans offered by AT&T.
June 4, 2008
iHome Announces Rotating Alarm Clock for iPod Touch
iHome announced its new rotating alarm clock, the iH41B, which is designed specifically to take advantage of the iPod Touch's variable aspect screen. Though compatible with most docking iPods, the iH41B allows iPod Touch users to rotate the clock and iPod connector from portrait mode to landscape mode, in order to view videos on the device's widescreen display. The iH41B will also charge your iPod while connected, and is a full-featured alarm clock with backup battery functions that will allow users to wake up to their favorites tunes or videos every day. The unit also comes with a Aux/MP3 line-in jack for non-docking iPods, CD players, and other audio devices. The iHome iH41B will retail for $79.99, and will be available in July.
June 2, 2008
NASA Seeks Ideas, Hosts Meeting on Lunar Surface Systems Concepts
On June 6, NASA will release a broad agency announcement
soliciting lunar surface systems concept study proposals to help the
agency develop plans for a return to the moon by 2020.
NASA's Constellation Program is inviting interested institutions,
including industry and academia, to attend a discussion of the
announcement on June 6 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H
Street, NW, Washington. Organizations interested in submitting
proposals are encouraged to attend the information session.
Registration is available online at: http://www.exploration.nasa.gov
NASA is soliciting concept studies in several topic areas. The
duration for the studies is six months or less. The announcement will
be open for approximately 30 days. Proposals are due July 7. NASA
expects to award study contracts by mid-August. A total of $2 million
is available for awards. The maximum individual award amount is
$250,000. The contract performance period is six months or less.
NASA's Constellation Program is developing a new space transportation
system that is designed to travel beyond low Earth orbit. The
Constellation fleet includes the Orion crew exploration vehicle, the
Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles and Altair human lunar lander.
For more information about NASA's Constellation Program, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/constellation
*Photo courtesy of NASA
June 2, 2008
Microsoft Gives First Look at Multi-Touch in Windows 7
Taking what it learned from the touchscreen technology first introduced in its Surface platform, Microsoft gave a preview of its new Multi-Touch technology at this year's D6 Conference. Microsoft plans to incorporate Multi-Touch into the upcoming Windows 7, which is scheduled to be released near the end of 2009. Using touchscreens that will be built into PCs, laptops, and other devices, users will be able to use their fingers to do a variety of tasks currently done by using a keyboard or a mouse. Touch the screen, and drag a document where you want to place it, use your finger to draw, zoom in and out of a map or photo, and more. Microsoft is hoping that it's new Multi-Touch devices will change the way people interact with their computers, and is looking ahead to a time when speech, touch, site and gesture all come together to create a truly new and innovative way for users to operate their PCs. Be sure to view the short demo video from Microsoft, embedded above, for a taste of what we all have to look forward to in the not too distant future.
June 2, 2008
Apple Bringing Solar Power to Mobile Devices?
Apple reportedly has filed a patent that could place solar panels behind the face of its LCD screens, allowing mobile devices to power themselves without the need of electrical outlets or a PC's USB port. With such technology, one could imagine a solar powered iPhone, or iPod Touch, and possibly even laptops benefitting from the power sustaining panels. Who wouldn't want to never have to worry again about their mobile device running out of power just when they need it most? For now, no announcements have been made about the filing of the patent, but we'll be watching closely to see what develops in what hopefully will be the not too distant future.
May 28, 2008
Samsung Unveils New 256GB SSD SATA II Drive
Samsung showed off its new 256GB 2.5-inch SSD (solid state drive) hard drive at the Samsung Mobile Solution Forum. Boasting read speeds of 200MBps, write speeds of 160MBps, and a SATA II interface, Samsung has created one of the fastest drives out there today. With no moving parts, SSDs are readying themselves to be the standard, with increased reliability and less risk of total disk failure. The Samsung 256GB SSD is scheduled to begin production later this year.
May 28, 2008
Netflix Enters Home Theater Arena with Set-Top Box from Roku
Want 10,000 movies and TV episodes streamed to your television instantly for your viewing pleasure? With the Netflix Player from Roku, you can have just that. The $99 set-top box offers Netflix subscribers with unlimited plans an alternative to watching movies on their PC screens, and could very well prove to give the competition a run for its money. While the selection currently offered could be better, Netflix will reportedly be adding new content regularly, making the player a choice that could be hard for many to pass up. Though the player has no hard drive to store movies, films and television episodes are streamed to the player via Wi-Fi or Ethernet port, and can be able to view in a matter of seconds. The Netflix Player also offers HDMI, component, composite, and S-video connections, for connecting to a wide variety of televisions already on the market, and comes ready to support future HD content as soon as it will be available from Netflix for its subscribers. All-in-all, the Netflix Player from Roku has set the stage for a new group of products that will soon be making their debut, and offers an alternative to the current crop of competing services, such as TiVo with Amazon Unbox, Apple TV, Vongo, CinemaNow, and Movielink. Is the new player the kind of device consumers have been waiting for? Only time will tell, but if you'd like to learn more about the Netflix Player from Roku visit www.netflix.com and www.roku.com
May 28, 2008
3G iPhone? Apple May Have Even More Up Its Sleeve
While everyone buzzes about the expected announcement of a new 3G iPhone this June, Apple reportedly may also be ready to announce revamped versions of some of its current products, as well as maybe even unveiling a new product or two while they're at it. With Apple looking to continue to beef up its movie and television rentals and purchases, available through its iTunes store, just like the 3G iPhone, rumors have also been circulating that a revamped Apple TV may soon be on the horizon. Offering a simple, easy to use, way to get rented and purchased media to play on your widescreen televison, the Apple TV is regarded by many to be one of the best media devices to add to any home theater system. That being said, though, offerings from other companies will quickly be making their way to store shelves, and Apple will need to make sure that it can stay ahead of the pack. What will a new Apple TV offer, other than added storage space? We'll just have to wait and see, but rumors have also been swirling about changes to Apple's line of desktop and laptop computers, and more than likely it's line of iPods. Whatever changes and new offerings Apple might have in store, it can only be a good thing for consumers who look to have new features from some of their old favorites, and possibly a few price reductions to boot.
May 28, 2008
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