Some Intel IDF Highlights

Intel will unveil a multi-company initiative to support a 480Mbit/s wireless USB technology over 10 meters based on UWB. Backers will includeDolby Labs and many of the companies currently supporting the wired USB 2.0specification, said an Intel spokesman. The wireless USB initiative and theIntel chip will be based on the multiband OFDM technology backed by an industryalliance that includes Intel. It will also be supported by the WiMedia Alliancethat is helping define UWB software interoperability. The wireless USB chips arenot expected to ship in products until 2005.

The Intel spokesman would not confirm or deny reports that the company willdemonstrate a 64-bit x86 at IDF. However, he did say "the subject will bebrokered," probably in the keynote address of Craig Barrett, Intel's chiefexecutive. Intel will also announce its first 90-nm communications processors atIDF with plans to apply the in-house technology across its portfolio of wiredand wireless parts. In total, Intel will make as many as 16 new announcements atIDF. Third parties are planning about a dozen more. Other news at IDF willinclude new tools to ensure interoperability of digital home products, new NORflash technology and the creation of a memory implementers' forum to addressissues with DDR II and a front-side bus in-line memory module.

Sapphire's Z68 unveiled at CeBIT

Its easy to forget that Sapphire is back in the motherboard business, as so far the company has only launched three boards, but at CeBIT Sapphire was showing off two additional models for Intels Sandy Bridge platform, one full size ATX board with the Z68 chipset and one mini-ITX board with the H67 chipset. Neither board appeared to be retail ready, but wed expect the mini-ITX board to be available before the Z68 board.

The Z68 appears to be going under the name of PI-CI7S33Z68 as for now, but Sapphire tends to have much better retail names for their boards, so well have to wait until the launch to find out what itll be. Were not quite followings Sapphires design either, as the board has three x16 PCI Express slots of which the second one only work in dual x8 mode while the third one is limited to four lanes worth of bandwidth. This is all fine and good, but the only other expansion slots are three PCI slots, of which two will be unusable in CrossFireX or SLI and there doesnt appear to be a reason why the topmost slot is missing.

Sapphire has added two additional SATA 6Gbps ports via a third party controller for a total of four SATA 6GBps ports and four SATA 3Gbps ports. Were not quite sure why Sapphire put the additional two ports so far away from the six connected to the Intel chipset, but at least it should reduce confusion as to which ports goes where. There are also headers for eight USB 2.0 ports and as with previous models Sapphire is using its special kind of chokes and the board is also equipped with a user selectable dual BIOS and a POST80 debug LED display.

One other interesting feature we spotted is that Sapphire has fitted a Proadlizer to the PWM, a feature that so far only appears to be popular on high-end graphics cards. Around the back we find a PS/2 port, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a Bluetooth dongle, DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI and D-sub connectors and 7.1-channel audio with optical S/PDIF out. Overall were not sold on this board, it has some interesting features, but the slot layout isnt what wed hope to see on a Z68 board.

The mini-ITX H67 board is as far as we can tell currently called IPC-CI7S1DH67 but again, were expecting a much better retail name. Sapphire decided to go with a single x16 slot for this design, which is pretty much all you can fit to a mini-ITX board, although hidden at the bottom of the board is a mini card PCI Express slot into which something like a Wi-Fi card can be installed. You also get two SATA 6Gbps and two SATA 3Gbps ports and two headers for an additional four USB 2.0 ports. Around the back Sapphire has managed to squeeze in four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a Bluetooth dongle, DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI and a D-sub connector as well as 7.1-channel audio with optical S/PDIF out.

Sapphires boards are still looking a bit rough and ready, but given some time were confident that Sapphire will come out with some excellent boards as long as the company listens to customer feedback. Were quite eager to find out what Sapphire is working on for AMDs upcoming platforms as well, since Sapphire is a strong AMD partner on the graphics card side.

Source: Computer Base

TwinMOS Unveiled TwiSTER DDR3-1800 Modules

The DDR3 has become more popular in the market since Intel’s introduction theP35 and X38 chipsets. After introducing the high-level DDR3-1333 module fordesktops and the high-level DDR3-1333 SO-DIMM for laptops, TwinMOS would like tointroduce the TwiSTER over-clocking series, which includes DDR3-1600 andDDR3-1800 models, to fulfill the hardware requirements of professional gameplayers and overclockers. The TwiSTER series is the highest quality product linefrom TwinMOS, featuring reliable data access at ultrafast speeds. Every moduleis made with selected original dies and high-standard production processes. Moreimportantly, every module is tested to comply with the published specifications,and quality is controlled according to the highest standards.

DDR3-1600MHz and DDR3-1800MHz memory modules of the TwiSTER series are made withthe original dies from Micron Technology Inc in a 128Mx8 layout and aredelivered in 1GB capacity. These dies are packaged with the latest FBGA(Fine-pitch Ball Grid Array) technology. Other specifications of these modulesinclude 240-pin design, working voltage at 1.8V, CL= 8-8-8-21, clock frequencyat 1600MHz and 1800MHz, and data transfer bandwidth at 12800MB/sec (DDR3-1600)and 14400MB/sec (DDR3-1800). Therefore, it is real good news to overclockers.The high-performance heat-sink equipped on the module provides perfect coolingand electrical characteristics to enhance the work efficiency of the module. Thecircuit design layout conforms completely to the JEDEC circuit specification toprevent noise interference in order to ensure multimedia operation stability athigh speeds and the reliability of huge data storage for full compatibility toPCs.

TwinMOS provides global, lifelong warranties for all memory products. Inaddition to quality assurance, TwinMOS provides permanent warranty service withits global operations as a world leading memory supplier. Moreover, as TwinMOShas been a major memory module supplier for world leading system suppliers, tocope with the lead-free environmental process promoted internationally, allTwinMOS production lines comply with the RoHS environmental directive of the EUin order to make greater corporate contributions to a greener earth.

Key Features

8-bit pre-fetch designUltra high frequency at 1600MHz(DDR3-1600)/1800MHz(DDR3-1800) with the240-pin designData transfer bandwidth at 12800MB/sec (DDR3-1600) and 14400MB/sec(DDR3-1800)Working voltage : 1.8VHigh compatibility and reliability

Shuttle Launches NVIDIA SLI Ready XPC

Shuttle Inc - the world’s leading manufacturer of small form factor PCs andaccessories - has today released final details of its much anticipated gamingbarebone, the XPC SN26P. Previewed by a number of hardware review websites andmagazines earlier in the year, the XPC SN26P has, even before today’s launch,earned itself numerous awards including “Most Innovative Product” awards fromwebsites HardwareZone and VR-Zone.

“The response we got to our XPC SN26P preview release was amazing,” saidShuttle Product Manager Troy Yang, “We knew we had a great product, but we alsoreceived some great feedback on where we could improve. The XPC SN26P we arereleasing today is our response to both the praise and the criticisms. We thinkeveryone will be pleased with the results.”

At its core the XPC SN26P is powered by NVIDIA’s most advanced chipset, thenForce4 SLI. This gives the system enthusiast level performance featuresincluding full support for AMD socket 939 processors, SATA 3Gb/s hard driveswith RAID, and gigabit Ethernet with hardware acceleration and firewall. 7.1channel surround sound is enabled by the popular Via Envy24PT audio processor.The barebone has been approved to be compatible with NVIDIA GeForce 7 seriesgraphics cards in SLI configuration, a list of compatible cards is available onthe Shuttle website. The barebone will not require the specially designed SLIheat-pipe cooler as seen in prerelease models.The XPC SN26P has begun shippingaround the world and should be available in stores in less than one week.

EVGA releases Z68 FTW, Z68 SLI and Z68 SLI Micro

Common to all of EVGAs Z68 boards is the red and black color scheme, support for Intels Socket LGA 1155 processors, SATA 6Gbps, USB 3.0, voltage read points and even dual cooler mounting holes to fit both todays LGA 1155 / 1156 heat sinks and the older LGA 775 ones.

To provide extremely clean power to the processor, the EVGA Z68 FTW flagship features a processor socket with 300% more gold content, a 12-phase voltage regulation module (VRM) and even a low-ESR, high current capacity Prodalizer film capacitor. There are two upright 8-pin ATX12V connectors for CPU power and an angled ATX 24-pin connector, possibly done so for the sake of better cable management.

While all three Z68 boards are capable of NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX, NVIDIAs NF200 PCI Express switch chip on the Z68 FTW enables support for 3-way NVIDIA SLI plus PhysX. The internal SATA 6Gbps (two) and SATA 3Gbps (four) storage ports are all routed to the Intel Z68 Express chipset, while the two eSATA ports at the rear are handled by Marvells 88SE6121. The dual Gigabit Ethernet ports are also handled by another Marvell controller, the 88E8057. There is no lack of connectivity options on this board, with a total of ten USB 2.0 ports, four USB 3.0 ports and Firewire.The VRM and chipset heatsinks are huge, which should provide more than adequate cooling.

The slightly watered-down EVGA Z68 SLI features an 8-phase VRM and three PCI Express x16 slots. The board drops the NF200 chip, thus suporting only 2-way SLI plus PhysX. There are five internal SATA ports (two SATA 6Gbps and three SATA 3Gbps) and the last SATA 3Gbps going to the rear panel as eSATA. Two less USB 3.0 ports on the Z68 SLI as well.

Being smaller doesnt mean cost-cutting; the microATX form factor EVGA Z68 SLI Micro retains most of the features found on its older SLI sibling, such as dual BIOS support, USB 3.0 and Firewire.

The EVGA Z68 FTW retails for US$264.99. Addingthe EVGauge and ECP V4 overclocking tools to the FTWwill set you back another US$35. The EVGA Z68 SLI retails for US$209.99, and the Z68 SLI Micro for US$159.99.

Justice Department Investigating Cable Providers, Net Neutrality

The U.S. Justice Department has begun conducting a large, wide-ranging antitrust investigation into cable companies and whether or not they are attempting to stifle upcoming competition from online video providers. Officials have spoken to several online companies, including Netflix and Hulu, as well as cable providers like Comcast and Time Warner Cable, about issues such as data caps. No comment was given about the investigation.

The problem arises from the fact that cable companies, which provide bundles of television channels as well as high-speed internet access, are having their traditional channel bundles as well as video rental on demand services bypassed by customers using online services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Companies, having invested billions of dollars into the construction and maintenance of their networks, have little to no incentive to get out of the business of providing television channels, and major entertainment groups with multiple television stations are highly invested in the current model of television viewing, because by requiring cable companies to license packages of channels rather than picking individual channels, they ensure that all their channels, no matter how popular, make it into homes, and are able to receive fees for stations that would otherwise wither and die from lack of viewership. The probe from the Justice Department serves as a highlight into how shifts in patterns of television viewership are shaking and reverberating through the television entertainment industry.

The Justice Department has already shaken the eBook publishing industry with a lawsuit that alleges publishers colluded with Apple to fix prices on eBooks, rather than letting the market set the prices. Several publishers settled in April, but Apple and the remaining publishers continue to fight the suit. In the cable probe, the Justice Department is taking a close look at data caps that have been used by TV providers like Comcast and Time Warner have used to try and deal with the rapid growth of online video traffic. The limits are needed, the companies claim, in order to stop heavy users from overwhelming their networks. Online video providers like Netflix, however, have accused cable companies of using the limits at stopping consumers from dropping their television services and switching completely to online video services. There is also concern that the cable companies’ online video offerings, many of which have begun service in just the past year, will get an unfair advantage by not affecting data cap limits or receiving priority traffic on the networks. Comcast did nothing to alleviate those accusations when they announced in March that its Xfinity app on the Xbox 360 would not be counted against their subscribers’ data caps, unlike every other video service available on the system.

Because of this announcement, the Justice Department is examining whether or not Comcast violated legal requirements made of the company in 2011 in order for them to secure approval for the takeover of NBCUniversal. Under those legal terms, Comcast cannot “unreasonably discriminate” against other companies transmitting data over its network or treat its own content differently than it treats theirs. Comcast claims that they have not, in fact, violated those requirements, because they are not treating data from the Internet any differently; they are claiming that they have a loophole in that Xfinity uses data only from Comcast’s internal network, not the public Internet. “We have consistently treated all video carried over the public Internet the same whether it comes from our sites or anywhere else on the public Internet,” the company said.

Another issue being investigated are paywalls around certain content providers that require users to have an active cable subscription, such as ESPN’s WatchESPN service, which can only be accessed in mobile form after entering your cable subscription details. The Justice Department is investigating whether these paywalls are anticompetitive, as well as whether contracts signed by providers and entertainment groups are anti-competitive by requiring subscribers to purchase packages of channels, whether or not they actually watch those channels.

Judge Rules Oracle APIs Not Copyrightable

It has been more than seven weeks since the lawsuit between Oracle and Google began, but the question at the heart of that case, whether or not the structure, sequence, and organization (SSO) of the 37 Java APIs that were used could be copyrighted, has finally been answered. The presiding judge has concluded that a partial verdict that Google infringed on the SSO is invalid as the SSO is not copyrightable, though this decision could be overturned on appeal. This means that Google doesn’t have to worry about an injunction, or ban, against their Android operating system for at least a couple years. If this decision is overturned on appeal, then the question of whether or not Google’s use of the APIs is protected under the fair use defense will have to be determined either by a new jury or by a judicial ruling; Google argues that a new jury being selected means that they would have to reevaluate the infringement, which would cause an even longer delay. For now, Google’s seemingly rash decision to defend itself in court has paid off; it gets away scot-free (for a few years, at least). Few if any other companies would have taken on the risks Google did with this decision. The proverbial jury is still out on this case, at least until Oracle appeals the decision, but Google has more immediate IP litigation worries relating to a long list of Android-related lawsuits against Google, Motorola (a newly-acquired subsidiary), and other device makers, such as Samsung and HTC. Two weeks ago, a US trade agency ordered an import ban on Motorola’s (now Google’s) Android devices, and less than a week later a German court ordered a permanent injunction on the same devices.

It would be understandable for the jurors, who just spent seven weeks of their life missing work and being reimbursed far below the minimum wage, to ask why the judge couldn’t have decided the copyrightable issue firest, and saved them all the hassle. The reason Judge Alsup (the presiding judge) waited until the infringement trial was over was because the judge knew from the start that any decision on the copyrightability of the API SSO would face a huge risk for appeal and overturning. He had already looked into the issue last year when he denied Google a motion for summary judgment, and he certainly wouldn’t have put the question before a jury had he been completely certain of the ruling he was planning to give. Throughout the trial, Judge Alsup showed nothing but consideration for the jury, even telling Google and Oracle that, should they settle, they should do so before the weekend so as to minimize the impact on the jurors’ lives.

Clearly, given that the judge himself is unsure of the defensibility of his ruling in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, the next stop for the trial should Oracle pursue it, those who are overjoyed by this ruling should be a bit more cautious. Google built key components of the Android operating system on a highly controversial legal theory that will ultimately be decided by either the Federal Circuit or the Supreme Court of the United States. A couple of years might seem like an eternity in a field like software development and mobile operating systems, but it’s obvious that Google has much longer-term interests in the Android operating system. And to be frank, a ruling that the judge himself was unsure of in no way means that there was no case. This decision is unprecedented; no comparable amount of software code (400 class definitions and thousands of methods) has been held uncopyrightable despite satisfying the originality requirement. Both sides had reason to appeal should the case have gone against them.

“This action was the first of the so-called ‘smartphone war’ cases tried to a jury,” began the order on copyrightability, which, although technically true, is not the first case to be resolved; a number of other cases were filed after the Oracle v. Google which have been adjudicated without juries. More importantly, this case has unique characteristics that other smartphone-related cases don’t, instead dealing with patents instead of copyrights, or without the parties in question being in the middle of negotiating a licensing deal prior to the case. Even among copyright lawsuits, this is a rare case, because it deals not only with the infringement and fair use, but whether or not infringement is possible in the first place (i.e. can this material be copyrighted?). The judge, realizing the import of this decision and just how many people would be analyzing it, clarified the intended limitation of the scope of his holding at the end, saying: “This order does not hold that Java API packages are free for all to use without license. It does not hold that the structure, sequence, and organization of all computer programs may be stolen. Rather, it holds on the specific facts of this case, the particular elements replicated by Google were free for all to use under the Copyright Act.”

Judge Alsup, rather than attempt to dictate how an evolving marketplace can operate, instead decided to say that method definitions are so inherently functional that they can’t be copyrighted, pointing to interoperability considerations to back up his ruling. The example of a method definition he gives is:

public static int max (int x, int y)

The method described here is a public (accessible by all the other code) and static (it gets initialized immediately when the program runs, and only one copy is needed since it never changes) function called “max” that returns an “int” (or integer) result based on the interaction of two variables, x and y, which are also integers. The problem is that programmers like myself know that this is a fairly simple, broad function; object-oriented languages like Java (and even non-object-oriented languages like C) allow for far more complex function names, which can deal with highly specific, even proprietary, formats for variables, returned data, or even project- or class-specific formats, data types, or highly specific types of functions designed to do a particular task within the project, and Oracle never claimed a monopoly over a generic function like “max.” The API part of the lawsuit was about a far larger and more expansive body of work than just basic mathematical functions.

It is now up to the higher courts to decide on whether or not the specific code is copyrightable or not. Should the side with Judge Alsup, then Google is cleared and a new precedent is set in copyright law when dealing with writing software. Should they side with Oracle, then the question becomes whether or not the way Google used the code constituted fair use. Either way, this case is going to be very interesting to watch as time goes on. Rest assured, we will continue to cover this case as it makes its way through the courts. In many ways, it’s just getting started.

Kingston HyperX DDR2 Memory Modules

Kingston today announced the release of HyperX DDR2 533-MHz (PC2-4300) and675-MHz (PC2-5400) memory modules. Shipping immediately in limited quantities,Kingston offers HyperX DDR2 modules tested to run at PC2-4300 and PC2-5400.These new HyperX DDR2 unbuffered DIMMs are available in capacities up to 1GB tosupport the latest generation of computer platforms (actual speed depends onvarious supported motherboards).

“Kingston’s HyperX DDR2 memory features faster speeds of up to 675 MHz,higher data bandwidths, lower power consumption by about 50 percent, andenhanced thermal performance versus DDR,” said Scott Chen, VP of APAC BusinessDivision. “Gamers and PC enthusiasts will achieve increased performance andbetter thermal conditions in their rigs from the latest HyperX offering.”

Kingston designs and qualifies its HyperX line of products by carefulselection of memory components that are assembled and tested for ultimateperformance. The Kingston HyperX PC2-4300 modules have been tested to run at lowlatency timings of 3-3-3-10 and the PC2-5400 support low latency timings of4-4-4-10. SPD timings are programmed at JEDEC standard latency timings of4-4-4-12. The new modules also offer a range of advanced features.

HyperX DDR2 Features:
• 1.85 Volts operation, reducing power consumption by about 50 percent.
• Memory signal termination inside the memory chip (“On-Die Termination”) toprevent reflected signal transmission errors.
• Operational enhancements to increase memory performance, efficiency and timingmargins.
• CAS Latencies: 3 and 4

Kingston HyperX DDR2 MemoryProducts

Part Number

Capacity and Features

HyperX Unbuffered 533 MHz

KHX4300D2/256

256-MB 533 MHz unbufferedHyperX DDR2 DIMM

KHX4300D2/512

512-MB 533 MHz unbufferedHyperX DDR2 DIMM

KHX4300D2K2/512

512-MB 533 MHz unbufferedHyperX DDR2 Kit (kit of two)

KHX4300D2K2/1G

1-GB 533 MHz unbufferedHyperX DDR2 Kit (kit of two)

HyperX Unbuffered 675 MHz

KHX5400D2/256

256-MB 675 MHz unbufferedHyperX DDR2 DIMM

KHX5400D2/512

512-MB 675 MHz unbufferedHyperX DDR2 DIMM

KHX5400D2K2/512

512-MB 675 MHz unbufferedHyperX DDR2 Kit (kit of two)

KHX5400D2K2/1G

1-GB 675 MHz unbuffered HyperX DDR2 Kit (kit of two)

Mach Xtreme Technology Unleashes MX-NANO Series 1.8'' PATA Solid State Drives

Mach Xtreme Technology Inc.has unveiled its MX-NANO Series of SSD,aimed at users looking to upgrade the HDDs in their laptops/ netbooks.





The 1.8” SSD boasts a ZIF PATA (44-pin or 50-pin) interface, 256Mb of on-board cache, MLCNAND flash memory, TRIM support, a MTBF of 1,000,000 hours and datatransfer speeds of up to 120Mb/s (Read) and 90Mb/s (write). Available in30Gb, 60Gb, 120Gb and 240Gb capacities, the MX-NANO Series SSDs arecovered by a one year limited warranty. Pricing and availability has notbeen confirmed yet so stay tuned for more updates.


Features:
1.8" PATA (44-pin, 50-pin, ZIF) MLC Solid State Drive256MB SDRAM cache memoryMax. Read Performance up to 120MB/s (120G/240G)Max. Write Performance up to 90MB/s (120G/240G)I/O per second of 5,200 IOPSPower consumption: stand-by 0.5W / active 1.3W
News via [Tweaktown]

Jabra releases Clipper with new mono and stereo headset options in Singapore

In its stylish, discreet and contemporary Scandinavian design, the Jabra CLIPPER Bluetooth headset isavailable in Singapore with new mono/stereo options for the best Bluetooth experience. The CLIPPER offersa wearable Bluetooth clip with two sets of earphones: a pair of stereo earphones for users to enjoy music on the go, and a new mono earphone to make fuss-free crystal clear calls in a busy, professional environment. If you want an affordable, quality Bluetooth headset that can be either mono or stereo, then Jabra Clipper is just for you. Compatible with Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices,the CLIPPERis equipped with Multiuse capabilty; itcan stream music playing from your smartphone, iPod, iPad or even your laptop, all without missing a call. Incoming calls will automatically override the music being played. To conduct phone conversations, simply slide the Clipper on to your collar to usethe built-in microphone.

Weighing just 20g withsix hours of talk time,the Jabra Bluetooth headsetisextremely ruggedwith its US military grade rain and shock-resistance certification. At the touch of the multi-function button, you can easily pause, skip music tracks or adjust the volume. it has a working range of10-metre, and if you go out of range, you’ll even hear a warning signal. For audiophiles who insist on their favorite corded headphones, the CLIPPER’s standard-sized 3.5mm audio jack and built-in microphone gives you the freedom to plug in your headphones of the day, or even change between different earphones, according to your fashion style and mood. The Jabra CLIPPER is available at Challenger, Apple premium resellers: Epicentre, Nubox and authorised Jabra resellerswith an attractive price tag ofS$78.

Key product specifications of the Jabra CLIPPER include:

- Bluetooth 2.1 (Including EDR, A2DP and AVRCP)
- Clip-on wearing style
- US Military Grade Rain and Shock protection, IP44
- Talk/Music time = up to 6 hours; standby time = up to 8
days
- Dimensions = 4.8 cm (L) x 1.6.5 cm (W) x 2.55 cm(H)
- Weight = 20 grams
- Interchangeable sets of mono and stereo earphones with
noise-blocking in-ear buds in different sizes

Microsoft drops 'Metro' because of branding conflict

Windows 8 is set to launch only a few months from today, but don’t expect the term Metro to stick around. Microsoft has officially suspended use of Metro—codename for its typography-based design—due to legal issues with a German company.

According to a memo released from an unnamed source, Microsoft said that after an “important” discussion with a European partner, the Redmond software giant decided to “discontinue the use” of the Metro branding in Windows 8 and future Microsoft products.

Microsoft employees as well as developers are asked cease using and associating the term to any Microsoft products. Also, according to the memo, Microsoft is “working on a replacement term…and plans to land on that by the end of this week.” Until a new branding is coined, employees will use “Windows 8 style UI” instead.

Windows 8 is set to launch on October 26 alongside the Surface RT tablet.

Source: The Verge
Image: GSM Arena

Logitech announces new headsets

SINGAPORE— July 20, 2010 — Bringing crystal-clear audio for your Internet and video calls, music and movies, Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced two new headsets. Featuring support for super wideband audio, the Logitech® USB Headset H530 and the Logitech® Laptop Headset H555 sound so clear it’s almost like you’re in the same room as the people you call. The lightweight Laptop Headset H555 folds flat and easily fits into the included case. The USB Headset H530 offers laser-tuned drivers for exceptional audio quality. Both headsets are compatible with Logitech Vid™ HD, Skype™ 4.0 for Windows® or later, and Skype 2.8 for Mac® or later.

“We’ve learned from customers that better quality audio is one the most important factors in selecting which headset is right for them,” said Prasenjit Sarkar, Director of South Asia. “By supporting super wideband audio, the new Logitech headsets H555 and H530 help make your Internet and video calls sound crystal clear.”

Super wideband audio — developed by Skype® — helps make your voice more natural by transmitting sound on a large frequency range. Plus, super wideband audio uses less bandwidth and can even adjust in real time when there is more traffic on the network.

Logitech USB Headset H530

The Logitech USB Headset H530 makes it easy for you to hear the details. Laser-tuned drivers and a pure digital USB connection provide clear audio for voice and video calls, as well as music, movies, and games.

On-ear audio controls allow you to optimize your audio, whether you’re talking, listening to music or playing games. A padded foam headband and cushioned ear cups give you a comfortable fit.

Logitech Laptop Headset H555

The Logitech Laptop Headset H555 delivers pure digital sound, on the go. The behind-the-head design with adjustable ear pieces keeps you comfortable with a lightweight, personalized fit.

A USB connection means you’ll enjoy pure digital audio in stereo — perfect for Internet calls, music, movies and games. Both new Logitech headsets offer a noise-canceling microphone, which reduces annoying background noise and rotates out of the way when you’re not using it.

Pricing and Availability
The Logitech Laptop Headset H555 is expected to be available in July for S$85. The Logitech USB Headset H530 is expected to be available in July for S$79.

Intel unveils Core i7 990X Extreme Edition processor

Hardware enthusiasts rejoice. The Intels flagship six-core desktop CPU, the Core i7 990X Extreme Edition, is available for purchase online. However, dont expect the price to be affordable though; it retails around US$1,050 with shipping.

According to online sources, the 990X Extreme Edition comes unlocked and has a 12MB L3 cache. Built on 32nm manufacturing process, the CPU is clocked at 3.46GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Boost) and has 130W TDP. While Intel has not made official announcement about the launch of the chip, we expect the news to be out fairly soon. For the smart buyers, it seems like the 980X may be the better buy, though it is only $50 lesser than the 990X. Of course, that price tag could drop in time.

Source: Maximum PC

It is official Nexus One is sold out for good

We cannot say that no one saw this coming: after all, Google had been very open about its intentions to cease selling its flagship Nexus One smartphone for quite a while now. But what most of us probably did not expect was the speed in which the search giant moved to clear out its last shipment and declare the phone officially sold out.

In fact, if you were to visit Google's online store for the Nexus One, you would be greeted by a rather somber message informing visitors that the Nexus One is no longer available for sale directly from Google, although it does provide a helpful link on how to obtain one through Vodafone. That is all nice and good, except for one simple problem: Vodafone has no business operations in Singapore, so for the most part, the Nexus One is indeed officially sold out in Singapore.

Of course, considering its relatively short life of eight months, we would probably not be surprised to see the Nexus One being valued as some kind of 'limited edition' phone now: after all, it was a great phone while it lasted (save for the initial 3G connectivity issues), and it did set the bar for future Android-powered phones to build on.

Source: Google

Intel Tejas amp; JayHawk Cancelled

H1'04H2 '04H1 '05H2 '052006Xeon Potomac? Tulsa? Whitefield
(65nm, 4 Banias cores)Performance DesktopGallatin 775
(0.13, 2MB L3)
3.4EEGhz Potomac? Mainstream DesktopPrescott 775
(90nm, 1MB L2)
3.6GhzPrescott 775
3.8-4GhzPrescott 775
4.2GhzYonah (Jonah)
(65/90nm, DualCore, HT, CT, SSE3)Conroe (Merom based)
(65nm,Multi Core, 4MB L2, HT, CT, VT)MobileDothan
(90nm, 2MB L2)
2Ghz Yonah (Jonah)Merom

Intel has scrapped plans for two upcoming products to circumvent the growingproblem of how much heat its chips generate. Intel will combine two processorsonto a single chip, allowing for lower power usage as well as doublingperformance. The chips being canceled include Tejas and Jayhawk. Instead, Intel willsell so-called "dual-core" processors for desktop and notebook computers nextyear, ahead of schedule. Intel plans to introduce dual-core chips for desktopcomputers in 2005 and plans to start shipments of dual-core chips for notebookcomputers the same year. While heat generation was a factor in Intel's decision,another impetus was likely Intel's success in developing advanced manufacturingtechniques that can accommodate dual-core chips.

Memjet Customers, Roadmap Start Taking Shape

PC OEMs and camera makers could be among the customers for Memjet's revolutionary inkjet printers that were first disclosed last week. Meanwhile, the company has already started talking about taking the Silverbrook technology roadmap to 360 pages per minute in as little as two years' time.

While Silverbrook's 60-pages-per-minute printing technology seems revolutionary enough, company executives said they plan to increase its output sixfold in two to three years, to a theoretical output of 360 pages per minute from an ordinary printer.

And who will be making and selling these? OEMs from the personal-computer and consumer-electronics markets, specifically digital camera companies, said executives from Memjet, the company actually selling the Silverbrook-designed components. Memjet executives also said they will welcome the refill industry with open arms, allowing third-party ink suppliers to participate.

Memjet also has set its sights on the commercial printer market, hoping to change newspaper and magazine printing. Future plans include a commercial printer capable of an unheard-of 64,000 pages per minute.

It's unclear whether Memjet will be able to deliver on their dramatic promises. At the present time, the company has only produced prototype machines that Silverbrook has demonstrated to analysts and customers.

Executives said they're in discussions with PC OEMs and consumer-electronics makers who are looking to differentiate themselves in a cutthroat market. They refused to comment, however, when asked about specific names, such as Dell, which has marketed its own branded printers. However, the small startup has worked more than a decade on building the perfect printer.

According to Kim Beswick, the vice president of marketing for Memjet, the company's 100-patents-per-year rate was dismissed by its more established competitors, who wondered if the Australian startup was simply amassing research technologies. To a point, that's true; Silverbrook's engineers – many of whom boast three degrees, Beswick said – are funded by licensing. Memjet, the company that will market the printer technologies, will fund Silverbrook's ongoing research.

Silverbrook was founded by Kai Silverbrook, who has spent a decade perfecting the technology. The U.S. Patent Office has approved 1,452 patents with Silverbrook's name on them, more than Thomas Edison. The third most recent? A patent for placing a printer in a cellular phone – which Silverbrook has demonstrated a working model of as well, said Bill McGlynn, the chief executive of Memjet's home and office business.

"Early on, these patents were fairly low level, not enough to grab anyone's attention," Beswick said. "Nobody expected a company in Sydney to have anything significant; they thought - Silverbrook - was patenting for patent purposes.

"In 2005 and 2006 we shot up; we started passing HP and Epson in inkjet patents, and we were right up there with Canon," Beswick added. "People started asking questions."

Those questions began to be answered last week, when Memjet announced its product plans: a photo printer, which the company hopes to sell for less than $150 by the end of the year or early 2008; the 8.5-inch x 11-inch (A4) color inkjet, due to arrive at the end of 2008 for under $200; a label printer; and a large-format photo printer, expected to cost about $5,000, and capable of printing poster-sized prints at rapid speed. A photo kiosk will be trialled later this year.

The problem for Memjet, according to McGlynn, is that no new printer maker is going to be to establish a successful brand against the likes of HP and Canon. When asked about comparisons to the Tucker automobile, which burned bright than ultimately failed, McGlynn pointed out that Tucker tried to take on General Motors, not sell its technology to them.

"We can use other brands in the market, already known for their product quality," McGlynn said. "We don't have to worry about it. The battle will be taken to market by other brand names."

Memjet will sell its components to "growth-oriented" consumer-electronics and PC companies, Beswick said, agreeing that digital camera makers would be "a natural fit". The company's customers are encouraged to have a unique view of the market, and design products that could be unique, rather than knockoffs of one another.

Memjet is working with the "biggest names in the world," McGlynn added.

Embracing the refillers

Beswick and McGlynn declined to name names, citing confidentiality agreements. A partnership announcement is tentatively scheduled for the end of 2007 or early 2008, when the first manufacturer of the small-format photo printer will be disclosed, Beswick said. The only announced partner so far is Photo-Me International, a French photo-kiosk manufacturer which will be testing the Memjet technology – from another subsidiary, Memjet Photo Retail – this fall.

According to Beswick, the Memjet A4 printer design includes five 50-ml ink tanks, far more than the 20-ml cartridges used by HP and its rivals. A great deal of effort on the part of inkjet companies has been spent making sure that only the OEM is the source of refills, and not third-party ink suppliers. But in Germany, where the company presented its technology last week, refillers make up 40 percent of the market, executives said.

Memjet views the world differently. While its licensees are permitted to design the cartridges how they want – including designing a standard 20-ml cartridge – Memjet is prepared to allow the refill companies to participate, executives said. Moreover, the company tentatively plans to allow a "Netflix"-like model, where empty cartridges would be shipped back to the partner, refilled, and sent back, with Memjet and the partner splitting the profits. The $10-$15 cartridges are being designed to operate for six months.

"Our technology's in the print head, and we're asking you to pay a bit more for it," McGlynn said. "Not the ink."

Moore's Law and printers

Unlike a conventional printer head, the Memjet printer heads span the width of the page, each measuring 22-mm across by 0.72 mm. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the foundry responsible for many of today's PC graphics and communication chips, will manufacture the heads, while IBM is fabricating the driver chip, Beswick said. The printer chips themselves are made up of tiny micromachined nozzles, each capable of squirting a picoliter-sized drop of ink at 20,000 times per second, or 20 KHz.

The ink used is dye-based, although a pigment-based ink is being developed in conjunction for the A4 printer launch next year, McGlynn said. Ink clogging , always the problem with inkjets, is minimized by the design of the chip; McGlynn said the ink tends to retreat inside the print nozzle, minimizing clogging.

"It's the Achilles heel of all inkjet printers," McGlynn said. "If you don't get that right, you're done for."

Conventional inkjet heads are sometime sprayed with a solvent, or the ink itself is used to loosen the clog. Memjet executives would not disclose exactly how their printer technology unclogs the head, although the process takes only about two seconds, Beswick said. Exactly how often the head will need to be cleaned is still being tested, she said.

In semiconductors, the key to improving the technology is the continual die shrinks that allow microprocessors and other components to offer faster speeds or else lower power. The Memjet technology depends on something else: the rate at which the ink can be squirted through the micronozzles.

And Memjet executives said they're already thinking about the future. "This is not a one-trick pony," McGlynn said.

The Memjet heads cycle at 20 KHz, enough to produce the 60 pages per minute on the A4 printer. "But that's not that fast," McGlynn said.

Other inkjets cycle at 24 KHz. Memjet's plan is to develop a 120-KHz cycle head in two to three years, increasing the print speed sixfold to180 pager per minute at photo quality, 360 pages per minute at normal color quality, and 720 pages per minute in draft mode.

Another thing the company could do is add more rows of nozzles. Already, the company uses 10: two each for the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) inks, plus an additional back-ink nozzle. There's no reason why a customer couldn't "stack" the nozzles in four or five series of rows, placing more rows of inks on the paper and speeding up the process even further. One of Memjet's customers are talking about placing heads on the front and back, doubling the Memjet effective output by printing in duplex mode, Beswick said. Another is considering a black-and white office printer, she added.

And then there's the medium: yet another Memjet project is to allow the printers to connect digitally to a network, and print on newsprint and on the stock paper magazines use. The 64,000-page-per-minute commercial printer is also a planned project.

"By the time the current inkjet vendors figure out their design to work against us, we'll be six times faster and a lot more flexible," McGlynn said.

Copyright 2007 by Ziff Davis Media, Distributed by United Press International

Intel reveals more than 20 Windows 8 tablets on the way

Intel has confirmed that more than 20 Windows 8 tablets are on the way, which makes for a promising mobile device launch for Microsofts next version of its popular operating system.

The chip giants CEO, Paul Otellini, said that the company is “tracking more than 20 Windows 8 tablet designs based on our low-power and low-cost Clover Trail Atom SOC, in addition to a number of Core-based tablets.”Intel will be competing with ARM, the firm powering the Windows RT tablets, which will likely take up a larger share of the market, thanks to their lower price tags. However, Microsoft is not leaving Intel out of the picture, embracing the Core i5 processor for the “Pro” version of its own-branded Surface tablet, which should come in at around the same price as an Ultrabook.Otellini also said that there are over 140 Ivy Bridge-based Ultrabooks on the horizon, ensuring Intels dominance in a variety of mobile fields. He expects to see $699 Intel-powered Ultrabooks in Autumn.Windows 8 will release on 26 October.Source: The Verge

Microsoft sends out invitations to Windows 8 event in NYC

Microsoft has sent out a series of cryptic invitations to an event in New York City on October 25th, celebrating the long anticipated upcoming installment of their operating system: Windows 8.

The invitations were devoid of practically any information, except that an event is being held in New York City on October 25th.

"Youre invited to celebrate.
Windows 8." says the invitation.

Whatever the event is, it will probably end up having something to do with Windows 8 devices, such as tablets, computers, cellphones and laptops.

The public has already been made aware by Microsoft that the release of Windows 8 will occur on the following day, October 26th.

The discussion surrounding the operating system is a lively one to say the least. Many are dreading the release of Windows 8, often due to its controversial Metro interface. Others, of course, have a more optimistic perspective on the OS .

Many hold that a Windows operating system cannot be fully judged until it has been used, probed, and new service packs have been released fixing common bugs - this process could be compared to breaking in a pair of new shoes. How Windows works in a lab environment, and how it works in the publics homes is a radically different story.

In a little more than a months time, any debate on the subject will be replaced by solid experimentation.

Source:CNET