Archive for April 14th, 2005
Sandisk, which has captured 30% of the Sony memory stick market, has admitted that it is struggling to meet demand for 512MB and 1GB flavours as PSP users store memory hungry files such as movies and music.
The demand for high capacity cards has caught Sandisk by surprise. They were unsure how popular movies would be on the PSP, but the massive interest in this side of the portable console’s armory is now clear to see.
According to cNet, Christina Day, product marketing manager for SanDisk said, “It’s been hard to keep up with the demand. It’s a good problem to have, but we don’t want to have people frustrated.”
“We’re getting a lot of questions about 2GB Memory Sticks,” she added. The 2GB cards are expected to hit shops in the next 2-3 months.
April 14th, 2005
AMD has introduced the Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ for full-size notebooks.
Based on the award-winning AMD64 technology, this new mobile processor enables a powerful 32-bit computing experience today with a seamless transition to 64-bit computing. The Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ also offers Enhanced Virus Protection (EVP), an advanced security feature designed to prevent the spread of certain malicious viruses when enabled by Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.
“We have again raised the bar for 64-bit mobile performance with the latest addition to our powerful Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processor family. AMD is unique in delivering 64-bit mobile computing, which is available today. AMD has led the way to a brave new world where 32-bit technology will become a remnant of the past,” said Marty Seyer, corporate vice president and general manager, Microprocessor Business Unit, Computation Products Group, AMD. “AMD believes that the freedom to choose from a variety of best-in-class, open-standard technologies allows manufacturers to offer their customers a more feature-rich notebook, such as the latest Gateway notebook with extreme graphics and ultimate performance.”
PC supplier Gateway has selected the Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ to power their new Gateway 7426GX notebook, which is now available at retail stores throughout North America .
AMD works with industry-leading partners to help ensure that all its Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processors are compatible with the most popular graphics and wireless solutions, including wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g. As with all existing AMD mobile processors, the new Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ enables exceptional computing on-the-go with extended system battery life made possible by AMD PowerNow! technology, a dynamic power management feature pioneered by AMD.
Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processors are now available in models 3700+, 3400+, 3200+, 3000+ and 2800+.
April 14th, 2005
We’re talking about a universe where you don’t have things that you need to get up for, such as work, school or walking the dog, and you only wake up when your body thinks it is ready to.
We don’t live in that universe, but a set of students at Brown University in the USA clearly do, as they’ve invented an alarm clock that monitors your brainwaves and wakes you up when your body thinks it has had enough sleep. Of course, that leaves you open to being woken up at 3am if, like Margaret Thatcher famously could, you can operate on 4 hours sleep a night.
‘SleepSmart’, works on the principle that you have a regular sleep cycle of 90 minutes going from lighter to deeper states. It will only wake you up in a lighter state, presumably around some time parameters that you set before going to bed.
Alas, you have to wear a headband of electrodes to make the thing work. Clever, but useless in the modern world is our verdict.
Axon Sleep Research
April 14th, 2005
It’s the natural successor to taping off the radio, except this time it will all be strictly legit.
UBC Media, owner of the Classic Gold digital station in the UK wants to make the impulse purchasing of music possible via DBA digital radios. The theory is that you will be listening away, when you hear a track that you just have to own. One button press later the file has been downloaded (to where we are not yet sure - neither are UBC probably) and somehow you’ve been charged for it.
As you will gather, technical detail is thin on the ground with this story, but UBC think that it has legs as they are investing £400,000 in the system this year.
“We think it is a most compelling way to buy music, much more compelling than someone who gets an iPod and crawls all over the internet looking for music for it,” said finance director Jenny Donald. “You are listening to the tune, you like it, it only costs about a quid and you can just push a button to download it.”
April 14th, 2005
Korean company SavitMicro is marketing a USB2 HDTV solution for PCs.
This solution has all the bells and whistles you would expect from an HDTV tuner including time-shifting, EPG, capture in 1080i and 5.1 audio - all in a package smaller than a cigarette packet.
See more at Akihabara news
April 14th, 2005
Today’s students have grown accustomed to being able to connect with friends, family, information and entertainment at the press of a button. They carry an array of portable devices that let them take pictures, play music, and send and receive text messages and e-mail as well as make phone calls.
So it’s only natural that when they purchase a computer, they’re going to expect it to help them do more than write term papers, respond to e-mail and connect to the Internet.
Microsoft thinks that the Media Center PC is the ideal solution, and for once they may be right.
In addition to standard computer functions, Windows XP Media Center 2005-based PCs can record and pause live TV shows, and can be attached to a standard television, rather than a computer monitor, for better viewing. This sleek entertainment hub plays and records DVDs and CDs and can pump music and movie soundtracks to surround sound speakers. Media Center PCs also can stockpile your student’s home movies and family photos and then play them on any television they’re connected to. And best of all, these functions can be controlled by either a single remote control or a keyboard.
Kellie Jacobson hopes to get a Media Center PC before she heads to college for the first time this fall. “An all-in-one package is always best,” Jacobson said. “I wouldn’t need to bring my giant stereo or buy a TV or DVD player. I’d have less to worry about, and all my friends would think it was the coolest thing ever.”
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PCs also feature Online Spotlight, a convenient, central location where people can discover and enjoy the latest online services such as Napster, Movielink and XM Satellite Radio as well as software designed for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Online Spotlight serves as a resource for news, entertainment, sports and more.
April 14th, 2005
The Recording Industry Association of America and the Motion Picture Association of America have launched law suits against 405 users of the high speed Internet2 network, which they say makes mass file sharing too easy.
Internet2 is an experimental network linking together 207 US universities which was originally designed for academic use, but its i2hiub software, has become a favoured tool of students wishing to download large files such as movies. i2hub is a peer-to-peer, file-sharing application developed for “student collaboration” on Internet2.
In fact, movie downloading was the process chosen by the makers of Internet2 to demonstrate the extremely high data transfer speeds possible, when they downloaded a copy of The Matrix in under 30 seconds.
The MPAA says that this has now been taken to extremes and 99 terabytes of movie data was being swapped every day – equivalent to an entire video store.
“Internet2 is increasingly becoming the network of choice for students looking to steal songs and other copyrighted works on a massive scale,” said RIAA president Cary Sherman.
“We know who you are and we strongly encourage you to stop what you are doing,” said Dan Glickman, MPAA president and CEO.
Whether or not the RIAA and MPAA will sue the makers of i2hub probably depends on the outcome of the current Grokster case.
April 14th, 2005
Here at TechSmec.com we love our mobile (cell) phones as much as the next person, but we admit that our love doesn’t extend to having a transmitter outside TechSmec.com towers or in the playground of our children’s schools.
Excellent coverage must be balanced with the environmental concerns of having metal monstrosities (and no, we aren’t fooled when you paint them green and stick on plastic palm leaves) across the countryside.
So we were pleased to stumble onto Stratellite, a high-altitude airship that when in place in the stratosphere will provide a stationary platform for transmitting various types of wireless communications services currently transmitted from towers and satellites.
Made of Spectra (whatever that is, but it sounds impressive) and powered by solar powered electrical engines, each Stratellite will reach its final altitude by utilizing proprietary lifting gas technology. Once in place at 65,000 feet and safely above the jet stream, each Stratellite will remain in one GPS coordinate, providing the ideal wireless transmission platform. The Stratellites are unmanned airships and will be monitored from the company’s Operation Centers on the ground.
Each Stratellite will provide coverage over an area the size of Texas.
We like this idea a lot, and we’re particularly impressed by the look of the airships themselves. They remind us of giant flying whales. Obviously that’s no indicator of whether or not the technology will work, but you have to start somewhere.
April 14th, 2005
The Dead to Rights series has always been popular on the PS2 and now it look as though a PSP version is in the works.
Delivering the series’ trademark nonstop, hard-boiled action and a gritty cop storyline, “Dead to Rights: Reckoning” is planned for release on the PSP in the summer of 2005.
“Dead to Rights: Reckoning” returns to crime-infested Grant City, as an important informant is kidnapped on the eve of the investigation of a major crime lord. Anticipating the worst if the crime boss is not brought to justice, Jack Slate and his K-9 companion Shadow thrust themselves into hostile gang territory to save the informant and bring peace to the City. “Dead to Rights: Reckoning” takes full advantage of the gaming power of the PSP, delivering advanced 3D graphics, surround audio design, and an advanced camera system that utilizes the handheld’s widescreen display.
“‘Dead to Rights: Reckoning’ accurately translates the adrenaline-soaked combat of best-selling action series, and adds several new features that take advantage of the PSP hardware,” said Pierre Roux, Executive Producer at Namco Hometek. “The game’s unique ranged and melee fighting engine and stylish disarms are sure to make it one of the most action-packed games on the PSP when it is released this May.”
“Dead to Rights: Reckoning” expands upon the blistering action of the series with a robust ranged and melee fighting system that allows Jack to spit lead and bust heads with ease, and an all-new selection of weapons and lethal disarms. Players will also have unprecedented control of Shadow, utilizing him to watch Jack’s back and unleash savage canine fury on lowlife thugs. For the first time in the series “Dead to Rights: Reckoning” allows players to go head to head through wireless multiplayer death matches, adding hours of replay value to an already extensive single player campaign.
April 14th, 2005
HP today announced two additions to its Apple iPod from HP line of digital music players. The new iPod products allow consumers to carry and enjoy an extensive music and photo library wherever they go.
The Apple iPod from HP is available in two sizes - 30 gigabytes which holds up to 7,500 songs, and 60 GB, which holds up to 15,000 songs. In addition to a music library, the new players can each store up to 25,000 digital photos and can display them on a vivid, high-resolution color display.
Consumers can use an optional audio-visual cable accessory to share slideshows on big screen televisions and projectors.
“HP offers consumers simple, fun ways to enjoy and personalize their music and photo experiences,” said Siobhan O’Connor, vice president, Consumer Brand and Marketing, HP. “Along with products such as our new Media Center PCs, now available with an integrated iPod dock and pre-installed Apple iTunes software, these new iPods round out a complete music solution from HP.”
The players come with a USB 2.0 cable to connect easily to a PC for syncing of music, playlists, photos and album artwork. Plus, extended battery life gives users up to 15 hours of music playback or up to 5 hours of slideshows. Both models are backed by HP’s Total Care customer support, which includes one year of phone support and a one-year warranty.
The new iPods are also compatible with HP Printable Tattoos, HP’s innovative way to allow consumers to personalize their iPods with artwork, designs and photography. At http://www.hp.com/music, consumers can find a gallery full of tattoo designs, including album art from the hottest bands and recording artists, as well as unique artwork and images.
Consumers can also upload their own photos and images to print as Tattoos at home. The ultra-thin HP Printable Tattoos are easy to apply and remove from the player’s exterior. Durable and water-resistant, they help to protect from scratches while adding a touch of personal style.
HP Printable Tattoos are sold in 10-packs of printable glossy paper that are pre-cut to fit any Apple iPod from HP. The retail price for HP Printable Tattoos is $14.99. The Apple iPod from HP 30 GB is $349 and the Apple iPod from HP 60 GB is $449. HP also continues to offer the popular Apple iPod from HP 20 GB for $299. The new Apple iPod from HP models and HP Printable Tattoos are available online at hpshopping.com and at many major retailers, including Circuit City, Radio Shack, Sears and Wal-Mart.
April 14th, 2005