Archive for July, 2005
FingerGear, the consumer brand of biometrics leader Bionopoly LLC, announced today the release of its groundbreaking Computer-On-a-Stick Flash Drive. The Computer-On-a-Stick is a bootable USB 2.0 Flash Drive that is the first flash device to feature a complete onboard Operating System. The device also features the OpenOffice Productivity Suite, along with many of the most commonly used desktop and Internet applications. The Computer-On-a-Stick allows users to take their entire software environment with them anywhere securely. The device is bootable from any PC with an x86 processor, regardless of its resident Windows or Linux OS. All bookmarks, address book, emails, and office documents are stored securely on the device and never leave a trace on the host PC. Users enter a login password at each session.
The Office Suite, developed by OpenOffice.org, is compatible with the most common Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. The Computer-On-a-Stick also includes the increasingly popular Mozilla FireFox browser, which some estimate at a 25% market share(a). Also included are PDF Viewer and Creator, a data compression utility, and an Instant Messenger that is compatible with Yahoo IM, MSN Messenger, AIM, and Napster, among others.
With 2005 unit projections as high as 100 Million or greater and average storage capacities exceeding 256MB(b), the trend towards USB storage devices with value-added software is only beginning to accelerate. Users are also increasingly demanding greater security as network hackers become more sophisticated. To maintain both security and ease-of-use, the Computer-On-a-Stick features both a public and a private partition. The public partition is accessible on Windows, Linux, and Macintosh PCs, making it easy to share non-sensitive files. The private directory can only be accessed by booting from the device and after the user enters a login password.
The Computer-On-a-Stick’s Operating System plus Office Suite fits well within the device’s initial 256MB capacity. Greater capacities will be available later this quarter. “Our goal was to combine a trusted operating system with the most commonly used software applications, all within a single secure USB Flash Drive,” says Bionopoly CEO Jon Louis. “The Computer-On-a-Stick USB Flash Drive offers the perfect combination of security and portability.”
July 23rd, 2005
The admission by Rockstar Games that the explicit sexual content unlocked by the ‘Hot Coffee’ mod was knowingly included in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has placed the video games industry under increased scrutiny.
This is attention that it could have well done without. The GTA series have always worn their colours proudly. Yes the games are violent. Yes they contain references to drugs and other seedy street culture. However, none of this was hidden. Rockstar came out and said that they didn’t think there was anything wrong with such content and challenged censors to rate the games accordingly. In the USA GTA: San Andreas was given a ‘Mature’ rating. In the UK it was rated as ‘18′, meaning that the game could only be openly sold to adults.
But, in the USA at least, that rating was bogus. GTA: San Andreas contains hidden explicit sexual scenes and for that reason the rating in the USA has been raised to AO - Adults Only - and as a result the game has been withdrawn from the shelves of major retailers.
If Rockstar wished to put such content into a game that’s their business. What was foolish was to put it there, but to attempt to deny its existence. The cause of the video game censor has been strengthened by Rockstar’s actions and for that reason alone they deserve the disgust of gamers everywhere.
TechSmec.com loves the GTA games, but we fear that the gaming landscape has been changed forever.
July 21st, 2005
Google has added the Moon to the list of places that you can explore using Google Maps. The move commemorates the 26th anniversary of the first lunar landing by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20th, 1969.
The service uses the familiar Google Maps interface and shows the location of all six moon landings, along with some detail about each. You can zoom in to a reasonable degree, but the quality of the imagery isn’t quite up to that of the satellite imagery on Google Maps.
You may not be able to search for the nearest pizza restaurant on the Moon just yet but Google promise that they will fully integrate Google Local search capabilities into Google Moon, which will allow their users to quickly find lunar business addresses, numbers and hours of operation, among other valuable forms of Moon-oriented local information. Only you’ll have to wait for the 100th anniversary in 2069 before they get around to it.
Google Moon
July 21st, 2005
Plantronics today introduced the Pulsar 590, a Bluetooth stereo headset that lets users listen wirelessly to music and movies with excellent audio quality and switch seamlessly to mobile phone calls with the single touch of a button. Available with a universal Bluetooth audio adapter, the Pulsar 590 provides immediate wireless compatibility for any device with a headphone jack, such as laptops, home stereos, MP3 players, including Apple iPods, and multimedia devices, such as Sony PSP.
“The Pulsar 590 demonstrates the desirable look of Plantronics’ new design initiative and underscores our commitment to providing diverse Bluetooth offerings that deliver quality sound, are easy to use and provide long-wearing comfort,” said Renee Niemi, vice president of Mobile and Entertainment at Plantronics.
Consumers are eagerly awaiting devices that support Bluetooth stereo. A recent research survey conducted by In-Stat/MDR found that 88 percent of respondents were interested in purchasing cordless stereo headset/headphones, with interest especially high for those that would switch between mobile phones and music (October 2004).
The Pulsar 590 uses multipoint technology to function as both a stereo headset for high fidelity listening, as well as a communications headset for use with mobile phones and other voice-enabled devices. The headset includes a telescopic voice tube with an omni-directional microphone for clear voice communications.
Its extended range capabilities provide users with great mobile freedom and enables them to listen to music or have conversations up to 33 feet away from their laptop, music device or cell phone. The Pulsar 590 provides up to 12 hours of talk time and 10 hours of listen time, so users stay in touch and in tune all the time.
The Pulsar 590 has a familiar headband wearing style with pivoting ear cushions that provide all-day wearing comfort. The portable, lightweight headset features a foldable design for compact charging and travel storage and ships with a full range of accessories, including a desktop charging stand, AC charger, USB charging cable, in-flight cable and travel case. The in-flight cable allows the headset to be used with the Bluetooth radio disabled, a requirement for most airline travel.
The headset can be purchased with the universal Bluetooth adapter for devices that don’t have Bluetooth stereo capabilities. Computer, media and mobile phone devices compatible with the new Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, or A2DP, don’t require the universal adapter to experience stereo sound. Industry analysts expect A2DP to gain widespread adoption across communication and entertainment devices. In-Stat/MDR projects consumer devices with A2DP compatibility to jump 414 percent in 2005, to approximately 7 million units, and is expected to reach over 15.5 million units in 2008 (October 2004).
The Pulsar 590 has an estimated retail price of US $149.99 and US $199.99 with universal adapter. The headset will be available this fall at retail stores, wireless carrier stores and http://www.plantronics.com.
July 20th, 2005
X2 have obviously decided that women don’t find computers interesting because they’ve launched a new range of notebooks aimed at the fairer sex.
The Stylebook 4000 comes in ‘chic’ designs and is available in elegant Piano White and Duotone Pink/White finishes (because that’s apparently what women want from a PC - forget performance, it’s the colour of the bag that matters) and includes a faux-croc color-coordinated portfolio bag for easy carrying with a fashionable look (that too). Unlike its sibling, the 4000 model sports a larger 14″ Widescreen LCD Display for easy viewing of images, movies, games.
X2 takes hi-tech fashion one step further by launching an interactive Stylebook Visual Configurator. The Visual Configurator, featured at www.stylebook.com, allows users to go online to personalize their notebooks by choosing colors and coordinating laptop bags coming in Microfiber, Faux Croc, Leather and Suede materials. The bags look nothing like traditional notebook bags and virtually hide the fact that there is even a notebook in it, yet each bag has a built-in protective compartment to store the StyleBook. Not only are the bags fashionable and stylish, they are also extremely functional with several pockets for storage such as separate makeup and mobile phone compartments, eliminating the hassle of the constant two bag shuffle.
Despite its looks and weight, the StyleBook still comes with heavyweight features. The unit includes Intel’s latest Pentium M or Celeron M low-power mobile processor, up to 1GB of DDR memory, up to a 100GB hard drive, 802.11b+g Wi-Fi wireless networking, 10/100 Fast Ethernet and a DVD/CD-RW Recordable Combo or DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Recordable optical drive, all in a compact, easy to carry package.
It comes with a built-in USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 Firewire ports for easy connectivity and transfer of data from any digital device. The StyleBook 4000 also has a Type II PCMCIA slot for easy expansion. Unlike other notebooks its size, the StyleBook 4000 also features a full-size keyboard that is surprisingly easy to type on.
“The new interactive website fulfills our goal to give customers an easy way of not only customizing the color and style of their notebook but also coordinating it with various matching laptop bags,” says Rex Wong, CEO of X2. “Since the launch of the 2000 series we have seen a dramatic interest in the Stylebook line of designer lightweight super-thin notebooks, proving the demand for a merge of function and fashion in the CE industry.”
The Stylebook series starts at $1,299 and up depending upon configuration. They will be available at leading retailers and e-tailers, which will be announced shortly, and directly at its website at www.stylebook.com.
July 19th, 2005
A vulnerability has been reported in Microsoft Windows in the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) implementation, allowing a remote user to cause denial of service conditions.
This is of particular interest to users of XPMCE as RDP is turned on by default in that version of Windows (but not in XP Professional or Home).
No fix is available at the moment although Microsoft plan to issue a fix, presumably in August’s round of fixes and patches unless the vulnerability proves to be critical.
This vulnerability could not be used to take control of a computer or network.
For the full Microsoft report click here.
July 19th, 2005
Hardly a week goes by without a rumour about a video iPod, but this time the rumour seems to be backed by logic other than “wouldn’t it be cool”.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is on the verge of adding music videos to its iTunes stores. Although Apple could be doing this independently of any intention to release a video iPod, it should be remembered that iTunes was created to do one thing - shift iPods from the shelves of electronics retailers worldwide. This it has achieved incredibly successfully by making it nigh on impossible to play iTunes-purchased tracks on any other mp3 players. In Japan, where Apple have so far resisted the temptation to release an iTunes store, the iPod has recently lost its number one position to Sony. The recent news that Apple will make iTunes available in Japan may just flip this stat back on its head.
So, back to the video iPod (or iPod Movie as many sites have christened the mythical device). The logic goes that if iTunes sells videos, Apple will want to tie users into playing them on one of their devices. The drawback to this is that Apple don’t have a portable video player, so the solution is to develop one.
However, Apple have never shown the slightest sign of weakening their no-video stance for the iPod. Steve Jobs had previously said that he could see no demand for viewing feature length video on a portable device (not that this rules our shorter movies of course), but the success of the Sony PSP as a media player may, just may, be changing his mind.
Would an iPod Movie be any good? The basic iPod certainly has the capability of storing movie data, after all it’s just a small hard drive in a shiny (tiny) box. Nyko will be taking advantage of this when they release their iPod Movie Player, which will play movies back on a 3.5 inch, 65,000 colour screen. But perhaps this shows us one of the limitations. The Nyko screen isn’t big – roughly the same as a Sony PSP screen in fact – and the potential size of an iPod screen is limited by the size of the case. Apple has been miniaturizing the iPod since its launch and a movie player would probably involve a reversal of this process. If the screen remained the same size as on the current range of iPods, it’s not going to be good enough to watch anything other than short clips. Entire feature films would not be an option, but then with our current train of iTunes-inspired thought, perhaps that’s not a problem.
If the WSJ rumour turns out to be true then some of our questions may get answered. Until then EnGadget has a tongue-in-cheek guide to playing movies on your iPod Photo using some deft thumb work on the click-wheel. Is this and the Nyko the closest we’re going to come to a movie iPod?
Source: Media Center PC World
July 18th, 2005
IBM has announced a roadmap that will see it kill off its cult OS/2 operating system. Support will officially end with the removal of fixes and patches from the IBM website in December 2006, seeing an end to the software that, for a while, threatened to challenge Windows as the predominant operating system on the PC platform.
OS/2 was jointly developed by IBM and Microsoft, but fell out of favour when Microsoft withdrew from the partnership to focus on Windows and, in the process, took its now evident marketing skills with it.
The market for OS/2 dwindled rapidly, but remained popular in several key areas, among them ATMs. However, even niches like this turned to Windows and, more recently, Linux. IBM has now recommended Linux as a replacement for OS/2, although die-hard OS/2 customers (and there are apparently less than 80) can purchase a maintenance contract to see them past 2006 if they like.
“We’re making official what has been going on for quite some time,” said Steve Eisenstadt, an IBM spokesman. “We haven’t released a new version of OS/2 in nine years.”
IBM had been petitioned to make OS/2 open source, but has ruled out the move because of potential legal hurdles.
July 17th, 2005
Konica Minolta is to market its cheapest ever digital SLR camera, in the process catching up with Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Olympus who have already released digital SLRs at the sub $900 price point for the camera body.
The new camera will be launched worldwide in August and sold under the name “alpha sweet” in Japan, “Maxxum 5D” in North America and “Dynax 5D” in Europe.
The Dynax5D/Maxxum5D ensures photo-imaging excellence using Konica Minolta’s proprietary Anti-Shake technology, which employs an exclusive CCD-Shift mechanism to compensate for blurring caused by camera shake - even when taking photos in dimly lit scenes, in natural light with a telephoto lens, or in macro shots where extra stability is vital for a sharp shot. This innovative Anti-Shake technology not only provides the equivalent correction effect with a shutter speed 2 to 3 stops slower, but also compatibility with any Dynax/Maxxum system lenses.
Boasting more than high performance, this digital SLR camera also features an ideal, compact design with a high-quality, stylish, and lightweight construction. Rubberized grips make it highly tactile and easy to handle and hold.
The Dynax7D/Maxxum7D ensures images of exceptional quality with a large, 6.1-megapixel (effective) CCD sensor, an Advanced LSI engine for high-speed image processing, as well as Konica Minolta’s CxProcess III image processing technology, an original technology highly acclaimed for rendering fine image detail and stunning color rendition.
Offering a better view for better pictures, the camera boasts a large 2.5-inch color LCD that provides simple navigation through easy-to-use on-screen menus and set-up options. The LCD makes camera control even easier, displaying detailed camera settings as well as captured images.
For even greater convenience and ease of use, the Dynax5D/Maxxum5D includes an Digital Subject Program Selector, which automatically designates an optimum exposure and image-processing program for five commonly used photo scenes.
The Dynax5D/Maxxum5D also offers a comprehensive range of easy-to-use functions that allow precision adjustments of all camera settings whatever the shooting situation. While high-performance functions satisfy the demanding and creative techniques of photography enthusiasts, the camera has at its core ease of use and simple operation with a basic level of control that makes it ideal even for novice users.
July 15th, 2005
Fujitsu have claimed a breakthrough in electronic paper technology by showing off a 0.8mm sheet that can display colour images without using any power.
The e-paper uses red, green and blue strips that can be twisted to lock into position and hence reflect a particular colour even without electricity. Total power consumption is cited as being between 1 and 0.01% of traditional electronic paper.
Since no colour filters or polarizing layers are required, it features colour that is significantly more vivid than conventional reflective-type LCDs. Proprietary Fujitsu technology ensures that screen colour is unaffected even when the screen is bent or pressed with fingers. Because the screen image does not require repetitive updates to be maintained, the screen does not flicker.
“A wide variety of applications can be envisioned for Fujitsu’s new electronic paper as a digital medium that can be handled like paper,” said a company spokesman, quoted on VNUnet.
Potential applications for the e-paper could be advertising on trains, information displays on curved surfaces, and other public display applications that could take advantage of its light weight and flexibility, electronic shelf display tags, point-of-purchase displays, restaurant menus, operating manuals, work orders, and other short-term information displays, facilitating the trend toward paperless offices or factories.
July 15th, 2005
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