Archives for January 2006
The end of the Pentium M era
Darius Chang | Jan 04, 2006
The first Intel processor made specifically for the needs of the mobile platform, the Pentium M chip heralded the age of the Centrino platform. However, the next generation of notebook processors will be stepping away from this ancestry with brand new monikers.
Since the launch of the Centrino platform in 2003, Pentium M processors have become a ubiquitous chip in all Intel-based notebooks. Created specifically to meet the demands of mobile computing, these chips have become synonymous with low power usage at minimal performance sacrifices.
The next generation of the Centrino platform, codenamed Napa, will be hosting the Yonah chip. The new processor will no longer bear the Pentium M branding. Instead, as part of a corporate-wide rebranding effort, the Yonah chip will have two distinct designations. The single-core series will be denoted with the Solo Inside logo, while the dual-core versions will be recognized by the Duo Inside sticker.
Unlike its predecessors, which were differentiated mainly by processor clock cycles and front side bus speed, the latest processor lineup will have a multitude of variants to cater to different market segments. From integrated antivirus to execution instruction sets, you may eventually acquire the equivalent of a tertiary education in computer science while learning to decipher which chip is suitable for the task in hand. 
Intel new logos
Logitech goes cordless with laser
Will Greenwald | Jan 04, 2006
Most gamers avoid cordless mice with good reason: their battery life can be short-lived, and you run the risk of lag. Logitech addresses both concerns with the G7 laser cordless mouse, which features programmable buttons, adjustable sensitivity levels, and a quick-swappable battery. It's a good cordless option for the gaming set, but those who don't mind being chained to their computers should consider the Logitech G5 laser mouse which offers the same level of programmability at a lower cost.
The 133g G7 is fairly light for a gaming mouse, and most gamers will want more heft; unlike the G5, it lacks customizable weight to give it a heavier feel. Though it looks like it will fit both left- and right-handed users, it's made for righties only. It has two sensitivity buttons conveniently placed below the thumbwheel and another programmable button near the thumb rest. It has a small battery meter on top. An eject button on the bottom lets you quickly swap out the battery. The G7 comes with two battery packs and a USB recharging station. Logitech also includes a wireless receiver you can plug into your computer's USB port or the USB port on the recharging station. 
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Moto's new ROKR sings a different tune
Juniper Foo | Jan 04, 2006
It's finally out. No surprises here that Motorola has named its successor to its debut iTunes phone E1, the E2. However, this latest musical Moto croons a very different tune from its iTunes elder. Unveiled at the Las Vegas annual Consumer Electronics Show, which kicks off this Thursday, what we do know for now is that the E2 is dropping iTunes compatibility to go with MP3, WMA, AAC and RealAudio formats. This has its tradeoffs since Apple fans may look elsewhere. However, the crucial observation is that the E2 no longer has its hands tied, unlike its predecessor, to a 100-song limit (50 in the case of some Asian countries).
Instead, the E2 now sports an SD slot for up to 2GB of removable memory (vs the E1's TransFlash or miniSD media), and can now store as many as 500 tunes. Other notables include a USB 2.0 port (to the E1's USB 1.0), the ability to create and manage playlists, a 3.5 mm stereo earphone jack, an FM tuner, and Linux as an operating system which should enhance speed and flexibility.
No word on pricing, though Motorola is slating the E2 to launch in the first half of 2006.
Consumer Electronics Show is back!
Philip Wong | Jan 04, 2006
What better way to start a new year than to get ourselves immersed in the coolest and greatest of tech toys? With 2,500 exhibitors participating in the 2006 show, there is bound to be something for everyone.
Held at Innovations Plus at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas, the four-day event starting Thursday is posed to attract an estimated 13,000 attendees worldwide. Doing the legwork onsite will be our correspondents from CNET US and Asia bringing you up-to-date coverage of what's hot and not.
MUJI Cardboard Speakers
Juniper Foo | Jan 04, 2006
MUJI, famous for using raw materials in its "No Brand Goods", shows that even consumer electronics can submit to the MUJI philosophy. So get ready for portable cardboard speakers. What's cool about this is that you can fold them up flat and store them in a plastic pouch till the next time you need some audio oomph out of your music player. Of course, at just US$42, don't expect to coax more than one-dimensional sound out of this accessory.
See packaging
Via OhGizmo!
Price: US$42
Availability: MoMastore
Device: Portable speakers
Basic specs: N.A.
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