Archives for March 2006
Samsung 32GB flash drive goes live
Darius Chang | Mar 28, 2006
Samsung has began offering 32GB solid state hard drives to manufacturers. Based on NAND flash memory technology, these high-capacity disks have no moving parts. As a result, they are shock-proof and use only 5 percent of the power required for magnetic-based storage. Moreover, flash drives are not susceptible to erasure by magnetic fields and have higher read/write speeds.
Unfortunately, all these advantages do not come free. Significantly more expensive than magnetic harddisks (a 2GB SD flash card costs approximately S$200 (US$131.58) compared with S$180 (US$118.42) for a 20GB 1.8-inch harddisk), we can expect the first generation of mobile devices to be priced at a premium.
As it is still rather large--about half the size of a comparable hard drive--we expect the flash drive to appear in high-end notebooks and portable multimedia devices first. However, the veteran magnetic storage will not be going the way of the Dodo anytime soon, though it may eventually be relegated to server-level storage solutions.
How the XP-on-Mac prize was won
Darius Chang | Mar 28, 2006
Admit it. When you heard that Macs would be based on the Intel chipset, the first thought was: "Can I put my Windows XP in my Mac?" Well, your wish has come true, all thanks to two guys, known only by their handles as "narf" and "blanka", who won nearly US$14,000 (S$22,685.60) by doing just that.
Colin Nederkoorn, a Mac enthusiast who works in the shipping industry, started the ball rolling by offering US$100 (S$162.04) for a replicable way of putting Microsoft's OS into an Intel-based Mac. The winning pair from California found a way to override safeguards in Apple computers to create a custom Windows installation CD which works on the Mac platform.
Available for download off the Internet, a 777kb zip file contains the applications and instructions needed to create your very own Microsoft/Apple hybrid. Meanwhile, we have contacted Apple for comments on whether installing Windows XP on Macs will affect warranty and support issues. We will update this article once we have more information.
SanDisk to launch 1GB microSD card
Reuben Lee | Mar 28, 2006
After unveiling the 512MB microSD card late last year, SanDisk has announced that it will be introducing a 1GB version for the region. According to its Singapore distributor, the 1GB card will retail for S$139 (US$91.45) in the island state from March 29, followed by other Asian countries over the next few weeks. The 1GB microSD is already out in the US.
Formerly known as TransFlash, the microSD card is about a quarter the size of the original Secure Digital (SD) media, and is currently one of the smallest flash memory cards in the market today. Measuring just 15 x 11 x 1mm, its minuscule dimensions make it ideal for use in portable devices such as mobile and smart phones. The microSD can be used in devices with an SD card slot, via an adapter. (Click here for a larger image.)
DataDot Personal DNA Kit
Juniper Foo | Mar 28, 2006
The next time your office buddy swipes your stationary again, there's a way to prove it. DataDog's Personal DNA Kit lets you DNA your valuables by painting microdots on just about anything, from cell phones to jewelry, making your possessions too hot too handle for thieves. Each DataDot is the size of a salt grain, and comes permanently laser-etched with 50 characters of information. Registering on DataDots' secure Web site establishes ownership quickly, and makes your tagged items traceable by police and insurers. You'll need ultraviolet or black light to scan for the microdot, and a scope with 50x magnification to read the data. Small hassle when your colleague doesn't know what hit him. Love the spy tech.
Via CNET News.com Blogs
Price: US$19.95
Availability: At Data Dot USA Home Kit
Device: DNA kit
Basic specs: One foam brush for easy and quick application, four DataDot decals to warn thieves this asset(s) has been protected, application and registration instructions, bulletproof
Flybook V23i
Juniper Foo | Mar 27, 2006
Until we caught a glimpse of the 1.23kg Flybook at CeBIT 2006, we were drooling over those ultracompact subnotes in the Japanese and Korean corners. The Taiwan-distributed Flybook isn't just an ultraportable mini notebook, it's a convertible for the road warrior on-the-go. Swivel the lid around and you have a tablet PC, all in a form factor that can almost be mistaken for a lady's purse. The best part? As demonstrated by fashion models strutting down the catwalk at CeBIT, the V23i comes in a yummy palette of seven colors. Resistance is futile.
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Price: N.A.
Availability: See Web site or Asia distributor
Device: Ultracompact mini notebook
Basic specs: Celeron M 600MHz, 8.9-in touchscreen display, Wi-Fi 802.11g, EDGE, 16:9 aspect ratio, PC Card slot, USB, FireWire, Bluetooth, 1GB RAM, more here
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