Archives for June 2006
AMD joins forces with Transmeta
Darius Chang | Jun 07, 2006
Hands up those who remember the Transmeta company? In the days before the Centrino platform was born, Transmeta was instrumental in creating low voltage processors optimized for mobile computers. Though its performance was questionable, systems based on these chips had amazing battery life, at least according to the standards then. Unfortunately, the success of Intel's platform has all but sidelined its mobile processors.
With the new Microsoft FlexGo service--an initiative which aims to promote PC usage in third-world countries using a subscription-based-model--may soon bring Transmeta back into the mobile computing market. Its Efficeon microprocessor, according to the manufacturer, offers a secure hardware foundation which gels with the needs of the FlexGo service. Apparently, it is interesting enough to attract the attentions of AMD, who has announced that it will offer its marketing and distribution muscle to bring this specialized processor to emerging markets. This partnership may just be the thing Transmeta needs to gain a piece of the saturated PC pie.
Apple explains MacBook heating issues
Darius Chang | Jun 07, 2006
Heat has always been the bane of mobile
computers. From chassis design to hardware engineering, much effort has
been made to drop operating temperatures by a matter of degrees. The
latest Intel-based MacBooks, however, seem to be taking a step back
with reports of unusually high heat signatures.
After
some investigation, it seemed the high temperature was due to the
plastic film which covers the rear exit vent. Used during
manufacture and delivery to prevent dust from entering the system,
Apple, in an article
on its support site, recommended that users discard this
layer to allow hot air to circulate out of the system. Moreover, the
Cupertino company explained that "with processor and bus speeds in
portable computers often matching, if
not exceeding, those of desktop systems, increased operating
temperatures in portable computing products are common throughout the
industry". In other words, please don't use laptops on your laps
anymore, unless receiving third-degree burns on your quadriceps happens
to be a hobby of yours.
High-tech tabletop
Juniper Foo | Jun 07, 2006
If your humble loo hasn't been spared a high-tech makeover by the Japanese, what more a tabletop? Enter Mitsubishi's MERL DiamondTouch table. What's futuristic is the multi-user touch-and-gesture-activated screen where people sitting around it can twiddle their fingers to manipulate virtual objects sans keyboard or mouse. Which all sounds rather like Minority Report's super computer screen which lets the user work it with a glove interface. Only, in the DiamondTouch's case, tiny electric currents flowing through seating pads imbue the system with the ability to figure out whose digit just did what. Of course, it'd be nice for countries which experience winter if the seating pads also came with a heater option. Toasty.
See bigger picture | graphical illustration
Via Yahoo
Price: Up to US$10,000, made to order only
Availability: More info at Mitsubishi
Device: High-tech tabletop
Basic specs: Up to five people, 42-inch panel atop 47-inch tabletop, array of antennas or touch sensors that conduct electricity, signals connect to a computer which controls images relayed from projector above table's surface
On Target game urinal
Juniper Foo | Jun 06, 2006
Designer Marcel Neundoerfer would love folks to piss on his latest creation, literally. If you're into toilet humor, then take a crack at On Target, a video game urinal that features a pressure-sensitive screen recessed into the bowl. The, ah, aim is to get users to "shoot" at the display, which then triggers an interactive game complete with images and sound. Stay On Target, and you'll avoid splashbacks, thus achieving Neundoefer's intention to improve loo hygiene and lower cleaning costs. Sorry, ladies, only for the laddies.
Shoot here
Via Yanko Design
Price: N.A.
Availability: N.A.
Device: Interactive urinal
Basic specs: N.A.
NEC goes green
Darius Chang | Jun 05, 2006
Though
consumer technology is a relatively new field, the sheer amount of
electronics due to the rapid turnover and upgrades has seen some older
models turning up at dump sites. In the bid for faster and cheaper
machines, environmental concerns have been put on a back burner with
lead,
mercury and other dangerous chemicals emerging in the manufacture of
high-tech
toys.
NEC is the latest in line--joining the ranks
of Toshiba, ASUS, Fujitsu, etc.--to meet the European
Union's Directive on the Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
for the manufacture of PCs. To qualify gor an RoHS rating. there are
six groups of dangerous
substances which should not be used due to the possibility of
environmental contamination: Lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent
chromium (a chemical
made famous in the movie Erin Brockovich),
polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE).
There seems to be no apparant standardization of logos on the Web site
to identify RoHS-compliant products, but we've noted at least Toshiba
notebooks have a sticker to identify them as eco-friendly.
The
first
eco-friendly notebooks by the Japanese vendor are the Versa
S5200 and upcoming Versa P8210. However, be aware
that even though these notebooks do not contain the restricted
chemicals, proper disposal procedures should still be exercised as, to
date, there are still no biodegradable systems invented yet.
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» Mobile Phones (779)
» Digital Cameras (431)
» Notebooks (506)
» PC & Peripherals (531)
» Handhelds (264)
» Printers (44)
» Home AV (523)
» Music & Play (439)
» Gadgets (1002)
» Future Tech (171)
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