Senin, 28 Februari 2011

What's new on SlashGear.com

What's new on SlashGear.com

LG Wins Injunction Against Sony, European Customs Seize PlayStation Shipments

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:10 PM PST

We reported before that LG filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking to ban Sony’s PlayStation 3 game consoles from entering the U.S. due to alleged patent infringements. At the time we thought actual bans would be unlikely, but it looks like LG has won a preliminary injunction against Sony not in the U.S., but in Europe. LG alleges that Sony has infringed on a number of their Blu-ray technology patents. The ruling made by the civil court of justice in Hague means that all new PS3s must be confiscated when they are imported into the UK and the rest of Europe for a minimum of 10 days. Tens of thousands of PS3s have already been seized in by customs officers.

Sony can appeal to have the ban lifted, but LG can also apply to have the 10-day import ban extended. If the injunction is extended, it could mean that Sony’s PS3 games and consoles could start disappearing from retail shelves across Europe. And if Sony is found guilty for infringing on LG’s patents, they could be forced to compensate LG for each PS3 sold around the world.

The battle is fierce between the two Asian electronics giants involving seven different patent disputes, with Sony trying to block shipments of LG smartphones from entering the US. Neither company has made any official announcements or comments regarding the situation. If the ban is not lifted, Sony’s stockpiles in the UK and around Europe could run out within two to three weeks.

[via Guardian]

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Apple looks to the East

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:36 PM PST

Tony Sacconaghi of Bernstein Research met with the top execs at Apple last week. He relased a note on Monday explaining what he learned during his meeting with COO Tim Cook, CFO Peter Oppenheimer, and VP of Internet Services Eddy Cue. Notably, Tim Cook mentioned that Apple is looking to expand their market share. Apple does not want it’s products to be “just for the rich.” Toni wrote that Tim “appeared to reaffirm the notion that Apple is likely to develop lower priced offerings.” These seem to be targeted more to emerging markets in China and South East Asia than here in the West.

Mr. Cook never confirmed that Apple had specific plans to release a cheaper iPhone, but he did say that the company has “clever things” planned to expand into prepaid markets. “Cook said he felt that iPhone was just below food and water on Maslow's hierarchy of needs.” Apple is focused on expanding into the Chinese market, which is traditionally centered on prepaid plans. “Huge energy” from Apple has been focused on the Chinese market. While these clever things are going to be key to expanding Apple’s sales into China, they should bleed over into the US and European markets as well. Expect to see increased iPhone sales worldwide.

Tim mentioned that sales of the iPhone increases Apple’s sales of other products, especially in newly opened markets. This is a big deal, because the tablet market is about to kick into full gear through the rest of this year. There looks to be intense competition between manufacturers. Tablets bridge the technological gap between computers and smartphones. We’re seeing offerings from both mobile companies like Motorola to more traditional computer companies like Asus and Apple. Cook seems to imply that Apple is plannning on expanding into emerging markets by offering cheaper prices on the iconic iPhone. These will help them drive up sales for their tablet products as well. In dollars and cents, the tablet market means $60 to $100 billion in business, just for Apple.

This news comes right before Apple’s probable release of the next generation iPad Wednesday morning.

In related news, Hong Kong's First Apple Store To Open This Year.

[via Forbes]

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U.S. Army Launches iPhone Blogging App For Troops

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:13 PM PST


The U.S. Army launched today an iPhone app and mobile website blogging platform aimed at engaging current and potential recruits. Named Army Strong Stories, both the iPhone app and the mobile website offer portable access to site content and allow users to share their own Army Strong story, post comments, and learn more about Army service and career opportunities.

“It is to the great advantage of the U.S. Army to keep current and equip our Soldiers with the latest technology to ensure they continue to share authentic stories about their daily lives in the Army,” said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, commanding general of U.S. Army Accessions Command. “The Army Strong Stories iPhone app and mobile website reinforce the Army’s ongoing commitment to embracing social media and new technology.”

The Army Strong Stories iPhone app and the mobile website features include the ability to upload written content, photos, and videos. More than 600 soldiers currently blog for Army Strong Stories. And with the release of the app and website, it will be even easier for soldiers to stay connected with their units, bases, fellow soldiers, friends, and families while out in the field.

[via PRNewswire]

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Augmented Reality For Online Retail And Advertising In The Future

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 01:41 PM PST

Pocket-lint posted an interesting story on augmented reality (AR) use in online retail and advertising. The technology that has been deemed a "gimmick" in the past is expected to bring in $1.5 billion in global revenues from AR applications by 2015. Advertising is now using AR to promote things from movies and cars to food and watches. The technology uses cameras and "augments" the user's reality, whether it be their face or something their holding, and digitally alters it for the purposes of the product or application. See videos of AR in action for advertising and online retail after the cut.

The first Transformers movie used AR in their promotions. When someone ran the program and stepped in front of their web camera, the video would show the user with Optimus Prime's head superimposed onto their own. Burger King used it as well in a promotion for their $1 burgers. You had to hold a piece of paper with a symbol on it, the program would recognize the symbol through the camera and the piece of paper would turn into a burger. You could move it around and even let you open the bun up to reveal the contents of the burger. Watch-maker, Tissot, did something similar where you print out a piece of paper and wear it like a watch, the program would recognize it and would place a virtual copy of the watch onto your wrist. You could choose whatever model or color watch and it would change instantly on your wrist and as you turned and rotated it.

Augmented Reality gives the user a much more interactive experience. While you aren't really holding a burger or wearing a watch, it certainly is a closer experience to the real thing than any other form of advertisement can give you. Clothing shop retailers could use it to help customers find the right size or color for a piece of clothing, instead of buying multiple sizes and sending back the ones that don't fit. This is a way for companies to engage the customers and even if they don't actually buy the product, the experience of augmented reality will stick with them.

"What we're trying to do with the worn-on-body applications is enable a real business functionality for it. It engages customers, it enables people to understand the product and therefore it enables them to take a step closer to purchasing the product as well," says brand manager Lynn Murray at Holition, a creative technology agency responsible for Tissot's campaign.

[via Pocket-lint]

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Mazda MX-0 Debuts at Los Angeles Auto Show

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 01:03 PM PST

Take a look at Mazda’s entry into the latest Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge. The design was created by Derik Jenkins, Tim Brown, Minyong Lee, Carlos Salaff, Jacques Flynn, Greg Lee, Paul Muzio, Dave Coleman, Julien Montousse. This most recent challenge was all about eco-friendliness and efficiency in a four passenger vehicle that could only weigh in at 1000 pounds. Mazda’s team came through the with a design they named the MX-0. It’s a 999 pound electric automobile that looks like it could cut you.

Mazda ‘s designers started with the frame of the MX-5 Miata. It’s already one of the lightest cars on the consumer market, but they took it a step further and cut weight everywhere weight could be cut. With the 1000 pound limit set in place for the design challenge, they were able to lighten parts throughout the entire design. Once they got the frame light enough, the weight savings cascaded naturally through the rest of the design. They married this lightened chassis to an array of powerful electric motors for the clean and earth-safe drive of tomorrow.

They stripped everything down and introduced cutting-edge composite materials to keep the weight as low as possible without sacrificing safety or style. Carlos Salaff, a senior designer at Mazda, mentioned the Baypreg® F sandwich, using recycled paper as the core. This isn’t a current use of recycled paper fibers, but it highlights a way to make this car even more eco-friendly should it come to showroom floors near you.

Check out the other designs from the LA Auto Show here.

[via Yanko Design]

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Firefox 4 To Be Final Major Update, Quicker Chrome-Like Updates Ahead

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:59 PM PST

Mozilla will change the way they update their browser after the release of Firefox 4 and will take on a more Chrome-like release model. Mozilla has been releasing only major updates over the last six years while Google’s Chrome has already hit version 9 after only two years. With this final major release, Mozilla plans to do smaller, quicker releases as soon as new features are available rather than holding them back for a larger update.

“What we want to do is get the power into users’ hands more quickly,” says Mozilla VP of product, Jay Sullivan. He gives the example of the video tag, which was ready since June but has yet to be released to users and will be part of the Firefox 4 update. “We’re moving on web time now, and we’ve been shipping a little bit on desktop time. It’s not necessary, so we’re undergoing some process changes, and we’ll do smaller bundles more quickly.”

Google’s Chrome has taken up a large market share, pumping out a few key features almost every six weeks. They are already working now on Chrome 10 beta. Should Mozilla adapt this model, we’ll likely be seeing Firefox 5, 6, and 7 within the next year. Firefox 4 is currently on its 12th beta, with the Release Candidate version expected to arrive within a few weeks.

[via Electronista]

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Blackberry Analytics SDK 0.9 Beta Release

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:59 AM PST

Research In Motion just dropped a Beta version of an Analytics package for Blackberry Developers. This new SDK is going to add a number of features, behind-the-scenes. Developers can now analyze how users are actually using their apps statistically. This system allows developers to tailor their apps to their userbase over time based on a range of information collected. The SDK includes a web portal to help developers organize and view the information so they can make their design decisions with the actual user data in mind.

This is a very flexible package for developers. Devs are going to have access to basic analytics such as the number of times the users open and close the application, screen views, carriers, device models, and usage time. All of this is automatically provided in the basic implementation. This basic data gives developers the ability to plan their patches to focus on a real picture of their user base. The SDK gives developers the ability to track data on everything from media playback to custom triggers. With all of this data the developers can specifically track the way that users interact with their software. The SDK gives them a realtime look into the habits of their users.

What does this mean for the users? The Blackberry Apps that we know and love are only going to get better. Get at it Devs! Let’s see what you can do!

Grab more info on how you can participate in the Beta here: DevLog.

[via Inside Blackberry Developers Blog]

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DirecTV App For iPad Available But Not For Streaming Content

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:55 AM PST

DirecTV's official iPad app is now available in the iTunes store for free. The app allows users to turn their iPads into a remote control for their DirecTV boxes. They can perform all the normal remote control functions as well as schedule their DVR schedules for recording shows. The app will let users check the listings up to 14 days in advance and schedule recordings without interrupting what they're currently watching.

DirecTV's app gives you more detailed information and customization over your programming like the cast names and parental ratings of shows. Or, you can follow your favorite sports teams and their schedules. The app has a customizable home screen with favorite channels and modules. You can select your favorite channels to show up first and see what’s playing, or find out the sports scores and events for your favorite team or league.

The only gripe so far is that the app does not let users stream content to their iPad like you can with the Slingbox. Users also cannot delete shows off the playlist. The app does work with HD DVRS on the home network.

[via Electronista]

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Apple Cuts Off iPad Supply Ahead Of iPad 2 Announcement

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:47 AM PST

Apple’s special event for announcing the iPad 2 is only two days away and we’re starting to see some interesting developments suggesting that the iPad 2, once announced, could be available almost immediately. 9 to 5 Mac reported that a number of Apple resellers have been notified that the current iPad supply has been constrained with no ETAs indicative that Apple has stopped production of the 1st gen iPads and ceased shipments.

Below is the iPad SKUs inventory notification:

MB292LL/A – iPad 16GB WiFi – Constrained – No ETA
MB293LL/A – iPad 32GB WiFi – Constrained – No ETA
MB294LL/A – iPad 64GB WiFi – Constrained – No ETA
MC349LL/A – iPad 16GB 3G – Constrained – No ETA
MC496LL/A – iPad 32GB 3G – Constrained – No ETA
MC497LL/A – iPad 64GB 3G – Constrained – No ETA

The Apple resellers say that they only have what’s currently on their shelves and that what’s left of the first-generation iPad could be sold out by today or tomorrow. This fits right inline with the iPad 2 announcement scheduled for this Wednesday and also suggests that the iPad 2 could be available on shelves almost immediately.

[via 9 to 5 Mac]

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SG Comics Presents: Updates Gone Wrong

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 10:44 AM PST

Several devices are finally getting their updates for Android 2.2 Froyo that will be rolled out in batches over-the-air. But with all updates, there’s always a chance of firmware issues wrecking your phone. So be sure to backup first. Sprint last week announced that they would be rolling out Froyo updates for the Samsung Epic 4G, but had to quickly halt the update as complaints arose over Epic 4G phones getting bricked after the new install. Other devices announced for firmware updates last week include the Samsung Captivate, Sanyo Zio, and the Samsung Omnia 7. Check out the full comic after the jump.

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iPhone 5 Will Stick with 3.5-inch Display [Logically]

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 10:15 AM PST

Let’s begin this short journey into the Apple mind with a so-called “leaked” image of what they’re calling an iPhone 5 screen photo. What this photo shows is basically black ink printed on transparency paper. Out on the streets they’re saying this is a 4-inch screen that Apple will be using for their next iPhone model. No way. Why? Well before we go into any further proofs, take a look at the top of the phone (on the left.) It’s printed completely uneven – just about as uneven as the notion that iOS will ever be working on a 4-inch screen.

Although we’ve printed a post by the title Rumor: Apple to give next iPhone a 4-inch screen, previously, we’ve also noted that instead of this, what’s looking to be much more likely is an oversized iPod Touch. But does this make sense? One of the reasons a new in-between device (between the iPad and the iPhone) just doesn’t seem to add up is the fact that so very many apps have been made optimized for one screen or the other, not a mid-sized display.

What does seem to make more sense than bumping up the screen size by a basically insignificant amount is an upgrade of the guts. More than likely we’re very soon going to see something like a dual-core iPad, why not a dual-core iPhone 5? Furthermore, a larger screen on the iPhone would inevitably increase the price, and since Apple is facing a barrage of Android and slightly smaller names in smartphones these days, a higher priced product is the last thing they need.

But wait, what about the iPhone Nano? Stack your chips and hope for a great win in conceptual industrial design because students and freelancers have amazing skills in 3D rendering these days. The likelihood of a smaller iPhone coming out, especially since this tried and true model is still doing so astronomically good, are near zilch.

Have any other rumors or leaks to add to one argument or the other? Post them below!

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iOS MobileNotifier Beta3 Shows Great Promise

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 10:08 AM PST

A mister Peter Hajas has created what very much appears to be a masterpiece in Apple iOS developing. Ever get annoyed that your pals over on Android have cooler looking notifications than you do? Fear not! For soon you will have a lovely “Copious Corn Flakes” update to your “MobileNotifier” for your iOS device. And not only is it free, it’s open source! MobileNotifier is BSD lisenced and all of the user interface work is done by Kyle Adams in collaboration with Peter Hajas who is a cool developer. In the update you’re about to see, compared to earlier versions, the utility is sleaker, faster, better look, and as always, and of course: optimized.

The several versions of updates you can see here are New Alerts, Alert Dashboard, and Lockscreen View. In addition to these main points, a list of items has been added including full push support, a completely reworked NMAlertManager, time encoding support with each alert, usability improvements, bug fixes, and more! But wait a second, hold on! What is this utility exactly? Why do I need it and how come I don’t have it already?

What MobileNotifier represents is a dissatisfaction with the current iOS notification, a project aimed at replacing this system with a lovely new system made in an open-source environment. It’s completely free, but it does require your system to be jailbroken. It isn’t yet, but hopes to be, listed on a popular Cydia repository very shortly. Sound cool to you? Let’s have a closer look:

New Alerts are the first and perhaps most important item in this system. These alerts are smooth and clean, much like the rest of the project, and show alerts aside the app icon they’re notifying you about.

Alert Dashboard is accessable from the multitasking switcher (or, if you dont have a multitasking device, from your own Activator action.) From here you can either tap them to take action or remove them. Smooth.

Lockscreen View is what it sounds like, showing you updates while your device is locked down – you’ve still got to unlock the device to tap.

You can access the source of this project over on GitHub and look for updates to the project right here, on SlashGear, as we’re super pumped about this project developing!

[via Peter Hajas]

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ASUS dates Eee Pad/Eee Slate tablet range

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 09:15 AM PST

ASUS has confirmed availability for its 2011 tablet range, having brought the various slates out to play at CeBIT 2011 this week. We’re still most interested in the ASUS Eee Pad MeMO, the 7-inch HTC Flyer rival, which the company says will be out in Q3 2011.

Meanwhile, the Eee Pad Transformer and Eee Pad Slider – which we played with back in January – will arrive in the UK come mid-April. They’ll run Android 3.0 Honeycomb at launch, as will the MeMO, unlike the demo units we’ve seen so far that have been based on Froyo.

Finally, ASUS’ sole Windows 7 tablet, the Eee Slate EP121, will go on sale from early April; in the UK it will be sold through “selected” PC World and Currys stores. No pricing at this stage, though ASUS Germany has said that the Eee Pad MeMO is expected to kick off at €499.

Press Release:

ASUS Tablet Computers — Providing Choice through Innovation at CeBIT 2011

A wide range of innovative tablet computers provide
variety of choice for consumers and businesses alike.

CeBIT, Hanover, Germany — ASUS today presented a live
demonstration of the four tablet devices announced earlier this
year: the Eee Slate EP121, Eee Pad Transformer, Eee Pad Slider
and Eee Pad MeMO. Designed for a wide range of users and
applications, the models will be available with three screen sizes,
and a choice of either Windows® 7 Home Premium or Google
Android® operating systems for the ultimate in mobile flexibility
and productivity.

Consumer choice is essential when selecting innovative and
technologically advanced personal computer devices. When it comes
to tablets, there is a clear need for devices that can deliver a full
multimedia experience using HD video, broad connectivity options,
gaming, plus the broadest range of media compatibility with
standards like Adobe Flash, all in a neat compact package. In
short, there is a demand for tablets that enable users to both
consume and create content in order to learn, work or play.

ASUS Eee Slate EP121
The Eee Slate EP121 is designed for users who require a highly
portable handheld device that can also run standard office software
while multitasking with other applications. Powered with an Intel®
Core™ i5 dual-core processor, the Eee Slate features a 12.1" LEDbacklit display with a 1280 x 800 resolution and a wide 178° viewing angle, making it perfectly suited for both productivity applications and multimedia entertainment.

Windows® 7 Home Premium ensures full compatibility with a wide
range of popular applications controlled by flexible input options
thanks to the Eee Slate. The capacitive touch-screen responds
instantly to fingertip control for day-to-day use, while the
electromagnetic stylus offers fine precision input and control. An onscreen keyboard is also complimented by support for an external
Bluetooth keyboard for traditional desktop use.

The Eee Slate is available with 32GB or 64GB of SSD storage
(expandable via SDXC), and up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM. All models
have 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, a 2-megapixel camera, plus two
USB 2.0 ports that provide full support for a wide range of standard
PC peripherals, along with a mini-HDMI port that is ideal for
connecting to external displays.

The Eee Slate EP121 was recently honored with a CES 2011
Innovation Award in the Personal Electronics category, and initial
sales figures showed it reaching the 3rd best-selling item in the
Computers and Accessories category at Amazon.com.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer
Slated for release in April, the Eee Pad Transformer comes with a
slim lightweight design and 10.1" capacitive touch-screen. It is the
perfect pad computer for people who want to enjoy multimedia on
the move, but still wish to have easy access to the web, email and
other productivity applications. A custom user interface provides
easy access to the many features of the Android® 3.0 HoneyComb
operating system, while the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 chipset provides
full support for Adobe Flash, smooth HD video conferencing and
playback, a lightning fast web experience and incredible mobile
gaming performance.

An optional docking station turns the Transformer into a full-fledged
notebook with a QWERTY keyboard for desktop use, while extending
battery life up to 16 hours. As with the Slider, front (1.2MP) and
rear (5MP) digital cameras make for easy video chat and digital
photography, while a built-in mini-HDMI port makes for easy
connections to external displays for full 1080p HD video playback.

ASUS Eee Pad Slider
Mobile users who want the best of both tablet and traditional
notebook worlds will be well served by the Eee Pad Slider. This pad
computer not only features a 10.1" IPS touch-screen for fingerfriendly use, but also a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for comfortable,
use-anywhere typing. It is powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2, the
world's most advanced mobile processor with a dual-core CPU and
NVIDIA® GeForce® GPU for never-before-seen experiences on a
mobile device.

Built-in digital cameras on the front (1.2MP) and rear (5MP) of the
Slider allow for easy video chat and digital photography while the
Android® 3.0 HoneyComb operating system makes sharing photos
by internet, email and social media sites a breeze. The intuitive
interface provides user-friendly control via the capacitive touchscreen and optional onboard 3G allows for go-anywhere internet
access, making the Slider the ideal device for mobile professionals
with work-oriented needs.

ASUS Eee Pad MeMO
The Eee Pad MeMO provides the ultimate in mobile flexibility. Its 7"
capacitive touch-screen makes it small enough to slip into a jacket
pocket, yet still perfect for taking handwritten notes using the
supplied stylus pen. The Android® 3.0 HoneyComb operating
system with Qualcomm®’s dual-core Snapdragon™ offers a wide
range of productivity and entertainment software, while a Micro
HDMI port means the MeMO can even connect to an external
display for full 1080p HD video playback. Built-in digital cameras on
the front (1.2MP) and rear (5MP) of the MeMO also allow for easy
video chat and digital photography, making it a convenient travel
companion.

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Intel SSD 510 Series: 6Gbps SATA for up to 500 MB/s reads

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 08:34 AM PST

Intel has outed its latest SSD, the Intel SSD 510 Series, offering 6Gbps SATA connectivity. Boasting up to 500 MB/s read speeds (double the previous 3Gbps Intel SSDs) and up to 315 MB/s write speeds (more than triple the previous models), Intel reckons a single 510 Series drive is faster than a pair of RAIDed 10,000rpm gaming HDDs.

Video demo after the cut

Inside there’s 34nm NAND flash memory, with either 120GB or 250GB capacities on offer. Intel expects the drives to be popular with gamers, media creators and performance-intensive workstation users.

They’ll need reasonably deep pockets, however, if they want that sort of performance. The Intel SSD 510 Series drives are available – in bulk, 1,000 drive quantities – now for system builders, priced at $584 for the 250GB and $284 for the 120GB version. The videos below show head-to-head comparisons between the new models and previous drives.

Press Release:

Intel Announces Next in Solid-State Drive Line Up: Intel® SSD 510 Series Featuring Super-Fast 6Gbps SATA Throughput

Ideal for Gamers, Media Creators and Workstation Users, Intel's Newest SSD
Takes Full Advantage of 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ Processors

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
• Intel SSD 510, next in series of Intel SSD introductions for 2011, transfers more data in less time.
• Ideal for gamers, media creators, performance-intensive workstations, Intel SSD 510 offers fastest available sequential performance.
• Intel SSD 510 with 6Gbps SATA interface outperforms 10,000 RPM HDDs by 50 percent for fast performance and high visual fidelity game play.1

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 28, 2011 – Intel Corporation announced today the next in a line of new solid-state drives (SSD), the Intel® Solid-State Drive 510 Series. The new Intel SSD 510 features fast SATA 6 Gigabits per second (Gbps) performance to take full advantage of Intel's transition to higher speed SATA bus interfaces on the recently introduced 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ processor-based platforms. Supporting data transfers of up to 500 megabytes per second (MB/s), the Intel SSD 510 doubles the sequential read speeds, and at up to 315MB/s more than triples the sequential write speeds of Intel's current 3Gbps SSDs, to transfer more data in less time. This makes it ideal for demanding gamers, media creators, performance-intensive workstation users and any technology enthusiast.
The Intel SSD 510 offers the fastest sequential read and write speeds of any consumer SATA SSD available today, providing industry leading performance that beats a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) by more than 50 percent.1 In addition to better overall system responsiveness when compared to a mechanical hard drive, SSDs have no moving parts so are more rugged, consume less power and run quieter and cooler than HDDs. SSDs reduce boot times, launch applications and files faster and recover from sleep mode quicker, resulting in noticeable improvement. Conventional HDDs are also unable to effectively take advantage of 6Gbps platform technology, since HDDs fail to maximize even the current 3Gbps SATA interface.
"The Intel SSD 510 Series helps round out our SSD product line and was specifically designed for applications that require high sequential media transfers," said Pete Hazen, director of marketing for Intel's NAND Solutions Group. "Whether it's a gamer wanting impeccable visual performance and faster game loading, or a performance-intensive workstation user, the new 6Gbps SATA SSD from Intel is not only significantly faster than the top 10,000 RPM gaming HDD, it's also faster than two RAIDed gaming HDDs."2
"As a game developer the number one thing we try to optimize during development isn’t our game’s memory usage or frames per second, but our content creator’s iteration time," said Dave Lang, CEO of Iron Galaxy, a Chicago-based game development studio. "By transitioning our team to Intel’s 6Gbps SSDs, we’ve seen a dramatic 15 to 20 percent improvement in the time it takes one of our developers to make a change in the editor, then get to try it out in-game. Faster iterations mean more iterations, which means a better game for the consumer."
The Intel SSD 510 Series uses proven Intel 34-nanometer NAND flash memory to deliver best-in-class sequential performance of up to 500MB/s sequential read speeds and up to 315 MB/s writes for its high-capacity model. The product is available now and comes in a 250GB capacity priced at $584 and a 120GB at $284, for 1,000-unit quantities. Both products include a limited 3-year warranty. The 120GB version is an excellent choice for dual-drive desktops, a hybrid configuration gaining in popularity. In this type of set up, the operating system, favorite applications and games are accessed from the SSD for faster boot up and accelerated application performance, while the HDD is used to store data.
In addition to solid reliability, Intel SSD purchasers have the benefit of the Intel® SSD Toolbox with Intel SSD Optimizer, a free utility which provides Microsoft Windows* users with a powerful set of management, information and diagnostic tools to help maintain the health and out-of-box performance of the drive. To help ease the installation process, all Intel SSD users can download the free Intel® Data Migration Software to help clone the entire content of a previous storage drive (SSD or HDD) to any Intel SSD.
Intel SSDs can be purchased from a variety of resellers, retailers or Internet e-tailers such as Newegg.com or Amazon.com worldwide. More information on Intel SSDs can be found at www.intel.com/go/ssd or by accessing the multimedia press kit at www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/ssd. Follow Intel SSDs on Twitter: @intelssd, Facebook: Intel Solid State Drive (Official) or communities.intel.com.

About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.

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Tractor beam tech could eventually push & pull particles

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 08:17 AM PST

Chinese physicists reckon they’ve figured out the tech behind a staple of science fiction: the tractor beam. Fudan University’s Jun Chen and team found a way to create a backward pulling force from a forward propagating laser beam, basically turning the photons into a tiny tractor beam.

When we say tiny, we really mean it; this isn’t going to snatch a Klingon Bird of Prey out of the sky and drag it into your cargo bay. Currently, the system will only work if the momentum in the direction of propagation is sufficiently small – basically beams that simply glance off an object – and if the photos can simultaneously excite several multipoles within the particle.

That excitation causes the beam to scatter and, if it’s at the right angle, work against the direction of momentum. Space capture isn’t the scientists’ end goal, however; they believe the system could be useful for manipulating particles at the nano level.

[via Technology Review]

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Fujitsu Semiconductor pick up ARM chips: Cortex A15, Mali GPUs, more

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 08:03 AM PST

Fujitsu Semiconductor has become the latest company to sign up to ARM‘s Cortex A15 cores, following Texas Instruments and others in creating the next-generation of SoCs. Although exact products haven’t been confirmed yet, the deal will give Fujitsu access not only to ARM’s processors but to GPUs like Mali.

It’s not the first time the two companies have worked together, though the new agreement could see more high-power chipsets from Fujitsu Semiconductor. It’s likely that the company will supply its own Fujitsu smartphone arm, though the processors could also end up in tablets and other hardware.

Press Release:

Fujitsu Semiconductor and ARM Sign Comprehensive License Agreement

A strategic partnership using cutting-edge IP such as Cortex™-A15 and Mali graphics to expand global business

CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom & YOKOHAMA, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited and ARM today announced that they have signed a comprehensive license agreement for ARM IP products. Through this strategic agreement, Fujitsu Semiconductor will offer platforms featuring the latest ARM technology including the Cortex™-A15 processor, Mali™ graphics and CoreLink™ systems IP, in order to help accelerate its customers' product development.

"The combination of ARM's advanced processor, system and graphics technology and Fujitsu's leadership in advanced SoC development forms a solid foundation for the development of pioneering semiconductor products."
The two companies have been collaborating for more than a decade. More recently, Fujitsu Semiconductor launched sales of its FM3 family of general-purpose microcomputers equipped with the Cortex-M3 processor last November.

The agreement will enhance and deepen the companies' partnership, and Fujitsu Semiconductor will provide its customers with cutting-edge ARM technology at an early stage as it develops new products in order to accelerate its customers' product development.

The combination of compatible and scalable low-power processor IP, including the recently launched Cortex-A15 processor, graphics and fabric IP, will enable Fujitsu Semiconductor to continuously provide its customers with complete, full function SoC platforms featuring ARM technology, while significantly reducing time-to-market.

"Fujitsu Semiconductor is working to enhance its product appeal and boost its IP lineup," said Corporate Senior Vice President Haruyoshi Yagi of Fujitsu Semiconductor. "One of the major ways in which we are doing this is with this comprehensive license agreement we have signed with ARM. This will allow our customers to select the ARM technology most suited for their application, and use a platform that combines it with other IP provided by us. These platforms will use our proven design and authentication technology, meaning we will be able to achieve high levels of quality and functionality, as well as a dramatic reduction in LSI development time.

"Fujitsu Semiconductor provides products that meet its customers' needs in a timely manner over a wide range of applications. We are already moving ahead with the provision of IP to ASIC customers and the development of our ASSP, which are scheduled to be rolled out sequentially in the second half of 2011.

"In addition, we will share the Fujitsu Semiconductor product roadmap with ARM, and closely collaborate in the development of future ARM technologies, from the specification setting stage and up. As a strategic partner, we look forward to an even closer relationship with ARM."

"In a constantly evolving marketplace, ARM is committed to empowering its Partners with the resources they need to not only remain competitive today, but to meet future technology challenges head-on," said Tudor Brown, president, ARM. "The combination of ARM's advanced processor, system and graphics technology and Fujitsu's leadership in advanced SoC development forms a solid foundation for the development of pioneering semiconductor products."

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Dell Venue Pro finally on sale in UK

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 07:02 AM PST

Dell’s much-anticipated Venue Pro has finally gone on sale in the UK, with the official Dell store offering the Windows Phone 7 handset for £459 ($745) unlocked and including tax. Delayed because of a firmware issue spotted last month, the Venue Pro is the first portrait-orientation QWERTY slider to run Windows Phone.

The HTC 7 Pro beat the Venue Pro to market – we reviewed it just ahead of MWC 2011 – but uses a landscape-orientation keyboard. Windows Phone is still yet to be entirely landscape-friendly, so in some ways the layout of the Venue Pro makes more sense.

Hardware includes the usual 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 4.1-inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen, triband UMTS and a 5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash. There’s also 16GB of internal storage. According to Dell UK, it will ship in 10 days.

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SlashGear Android App Released!

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 06:52 AM PST

You’ve been asking for it, and we’re excited to announce that the SlashGear Android app is now available for download from the Android Market. A free download, the app offers all the latest news from the site, features, review and editorials, together with on-time analysis and streaming video.

You can also save articles for later reading, or email them out. It’s a great way to catch up with our extensive reviews while on the move, or to watch our new SlashGear Weekly Roundup Video with Rue Liu.

We’ve got plenty more planned for future updates of the app, including full commenting support, so please do let us know what you think! The Android app joins our existing SlashGear for iPhone and SlashGear for iPad apps, which also offer news, reviews, editorials and video access.

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Kindle 3G to arrive in AT&T stores March 6

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 06:44 AM PST

Amazon and AT&T have announced that the Kindle 3G will go on sale in AT&T retail stores as of March 6, offering would-be ebook readers the opportunity to check out the best-selling device in person. Priced at the same $189 as Amazon sells the Kindle 3G online, the ereader already uses AT&T’s 3G network in the US.

Those who want the WiFi-only Kindle, however, will still have to go online for it, as AT&T won’t be offering the cheaper variant in stores. It remains to be seen if Vodafone, who provides the 3G connection for the European Kindle, will be offering the ereader in its own stores.

Press Release:

Amazon Kindle 3G Coming to AT&T Stores Nationwide

Kindle is Bestselling Product in the History of Amazon

AT&T* today announced it will begin selling Amazon's bestselling Kindle 3G in AT&T company-owned retail stores nationwide beginning March 6. Amazon's Kindle 3G continues to be powered by the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T. AT&T will include Kindle 3G in its connected devices displays throughout AT&T company-owned stores, offering customers the opportunity to test drive the device onsite. The latest generation Kindle has received rave reviews from the New York Times, Wired, CNET, PC World, PC Magazine, and more, and has recently become the bestselling product in the history of Amazon

"Amazon has without question pioneered the eReader space with Kindle, and it's exciting to not only connect this device through our network, but now offer it in our stores to readers around the country ," said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, AT&T. "As the first dedicated eReader offered in our stores, we are confident the Kindle will be an attractive addition to our in store connected devices lineup."

Kindle 3G, which connects over Wi-Fi as well as AT&T's mobile broadband network, wirelessly downloads books, magazines, newspapers, blogs and personal documents to a 6-inch, high-resolution electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper.

"We're excited to work with AT&T to offer Kindle 3G to AT&T customers across the country," said Mike McKenna, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. "Customers tell us they love Kindle 3G because of its light weight, battery life of up to one month, and advanced paper e-ink display that works in direct sunlight. Customers love being able to think of a book and be reading it in less than 60 seconds thanks to AT&T's wireless network."

The new Kindle 3G boasts the advanced paper-like Pearl E Ink display that is easy on the eyes and works outside in direct sunlight, massive storage of up to 3,500 books, up to one month of battery life with the wireless off, no monthly wireless fees or annual contracts, and light weight which makes it easy to take with you everywhere you go — all for only $189.

Kindle offers the largest selection of the books people want to read. The Kindle Store now has more than 810,000 books, including new releases and 107 of 111 New York Times Best Sellers. Over 670,000 of these books are $9.99 or less, including 79 New York Times Best Sellers. Kindle lets you "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" – on Kindle as well as on free Kindle apps for iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and Android-based devices. Amazon’s Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes your full Kindle library of books, bookmarks, last page read, highlights and annotations across all of your Kindles and Kindle apps so you never lose your place or are without your reading.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit http://www.att.com/.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

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iTunes cloud for storage not subscription streaming tip insiders

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 06:25 AM PST

Apple’s long-rumored iTunes cloud plans may not in fact result in a subscription-based streaming music service, with the company tipped to be looking to simply offer online storage to its users. According to the FT, music industry sources have quietly confirmed that Apple’s intent is to allow iTunes users to remotely host their paid tracks, and then stream that content to various devices.

In that way, the system would not be a direct rival to services like Spotify, with Apple supposedly reluctant to “undermine the market that it dominates for paid downloads”; the company has apparently described the cloud service as “insurance” though it’s unclear if that’s for its own fortunes or to protect users against data loss. The system would be based on Apple acquisition Lala, and might be part of the broad-ranging MobileMe updates tipped as imminent.

[via iSource]

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AMD Radeon HD 6990 officially pictured

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 05:58 AM PST

AMD’s beastly Radeon HD 6990 video card has officially broken cover, with the company seeding shots of the dual-GPU monster ahead of its expected launch in early Q2 2011. Hexus was handed a trio of official pics of the HD 6990, and while exact specifications are still unknown, we can deduce a little from the shots.

It’s obviously double-width, and there’s a sizeable fan for keeping the twin GPUs cool inside. Outputs include four Mini DisplayPort and a single Dual-DVI socket, which could potentially mean up to six displays hooked up to the one card. According to previous rumors, there’ll be in the region of 3,840 stream processors from the combined GPUs, and we’re expecting to see two 4-pin power sockets.

Apparently Hexus had been given a fourth shot, with the Radeon HD 6990′s cover removed, but AMD later insisted it would have to remain offline until the official launch. That fits in with previous leaks suggesting AMD was holding off until NVIDIA had launched the GeForce GTX 590 so that the arch-rival couldn’t tweak their high-end card to better compete with the HD 6990.

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White iPad 2 latest leak ahead of Wednesday reveal

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 05:04 AM PST

With Apple’s iPad 2 event this coming Wednesday, the rumor machine is building up to its usual hype crescendo. Freshly skimmed from the tittle-tattle-tubes this morning are some leaked images, one claiming to be of a white iPad 2 screen digitizer, and another demanding to be taken seriously as an official iPad 2 render.

9 to 5 Mac‘s Shenzhen component sources are responsible for the digitizer, with a clearly visible hole at the top of the bezel for the expected webcam. You can just make out the much smaller ambient light sensor in the shot of the reverse side of the bezel in the gallery below; it’s just above the FaceTime camera hole.

As for the render, BGR‘s source reckons this flat-backed slate is the official handiwork of Apple’s Photoshop wizards, though of course it could also be a fan-made mockup. It shows the same top-corner positioning of the rear facing camera as we’ve seen suggested in leaked iPad 2 cases.

We won’t know for sure until Apple announces the iPad 2 and all the luscious details come Wednesday March 2. SlashGear will be there, so join us Wednesday morning for the news as it happens!

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Ford Sync now supports 19 languages

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 05:01 AM PST

We have talked a lot about Ford’s Sync system around here. The Sync system allows the drive to use their smartphone hands free and allows the control of many functions of the vehicle audio and HVAC systems using voice commands. Ford has announced that Sync now speaks more languages.

Ford has expanded Sync’s vocabulary from three to 19 languages and has rolled Sync out globally. The new languages will debut first in Europe in 2012 with the Focus. Sync is still powered by Nuance and the update allows compatibility with more languages than any other system in the world.

Sync can recognize 10,000 voice commands in any of the 19 supported languages and promises to cope with accents, vocabulary, and local dialects. The current system can have issues with accents at times. Abbreviations for text messaging are also now understood by the system in foreign languages.

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TazPad packs Android, NFC, and ZigBee for CeBIT 2011 debut

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 04:45 AM PST

If you are looking for a new tablet computer CeBIT 2011 is right around the corner and you can bet there will be many tablets that debut at the show. One of the tablets that we know will be seen at the show is from a company called TazTag and is dubbed the TazPad.

The tablet is claimed to be the first Android tablet with NFC on the market. The TazPad has a 7-inch screen that supports multitouch and has Full HD support and HDMI output. The TazPad also features WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, and ZigBee.

Other features include a camera, GPS, and an accelerometer. The tablet is set to ship in Q2 and we don't have any other specs or pricing details at this time. I wonder what CPU and version of Android the tablet runs.

Via Android community

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Huawei Technologies wins preliminary injunction against Motorola

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 04:29 AM PST

I mentioned about a month ago now that Huawei had filed a suit against former partner Motorola to keep the company from transferring Huawei IP over to Nokia Siemens. Nokia Siemens is attempting to purchase Motorola’s wireless network business where Huawei and Motorola have cooperated for over a decade.

Huawei has announced that it has been granted a preliminary injunction against Motorola that would prevent Motorola from sharing any Huawei IP with Nokia Siemens. The ruling also forces Motorola to hire a third part to ensure that the confidential details of Huawei that Motorola is privy to are securely removed.

The ruling also allows Huawei to audit the Nokia Siemens Networks record of service that it performs on Motorola-branded systems that use Huawei products inside. It’s not clear on how or if the ruling will affect the purchase by Nokia Siemens.

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Yill is a green rolling office with its own power

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 04:18 AM PST

If you are the busy filed worker sort that needs to be able to work wherever you might be power is probably your biggest issue. Your computer and other gear need power to operate and many devices last only a few hours on a charge before you need to plug in.

A new cordless energy storage device has been unveiled by designer Werner Aisslinger called the yill. The yill looks sort of like a rolling round carry-on suitcase with a handle. The round outer edges act like wheels when the user pulls it along. Inside the device is no space for clothing, just space for batteries.

The yill can provide up to 300W of electricity using lithium titanium batteries. The batteries inside can be charged in a few ways. A solar panel on the yill can charge the batteries and they can be charged by plugging the device into a power outlet. At this point, the yill is a design concept and it will be shown off during Milan Design Week in April.

Via Designboom

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Geekiest video game ever called PewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewPew

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 04:04 AM PST

If you were around in the early days of the video game, you will remember classics like Asteroids and others with blocky graphics and the iconic pewpew sound of lasers being fired. There are still a lot of video games that are made for fans of that old school style fare and a new one has turned up with the name PewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewPew.

The name of the game might not roll off the tongue, but the game is interesting. You don't get a controller as you expect to control the game play; you get a pair of microphones. One player has the mic that controls the thrust of the jetpack by blowing into the mic.

The other player controls the firing of the laser weapon by… wait for it… saying pewpewpew. The game is a left to right scrolling type in a 2D world with vectorized obstacles you have to shoot and fly over or under.

[vimeo 19687592]

Via Geekosystem

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Cheetah and Atlas are DARPA inspired robots

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:44 AM PST

I like robots as much as the next geek, but some of them creep me out a bit. I blame it on Hector and Terminator scaring me as a kid. DARPA has some out there projects that often turn into some interesting finished items that may one day see the battlefield.

Boston Dynamics has announced that it won a DARPA contract to build a robot called Cheetah. The bot looks like the real animal it gets its name from, is faster than the fastest human, and has the agility to evade enemies. The Cheetah can zig zag as it runs and make tight turns as well as stop on a dime.

The company is working on another robot called Atlas that looks like Hector minus a head. As long as Atlas doesn’t develop a penchant for hot 70 starlets, we are all good. Atlas will be a walking bot that can walk over rough terrain, crawl if needed, and turn sideways to slip though narrow passages.

Via Wired

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ASUS Eee Pad MeMO fully detailed: 7-inch Honeycomb Flyer rival [Update: Video & Price]

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:37 AM PST

CeBIT 2011 kicks off this week in Hanover, and already we’re seeing information trickling out. ASUS has quietly confirmed that the Eee Pad MeMO launched at CES 2011 back in January will indeed debut running Android 3.0 Honeycomb; jkkmobile spotted the news on the MeMO’s full spec list, confirming a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 processor, microHDMI port and quadband HSPA+ connectivity.

That’s on top of WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and microUSB (with Host support for plugging in peripherals), a 3.5mm headphone socket and microSDHC slot. There’s also GPS, a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash on the back, and a 1.2-megapixel camera on the front, while sensors include a gyroscope, g-sensor, light, proximity and digital compass.

Storage is up to 64GB and RAM is 1GB, and the 7-inch display runs at 1024 x 600 and responds to capacitive finger control together with ASUS’ included stylus. A full charge is apparently good for up to 8hrs of video playback, and the MeMO can supposedly handle 1080p HD. No word on pricing at this stage, but if ASUS can get that right then this might make for some impressive competition to the HTC Flyer.

[via Android Community]

Update: jkkmobile has delivered some video of the MeMO, and while the demo unit is only running Android 2.2 Froyo, the interesting part is the Bluetooth handset accessory ASUS is showing alongside the tablet. It can be used for voice calls, so that you needn’t hold the 7-inch slate to your head. It also has a transparent display, and can be used as a remote control for the MeMO. According to ASUS Germany, the MeMO should be priced at €499 ($690) for the 8-16GB model, or €699 for the 32-64GB model, with the Bluetooth handset; that definitely undercuts the €669 HTC Flyer at the entry level, at least.

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Kinect hacked into 3D scanner for making foam busts of users

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:28 AM PST

The Kinect has turned out to be something that in my house at least rarely gets used. It is a very cool device though and I continue to be amazed at some of the things that geeks are able to hack the Kinect to do. One of the latest hacks turns the Kinect into a crude 3D scanner that can turn the pose the person stands with in front of the camera into a foam bust.

The pieces that are made by the 3D printer attached to the Kinect look like little puzzle pieces that can be connected together. The video taken by the Kinect is turned into a STL file and sent out to the printer.

The Kinect system is called Fabricate Yourself and it’s interesting. You can see a video of the thing in action below. Other than just being cool, I wonder what real world applications that sort of hack could have.

Via Boingboing

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