News Archive for 09/12/14

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Toshiba intros 64GB NAND flash memory modules

12/14, 11:45pm

Components could double storage on current devices

Toshiba on Monday introduced a new 64GB embedded NAND flash memory module, claimed to be the highest capacity in the industry. The component combines a dedicated controller and sixteen 32Gbit chips manufactured using the company's 32nm technology. Chip thinning and layering methods help bring the chip thickness down to just 30 micrometers.

Espresso 1.1 improves speed, adds new Snippet engine

12/14, 11:45pm

Snippets engine includes TextMate syntax support

MacRabbit has released Espresso 1.1, the newest version of its editing tool for web developers. The software provides real-time styling and publishing tools, and is intended for manually coding, organizing, or editing HTML, XML and PHP within a single interface. Version 1.1 delivers new project features including a finder and an organizer with custom colors and shapes. A new Snippets engine with TextMate syntax support has also been added to the preferences, helping to improve speed.

Analyst: iMac delays due to strong demand, not defects

12/14, 10:20pm

Apple desktop sales surge 74% over last year

Apple's recent shipping delays for the latest iMacs have allegedly been caused by an unexpectedly high level of demand, according to NPD analyst Stephen Baker. Mac desktop sales for October and November are reportedly up 74 percent compared to the same period last year. Baker believes the sales volume is to blame for the wait, rather than defective devices.

DTP intros Blatner Tools plug-in suite for InDesign

12/14, 8:20pm

Utilities provided for doc analysis, color finding

DTP has released Blatner Tools, a suite of 12 plug-ins for Adobe InDesign. An included utility allow users to analyze documents for application of character and paragraph styles, while another tool finds colors such as spot colors inside placed graphics. An Extras menu provides access to scripts, or users can compare styles and remove unwanted text formatting from entire documents.

Sony considered network-only storage and SSDs for PS3

12/14, 7:15pm

HDDs eventually chosen for pricing considerations

Although the PS3 Slim integrates typical HDDs, Sony's engineers and designers considered using network-only storage or even SSDs for the gaming console, according to a Nikkei interview with SCE's technology platform head and strategy planning VP Masayuki Chatani. The executive credits the high price of Flash storage and the limitations of network bandwidth as primary factors behind the decision to utilize conventional HDD storage.

Nook hacked, shown running Android 1.5

12/14, 6:25pm

Nook reader has Samsung CPU, stock Android

Barnes & Noble's Nook e-book reader has been subjected to a teardown and hack that reveals much of the bookseller's work on the device. It's now known by NookDevs that the Nook is running a stock version of Android 1.5 and is only customized primarily to mask the regular interface and optimize it for the device's unique dual-display design. Inside, it's known to use a Samsung S3C6410 ARM processor that could render OpenGL ES 2.0-level graphics and runs on a simple 2GB SanDisk microSD card.

Fastra desktop supercomputer packs 13 NVIDIA chipsets

12/14, 5:50pm

Fastra II hits 12Tflops with GTX 295, 275 cards

The University of Antwerp has revealed what it believes is one of the fastest computers ever to fit into a regular tower chassis. Called just the Fastra II, its main processor is just a 2.66GHz Core i7 but uses many video cards to achieve performance that would normally require a cluster. It combines six dual-GPU GeForce GTX 295 cards with a single GeForce GTX 275 to provide a total of 13 GPUs in a single desktop. Since the NVIDIA cards can accelerate CUDA and other general-purpose computing tasks, the sheer parallelism lets the PC handle up to 12 teraflops of general work as well as 3D graphics.

Motorola XT800 to bring high-end Android to Sprint?

12/14, 5:05pm

Moto XT800 Android due in China and US

Motorola has been developing a high-end full touchscreen phone that could give American CDMA carriers their first high-end, touch-only Android phone from the company. A pair of leaks show the XT800 to center on an 854x480, 3.7-inch touchscreen like that of the Droid but in a more rounded design. It should additionally be more powerful: it should play 720p video to a TV through an HDMI output and capture the same resolution for videos from its 5-megapixel camera.

DRO preps carbon fiber notebook case

12/14, 4:50pm

Size fits most 13-inch systems

DRO has begun taking pre-orders on its first carbon fiber notebook case. Modeled after an equivalent iPhone product, the notebook case relies on six layers of twill-weave fiber, and an inner lining comprised of neoprene foam. The use of carbon fiber extends to the zipper tabs.

Samsung to intro tablet PCs, make all monitors LED backlit

12/14, 4:25pm

Samsung to launch tablet PCs in 2010, more

Samsung will enter into a new product niche for the company in the new year with the introduction of tablet PCs, according to a Monday Current report. At the same time, the maker will also bring more 3D computing solutions, as well as integrate LED backlight technology into all of its PC monitors before the end of next year. Samsung Australia IT product marketing manager Emannuele Silanesu also revealed that the company is planning on releasing multi-touch monitors and notebooks.

V-Ray engine to come to SketchUp for Mac

12/14, 4:15pm

Enhances visuals of SketchUp designs

Visual Dynamics has uncovered plans to bring the V-Ray rendering engine to the Mac edition of SketchUp, Google's 3D modeling tool. SketchUp is oriented towards object and architectural design, and can import and export using a variety of formats, or else tap into a library of free models. The V-Ray engine improves on the visual quality of SketchUp output, supporting techniques such as high dynamic range (HDR) and per-material global illumination.

Nokia Booklet 3G drops to $200, LG X120 to $50

12/14, 4:15pm

LG X120, Booklet 3G get price drops for holidays

Best Buy Mobile and RadioShack will offer sales on two netbook PCs when paired with mobile broadband service contracts, including the Nokia Booklet 3G and LG X120, respectively. The latter is LG's first netbook and exclusively offered at Radioshack and will cost just $50 until Christmas Eve when buyers also sign up for a two-year, $60 per month contract from AT&T for mobile broadband data. The Nokia Booklet 3G from Best Buy, meantime, will cost $200 on a similar plan, which represents a $400 savings.

My Ripple mini PC capable of HD video

12/14, 4:05pm

Newest My Ripple Family PC gets HD video support

Korea's My Ripple plans to release its Ripple Look Family mini PC in its home market before year's end. The multimedia PC is said to be capable of playing back high-definition videos and 3D games, though specs are thin. The processor will be one of Intel's latest dual-core, while files will be stored on a high-capacity hard drive. Intel's integrated GMA X4500 graphics chipset will handle the graphics playback. The company seems to have added more functionality to its existing Ripple Look PC, introduced this past summer.

Xperia Pureness sells in US with concierge service

12/14, 3:50pm

Sony Ericsson launcehs Xperia Pureness in the US

Sony Ericsson on Monday began shipping its unique and flagship Xperia Pureness handset in the US. Touted as the world's first phone with a see-through LCD screen, the handset includes Pureness Concierge, a 24-hour service that will let owners request info for social hotspots and events in any city around the globe.

Chevy outfits cars with 3G-to-Wi-Fi hotspots

12/14, 3:40pm

Chevy SUVs, trucks get on-road wireless

Chevrolet today became the latest automaker in the US to add roving Internet access to its vehicles. The Avalanche, Equinox, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Traverse all now have an after-sale option of an Autonet router that provides a 1.5Mbps connection even at speed. Like the Chrysler option, it accomplishes the feat by sharing a 3G link over a local Wi-Fi hotspot that shares the connection with passengers and those within a 150-foot radius.

TransGaming to port Dragon Age: Origins to Mac

12/14, 3:25pm

RPG aspires to earlier BioWare titles

TransGaming will soon release a Mac port of Dragon Age: Origins, the company has announced. Originally developed by BioWare for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, players control one of several characters warring against a Darkspawn assault on the kingdom of Ferelden. The title attempts to recapture the feeling of earlier BioWare role-playing games, such as Baldur's Gate, with an emphasis on detailed combat, party management and a core quest that should last more than 50 hours.

Nexus One to be subsidized after all?

12/14, 3:05pm

Nexus One may get T-Mo discount, ship Jan 5

Another leak today suggests the Nexus One may not be limited to an unsubsidized, unlocked model after all. Claiming an unidentified source, Reuters says T-Mobile will still discount the high-end Android phone for those who sign up for a contract. However, it would also sell directly through the Google website and could be available as early as January 5th, just ahead of CES.

Apple shipping 10 million iPhones this quarter?

12/14, 2:45pm

Chipmakers benefiting from iPhone spike

A rush of orders with chipmakers may lead Apple to ship more than 10 million iPhones per quarter for the first time, a study from Taiwan's Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute. The analyst group notes that the deliveries of chips needed for smartphones shot up 30.9 percent from spring to summer and expects much of that to translate into iPhone shipments as Apple will have queued up its shipments for the fall. Apple shipped about 7.4 million iPhones this summer but saw sustained demand that triggered international shortages.

Adweek calls "Get a Mac" the ad campaign of the decade

12/14, 2:40pm

Apple spots beat Truth, MasterCard ads

Apple's "Get a Mac" ads have been called the campaign of the decade, according to Adweek's Best of the 2000s report. The series, created by TBWA/Media Arts Lab, has been aired since 2006 and now includes over 60 different ads. Most of the commercials have been relentlessly critical of Microsoft and its Windows operating system.

Synaptics demos handset with grip sensors, more

12/14, 2:10pm

Synaptics Fuse shows input beyond touch

Synaptics on Monday revealed a concept phone design that shows input methods beyond touchscreens. The Fuse, co-designed by TheAlloy and The Astonishing Tribe, has a multi-touch capacitive screen but also embeds grip and touch sensors on the sides that can recognize when the phone is squeezed or touched beyond its display. It would even have basic touch control from the back of the phone to provide control without blocking the screen itself.

Time narrows down Person of the Year candidates

12/14, 1:25pm

Jobs holds as one of seven finalists

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is one of the few remaining candidates for Time's Person of the Year 2009 award, the magazine has announced. First nominated earlier this month, Jobs is now one of just seven candidates remaining. Notably absent is a cumulative entry representing Iranian protesters, formerly one of the top reader choices.

NEC intros energy-efficient, short-throw projectors

12/14, 1:25pm

NEC adds two more eco-conscrious NP projectors

NEC Display on Monday added two new projectors to its NP series of short-throw devices, including the NP510WS and the NP610S. Meant for classrooms and conference rooms that are small and don't have the space for a contemporary projector, the NP510WS is widescreen while the NP610S uses a standard aspect ratio. Either, however, has environmentally-friendly features meant to expand the life of the projectors. An ECO Mode will let the lamp last for up to 5,000 hours, while power consumption and noise levels (29dB) are kept low.

FCC shows Palm Pixi getting Verizon support, Wi-Fi

12/14, 1:10pm

Palm Pixi getting Wi-Fi, due at Verizon: FCC

A recently spotted FCC filing reveals that Palm will soon release a version of its Pixi handset that will support Verizon's network and have integrated Wi-Fi capabilities. The currently available Pixi also operates on CDMA but notably doesn't have Wi-Fi to keep its costs down.

AT&T taking blame for Apple's iPhone problems?

12/14, 12:45pm

Network performance underrated, reports say

The iPhone hardware may be to blame for American users' connection problems, not AT&T, says the senior VP for telecommunications research at Nielsen, Roger Entner. The executive claims that the device has problems with the chipset connecting it to cellular towers, hurting both voice and data reliability. Because the iPhone has a "nimbus of infallibility," says Entner, the public blames AT&T and not Apple.

RAmos T11TE promises pocket 1080p

12/14, 12:25pm

RAmos touts advanced video on 5-inch player

Chinese media player designer RAmos has in a relatively quiet move launched one of its most advanced devices to date. With a 5-inch touchscreen LCD, the T11TE is capped at 800x480 on its native display but has a Telechips processor that can decode 1080p video put out through the player's HDMI output, even in multiple different formats. It tackles common formats like AVI, MOV and WMV but can display subtitles from DVD rips and Matroska (MKV) files as well.

MSI takes X-Slim upscale with X350

12/14, 11:55am

X-Slim X350 uses magnesium, special etching

MSI began the week by moving the X-Slim line up in build quality, not just performance. The X350 still uses Intel's CULV-based Core 2 Duo processors but has both a magnesium shell as well as a laser-etched pattern and a 'chiclet' keyboard. It remains just under an inch thick, weighs 3.3 pounds and can run for as long as 9 hours on battery.

iPhone 3.1.3 and 4.0 firmware already in testing?

12/14, 11:35am

References appear in access logs

Two new iterations of iPhone firmware are already in field testing, a website's access logs indicate. Records publicized by Boy Genius Report show devices with v3.1.3 and v4.0 firmware connecting, alongside hardware at or before the present v3.1.2 revision. A v3.1.3 release could be imminent, as it would be a relatively minor update and just in time to support a flood of new iPhone and iPod touch owners.

JVC outs first wireless soundbar speaker systems

12/14, 11:30am

JVC intros first 5.1-channel sound system

On Monday, JVC introduced two new soundbar surround sound speaker systems, including the first wireless system, the TH-BA3, along with the slim but wired TH-BS7. The former is completely wireless between the subwoofer and rear speakers, and is rated at 280 watts across its 5.1 channels. The sound bar has four speakers, with the two outboard ones acting as the front right and left channels, with the two in the middle being the center channel. It also houses the power amplifier, surround decoding, system controls and the transmitter for the wireless surround speakers.

Intel to preview mobile Core i5, more on Thursday

12/14, 11:15am

Intel showing 32nm chips early

Intel has signaled its plans to detail the first processors based on its 32 nanometer Westmere technology on Thursday. The semiconductor firm is expected to center its attention on the first dual-core notebook chips based on both the 32nm process and Nehalem and should introduce the mobile Core i5 and i3 as part of the introduction. These will be the first to carry graphics on the processor die and, on i5 models, will support Turbo Boost to automatically overclock one core when the other is shut down.

GeForce 300 to outpace dual Radeons?

12/14, 10:35am

NVIDIA may claim absolute speed win

NVIDIA's first GeForce 300 series cards may provide it with an unambiguous lead over AMD if purportedly leaked benchmarks are accurate. The tests suggest that the fastest single-chip GeForce card, the GTX 380, would be faster than the dual-chip Radeon HD 5970. They go so far as to suggest that a slightly speed-reduced card, the GTX 360, will often come close and in one case exceed AMD's flagship card.

JP Morgan raises Apple stock target to $230

12/14, 10:30am

Analyst cites high growth momentum

JP Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz has raised his price target for Apple stock from $220 to $230, according to Reuters. The adjustment is based on better growth than anticipated for Macs, iPhones and iPods. Industry contacts reached by Moskowitz suggest that Mac shipments in particular have improved during the past two weeks; Apple is now expected to ship 3.29 million computers during the December quarter, instead of 3.17 million.

Sony Ericsson intros two GreenHeart phones, BT handset

12/14, 9:45am

Sony Ericsson to bring eco-friendly handsets

Sony Ericsson on Monday introduced the upcoming Elm and the Hazel handsets as well as the Bluetooth Noise Shield Handsfree VH700 headset, all part of the company’s GreenHeart range. This means all three products were made with reducing CO2 emissions in mind, including the use of recycled plastics, an electronic manual instead of a paper one, minimized packaging and no hazardous chemicals, among other features. The two handsets share similar features, including social networking support, a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash and geotagging, as well as an integrated media player.

Nintendo preps blue, pink Wii remotes

12/14, 9:30am

Blue and pink Wii remotes will get MotionPlus

Nintendo on Monday said it would launch its Wii Remote in two new colors. Blue and pink versions of the controller will join the existing white and black controllers and will give Wii owners the option of four-player games where each player has their own controller color. Each unit will also have both the MotionPlus add-on and a protective jacket in the box.

Apple revises look of App Store pages

12/14, 9:10am

Changes echo iTunes 9 aesthetic

Apple has quietly altered the look of the iTunes App Store over the weekend, changing the appearance of individual app pages. The design brings the pages in line with the rest of the App Store, which was overhauled in September for iTunes 9. Alterations consist in part of a white background, and a new infobar on the left.

New Nexus One leak shows UI with 3D, home grid

12/14, 9:05am

Google's flagship has major interface changes

A new hands-on with Google's Nexus One early today has confirmed several details of the phone, particularly its interface. The Android 2.1 platform has both the seen animated backgrounds but, according to Engadget, "3D elements" in the pull-out app tray. It also now has not only more home screens but a grid view of the pages that mimics the webOS card view seen in the Palm Pre and Pixi.

TeliaSonera first with live LTE-based 4G

12/14, 8:05am

TeliaSonera LTE network commercial

Scandinavian carrier TeliaSonera today claimed to be the first in the world with an active Long Term Evolution network. The 4G service, so far limited to Stockholm, Sweden and Oslo, Norway, gives mobile users speeds much faster than not just 3G but also WiMAX. At its theoretical peak, an LTE user can download at up to 100Mbps versus the roughly 10Mbps of its predecessors.

Seagate makes 7mm Momentus Thin official [U]

12/14, 7:45am

Momentus Thin tops at 250GB

(Updated with pricing) Seagate has quickly confirmed early talk and launched its thinnest ever Momentus hard drive. The Momentus thin is just 7mm thick, or significantly thinner than the 9.5mm and 12mm heights common to most rotating storage. Slimming down the shape lets notebook designers build thinner systems without turning to more expensive solid-state drives or lower-capacity 1.8-inch spinning disks.

Synium unveils iFinance 3.1 update, complementary iPhone app

12/14, 3:15am

iFinance for iPhone syncs with Mac

Synium Software has unveiled an update to its financial management software, iFinance 3.1, along with a complementary app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The desktop utility integrates a new database manager with improved performance, password protection, and a reconcile feature for comparing billing with debiting. The software enables users to create multiple databases, separating personal content from company business.

New Jewel Quest, F1 2009 games coming to App Store

12/14, 2:20am

Formula One 2009, Jewel Quest Mysteries

Codemasters and EA Mobile have both announced new iPhone games, F1 2009 and Jewel Quest Mysteries: Curse of the Emerald Tear. F1 2009 is a Formula One racing game that features 10 teams, 20 drivers and 17 circuits from the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. The game's time-trial mode demands the fastest lap time, while the endurance mode tests both speed and consistency as players drive through either six, nine or 12 laps to set the best average time.

Macgamestore debuts Osmos space game

12/14, 12:45am

Move around space and absorb other motes

Hemisphere Games and Macgamestore.com have announced a Mac version of the indie game Osmos. The software features physics-based gameplay and allows players to take control of a mote that must grow by absorbing other motes. Players propel themselves and move around space by ejecting matter behind them, however, by doing so, the mote loses mass and becomes more vulnerable. Players will interact with attractors, repulsors, and other intelligent motes with similar abilities and goals.

Chipmunk 5.0 adds Raycasting, adjustable parameters

12/14, 12:10am

New API registers callbacks for collision events

Howling Moon Software has announced a new version of its 2D physics engine, Chipmunk 5.0. The software is geared toward game developers, with tools for broad-phase collision detection and impulse solving. The update offers a new system for joints and constraints, now with adjustable parameters, as well as enhanced flexibility and programmability.