TVs for the blind
Written on 6 March 2008 by adminJapanese corporation Sony has presented device SandBox PC, which can work as a TV and a personal computer for blind, writes British edition Tech.co.uk.
SandBox PC is Zen-based and is made in a form-factor of a flatbed personal computer. Zen allows to control surface of the device, drawing the text in Brail font. Sandbox also can display relief images which can be touched by the blind.
The device, which is a part of British government program called to help the blind, exists only as a concept. The program has already obliged TV studios to accompany programs with audio-comments for the blind. Such comments explain, that is shown on the screen at the moment.
MSI presents laptop PR200 Beloved Edition
Written on 5 March 2008 by adminCompany Micro Star International (MSI) presents on the Russian market the limited edition of laptops PR200 Beloved Edition. The set includes a romantic card and an unusual nacreous mouse, and also two exclusive protective labels on the case. Labels allow to protect the laptop from dust and scratches. Two labels are offered to buyers’ attention: “Spring dance” and “Pink heart”.
PR200 Beloved Edition has 12,1-inch display with ACV technology which gives to the image additional sharpness and depth. The computer is made of an alloy of aluminium with magnesium, and its weight with a laptop battery makes 1,8 kg. Laptop it is equipped with 1,3-Mp web - camera, microphone, stereo- loud speakers, ТВ-tuner and finger print scanner (an option). The computer is processor Intel Core 2 Duo - based with the maximal RAM volume 3 GB.
PR200 Beloved Edition also includes DVD Super Multi drive, HDMI output, card-reader, adapter 802.11n, etc.
Intel have presented five new Xeon processors
Written on 3 March 2008 by adminCorporation Intel has presented five new processors Xeon which are constructed on the base of 45-nanometer technological process, as well as processors on the basis of Penryn nucleus, writes PC World.
New processors are intended for the built-in microcomputer systems, network equipment and devices for data storage and reserve copying.
According to experts, the chipset for 45-nonometer Xeon allows processors to work much more effectively at the same energy consumption, and speed of transistors switching in new Xeon is 20 % higher, than in those created on to 65-nanometer process.
It is necessary to note, that time of life of new two and four-nuclear processors is increased from five to seven years.
At the beginning of the current year Intel has already presented mobile processors on Penryn nucleus, which also were made using 45-nanometer technology.
In 2008 Sony will put on the market first Blu-ray players
Written on 29 February 2008 by adminIn summer 2008 Sony is going to put on the market first Blu-ray players, which will be download additional materials to a film and games from the Internet, informs The Associated Press.
Sony has named this data access technology BD-Live. The first Blu-ray players which will support this technology, will be BDP-S350 and BDP-S550.
In fact, BDP-S350 will not initially support BD-Live and will “learn� to work on the Internet only with update; BDP-S550 will work at once with BD-Live.
Both devices, according to founders, will display picture in a picture, for example, to show one of actors in a film. Before such opportunity has only Sony PlayStation 3.
At present American company V Media Research has already created compact alternative to Blu-ray and HD DVD - disk V Media.
Intel develops the six-nuclear processor
Written on 27 February 2008 by adminRepresentatives of Intel informed that carry out development of six-nuclear processor Dunnington which will be made according to 45-nanometer technological process.
Dunnington’s dimensions are similar to the sizes of a stamp though it will consist of three two-nuclear processors Penryn.
The number of transistors in Dunnington is not known for a while, however it will be less than two billions.
According to the founders, one platform will be able to support up to four Dunnington-based processors, and it means, that with their help it will be possible to create 24-nuclear systems.
The device will be put out in the second or third quarter of 2008.
Toshiba is going to end HD DVD format
Written on 25 February 2008 by adminJapanese corporation Toshiba is going to end support of HD DVD new generation videoformat, informs AP referring to Japanese agency Kyodo. The company will stop production of players and recorders, which support the given format, and also will hold up all works on development and improvement of this technology, which main rival is Blu-ray format.
However Toshiba has not yet made the official statement about the termination of HD DVD development.
HD DVD and Blu-ray war of formats lasts for more than two years. At different times many large movie companies declared the support of this or that technology, however gradually most of the Hollywood studios have turned to Blu-ray side.
In addition, according to the agency, the largest network of American supermarkets Walmart on Friday has stopped sales of HD DVD of players.
Apple has presented new iPod shuffle
Written on 22 February 2008 by adminOn February, 19, Apple has presented new iPod shuffle which differs from the predecessor only by a memory size.
Memory of the novelty makes 2GB, the device will cost 69 US dollars.
Let’s remind, that the old model of iPod shuffle has only 1 GB and was on sale in the network Apple Store at the price from 49 to 79 dollars.
Apple has put on the market the first iPod shuffle on January, 11, 2005 in modification which have 512 MB and 1 GB. In autumn 2006 the company has updated Shuffle, having considerably reduced the player in sizes.
Genius has announced new laser mouse
Written on 20 February 2008 by adminGenius has put on the market new laser mouse Genius Net Scroll 220 Laser. The model differs the black symmetric case that allows to work with it both right, and left hand.
One more distinctive feature of model Genius Net Scroll 220 Laser is in an opportunity of switching of the mouse’s resolution from 800 dpi to 1600 dpi. This function allows to change accuracy of cursor’s moving depending on the requirements of the user. Buttons of the mouse have also undergone changes: now they are bigger in size.
Samsung has announced Full HD-camcorder with 8 GB memory
Written on 18 February 2008 by adminSamsung Electronics has announced a new HD-camcorder SC-HMX20C with flash memory, able to record video with Full HD resolution at a speed 30 shots in a second.
New camcorder is equipped with 6,4-MT CMOS-matrix with electronic stabilization. The volume of built-in memory is 8 GB and can be extended with memory cards in SDHC/MMC + format.
For the greater convenience new camcorder has a number of functions, simplifying its work. Firm Samsung twist knob enables to shot from various foreshortenings, and 2,7-inch wide-screen LCD allows to cut film without effort anywhere. iCheck function enables the user to learn the volume of free memory and time of independent work. Connection to TV is realized through a component port or HDMI-interface.
The new model is expected to go on sale in May, 2008. Price is not informed.
US inventors have created alternative to Blu-ray and HD DVD
Written on 15 February 2008 by adminAmerican company V Media Research has created compact alternative to Blu-ray and HD DVD - disk V Media, which is only 3,8×3,8 centimeters.
A new disk also uses blue lasers for reading. The novelty can store only 1 GB, but due to its compactness it can be used in any portable devices.
Developers inform, that quality of the image from V Media surpasses DVD quality owing to use of H.264codec.
At present V Media drive is used only in Indian phone Movie Phone. But in the case of its popularity, developers will start to promote it to the western markets. And by 2009 they are going to put out two-layer and Read-Write V Media.
Company Sinram, one of the largest optical disks manufacturers in the world is engaged in manufacturing of these disks, and company Panasonic will create drives for V Media.
