Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook: 6/29/08

Friday, July 04, 2008

AMD Radeon HD 4870 X2 images leaked, rumored for August release

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325580094/

Filed under: Gaming

Is this the Radeon card destined to leapfrog NVIDIA's performance leading GTX 200 series? We'll know in August (or soon thereafter), that's the rumored release date for AMD's Radeon HD 4870 X2 graphics card. As the X2 name implies, the card packs a pair of RV770-based GPUs and should be ready to sample with 2GB (!) of that "world's fastest" GDDR5 memory by the end of this month. It's worth noting that the leaked images show a total of 1GB of GDDR5 (16 Qimonda GDDR5 chips) on that black PCB. AMD will then make the 4870 X2 (RV770XT) cards available to its partners in mid-August, hitting retail soon after for an estimated $499 according to sources over at DigiTimes.

Read -- Leaked images
Read -- August launch

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Voice search comes to Google Maps for BlackBerry devices

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325761633/

Filed under: Cellphones

If you were concerned that you didn't look crazy enough screaming into your phone at business associates, family members, and the guy who does your landscaping, Google has added a feature to Maps for RIM devices which should confirm that yes: you're a total maniac. Available right now for a handful of BlackBerry phones (8110, 8120, US version of the 8130) you can grab Google Maps with voice search, which enables you to find what you're looking for by pressing the left-side button and speaking the name of a business (or location, we assume). Sure it sounds convenient, but think twice before searching for hookers or cocaine out loud -- stock brokers, you have been warned.

[Via Gear Diary]

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German "Future Store" lets you grocery shop with your cellphone

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325881033/

Filed under: Cellphones

It's been a long, long time since we've heard from Germany's "Future Store" -- the ultra-futuristic German grocery store that might have sprung directly from the Sprawl trilogy -- but they've got a new feature we thought you might be interested in. Shoppers in the store can now use camera-equipped cellphones (i.e., cellphones) to snap pictures of item barcodes, and then download the information at the checkout when they're finished shopping. The system totals all of your purchases into one big, nasty barcode which you then scan and pony up cash (or cards, or fingerprints, or magical rainbow juice) for. It's unclear how to store handles shoppers who don't scan everything they've got in their cart, but if it's anything like our favorite books, it's not pretty.

[Via PHONE Magazine]

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Sony talks future of OLED, Blu-ray's chances against DVD

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/326041695/

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

In case you didn't get the message, Sony's due sooner-rather-than-later 27-inch OLED is going to be priced for the Mark Cubans, Bill Gates' and other people not you of the world, at least for the next couple of years. Even with recent massive investments, U.S. head Stan Glasgow tells CNET OLEDs in the future could be seen as a premium alternative to LCDs, but don't expect Sony to jump on smaller screens while they wait for the technology to catch up, HDTV is the focus. As for the upcoming standard def-streaming Hancock experiment? The first of many, if things go well, while at the same time he acknowledges format war winner Blu-ray may not penetrate to the same level as DVD since "a lot of people may be happy with an upconverting DVD player" -- which would be music to Toshiba's ears.

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NVIDIA said to be dropping GeForce GTX 280 price in response to AMD

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/326128697/

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

It only launched a few weeks ago, but it looks like NVIDA could already be set to cut the price of its top-end GeForce GTX 280 graphics card -- a move that would be prompted, as you might have guessed, by AMD's cheaper but powerful Radeon HD 4800 series. According to HotHardware, that word comes from "multiple NVIDIA board partners," who say that the card could be dropping to as low as $499 (the same as AMD's competing card). One board partner reportedly added that the price "may be a little higher, or potentially even a little lower." Obviously, all of that is still up in the air until we hear from NVIDIA itself but, as HotHardware points out, it could certainly pay off to hold out a couple of weeks if you've been considering taking the plunge on one of these.

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Is the BlackBerry KickStart getting a $50 price tag on T-Mobile?

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/326148377/

Filed under: Cellphones

We could tell by looking that RIM wouldn't think of charging too many hundies for its still unannounced BlackBerry KickStart, but $49.99? CrackBerry has it that said flip phone will be selling at T-Mobile for a penny under $50 on a two-year contract, which certainly seems smart given the competition. 'Course, we've nothing to substantiate this with just yet, but take one more look at that chubby side and tell us this thing deserves a triple digit price tag. That's right, you can't.

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Modular recorder concept gets down with homegrown sounds

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/326363695/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Now here's an instrument you wouldn't have minded practicing as a tot. Alle Meine Klänge's AMK is a modular recorder (you know, those plastic flute wannabes) that pack an array of individual blocks which can hold any sound you like. Simply transfer homegrown beats / notes / tunes / etc. over to each block, connect 'em up and you've got yourself a instrument of cacophonic delight. 'Tis a shame it's still a concept -- Fisher-Price, you seeing this?

[Via BoingBoing]

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Thursday, July 03, 2008

Apple orders 50 million iPhone NAND chips from Samsung, rest of world put on hold?

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324808622/

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Video, Storage

Daaaamn, talk about clout. If DigiTimes' sources are correct, then Samsung, the world's primary supplier of flash memory, just told its non-Apple customers to suck it in favor of a "large batch of orders" it received from Cupertino. The order is said to be for 50-million "8Gb-equivalent" (we assume they mean gigabyte, or GB) NAND chips "mainly for use in Apple's iPhone." This order follows a June procurement for 25 million of the same chips. In response, Samsung has reportedly told its lesser customers that it would "sharply cut supply" of NAND to them while the order is being fulfilled. The shortage is compounded by Samsung lowering its manufacturing output in April and May in an attempt to reduce oversupply. Still, if these numbers are true (they seem high and DigiTimes can be hit or miss with its Apple sources) then the world is about to be awash in iPhone 3Gs come July 11th.

Update: We've given the Gigabits vs. Gigabytes a bit more thought. If it's 50 million 8Gbit chips as stated, they would divide evenly across about 2.1 million 8GB iPhone 3Gs plus another 2.1 million 16GB models. A reasonable production run for Apple's global launch but an order which shouldn't be so taxing on Samsung's production capability. Something doesn't add up.

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Everex readying 10.2-inch Cloudbook with 3G WWAN?

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324874726/

Filed under: Laptops

As we all wait tensely for Everex's Cloudbook MAX to land (and WiMAX to launch in a big way), rumors are swirling that First International Computer (FIC) -- Everex's affiliate and the maker of the Cloudbook -- is preparing a 10.2-inch "Eee PC killer." 'Course, by the time this thing comes out it'll have 27 Eees to kill, but we digress. Early word suggests that the unit will pack a 1,024 x 600 resolution panel, a 1.3-megapixel camera, up to 2GB of RAM, a 4-in-1 multicard reader, ExpressCard slot, 4- or 6-cell battery, 802.11b/g WiFi as well as optional 3G WWAN / WiMAX capabilities. With everyone and their first cousin twice removed getting into this arena, don't be shocked to see this turn up here in a few months.

[Via SlashGear]

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The Motorola RAZR 2 V9x for AT&T brings GPS, non-hideous color

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324874725/

Filed under: Cellphones

Shoot, all Motorola had to do was change from ~~pink~~ mahogany to this nice, normal, compliant shade of black, and that would've been enough of an update to justify a model name change. There's more, though: the V9x will officially offer AT&T Navigator, the Telenav-powered navigation system already found on the Z9, and we can see from these press shots that it'll even work on the secondary display, which is pretty trick. This appears to be the same update that we'd originally heard would drop way back in January, which means we can likely expect Video Share support as well. Take a stroll on over to Engadget Mobile for the full gallery.

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MSI Wind shipping in "3 to 5 weeks," Advent rebadge available now

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324900592/

Filed under: Laptops

Okay, so we've got hard evidence the Wind is shipping out somewhere in the world, but the latest status check on Amazon reveals that it'll be another 3 to 5 weeks before Americans can indulge. Granted, we've seen these dates slip around a bit, so hopefully it'll slide to "sooner" if anything. Interestingly enough, the Advent 4211 rebadge is shipping this very moment to customers in the UK for £279.99, though that currency conversion is apt to be a real thorn in your side when looking to import.

Read - MSI Wind availability, via ComputerMonger, thanks Ivana
Read - Advent 4211, thanks zeesh

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Machine Collective reveals modular prototyping platform

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324979154/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

While Bug Labs may have brought modular gadget kits to the forefront, you won't find us kvetching about yet another formidable opponent. Machine Collective has just launched a website to showcase its modular prototyping platform, which essentially consists of a number of interchangeable I/O modules "designed to work with development platforms such as Arduino and Wiring." Needless to say, the possibilities for DIYers and electrical engineers are pretty much endless here, though you'll have to "wait a few weeks" before excitedly beaming in your order and credit card information.

[Via MAKE]

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GEAR4 BlackBox micro uses your table to enrich bass notes

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325076234/

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

GEAR4's BlackBox Bluetooth speaker is splendid for those with ample room in their abode, but where will you turn for lavish sound when space is an issue? Bose? Pish posh. The newly introduced BlackBox micro (sadly) ditches Bluetooth in exchange for a sole 3.5-millimeter auxiliary port, but it does include an integrated SFX gel base in order to use any flat surface to "provide rich bass sounds." Beyond all that fanciful stuff, you'll find another traditional driver kicking out mids and highs, and there's even a USB port for powering it with whatever computer you've got nearby. Look for this one to sneak into stores this August for £20 ($40).

[Via Pocket-lint]

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Casio touts "Blanview" transmissive LCD for outdoor use

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325076231/

Filed under: Displays

Casio sure seems to be confident in its new transmissive LCD panel, so confident that it apparently thinks it can make it with a name like "Blanview." The big innovation here, Casio says, is that it's managed to develop a new system that pulls outside light into the LCD panel to make the transmissive LCD usable outdoors without backlighting, eliminating the need for so-called "semi-transmissive" LCD panels that are more commonly used today. What's more, it says this new method also increases the transmittance of the panel by about 30% and cut its power consumption for outdoor use by upwards of 50% compared to current panels. Unlike some other promised LCD technology, it also seems like this one is actually fast approaching commercializtion, with sample panels ranging in size from 2.7- to 6.5-inches set to begin shipping this month.

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Drobo gets dev community and SDK beta: run UPnP, BitTorrent, and any other servers you want

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325128816/

Filed under: Storage, Networking

Looks like Data Robotics just started up their Drobo Developer Community (DDC) and SDK program, kicking off on their eventual goal to let users develop their own apps and servers for their Drobo storage device. For the first "DroboApp" and proof-of-concept, they've already whipped up a working UPnP / DLNA server for streaming audio and video content directly from the Drobo to compliant devices (like the Xbox 360 and PS3, for example), and they hope the early beta offering will spur the community into developing drop-in servers for things like iTunes music and AFP, Rsync, FTP, web, BitTorrent, and anything else you can think up. (One Linux developer has already ported the Drobo Dashboard app to Linux using the SDK).

The DroboApps themselves are compiled for Linux, stored on the Drobo, added via drag and drop into a simple directory on the file system, and run on the Linux-based DroboShare hardware (meaning you won't be able to take advantage of DroboApps with a bare Drobo). Exciting stuff for the storage geeks in the house, especially those looking for some of the extensibility of Microsoft's Windows Home Server platform

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ASUS Eee PC 900 gets livened up with touchscreen

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325283070/

Filed under: Laptops

If you're tired of waiting for ASUS to offer a touchscreen option for the Eee PC 900 (or you're the proud owner of an existing unit), jkkmobile is happy to show you their shortcut to touchy-feely nirvana. As we've seen on all those other Eees, installing the touch panel into the 900 doesn't seem to be extraordinarily difficult for those with a few mods under their belt and a reliable Chinese parts supplier. For those who'd prefer to simply watch from the sidelines, you can peek the video after the break and lots more photos in the read link.

Continue reading ASUS Eee PC 900 gets livened up with touchscreen

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NVIDIA says "significant quantities" of laptop GPUs are defective, stock tumbles

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325418750/

Filed under: Laptops

If you're the type to watch the late stock tickers, you might have noticed that NVIDIA's stock just took a pretty big hit, down 24 percent to $13.56 -- that's because the company just informed investors that "significant quantities" of previous-generation graphics chips have been failing at "higher than normal rates," and that it's lowering its Q2 estimates due to pricing pressure. NVIDIA will be taking a $150M to $250M charge against earnings next quarter to cover the cost of repairing and replacing the affected chips, but didn't specifically announce what products were defective, just that they include GPUs and "media and communications processors." Laptop makers have apparently already been given an updated GPU driver which kicks in fans sooner to reduce "thermal stress" on the GPU, and NVIDIA says it's talking to its suppliers about being reimbursed for the faulty parts. That's great and all, but we'd really rather know which chips specifically are failing -- if you're serious about playing in the big leagues, you better come clean, guys.

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Roku serves up Netflix Player source code

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325438046/

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Hope you're not too sleepy, you hacker you, 'cause we've got a juicy one coming your way. No sooner did we find that the Netflix Player would be streaming content from other players in the industry later this year than Roku opens up the source code vault. You heard right -- the GPL code has now been posted for the world to see, meaning that there's just one link standing between you and umpteen delicious tarballs. Mmm, tarballs.

[Via Hack-A-Day]

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Linksys announces WRT610N simultaneous dual-N band router

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325452291/

Filed under: Wireless, Networking

Linksys, er, sorry, that's Linksys by Cisco, is announcing the WRT610N this morning, a new simultaneous dual-N band router that enables it to use 802.11n WiFi on both 5 and 2.4GHz at the same time. This means, of course, that your higher throughput, shorter-distance devices can get the highest-speed 802.11n access at the same time as the rest of your devices can get the usual, more compatible 2.4GHz access they look for. It's on sale now for $200.

Gallery: Linksys announces WRT610N simultaneous dual-N band router

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Use Google Talk for iPhone in Firefox & Other Desktop Browsers

Source: http://www.labnol.org/internet/voice/use-google-talk-for-iphone-ipod-in-firefox-desktop-browser/3790/

iphone google talk

Google today launched a new version of Google Talk for iPhone and iPod Touch that includes no new features but looks slightly more pleasing than the regular Flash based Google Talk gadget.

If you like to use the new iPhone version of Google Talk gadget on a desktop browser or your Firefox sidebar, just use the following links.

For Google Accounts / Gmail users: http://talkgadget.google.com/talkgadget/m

For Google Apps: http://hostedtalkgadget.google.com/a/mydomain.com/talkgadget/m

Use Google Talk for iPhone in Firefox & Other Desktop Browsers - Digital Inspiration | FAQ | RSS

Hot Tatra

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/324683407/

The last ten years has seen the resurrection of legendary auto brands like the Maybach, Bugatti, Healey, Mini and recently announced Alpine car brand. Tatra Motors, the third oldest car company on the planet behind Daimler Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot was the inspiration for this new concept design by Czech magazine AutoDesign&Styling. They asked designer Mike Jelinek to create this concept vision of the Tatra of the future. The result is the 903 Concept, a fuel cell luxury sportscar with innovative aerodynamic solutions. Jelinek adds, “The water drop shaped back refers to one of the most characteristic values of Tatra, the aerodynamics – same as covered rear wheels.” At present, Tatra only produces heavy trucks, but the this latest commissioned concept may get enough people excited to convince them to relaunch their passenger car line. Fingers crossed.

Designer: Mike Jelinek

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Italian True Love

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/325112687/

I must admit, I am not really a fan of either Italian sport car maker Lamborghini or Italian fashion house Versace. Individually I find them both a little too macho, tacky, Euro-trashy. But when these two design powerhouses recently combined forces and delivered this stunning “Versace edition Murciélago LP640 Roadster by Lamborghini”, I was amazed. I guess the old adage “two wrongs don’t make a right” has officially been discredited. This machine is HOT! It has a certain raw sex appeal that only two sets of Italians can deliver. Versace tastefully applied their signature Versace Greek Key motif in all the right places making for a nearly perfect marriage of the Capulets and the Montagues, let’s hope no one dies this time around.

[ Via: Yatzer ]

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Wednesday, July 02, 2008

EverNote Web Clipper Now Captures Complete Web Pages

Source: http://www.labnol.org/software/organize/evernote-web-clipper-save-complete-web-pages/3746/

EverNote, the world's favorite note taking application, has a new web clipper that enables you to capture full web pages including text, images and hyperlinks. This works in IE, Firefox and Safari.

evernote web clipper

To install the new EverNote Web Clipper, simple drag this bookmarklet - Clip to EverNote - into the bookmarks toolbar of your web browser.

If you have the Evernote web clipping on your machine already, there's no need to reinstall that as Evernote will auto-upgrade that according to Philip.

A similar service is offered by Iterasi as well – it also enables you to archive & save copies of any web page with a single click. So is Evernote some sort of threat to Iterasi?

I did a test run on some websites like BBC, New York Times, Mozilla, etc using both Evernote and Interasi and feel that Iterasi is much more reliable that Evernote. In many cases, Evernote simply refused to clip a web page while Iterasi worked just perfect.

evernote-error

That said, Evernote offers you OCR function so you can even search for text that may printed or even handwritten in pictures & screenshot images that were captured along the web page.

EverNote Web Clipper Now Captures Complete Web Pages - Digital Inspiration | FAQ | RSS

How to Download PowerPoint Presentations from SlideShare

Source: http://www.labnol.org/internet/office/download-powerpoint-presentations-from-slideshare-as-flash/3758/

How do you take out PowerPoint presentations from SlideShare and view them offline on a large TV screen in the living room or on a computer that's not connected to the Internet?

slideshare download

While you can easily download lot of good presentations from SlideShare in their original PPT or PDF format, the following workarounds will help if you quickly need a presentation for which the download option is disabled.

Option A: Do a Dry Run - The idea here is that you flip through all slides of a SlideShare presentation on your laptop in 'full screen mode' while still connected to the web.

Now you can safely unplug and view the presentation in offline mode anywhere (even on a TV screen) because all slides are already available in the browser cache.

Option B: Download Flash Slides – This option is for people who want to download complete slides of a private presentation without having to flip through each of them.

For this trick to work, you either need URL Snooper or Firebug if you are on Firefox.

slideshare amazonaws

a. Open URL Snooper, type s3.amazonaws.com/slideshare in the "Keyword Filter" box and press the "Sniff Network" button.

b. Now open any presentation inside SlideShare and URL Snooper will show you a series of SWF links each corresponding to slides of that presentation.

swf slides

c. Copy all the links to the clipboard and paste them in your download manager like FlashGet or Orbit.

Once you have all the SWF slides on the hard drive, you can view them in Adobe Flash Player one-by-one but if that sounds tedious, just create a new PowerPoint presentation and insert the Flash files on different slides.

firebug swf

For this trick to work in Firefox, enable Firebug while loading the presentation and switch the Flash option under the Net tab.

How to Download PowerPoint Presentations from SlideShare - Digital Inspiration | FAQ | RSS

Visualize Units of Measurement Without Getting Technical

Source: http://www.labnol.org/internet/tools/visualize-units-of-measurement-without-getting-technical/3761/

visualize units Someone just told you that he has a farm in the countryside that spreads across two acres.

This would have much easy for you to visualize had you known that an acre is roughly the equivalent size of nine basketball courts or three Olympic-size swimming pools.

convert units

Enter Sensible Units - a web based unit conversion service that helps you visualize complex units and measurements using real and more sensible objects like CDs, golf ball, Harry Potter books, elephants or even AA batteries.

So 10 kilometres are like putting 23 Empire State building on top of each other, 100 meters is like 12 double-decker buses standing end to end while 100 GB is the same as 62 installations of Windows XP or 12 Windows Vista installations.

Visualize Units of Measurement Without Getting Technical - Digital Inspiration | FAQ | RSS

Best Of June 2008

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/322080232/

Every month we take a look around and select some of the most interesting designs that was showcased here. Below you'll find the most popular designs we've tracked over the last 30 days - an overview of designs you shouldn't have missed in June 2008.