Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, March 21, 2008

PufferSphere 360-Degree Display System Is Blow-Up Fabulousness [Pufferfish]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/255437453/puffersphere-360+degree-display--system-is-blow+up-fabulousness

Designed for trade fairs, stage shows and parties (yay!), the PufferSphere is an interactive digital spherical display that I want in my house. If my house was big enough, that is. The inflatable globe with a 360º field of view plugs into the mains, and can be wall-mounted, stuck on the ceiling or even used outside, if you think that standing it on its base is a bit infra dig. There's a video below of the PufferSphere in action.

[Pufferfish via DESIGNSPOTTER]

HTC's Dream again rumored to be first Android phone

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/254879885/

Filed under: Cellphones

We've been hearing about the HTC Dream (likely not pictured above) for what seems like an eternity on a tech timeline. Now "a person close to the situation" tells InfoWorld that the Dream is indeed HTC's Android phone. Remember, HTC is widely expected to be the first from the gate with a retail phone featuring Google's open source OS. The Dream is said to measure 3-inches wide by 5-inches long and feature a full QWERTY keypad that "either slides out or swivels." Right, exactly what Forbes told us 5 months ago. Still, it's always a good sign when the rumor mongers align. Whatever happens, we certainly expect the first Android phone to be exceptionally spec'd as a showcase of the OS' power and possibilities to come.

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ECS' Atom-based G10IL gets more attractive by the minute

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/254893118/

Filed under: Laptops

Upon initial inspection, we had a hunch the ECS G10IL would emerge as one of the most desirable of the low-cost lappies. Now that ECS has filled us all in on a few more pertinent details, we're feeling all the more sure of that assertion. According to new specifications loosed on the outfit's own website, we can look forward to a Diamondville, er, Atom CPU, Windows XP or Linux under the hood, a single RAM slot (up to 2GB), an HDD or SSD, 1.3-megapixel webcam, 4-in-1 multicard reader, a 8.2- / 10.2-inch glossy display and a 4- / 6-cell battery for good measure. Oh, and if you were wondering if Bluetooth and WiFi would tag along with the built-in HSDPA / HSUPA, the answer's yes (at least on the big fellow). So, does the G10IL have your attention now, or what?

[Via DailyTech]

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Scientists concoct material that superconducts at room temperature

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/254919762/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

While the temperature at which superconduction has occurred has been steadily rising throughout history, a potential breakthrough could open up a whole new world of possibilities in the computing realm. Reportedly, a pair of ~~mad~~ scientists from Canada and Germany have developed a silicon-hydrogen compound that can superconduct at room temperature. The secret, they say, is that the silane-based matter is "super-compressed," and they were able to achieve such compression by "adding hydrogen to a compound with silicon that reduced the amount of compression needed to achieve superconductivity." Granted, the work done so far was classified as "theoretical," but hopefully it won't be long (read: during our lifetime would be nice) before such technology finds its way into gaming rigs (among other things) the world over.

[Via Slashdot]

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ASUS keeps things tiny with NOVA LITE Mini 2L PC

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/254964685/

Filed under: Desktops

Granted, the Nova P22 is probably small enough for the vast majority of folks, but if you weren't feeling the aforementioned machine for whatever reason, here's another option. The NOVA LITE Mini 2L measures in at 9.09- x 7.24- x 2.00-inches and weighs just a few raisins more than the X300 (3.3-pounds for those taking notes). Apparently, this box was designed to simply "meet everyday computing needs" while keeping noise to a minimum, and ASUS has three lovely flavors for you to choose from. Packed within, you'll find up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, an 80GB / 160GB hard drive, a DVD burner, Ethernet, WiFi (on select models), built-in speakers, four USB 2.0 ports, DVI / VGA and audio in / out connectors. No word on a price, release date or any of that pertinent information, unfortunately.

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