Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, April 04, 2008

Intel Working on Anti-Theft Tech for Laptops [Laptops]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/263599854/intel-working-on-anti+theft-tech-for-laptops

Intel is currently hard at work on its new Anti-Theft Technology (ATT), a relatively vague new project that would help prevent theft by making a computer inoperable without the owner's permission. It differs from disc encryption methods of protection by rendering the computer inoperable even if the drive has been swapped out. Intel's currently working with a number of other companies on the project, but don't expect to see the fruits of their labor until the fourth quarter of this year or later. [ArsTechnica]

Video: Sony's $900 HDR-TG1 -- world's smallest 1080i camcorder

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/263112490/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

We'll go ahead and let those other guys battle it out for the "world's smallest" camcorder title -- meanwhile, Sony's just cranked out the one to really pay attention to. The HDR-TG1 Handycam checks in at just 1.3- x 4.7- x 2.5-inches and weighs ten ounces, all while boasting the ability to capture those oh-so-precious vacation moments and unannounced streaking episodes in ~~1080p~~ 1080i. Aside from that, it'll snag stills at 4-megapixels and holds everything on MS Pro Duo / Pro Duo Mark2 cards, while the 2.7-inch touchscreen keeps your eyes glued to the action. Furthermore, you'll find a 10x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom lens, BIONZ processing engine, 5.1 Dolby Digital audio recording and a bundled 4GB Pro Duo Mark2 card for $900. Get ready -- this one's comin' at you next month. Video of Japanese model after the break.

Update: Will be called the HD TG3E in Europe.

Gallery: Sony's $900 HDR-TG1: world's smallest 1080i camcorder

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Continue reading Video: Sony's $900 HDR-TG1 -- world's smallest 1080i camcorder

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Intel's pre-production SSDs get pictured

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/263251192/

Filed under: Storage

We've been waiting so long for Intel to stop talking and start producing its own line of SSDs that it's actually kind of shocking to finally see some progress. Nevertheless, one Knut Grimsrud managed to spend some time with a pre-production unit and was noticeably satisfied with performance. 'Course, we all know the benefits of solid state discs by now -- we're ready to see those buggers snapped above available en masse. Any day now, Intel.

[Via CNET]

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And we're off: Twin Cities get first DOCSIS 3.0 deployment

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/263267090/

Filed under: Networking

Although we just heard that Comcast's DOCSIS 3.0 rollout was on track for 2009, folks in the Twin Cities region now have exclusive bragging rights for an undisclosed window of time. Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota have become the first markets to have access to an all new "extreme" broadband (or wideband, as it were) connection, which promises 50Mbps down / 5Mbps up. As expected, the carrier isn't being modest about the launch, claiming that users can suck down a 4GB HD movie "in about ten minutes," compared to "more than six hours" on a 1.5Mbps DSL connection. The newfound speed won't come cheap -- for residential users, look to lay down $149.95 per month for the privilege. Even if you aren't springing for the good stuff, current customers in the area will have their existing broadband connections hastened gratis, with 6Mbps / 384Kbps users moving up to 1Mbps uploads and 8Mbps / 768Kbps users seeing 2Mbps uploads. Kudos, Twin Cities -- you just made most of America sick with envy.

[Image courtesy of TheRedWoodMotel]

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Panasonic turning cellphone, gas pump into your next Plasma

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/263280045/

Filed under: Cellphones, Displays

We kid you not. Panasonic is working on a new low-voltage (1.5v) plasma technology which it says will rival OLED displays in brightness, thinness, and contrast. Better yet, Panasonic claims that its plasmas can be manufactured for "much less money" than OLEDs. Panny already has plans to include their new plasma displays in cellphones for use with AT&T's Mobile TV service, gas pumps, ATMs, and on HP printers under a new exclusive two-year deal. Color us impressed if the new displays look anything like the 3.5-inch, 854 x 480 pixel Viera phone instead of that anemic looking phone pictured above which accompanied the press release.

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