Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Olympus announces 360-degree CCD sensor prototype, surveillance firms drool

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/323393046/

Around this time last year, we got wind of CCD-based projectors and cameras from Olympus that were outfitted with a curious "axial symmetrical free curved surface lens." Now, said company is finally providing a few details about its current prototype, which essentially enables 360-degree photographs to be taken. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on perspective), the sensor isn't quite ready to be pushed out into the world, but as you can certainly imagine, it'll likely make a B-line for surveillance outfits just as soon as it's ready.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

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Aware Electronics shows off A-Pad convertible netbook

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/323399910/

Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

As you're no doubt all too well aware, there's certainly no shortage of netbook options out there these days, but the number of convertible netbooks is considerably more limited -- a situation that little known Aware Electronics now looks set to somewhat rectify. It's apparently now set to jump into the game with this 7-inch number, which packs an Aday5G 800MHz X86 processor (all bets are off on that one), 4GB of NAND Flash, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth (with optional 3G and GPS), an integrated webcam, dual USB ports, an SD card slot, and the LINOS Linux distribution for an OS. Nothing particularly standout there, but Aware is promising that this one'll sell for $300 when it launches in two months, which certainly evens things out -- assuming that you can actually get one for that price.

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Lenovo's Olympics infatuation continues with themed Ideapad U8 MID

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/323423106/

Filed under: Handhelds

Alright Lenovo, we get that you have a ridiculous obsession with Beijing and / or the 2008 Olympics, but seriously, enough is enough. We've got desktops, laptops, USB drives and even torches to show your unending love for the Games; the last thing we need is a questionably useful MID all dressed up in game day attire. Nevertheless, the company's Ideapad U8 MID has been spotted recently with a colorful motif to commemorate the upcoming spectacle, but aside from the new design, we're assuming everything else is just bronze-medal worthy (read: the same as the non-decorated version).

[Thanks, Ricardo]

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TVonics rolls out tiny MFR-300 Freeview tuner

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/323542197/

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Good luck convincing Grandma to pack a DVR-250 next to the same telly that's been avoiding TV detectors for years, but how about a "match box-sized" addition that gives all the benefits of the digital switchover and without taking up a lot of space? TVonics MFR-300 improves on previous versions with support for Audio Description allowing people with sight problems to hear subtle on screen changes described, plus interactive TV features, EPG and parental controls. The 70mm x 27mm x 54mm box is available for £59.99 and can actually mount behind the TV, so all that's left is teaching your family how to use it -- good luck with that.

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AMD's flagship Phenom X4 9950 BE announced: Intel laughs, points

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/323811069/

Filed under: Desktops

AMD just pranced out its latest trio of desktop processors including its new 2.6GHz quad-core Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition ($235) -- AMD's top o' the line desktop proc. The Black Edition branding makes this processor ideal for tweakers and overclockers. HotHardware's already done the job of putting the procs through their respective paces. As you'd hope from AMD's flagship desktop CPU, the X4 9950 is faster across the board than the previous AMD title holder, the X4 9850, albeit, just 5%. That puts it about level with Intel's Quad Q6600 processor but no match for Intel's Core 2 Extreme QX9650. AMD continues to lag Intel in terms of performance per watt as well. Hit up the read link when you're ready to sprinkle a little silicon speak onto your morning ritual.

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