Intel plans to stuff more than 8 cores, extra speed into 2011 server chips

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/07/intel-plans-to-stuff-more-than-8-cores-extra-speed-into-2011-se/

Yeah yeah, "more cores and faster speeds," you've heard it all before right? That'd be our reaction too if we weren't talking about the successor to the Nehalem-Ex, Intel's most gruesomely overpowered chip to date. Launched under the Xeon 7500 branding in March, it represents Intel's single biggest generational leap to date, and with its eight cores, sixteen threads, and 24MB of shared onboard cache, you could probably see why. Time waits for no CPU though, and Intel's planned 32nm Westmere-Ex successor will move things forward with an unspecified increase in both core count (speculated to be jumping up to 12) and operating frequencies, while keeping within the same power envelope. Given the current 2.26GHz default speed and 2.66GHz Turbo Boost option of the 7500, that means we're probably looking at a 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz 12-core, hyper-threaded processor, scheduled to land at some point next year. Time to make some apps that can use all that parallel processing power, nay?

Intel plans to stuff more than 8 cores, extra speed into 2011 server chips originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 May 2010 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple's Seamlessly Embedded Heart Rate Monitor could turn the iPhone into a new-age mood ring

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/06/apples-seamlessly-embedded-heart-rate-monitor-could-turn-the-ip/

Nike is making millions from its Apple-friendly wares, designed to turned technophiles into fitness freaks. Imagine the possibilities if the iPhone could not only track your running stride but also monitor your heart rate while doing it. That's one of a suite of potential uses for this patent app from Apple, a Seamlessly Embedded Heart Rate Monitor. The design is for a series of electrodes that are, well, seamlessly embedded into the shell of a given device in such a way that they are "not visibly or haptically distinguishable on the device." The device could then, with a touch, measure heart-rate, uniquely identify a user, and even "determine the user's mood from the cardiac signals." Just imagine the new flood of EKG-related apps: iPalpitate, Murmur Maker, Cardiac Arrest... the possibilities are endless.

[Thanks, Staska]

Apple's Seamlessly Embedded Heart Rate Monitor could turn the iPhone into a new-age mood ring originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Camera Kite Sails High For Rude Aerial Photos [Cameras]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5531537/camera-kite-sails-high-for-rude-aerial-photos

Taking photos from a digital camera attached to a balloon, floating 20m in the air could get you into a lot of trouble. You could get it wrapped around a power line, for example. Or injure a low-flying bird.

This aerial camera is the work of Matthew Clark, who claims it'd be ideal for using at weddings and festivals, with the inflatable balloon sailing high into the air, but remaining tethered to your hand by the reel. A switch on the reel takes photos, which can then be transferred to a computer via USB. Being a film shooter, I'd like to see a 35mm version with some lo-fi lomo-esque lens. Make it happen, Matthew. [Coroflot via Yanko]

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This Piece Of Paper Is a Solar Panel [Solar Power]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5531805/this-piece-of-paper-is-a-solar-panel

Researchers at MIT have figured out how to create solar cells thin enough to be pasted onto sheets of paper, with an applicator that works sort of like an inkjet printer. (Note: We are apparently stuck with inkjet printers, forever.)

In their current state, the cells are just under 2% efficient at converting sunlight into usable electricity, as compared to typical rooftop solar cells—you know, panel panels—which can exceed 20%. But you can't staple a solar panel to your roof! No, seriously, that's what the researchers are suggesting is possible here:

If you could use a staple gun to install a solar panel, there could be a lot of value.

True! Instead of hiring a team of laborers to install your home's new solar power system, you could send your kid up to the roof with a helmet and staple gun. Kids love staple guns.

As is always the case with stories like this, there's a sobering caveat. Vladimir Bulovic, director of the project, told CNET:

I'm giving you a whole bunch of hype. It usually takes 10 years from the time between when you invent something and you commercialize it.

This does raise some interesting possibilities, though. The above demo is pasted to paper, but if solar cells are this thin, and can eventually be manufactured at a low price, why not just stick them on everything? A car covered in photovoltaic film converting sunlight at 10% efficiency might not run entirely off of solar energy, but it could stay on the road a little longer. [CNET via Inhabitat—Photo credit: Martin LaMonica/CNET]

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How A Cellphone Call Works (An Infographic That's Actually Informative!) [Cellphones]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5531818/how-a-cellphone-call-works-an-infographic-thats-actually-informative

Want to know why providing cell service is tricky? This great infographic from Cellphones.org helps you understand the basics of how your magic phone actually works. See the whole thing after the jump.

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