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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Intel's 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link shines a light on future computers (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/intels-50gbps-silicon-photonics-link-shines-a-light-on-future-c/

Using copper cables to transfer data around a computer? Get your head out of the sand, Grandpa! Intel thinks that's on the outs and is touting its recent accomplishments with Silicon Photonics and integrated lasers, using light pulses to move data at 50Gbps (last time we heard Intel tout the tech was when it hit 40Gbps speeds in 2007). The emphasis is on low-cost, high-speed fiber optics, the removal of cable clutter, and with the speed boost, the ability to try new system designs by being able to space chips and components farther apart from one another without as much hit on speed -- all theoretical at this point, of course. Researchers hopes to hit terabit per second speeds further down the line. As for John Q. Consumer, enjoy the progress from afar but don't count on seeing this technology hit Newegg anytime soon. Video after the break.

Continue reading Intel's 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link shines a light on future computers (video)

Intel's 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link shines a light on future computers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Augen's $99 GenBook smartbook preview

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/augens-99-genbook-smartbook-preview/

That's right, not only does Augen -- a company unbeknown to us before yesterday -- make an $150 Android 2.1 tablet, but the company is also stocking Kmart shelves with a $99 Android smartbook of sorts. How'd we find out about this one? Well, when we headed to our local Kmart in hopes of picking up the 7-inch tablet, one last, very lonely GenBook 74 was dwelling on the shelf. We aren't the kind of people that could just leave the little guy there all alone, so $100 later we were the proud owners of a 7-inch, Android 1.6 clamshell device. Is the little laptop really capable of surfing the web and downloading apps, or would your hard earned cash be better spent elsewhere? Find out after the break.

Gallery: Augen $99 GenBook preview

Continue reading Augen's $99 GenBook smartbook preview

Augen's $99 GenBook smartbook preview originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, July 26, 2010

Toshiba AC100 review may explain why we haven't seen many (or any!) smartbooks

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/toshiba-ac100-review-may-explain-why-we-havent-seen-many-or-an/

To be honest, when Toshiba's 10.1-inch AC100 smartbook was revealed last month it looked like one nice clamshell, but we're not really all that surprised that Hi-tech.mail.ru found it to be rather lacking after putting it through the paces. The good news is that the Russian site found the 1.9-pound smartbook to be incredibly thin and light, and had no ergonomic issues with its keyboard and touchpad. The bad? The 1GHz Tegra 250-powered lappie runs Android 2.1, but like most other Android netbooks or tablets it doesn't have access to the Market, so you've got to sideload your own apps. They also described the browser as "archaic," presumably because of its inability to run flash content. And on top of all that, the reviewers weren't all that impressed with the 4.5 hours of video playback. To its credit, the AC100 was able to play 1080p video, which those typical Intel Atom N450-powered netbooks absolutely choke on. Basically, Toshiba's smartbook -- like most -- seem to be a mixed bag, but if you're still lusting for some more details you'll want to hit the source link for the full translated review.

Toshiba AC100 review may explain why we haven't seen many (or any!) smartbooks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer debuts S201HL, S211HL and S231HL LCD monitors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/acer-debuts-s201hl-s211hl-and-s231hl-lcd-monitors/

Tired of smacking your LCD around just to get the backlight to function for a few minutes? Acer feels your pain, and it's offering up a new trio of monitors here in the US for those suffering the ancient panel blues. The new S1 series checks in between 13mm and 15mm thick, and the company is making 'em available in 20-, 21.5- and 23-inch sizes. As you'd expect, the whole lot offers white LED backlighting, an Energy Star 5.0 sticker, 12,000,000:1 (dynamic) contrast ratio, 5ms response time, 250 nits of brightness and 16.7m colors. The bigger two offer a native 1,920 x 1,080 resolution (while we're left to wonder on the little guy), with connections including VGA, DVI and HDMI (23-inch only). They'll be splashing down soon on US shelves for $169.99 (S201HL), $219.99 (S211HL) and $269.99 (S231HL).

Continue reading Acer debuts S201HL, S211HL and S231HL LCD monitors

Acer debuts S201HL, S211HL and S231HL LCD monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terra-Gen lands major funding, expects to complete America's largest wind farm next year

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/26/terra-gen-lands-major-funding-expects-to-complete-americas-lar/

And you thought that 1,000 megawatt wind farm planned for Lake Erie was going to be huge. Terra-Gen Power recently secured a staggering $1.2 billion in construction financing, which it fully intends to use on 3D projectors, PlayStation 3 consoles and parts necessary to build America's largest wind farm. Granted, only one of those points is actually true, but we suspect you're hanging with us. The latest round of cash will help build four wind power projects with a total of 570 megawatts of capacity at the company's Alta Wind Energy Center in Kern County, California. But when you put that with projects already in motion, you're left with a 3,000MW wind power initiative, which should be completed and operational "in the first and second quarters of 2011." So, anyone feeling up to topping this?

Continue reading Terra-Gen lands major funding, expects to complete America's largest wind farm next year

Terra-Gen lands major funding, expects to complete America's largest wind farm next year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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