Microsoft Research team shatters data sorting record, wrenches trophy from Yahoo

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/microsoft-research-team-shatters-data-sorting-record/

Bruise inducing high-fives, anyone? They're handing them out in Redmond, according to one mildly injured researcher, after breaking a data sorting record Yahoo set in 2009. The ruckus surrounds a benchmark called MinuteSort, which measures how much data can be sorted in 60 seconds. Microsoft's Distributed Systems group utilized a new file system architecture, dubbed Flat Datacenter Storage, over a full bisection bandwidth network to burn through the competition.

Not only did the nine-person crew best the old record nearly by a factor of three, it gave itself a handicap -- sorting 1,401 GB of data at 2 GB/s over a remote file system, forcing the system to crunch data at a slower speed than the technique is capable of. It's not all about bragging rights, however, Bing has its eye on the newfangled file system in hopes of boosting its RPM. Microsoft suspects the tech could also pick up the pace of machine learning and churn through large data sets in a jiffy. You can catch Microsoft Research's detailed explanation in all its glory at the source.

Microsoft Research team shatters data sorting record, wrenches trophy from Yahoo originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 05:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Next Web  |  Microsoft Research  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Alienware laptops to use Killer Wireless-N 1202 WiFi cards, guarantee a few frags at the coffee shop

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/alienware-laptops-to-use-killer-wireless-n-1202-wifi-cards/

You might recall that Killer Technology launched the Killer Wireless-N 1202 card as a bit of an orphan: without an immediate laptop partner or an aftermarket reseller, it wasn't clear how and when gamers would get their hands on the low-lag WiFi add-on. Alienware is stepping up and making that much easier as of today by planning to use the Qualcomm Atheros-owned technology across its laptop line. The PC builder didn't say which models are getting the treatment, although it made clear that more than one of the newly refreshed arsenal will tuck the 1202 inside. If you're the sort that needs to crush newbs with the lowest ping times, but don't want to leave the comfort of Starbucks WiFi to plug in an Ethernet cable, your solution now looks to be at hand.

Continue reading Alienware laptops to use Killer Wireless-N 1202 WiFi cards, guarantee a few frags at the coffee shop

Alienware laptops to use Killer Wireless-N 1202 WiFi cards, guarantee a few frags at the coffee shop originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 07:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Amazon Appstore Now Lets You Try Out Apps Via the Cloud [Amazon]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5912233/amazon-appstore-now-lets-you-try-out-apps-via-the-cloud

Here's a neat little feature in the latest release of Amazon's Appstore for Android: you can now try out apps on your phone, instantly via the cloud, before you choose to buy them.

While Amazon has offered that feature—called Test Drive—on desktops before, this is the first time they've rolled it out on mobile devices. The feature is available in the latest version of Amazon Appstore, release-2.6.53, which is available today.

The apps are served from the cloud, and the trial runs inside the Amazon app itself. Apparently the feature is only available on "select" Android devices, though there's no word at the moment on exactly which ones they are. Amazon explains how to use the service:

"Customers click the "Test Drive" button on an app product page and in seconds, they can use their phone's touch screen and accelerometer to control the app, simulating the experience of the app running on their phone. Test Drive provides customers with the experience of running an app for the first time, as if it were freshly installed. Customers can purchase or download the app at any point during the Test Drive experience.

"The Test Drive beta is available for free to customers who update to the latest release of Amazon Appstore for Android on their phone (version 2.6.53 or higher). Initially, Test Drive will be available on select phone models but over the coming months, we will roll it out to many more. When new phone models are supported, the Test Drive button will automatically appear on apps that are enabled for Test Drive. "

It's a neat little idea, but a shame that it's only rolling out to certain phones. Let us know if it works for you. [DroidLife via Engadget]

Read More...

Summary only...

Google rolls out improved Gmail search, scans your emails for better results

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/google-rolls-out-improved-gmail-search-reads-your-emails-for-be/

Oh those Googlers, always tirelessly tweaking code behind-the-scenes to make our lives that much more easily indexed. So it should come as no surprise that Mountain View's begun rolling out a streamlined Gmail search feature to English-language users today, replete with "tailored" autocomplete suggestions. Now, instead of simply returning results for labels and contacts, queries will also include relevant email info based on the conversations stored in a user's account, like flight or hotel reservations. At the moment, this improved ease-of-use applies to only the web-based version of the service, but a planned extension to its ever popular GApp is on deck, as well support for additional languages in the coming months. Hit up the source below for the finer details.

Google rolls out improved Gmail search, scans your emails for better results originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Offi! cial Gma il Blog  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Panasonic launches 12-35mm Micro Four Thirds lens with constant f/2.8 aperture

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/panasonic-12-35mm-micro-four-thirds/

As powerful as they've become, Mirrorless camera systems can't match the versatility of a full-size DSLR. One key component we haven't seen is a constant-aperture lens, offering a consistent large aperture size throughout the zoom range. That changed today. Panasonic's new Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm optic packs one incredible advantage over its compact competitors -- a constant f/2.8 aperture. Because of the Micro Four Thirds system's 2x multiplication factor, this 12-35mm lens covers the same zoom range of 24-70mm glass on a full-frame camera, in a significantly smaller package. The optic consists of 14 elements in nine groups, and includes UED and UHR lenses to increase image quality and minimize distortion, along with built-in image stabilization and Panasonic's Nano Surface Coating to reduce ghosting and lens flare. It's also splash- and dust-resistant, and features a metal mount on the rear. Panasonic has yet to release pricing in the US, but the European price tag has been estimated at €1,100 (about $1,400) -- by comparison, Canon's equivalent optic (from a specification perspective) will run you $1,600. For its part, the 12-35mm MFT lens is expected to hit stores in August. Full PR is just past the break.

Continue reading Panasonic launches 12-35mm Micro Four Thirds lens with constant f/2.8 aperture

Panasonic launches 12-35mm Micro Four Thirds ! lens wit h constant f/2.8 aperture originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 16:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...