Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Toshiba Storage Products' THNSNF SSDs tap into 19nm process technology

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/05/toshiba-storage-products-thnsnf-ssds-tap-into-19nm-process-tech/

Toshiba Storage Products' THNSNF SSDs tap into 19nm process technology32 nanometer process technology feels so... 2009. These days, Toshiba Storage Products is pushing something quite a bit smaller, as the outfit's new THNSNF solid state drives are said to be the world's first to take advantage of 19nm process NAND flash memory. 2012 just so happens to mark the 25th anniversary of Tosh's meddling in NAND, and the new series will be carrying the torch into even more bantam devices. Slates, Ultrabooks and perhaps a phablet or two may end up sporting on of these drives, replete with MLC (multi-level cell) flash. We're told that a trio of sizes will ship: there's a 9.5mm height edition, a 7mm version and an mSATA variant, all of which operate with a SATA 6Gbps interface. Power utilization is pegged at less than 0.1W, and mass production is expected to begin in August; mum's the word on partner companies implementing these into new products, but we're guessing the holiday season will be full of 'em.

Continue reading Toshiba Storage Products' THNSNF SSDs tap into 19nm process technology

Toshiba Storage Products' THNSNF SSDs tap into 19nm process technology originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 03:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scientists use bilayer graphene to develop extra-sensitive photodetector

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/05/bilayer-graphene-extra-sensitive-photodetector/

Scientists use bilayer graphene to develop extra-sensitive photodetectorBy now it goes without saying that graphene is something of a darling in the research community, with scientists using the material to develop transistors, batteries and circuits, among other devices. In 2011, MIT researchers discovered graphene's effectiveness as a photodetector, and a team at the University of Maryland has taken that line of thought a few steps further. By using bilayer graphene (two atoms thick instead of one atom thick), the scientists developed a temperature-sensitive device more than 1,000 times faster than existing technologies. Not to mention, it's capable of recognizing a very broad range of light energies, which means it could be useful in everything from biochemical weapons detection to airport body scanners. Still, the UMD researchers have their work cut out for them: the graphene photodetector has a high electrical resistance, and it will require tweaks to absorb enough light to be useful. Still, this is graphene we're talking about -- and we don't expect its popularity to wane any time soon.

Scientists use bilayer graphene to develop extra-sensitive photodetector originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 05:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel demos Bluetooth-based anti-theft alarm for Ultrabooks, we go hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/05/intel-bluetooth-alarm-security/

Intel demos Bluetoothbased antitheft alarm for Ultrabooks, we go handson

We interrupt our wall-to-wall laptop and Windows 8 coverage to bring you some news about... chips. Specifically, Intel's latest ultra low voltage chips, and new features they'll bring to Ultrabooks, in particular. Here at Chipzilla's Computex keynote, we just got a demo of a new security feature that causes an alarm to go off on your PC if a stranger attempts to move it. Using Bluetooth 4.0 and a custom Android app, you designate your PC as the one that needs protection, and then you set a threshold for when the alarm should go off (the range is customizable, but doesn't go beyond five feet). If someone tries to burgle your laptop, he or she will have to enter a password to silence the wailing.

It's all worth a look in our demo video below, but we can think of a couple caveats. For one, in order to receive an alert on your phone, letting you know someone picked up your PC, you'd have to be within Bluetooth range, which means if you're covering a tradeshow in Taipei and someone robs your apartment in New York, you'll be none the wiser. Second, the technology isn't yet integrated with Intel's other security features, such as identity protection or its "poison pill" that prevents the PC from even booting. On that front, then, best to keep it up with those unguessable passwords.

Continue reading Intel demos Bluetooth-based anti-theft alarm for Ultrabooks, we go hands-on (video)

Intel demos Bluetooth-based anti-theft alarm for Ultrabooks, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 05:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel shows off wireless keyboard that re-juices via inductive charging (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/05/intel-inductive-charging-keyboard/

Intel shows off wireless keyboard that rejuices via inductive charging video

Imagine this: Intel hosts an event with dozens of Ultrabooks arranged on tables. All the tech writers in attendance rush past them, and instead swarm around... a keyboard. That was the scene at one of Intel's Computex press events today, where the company demoed an interesting use of inductive charging using a concept all-in-one PC and wireless keyboard. As you'll see in our walk-through video, the 'board starts charging as soon as you press it against the base of the PC. Now, we know, we know: wireless charging is hardly new, but what impressed us here was that the presenters didn't even need to rest the keyboard flat on top of something else; even making contact from the side was enough. According to an Intel rep staffing the event, the company has considered porting this technology over to other accessories. No word on how soon you'll be able to try any of this at home, but for now we've got photos below, along with that video we mentioned.

Continue reading Intel shows off wireless keyboard that re-juices via inductive charging (video)

Intel shows off wireless keyboard that re-juices via inductive charging (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 05:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, June 04, 2012

How to Build the Fastest Bike Ever from Junk Parts [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5915682/how-to-build-the-fastest-bike-ever-from-junk-parts

Graeme Obree is a world-renowned cyclist who has broke numerous world records. His latest obsession has focused around building the world's fastest bicycle; one that go faster than 100 miles-per-hour. But instead of teaming up with a fancy lab and dumping millions of research dollars into materials research and wind tunnel testing, Obree is building a bike from old scrap parts. A bike tailored to the intricacies of his own body.

In this 10-minute mini-documentary put together by Humans Invent, Obree runs through all the weird shit he's using to build the bike—including old sauce pans—and his approach to design, which dictates that any bike with a universal design compromises its maximum potential for performance. If all goes to plan, Obree will attempt to break the speed record in November. And if you won't watch for the ins and outs of bike nerdery, than do it for for his scottish accent which will entrance you from the outset.

How to Build the Fastest Bike Ever from Junk Parts [Humans Invent]

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