Allwinner throws A20 dual-core and A31-quad-core processors into ARM fray

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/11/Allwinner-A20-A31-ARM-cortex-a7-processors/

Whimsically monikered Chinese chip-maker Allwinner has added a pair of ARM Cortex-A7 processors to its lineup supporting Android 4.2 or higher systems. The A20 is a dual-core design with 512KB L2 cache, dual-core Mali 400 graphics and 2160p HD video playback support, while the quad-core A31 packs a 1MB cache, PowerVR SGX 544 graphics and UHDTV (4k) video decoding talents. The A20 is pin compatible with its Linux-hobbyist favorite sibling, the A10 -- meaning devices such as the MK802 mini-PC using that chip could likely be upgraded by manufacturers on the cheap. However, the more powerful A31 seems destined for higher-end Android or Windows RT devices only, considering its beefier PowerVR graphics. On top of the extra zip, licensor Imagination Technologies keeps its source code cards close to the chest -- likely ruling out Linux for that chip.

Filed under: Misc, Tablets

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Via: TG Daily

Source: Allwinner (translated)

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Toshiba goes perpendicular to solve MRAM's power issues, rethink cache memory

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/10/toshiba-goes-perpendicular-to-solve-mram-power-issues/

As much of a breakthrough as magnetoresistive RAM might be for its ability to retain data while powered off, its susceptibility to leak currents while turned on has made it impractical as a replacement for cache-oriented memory like SRAM. Toshiba's new approach could almost literally turn the situation on its head. By magnetizing spin torque MRAM (ST-MRAM) in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic layer, Toshiba cuts off the avenues for leaks without sacrificing speed. The switch away from in-plane magnetization is an upside for the memory as a whole -- it shrinks normally large elements to below 30 nanometers and cuts the overall power draw of MRAM by about 90 percent. While there's no timetable for when we'll see such cache in a shipping product, Toshiba expects it to reach mobile processors, where even slight power savings can make a big difference. If our next smartphone or tablet survives that much longer on battery through memory we can't even see, we'll know who to thank.

Continue reading Toshiba goes perpendicular to solve MRAM's power issues, rethink cache memory

Filed under: Storage, Mobile

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Via: MRAM-Info

Source: Toshiba

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Intel talks up work on 22nm SoCs with Tri-Gate tech geared for mobile devices

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/10/intel-working-on-22nm-socs-tri-gate/

Now that Ivy Bridge processors with Tri-Gate tech are in the wild humming away inside PCs, Intel's used the 2012 International Electron Devices Meeting to discuss its work on SoCs that also use the 22-nanometer 3D transistor tech. The processor giant didn't rattle off much in the way of specs or name the product lines that'll make use of the mobile-centric silicon, but it expects the hardware to handily outperform its 32-nanometer SoCs by 20 percent to 65 percent. Ballpark estimates on price are also MIA, so it's still unclear how the folks in Santa Clara will fare against ARM-based solutions with the new chips under their belts. In any case, Intel anticipates the fresh components will find their way into smartphones and tablets once they're ready to roll.

[Image credit: huangjiahui, Flickr]

Filed under: Intel

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Via: CNET

Source: The Wall Street Journal

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How To Tell When Gmail Is Back Online For Good (GOOG)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-when-gmail-is-back-online-for-good-2012-12

Google acknowledged today that several services, most notably Gmail, experienced outages.

So far, it looks like Gmail is coming back for a lot of people, but some are still having trouble using the chat feature and other basic functions. 

Google has a very handy chart that shows what services are currently operational. You can get the latest updates using the official Apps Status Dashboard. Green means you're good to go. Gmail is still listed as "orange" as of this writing.

Here's what it looks like:

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This Custom Datacenter Rack Has 160 Mac Minis Crammed Inside of It

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5967189/this-custom-datacenter-rack-has-160-mac-minis-crammed-inside-of-it

If you're hankering for an Xserve, you've been out of luck since 2011. But there's always an alternative. You can make your own by squeezing a whole 160 Mac Minis into a custom rack, for instance. That's what a fellow named Steve did, and the results are staggering.

Working with a vendor to get some custom shelving, Steve got his hands on 40 special 1U shelves that hold 4 Minis each. Of course, that wasn't the only challenge. Each Mini had to be fit with a special plastic insert to insure it wasn't drawing intake air from the 159 other Minis' exhaust ports, and the door of the rack was fitted with four car radiator fans, all hooked up to a 40A DC motor controller.

The result is this impressive—if crowded—tower of power, packing some 640 cores, double the amount of the 40 Xserve setup it's replacing. While Steve's reluctant to say who he works for, he's stated on his blog that the monster is part of a huge server farm, building and testing software 24/7. How's that for a Mac hack? [Steve's Blog via Hackaday via 9to5Mac]

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