Well, that’s it, I guess. The CrunchPad and Apple Tablet had a good run (in their mysterious ways), but Microsoft has come out of left field to deliver what appears to be the coolest tablet-like computer we’ve ever seen. Those lucky ducks over at Gizmodo appear to have a pretty solid exclusive on it, though, but I’m burning through my little black book of Microsoft guys to get more info.
What they’ve got in place looks fun, practical, and damned good-looking. Although currently in “late prototype” phase, and only available in renders at the moment, it is a real thing and it will come out. It’s probably best for you to just head over there and watch the video (the curs have made it un-embeddable).
That's four screens in total. Crazy, right? The prototype's three mini-screens let you organize and play files without taking up room on the main display. You can also use multi-touch gestures, and drag files between screens. Watch it in action:
This week's Intel Developer's Forum has a history of weird and wonderful prototypes. As it has with MIDs and UMPCs, the company uses concepts to as reference platforms in the hopes that manufacturers will take interest and use its chips. No word if anyone has signed up on this one, but it's a nice juicy insight of what type of products might be around the corner. [Crave Asia]
Google today released a new browser plug-in called Google Chrome Frame that creates an unholy union between Internet Explorer and Google Chrome, rendering web pages in IE using Chrome's rendering engine.
That rendering technology includes Chrome's support for HTML5 and its lightning-fast JavaScript engine. How does it turn IE into Chrome? By creating a new frame inside of Internet Explorer that basically embeds the Chrome browser. It's sort of like the previously mentioned IE Tab tool that embed IE in Firefox, so users can access the now-rare IE-only sites. In this case, though, it's embedding Chrome in IE instead of the other way around, for the much more common dilemma of sites that won't render correctly in Internet Explorer.
The (most) obvious question: Why would I install this plug-in rather than switch browsers to Chrome? The folks at Google point to IT lockdown that won't allow users to install a new browser; Ars wonders whether such restrictive IT departments would be any more likely to approve this plug-in. If nothing else, it's a pretty bold move on the part of Google.
The other obvious question: How do I get it working? Actually, you don't have to do anything—it's up to web developers to throw a single tag on their pages to ask Internet Explorer to render a page with the Chrome Frame, if it's installed. We're pretty sure it'll only be a short while until someone comes up with a tweak to make Chrome Frame a default rendering tool on every page, but until then, it's up to the web building community to take notice.
The Google Chrome Frame plug-in is a free, open-source download for Windows only, and works with IE6, 7, and 8. It's currently in its early stages, so expect an occasional bug or two.
VIA’s got a new Mini-ITX setup that ought to appeal to HTPC builders, as it features a dedicated GPU capable of handling 1080p video, four distinct video outputs (two HDMI, DVI, and VGA), RCA audio output, and a quiet, cool 1.6GHz VIA Nano processor.
The platform is collectively called the VIA VB8003 and, according to VIA, “is the world’s first Mini-ITC board to feature discrete on-board graphics, delivering 1080p HD content through a range of multi-display configurations.”
Here’s more from the press release:
“The VIA VB8003 takes advantage of the ‘VIA Trinity’ platform, the codename for a unique combination of 64-bit VIA Nano processor, VIA VX800 media system processor and a dedicated S3 Graphics processor; producing a perfect blend of Hi-Def video playback, DX10.1 graphics and multiple display connectivity, all within a ruthlessly low, industry-leading thermal envelope…
…The VIA VB8003 Mini-ITX board is powered by a 1.6GHz VIA Nano processor coupled with the VIA VX800 media system processor and the S3 Graphics 435 ULP graphics processor. Supporting up to 4GB of DDR2 system memory, the VIA VB8003’s dedicated GPU can take advantage of 256MB of dedicated GDDR3 graphics memory.
On-board I/O includes dual HDMI, a DVI port, VGA port and two RCA jacks, dual Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, serial and PS2 ports. Storage includes two S-ATA ports, a 40-pin IDE and a type 2 Compact Flash slot.”
No word on pricing or availability for regular consumers but since it’s part of VIA’s “embedded” line, we may see it directly integrated into complete systems offered by various resellers.
There is hope my friends, yes there is! Samsung announced today two new 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 application processors the S5PC110 and S5PV210 capable to able High Speed 3D graphic rendering video as well as support of both HD Videos and the possibility to output video with HDMI 1.3 interface…
These 2 new CPU are good news, finally HTC will be capable to propose less sluggish device from now on! If only they could focus on ROM optimization rather than wasting their time on UI Eyes candy.
Seoul September 22, 2009 -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor solutions, today introduced two new 1GHz ARM® CORTEX™-A8 based application processors, the S5PC110 and S5PV210, for advanced mobile devices at the sixth annual Samsung Mobile Solutions Forum held at the Westin Taipei Hotel. The S5PC110 is targeted for small form-factor connected devices such as multimedia intensive smartphones, while the S5PV210 is aimed at portable computing devices such as netbooks that demand high performance and design flexibility.
“More and more, user generated contents currently accessed via the PC will be spread to mobile devices,” said Dr. Kwang Hyun Kim, senior vice president, strategic marketing team, System LSI Division, Samsung Electronics. “PC-level performance with lower power consumption will become mainstream requirements for advanced mobile devices. Samsung developed S5PC110 and S5PV210 application processors to satisfy these conflicting requirements to enable a new level of user experience not previously possible.”
Both the S5PC110 and S5PV210 ensure longer battery life for mobile devices running on standard size batteries through a variety of low power technologies, including the use of a 45-nanometer (nm) Low Power fabrication process and intricate low power architectures. Each of these application processors comes with 32KB data and 32KB instruction caches, and is equipped with a 512KB L2 cache. With the 1GHz clock speed and large size L2 cache, these processors enable real-time applications such as web browsing and user interface (UI) to run smoothly with a fast response time.
High speed 3D graphics rendering and high resolution video support are two key differentiating features for advanced mobile devices. Both the S5PC110 and S5PV210 are equipped with a powerful built-in 3D graphics engine to support sophisticated 3D UI and high-caliber games. In addition, the two processors integrate a1080p full HD codec engine that supports 30fps full HD video playback and recording. A built-in HDMI1.3 interface allows output of captured or downloaded mobile multimedia contents to an external high definition digital display.
These two new application processors also feature a wide variety of interfaces and peripherals to maximize design flexibility and reduce system BOM cost of targeted mobile devices. In particular, a high speed USB 2.0 host interface is integrated for hosting various USB peripheral devices.
Targeted for small form factor mobile devices, the S5PC110 is housed in a 0.5mm pitch, 14X14mm2 FBGA package that allows package-on-package vertical stacking of low power, multiple chip package (MCP) memory such as OneDRAM™, mobile DDR and LP DDR2, greatly reducing the overall foot print of the memory and processor combo.
Designed for portable computing applications, the S5PV210 is packaged in a 0.65mm pitch, 17X17mm2 FBGA package with a high performance 2-channel 32-bit DDR2 memory interface that is essential for computing devices.
Customer samples of both products will be available in December, 2009. ...
While Boeing is struggling to get the Dreamliner into the skies, Airbus is already planning their A30X next generation aircraft, which include really cool stuff like forward swept wings, u-tails, and lower-placement engines. Their five-decker A380 replacement is even crazier.
These won't come for another 15 years, but they represent a significant change in philosophy from current models, including that Sonic Cruiser model that looks—in technical terms—absofrikkinlutely damn cool. [Airliners via Flight Global]
You've heard of SATA. It's the technology used for the majority of today's hard drives and people generally like it. But SATA wasn't designed for tiny portables. That's why the guys behind SATA are introducing mini-SATA, or mSATA for short.
Supporting 1.5 Gb/s and 3.0 Gb/s transfer rates (peaking at half the speed of existing SATA), mSATA is intended for drives that are roughly the size of a business card.
Check out that lead shot. On the left, you see a small Toshiba drive using a traditional SATA connector. On the right, you see a Toshiba drive using the mSATA standard. (Incidentally, Toshiba will be offering that flash drive in 30 and 62GB sizes with 180MB/s read speeds and 50MB/s writes.) The end products aren't really so different in terms of size, but the mSATA connection itself is, what, half the footprint of SATA?
Sounds good to us. [mSATA and Toshiba via Engadget]
