Archive for November, 2005
With the announcement of the Nokia 9300i, Nokia has added another member to its family of high-end smartphones. The company says that 9300i has the right combination of design and functionality and is ideal for professionals on-the-go.
The Nokia 9300i features WLAN connectivity with full keyboard, 65k-color screen, support for a wide range of email solutions and an attachment viewer. WLAN connectivity enables the 9300i to provide a reliable and cost-effective data connection for downloading large files or emails with attachments.
80 MB of memory capacity (expandable up to 2GB with an optional MMC card) provides ample space for file storage, and the wide color screen makes it easy to view different types of documents, spreadsheets, presentations and web sites. Mp3 and Polyphonic free ringtones can be downloaded directly via GPRS or WAP.
The Nokia 9300i smartphone supports E-GPRS (EDGE) and WLAN 802.11g, five party conference calling via an integrated speakerphone and multiple email clients (with attachments), including BlackBerry Connect, IBM WebSphere, Oracle Collaboration Suite, Seven Always-On Mail and Visto Mobile. The Nokia 9300i smartphone also integrates infrared and Bluetooth capabilities, giving users two different ways to wirelessly synchronize their devices to a desktop PC or laptop, as well as exchange data with other mobile devices.
Planned to be available strating Q1 2006, Nokia will offer one tri-band version of the Nokia 9300i optimized for mobile networks in Europe and Asia (900/1800/1900 MHz) and capable of operating in compatible GSM networks in the Americas.
November 30th, 2005
Think Secret has released today to the public what they have apparently known all along: “Intel-based Macs will be ready some six months sooner than originally expectedâ€Â, say their sources.
In the article we can also find some other very juicy tidbits of information. Apparently the new Mac Mini (code-named Kaleidoscope) will be a “digital hub centerpieceâ€Â. It will be unveiled a the Macworld Expo in San Francisco early next year and will feature an Intel processor and include both Front Row 2.0
and TiVo-like DVR functionality
The exact technical details of the new Mini are unknown but it is said to sport a built-in iPod dock, and it is possible that it will be outfitted with a standard 3.5-inch hard drive, which will serve to increase storage capacity which heavy media users demand and cut down costs. Although this would naturally increase the size of the Mini, it is not to be ruled out entirely since a built-in iPod dock would also take up some space.
The ‘Kaleidoscope’ will undoubtedly feature Front Row 2.0 and Apple’s DVR application but details are sketchy, the latter having been dubbed a TiVo-killer.” This seems to fit since TiVo announced recently that it will soon offer customers the ability to copy stored content to a video iPod.
With Front Row being bundled with the new iMacs and this being thrown on the table, Apple sure looks like it’s trying to plant both feet into the living room. With the hardware, software, and iPod sales behind it, and the aura that is currently surrounding the company, this year could bring a lot of changes.
Source: Softpedia
November 30th, 2005
The Japanese company Nec has developed a laptop for corporate users that does not include in its configuration a hard disk. Named PC Parafield, the computer was developed as a replacement to the actual client systems and combines the possibility to work anywhere with improved data security.
Conventional laptops can be used anywhere, but they represent a security risk because they can be stolen. The new Nec system does not
store data by default, needing a network connection to the company’s servers. But such a connection is not always available.
The new laptop without a hard disk stores the operating system and the software applications locally in the flash ROM memory, the system being able to work without a network connection. Flash ROM memories are usually used for storing BIOS and firmware in electronic devices, but they have limited reprogramming possibilities.
Apparently, PC Parafield looks like a normal laptop, and its specifications are standard besides the absence of the hard disk. It features an Intel Pentium M processor that runs at 1,73 GHz and has Windows XP Professional OS. 3 GB of flash ROM are available for storing the operating system and the additional software, and the featured RAM memory is 512 MB. The display has a 1024 X 768 pixels resolution (XGA), measuring 12 inches.
Source: Softpedia
November 30th, 2005
LaCie has launched an aluminum encased USB 2.0 external hard disk, which has an enormous 1TB storage capacity. The USB connectivity and the minimal software configurations make LaCie’s Big Disk Hi-Speed USB 2.0 a convenient storage solution.
Big Disk Hi-Speed USB 2.0 is a low cost alternative for backing up workstations or dealing with storage consuming applications. The new drive spins at 7200 RPM, has FireWire 800 (800Mbit/s), FireWire 400 (400Mbit/s), and
USB 2.0 (480Mbit/s) ports, and a maximum transfer rate of up to 55 MBs. The average seek time (write) is of 10 ms, and the Big Disk features also an 8 MB buffer.
LaCie’s Big Disk measures 173 x 44 x 272 mm and weighs 2.5 kg. Three capacity models are available: 1 TB, priced at 929 USD, 500 GB priced at 349 USD, and 600 GB priced at 429 USD. The 500 GB and the 600 GB models are very quiet because they don’t have any fans, while the 1 TB model features Smart Fan technology that cools the drive automatically, only when needed.
Big Disk Hi-Speed USB 2.0 has an aluminum alloy case that dissipates the heat by drawing it away from the internal disk. The drives can be used in more ways: stacked, rack-mounted or upright standing.
‘There isn’t a drive on the market that can offer the affordability, design, versatility, convenience and performance of the LaCie Big Disk Hi-Speed USB 2.0â€Â, says Olivier Mirloup, LaCie Senior Product Manager.
November 29th, 2005
Google Base didn’t have a very glorious start as only a week after the official launch there were numerous reports of a glitch which allowed search results to display porn. The Google Base service, which was created as a tool to allow people to easily tag and catalog their data, has been turned overnight into a virtual Red Light District because of a temporary glitch which prevented the SafeSearch filter to intervene properly.
Google Base allows users to add adult content but it’s supposed to filter out most of it if a search
is submitted with the SafeSearch feature activated. That way, pornographic material is not being displayed in search results by default. But things didn’t work as they were supposed to this week due to a technical glitch that allowed porn to leak into Google Base search results.
Only last night did Google administrators find the flaw and managed to reactivate the SafeSearch feature which made search results porn-free again. The Google spokesman said this filter was unavailable for a certain amount of time, but that’s as far as specific information goes.
Many users showed great surprise to find that already there is so much porn available through Google Base, considering it was launched less than two weeks ago.
November 25th, 2005
Under its new anti-spyware law, the State of Texas has sued Sony BMG Music Entertainment, on the grounds that its much-maligned XCP anti-piracy software included on numerous recent releases has left customers’ computers open to attacks.
The software, which limits the times a user can copy tracks from a disc onto their computer, has been attacked relentlessly since Sony included it on more than 50 new releases. Unwary customers were not told of the software’s presence on their machines. Worse still for Sony, the “fix” that was released to remove the software only caused more security problems. After much pressure, Sony recalled the CDs late last week.
However, Attorney General Greg Abbott pointed out that many discs with the XCP software remained on store shelves, including releases by Neil Diamond and Celine Dion. The suit seeks damages up to $100,000 per offense as permitted by the law. Abbott went on to say that there were thousands of these violations.
Source: Y! News
November 22nd, 2005
NAND flash memory is used as storage in different types of devices such as digital cameras, music players and memory cards. Currently, Toshiba’s flash chips can read and write data at 6MBs, but the company is planning to double the speeds (read/write) of its NAND flash memory chips during the next year. Faster chips will mean faster data transfers between computers and the devices.
Toshiba’s
plans will be fulfilled thanks to their new 56 nm (nanometer) assembly line that will open in 2006. The company manufactures now NAND flash chips using the 90 nm technology, but using the 52 nm technology will imply smaller and less power consuming chips that are also cheaper.
Also, the move comes in a time when the flash memory chip market is increasing because of the new music players that use this kind of memory. Economically speaking, Toshiba was the second ranked company in the flash memory market last year, but the company is trying to gain more market share in order to be able later to rise prices, as demand grows, or even in the case of a shortage.
Source: Softpedia
November 22nd, 2005
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