Slew Of Android-Powered Netbooks Due Later This Year

Several of the top netbook manufactures including Acer and HP have confirmed plans to potentially offer Google's open source Android operating system on low cost netbooks coming later this year.

Acer confirmed today that it was making Android PCs and will likely be the first company to launch netbooks using Google's Android. Jim Wong, Acer's global president for IT products, confirmed the news at a news conference at Computex, the world's second-largest PC trade show held in Taipei.

Acer will not speculate on the number of netbooks it expects to ship with Android installed, nor are they speculating on possible ship dates or other details such as pricing but the average savings for using Android versus Windows XP is roughly $25. Meaning these new netbooks might be a viable alternative at a cheaper cost than the current Linux based PCs.

The Aspire One netbooks Acer displayed at its news conference on Tuesday at Computex were running a dual-boot system allowing users to switch between Android and Windows XP, but Wong said the device that goes on sale later this year will only have Android and another Linux OS.

OEM/PC vendor Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) also showed off their first netbook with Google's Android operating system at Computex. The ECS device called the T800 has an 8.9-inch screen, a small keypad and weighs less than a kilogram (2.2 pounds) and features a chip from Texas Instruments (TI) called OMAP3, which contain ARM processing cores. ECS will offer two devices, one with ARM processors that run at 800MHz and another at 1GHz.

At least one company, Asustek, will be placing their plans to offer Android on hold. Shortly after confirming plans to utilize the new operating system top executives from the company said the project will be put on the backburner for now.

Accroding to PCWorld Asustek officials feel the new OS is not mature enough for consumers with vice chairman of Asustek Jonathan Tsang stating the "Eee PC with Android is not ready yet because the technology is not mature. For the time being this project is not a priority because our engineering resources are limited."

AMD Launches New Budget Minded Dual Core Phenom & Athlon II CPUs

AMD has always been known as "the" company to look to for powerful mainstream chips at a great price. So it should come as no surprise that they have announced two new chips that set their sites directly on some of the best budget dual core CPUs that rival chip manufacture Intel is producing today.

Yes you heard that right, AMD has released two new budget minded dual core chips, not triple core nor quad but good old fashioned dual core. The two new offerings are the AMD Athlon II X2 250 and the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition processor, which will be the first ever dual-core AMD Phenom II CPU.

AMD Athlon II X2 Processor Details

• The AMD Athlon II X2 250 performs exceptionally well when combined with AMD chipsets and integrated graphics solutions to create an all-AMD platform. Platforms featuring all-AMD technology can deliver up to twice the graphics performance of those with Intel integrated graphics.
• Windows 7 is optimized for multi-core processors like AMD Athlon II processors to give consumers an amazingly fast, simple and engaging PC experience. For example, Windows 7 is tuned to make the most of these new processors’ power management features, such as AMD PowerNow! 3.0 technology. AMD power management technologies, in combination with Windows 7, can help OEMs and partners to build exceptionally green, cool and quiet PCs.
• Based on AMD’s acclaimed 45nm process technology, the AMD Athlon II dual-core processor has a TDP of 65W and can slash power consumption by up to 50 percent when doing basic tasks, up to 40 percent when running heavy workloads and up to 50 percent when at idle.

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Details

• AMD Black Edition processors, like the AMD Phenom II X2 550, help users to take control and unleash the maximum potential of Dragon platform technology’s unprecedented performance tuning capabilities.* The same massive headroom that set world records in recent months is at users’ finger tips, offering impressive performance at a price the competition can’t beat.
• Users can also maximize their overclocking experience by utilizing the new features and capabilities of AMD OverDrive 3.0, designed to enable quick and effective tuning of their PC experience for optimal performance.
• With dual-, triple- or quad-core processors, AMD provides platform level solutions at multiple price points, each of which exceeds expectations for virtually any user.

Other Resources:

• Press looking for more information on AMD Athlon II X2 250 and AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition, click here.
• Click here for more detail on AMD processor pricing.
• Compare AMD Phenom II processors.
• Find out more about Dragon platform technology and see it in action.
• Check out all of AMD’s processors and get more information here.
• Follow AMD desktop updates on Twitter: @AMDDesktop.
• Hear what AMD executives have to say on AMD blogs.
• In collaboration with Thermaltake and BMW Group DesignworksUSA, comes an ideal environment for AMD’s high-performance CPU and GPU solutions - the Level 10 Limited Edition chassis. Check it out!

AMD Phenom II X2 550 BE and Athlon II X2 250 Reviews:

• Anandtech: The Athlon II X2 & Phenom II X2: 45nm Dual-Core from AMD
  
• AMD Zone: Phenom II X2 550 & Athlon II X2 250
• TechSpot: AMD Phenom II X2 550 BE and Athlon II X2 250 review
• Hot Hardware: AMD Athlon II and Phenom II X2 Processors Debut
• OverClockersClub: AMD Phenom II X2 550 and Athlon II X2 250 Processors Review
• Legit Reviews: AMD Athlon II X2 250 and Phenom II X2 550 Processors
  

Source: AMD Press Release

Official Modern Warfare 2 Trailer Released

The official uncut and extended MODERN WARFARE 2 Worldwide Reveal Trailer is finally here!

On November 10, 2009, acclaimed developer Infinity Ward will make its return with the release of MODERN WARFARE 2, the sequel to the multiple Game of the Year winner Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. MODERN WARFARE 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing saga with an unprecedented level of action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the the world to the brink of collapse.



For more info check out the Modern Warfare 2 homepage

ByteShield Offers New DRM Solution Gamers Might Actually Like

ByteShield - A DRM solution that an anti-DRM group actually likes???

PRISM, a gamers group for sensible DRM solutions, has thoroughly tested ByteShield and found it to be safe, transparent and non-invasive on your PC’

The first DRM solution to be approved by an anti-DRM gamers group has arrived.

ByteShield, Inc., a leading provider of user and developer friendly software Digital Rights Management (DRM), today received the results from the PRISM/RYG testing of ByteShield. PRISM, a gamers group for sensible DRM solutions, has thoroughly tested ByteShield and found it to be “safe, transparent and non-invasive”. Both the test and results are industry firsts. In fact, the evaluation by PRISM validates ByteShield as a far superior DRM solution, no doubt because it was created by gamers.

The PRISM: “Several members of the PRISM forum were able to test the ByteShield DRM thoroughly. It was invisible when playing the game, and left only a few easy to delete registry entries when the game was uninstalled. The overall opinion of those able to test ByteShield was very positive. They were pleased with how unintrusive ByteShield was. The reviewers were also very pleased at how ByteShield listened to their concerns and included some features they asked for. The members who reviewed ByteShield would have no problem recommending it to other gamers.”

ByteShield is very proud to have received this recognition, in particular given that PRISM, like many other groups, was established as a result of the many failures of DRM products last year. Jan Samzelius said: “As far as we can tell, it is the first time that a DRM vendor has engaged with one of the many anti-DRM groups and surely the first when a DRM solution has gotten such a positive evaluation”.

As the statement says, our product already meets most of PRISM’s criteria including:

• Disclosure
• Transparency
• Connectivity
• Easy activation
• Compatibility
• Non-Invasiveness
• Privacy/security
• Sunsetting of DRM

Meet ByteShield At E3 And Find Out What Is So Different
We will be presenting ByteShield in more detail on Wednesday, June 3 at 4:45pm, at the Nordic Game & Film Lounge @ E3, Figueroa Hotel, 939 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles. For more information see http://www.digitalmediawire.com/nordiclounge/.

About ByteShield
Users’ frustration with today’s user-unfriendly anti-piracy systems (copy protection or DRM) and the developers and publishers frustration with these systems’ ineffectiveness against piracy and unintended negative impact on end users are opening the market for new innovations. ByteShield DRM turns these issues 180 degrees through a completely novel approach and design and makes DRM work for all involved (that is, except the crackers). With ByteShield, Users have an un-intrusive and convenient experience instead of the opposite from other DRM solutions; Publishers have an easy to use and flexible protection solution which also provides sales and usage data; Crackers have a significantly greater work effort.

ByteShield has been selected as a finalist in the ‘Most Innovative Software for the Software Industry’ award category of the 2009 SoftwareCEO Software Innovation Awards of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). For more information see http://www.softwareceo.com/leadership/2009/awards_finalists.aspx.

ByteShield, Inc. is a privately held California corporation, established in 2004 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. To find out more, visit http://www.ByteShield.net or call +1 415 420 6636.

About the PRISM/RYG
PRISM, which is an acronym for Players Resisting Invasive Security Measures, is a forum site dedicated to discussing the in and outs of various DRM solutions. The forum, which was initially founded by a handful of Sims 2 players, started by providing tech support on SecuROM issues. The scope of PRISM continues to grow, and now have many on-going discussions on a number of topics. At present is a new DRM rating system being discussed and PRISM hope to have it in place in a few months. For more information, please visit http://www.the-prism.com.

Reclaim Your Game (RYG) is PRISM’s informational site dedicated to articles and educating gamers about the in and outs of DRM and related topics such as online distribution. On RYG you will find an explanation of SecuROM in non technical terms. There are also many tutorials on upgrading hardware components, others on computer maintenance and a SecuROM removal tutorial. For more information, visit http://www.reclaimyourgame.com.

Source: ByteShield Press Release (pdf)

AMD Boosts Performance Of Embedded GPUs, Intros ATI Radeon E4690

AMD Triples the Performance of ATI Embedded Graphics Chips

Single-chip solution offers high definition video playback and blazing fast 3D graphics for arcade, casino and digital signage embedded markets −

AMD today announced the ATI Radeon E4690 graphics processor unit (GPU) designed to enable a whole level of new reality for embedded graphics applications with more than triple¹ the 3D graphics performance of prior AMD embedded products. Arcade system manufacturers will appreciate the long term support and lower cost AMD Triples the Performance of ATI Embedded Graphics Chipst of placing the GPU chip directly on the motherboard instead of a separate add-in graphics card. This product will enable digital signage manufacturers to decode and play multiple high-definition videos in hardware, offloading all the decoding from the CPU². Casino system manufacturers will be amazed by triple the graphics performance to help attract players while increasing overall entertainment value with incredibly realistic 3D graphics, plus two-monitor support³.

• The ATI Radeon E4690 GPU is packed with the latest graphics features, including support for Microsoft DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.0.
• The second-generation AMD Unified Video Decoder (UVD 2.0) includes hardware acceleration of H.264 and VC-1 high-definition (HD) video as well as MPEG-2, enabling multiple HD video streams and freeing the CPU for other tasks.
• The ATI Radeon E4690 is designed to simplify board design and speed time-to-market by incorporating 512 MB of 700 MHz GDDR3 graphics memory on chip.
• The ATI Radeon E4690 comes with AMD’s commitment of 5 years of planned supply availability⁴. Technical support is provided by a dedicated team of application engineering experts.

“The ATI Radeon E4690 sets a new bar for embedded graphics performance,” said Richard Jaenicke, director of embedded graphics at AMD. “Blazingly fast graphics and HD video capabilities enhance the appeal of applications − such as arcade, casino, digital signage and more. With the industry’s only embedded graphics chip that offers DirectX 10.1 and UVD 2.0 support, the ATI Radeon E4690 enables competitive advantages for AMD’s embedded customers.”

“The ATI Radeon E4690 is the perfect solution for the digital signage market,” said Dwight Looi, product manager at iBASE Technology, Inc. “The ATI Radeon E4690 combines phenomenal graphics performance, full hardware HD video decode acceleration and 512MB of very fast GDDR3 memory into a compact 35 mm package, which enables us to offer a high-end digital signage solution in a previously impossible, booked-sized system.”

“With the on-chip memory and responsive technical support from AMD, we were able to bring our Condor 2000 product, featuring ATI Radeon E4690, to market in just six weeks from the time we received the design documents,” said Selwyn Henriques, president of Tech Source, Inc. “Based on the product specifications, TechSource expects the resulting product to significantly outperform existing products in the industry.”

Supporting Resources

• Product webpage: http://www.amd.com/radeonE4690
• iBASE webpage: http://www.ibase.com.tw/2009/si-28.html
• Tech Source webpage: http://www.techsource.com

Source: AMD Press Release

6th Annual RoboGames Coming June 12-14th

RoboGames invites the best minds from around the world to compete in over 70 different events including Combat robots, walking humanoids, soccer bots, sumo bots, and even androids that do kung-fu. Some robots are autonomous, some are remote controlled - but they're all cool!

RoboGames is an open event meaning anyone can register to compete - this means you. This years event will be held Fri-Sun, Jun 12-14, 2009 at Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion in San Francisco, Ca. Advanced order tickets are on sale now at RoboGames.net



If you've never attended and want to see what its all about they have a ton of great videos showing off some of the action from the last few years.

Google Day In The Cloud Challenge

Google has come up with a unique set of puzzles, trivia, and brain teasers, many of which use Google Apps to set up Day in the Cloud Challenge or what they are calling the "first-ever" online scavenger hunt to be played simultaneously in the air and on the ground.

Teaming with Virgin America Google's scavenger hunt will offer a total of five top prizes to the top five scorers in the challenge. The prizes will include a "Year in the Cloud" prize package, which offers a year of free flights and free in-flight Wi-Fi from Virgin America, an HP netbook computer, and 1 terabyte of Google account storage for all of your photos and email.

The Day in the Cloud Challenge will offer several levels of challenges that last just one hour to. Google is inviting everyone to take on the challenge between 12:00am and 11:59pm PST on Wed, June 24, 2009 but if you want to win a prize you must be a legal resident of the U.S. and at least 18 years of age to be eligible.

BFG Launches New PSU Trade-Up Program

Popular power supply and video card vendor BFG Technologies has announced a new PSU trade-up program, designed to allow customers the option of upgrading their BFG powers supplies to a more powerful model within 100 days of purchase.

BFG Power Supply Trade Up Program

The BFG Power Supply Trade Up Program is designed to give our valued customers a one time opportunity to upgrade their current BFG power supply to a more recently released BFG power supply and only pay the difference in cost (plus any applicable shipping and taxes).

This program only applies to BFG power supplies purchased after June 1, 2009. This program may not be available to all customers, and rules/restrictions may apply. The Program is currently only available in the U.S. and Canada.

Please read the Trade Up Program Terms & Conditions and the Trade Up program FAQs for additional details before you begin this process.

Before the process can begin
In order to participate in the BFG Trade Up program, you must have created a profile on BFGTech.com and have completed registration for an eligible product. Visit http://www.bfgtech.com/productregistration.aspx to sign up and/or register products.

Please note; these steps are just an overview. More detailed instructions will be given to you via email throughout the process.

Step 1:
You will have 100 calendar days from the date printed on your original receipt or invoice to apply for the Trade Up program with an eligible BFG power supply. Once you are logged into your account on BFGTech.com, you can view your registered power supply(s) in the My Profile > My Products tab. Eligible power supplies will be noted with, “This product is eligible for Trade Up”. Click on the Details link to get more information and/or start the Trade Up process.

Step 2:
Once you determine that you want to apply for the BFG Trade Up program, you will confirm the email address we have on file and submit the initial application.

Step 3:
BFG will receive your application. Once we have confirmed that the requested Trade Up product is available, we’ll send email to confirm the price you will need to pay. You’ll then have 15 days to ship your old power supply to us using a trackable carrier such as FedEx or UPS.

Step 4:
BFG receives, tests, and visually inspects the power supply you sent in. If approved, you’ll be sent an email with a coupon code to use towards your Trade Up purchase on the BFG Trade Up Store. If the application is denied, BFG will contact you to explain why before shipping the rejected power supply back to you.

Step 5:
Once you get the coupon code, you’ll go to the BFG Trade Up Store to complete the purchase of your Trade Up power supply.

As part of a special limited time offer BFG will abe allowing current customers a chance trade-in their current BFG PSUs. The new trade-up program will normally only apply to BFG power supplies purchased on or after June 1, 2009 however for a limited time BFG Technologies is allowing current customers that have purchased their PSUs on or after January 1, 2009 and can provide proof of purchase to trade in their currently eligible and working BFG power supply for an upgraded model through June 12, 2009. Several restictions apply to both the limited time off and the trade-up program so read the information carefully. See this page for complete details.

Intel Previews Intel Xeon 'Nehalem-EX' Processor

Intel Corporation today previewed a new Intel Xeon processor codenamed "Nehalem-EX." The processor will be at the heart of the next generation of intelligent and expandable high-end Intel server platforms, which will deliver a number of new technical advancements and boost enterprise computing performance.

In production later this year, the Nehalem-EX processor will feature up to eight cores inside a single chip supporting 16 threads and 24Mb of cache. Its performance increase will be dramatic, posting the highest-ever jump from a previous generation processor.

Nehalem-EX will add new reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features traditionally found in the company's Intel Itanium processor family, such as Machine Check Architecture (MCA) Recovery. Together with new levels of performance, both high-end processors should speed the move away from more expensive, proprietary RISC-processor based systems.

Ideal for server consolidation, virtualized applications, data demanding enterprise applications and technical computing environments, Nehalem-EX will offer up to nine times the memory bandwidth¹ of the previous-generation Intel Xeon 7400 platform. Nehalem-EX will also double the memory capacity with up to 16 memory slots per processor socket, and offer four high-bandwidth QuickPath Interconnect links. Nehalem-EX will provide tremendous scalability, from large-memory two-socket systems through eight-socket systems capable of processing 128 threads simultaneously without the need for third-party chips to "glue" the platform together. Additional scalability options including greater sockets counts will be possible with third-party solutions.

Intel delivers the most complete server portfolio: The Xeon 5500 series delivers leading performance, energy efficiency and flexibility for infrastructure applications. ++Nehalem-EX will greatly improve on today's Intel Xeon 7400 scalable performance, flexibility and advanced RAS features for data demanding enterprise applications and server consolidation. Itanium delivers the highest scalability and most advanced RAS features for the most demanding environments.

The Nehalem-EX Advantage

• Intel Nehalem Architecture built on Intel's unique 45nm high-k metal gate technology process
• Up to 8 cores per processor
• Up to 16 threads per processor with Intel Hyper-threading
• Scalability up to eight sockets via Quick Path Interconnects and greater with third-party node controllers
• QuickPath Architecture with four high-bandwidth links
• 24MB of shared cache
• Integrated memory controllers
• Intel Turbo Boost Technology
• Intel scalable memory buffer and scalable memory interconnects
• Up to 9x the memory bandwidth of previous generation
• Support for up to 16 memory slots per processor socket
• Advanced RAS capabilities including MCA Recovery
• 2.3 billion transistors

From RISC to Reward: Customers Migrating to Xeon- and Itanium-based platforms
With new RAS capabilities for high-end enterprises, Nehalem-EX can accelerate IT adoption of Intel-based platforms over RISC-based platforms by delivering a lower total cost of ownership, higher performance, lower electricity bills and the ability to standardize on a flexible IT environment. The Intel Itanium processor delivers mainframe-class reliability for mission-critical workloads and enables the greatest scalability, especially for highly threaded workloads. Itanium offers greater than eight-socket system configurations and is ideal for applications that access the largest memory pools.

Availability
Nehalem-EX is scheduled for production in the second half of 2009.

For more information: http://download.intel.com/pressroom/pdf/nehalem-ex.pdf (PDF 5.3MB)

Source: Intel Press Release

Microsoft Confirms New Zune HD Will Release This Fall

Yesterday Microsoft confirmed rumors that they will be updating their Zune media player with a new high definition device. The company hasn't set a specific launch date only confirming that the new device will be available to consumers in the fall of this year.

Zune HD is the next iteration of the Zune device family and brings a new level of listening and viewing experiences to the portable media player category.

• Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher-quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users also will have access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD. If you don’t like the song playing on your station’s HD channel, switch to its HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming.
• The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display (480x272 resolution) offers a premium viewing experience on the go.
• The HD-compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback supported HD video files from the device through a premium high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) audiovisual docking station (sold separately) direct to an HD TV in 720p.*
• Zune HD will include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.
• Zune HD is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million-track Zune music store.

More information on Zune and related images is available at http://www.zune.net/ZuneHD. (page doesn't appear to be working right now)

Microsoft also announced their plans to extend the Zune Service to their Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace. The company will slot the Zune Service at the top of the marketplace listing in hopes of attracting more users thus aiding in expansion.

“The Zune music player is an integral part of the overall Zune experience, and we’re proud to be growing and extending our offering beyond the device,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV, Video and Music Business Group. “Delivering on Microsoft’s connected entertainment vision, this news marks a turning point for Zune as it brings cross-platform experiences and premium video content to living rooms around the world.”

AT&T Upgrading 3G Network Doubling Speeds Adding More Bandwidth

AT&T has announced plans to begin upgrading its HSDPA/HSUPA-based 3G network to the much faster (almost twice as fast in fact) HSPA. For those of you not into all the tech jargon the bottom line is this: the new network will have a theoretical maximum mobile download speed of 7.2Mbps which will be twice as fast as the current network that is limited to 3.6Mbps.

In addition to the planned speed upgrade, which we can expect to be completed in 2011, AT&T is nearly doubling the wireless spectrum dedicated to 3G in most metropolitan areas to deliver stronger in-building reception and more overall network capacity. Also, AT&T is adding thousands of new cell site backhaul connections to support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by HSPA 7.2 and LTE.

“AT&T’s network infrastructure gives us a tremendous advantage in that we’re able to deliver upgrades in mobile broadband speed and performance with our existing technology platform,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “With the array of smartphones, laptops and emerging devices taking advantage of AT&T’s 3G network today, we know that customers are excited to experience higher mobile broadband speeds, and we are deploying the right technologies at the right times to help them get the most from that experience.”

According to the company the speed upgrade is one of several ongoing initiatives to expand and enhance AT&T’s mobile broadband service. Other key projects in 2009 include:

• Near-Doubling Radio Frequency Capacity. In 2008 and 2009 to date, high-quality 850 MHz spectrum has been deployed in more than half of AT&T’s 3G network footprint to improve overall coverage and in-building reception, with additional markets planned for later in the year.
• More Bandwidth to Cell Sites. We are adding fiber-optic connectivity and additional capacity to thousands of cell sites across the country this year, expanding the critical connections that deliver traffic from a cell site into the global IP backbone network. These upgrades will support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by both HSPA 7.2 and LTE.
• More Cell Sites. Deployment of about 2,100 new cell sites across the country.
• Wi-Fi Integration. Many AT&T smartphones will be able to switch seamlessly between 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. AT&T customers with qualifying smartphone and 3G LaptopConnect plans have access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network – more than 20,000 hotspots, including locations in all 50 states – at no additional charge. AT&T’s global Wi-Fi footprint covers more than 90,000 hotspots, and AT&T also can create permanent or temporary extended Wi-Fi zones in areas with high 3G network use, like a grouping of hotels or a festival.
• MicroCells. Customer trials leading toward general availability of AT&T 3G MicroCell offerings, which utilize femtocells to enhance in-building wireless coverage.

AT&T plans to offer a number of 7.2Mbps 3G laptop cards and smartphones for launch later this year, and LTE trials aren't expected to start in 2010 so users won't see the speed boost anytime soon. For more detail checkout the full AT&T press release

NVIDIA To Host Inaugural GPU Technology Conference

NVIDIA Corporation, inventor of the graphics processing unit (GPU), today announced that its inaugural GPU Technology Conference will take place September 30 to October 2, 2009. The event will focus on how developers, engineers, and researchers are using the GPU to solve the world’s most important computing challenges.

The conference will encompass three simultaneous events -- the Emerging Companies Summit, the GPU Developer Summit, and the NVIDIA Research Summit. Attendees will learn about the shifts occurring in computing, preview disruptive technologies, obtain tools and techniques that could impact mission-critical projects now, and network with experts and peers from across a broad range of fields.

“The GPU has quickly become one of the world’s most important processors,” stated Bill Dally, chief scientist at NVIDIA. “This event will bring together some of the brightest minds who will share the tools and techniques they used to leverage the enormous parallel processing power of the GPU.”

The event will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, California. Its three events include

Emerging Companies Summit

• A unique event that provides start-ups that are basing their business around GPU computing with the opportunity to present their company to entrepreneurs and venture capitalists involved in the GPU computing ecosystem.

GPU Developer Summit

• A 3-day series of technical presentations, tutorials and panels aimed at developers of consumer, professional and high performance computing applications looking to exploit more of the GPU’s parallel processing power using industry-standard languages such as C/C++ and Fortran as well as APIs such as Direct3D, DirectX Compute, OpenCL™ and OpenGL.

NVIDIA Research Summit

• A summit designed by researchers and academics for researchers and academics. Sessions are aimed at those using GPUs in science and engineering research who are keen to learn how GPU computing can increase computational power and reduce time-to-discovery.

Further detailed conference information, including keynotes, sessions, tutorials, roundtables, and call for submissions can be found at www.nvidia.com/gtc.

Source: NVIDIA Press Release

Nokia's Ovi Store Officially Opens For Business

Hoping to follow in the successful footsteps of Apple and the App Store Nokia has officially launched their very own application store. Starting this morning Nokia officially opened the Ovi Store to an estimated 50 million Nokia device owners across more than 50 Nokia devices.

Customers can visit store.ovi.com through their Nokia device browser to immediately begin downloading, personalizing applications, games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools, web and location-based services and much more.

"Ovi Store is open for business and we've stocked the shelves with both local and global content for a broad range of Nokia devices," said Tero Ojanperä, Executive Vice President, Nokia Services. "Ovi Store makes shopping for content and applications easy and fun for feature phone and smartphone owners alike."

Currently the app store is only available in English, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish and only supports operator billing in Australia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom. Global users can utilize credit card billing for fee based applications through the mobile application and the mobile website. Nokia has promised that they will be adding additional countries, languages, devices and features throughout the year. As well as announcing an agreement with AT&T, which plans to make the Ovi Store available to its customers in the United States later this year.

In the early going the store has received mixed reviews. Early this morning CNet News reported issues with site slow downs tot he point that purchasing a paid application during testing was impossible. TechCrunch has even gone so far as to call the launch of the store a "complete disaster" citing not only severe slow downs but disappearing applications or duplicate applications and an overall unorganized overly complicated feel.

The Ovi team posted a response to a few of the re-occurring performance issues:

Shortly after launching the Ovi Store at 2 am ET, we began experiencing extraordinarily high spikes of traffic that resulted in some performance issues for users accessing store.ovi.com and store.ovi.mobi. We immediately began to address this issue by adding servers, which resulted in intermittent performance improvements. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused Ovi Store users and encourage you to continue giving us feedback as we develop the service further.

The Ovi Store device client, however, has continued to perform very well and there were no reported issues from users logged on through that entry point.

Several other sources believe the Ovi Store might be a step forward and will eventually be a huge success for Nokia. That is once they work through the growing pains. The fact that the store can be accessed from over 50 different Nokia handsets and can be reached from any mobile provider's network may prove to provide a much larger reach than that of the App store.

For more on the launch of the Ovi Store checkout Nokia's full press release.

eBay Off The Hook In Another Lawsuit

Cosmetics company L'Oreal has become the latest company to find themselves on the short end of the stick when filling charges against eBay. The company's recent lawsuit sought to hold eBay legally accountable for the sale of fake L'Oreal goods, including perfumes and face creams, on its Web site.

According to a decision in the U.K. High Court eBay could take better steps top police its site the court however still ruled that the company could not be held legally accountable. The court did offer 10 steps that it felt eBay should take would help curb the sale of fake or counterfeit goods including filtering listings before they are posted and using additional filters to detect listings of that are samples and other not-for-sale products.

The is just the latest in a line of victories regarding trademark infringement and the sale of counterfeit goods for the auction giant. Last summer, eBay also won a case brought by Tiffany & Co., which claimed the online auction site didn't do enough to curb the sale of counterfeit Tiffany goods on its site.

CircuitCity.com Being Re-Launched Under Systemax

Earlier this year when Circuit City filed bankruptcy and began liquidating their stores it looked like the Circuit City name would be gone for good. Now however it appears that the Circuit City name will live on, perhaps not in the brick and mortar form we are accustom to but rather as an online only incarnation of it's former self.

Systemax Inc., which is probably best know as the owners of TigerDirect and as the company that purchased a bankrupt CompUSA, is Re-Launching the Circuit City brand. The company promises new lower prices, a wider selection, faster shipping and a customer first policy.

CircuitCity.com Announcement
by ComputerTV

According to a statement by Systemax Chief Executive, Gilbert Fiorentino:

Systemax Inc. is Re-Launching the Circuit City brand with new Lower Prices, new Wider Selection, new Faster Shipping, and a better 24/7 Customer First Service Department.

Circuit City served American Shoppers for 60 Years. We're here to continue that tradition online with lower prices and special deals, a better selection of the products you want most, award winning customer service and same day shipping, starting at $1.99.

Americans love to get great products at great prices. We promise you that is exactly what you'll find at the Re-Launched CircuitCity.com.

We have a team of folks feverishly working to put up the finishing touches on the new website. We ask that you come back in a few days and experience the New CircuitCity.com.

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2009 Doodle 4 Google Winner Announced

On Wednesday Google announced the winner of their Doodle for Google contest. The top prize of $15,000 a laptop and a $25,000 tech grant goes to Christin Engelberth, a sixth grader at Bernard Harris Middle School in San Antonio, Texas.



Christin's winning entry titled "A New Beginning" was selected by Google users from the more than 400 state and 40 regional winners. Earlier this month Google invited users to vote for their favorites. A total of four winners where selected at a special event held at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, where Google unveiled an exhibit of the top doodles that will be on view until July 5, 2009.

Engelberth along with the other three national finalists were treated to a day in New York City that included activities which promote peace, sustainability and wellness — all inspired by this year's theme, "What I Wish for the World."

Sophos Launches New Klingon Anti-Virus

Trekkies everywhere now have a new line of defense they can call their own the new sophos Klingon Anti-Virus. The software is actually a tweaked version of Sophos' Threat Detection Test translated into the popular (among trekkies at least) Klingon language.



According to Carole Theirault, a senior security consultant with Sophos, the company hired a Klingon translator identified as "naHQun," a Dallas man who is a member of the Klingon Language Institute -- to translate the software's text from English. "He translates all kinds of things," said the clearly-amused Theirault. "He's done some Shakespeare plays, I believe. And his next project is the Kama Sutra. Really."

Google Announces PowerMeter Partners

Originally announced earlier this year Google's new PowerMeter program is a new tool aimed at helping users better understand their energy usage and bills. The application which is utilized with a "smart meter" allows users to track energy usage in real time charting the energy consumption of several different appliances at once.

Google has now partnered with several major utilities that are installing (or have already installed) this equipment in their customers' homes.

Google PowerMeter partners include:

• San Diego Gas & Electric® (California)
  
• TXU Energy (Texas)
• JEA (Florida)
• Reliance Energy (India)
• Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (Wisconsin)
• White River Valley Electric Cooperative (Missouri)
• Toronto Hydro–Electric System Limited (Canada)
• Glasgow EPB (Kentucky)

For now, Google PowerMeter is only available to a limited group of customers, but Google fully expects to to expand their roll out later this year.

Microsoft Teams With Netflix Adds Netflix To Windows Media Center

Microsoft and Netflix Enhance Movie and TV Watching on the PC

Latest content addition offers more than 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly on a PC with Windows.

Microsoft Corp. today announced that more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix Inc., the world’s largest online movie rental service, are now available to watch instantly on the PC using Windows Media Center on PCs with Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate. This newest content addition builds on Microsoft’s goal to create a consistent experience on the PC for consumers to easily enjoy the entertainment of greatest interest to them.

With Windows Media Center, consumers no longer need to jump from Web site to Web site to find the TV shows, movies, sports and news they want to watch. Windows Vista customers who are also Netflix members can simply start Windows Media Center on their PC and then select the new Netflix tile under TV+Movies to begin streaming movies and TV episodes instantly. People can also search the entire Netflix library, manage both their instant and DVD Queues, and even filter searches by titles that are available to watch instantly. Windows Media Center takes advantage of the Netflix recommended category lists to make it even easier to quickly find the movies and TV shows that consumers want to watch. Conveniently, Netflix in Windows Media Center is also designed to work with any Windows Media Center-compatible remote control.

The availability of Netflix in Windows Media Center marks the second recent content milestone for Windows, following the March 2009 launch of the Sports Channel, which offers a variety of interactive sports content from CBSSports.com, FOX Sports, MSNBC.com and more.

“Netflix is excited that the majority of the Windows Vista users in the U.S. can now access a vast array of movies and TV episodes from Netflix through Windows Media Center,” said Steve Swasey, vice president of corporate communications. “There’s no better way to enjoy movies than with Netflix, and this latest offering is another milestone that gives Windows Media Center customers a great experience using the Netflix service.”

The Netflix instant watching in Windows Media Center is powered by Microsoft Silverlight, one of the industry’s most comprehensive and powerful solutions for the creation and delivery of applications and media experiences. The use of Silverlight means that customers will have more accessible, more discoverable and more secure experiences. Windows Media Center is available on Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate.

In addition to Windows Media Center users, Xbox 360 system owners already have access to watch movies and TV episodes instantly from Netflix via an Xbox LIVE Gold Membership. The offerings through both platforms allow customers to enjoy more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes.

“We’re continuing to work with the top content providers today to make watching TV on the PC a mainstream experience for the future,” said Craig Eisler corporate vice president of entertainment client software for the TV, Video and Music Business Group at Microsoft. “Consumers understand that content is the driving force when it comes to experiences, and with Netflix, we’re underscoring our broader commitment to deliver a rich experience with Windows Media Center.”

Source: Microsoft PressPass

Your New GPS System Could Soon Be Useless

A recently released Government Accountability Office (GAO) report indicates that a number of the 30 satellites currently operated by the U.S. Air Forces may soon begin to fail resulting in a significant drop in "the overall GPS constellation". According to the report should these satellites fail the results would mean that the number of satellites in use would fall below the number required to provide the level of GPS service that the U.S. government commits to.

GPS operates via a network of satellites positioned in orbit around the globe. Many of these satellites are nearly 20 years old and are dated and aging and may begin to fail in the near future. The system is fault-tolerant in that it can still operate with one or more satellites out of action, but in such a case performance would suffer, with users encountering blackspots or receiving less accurate positioning data.

In an attempt at staving off complications the U.S. government is expected to invest almost $6 billion into new GPS satellite technology over the next four years. This attempt at getting back on schedule comes after several years of suffering "significant" technical issues. If the Air Force is unable to get back on track, however, the GAO warns there could be wide-ranging ramifications for all GPS users.

"It is uncertain whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption," said the report, presented to Congress. "If not, some military operations and some civilian users could be adversely affected."

Should the number of satellites in use drop significantly enough the system could be shut down entirely! However even the briefest of interruptions in service might cause major headaches. The current GPS system is not only utilized by the US government but is also used by air traffic controls, farmers, trains and just about every major transportation system in the world.

Should you really be concerned?

I'll admit the news does sound a bit alarmist and extremely dire, but its really not that bad. We are talking some worst case scenarios here, The fact is that we really only need somewhere around 24 satellites in good working order to have assured accuracy, and there are currently 31 operational in the current network. The odds of seven or more failing before replacements get into orbit is rather low.

The satellites are aging yes and they may be reaching the end of their expected lifespans, but that doesn't mean they will fail as military equipment often lasts much longer than its expected lifespan. The problem is that we are dealing with a tough set of economic times, and we all know how well that government machine runs. If the current delays are any indication then we could see some effects as soon as next year and possibly see major drops as soon as 2014.

**Update 5/22**

The Air Force has responded to the GAO's report downplaying the affect the lose of GPS satellites might have on the military's readiness.

Air Force officials acknowledge that a series of launch delays or on-orbit failures could cause problems for civilian users, but said the military would only be affected minimally, even if the system fell to fewer than 24 satellites. Operators could buy extra time with the remaining satellites by shutting down nonessential systems to save power, extending the satellites’ life.

“We would still have GPS capability, and … we would manage the constellation to optimize performance … to support war-fighting activity, so we probably wouldn’t see much of a difference,” said Col. Dave Madden, commander of the GPS wing at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. “The bottom line is we have high confidence [in our] plans to sustain and modernize the constellation,” he said.