Windows 8 ARM Notebooks Till 2013

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

When it comes to Windows 8 there are plenty of new features to get excited about.

Despite many features to the desktop environment, improvements on speed, and stability it seems that two new features are getting most of the attention these days : the new Metro Interface replacing the Start Menu and Windows 8 ARM processor support. 

With ARM support, Windows will now be able to tackle the ultra-mobile market in ways that it only dreamed about in the past. Up until now (with the exception of NT4 which ran on a few other architectures, actually), Windows has pretty much been stuck as an x86-only Operating System.

The biggest and most obvious reason for the switch to ARM support has to do with tablets. While x86 tablets do exist, they are bulkier, louder, and consume more power than their often cheaper, quieter ARM cousins. Microsoft understands a cash cow when they see it and weren’t willing to drop the ball to Google and Apple. Outside of tablets though, ARM has potential in ultra-mobile laptops as well or at least analysts seem to think so.

There is one bring problem with the ARM version of Windows 8, it seems behind on development when compared to the x86 version. Now it seems that sources are reporting that notebooks running Windows 8 on an ARM processor aren’t expected to hit the market until June 2013. 

This source doesn’t say anything about tablets and so it makes you wonder. If they DO launch the ARM/tablet version in late-2012 (alongside the x86 version), why wait until mid-2013 to bring it to notebooks? This leaves me to think that either the tablet version is behind too and Microsoft just doesn’t want that cat out of the bag yet, or perhaps Microsoft has made a deal with Intel/AMD to keep x86 exclusive for a while longer. Only Microsoft really knows the reason for sure. 

The source further claims that due to significant challenges, such as vendor reluctance and software support, it will likely be 2015 or later until ARM presents a significant market-share challenge to x86-based laptops. 

*by andreascy*

Hyper-V and continuously available systems

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Another video from the Microsoft library.

This time it’s related to Windows Server and deals with high availability systems.

Customers demand continuous availability from their Hyper-V deployments. In Windows Server 8, Hyper-V delivers better availability and scalability to customers.

This video session will cover the server, network, and storage features you can include in system designs to deliver great Hyper-V solutions.

This video is presented by Brian Dewey from Microsoft and originally posted on http://www.windows8update.com

*by andreascy*

Deep Dive into Windows Azure Storage

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Here is a new video from Microsoft. This time, they discuss Windows Azure. Windows Azure Storage provides a scalable and reliable storage service for accessing Blobs, Tables, and Queues for Microsoft’s new cloud OS.

In this video, you will learn in depth about new Blob, Table and Queue features and how to use Windows Azure Storage Analytics to understand your app’s usage of storage. 

In addition, you’ll get an under-the-hood tour of the architecture and design of Windows Azure Storage. Finally, you will learn what goes on behind the scenes to replicate, load balance and scale out access to your data. This video is brought to you by Brad Calder from Microsoft and originally posted on www.windows8update.com. Click the link below to view it :

Learn even more here. Don't miss our Cloud Computing section and other related topics. Feel free to share it with your friends and encourage them to subscribe on our RSS feed for more. Let's get connected!

*by andreascy*

Debugging connected Windows 8 applications

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

In Windows 8, the code allows you to connect your applications to the internet. There are times though when yor network code may not be working.

When your network code doesn’t work, you need to know the tools that Windows provides so you can fix your application faster. 

Visit the link below to see the specific video that will teach you about the new tools and capabilities in Windows 8 that lead to effective network communication (This video is presented by Raghu Gatta and originally posted on http://www.windows8update.com). 

http://www.windows8update.com/2011/11/29/windows-video-debugging-connected-windows-8-applications

*by andreascy*

Lenovo LePad S2005, S2007, and S2010 tablets

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Howdy tigers! We'd like to take a moment and thank you everyone for your continuous and valuable support. You are awesome!

Lenovo is launching the LePad S2005, S2007 and S2010 tablets in Beijing this morning, following on from the K1. The range is likely to be known as the IdeaTab outside of China, but it looks like the model numbers will remain the same. All three devices ship with the W-CDMA bands needed for China's Unicom network. 

The 5-inch S2005 occupies the same confusing is-it-a-phone-or-a-tablet space as Dell's Streak 5 and the Samsung's Galaxy Note. It runs a skinned version of Android 2.3.5 on an 800 x 480 LTPS display (which touts an impressive 178-degree viewing angle), with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and 1GB of RAM. The storage is expandable, but there's no word on how much is included. The device also packs a pair of cameras, with a 5-megapixel unit capable of shooting 1080p on the back and a 1.3-megapixel webcam up front. HDMI-out is also included, along with Wi-Fi and a 1650mAh battery. 

The S2007 and S2010 are familiar-looking Android 3.2 Honeycomb devices, though in deference to individuality both also come in orange as well as black. Both carry 1280 x 800 IPS displays with a 1500:1 contrast ratio, though the 7-inch version will obviously have higher pixel density over the S2010. The tablets are powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and 1GB of RAM, again with no details given on storage. The tablets ship with an 8-megapixel and 1.3-megapixel camera combo, Wi-Fi, and 3780mAh and 7560mAh batteries respectively in the 7- and 10-inch devices.

Lenovo hasn't announced a price for its S series of LePads, but Engadget Chinese is suggesting that the S2005 could be available in a couple of days. With no confirmation that the IdeaTab name will be used, the international launch could be a way off.

*by andreascy*

Researchers reduce smart phones power consumption up to 74%

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Researchers at Aalto University in Finland have designed a network proxy that can cut the power consumption of 3G smart phones up to 74 percent. This device enhances performance and significantly reduces power usage by serving as a middleman for mobile devices to connect to the Internet and handling the majority of the data transfer for the smart phone. Historically, the high energy requirements of mobile phones have slowed the adoption of mobile Internet services in developing countries. 

"This new solution is particularly valuable in developing countries because it provides significantly more effective Internet access to a much larger number of people. At the moment, only a small percent can access the Internet from a wired connection, but 90 percent of the African population lives in areas with mobile phone network coverage. Mobile phone usage is increasing rapidly, however the use of mobile Internet services is hindered by users not having access to the power grid to recharge their phones", says Professor Jukka Manner from Aalto University. 

The case study conducted at Aalto University examined Internet usage in three East African countries: Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. Researchers developed energy-saving solutions for smart phones that could be easily deployed across a mobile network and in particular in areas without reliable sources of electricity. 

In addition to the new, optimized proxy solution, the researchers found that the power consumption of smart phones could also be significantly reduced by mobile optimized websites, HTTP compression and more efficient use of data caching. 

The study is published today at the scientific conference Africomm 2011. The research began in the Future Internet research program of TIVIT and funded by Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation. The work has been continued in the ECEWA project funded by Tekes, with partners from European Communications Engineering Ltd, Efore Plc, Ericsson, Aalto University and Tampere University of Technology. 

More information : 

Professor Jukka Manner

Aalto University, Department of Communications and Networking (Comnet) 

If you like this article please show your support below. Kindly comment and don't forget to spread the word about our hard works.

*by andreascy*

Turn a hot idea into a cool solution during the DesignSpark chipKIT Challenge‏

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Think you have what it takes to turn a hot idea into a cool solution? Then Circuit Cellar and Elektor, in association with DesignSpark, would like to cordially invite you to participate in the DesignSpark chipKITTM Challenge! 

Starting November 28, engineers from around the world are challenged to develop an energy-efficient and eco-friendly design solution using DesignSpark’s free PCB software and Microchip Technology’s chipKITTMMax32TM development board. Achieve the most energy-efficient solution and you could win share of $10,000! Maximize your design power while reducing your environmental and energy footprint. 

Entries must : 

• Be developed using the Microchip chipKITTM development board

• Include an extension card developed using DesignSpark's PCB tools

• Compile using Microchip's MPIDE software 

Your prize-winning, efficient application can be anything that reduces the energy footprint of a system -a controller for a windmill, an energy-efficient battery charger or even a piece of hardware that lets you drive your e-bike miles farther! Entries will be judged on their level of energy efficiency and the quality of the extension card's PCB design. 

Plus, keep the DesignSpark community regularly informed through posts on the DesignSpark Project Pages and your updates will make you eligible for Community Choice Awards and random prize drawings! Win $100 vouchers for Allied Electronics and RS Components as well as free subscriptions to Circuit Cellar and Elektor magazines. 

DesignSpark, in participation with Microchip Technology, has made 1000 sample kits available for the competition. Sign up now to see if you qualify for a free chipKITTM Max32TM development board. All chipKITM Max32TM users are encouraged to participate. 

The deadline for submission is 13.00 EST / 19.00 CET, March 27, 2012. 

Good luck everyone!

*by andreascy*

New Super Cool H2O Discovery

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Besides vapor, ice and liquid, a fourth form of water may exist. Unlike the fictional ice-nine, which melted at 45.5 Celsius degrees, this new form of H2O likes it cold : about 47.7 C degrees below zero. Liquid water usually freezes into ice at 0 °C, but under the right conditions, like the high pressure at the bottom of the ocean, water stays liquid below 0 °C.

Water's fourth form, or phase, may be a liquid with some of the properties of both ice and regular liquid water. But laboratory equipment isn't sensitive enough to observe the rapid transformation from regular liquid water to the fourth form.

Researchers Pradeep Kumar and H. Eugene Stanley used a computer simulation to model the elusive liquid. They found that at about -47.7 °C, the local structure of water seems to become extremely ordered, like ice, while undergoing sharp but continuous structural changes and remaining liquid. Oddly, at this temperature the water also became more conductive of heat, the opposite of what happens with regular liquid water and ice, as anyone living in an igloo will tell you.

The strange behavior of water at low temperatures is what led Stanley and Kumar to believe that their results support the idea that water has a fourth phase. Eventhough an article written by Martin Chalpin says that : 

"There are sixteen or so crystalline phases.....and three amorphous (non-crystalline) phases."

This means calling this phase the fourth phase of water, is wrong.

They are different crystal structures, but they do fit the Gibbs definition of phases. they are phases just as much as the ice, liquid water, and water vapor which exist at 'ordinary' temperatures and pressures. They obey the Gibbs phase rule, phase diagrams which include these solid phases may be found in physical chemistry texts, e.g. the classic 'Physical Chemistry' by Walter J. Moore. 

If you liked this article feel free to share it with your social circles. Kindly comment below and let us know what do you think.

*by andreascy*

AT&T Announced LG Nitro HD : 4.5-inch 720p Display, 1.5GHz Dual-Core Chip, And LTE

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Ready to add another device to AT&T's growing number of LTE smartphones? Welcome the LG Nitro HD, Ma Bell's version of the Optimus LTE.

Spec-wise, the Nitro is packed to the gullet with top-of-the-line guts :

4.5-inch 1280x720 AH-IPS display

1.5GHz dual-core processor

1GB RAM

4GB built-in storage, 16GB microSD card included

8MP rear shooter, 1.3MP front cam

Android 2.3 (will most likely be upgraded to ICS)

4G LTE

The Nitro will be available beginning December 4th for $250 with a two-year agreement.

*by andreascy*

Nest Full Of Baby Dinosaurs Found

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

A 70-million-year-old nest filled with the remains of baby Protoceratops gives clues to the dinos early behavior. 

THE GIST : 

- The first nest of the genus Protoceratops has been found, complete with fifteen juveniles. 

- Researchers believe sand entombed the dinosaur family while the members were still alive. 

- The discovery suggests Protoceratops juveniles stayed and grew in the nest, receiving parental care.

A 70-million-year-old nest of the dinosaur Protoceratops andrewsi has been found with evidence that 15 juveniles were once inside it, according to a paper in the latestJournal of Paleontology.

While large numbers of eggs have been associated with other dinosaurs, such as the meat-eating Oviraptor or certain duck-billed hadrosaurs, finding multiple juveniles in the same dino nest is quite rare.

The researchers conclude that the 15 dinosaurs all show juvenile characteristics. These include short snouts, proportionately large eyes, and an absence of adult characteristics, such as the prominent horns and large frills associated with adults of this species. At least 10 of the 15 fossil sets are complete.

The nest and its contents imply that Protoceratopsjuveniles remained and grew in their nest during at least the early stages of postnatal development. The nest further implies that parental care was provided.

The large number of offspring, however, also suggests that juvenile dinosaur mortality was high, not only from predation, but also from a potentially stressful environment.

"Large clutches may have been a way of ensuring survival of the animals in that setting -- even if there was extensive parental care," Fastovsky said. "Mongolia was, at the time, a place with a variety of theropod dinosaurs, some of whom likely ate babies such as these." 

"The most obvious of these, found in the same deposits, is the (in)famous Velociraptor, a smallish nasty theropod with bad breath, for whom babies such as these would have made a nice bon bon," he continued.

Yet another discovery previously found at the same locality is the famous "fighting dinosaurs" specimen in which a Protoceratops and Velociraptor appear to have been preserved together "locked in what was evidently mortal combat," Fastovsky added. Parents and other adults of the sheep-sized herbivorous species may then have spent much of their time fighting off such hungry predators. 

Read more on Discovery News.

*by andreascy*

Motorola MT917 Smartphone Brings Extreme Design and Extreme Speed to China Mobile Customers

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Ever wish you had a stylish personal assistant who could manage your calls, calendar and documents, keep you connected to important information all day and all night, and follow you wherever you go? 

We'd heard rumors that Motorola might be working on some extremely high-spec devices for the Chinese market - a place where the company has had good footing for many years - and here we go : Give a warm welcome to the new MT917 Android, a smartphone with a 4.5-inch 1280x720p display and a 13-megapixel camera, an amazing combination of extreme good looks, extreme power and extreme TD-SCDMA speed. 

At just 8.5mm thin and protected by KEVLAR fiber (not unlike the RAZR series), scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass, a zinc frame and splash guard coating inside and out, this is one device that doesn't compromises in style or durability. So review your e-mails, work on a document, or take in a movie during your next business-flight.

The phone is destined for China Mobile's TD-SCDMA 3G service, so American and European imports won't benefit from high-speed data - but it's an encouraging sign that Motorola is right in the thick of the 720p hunt kicked off by devices like HTC's Rezound and Samsung's Galaxy Nexus. Look for the MT917 to launch in mid-December.

Check the press release here for the details. Stay tuned for more...

*by andreascy*

AMD Opteron 6200, 4200 and 3000 Processors

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

AMD presents the new AMD Opteron™ 6200 Series - the world’s first and only 16 - core x86 server processor with the highest core density for incredible scalability to handle demanding multi - threaded workloads such as cloud computing, virtualization, high - performance computing (HPC), databases and business applications.

The innovative modular architecture helps pack in more cores, making it the natural choice for heavy-threaded cloud computing environments and enterprise applications that demand outstanding performance and scalability.

The Opteron 6200 and 4200 Series processors (formerly code-named “Interlagos” and “Valencia”) are designed to give enterprises better performance for business with up to 84 percent higher performance, increased scalability for virtualization with up to 73 percent more memory bandwidth, enabling servers to host more virtual machines and also handle increasing workloads and more efficient economics for the Cloud with half the power per core, requiring 2/3 less floor space and up to 2/3 lower platform price.

The Opteron 3000 Series platform is targeted to the ultra-dense, ultra-low power 1P Web Hosting/Web Serving and Microserver markets. The first processor will be the 4-8 core CPU code-named “Zurich”, expected to ship in the first half of 2012. “Zurich” is based on the “Bulldozer” architecture and leverages the new Socket AM3+. This series offering is designed for hosting customers who require dedicated servers for their customers.

You can find more information and technical characteristics, with interesting performance measurements from AMD here and here. 

If you want to support us then share this topic with your friends and social circles. Subscribe also on our RSS feed news to get further access of our content straight to your inbox.

*by andreascy*

AMD announced FirePro V4900 Workstation graphics card

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Professional graphics offer strong performance and outstanding reliability while delivering features that help boost the productivity of professionals working with medium to large models, all in a single slot, half-length solution.

AMD announced the FirePro V4900 Workstation graphics card that expands the company's product line on the upper end of the entry-level professional graphics market. 

The card comes with 1 GB of 128-bit GDDR5 RAM with a memory bandwidth of 64 GB/s. the card integrates 480 stream processing units, two DisplayPort interfaces and one dual-link DVI port to run up to six independent displays simultaneously. AMD says that the maximum power consumption of the card is below 75 watts. DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.2 and OpenCL are supported.

"The AMD FirePro V4900 stands in a league of its own and redefines entry-level professional graphics card capabilities," said Sandeep Gupte, general manager of professional graphics, AMD. "The AMD FirePro V4900 leverages AMD’s most advanced graphics technology, which not only enhances user experience and boosts performance of professional applications, but also features AMD Eyefinity multi-display technology that supports up to six displays4 increasing user productivity."

AMD will be offering the card in workstation systems offered by Dell, Fujitsu and HP. The standalone card has an MSRP of $189.

The AMD FirePro™ V4900 has received outstanding acclaim from many of AMD's partners.

Take a look at what they have to say about it. 

Read also other interesting topics from AMD and don't forget to comment below your experience and expectations about V4900.

*by andreascy*

Dream Chip Technologies (Xbounds) Brings Wireless Mirroring Connection Between TV and Android

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

One feature in Apple's iOS 5 that has yet to be brought to Android is the ability to wirelessly mirror the content being displayed on your iPhone or iPad on your Apple TV-connected display.  

A video posted on the Droidcon site shows similar functionality being brought to Android devices by way of Dream Chip Technologies' prototype Xbounds (pronounced "cross bounds") device, a small Wi-Fi dongle that connects to your display via HDMI.

While Android devices have supported media streaming via DLNA for some time, the Xbounds brings true wireless display mirroring to the platform. The video below shows Bernd Steinke, a System Architect with Dream Chip, mirroring the display of an Android phone as he works on a Word document, plays Angry Birds, watches Pirates of the Carribean and messes around with the command line. The device appears to support independent resolutions using some very clean-looking vector-scaling technology as well as low-power data transfer over both WLAN and Bluetooth. 

According to a tweet by Al Sutton, a UK-based Android developer, the Xbounds dev kit (including a Nexus S) will retail for €998 (about $1,344), while the consumer kit will come to market at €99 (about $134).

Read more on SlashGear, The Verge

If you like our News then you will love some of the latests including trending tweets. Don't miss also our Newspaper and Magazine  published daily with curated topics and much more. We also recommend a collection of movies for your empty hours. Feel free to send us your suggestions. :)

*by andreascy*

GroundBot, A Spherical All - Terrain Surveillance Robot

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Today we have a nice and interesting topic for all the robotics fans out there. We present to you GroundBot by Swedish robotics firm Rotundus, an all - terrain, amphibious surveillance robot in the shape of a bug-eyed sphere. 

Roughly the size of a car tire, the robot moves silently at up to six mph. GroundBot houses two cameras which provide a stereoscopic view to its remote operator. Rotundus notes that the current version “cannot house robot arms or weapons.” Maybe in the next release.

The spherical design is simplicity itself. With its large circumference, GroundBot takes all kinds of terrain in its stride. And yet its appearance is friendly and unthreatening.

Inside, all cameras and sensors are sealed off from the outside world. This means that they are protected from bangs and knocks. In addition, the outside world is protected from potential electrical sparks when GroundBot is investigating gas leaks. 

Check on the 1st video Rotundus GroundBot that works on an airport security mission and on the 2nd video Rotundus GroundBot demonstrates its amphibian capabilities.

                                       

Learn more at rotundus. 

If you liked our article then definitely you will love this section. Don't miss also our newspaper for today and some of the latest and recommended topics around the world. Follow also our trending tweets and subscribe on our rss feed for direct news content to your inbox or favourite feeds reader. 

*by andreascy*

Banana Phone And Pizza Box Laptop PC - Invoked Computing

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

How would you feel, if you could turn a pizza box to a computer and a banana phone? To do this, you will not need to star in a fantasy film, but just been at Ishikawa-Oku laboratories, on University of Tokyo.

These "unthinkable" things, became ​​possible with the help of "augmented reality". The central idea of ​​the project «invoked computing» is to be able to run monitors, keyboards and other "elements" of different gadgets into everyday objects that are no longer necessary specialized hardware for various technological activities.

These objects can be anything (eg. a box of pizza or a banana), enabling the user to interact even to them, touching, for example, the sound bar that appears on the box of pizza and moving the finger up and down to adjust the volume. 

To convert an object into gadget-like on a cell phone or a laptop computer, the user will simply need to "emulate" a specific "script" movement. For example, you can get a pizza box and open it to look like a real laptop or a banana from the fruit bowl and the closer in his ear, to mimic the move to make when answering the telephone.Special cameras are in place to identify banana, and speakers direct the sound to it.Thus, the user speaks the banana as if it were a normal phone!

The concept is really impressive and makes you imagine a future where technology is everywhere, even in everyday objects in your house. Enjoy the video!

If you like this kind of stuff then definitely you will love this page. A section full of innovative technological concepts and other prototypes built for future use. If you want to support our work then feel free to subscribe on our RSS and follow our online accounts for more.

*by andreascy*

Meet Rezero, The Dancing Ballbot

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Onstage at TEDGlobal, Péter Fankhauser demonstrates Rezero, a robot that balances on a ball though the ball needs to keep moving to stand up, it can move very dynamically with the single point of contact to the ground. 

Designed and built by a group of engineering students, Rezero is the first ballbot made to move quickly and gracefully -- and even dance. I'm trying to remember the Sci-Fi movie I saw that had something like this... though I think it was a single wheel instead of a ball on the bottom. Fun stuff :-) 

The creators note that at present it's just an experiment but imagine it might be used as a "tour guide" in exhibitions or parks, or used in hospitals to carry around equipment. Looking forward to see if this gets adapted and used anywhere beyond this experiment.

Amazing right? Let us know what you think.

*by andreascy*

OmniTouch : Wearable Multitouch Interaction Everywhere

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Today’s mobile computers provide omnipresent access to information, creation and communication facilities. It is undeniable that they have forever changed the way we work, play and interact. However, mobile interaction is far from solved.

Diminutive screens and buttons mar the user experience, and otherwise prevent us from realizing their full potential. 

Chris Harrison (Microsoft Research PH.D. Fellow and editor-in-chief of XRDS) said :

"We explored and prototyped a powerful alternative approach to mobile interaction that uses a body-worn projection/sensing system to capitalize on the tremendous surface area the real world provides."

"For example, the surface area of one hand alone exceeds that of typical smart phone. Tables are often an order of magnitude larger than a tablet computer. If we could appropriate these ad hoc surfaces in an on-demand way, we could retain all of the benefits of mobility while simultaneously expanding the interactive capability. However, turning everyday surfaces into interactive platforms requires sophisticated hardware and sensing. Further, to be truly mobile, systems must either fit in the pocket or be wearable."

"We present OmniTouch, a novel wearable system that enables graphical, interactive, multitouch input on arbitrary, everyday surfaces. Our shoulder-worn implementation allows users to manipulate interfaces projected onto the environment (e.g., walls, tables), held objects (e.g., notepads, books), and their own bodies (e.g., hands, lap). A key contribution is our depth-driven template matching and clustering approach to multitouch finger tracking. This enables on-the-go interactive capabilities, with no calibration, training or instrumentation of the environment or the user, creating an always-available interface. I completed this work while I was at Microsoft Research in Redmond, WA".

Enjoy the videos!

Reference :

Harrison, C., Benko, H., and Wilson, A. D. 2011. OmniTouch: Wearable Multitouch Interaction Everywhere. In Proceedings of the 24th Annual ACM Symposium on User interface Software and Technology (Santa Barbara, California, October 16 - 19, 2011). UIST '11. ACM, New York, NY.

http://www.chrisharrison.net

*by andreascy*