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First paper-based transistors

author@madtech.com.pt (Revan) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:52:05 GMT

http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=987

Ao menos ainda fazemos alguma coisa. :*)

AMD 780G-based Mini-ITX Motherboard in the Works

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:35:31 GMT

Just when you thought Mini-ITX would mean extremely compact system components for great HTPC builds, came in the limitations of integrated graphics and relatively weak processors. VIA for example, have had ITX boards for quite some time. Just that the features most essential for HTPC builds such as graphics capable of high-definition video output, processors capable of decoding them at acceptable rates lacked, and hence those older ITX solutions from VIA remained a niche solution for embedded computing or thin-clients.

Picture this: a Mini-ITX board, AM2+ socket, AMD 780G (one of the fastest integrated graphics embedded), four SATA II ports, video output as HDMI (with digital audio pass, HDCP compliant) DVI-D / D-Sub, 8-channel audio with SPDIF optical and co-axial pass, all rolled into one? Awesome, isn't it? Several sources point out that J&W Technology is planning the release of such a board next week, the MINIX-780G-SP128MB.

According to the manufacturer, it features:

[LIST]
[*] Integrated ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics
[*] Supports DirectX 10 3D graphics, Vista Aero Ready
[*] Supports AMD Phenom Quad-Core Processors (95W max.)
[*] Built-in 128 MB Local Frame Buffer (Side-port memory)
[*] Supports ATI Avivo HD technology and built-in Universal Video Decoder (UVD) which leverages CPU consumption when play HD movie, hence power-saving
[*] Designed with 100% high quality solid capacitors and components to ensure high performance and great longevity
[*] One PCI-E 2.0 slot for any PCI-E device
[*] Two DDR2 SO-DIMM slots for extensible upgrade
[*] Supports J&W iPartner Control Centre 7.1+2 Channel High-Performance HDA Codec with Content Protection
[/LIST]
With even a basic AMD Sparta or Brisbane LW processor with low-profile cooling, you have the most powerful ITX solution ever made.

Source: J&W Technology

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Meet the 'Nintendo DS' for Grown-ups

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:00:18 GMT

There was a time I remember when owning a laptop used to be a status-symbol, affluent people despite little (or no) computer literacy owned one. A lot of factors decided the price of those things, the most important being the cost of producing LCD displays, compact hard drives and more importantly, the batteries. In came competition, the computer reached many hands, literacy rose, developing economies rose and with it, the laptop changed from being ‘a machine’ to ‘a gadget’. Laptops are in all shapes an sizes, all forms and prices these days, and with the introduction of the ULPC concept, a laptop or better still, a portable computer is soon becoming a standard issue for every person a-là mobile phone or wrist watch. What’s the next step? The answer lays in a neat new concept design by V12 Designs called the Canova, which resembles the popular handheld gaming device, the Nintendo DS in essence of having two screens. Both screens are touch-sensitive LCDs, where one of them morphs into a human-interface (keyboard and track-pad cluster):

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HTC Touch Diamond dentro de uma semana

author@madtech.com.pt (sandro) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:48:43 GMT

De acordo com o stand da TMN presente na ExpoMadeira 2008 - Feira das Actividades Económicas da Região Autónoma da Madeira - o HTC Touch Diamond estará disponível para os clientes registados dentro de uma ou duas semanas (previsto a 18 de Julho), alargando-se a disponibilidade a todas as lojas TMN até meados de Agosto.

O preço final do aparelho deverá rondar os 459€ - cerca de 130€ mais baixo do congénere desbloqueado (589€) - sem contrato, apenas bloqueado ao operador. Com contrato de dois anos o preço deve baixar consideravelmente, provavelmente para valores na ordem da centena e meia ou duas centenas de euros.

Esta informação não é oficial da TMN, trata-se de um rumor que circula entre os funcionários daquele operador. O HTC Touch Diamond é exclusivo da TMN em Portugal até Setembro de 2008.

Fonte: .:mobilidades.net:.

Intel Launches the Centrino 2 Mobile Platform this 14th

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:33:51 GMT

Intel launches the Centrino 2 mobile plaform this Monday, the 14th. Centrino 2, codenamed Montevina is behind launch-schedule owing to issues detected in the integrated graphics controller. The chipset released will be that which supports discrete graphics controllers from ATI or NVIDIA.

Intel Centrino 2 for now is targeted towards the business-class and enterprise segments. The chipset supports DDR3 memory which brings in a certain level of energy efficiency with added performance. At the heart of it would be a 45nm processor based on the Penryn architecture. Initially dual-core processors, with quad-core based notebooks later. The wireless network controller supports the newer 802.11n and WiMAX standards. Security and management features come in through the vPro technology.

These 45nm dual-core processors are said to run at 25W, an efficiency increment over previous generation running at 35W.

Source: eWeek

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Mercedes to cut petroleum out of lineup by 2015

author@madtech.com.pt (Revan) — Wed, 9 Jul 2008 17:57:59 GMT

[quote]In less than 7 years, Mercedes-Benz plans to ditch petroleum-powered vehicles from its lineup. Focusing on electric, fuel cell, and biofuels, the company is revving up research in alternative fuel sources and efficiency.[/quote]Resto do artigo aqui.

Parece apenas marketing na minha opinião. Se bem que os carros deles até tem uma boa eficiência de combustível considerando a potencia dos carros que eles produzem.

É uma mudança demasiado radical na minha opinião para ser feito em 7 anos.
Não é que a companhia não consiga, mas mais pela recepção do publico para este tipo de carros, e depois a é preciso ter lugares onde se possa abastecer.

Enfim, bom bom era o preço do petroleo nos anos 90. :icon16:

(PR) Eee PC 901, 1000, and 1000 H Released in North America

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Wed, 9 Jul 2008 14:50:14 GMT

ASUS today introduces the new generation of Eee PC. The new models include revolutionary features that are designed to enhance efficiency and connectivity. With up to 7.8 hours of battery life, Eee PC users can enjoy portability while work, learn and play on-the-go.The all new Eee PC 901 and 1000 are equipped with built-in SSD (Solid State Drive) while the 1000 H adopts a 3.5” Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

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MSI Looks to Compete with VIA Pico-ITX, Rolls out MS-7314 Wind-Board

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Sat, 5 Jul 2008 19:06:08 GMT

The competition heats up with compact-computing. MSI has released a special motherboard which could compete with the VIA Pico-ITX board. This compact motherboard has a hardwired Intel Atom N230 processor clocked at 1.60 GHz that is passively cooled by an aluminum heatsink, it shares this heatsink with a Intel 945GC northbridge that's the core-logic used accompnied with a ICH7 southbridge. It features an integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 and Realtek ALC 888HD audio.

While the board doesn't feature an onboard PSU unlike the offering from VIA, it features two DDR2 slots for DDR2 667/533 MHz, two SATA II ports, an IDE connector, ports arranged in the standard ATX fashion. A PCI slot is provided. The board features onboard ethernet along with 6-channel audio. This board has startd selling in Japan, where it's priced at approx. US $95 and measures 19cm x 17cm.

Source: iXBT

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Microsoft to Offer Software on a Subsription Basis

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Sat, 5 Jul 2008 10:44:52 GMT

Soon, among your usual utility bills of electricity, water, gas, telecom, would be a new addition, software. Microsoft has come up with a new subscription model, where instead of outright buying a license to use the software, consumers can subscribe to use it. A monthly or annual subscription charge has to be paid by the user (subscriber) to continue using the product.

This scheme for now covers products such as Microsoft Office and One Care security software. Analysts are already beginning to predict this will be Microsoft's next big business model which will fuel its growth in the years to come. There's much in store for both consumers and the company.

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Dashwire - sincronização entre o PDA e a Web

author@madtech.com.pt (sandro) — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 11:40:53 GMT

São cada vez mais comuns na internet sites que fornecem serviços de Gestão Pessoal (PIM) online. Por outro lado, os utilizadores de smartphones têm um dilema: têm a sua vida organizada no PDA/outlook e muitas vezes alteram compromissos e contactos durante o dia, pelo que a informação no computador e/ou nos sites de Gestão Pessoal ficam desactualizados.

Neste contexto, surgiu já à algum tempo o DashWire, um serviço online que sincroniza a informação - contactos, mensagens, logs de chamadas, fotografias, vídeos, etc. - entre o Telemóvel e o Dashwire. A vantagem deste sistema é enorme, já que o utilizador pode aceder às imagens, números de telefone e mensagens sem ter que ir ao telefone. Tem como desvantagem a obrigação de ter um plano de dados, já que é necessário uma ligação à internet no próprio dispositivo e, no caso das imagens e videos, o tráfego pode ser elevado (embora se possa recusar a sincronização deste tipo de dados.

Exemplo:

Apple Mac OS X 10.5.4 Combo Update Released

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 20:41:58 GMT

Apple posted today the 10.5.4 update recommended for its Mac OS X 10.5, 10.5.1, 10.5.2, and 10.5.3 Leopard operating systems. The 10.5.4 update includes general operating system improvements that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac. You can download the 561MB update code directly from Apple, or by using the Software Update feature in Mac OS X Leopard.

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Fotos ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 1GB GDDR5 nua!

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:29:53 GMT

I spotted some new nude shots of the upcoming ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 graphics card today and decided to share them with you. Little is known about the card's specs at the time, but what's apparent from the pics is the black PCB, the two 55nm-built RV770 GPUs and the PLX PCI-Express 2.0 bridge chip situated between the GPUs. On both sides of the PCB there are 16 Qimonda GDDR5 chips for a total of 1GB video memory. Also one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCI-E connectors will be needed for proper operation.

Porn!!! :)

Source: ChipHell

Mais...

Blizzard anuncia Diablo 3!

author@madtech.com.pt (fox) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:11:57 GMT

We’ve wanted to expand on the epic story and gameplay elements of the Diablo universe for some time now,” stated Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We know that players have also been long awaiting a return to the series, so we’re very excited to be sharing this announcement with Blizzard gamers here in Paris and around the world today.

Página Oficial: http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/

Resumo na MMO-Champion: http://www.mmo-champion.com/index.php?topic=9444.0

Microsoft compra Mobicomp

author@madtech.com.pt (quaker) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:25:28 GMT

A Microsoft comprou a empresa portuguesa Mobicomp.
Esta empresa desenvolve aplicações para armazenamento online de conteúdo de telemóveis (Arquivo T da TMN).

Microsoft has announced plans to buy MobiComp, a Portuguese software company that develops applications for storing cellphone data online.

MobiComp's products allow you to perform over the air backups of your contacts, calendar, and other mobile data. The company's MobileKeeper Sharing & Communities software also lets you share and download content from social networks including Flickr and Hi5.

The acquisition is described as Microsoft's largest investment in Portugal. Nobody's saying exactly what Microsoft is planning to do with MobiComp's technology, but we'd say it's a safe bet that you could eventually see some sort of data backup/synchronization software for Windows Mobile devices, perhaps as part of the Windows Live suite of web-based services.

Fonte: Download Squad

Site: Mobicomp

Acer aspire One 299 euros FNAC

author@madtech.com.pt (born2hack) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:33:11 GMT

A fnac ja vende este portatil por 299 euros, e no uk vai estar a venda por 199 libras (estranho tar na fnac e nao estar no UK..)

Ja usa o Atom, o que o torna melhor que o EEE 701, tem 512 ddr2 com um slot livre para futura expansao.
E sem duvida um excelente portatil.

Review aqui

Toshiba's Newest Notebooks to Feature Modified CELL Processor

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:09:54 GMT

The first thing that comes to your mind when you talk about CELL Broadband Engine is probably the Sony Playstation 3. Toshiba, a prominent player in ultra-portable computing have announced that a new pair of laptops, the Qosmio G50 and Qosmio F50, which will feature processors derived from the CELL design methodology. Processing will be composed of a two-stage processor, the modified Cell processor SPE cores will handle the heavy calculations required to handle processor-intensive duties like processing HD video. The main processor in the pair of notebooks will be an Intel Core 2 Duo. The World's most powerful supercomputer, the IBM Roadrunner, incorporates CELL technology.

The G50 which has an 18.4-inch high-definition screen, 500GB of hard-disk space, NVidia GeForce 9600M graphics processor, dual digital TV tuners and wireless LAN including 802.11n will be priced from USD 2,700 and the F50, which has a 15-inch screen and 250GB hard-disk drive, from USD 2,320. Toshiba plans to put the machines on sale overseas but has yet to announce launch details.

Source: PC World

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G.Skill Intros New 4GB and 8GB DDR2 PI-8800 Memory Kits

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:22:11 GMT

Double-data-rate two synchronous dynamic random access memory or as we also know it as DDR2 RAM is still very widespread today, and memory manufacturer G.Skill is looking to keep demand up by introducing a new set of DDR2 PI-8800 kits available in 4GB or 8GB of capacity. The G.Skill PI memory series are especially designed to provide stable and long-term performance for overclockers and computer enthusiasts. Sold in different capacities: F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI (2x2GB) and F2-8800CL5Q-8GBPI (4x2GB) both these kits operate at 1100MHz with CL5-5-5-15 latencies and 1.8-1.9V. Additionally G.Skill sells them with a lifetime warranty. For more information, please visit this page.

Source: G.Skill

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AMD lança Radeon HD4850 hoje!

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:43:39 GMT

I just received an E-Mail from AMD stating that some RV770 info can be posted today:[INDENT]Yes we have just made a decision to change something.

Here’s what we’re planning to do. Effective 3:00 PM EDT today we will be lifting the embargo preventing the publishing of ATI Radeon HD 4850 performance previews. These performance previews may include ATI Radeon HD 4850 benchmarks, photos of the ATI Radeon HD 4850 hardware, information printed on related packaging or photos of the packaging itself, information provided in the ATI Radeon HD 4800 series strategy deck (attached) and related pricing information.

All other ATI Radeon HD 4850 related information provided at the NDA press briefings continues to fall under the embargo until 12:01am EDT on June 25th, as does all information and benchmarks related to the ATI Radeon HD 4870.

Basically what’s happened is our partners have started selling the products and in some cases reviewers that we have and have not sampled have already bought and received the product and published stories. We’re not able to control the situation anymore so we need to give the media the ability to publish info.[/INDENT]

More...

A AMD está a comunicar que vai levantar o embargo (NDA) para a nova HD4850 ainda hoje, o que quer dizer que vamos poder ver as fotos e reviews oficiais nos sites da especialidade. A performance e detalhes da HD4870 vai-se manter até a data estipulada inicialmente de 25 de Junho.

(PR) CoolIT Systems Announces VGA Cooler for the NVIDIA GTX280

author@madtech.com.pt (MadTech) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:10:12 GMT

CoolIT Systems announces the availability of the NV200 VGA Coldplate compatible with the new GeForce GTX280 and GTX260 cards recently announced by NVidia. The solution features a single slot, high performance liquid cooling solution that effectively cools the GPU, RAM, nVio Chip and VR that, when mated with CoolIT’s award-winning liquid cooling technology, provides extreme cooling to achieve optimal performance for the GTX280 in single card or SLI setup.

More...

Uma solução de watercooling para sistemas SLI sem andar com muitas tubagens.

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 VS AMD Phenom X3 8450

author@madtech.com.pt (Eagle) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:27:57 GMT

Estes dois cpu's estão à venda por menos de 150 dolares e são duas grandes apostas por parte dos fabricantes para o segmento de mercado médio/baixo.
A grande questão é qual dos dois escolher? Qual aquele que se adapta melhor às nossas exigências?

Aqui estão alguns testes aonde pode ver em que campo os dois se destacam mais:

No 3DMark não à muita diferença entre estes dois chips em termos de performance mas é de ter em atenção que o C2D tem mais velocidade de relógio que o seu concorrente.

No SuperPI o C2D deixa o Phenom bem para trás com 45% e 43% de performance extra nos calculos de 16mb e 32mb respectivamente.

Quando chegamos ao teste do Winrar o C2D é superior quando usando um unico core. Mas o Phenom revela-se bem melhor no teste do multicore.

As próximas pics são dedicadas a jogos. O C2D mais uma vez é superior destacando-se com distinção muitas vezes do seu concorrente não só pela sua velocidade de relógio extra mas também pela sua arquitectura que permite usar uma largura de banda CPU/MEM/Chipset maior.

Conclusão:
Qualquer deste dois processadores são excelentes escolhas para a maioria dos computadores desktop. Têm preços muito atractivos e uma performance exemplar para usar em qualquer tipo de aplicação.
Apesar de tudo conseguimos ver que o C2D é um CPU ligeiramente superior. Consegue estar à frente na grande maioria dos testes consumindo menos energia e consequentemente aqueçendo menos. Este factor é também visto com muito agrado aos olhos da comunidade overclocker que conseguem extrair mais performance devido às grandes capacidades de overclock do cpu da Intel.

Fonte: Legion Hardware