Computers
August 16, 2005 Sometimes when we cover a story, we suddenly find out how much we don’t know (lots). Three days ago we wrote about all the (clever but) weird keyboards we’d written about recently when we covered Logitech’s G15 Keyboard, listing no less than nine different, interesting keyboards that help solve some of the many problems associated with a device that was designed 137 years ago. Yes folks, the keyboard you’re slaving over is a dinosaur masquerading as high tech and it’s no wonder that everyone thinks they can build a better one, because they probably can. Indeed, in the short space of three days, we’ve had half a dozen readers write to us saying, “hey, you should write about this cool keyboard.” Well, we’ve fudged it slightly by bundling the new lot all together, but if you follow this link you’ll see a new keyboard replacement for controlling model trains, a vertical ergonomic keyboard with rear vision mirrors (so you can see the keys) and a bunch of different programmable key pads that can be used for almost any set of tasks you can think of. Read More
August 15, 2005 Internet audio/radio is evolving quickly. There are now more than 5000 online radio stations listed at RadioDirectory, 8000 at RadioTower and 10,000 at Radio-Locator. Compared to the dozen or so “traditional” local radio stations we have access to, there’s every reason to believe you’ll find an audio stream on the internet that’s infinitely more in line with you tastes. Which is why we think the release this week of affordable software offering DVR-like capabilities for web radio is significant. Photo, video, and audio software company MAGIX, has announced Webradio Recorder, which lets consumers record multiple radio shows and music, automatically name tracks, and burn them onto CD or DVD. The array of powerful DVR-like functions even let you listen to earlier parts of the same radio show that you are in the process of recording. Read More
August 13, 2005 For a technology almost certainly destined for the scrapheap as some people might have you believe, the keyboard is sure getting a lot of attention. In recent times we've reported on the VisiKey, DAS, Keyscan, Maltron, Matias, orbiTouch, Optimus, SureType and Virtual keyboards. Logitech's G15 keyboard does not wish to replace the methodology of the keyboard - just significantly enhance it. Designed to provide an unprecedented level of programmability and control, the Logitech G15 keyboard is the the ultimate keyboard for serious PC gamers. The first keyboard in the G-series family of gaming-grade peripherals, the Logitech G15 keyboard features a built-in auxiliary LCD display, 18 programmable keys, and advanced software, making it easy to set up custom commands for every game. The adjustable-tilt, backlit LCD can be programmed to display vital in-game information, or data from other applications, without interrupting game play. Read More
August 13, 2005 Operating systems are not high on the conversational topics agenda at Gizmag. Every day we get fantastic new ideas sent to us and the conversation is normally about wireless light switches, install-in-a-few-hours home elevators or outrageous boys toy. But Apple’s switch to Intel processors and how it has changed the forward personal computing plans of those who hang around the office was interesting. As the whole world has found out about Apple thanks to the iPod, there are still those who harbour some hope that Apple’s operating system will again see double figure percentages of the installed base, and some who dream of even more. Apple’s OSX rocks! and there are few who have tried it who don’t want to use it, particularly those who pride themselves on productivity. Wired magazine is the original magazine of the Digital Age – at least the last one standing from the first wave. Its original backers included none other than Digital Soothsayer Nicholas Negroponte and the magazine’s web site ran the first 468 x 60 banner advert and … it is a landmark journal and regularly breaks important digital lifestyle stories and we think the magazine’s latest lead is very important. It seems that hackers have found a way to bypass a chip designed to prevent the Mac OS from running on non-Apple PCs, which are often cheaper than Macs. And the new OSX on PC runs faster on a PC than it does on a Mac. Read More
July 25, 2005 A 64-bit microprocessor went into production last quarter that demonstrates China is capable of designing world-class microprocessors, according to a new article published by In-Stat’s Microprocessor Report. The Chinese processor, named Godson-2 (also known as Dragon), is the second chip in the Godson family. The Godson architecture is an unauthorized variation of the popular MIPS architecture from MIPS Technologies. For now, at least, the Chinese are producing Godson processors solely for their own domestic market. However, international exports are possible in the future, especially if the Chinese embed their processors in consumer-electronics products and other finished goods shipped to world markets. China's ambition to make its own microprocessors will affect microprocessor vendors all over the world. Read More
July 24, 2005 FingerGear, the consumer brand of biometrics specialist Bionopoly, has announced a Computer-On-a-Stick Flash Drive. The Computer-On-a-Stick is a bootable USB 2.0 Flash Drive that is the first flash device to feature a complete onboard Operating System. The device also features the OpenOffice Productivity Suite, along with many of the most commonly used desktop and Internet applications. The Computer-On-a-Stick allows users to take their entire software environment with them anywhere securely. The device is bootable from any PC with an x86 processor, regardless of its resident Windows or Linux OS. All bookmarks, address book, emails, and office documents are stored securely on the device and never leave a trace on the host PC. Users enter a login password at each session. Read More
June 2, 2005 In terms of high tech brands, Ferrari and Acer make quite a quinella. With gigabytes of data downloaded wirelessly from the car telemetry each race meeting and analysed more meticulously than Michael Jackson’s private life, high performance computers and Formula 1 racing are almost synonymous. Now the last Ferrari Acer computer really didn’t look the part – it was Ferrari Red but didn’t quite capture the essence of F1. The newly announced Ferrari 4000 notebook computer is a different matter though. Like almost everything else that can be made in carbon fibre, it looks much better when it is made in carbon fibre because you can see the weave of the carbon fibre from which the casing is constructed. It gives the computer a "hand-made" look and somehow makes it more personal. There you go, it's a "more personal" personal computer, with a Ferrari badge! Read More
UPDATED June 1, 2005 The potential for the theft of data or sensitive business information via CD-ROMs being thrown in the trash is very realistic - garbage screening is a rudimentary and commonly-used industrial espionage technique. And despite their seeming vulnerability, you'd be surprised what you can get off a CD-ROM using data recovery techniques. So what to do? Buy a Data Destroyer Office PRO - the automated desktop device can destroy the information on up to 50 CDs and/or DVDs by pressing a single button. Read More
May 29, 2005 Gizmag reader Joe Blake reports on his experiences with the Maltron Keyboard. Joe has been a court reporter since 1990, producing 10,000+ words a day, which he calculates to more than 200 million keystrokes over the last ten years. When he switched from touch-typing on a QWERTY keyboard to the Maltron keyboard, his productivity improved immensely. He can now “transcribe a single person speaking in real time, all day, every day, with no problems.” Read More
May 27, 2005 The human mind has an incredible ability to adapt – and that’s the big idea behind the Das Keyboard and its complete lack of key markings. Since there are no keys to look at when typing, the theory is that your brain will quickly adapt and memorize the key positions and you will find yourself typing a lot faster with more accuracy in no time. Given that the world is full of hunt-and-peck typists, this would seem to be an idea with plenty of potential as the keyboard remains the predominant input device for the ever-increasing number of computers. The Das Keyboard inventors also claim “it is amazing how slow typers almost double their speed and quick typers become blazing fast!” And what a statement about yourself for all to see. You’ll be the talk of the town. “XXXX has no markings on their keyboard, how cool is that?” Read More
