Computers
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
March 10, 2005 A design engineer's job is never easy -designing exhaust pipes, packaging or industrial plant demands considerable ingenuity. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz Institut HHI are displaying a new 3D display solution called Free2C at the CeBIT exhibition that opens today - the team will be demonstrating a variety of applications for the 3D monitor that works without special glasses. Read More
February 19, 2005 Novint Technologies has released details of a new haptic interface device for computers that will , the Novint Falcon, which brings interactive three dimensional touch to the consumer mass market. The Novint Falcon, coupled with the company’s 3D touch software, enables people to experience a realistic sense of touch on their computer, fundamentally transforming how they play and interact. Sinificantly, the Novint Falcon is expected to retail for under US$100 and represents a significant breakthrough in 3D touch technology and accessibility. Read More
Keyscan keyboard with integrated scanner and USB2.0 hub - very cool!!
Gizmag likes productivity tools, and though this is just a keyboard, it's not just any keyboard. It contains a scanner and a USB2 hub - and we think that warrants attention from all us cyberserfs who spend the majority of our working hours slaving over a hot keyboard. The KeyScan KS810 will be officially announced on CeBIT 05 followed by immediate sales. Recommended end user price is EU149 EUR. Read More
February 5, 2005 Six companies including CMC Magnetics, Fuji Photo Film, Nippon Paint, Optware, Pulstec and Toagosei have announced the formation of the "HVD Alliance" to promote the development of HVD technology. Holographic recording technology records data on discs in the form of laser interference fringes, enabling discs the same size as today's DVDs to store more than one terabyte of data (200 times the capacity of a single layer DVD), with a transfer rate of over one gigabit per second (40 times the speed of DVD). This approach is rapidly gaining attention as a high-capacity, high-speed data storage technology for the age of broadband. Read More
MACWORLD EXPO, SAN FRANCISCO, January 11, 2005 Apple today introduced the Macintosh for the masses - the long-rumoured, affordable, compact, bring-your-own-screen Mac mini. Just two-inches tall and weighing only 1.3 kilograms (2.9 pounds), the Mac mini redefines design for the sub-US$1,000 desktop. Mac mini offers the processing and graphics performance to take advantage of demanding consumer applications with either a 1.25 GHz or 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor and ATI Radeon 9200 graphics with 32MB of dedicated DDR memory. Both models come with a slot-load Combo drive for watching DVD movies and burning CDs, and up to an 80GB hard drive for storing digital media creations. Read More
January 6, 2005 Lenovo today introduced two new ThinkPad models that bring a new level of performance and portability to the world’s most recognizable notebook brand. Incorporating a dual-core processor, the ThinkPad X60/X60s and ThinkPad T60 double the performance of previous ThinkPad models, enabling notebooks to operate multiple demanding business applications used previously only on desktops. Designed around Intel’s Napa chipset, the ThinkPad X60/X60s and ThinkPad T60 are thinner and lighter than previous X and T models, while drawing less power than those systems for extended battery life. Dual-core processors improve productivity and multitasking versus previous processors, allowing users to run multiple high-performance applications – such as medical or engineering software, virus scan or system backups – that might otherwise paralyze the PC. The company is also running an on-line survey of potential customers to assess whether to manufacture the new ThinkPads in black or Titanium - so far Titanium is winning. Read More
December 11, 2004 A state-of-the-art fingerprint recognition sensor has been built into the new Pantech GI 100 mobile phone, offering increased personal security and "secret" dialing functions. The clamshell design GI 100 also features a 1.3 megapixel camera, video caller ID and innovative video "wallpaper" in a black and silver, compact GSM phone. Read More
December 4, 2004 High-speed broadband internet access will be available in-flight on Singapore Airlines (SIA) routes thanks to a definitive service agreement between the airline and Connexion, a business unit of The Boeing Company, that will allow passengers to stay connected with their digital networks while flying at 35,000 feet. SIA will also transform in-flight entertainment with live international TV beamed through Connexion to passengers' laptops in a "CyberCabin" environment. Read More
December 2, 2004 A new Australian research facility called the Visual Information Access Room (VIAR) is at the forefront of the coming revolution in human-digital interaction. The current keyboard, mouse and screen configuration will soon be replaced by digital interfaces that utilise touch, gesture and voice control and seek to integrate seamlessly into our environment. Launched by the National ICT Australia (NICTA), the Sydney laboratory looks like a futuristic office, but is in fact a test facility where sophisticated 3D models of complex systems and innovative ways to interact with complex data quickly will be developed. Read More
