Subscribe to Gizmag's RSS feed
Follow Gizmag on Twitter
Computers
Samsung N120 joins Samsung’s mini notebook lineup
By Darren Quick
22:26 April 23, 2009 PDT
The flood of mini notebooks and netbooks that threatens to bury us shows no sign of abating, with Samsung announcing another addition to its mini notebook lineup. Joining the recently featured N110 is the N120, which includes most of the features found on the N110 in a slightly larger form factor. Read More
Researchers developing portable E-Bomb
By Paul Evans
23:24 April 22, 2009 PDT
High-power microwave (HPM) bombs that use an enormous electromagnetic radio pulse to disable computers, electronics, vehicles, guided missiles and communications while leaving people and structures unharmed have been under investigation in research labs for a number of years. Until recently these weapons have been impractically large at over 3.5 meters long, but researchers at Texas Tech University have now built a self powered device with U.S. Army funding that measures 15 cm in diameter and only 1.5 meters long, making it small enough to be considered portable. Read More
The Mobile Solar Computer Classroom: a complete classroom in the back of an SUV
By Karen Sprey
19:11 April 14, 2009 PDT
A mobile computer classroom powered by solar panels atop a modified SUV is providing computer training to 100 students a day in the east African country of Uganda. The Maendeleo Foundation, which runs the Mobile Solar Computer Classrooms (MSCC), hopes the project will help to launch a local computer services industry, creating jobs by outsourcing the new computer skills, boost the local economy and alleviate poverty. Read More
Glacier's W200 Wearable Computer
By Darren Quick
01:37 April 10, 2009 PDT
While laptops have ushered in the era of mobile computing, their form factor still dictates the need to use a desk, table, or at the very least, a lap. Other handheld units are easier to use on the move but would be even better if we had another appendage, given that one hand is rendered useless through the need to hold the device. The solution - wear your computer. This example for Glacier Computer - the new Ridgeline W200 wearable computer - combines the same features of a standard computer with a device that straps to the wrist to provide hands-free operation while retaining full access at all times. Read More
Shuttle X50 all-in-one PC
By Darren Quick
21:49 March 23, 2009 PDT
Shuttle’s new X50 is an all-in-one PC that features a 15.6-inch touch-enabled display with 1366 x 768 resolution and is designed to be versatile enough to suit a variety of settings including digital signage and kiosks. The unit also features a convertible stand that can be flipped upward to reveal a carry handle, or it can be removed completely for VESA mounting. Read More
Innovative ‘caseless’ computer housing concept from BMW
By Darren Quick
21:43 March 15, 2009 PDT
Although obviously best known for its cars and motorbikes, BMW also creates yachts, aircraft and trains, and has now turned its design expertise to a computer gaming tower with the ‘Level 10’ concept for Thermaltake, a manufacturer of computer housings and components for individually configurable high-end computers. Read More
PowerNap plan could save 75 percent of data center energy
By Karen Sprey
22:58 March 12, 2009 PDT
The average utilization for a typical industrial data center is as low as 20 to 30 percent - and the computers are still using 60 percent of peak power even when they're doing nothing. To combat this problem, researchers at the University of Michigan have put together an approach that could save up to 75 percent of the energy that power-hungry computer data centers consume. Read More
World’s largest virtual desktop deployment underway
By Karen Sprey
18:46 March 5, 2009 PST
In what's billed as world’s largest virtual desktop deployment, 356,800 desktops will be supplied to schools across Brazil using Userful Multiplier software, a system which effectively turns one computer into up to 10 independent PC workstations, reducing CO2 emissions by up to an estimate 15 tons per year per system and electronic waste by up to 80%. Read More
Lenovo touts rugged capabilities of Thinkpad range
By Darren Quick
17:43 February 25, 2009 PST
With the number of ruggedized computers hitting the market you’d think that people are running around treating their laptops like last night’s leftovers. Of course that’s not the case, most people use their laptops in pretty clean, stable environments and won’t ever need the rough and ready specs of a ruggedized laptop, but there is a section of the workforce that does. Particularly in the areas of public safety, utilities, construction and the military, and it’s these markets that Lenovo have in mind with their range of eight ThinkPad laptops designated for use in field and vehicle semi-ruggedized computing environments. Read More
Siftables: cookie-sized computer blocks for hands-on fun
By Jude Garvey
22:27 February 19, 2009 PST
It is believed that many children and adults learn best when they use their hands to perform a task, and for young children, play-based activities are essential for acquiring knowledge. This new design concept cleverly combines both hands-on and play-based learning in one very cool but tiny package. Siftables are small computer blocks with the capacity to interface with each other using a combination of neighbor detection, motion sensing and wireless communication. The user manipulates them by hand and with each process, whether it is sorting, grouping or even piling, the blocks continue to interact with each other. Read More
EU funds universal, future-proof video game emulator to protect the classics
By Darren Quick
20:09 February 16, 2009 PST
As the average age of gamers increases, so too does the number of older gamers with fond memories of classic games. Unfortunately as PCs evolve and with each new generation of gaming consoles many of these classic games become nothing but memories as the hardware required to play them is rendered obsolete. But it seems the cultural importance of these games is finally being recognized with the European Union funding a €4.02 million (USD$5.2m) project with the overall aim of facilitating “universal access to our cultural heritage by developing flexible tools for accessing and storing a wide range of digital objects.” Read More
MAINGEAR Remix Workstation for creative professionals
By Darren Quick
20:27 February 10, 2009 PST
Although Apple Macs are the most commonly used computers for creative professionals, there are still many IT departments which insist on a PC. Aimed specifically at this market that spend their days doing graphic design, video production or pro audio is MAINGEAR’s Remix Creative Workstation PC. The system features NVIDIA Quadro CX graphics card, which NVIDIA specifically designed and optimized to significantly enhance the performance of Adobe Creative Suite 4. Read More
Panasonic Toughbooks get upgrade
By Darren Quick
02:14 February 2, 2009 PST
Pansonic’s Toughbook 30 clamshell rugged laptop and its Toughbook 19 rugged convertible tablet computer have both received upgrades that include 1,000 nit LCDs, circular polarization technology and anti-glare (AG) plus anti-reflective (AR) screen treatments to enhance screen viewability as well as improved security and remote management thanks to Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology, expanded memory capabilities, 40% longer battery lives, larger capacity hard drives, and optional SSDs. Read More
NewerTech offers cheap, fast wireless solution
By Darren Quick
21:19 January 29, 2009 PST
The MAXPower 802.11g/b Wireless USB 2.0 Stick Adapter from NewerTech is a Plug and Play 802.11g/b wireless adapter that enables owners of USB 2.0/1.1 equipped Macs and PCs that haven’t yet gone wireless to affordably upgrade to wireless home and office networking. The solution is designed for Macintosh desktop and notebook computers, such as PowerMac G4, iMac G4, PowerBook G3/G4 and iBook G3 models that didn't include built in wireless or have a non-working AirPort card. Read More
HP unveils 2009 line
By Kyle Sherer
19:48 January 12, 2009 PST
HP released the details of its 09 lineup at CES, outlining new notebooks, a desktop, a gaming keyboard, a server, and a photo printing app for iPhone. Among them, the inch-thick HP Pavilion dv2 weighs less than four pounds and has a high-capacity hard drive of up to 500GB. Read More
IBM introduces Linux-based Virtual Desktop
By Darren Quick
03:32 December 8, 2008 PST
While Linux erosion of Microsoft’s desktop dominance hasn’t really reached the mainstream yet, the popularity of the open source operating system has seen a steady increase as variations become more user friendly. Recognizing that rise in popularity IBM, along with its business partners, Virtual Bridges and Canonical has released a Linux-desktop solution that is designed to drive significant savings compared with Microsoft-desktop software by amplifying Lotus collaboration software and Ubuntu to a larger user base through virtualization. Read More
The real-life Minority Report computer interface
By Kyle Sherer
14:23 November 30, 2008 PST
The second best thing about the film Minority Report has to be the glove-controlled, wall-sized computer display (first place goes to the jetpacks). Oblong Industries is working on a computer interface that operates in a similar way – and rather than a case of tech imitating art, the Minority Report computer was actually based off early Oblong designs. Read More
ASUS Bamboo notebook for style with a conscience
By Darren Quick
02:36 November 19, 2008 PST
November 19, 2008 Realizing that eco-friendly is the new black, ASUS is releasing a notebook that wears its green credentials on its sleeve – or its casing anyway. The ASUS Bamboo Series notebook is cased in Moso bamboo paneling, which is light, durable, renewable and stylish to boot. The green conscience is carried through to the notebook’s internals with the ASUS exclusive Super Hybrid Engine, which preserves power by intelligently monitoring component power requirements and automatically adjusting to meet current consumption needs – thus optimizing system performance and energy efficiency. Read More
Intel launches record breaking Core i7 desktop processor
By Darren Quick
20:49 November 17, 2008 PST
Intel has launched what it is touting as the fastest desktop processor on the planet. The Intel Core i7 processor is Intel’s most advanced desktop processor ever and is the first member of their new Nehalem family of processor designs. The Core i7 holds a new world record of 117 for the SPECint_base_rate2006 benchmark test – the first time any single processor has exceeded 100 points. It incorporates new technologies that boost performance on demand and maximize data throughput to speed video editing, resource hungry 3D games and other Internet and computer activities by up to 40 per cent without increasing power consumption. Read More
30 petabyte storage facility for climate and weather records
By Darren Quick
21:48 November 16, 2008 PST
Analysis of the Earth’s climate relies on and generates a huge amount of data. No one knows this better than the folks at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), who have announced the arrival of AMSTAR, a new digital storage library that will preserve and protect 30 petabytes of valuable scientific data for the next 15 to 20 years. The new system, designed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. and based on the Sun StorageTek SL8500 Modular Library, will give NCAR five times its current storage capacity, enabling it to generate increasingly sophisticated computer studies of Earth’s climate. Read More
MSI Wind BIOS update brings on-the-fly overclocking
By Kyle Sherer
15:51 November 7, 2008 PST
MSI has released BIOS update 1.09 for the Wind, allowing users to overclock the notebook by up to 24%, which increases performance by roughly 30%. The update retains the features of the 1.08 version, but provides added functionality and fixes some sleep and hibernation glitches. Read More
SMART multitouch table offers hands-on group learning
19:45 November 2, 2008 PST
Over the past two decades the role of computers in classrooms has evolved from one of curious optional-extra to core learning tool, and it's not a trend that is about to slow down. One relatively new technology that has great potential within educational environments is the multi-touch interface and this underpins SMART Technologies latest product - the SMART Table interactive learning centre. Looking a little like a retro-arcade game, this brightly colored 29" (73 cm) wide x 25" (65 cm) high table incorporates a 27" (69-cm) screen which can simultaneously receive input from a "virtually unlimited" number of fingers or pen tools. The table is designed to encourage group problem solving and collaboration and its intuitive interface makes it suitable for children in the 4 to 11 age group while teacher input is facilitated by the company's complementary interactive whiteboard products. Read More
Gateway debuts new MC-Series notebook line
By Darren Quick
23:31 October 27, 2008 PDT
Gateway’s new MC-Series notebook line signals its multimedia intentions known with a 16-inch edge-to-edge glass 1366x768 resolution widescreen display and illuminated multimedia touch controls. The new notebook line features an ambient light sensor which adjusts screen brightness according to the external light, while the LED illuminated keyboard is backlit for users burning the midnight oil. Read More
Reconnect computer recycling program expanded
By Emily Clark
20:42 October 9, 2008 PDT
Dell and Goodwill Industries have added Virginia to the list of States offering their “Reconnect” drop-off program for the recycling of unwanted computers. The program aims to divert over 2.7 million pounds of used computers and computer equipment from area landfills over the next year; and provide consumer education on the importance of environmentally-responsible computer disposal. Read More
Lexar introduces Shoot-n-Sync Wi-Fi Memory card
By Emily Clark
22:21 September 18, 2008 PDT
Utilizing Ey-Fi wireless SD memory card technology, the new Shoot-n-Sync Wi-Fi memory card from Lexar is a wireless solution for uploading digital photos to computers as well as sharing them via social networking and photo-sharing websites. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
