IBM Chip to Let You Download an HD Movie in One Second April 2, 2007
READ MORE HD , HD DVD , PC , Science , Technology
IBM trash-talks all those other chipsters with its latest breakthrough, an optical transceiver chipset that can accomplish the technological equivalent of cramming a basketball through a garden hose. The trick here is moving data through fiber optic cables at 160GB per second; that's eight times faster than today's optical components can do.
What does that mean for you and me? How about an HD movie downloading in one second compared with the snail's pace of a few hours it takes to download a 720p flick from Xbox Live today? All that breakneck speed will be made possible by this tiny device that's just 3.25 x 5.25mm small. But will this minuscule chip really solve the current bandwidth problem?
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PS3 Not Going To Jail April 2, 2007
READ MORE Consoles , Games , PS3 , Xbox
The PS3 might not be the most punctual nor the cheapest console [LOL] on the market but it’s certainly the first one to be banned from UK prisons. It would be amusing to think that prisoners had taken a vote and decided that their hard-earned drug money would be better off spent on the Wii or the Xbox 360 Elite but, no.
Home Secretary John Reid said the PS3 could be used by nefarious types to “send and receive radio signals” thanks to its in-built Wi-Fi. The full statement – in response to a parliamentary question was:
“Advice was issued to all prisons in December 2005 that the Sony PlayStation 3 was barred from the prison estate because of the equipment's ability to send and receive radio signals.”
I somehow doubt that the lack of a PS3 behind bars is going to stop inter-prison communications. Last time I checked, they’re still allowed visitors, phone calls, letters and the option to bribe the guards. Will this PS3 record make it to a press release? -Martin Lynch
news technology games PS3 crime sony
"Open Source" Car to be Huge on Digg April 2, 2007
READ MORE Cars , Motoring
The c,mm,n (pronounced "common") is apparently the world's first open source car. It's a crazy-looking hydrogen-powered vehicle, but I guess since it's open source that means you can change it to run on anything you want, as the plans are included.
I'll be honest, I can see an "open source" car being successful in terms of the onboard computer and the types of applications it can run, but are there really enough people who know how to work with engines to that degree to make this more than a pet project for serious green auto geeks? I guess we'll see, but in any case it's cool to see the open source movement getting outside and getting some fresh air for once. –Adam Frucci
The open source car, known as the c,mm,n is powered by hydrogen [AutoblogGreen]
Relieve Stress Without A Brown Paper Bag April 2, 2007
READ MORE Gadgets , Peripherals , Technology
The brown paper bag has been the staple method of calming down over-excited members of the public and loved ones for centuries. However, technology – as always - thinks it can do a better job.
This is the Stress Eraser and for £160 it claims it can transform you from a gibbering wreck into a serene and balanced human each day. Described as a “portable biofeedback device”, it has a pulse sensor for your finger to confirm that you really are having a panic attack.
The screen displays Breath Waves that you should synchronise your breathing with in order to get it back under control. The company says it can be used in stressful situations throughout the day, in bed and you can even programme it to remind you to use it at regular intervals.
£160 is a lot to pay for what is essentially a less embarrassing paper bag.-Martin Lynch
news technology gadgets health stress
EMI To Ditch DRM? April 2, 2007
READ MORE Apple , MP3 , Music , iPod
That’s the rumour folks. We all know that Apple and EMI have been closeted away in recent weeks working on some major digital music announcement. Beatles fans have been lovingly stroking their framed photos of the Fab 4 while sticking needles in Yoko Ono dolls in the hope that they could be downloading Beatles music via iTunes. However, something more important is in the ether.
Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, has arrived in London and will be joining EMI for a ‘special’ announcement today which is expected/alleged/rumoured to revolve around EMI offering some of its music without DRM protection. Jobs has already called for DRM to be ditched, much to the consternation of the music publishers and the delight of consumers.
It might not be a lot of music freed up today but as one of the big four music publishers [EMI, Warner, Sony BMG and Universal], this is a very big deal – especially since the others want no part of a DRM-free world.
Could EMI’s move force the others to re-evaluate the use of DRM? I certainly hope so.-Martin Lynch
news technology DRM EMI itunes apple
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