ASUS Launches Intel C2D-Compatible Motherboards

Following the release of the Intel P965 chipset, ASUSTeK Computer (ASUS) has introduced the Intel C2D-compatible P5B series motherboards -- P5B Deluxe WiFi-AP and P5B motherboards -- with three tools such as AI NOS, AI Gear and AI Nap. AI lifestyle features like quiet thermal solutions, crystal sound and EZ DIY offer a user-friendly personal computing environment.
The P5B series motherboards are based on the Intel P965 chipset that supports a maximum 8GB dual-channel DDR2 800/667/533 architecture and multi-core CPU. The P5B Deluxe comes with Intel Core 2 processors in LGA775 package.According to Jeffery Huang, product manager, component business, ASUS India, “ASUS P5B series motherboards are special because they have the latest and the much talked about chipset, and also great inbuilt sound and WiFi features. Extreme gamers like myself and high-end computing audience are sure to welcome this new motherboard series.”The AI NOS (Non-delay Overclocking System) technology in the motherboards intelligently detects system load, not system temperature, and automatically boosts performance for the most demanding tasks. To balance system performance and silent computing, AI Gear enables users to choose from profiles to adjust CPU frequency and vCore voltage, minimising system noise and power consumption. With AI Nap, users can instantly their PCs without terminating current tasks. System will continue to operate at minimum power and noise when users are temporarily away. It downloads files and run applications at the quietest state. And, the system wakes up just at a click of the mouse.

A TV As Big As Queen-Sized Bed: Panasonic

Panasonic has announced the much anticipated, the world's largest, 103-inch diagonal HD Plasma TV -- TH-103PZ600U. The 103-inch Plasma TV joins Panasonic's line of Plasma TV's including the 37-inch, 42-inch, 50-inch, 58-inch and the recently announced 1080p 65-inch.
"Panasonic didn't create the world's largest plasma TV as a technology demo for a trade show," said Andrew Nelkin, Panasonic's display group vice president. "We created it because, as worldwide sales of Plasma TVs continue on a meteoric rise, the market is seeking bigger displays on which people can experience the high definition lifestyle.""With the debut of our 103-inch model, Panasonic now offers customers the most robust and diverse range of high definition Plasma displays," added Nelkin. "Panasonic's 103-inch display represents the pinnacle of our achievement to date and truly redefines the level of ultimate home entertainment available for the most demanding video connoisseur."The TV is offered in the US at $69,999.95 and is expected to be available for delivery in time for Christmas 2006. It is expected to hit other markets afterward.

Intel Goes To Extreme, Bids Goodbye To Pentium

Intel Corporation has finally said goodbye to Pentium processors with the launch of 10 Intel Core 2 Duo and Intel Core 2 Extreme processors for consumer and business desktop and laptop PCs and workstations.
The Intel Core 2 Duo processor family consists of five desktop PC processors tailored for business, home and enthusiast users, such as high-end gamers, and five mobile PC processors designed to fit the needs of a mobile lifestyle. Intel Core 2 Duo processor-based workstations will also deliver industry leading performance for such areas as design, content creation and technical computing.Many of the products will also offer a selection of Intel-designed and integrated technologies such as Intel Virtualization Technology and Intel Active Management Technology that make the PC more secure and manageable. Also, support for 64-bit computing now expands to notebook PCs. The new processors can be paired with the Intel 975X, 965, and Mobile Intel 945 Express chipset family. The Intel 965 Express chipset includes the latest integrated graphics and Intel Clear Video Technology. All these chipsets are Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Ready.The release was much expected as AMD was taking over the dual core processing market with its processors. Intel is already having a hard time in server section as more and more companies including Dell and IBM are shifting to AMDs processors.But Intel maintains that, "The Core 2 Duo processors are simply the best processors in the world," said Paul Otellini, president and CEO of Intel. "Not since Intel introduced the Pentium processor has the industry seen the heart of the computer reinvented like this. The Core 2 Duo desktop processor is an energy-efficient marvel, packing 291 million transistors yet consuming 40 per cent lower power, while delivering the performance needed for the applications of today and tomorrow."

HP Develops Chip As Small As A Grain!

As tiny as a grain of rice or smaller, with a built-in antenna, the chip doesn't need a battery. It can be embedded in a sheet of paper or stuck to any surface, and could eventually be available in a booklet as self-adhesive dots.
HP has developed a miniature wireless data chip that could provide broad access to digital content in the physical world. With no equal in terms of its combination of size, memory capacity and data access speed, the tiny chip could be stuck on or embedded in almost any object and make available information and content now found mostly on electronic devices or the Internet.
The experimental chip, developed by the 'Memory Spot' research team at HP Labs, is a memory device based on CMOS (a widely used, low-power integrated circuit design) and about the size of a grain of rice or smaller (2 mm to 4 mm square). The chip incorporates a built-in antenna and is completely self-contained, with no need for a battery or external electronics. It receives power through inductive coupling from a special read-write device, which can then extract content from the memory on the chip.The chip has a 10 megabits-per-second data transfer rate -- 10 times faster than Bluetooth wireless technology and comparable to Wi-Fi speeds -- effectively giving users instant retrieval of information in audio, video, photo or document form. With a storage capacity ranging from 256 kilobits to 4 megabits in working prototypes, it could store a very short video clip, several images or dozens of pages of text. Future versions could have larger capacities.Information can be accessed by a read-write device that could be incorporated into a cell phone, PDA, camera, printer or other implement. To access information, the read-write device is positioned closely over the chip, which is then powered so that the stored data is transferred instantly to the display of the phone, camera or PDA or printed out by the printer. Users could also add information to the chip using the various devices.

Adobe Joins Google Camp

Adobe has joined the league of those who offer Google Toolbar with their products. The multi-year deal brings the two giants together, making Yahoo! little unhappy regarding the promotion of its own Yahoo! Toolbar. Microsoft, having had a spat with Adobe over the offering of PDF conversion format in its latest Office suite, may also feel some heat around the corner. Microsoft had to withdraw the option allowing users to save documents in PDF format from its Office suite following Adobe's objections. Google already has similar collaborations for Google Toolbar with companies like Mozilla for its browser Firefox. As a part of the agreement, Adobe and Google have announced the availability of the Google Toolbar with downloads of Adobe's Macromedia Shockwave Player. The Google Toolbar will now be offered as part of the Shockwave Player installation process for Internet Explorer on Windows. Under the terms of the agreement, the Google Toolbar will also be offered as part of other Adobe product installations in the future.Available for free, the Shockwave Player allows users to view interactive Web content, such as games, business presentations, entertainment and advertisements from a Web browser. Hundreds of thousands of Shockwave Players are downloaded every day, and Shockwave Player is installed on more than 55 per cent of Internet-enabled desktops.

Talk To Your iPod

'Play it again' is all you will need to say to your iPod instead of fumbling with its Clickwheel. But, is a talking iPod enough to silence Microsoft which is reportedly coming out with a rival product this Christmas? However, the new feature will certainly add more fun to using an iPod. This feature will enable users to surf for tracks and artists without looking at the screen. While Apple is mum on the talking iPod, some online newspapers report that 'a patent lodged by the company in the United States serves as proof to that.' The patent application says, "A user will have difficulty navigating the interface in 'eyes-busy' situations. Such activities include, for example, driving an automobile, exercising and crossing the street." Apple has been critised for iPod users meeting accident while operating the player during driving. The move will work two fold: as a security feature and an added entertainment

Your Pain Is Google's Gain: Google Health On Cards?

Having a mild headache, but want to know whether it's migrane or something else before going to doctor? Here is your chance, log on to Google.

Google is working on a service, to be known as Google Health Scapbook. The portal will cater to the needs of patients, doctors, vendors and pharmaceutical companies. The service will not only provide information, but also allow users keep a track of their medical records and pay medical bills online. The reports are that Google is collaborating with WebMD and Intuit for the service. Some online websites report that the project is supposedly supervised by Missy Krasner, a project manager who joined Google earlier this year.But Google is (as its trademark) silent over the reports, it says, "Health has been an area of interest at Google for some time. We have been doing a variety of research in the health area, including how to improve the quality of health-related search results. Google Co-op is one reflection of that. We continue to look for more ways to benefit our users in the area of health, but we do not have any products to announce at this time. As part of our efforts, we work with many companies in formal and informal ways."