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Written by Stew
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Friday, 09 May 2008 |
 I recently read Nick Carr's 'The Big Switch': Rewiring the world from Edison to Google. It's a fairly eye-opening account of how the internet is continuing to evolve and how one day we will access internet services via a web browser in the same way that we now have access to electricity. If we want to power our electronic devices we simply plug-in and go. The same will soon be possible if want to create a web page, spreadsheet, written document, convert a file, draw a picture or even make a video. I'm talking, of course, about Cloud Computing. But is it simply web-based apps? Could there be more to it than that?
The term Cloud Computing is certainly the IT buzz word of the moment, and like many buzz words, suffers from not having any clear definition of what it actually means. This video goes to some lengths to try and get closer to a working definition and features interviews with prominent IT folks who you would think have their techie fingers right on the pulse. What's clearly apparent however, is that cloud computing means different things to different people.
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Written by Stew
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 |
The HP 2133 Mini-Note has enjoyed plenty of media exposure in the last couple of weeks with reviews and comments popping up all over. The discussion about which operating system is best suited to getting the most out of your Mini-Note is also hotting up. HP, quite wisely in my opinion, have decided to offer the 2133 Mini-Note with a choice of either XP, Vista or Linux with further hardware options and prices to boot.
This video comes to you from www.hp2133guide.com, a excellent resource for all reviews, tips and advice regarding the latest addition to the Mini-Note space form HP. The video focuses on the video playback performance of the HP 2133 with Windows XP using DVD, Mpeg4 and Youtube. Fairly impressive.
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Written by Stew
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Thursday, 24 April 2008 |
 You may remember a blog I posted a few months ago about a Pico-ITX-based Johnny 5 robot that was filmed dancing to the Bee Gees, well I came across a cool article on VIA Arena that delves deeper into the world of Johnny 5 building. Helen Dayman interviews Andrew Alter, Johnny's creator, exploring the source of his passion for robotics, his recent upgrades to Johnny and what the future holds for amateurs like himself in terms of A.I. and robot personality development. There's also some useful advice for those of you who want to start your own robotics research lab in the garden shed. | | Read more... (0 Comments) |
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Written by Stew
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Wednesday, 16 April 2008 |
 S3 Graphics today announced a GPU designed specifically for the embedded market. Believing that the latest Chrome 400 Series GPU architecture has what it takes to take the embedded market by storm, S3 Graphics came up with the 4300E, a chip that takes the graphics and video performance of the Chrome 400 Series to even lower power and heat points, making it perfect for media-intensive embedded systems.
Most of todays embedded computer systems, devices like ATMs, ticket machines, electronic advertising boards, and a million other machines that fill our everyday lives, require extreme power-efficiency, not least because they are to required to function 24/7, but because it also guarantees system stability. But what about systems that play video or need cool looking graphics? Can we have 1080p on an embedded system?
Today's media has improved a great deal and as we enter the HD age (are there HD toasters ovens yet?) more and more computing power is needed to simply play a video, which in turn implies better graphics hardware and more sophisticated video engines. This is where the GPU is king.
 The embedded industry as a whole is beginning to realize that certain applications, for example casino gaming and digital signage, are starting to need a dedicated GPU that can handle such tasks. There was only one problem. Dedicated graphics chips typically use upwards from 14 watts and usually require active cooling systems. This is simply unacceptable. Some embedded systems use 10-15 watts total. No way are you going to double the power consumption of your system to accommodate 1080p visuals.
This is where S3 has seen an opportunity to shine. The 4300E uses up to 30% less power than competitor systems to deliver DirectX 10.1 graphics and real Hi-Def video making it well within the limitations of embedded system design.
Here's to 1080p on shopping mall billboards. | | Read more... (0 Comments) |
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Written by Stew
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Friday, 11 April 2008 |
 The HP 2133 Mini-Note PC appeared in the news this week making quite a splash as both a competitor to the Asus EEE and a tool for students. What interested me was that HP plan to offer three distinct versions, using three different operating systems complimented with three corresponding hardware configurations and price points.
The top-of-the-line sku involves a 1.6GHz VIA C7 ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) CPU with 2GB of DDR2 loaded with Windows Vista Business. Microsoft recommends at least 1GB of RAM to run their latest OS offering but I think that HP have listened to customers here, shipping 2GB to ensure a smooth ride. This setup costs $749.
The mid-priced version will apparently retail for $599 and sports a 1.2GHz VIA C7 ULV, 1GB of DDR2 and runs Windows Vista Home Basic.
At $499 we have a version that runs SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 OS from Novell. This version is content with a 1.0GHz VIA C7 ULV and 512MB of DRR2.
 All versions have a bright 8.9" screen with a native resolution of 1280 x 768, built in multi-channel VIA Vinyl Audio, 802.11a/b/g wireless and large, comfortable keyboard that uses significantly larger keys than we've seen on most devices this size. There are also various options regarding storage, including 120GB or 160GB capacities and 5,200rpm or 7,200rpm spindle speeds. There's also the option of a rugged student-proof SSD drive available for the Linux version.
The HP Mini is aimed at the education sector but I have a sneaky feeling it will also be in demand with business users and the mobility crowd alike. I think it's also significant that HP have developed three distinct versions. The Mini-Note / UMPC segment is still in its infancy and HP are offering enough options to let the user decide which way they want to go, be it open source, SSD/cloud PC, or a straight-up mini business machine. With a peak price of $750 and a price variance of $250, I bet it'll appeal to more than just school kids.
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Written by Stew
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Monday, 07 April 2008 |
 Thin Clients are frequently touted as being able to reduce fuel bills, improve data security, offer a more rational infrastructure and do all but tuck you into bed at night. And while I've been a willing touter myself at times, it's never been easy to actually quantify in simple terms the benefits of these emerging technologies.
Here is something wholly tangible that can be nailed to the mast. The Fraunhofer Institute in Germany has calculated that in 2007, thin client computing helped Western European businesses reduce their carbon emissions by a total of 166,000 tons: the equivalent of 540 return flights from London to New York.
In the words of Hartmut Pflaum, Fraunhofer researcher: "While PCs consume 85 watts on average, thin clients and their server get by with 40 to 50 watts. In view of climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions, this is an important factor".
This is staggeringly positive news considering that thin clients currently represent a mere 10% of the business PCs in Europe . Imagine how much less CO2 would be pumped into the atmosphere if thin clients became ubiquitous. A lot. A heck of a lot. | | Read more... (0 Comments) |
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Written by Stew
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Wednesday, 02 April 2008 |
I noticed today that Logic Supply have added two new Pico-ITX cases to their catalogue. The VIA EPIA PX10000 is an incredibly small form factor motherboard that uses a 1GHz VIA C7 processor and is essentially a complete system in the palm of your hand. Measuring only 10cm x 7.2cm, the PX10000 was always going to require something rather dainty and these two chassis fit that bill perfectly.
 The Serener GS-L08 is a fanless case and retails for $179.00 while the XENO X07P1has more mounting options and is perhaps more suited to Industrial PC design, retailing at $110.00. Both are designed specially to suit a Pico-ITX-based system and include power converters and 60 watt power supply units.
The XENO X07P1 and Serener GS-L08 will join the VIA ARTiGO as Pico-ITX compatible cases options and will be useful additions for both the Embedded and Modder communities. | | Read more... (2 Comments) |
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