Gizmag: Personal Computing

Chips with collaborating CPU and GPU lead to faster processors

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:43:04 -0600

Want to get your computer to run faster? Well, consider its graphics processing unit (GPU) and central processing unit (CPU). The two work away at their own tasks, each one rarely helping the other shoulder its workload. Researchers from North Carolina State University, however, are in the process of changing that. They have already developed a technique that allows GPUs and CPUs located on a single chip to collaborate on tasks, and it has resulted in a processing speed increase of over 20 percent... Continue Reading Chips with collaborating CPU and GPU lead to faster processors

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Chips, Computers, North Carolina State University, Processing

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Raspberry Pi to ship February 20, launch before March

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:59:08 -0600

There's good news for those itching to get their hands on a Raspberry Pi. After a short delay, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has confirmed that the first batch of the US$25 computers is due to roll off the production line February 20. Shifting production eastwards caused some delay, as the cheapest available quartz crystal package selected when manufacturing was planned for the UK proved harder to source in China, where the Pi will now be manufactured. The first batch will be freighted by air to the UK, where the wee beasties should be available before the end of the month. Previously, the first batch had been slated for completion by the end of January... Continue Reading Raspberry Pi to ship February 20, launch before March

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Affordable, Computers, Education

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Telikin touch-PC targets the gray dollar

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:10:40 -0600

The Telikin is a new touchscreen family computer designed to make everyday tasks as easy as possible. It is clearly aimed at the older user, which explains why its most vaunted features are social in nature, and make a lot of sense for grandparents with distant relatives. Video chat (thanks to a built-in camera), photo sharing and email are first among its advertised features - all of which come ready to use out of the box, provided an internet connection is available, of course... Continue Reading Telikin touch-PC targets the gray dollar

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Accessibility, Computers, Linux, Seniors, Touch Screen

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Embracing forgetfulness, or taking the pain out of passwords (Mac and iOS)

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:17:47 -0600

Change your password day falls February 1 (tomorrow, in other words), and it's a day as good as any other to add some beefy heft to your online security regimen. One thing to strongly consider, if you haven't done so already, is to apply unique passwords across all your log-ins. That might sound daunting, but tools now exist that make it unnecessary to remember a password again. Unfortunately, a lot of the password management software out there isn't as painless as it might be, with cluttered interfaces full of empty text fields asking for a wealth of unnecessary information. And often, they don't come cheap. But there is another, simpler way - one that involves encrypted text files and painless data-syncing... Continue Reading Embracing forgetfulness, or taking the pain out of passwords (Mac and iOS)

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Dropbox, iOS, Macintosh, passwords, Productivity, Security

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The Pirate Bay launches “Physibles” category for 3D printable objects

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:42:28 -0600

Consumer-level 3D printing technology has moved ahead in leaps and bounds in recent years with the release of devices such as the Thing-o-Matic, the Replicator and Cubify 3D printers. Proponents of the technology envision a not-too-distant future where users will be able to download designs and print everything from car parts to ... well, a new and improved 3D printer. The folks at The Pirate Bay are obviously on board with this idea. The file-sharing site better known for allowing users to share multimedia, games and software via BitTorrent has now added a new "Physibles" category. The new category will contain digital files for objects that can be physically created using a 3D printer... Continue Reading The Pirate Bay launches “Physibles” category for 3D printable objects

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: 3D Printer, Sharing

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Apple announces iBooks 2 and iTunes U educational apps

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:37:13 -0600

This morning at New York City's Guggenheim Museum, Apple announced the launch of its iBooks 2 for iPad system. The technology is intended to replace traditional paper school textbooks with interactive digital textbooks, that students would access on their own personal iPads. Educational publishers including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill and Pearson will supply content on the iBookstore, with most titles priced at no more than US$14.99. Mac users will also be able to create their own digital textbooks, using the authoring tool, iBooks Author... Continue Reading Apple announces iBooks 2 and iTunes U educational apps

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Apple, Education, iPad Apps

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Tobii demonstrates Gaze Interface for Windows 8 at CES

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:08:01 -0600

Eye control innovator Tobii introduced and demonstrated its latest eye control technology at last week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Gaze interface for Windows 8 is said to take advantage of the operating system's large tile layout to offer users a superior interaction experience, that neither touch nor mouse alone can provide... Continue Reading Tobii demonstrates Gaze Interface for Windows 8 at CES

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: CES 2012, Eye-tracking, Windows 8

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Thermaltake's Level 10 M Mouse exposes itself to serious gamers

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:41:21 -0600

Design consultancy and BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA has been collaborating on projects with PC case and components manufacturer Thermaltake on various projects, such as the Level 10 concept PC, since 2009. Now the two have teamed up again with Thermaltake asking DesignworksUSA to develop a series of design concepts for its upcoming range of Level 10 gaming accessories that will be created for its e-sports division. The first product out of the blocks is the Level 10 M Mouse that gamers will be able to get their palms on later this year... Continue Reading Thermaltake's Level 10 M Mouse exposes itself to serious gamers

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: BMW, Mouse, Thermaltake

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Victorinox packs a 1 TB SSD into a pocket-knife

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:38:47 -0600

Not all that long ago the availability of a 1TB solid state drive (SSD) was big news, now you can fit them in your pocket … or in this case, your pocket-knife. Shown last week at CES, the Victorinox SSD features two interchangeable bodies - one with traditional Swiss Army Knife blade, scissors and nail file/screw driver combo, plus a second flight-friendly casing without any pointy bits. When the 1 TB model hits the market later this year Victorinox says it will be the world’s smallest high-capacity SSD drive available … but it won't come cheap... Continue Reading Victorinox packs a 1 TB SSD into a pocket-knife

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Knife, SSD, Victorinox

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scriptogr.am generates elegant weblogs from Dropbox-stored text files

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:15:12 -0600

The bloggers among you will be aware of that ongoing, nagging, internal monologue as to whether our chosen blogging platform offers the optimal combination of features, cost and reliability for our particular blend of needs. Depending on where that silent debate presently rests, you may be either pleased or frustrated to hear that another contender - scriptogr.am - has entered the fray, though it's one with a markedly different take on the very process blogging, using text files from a user's Dropbox account to generate a simple, elegant weblog... Continue Reading scriptogr.am generates elegant weblogs from Dropbox-stored text files

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Software

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Wormhole Station connects Windows to Mac to Android to iOS

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:17:28 -0600

The PC and Mac advocates have been debating for years over which is superior, with good arguments on both sides; but a third, often overlooked camp exists: people who use both. If you're in that group, then you know how frustrating it can be to have the perks of both machines, but the downside of few easy options for sharing files or peripherals between the two. That's why tech manufacturer j5create has rolled out the Wormhole Switch and the Wormhole Station, which allow file transfers between PC, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as keyboard and mouse sharing... Continue Reading Wormhole Station connects Windows to Mac to Android to iOS

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Android, Apple, CES 2012, Data Transfer, iOS, PC

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Belkin unveils new Thunderbolt Express Dock at CES

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:50:26 -0600

Despite being introduced almost a year ago on Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup, the Thunderbolt interface hasn’t really seen as much love from peripheral makers as we would have expected. While there have been a few Thunderbolt-equipped peripherals hitting the market, it’s been more of a trickle than a flood. Belkin is no doubt also hoping the range of Thunderbolt devices will increase in the near future to make it’s upcoming Thunderbolt Express Dock, which was unveiled today at CES, a more compelling purchase. .. Continue Reading Belkin unveils new Thunderbolt Express Dock at CES

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Belkin, CES 2012, Docking Station, Thunderbolt

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AOC ups the screen size to 22-inches for its latest USB monitor

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:18:22 -0600

AOC, the makers of a range of USB monitors including the16-inch E1649FWU USB monitor, has upped the screen size for its latest USB-powered offering. The new e2251Fwu boasts a 22-inch LED backlit display and receives both power and signal solely through a USB connection. The single USB cable connection is designed to make hooking yourself up with a dual- or multi-monitor setup a simple plug-and-play affair and appeal to those looking to take a second monitor on the road to accompany their laptop... Continue Reading AOC ups the screen size to 22-inches for its latest USB monitor

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: CES 2012, Display, LED backlit, Monitor, USB

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AMD Radeon HD 7970 unveiled as world's first 28nm GPU

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:06:56 -0600

AMD has taken the wraps of the Radeon HD 7970 graphics card. Billed as the world's fastest single GPU graphics card and the only GPU based on 28nm production technology, the new arrival pushes AMD ahead of NVIDIA in terms of miniaturization. The HD 7970 uses a new Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture that AMD says results in a 150 percent performance/sq mm jump over the previous 40nm-based generation, is compatible with PCI Express 3.0 and features 3GB of GDDR5 memory and 925MHz engine clock. It also supports Direct3D 11.1 to be released with Windows 8... Continue Reading AMD Radeon HD 7970 unveiled as world's first 28nm GPU

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: AMD, ATI, Graphics Card, Processor, World's Fastest

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Deonet announces world's smallest USB memory stick

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:57:14 -0600

Just when you think that USB Flash storage can't possibly get any smaller, a company pops up with something so tiny that you're going to need the corded fob to make sure you don't lose it. Dutch promotional product manufacturer Deonet - maker of a diamond-studded Golden USB memory stick and an FSC-certified, maple-enclosed Eco Wood drive - has announced just such a portable storage solution, and is the latest to claim the title of the world's smallest USB stick... Continue Reading Deonet announces world's smallest USB memory stick

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Data Storage, Memory, USB, World's Smallest

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ASUS unveils ET2700 All-in-One PC with 10-point multi-touch display

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:07:09 -0600

When it comes to big screen all-in-one computers, Apple's iMac seems to rule the roost. PC users have plenty of choice at smaller screen sizes but there's a bit of a gap at the 27-inch end of the space-saving format. ASUS has finally introduced its ET2700 All-in-One PC Series to fill the void. Available with up to Core i7 processing power and up to 2TB of onboard storage, the new AIO models are also said to be the first in the world to offer 10-point multi-touch display interaction... Continue Reading ASUS unveils ET2700 All-in-One PC with 10-point multi-touch display

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: All-in-one, Asus, Intel Core, Multi-touch

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Dell launches Alienware Aurora gaming rig

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:36:52 -0600

Alienware, Dell's subsidiary responsible for designing gamer-centric PCs, has updated its lineup of desktop PCs with the Alienware Aurora R4. Like all Alienware offerings, the specs are customizable with the Aurora R4 offering a choice of Intel Core i7 3000-series six-core CPUs, dual high-end GPUs from AMD or NVIDIA and up to four HDDs or SSDs. It's also equipped with liquid CPU cooling, active venting and an easily openable micro ATX chassis with external and internal lighting, while the famous alien head logo serves as a power button. .. Continue Reading Dell launches Alienware Aurora gaming rig

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Alienware, Dell, PC

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Orange Amps upgrades OPC specs, reduces cost

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:01:44 -0600

The combined computer and guitar amp introduced by Orange Amps last year - and which subsequently found itself being used in a successful Guinness World Record attempt by fingerboard speed king Tiago Della Vega - has just had some of its internals upgraded, and been given a bit a price cut, too. The Windows 7 OPC is now available with up to Core i7 processing power and 8GB of DDR3 RAM, USB 3.0 port connectivity and hundred of dollars worth of bundled music-related software... Continue Reading Orange Amps upgrades OPC specs, reduces cost

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Amplifiers, Core i7, Orange, Personal Computers

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Hitachi GST outs two new 4TB HDD storage solutions

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:55:02 -0600

Just when you thought that you still had loads of room on the 1TB of storage in your PC or Mac, another holiday season comes around and tempts you to capture all the antics at the office party in multi-megapixel clarity, or record high definition movies of loved ones as they excitedly rip through reams and reams of wrapping paper. Suddenly your monster hard drive starts to look somewhat elf-like. Hitachi GST (Global Storage Technologies) has unveiled two new hard disk storage solutions of gargantuan capacity that may well help to alleviate some of those storage woes. Both center around the same 4TB Deskstar 5K4000 HDD - with one being prepped for internal use, and the other given a nice outer jacket and USB 3.0 connectivity... Continue Reading Hitachi GST outs two new 4TB HDD storage solutions

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Data Storage, Hard Drive, Hitachi

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Art. Lebedev's Popularis and mini six keyboards up for pre-order

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:31:58 -0600

Unveiled more than three years ago, the Optimus Popularis keyboard has been finally made available for pre-order at Art. Lebedev design studio's website. Each key of the Popularis incorporates a tiny LCD running at 64 x 64 pixels resolution and can display any chosen image (or even an animation), performing any function assigned by the user. Art. Lebedev is also taking orders for the Optimus mini six external keyboard which offers six programmable LCD keys... Continue Reading Art. Lebedev's Popularis and mini six keyboards up for pre-order

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Art Lebedev, Keyboard, USB

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AOC releases 15.6-inch portable USB display

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:33:49 -0600

Recent days have seen the release of AOC's catchily-named E1649FWU display. Its name isn't important. What is important is that this is a portable 15.6 inch 16:9 LED display with a maximum resolution of 1366x768 at 60 Hz. Most impressive is that the e-fwoo (as I'm calling it) is solely USB 2.0-driven, which means a single cable, connected plug and play to your computer, for video signal and power... Continue Reading AOC releases 15.6-inch portable USB display

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Display, Monitor, USB

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Google's Chrome browser surging past Firefox

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:25:29 -0600

Google Chrome has pulled into second place in the browser war according to website analytics company StatCounter. Chrome now has 25.69 percent of the market while Firefox has 25.23 percent. Both browsers are trailing the Internet Explorer which still owns 40.63-percent of the market... Continue Reading Google's Chrome browser surging past Firefox

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Google, Internet, Internet Explorer, Mozilla

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3Dconnexion updates professional mouse lineup with SpaceMouse Pro

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:13:56 -0600

There are basically two groups of users that require the most advanced, ergonomic and multitask-capable input peripherals - hardcore gamers and professionals working with sophisticated software. 3Dconnexion has updated its lineup of 3D mice aimed at the latter group of users with the SpaceMouse Pro. The new arrival is equipped with six-degrees-of-freedom sensor for manipulating 3D objects, 15 programmable keys and an on-screen display... Continue Reading 3Dconnexion updates professional mouse lineup with SpaceMouse Pro

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: 3D, 3Dconnexion, Input Device, Mouse

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Little Printer prints tiny personalized ticker tape "newspapers"

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:31:51 -0600

Even though computers were supposed to usher in a paperless society, the fact is that for some things, people still like the simplicity and durability of printed text. Now more than ever, though, we’re being told to cut back on unnecessary paper use. Well, that’s where the Little Printer comes in. Announced today by UK tech company BERG, the small box-shaped device is designed to search the internet using user-defined criteria, then print off a cash register receipt-like mini newspaper upon request. Users can then stuff that printout in their pocket, jam it into their wallet, or use the back of it for their next shopping list... Continue Reading Little Printer prints tiny personalized ticker tape "newspapers"

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: News, Paper, Printer

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Seagate offers best of both worlds with second gen Momentus XT hybrid solid state/hard drive

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:07:18 -0600

Released in mid-2010, Seagate's Momentus XT combined performance approaching that of a solid state drive (SSD) with the storage capacity and cheaper price of a traditional platter-based hard disk drive (HDD) in a laptop-friendly 2.5-inch form factor. It accomplished this by combining a traditional 7200 RPM HDD and a 4 GB SLC NAND solid state memory module in the one unit. Now Seagate has begun shipping the second generation of the Momentus XT that it says is its fastest ever consumer level drive... Continue Reading Seagate offers best of both worlds with second gen Momentus XT hybrid solid state/hard drive

Section: Personal Computing

Tags: Hard Drive, Seagate, SSD

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