Latest Technology Buzz

Firefox review 3 beta

2008-04-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

OSWeekly activated the latest Firefox 3 beta and is not impressed. Firefox 3 is now in beta 5 and accessible for download at the Mozilla site.

Quote from the review: "I’ve been testing the latest absolution of Firefox back my aftermost article, which discussed the areas Mozilla bare to assignment on. Overall, it looks and feels like the aftermost release.

The aftermost and bluntly the better disappointment had to be the absolute abridgement of accomplishing annihilation advantageous with the browser's RSS abilities. True to Mozilla's Google loyalty, the absence clairvoyant charcoal the Google Reader."

Read the abounding analysis on OSWeekly.

Microsoft removes genuine validation for ie7

2007-10-10T02:49:00.000-07:00

In a somewhat surprising move, Microsoft has made their Internet Explorer 7 browser available to anyone running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, in an update that removes Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation software from the browser.

Before the update, only users running genuine Microsoft products could update from the terrible IE6 browser, but now even those with pirated Windows can update.

"Because Microsoft takes its commitment to help protect the entire Windows ecosystem seriously, we’re updating the IE7 installation experience to make it available as broadly as possible to all Windows users," remarked IE7 program manager Steve Reynolds on the IE Blog. "With today’s 'Installation and Availability Update,' Internet Explorer 7 installation will no longer require Windows Genuine Advantage validation and will be available to all Windows XP users."

The move is likely to give some of the browser market back to Microsoft which it has been losing to strong competitors such as Firefox and Opera.

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/11388.cfm

Mirrors 'could deflect' asteroids

2007-10-10T02:47:00.000-07:00

Flying mirrors could save earth from a catastrophic asteroid collision, researchers have claimed.
Up to 5,000 mirrors would be used to focus a beam of sunlight on to the asteroid, melting the rock and altering its orbital path away from earth.

The announcement came after a team at the University of Glasgow compared nine different methods of deflecting near earth objects - asteroids and comets.

A 100m asteroid hits the earth roughly every century.

Orbiting mirrors would be used to focus sunlight on an area of the asteroid - heating the rock to around 2,100 degrees Celsius.

This would create a thrust which would nudge the asteroid off course.

The team found that the orbit of an asteroid 150m across could be sufficiently modified by a swarm of 100 mirrors in a few days.

For an asteroid on the scale of that which is believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs, a 5,000-strong fleet of spacecraft would need to focus a beam on the surface for three or more years.

"With only 10 spacecraft flying in formation, each with a 20m mirror, we could deflect a similar size asteroid into a safe orbit in about six months.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7029650.stm

Russia builds most powerful vacuum bomb

2007-10-06T02:46:00.000-07:00

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Tuesday it had tested the world's most powerful vacuum bomb.

Russia has tested the world's most powerful vacuum bomb, unleashing a destructive shockwave with the power of a nuclear weapon. "The main destruction is inflicted by an ultrasonic shockwave and an incredibly high temperature," the report said. "All that is alive merely evaporates."
"Test results of the new airborne weapon have shown that its efficiency and power is commensurate with a nuclear weapon," Alexander Rukshin, deputy head of Russia's armed force chief of staff, told Russia's ORT First Channel television.
"You will now see it in action, the bomb which has no match in the world is being tested at a military site," the report said. It showed a Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber dropping the bomb over a testing ground. A large explosion followed.
A vacuum bomb, or fuel-air explosive, causes widespread devastation. A typical bomb of that type is dropped or fired, the first explosive charge bursts open the container at a predetermined height and disperses the fuel in a cloud that mixes with oxygen. A second charge ignites the cloud, which can engulf objects or buildings.
"At the same time, I want to stress that the action of this weapon does not contaminate the environment, in contrast to a nuclear one."

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1155952320070912?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Halo 3 brokes its previous sales record!

2007-10-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

Halo 3 makes $170 million USD in first 24 hours

Long before Halo 3 hit retail shelves, Microsoft boasted that the launch would be the "biggest day in US entertainment history." Judging by figures compiled for the first 24 hours, they can now back that claim up.

According to a press release from Microsoft, Halo 3 has generated $170 million USD in its first 24 hours of US availability, making it the biggest launch day in the history of the US entertainment industry. The sales beat out the "Spider-Man 3" movie as well as the latest Harry Potter novel, although it must be said that the game is fairly more expensive than either a movie ticket or a hardcover book.

In every copy of the game Microsoft also included a 48-hour trial for Xbox Live, which likely helped drive September 25th to be the busiest day in XBL history.

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/11268.cfm

Microsoft launches enterprise 'get legal' program

2007-10-03T02:44:00.000-07:00

October 02, 2007 (Computerworld) -- Microsoft Corp. amped up its antipiracy campaign today, adding a program that targets large customers that need to "get legal" after being fingered for using counterfeit or illegally-applied volume licenses.

The program, dubbed Get Genuine Windows Agreement (GGWA), plugs a hole in the company's antipiracy efforts, said Cori Hartje, the director of Microsoft's 18-month-old initiative to identify phony copies of Windows or instances of unlicensed use of the software.

"This fills in the entire picture," said Hartje. "Consumers who had been identified as running a counterfeit [version of] Windows could simply push a button and have the purchase made right then. But we didn't have a good way to programmatically address the same for larger-scale customers, particularly through the [reseller] channel."

GGWA uses Microsoft's standard volume licensing -- and therefore is designed for organizations that generally acquire the company's software through that venue -- to sell full licenses of Windows XP Professional. Most customers looking to get legal using GGWA would go through their existing channel reseller, Hartje said.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=security&articleId=9040518&taxonomyId=17&intsrc=kc_top

Rapidshare.com security warning

2007-09-26T02:38:00.000-07:00

Security warnings

We have been notified about e-mail messages that pretend to be sent by support@rapidshare.com and claim that the recipient's RapidShare premium account has to be "validated". Those messages contain a link leading to a phishing website that looks like rapidshare.com, but of course is a fake and only aims at stealing your account information. Do not enter your account information on that website. If you already did and your account was stolen, please contact us at support@rapidshare.com.
Generally you should never enter your login information on any websites other than rapidshare.com. Your account information would most likely be stolen.
If we ever contact you (apart from replying to messages you sent us) our message will at least contain your account number, if available. Additionally our messages will not contain attachments. If you are unsure whether a message is real or fake, just ask us (support@rapidshare.com).

Info Found here.

http://rapidshare.com/en/security.html

google may soon be releasing Google phone shortly

2007-09-22T04:31:00.000-07:00

Google may be releasing Google phone shortly Google (GOOG) is believed to
be "a fortnight away from the worldwide launch of its much-awaited Google Phone."

It is expected in the U.S. and Europe, and the only hurdle Google is yet to
cross is U.S. regulatory approval, which is expected shortly.

Germany cracks down on copying

2007-09-20T02:30:00.000-07:00

Germany's upper house of parliament on Friday approved a controversial copyright law, which makes it all but illegal for individuals to make copies of films and music, even for their own use.
The Bundesrat pushed aside criticism from consumer protection groups and passed the law, which makes it illegal for anyone to store DVDs and CDs without permission. The law also covers digital copies from IPTV and TV broadcasts.

Consumer groups and the Green Party had campaigned in vain to include an exemption, so that the measure would not criminalize youths and other private users. The law is set to take effect in 2008.

The law goes beyond previous legislation brought in by the government to help the entertainment industry. Germany's federal justice minister Brigitte Zypris claimed that the legislative reform brought Germany into line with European Union codes.

Yahoo spreading trojans???

2007-09-17T02:28:00.000-07:00

In another example of how legit and mostly decent companies can have their user trust abuse in in this latest scandal involving Yahoo. An ad company that Yahoo owns, Right Media, served up some particular advertisements several million times that ended up being loaded with Trojans. These ads, while all over the Internet, were most prominently featured on MySpace and PhotoBucket – not shady warez sites.
The issues began last month, and according to ScanSafe the articles were seen many, many times:
The banner ads, which were brokered by Right Media, were served an estimated 12 million times over a three-week period starting in early August, according to ScanSafe, a managed security provider. Earlier this year, Yahoo paid $650m to acquire the 80 percent of the company it didn't already own.

How exactly did this happen? Obviously, Right Media doesn't generate all the ads they send out – other companies make them, and advertise through them. It's up to Right Media, however, to sort through those ads and make sure they are clean. Apparently someone dropped the ball on that, with unscrupulous folks being able to turn their own check system against them:
hackers were able to circumvent these checks by programming the flash file not to attack machines associated with Right Media's internet domain.

Who's responsible here? Yahoo, for owning Right Media? Right Media, for letting the ads slip by? MySpace, for having the banner ads? I'm sure someone will want to end up suing over this, though truthfully the threats we face like this are part of the charm that is the Internet.

http://www.techspot.com/news/26961-yahoo-accidentally-dishes-out-trojans-via-banner-ads.html

How to fit 1TB of data on one CD-sized disc

2007-09-01T05:26:00.000-07:00

Blu-ray and HD DVD have pushed the limits of optical storage further than anyone thought possible. But a new technology has emerged which makes Blu-ray's 50GB capacity look tiny. Mempile in Israel says it's able to fit an incredible 1TB of data onto one "TeraDisc" which is the same size as CDs and DVDs. That's 20 times the capacity of a maxed-out dual-layer Blu-ray disc.
The incredible capacity achieved using this new technology is made possible by employing 200 5GB layers, each one only five microns apart. The discs are completely transparent to the red lasers which are used in the associated recorder.
Prototypes have already been made to store up to 800GB of data, and Mempile says it will crack the 1TB barrier before moving on to build 5TB blue laser disks.
Dr Beth Erez, Mempile's Chief Marketing Officer says that the first 1TB disks have a lifespan of 50 years and could be on the shelves in two to three years.
On a 1TB disc, you could store
212 DVD-quality movies
250,000 MP3 files
1,000,000 large Word documents

http://www.tech.co.uk/home-entertainment/hi-fi-and-audio/other-playback-and-recording-formats/news/how-to-fit-1tb-of-data-on-one-cd-sized-disc?articleid=1665250963

Mozilla Aims To Warn Users About Dangerous Sites

2007-08-30T03:25:00.000-07:00

The next version of Firefox will identify malware on Web sites and make users stop and think about it.
With the number of malicious Web pages mushrooming over the past several months, the Mozilla Foundation is looking to help users defend themselves. Window Snyder, who is Mozilla's "chief security something-or-other," says the company is taking a two-pronged approach.
First, Mozilla developers are working on giving Firefox 3.0, the next version of the open source browser due later this year, the ability to detect malicious code on Web sites that users are trying to access. "In Firefox 2, there's no mechanism that identifies if malware is present," says Snyder.
Second, developers are working on creating an interface that will warn users that the pages they're trying to call up are dangerous. "We don't want to just pop up an alert that gives them an OK or cancel option," says Snyder. "We want to create a warning that users won't mistake. ... It's going to be a different kind of warning, and it's not going to be a click-through."
Security company Sophos reported last month that the number of malicious Web sites has skyrocketed over the past few months, from 5,000 new ones a day in April to nearly 30,000 a day in early July. One reason, according to Sophos researchers, is that hackers are increasingly turning away from e-mail as their preferred method of spreading malware and putting their focus on malicious sites. In some cases, they're creating their own sites, but in most cases they're hacking into legitimate sites and embedding malware into them.
The mock-up of the alert appears as a red-letter warning that doesn't have a click-through option, and the malicious page wouldn't be able to load. It's still a work in progress, and it could change dramatically before Firefox 3.0 ships, Snyder says. Technicians are debating whether there should be an override mechanism that lets users go to malicious pages regardless of the danger.

http://www.informationweek.com/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201400213&subSection=Spam/Spyware

AMD plots 16 core super cpu for 2009

2007-08-30T02:12:00.000-07:00

AMD is preparing an all-new PC processor with up to 16 execution cores. Due out in the first half of 2009, the new architecture is codenamed Bulldozer. In an official announcement, AMD said Bulldozer will be its first substantially new CPU core since the original Athlon 64 processor of 2003. And it'll be the first ground up architectural redesign since the K7 Athlon of 1999.
In that context, it's likely the Bulldozer architecture will provide the foundations of AMD CPUs for many years to come. In other words, the architecture is rather important. The news is the latest in a flurry of announcements from AMD's PR machine in the past week. AMD has already revealed plans for a second-gen quad-core processor known as Shanghai and demoed its upcoming Phenom quad-core desktop chip running at 3GHz.
Meanwhile, the world is still waiting for Barcelona, AMD's first generation quad-core CPU , to appear. AMD has promised that Barcelona will launch later this August.
But what about Bulldozer? The big news is that it will form the basis of AMD's first massively multi-core PC processor with up to 16 execution cores. Bulldozer will also be fully compatible with AMD's so-called M-SPACE modular CPU design.
Along with traditional PC processors, therefore, expect to see AMD Fusion CPUs powered by Bulldozer cores but also offering a range of specialised processing units. Think graphics processing cores and high-definition video decoding engines and you'll get an idea of the sort of additional functionality Bulldozer-based Fusion processors will deliver.

http://www.tech.co.uk/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/motherboards-and-processors/news/amd-plots-16-core-super-cpu-for-2009?articleid=1754617439

Engineers develop a mind-controlled prosthetic arm

2007-08-26T04:41:00.000-07:00

More than 130 veterans of the Iraq war now face the daunting challenge of learning to live with a missing arm. To make that transition easier, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or Darpa, has launched a $55-million project that pools the efforts of prosthetics experts nationwide to create a thought-controlled bionic arm that duplicates the functions of a natural limb. If all goes well, by 2009 the agency will petition the Food and Drug Administration to put the arm through clinical trials.
This summer the team hit a critical milestone when it finished Proto 2, a thought-controlled mechanical arm—complete with hand and articulated fingers—that can perform 25 joint motions. This dexterity approaches that of a native arm, which can make 30 motions, and trumps the previously most agile bionic arm, the Proto 1, which could bend at the elbow, rotate its wrist and shoulder, and open and close its fingers. A person wearing a Proto 2 could conceivably play the piano.
The next steps are to shrink the battery, develop more-efficient motors, and refine the bulky electrodes used to read electrical signals in muscles. As for making actual music, the wearer is on his own
How it Works
Control System
Researchers are experimenting with injectible myoelectric sensors (IMES) that detect muscle activity and wirelessly transmit commands to the prosthetic arm. The setup eliminates bulky electrodes glued to the chest. A wire coil wrapped over the shoulder supplies wireless power to the implants and relays signals to computers in the prosthetic that decipher the command and tell the arm to move. The team is also considering implanting electrodes directly on nerves—or in the brain itself—to achieve more natural neural control by 2009.

http://www.topix.net/tech/2007/08/engineers-develop-a-mind-controlled-prosthetic-arm-dexterous-enough-to-play-piano

Google Earth given celestial view

2007-08-24T05:43:00.000-07:00

The constellations of Andromeda, Hydra and Vulpecula are now just a mouse click away for amateur star-gazers, following the launch of Google Sky.

The tool is an add-on to Google Earth, a program that allows users to search a 3D rendition of our planet's surface.
Sky will allow astronomers a chance to glide through images of more than one million stars and 200 million galaxies.
Optional layers allow users to explore images from the Hubble Space Telescope as well as animations of lunar cycles.
"The basic idea is to take Google Earth and turn it on its head," Ed Parsons, Geospatial technologist at Google told the BBC News website.
"So rather than using it to view imagery of the Earth, use it to view imagery of space." Dr John Mason of the British Astronomical Association, Britain's largest body for amateur astronomers said: "Light pollution and air pollution is now so bad in many areas that all you can see when you look up is a few dozen stars.

PlayStation to record digital TV

2007-08-23T04:35:00.000-07:00

PlayStation 3 (PS3) users in Europe will soon be able to record and playback digital TV on their console.
Sony has unveiled a TV tuner which plugs into the PS3 and turns it into a personal video recorder like Sky+.

PlayTV for PS3 is a twin TV tuner that will launch in early 2008 in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain with other countries to follow.
Recorded programmes can be streamed over a wireless internet connection to the portable PSP or transferred permanently to the handheld console via a USB cable. In a statement, David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said PlayTV would extend the "broad entertainment credentials of PS3".

Sony also used the conference to give more details of a video chat and instant messaging system for the PSP, called Go!Messenger, developed in conjunction with BT in the UK.

PSP users in Europe will be able to send messages, and video chat with each other once the software behind the tool is released in January. Sony also unveiled a GPS add-on for the PSP, called Go!Explore, and said a UK video download service for the console, developed in conjunction with Sky and called Go!, would launch in the UK in January.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR

2007-08-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

Tokyo, October 1, 2007 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces today that it will launch the Lancer Evolution X high-performance 4WD sedan, newest of the company's legendary vehicles, on October 1 at dealerships throughout Japan. Featuring a new platform, engine, and exterior and interior designs, the totally redesigned

The development goal for the new Lancer Evolution X was to make the car as fast as possible, while also making it as safe to drive as possible. To that end Lancer Evolution X is loaded with the very latest in automotive engineering technology, including the S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) vehicle dynamics control system and the newly developed, power-efficient Twin Clutch SST (Sport Shift Transmission). Lancer Evolution X is a new-generation high-performance 4WD sedan that allows a new category of driver access to Mitsubishi's dynamic driving experience by underpinning speed with control, security and safety.

All Lancer Evolution X GSR models are fitted with the S-AWC vehicle dynamics control system. The system intelligently manages several component systems to regulate drive torque and braking force at each wheel, reading and reflecting driver intent in real time over a wide range of situations. This allows drivers of all abilities to enjoy sporty driving with peace of mind.

Sporting the S-AWC and Twin Clutch SST and other cutting-edge automotive technology as well as a more comprehensive functional and convenience equipment specification, the GSR trim level (also available with a 5-speed manual transmission) leads the new Lancer Evolution X lineup. The lineup also continues to offer the RS competition base model, with a less comprehensive and simplified equipment specification to reduce weight to a minimum.

The exterior is crafted with sophisticated and aggressive styling to give the low-and-wide squat stance body an aerodynamically clean profile that flows liquidly from the inverted-slant nose over the roof to the tail end, using wind-tunnel proven aero parts. The oversize rear spoiler - standard on the GSR - uses a twisted-section wing panel with different attack angles at its ends and in the center portion to match the airflow over the body surface. A large undercover rectifies underbody airflow for better aerodynamics and also improves drivetrain cooling. The underside of the rear bumper employs a diffuser design that helps to exhaust the underbody airflow more effectively and also adds a distinguishing touch to the rear view.

The interior design places emphasis on functional and operational elements to encourage and allow the driver to concentrate on operating his machine while at the same time realizing levels of comfort and quality that expected in a new-generation sports sedan. Seats are done by Recaro - well-known for providing excellent location, hold, and for alleviating fatigue on longer journeys - with a new full bucket front seat design. Lancer Evolution X uses a small diameter steering wheel

Lancer Evolution X is powered by a new turbocharged engine that adds a high-performance turbocharger to the 4B11-type 2.0-liter 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC MIVEC unit used in the Galant Fortis. Developing more power over the full rev range, this engine generates more torque at 422 Nm (43.0 kg-m)/3500 rpm and has better response than its 4G63 predecessor. The new engine is also lighter and returns better environmental performance.

The GSR is available with the new Twin Clutch SST 6-speed automated manual transmission that eliminates the need for a clutch pedal and provides slick, smooth shifting. Twin Clutch SST puts odd (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even (2nd, 4th and 6th) gears on separate input shafts each with its own clutch and, through tight cooperative control with the engine, switches between these clutches to realize seamless and lightning-fast shifting for feel-good acceleration. Because it uses clutches rather than a torque converter to transmit power, Twin Clutch SST allows superior power transmission efficiency with little loss of motive power and returns excellent fuel economy. Twin Clutch SST models are fitted as standard with steering column-mounted lightweight magnesium paddle shifters that allow the driver to shift manually without taking his hand off the steering wheel. For drivers who enjoy having more direct control over their machine, the GSR is available with a new 5-speed manual transmission.

While based on the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension arrangement used on previous models in the series, Lancer Evolution X features a revamped suspension layout with wider tracks and 18-inch tires. Geometry optimization and greater stiffness in the mountings maximizes the contact patch and allows S-AWC to perform to its full potential as well as bringing improved straight line stability, cornering and ride.

GSR comes standard with 245/40R18 wide and low-aspect tires on 18-inch Enkei 12-spoke high-rigidity cast alloy wheels. 18-inch BBS lightweight alloy wheels are also available as a factory-fitted option for GSR and add a distinctive custom touch with a luster finish. GSR comes standard with brembo 18-inch front and 17-inch rear ventilated disc brakes. The increased disc size improves stopping power and fade resistance as well as improving brake pedal feel.

The factory-fitted High Performance Package comprises the Bilstein single tube shock absorbers and Eibach coil springs used on Lancer Evolution IX MR. It also includes brembo 2-piece disc brakes that realize a saving of 1.3 kg at each wheel and high performance tires

The GSR trim level comes with Mitsubishi Motors' own 4WD vehicle dynamics control system S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) standard. S-AWC uses integrated management to exert high-precision control on drive torque and brake force at each wheel to enhance cornering and stability under all conditions thereby producing vehicle behavior that faithfully reflects driver intent. The Active Center Differential uses an electronically-controlled hydraulic multi-plate clutch to optimize front/rear wheel torque split and thereby produce the best balance between traction and steering response.

AYC uses a torque transfer mechanism in the rear differential to control rear wheel torque differential for different driving conditions and so limit the yaw moment that acts on the vehicle body and thus enhance cornering performance. AYC now features yaw rate feedback control using a yaw rate sensor to more accurately determine the cornering dynamics on a real-time basis. And the addition of braking force control allows the system to realize vehicle behavior that more closely mirrors driver intent.

In Detail
engine Type 4B11 Aluminum Inline-4
position Front Transverse
aspiration Turbocharged & Intercooled
valvetrain DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl w/MIVEC VVT
fuel feed Injection
displacement 1998 cc / 121.9 cu in
bore 86 mm / 3.39 in
stroke 86 mm / 3.39 in
compression 9.0:1
power 220.0 kw / 295 bhp @ 6500 rpm
hp per litre 147.65 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 191.93 bhp per weight
torque 422 nm / 311.3 ft lbs @ 4400 rpm
redline 7000
drive wheels 4WD w/S-AWC, AYC, ASC
body / frame Until Steel
front brakes Vented Discs w/4-Piston Calipers
f brake size 351 mm / 13.8 in
rear brakes Vented Discs w/Twin-Piston Calipers
r brake size 330 mm / 13.0 in
front wheels F 45.7 x 21.6 cm / 18 x 8.5 in
rear wheels R 45.7 x 21.6 cm / 18 x 8.5 in
front tire size P245/40R18 93Y
rear tire size P245/40R18 93Y
steering Rack & Pinion w/Hydrualic Assist
f suspension MacPherson Strut w/Forged Control Arms, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Eibach Coil Springs
r suspension MultiLink Strut w/Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Eibach Coil Springs
weight 1537 kg / 3388 lbs
wheelbase 2650 mm / 104.3 in
front track 1545 mm / 60.8 in
rear track 1545 mm / Not Availabl in
length 4495 mm / 177.0 in
width 45974 mm / 1810 in
height 37592 mm / 1480 in
transmission Twin Clutch SST 6-Speed Automated Manual or 5-Speed Manuall
gear ratios 3.655:1, 2.368:1, 1.754:1, 1.322:1, 1.008:1
final drive designed for smooth operation; its genuine leather wrap provides a positive and comfortable fitment to the hand. For optimum operability the S-AWC mode selector is located on the left spoke. with stiffer walls and better grip. This package brings further improvements in grip, steering response, stability and cornering.

2007 Mazda Taiki Concept

2007-08-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

Oct 2nd, 2007 - The all-new, the Mazda Taiki concept car, equipped with a next-generation rotary engine will all be revealed by Mazda Motor Corporation at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show on 24 October 2007.

Mazda Taiki reflects one possible direction for a future generation of Mazda sports cars aimed at helping create a sustainable society. The fourth concept car in the Nagare design series, Mazda Taiki further evolves the flow theme to establish a breathtaking presence that clearly distinguishes it as the next in the series, and which visually expresses the atmosphere - called taiki in Japanese ï¿½ that wraps the Earth in its protective mantle.

The basic proportions begin with the stretched coupe form of a front-engine rear-wheel-drive layout, the short overhangs, and the liberating feel of an all-glass canopy. The challenge to create ''a design that visually expresses the flow of air" was inspired by the image of a pair of Hagoromo ï¿½ the flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly in Japanese legend ï¿½ floating down from the sky.

Inspired by Japanese koinobori ï¿½ the decorative 'climbing carp streamers'ï¿½ the notion of creating an Air-tube became the concept word for the interior design. In accordance, from the dashboard and seats down to the door trim, the interior space creates the dynamic sensation that the flow of the wind is being visually depicted.

Centering around the performance rotary engine sports packaging that is synonymous with the Mazda name, technologies introduced for the Mazda Taiki include the next-generation RENESIS (rotary engine 16X), which sets new standards for environmental and driving performance, a front-engine rear-drive layout, a unique 2-seat configuration, and Mazda's rotary sports package, which conveys an image of lightness. The effect integrates the design theme perfectly to realize outstanding aerodynamic performance.

USB 3.0 to increase speed upto 10x

2007-08-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

During Patrick Gelsinger's keynote at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) today, Intel made a small announcement regarding a group of companies who are now working together to create a "superspeed personal USB interconnect" with 10 times the speed of the current generation technology of USB 2.0. The USB 3.0 Promoter Group -- which consists of Intel, Hewlett-Packard, NEC Corporation, NXP Semiconductors, Microsoft and Texas Instruments -- looks to make several other major changes.

Along with the 10x speed difference between USB 3.0 and the current generation, the USB 3.0 Promoter Group is taking power consumption and better protocol efficiency into consideration while designing 3.0. USB 3.0 will be able to use the same architecture of wired USB, though no other specific details are yet available.

To help drive home the importance of USB technology, Gelsinger pointed out the usual USB devices everyday users have in their homes and offices: keyboards, mice, speakers, cameras, etc. He also introduced a number of novelty items that are powered by USB including refrigerators and mittens.

"USB 3.0 is the next logical step for the PC's most popular wired connectivity," said Jeff Ravencraft, Intel technology strategist and USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) president. "The digital era requires high-speed performance and reliable connectivity to move the enormous amounts of digital content now present in everyday life. USB 3.0 will meet this challenge while maintaining the ease-of-use experience that users have come to love and expect from any USB technology."

Specific USB 3.0 specifications should be available sometime in the first half of 2008.

AMD's Tripple Core CPU

2007-08-04T23:45:00.000-07:00

Coincidence ? One day ahead of Intel's Developer Forum the news about the tripple core processor is now officially confirmed by AMD and is seems our initial idea about it was correct. It's is a quad-core CPU with one (defective) core disabled. Have a peek at the AMD press-release. AMD's Phenom triple-core processors are expected to be the first PC processors to integrate three computational cores on a single die of silicon and are expected to ship in the first quarter of 2008. The x-86-based desktop processor will complement AMD's Phenom quad-core processors, which the company introduced in May and remain on schedule to ship in 2007. Utilizing the Direct Connect Architecture, the triple-core Phenom features an integrated memory controller and a shared L3 cache. Like the quad-core Phenom, the mid-market CPU also supports HyperTransport 3.0 and up to 16GB/sec of high bandwidth I/O as well as Cool‘n’Quiet 2.0 technology that enables independent frequency adjustments to each processor core, and the HyperTransport bus and memory controller.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- September 17, 2007 --Delivering a multi-core triple threat, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the addition of AMD Phenom™ triple-core processors to its desktop roadmap. AMD Phenom triple-core processors, expected to be the world’s first PC processors to integrate three computational cores on a single die of silicon, can help deliver the visual experience, performance and multitasking capabilities of true multi-core technology to a broader audience. Offering state-of-the-art platforms and a next-generation architecture with expected availability in Q1 2008, the industry’s only x-86 triple-core desktop processor shows why AMD’s the smarter choice, with its expanded portfolio for customers to offer platforms with unique multi-core options. AMD Phenom quad-core processors remain on schedule to ship in 2007.

“With our advanced multi-core architecture, AMD is in a unique position to enable a wider range of premium desktop solutions, providing a smarter choice for customers and end users,” said Greg White, vice president and general manager, Desktop Division, AMD. “This innovation is a direct result of our development of the industry’s first true, native quad-core design, coupled with AMD’s manufacturing flexibility, to create multi-core processors in two, three, and four computational core configurations on a single die of silicon. As a customer-centric company, AMD is committed to working with our OEMs to deliver compelling value propositions across their multi-core product families with capabilities that address their requirements and aspirations.”

AMD Phenom processors with three cores are a response to demand for increased performance delivered by multi-core processors when running state-of-the-art applications. According to Mercury Research, quad-core processors represented less than two percent of desktop shipments in Q2 2007. AMD believes this suggests a need for a wider selection of multi-core solutions. Triple-core AMD processors may stimulate broader multi-core adoption with a product family that scales to more points-of-entry for the customer.

“Microsoft is excited to see AMD creating new technologies like the AMD Phenom triple-core processors,” said Bill Mitchell, corporate vice president of the Windows Hardware Ecosystem at Microsoft Corp. “We see potential for power and performance improvements through triple-core processing in the industry and are exploring with AMD the possibility of taking advantage of this in the Microsoft family of products.”

The true multi-core design of the upcoming AMD Phenom processor family of products, based on Direct Connect Architecture, features an integrated memory controller, accelerating performance for productivity, content creation, entertainment, and gaming. In addition, this next-generation architecture includes AMD’s Balanced Smart Cache for rapid access to memory, with a shared L3 cache for leading-edge performance on multi-threaded software. With HyperTransport™ 3.0 and up to 16 GB/second of high bandwidth I/O, upcoming AMD Phenom processors are designed for the ultimate visual experience with amazing HD video and gaming resolutions, as well as high-speed disk and network interfaces. In addition, Cool‘n’Quiet™ 2.0 technology enables independent frequency adjustments to each processor core, and the HyperTransport bus and memory controller for a cooler and quieter PC.

AMD Phenom triple-core processors are expected to deliver increased performance for multitasking usage models and multi-threaded applications, aligned with similar benefits available with the upcoming AMD Phenom quad-core processors. In addition, triple-core processors from AMD can provide significant performance advantages over similar dual-core AMD processors in key industry standard benchmarks, including SYSmark® 2007 and 3DMark™ 2006, as well as similar quad-core AMD processors in certain gaming and digital content creation scenarios.

Access Web 24x7 On Mobile(idea) Free

2007-07-28T23:39:00.000-07:00

This is ultimate scheme for those who want to access web 24*7 free.
Take ur gprs enabled handset and go to first to mini.opera.com and download opera mini 4 beta and 2 rs wil be deducted. Let allow the settings to go and accept it. Now ur opera mini is downloaded and use only this application to access net on phone free. Currently 'idea' number support it .
enjoy

Iso hunt - trackers blocked to US users

2007-07-20T23:33:00.000-07:00

Due to their ongoing lawsuit from the MPAA, the admins at the popular torrent search engine IsoHunt will be blocking US visitors on their TorrentBox and Podtropolis trackers.

According to an IsoHunt statement,

"As of earlier today, we have disabled access from users in the US to our trackers. This goes for ALL trackers (torrentbox, podtropolis) we run. This is due to the US’s hostility towards P2P technologies, and we feel with our current lawsuit brought by the MPAA, we can no longer ensure your security and privacy in the US. So, if you’re outside the US, you may notice less peers. We encourage you to add other public, unhampered trackers to torrents you post, in addition to Torrentbox and Podtropolis’s trackers."

This is the second time recently that sites have been forced to block access to US users including last month's shut down of TorrentSpy.

The MPAA believes that the only purpose of these trackers and engines is to share unauthorized copyrighted content, but the owner of IsoHunt does not agree. “We process copyright takedown requests daily, and have done so for hundreds of requests in the past, if not thousands. We work with all copyright owners, and even the RIAA email us routinely. The MPAA is the only organization unwilling to cooperate with us.”

china virus threat: almost 1 million affected!!

2007-07-13T23:29:00.000-07:00

Almost one million Chinese computers were hit by viruses during last week's national holidays, state media has reported.

Three different types of viruses attacked computers during the holiday week, Xinhua news agency said.

It is not the first time China's web users have faced problems recently.

A Pacific earthquake damaged undersea cables earlier this year, slowing down internet lines and forcing many people to start using their old fax machines.

China has more than 130 million internet users - and last week should have been a perfect time for them to catch up with their web surfing.

There was an entire week of national holidays - known as the Golden Week - so most people were off work with plenty of time to spend at home online.

But for some internet users, there were real problems. Nearly one million computers crashed as a result of the viruses.

But in other ways, experts suggest that parts of China's computer system are working extremely well.

Recently, there have been repeated allegations that the Chinese army has hacked its way into sensitive government systems in the US and Europe.

Caution : Cyber crime tool kit out in market!!

2007-07-09T23:25:00.000-07:00

Malicious hackers are producing easy to use tools that automate attacks to cash in on a boom in hi-tech crime.
On sale, say security experts, are everything from individual viruses to comprehensive kits that let budding cyber thieves craft their own attacks.
The top hacking tools are being offered for prices ranging up to £500.
Some of the most expensive tools are sold with 12 months of technical support that ensures they stay armed with the latest vulnerabilities.
Mr Eades said some hacking groups offer boutique virus writing services that produce malicious programs that security software will not spot. Individual malicious programs cost up to £17 (25 euros), he said.
At the top end of the scale, said Mr Eades, were tools like the notorious MPack which costs up to £500.
MPack has proved very popular with criminally minded groups and in late June 2007 managed to subvert more than 10,000 websites in one attack that drew on the tool.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6976308.stm

Google search tips - part 5

2007-03-05T06:05:00.000-08:00

Open your Google search and type in the following in the search

.pdf OR .chm OR .txt site: rapidshare.de -deleted

.Avi OR .mpg OR .mpeg site:rapidshare.de -deleted

.cab OR .exe OR .rar OR .zip site:rapidshare.de -deleted

Some More:

allintitle:"index" .pdf

allintitle:"index" .jpg

allintitle:"index" .avi

allintitle:"index" .rar

"hacking windows.rar" "password"

^This hack will tell google to look for the password on that file into any site with the name of that file.

In human language these hacks reads:

1) i'm looking for any pdf file OR any chm file OR any text file in the following site: rapidshare.de i don't want any page with the word "deleted"

2) i'm looking for any avi file OR any mpg file OR any mpeg file in the following site: rapidshare.de i don't want any page with the word "deleted"

3) i'm looking for any cab file OR any executable file OR any winrar OR any zip file in the following site: rapidshare.de i don't want any page with the word "deleted"

Llike rapidshare and megaupload, u can search for any particular extension at any site u want.

Also You can change the string to watever you want, ex. microsoft to adobe, iso to zip etc…

Hope this is useful!!
Good Luck!