MicroTechXP

Firefox users gain location tool

Nima — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:42:26 +0000

Mozilla, the company behind the Firefox browser, has released technology that helps websites detect the physical location of computers.

The system will allow users, for instance, to find local restaurants when they travel to a new town.

The Geode project is an experimental add-on ahead of a full blown launch of geolocation technology in version 3.1 of Firefox.

Users will have control over how much location information they give.

It uses technology from a firm called Skyhook which works out a computer’s location from nearby wireless networks.

Its so-called Loki system can determine location within seconds with an accuracy of about 10 to 20 metres.

[BBC News]

Intel: Core i7 to Be Up to 52% Faster Compared to Core 2 Quad

Nima — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:51:44 +0000

Intel Corp. expects its forthcoming Intel Core i7 processors to be much more powerful compared to existing central processing units, according to documents reportedly seen by the media. If the information turns to be precise enough, then Intel has all chances to keep processor performance crown even after smaller rival Advanced Micro Devices launches its new chips.

Documents from Intel Corp. allegedly seen by Expreview web-site reportedly mention that Intel Core i7 processor delivers 52% speed improvement in 3D games, 41% higher performance in media encoding and editing applications as well as 38% greater 3D rendering speed when compared to Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770.

Intel Core i7 965 is a premium class Nehalem-micro-architecture microprocessor for desktops that operates at 3.20GHz. The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 is Intel’s top-of-the-range CPU at the moment at that also works at 3.20GHz. If the information regarding performance improvements is correct, then it means that the new micro-architecture in its first implementation provides roughly 52% more performance at the same clock-speed compared to currently used Core 2 micro-architecture.

Advanced Micro Devices recently said that its forthcoming quad-core processors powered by improved K10 micro-architecture will be roughly 35% more powerful than its existing chips at the same clock-speed.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

[xbitlabs]

iPhone 3G 32GB Incoming?

Nima — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:59:06 +0000

We’re not particularly inclined to believe them, but the whispers that Apple is about to bump the top-end iPhone capacity to 32GB are getting harder to ignore — especially since 8GB inventory is drying up, leading to speculation that’s it’s going to be dropped as soon as next week. We think the timing’s a little odd on the heels of the Let’s Rock iPod refresh, but considering the rampant speculation that Apple was forced to bump the nano to 16GB and drop the “limited edition” 4GB model entirely at the last minute in response to the new Zune lineup we suppose it makes competitive sense. AppleInsider also says customers will once again get the option to activate in-home, but we haven’t heard anything about that — we’ll see what happens in the next few days.

[Engadget]

Nintendo President warns of Wii shortages

Nima — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:08:26 +0000

Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime has again warned that they may struggle to meet the huge demand for the Nintendo Wii this holiday. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to, but were we to get in a car right now and go to 100 retail locations in the San Francisco area, we would not be able to find a Wii in at least 60 of those stores. Our hope is that by next week, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and on Dec. 23, you’ll be able to find a Wii.” Reggie told CNN.

[Maxconsole]

Windows XP gets another six months

Nima — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:20:42 +0000

Given its history of moving deadlines at a moment’s notice, it hardly seems surprising that Microsoft is keeping Windows XP alive even longer than expected, but its latest move looks particularly bad for Vista.

The apparent decision to allow OEM computer sellers to offer disks that downgrade installations of Windows Vista to XP until the end of July next year clearly bumps up against the period when Windows 7 might be released.

Microsoft had previously said it would end the scheme next January, but the continued lack of demand for Vista appears to be behind the change of heart.

If the move is confirmed, it’s yet more bad news for Vista, as XP users may have the option to skip the unloved OS entirely and move straight to Windows 7.

[TechRadar]

Uncharted 160GB PS3 bundle revealed

Nima — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:33:55 +0000

pSony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has confirmed that it will be releasing a 160GB PlayStation 3 bundle featuring Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune in November 2008.img height=”80″ alt=”psava” src=”http://www.mtechxp.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/psava.jpg” width=”79″ align=”right” border=”0″ brSet to retail for USD 500, the bundle contains a copy of the action-adventure title from Naughty Dog, along with a single DualShock 3 pad.brSCEA boss Jack Tretton commented: “As Playstation Network continues to evolve with our recently launched video delivery service and more exclusive games, PS3 owners are demanding more storage capacity.”br“Consumers also are utilizing PS3 as an entertainment hub for their digital media, placing content such as their entire music collection on the hard drive. The 160GB PS3 system addresses this growing consumer demand in a compelling bundle that delivers significant value.” [a href="http://www.psu.com/Uncharted-160GB-PS3-bundle-revealed-News--a0004987-p0.php"PSU/a]/p

PS2 emulator coming soon?

Nima — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:17:16 +0000

We all know that the only PS3 consoles that came with full PS2 backwards compatiblility were the launch consoles, the 20GB and 60GB, which are now unavailable due to manufacturing costs. A lot of Playstation fans are disappointed because the 40GB, 80GB, and the soon-to-be-released 120 GB consoles don’t support full PS2 backward compatability. If you are looking to upgrade from a Playstation 2 to a Playstation 3, I would strongly suggest to keep your Playstation 2 because you won’t be able to play your Playstation 2 titles with the Playstation 3 consoles out in the market today.

If VideoGameCentral is to be believed, it is stated in their product description of a 80GB Console that there is a Playstation 2 Emulator available for download, which is the only way to play PS2 games for our PS3 consoles that are not backwards compatible. Is there something Sony’s not telling us? Could Sony be releasing a PS2 Emulator? Will it be on the 2.50 Firmware that is coming out soon?

Now is the time for PS3 80GB Console. In fact there is no reason now not to get the Sony Playstation 3, especially at this new lower price with all it’s hi-def bells & whistles. The new 80-Gig PS3 System features the ability to play PS3 Games, Blu-rays & DVD movies (PS2 Games can be played when downloading Sony’s PS2 emulator software online). Also connect to the internet for free online play & downloadable games! To date, the PlayStation3 is the strongest gaming system available and also the lowest price true high definition Blu Ray Movie Player.

UPDATE:There is a huge chance we will get this emulator! Why? Look at the XBOX 360, it doesnt have a special chip inside that can play XBOX games. They emulate so the PS2 Emulation is indeed possible. When? I don’t know. Sony wouldn’t just abandon the Playstation 2 2 or 5 years from now. Let’s just hope for the best!

[GamersPlatform]

T-Mobile still taking G1 pre-orders, but you won’t get it on October 22

Nima — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 05:46:15 +0000

So the good news is that T-Mobile has decided to keep right on taking pre-orders for the G1 through October 21, just one day before the handset’s official launch. The bad news, though, is that it doesn’t mean you’ll be getting your Android on come October 22. Turns out that the initial allotment of G1s set aside for pre-orders is now sold out completely, and any names taken between now and launch will be allotted phones being shipped quot;at a later date.quot; It’s not clear if a quot;later datequot; means a week, a month, or a decade after the 22nd, but for the sake of everyone involved, we hope its the former. br /strongUpdate:/strong T-Mobile’s site says that pre-orders taken from here on out will be delivered quot;as early as November 10,quot; so it looks like you early birds are going to have a nice little period of exclusivity. [Engadget]

Online Music Avoids Rate Hike

Nima — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:40:47 +0000

The veiled threat to shut down iTunes if royalty rates on downloaded songs were hiked has been averted. The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) opted to keep the status quo and turned down a request to increase royalties from 9 to 15 cents on songs bought online. The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) asked for the rise while Apple opposed it and said it could result in iTunes being shut down.

“We’re pleased with the CRB’s decision,” said Apple’s Tom Neumayr.

In testimony submitted to the CRB 18 months ago, but only brought to light this week, Apple executive Eddy Cue said: “Apple has repeatedly made clear that it is in this business to make money and would most likely not continue to operate iTS (the iTunes Store) if it were no longer possible to do so profitably.” The CRB also rejected a call to cut the rate to 4.8 cents and in the end agreed to peg it at 9.1 cents a song for the next five years.

View: Read more at BBC News

Microsoft confirms Zune coming to Windows Mobile devices

Nima — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:50:42 +0000

It has been long rumoured that Microsoft would introduce Zune software onto the Windows Mobile operating system.

In an interview with CIO magazine Steve Ballmer confirms that Microsoft is looking to port the software to Windows mobile devices.

When questioned why Microsoft developed the zune, Ballmer replied:

“At the end of the day, one of the big trends is that all content is going digital. And if we don’t have the software and services that are useful, helpful and valuable for the consumption of music and video, we are sort of not really a player.

Now, we built the Zune hardware with the Zune software - and what you’ll see more and more over time is that the Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc.”

This is the strongest indication that Microsoft will be porting the software. We’re not sure when exactly but you can bet that Windows Mobile 7 will have it included. [CIO Magazine]