Computer and Technology

Sprint debuts 3G/4G hotspot router

Sprint at CES has rolled out a quartet of new devices, including the first-ever hotspot router to mix both 3G and 4G. The Sierra Wireless Overdrive can tap into either the EVDO-based 3G network or the WiMAX-based 4G network and, much like its rival the MiFi, share the cellular link over Wi-Fi to as many as five nearby devices. Sprint pitches it as a way of getting Wi-Fi only devices like the iPod touch on to a network without sacrificing speed or coverage.

The router can geolocate itself when on 3G and is rare in having a microSDHC slot that can be used as networked storage. Sprint says the Overdrive should be available Sunday the 10th and that it will carry a $100 price tag after both a $50 rebate and signing a two-year data plan.

The phone lineup is headed by LG's Rumor Touch. It replaces the outside physical buttons that dominated the earlier Rumor with a 3-inch touchscreen and has a relatively high-end feature set for the price that includes GPS, 32GB microSDHC support and a 2-megapixel camera. It ships sometime before the end of March and will have its price revealed closer to the launch date.

Also involved is the Lotus Elite, a new version of the wide messaging clamshell that adds a larger 2.4-inch external LCD in addition to a same-size display on the inside; it also takes up to 32GB in microSDHC storage and has dedicated buttons for messaging and social networking. Like the Overdrive, it should ship on the 10th for $100 following a contract and rebate.

Wrapping up the news is word that a version of the Samsung Moment has been outfitted with a Mobile DTV tuner and can pick up free, digital over-the-air broadcasts without sacrificing its Android platform. Sprint is trialing these versions of the smartphone in the Baltimore and Washington, DC areas in winter but hasn't said whether it will make this regularly available.

Sources from: Electronista

Intel intro Core i3, i5 and i7 processors

Intel has announced a host of new processors for 2010, based on the Core i3, i5 and i7 lines. The company says it has switched over to 32nm manufacturing, which allows for more efficient chips in terms of both speed and power consumption. Many processors also integrate HD Graphics components, which are capable of limited 3D rendering, as well as Dolby TrueHD and DTS Premium Suite audio. Notebook-level processors can switch between HD Graphics and a dedicated video card on the fly.

New mobile processors range from the 1.06GHz Core i5-520UM through to the 2.66GHz Core i7-620M, which can operate at turbo speeds of up to 3.33GHz. Graphics acceleration varies between 166-500MHz and 500-766MHz, depending on the associated CPU. The two Core i3 chips, the 330M and 350M, notably lack any form of turbo capacity.

Desktop processors include the i3-530 and i3-540, and the i5-650, i5-660, i5-661 and i5-670. The i3 chips are rated at 2.93 and 3.06GHz, and lack turbo functions. The i5-650 is clocked at 3.2GHz, while the 670 is rated at 3.46GHz with a 3.73GHz turbo ceiling. Both the 660 and 661 are by default rated at 3.33GHz, but the 661 has the advantage of 900MHz graphics, where all of the other desktop chips are limited to 733MHz.

Intel is also rolling out the 5 Series chipset, which merges several tasks onto a single chip, and four Centrino wireless adapters. The Wireless-N 1000 is limited to 300Mbps throughput on a single band, but the Advanced-N 6200 and Ultimate-N 6300 are both dual-band, the latter permitting speeds up to 450Mbps. The Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 is dual-band over both Wi-Fi and WiMAX.

Sources from: Electronista

Panasonic 1080p 3D camcorder system

Panasonic at CES introduced a 1080p 3D camcorder designed for professional applications. The system utilizes twin lenses, eliminating the need for complex 3D rigs with several cameras and separate recorders. Both lenses, the camera head, and memory card recorder are all integrated into a single body, with the entire unit weighing less than 3 kg.

The twin lens system allows users to manually adjust the convergence point depending on the recording situation. Controlling the camera's optical axes is said to be necessary for producing natural-looking 3D across a wide range of focal distances.

Video is saved directly to dual SD/SDHC memory cards, while users can also access the content by plugging the camera into a PC or Mac. Panasonic is currently working on developing production systems designed for producing 3D video on media such as 3D Blu-ray.

The twin-lens 3D camcorder is expected to ship this fall, with prices starting at $21,000.

Sources from: Electronista

Toshiba notebook adds i3/i5/i7 CPUs

Toshiba late Thursday introduced the Satellite E205 notebook, a next-generation "thin and light" notebook that features distinctive styling as well as performance-based specs and support for Intel's Wireless Display technology. As the second collaboration between Toshiba and Best Buy, the notebook will be marketed under the retailer’s "Blue Label" initiative and includes the recently announced Intel Wireless Display technology, which makes it possible for consumers to wirelessly connect the notebook to a TV (via an adapter).

Offered exclusively at Best Buy stores nationwide, the Satellite E205 notebook features an stylish metallic-blue case that weighs 5.1 pounds and measures only 1.2-inches thick. It features the newly announced Intel Core i5-430M processor with Turbo Boost Technology as well.

The notebook has a 14-inch diagonal widescreen LED-backlit display, an LED-backlit keyboard, TouchPad with Multi-touch Control and a sleek integrated slot-loading DVD drive. The Satellite E205 also features a 500GB hard drive, 4GB of DDR3 RAM4, Windows 7 Home Premium, Wireless-N Wi-Fi, an HDMI port and a battery life of up to six hours. It also comes with a standard two-year Toshiba international limited warranty. The Satellite E205 will be available on January 17 at Best Buy stores nationwide.

Earlier on Thursday, Toshiba announced new Satellite, Tecra- and Qosmio-brand notebooks equipped with a range of processor options from the 2010 Intel Core processor family. Toshiba said it would offer the Intel Core i3-330M processor across six Satellite series consumer notebooks, as well as in select configurations of the Tecra series business offerings at entry-level price points. Notebooks equipped with the Intel Core i5-430M1 processor and Intel Turbo Boost Technology will be available across Toshiba’s Satellite, Qosmio and Tecra series, while three models from its Satellite and Qosmio series, and select configurations of its Tecra series, will get the new Intel Core i7-720QM1 processor.

Starting at $770, the Satellite A505 Series is designed for luxury, style and performance, offering a HD 16-inch diagonal widescreen display and several CPU options, including the Intel Core i3-330M1, Core i5-430M1 and Core i7-720QM1 processors, as well as various NVIDIA GeForce graphics options.
The value Satellite L505/L555 notebook series includes the Satellite L505 and Satellite L555 notebooks; it offers 2010 Intel Core i3-330M1 or Core i5-430M1 processors and a 15.6-inch diagonal widescreen high-def display (the Satellite L555 features a 17.3-inch diagonal widescreen high-def display); the series is available in silver, graphite, and black. The Satellite L505 starts at $460 MSRP2 and the Satellite L555 starts at $650.
The "light and compact" Satellite M505 Series are geared for more mobile customers, offering an optional touch screen display, a 5lb form-factor, the new Intel Core i3-330M1 processor, a 14-inch diagonal widescreen high-def LED display, and several color finish options. The Satellite M505 Series starts at $700.
On the larger side, the Satellite P505 series offers a traditional desktop computing alternative with 18.4-inches of screen real estate along with choices of the Intel Core i3-330M1 or Core i7-720QM1 processors and NVIDIA GeForce 310M discrete graphics. With 500GB of storage, 4GB of DDR3 memory and other new media and productivity apps, the Satellite P505 starts at $800.
The ultra-mobile Satellite U505 Series delivers a compact form factor, sub-5lb weights, and stylish designs with a 13-inch diagonal widescreen display; it is wrapped in a unique Texture Finish in brown, white, or pink and features Intel Core i3-330M1 and Core i5-430M1 processors as well as optional touchscreen and built-in WiMax. Prices start at $650.
Toshiba's Tecra A11 Series offers performance for business users along with desktop-class features, such as an integrated 10-key keypad. Offering a new Texture Finish in Charcoal Black that improves better grip and reduces fingerprints, the Tecra A11 is thinner and lighter than its predecessor; it also features either the new 2010 Intel Core i3-330M1, Core i5-430M1 or Core i7-720QM1 processors, along with a 15.6-inch diagonal HD widescreen display and optional NVIDIA GeForce graphics. Featuring Toshiba’s exclusive EasyGuard for protection against shocks and spills, it includes a three-year limited warranty and starts at $880.
Finally, the multimedia- and performance-oriented Qosmio X505 offers new 2010 quad-core Intel Core i7-720QM1 or dual–core Intel Core i5-430M1 processors with Turbo Boost Technology, along with high-end NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M graphics as well as HD video encoding. Starting at $1,200, Qosmio X505 also offers Blu-ray support or DVD drive options.

The new Toshiba Satellites featuring new 2010 Intel Core i7 processor will be available on January 12, while Satellites featuring the 2010 Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors will be generally available on January 17th. The new Qosmio X505 will be available on January 12th and the new Toshiba Tecra A11 will be available on January 19th.

Source from: Electronista

Intel CEO highlight 3D tech

Intel CEO Paul Otellini, speaking at a CES keynote, addressed a variety of current and upcoming trends such as 3D video, smartphones, apps, and the company's new Wireless Display Technology. The executive predicts that 3D -- the dominating topic this year at CES -- is the next big thing that will gain popularity in consumers' homes.

The keynote presentation included several clips of 3D footage from sources such as "Avatar" and the upcoming "How to Train Your Dragon" film. Otellini corroborates his 3D forecast by citing the number of upcoming 3D films, with 50 projects currently slated for 2010 release. The transition is said to be good for Intel because creating and managing 3D content "requires a ton of computing."

The CEO claims his company is focused on "making all computing personal," as mobile devices become more advanced. Intel on Thursday announced a slew of new processors, with many based on the Core i3, i5 and i7 platforms. Through a partnership with Netgear, the 2010 Core lineup supports Wireless Display Technology which transmits a notebook's display signal to an HDTV via Wi-Fi.

Amid the USB 3.0 announcements at CES, Otellini pushed Intel's faster Light Peak technology. The standard is claimed to transfer data at 10 gigabits per second, downloading an entire Blu-ray disc in 30 seconds. The CEO suggests the optical Light Peak cables will replace "all the cables in your system," such as HDMI and DVI.

The keynote also highlighted the Atom platform, which will support the company's upcoming AppUp Center. The portal, now in beta, will offer apps in areas such as games, education, health, and education, among others. Several OEMs have already committed to supporting the new store.

Otellini concluded the event with a technology preview for an interactive display geared for retailers. The system detects height and gender for an approaching customer, with the data used as a basis for product recommendations.

"Our goal is to have our architecture provide the brains for anything with a power source," Otellini said. "At Intel, our job is to invent the future."

Sources :Electronista