The Intel Reader is a very smart idea. The paperback-sized device takes 5 megapixel images of any printed text and then reads them out loud. It runs on Intel’s Atom processor and is said to operate as simple as point-and-shoot. It’s designed for use by not only the visually impaired, but anyone with a reading-related learning disability, such as dyslexia. It was even conceived by a researcher at Intel named Ben Foss who grew up with dyslexia himself.

The Intel Reader features adjustable reading speeds, 2GB of storage that translates to 600 pages of scanned books, and weighs about a pound. It has two USB ports, a standard headphone jack, and supports common audio file formats like MP3 and WAV. It can even create MP3 audio books for you to download and save, and will read some existing audio books that can be purchased.

So why is Intel sabotaging such a great idea with a stratospheric price point of $1,500? Probably because Intel’s targeting the healthcare industry with this device, though it will also be available to individual consumers.

Image: Intel.

Post from: EveryJoe

Intel designs device that reads to you

Light Peak is a cord using fiber optics that can stretch up to an impressive 100 meters without losing signal strength. The cable maxes out at 10 gigabits per second, and can carry data at that rate in both directions simultaneously. Intel hopes that Light Peak will reach 100 gigabit transfers within the next ten years.

Intel has already received a commitment of support for Light Peak from Sony, and Gizmodo is reporting insider info that indicates that Apple has big plans for the technology as well.

In fact, according to Gizmodo, the idea for Light Peak came directly from Apple, because Steve Jobs & Co. want to use the tech in major new projects. Reportedly, Apple plans to introduce Light Peak with its various devices starting in Fall 2010, with a lower-power-consuming version to follow in 2011.

It’s anybody’s guess which devices Apple will debut Light Peak with, but the iPhone seems like an obvious choice, as well as the impending iPad tablet.

Image: Intel.

Post from: EveryJoe

Intel’s universal PC cable: the future?

The desktop PCs is noticed by Intel which is the reason they held a summit in China for desktop manufacturers to boost the interest and keep companies from moving into different markets.

I myself haven’t used a personal desktop for the last three years and I have bought two laptops and a netbook during this time span. This doesn’t mean I don’t like desktops, but laptops have indeed become cheap and the idea of being able to carry my laptop or netbook anywhere add to its appeal.

However, I am not abandoning the desktop and I am actually saving up enough cash to build my dream desktop PC. My best friend Anton who himself hasn’t used a desktop for years have recently bought a desktop. I think the desktop market is not dead and sooner or later this market area is going to bounce back as long as they provide far powerful and cheaper pricing to consumers.

Are you still into desktops?

Image from Intel.

Post from: EveryJoe

Desktop PCs on Rough Times

As per announcement:

Intel recently added two dual-core CPUs into its CULV platform targeting entry-level ultra-thin notebooks – the Celeron 740 and SU2300, according to sources at notebook makers.

The Celeron 740 and SU2300 CPUs feature core frequencies of 1.3GHz and 1.2GHz, respectively, while both share the same 1MB L2 cache, 10W TDP and 800MHz FSB.

The dual-core Celeron CPUs expand Intel’s CULV lineup from originally three levels into four – single-core entry-level, dual-core entry-level, single-core performance and dual-core performance.

The sources said single-core and dual-core entry-level CPU-based ultra-thin notebooks will have a chance to drop NT$2,000-3,000 (US$61-91) starting August, while the ASP of single-core Celeron 723-based models will be able to reach market expectations for ultra-thin notebook priced at NT$20,000-22,000.

This is good news as the next step is to bring dual core to the netbooks market. Smaller computers are going to get powerful and hopefully cheaper.

News from Intel adds dual-core Celeron CPUs into ultra-thin notebook lineup. Image from Intel.

Post from: EveryJoe

Dual Core coming to Ultra-thin Notebooks

Microsoft and Intel are talking about limiting the size, to make sure that users are not getting 13 inch laptops for under $600.

I definitely would welcome $600, 13 inch netbooks. That should solve the small keyboard and screen size.

Image from Lenovo.

Post from: EveryJoe

Intel Trimming the Netbooks

The Xeon based processors in the chopping block are as follows: Xeon 3085, 3075, 3065, X3350, and X3320.

The final shipment for both Conroe and Wolfdale is on January 2010, while final orders would be accepted until October 9, 2009.

Image from Google images.

Post from: EveryJoe

Goodbye Conroe & Wolfdale

A mock up of the iMac was also created. This was it.

The mock up was a wee bit closer to the real thing.

Finally August 7, 2007 came and Apple released the all new iMac. Thinner and more powerful than the previous generation. Instead of keeping the white plastic theme that has long adorned the iMac, they replaced it with aluminum and glass. Citing reasons that it’s more environment friendly as well as higher quality materials.

Here’s the real thing.

The 17″ model is also gone replaced by an entry level 20″ iMac model. The high-end still sports a 24″ display. Together with the new iMac comes a new keyboard design. It’s also a lot thinner than the previous keyboard and shares the same type of keypad design as the MacBook.

My thoughts on the new iMac? I love design. It’s not perfect but it’s a great design nonetheless. I’ve always loved aluminum as opposed to plastic. I love the new keyboard although my opinion of it is still not set in stone. I’ll need to test it out to form a concrete and definite opinion. I do however love the wireless keyboard more than the wired. I’m not a fan of clutter so anything to minimize it, I love.

The new iMacs comes in 2 sizes with 2 configurations each.

1. 20″ 2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo with 1GB Ram, 250 GB HD and 128 MB VRAM priced at $1,199
2. 20″ 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo with 1GB Ram, 320 GB HD and 256 MB VRAM priced at $1,499
3. 24″ 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo with 1GB Ram, 320 GB HD and 256 MB VRAM priced at $1,799
4. 24″ 2.8 Ghz Core 2 Duo with 2GB Ram, 500 GB HD and 256 MB VRAM priced at $2,299

Check out the iMac section for all the details.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple Launches New iMacs

Most of the results are pretty much what is to be expected. The new ones are faster. Except for the Unreal Tournament 2004 test which the latest Macbook Pro faired poorly against the previous and a Mac Pro, all the other test showed that it flies.

So check out the initial benchmarks and see for yourself if this is the machine for you.

Post from: EveryJoe

Latest MacBook Pro Benchmarks

The rumors were right. Apple just announced an update to the MacBook Pro. The updated models now sport a faster 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo. This chip is the Sta. Rosa, featuring an 800 Mhz front side bus. It’s also capable of up to 4GB of PC2-5300 (667 Mhz) DDR2 memory.

Another notable thing is that the 15″ models now come with the new LED-Backlit displays. These are more efficient, environmentally friendly and mercury free displays. The LED-Backlit displays are also instantly bright when you turn it on as opposed to the common LCD displays that need some time to go to the full brightness settings when turned on.

Apple has also improved the graphics card on the MacBook Pros. It now sports 128 and 256 versions of the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT. It’s certainly a step up from the previous graphics card.

2GB Ram also comes standard across the board for all the MacBook Pros.

What do I think of the upgrades? Well they’re certainly enticing. If you’re thinking of an upgrade to a MacBook Pro and you’re coming from a PowerPC Powerbook or iBook, it’s definitely a great upgrade even if you’re coming from the original Core Duo MacBook Pro.

I think the LED-Backlit displays are awesome. The standard 2GB Ram too. It’s a good way of differentiating it from the MacBook line-up. The lines are getting clearer between the two sets of notebooks.

Check out the complete specs here. Read the press release here.

Post from: EveryJoe

MacBook Pro Now Up To 2.4 Ghz

They boys are back in town! Mac and PC are back with two new installments on their “Get A Mac” ad series. The two new ads are titled “Flashback” and “Computer Cart”.

“Flashback” shows us how Mac and PC were waaayy back. The same as they are now, only smaller. I guess it was meant to show that after all these years, the PC is still boring.

“Computer Cart” shows several PCs on a cart. As what happens in real life, PCs are often brought back and forth to the IT department or a technician because it gets all sorts of errors, such as dll errors and the dreaded Blue Screen of Death. This is the truth, honest, I’ve owned my Powerbook for almost 3 years now and I’ve only had a kernel panic once. Once! I haven’t had any major errors (knocks on wood) so far. I’ve only had to reinstall Mac OS X when I upgraded to Tiger from Panther. How awesome is that. When I was on a PC I used to at least reinstall once a year.

While I still find the “Get A Mac” ads funny, their appeal is slowly dwindling. The series is good, maybe even great but I think it is time to think of something different. But before that.. Go watch the ads here and here.

Post from: EveryJoe

2 New Get A Mac Ads