- Qualcomm Launches Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
- AMD Launches Ryzen PRO 7000 Series Mobile & Desktop Platform
- Intel Launches Sleek Single-Slot Arc Pro A60 Workstation Graphics Card
- NVIDIA Announces Latest Ada Lovelace Additions: GeForce RTX 4060 Ti & RTX 4060
- Maxon Redshift With AMD Radeon GPU Rendering Support Now Available
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Microsoft To Purchase Yahoo!?!
Today, Forbes is reporting that Microsoft is in negotiations with Yahoo for a possible acquisition that could be worth $50 billion. According to the report, Microsoft is feeling greater pressure to compete in the online advertising space. Just recently, Yahoo announced its acquisition of online advertising firm Right Media for $680 million. While this is far from Google’s $3.1 billion expense on DoubleClick, it does indicate that Yahoo is already quite a force in online advertising.
I’ll reserve comment because who knows what the actual goings-on are. It seems too far-fetched to even be a consideration, but who thought AMD would ever purchase ATI? It’s going to be interesting if Microsoft pursues this.
Edit: It appears that talks might no longer be going on.
Source: Daily Tech
Hans Reiser Case Gets Stranger
A friend of Hans Reiser has admitted to have been responsible for eight unrelated killings.
Sean Sturgeon, a one-time friend of Reiser’s, had already been a focus of the defense team’s efforts to shift suspicion off Reiser in the disappearance of his estranged wife, Nina Reiser. Sturgeon’s alleged confession to a series of unrelated murders will likely complicate the trial, which is set to begin Monday.
Sturgeon denies killing Nina but urges Hans to take a lie-detector test. Even though these new findings are unrelated, it might throw things a little off-course since he was a potential suspect in this case.
Source: Wired
Intel Cuts Another 1000 Jobs
Intel indicated that Fab 11X also produces 200mm silicon wafers, which is now an obsolete technology. Because of this, those involved in that technology will be let go. Intel’s push to expand its 300mm technology is in full force. The company recently announced that it will expand its 300mm production facilities in China with a focus on a move to 45nm fabrication.
It seems no matter how well a company is doing, job cuts are a definite possibility. Some of the included employees were at Intel for over twenty-five years! As would be expected, there are severance packages and the option to apply for another position.
Source: Daily Tech
PC World Editor Quits Over Apple Story
Colleagues at my former outlet, PC World magazine, have told me that Editor-in-Chief Harry McCracken quit abruptly today because the company’s new CEO, Colin Crawford, tried to kill a story about Apple and Steve Jobs. The piece, a whimsical article titled “Ten Things We Hate About Apple,” was still in draft form when Crawford killed it.
It’s honorable to see Harry leave as he did, upholding the stance all editors should have. Altering stories (or ridding them entirely) to please advertisers is a huge no-no at Techgage. If a product sucks, it takes the heat. Honesty is what makes sure these companies push out kick-ass products.
Source: Wired Blogs
Top 100 Alternative Search Engines
In total, there are 12 new search engines this month (and 12, sadly, went “down to the minors”). From the first List in January through to this one, there have been 160 Alternative Search Engines in total!
So you want to get your search on, but are sick and tired of hanging around with the big boys. Read/Write Web presents to you an incredibly large list of alternative search engines that might just help you better find what you need. Better brew up a fresh pot of coffee before you get underway.
Source: Read/Write Web
Cingular Allows Linking.. If You Are Nice
But the stupid link policy isn’t completely dead, as mobile operator Cingular illustrates, with its legalese saying “you are granted a limited, nonexclusive right” to link to the site’s homepage (that’s right, no deep linking!), which can be “revoked” at any time. It also says links can’t portray Cingular in a derogatory manner, so things like Cingular sucks or Cingular’s cellular coverage isn’t so hot are apparently against the rules.
I have to agree, as we have the same rules. You cannot call Techgage stupid or lame or tell us that we suck. We know this already and need no help from anyone.
Source: Tech Dirt
Google’s Evil NDA
Hardcore might be the better word.
Tomorrow I am going to interview over at Google. Before I do so, I need to sign an NDA which states, among other things, that I’m not allowed to tell anyone I’m interviewing over there, or indeed, to mention the name of Google at all. So I’m going to do all that now and get it out of my system, so I’m not tempted to violate the agreement after I’ve signed it.
No mentioning Google, no mentioning that you had an interview with Google and certainly no mention of what came within your sights at Google. Overboard? Perhaps. Personally, signing all this would just turn me off of wanting a job there.
Source: C. Scott Blog
Open Letter To Steve Jobs: Please Build The Missing Mac
Let me share with you what I think is missing from Apple’s basically awesome Mac product line. A REGULAR MAC! – With no monitor and a full-height PCI-Express 16x slot! Price range: $600 – $1200. Dual-core, 1GB RAM. Nothing fancy!
Not that I ever plan to purchase an Apple, I agree with the author completely. As it is right now, if you wish to use your own monitor, you’d need to pick up the weak Mac Mini or expensive Mac Pro. There is no in-between!
Source: Michael Frager Blog
RIAA Drops Another Case In Chicago
The RIAA based its case on information that the cable modem used to partake in file sharing was registered to Mr. Thao. However, both the ISP and the RIAA failed to recognize that Mr. Thao was not a subscriber to the ISP at the time of the alleged file-sharing, and therefore did not have possession of the suspect cable modem at that time.
This seems like a good thing, but it’s not so much. The case was dropped without prejudice, meaning that the defendant is left to pay his own legal fees. I’d hate to know what this poor fellow has to haul out of his own wallet for the RIAA’s huge oversight.
Source: Recording Industry vs The People
Nikon’s Universcale
Nikon not only knows how to produce high-quality digital imaging equipment, but they also know how to throw together a totally addictive learning tool. Appropriately called the Universcale, it displays a timeline with various objects, from DNA to soccer balls to humans to planets. After clicking on something, you can read a snippet about it and compare it’s size to something else. Impressive, and addictive.
Source: Nikon Japan
Micron Releases 533MHz Chips
BOISE, Idaho, May 3, 2007 – Micron Technology, Inc., today announced sample availability of the industry’s fastest main memory 1 gigabit (Gb) DDR2 components, capable of running at 1066 megabits per second (Mbps). Used primarily in data-intensive computing applications, such as video editing or high-end gaming, Micron’s new DDR2-1066 memory modules increase user productivity and make images on screen seem more life-like.
Yes, I’m sure a faster memory chip will make images look more life-like. The interesting thing is, that even the top end DDR2-1200 kits on the market were developed using 333MHz or 400MHz chips, so is this boost going to pave the way to DDR2-1300 and higher? Hard to say. One thing is for sure, these chips will be expensive. If there are no such gains (or advantages over GMH/GKX), manufacturers will stay away.
There’s another thing that caught my eye though. All three 533MHz chips available use a CAS latency of 7. Which motherboards out there will support that?
Source: Micron Press Release
AMD: 45nm, DDR3 and Socket AM3 in 2008
In the second half of 2008, AMD will begin to migrate its K10 architecture to the 45nm node. AMD explicitly mentions that its 45nm process technology utilizes silicon-on-insulator (SOI). Intel’s 45nm process node, slated for introduction later this year, uses conventional CMOS process technology.
It’s too bad they are lagging behind in the engineering department, but they seem to be on the road to recovery. As an AMD fanboi talking… I just want to see them come out of this rut and start kicking some ass.
Source: DailyTech
Blu-Ray, HD-DVD Protection In Question
Next week, new HD DVD movies will hit the shelves that won’t play on some players, the first countermeasure by the content and software industries to combat intensive efforts by hackers to break copy-protection technology.
Once again, these lame protections are hurting only the consumer who plays it legal. Imagine slapping down money for an HD-DVD player, and to have it not play certain new releases. Ugh.
Source: Yahoo!
New Patent Trial Sought by Vonage
Vonage said the lower court should be instructed to review the case taking into account the Supreme Court’s call for â€a more expansive and flexible approach that allows for consideration of common sense when assessing whether an invention is ordinary or obvious, and thus ineligible for patent protection.â€
I have to agree with Vonage here, it’s spot on. It’s going to be an interesting trial… hopefully one that works in their favor.
Source: NY Times
Teachers Upset At Teacher-Rating Website
The website names individual schools and teachers, scoring their performance, and in many cases defaming them. One Sydney principal, who is given a score of 1.7 out of five for “overall quality”, is described as rude, condescending, pompous and arrogant.
It’s not difficult to see where the teachers are coming from. It doesn’t matter how great you are. There are far too many immature students out there that overpower the sensible ones. Welcome to the internet.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Microsoft Dropping Hints On IE8
While details may be lacking, the structure of the conferences planned for Mix’07 gives a few hints. Improvements in RSS, CSS, and AJAX support are all being given high priority. It is also widely speculated that IE 8 will include support for microformats, small tags embedded in HTML code that can be interpreted in various ways by software, such as calendar events or contact information. Microformat support is scheduled for Firefox 3, so IE 8 will have to include them in order to keep up.
I know there are many out there who swear by IE7, but I am looking forward to seeing what Microsoft plans to do with the next version. I can’t stand using the current version because of it’s clunkiness and nag-factor.
Source: Ars Technica
Internet2 Taken Out by Stray Cigarette
A fire started by a homeless man knocked out service between Boston and New York on the experimental Internet2 network Tuesday night. Authorities say the fire, which also disrupted service on the Red Line subway, started around 8:20 p.m. when a homeless man tossed a lit cigarette. The cigarette landed on a mattress, which ignited and led to a two-alarm fire.
It goes to show just how sensitive the Internet2 really is, when it can be taken down with a single cigarette.
Source: Slashdot
A Greener Apple
Apple has been criticized by some environmental organizations for not being a leader in removing toxic chemicals from its new products, and for not aggressively or properly recycling its old products. Upon investigating Apple’s current practices and progress towards these goals, I was surprised to learn that in many cases Apple is ahead of, or will soon be ahead of, most of its competitors in these areas. Whatever other improvements we need to make, it is certainly clear that we have failed to communicate the things that we are doing well.
It’s nice to see Apple opening up so much to their consumers, and even better to see that they are wising up to their practices.
Source: Apple.com
Gateway Ships Quad-Core Desktops
The base spec includes Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processors, 512MB ATI Radeon X1950 CrossFire video cards, Gigabit Ethernet, and 500GB hard drive. There’s a 1000GB option too. According to Gateway the only choices available for a quad-core system in the US retail channel “have been extremely expensive propositions from boutique specialists”.
At this years CES, we were told by Gateway that they are beginning to focus more on gaming machines, and now we have proof. A quick check of Dells website only shows a single system that utilizes a Quad-Core processor… and it costs over $5,000. Competition is good, so here’s to hoping Gateway continues their move into the gaming realm.
Source: The Register
UAC So Good That It Should Be Imitated
Read news post? Allow | Cancel
Of course, that’s not to say that I like UAC’s prompts. I find it somewhat annoying, but it’s nowhere near as annoying as some other interface flaws in Vista, like the inconsistent use of the Back/Forward navigation buttons and the lack of “OK” and “Apply” on many Control Panel apps. But I’m not kidding myself: plenty of early Vista adopters loathe the feature.
Read witty comment? Allow | Cancel
I don’t care what anyone says about UAC, it’s great. You will not find a better test for patience anywhere.
Follow link? Allow | Cancel, I Wish To Stay at Techgage
Source: Ars Technica
eVGAs 680i SE SLI Contest
eVGA is giving away 100 motherboards and gives you two ways to win.
Exclusively from EVGA, the nForce 680i SE SLI is engineered around the feature-rich 680i SLI chipset from Nvidia but has been optimized for Core 2 Duo overclocking performance. All you need to do is to fill out the survey below.
Surprised? If you buy the board during the month of May, you can enter to have your money refunded. With 100 boards available, your chances are already far better than in most other contests.
Source: eVGA
Official: Dell + Ubuntu
We all saw this coming, but now it’s official.
Ubuntu was the most requested option. Today, we are excited to tell you that Dell will begin offering Canonicals’ latest version, Ubuntu 7.04, as an option on select Dell consumer models in the U.S. in the coming weeks.
Though I am not a fan of Ubuntu, I am glad to see Linux becoming more popular and getting the exposure it deserves. Now it’s just a waiting game to see if all those people who begged Dell will follow-through and purchase a system.
Source: Dells Ideas In Motion
Censoring a Number
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Yesterday, we posted about a popular string of numbers/letters that’s doing a great job of stirring up the web. No surprise, since it’s the same string that’s required to bypass HD-DVD security. Well, it seems things are really amped up now.
More disturbingly, my story got Dugg twice, with the second wave hitting 15,500 votes, and today I found out it had simply disappeared from Digg. How long until the long arm of the MPAA gets to my own site (run in Ecuador) and the rest of them holding the processing key? How long will we let rampant censorship go on, in the name of economic interest?”
If you happened to be one of the people browsing Digg last night, you know that people were not happy. I managed to grab a screen capture so you know what I am talking about. When Digg users are pissed, everyone knows about it.
The issue is, can a number be censored? It’s… just a number after all. Number fun aside, it has taken no time at all to see t-shirts, mugs and posters for sale that feature this now famous string. It’s like DeCSS all over again, except in a far greater dose.
Source: Slashdot
Apple Patches QuickTime Flaw Quickly
An implementation issue exists in QuickTime for Java, which may allow reading or writing out of the bounds of the allocated heap. By enticing a user to visit a web page containing a maliciously-crafted Java applet, an attacker can trigger the issue which may lead to arbitrary code execution.
Apple has patched the QuickTime flaw discovered in last weeks Hack a Mac contest. They have also posted new updates for both AirPort and FTPServer, which you can grab through the built-in software updater.
Source: Apple.com
State of the Silicon Union
It has been a while since I have written an editorial about what the industry looks like from the helm here at HardOCP, but as I am flying out to California to see the latest in video technology, it seems to be about that time again. Much of the time, the writing is on the wall, and typing an editorial that takes a broad view of the CPU, GPU, and motherboard chipset world is sometimes about as worthwhile as tits on a boar hog. At this time, though, I think that many in the enthusiast crowd may not be seeing the big picture, hence the point of talking about it here.
One thing is certain… the future is uncertain. Kyle Bennett has taken everything into consideration and gives his thoughts on the future. AMD/ATI is not the only target, but NVIDIA as well. At this point in time, it’s them who seems to have the foggiest future.
Source: Hard|OCP