Friday, April 9, 2010

Multi-tasking FINALLY coming to iPhone

Multi-tasking FINALLY coming to iPhone


Apple just announced their iPhone 4.0 firmware a couple of hours ago. One of the biggest addition is multi-tasking. Yeap, Apple is finally adding multi-tasking to iPhone/iPod touch/iPad. But its not the usual multi-tasking you see on most smartphones. Instead, only 7 types of services are allowed to be multi-tasked.

Disclaimer: I don’t have much information about the iPhone 4.0 firmware. Here are the things I hear from the live blogging. Please correct me if I misunderstood any of the points.

Audio Streaming
This service is like the iPod feature. Currently, applications like Pandora or internet radio can only play when the apps is running. Come iPhone 4.0, these application can play audio in the background while you are on other application, just like the iPod player.

Voice Over IP
This service allows users to use applications like Skype to chat while using other application. It also allows applications like skype to run in the background and receive calls. This would make VOIP applications like skype very useful.

Background Location
Background location service allow navigation application like Tom-Tom to provide turn-by-turn navigation while running in the background. This would also be great for Latitude. BUT as we all know, Latitude is not approved in Apple Appstore.

Push Notification
This is the same push notification service that we have been using since iPhone 3.0.

Local Notification
Local notification is somewhat like push notification but different in the sense that it does not requires communication with server. Finally, developers can write applications like alarm clock. OK, it’s not just alarm clock. There are a lot of other uses for local notification.

Task Completion
Task completion allows applications to do a task like upload photos in the background. I think this is extremely useful for applications like Flickr and Posterous. In the past, the application needs to be open when you are uploading photos. Now you can let them run in the background.

Fast App switching
This is the most interesting service of all 7. It effectively save the current state of the application when you leave and restore the state when you come back. Think of it as a pause button for you to check emails or browse the web.

Apple claims that their multi-tasking will not drain battery life or choke up resources. If I’m not wrong, this is possible because only 7 type of services are allowed to multi-tasked. Free for all multi-tasking (which most smartphone OS are doing) will consume too much unnecessary resource. Apple basically disallowed unnecessary things from running in the background and controls how resources are being used. Developers will need to make changes to their codes to make their applications able to “multi-task”.

Other new addition to the iPhone 4.0 includes Game Centre (something like Xbox Live and PSN), folders for you to install more applications, iBook Apps (which I think Singapore users won’t be able to purchase Ebooks) and iAd (which is like Admob).

Open Feint and PLUS will be in some trouble because their service is something like Game Centre. Admob will be in direct competition with iAd which is no surprise since Admob now belongs to Google. Looks like the war between Google and Apple is just heating up.

The new iPhone 4.0 will be available this coming Summer. iPad users will get it this coming fall. But iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2nd Gen below will not be able to multi-task. BOO!!! Well, this is somewhat expected since the hardware is almost 2 years old. I guess it’s Apple’s way of telling us to upgrade our iPhone.

While there is no new iPhone announcement today, I strongly believe Apple will release a new iPhone by June to tie the iPhone 3G users who contracts are ending.




http://blog.dk.sg/2010/04/09/multi-tasking-finally-coming-to-iphone/

Friday, April 2, 2010

Apple iPad Reviews - Views from the Tech Press

There's been lots of talk and hype about Apple's iPad, but now the tech reviewers have actually gotten their hands on the device and had a chance to put it through its paces. So what are the iPad reviews so far?

* Walt Mossberg, the influential personal technology columnist for the Wall Street Journal, is quite impressed. He says the iPad is "a 'game changer' that makes browsing and video a pleasure."

* PC World offers a handy iPad FAQ that answers a lot of the questions about the iPad that have caused much confusion among potential buyers, such as the differences between the 3G and Wi-Fi models, how easy the on-screen keyboard is to use, whether you can use an external monitor, etc.

* If you just want articles that give brief reviews from a number of tech folks (including Mossberg), another PC World column supplies a round-up of iPad reviews that offer the good and bad of the device, along with opinions on battery life and a one-sentence summary. (There are links to the full original reviews, of course.)

* Wired.com offers a similar summary of iPad reviews but with one- to three-sentence excerpts from the original columns (with links to them).

All in all, the reviewers seem impressed with the new Apple iPad. If consumer response is just as positive, Apple will be able to laugh off all those "iTampon" jokes people were making when the product was announced.








http://www.xomba.com/apple_ipad_reviews_views_tech_press
Apple iPad Reviews - Views from the Tech Press

There's been lots of talk and hype about Apple's iPad, but now the tech reviewers have actually gotten their hands on the device and had a chance to put it through its paces. So what are the iPad reviews so far?

* Walt Mossberg, the influential personal technology columnist for the Wall Street Journal, is quite impressed. He says the iPad is "a 'game changer' that makes browsing and video a pleasure."

* PC World offers a handy iPad FAQ that answers a lot of the questions about the iPad that have caused much confusion among potential buyers, such as the differences between the 3G and Wi-Fi models, how easy the on-screen keyboard is to use, whether you can use an external monitor, etc.

* If you just want articles that give brief reviews from a number of tech folks (including Mossberg), another PC World column supplies a round-up of iPad reviews that offer the good and bad of the device, along with opinions on battery life and a one-sentence summary. (There are links to the full original reviews, of course.)

* Wired.com offers a similar summary of iPad reviews but with one- to three-sentence excerpts from the original columns (with links to them).

All in all, the reviewers seem impressed with the new Apple iPad. If consumer response is just as positive, Apple will be able to laugh off all those "iTampon" jokes people were making when the product was announced.





Tags: Computers & Internet Apple apple ipad ipad ipad


http://www.xomba.com/apple_ipad_reviews_views_tech_press

Monday, March 29, 2010

HP and Intel Detail Technology Advances to Fuel Business Transformation for Workstation Customers

HP and Intel Detail Technology Advances to Fuel Business Transformation for Workstation Customers



DreamWorks Animation Leads Its Business Transformation With Multicore Workstations




GLENDALE, Calif., Mar 24, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today at a press event on the DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!dwa/quotes/nls/dwa (DWA 42.81, -0.63, -1.45%) campus, HP /quotes/comstock/13*!hpq/quotes/nls/hpq (HPQ 53.42, -0.08, -0.15%) and Intel detailed a path toward performance increases that will help workstation customers transform computing workflows and, ultimately, their businesses.

DreamWorks Animation announced it is leading a business transformation based on the scalable multicore innovations provided by HP and Intel to enable the next generation of filmmakers and beyond. By placing tools that are dramatically faster in the hands of artists, DreamWorks Animation hopes to inspire a new generation of filmmaking.

"The multiplier effects of multicore processing in HP workstations will be transformational, turning hours into seconds, days into minutes and years into quarters," said Jim Zafarana, vice president and general manager, Workstations, HP. "The spec wars are over -- multicore parallel processing is steamrolling all previous processes and changing the way we assess compute power."

"We will release an unprecedented three films this year, each of them with the aspiration to push the state of the art in CG (computer generated) filmmaking. Redesigning our software to tap the power of multicore will ensure our artists have the very best technology to practice their craft," said Ed Leonard, chief technology officer, DreamWorks Animation. "Our rearchitecture effort is the largest technology initiative we've ever taken on and one that has the most promise to transform our core business."

The proprietary software used by DreamWorks Animation artists in the process of content creation and animation touches everything from character creation and cinematography to lighting, special effects, environments and stereoscopic 3-D.

Most software today is designed to run on one core at a time, limiting the user's ability to improve workflow. DreamWorks Animation's ambition is to rewrite its software to take advantage of the power of Intel's multicore technology using industry-leading HP Z-Series Workstations. The ability to scale solutions to efficiently utilize many cores is creating a new class of high-performance workstation applications, and DreamWorks Animation and HP are leading the way. By rewriting its suite of software to run parallel projects using HP Z Workstations with up to 12 cores (and potentially more in the future), DreamWorks is turning upside down the economics of its filmmaking machine.

"It's rewarding to see how quickly DreamWorks Animation is benefiting from rearchitecting and optimizing their software flow using Intel(R) Software Development Products and engineering talent," said Anthony Neal-Graves, general manager, Workstations, Intel. "Through this collaboration and the efficiency gain on Intel multicore processor-based platforms from HP, we're moving animators closer to their goal of seeing the results of their creative efforts in real time."

"Providing our customers with tools to dramatically increase productivity and create engaging experiences is a top priority for us," said Bill Hensler, chief technologist, Creative Suite Business Unit, Adobe. "Adobe Creative Suite software takes full advantage of multicore systems, allowing users to benefit from HP's and Intel's new advances in computing power and save valuable time."

Danish computer-aided design and manufacturing company and event presenter HSMWorks ApS expressed excitement over the new technologies.

"We are already seeing major performance gains with the new HP Z workstations and advances in multicore from Intel," said Tom Mortensen, founder and chief executive officer, HSMWorks ApS. "HSMWorks was designed from the ground up to fully utilize multiple cores, so without us having to change a single line of code, we expect customers who upgrade to the new Z workstations supporting six-core processors will immediately see a reduction in processing times of machining tool paths."

About Intel

Intel /quotes/comstock/15*!intc/quotes/nls/intc (INTC 22.24, -0.11, -0.49%) , the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.

About DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE(R) Magazine for two consecutive years. In 2010, DreamWorks Animation ranks #6 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 18 animated feature films, including the franchise properties, Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda. DreamWorks Animation's three feature film releases in 2010 are How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek Forever After and Megamind.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world's largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and our beliefs and expectations concerning performance of our current and future releases and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for our upcoming films and other projects, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and uncertainties include: audience acceptance of our films, our dependence on the success of a limited number of releases each year, the increasing cost of producing and marketing feature films, piracy of motion pictures, the effect of rapid technological change or alternative forms of entertainment and our need to protect our proprietary technology and enhance or develop new technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties and risks involved in the development and production of animated feature projects, the release dates for the projects described in this document may be delayed. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks Animation is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected operational and financial results; and other risks that are described in HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2010 and HP's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.



SOURCE: HP
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hp-and-intel-detail-technology-advances-to-fuel-business-transformation-for-workstation-customers-2010-03-24?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Friday, January 29, 2010

HDMI Cable 1.3-Using HDMI 1.3 Cables to Connect your Home Theater Components

The HDMI 1.3 cable is the new version of the interface cable of multiple media can be used to connect a series of electronic devices in the same interface. Compared to past models of the cable, that has changed relatively little compared with its predecessor, version 1.3 has several new features making it the most adaptable of the group. But what exactly are the real benefits of using the HDMI cable from 1.3 in comparison with others? You’d be surprised, I am sure, learn all the ways that this new version to expand its multimedia interface and make it easier for you to combine electronics.

To understand how this HDMI cable will help, let us first talk about Digital Visual Interface (DVI). This is an uncompressed digital connection that was actually originally developed a network of personal computers. This is a low cost, high bandwidth digital connection between PCs and broadband digital monitors, so you can see your work in the best of television. Now it is the most widely used digital display interface in the computer industry. What does all this for your home theater system? Well, this means that you can include the DVI with it, including the use of DVI projectors, screens, DVD players and developments such as new HD DVD players.

HDMI cables come when you want to connect a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) system with a DVI connector. HDMI Cables operational support video, audio, and between the component commands (signals from remote control) in a digital interface that was built on the success of DVI. When a device is connected to a HDMI 1.3, it does all the video performance DVI has to offer, up to and including 1080p.

Compared to your A / V interface standard, HDMI interfaces actually have a number of important benefits. The format provides uncompressed digital HD video, multichannel audio and control signals between various HDMI / DVI or component. By combining all this power in one cable HDMI provides an alternative to easily reach the maze of existing analog audio video cables that affect your home theater.

The HDMI 1.3 offers different benefits, in fact, six in the HDMI world. The most obvious is the increased speed of data transfer offered. It is also compatible with a special format type known as Deep Color. This new color space used in video electronics. It can support 1.8 times as many colors as RGB (red, green, blue), which helps to show all the colors in nature. The integration of the automatic synchronization of audio is also a new feature to HDMI 1.3 cable. This system automatically adjusts the difference in electronic latency between the processing circuits of sound and image. This discrepancy usually comes as a slight delay in sound and image match, but it will be thanks to this new cable version imperceptible.

Besides this, the HDMI 1.3 supports output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-FD Master Audio streams. These formats are lossless audio codec used in HD DVD and Blu-ray. The cable is useful in this case, if the DVD player can do? T send information in an uncompressed format, however. HDMI 1.3 can be used with a range of products including the latest DVD players and Playstation 3, which may interest you to know, is the first product on the market that uses a HDMI 1.3 connection cable.

So you’re the best connectivity possible, look into purchasing the 1.3 HDMI cable. The benefits it provides to its HDMI 1.3 Home Theater Set-up can be wired? T be defeated, and will soon be able to transfer data like never before.



http://www.hdmicable13.com/