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Welcome to InfoHQ Computer News and Rumors. InfoHQ
Computer News and Rumors is a daily column. It features news coverage of
new PC and Mac computer hardware and software, Internet news, and other
technical news items.
Every Sunday, News and Rumors features "Sunday Shopping Watch",
which is a comparison and analysis of Sunday computer store advertisements.
The Computer News and Rumors is an archived column, so feel free to review
previous week's or month's computer news by clicking on the link below.
Previous computer news articles can also be searched, by using our site
search feature found in the right-hand column.
InfoHQ Computer News and Rumors
Article Index
Date
(Click on story to read, use your Browser's
back button to return to the Index.)
Aug 23 - Intel demonstrates 2 GHz Pentium 4 at Intel Developer
Forum. Albert Yu, senior vice president and general manager of the Intel
Architecture Group, demonstrated the Pentium 4 microprocessor, designed
to power emerging "visual Internet" software and scheduled for introduction
in the fourth quarter.
The Pentium 4 processor is powered by the new, 32-bit Intel NetBurst(TM)
micro-architecture, comprised of many innovative, performance-enhancing
technologies.
For example, Hyper Pipelined Technology will allow the Pentium 4 processor
to be introduced at speeds of at least 1.4 GHz, with plenty of frequency
headroom for future Internet applications. To illustrate, Yu performed a
technology demonstration of an air-cooled Pentium 4 processor-based system
running at 2 GHz.
A new Rapid Execution Engine will execute frequently used instructions at
twice the clock speed of the rest of the microprocessor for higher performance.
A new, 400 MHz system bus will allow the Pentium 4 processor to input and
output data three times faster than the Pentium III processor to enable
even richer Internet audio, video and 3D.
Additional details on the Pentium 4 can be found in our Desktop
CPU Rundown.
Aug 23 - Intel CEO Craig Barrett
kicks off Fall IDF 2000; New products announced. In his opening address
to 5,000 attendees here at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF), Barrett noted
that business-to-business e-Commerce is projected to grow from $400 billion
in 2000 to over $7 trillion in 2004. "Our opportunity and challenge is to
make it easier for customers to build modular Internet solutions using our
products," Barrett said. "The horizontal computing industry is delivering
more performance and innovation far more economically than any single, vertically
integrated company. The modular Internet will be created as we work together
as one to deliver solutions."
To illustrate, Barrett demonstrated a three-tiered e-Business computing
environment based entirely on high-volume building blocks and capable of
handling 15,000 simultaneous users. The solution featured interoperable,
Intel-based servers from Compaq, Dell, Hewlett-Packard and IBM, along with
Intel(R) NetStructure(TM) appliances for server load-balancing in the e-Business
data center.
Barrett observed that over the next several years, the Internet will be
populated by a billion PCs and a billion wireless devices, and that developers
need to plan for the seamless integration of these complementary devices
within the modular Internet. Barrett also highlighted the potential of peer-to-peer
technology, stating that developers can help businesses use peer-to-peer
to make dramatic gains in the use of networked enterprise resources.
Albert Yu, senior vice president and general manager of the Intel Architecture
Group, rounded out the opening remarks at IDF by demonstrating a range of
Intel technologies designed to power a new generation of Internet clients
and servers. Yu discussed the industry momentum behind Intel's forthcoming
Itanium(TM) processor, based on an advanced technology called EPIC that
goes beyond today's RISC and CISC microprocessor architectures. Yu said
that Intel has shipped more than 6,000 prototype systems and more than 18,000
Itanium processors to enable system and software design completion. Itanium
processor-based pilot systems are scheduled to be deployed to information
technology (IT) end users in the fourth quarter.
Yu also introduced the industry's first server processor running at 1 GHz.
Front-end servers based on such high-speed Pentium(R) III Xeon(TM) processors
enable e-Businesses to economically "scale out," adding modular servers
to easily manage growing e-Business workloads. Separately, Intel announced
its InfiniBand(a) product plans, including three new silicon products due
in 2001. The new products are being designed to serve at the heart of the
InfiniBand architecture, a new server input-output (I/O) technology that
will speed and simplify server-to-server connections and links to storage
and networking devices.
About IDF The Intel Developer Forum Conference is Intel's premier technical
forum comprising nearly 250 sessions and hands-on labs and more than 100
demonstrations of cutting-edge products and technologies. IDF attracts thousands
of hardware and software developers worldwide. Now in its third year, the
semi-annual conference provides hardware OEMs (original equipment manufacturers),
IHVs (independent hardware vendors), and ISVs (independent software vendors)
with in-depth information on Intel technologies and initiatives. More information
on the Intel Developer Forum can be found at http://developer.intel.com.
Aug 23 - Dell Launches Industry's
Highest-Resolution Notebook Display On Inspiron 5000e. Dell (Nasdaq:DELL),
the world's leading direct computer systems company and a leading provider
of technology for the Internet infrastructure, today announced the Inspiron
5000e notebook PC for consumers and small business users who demand advanced
features and technology in a compact, no-compromise design.
The Inspiron 5000e continues Dell's leadership in LCD screen technology
by introducing the industry's first Ultra XGA (UXGA) display, a 15-inch
screen that provides exceptional graphics quality for DVD playback and graphic-intensive
applications. The large screen size and increased pixel density deliver
an increased viewing area to display more content with higher resolution
and less scrolling.
The Inspiron 5000e's sleek design measures 1.5 inches thin and weighs 6.75
pounds. Prices start at $1,899 for an Inspiron 5000e equipped with a 600-MHz
Intel Mobile Celeron processor, a 14.1-inch XGA display, 64MB of RAM, and
a 6 GB hard disk drive.
In addition to Dell's award-winning service and support, the Inspiron 5000e
features the following cutting-edge technology:
-- Screen options including 14.1- and 15-inch SXGA screens, 14.1- and 15-inch
XGA screens and the industry's highest resolution display available -- the
15-inch Ultra XGA screen for lifelike images and razor-sharp graphics
-- ATI Rage Mobility 128 video card with full AGP support and 16 MB of video
RAM -- S-video out port for connecting to large-screen TVs or multimedia
projectors
-- Advanced wireless communications for the home and small business that
provide connectivity at speeds up to 11 Mbps over distances up to 150 feet
-- Integrated floppy disk drive and a modular media bay that supports multiple
peripherals including a second battery, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW and Zip drive
modules
-- High-capacity 6 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB and 30 GB hard disk drives for a range
of storage options
-- High-performance SDRAM memory configurable from 64 MB to 512 MB
-- High-performance Mobile Pentium III processors with SpeedStep(tm) technology
and Celeron processors from Intel Editor's note. Dell defines Ultra XGA as 1400 X 1050 Pixels Per Inch
(PPI), Super XGA as 1280 X 1024 PPI, and XGA as 1024 X 768 PPI. Further
discussions of screen resolution can be found on Dell's Inspiron
5000e page.
Information on Dell and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web
at www.dell.com.
Aug 22 - Logitech's iFeel Optical
Mice Add a New Dimension to the Human-Computer Interface. Logitech (NASDAQ:LOGIY;
Switzerland: LOGN, LOGZ), international market leader in human interface
devices that define the way people link to information in business, at home
and online, has launched a new product category - optical wheel mice with
the ability to "feel" events within all Windows applications and on the
Web.
Now anyone who uses a mouse can experience tactile sensations via the mouse
as the cursor travels over icons and menus, command bars, folders, tool
bars, web buttons and hyperlinks. What's more, because the iFeel mice are
optical, they offer a high degree of precision while requiring no cleaning.
To produce tactile communication with the user, iFeel mice use TouchSense(TM)
technology and software licensed from Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ:IMMR),
coupled with Logitech's proprietary hardware and electronics, and Immersion's
high-fidelity Inertial Harmonic Drive engine. In addition to their tactile
capabilities, the mice also function as standard high-performance optical
mice. In either mode, the products are powered by Logitech's award-winning
MouseWare(R) software, with its innovative WebWheel(TM) feature.
In addition to their across-the-board functionality on the Web and in Windows
environments, iFeel mice will be able to produce additional effects within
many applications and websites as developers continue to enhance their products
using the web and software kit available from Immersion Corporation at
www.immersion.com.
Based on Logitech's award-winning MouseMan(R) Wheel design, iFeel(TM) MouseMan(R),
the premium member of the iFeel family, features a softly contoured shape,
translucent bottom and iridescent metallic blue finish. IFeel MouseMan will
list for $59.95. Its companion, the iFeel(TM) Mouse, is an identically colored
ambidextrous unit that carries a suggested retail price of $39.95. Both
products will be available in late September from Logitech dealers and distributors,
and on various web sites including www.logitech.com.
Aug 22 - Tyan Trinity KT Systemboard
Supports Latest AMD Athlon and Duron Processors. Tyan Computer Corporation(R),
a leading designer and manufacturer of PC systemboard solutions, today is
launching the Tyan Trinity KT(TM) systemboard.
The Trinity KT is based on the VIA(R) KT-133 chipset and is tailor-made
for the desktop PC market. It supports the latest AMD(R) Athlon(TM) and
Duron(TM) processors and is geared for performance PC users that require
expandability and upgradeability. With support for a 200 MHz Front-Side
Bus (FSB) and 4x AGP, the Trinity KT offers unprecedented advantages in
graphics performance and I/O transfers. Whether you're a business user running
multiple applications or a hardcore gamer searching for the most reliable
system, the Trinity KT enables you to maximize the benefits of the latest
AMD processor technology.
In addition to the AGP slot, there are six PCI slots and one ISA slot, providing
maximum expandability. Up to 1.5GB of high-speed PC133 memory is supported
through three DIMM sockets.
Tyan is currently shipping the Trinity KT in sample quantities, with volume
shipments commencing before the end of August. Visit the company's World
Wide Web site at www.tyan.com.
Aug 22 - HP announces Business Inkjet
2200/2250 Printers. Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP) today introduced
HP Business Inkjet 2200/2250 printers, designed to combine speed, exceptional
print quality, and networking capabilities in a strong, cost-efficient platform
that supports the needs of workgroups and power users in business environments.
HP Business Inkjet 2200/2250 printers set a new standard as HP's fastest,
mid-volume color printer for small workgroup environments. The new printers
have print speeds of 15 pages-per-minute (ppm) black and more than 14 ppm
color, and are the first to include the innovative HP high-performance architecture
with dual 96MHz processors. Other features that fit perfectly in small-
to medium-sized workgroups include a high-capacity input tray, a duty cycle
of up to 10,000 pages per month, expandable memory up to 88MB, and robust
network capabilities.
All HP Business Inkjet 2200/2250 printers use the latest generation HP modular
ink-delivery system, adapted from HP DesignJet large-format professional
graphics printers, and was first introduced in desktop printers over two
years ago with the HP 2000C and 2500C Professional Series color printers.
The technology features separate printheads and ink cartridges for the four
inks used by the printers.
The modular design saves operating costs and improves efficiency because
individual ink cartridges and printheads can be replaced as needed. With
HP high-capacity ink cartridges, up to 1,750 pages in black or color can
be printed before replacing a single cartridge, resulting in a cost per
page of 2.2 cents for black text and 8.4 cents for color prints. The printers
also feature HP PhotoREt III color layering and ColorSmart III technologies
for true-to-life photo images on any type of paper.
Pricing for the new printers is as follows: HP Business Inkjet 2200 printer
-- $499; HP Business Ink 2250 printer -- $699; and HP Business Inkjet 2250TN
printer -- $999. HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web
at www.hp.com.
Aug 22 - Adaptec Launches ``RAID
Everywhere'' Initiative to Fuel RAID Growth. Adaptec, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADPT),
the global leader in innovative storage solutions, today announced "RAID
Everywhere," an initiative to accelerate RAID into mainstream PC servers
and high-end PCs for business-critical data protection and performance.
The announcement included the unveiling of three powerful microprocessor-based
Ultra160 SCSI RAID solutions combining Adaptec chip technology, compatibility
and global support.
"More than 75 percent of today's whitebox servers, and nearly half of all
PC servers shipped today, don't have adequate RAID protection -- that's
an alarming statistic," said Jeff Loebbaka, vice president of channel marketing
at Adaptec. "Critical data exists in businesses of every size, yet the benefits
of RAID have simply not been widely available, due to cost, complexity or
support issues. The goal of `RAID Everywhere' is to put RAID on every server
and make it as ubiquitous as SCSI."
Adaptec's "RAID Everywhere" initiative focuses on three major areas: technology,
compatibility and support. Adaptec has simplified installation and support
with new easy-to-use management software tools and 24x7 global customer
care, and is developing new ways to extend the adoption of RAID in the marketplace,
from offering a rich breadth of solutions, to educating the market on the
latest technology developments and applications.
Among the new offerings Adaptec announced today are two robust 64-bit Ultra160
SCSI RAID controllers, the Adaptec SCSI RAID 3200S and 3400S, that feature
a 3/4-size form factor, and come in two- and four-channel versions, respectively.
Adaptec also introduced the SCSI RAID 2100S, a half-size, single channel
Ultra160 RAID controller. With these additions to its product portfolio,
Adaptec now delivers the most complete line of RAID products in the industry,
from entry- to high-end server offerings, and the broadest choice of interfaces,
including ATA/UDMA, SCSI and Fibre Channel.
For more information, visit Adaptec online at: http://www.adaptec.com.
Aug 21 - Dell Takes No. 1 Spot
in Worldwide Workstation Shipments. Dell (Nasdaq:DELL) today announced
that for the first time it has become the worldwide leader for total workstation
unit shipments, moving ahead of competitors in both the personal and traditional
market segments, according to estimates by research firm IDC.
IDC's second-quarter 2000 analysis placed Dell in the No. 1 position with
a 23 percent share for unit shipments in the worldwide total branded workstation
market. This market includes both personal workstations equipped with Intel(R)
Pentium(R) processors and traditional workstations with RISC processors
using the UNIX operating system.
"In less than four years Dell has become a leader in the total workstation
market," said Kara Yokley, research analyst, IDC. "A well-defined workstation
strategy and consistent execution has enabled Dell to increase its market
share across all segments."
Dell Precision Workstations are intended for professional users who demand
exceptional performance in the financial analysis, digital content creation
(DCC), computer-aided design (CAD), geographic information systems (GIS),
computer animation, software development, and Internet content creation
(ICC) markets.
Dell's workstation Web site is at www.dell.com/us/en/biz/products/series_precn_workstations.htm.
Aug 21 -Japan Low End Digital
Camera Market Growing 46% Annually. A new study from InfoTrends Research
Group projects that the Japan Low End digital camera market (sub-200,000
yen) is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 46% through 2005. Unit
sales will grow from over 2.6 million to 17.7 million in 2005. Revenues
generated from digital camera sales will grow at a compound annual rate
of 24% to reach 450 billion yen in 2005.
In Japan, buyers are beginning to purchase digital cameras to replace their
film-based cameras for the first time. In fact, industry sources are reporting
a decline in film camera sales this year as a result of increasing digital
camera sales.
This is occurring as a result of achieving 2 million pixel resolution, which
delivers sufficient image quality for most consumers' snapshooting needs.
Additionally, digital cameras are beginning to reach comparable price points
to point & shoot film cameras. Digital camera vendors are also now offering
broad product lines that target a range of consumer price points and feature
requirements.
"Though digital cameras are now appealing to a broader market in Japan,
the infrastructure to support digital photographers is still lagging behind
market growth," says Michelle Lampmann, market research analyst for InfoTrends
Research Group. Digital develop, process, and enlargement (DPE) services
are not widely available and tend to cost more than film processing services.
Additionally, online photo-processing services have not yet had an impact,
because the turnaround time is not competitive with local retail services.
Non-PC owning households will not adopt digital cameras until a printing
infrastructure is in place to support their photographic needs.
Digital camera features are very important to Japanese consumers. The pixel
race is slowing down because many consumers are satisfied with 2 million
pixel resolution. As a result, other features are becoming more important,
including optical zoom and compact and stylish designs. Pixel resolution
will continue to increase, reaching 4 million pixels in 2001, but consumers
are not upgrading as quickly to the next resolution level as they did in
the past.
InfoTrends Research Group, Inc. can be found on the Web at www.infotrends-rgi.com.
Aug 21 - Disappearing Inc. Makes
Disappearing Email Available for Free Download. Disappearing Inc. has
released a free version of Disappearing(tm) Email, which lets users write
their email in the digital equivalent of disappearing ink.
Now available via the company's Web site at www.disappearing.com,
Disappearing(tm) Email for Microsoft Outlook(r) is an easy-to-use privacy
tool that helps prevent unwanted disclosure of private email by allowing
users to compose messages that expire at a specified time. Disappearing
Email messages can be read by other Outlook users or by anyone with an HTML-capable
mail client or a Web browser, as well as by users of free Web-based email
services such as Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail.
Disappearing(tm) Email for Microsoft Outlook(r) is simple to use. It adds
a "Send Disappearing Email" button and a pull-down menu that sets message-expiration
time. How it works. Sending an unprotected email message does more than
transmit a single copy to the recipient. It also creates numerous copies
on mail servers and backup devices. That makes deleting all copies of an
unprotected email message effectively impossible. Disappearing Email messages
are encrypted using a key borrowed from a server hosted by Disappearing
Inc. The messages are then stored and transmitted only in encrypted form.
When the key to a message is deleted from the server, all copies of that
message become unreadable.
Disappearing Email messages are transmitted just like standard mail messages,
so no change to existing mail infrastructure is required. The Disappearing
Email Hosted Network is also compatible with existing security systems including
anti-virus software, spam filters, and PKI.
Aug 20 - Sunday Shopping Watch. Special Discounts and Financing.
This Sunday, Circuit City is offering
free shipping on any HP build-to-order system. Best Buy is advertising $100 off all
notebooks and no interest financing until August 2001, on all MicronPC build-to-order
computers (now called "Computer Creation Station"). They also
now have a "Notebook Guarantee" which says that they promise to
have all advertised notebooks available in their store or they will ship
it to you free. Office Depot is offering to donate 5% of your purchase price to your designated
school. CompUSA chose not to advertise this
Sunday. Internet Rebates. All stores continue to offer the 3 year, $400 Internet
Rebate (except Office Depot, which has dropped the rebate from their ads).
Best Buy is now advertising a 1 Year MSN Internet sign-up deal that will
instantly rebate $100 and $100 more by mail.
Please see our article, What You Need to
Know About Internet Rebates and Free PCs, for an in-depth discussion
of Internet Rebates. Definitions. A complete system is defined as a computer
with monitor and printer.
A built-to-order system is customized and ordered from a Vendor's
store. In addition to the computer's stated price, you still pay sales tax
and shipping charges (if you order direct from the vendor without going
through the chain store, you may not have to pay sales tax). * Prices discussed in this article. Advertisers typically deduct
the $400 Internet rebate from an items true price. We report all prices
without subtracting the $400 Internet rebate, however all other rebates
and discounts are usually subtracted.
Best Deals this Sunday
Category
Product Description
Price* (see above)
Store
Best Low Cost Celeron Deal
Compaq 566 MHz complete system
$599
Best Buy
Best High-End Celeron Deal
HP 600 MHz complete system
$749
Best Buy
Best Low Cost Pentium III System
Compaq 700 MHz complete system
$1399
Circuit City
1. Best High End Pentium III System
HP 800 MHz build-to-order complete system
$1699
Circuit City
2. Best High End Pentium III System
MicronPC 866 MHz build-to-order complete system (includes
free Diamond Rio MP3 player)
$1799
Best Buy
Best Low Cost Athlon System
Compaq 800 MHz complete system
$1799
Circuit City
Best High End Athlon System
HP 850 MHz complete system
$1909
Best Buy
Best Low Cost Notebook
Compaq K6-33 500 MHz
$1099
Best Buy, Office Depot
Best High End Notebook
Sony VAIO 500 MHz Pentium III
$1400
Best Buy
Additional Information. For additional technical information,
advice on how to buy a laptop or desktop, and vendor and manufacturer links,
please see our Computer Buying Advice page.
About Sunday Shopping Watch. Sunday Shopping Watch appears every
Sunday (except some holidays like Easter and Christmas) in our News and
Rumors column. It is a review of the highlights of local (Dayton, Ohio)
computer chain store advertisements. While we can not guarantee your local
chain store has the same items discussed, this article should help you to
make informed buying decisions.
Aug 18 - Next-Generation Security Technology
under development for Laptop Computers. Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE:ADI)
announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Caveo Technology,
LLC. in which ADI's ADXL202E will be used in conjunction with Caveo's proprietary
software in the development of advanced security products for laptops and
other applications.
The resulting product, Caveo Anti-Theft(TM), features the ADXL202E, a tiny,
low-cost, micromachined tilt-motion sensor which enables location-awareness
in hardware. Caveo Anti-Theft is designed for laptop computers and is expected
to be available in early 2001.
Laptop computer theft is a problem of increasing concern in the corporate,
governmental and institutional workplaces. According to the Computer Security
Institute, 57% of firms suffered losses from laptop theft in 1999, a security
problem that was second only to virus infections.
By using ADI's recently introduced tilt-motion sensor, the ADXL202E, Caveo's
new Anti-Theft will offer substantial performance and cost benefits to laptop
manufacturers, augmenting security measures currently in place. Caveo Anti-Theft
works by setting up a security perimeter for the laptop. Moving the laptop
beyond the perimeter sets off an alarm, locks keys to encrypted files, and
disables the computer at the BIOS level, making it useless to unauthorized
users.
The combination of ADI's tilt-motion sensing technology and Caveo's proprietary
motion algorithms allow for a high-level security system that will respond
to protect software and hardware in the event of a threat, but will remain
transparent during normal operation. Caveo Anti-Theft is compatible with
and enhances complementary security products such as biometric user-authentication
systems.
For more information about Caveo Anti-Theft, visit www.caveo.com.
Aug 18 - Quantum Corporation Delivers
Hard Disk Drives for Intel's Upcoming Itanium Processors. Quantum Corporation's
Hard Disk Drive Group (NYSE:HDD) today announced that its Atlas(TM) V 7200
RPM high-end disk drive offers full support for the Itanium(TM) processor,
the first of Intel's upcoming IA-64 processor family.
The Atlas V went into mass production on January 25, 2000. Its platform
incorporates the industry's lowest acoustics (3.2Bels) and the highest non-operational
(300Gs) and operational (63Gs) shock specifications for SCSI drives. It
also has a fast seek time of 6.3ms, a 29MB/sec maximum sustained data rate
and up to 160MB/sec burst transfer rate. As the industry's highest density
7200 RPM SCSI drive at 9GB per platter, the Atlas V provides outstanding
value, reliability and performance for the high-end disk drive market.
"The need for reliable performance in storage solutions will only increase
as innovations such as Intel's IA-64 processor family are introduced into
the market," said Pat McGarrah, director of strategic and technical marketing
for Quantum's High-End Storage Division. "We are very pleased that Intel
worked closely with Quantum to optimize its Atlas V drive to provide outstanding
quality, reliability, performance and capacity for these 64-bit e-business
solutions."
Quantum can be found on the Web at www.quantum.com.
Aug 18 -SMC introduces Fixed-Port Ethernet
PC Card for Laptops. The New SMC8040TX 10/100 Mbps fixed-port Fast Ethernet
PC Card allows laptop users to connect to Ethernet LANs at 10 Mbps or 100
Mbps -- significantly faster than traditional LAN cards.
With its single-slot design, the card works great even in the thinnest laptops,
and allows the flexibility to use additional slots. All of this at a street
price of under $50, which is lower than products with less functionality.
In addition, the card's fixed-port construction eliminates dongles, thus
assuring a more durable connection.
"This new offering embodies what SMC is all about," said John Davis, director
of sales & marketing. "With this new card we are providing high-quality
at a low cost with proven reliability, excellent product and technical support,
and key user benefits. The dongle-less design removes any concern about
broken or lost connectors. Full-duplex support enables a doubling of the
data rate to 200 Mbps. The card is perfect for Internet connections using
cabled DSL modems."
The SMC8040TX also offers 32-bit compatibility to accompany its 16-bit performance,
Card & Socket Service Support (CSS) to provide trouble-free intranet connections,
and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The card provides ease of use
in a wide range of networking environments, and is a plug-and-play device
that can be installed under Windows 95/98/NT or 2000 in just minutes. User
convenience is enhanced by PC card Hot-Swap support, which allows the card
to be inserted or withdrawn without needing to restart the computer.
More information can be found at www.smc.com.
Aug 17 - Microsoft announces free
shipping for pre-orders of Windows Me. Microsoft has announced that
if you pre-order Windows® Millennium Edition (Windows Me) by September 10,
it will be at your door on September 14--the same day it arrives in stores.
They are also offering free shipping on all orders placed by September 30th
on their web site.
Microsoft has also announced a limited-time promotional price of $59.95
for the Windows Me operating system. The special price is available for
Microsoft® Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition customers who wish to
upgrade their system to the forthcoming Windows Me, the latest operating
system designed specifically for the home user.
The promotionally priced product, which will be available in retail stores,
and also available online, from September 14 through January 15, 2001, will
make it more affordable for Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition users
to update their systems with the most recent consumer operating system enhancements.
Windows Me improves the home-computing experience by delivering enhancements
in the areas of PC health, digital media, home networking, and the online
experience.
To pre-order Windows Me visit http://shop.microsoft.com/product/windows/expwin.htm.
Aug 17 -Multimedia 2000 Releases
PocketRetriever for Palm; Allows remote access of PC. Multimedia 2000
today released PocketRetriever, the latest in Palm OS-compatible software.
PocketRetriever allows users to access their PCs from anywhere, using their
handheld with a standard modem or data-enabled cellular phone. PocketRetriever
ensures that the user will always be connected to their home PC, and will
never get caught without the information they need.
PocketRetriever lets users easily and quickly retrieve files, including
virtually any text file format or picture, from a PC using a Palm OS-compatible
handheld. Users can search the entire contents of their PC and download
files, which can then be read, modified, and stored back on the PC. Files
can be beamed, e-mailed, or uploaded to other PCs and handhelds. PocketRetriever
allows the user to remotely install other handheld applications, documents,
and databases, as well as monitor security cameras.
"As more people join the handheld revolution, PocketRetriever will definitely
become the application no user can afford to be without," exclaimed Paul
Bader, Multimedia 2000's CEO. "PocketRetriever gives PDA owners the ultimate
in convenience and utility by letting them access the contents of their
PC from wherever they are."
Prices were not announced. Individuals can place orders by visiting www.m-2k.com.
Aug 17 - AVB announces VMouse; World's
First Sound-Based Vibration Mouse. American ANKO announced the availability
of the world's first sound-based vibration mouse, AVB's VMouse, which is
destined to shake up the competition.
Via a connection to the sound card, AVB's VMouse "listens" to sound effects
emitted by any game, multimedia software or interactive website viewed on
a user's computer. Synchronized vibrations accompany each sound, thus enhancing
the user's computing experience dramatically. Ordinary word processing becomes
more stimulating, Internet gaming a more thrilling experience. Now users
can "feel" the excitement, instead of only hearing it.
Although disguised as an ordinary Internet scroll mouse, the unique design
and patented SoundSensual Technology make it possible to plug-and-play through
the USB port of a PC, iMac, Power Mac and even a Linux-based operating system.
AVB's VMouse is a true cross-platform peripheral.
The VMouse ships in volume in September, no prices were announced. Visit
www.avbtech.com/avbtech/vmouse.htm
for more information.
Aug 17 -ADSL Market Grows 40% in
Second Quarter 2000. Dell'Oro Group, a leading market research firm,
reports that in 2Q00, revenue for the ADSL Market grew 40% to $413 Million.
ADSL, primarily used by residential consumers, represents 65% of the total
DSL Market. Alcatel dominates in the space with over triple the revenue
of its nearest competitor. Nokia, Cisco, and Paradyne posted stair-step
growth during 2Q00 with 144%, 77%, and 53% growth rates respectively.
The Dell'Oro Group can be found on the Web at www.delloro.com.
Aug 16 - UMAX Introduces First
Consumer Scanners With Direct-to-Internet Scanning Capability. UMAX
Technologies, Inc. today introduced a product to provide customers with
a new way to communicate through digital imaging. The new AstraNET e3420
Internet scanning solution enables consumers to easily and conveniently
use the Web for image sharing, communication, storage and Web page hosting.
Featuring UMAX's innovative scan-to-Web capabilities, the AstraNET e3420
scans images directly to the Internet, eliminating the need to first save
the image to a hard drive. The new Internet scanner also comes with free
Internet service provided by NetZero and a free one-year ImageOL.com membership,
featuring up to 50MB Web storage, an on-line photo album, a free Web page
and Web builder, Internet mail and online calendar. By integrating scan-to-Web
software and free ISP service, UMAX has created the first complete Internet
imaging solution.
UMAX also announced today the AstraNET e3470, a new direct-to-Internet scanner
for those requiring a built-in universal transparency cover (UTC). The AstraNET
e3470 comes with the same innovative features as the AstraNET e3420 with
the added convenience of a UTC, enabling users to scan slides, positives
and negatives up to 4" x 5" in size directly to the Internet. In addition
to their direct-to-Internet capability, both scanners ship with software
to allow users to scan directly to hard drive, to a printer for making copies
or scan to e-mail with a single touch.
Both the AstraNET e3420 and e3470 scan images at 600 x 1200 dpi (dots per
inch), providing over 4 trillion sharp, vibrant colors with true 42-bit
internal color and UMAX Magic-match color matching.
Both scanners are designed for "plug and play" use on systems running Windows
98. They are single-pass, flatbed, color CCD scanners featuring 600 x 1200
dpi resolution and a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter for true 42-bit
color. The AstraNET e3420 and e3470 feature high scan speed and easy, hot-pluggable
connectivity through USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports.
The scanners come with a one-year warranty and are now available for a suggested
retail price of $129 for the AstraNET e3420 and $179 for the AstraNET e3470.
Visit UMAX at www.umax.com.
Aug 16 - Linux Developer Community
Rallies Around AMD's 64-Bit Computing Strategy. Leading Linux developers
today announced support for AMD's 64-bit computing strategy at the LinuxWorld
Conference & Expo.
AMD publicly released its 64-bit architecture specification, the x86-64(TM)
Architecture Programmers Overview, last week to enable the industry to begin
incorporating x86-64 technology support into their operating systems, applications,
drivers, and development tools. AMD is also distributing its specification
to developers on CD-ROM at LinuxWorld.
In addition, AMD is announcing its x86-64 technology simulator - an application
that is designed to give BIOS vendors, tools developers, operating system
manufacturers and application providers the ability to test their software
code for the x86-64 architecture prior to the release of AMD's forthcoming
64-bit processors that utilize x86-64 technology. These processors, codenamed
"Hammer", are planned to be announced at the end of 2001. The x86-64 technology
simulator is planned to become available free of charge at www.x86-64.org
in September 2000.
Additionally, AMD is announcing the x86-64 technology web site, which went
live today. Launched by AMD and industry partners, the purpose of the site
is to help developers incorporate x86-64 technology support in operating
systems, applications, drivers, and development tools while also being the
home of x86-64 technology-related information including the x86-64 Architecture
Programmers Overview and upcoming white paper and simulator.
"We are excited to be working with AMD to provide AMD's "Hammer" family
of processors to the Linux community," said Paul McNamara, VP of Products
and Platforms, Red Hat, Inc. "As leaders in the Linux space, our expertise
will help AMD provide a solid foundation for this technology."
"AMD's x86-64 architecture provides the perfect platform for SuSE to pursue
its enterprise strategy," said Volker Wiegand, president of SuSE Inc. "Linux
for x86-64 will allow the open source community to develop a wide array
of 64-bit software solutions for small, medium and large enterprises. We
believe that IT managers are eager to embrace all of the open source advantages
that are the foundation of Linux. Enhanced for AMD's 64-bit specifications,
Linux becomes a premier operating system environment for hundreds of thousands
of IT implementations. SuSE is proud to be championing the effort, within
the Linux community, to port Linux to the x86-64 architecture." About AMD's x86-64(TM) Technology. AMD's straightforward approach
to 64-bit computing builds upon the x86 instruction set, one of the industry's
most proven and widely supported technologies. AMD x86-64 technology is
designed to support applications that address large amounts of physical
and virtual memory, such as high performance servers, database management
systems, and CAD tools. The x86-64 technology seamlessly integrates into
the current computing and support environment, and is designed to enable
enterprises to deploy high performance 64-bit capable systems that build
upon the billions of dollars already invested in 32-bit software.
AMD enhances the current x86 instruction set by introducing two major features:
a 64-bit extension called long mode, and register extensions. Long mode
consists of two sub-modes: 64-bit mode, and compatibility mode. 64-bit mode
supports new 64-bit code through the addition of eight general-purpose registers
and widens them all along with the instruction pointer. It also adds eight
128-bit floating point registers. Compatibility mode supports existing 16-bit
and 32-bit applications under a 64-bit operating system. In addition to
long mode, the architecture also supports a pure x86 legacy mode, which
preserves binary compatibility with existing 16-bit and 32-bit applications
and operating systems.
The x86-64 Architecture Programmers Overview including the full specification
and developer support is available at www.amd.com/devconn/index.html.
Aug 16 - Linux-Based Handheld PC
Debuts at LinuxWorld. Agenda Computing Inc., of Irvine, Calif., unveiled
the Agenda VR3, a new Linux-based portable PC, at LinuxWorld.
The $149, four-ounce, pocket-sized PC has the power, speed and storage resources
to run most current and future desktop-class computer applications. The
Agenda VR3's open operating system offers compatibility with both PC and
Linux-based applications.
The Agenda VR3 comes with a large, viewable area and an easy-to-read 160
x 240 pixel LCD screen with 16 grayscale shades. Agenda Computing's natural
handwriting recognition capability allows users to write anywhere on the
screen.
The VR3's 66 MHz 32-bit MIPS processor (roughly four times the speed of
comparably priced competitive handheld devices) enables users to work on
multiple applications simultaneously. This multi-tasking capability permits
users to download or send e-mails while working on other applications.
A 33.6kb/s modem is available for purchase so users can connect to an ISP
via dial-up accounts for e-mail, or to simply connect to any phone line
to send faxes.
The Linux operating system allows for quick and easy interaction between
PCs and the Agenda VR3. With the specialized QuickSync cradle, the Agenda
VR3 can communicate with both PC and Linux applications. The Obex-compliant
infrared component allows for the transfer of information, such as vcards,
between the Agenda VR3s and other compatible devices, including Palm handhelds.
The Agenda VR3 family of portable PCs comes in three models: the Agenda
VR3 has 8MB RAM and 2MB Flash storage for a manufacturer suggested retail
price (MSRP) of $149; the Agenda VR3+ has 8MB RAM and 4MB Flash storage
for a MSRP of $199; the Agenda VR3s carries 8MB RAM and 8MB Flash storage
for a MSRP of $249.
The Agenda VR3 is available for purchase reservation online, at both www.agendacomputing.com
and www.elinux.com. The Agenda VR3 is expected
to ship to customers in October 2000.
Agenda Computing will introduce a second product line in November called
the Agenda VR5. The VR5 will feature a rechargeable lithium-ion battery,
additional Flash storage and an extruded metal case. Pricing for the Agenda
VR5 is expected to start at $299.
Aug 16 -Intel Unleashes the PC
Camera. Intel Corporation is unleashing the PC camera to offer users
the capability to shoot Internet-ready photos and record video at, and away
from, the PC.
The eight-ounce Intel Pocket PC Camera is a high-quality VGA camera with
a CCD sensor for enhanced low-light performance, and a four-element lens
with a 50-degree field of view. When connected to a PC through the supplied
USB cable and monitor cradle, the Intel Pocket PC Camera provides unlimited
video capture and still image snapshot capabilities. When untethered, the
camera's built-in 8 MB of memory can capture a combination of 128 Internet-ready
VGA quality (640x480) images or two minutes of video. An auto setting lets
users capture five shots in two seconds, and a self-timer lets everyone
get in the picture. Batteries, a carrying case, and wrist strap are included.
The Intel(R) Pocket PC Camera is an inexpensive and easy-to-use product
that includes a detachable PC Camera that can be taken to backyard barbecues,
summer softball games and family vacations. The package comes with a software
suite so that when the digital PC Camera is reattached to its PC, consumers
can make video phone calls, create personal Web pages, send e-mail postcards,
create PC movies, edit photos and play PC Camera games. The Intel Pocket
PC Camera is available at $149 manufacturer's suggested retail price.
The Intel Pocket PC Camera comes in an easy-to-install plug-and-play Universal
Serial Bus (USB) version. Minimum system requirements include desktop or
notebook PC with Intel(R) Pentium(R) processor with MMX(TM) technology at
166 MHz or an Intel(R) Celeron(TM) processor, Windows(2) 98, 98SE or Millennium
Edition, Windows(2) compatible sound card with speakers and microphone,
32 MB RAM and Internet access.
The Intel Pocket PC Camera is available nationwide at most computer stores
and online retailers. More information is available at www.intel.com/PCcamera.
The eight-ounce Intel Pocket PC Camera is a high-quality VGA camera with
a CCD sensor for enhanced low-light performance, and a four-element lens
with a 50-degree field of view. When connected to a PC through the supplied
USB cable and monitor cradle, the Intel Pocket PC Camera provides unlimited
video capture and still image snapshot capabilities. When untethered, the
camera's built-in 8 MB of memory can capture a combination of 128 Internet-ready
VGA quality (640x480) images or two minutes of video. An auto setting lets
users capture five shots in two seconds, and a self-timer lets everyone
get in the picture. Batteries, a carrying case, and wrist strap are included.
