Turntables sales up, vinyl rocking music again
The demand for vinyl and turntables are increasing, according to a new report, proving that while CD sales are falling fast, it's not just digital downloads that are replacing them.
The old-school format trend has been particularly evident in New York, where audio outlets are reporting massive increases in the sales of both the LP and the turntables to play them.
Nielsen Soundscan claims that more than 2.1 million vinyl records had been sold so far this year in the US, up 35 per cent on 2008, and the highest figure since figures began in 2001.
Discovering sound quality
"It's all these kids that are really ramping up their vinyl collections," Rachelle Friedman of J&R Music, which carries 21 different analogue and digital turntables, told the New York Times.
"New customers are discovering the quality of the sound. They're discovering liner notes and graphics."
Sales of turntables have risen proportionately, but in many cases they're more complex beasts than the Dansette of yore. Most can be hooked up to computers, allowing users to rip the music to hard drives and portable devices.
Some are more DJ-driven, letting users mix vinyl live with music from an iPod. Some stores, such as Best Buy in the US, even now have areas where customers can test drive turntables and other DJ gear.
So maybe it really is finally time to get those old disco LPs out of the attic again.
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64-bit Chromium OS surfaces
A project that could bring an unofficial version of Google's Chrome OS to 64 bit computers has launched.
Using the Chromium OS code that has been open sourced by Google, the ChromiumOS64 project allows people who like a little more RAM to consider the new operating system/browser hybrid concept from Google.
"ChromiumOS64 is an unofficial port of the original Google's Chromium OS project (when officially released in 2010, it will be called Google Chrome OS) to the x86_64 64-bit architecture," explains the project lead Teo en Ming on the project website.
"The original Chromium OS project does not support 64-bit platforms. This is because the majority of the netbooks in the market are based on Intel Atom processors, which are mostly 32-bit."
2010 for official Chrome OS
Google's official Chrome OS release in 2010 will see it arrive on just netbooks, with the whole concept being that it allows low-power devices to quickly get online and utilise browser tools.
32-bit operating systems can only support up to 4GB of RAM, although this is normally limited to around 3.3GB, meaning a 64-bit OS is needed to fully take advantage of more memory.
Of course, with Google Chrome OS essentially just a browser with knobs on, 4GB and more is probably a little bit of overkill - which is presumably why Google is not undertaking a 64-bit project itself.
Download and instructions are on the ChromiumOS64 site, with all the normal caveats about TechRadar not being responsible for your computer / the download etc.
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Android 'below expectations' in Europe
Google's Android mobile OS is showing slow growth in Western Europe since its launch, according to analysts.
IDC has stated that while Android's market share has grown in this region, from 4.2 per cent to 5.4 per cent in the July- September period, consumers are still shying away.
"Consumers steer clear of Google's OS and sell-out is below everyone's expectations. Consumers recognize the Google brand, but still do not understand what Android is," IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo.
Lack of awareness
"The lack of devices available didn't help to raise awareness, though this is expected to change, with more handsets from LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and other vendors hitting the market soon."
Symbian - the operating system used for years by Nokia in its smartphones and more recently in Samsung and Sony Ericsson models - has 48 per cent of the market in Western Europe.
Windows Mobile is still the mainstay of the business market too, and although the iPhone and Android handsets are growing, it will take a larger range of more compelling devices to properly take on the established players.
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YouTube offers up Feather-lite version of site
YouTube has announced a lite version of the website has hit beta, which trims the features available on the site to make videos load faster.
Codenamed 'Feather', the new landing page, according to YouTube, gives "a user experience that aims to keep things simple and the videos loading and playing quickly."
Although it is in TestTube at the moment – the place where YouTube tests new products – the site will look into making it more widely available if adoption goes up and latency improves.
Opt-in beta
If you want to try out 'Feather' for yourself, there is an opt-in beta sign-up page. On the page there is a warning that not all videos will work within the Feather version of the site.
Fingers crossed it does work, as the ability to have a seamless YouTube experience over even the most low-powered devices sounds great. And if this brings with it a little less page furniture this is also something that would be more than welcomed.
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Windows XP 'holding back PC gaming'
The developer of the Aliens vs Predator game – one of the first to truly harness the power of DirectX 11 – has admitted that the sheer amount of gamers still on Windows XP is 'definitely slowing progress'.
Aliens vs Predator is a game that has become intrinsically linked with the arrival of Windows 7 and, of course, DirectX 11.
The latter will see the PC once more move head and shoulders above the likes of PS3 and Xbox 360 in terms of graphical prowess, with gamers likely to see the strides taken on the platform in the coming months.
Rebellion
Rebellion's AvP will be one of those games, but David Brickley - Senior Producer for the games developer - explained that millions of gamers are still using Windows XP and Direct X9 – and it is beginning to hold development back.
"As a company we've used DirectX since it first came into existence at the time of Windows 95, so we are experienced with upgrading and supporting different versions of Windows and DirectX... but XP only supporting DirectX 9 is definitely slowing progress," Brickley said in an interview with PC Games Hardware.
"We're currently hoping Windows 7 does well - hopefully in another year or two most gamers will be on Vista or Windows 7 and we can concentrate on DirectX 11 ... or 12!"
Taking advantage
Although AvP is not just for DirectX 11 machines – something which would currently hamstring any PC title – it does take full advantage of the big steps being taken in graphics cards and processors.
"The PC version of AvP is fully able to take advantage of the features of all the latest video cards and is optimized to make efficient use of multicore threading if your PC supports it," he added.
"We will also be one of the first games to really show off how good DirectX 11 games can look, with hardware tessellation of the Aliens using displacement mapping, and Shader Model 5.0 Compute Shaders for post-processing effects."
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Review: Toshiba Satellite U500-12C
We've seen machines from Toshiba's Satellite U500 range before and liked what was on offer. The Satellite U500-12C is the entry-level product and, while it doesn't pack the same punch as some of the more expensive machines, it's still an impressive choice.
It's quite a compact laptop, featuring a 13.3-inch screen that's ideal for commuting, without being too small. It's a very bright panel, although colour reproduction loses some of its accuracy with brightness settings set to maximum. Turn it down slightly, and colours appear more vivid and lifelike.
The narrow screen bezel helps keep the dimensions as small as possible. The screen hinges down over the rear of the chassis for a neat and contemporary look.
The design itself is both simple and attractive, with textured plastics set off well by silver highlights. Build quality is excellent, with a robust casing that's tough enough for the daily commute. The palmrests also remain cool, even after long periods of time.
The keyboard is a pleasure to use, with large flat keys that are responsive and easy to type on. They're also this machine's only weak point when it comes to quality, however, flexing under pressure. That said, it's a quiet board to type on and shouldn't cause any trouble.
Office performance is very good, with applications loading quickly and smoothly. A 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium has been used, allowing all 4096MB of memory to be used effectively.
Multimedia performance is more limited. Unlike high-end versions of the U500, this model features an integrated GPU in a bid to keep the price down, so you won't be able to play games or carry out intensive video editing. That said, it's fine for everyday tasks and also helps to offer a reasonable 242-minute battery life.
Three USB ports allow you to connect peripherals. One doubles as an eSATA interface, letting you transfer data to external hard drives at high speed, while another is capable of charging your USB devices without turning on the laptop.
Capacious storage
The 500GB hard drive is generous considering the price, offering excellent storage space. VGA and HDMI ports enable connections to analogue and high-definition displays.
Networking features are comprehensive, with 802.11n Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth.
The Satellite U500-12C can't match the 3D performance of some of the other machines but, that aside, it has a lot to offer. If you're seeking a compact laptop for use on the daily commute, then it's one of the best laptops around.
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Samsung's latest Android phone, Saturn, spied
Samsung's foray into Android looks set to continue apace as the next in line - the i6500 Saturn - has emerged in leaked slides.
The handset, which is alleged by Mobile-Review.com to be Samsung's next Android phone after the i5700 Spica, is a pretty bland looking device.
The pictures show a touchscreen-only phone, with basic home, back search etc navigation keys the only frontal decoration.
The rear shows 'with Google' branding, although the lack of camera resolution being printed on the back hints at this being a possible render rather than a photo, as Samsung is fond of lauding specs on its phones.
Headline specs
Beyond that, there's not a lot more to go on, and unless it has a real headline grabbing spec list (such as 1080p playback or a 12MP camera) it's hard to see how this will be a whole lot different to the original Galaxy.
The same site is also claiming that it has seen and used the Galaxy2 from Samsung, its follow-up to the original Galaxy. Word is this phone will pack a huge 4.1-inch resistive (really?) OLED display and the latest Android 2.1 release.
Whether it can spark some interest in Samsung's Android range we're not sure, as the first device to hit UK shores, the Galaxy, has only received a so-so reception since it's release a few months back.
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Review: Sony VAIO VPCCW1S1E/R (CW Series)
The Sony VAIO VPCCW1S1E/R is part of the CW Series of the Japanese company's latest mid-range laptop, offering all the style and features we've come to expect from high-end VAIO laptops, but at a far more affordable price.
It's not the most portable choice here, but it is a great all-rounder. The 14-inch screen is a good size for those wanting a home laptop that they can also take on the road. It's large enough to carry out all tasks comfortably, yet still portable enough to easily pack away.
It's a very bright display, although colours aren't quite as deep as previous VAIO models, looking slightly more true to life with brightness levels turned down.
Dedicated graphics
Within the compact yet chunky chassis, Sony has crammed in a powerful Nvidia GeForce GT 230M graphics card. With 512MB of dedicated video memory, it provides outstanding multimedia power for a laptop of this size and easily rivals larger systems.
We were able to play the latest resource-intensive games without any trouble with detail settings turned up fairly high, and all home multimedia applications we tested ran with ease.
The keyboard is a model of comfort, with large keys that offer a perfect typing action. The isolated key design – with each key protruding through individual holes in the chassis – creates plenty of space between the keys and makes it easier to type at speed without mistakes.
The touchpad is large and responsive, rounding off the excellent interface.
This machine is available in a range of colours, including pink, blue and red. Following feedback from customers, Sony has toned down the inside of the machine, with the conservative black keyboard and screen surround finished neatly by a colourful raised palmrest.
The result is stylish and easy on the eye, although at 41mm in depth the chassis is quite a lot thicker than some of its rivals.
Quality is good, with the screen held firmly in place when typing. The thick lid provides ample protection for the display, although some of the plastics around the keyboard flex slightly under pressure.
Potent office performance is on offer thanks to the 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4096MB of fast DDR3 memory, and we were able to multitask without the system slowing down noticeably. Battery life, at 256 minutes, is impressive.
The 320GB hard drive provides reasonably storage space, although it is bettered by the Toshiba Satellite U500-12C.
We're very impressed by Sony's VAIO VPCCW1S1E/R. It may be slightly bulkier than some of the other laptops, but it truly is a laptop you can use for any occasion, topped off by a neat design and an excellent user interface.
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AMD to demo 3D Blu-ray standard
AMD has announced it is to show off its 3D Blu-ray technology at CES 2010, showing the technology world just what the future Blu-ray standard will be capable of.
Even though the Blu-ray 3D standard hasn't been finalised yet, AMD has decided to jump the gun to show off its version of the technology, in conjunction with software makers CyberLink.
New entertainment experience
"AMD has a long, proud tradition of delivering leading technologies to market – technologies that have a meaningful and positive impact on the PC experience," explained Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President, AMD Products Group.
"Stereoscopic 3D is set to be one of these technologies, and that's why AMD has committed the time and resources to ensure that when Blu-ray stereoscopic 3D is ready for the world, AMD will be ready to bring it to consumers, just as we have done recently with DirectX 11-capable hardware to support DirectX 11 gaming."
There's no other news regarding just what will be shown off, although Alice H Chang, CEO of CyberLink, has hinted that: "AMD has been a valuable partner, developing hardware optimised for the highest quality video and audio experience with PowerDVD Ultra" and that CyberLink is "ready to bring consumers an incredible new entertainment experience in the coming year".
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Review: Novatech X65
As with Hi-Grade and Mesh, Novatech is a UK-based manufacturer that offers a range of affordable and feature-packed machines. The X65 stands out as it features a built-in Blu-ray drive.
The 17-inch screen features a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels. It's not quite sharp enough to take full advantage of Full HD (1080p) movies, but it's still capable of displaying 720p content which is the basic level HD.
The glossy Super-TFT coating helps to produce bright and vivid images and it's easy on the eye. There's also an HDMI port so you can output HD films to external displays.
The Nvidia GeForce GT 130M graphics card makes this a great multimedia choice, providing power for games, 3D-intensive applications and home and office tasks. As such, it's an ideal family machine and is a good replacement for your desktop PC.
The keyboard offers one of the best typing experiences here. It's slightly dull in appearance, but offers large and responsive keys that provide excellent comfort.
There's a full numeric keypad alongside, aiding data entry or gaming, and only the small directional keys count against it. Quality is excellent, with a quiet and precise movement to all of the keys.
The glossy lid adds a touch of visual interest to the otherwise austere design, although it attracts fingerprints and scratches. The large screen is held in place without any movement during typing, and all of the plastics are tough enough for regular use.
The dedicated graphics card has an effect on ventilation, however, with the palm rests heating up during use.
The dual-core Intel Pentium processor is the only weak link in this machine's specification, providing less office power than some of its rivals. That said, it's still faster than we were expecting, boosted by 4096MB of high-speed DDR3 memory, helping most applications to run quickly and smoothly.
Good connectivity
As with most of its rivals here, the 320GB hard drive provides respectable storage space, and the Blu-ray optical drive is also capable of writing to regular blank DVDs and CDs.
The flash memory card reader makes it easy to access photographs from most digital cameras, and there's also an ExpressCard slot for adding peripherals such as TV tuners and 3G broadband adapters.
Four USB ports make it easy to connect other peripherals and Bluetooth is also in place, adding wireless connectivity.
The Novatech X65 may lack the style of the Sony VAIO VPC-CW1S1E/R or Acer 5810TG-354932Mn, but provides an excellent specification within its conservative chassis.
Putting aside the budget processor, this laptop offers outstanding value for money and is therefore easy to recommend.
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Review: Mesh Edge17 HD Pro R
Mesh offers a range of laptops at reasonable prices, using generic chassis designs in order to keep costs down. The Mesh Edge17 HD Pro R has a lot to offer.
The most impressive aspect of this laptop is its specification, offering truly powerful components. A range-topping 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor provides great office performance and we found the system booted in seconds.
Multiple tasks are dispatched with ease, and access to files is helped further by the inclusion of the fast 7200rpm 250GB hard drive.
The large 17-inch screen is great for multimedia use. It is crisp and bright and provides ample space for viewing multiple applications.
As with the Toshiba Satellite U500-12C, you'll need to turn brightness settings down slightly to get the best colour reproduction, and even then it's not quite as impressive as the Sony VAIO VPC-CW1S1E/R.
Mesh has fitted an entry-level Nvidia GeForce G 105M graphics card – a dedicated solution that provides reasonable 3D performance. It can't match the Novatech X65 for power, but you'll still be able to play older games and it handles high-definition (HD) movies and graphics intensive applications with ease.
With quite a large chassis, there's plenty of room for a spacious keyboard, making this a comfortable machine to use. The keys have a springy typing action, however, and it's one of the noisier interfaces here.
There's also a numeric keypad alongside the main board, aiding data entry. The touchpad is large and responsive, but we found it too easy to brush when typing. Unlike the Toshiba Satellite U500-12C, there's no way of disabling it when typing.
Robust chassis
The chassis itself uses cream and black plastics and is reasonably robust. The thick screen surround offers plenty of protection and it stays firmly in place when typing. Unfortunately, overall quality is let down slightly by the cheap-looking sticker placed on the rear of the display.
Although this laptop excels power-wise, it's not so impressive when it comes to features. There's no HDMI port, with VGA used instead for connections to external displays. Three USB ports are reasonable, although we'd expect more on a machine of this size.
As with rivals, an ExpressCard and flash memory card reader offer good compatibility with other digital devices.
Although the Mesh Edge17 HD Pro R isn't the most complete laptop, there's still a lot to like. If you're looking for a large home or office machine and place performance and speed ahead of all else, then this is a machine that is definitely worth considering.
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Intel scraps Larrabee graphics chips
Intel has announced that its is shelving its 'Larrabee' graphics chips project, with development proving more time-consuming than the company expected.
Intel had hoped to launch its GPGPU chip either this year or next, with the company using the technology it uses for its integrated graphics in the design of a discrete chip.
However, graphics giants NVidia and AMD will be pleased to find out that Intel's plans have suffered a major setback, and plans for a Larrabee GPGPU chip have been shelved.
Confirmation
Spokesman Nick Knupffer confirmed the news, stating to Cnet that the company is 'behind where they had hoped to be at this point in the project'.
"As a result, our first Larrabee product will not be launched as a standalone discrete graphics product," he added.
This means that that Intel's offering would not be competitive, leading to a change of direction from the market-leader in CPUs.
Larrabee is now expected to be used as a software development platform for both graphics and high performance computing, according to Knupffer.
Drowning in its own ambition
As TechRadar stated out back in November 'it's hard to tell at this point whether it's waving hello, or drowning on its own ambition'.
And it has now become clear that this was the case, with Intel returning to its core focus.
GPGPUs are big news and becoming increasingly prevalent in computing - with the parallel processing power of graphics chips being utilised more and more.
With AMD's Direct X 11 graphics cards already performing admirably, and Nvidia's coming soon, it's a tough market, and one in which Intel will not, for the time being, be entering into.
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Opera's Unite sparks browser download record
Opera's latest browser has smashed its download records, with the presence of the much-publicised Opera Unite taking Opera 10.10 to over 12.5 million people in a week.
The figure is 25 per cent larger that that released for Opera 10 – which did not include Unite, an innovation that is best described as a 'personal web server'.
"With such remarkable download numbers, I am confident that we truly appealed to the needs of the Web-using public, said Opera CEO Jon von Tetzchner.
More compelling
"Opera 10.10 is visually more compelling, and technologically speaking, it goes where no browser has gone before," he adde.
"We believe that, over time, Opera Unite has the power to erase preconceptions of how we access and share information on the Web."
Opera is hoping that the forthcoming changes in the EU to Microsoft Windows 7 - which will offer a choice of browsers rather than sticking to the default Internet Explorer will give 10.10 another boost.
Microsoft recently agreed to make the order of the list of browser random, although most experts agree that the general public will still plump for more familiar names such as Google's Chrome, Apple's Safari, Mozilla's Firefox and the still-dominant Internet Explorer from Microsoft.
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