IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (HotHardware) 24/08/2010

Wink E-Reader Debuts In India With Massive Library
Another day, another e-reader. Actually, it's another hour, another e-reader. There seems to be a never-ending flow of these guys, probably caused by the amazingly warm reception that Amazon's Kindle and the B&N Nook have received in North America. This particular rival, however, was made specifically for the Indian market, but the support for 15 languages also means that it's capable of being used just about anywhere. The new Wink e-reader is just the first of a number of devices on the roadmap for this
Read More ...

PocketBook Teases ProBook E-Readers For IFA Introduction
The E-reader segment has been increasing in size for years now, and with Amazon pushing a new Kindle out of the door just weeks ago, it's clear that the demand isn't done yet. PocketBook is a company that few have heard of in the mainstream sector, but that may change once IFA starts up in Germany next month. The company has revealed that it will introduce five new products at the show, all of which seem to be built by Foxconn and just branded PocketBook. The new ProBook units will generally fall into a pair
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Virgin Mobile USA To Offer $40/Month Unlimited Mobile Data Plan
And this here is why competition is a great thing. When AT&T ditched their mobile unlimited plans in favor of tiered plans, most assumed that the other major operators would follow suit. We're still waiting on the edge of our seats to see if that'll happen, but for now, AT&T remains the lone player who won't give smartphone users unlimited data for their phone. Granted, they're also the only carrier in the U.S. with the data-hungry iPhone, so we guess we can understand the situation a little bit. But
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High-tech Recycling Bins to Police Cleveland Residents
Big Brother is about to take a dive into Cleveland, OH's waste material, in a manner of speaking. High-tech garbage bins will make sure that Clevelanders are recycling, at least some of the time. The way it will work is as follows: the recycling and garbage bins will be fitted with RFID tags. If a recycling bin hasn't been taken out for weeks, the city will have someone go through your trash for recyclables. It's unclear why garbage cans are monitored as well. Unless, if the garbage hasn't been put out for some
Read More ...

Apple Files Big-Brotherish Patent to Detect, Kill Jailbroken Devices
A patent application doesn't necessarily mean such an idea will ever see the light of day, but iPhone jailbreakers should take note of this news, anyway. Apple has reportedly applied for patent for methodology of not just detecting jailbroken or unlocked iPhones, but also killing them, if necessary. It's true that if you read carefully through this patent application, it seems a lot of it is focused on security: detecting unauthorized users through various means, and sending an alert to a device or restricting
Read More ...

Best Buy To Stock Numerous Slates This Holiday Season
Ever since the launch of the iPad, companies from all areas of the market have been scrambling to create something competitive in order to catch the latest wave of ultra-portable computing. Tablet PCs have been around for years, but the newer breed of slim, useful tablets with multimedia capabilities are demanding attention. Up until now, all we have heard from almost all contenders is their intentions; Microsoft has said they are dead-set on bringing Windows 7 to a number of devices, but that's easy for
Read More ...

Malware partly blamed for Fatal 2008 Spanair Crash
Malware has been implicated as a contributing factor in a Spanair plane crash that killed 154 people two years ago Friday. The crash of Spanair flight JK 5022 occurred just after takeoff, two years ago, on August 20, 2008. The crash was Spain's deadliest in 25 years. Only 18 of the 172 passengers and crew survived. The plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft, was taking on from Madrid's Barajas Airport on a scheduled flight to Las Palmas. While not directly involved in the crash, the malware affected the mainframe
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Vizio Ships New XVT HDTVs, All With 802.11n Internet Apps Access
It's been some time since we've had any new HDTVs from Vizio to consider, but it looks like the company that's fighting it out with Samsung for the #1 spot in America has a few new higher-end models for those back to school apartment shoppers. The company's XVT series is expanding, with the new sets offering Full Array TruLED LCDs designed for deeper blacks and better off-angle viewing, and they also have increased zones of Smart Dimming for greater intelligent control plus the ability to reduce LED brightness
Read More ...

Sony Introduces Two New Gaming Headsets, One With 7.1 Audio
Anytime a company can attach "gaming" to the front of a product, it usually ends well for them. Gamers flock to anything that they think is built specifically for them, but lately the term has been watered down somewhat. We've got gaming mice, gaming keyboards, even gaming mouse pads. Do all of these things actually cater to the needs of the gamer? Let's ask Sony, who just issued a new pair of headphones that they proudly claim as "Gaming" headphones. In fact, Sony calls these the ultimate weapon in gaming,
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Dell Sees Nice Profit Bump In Q2 2011 Earnings
There have been a few rumors flying around that Dell's CEO may be in at least a little bit of hot water, but nothing conclusive has come of it. And these results may ensure that Michael Dell will remain at the helm for some time to come. The company's 2Q 2011 fiscal year report just came out, and that includes a rather nice bump in revenue and profit. Extremely nice, actually. Total revenue in the quarter ended July 30 was $15.5 billion, a 22-percent increase from a year ago. And as for operating income, that
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iPhone 3G's iOS 4 issues addressed soon: Jobs
There have been many complaints about the performance of iOS 4.0.x on the older iPhone 3G model, in that the two-year-old model, while supported on iOS 4, runs horribly on the new OS. While Apple has acknowledged the issue, and begun actively investigating it, there hasn't been much real news about a release to fix the issue, until now. The response from Apple CEO Steve Jobs (it's well known that Jobs will occasionally directly answer end user emails), came as a result of the following email: I've waited patiently
Read More ...

ioSafe Adds USB 3.0 And eSATA To SoloPRO External Hard Drive
If you need rugged, fireproof storage, there are only a few companies you can call. Requiring that your data be able to withstand both fire and flood is a pretty niche requirement, but we fully understand that some of you have data that's top secret. Not that we know who you are, but we digress. ioSafe has been providing such a service for a few years now, and they're just now updating the tried-and-true ioSafe Solo with a new version. A new version that's capable or USB 3.0 or eSATA, of course. In order to
Read More ...

ZTE Brings First Phone To Verizon: More To Come?
It's not that this phone in particular will make you dump your iPhone and come running, but it's yet another newcomer that can add some needed competition to the handset space in America. ZTE is a huge, well known company in Asia, and they do have some business here in North America as well. But up until now, it has been pretty impossible to find a ZTE mobile phone on a U.S. carrier. Verizon Wireless has just announced that they'll be bringing a ZTE handset to their airwaves for the first time, and now that
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Wink E-Reader Debuts In India With Massive Library

Another day, another e-reader. Actually, it's another hour, another e-reader. There seems to be a never-ending flow of these guys, probably caused by the amazingly warm reception that Amazon's Kindle and the B&N Nook have received in North America. This particular rival, however, was made specifically for the Indian market, but the support for 15 languages also means that it's capable of being used just about anywhere.

The new Wink e-reader is just the first of a number of devices on the roadmap for this India-based company called EC Media. The unit will feature a 6" display (800x600 pixels), 2GB of storage that's expandable to 16GB, Wi-Fi, built-in 3G, a 400MHz ARM9 processor, a 3.5mm headphone jack, audio playback support for MP3 and AAC, a battery capable of turning 10000 pages or blasting 10 hours of music and text format support for PDF, ePUB, WOLF, HTML, RTF and more.

The company has already nailed down a few deals with major publishers, hinting that this may end up being used in India's schools. From the beginning, Wink's book store will have over 100,000 titles to choose from, which is an astonishingly large number for an upstart. No pricing information is given, however, and there's no word on an international release. Something tells us the Kindle and Nook are begging for it to come and try to topple their kingdom, though.

Virgin Mobile USA To Offer $40/Month Unlimited Mobile Data Plan

And this here is why competition is a great thing. When AT&T ditched their mobile unlimited plans in favor of tiered plans, most assumed that the other major operators would follow suit. We're still waiting on the edge of our seats to see if that'll happen, but for now, AT&T remains the lone player who won't give smartphone users unlimited data for their phone. Granted, they're also the only carrier in the U.S. with the data-hungry iPhone, so we guess we can understand the situation a little bit.

But now, Virgin Mobile USA is going against the AT&T grain with a couple of new Broadband2Go plans. These plans provide mobile Internet access on Sprint's network via the MiFi 2200 hotspot or the Ovation MC760 USB WWAN modem. Both devices are prepaid (no contract attached), giving you the ability to only buy network access for times when you need it. The new plans include a $10 option that gives users 100MB over the course of 10 days, or the real sweet spot is unlimited data over the course of 30 days.

That's the $40 unlimited plan, with the $40 part being the real kicker. Even Verizon's WWAN plans are more than that for just 5GB per month. This won't help your smartphone per se, but it'll definitely help those looking to get their notebooks, UMPCs, etc. online while on the road. The new plans should go into effect this week.

Windows 7
Im fixing to buy a copy of Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate finally and wanted to ask you guys what version are you usiing! OEM or retail? The reason Im asking of course price has a lot to do with it and another reason is Microsofts Activation ploicy! At any time I might change out a major part such as a motherboard and I need to know what kind of problems am I going to run into if I do a fresh install after a major upgrade?? And also if I buy an OEM version can I purchase additional keys if the necessity arises.Last but not least where can I get the best price.
PS one last thing of course do OEM versions come in 32 and 64 bit packages if not then for my needs 64 bit!!
Thanks

iPhone 3G's iOS 4 issues addressed soon: Jobs

There have been many complaints about the performance of iOS 4.0.x on the older iPhone 3G model, in that the two-year-old model, while supported on iOS 4, runs horribly on the new OS. While Apple has acknowledged the issue, and begun actively investigating it, there hasn't been much real news about a release to fix the issue, until now.

The response from Apple CEO Steve Jobs (it's well known that Jobs will occasionally directly answer end user emails), came as a result of the following email:

I've waited patiently through 4.0.1 and 4.0.2, looking for a fix that will make my phone work again. I've read the forums that advise me to jailbreak my phone or use some other method so I can downgrade back to a version of iPhone 3, however I'm not prepared to use a method that is not supported by Apple.

Indeed, you can't downgrade your ROM without jumping through non-Apple approved hoops. Here's what Steve Jobs said in his normal terse manner:

Software update coming soon.

Sent from my iPhone

Soon could mean anything, but it's been noted already that beta versions of the upcoming 4.1 ROM update show improvement in the performance of iOS 4 on the 3G. Apple has disabled several features in iOS 4 on the 3G, including multitasking, due to constraints with regards to the "power" of the older device's HW.

Much as with "Antennagate," videos around this issue have arisen on YouTube. Check out this YouTube parody of iOS 4 on an iPhone 3G.

PC not booting!
Hi
As the title says -
I hit the power button, the power comes on but powers itself off again after a second or two.
I have the tech specs around somewhere - which i intend to go look for - but just wondered if this situation indicated an obvious cause/problem?
i've cleared the cmos memory - but no improvement.
I've also tried holding down the RESET button immediately after the power button. The power then remains on, but there's no usual mobo boot info showing - the monitor remains idle.
Hoping this isn't a dead CPU issue.... :(
Any help appreciated
Zarks
I have a a gigabyte am2 ga-m59sli-s5 mobo with award bios. There's no beep codes being emitted - just a couple of 'clicks', which is the usual sound it makes when power-cycling.
I've had no other issues with the pc since i built it a couple years ago.

Best Buy To Stock Numerous Slates This Holiday Season

Ever since the launch of the iPad, companies from all areasÂ of the market have been scrambling to create something competitive in order to catch the latest wave of ultra-portable computing. Tablet PCs have been around for years, but the newer breed of slim, useful tablets with multimedia capabilities are demanding attention. Up until now, all we have heard from almost all contenders is their intentions; Microsoft has said they are dead-set on bringing Windows 7 to a number of devices, but that's easy for them to say. They don't have to work out the hardware details.

The biggest question on the minds of consumers is "when." When will this rush of non-iPad tablets hit the market?Â Many OEMs have really been willing to talk about it with specific dates, but thanks to a recent report on Best Buy, it sounds like the competitive Tablet PC rush may happen sooner rather than later. Shawn Score, the president of Best Buyâ€™s Wireless Retail unit, Best Buy Mobile, recently said the following in an interview with Forbes: "Going into the holidays, we will make tablets a focus. Like e-readers over the last couple years, we think customers will think of Best Buy for tablets and expect us to have the right ones."

RIMMÂ "BlackPad" mock, close to fact or fiction?

Today, just a single tablet is sold in Best Buy (we'll let you guess), but obviously the retailer knows a little something more about release plans than the general public. The report mentions that "a new crop of tablets, including devices from Samsung, Acer and Research In Motion, is expected to debut in time for the holidays," with Mr. Score affirming things somewhat with this: "We will have a great assortment of them. It wonâ€™t be 32, but it also wonâ€™t be one, like we have today."

There's also talk that Best Buy's house brand, Rocketfish, may brand and sell their own tablet PC. Rocketfish products have generally seen high marks in the past, and they usually sell for less than name-brand counterparts. It's tough to know how the "race to the bottom" will effect the tablet space, but it sure didn't hurt netbooks. Looks like this holiday season is going to be a wild one, filled with slate-stocked stockings, to boot.

Cloning and ssd drive.
I have a brand new acer computer that I want to put and ssd drive in should I remove all bloatware first before I clone to the ssd drive.I am new to this cloning stuff.

Apple Files Big-Brotherish Patent to Detect, Kill Jailbroken Devices

A patent application doesn't necessarily mean such an idea will ever see the light of day, but iPhone jailbreakers should take note of this news, anyway. Apple has reportedly applied for patent for methodology of not just detecting jailbroken or unlocked iPhones, but also killing them, if necessary.

It's true that if you read carefully through this patent application, it seems a lot of it is focused on security: detecting unauthorized users through various means, and sending an alert to a device or restricting its use. However, jailbreaking and unlocking are mentioned as part of the patent application which along with some of the measures Apple proposes, has to raise eyebrows.

Now, it should be noted that a patent application, or even a patent, doesn't necessarily mean said product will reach the light of day. This application was filed in 2009. Meanwhile, the U.S. Library of Congress only very recently ruled that both jailbreaking and unlocking are legal. Thus, it's unclear if Apple could, or would, follow through with these measures. It is true that Apple continues to hammer home the fact that jailbreaking voids your warranty.

However, as we've noted before, jailbreaking is also very easy to reverse to the point where Apple cannot detect the device was once jailbroken, unless the device is bricked.

However, what if Apple could proactively determine that a device is jailbroken and even take pictures or audio recordings of the "miscreant." The patent application says:

17. A system comprising: an electronic device comprising; an input device operable to receive a password provided by a user; a camera operable to take a photograph of the user; a processor operable to: determine that a predetermined number of incorrect passwords have been successively received; direct the camera to take a photograph of the user; and generate an alert notification in response to the processor determining, wherein the alert notification comprises information related to the identity of the user and the photograph of the user; and communications circuitry operable to transmit the alert notification to a remote device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein: the camera is operable to take a plurality of photographs of the surroundings of the electronic device; and wherein the processor is further operable to: analyze each of the plurality of photographs to identify distinguishing landmarks in the photographs; and determine the location of each photograph based on the identified distinguishing landmarks.

Apple would use the recording feature to try to pattern match against authorized voice signatures for the device. Additionally, the patent goes further and says that the device could even monitor a user's heartbeat to confirm whether or not a user is authorized, as well.

This all seems quite over-the-top for something like jailbreaking, which is used by end users to provide things like a useful look screen (Intelliscreen is a good example), by providing access to apps that Apple simply will not approve for the App Store. Still, Apple has been very clear: it has called jailbreaking a crime in the past. The fact that the U.S. Library of Congress disagrees seems to have not changed its opinion.

High-tech Recycling Bins to Police Cleveland Residents

Big Brother is about to take a dive into Cleveland, OH's waste material, in a manner of speaking. High-tech garbage bins will make sure that Clevelanders are recycling, at least some of the time.

The way it will work is as follows: the recycling and garbage bins will be fitted with RFID tags. If a recycling bin hasn't been taken out for weeks, the city will have someone go through your trash for recyclables.

It's unclear why garbage cans are monitored as well. Unless, if the garbage hasn't been put out for some weeks, they send out the police to make sure you're still alive, or at least not a candidate for one of those reality TV shows about hoarding.

Anyone concerned about privacy should remember those forensic shoes on TV (we are speaking about documentaries, such as "Forensic Files," not C.S.I. where it is possible to blow up the image of a retina so you can see what's reflected in it). Once it hits the curb in your trash, its a free for all, as anyone watching an episode of "Forensic Files" where they go through someone's trash for DNA evidence can attest.

What will happen if they find recyclables in a Cleveland resident's trash? Those whose trash carts contain more than 10 percent recyclable material could be subject to a $100 fine.

Other cities have opted for similar carts. There are also other types of high-tech carts in use, as well. Some cities in England have been using high-tech carts to make sure people are not exceeding their alloted weight limits for trash.

Still, this isn't an inexpensive move. The city council voted to move forward last Wednesday. It will cost $2.5 million for a 25,000 household expansion in 2011, which will build on an already existing 15,000 household pilot program that began in 2007. The city plans to incrementally expand by 25,000 a year until nearly all of the city is covered, and it's possible that older carts might be retrofitted with RFID tags, rather than replaced.

Expensive or not, it's a green move, and a green one for the city's coffers, not just the environment. Cleveland pays $30 a ton for garbage dumped into landfills, but earns $26 a ton for recyclables.

Vizio Ships New XVT HDTVs, All With 802.11n Internet Apps Access

It's been some time since we've had any new HDTVs from Vizio to consider, but it looks like the company that's fighting it out with Samsung for the #1 spot in America has a few new higher-end models for those back to school apartment shoppers. The company's XVT series is expanding, with the new sets offering Full Array TruLED LCDs designed for deeper blacks and better off-angle viewing, and they also have increased zones of Smart Dimming for greater intelligent control plus the ability to reduce LED brightness to enable pure black.

The new models are as follows: XVT553SV (55"), XVT473SV (47") and XVT423AV (42"). Not so easy to remember by name, but the features definitely help set them apart. All of these feature Vizio Internet Apps and dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi. This means that your set will come loaded with Internet access to specific apps, and you won't even need to run an Ethernet cable over to take advantage. There's also Bluetooth and IR support, and the bundled remote even has a full QWERTY keyboard. Not bad!

There's also a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, and if you need a smaller set, there's the 32â€ XVT323SV and the 37â€ XVT373SV Edge Lit Razor LED LCD HDTVs, both of which offer a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio with full HD 1080p resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. Full pricing and specifications are below.

Superior Technologies in VIZIOâ€™s Full Array TruLED XVT Series Set the Picture Quality Standard for HDTVs
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- VIZIOâ€™s XVTâ„¢ Series HDTVs use Full Array TruLEDâ„¢ LCD technology for significant performance advantages over competitorsâ€™ sets, with superior uniformity, better off-angle viewing and deeper blacks
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- New sets have increased zones of Smart Dimmingâ„¢ for greater intelligent control plus the ability to reduce LED brightness to enable pure black
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- XVT553SV, XVT473SV and XVT423AV achieve unprecedented 10,000,000:1 contrast ratios
Â
-XVT323SV LED TV is recognized as industryâ€™s best featured 32â€ HDTV
Â
- All XVT models feature VIZIO Internet Appsâ„¢, with integral Dual Band 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking and Bluetooth/IR remote with slide out QWERTY keypad
Â
-VIZIO provides seamless state-of-the-art wireless Internet access through integral Dual Band 802.11n Wi-Fi, unlike competitive sets that require the purchase of external adaptors
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- VIZIOâ€™s business benefits from a leadership position in advanced technologies such as LED LCD HDTVs

Irvine, CA â€“ August 20, 2010 -- VIZIO, Americaâ€™s HDTV and Consumer Electronics Company, announced today shipping of a new lineup of leading edge XVT (Xtreme VIZIO Technology) Series HDTVs featuring Full Array TruLEDâ„¢ LCD HDTV technology. VIZIO, a leading seller of LED LCD TVs in the U.S. with 500,000 units sold in the second quarter, offers its premium XVT line with picture quality improvements that elevate the performance standard for LED backlit LCD HDTVs and produce the best possible viewer experience.
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With added zones of Smart Dimming, unmatched 10,000,000:1 contrast ratios and 240Hz SPS (scenes per second) refresh rates, the 55â€ XVT553SV, 47â€ XVT473SVâ€ and 42â€ XVT423SV models outperform competitive HDTVs that use Edge Lit LED technology. In smaller screen sizes, XVT Series performance has also been improved. The 32â€ XVT323SV and the 37â€ XVT373SV Edge Lit Razor LED LCD HDTVs with local dimming produce a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio with full HD 1080p resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate.
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â€œVIZIO is solidifying its position as a technology and performance leader with the introduction of the new generation of XVT HDTVs,â€ said John Schindler, VIZIO VP New Products. â€œOur dedication to high performance drives us to use the best commercially available technology. Each of our XVT TruLED sets uses a Full Array with local dimming that produces an unquestioned superior picture. Many competitive manufacturers have decided to use only Edge Lit technology in their flagship products, but edge lighting results in an inevitable compromise in performance.â€
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All of these new XVT televisions feature a sleek and slimmer new profile. Depths have been reduced from 5â€ to less than 3â€ in the 55â€, 47â€ and 42â€ models, and to less than 2â€ in the 37â€ and 32â€ sets.
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XVT553SV, XVT473SV and XVT423SV
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As other leading HDTV makers have elected to use Edge Lit technology, even in their most expensive models, VIZIO remains firmly committed to performance through the use of Full Array TruLED technology with Smart Dimming to deliver superior picture quality. Edge Lit designs exhibit variations in both light and dark from screen edge to center. TruLED designs present uniform brightness across the entire screen area. TruLED sets also provide much better off angle viewing and vastly superior black reproduction.
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VIZIOâ€™s new Full Array TruLED sets feature additional zones of Smart Dimming, which improve performance and provide the highest contrast ratios yet. Additional zones of Smart Dimming allows for the ability to turn off individual zones of LEDs for the absolute blackest blacks. The 55â€ XVT553SV and 42â€ XVT423SV models have 120 zones, compared to 80 zones in their predecessor models, and the 47â€ XVT473SV model steps up to 160 zones from 120 zones. These sets reach a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, a major improvement over the previous generation XVT series, which had a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Additionally, VIZIOâ€™s 240 Hz SPS (Scenes per second) Smooth Motion technology provides sharp, blur-free images with less judder, even in fast action scenes.
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XVT373SV and XVT323SV
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The new 37â€ XVT373SV and 32â€ XVT323SV 120 Hz Edge Lit Razor LED LCD models bring the major improvement of local dimming for the first time to these screen sizes, improving contrast ratios to 1,000,000:1, an enormous increase over the 50,000:1 contrast ratio seen in the previous generation products. Another new addition to these screen sizes is VIZIOâ€™s complete VIA platform, with integral Dual Band 802.11n Wi-Fi and VIZIOâ€™s unique Bluetooth remote control with QWERTY keyboard. Like the larger sets, a stylish redesign makes these models even more attractive, with slimmed cabinets that are less than two inches deep.
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VIZIO Internet Apps
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Each of these VIZIO XVT series HDTVs brings the best of the web to the home through VIZIO Internet Applications, the industry leader with over 75,000 movie and TV show options and 10 Million songs. Unlike competitive sets that require the purchase of external adaptors, VIZIO provides seamless state-of-the-art wireless Internet access through integral Dual Band 802.11n Wi-Fi. The user experience is vastly improved through the industryâ€™s only remote control with dual Bluetooth/Infrared functionality and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
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Class-leading Sound Experience
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High definition audio is an important element in each XVT Series set, enabled through the use of quality speakers and SRS TruSurroundâ„¢ HD premium audio processing, which creates an immersive virtual surround sound from stereo and surround sources.Â In addition, SRS TruVolumeâ„¢ eliminates sharp jumps in volume that may be heard when switching from channel to channel or coming in and out of commercial breaks.
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All the Right Connections

Providing great flexibility for multiple sources including disc players, portable devices and gaming, the 55â€ XVT553SV, 47â€ XVT473SV and 42â€ XVT423SV have 5 HDMI 1.3 inputs, the 37â€ XVT373SV and 32â€ XVT323SV have 4 each.Â Â All sets are available and shipping now.
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The Best LED TV Choice for Everyone

â€œVIZIOâ€™s 2010 XVT lineup offers our customers a choice. For the customer seeking the very best in technology, we deliver a better picture at an extraordinary value that is as much as one-third less than the competition. And for the customer seeking the thinnest profile, we also have products offering the best in style and fashion. In addition, weâ€™ve also made VIZIOâ€™s VIA platform, the industry leader in bringing the best of the web to the home, available in a wide array of screen sizes, with smaller sizes starting at 22 inches and expanding as large as 55 inches,â€ stated VIZIO VP and Co-founder Laynie Newsome.
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VIZIO XVT Series
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Â ModelÂ Â Size/ Res.Â Â Contrast RatioÂ Â Smooth MotionÂ Â Smart DimmingÂ Â HDMI 1.3 InputsÂ Â Dual Band 802.11nÂ Â VIZIO Internet AppsÂ Â Blue Tooth RemoteÂ Â SRS AudioÂ Â MSRPÂ Â
Â XVT553SV TruLEDÂ Â 55â€ FHDÂ Â 10M:1Â Â 240 Hz SPSÂ Â 120 ZonesÂ Â 5Â Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â TruSurround HD, TruVolumeÂ Â $2199Â Â
Â XVT473SV TruLEDÂ Â 47â€ FHDÂ Â 10M:1Â Â 240 Hz SPSÂ Â 160 ZonesÂ Â 5Â Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â TruSurround HD, TruVolumeÂ Â $1,799Â Â
Â XVT423SV TruLEDÂ Â 42â€ FHDÂ Â 10M:1Â Â 240 Hz SPSÂ Â 120 ZonesÂ Â 5Â Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â TruSurround HD, TruVolumeÂ Â $1,199Â Â
Â XVT373SV Razor LEDÂ Â 37â€ FHDÂ Â 1M:1Â Â 120 HzÂ Â YesÂ Â 4Â Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â TruSurround HD, TruVolumeÂ Â $899Â Â
Â XVT323SV Razor LEDÂ Â 32â€ FHDÂ Â 1M: 1Â Â 120HzÂ Â YesÂ Â 4Â Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â YesÂ Â TruSurround HD, TruVolumeÂ Â $699 Â

ioSafe Adds USB 3.0 And eSATA To SoloPRO External Hard Drive

If you need rugged, fireproof storage, there are only a few companies you can call. Requiring that your data be able to withstand both fire and flood is a pretty niche requirement, but we fully understand that some of you have data that's top secret. Not that we know who you are, but we digress. ioSafe has been providing such a service for a few years now, and they're just now updating the tried-and-true ioSafe Solo with a new version. A new version that's capable or USB 3.0 or eSATA, of course.

In order to keep pace with the innovation on the connector side, ioSafe is introducing the SoloPRO, which looks exactly like the original until you flip it around back. It will ship in 1TB, 1.5TB and 2TB sizes, and users will be able to select a USB 3.0 or an eSATA/USB 2.0 model for even faster transfers. It's designed to work with all desktop operating systems as well as Windows and Linux servers, and contrary to popular belief, being able to resist fire and water won't cost you an arm and a leg. The units will sell for $249.99, $319.99 and $419.99 (from smallest to largest), which doesn't seem too big a premium for that much assurance.

ioSafeÂ® Announces the SoloPRO: Its Fastest Rugged External Hard Drive

The ioSafeÂ® SoloPRO is available in high-performance USB 3.0 and eSATA versions, providing
users with an unprecedented combination of speed and physical security.

AUBURN, Calif., August 18, 2010 -- ioSafe today announced the availability of the SoloPRO.
The SoloPRO is the business-class edition of the award-winning Solo external hard drive and is
available in USB 3.0 and eSATA/USB 2.0 formats, providing full support for Windows, Linux
servers, and desktop operating systems.

SoloPRO features include:

Fast transfer speeds over 100 MB/s - 3 to 4 times faster than typical USB 2.0 speeds. One
TB of data can be backed up to a SoloPRO in a couple of hours versus 10+ hours with
USB 2.0 or several months online at normal speeds.

Available in 1 TB, 1.5 TB and 2 TB capacities.

Rugged disaster proof design. Both the USB 3.0 and eSATA versions of the SoloPRO
protect against data loss in temperatures up to 1550Â° F for 30 minutes per ASTM E119 or
being submerged to a depth of 10 feet for up to 3 days.

Advanced Replacement Service. Replacement products under warranty will be shipped
out in advance with proper packaging and return shipping pre-paid. The end user simply
uses the packaging to ship the original unit back to the factory.

12 months Data Recovery Service Standard. Up to $2,500.00 towards the cost of third-
party forensic data recovery, one time, for any reason including accidental deletion, hard
drive failure, fires, floods, etc. Upgradeable to 3 or 5 years for $49 or $99 respectively.

Heat-resistant paint option. Bright emergency orange colored coating to help make the
SoloPRO easy to recover in a post-disaster environment.

"Both homes and businesses need to store ever-increasing volumes of data quickly without
worrying about data loss. ioSafe has always been about safely and securely storing data locally
and now with its introduction of USB 3.0 and eSATA, homes and businesses can accomplish
that more quickly than ever before ," said Jerome Wendt, an expert in data storage who serves as
the Principal and Lead Analyst at DCIG.

Martin A. Regtien, Editor-in-Chief of Digital Reviews Network, tested the SoloPRO and said,
"Based on the ioSafe SoloPRO USB 3.0 strengths â€“ in this case its literal strengths of being
fireproof, waterproof - plus its value for money, we have no option but to award it our highest
commendation: our Editor's Choice Award."

ioSafe CEO Robb Moore added, "The new SoloPRO provides industry-leading performance and
physical security as well as plug-and-play simplicity. Additionally, the new interfaces and
upgraded Data Recovery Services make the SoloPRO a logical choice for disaster protection in
home office and business environments."

The USB 3.0 Solo is compatible with USB 2.0. Users without USB 3.0 who wish to upgrade can
easily do so by adding a USB 3.0 PCI Express card to their system.

Pricing and availability

Priced at $249.99 for the 1 TB model, $319.99 for the 1.5 TB model and $419.99 for the 2 TB
model, the SoloPRO will be available September 1, 2010 via the ioSafe website, resellers and
international distributors.

About ioSafe

Like an aircraft black box for data, ioSafe provides rugged, fireproof, waterproof hardware and
disaster recovery services as a cost-effective way for corporations and consumers alike to protect
their irreplaceable data. ioSafe is a privately held company with headquarters in Auburn, Calif.
For more information, please visit www.iosafe.com .

Malware partly blamed for Fatal 2008 Spanair Crash

Malware has been implicated as a contributing factor in a Spanair plane crash that killed 154 people two years ago Friday. The crash of Spanair flight JK 5022 occurred just after takeoff, two years ago, on August 20, 2008.

The crash was Spain's deadliest in 25 years. Only 18 of the 172 passengers and crew survived. The plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft, was taking on from Madrid's Barajas Airport on a scheduled flight to Las Palmas.

While not directly involved in the crash, the malware affected the mainframe that monitors technical problems on the plane, according to the Spanish language paper El Pais. An alarm is supposed to sound if three similar technical problems are registered on a single plane, but it did not go off, as a result of the Trojans infecting the mainframe.

While it was determined that pilot error was reponsible for the crash, as both the slats and flaps were not set properly, the onboard alarm system did not alert the pilots as it should.

Obviously, if the mainframe had not been infected, and its alarm had sounded, lives might have been saved. You can watch video of the actual crash below:

Sony Introduces Two New Gaming Headsets, One With 7.1 Audio

Anytime a company can attach "gaming" to the front of a product, it usually ends well for them. Gamers flock to anything that they think is built specifically for them, but lately the term has been watered down somewhat. We've got gaming mice, gaming keyboards, even gaming mouse pads. Do all of these things actually cater to the needs of the gamer? Let's ask Sony, who just issued a new pair of headphones that they proudly claim as "Gaming" headphones.

In fact, Sony calls these the ultimate weapon in gaming, with 7.1 surround sound within the DR-GA500. These are made specifically to hear shots and sound effects from all angles, but without requiring a full 7.1 speaker rig. If you live in a studio apartment, you already understand how beneficial these could be. The GA500 also houses a Dolby Pro Logic IIx decoder for creating the 7.1 effect, and the GA200 is the lower-end model. Both feature 40mm drive units and a "triple enfolding" design to keep things comfortable even during long gaming sessions.

Pricing and an exact release date are both unavailable at the moment, but we are told to expect them by October.

Â Sony Unveils Ultimate Weapon Gaming headsets with unique Sony surround technology

â€¢ DR-GA500 model features 7.1ch digital surround sound perfect for first person shooters (FPS)
â€¢ DR-GA500 and DR-GA200 have 40mm drive units for premium gaming sound quality
â€¢ Both showcase unique â€˜triple enfoldingâ€™ design for unrivalled comfort over long periods of wear

Sony is launching two very special headsets into the gaming sector. Each has been designed in response to extensive user research that shows what different gamers want from the ideal headset.

The DR-GA500 combines a Dolby Pro Logic IIx decoder with unique Sony Virtual Phonesâ„¢ Technology (VPT) to create convincing 7.1ch 3D surround effects. The signal processing hardware is contained in a compact external unit.

The result is a soundscape rich in precision spatial detail that pinpoints everything from a stealthy footstep to the position of an exploding grenade. This audio environment is perfect for first person shooter (FPS) games where what you can hear is often as important as what you can see.

DR-GA500 brings out the highest gaming performance with its superb sound quality. It is something you canâ€™t forget, if you really want to win the game.

And as every gamer knows, any advantage you can gain can make the difference between winning and losing.

Both the DR-GA500 and GA200 headsets will also appeal to an audience of strategy and online multiplayer games where long stretches of gameplay are the norm. They feature 40mm drive units for outstanding sound quality with resonant, living bass and crisp high frequencies, plus the Sony â€˜triple enfoldingâ€™ design for the last word in comfortable wear.

Both headsets share exceptional visual appeal thanks to a striking and individualistic design that sets them apart from the competition. The design features durable materials and is as practical as it is eye-catching, but the real secret is the comfort factor.

The Sony triple enfolding design has its origins in user research underlining the importance of ventilation and avoiding pressure on the ear. It means long sessions of wear without the growing distraction of discomfort.

Both models incorporate a high quality, compact boom microphone to complete the ideal feature set for the most demanding of gamers.

Medal Of Honor Promotion
Hardware this good deserves to be put to the ultimate test. From October 15, both the DR-GA500 and DR-GA200 will come with a free copy of the keenly anticipated new Medal Of Honorâ„¢ single player game. Explore the background to this state-of-the-art military simulation at: http://www.medalofhonor.com/ and look out for the promotional sticker on the pack.

SATA AND SATA II
What the diff and when you have one or the other how would you go about ordering the right ssd drive to work with sata or sata II . Thanks.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

IT News HeadLines (HotHardware) 24/08/2010

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