IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (Legit Reviews) 09/10/2009

Google: Computer memory flakier than expected

Wondering why your computer just crashed again? Its memory might be to blame, according to real-world Google research that finds error rates higher than what earlier work showed. With hundreds of thousands of computers in its data centers, Google can collect an abundance of real-world data about how those machines actually work. That's exactly what the company did for a research paper that found error rates are surprisingly high.

"We found the incidence of memory errors and the range of error rates across different DIMMs (dual in-line memory modules) to be much higher than previously reported," according the paper jointly written by Bianca Schroeder, a professor at the University of Toronto, and Google's Eduardo Pinheiro and Wolf-Dietrich Weber. "Memory errors are not rare events." How many errors? On average, about one in three Google servers experienced a correctable memory error each year and one in a hundred an uncorrectable error, an event that typically causes a crash.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski Backs 'Open Internet' Rules

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said the agency was looking for ways to make more airwaves available for next-generation wireless networks, underscoring the expanding need sparked by the growing use of iPhones and similar devices. Mr. Genachowski's recently announced plan to impose open Internet rules -- which would prevent carriers from deliberately slowing or blocking some traffic in their efforts to manage their networks -- on wireless networks and devices. The FCC has proposed that any Internet provider -- whether wireless, cable or DSL -- be barred from blocking or slowing access to Internet services such as video or phone.

"I believe firmly in the need for the FCC to preserve Internet openness, whether a person accesses the Internet from a desktop computer or a wireless laptop or netbook," Mr. Genachowski said.

Dell to close North Carolina computer plant, cut 905 jobs

Dell Inc. said Wednesday it will close a desktop computer manufacturing plant in Winston-Salem, N.C., by the end of January. The computer maker said 905 people will be laid off, with around 600 to be let go next month. The plant was opened in 2005. The plant closure is part of a plan to save $4 billion a year at Dell by 2011.

Dell was promised more than $300 million in state and local incentives to open the plant. But it was required to invest $100 million, create 1,700 jobs by September 2010 and maintain those jobs for 10 more years. If those terms weren't met, the company would forfeit the incentive package. Dell said it would comply with the terms of the incentive agreement.

Intel's Light Peak optical links could arrive in 2010

In September, Intel showed off Light Peak as if it were the latest the latest hot idea out of the labs. But the fiber-optic communication technology could well be coming to near you next year rather than in some distant sci-fi future. A Taiwanese optical networking company, Foci Fiber Optic Communication, is well along the path of selling Light Peak cables and other fiber-optic components.

Light Peak technology is designed to be a universal connector for computers and other devices, linking not just what USB does today but also monitors and networks. A chip from Intel juggles among the different types of data being sent over the line, ensuring for example that high-priority traffic such as high-definition video gets priority.

Dell plans first U.S. smartphone with AT&T

Dell Inc plans to launch a smartphone with Google's Android mobile software on carrier AT&T's network, a source said, marking the PC maker's first foray into a cut-throat U.S. cellphone arena. Dell will become the latest tech manufacturer to try and establish a footprint in a fast-growing market dominated by Apple and Research in Motion. Its planned phone would also give a boost to Google's fledgling mobile platform, which vies with Apple's and Microsoft's platforms.

A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters Dell plans to introduce a U.S. version of its "oPhone" for China -- which runs on Android -- and that the device had been certified by AT&T for its domestic network. The Wall Street Journal, which broke the news on Wednesday, cited people briefed on the matter as saying Dell's phone could be launched as soon as early 2010.

Asustek and IBM settle patent infringement dispute

Taiwan-based Asustek Computer and IBM have announced they have agreed on mutual licensing of their patents to enhance cooperation. IBM filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission saying certain Asustek computer products and components of infringed three IBM patents. Asustek responded in April 2008 charging IBM with infringing patents of its own. The cross licensing agreement will end the disputes.

In addition to IBM, Asustek currently still has several ongoing patent infringement cases, including concerning technologies featured in DVD drives, notebooks, handsets, wireless modules and DVD burning software. In order to limit the impact from any future lawsuits, Asustek has already started to organize its patents and develop its own technologies.

October 8 News from Around the Web

nMediaPC 6000B HTPC Computer Case @ Benchmark Reviews and other reviews from around the web can be found by visiting our forums!

More and more consumers these days seem to have some sort of home theater set up in which they incorporate a computer. Many people use a PC in their living room to watch slideshows of their photos, browse the web on their large HDTV displays, or use their pc as a fully functional Home Theater PC for movies, games, music, and etc. Along with this growing trend, the concept of using a HTPC style case for your living room computer is becoming more popular. People don't want some big ugly tower sitting in the middle of their living room, but would rather have a stylish looking case that can match the decor of their other home theater components, and offer many additional features useful to HTPC setups. Benchmark Reviews has the pleasure of checking out one of the HTPC cases offered by nMedia. This stylish and functional desktop ATX-style case boasts many features one would find useful in a HTPC setting such as a front LCD readout and front ports for! things such as USB, Media Cards, Audio, eSATA, and Firewire, all in an attractive package that can easily match your other theater components.

Buffalo to ship world's first USB 3.0 HDD

Buffalo is planning to be the first to ship the first USB 3.0 external hard drive and even have available a PCI Express x1 add-in USB 3.0 controller card to be able to use the external HDD. I'm sure many of you have been waiting for USB 3.0 to become available as I know I'm getting tired of those slow and obsolete USB 2.0 transfer speeds! Bummer that this particular product is only scheduled to be released in Japan.

It's fine to announce USB 3.0 gear, but it's another thing entirely to actually put it up for retail. Buffalo's making the boast today that its HD-HU3 series of USB 3.0 hard disks will be the "world's first!!" to ship. Since a USB 3.0 device is pointless without a controller to support it, Buffalo will also make NEC's 5,300 (about $60) IFC-PCIE2U3 2-port PCI Expressx1 host controller available with its hard drives when they ship late October in Japan, almost a month before Freecom's disks hit the market. The 1TB and 1.5TB drives will cost 20,000 (about $225) and 25,300 (about $284), respectively, with a 46,600 (about $523) 2TB disk coming sometime later. Imagine it, soon you'll be able to take advantage of those USB 3.0 cables you bought back in April.

Autodesk's second attemp at stoping software re-selling failed

Autodesk the makers of AutoCAD and Inventor engineering software, as well as Maya and 3dsMax media software, lost its attempt to stop its popular AutoCAD software from being re-sold. I have used AutoCAD in some form for close to 15 years, it will be interesting to see how my next version of Inventor's license agreement will be worded.

Despite Autodesk's claim it has never "sold" a copy of AutoCAD to anyone, a federal judge found that restrictive software licenses can act much like sales. Thanks to the decision, AutoCAD can be resold on eBaybut courts are still all over the place on this issue.

Amazon Cuts Kindle Price

Amazon announced a $40 price drop in the Kindle today, bring the retail price to $259 as well as international version. It isn't spelled out in the article but I have read unconfirmed reports that if you purchased one in the last 30 days (like me), you are entitled to a $40 refund.

Amazon.com Inc. is cutting the price of its Kindle electronic-book reader yet again and launching an international version, in hopes of spurring more sales and keeping it ahead of a growing field of competitors. With Wednesday's $40 reduction on the Kindle, the device now costs $259. It debuted in 2007 at $399 and started this year at $359, before another price cut in July. In hopes of stimulating even more growth, Amazon also will start selling a $279 version of the Kindle that will work in 100 countries and be sold to readers outside the U.S. This Kindle will begin shipping on Monday in such countries as Australia, Japan, India and Germany.

Flightstrap - Universal Media Player Holder

Flightstrap is a new product designed to hold your media player during transit. Flightstrap supports more than 100 different portable media devices out there because it is easily adjustable and has many different types of connections. With the plethora of media player holders out there, let's see how well flightstrap holds up to the competition.

Friday, October 9, 2009

IT News HeadLines (Legit Reviews) 09/10/2009

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