IT News & Technology update

VIA Goes Open-Source, Embraces Linux

Written by IT News on 8:19 AM

By: Bogdan Botezatu, Hardware Editor

Taiwan chip manufacturer VIA has announced a new project aimed at supporting open-source development, in writing software for companies, processors and chipsets. The company also announced its official Web site VIA Linux, which will welcome its first visitors at the end of this month.

When, finally, the site is public, open-source developers will be able to download and post-Linux source for the drivers, as well as technical documentation, source code and information on the VIA CN700, CX700 / M, CN896 and new chipsets VIA VX800.

As the draft rolls, the chip manufacturer will establish a full-fledged development in the community forums, bug tracking, and online support. The company priority on the development agenda provides software to enable 2D, 3D and video acceleration on the VIA processor platforms.

"This statement is the first step in the implementation of the new initiatives in order to better meet the needs of Open Source community," commented Richard Brown, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc "We strongly increase the level of collaboration with the community and the adoption of a more consistent approach on the platform processor VIA Technologies. "

In order to put into open source in time, VIA will next quarterly release schedule in accordance with the important developments in the Linux world, such as changes in the nucleus or the release of major distributions.

Beta releases will be paid an additional admission, and the company relies on user feedback and error reports, in order to obtain full, stable version of the software.

"We are delighted that VIA has announced its commitment to strengthen support for Linux and the Open Source community," said Jim Zemlin, executive director of The Linux Fund. "This action opens up exciting new opportunities to accelerate innovation around open source platforms VIA, and ultimately deliver a better user experience."

VIA, in cooperation with the Linux open-source community is an important step in a proper driver for the next generation of ultra-mobile PCs powered company ultra-low-voltage equipment.

The new Kohjinsha SR8

Written by IT News on 7:32 AM

Kohjinsha released an update to its SR8 line 7 - inch ultra-mobile PCs, the world's first south of the breed of their notebooks, which come with a built-DVD R / W drives. The aim to compete with similar to the Asus Eee XO PC or laptop with the south-OLPC, the Kohjinsha SR8 packs extended functionality in the same diminutive form factor.

The sub-laptop built on Intel's S45GU chipset and strength south of the notebooks all time lover, on the 800 MHz Intel A110 (Stealey) processor. In the ultra-mobile PCs also packs 1 GB DDR2 system memory, a 60 GB hard disk-conventional and Intel's GMA 950 graphics chip as 7 - inch TFT LED backlight touch screen display operates at a maximum 1600X1200 resolution.

In SR8 south of the notebook only weighs 1088 kg and is equipped with a standard 802.11b / g Wi-Fi wireless, 10/100 Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth capabilities and high-definition audio products based Realtek chipset.

Kohjinsha in SR8 south of UMPCs are the first laptops that come with a factory-default DVD W / R discs. In order for the material of new equipment, the manufacturer has had to perform additional tricks on the shell, but he had no influence on portable devices. However, the addition of an optical drive reduces battery autonomy, rated at 3.6 hours from 2.5 hours of charge time.

The sub-notebook comes with a pre-installed version of Microsoft's Windows Vista Home Premium. It is the ideal tool for mobile digital photographers with affordable, fast SD and CF card slots. This device could easily morph into tablet PC, with built-in passive resistive touchscreen technology screen centrally located rotating. In tablet functionality based on the Origami Vista software operated without problems.

In Kohjinsha SR8 in the south of 2.0 points notebook performance items in Windows Vista, this is not bad for UMPC. Moreover, you can use the Aero experience using the built-in video cards, as shown in the attached video.

CES 2008: Intel Presented its iPhone-ish Mobile Concepts

Written by IT News on 3:01 AM

Some devices will be available this year
By: Florin Troaca, Communications News Editor | softpedia.com

Intel, the Californian microchip manufacturer, revealed back in September 2007 a new mobile concept, similar to Apple's iPhone but with a length that surpasses any other
modern handset's length (and that, of course, isn't a good thing at all). But Intel said the new device, which isn't actually a mobile phone but a UMPC with phone capabilities, brings the Moorestown platform with Silverthorne processor and is able to offer a 10x reduction in power usage. Along with the iPhone-like design and touchscreen interface, that should make a pretty good device, right? Well, until now it is only a nonfunctional concept and it's not clear whether it will be commercially available or not.

At this year's CES, Intel came not only with the previous mentioned handset, but with a whole range of iPhone-ish prototype devices based on Silverthorne processors. Unlike the UMPC unveiled last year, some of the new devices are fully functional and are also prepared to be launched during 2008. The devices are powered by the Intel Menlow mobile platform and are presented as being able to outperform any other device of this kind by using very little battery power. This performance is achieved thanks to a chemical element known as Hafnium, used on transistors to prevent energy leaks.

One of the functional Intel mobile devices, unnamed yet, comes as an UMPC with a User Interface similar to iPhone's and a full sliding QWERTY keyboard. Apparently, the device will hit the market in the second quarter of 2008, packed with either 3G or WiMAX, not both – in order to reduce the device's cost and the battery life. Other details about the future Intel mobile device are not available.

Currently, Intel powers Apple's Mac computers and it's said that the next iPhone, the 2.0 edition, will also pack Intel processors, more exactly the Silverthorne ones. We're now waiting to see how Intel's own iPhone-ish devices will be and how they can influence the mobile industry.