CPU + GPU = APU ??

AMD is working on its future line up of processing units for laptops and desktops and they would be a combination of both CPU and the graphics processing unit[GPU] in a single chip. Rightly codenamed as Fusion, the processors integrate the CPU with the GPU in a single chip and eliminate the need of using different chips for CPU and the GPU. These type of hybrid processors are now being called as APU or Accelerated processing unit. With the advent of APU by AMD, it is sure that others such as Intel will follow suit. The APU developed by AMD will be a direct competitor to sandybridge based Core i7 processors line up by Intel.



A few days ago, the first generation of APUs of the A-series were unveiled by AMD. Technically, it is based on 32nm architecture just like Intel sandybridge architecture and has the ability to support upto 4 cores. AMD and Intel both offer graphics processors along with the main CPU but AMD boasts of HD graphics along with HTML5 support built in. According to AMD, the battery life has increased by over 50% as compared to 2010 range of AMD mainstream processors. The Fusion range of APUs will shortly be available in the market with various major notebook and desktop brands. It is expected that this form of processing units will become more popular in the coming times as it can greatly improve performance of computing devices as well as decrease the size and weight and result in more portable notebooks.

Office 365 first look !

Office 365 is a new cloud based office software released by Microsoft. It enables users to access their files and the office software from virtually any device that is connected to the cloud. This version of office is mainly targeted on business class users as they can access all their files on the go. ALong with the office software hosted on the net, it also provides other services such as Exchange server and SharePoint server to the subscribers. There are three plans available for subscribers at this time which are Education plan, Professional plan for small scale businesses and Enterprise plans for large and medium size businesses.
Since the solutions are cloud-based, users can access their mails and files through a variety of devices like desktops, laptops and mobile phones and work on the move. Office 365 is a part of Microsoft's strategy to gradually move to cloud computing. This will increase business productivity and will be very instrumental in reducing response time and costs for enterprise level companies. It is expected that Office 365 will be a great hit because of its flexibility of services and plans and also because of its mobility based services. For more information on Office 365 and to download the trial, visit Office 365 official page !

A look at the future of notebook displays by SONY !!!

While the news is still not officially confirmed by sony, lets have a look at the new display concepts that can be expected with future Sony Vaio notebooks. These notebooks feature a holographic glass screen that can go transparent and a keyboard that turns opaque when turned off. The display is such that it remains opaque as a normal LCD/LED display in notebooks but the specialty is that they turn transparent when is display is switched off. Another interesting yet innovative thing in this concept is that when the keyboards are switched off, they turn completely opaque like a brick.

According to various sources, this is just a concept as of now and further details regarding the battery life, feature specs are not available as yet. Lets hope to see this emerging technology in the near future.

Nokia 888 Concept Phone : “Form follows you”

               Well this is something new and a strange concept from Nokia ... Its currently called as the Nokia 888 Concept phone and is totally different from the regular cellphones we use now.You dont have to carry it in your pocket or on your wrist. You can carry it anywhere, in anyform. You can roll it, bend it, put on your clothes like a clip. It also makes some form changes that makes it more ergonomical: i.e. when you want to talk on the phone, the body form turns into the form of the good old telephone. You can personalize these forms and record them. So it fits you the best in the way that you have chosen. The functions that it has also create a feeling of electronical pet, as it senses your moves, understand what you want, respond you in the best way. The phone's shape is completely customisabe according to the needs of the user hence the tag line “Form follows you”.

                 The Nokia 888 features a flexible touch screen UI and a touch sensitive body cover which lets it adjust according to the environment. It has a simple programmable body mechanism so that it changes forms in different situations. Another important feature of the phone is that it uses a liquid battery which is not rechargeable but has enough power to last for atleast 18 months of regular usage. There are unconfirmed rumours that it might have a solar charging panel for charging the battery.

                  Another splendid feature of the phone is e-motions. This allows users to interact which each other.You can send and receive forms from / to friends. As an example, you can send a heart shape to your friend, so her telephone turns into an icon of heart. Or you can send a dancing form to your friends to call them to the party tonight. This is the fun side of the product which makes it quite unique and sought for.
                Wondering when this phone will be a reality??Well, its expected to hit the markets of Europe by the end of 2011. So lets wait and watch for this awesome gadget to launch !!!

Have a look at this amazing video of the Nokia 888 concept phone.

4G : The latest technology in mobile telephony is here !!!

          The fourth generation of cellular wireless standards is generally referred to as 4G. While 4G seems to be a distant reality for India at the current time, 4G standards have been started in test & trial modes in many advanced countries including the United States and Japan. 4G promises enhanced speeds up to 100Mbps for mobile devices and up to 1Gbps for stationary devices. 4G will also revolutionize wireless network access (Wi-Fi) into a much faster and secure connection known as Wimax which will also be capable of providing gigabit speeds.
          4G will also lead to seamless global roaming without any kind of disturbances which will lead to a much pleasant global telephony experience. In terms of multimedia, 4G will be able to provide real time television,HDTV video content, Ultra high speed mobile broadband and internet gaming on the go. Coming to the technical side, 4G will be based on OFDM - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing which will enable data to be sent on hundreds of parallel channelss instead of one channel as in case of traditional UMTS or CDMA network. From the above facts, we can conclude that 4G will be the next big thing in mobile telephony. But the question is "When will 4G be a reality in India, where even 3G networks have not been fully operational till now?"
          Do share your views and comments on this post !!!
         

Project Natal....The Future of gaming is here!!!

               Project Natal is a revolutionary piece of technology by Microsoft that is set to change the world of gaming. Project Natal uses no handheld controller and it has no wires. It uses nothing but your body to control game play and when I say body I don’t just mean physically I mean you can talk to it and it will respond. It has voice recognition, 3D motion capture and face recognition. The possibilities with this are endless. Project Natal is set to change the world of gaming and gamers forever!

                What makes the natal project so awesome is that it allows you do more than just play games. You can move through menus by Moving your hands back and forth. The camera is so advanced it has awesome things like advanced face recognition and voice recognition. While your xbox is powered up and going, you can stand in front of natal and it will sign you in to your avatar automatically.ew natal developers will be able to do with the development kits that are being sent out all over the world as we speak. This is a whole new way of controlling everything in your living room. this is not just restricted to the xbox360, it will work for DVD movies, music and I can bet will be integrated into tv. 

            

Compatible with any Xbox 360 system, the “Project Natal” sensor is the world’s first to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software all in one device. Unlike 2-D cameras and controllers, “Project Natal” tracks your full body movement in 3-D, while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in your voice.

In addition, unlike other devices, the “Project Natal” sensor is not light-dependent. It can recognize you just by looking at your face, and it doesn’t just react to key words but understands what you’re saying.For Example : Call a play in a football game, and players will actually respond.

         

Microsoft Surface...Adding new dimensions to technology !!!

[MS surface Logo is a copyrighted property of Microsoft]

What is Microsoft Surface??
You won't believe this until you see it. It's actually real. No mouse, no keyboards, but you can touch it and guess what . . . it actually feels you. Don't you know what is it? It's Microsoft Surface!!!

What is special about this surface??
One can touch a color in the one-screen palette and draw an image on the screen.
Touch green and draw grass, Touch red and draw flames of fire. Microsoft Tabletop can understand all this. It also recognizes various objects. Surface has been optimized to respond to 52 touches at a time.

The four main features in this device are direct interaction,Multi-touch contact,a multi user interface and object recognition.Even non digitsl devices can be used as input devices to the surface.It also responds to multiple gestures made by the user which is the most important and exciting feature in this technology wonder created by Microsoft.

The surface is much more than just a touch screen computer.The form factor of the surface is like a table.It is a big table 22 inches high, 21 inches deep, and 42 inches wide.The size of the screen is 30 inches and it is a multi touch surface.The current commercial version of the surface comes with a core 2 dou processor.
Here is a glimpse of the surface:

Microsoft Student Partners !!!

The Microsoft Student Partner (MSP) Program is an annual position that recognizes people who have made outstanding contributions to the student community.Folks are selected and recognized, the most talented students from universities across the country for their dedication, passion and involvement with Microsoft each academic year.
The Microsoft Student Partners is a worldwide educational program to sponsor students majoring in disciplines related to technology.The program is available in most countries, and all students in college and university level are eligible to apply. Typically, few most skilled students from each institution are chosen at a time. If accepted, Student Partners are assumed to further share the knowledge among the academic community by, for example, arranging courses, giving presentations and initiating projects.

Benefits:

-You get to interact with the Microsoft team during various conferences and meetings.
- Get all the latest information about Microsoft's present and products.
- Get an year of MSDN Premium subscription by which you can download all Microsoft softwares free of cost.
- Other benefits include Dreamspark,student-partners.com email id,T shirts,Caps and lots of goodies.
- Most importantly,you get a position among your friends that is very coveted and you get respect from everyone.
- Also,you get a chance to be partnered with Microsoft,which itself is the greatest thing and adds a lot of value in your Resume.

All those students interested in technology and want to level-up your skills and personal value by getting the Microsoft branding should be looking forward to this program.The next MSP selections in India will most probably begin on May-June 2010.All those interested for the program should check the student partners website http://student-partners.com .In case of any doubts,you can contact me via email.