Nvidia quietly intros first GeForce 300-series graphics card

Nvidia has quietly introduced its first GeForce 300-series graphics card -- but don't get too excited. The GeForce 310 is more or less a rebranded GeForce 210. It uses current generation Nvidia parts and doesn't appear to implement any new technology -- not even DirectX 11 -- meaning that the company's much anticipated Fermi architecture remains dormant.

Like the GeForce 210, the 310 offers a basic upgrade from an integrated graphics chip, but isn't an ideal solution for gaming with only 16 CUDA cores and a 64-bit memory bus. Other specifications include a 589MHz graphics clock, a 1402MHz processor clock, 512MB of DDR2 VRAM running at 500MHz, DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.1 support, a maximum digital resolution of 2560x1600, and connectors for DVI, VGA, as well as DisplayPort.

While it may not be a Fermi-based card and isn't adequate for enthusiast-level gaming, the GeForce 310 should prove sufficient for 1080p video and general-purpose computing. Nvidia has yet to disclose a release date.

Intel's desktop roadmap leaked, with faster i5 and i7, introduction of i3

Just when you thought you had enough gigahertz in your life, along come the folks at Impress to blow the doors off Intel's upcoming crop of desktop processors. In the highly detailed charts there's wild talk of a low-powered "S" version of Core i5 that lowers the chip from 95W to 82W, a new Core i3 line that strips out the Turbo Boost technology and dips into budget-priced territory, and word that at the time of this roadmap at least the Core i9 "Gulftown" chip isn't slated for until Q2 of next year

Sony PSPs enlisted as study aids by the Royal Navy

Whoever it was at Sony HQ that decided to pursue "military contracts" as a revenue source, kudos! Mere days after the US Air Force expressed interest in expanding its PS3 supercomputer, we're hearing glorious Britannia's Royal Navy has conscripted 230 PSPs into duty as revision aids for its trainee sailors. Loaded with maths and physics materials, the PSPs can be used in a bunk, have familiar controls for the young and mostly male recruits, and are considered pretty tough to break. The underlying reason for this move though is cost cutting: by making the training course more intensive, the Navy is saving on teaching time. Given that the UMD drive won't come disabled -- which is hoped to encourage the sailors to take better care of the device -- the future this paints is of marines who've spent more time with a freebie handheld console than with a pro instructor. At least they'll have a great stable of captured monsters to show for it.

Alleged ATI Radeon HD 5750 leaked, benchmarked

Just over a week after AMD unleashed its powerful ATI Radeon HD 5870 to the world and subsequently the 5850, a forum member at Mymypc.com has posted several images and benchmark numbers of the upcoming HD 5750. Codenamed Juniper LE, this is AMD's first mainstream graphics processor in the ATI Radeon HD 5000 family and is reportedly set to replace the once high-end Radeon HD 4870 with a $150 price tag.

The alleged reference model has a relatively short board and sports a dual-slot design with a teardrop-shaped cooling system slapped on it. Like the 5800 series, it features DirectX 11 support, GDDR5 memory (but on a 128-bit bus and clocked at 1150MHz), and the same port arrangement -- two DVI, one DisplayPort, and one HDMI. The card is also equipped with 1120 stream processors and a 700MHz core clock, according to GPU-Z.

In terms of performance, the new Radeon HD 5750 manages to beat both the HD 4850 and the GTS 250 when running 3DMark06 and 3DMark Vantage's synthetic tests -- although by small margins. We'll of course have to reserve judgment until we can put this card to the test in real-world scenarios, but it seems the Radeon HD 5750 could give Nvidia's GeForce GTS 250 a run for its money when it launches (presumably) later this month.

Sony shows off wireless power transfer prototype

Wireless technologies in a variety of forms have seen tremendous growth in recent years. Answering the need for on-the-go computing and customers' struggle with cable clutter, many service providers and peripheral manufacturers have turned to wireless standards to satisfy their consumer base. And yet electronic devices must be powered somehow, making the use of power cables a necessary but sometimes unsightly part of our computer and home entertainment setups.

Even though we've seen some notable progress in this area through inductive charging on devices like the Dell Latitude Z or the Touchstone charger for the Palm Pre, this technology still requires physical contact. Luckily for those keen on the idea of a truly wireless world, Sony has announced the development of a new energy transfer system which it claims will eventually eliminate the use of power cables once and for all.

In its tests the company succeeded in sending a conventional 100 volt electricity supply over a distance of 50 centimeters to power a 22-inch LCD television. The system achieves this feat through high-frequency magnetic resonance, which produces a magnetic field by feeding power into a 40cm-wide square coil of wires.

Of course being an early prototype there are a few drawbacks, including the distance over which it works and the system's 60 percent efficiency, which means a significant portion of the power fed into it is wasted. The company shared no details on how safe the technology is -- an obvious concern -- nor did it offer an estimate on when it will be ready for real world availability.

Asus unveils EeeBox with Ion graphics and Windows 7

Asus has unveiled the latest member to join its EeeBox nettop family, the Ion-packing EB1501. This mini desktop not only sports a sleek new design, it is also the first EeeBox with a slot-loading DVD drive and Windows 7. Aside from using Nvidia's chipset for smoothly decoding 1080p video, the EB1501 also comes with a dual-core Atom N330 processor clocked at 1.6GHz, 2GB of DDR2-800 RAM, and a 250GB hard disk.

Other specs include 802.11n Wi-Fi and gigabit Ethernet, 4 USB 2.0 ports, eSATA, HDMI and VGA out, a multi-format card reader, and 5.1 audio -- all in all, a very solid desktop machine in a compact and nice-looking enclosure. Depending on your configuration options, the EB1501 can also have up to 4GB of RAM as well as a remote, matching keyboard/mouse combo, and a VESA mount in case you want to hide it behind your monitor.

Pricing hasn't been announced for the U.S. yet, but a base configuration should ship sometime after Windows 7's October 22 release to European customers for €399, or the equivalent of $580.

Verizon and Gateway offer 3G-enabled netbook, LT2016u

Gateway and Verizon are collaborating to release a new netbook with support for Verizon's 3G mobile broadband service. The Gateway LT2016u will be available through Verizon's website and stores on October 4, and will retail for $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, which will arrive in the form of a debit card. Naturally, Verizon expects customers sign a two-year mobile broadband contract. This includes 250MB of monthly access plus $.10 per MB overage for $39.99 a month, or 5GB plus $.5/MB overage at $59.99/month.

The LT2016u is outfitted with a 10.1" WSVGA LED display, an Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD, a .3 megapixel webcam, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB and VGA ports, a three-in-one media card reader, two speakers, a microphone, a six-cell battery, Windows XP Home, and weighs 2.95lbs. This netbook follows the launch of Gateway's LT3100 and LT2000, which debuted over the summer.

Dell intros 'future proof' Core i5/i7-equipped Vostro 430

Dell has expanded its Vostro line with the Vostro 430 mini tower desktop, which boasts a "future proof" design. Aimed at small and medium businesses, the Vostro 430 ships with video conferencing software pre-installed and features Intel's Core i5 or Core i7 processor, discrete graphics from Nvidia or ATI, up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM and 1TB of storage.

Dell seems to have placed an emphasis on expandability and connectivity with support for dual displays, four total PCI/PCIe slots, an optional Blu-ray disc drive, ten USB ports, legacy ports, and a 19-in-1 media card reader. All of this starts at a reasonable $699 too, which kicks things off with a modestly equipped Core i5 750 system -- and a semi-high-end spec can be configured for under a grand.

The Vostro 430 ships with Windows Vista at the moment, but it's eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7 -- except for Vista Home Basic.

Swordfish Net 102 Dual: the first netbook with twin Atom CPUs

Alright, so I'm going to go ahead and caution against buying anything that claims to have a "dual Bluetooth" module, but if you're feeling froggy, the planet's first (and probably last) dual CPU netbook has just been launched. Not dual core, mind you, but dual processor. The admittedly chintzy looking Swordfish Net 102 Dual claims to have a pair of 1.6GHz Atom N270s within, not to mention 2GB of DDR2 RAM, optional WWAN, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, 10.2-inch display (1,024 x 600 resolution), a 160GB hard drive and Windows XP runnin' the show. It's available to order for the low, low price of $449, though I wouldn't expect the stock 3-cell battery to last very long (read: an hour) with a pair of CPUs sucking down juice.

LG's new touchscreen 'Pop'

Gotta hand it to LG, it pulled out the big hitting hyperbole with the launch of its otherwise simplistic GD510 touchscreen phone. LG begins with a reminder that it launched "the world's first full touchscreen phone" -- the Prada -- back in January 2007. A claim that Ericsson, Nokia, and others would rightfully dispute. LG then calls the brushed-aluminum GD510, or "Pop," the "most compact 3-inch full touchscreen phone ever made," while boasting of its simplicity. That latter claim is achieved by removing "unnecessary features" that apparently include burdensome WiFi and 3G radios since modern consumers want to browse the internet over GPRS/EDGE. Spec-wise, you get a WQVGA (note the "Q") display, 3 megapixel camera, 8GB of internal memory, and a single home key that glows green to call or red to hang-up / cancel. They've also ditched the S-Class UI in favor of something that's presumably less convoluted. There's even an optional solar-panel battery cover which we hear is the number one requested feature on touchscreen phones... right. It does look pretty though, which is saying a lot for a phone packing a solar panel. Hitting Europe in mid October and the US at the end of October if the Bluetooth SIG entry is to be believed. Video promo after the break.

DoubleSight debuts trio of new Smart USB monitors

Tiny USB monitors may not exactly be a must-have desk accessory for everyone just yet, but those in the market for a bit more screen real estate are fast getting more options to consider, like this new trio of Smart USB monitors from DoubleSight Displays. Available in your choice 7- or 9-inch models, the displays are mostly identical in outward appearance with the notable exception of a detachable webcam on the top-end DS-90UC model, and a higher 1,024 x 600 resolution on the two 9-inch displays, as opposed to a mere 800 x 480 on the lone 7-inch display -- making it a far less attractive choice for all but the most desk space challenged. That choice is made even easier by the fact that the 9-incher costs just $20 more than its smaller counterpart ($140 vs. $120), while the webcam-equipped version will set you back a somewhat heftier $160.

ATI Radeon HD 5850 provides scorching performance for a relative pittance

When the covers were slipped off the HD 5870 last week, what emerged was the new champ in graphics performance that could also boast a pretty aggressive price to performance ratio. The only question left for many was whether the slightly hamstrung version of the same Cypress chip, the HD 5850, would be able to offer even better value for money. With a suggested retail price of $259, lower power consumption under load and a shorter circuit board to cram into your case, the 5850 certainly appeals to the more sensible end of the graphics card market.

Band Hero's revamped drums coming in November bundle, very limited exclusive for Wii

Guitar Hero drummers who wondered whatever happened to that revamped set we spied months ago can finally sleep more soundly at night, although while still probably tapping out "Sweating Bullets" in their dreams. The cats at IGN got some hands-on time with the new gear, and while there's no physical pics to show for it, they do report being happy with the overall design and its smaller, but still capable frame. The peripheral is reportedly due in a Band Hero Super Bundle for Nintendo Wii this November. It's a limited exclusive for the console, meaning the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 packages will include the standard Guitar Hero drums until "sometime later this year." That leaves at most seven weeks of lead time -- not too long, but in the precious time before Christmas, it's probably quite the coup.

QNAP's new NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player

It sure took 'em long enough, but QNAP has finally come around and delivered its NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player here in the States. If you'll recall, we actually toyed around with one way back at CeBIT, and while those camped out in Osaka have been enjoying the spoils for months now, the Yanks in attendance have been forced to wait. According to QNAP, the DLNA-compliant media streamer is now shipping in America, though a quick look around our favorite web stores has turned up nothing. I'm sure that'll be remedied in short order, though.

Apple pushing unwanted software via Windows update tool !!!

Last year Apple received its fair share of criticism from Windows users after enabling its software update tool that is usually installed along iTunes and Quicktime to also download and install the Safari browser. The result? A tripling market share in just a month. Later on Apple would rectify and stop checking the Safari download box by default.

In similar fashion, Ed Bott, blogger at ZDNet recently found Apple's software installer enabling another unwanted piece of software by default when prompted to update iTunes on a clean Windows 7 installation. This time the prompt was for downloading the "iPhone Configuration Utility", despite of the fact he doesn't own nor has he connected an iPhone to such computer. While this may seem like the perfect excuse to get back at Apple, this doesn't look as purposeful as last year's attempt to grab some market browser share. It is however some sloppy practice on Apple's part.

Perhaps the real story behind the story is the lack of consistence you get when every single manufacturer wants to push application updates while leaving standby processes running in the background. For once, Microsoft should promote a platform that could be shared among developers, streamlining the experience for the user. That's not to say third party companies couldn't do much better themselves rather than bloating your OS installation by default: Apple, RIM, Adobe, Nokia, even Google, you name it.

Nikon D3s with 1080p video rumored for release next month

This sort of burst out of nowhere today, but word is that a new Nikon D3s will hit on October 15 -- the crew at NikonRumors puts it at "99 percent probability." The D3s is expected to add 1080p video and an 14fps burst mode to the D3, as well as a 1.6x crop mode, but other than that we don't know too much. I'll keep you updated, it looks like the leaks are coming fast and furious.

Garmin-ASUS nuvifone G60 to run $300?

While several shipping dates have come and gone, we're still hopeful of seeing Garmin's nuvifone in the flesh and on the street at some point in the future. If you've forgotten (and nobody would really blame you), the HSDPA, quad-band handset will boast GPS (of course), WiFi, Bluetooth, plus a full browser. The G60's been available in Asia for some time now, and while a confirmed US launch has been much anticipated, no pricing has ever been announced. Rumors now abound that the device will carry a $300 price tag on contract, running about $550 without. Of course, it is just a rumor -- and one that we hope is off base, too.

OCZ intros two 4GB DDR3 Black Edition memory kits

OCZ has released two new 4GB DDR3 dual-channel Black Edition memory kits that are specifically dialed in for AMD's Phenom II processors. Both kits clock in at 1600MHz and boast a low 1.65 voltage, with the only noteworthy difference being their timings. One kit is rated at 8-8-8-24, and the other is a touch tighter at 7-7-7-24.

OCZ designed its Black Edition RAM for use with AMD's OverDrive software utility, according to Eugene Chang, vice president of product management. He went on to explain that the new modules "not only interact with AMD OverDrive to overclock the memory, but also communicate with the BIOS to increase the frequency and performance of the memory controller."

Each module is equipped with an AMD-branded XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heatspreader, and is backed by OCZ's lifetime warranty and technical support. There is no official word on price or availability yet.

Is Twitter worth $1 Billion?

Twitter's financial stability has been up in the air for some time. The service has faced all sorts of issues since its inception, from poor user retention to a series of failed buyouts, buyout rumors and more. This hasn't stopped the company from expanding, and with growth, the need for cash has risen. It's been demonstrated already that Tweets can be used by third parties to make money, so the question isn't whether or not Twitter can find investors -- but rather, how much the service is actually worth.

Twitter lined up a substantial amount of cash recently -- around $100 million -- and an estimate that the company itself is worth ten times that. This is despite the fact that Twitter, as a standalone company, has yet to generate a steady stream of revenue since it launched. With anywhere from 45 to 55 million users and more on their way, keeping operations alive is going to be difficult. As they raise funds, they'll need to justify their worth.

Is Twitter truly worth $1 billion? If so, who would actually put down a serious bid? Current rumors are that Google, Yahoo, AOL and even Cisco are all potential buyers, but all of those companies will have to evaluate whether or not the service can be used to make a buck. To date, Twitter hasn't proved they can.

Intel touts high-speed optical cable interface, Light Peak

USB 3.0 may have been grabbing some headlines in recent weeks, with 2010 expected to see a mass rollout of compatible products, but Intel is already working on an alternative technology that could eventually replace the plethora of interfaces currently used -- from USB itself to HDMI to DisplayPort, LAN and so on. Dubbed Light Peak, the new high-speed interconnect uses fiber optics instead of copper wires to transfer data, and consequently has much more bandwidth.

Even in its first generation it's expected to transfer at about 10 gigabits per second, or two times faster than USB 3.0. Intel added that Light Peak's throughput has "the potential ability" to increase to 100Gbps in the next ten years, but that even at 10Gbps, "a user could transfer a full-length Blu-ray movie in less than 30 seconds."

The optical nature also allows for smaller connectors and thinner, more flexible cables than currently possible that could span up to an impressive 100 meters. To put this into perspective, USB 2.0 is limited to just five meters of cable, without extenders, whilst USB 3.0 is restricted to three. Copper wires may still come bundled with the optical fiber so Light Peak can be used to power devices plugged into the PC.

The firm says compatible devices could be ready to ship as early as next year and that it is currently working with the industry to settle on a standard -- but of course that is easier said than done, even for Intel

Lenovo Ion-powered IdeaCenter Q110 nettop on sale now

The slow wave of NVIDIA Ion-based machines continues to wash in -- as expected, the Lenovo Q110 nettop is now on sale. We'd actually wait another couple weeks to score this rig with Windows 7 preloaded, but if you're into Vista you can grab it right now for $399 with 2GB of RAM and a 160GB drive and take a free upgrade disc when it's available.

Freecom announces world's first USB 3.0 hard drive, the XS 3.0

It might not look like much -- in fact, we're not sure what it's trying to look like -- but that there is what Freecom purports to be the world's first SuperSpeed USB 3.0 hard drive. Dubbed the Hard Drive XS 3.0, the drive will be available mid-November in 1TB, 1.5TB and 2TB sizes, with a surprisingly accessible starting price of 119 Euro (about $175 US). Of course, it takes more than just a speedy cable to up hard drive speeds, but we'd say 130MB/s ain't a bad start. The drive can handle AES 256 bit encryption, is backwards compatible with USB 2.0, and the fanless, rubber-clad enclosure weighs in at 1.9 pounds.

PS3 3.0 / 3.01 firmware update making Blu-ray drive unusable?

What could possibly cause nearly 700 comments on an official Sony blog post announcing the relatively minor 3.01 firmware update for the PS3? Plaudits? A Kanye meme gone awry? No, it's the age old problem of an update that apparently breaks more than it fixes. In this case, a sizable number of users are reporting that the 3.0 and/or 3.01 update caused their PS3's Blu-ray drive to be all but unusable for both games and Blu-ray movies (although some folks report that DVDs still work). Other users are also reporting intermittent problems like no sound, and some problems with specific games, but it does seem like the complaints are pretty widespread and, as of yet, Sony isn't saying much about them

LG officially announces GW620, its first Android phone

Though it already broke cover at IFA out in Germany a few days ago, LG's just sealed the deal on its very first Android phone -- the GW620 landscape QWERTY slider. Interestingly, the "Etna" name seen at IFA is missing from the official press release, but otherwise, the 3-inch touchscreen mentioned lines up nicely with what we'd previously known. Camera specs aren't mentioned here, but as far as we know, it's going to clock in at 5 megapixels and the phone looks to be loaded with a very bone-stock Android build sans LG-specific enhancements like an S-Class port. Interestingly, the GW620 flies in the face of LG's super-cozy relationship with Microsoft and its commitment to concentrate on WinMo in its smartphone line, but you can tell that the company's wording in the release is very carefully-chosen: the phone is geared at "making the smartphone experience more accessible for typical users" and "young professionals who demand a full QWERTY keypad," which we guess makes WinMo a more business-savvy platform in LG's eyes. We think we're comfortable with that characterization -- for now, anyway. Look for the GW620 to start showing up in "select European markets" in the fourth quarter of the year.

Dell 24-inch U2410 IPS monitor for $599 US retail

Already seen in Japan, the 24-inch UltraSharp U2410 professional monitor is up for retail on Dell's US store. The IPS-panel features a 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, 6-ms response, 178-degree viewing angles, 1000:1 typical contrast, and 12-bit internal processing (1.07 billion colors), and 96% AdobeRGB and 100% of sRGB color space coverage. Connectivity options are vast with jacks for DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, component, composite, and VGA. That's a lot of rig for $599. Hit the link below if you just have to have it since you won't find it promoted on the Dell US monitor pages just yet.

JVC launches $1,000 HD Everio GZ-HM400

JVC introduced its HD Everio GZ-HM400 in Japan way back in late July, but at long last, the time has come for the Yanks in attendance to grab one as their own. The Full HD camcorder packs a 10.3 megapixel sensor, 32GB of internal storage, an SD / SDHC expansion slot and the ability to capture stills at 9 megapixels. Over on the video side, users will have access to a trio of slow-motion recording modes (600fps, 300fps and 120fps), though we can't express in mere words how disheartened we are to hear that this thing utilizes the thoroughly worthless AVCHD format. If you aren't bothered in the least by that, you can pick yours up now for a nickle shy of a grand.

Bing 2.0 may roll out next week

Bing has had a busy few months, but if recent rumors hold any weight, a facelift may be just around the corner. Mary-Jo Foley over at ZDNet caught wind of a few Tweets that came from Microsoft's annual company meeting, which are hinting that Redmond may roll out "Bing 2.0" this fall -- and possibly as early as next week.

The Tweets quoted by Foley indicate that attendees of Microsoft's gathering have seen a demo of Bing 2.0. While none of the micro-blog posts offered a clear image of what's to come, most imply that some major changes are afoot. One Tweeter said, "Bing 2.0, out this month, has some exciting new features. Imagine seeing maps plus pics from the neighborhood of a restaurant to try."

Another backed the map additions with "BING 2.0 terrific !! watch out guys ! bing + silverlight in maps = amazing!! goodbye google," and one Tweet claimed the update would be rolled out next week. Microsoft declined to offer any worthwhile details when questioned by Foley.

Apple releases first Snow Leopard update

Less than two weeks after launching Snow Leopard, Apple has quietly released a 71.47MB update that will address a number of issues in the latest version of its operating system. Among them are unexpected DVD playback outages, problems with the auto setup features of Mail and certain SMTP servers, and unresponsiveness in Motion 4.

It also includes the latest 10.0.32.18 version of Adobe's Flash Player plug-in, which might have been accidentally downgraded with the move to OS X 10.6. But the list doesn't stop there. Other fixes address compatibility problems with Sierra Wireless 3G modems, issues with the Dock becoming unresponsive, a problem with the keyboard shortcut Command-Option-T bringing up the special characters menu and a few more.

The company also released a slew of updates for its older operating systems, along with an iMac Graphics Firmware Update (1.0.2.) that targets the ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro and ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics cards and an update for Max OS X server. As usual, these are all available through the Software Update tool or Apple's Support Downloads website.

JVC brings 46" 3D LCD display to US

If you're waiting for Sony to enter the arena with their 3D Bravia TV line next year, take a look at JVC's 46" 3D LCD display. The GD-463D10 is 1.5" (39mm) thick, and has a high-gloss cabinet -- a quality that is equally loved and loathed these days. It makes use of JVC's unique 3D visual engine to deliver flicker-free images, and is compatible with the industry standard line-by-line and side-by-side 3D formats.

he monitor is reportedly already popular with major Hollywood studios, and it has been available across the pond for some time. It features a native 1920x1080 resolution, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 178-degree viewing angles, and three HDMI-in connectors that support the standard HD video signals, including 1080/24p, 50p, 60p, 50i and 60i. JVC throws two pairs of battery-free light polarizing glasses in with the GD-463D10, and will ship one to your doorstep for $9,153.

OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro with super fast boot

One of these days, SSDs will hit a price point that doesn't require a second mortgage to buy one. Until then, we can just gawk at things like OWC's latest, which is a portable version of Crucial's still relatively new line of affordable SSDs, built around the familiar Indilinx controller and Samsung NAND flash. Coming in sizes from 64GB ($280) to 256GB ($730), the new Pro devices can transfer data and get their power from either a Firewire or USB port. Alas, that means you'll be limited to 100MBps read rates -- as opposed to the 250MBps you could get from an eSATA connection -- but that's a small sacrifice to make if you care about losing the moving parts in your portable storage.

iPhone OS 3.1 enforcing Exchange device encryption, only supported by iPhone 3GS

Noticing a "Policy Requirement" error when trying to use your Microsoft Exchange account after upgrading to OS 3.1? Then there's a good chance you're not using an iPhone 3GS, as Apple has just confirmed via a support page that the upgrade can now enforce the Exchange ActiveSync mailbox policy requiring encryption on the device, which just so happens to only be supported by the 3GS (guess that "S" stands for more than just speed). Not surprisingly, the only solution for non-3GS users is to contact their Exchange Server administrator and hope that they're willing to change the policy to no longer require device encryption.

AMD demos "Eyefinity" multi-monitor technology

Those of you who run dual monitor setups know the freedom it gives for multitasking. But with its upcoming DirectX 11-capable Radeon HD 5800 series, AMD is hoping to take this experience to a whole new level, via a new technology called Eyefinity that allows for multiple displays to be driven off of a single video card.

Specifics on the technology are still being kept under wraps, but a recent demonstration showed six 30-inch Dell displays running together to form one insane 7680 x 3200 resolution surface. The graphics card used in this particular demo sported six DisplayPort connectors, made possible due to the connector's compact size, though a spokesperson said that HDMI and DVI-based cards with fewer outputs should be available as well.

Apparently AMD has coded their driver to tell the operating system that a single huge screen is attached, instead of multiple monitors, thus enabling games to take advantage of the entire surface. Anandtech notes that the upcoming race title Dirt 2 was shown off at 7680 x 3200 with "definitely playable frame rates," for example, while Left 4 Dead on a three monitor, 7680 x 1600 configuration produced better results.

Maximum PC cites 12-20 frames per second performance in a 3DMark 2006 test, which is not what many would consider "playable," but getting that resolution from a single card is nonetheless impressive. Of course this six-connector GPU isn't a production model, but there should be three-connector versions at launch that will allow an ultra-widescreen setup off a single card. AMD didn't announce specific price-points, but did state that Eyefinity-based graphics will make it into desktops and notebooks "at very affordable prices."

The downside to using so many monitors (besides their total price of course) is that their bezels might get in the way. For this, Samsung is reportedly working with AMD to produce ultra-thin-bezel monitors and stands designed with Eyefinity in mind.

The iPod touch and the big picture

In a New York Times interview of Steve Jobs conducted by Engadget columnist aspirant David Pogue, Apple's CEO suggested that the company did not include a camera on the iPod touch because the company was now marketing the iPod touch as a game machine and that a camera was not germane to such a device. "We don't need to add new stuff," said Jobs.

But why is adding a digital camera any less germane to the portable game device of the iPod touch than it is to adding it to the media player of the iPod nano? Or, if price is an issue, why not exclude it only on the entry-level model? The iPod touch market will soon be large enough to support such diversity. And if the iPod touch is indeed being marketed as a gaming console and a low-cost point of entry to the app store, excluding a camera disrupts the continuity of the touch/iPhone platform, while the iPod imaging message is now more muddled: If you're buying the iPhone 3G, you can capture stills but not video, while the "lower-end" iPod nano offers video capture but not stills, the iPod touch offers neither, and only the iPhone 3GS offers both.

Worm attacks WordPress blog software

Serving as a stern reminder of why it's important to keep desktop as well as server software up to date, a new worm can reportedly infect certain versions of the WordPress blog software. WordPress announced the discovery today, saying that a security bug which has already been fixed is now being exploited in the wild.

The worm is able to attack versions of WordPress prior to 2.8.4 and its immediate predecessor. Version 2.8.4 was released in early August to specifically address this flaw, which results in a password reset of WordPress accounts and allows someone to take control of the admin account. Doing so would give the person access to further information, as well as the ability to wreak havoc on the blog itself.

Though the vulnerability was initially published several weeks ago, this is the first report of malware specifically identifying and trying to exploit it. The WordPress developer is concerned that many servers are still running old versions, which puts them at risk. If you're maintaining a WordPress server that's behind on updates, consider this a heads up.

Firefox 3.6 to arrive this year, 4.0 in late 2010

Although Mozilla released Firefox version 3.5 not long ago, the team has been showing mockups of future designs. In addition to embracing glass on Windows Vista and 7, future versions will have reorganized interfaces. Previews of Firefox 4.0 suggest that it may have a combined and relocated reload, stop and go buttons, as well as a tab sidebar, tabs on top, and many other UI tweaks -- none of which are set in stone.

Mozilla is now indicating that we may see the launch of Firefox 4.0 next October or November. It has also reportedly updated its roadmap for the release of Firefox 3.6 and 3.7, with the former expected to debut later this year and the latter to arrive in the second quarter of next year. There are also reports that Fennec 1.0 -- the mobile version of Firefox -- will be made available at the same time as Firefox 3.6, and Fennec 2.0 with Firefox 4.0.

If the suspense is killing you, fear not; pre-release builds are available. Feel free to download Firefox 3.6 and 3.7 at your own risk.

Apple runs into technical difficulties ahead of event?

Apple is expected to unveil its new line of iPods at music-related event tomorrow. Although, as usual, no official details are available as to what their exact plans are, several leaks and speculation in general point to built-in digital cameras on nano and touch models -- and possibly a microphone paired with VoIP capabilities on the latter.

But a new report from blog Apple Insider casts doubt on whether or not the revamped touch-based player will see the light of day this Wednesday. Citing "a person with a strong track record in predicting Apple's upcoming product launches," the site claims Apple has run into technical difficulties with the 3.2-megapixel modules it plans to use and that it may not be ready for a September launch. A separate report from Hardmac echoes this notion and says production problems affected the first dozen of thousands units produced.

Though the faulty units have reportedly been kept aside, there's no information on whether the problem was solved or not. That's not to say an announcement isn't due at tomorrow's event but, if reports are accurate, availability could be delayed and initial volumes reduced.

Even without the immediate availability (if at all) of a camera-equipped iPod touch, Apple supporters and music lovers might still have reason to be excited about tomorrow's event; some believe the company will announce a new version of iTunes with social networking features and add The Beatles' discography to its catalog.

HP readies new Pavilion laptop models

HP is getting ready to announce a revamped notebook lineup in the coming days and apparently some of it has been uncovered in advance courtesy of a pair of leaks. According to Engadget, an 18.4-inch desktop replacement will be heading the pack sporting one of the first mobile Core i7 processors, the 720QM, as well as 640GB of storage and 4GB of memory.

As detailed in a previously leaked Intel roadmap, the 1.6GHz quad-core chip will come with 6MB of cache, Hyper-threading support, and will scale up to 2.8GHz via Turbo Boost. Pricing for this system, dubbed Pavilion dv8, is listed at about 1,427 Euros (or the equivalent of $2,043).

Additionally HP will be launching two models using Intel's CULV processors, the 11.6-inch Pavilion dm1 and 13.3-inch dm3. Both will come with 1366 x 768 glossy displays, with the former boasting 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive for the equivalent of $690 in Europe, and the latter double the memory and a larger 500GB hard drive for about $970. The Pavilion dm3 will also offer a cheaper AMD Neo flavor.

Last but certainly not least, HP is supposedly readying an Ion-powered netbook to be known as the Mini 311. This model will sport an 11.6-inch display, non-DX10 Nvidia Ion LE graphics and 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive and a six cell battery.

Firefox to start warning users of outdated plug-ins

Mozilla doesn't just want users to have the most current version of Firefox installed, it also is launching a new feature to warn users of outdated and possibly insecure plug-ins. Beginning with an update tomorrow, Firefox 3.5.3 and 3.0.14 will both automatically check which version of Flash users are running and, if needed, prompt them via the "What's New" landing page to visit a link where an updated version is available.

With this Mozilla is hoping to significantly cut the number of users who are currently running old and vulnerable versions of the ubiquitous plug-in. However, it won't stop there -- the company has plans to add checks for other common plug-ins that are often insecure and users fail to upgrade like QuickTime, Reader, Silverlight and Java.

For now the checking will be limited, as it will only occur when a Firefox update is released, but apparently this is only the first step in a multi-step process to make Firefox safer. Starting with Firefox 3.6, for example, the plug-in check functionality should be available through the component currently used to upgrade conventional extensions.

Fujitsu unveils Blu-ray and Core 2 Duo packing mini PC

Small form factor computers have been growing in popularity recently with the introduction of Atom-based nettops. These low cost systems have proven very compelling options for consumers with budget and space constraints, but for the most part are limited to basic computing tasks such as web browsing, document processing and some audio / video playback.

If you are fond of the small footprint but not the low-end specs, however, you might be interested in Fujitsu's latest addition to the Esprimo Q series. Dubbed Q1500, the top of the range model that was recently shown off at Germany's IFA trade show sports a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 processor, 320GB Western Digital hard drive and 4GB of DDR2 RAM. Also inside were a Blu-ray optical drive and an accompanying HDMI port, making this 50mm tall system an ideal out of the box HTPC that uses a mere 19 watts of power when idle.

Intel’s GMA 4500HD graphics chip and Gigabit Ethernet complete the specification, with 802.11b/g/n wireless cards and Bluetooth available as optional extras. Although pricing for the model on display was not disclosed, Fujitsu said cut-down versions of the Q1500 will start at a rather pricey 699€ (about $1,000).

Altec Lansing's InMotion Classic has good looks, bad price

Altec Lansing has updated its InMotion line of iPod / iPhone docks with the Classic, which takes the iM600, washes off most of the ugly, slaps on a multifunctional handle, and asks for the same $149 MSRP. An auxiliary input, FM tuner and rechargeable battery make it decently versatile, while the remote and the "cubby hole" for its storage score cuteness points aplenty. Unfortunately for Altec, the "cute" price range doesn't quite extend to the heights of its asking price, so it'll be down to sound quality to deliver the final verdict.

Philips introduces new 16GB GoGear Muse PMP.

Philips' GoGear Muse boasts a predictably glossy motif, 16GB of internal storage space and a 3-inch display. As it overtakes the Opus for the company's top-of-the-line player, it also gains support for BMP, GIF, PNG, OGG, APE, Real Video and Real Audio formats, and just in case you're curious, it'll also handle those ultra-rare "MP3" things as well. Philips asserts that users could see up to 25 hours of audio playback on a single charge, while watching Family Guy re-runs could suck it dry in just 5 hours. As with pretty much everything else that Philips produces these days, it'll first hit Singapore for S$349 (or around $244 in Greenbacks), with only a faint chance of ever seeing significant action here in North America. One more look is after the break.

Grant Fidelity's $3,200 Impression II weds CD player, tube amp!!!

It's a $3,200 CD player, which will be impossible to justify for pretty much anyone not featured on Joan Rivers' newest TV show. Designed and produced by Grant Fidelity, the CD-1000 Impression II packs a high-end Sanyo CD drive, tube analog output, tube headphone amplifier and a rather basic display screen, while the "anti-vibration aluminum chassis" tries as hard as it can to look both unorthodox and absurdly expensive. It's hard to say if your burnt MP3 discs will actually sound better on this thing (okay, so they won't), but at least you can rest easy knowing that shipping on this 50 pound beast is completely gratis.

Sherwood's new 700W R-904N NetBoxx AV receiver

Not sure if you've noticed, but CEDIA has just kicked off down in the ATL. One of the first to introduce something genuinely fresh is Sherwood (of all companies), with its R-904N NetBoxx pulling double duty as a 7.1-channel AV receiver and an internet media portal. For starters, the compact set-top-box looks nothing like a typical AVR, but you'll still find 700 total watts of amplification, three HDMI 1.3 inputs, one Toslink input, a pair of coaxial audio inputs and support for Dolby Volume, Dolby TruHD and DTS-HD Master high-resolution audio formats. Once you're done hooking up your music makers, feel free to shove an Ethernet cable in there and witness its ability to pull down material from PlayOn (Hulu, Netflix, CBS, CNN, ESPN, Amazon, etc.), CinemaNow, YouTube and SHOUTcast. There's also a USB socket for loading up media locally, and at just 17- x 10- x 2.5-inches, it shouldn't take up too much room underneath your current HDTV. It'll set you back $649.95 when it ships later this month, and you can feel free to dig even deeper in the full release just past the break.

Samsung I5700 Galaxy Lite running Android

Well, what do we have here? Looks like someone's got their hands on Samsung's low-cost, Android-packin' I5700 Galaxy Lite. It should include a: a 3.2 megapixel camera, 1GB memory, and an AMOLED display.

ASUS Designo MS Series is 16.5mm thin, venerates form over function

Imagine yourself a dozen years ago, inhabiting the age of the CRT monitor, where a depth of 16.5 centimeters was considered a space-saving solution. Now open your eyes, breathe in the fresh air of modernity, and gaze upon ASUS's new line of 16.5mm deep monitors with the admiration they deserve. Coming out with no less than five models ranging from 23.6 to 20 inches -- MS246, MS236, MS226, MS227 and MS202 -- ASUS has strapped touch-sensitive buttons to 2ms response panels with 250 nits of brightness, and a 50,000:1 dynamic (boo!) contrast ratio. The top three models feature Full HD resolution and HDMI, while the 22-inch MS227 makes do with 1680 x 1050 and the MS202 gets downgraded to a 5ms response time and 1600 x 900 resolution. Prices aren't yet available

Acer launches HX2000 and FHX3200 LCD monitors.

Got a thing for glossy black, narrow bezels and decent resolutions? If so, why not have a gander at Acer's latest duo? Announced this fine morning over in Japan, the HX2000 is a 20-inch panel with a 1,600 x 900 resolution, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 300 nits of brightness and a five millisecond response time. The big brother has admittedly garnered the majority of our love, as the 23-inch FHX2300 packs a 40,000:1 contrast ratio, 300 nits of brightness, a five millisecond response time, an HDMI socket and a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution. There's no word yet on pricing and availability for the little guy, but the large card should launch soon in the Land of the Rising Sun for around ¥20,000 ($214).

Sony Ericsson Aino and Satio hitting the UK on October 7

It's not like we didn't know this already, but Sony Ericsson has now officially confirmed an October UK release for its latest pair of handsets. The half-Swedish, half-Welsh mobile empire has set the seventh day of the tenth month of whatever year this is as the date for a nice little corporate get-together and unveiling of whatever little details haven't been seen or pored over by now. The Aino slider hopes to capture fans with its slender looks and PS3 Remote Play skills, while the Satio (formerly known as the Idou, pictured) works the multimedia phone crowd with a 12.1 megapixel cam and a 3.5-inch 16:9 display.

ASUKA's SK700 digiframe adds DVB-T!!

Truth be told, ASUKA's first digital photo frame with integrated DVB-T wasn't all that invigorating, so it should come as no surprise that its second one has also failed to get our juices flowing. Of course, we may have felt entirely different if we called South Korea home, but until mobile TV takes off here in the States, we can rest soundly knowing that nothing of this sort will ever make its way into the mainstream. The SK700 that you see above quietly debuted this past week at IFA, bringing with it a 7-inch touchscreen, integrated DVB-T tuner, 800 x 480 resolution, FM reception, multimedia playback, real-time TV recording, 2GB or 4GB of built-in memory, a pair of stereo speakers and even an AV input. There's no word on a price or release date just yet, but you'll probably have to look real hard to spot this one in between the me-toos scattered about.

HTC Tattoo (aka, Click) brings Android

This one sure took awhile but the oft leaked HTC Click has been renamed and kicked out the door as the Tattoo. While HTC is light on specs with the press release, we know it has a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, 3.5-mm headset jack, and microSD expansion. And besides being small and compact, the Tattoo can be personalized with owner-designed covers -- hence the name. The HTC Tattoo lands in Europe early October before hitting select global markets in the months to follow.

The specs: 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7225 processor, 512MB/256MB ROM/RAM, 106 x 55.2 x 14-mm / 113 grams, 2.8-inch touchscreen LCD pushing 240x320 QVGA pixels, 900/2100MHz HSPA/UMTS and quad-band GSM/EDGE, internal GPS, 802.11b/g WiFi, digital compass, accelerometer, and Bluetooth 2.0. Not bad for a mass-market device.