GM Contract Flooring
Amazon has announced two new Kindle models, one with 3G and WiFi connectivity, the other offering WiFi access only. The two six-inch-screen devices are smaller and lighter than Amazon's previous six-inch-screen Kindle, and they have more features. The Kindle WiFi is priced at $139, and the Kindle 3G + WiFi goes for $189. Both can be pre-ordered now and will ship Aug. 27, Amazon said.
With 3D movies now mainstream fare in theaters and 3D TVs adorning retail shelves, it was only a matter of time before 3D consumer camcorders would begin to hit the market. That time was this week as two camcorder makers, Panasonic and DXG USA announced 3D camcorder products. Panasonic's 3D offering, the HDC-SDT750, is a camcorder-lens combo expected to sell in the United states for around $1,400.
Microprocessor maker Intel has announced that it has developed a research prototype that it says is the world's first silicon-based optical data connection with integrated lasers. The link can move up to 50 gigabits of data per second -- about as much data as that contained in an entire HD movie.
When I first heard the term "augmented reality," I expected nothing short of corneal implants and tiny, cloud-connected computer systems that run on body heat and live just under your skin. I imagined something that would add layers upon layers of information to the visual world we see every day.
Adobe has joined Microsoft's MAPP program, which provides members with information about security vulnerabilities before Microsoft releases its monthly patches. This will let Adobe, which has been plagued by security flaws, notify MAPP members about vulnerabilities in its apps so they can fix those problems more quickly.
Apple on Wednesday released Safari 5.0.1, the latest version of its Web browser. It has extensions enabled by default, as well as security patches. The extensions include tools for Twitter and other social networks, news and shopping. They are organized into categories and are available at the Safari Extensions Gallery.
Google's "Facebook killer" came a step closer to reality Wednesday, when it was revealed that the company has been talking with game makers for potential inclusion of their wares on a new social network. Originally brought to light by a tweet last month from Digg Founder Kevin Rose, the new "Google Me" offering could include games from Playdom, Electronic Arts' Playfish, and Zynga Game Network.
If you've been in IT long enough, you've probably heard someone observe that, for as long as there have been computers, there has been a long, slow pendulum swing between centralized and distributed computing paradigms. From mainframes, to remote terminals, to timesharing, to PCs, to client/server, to mobile devices, to cloud computing -- the pendulum has been easy to discern, though much harder to explain.
Sunbird Calendar could prove to be one of your most useful tools. If you work on multiple computers or lack constant access to Web-based apps like Google and Yahoo calendars, you can be cut off from calendar access at very inconvenient times. The Sunbird Calendar solves these and a variety of other problems.
The genomics industry, which provides reports about disease risk, ancestry, and drug reactions based on one's DNA, came under fire last week as a Congressional Committee held
hearings and the Government Accountability Office released an unscientific "study" of the sector. The GAO reportedly says that "fictitious consumers received test results that are misleading and of little or no practical use."
Google on Tuesday unveiled Google Apps for Government. It also announced that Google Apps has received federal information security certification. "With Google Apps for Government, we've gone beyond FISMA certification," Google spokesperson Andrew Kovacs told TechNewsWorld.
Apple released a flood of new products on Tuesday. It refreshed the Mac Pro and iMac lines, added a multi-touch desktop touchpad, and unveiled a 27-inch Cinema Display with a whole new set of bells and whistles. The iMacs are available now, with the multi-touch touchpad as an option; the new Mac Pros will hit the streets in August; and the Cinema Display will be available in September, Apple said.
