IBM and Lenovo recall Sony batteries
It just gets worse for the Sony and their battery debacle...

If you own a IBM/Lenovo laptop make sure your not affected by this recall.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lenovo has recalled just 526,000 ThinkPad notebook battery packs because of a risk of fire. The battery packs were made by Sony.

Although only one report of a fire has been noted, that incident occurred on an airplane at Los Angeles International Airport earlier this month, inside a ThikPad T43 notebook. Lenovo promptly obtained the notebook and began investigations.

To be safe, Lenovo has recalled ThinkPad battery packs associated with the following model numbers: the T Series (T43, T43p, T60); R Series (R51e, R52, R60, R60e); and X Series (X60, X60s), according to Lenovo.

The battery packs and notebook PCs were sold between February 2005 and September 2006, Lenovo said.

The batteries may be identified with an "ASM" or a "FRU" number; affected ASMs include 92P1072, 92P1088, 92P1142, 92P1170, and 92P1174. Affected FRU (field replaceable units) include the following codes: 92P1073, 92P1089, 92P1141, 92P1169 or 93P5028, and 92P1173 or 93P5030.

Customers are encouraged to call Lenovo at (800) 426-7378 anytime or log on to Lenovo's battery recall web site to determine if they have an affected battery.

Read all about it here, courtesy of pcmag.com:

-Eric

Terascale processing brings 80 cores to your desktop.
It's under development, but if Intel has thier way it will eventually exist.

Hope those coders get cracken' on the dual and quad core optimization, because soon they will really have their work cut out for them!

Defining the Architecture

I should note here that though this technology is something that Intel is currently working on, it is NOT a product in development. It may become one, but Intel has indicated that for now this is all for research purposes only; surely something LIKE this will be seen in the coming years, but it may not have these exact specifications.

ure, we are talking about processors with as many as 100+ cores on them, but what will those cores look like? This slide shows the past (single core processors), present (multi-core processors) and future. These CPUs using 10s-100s of processors will be utilizing something LIKE the current IA (Intel Architecture) but optimized for low power and multithreading communication. They might all share some cache and each have their own local cache, but we are talking smaller amounts than the current 4 MB we are looking at in today’s quad core processors.

These new cores will obviously be single threaded, but will still retain the raw processing power of their single, large core cousins (from years gone by). Think of each having the same 32 Gigaflops performance, running at 4 GHz: if we think of the large core processor having a die size of 21 mm^2 and the new small core taking up a die size of 6mm^2, that is a difference of 1.5 Gigaflops / mm^2 on the large core and 6.4 Gigaflops / mm^2 on the small core. Now you can begin to see how the scale will bring processing power (though simplified instructions power) to a terascale CPU.

Read all about it here courtesy of pcper.com.

-Eric

New triple layer DVD may end "Format Wars"
If this is true, imagine the ripped songs and games you could cram on one of these babies...

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) -- The format war around next generation DVDs may be over before it has begun, thanks to a breakthrough from a British media technology company.

Britain-based New Medium Enterprises (NME) said on Tuesday it had solved a technical production problem that makes it possible to produce a cheap multiple-layer DVD disk containing one film in different, competing formats.

"Current technologies to create multiple layer disks mostly don't work. We've created a technology for mass production of multiple layers that does not suffer from the well known problem of low yields," said NME Chief Technology Officer Eugene Levich.

A low yield means that many DVDs coming off the manufacturing lines are not working and have to be discarded.

The production costs of a multi-layer DVD using the new NME technology are estimated to be around 9 cents, compared with the 6 cents for a standard single-layer play-back DVD, according to Dutch company ODMS, one of the world's leading makers of production lines for optical disks.

This 50 percent cost increase compares favorably with the current generation of multi-layer recordable DVD disks which cost 3 to 5 times as much to produce than a single layer disk, due to low yields.

The technological breakthrough comes one week after three employees at movie studio Warner Bros. filed a patent for the application of multiple formats on a single DVD disc.

"There's no collision between Warner and us. They patent the application, we are patenting the technology. These are complementary patents. I'm glad it's happened. Warner opened our eyes, because it shows they really want to do this and create multi-format, multi-layer disks," Levich said.

Time Warner is the world's largest media company and owns Warner Bros. Former Warner Home Video President James Cardwell joined NME as a board member last month.

Read all about it here, courtesy of CNN.com:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/ptech/09/26/dvd.formats.reut/index.html

-Eric

No Safe Browser!
No matter what browser you pick, they are all at risk of being vulnerable...

Whether you are using Firefox or Internet Explorer, Maxthon or Opera, there is no "safe" browser. This statement comes from Symantec as part of its twice-yearly Internet Security Threat Report, which showed attackers were no longer primarly focusing on Internet Explorer.

While Internet Explorer remains the most frequently targeted browser, accounting for 47 percent of all attacks, in the first six months of this year more vulnerabilities have appeared in Mozilla Firefox than within IE. 47 flaws were discovered in Firefox, compared with 38 for IE.

"In order to protect against Web browser attacks, Symantec advises users and administrators to upgrade all browsers to the latest, patched versions," Symantec recommended.

Even Apple was not immune to security issues, with 12 vulnerabilities found during the report's period. In addition, some issues affected multiple browsers, which Symantec said comprised 31 percent of all attacks during the period.

Read all about it here, courtesy of betanews.com:
http://www.betanews.com/article/Symantec_Says_Theres_No_Safe_Browser/1159217023

-Eric

Apple to use AMD processors in the future?
I have been saying that Apple/AMD would have been the more logical team. Now, I just might be proven right.

There was a lot of controversy in the Mac community when Apple announced they would begin using Intel processors in their newest machines. That's all said and done now, though, and it seems yet another door has opened. AMD is hinting that soon they will be providing Apple with processors as well:

This week, Ruiz delivered a key note at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, indicating that Apple would be using -- not switching -- AMD processors in the near future. "Knowing Apple, why would they want to be held hostage like everyone else has been? Everybody wants choice," said Ruiz.
Being held hostage is a harsh term, though keep in mind AMD has been taking to Intel to court for years over vendor locking. Interestingly enough, the article mentions that Apple has sold more Macs the year they switched to Intel CPUs over any previous year, meaning their switch to x86 may have been a long time in coming. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if they offered AMD-equipped Macs as well.

Read all about it here, courtesy of techspot.com:
http://www.techspot.com/news/22977-Apple-to-use-AMD-processors-in-the-future.html

-Eric

Users of Internet Explorer vulnerable to Zero Day Exploit Virus
This virus causes IE to crash amongst other nasty little things

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- ByteCrusher today confirmed the beta version of its innovative WindowZones security application protects Microsoft Internet Explorer users from harm as a result of a new zero day attack.

The new zero day attack was first identified in the wild on September 18th but has previously been in place for an unknown amount of time. Exploits of this recently discovered vulnerability in IE are being used to, among other things, install spyware onto the users' personal computers. Many IE users may have already been exposed unknowingly. It is important for users to understand that though such exploits are primarily being hosted by pornographic websites, they may propagate to mainstream websites at any time. Using WindowZones to run IE in the SafeZone will protect users at day zero and beyond.

WindowZones is a paradigm-shifting security application that dramatically reduces the infection opportunity from exploits such as this most recent IE critical flaw. WindowZones works in conjunction with anti-virus and anti- spyware defenses to protect computers. Because WindowZones works by proactively giving applications only the rights they need to run, there are no delays in protection and there are no signature updates required. Users get a first - and last - line of defense simply by using WindowZones, virtually eliminating zero-day attacks.

WindowZones is currently in beta and available for download from http://www.windowzones.com . The final release is expected in October 2006.

About ByteCrusher

ByteCrusher develops and publishes innovative software designed to protect Windows computer users. It's first product, WindowZones, was released on beta on September 14, 2006. Several other software applications are also in development, including a complementary security product providing additional day zero protection expected to be released by the end of 2006.

The ByteCrusher team is lead by veteran software developers and business executives previously employed by Microsoft Corporation, Drugstore.com, and others. The team is putting the finishing touches on the commercial version of WindowZones, expected to be released October 2006.

    NOTE:  Trademarks used within are the property of their respective owners.

   Press Contact:
   Allen Nieman
   425-270-6211
   allenn@bytecrusher.com
   www.windowzones.com 

This press release distributed by PRWEB (http://www.prwebdirect.com ), a service of eMediaWire.

Read all about it here, courtesy of biz.yahoo.com:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060921/sfth009.html?.v=67

-Eric

Intel Bring Wireless To The Amazon
How come folks in the Amazon rain forrest can get a wireless signal, but I can't get a wireless signal two rooms away in my house?!?! Oh yeah, its beacuse of a little thing called WiMAX...

PARINTINS, Brazil, Sept. 20, 2006 – In one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth, the Amazon, Intel Corporation has created a wireless, high-speed Internet network for residents to access vast resources of medical, educational and commercial knowledge through computers. The project is part of the Intel World Ahead Program, an initiative in which Intel plans to invest more than $US 1 billion globally over the next 5 years to accelerate access to computers, the Internet and technology for people in developing communities.

The digital transformation of Parintins, a town on an island in the Amazon River, is expected to improve the healthcare and education of its 114,000 residents and advance the lives of future generations.

“Technology has expanded what is possible in Parintins,” said Intel Chairman Craig Barrett at a dedication ceremony today in the Amazon rain forest. “It is now a place where wireless broadband links to the Internet bring the expertise of specialists, sophisticated medical imaging and the world’s libraries to a community reachable only by airplane or boat.”

Read all about it here, courtesy of Intel.com:
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20060920corp.htm

-Eric

Logitech Play Link
The easiest way to go wireless for your Xbox, Xbox360, PS2 or PC...

Logitech says that the pre-paired and encrypted transceivers can transmit data at 1.5Mbps up to 100ft through walls, ceilings and other obstacles making it ideal for people that have their broadband internet connection in one room and their console / PC in another. While the Play Link can be a standalone product for a single device requiring a broadband connection, it doesn’t eliminate the need for a home network if you have more than one networked device. Before we get too far into the different ways the Play Link can be used, let’s take a look at what comes in the retail box.

Logitech’s Play Link comes with the following:

• Two pre-paired Play Link Receivers
• Two AC power adapters
• Two Network Cables
• Owner’s Manual
• Quick Start Guide

Read all about it here, courtesy of HardOCP:
http://console.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTE2MSwxLCxoY29uc29sZQ==

-Eric

Free Computer Security Software Not Catching On
Free is great, only if you know how to use it...



"I absolutely don't argue that the highly tech-savvy consumer will and can search the Web for freeware and knock out 90, maybe 95 percent of the risk," said Lane Bess, Trend Micro Inc.'s (TMC) general manager for consumer products. "That's not the largest [base of] consumers out there."

Most people, he said, would rather install a package — for $50 in Trend Micro's case — that does everything.

Free often means cobbling a package together:

• Taking the basic firewall that comes with the Service Pack 2 version of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP, or getting a stronger one like Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.'s (CHKP) Zone Alarm to monitor and block outbound traffic as well;

• Adding anti-virus protection from a high-speed Internet provider like Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) or Time Warner Inc.'s (TWX) Road Runner;

• Obtaining one or more free spyware removal tools like Spybot Search & Destroy;

• Installing a toolbar from EarthLink Inc. (ELNK) or elsewhere to block Web sites known to engage in e-mail "phishing" scams.

Even AOL's free all-in-one package, which uses technology from McAfee Inc. (MFE) and others, is incomplete, said Joel Davidson, an AOL executive vice president for products and technologies.

Read all about it here, courtesy of Foxnews.com:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,214285,00.html

-Eric

Top 10 Most stressful Jobs...IT is #1
Nothing new here, those of us in IT already knew this. Now how about that national holiday....

According to 33 News abc survy IT experts are more likely to suffer from stress than any other professional , A staggering 97 percent of people working in IT claim to find their life at work stressful on a daily basis.The poll revealed that IT professionals say it is difficult to get the work done when managers are constantly on their backs.

One IT respondent said: “I spend most of my day fielding calls from people who don’t even have a basic knowledge of computers and printers.“It is amazing the amount of time I spend teaching people where the on-off button is.
“And when I do actually find a technical problem to solve, I have my manager breathing down my neck wondering why I have a backlog of complaints.”
People working in medical professions have the second most stressful job – with 96.8 percent saying caring for others is rewarding but traumatic on the same hand.

Engineers, Sales and Marketing professionals and Teachers also have demanding roles, according to the poll.

Poll Results :

• TOP TEN STRESSFUL PROFESSIONS
1. IT
2. Medicine / Caring Profession
3. Engineering
4. Sales and Marketing
5. Education
6. Finance
7. Human Resources
8. Operations
9. Production
10. Clerical
• TOP TEN WORK STRESSES
1. Workload
2. Feeling undervalued
3. Deadlines
4. Type of work people have to do
5. Having to take on other people’s work
6. Lack of job satisfaction
7. Lack of control over the working day
8. Having to work long hours
9. Frustration with the working environment
10. Targets
    

Read all about it here, courtesy of eknowledger.spaces.live.com:
http://eknowledger.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!F475D4DE444DB1AB!1111.entry

-Eric

NVIDIA's PureVideo HD Interview and Experiences
NVIDIA explains the differences of HD DVD vs. Blu-ray, and the what you need to get the most out of your future high definition pc...

Looking for HD on your PC or HTPC? What video cards, displays, hardware, software? We ask some pointed questions of NVIDIA about making this happen and then tell you about our experiences with HD-DVD and NVIDIA's PureVideHD technology.

If you want to watch new HD DVD or Blu-ray movies on your computer, you will need a HD DVD or Blu-ray drive to start with. Then you will need NVIDIA’s ForceWare v92.91 Beta driver assuming you are using an NVIDIA video card, and player like CyberLink’s PowerDVD 6.5 HD that supports HD movies. If you are using an analog connection to connect an analog or digital display, you don’t need more hardware or anything special till Hollywood starts putting the ICT on their HD movies, rumored to happen in 2010.

If you are outputting your HD DVD or Blu-ray movie to a digital display, with a digital connection, things get a bit more difficult and you will need a couple more pieces of hardware in addition to what is talked about above. To keep a purely digital signal from one end to the other, you will first need a video card that has HDCP support provided by an included cryptorom chip on the video card itself. Then the digital connection between the video card and the digital display must either be DVI or HDMI. Then the digital display must have the cryptorom chip as well that makes it HDCP compliant also.

So all in all, if you are going to want to keep a fully digital signal for your HD DVD or Blu-ray movies, you are going to need a HDCP compliant video card and HDCP compliant digital display. Without these two things you will be forced to use an analog connection. I hope your LCD display has one.

A full list of HDCP compliant video cards is being kept in our Video Cards Forum along with a lot of other information.

The Bottom Line

Keep in mind these are Beta drivers and NVIDIA is working day and night to chase the bugs out. That said, the ForeWare v92.91 Beta driver and included PureVideo HD technology (To be released on 9/14/06 at nZone.) were extremely stable for me on all the systems we tested it on. There is fine tuning that needs to be done, but that is to be expected with Beta software. The HD DVD movie experience that I had on my PC was stellar and will actually make you wonder, “Just how much more detail do I want to see in Don Cheadle’s face?”

Given that just a few years ago, all that 3D cards “had” to do was play games on CRTs and support a couple of LCD panel displays, the world has greatly changed. Many of us are looking to companies like NVIDIA to help usher in a totally new medium in high definition content. With this comes support for not only CRTs and LCDs, but displays of all natures. The PC has changed and is now moving into our living rooms and taking an entertainment roll that was not PC-centric at all a few years ago. Conversely the PC is bringing the living room and entertainment into our work spaces. Seeing NVIDIA’s Beta PureVideo HD technology work so well this far ahead of the curve is impressive to say the least. Now to just find that inexpensive HD DVD player…

Read all about it here, courtesy of HardOCP.com:
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTE2NiwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

-Eric

Corsair "Dominator" memory modules
Its time to re-think how you view memory...literally

This new memory modules from Corsair looks bad-ass. I know I would jam 2 gigs of this new bad boy in my gaming rig. Actually, I wonder if I could rig these to the new Mac Pro...hmm.

Corsair and NVIDIA have jointly developed a new open standard that enhanced the Serial Presence Detect (SPD). This exciting new development simplifies the overclocking process while ensuring platform and component compatibility. EPP compatible motherboards can access and take advantage of added performance capability and information. The result: simplified overclocking for beginners and unparalleled control for experts. All XMS2 DOMINATOR modules feature EPP.

Read all about it here, courtesy of Corsair.com:
http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair/dominator.html

-Eric

Build your own laptop...sort of
Your not buiding the whole laptop, but still this is an interesting concept...

For those looking for the grand, sweeping analysis of the consumer experience that we do for our system evaluations, you aren’t going to find that in this article. We’ll still cover the performance metrics - WorldBench, DVD encoding, battery economy (since it’s a laptop), and gaming - but the System Build section will be replaced by a “System Assembly” section where we will walk through putting your machine together. There was no official purchase of this system (since you can’t buy it yet), so there was neither a purchasing experience to talk about nor a tech support package to evaluate.

Likewise, because we didn’t purchase this system and it is currently unavailable for retail purchase, it will not be scored. However, we’ll be looking at the feasibility of this initiative by Asus and what it means for all of us as consumers.

At the end, you should have a good idea of what it takes to put one of these units together and what kind of performance you can expect from it.

Read all about it here, courtesy of HardOCP.com:
http://consumer.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTE2NSwxLCxoY29uc3VtZXI=

-Eric

Logitech Play Link
The easiest way to online game with your console of choice...

Have a gaming console, a broadband connection and a desire for online gaming? Are you known to your friends and family as the guy who can't change a lightbulb? The Logitech Play Link is the answer to your prayers, it's a dream to set up and you will be fraggin' online with the best of them in minutes!

Logitech Play Link

From the Logitech website: Logitech today eliminated a major nuisance for online gamers: connecting a gaming system to an inconveniently located broadband Internet connection. The new Logitech® Play Link™ wireless extension offers one-step wireless. Consumers just plug it in and play online games on their PlayStation®2, Xbox® and PC game networks, even if their Internet connection is on the other side of the house.

With the Logitech Play Link wireless extension, there is no need for expensive, complicated wireless networks, no software to configure, and no drilling through walls or running cables under carpets. Instead, the Play Link wireless extension consists of two small wireless transceiver boxes. One plugs into the Ethernet port of an Internet router or modem and the other plugs into a game console, PC or other device — instantly providing a wireless broadband connection.


Read all about it here, courtesy of HardOCP.com:
http://console.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTE2MSwxLCxoY29uc29sZQ==

-Eric

Patriot Day
All gave some, some gave all...

There will be no technology articles today in the 3DCOOL blogs. This is a small token of acknowledgement of the attacks that took place on U.S. soil 5 years ago today. With the deepest respect and utmost reverence, we all as Americans should take time out of our day today and think about those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93. Take another moment to hug someone you love and let them know how precious they are. Five years ago today, many loved ones never came home.

On the fifth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, we recall the fire and horror at the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. America will always remember the thousands of innocent lives taken by the enemies of freedom that morning.

In the face of these unspeakable attacks, we were reminded that the great strength of America is found in the hearts and souls of our citizens. We witnessed firefighters, police officers, other public safety officials, and ordinary Americans demonstrate extraordinary courage, risking their lives to save innocent victims. We saw our country united in compassion as Americans came together to provide relief and bring hope to others.

Today, America is fighting a war that is testing our Nation's resolve. We are once again answering history's call with confidence, and we know that freedom will prevail. Our brave men and women in uniform have stepped forward to fight our enemies abroad so that we do not have to face them here at home, and we are grateful for the courageous individuals bringing terrorists to justice around the world.

We are also confronting the extremists in the great ideological struggle of the 21st century. September the 11th made clear that, in the long run, the only way to secure our Nation is to advance liberty and democracy as the great alternatives to repression and radicalism. By working together with our friends and allies, we are helping spread the blessings of freedom and laying the foundations of peace for generations to come.

The events of September 11, 2001, will always be a defining moment in our history. We hold the victims and their families in our hearts, and we lift them up in our prayers.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2006, as Patriot Day. I call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half staff on Patriot Day. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance services, to display the flag at half staff from their homes on that day, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent Americans and people from around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Read all about it here courtesy of Whitehouse.gov:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060907-7.html

-Eric

In Latvian "Vista" means "fowl", M$ not amused
Sometimes you just can't hide the truth...lol

Looks like the word "Vista" means "fowl" in Latvian. It sure is gonna be a tough sell in that country...

by Aija Lulle Thu Sep 7, 6:29 AM ET

RIGA (AFP) - As global software giant Microsoft proudly previewed its Windows Vista operating system, in the small Baltic nation of Latvia, people were clutching their sides about the system's name -- which means 'fowl' in Latvian.

Worse still, it's a slang term for a frumpy woman.

"Everybody in my office bursts out laughing whenever I start talking about the new operating system," 26-year-old customer assistance manager Zanis, who works in the Latvian capital, Riga, told AFP.

"Sure, the Microsoft people in the US cant be expected to understand all languages, but this really is funny," he said.

Arvis, an IT manager of a chain of casinos in Riga, was also chuckling about Microsoft Frump. Or Fowl. No, make that Vista.

But, in an odd sort of way, he thinks the off-target name has hit the mark in Latvia.

"My people giggle about 'Vista', but I think it is positive because there are not many computer-related things that make you laugh," he said.

At Microsoft Latvia, they have opted to play up Vista's positive aspects and point energetically to the more poetic, international definition of the name.

Read all about it here, courtesy of NewsYahoo.com:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060907/tc_afp/usitsoftwarecompanymicrosoftlatvialanguageoffbeat

-Eric

Appeals Court Upholds Spammers Conviction
Precedence has been set, so let's get the rest of the spammers.

EP. 5 3:44 P.M. ET The Virginia Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld the nation's first felony conviction of illegal spamming.

Jeremy Jaynes, of Raleigh, N.C., considered among the top 10 spammers in the world at the time of his arrest, used the Internet to peddle pornography and sham products and services, prosecutors said. Thousands of people fell for his scam, grossing Jaynes' operations up to $750,000 per month, investigators said.

In its unanimous ruling, the appeals court wrote that Virginia has a "legitimate public interest" in policing unsolicited e-mail and that the state anti-spamming law's impact on interstate commerce "is incidental and clearly not excessive."

Read all about it here, courtesy of BusinessWeek.com:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8JUT7CG0.htm

-Eric

XFX GeForce 7900 GS 480M Extreme

Sensible mid-level performance purchase or best kept secret overclocking vid card....you decide

Introduction

It seems that right now both ATI and NVIDIA are very aggressively pushing new video cards out into the market to fill that ever growing desire for faster and cheaper video cards. This is great for gamers since competition helps drive prices down and performance up. Two weeks ago ATI launched a slew of new video cards into the market from the value-end to the high-end. Now this week NVIDIA is here to announce some new GPUs. Sorry folks, no DX10 GPU announcements yet. Instead, this is a continuation of NVIDIA’s GeForce 7 series line. NVIDIA is launching some new GPUs that bring higher performance to some very popular price points.

Read all about it here, courtesy of HardOCP:
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTE2MCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

-Eric

New iPods, iMac due September 12
Rejoyce Mac faithfull, new toys are coming...

I am drooling...a 23 inch iMac!!!!!
Dear Apple, please pack this baby with a Radeon x1950xtx or a GeForce 7950 GX2 with a Core Duo x6800 and 2 gigs of ram please!!!!

By Ryan Katz, Senior Editor

September 4, 2006 - Apple will take advantage of a September 12 media event to introduce the second-generation iPod nano, an updated 5G iPod, and upgraded iMacs, sources tell Think Secret.

Additional members of the media are slated to received invitations to the event this week, tipsters say, following the notification received by select European media outlets last week.

The event will be held near Apple's Cupterino, Calif. headquarters and will be carried by a private satellite feed to a central London location for members of the European press. While Apple will not be taking advantage of Apple Expo Paris—which also kicks off September 12—as a venue to introduce the new products, the new devices are said to be scheduled to be on display at that show.

New iMac

The September 12 event will also include the introduction of an upgraded iMac. As noted previously, the line is slated to receive faster Core 2 Duo processors and will also see the addition of a new, high-end 23-inch model.

Also rumored, but not confirmed, is that Apple will be introducing a VESA-compliant mounting kit or its own wall-mount for the new iMacs. Apple has not offered such an accessory since the original (pre-iSight) iMac G5.

Read all about it here, courtesy of Thinksecret.com:
http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0609sept12event.html

-Eric

Browser to Browser LARGE file swapping
P2P large file swapping just got a whole lot easier...this is gonna make RIAA's collective virtual head explode...

By Cade Metz

It's an old problem. For years, people have asked, "How can I quickly and easily swap large files across the Internet with people I know—friends, family, and colleagues?" The key word here is large. E-mail works just fine for the occasional small file, but it's not meant for bulky spreadsheets, big batches of photos, or digital video. AllPeers takes a stab at answering the question.

Yes, today's Web is crawling with photo- and video-sharing services. But all too often these are merely ways of posting images to the Web so that others can briefly look at them—as opposed to actually moving them from one PC to another. And what about files other than photos and videos? AllPeers, just released as a public beta, seeks to solve this problem by using peer-to-peer networking. The new service lets you send large files across the Net simply by dragging them onto your browser window. You can't send to someone unless they've installed AllPeers' app too, but once both of you have everything set up, you can zip files back and forth with ease.

Read all about it here, courtesy of PCMag.com:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2009842,00.asp

-Eric