NVIDIA just re-released it's 174.53, this time with Quad SLI support for Windows Vista. Some of the release highlights:

• Added support for GeForce 9800 GX2, including Quad SLI Technology.
• Added new PureVideo HD features for GeForce 9800 GX2:
• Dynamic Contrast Enhancement
• Dynamic Blue, Green & Skin Tone Enhancements
• Dual-Stream Decode Acceleration*
• Microsoft Vista Aero display mode compatibility for Blu-ray & HD DVD playback*

Download:

ForceWare 174.53 XP (32-bit )
ForceWare 174.53 XP (64-bit )
ForceWare 174.53 Vista (64-bit )
ForceWare 174.53 Vista (32-bit )

Product supported are the GeForce 9600 & 9800 series.

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While Panasonic's rugged Toughbook 30 has been strutting its stuff with a Core 2 Duo within, the poor, poor Toughbook 19 has been going without. No more, however, as Panny has just announced that it'll be boosting the speed and expanding the memory available in the beastly convertible tablet. Available now, the 5.1-pound rig is stuffed with a 1.06GHz U7500 processor (2MB L2 cache), up to 4GB of SDRAM, 80GB shock-mounted HDD, 10.4-inch daylight-readable display, a battery good for around seven hours, optional integrated WWAN / GPS / 2-megapixel webcam and a magnesium alloy case that won't mind getting trampled. So, what's the price for such an (almost) impossible-to-destroy machine? $3,199 and up, we're afraid.

Toughbook 19 joins flagship rugged Toughbook 30 in delivering Core 2 Duo technology for mission-critical applications in extreme environments; Eleven independently-verified mil-spec tests and more than 500 internal quality checks combine for unparalleled Panasonic reliability

Secaucus, NJ, March 25, 2008

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Mitsubishi has announced two models from its new "REAL Blu-ray" Blu-ray Disc recorder series. The two models are the "DVR-BZ200" with a 500-Gbyte HDD and the "DVR-BZ100" with a 250-Gbyte HDD. These are Mitsubishi's first Blu-ray recorders. Both models feature two tuners for each of terrestrial digital, BS digital and 110-degree CS digital broadcasts, so they can simultaneously record two digital broadcast programs in high definition (HD) mode. A terrestrial analog tuner is housed as well. For easy playback, recording and other operations, Mitsubishi incorporated its new "REALINK" capability compatible with its "REAL" LCD TVs in the recorders.

In addition to a standard remote controller, the Blu-ray recorders come up with another remote controller equipped with a touch screen LCD panel. To realize even easier operations, this controller displays necessary buttons on the LCD panel in accordance with the option chosen by the user. Mitsubishi REAL Blu-ray" Blu-ray Disc recorders DVR-BZ200 and DVR-BZ100 will be available in Japan from May24, 2008

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The folks over at Gametrailers have published a video-review of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2:


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Ever wanted to prank one of your co-workers? The Phantom Keystroker is your big chance to do so. It resembles a circuit board, but it's really a device of destruction. Well, it can destroy an unsuspecting co-worker's day anyway.

Here's how it works: Attach the Phantom Keystroker to any free USB port on the victim of your choice's computer. The Keystroker is said to emulate a keyboard and mouse and will perform random mouse movements and type out unusual text and phrases on his or her computer. This is the point when your victim will start freaking out and probably call IT.

You control whether you want the device to randomly type weird phrases, perform annoying mouse movements, or both, thanks to the "Jumper" setting. The Phantom Keystroker is compatible with any OS and sells for $24.99

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It's such good news to see broader SSD support. Toshiba announced it started mass production of multi-level cell (MLC) NAND memory based solid state drives. The first models to begin shipping this month have a capacity of 128GB and will feature a lightweight, 15 gram embedded module form factor.

To achieve performance levels of 100MB/second read and 40MB/second write in these first generation drives, Toshiba utilized a SATA II interface and an innovative MLC controller supporting fast read-write speed, parallel data transfer, and wear-leveling. As a result, Toshiba SSDs achieve overall PC Benchmark scores that are better than 5400 rpm and 7200rpm HDDs and comparable to selected SATA SLC NAND SSDs.

The SSD drives excel in Windows Vista boot speed, application loading, general usage and virus scan operations. Compared to hard disk drives, SSDs realize a number of advantages that address needs in the mobile computing market for performance, ruggedness, and lightweight, compact form factors.

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It's huge, no doubt. But MIU's HDPC must be to pack such a broad list of specifications. First spotted as a prototype back in 2006, the 163 x 67 x 24.5-mm / 387-gram brick is now expected to go retail in July for up to ₩500,000 or a US-equivalent pricing of just $500. That's dirt cheap for what they seem to promise:

• 4-inch, 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen display which slides out and flips over for the cellphone interface
• Up to a 1GHz VIA C7M ULV processor and 4GB of DDR2 memory
• Dual, Windows XP / Linux Qplus embedded OS
• Unspecified cellphone radio
• Maximum 1.3-inch 60GB hard disk (or 4GB SSD) and miniSD/microSD expansion
• 7-hour battery (or 90-hours at low power)
• 802.11b/g WiFi, Blueooth 2.0
• 2x USB, docking port, stereo speakers, QWERTY thumbpad and mouse
• What looks like a 5 megapixel camera
• DMB mobile television and external GPS add-on

All that tech allows the HDPC to function as a portable SatNav device, handheld gaming rig, cellphone, UMPC, PMP, eBook reader, digital camera, etc. Did we already tell you that it will cost less than $500?

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We're still a little hazy as to exactly what ASUS's new Splendid HD1 "video enhance card" actually does differently than most other 2D-enhanced devices, but the company claims it ratchets up 1080p video quality on both digital and analog outputs, and it'll fit in right along side those Splendid-based Xondar cards. Of course, it's also got HDCP (which is a start), but it's starting to smell a little gimmicky around here, splendid or not.

With the implementation of Asus

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The lightbulb of the future?

Luxim's plasma lightbulb

Silicon Valley's Luxim has developed a lightbulb the size of a Tic Tac that gives off as much light as a streetlight. News.com's Michael Kanellos talks to the company about its technology and its plans to expand into various markets.

http://news.zdnet.com/2422-13568_22-192842.html


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Luxim's plasma lightbulb

Silicon Valley's Luxim has developed a lightbulb the size of a Tic Tac that gives off as much light as a streetlight. News.com's Michael Kanellos talks to the company about its technology and its plans to expand into various markets.

Length: 01:34

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PCs from Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, Lenovo, and other major computer makers that contain a widely used Intel chipset can't be upgraded to Windows Vista Service Pack 1 if they're running certain drivers.
Microsoft has said that Vista SP1 won't work with "a small number of device drivers." The list, however, includes drivers for an Intel chipset that's found in thousands of PCs and laptops.

The affected chipset is Intel's 945G Express series, which is used in computers from virtually all major system vendors. It's also found on standalone motherboards sold by Asus. The 945G Express chipset driver versions between numbers 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403 won't work with Vista SP1, according to Microsoft.

Chipsets provide a connection point for all key subsystems within a PC. The 945G Express chipset includes Intel's GMA 950 graphics core, which also won't work with Vista SP1 if those drivers are used.

Microsoft is urging Vista users to update all of their hardware to the latest drivers before even attempting to install SP1.

The service pack also won't work with computers that use certain, widely-deployed audio drivers from Realtek and certain drivers for security devices manufactured by Symantec. Microsoft has published a full list of drivers that are incompatible with the service pack.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is continuing to receive reports from computer users who say Vista SP1 is wreaking havoc on their systems. A user going by the name "Apolauf" said the upgrade caused the mouse cursor on his tablet PC to disappear. The "right-click circle and the special pen mouse cursor ... are no longer functional" as well, said Apolauf, in a post on the Vista team blog. Bob Rife, a user from Canada, said in an e-mail to InformationWeek that SP1 caused one of his computer's two hard drives to become invisible to Windows Explorer and Acronis Disk Director. Rife said he complained to Microsoft, but has yet to receive a response.

Others reported having no problems. A user named "Zandor" said on the Vista team blog that his company successfully upgraded 614 computers to Vista SP1. "Great job, Windows team," wrote Zandor.

Microsoft made Vista SP1 widely available for the first time on Tuesday. The update includes more than 300 hot fixes designed to improve the operating system's speed, security, and stability.

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