Intel Gives Its Classmate PC a Makeover

Intel unveiled an updated version of its Classmate PC laptop at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in Shanghai, but changes made to the device are largely cosmetic–at least for now.

The new Classmate PC has a sleeker look than its predecessor, and should appeal to a broader range of users. It also offers the option of a 9-inch screen instead of a 7-inch screen, and can have a built-in video camera.

However, most of the laptop’s internal components remain largely unchanged from the original Classmate PC. The new laptop also retains the soft plastic cover that does double-duty as a carrying handle.

Pictures of the updated Classmate PC slipped out ahead of IDF when a Malaysian PC maker unveiled the device at an event, and pictures appeared online last week. A product sheet for the new laptop was also leaked from a U.S. PC maker, giving observer a first glimpse of the machine.

Like its predecessor, the latest Classmate PC runs Linux or Windows XP and can include specialized software for schools.

One of the most useful improvements to the new Classmate PC design is the location of its memory-card slot. In the first version, this was located behind the laptop hinge and was hidden by the plastic cover.

This slot was moved to the right side of the chassis in the new version, where it remains protected from dust by a rubber cover but is more easily accessible.

The keyboard remains the same size on the new Classmate PC, and most adults will likely find the keys a bit cramped for extended typing. But Intel has added color to the function keys to make them stand out more. In addition, the trackpad is larger, making it easier to use for adult-sized fingers.

Both Classmate PC versions are based on the 900MHz Celeron M processor and available with either hard drives or solid-state drives, which use flash memory chips instead of a spinning magnetic platter. The solid-state drives are available in 1GB and 2GB capacities.

Mozilla Launches Final Firefox 3.0 Beta

Firefox 3.0 Beta 5 landed on Mozilla’s download servers on Wednesday.

Mike Beltzner, Mozilla’s interface designer, highlighted several changes to the open-source browser, including improved UI integration with the underlying operating system, performance gains from additional changes to the JavaScript engine, and an unspecified number of bug fixes and modifications for features new in Firefox 3.0, such as the full-page zoom and bookmark backup and restore.

Beltzner also called out other speed optimizing changes “to improve performance over previous releases as measured by the popular SunSpider [JavaScript] test from Apple, and in the speed of Web applications like Google [ Gmail ] and Zoho Office.”

Beta 5’s release was delayed somewhat by the discovery last week of a serious bug in the Mac version of the browser, which required fixing before Mozilla would sign off on the preview.

Updated release notes also published today noted that Beta 5 includes more than 750 changes since the rollout of Beta 4 about three weeks ago.

Last Beta

Today’s beta will be the last for Firefox 3.0, Mozilla’s chief engineer has said, and developers will be moving on to Release Candidate 1 (RC1). In notes from a Monday meeting that have been posted to the Mozilla Web site, the code-freeze date for the release candidate has been set as next Tuesday.

Mike Schroepfer, Mozilla’s vice president of engineering, said last week that he expects Firefox 3.0 to run through three release candidates before the final version. Mozilla has targeted June for delivering the browser.

Firefox 3 Beta 4 can be downloaded for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in 40 languages from Mozilla’s site .

However, as has been its practice with every beta, Mozilla again warned casual users against using the preview. “Firefox 3 Beta 5 is a developer preview release of Mozilla’s next generation Firefox browser and is being made available for testing purposes only,” the release notes read.

Dlink Launches Xtreme N Router

D-Link launched its Xtreme N router DIR-655, using the latest Draft 802.11n wireless technology, in the Indian market.

The D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655) is designed for consumers, small businesses and gamers. The Xtreme N family is designed for larger homes and offices with high-speed Internet using multiple PCs, game consoles and other digital home devices such as streaming media adapters.

With faster speeds and further range than that found in 802.11g wireless products, the D-Link Xtreme N Router claims to be industry’s first Gigabit Draft N router to incorporate Intelligent Wireless Quality of Service (QoS) Technology that automatically prioritizes high-bandwidth, latency-sensitive wireless data traffic, allowing users to experience smooth streaming HD video, lag-free gaming and jitter-free voice over Internet (VoIP) calls. The D-Link XtremeN QoS is powered by StreamEngine technology from Ubicom.

The Xtreme N router also ships with Gigabit local area network (LAN) and Gigabit wide area network (WAN) ports. In addition, the Xtreme N router comes with an integrated wireless security wizard, Windows Connect Now (WCN) support for easily connecting WCN-enabled devices, Network Magic’s management features from Pure Networks, removable antennas for flexible installation, and a wall-mount option.

The D-Link DIR-655 router is available for Rs. 12,500.

Gigabyte Unveils Graphics Accelerator

Gigabyte launched their new graphic accelerator, the GV-NX98X1GHI-B.

The graphic accelerator is equipped with nVidia’s latest dual on-board graphics processors and features 1 GB GDDR3 memory and 256 stream processors to provide 3D game rendering.

The GV-NX98X1GHI-B supports native High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) for the highest level of graphics realism and film-quality multimedia effects and is integrated with Quad nVidia SLI Technology.

The Gigabyte GV-NX98X1GHI-B also features NVIDIA’s latest advanced technologies including GigaThread technology, which, through the use of a massively multi-threaded architecture, is able to create thousands of independent, simultaneous threads, providing extreme processing efficiency for advanced, next generation shader programs. Additionally, the Gigabyte GV-NX98X1GHI-B supports nVidia’s Quantum Effects technology, enabling a new level of physics effects to be simulated and rendered on the GPU.

Priced at Rs. 39,900, the Gigabyte GV-NX98X1GHI-B also features the Lumenex engine, which introduces 16x Anti-aliasing and 128-bit floating point High-Dynamic-Range (HDR), for ultra realistic rendering of lighting effects.

Sharp Launches New Multimedia Projectors

Sharp launched their new series of multimedia projectors — XR-40X/XR-30X/XR-30S facilitating long-lasting high-quality performance with easy operation. Its advanced optoelectronics technology maximizes light output, providing crystal clear images at high brightness.

The Sharp Notevision XR-40 and XR-30 Series projectors are built to handle most business, education or cinema projection requirements. They utilize the Texas Instruments DDR DLP display technology in combination with TrueVision (DDP2000) image processing.

The Condenser Lens Optical System provides 2200:1 contrast ratio (2000:1 in XR-30S), along with crisp, bright and detailed images from both computer and video sources. Powerful standard features like DVI-D input, short-throw zoom lens, HDTV compatibility and up to 3,000-hour lamp life.

To enhance color accuracy, the XR Educator XR-30 and XR-40 Series incorporates a 3X speed (maximum) color wheel which ensures that all projected images are uniform and void of the rainbow effect common in other projectors . Also, the non-contact Fluid Dynamics Bearings for the high-speed rotating color wheel axle have a longer lifespan.

Its light weighs 6.4 lbs. (2.9 kg), so that one can easily carry it to their home theater room and view DVDs on a large screen or even bring the projector along with them to provide business presentations by connecting it to the computer.

These projectors optical mechanism is sealed in its structure, which prevents dust, dirt, and smoke from entering core parts of the optics to a much greater degree than LCD projectors. The system also needs no filter and less maintenance, resulting in lower cost of ownership and longer use.

Full digital projection with the DVI input terminal and DLP system enables virtually noise-free images from digital sources. The terminal also complies with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) to support digital video content in high-definition.

Projectors can be connected to DVD players, cable or satellite boxes, laptop and desktop computers, HDTV tuners, VCRs and video game consoles

Projectors also feature Direct Power Off (Instant Off), Spot light function, GUI Pointer (non IR image pointer), Theft Deterrent “System Lock”, Quick start within 3 seconds.

The XR-40X is priced at Rs. 85,000,  XR-30X is priced at Rs 59,000 and XR-30S is priced at Rs 47,000. These are available at all Sharp’s dealer outlets and through all I.T. channels across India.