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Nokia developed and licensed a technology called Wibree a few years ago, and intended it to be an alternative for the current generation of Bluetooth technology. Wibree requires only a tenth of the energy consumed by its counterparts, and was developed for short distance communication between two devices, like say a Bluetooth headset and a mobile phone. And recently, a company called CSR demoed a new device powered by Wibree at a medical conference in Luxembourg.

What exactly did CSR demonstrate? Well, for one, they demoed an “ultra-low-power” version of the Bluetooth system required in pairing a BT headset and a mobile phone, claiming that their device can run up to 10 years on one button cell battery. Now while this is certainly not the first time that we’ve heard of something that last for years without charging, it’s hard to say something developed by Nokia would be bogus or unreliable.

Still, it would be interesting to see this technology developed in its full potential, since the current generation of BT headset’s batteries could really use a boost. Maybe we may even see the day of disposable BT headsets. That’s worth a try.

Via [Crave]

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I have to be honest here. On April 15, 2008, AMD launched its executive blog with Nigel Dessau writing the first entry. When I first heard about the blog I’m thinking, “Oh great, now I’m going to get some major insight into the inner-workings of AMD, vis-a-vis Intel’s many blogs,” where, if you have a keen eye and ever try to contact some of the bloggers via email to expand on details (and also maybe only if you’re a journalist), then they all but tell you what it’s like to work for Intel, the projects they’re on, and how things are going.

It’s actually quite exciting to read the things that are coming because many of them are discussed at the various conferences held around the globe where you can actually walk up to the very engineers creating the newest fangled things on your machine and say, “So, what’s this black box you’ve got here do?” Sometimes the inquisitor might hear stories of future technologies, or revamps of existing ones that are designed to improve for the next generation. And every now and again, you’ll get to hear about some really impressive research project that’s not quite ready for prime-time, but serves as a type of industry-indicator as to which direction the train will soon be heading.

In any event, if you’re interested in hearing about AMD’s 50×15 initiative, where AMD intends to have 50% of the world connected to the Internet by the year 2015, then don’t hesitate to stop by AMD’s blog. If, however, you want to learn about some really impressive technologies that are on the cutting edge, then feel free to stop by Intel’s blogs and spend hours getting lost in “technical bliss”.

AMD’s blog.

Intel’s blog categories (click on a link to find the blog).

What do you think? You be the judge.

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 16th 2008 at 6:17PM
Calculator watches, a staple of the average’s geek wardrobe since before your grandmother was born, have been called out, as David Jones’ own homegrown version totally trumps anything out there on the pre-fabricated market today. The cleverly-titled µWatch was born after a Casio CFX-400 bit the dust after years upon years of telling time and determining averages, and while it seems as though a bona fide front panel is still in the works, we’re personally hoping that currently unoccupied Design & Construction portal gets updated with a how-to guide. Check out the read link for a few more shots of the early prototype and the current build.

[Via OhGizmo]

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If you are a fan of manga or anime, often we see attempts to translate great storylines and intense drawn energy into live-action films - often with disappointing results. One notorious example that easily comes to mind is Guyver or The Bio-Booster Armor Guyver for you manga junkies. While the original anime series was great entertainment to watch, let’s just say the American 1991 live-action movie The Guyver was like witnessing a bad train wreck unfolding in slow motion. So you can imagine to my shock and horror when I hear that the rights to one of my all time favorite movies and anime series has been acquired and will be made into a movie.

But wait? Could I just be having a knee-jerk reaction over nothing? Let’s examine the details. The rights to the Japanese manga Ghost in the Shell have been acquired by DreamWorks. With a big name studio like that, it appears to be in pretty capable hands, right? After all, we are talking Steven Spielberg here. In fact, Steven is pretty excited about the acquisition. “Ghost in the Shell is one of my favorite stories,” Spielberg commented. “It’s a genre that has arrived, and we enthusiastically welcome it to DreamWorks.” As for the script, the adaptation for the movie will be written by Jamie Moss while the production for the film will be handled by Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Steven Paul.

While it adds a little comfort that Spielberg is excited for the project and there is a production team already familiar with super hero action films, two little items make me think twice - 3 and D. Yep, Ghost in the Shell will not only become a live-action film but a 3-D live-action film. Needless to say, this brings up bad memories of 3-D films of the past like; Jaws 3-D, Friday the 13th Part 3 and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over just to name a few.

I’m willing, however, to put previous experience aside and hope for the sake of the original art that Spielberg will do Ghost in the Shell justice. It is simply too early to tell how things will turn out and so of course we will be watching and waiting to hear more as the project develops. I can’t help but think one frightening underlying thought, however. Even blockbuster studios like Lucasfilm drop a bomb once in a while. Anyone remember Howard the Duck? Ouch.

Read more at G4.

Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22nd and Verizon Wireless has decided to offer mobile users some tips on what they can do to help celebrate. The special day was created to give special attention to the Earth’s environment. More recently, the focus has been on what humans can do to reduce their damaging effects on it.

Verizon Wireless’ tips include:

1. Use paperless billing: this will eliminate the paper bill you receive each month. Instead, customers can access and pay their bill online. This saves paper and in turn will help reduce the need for trees.

2. Recycle old wireless phone: if you have an old phone that is no longer being used you can stop by a Verizon Wireless Communications store and donate it to the company’s HopeLine recycling program. Proceeds from donated phones will go toward helping victims of domestic violence.

3. Unplug your charger when not in use: if your phone is charged disconnect the charger to save energy. Verizon Wireless even suggests putting chargers on a power strip and turning off the power strip when all devices are fully charged.

4. Use a GPS application to avoid unnecessary fuel costs: fuel has become expensive so this is not only a good tip for the environment it’s a good tip that will help your pocket book. If you’re not lost you won’t waste fuel unnecessarily. Of course, Verizon Wireless customers can always use VZ Navigator for this purpose.

5. Work from home instead of driving into work: now that broadband access is available at home or through a wireless service like Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess you don’t need to drive all the way to work anymore. This saves fuel and eliminates pollutants produced by your car while driving.

Read more from the Verizon Wireless press release.

Brian’s Opinion

Ok, I’m a huge fan of tip #5. I wonder if my employer would allow me to properly recognize Earth Day by working from home that day? It could be a new trend. Just imagine if Earth Day became a “work from home” day. Not only does it help the environment, it would help me get a few more minutes of sleep since I won’t have to get dressed to go to work.

Another tip that caught my eye was removing the charger from your phone or other device when it is fully charged. I think we are all victims of leaving our chargers on our mobile devices to ensure the device is “fully charged” when we use it. In reality, a few more hours of the device in standby mode is not going to hurt it. Also, if enough people started doing this it would add up to a huge reduction in energy needs.

Recycling your old cell phone and signing up for paperless billing are also good tips from Verizon Wireless. I think the point of using the VZ Navigator to save the environment might have been pushing it a bit. Still, I must admit, if you know where you are going it does ensure you don’t burn gas driving around because you’re lost. Of course, you could always just print out directions if you don’t have a GPS.

At the end of the day my place on Earth Day might need to be at home. It’s the one thing which will allow me to save fuel while keeping an eye on my chargers to make sure they get unplugged when my devices are fully charged. I wonder if instead of a “tree hugger” that would make me a “home hugger”?

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 16th 2008 at 1:56PM It’s not everyday that researchers make some progress towards terahertz computing, but a team from the University of Utah led by Ajay Nahata appear to have done just that, with them announcing that they’ve “taken a first step to making circuits that can harness or guide terahertz radiation.” That, they say, could allow for the development of “superfast circuits, computers and communications,” and “in a minimum of 10 years,” no less. The key to this latest development, it seems, is the use of some sheets of stainless steel foil perforated with tiny holes, which can be arranged in different patterns to effectively form “wires” to carry the terahertz radiation. In their tests, the researchers were able to do so at a level of 300Ghz (or 0.3 terahertz), although they admit that they still have a long way to go, saying that “all we’ve done is made the wires” for terahertz circuits, and adding that there still needs to be devices like switches, transistors and modulators developed at terahertz frequencies in order for anything practical to become possible.

[Via TG Daily]

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Filed under: Desktops

Imported from Japan, the Cological Marble Run Construction Set allows you to create custom courses for your marbles using mini rolling cars to whacking mallets to zig-zag tracks. When the marble reaches the end the flag pops up and plays a little song.

With 23 different mechanisms for moving marbles and 97 parts in total, the construction of custom tracks will keep you busy for a while. There is a manual included to get you off on the right foot but… you need to be able to read Japanese!

Gimmie!

Suggested Price: $69.99

Posted in Gaming & Toys, Gizmo of the Day

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 16th 2008 at 11:53AM
Okay, so maybe millions of Wii-costumed individuals running around wouldn’t be ideal, but the idea at least sparks up a modicum of hilariousness, yeah? The person you see above, dear readers, is WiiMan Superhero. Fully equipped and ever-ready to address any Wii-related issues and / or injuries that you may be enduring. Best of all, this suit (a GarageGeeks project) does way more than make a boy a man — it acts as a fully functional Wiimote, complete with built-in Bluetooth, accelerometers, and an IR cam. Check out a few more shots in the read link, and be sure to bow as you enter.

[Thanks, Rafael]

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Filed under: Gaming, Wearables

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 16th 2008 at 2:25PM While there’s of course nothing to stop you from doing a fresh install of Windows XP on your brand new HP 2133 Mini-Note yourself (assuming you’re actually able to get your hands on one), those looking for a simpler solution will apparently be able to get their fix in mid-May, which is when the company will reportedly start to offer XP pre-installed on the ultraportable. What’s more, according to Laptop Magazine, there could also be a fully configurable version available “in the coming weeks or months,” although exact details on that possibility apparently haven’t quite firmed up yet.

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Filed under: Laptops