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All the entries posted on December 06, 2007.
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Thursday, December 6, 2007
IBM advance with tiny light pulses has big implications
How many cores on a microchip is a lot? Dual Core? Quad Core? Nine cores? Big Blue sees your paltry handful of cores and raises you by hundreds or thousands (in maybe 10 or 15 years).
IBM researchers said today that they have taken a step toward putting the power of a supercomputer with thousands of processors on a single microchip. The trick is using light pulses instead of electrical wires to connect the cores, which means faster data speeds, less energy use and cooler operation.
IBM created what it said was by far the smallest optical modulator. The device converts digital information in the form of electric signals on a wire into light pulses and sends them down a wonderfully named “silicon nanophotonic waveguide.”
The new modulator is 200 micrometers across, about twice the width of a human hair.
Will Green, lead scientist for the IBM project, said commercial applications are likely more than a decade away, but they could include more efficient supercomputers, laptops running highly complex applications such as climate or protein modeling and game machines that create lifelike virtual worlds.
And you thought today’s console wars were something.
(Video: IBM)
Ford offering voice-activation of MP2 players, radio
Now you can talk to your ride.
Ford has an exclusive deal with Microsoft, at least until November 2008, for a technology that activates MP3 players such as Apple’s iPod and Microsoft’s Zune by voice.
You can start a song by title or ask for the artist. You can run a playlist or an entire genre of music.
The technology, called Sync, also gives the user the Bluetooth capability to talk hands-free on the phone without the earpiece that makes people look like cyborgs from Star Trek.
Also with the Bluetooth-enabled phone, the driver can also have text messages read to him by a silky-smooth female voice. The voice will interpret the Xs and Ox as hugs and kisses and LOL as lots of luck, and read other texting shortcuts..
There’s also a USB port in storage compartment between the passenger and driver’s seats.
Ford was showing off the technology for me at the Auto Show of the Palm Beaches. The show runs through Monday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.
The technology has limitations. You can only respond to text messages with 15 uninspired canned messages. And, though you can hook up a USB drive to the car, it will only read audio files. No text. So you can’t fact-check that downloaded report you have to submit to the boss.
This is all meant to help the driver keep his hands on the wheel. Ford is introducing it as standard equipment on limited edition models and the Focus SES. Otherwise, it’s a $395 option.
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Continental losing the paper boarding pass
Continental Airlines is taking the next step in electronic ticketing.
A three-month test program launched at Bush Intercontinental Airport would allow passengers with personal digital assistants like Research in Motion’s Blackberry or Palm’s Treo and other mobile phones to check in without going to an airport kiosk to get a paper boarding pass.
The airline ticketing and security officials would scan a bar-code that has been transmitted to the customer’s phone. It’s already being used by Air Canada.
USA Today said the new system has its limitations. For one thing, it can only be used by passengers traveling alone.
Still, if they can get this to work, it would cut down on the stress of airport check-in.
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