India Developing $10 Laptop

After displaying its prowess in developing the world’s cheapest car, India is on track to rolling out the world’s cheapest laptop computer that could cost as low as $10, a top official said in New Delhi Tuesday.
Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari said research was being conducted to develop the laptop, especially for use by students, which will cost all of $10.
“Research in this direction is being already carried out at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras,” she told the e-India annual summit on information and communication technologies.
The laptop, when produced, will prove to be a breakthrough device that could solve the problems of low computer literacy and e-learning not only in India, but also the world over, she added.
Earlier this year, India’s Tata Group had unveiled the “Nano” that was touted as the world’s cheapest car costing all of $2,500 and the announcement had grabbed global headlines.
The cheapest laptop available today is at least 10 times costlier. The “XO” sold by the Massachusetts-based non-government organization ‘One Laptop Per Child Foundation’ sells for $188.
The foundation, started by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) alumnus Nicholas Negroponte, aims to supply the low cost machines to the governments of developing countries for them to source it to school children.
But the Indian government rejected the offer in 2006, calling it an experimental model.
“India must not allow itself to be used for experimentation with children in this area,” the human resource ministry had stated then.
However the project was taken up by the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group to be implemented as a pilot in Maharashtra’s Khairat village.
Under this initiative, Reliance Communications will provide net connectivity, backbone, logistics, and support to the OLPC initiative. “The initiative aims at covering over 25,000 towns, and 6,00,000 villages in the country by 2008.”

Kingston DataTraveler BlackBox Now Available in India

Kingston Technology Company has announced the release of its first Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS)-validated USB Flash drive, the DataTraveler BlackBox, available in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities. Gaining FIPS 140-2 certification requires a validation process that meets federal requirements set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Communications Security Establishment of the Government of Canada. This is critical because many governmental agencies in the United States and Canada mandate that sensitive “data at rest” (i.e., all information not in the network) must be encrypted with the FIPS 140-2 standard.

“We are very excited that our DataTraveler BlackBox met all federal requirements established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),” said Nitin Malhotra, Kingston Country Manager, India. “This certification, along with other enhanced security features, makes the DT BlackBox an ideal way to store and transport confidential documents with the utmost confidence that the data is secure.”

The FIPS Level 2 standard requires the DT BlackBox to run a power-on self test which verifies that the encryption architecture is functioning each time it is plugged into a USB port. Beyond the NIST certification, the DataTraveler BlackBox features 256-bit hardware-based AES encryption via a dedicated processor which automatically encrypts and decrypts data on the fly. The drive automatically locks down after ten consecutive failed password attempts, thus helping to prevent unauthorized access if the drive is lost, stolen or misplaced. 
The Kingston DataTraveler BlackBox is available for Rs. 4,999 (2GB), Rs. 6,999 (4GB) and Rs. 11,199 (8GB).

Transcend Introduces 64 GB 2.5-inch SSD

Transcend has introduced a new 64 GB high speed SLC 2.5-inch Solid State Disk (SSD).

Austin Huang, Regional Head – Sales, SAARC and APAC, Transcend, said, “Transcend’s 2.5″ SSD can be used in most notebook computers and mainstream PCs just like a regular hard drive. When it comes to performance, Transcend’s new SLC flash memory-equipped 64GB SSD offers data transfer rates that greatly surpass even the fastest 2.5″ hard drives, delivering data read/write speeds of up to 119MB and 64MB per second, respectively. With these high-speed transfer rates and virtually non-existent (less than 0.1ms) latency, Transcend’s SSD accelerates computer boot-up times, makes games and applications open faster and run more smoothly, and improves overall system responsiveness.”
Transcend’s Solid State Disk’s integrated ECC (Error Correction Code) ensures reliable data transfer and increases system integrity. Its built-in wear leveling technology also guarantees ultra-long storage lifespan and data-retention durability for prolonged use. With no moving parts, SSDs run cool, generate no noise, and require very little power for operation.
Transcend’s 2.5″ SSDs are available in capacities ranging from 8 GB to 64 GB in both SATA and IDE versions. It supports up to Ultra DMA Mode 4 and is compatible with devices and O/S that support the IDE standard.
The SSD costs Rs. 33,000 and comes with a 2-year warranty.

Microsoft Focusing on Computing Penetration in India

Microsoft, the world’s largest software developer, is now focusing on developing innovative tools to expand computing penetration in India and other emerging markets, a top company official said Tuesday.
“There are only 1.1 billion PCs deployed around the world and we see a huge opportunity in this area,” S. Somasegar, senior vice president of Microsoft’s developer division, told a media conference held in Hyderabad to mark completion of 10 years of its Indian operations Tuesday.
The emerging markets group at Microsoft India Development Center (MSIDC), the company’s largest development centre outside its Redmond headquarters in US, is focussing on expanding computing penetration in India and elsewhere through personal computers, mobile phones, television and other devices.
“We are focusing on how innovation can make computing more effective and how technology can become more accessible to people,” he said.
“Affordability, desirability, relevance, ease of use and local language interface are the key drivers of computing penetration in emerging markets, and we are innovating around these drivers on PC, mobile and TV,” said Srini Koppolu, corporate vice president and managing director, MSIDC.
MSIDC marked the completion of 10 years of operations by inaugurating a new building on its sprawling campus at Gacchibowli here.
The software giant, which made a humble beginning with 20 people this day in 1998, now has 1,500 employees in its India arm. They are now contributing to innovation and product development for global customers, company officials said.
“MSIDC employees have made a very significant impact because the innovative software products that they develop touch the lives of millions around the world,” said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates in a recorded video message played at a function here to mark the occasion.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy inaugurated the third building of MSIDC on the 54-acre campus. The new building, with an office space of over 600,000 square feet, can house more than 2,000 employees.
On the occasion, he said that for a world-class company it was a challenge to set up operations in a developing country and Microsoft had taken up this challenge. “Microsoft and companies like it have found Andhra Pradesh a place to grow,” he said.
MSIDC filed 220 patents during the last four years and has end-to-end responsibility for more than 50 major Microsoft products, features and technologies.
Koppolu said setting up MSIDC was a significant challenge, as it was the first major attempt at distributed development by Microsoft which has predominantly remained Redmond-centric with regard to product development.
He said MSIDC which had 70 different initiatives two years ago had gone through a consolidation process to focus on just 20 clear missions now.
“We are transforming MSIDC to focus on six key domains – developer tools, mobile, data, business applications, windows and live,” he said.
Regarding mobile phone-based products and services, he said, “A 300-member strong team is working in this segment and has already developed some innovative products.”
The key products developed completely out of MSIDC include data protection manager 2007, visual studio for devices, Jscript, Microsoft BizTalk RFID and virtual PC 2007.

Intel PCs to Wake up For Phone Calls

Intel Corp. is unveiling new technology that will let computers wake up from their power-saving sleep state when they receive a phone call over the Internet.
Current computers have to be fully on to receive a call, making them impractical and energy-wasters as replacements for the telephone.
The new component Intel is announcing Thursday will let computers automatically return to a normal, full-powered state when a call comes in. The computer can activate its microphone and loudspeaker to alert the user, then connect the call.
“This certainly helps the PC become a much better center of communications in the home,” said Trevor Healy, chief executive of Jajah, which will be the first Internet telephone company to utilize the feature.
The first Intel motherboards with the Remote Wake capability will be shipping in the next month, said Joe Van De Water, director of consumer product marketing for Intel.
These components, which are at the heart of every computer, will most likely be used by smaller computer manufacturers. Bigger names like Dell Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. use their own motherboard solutions, but Intel is working to supply them with the technology as well.
The four initial Remote Wake motherboards will be for desktop computers and will need an Internet connection via Ethernet cable, as Wi-Fi doesn’t work in sleep mode.
Van De Water said the computer will know to wake up only for calls from services to which the user has subscribed, so computer-waking prank calls should be impossible.
Mountain View, Calif.-based Jajah is setting itself up as a link between Web companies and the phone system. In April, it signed a deal to become the phone service provider for Yahoo Inc.’s Messenger. Jajah intends to offer the ability to wake up computers to other instant-messaging and Internet voice services, like Google Inc.’s Talk and Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Live Messenger, Healy said. It will be able to wake up subscriber computers both for calls dialed with a number and for those that are directed at a user name.
A fully on desktop PC usually consumes more than 60 watts of power, with many models ranging into the hundreds of watts. In the so-called S3 sleep state, they consume around 10 watts.

Logitech Nano Can Dock to Your Laptop

 

The Logitech V550 Nano is the latest offering for the notebook user. It brings a neat trick along — the V550 comes with a small dock that you can clip on top of your notebook, the mouse itself docks to this clip for easy carrying as you move your laptop around. When so docked, the mouse switches off to conserve battery power.

The V550 also comes with those tiny USB dongles which nestle almost-flush with the notebook.

Intex Launches 22-inch TFT-LCD Monitors

Intex Technologies has launched two 22″ wide-screen TFT-LCD monitors – Intex IT 22 LCT and 2201.

Intex IT- 22 LCT comes with HDMI connectivity enabling a single cable support for various sources like set-top boxes, DVD players, video game consoles, etc. Other features are a 3 ms response time, 1680 x 1050 (WXGA) resolution, dual speakers and in-built TV Tuner card. The monitor comes with a price tag of Rs. 18,000 (MOP).
The Intex 2201 does not feature a TV Tuner card, but does include DVI port connectivity – providing a single connector for various audio and video formats and a 5 ms response time. The other features remain the same as the Intex IT- 22 LCT. The 2201 comes at an MOP of Rs. 12,600.
Sanjay Kumar, DGM and Head of PC business division, said,”The trend in Indian market is fast moving towards big and wide screen monitors. The new 22″ series with advanced features has been designed keeping in consideration user preferences like multitasking, with no compromise on the performance quality. The launch is in line with our commitment to provide quality display solutions and Life version 2.0 products, to our customers.”

Gigabyte Introduces GTX280-based Cards

Gigabyte has launched their next generation graphic accelerators, the GV-N28-1GH-B and GV-N26-896H-B. Equipped with Nvidia’s latest GTX 280 graphics processor, the Gigabyte GV-N28-1GH-B features 1 GB GDDR3 memory and 240 stream processors, while the GV-N26-896H-B is equipped with the Nvidia GTX 260, and features 896MB GDDR3 memory and 192 stream processors.

The GV-N28-1GH-B and GV-N26-896H-B support Nvidia’s PhysX Technology, enabling a totally new class of physical gaming interaction for a more dynamic and realistic experience. Both cards are also compliant with CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) Technology, which helps the GT280/260 to accelerate the most demanding system tasks such as video transcoding for up to 7x performance enhancement over traditional CPUs.
The cards also offer 3-way Nvidia SLI Technology, 3-way AFR (Alternate Frame Rendering) for the world’s fastest gaming solution under Windows Vista with solid, state-of-the-art drivers, support DirectX 10 and adopt the latest Unified Shader architecture with full support for Shader Model 4.0.
Gigabyte products are distributed in India by Avnet (India), Ingram Micro, Redington. The Gigabyte GV-N28-1GH-B is priced at Rs. 49,425 and the GV-N26-896H-B is priced Rs. 29,425.

Asus Releases Gaming Desktop

Asus looking to capture the burgeoning gaming PC market in India has released its ARES CG6155 desktop. This desktop seeks to combine an array of top-notch components to provide gamers with performance and stability. It sports a unique exterior design, which is inspired by ancient and modern armor with both Eastern and Western influences, and presents an aesthetic appeal.

The ARES CG6155 desktop boasts of an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processor, up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM and up to 4TB of storage space. This powerful specification is complimented by two power supplies, 3-way SLI with GeForce GTX280s and an NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra board. The ARES CG6155 will be preloaded with Microsoft Vista Ultimate.

Logitech Releases Mac-specific Webcam

Logitech has unveiled its first Mac-compatible webcam with premium autofocus technology and Carl Zeiss optics.
The Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam for Mac has a 2-megapixel sensor which helps in high resolution capture. It is assisted by Logitech’s RightLight2 Technology, which enables the webcam to adjust intelligently in dim or harshly backlighted situations and supports iChat and Skype.

“With this new webcam for Mac computers, we’ve integrated our most advanced video technologies to truly enrich your video-calling experience,” said Gina Clark, general manager and vice president of Logitech’s Internet Communications business unit. “The lens and autofocus, the sensor and the lighting software all contribute to create image-perfect detail and clarity. Whether you’ve used a standalone or an embedded webcam in the past, you’ll be amazed at the difference in quality our new webcam makes.”
The webcam carries a suggested retail price of $129.99.