HP abandons futuristic tech for its futuristic supercomputer
HP has abruptly changed course on its ‘Machine,’ a new type of memory-driven computer it thinks will radically alter large-scale data processing. When the company first launched it last year, the plan was to use a new kind of memory chip called the “memristor,” which is as fast as DRAM but can permanently store data. The problem is that the tech, which HP expected to commercialize with Hynix in 2013, still isn’t ready. Rather than giving up, though, HP has decided to take it in another direction by using both conventional RAM and phase change memory.
HP figured the Machine would replace data server farms with a computer the size of refrigerator using a fraction of the power. To do that, it would compute using specialized core clusters, photonic circuits and a huge pool of unified memory. For the latter, it depended heavily on the memristors — which store data with no power — and company researchers insisted that any other technology just wouldn’t do. It has scaled that ambition back, however, and chief technology officer Martin Fink now says that for now, it’ll be a “memory-driven” Linux computer based on DRAM. “We way over-associated this with the memristor,” he told the New York Times.
Mechanical mockup of new ‘node board’ for HP’s Machine
Running the Machine on DRAM would make it impractical, but HP says it would still be a radical shift from computers today with a whopping 320TB of memory. The idea is to develop a RAM-based prototype to attract developers to the technology, then introduce a version with phase change memory later. The final product would run on memristors once they’re market-ready.
HP — which recently split its business and consumer divisions — is betting big on The Machine tech and plans on investing a half a billion dollars in it. The company thinks it could eventually be shrunk to smartphone size, giving users Google Now-like AI capability without external servers. Researchers have already shown that similar technology using can already perform chores like image recognition. But critics wonder how much of a game-changer the Machine can be without memristors, and HP itself has now stopped making any predictions as to when it’ll finally arrive.
Filed under: Desktops, Science, HP
Via: New York Times
Source: HP (YouTube)
NASA to hold competition for autonomous rock-collecting robots
DARPA isn’t the only government agency holding a robotics competition this June. NASA’s fourth Sample Return Robot Challenge will take place on June 8th to 13th, though with fewer contenders — mostly universities and small businesses — compared to DARPA’s and a smaller prize pot worth $1.5 million. That’s the contest’s name, because it will be testing the competitors’ ability to autonomously locate and pick up rock, dust and other geologic samples in varied landscapes. The agency says the contest aims to spur the development of new technologies related to autonomous navigation and robotic manipulation. NASA didn’t exactly get into specifics, but based on the contest’s specifications, any innovation that comes out of it could be used for the agency’s future, sample-collecting, selfie-taking rovers. The event will be held at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, but you can watch it live online via the agency’s Ustream channel.
[Image credit: NASA]
Filed under: Robots
Source: NASA
Wild UI concept uses paper to interact with projected displays
A simple table can be a profound tool for collaboration, so it’s particularly disappointing that we haven’t yet solved the puzzle of how to effectively digitize that experience. Microsoft’s original Surface table was cool, but expensive, and newer options like Lenovo’s Horizon PC still haven’t taken off. But Tokyo-based design firm Takram has one idea that might help us achieve interactive digital tables (and other surfaces): Just use paper. Last year it developed a concept called “On the Fly Paper” for Intel’s Collaboration Center in Japan, which uses an infrared sensor and specially formatted pieces of paper to manipulate a projected computer display. Basically, the paper acts as an input device: As soon as you place it on the table, the projected image changes both on the table and the paper itself. You can also manipulate things by moving the paper around and covering physical holes. What’s truly remarkable is that your interactions with it register almost as quickly as a touch screen. Check out a brief demonstration below.
Intel brought the demo to its new Taipei concept store at the Syntrend tech mall, which also happens to be its public debut. Previously, only Intel engineers and special guests to its Japanese Collaboration Center were able to see it. Takram has developed five special cards for the demo so far, including one that lets you interact with the periodic table of the elements, one that displays photos and another that plays movies.
To be clear, On the Fly Paper doesn’t require a table: It can work anywhere an image can be projected, so it could conceivably be used right alongside standard business presentations. It’s just a concept right now, but since it doesn’t rely on much specialized hardware it shouldn’t be tough for Takram to release it as an actual product (or, more likely, license it to someone else).
Deals: EC Technology and Kmashi power banks discounted on Amazon today
Amazon has a couple of deals on high-capacity external batteries today that you may want to check out if you’re looking for lots of power on the go.
EC Technology 22,400 mAh
First up is the EC Technology 2nd Gen Deluxe battery, with a capacity of 22,400 mAh. That’s enough to charge up most smartphones six or seven times, though the massive capacity comes with the inconvenience of having to carry almost a pound (435 grams) around. The EC Technology battery features three USB ports (2.4A, 2A, 1A) allowing you to charge a variety of devices, even at the same time.
According to the manufacturer description, the device should be good for 500+ charge cycles, which for a battery this size should be quite a lot of time. An added feature is an integrated LED flashlight, making this a good option for camping trips.
The EC Technology 22,400mAh power bank has an average score of 4.4 out of 5 stars and normally goes for $38.99. Applying the code MV76HD9U at checkout, will bring the price down to $28.99.
Kmashi 20,000 mAh
The Kmashi MP810 has a capacity of 20,000 mAh, weighs 450 grams, and features a bright azure glossy finish. Like the EC Technology model, this large battery should get you multiple charges for most smartphones and even tablets. However, the Kmashi MP810 only features two USB ports and you don’t get the integrated flashlight.
The Kmashi 20,000 mAh battery features a score of 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon and normally goes for $29.99. Applying the code LIKWGR6D at checkout will bring down the price to $19.99. That’s quite a bit less than the other battery, but as mentioned, the Kmashi is slightly less well featured.
Happy shopping!
Google Play update for Android TV makes 600+ apps easier to find
Today, Google has begun rolling out a new update to its Play Store for Android TV. With it comes an overhaul of the visual layout, which has been redesigned to help promote over 600 apps and games that had previously only been accessible with a specific search.
The idea behind the update is to increase accessibility to the huge range of apps available on the Android TV Play Store, many of which had previously been hidden away unless users already knew what they were looking for. The apps and games being promoted on the homepage aren’t necessarily new, but should now be brought to the attention of many more Android TV users. Previously, Android TV customers only saw a handful of promoted apps on the Google Play launch screen.
To further facilitate better accessibility to the extended library, Android TV apps are now arranged into 20 new categories: Everyday apps, sports central, for music lovers, stay informed, TV time, movies at home, top app and games, multiplayer games, TV remote games, exercise your mind games, stop the enemies games, choose an adventure games, aim and shoot games, no sweat workout games, role playing games, arcade fun games, get ready, fight games, great platformers games, racing and flying games, fun for everyone games.
As well as competition from other smartTV platforms, Google’s own popular Chromecast alternative is said to be detracting from specialized development for the Android TV platform. Google’s latest reshuffling of the way apps are presented to consumers seems like an attempt to help sell developers on the ecosystem.
Furthermore, earlier in the week Nvidia declared that dedicated applications from popular broadcasters could be heading to Android TV in the near future. These include HBO Go, USA Today and the Twitch game streaming service, although no specific dates were given. It seems that Google is still very keen on promoting and expanding Android TV.
The latest update for Android TV’s Play Store is already up and running, so you should notice an update download at some point today. Check out the new Google Play and let us know what you think of the changes.
Google revamps Android TV with over 600 new apps
Google is hoping to give Android TV a boost after updating the platform to make app discovery much easier, letting you find more than 600 ‘new’ apps that have previously been difficult to find. Our chums over at TechCrunch spotted the improvement, which will now organize the features into 20 collections that run from movies and sports through to multiplayer gaming. The software requires a 29MB update and if it’s not already on your device, it shouldn’t be long before it arrives. When we reviewed the Nexus Player last year, our biggest concern was the lack of app selection. This update, combined with the addition of things like broadcast TV support and Sling TV should hopefully push Android TV a lot closer to competing with the Rokus of this world.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, Google
Source: AndroidPolice, TechCrunch
London tests traffic lights that stay green for cyclists
Cycling is one of the quickest ways to get across London, and soon adaptive traffic lights could make pedal-power even faster. Transport for London (TfL) is testing a system that detects large groups of cyclists and, where possible, ensures the lights stay green for a little longer than usual. The problem being that during peak times — for instance, the morning and evening commute — tons of cyclists take to the streets, causing congestion at major junctions.
A trial at Cable Street on one of London’s “Cycle Superhighways” hopes to alleviate the problem with two systems — one radar-based and one with thermal imaging — that detect cyclists and judge whether the traffic lights should stay green. The hope is that the technology can be integrated into SCOOT, a London-wide system that constantly monitors traffic flow and optimises the lights accordingly. A further three trials are now being planned to determine how the two sensing technologies perform at different types of junctions. Should the system ever be rolled out across the city, it would no doubt be welcomed by bike-junkies, but it’s hard to imagine drivers being quite so keen.
[Image Credit: Mary Knox Merrill/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images]
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Transport for London
UK government department swaps Microsoft for Google
For the longest time, the UK government built its systems around Microsoft software. That’s still largely the case, but things have slowly changed as departments get to grips with the cloud, and companies like Google have planted their flag. The Register reports that Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has decided it’s time to make a clean break and has embraced the search giant’s cloud services, becoming the first major UK government department to shift away from Microsoft.
More than 70,000 employees will make the switch, joining 2,500 Cabinet Office users already on Gmail. Google’s obviously happy about it, with David Fitton, head of public sector sales for Google UK noting: “The acceptance by HMRC that they can store OFFICIAL information offshore in Google data-centres represents a major change and endorsement of Google’s approach to managing sensitive information.”
Of course, this is just one department, but HMRC is second-largest and arguably most-powerful government division. However, Microsoft still powers computers utilised by 450,000+ civil servants, and is still supporting their use of Windows XP. Still, it’s interesting that while HMRC will collect the so-called Google Tax from the UK’s biggest technology companies, it’ll now pay a smaller tax of its own.
[Image credit: HMRC, Flickr]
Filed under: Internet, Microsoft, Google
Source: The Register
Chrome will pause Flash plugins to improve laptop battery life
Future versions of Chrome for PC will automatically pause Flash plugins that the browser deems inessential, which should result in better battery life, faster performance, and improved stability.
Here’s how it works: Chrome detects the Flash plug-ins that load in a page and determines which plug-ins are central to the user experience and which are not. The former category includes, for instance, the main video in a post, while the latter may include ads and other stuff that the user probably doesn’t care about. Chrome will pause these non-essential Flash plugins, though users will be given the option to play them, should they want to.
The feature is already available in the latest stable Chrome version, in Privacy settings, but Google will soon set it on by default for all users. The feature will be activated on the beta channel first, and Google estimates that stable users should get it by September. Google has been working with Adobe, maker of Flash, to implement it.
Auto-playing Flash-based ads can be annoying, but Google is more worried about their effect on battery life and performance. Each Flash process that loads on a page uses up processor time, and over time, this has an impact on battery life. Google has not detailed what kind of improvements should we expect from the feature. Laptop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and Chromebook users will probably see the biggest benefit in battery life, but even desktop users may observe improvements in performance and stability.
Now, if only Google would do something about Chrome gobbling up RAM.
Lycos resurfaces with a smart Band and Ring
If you can recall a time before the dominance of Google then you may remember Lycos, a faded search engine and web portal from back in the 90’s. After spending some time in the background, the company is preparing for somewhat of a comeback, with a new range of wearable devices scheduled to launch next week.
Lycos is set to launch two devices next Monday and will simply be called the Band and Ring. As you no doubt guessed, the band is a familiar fitness band that can monitor your exercise, track your sleep, be used as an alarm, and can also use NFC to unlock your phone when the two are close by.
The Ring is missing the fitness tracking features and clearly doesn’t have a display to interact with either. Interestingly, the Ring is not powered by a normal battery, so doesn’t need charging up. The Band can apparently last 10 to 14 days between charges. The two devices are both water resistant and also contain a “personal security manager” and “Tap2Transfer capabilities”, but these features haven’t been fully detailed just yet.
The devices will be tied to an Android app named Lycos Life, which presumable handles the syncing of data in the usual fashion over Bluetooth. Lycos hasn’t revealed any extra details about its hardware or software at this stage, so we’re not sure exactly how in-depth the fitness tracking and security features will be or how these will stack up against the well established competition. However, Lycos has announced its Life Project, whereby the company will donate 5 percent of sales to provide free water and air quality sensors to families that need them.
The Lycos Band and Ring look set to be priced a little on the expensive side, with a price tag of $124.99 and $59.99 respectively. On the plus side, customers will have their choice of six different colors when the devices launch on June 8th.
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