This Wednesday Apple released the third major update for Mac OS X leopard. Like all major software releases, this update brings/improves functionality of many Mac OS X applications as well as causes problems with few applications. The applications that have seen improvements with this update are Address Book, Airport, Automator, iCal, iChat, Mail, Spaces, Time Machine and VoiceOver. The two main improvements that I noticed after this update were, Spotlight was quicker and the Airport has not dropped signal in past 48 hours. My laptop’s Airport card use to drop signal at least twice daily after I installed 10.5.1 update. Overall the OS X 10.5.3 update increases speed and stability. On the negative side, I am still noticing the visual flaws that I first started seeing in iTunes and other video/movie players after I installed 10.5.2 update. The other bug reported by many users is an inability to properly save files on a server from Creative Suite 3 programs. The work around for this problem is to choose “Save As” option in place of “Save” option. As it is a very big update, I would suggest to wait and watch for few days and if the bugs found by then are not affecting you go ahead and update.

Sony has announced that Sountina NSA-PF1 the omni-directional glass speaker will go on sale in Japan on June 20th. The speaker is a six foot tall cylindrical column, the top two third of which is organic glass that vibrates to produce sound in range of 50Hz to 20,000Hz. The lower half of the column houses a 5” subwoofer and 2.75” mid range speaker. The NSA-PF1 is a complete speaker system in itself and comes with RCA, coax and optical inputs and a slick aluminum remote. According to Sony because the speaker is non-directional you get the true surround sound experience from a single speaker. Though Sony has not mentioned actual output of the speaker, they say a single speaker can be enough for a normal size room. The NSA-PF1 comes with three color LEDs that can be adjusted to suit the mode and environment of the surrounding room. Sountina NSA-PF1 will be available in two colors, black and silver, for ¥1,000,000 that will be around $10,000. Not cheap but if you want to have the sexiest looking speaker in your living room; you will have to pay the premium.

Few days back Toshiba announced that they have begun using 43nm-manufacturing process for their next generation Flash memory chips. Not to be left behind and to one up Toshiba, Intel has announced that they will start manufacturing Flash chips based on even smaller 34nm technology. The new technology will allow Intel to double the storage capacity of the Flash memory chip to 32-gigabit, instantly doubling the current capacity of SSDs based on these Flash chips. Making it possible for Intel to manufacture 1.8” SSDs with capacities beyond 256GB. Intel’s director of marketing for NAND products said, “it will enable one to build a solid-state drive—say, for example, 80GB at a lower cost than we could on the previous generation, Intel will introduce and ramp the production of solid-state drives in second half of this year.” 

Samsung today announced the L870 slider phone and the most interesting feature of the phone is that it uses Apple’s Mobile Safari browser. It not just some Webkit based browser it’s the complete Safari browser used in iPhone. Webkit is the open source engine used by Apple’s Safari browser. The 0.5” thick phone is based on Symbian v9.3 S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 and comes with 2.4” QVGA screen, 3-megapixel camera, FM radio, Bluetooth and microSD card slot. This stainless steel smartphone has tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900) and single-band HSDPA (2100). On the software side the phone will come with Office document viewer, Push Email, music Player and video player. The phone will be launched in Europe around August.

Video: Multi-Touch in Windows 7

The next version of Windows (Windows 7) was demoed briefly by Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, while talking with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at All Things Digital Conference. Microsoft showed off the new multitouch features of the OS that they have adapted from Surface computer built by the company. The initial look and feel of the multitouch system is very similiar to iPhone's multitouch interface. When Mossberg mentioned about Apple's multitouch interface Ballmer replied "There's a lot in Windows 7, and our goal's got to be with our hardware partners, to produce fantastic PCs... We'll sell 270 million PCs a year, and Apple will sell 10 million. Apple is fantastically successful ad so are we." It looks like Walt rubbed salt on Ballmer's wounds.

With increase in megapixels and shrinking size of the sensor, camera makers are facing the problem of poorly lit images with lower image details. OmniVision the largest CMOS sensor maker claims that they have found a solution to the problem through backside illumination (BSI) technology. Backside illumination collects photons from the backside of the pixel area, instead of illuminating from the front. By eliminating metal and dielectric layers that covers the front side of CMOS sensor, BSI helps stop the loss of photons and maximize the area in which photons are collected. BSI based sensor will improve light absorption and result in slimmer cameras with increased sensitivity. OmniVision is not the first company to work on BSI sensors but they are the first company for manufacture the BSI sensor. The company will start sampling the CMOS sensor based on BSI technology next month. We will be seeing cameras based on CMOS sensor with BSI technology in 2009.

According to the latest rumor in the blogosphere, Intel will release a dual core version of its new Atom processor in Q3 2008.  The processor will be called Atom 330 and run at 1.6GHz with TDP of 8W. The processor will have 1MB L2 cache and 533MHz FSB. Like the single core version the processor will be 64-bit and will be halogen and lead-free. Intel has already said that the demand for Atom processor is so high that it has been forced to ramp up production to meet the demand. A dual core Atom processor with 8W TDP will definitely increase the demand more.

iPhoneClub.nl has posted leaked pics of next generation white 3G iPhone on their website. The images are similar to the details leaked by iLounge about the specifications of the upcoming iPhone. According to the source – who wishes to remain anonymous – these pics originated from a well-known European accessory maker. With more information/rumors coming about the new 3G iPhone it looks like iLounge was right that the phone will be available in white and black color with tapered back like the Macbook Air. Less than two weeks to go before we see the actual 3G iPhone at WWDC.

Steven Sinofsky, Senior Vice President, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group talked with CNET about the upcoming Windows 7. Steven said that the OS is coming in January 2010 and there will be no change in Driver model and kernel of the OS. The OS kernel will build on the success and strength of Windows Server 2008, which is an evolution of the kernel in Windows Vista. Basically meaning that Windows 7 will have Windows Vista’s kernel. The Windows 7 will improve memory management, networking, process management and security, while maintaining compatibility with present set of applications. The OS will be available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. According to Sinofsky, Windows Vista established a very solid foundation, multiyear foundation, particularly on subsystems like graphics, audio and storage, Windows 7—will continue to build on that foundation as well. So Windows 7 will not get new file-system or kernel or driver models. Making it a face-lifting operation on Windows Vista, which was actually a face-lifting operation done on Windows XP. Either Microsoft is not talking, as they have learned their lesson from Vista’s mess or we will get Windows Vista 2.0 in January 2010.

iPhone Atlas has posted that a Chinese third-party developer claims that Apple has bought his software for handwriting recognition on iPhone. The developer is not discussing the software, citing a non-disclosure agreement with Apple. He has also sent a request to forums for removal of screenshots of his previously freely available application HWPen. The application HWPen was a handwriting recognition application developed by Hanwang.com.cn for Chinese character input on the iPhone. The application is still available as a third-party application for jail-broken iPhones.

Few days back pictures of upcoming Palm Treo were leaked, and on Sunday BGR released the full spec sheet of the upcoming phone. The new Palm Treo 850 will be the thinnest Palm phone ever at 14mm. The phone will be 4.4” long and 2.3” wide. The Treo 850 will support GSM, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth and aGPS. The phone will have 320 x 320 touchscreen, 2-megapixel camera, microSD card slot and will run on Windows Mobile 6.1. The 850 will use micro-USB for sync functions and charging. It is believed that Treo 850 will be released in Q3 2008.

Many boutique PC makers have released laptops based on desktop class quad-core processors. But PC Microworks is the first PC maker to announce laptop that will use the upcoming Montevina Quad Core CPU designed specifically for laptops. Intel will release the Montevina Quad Core processor as part of Centrino 2 platform in Q3 2008. The Edge laptop will have 15.4” screen, support for up to 8GB DDR3 RAM, up to 320GB hard drive, optional Blu-ray Burner, NVIDIA GeForce M graphics with minimum 512MB memory, WiFi, Bluetooth and optional 3G connection. The base price will start at more than $3,000 for a Quad core laptop with Windows Vista Home Premium. You can preorder the laptop now, but the company has yet not announced when they will start shipping the Edge laptop.

VIA unveiled OpenBook reference design to gain some share in the emerging mini-laptop market. The new design comes with 8.9” screen, three USB ports, VGA out, multi-card reader, webcam, WiFi and option of WiMAX, HSDPA and EVDO. The mini-notebook can support up to 2GB DDR2 RAM and 2.5” hard drive. The design uses VIA VX800 chipset with C7-M ULV processor and graphic acceleration for multimedia. The laptop will use four-cell battery and give up to three hours battery life. VIA has released the design under Creative Commons license as a CAD file, basically meaning that OEMs can take the design and start making laptops based on the design without needing permission from VIA. The OpenBook reference design is available now from VIA, but there is no word whether any laptop maker is working on a sub-notebook based on this design.
[Via Engadget]

TeliaSonera today announced that they have signed a deal with Apple to carry iPhone in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia later this year. The carrier has more than 106 million subscribers in the countries mentioned above and is the dominant mobile carrier in those regions. Apple has covered complete European market for the upcoming 3G-iPhone launch and has deals in place for most major mobile markets through out the world except China, Russia, Japan and Korea.
In another iPhone related news, Orange, the iPhone provider in France is calling its current iPhone customers regarding an upgrade to the future Apple handset. The company is suggesting two solutions, you can trade-in your current model and get the new iPhone for only €50 or current subscribers can keep their current model but will receive generous discount on the next iPhone model. Orange has officially said nothing in regards to the matter yet. But it does confirm that more then one country (US) will be getting the 3G iPhone very soon.

TG Daily is reporting that their sources have informed them that AMD will announce Puma platform as well as the Griffin processor on June 3, the first day of Computex Taipei 2008 show. Griffin is codename for AMD’s forthcoming mobile processor that is based on 65nm manufacturing technology. The processor will have larger 1MB L2 cache for each CPU and AMD will integrate the Northbridge on-die to increase efficiency. Griffin will be a dual core processor and support DDR2 800MHz RAM. The processor will be officially called “Turion Ultra”. The Puma laptop platform will consist of Turion Ultra processor, RS780M chipset, integrated Mobility Radeon 3200 graphics chip and a wireless chipset. Puma platform will be available for all major notebook form factor between 12” to 17”. The platform can also use ATI Mobility Radeon 3450, 3650 and 3850 discrete graphics chips for more graphic horsepower.  There is no information about when AMD will start shipping the Griffin Processor and Puma platform.

Telstra, the Australian telecom company becomes the first in Australia to beam a mobile three-dimensional image (hologram) of its CTO from Melbourne to Adelaide to give a live presentation.  Chief technology officer, Hugh Bradlow said, “In Melbourne, we have high definition video camera which is filming me as I stand here, the signal is being taped across the network and the far end is using a very smart optical projection system to create a holograph, or my virtual presence in Adelaide.”  Dr Bradlow was seeing the audience on a big Flat panel screen, allowing the look and fell of being in the same room together. According to Telstra this sort of thing won’t remain part of sci-fi movies but become commonplace in business, education and entertainment market within next four-five years. The Musion Eyeliner System created the hologram, which was delivered over Telstra’s powerful Next IP system. Telstra has already starting working on larger implementations of the Next IP system.
[Via SMH.com]

Videocon, Indian electronics and appliances maker is in talks with Motorola to buy the company’s cell phone business. According to Venugopal Dhoot, Videocon’s chairman and managing director the talks are in initial stages and the company stands to benefit from the deal, as it is planning to launch telecom services through its Datacom subsidiary in Indian markets this August. Videocon hopes to capture 10% cell phone carrier market share within next five years in India and the company believes Motorola cellphone business acquisition would help it reach that goal. How buying a troubled cellphone maker will help Videocon in achieving 10% mobile carrier market share, I am not able to understand. But the company says its technical links with other companies would allow it to roll out 3G products soon after the government’s approval of high-speed data network. It is estimated that the Motorola’s cell phone business will cost around $3.8 billion not including the mounting quarterly losses that the company is reporting for past four quarters. Buying a company that is making losses and basing your upcoming business on that purchase is never a good idea.

Last week, Intel announced that they will start shipping their new and faster, SATA based 80GB and 160GB SSDs by end of 2008. Now its Samsung’s turn, the company announced that they would ship 256GB SSD by year-end. The new drive will have read speed of 200Mbps more than double compared to any present SSD drive. In past most SSD manufacturers have used single-level cell technology to make faster SSDs, resulting in higher cost of the drives. Even present single-level cell based drives have never reached 100Mbps read speed in real world tests. Samsung will be using the cheaper multi-level cell technology that was considered slower and short lived. The company has designed a new controller that would not only give the drive faster read and write speeds but also longevity. This will also result in making the drives cheaper compared to present single-level cell technology based drives. Samsung will produce drives in 2.5” and 1.6” form factor with storage of 128GB or 256GB.

The Inquirer is reporting that NVIDIA is working on Tegra APX 2500 and CSX 600/650, ARM11 based chips. Both the chips are aimed at the smartphone and handheld device market. The APX 2500 chip will come in 144mm2 package and will do 720p encoding and decoding at up to 14Mbps. The chip will have support for OpenGL ES 2.0 and DirectX. The CSX 600/650 processors are aiming for the same market that Intel’s Atom processor is addressing, the UMPC and mini-notebook market. The chip comes with 256K of L2 cache and runs at 700-800MHz. It will support 1080p video and will use 3W power. The only thing stopping this chip from competing directly with Atom processor is that it’s an ARM11 chip and will run Win CE but not Windows XP or Vista. NVIDIA will start sampling the chips by end of summer.