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IBM's ultra-cheap DNA Transistor dream could lead to personalized medicines, confusion

by Darren Murph posted Oct 8th 2009 at 9:45AM

Are you ready to get your nerd on? No, seriously -- are your rimmed glasses and pressed slacks at the ready? Good. IBM has just announced a full-on research project that intends to drive the cost of DNA sequencing down from millions of dollars to under $1,000. The reason? An ultra-cheap, silicon-based DNA Transistor could essentially "pave the way to read human DNA easily and quickly, generating advancements in health condition diagnosis and treatment." Moreover, it could eventually lead to personalized genome analysis and personalized medicines, meaning that your weekly dose of pills may literally have your name written on them. Just think -- with this breakthrough in place, you might just live long enough to see the Robot Apocalypse. Fun! Video's after the break.

[Via NY Times, thanks Serge]

Continue reading IBM's ultra-cheap DNA Transistor dream could lead to personalized medicines, confusion

IBM kicks off Battery 500 Project to boost EV range, 500 miles or bust

by Tim Stevens posted Oct 2nd 2009 at 9:31AM

IBM kicks of Battery 500 Project to boost EV range, 500 miles or bust

Electric cars certainly can look nice and promise big things, but the ones we can actually buy today rarely top 50 miles of range. Those promised for the next few years probably won't break 100, and they're not going to find wide success until things get a lot better in that department. That's the initiative of IBM's Battery 500 Project, bringing together a number of the brightest minds in anode/cathode tech to boost battery storage density by a factor of 10. The focus is on lithium-air technology, which uses nanoscale semiconductors and an open design relying on the air around us for collecting positive ions. About 40 brains are involved in the project at this point, and we think their work is of vital importance. So, if you would, please stop posting funny things on the internet until they've come up with a solution. We'd like them to be able to focus completely without any LOLcat distractions.

[Via Slashdot]

IBM brings the ruckus -- and new Power7 processor

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 26th 2009 at 10:45AM

IBM likes its servers and supercomputers. A lot. After giving the Power6 plenty of self-congratulatory publicity, Big Blue is ready to move on to the 7th generation of Power, which is set to be announced at the Hot Chips conference this evening. With eight cores and up to four SMT4 threads running on each, the 45nm Power7 can perform 32 simultaneous tasks per chip. The designers have slapped in a whopping 32MB of eDRAM in each chip for improved latency, dual DDR3 memory controllers for a sustained 100GB per second bandwidth, and even error correcting code and memory mirroring for redundancy. Sounds like a major boon for research into the brains of mice and the history of dirty words, but we don't expect to hear much about this proc outside the server farm.

PS3 Slim is cheaper, yes, and new Cell processor makes it faster, maybe

by Thomas Ricker posted Aug 20th 2009 at 4:49AM

If you've been on the fence with that new console purchase then maybe this bit of information will push you over. Not only is the $299 PS3 Slim a skinnier version than its fat bro, it also features a new upgraded Cell processor (jointly developed by IBM, Toshiba, and Sony), according to an IBM spokesman, that uses smaller, more efficient, and less costly 45-nm processes first hinted at back in February of 2008. IBM doesn't specify the clock speed. The 45-nm Cell is 34 percent smaller and requires 40% less power than the original 65-nm processor according to earlier accounts. Any changes to the graphics in the PS3 Slim are still unknown -- the GPU is simply listed as the NVIDIA RSX like the ol' chubster before it. Nevertheless, the IDG New Service says the PS3 Slim "adds hardware enhancements that make it speedier."

What's odd is that Sony didn't make any claims of the PS3 slim being faster at launch and the "boost" in processing speed in the IDG article quoting IBM doesn't seem to come from the IBM spokesman. As such, we're not sure if this is just an improvement in performance-per-watt or something the gamer will actually notice during play. We're still working on the review but rest assured, that's one question we're determined to answer.

IBM studying 'DNA origami' to build next-gen microchips, paralyze world with fear

by Darren Murph posted Aug 17th 2009 at 10:51AM

IBM is already making a beeline to 28nm process technology, but it looks like the train may deviate a bit before it even reaches the bottom. Reportedly, the company responsible for PowerPC, the original business laptop and all sorts of underground things that we'll never comprehend is now looking to use DNA as a model for crafting the world's next great processor. DNA origami, as it's so tactfully called, can supposedly provide a cheap framework "on which to build tiny microchips," with IBM research manager Spike Narayan proclaiming that this is "the first demonstration of using biological molecules to help with processing in the semiconductor industry." Sir Spike also noted that "if the DNA origami process scales to production-level, manufacturers could trade hundreds of millions of dollars in complex tools for less than a million dollars of polymers, DNA solutions, and heating implements." The actual process still seems murky from here, but we're told to expect real results within ten years. Which should be just in time for the robot apocalypse to really hit its stride -- awesome.

[Via HotHardware]

Water-cooled Aquasar supercomputer does math, heats dorm rooms

by Darren Murph posted Jun 25th 2009 at 5:27AM

Not that we haven't seen this trick pulled before, but there's still something magical about the forthcoming Aquasar. Said supercomputer, which will feature two IBM BladeCenter servers in each rack, should be completed by 2010 and reach a top speed of ten teraflops. Such a number pales in comparison to the likes of IBM's Roadrunner, but it's the energy factor here that makes it a star. If all goes well, this machine will suck down just 10KW of energy, while the average power consumption of a supercomputer in the top 500 list is 257KW. The secret lies in the new approach to chip-level water cooling, which will utilize a "fine network of capillaries" to bring the water dangerously close to the processors without actually frying any silicon. While it's crunching numbers, waste heat will also be channeled throughout the heating system at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, giving students and dorm room crashers a good feel for the usefulness of recycled warmth.

Nanometer wars heat up, Toshiba and Intel enter unofficial race

by Darren Murph posted Jun 22nd 2009 at 10:12AM

Think the megapixel race is bad? Now we've another to worry about, with both Toshiba and Intel hastily approaching 0.01nm technology in order to make chips faster, more nimble and smaller. According to undisclosed sources at Digitimes, Intel has actually canned production plans for its 45nm Havendale processors, which were originally slated to slip into machines later this year. The cause? It's heading straight to 32nm, reportedly hoping to ship its Clarkdale line in Q1 2010 with entry-level prices ranging from $60 to $190. In related news, Toshiba is joining the likes of IBM, Samsung and Globalfoundries in an effort to dish out chips based on 28nm process technology. Needless to say, the move is being made in an effort to "stay relevant in an area dominated by the likes of Intel Corp and Texas Instruments." Now, if only we could get one of these potent, low-power chips inside of a netbook, we'd be pleased as punch.

Read - Intel cans Havendale in move to 32nm
Read - Toshiba speeds to 28nm

NEC and Toshiba hop on IBM's Semiconductor Alliance train for the ride to 28nm

by Tim Stevens posted Jun 18th 2009 at 7:39AM

IBM seems seriously intent to beat Intel to the tiny, 28nm processor punch, and has enlisted even more help to get there first. After securing deals with Samsung, Globalfoundries, and a few other merry chipmakers in April, NEC and Toshiba are now joining in on the Semiconductor Alliance fun to create next-generation processors before the biggest name in current-generation processors. Goals are smaller footprints, lower power consumption, and of course greater performance. Mind you, that greater performance is still likely two years away from anything we can hope to buy.

WinFast HPVC1100 is world's first external SpursEngine encoder

by Darren Murph posted May 12th 2009 at 8:53AM

Toshiba's Cell-based SpursEngine HD video co-processor has made plenty of appearances within monstrous gaming machines, but this marks the very first time where it has stepped out of the laptop chassis and into a portable enclosure. Granted, the language barrier is killing us here, but it seems as if the Leadtek WinFast HPVC1100 wraps a SpursEngine encoder into an on-the-go solution that can be lugged around with a standard laptop in order to churn through video while on set, in the field or on the road. Other specs include 128MB of RAM, a PCI-Express slot and a weight of 1.54 pounds; there's no word just yet on pricing or availability. One more shot is after the break.

[Via Akihabara News]

Continue reading WinFast HPVC1100 is world's first external SpursEngine encoder

IBM's Watson to rival humans in round of Jeopardy!

by Darren Murph posted Apr 27th 2009 at 9:56AM

IBM's already proven that a computer from its labs can take on the world's best at chess, but what'll happen when the boundaries of a square-filled board are removed? Researchers at the outfit are obviously excited to find out, today revealing that its Watson system will be pitted against brilliant Earthlings on Jeopardy! in an attempt to further artificial intelligence when it comes to semantics and searching for indexed information. Essentially, the machine will have to be remarkably labile in order to understand "analogies, puns, double entendres and relationships like size and location," something that robotic linguists have long struggled with. There's no mention of a solid date when it comes to the competition itself, but you can bet we'll be setting our DVRs whenever it's announced. Check out a video of the progress after the break.

[Via The New York Times]

Continue reading IBM's Watson to rival humans in round of Jeopardy!

IBM, Samsung, Globalfoundries, and more looking to beat Intel to 28nm market

by Ross Miller posted Apr 17th 2009 at 5:42AM

Sure, Intel's one-upping AMD in the 32nm department, but IBM and its merry band of Technology Alliance members -- including Samsung, STMicroelectronics, and AMD chipmakers Globalfoundries -- are looking to ramp up the competition and develop even smaller, low power 28nm processors before Intel gets a chance to size down. The group additionally promises migration plans for companies who've got 32nm on their roadmap and want to maybe shrink a few of the later, already planned models. Early risk production for the 28nm chips are planned for second half 2010, which means it's very unlikely we'll be seeing them in consumer gadgets until at least 2011.

Update: Lenovo leaks Pocket Yoga mystery netbook pics

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Mar 16th 2009 at 9:00AM

The mysterious netbook that Engadget Chinese hepped us to from the floor of Lenovo's Beijing office now has a name -- if little else. Images have surfaced on the company's photostream with this bad boy in a number of compromising positions, showing off its convertible design and touchscreen stylus capabilities. Tantalizing, yes? That's it for details, but be sure to hit up that gallery for those red hot pics.

Update: The mystery is solved, folks. According to Johnson Li, the director of Lenovo's Beijing Innovation Center, the device is a two-year-old laptop design concept that features a leather exterior and detachable keyboard. You know what? We still want one.

[Via Electronista, Thanks Luigi]

Gallery: Lenovo Pocket Yoga netbook

Lenovo's VAIO P Reserve Edition?

by Thomas Ricker posted Mar 11th 2009 at 4:26AM

What you're looking at is a genuine Lenovo device taken by a trusted source from inside of a showroom within ~~IBM's Beijing headquarters~~ Lenovo's Beijing office. The details sent to Engadget Chinese are brief so we can't tell you if it's a working model or not. Nevertheless, it bears all the hallmarks of a ThinkPad Reserve Edition with just a tad of VAIO P thrown in for taste... so to speak. A few more hurried shots at the break.

Update: Tipster clarified that the pics are from a showroom inside a Lenovo office, not IBM's Beijing HQ.

Continue reading Lenovo's VAIO P Reserve Edition?

IBM develops ZTIC USB stick for secure online banking

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Mar 4th 2009 at 11:34AM

Among the goodies making their debut at CeBIT this week, ZTIC (Zone Trusted Information Channel) is a USB stick designed for secure online banking, even on your horribly malware-infected machine. Developed in Zurich by IBM, this guy opens an SSL connection with the bank's servers, keeping the data safely on its side of things (this guy has no storage of its own) and displaying the transaction on the hardware itself. Even if your connection is breached by a "man-in-the-middle" attack, the hacker's funny business will be exposed on the device's display, which comes equipped with a big red "panic" button -- just in case. Pricing and availability for banking institutions has yet to be determined, but we do have a boss video for you after the break.

[Via PC World]

Continue reading IBM develops ZTIC USB stick for secure online banking

IBM ThamesBlue supercomputer uncovers antediluvian English words

by Darren Murph posted Mar 1st 2009 at 10:27AM

Granted, we could personally think of much more amazing ways to put supercomputers to work, but maybe there is some sort of benefit to humanity by knowing precisely what our ancestors' first words were. All that aside, the IBM ThamesBlue supercomputer has been tapped by language masters at the University of Reading in order to find that 'I,' 'we,' 'who' and the numbers '1,' '2' and '3' are amongst the most ancient across all Indo-European languages. Comically enough, it was also found that words like 'squeeze,' 'guts,' 'stick,' 'throw' and 'dirty' were also markedly archaic, which sure says a lot about how men in particular, um, don't evolve. At any rate, these new computational powers have reportedly opened up another 25,000 years or so of language study, so we suspect the folks on this project will be occupied for some time to come.