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IBM begins production of 65nm Cell chip
It's no secret that IBM has had some bigger -- or, rather -- smaller and better plans in the works for its Cell microprocessor, but we've now got the word from Big Blue itself, with the company announcing that it has started production of an advanced version of the chip, using a 65 nanometer manufacturing process as opposed to the current 90nm. Apart from being physically smaller, the 65nm chip should also result in lower power consumption and reduced costs to manufacturers using the processor. While that would include IBM itself -- which uses Cell processors in some of its own BladeCenter servers -- the company's most famous customer is, of course, Sony, who use the chip in a not-so-little game console of theirs you may heard of. On that front, it's been reported that Sony does indeed plan to use this new chip in future versions of the PlayStation 3 to help cut manufacturing costs, although that doesn't necessarily mean we'll see a cut in the price of the console itself anytime soon.[Via Yahoo News/IDG]
The Green Grid: big iron goes green
We can almost hear the guys at the nuke plant wincing as AMD's The Green Grid consortium took to the wires today to remind everyone of the impressive roster of companies they've enlisted (including borad members IBM, HP, Sun, Dell, and now also Microsoft and even archival Intel). The means to the end (of excessive server power draw, that is), The Green Grid is working to standardize benchmarking of performance per watt; they claim that once they can standardize performance metrics across processors and platforms, they can better hone their efforts to cutting down the the world's electric bill for servers n' related gear (which in 2005 had ballooned to $7.5 billion annually). We're still a bit hazy as to why agreement on performance metrics will affect the fact that chipmakers should be as focused on increasing power efficiency as they are performance, but at least one company's already taking some cogent steps. ColdWatt announced today they've got a line of seemingly no-compromise enterprise power supplies from 650 - 1200 watts that generate 45% less heat and consumer 30% less power. They may not be Green Grid members, but that should help out a bit in making your company's grid a little greener.Read- The Green GridRead - ColdWatt
Steampunk IBM keyboard mod
Sick of living in the post-industrial present? Long for an alternate universe where steam trumps electricity? Well, unfortunately, while we can't offer you a complete transfer from the land of "the now" into a steampunk universe, we can show you a way to make it feel like Queen Victoria and the era she represented lasted until the ripe old age of 170. Full instructions for how to convert a 1980s era "clicky" IBM keyboard into an input device that would look at home in a movie adaptation of a Jules Verne novel are available on The Steampunk Workshop: just add a steampunk laptop and you're set. Honestly, if there was one keyboard that could give the Optimus 103 a run for its money in a "coolness" face-off, this would be it. Then again, we always were suckers for mixing retro with modern.[Via Digg]
IBM's eDRAM to triple memory and double performance of processors
Last month it was leaky transistors, now it's DRAM -- embedded DRAM to be precise -- at the bleeding edge of semiconductor news. Today, IBM's neo-maxi-zoom-dweebies will announce that their new type of memory will "triple" the amount of memory stored on computer chips while doubling the performance of processors. How you say? It's the SRAM, man. IBM's new eDRAM is faster than that scandalous DRAM -- nearly as fast as SRAM while taking up less space. As a result, IBM can replace most of the SRAM with the new, smaller eDRAM. Expect the new tech to appear in IBM's server chips starting in 2008.
Lenovo intros Vista-equipped SFF A55 ThinkCentre desktop
With all this talk about small-form-factor PCs going on, not to mention the Vista-equipped computer bandwagon that's steaming through today, Lenovo apparently figured it might as well hop on. Rather than changing the model name completely, the A55 SFF simply sports a trio of extra letters, a 64-percent smaller enclosure than its larger counterpart, and a claim to be around 25-percent tinier than "the conventional small desktop." Moreover, this wee PC will pack a mysterious Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Windows Vista, DVD writer, an optional floppy drive (saywha?), and a whole smorgasbord of other not-yet-mentioned components within a case not much larger than "your average briefcase." Customers who pick this up will be graced with the outfit's ThinkVantage Technologies, such as Rescue and Recovery and Client Security System, and considering the relatively low starting price of $579, this unit might not be a bad fit for your overly cramped office when it lands next month.[Via 64-Bit-Computers]
Intel, IBM announce insulation "overhaul" for faster, cooler chips
Intel and IBM are acting oh-so-smug right now about their respective achievements in insulating 45nm transistors, allowing the chips to run faster, leak less power and generate less heat. Intel, which hinted at such improvements in June, knocked out the first press announcement, promising to start implementing the technology in the second half of 2007, and IBM scrambled to catch up, announcing that it was "on the verge" of a similar discovery, and was working with AMD to start building comparable chips in Q1 2008. Intel is calling this the "biggest change in computer chips in 40 years," and while that sounds like hyperbole to us, there's no denying that 45nm is the new hotness, and bully for Intel for making it work. The actual technology -- at least Intel's method -- replaces the silicon dioxide insulators which leak too much energy when sliced too thin, but when made thicker reduce the electrical charge that passes through, reducing performance. Now Intel is using a hafnium-based insulator, which improves conductivity and reduces leakage simultaneously. Just for kicks, Intel is also tossing in a new metal alloy for its gate electrode, to replace the old silicon gate. IBM confirmed it is also using hafnium insulators, but couldn't help getting in a cheap-shot metaphor: "It's the difference between can openers and Ferraris," according to Bernard S. Meyerson, VP and chief technologit for systems and technology at IBM. Man, those technologists can really bring the smack.[Thanks, Lee G.]
The Linux Foundation forms, issues call to arms
The open source community fired its latest shot over the bow of the SUSE-loving SS Microsoft today, announcing that the two leading bodies of Linux proponents -- the Open Source Development Labs and Free Standards Group -- have been folded into a new, seemingly corporate-sponsored organization that promises to "promote, protect, and standardize Linux." Christened The Linux Foundation, the new consortium will not develop or distribute any products, but instead is tasked with three primary objectives: to enable the independence of select developers by funding their work, while at the same time providing legal support and advice for members of the community; to act as a neutral forum for collaborative projects or for members to air their grievances; and to help Linux gain market share with respect to Windows. All of the commercial interests which previously belonged to the OSLD and FSG will also play a leading role in the newly-formed body, leading some critics to argue that it was actually heavy hitters like IBM, HP, Fujitsu, and Hitachi pushing for this merger in the hopes of growing the $14.5 billion infrastructure that has reportedly developed around Linux. Still, none other than Linus Torvalds himself has thrown his weight behind the foundation -- which now pays his salary, mind you -- suggesting that the original goals of the OSDL and FSG had largely been met at this point, and that standardization is a laudible pursuit. Both groups' memberships still need to approve the proposed merger, but if all goes according to plan, you can expect to see the LinFo begin its work sometime in early February.Read- Press release [Via TG Daily]Read- NY Times coverage [Via ZDNet]
IBM booth tour
After 10 years of absence IBM returns to CES and even after we visited their booth we weren't exactly sure why they were there. Sure they developed the chips in the latest game consoles, which they had on display. They also had a few other items like their Micro Drive and Virtual World software. IBM booth tour
IBM and friends spice up CELL: 6GHz and 65nm right around the corner
The party over at the International Solid State Circuits Conference in San Francisco hasn't begun yet, we've still got a month to go, but thanks to the conference agenda, we've got a pretty good idea of what will be announced, and it's sounding pretty hot. Of most notable consumer relevance is the new CELL chip that IBM, Sony and Toshiba will be trotting out, sporting 6GHz speeds and a 65nm manufacturing process, compared to the 3.2GHz and 90nm specs of its predecessor. The chip will also feature a dual power supply design, that should speed up memory performance. No word yet if this will be making its way into some sort of beefed up PS3, but we're sure Sony and Toshiba will find something to do with all that horsepower. IBM will also be announcing its 5GHz Power6 server proc, while Intel goes all experimental on everyone with its 80 core test chips. Good times indeed.[Via I4U]
Lotus Notes 7.02 brings full Mac support
We first blogged about Lotus Note's Mac support in January of this year, and now it would seem IBM has fully delivered on the promise. As eWEEK reports Lotus Notes 7.02 offers full OS X support (10.4.2 or higher is required) and it is Universal so both PPC Macs and Intel Macs can share in the love. As you can see from the screenshot above Lotus Note's UI still looks like IBM software, but it looks like that on Windows, Linux, and OS X which is important. Not only is the client supported on the Mac, but Lotus Notes Web Access now works on the Mac as well, which I am sure is good news for people who use Macs at home.Check out IBM's website for more details and screenshots of Lotus Notes running on Tiger.
IBM's RFID tech will combat fake pharmaceuticals
While we've long discussed both the benefits and nefarious uses of RFID (see: stalking people, or hacking their passports), but IBM's got a new purpose for wireless tags that could benefit pharmaceuticals. IBM announced that it will include RFID tags on drug packages as a way to track and verify the authenticity of a particular substance. Next thing you know our nanobot controlled interiors are going to be analyzing embedded RFID in order to decide whether harmful drug interactions will occur if fully digested and metabolized. Ah, the miracles of science.
Goodbye flash memory, hello "phase-change" memory?
If IBM, Macronix, and Qimond have their way, the now ubiquitous flash memory could soon be on its way out, replaced by the new-and-improved "phase-change" memory developed by the trio of companies. While complete details on this catchily-named new memory are under wraps until the big unveiling at this week's International Electronic Devices Meeting in San Francisco, according to the AFP, it's supposedly 500 to 1,000 times faster than conventional flash memory and uses about half as much power to boot. According to IBM senior manager Spike Narayan, that'll allow for the non-volatile memory to replace replace hard drives and pave the way for instant-on computers, as well as let you "carry your own fancy computer application in your hand." While these three memory makers aren't the first to jump on the phase change bandwagon, if those numbers are to be believed, their RAM would seem to seem to leave the others in the dust. Whether it's as fast to show up on the market or not, we'll have to wait and see.
IBM's Moscow offices raided in embezzlement investigation
On Wednesday, a team of Russian investigators and a squad of masked, rifle-toting police raided IBM's Moscow offices. Big Blue is currently under investigation in the Russian Federation for allegedly having stolen money from the country's $57 billion pension fund. The Russian Interior Ministry accused IBM and two local software companies of committing conspiracy "to rig auctions and embezzle some of the 1 billion rubles ($38 million) of budget money allocated to the funds for new computers," reports Bloomberg. The spokeswoman of one of the other companies under investigation, R-Style Softlab, said that riot police were deployed at the company's offices for 10 hours yesterday, and "made copies of some documents, took the list of our contacts and copied some electronic mail." This reminds us an awful lot of that Siemens raid that took place last month -- is there some crazy European embezzlement epidemic going on that we should know about?[Via The Register]Read - BloombergRead - IDG News ServiceRead - The Associated Press
"Obvious" patent laws could become relaxed, tech firms rejoice
Lawsuits in the technology biz certainly aren't uncommon, and it looks like we may have one more significant ruling about to hit just shortly after CSIRO won its own landmark case. The US Supreme Court justices seem to be viewing earlier, lower cases with a hint of skepticism in regard to decisions that have previously worked to safeguard patented products. While the trial at hand concerns two brake manufacturers -- KSR International and rival Teleflex -- the stipulations could be far reaching; the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit previously ruled that KSR failed to prove that Teleflex (the accuser) "did not encounter teaching, suggestion, or motivation in developing the product." The generally ambiguous test is a thorn in the side of major technology companies getting slapped around by frivolous lawsuits, and Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco Systems have all made time to "submit briefs supporting KSR's stand." Still, the final decision isn't expected for quite some time, so sue-happy firms still have time to submit their counter-briefs, but folks like Vonage and TomTom (just to name a couple) would obviously (ahem) love a victory here.[Via Slashdot]
IBM to future game makers: Stay in school
The vagaries of computer chip design don't usually hold a school child's rapt attention. But tell the student how that chip design relates to video games and things might go a little differently.That was clearly IBM's hope when they invited over 300 New York area children to its $2.5-billion East Fishkill manufacturing plant this week to show them how the chips behind today's game systems get made. The trip was part of a program to encourage math and science education by "making the subjects interesting and relevant to them."To that end, IBM showed the students how math and science make games possible, and how the technology behind video games is being used in everything from health care to energy exploration. The students also got to get some hands on time with the next-gen systems, which we're sure made them forget all about that boring educational stuff.With IBM chips in all three next-gen systems, the company clearly has a vested interest in promoting its position at the forefront of gaming hardware technology. Still, it's always nice to see a corporate mega-conglomerate giving something back to the community.
Oregon man sues Acer, Gateway, et al. for violating hinge patent
Earlier this month, Mr. Khalil Zaidan of Portland, Oregon, sued Acer, Gateway, Toshiba, HP, IBM, and Fujitsu for violating his 1996 patent "Hinge Assembly for Electronic Devices." A closer reading of the patent indicates that Zaidan seems to have patented the basic principle behind a tablet PC, allowing a computer to perform "rotational adjustment." Still, the case -- filed in United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division -- seems like a pretty easy way to milk these big companies for some cash, given that tablet PCs have been around well before November 2006. Nevertheless, while Zaidan is asking the court for damages on patent infringement be decided in a jury trial, we're betting that this gets settled out-of-court pretty quick. We're pretty sure that if Zaidan could actually build a Commodore 64-esque tablet (that's what his diagram is supposed to represent, right?), he could just make money from that instead of going through all this legal nonsense.
Lenovo announces Y-series notebooks and flashy Q / H-series desktop systems
Lenovo is busting out a bevy of new notebooks and desktops today in the Asia Pacific realm. Its Y-series laptops and Q / H-series desktops were unveiled, each diverting from the traditional paths previously taken on (the admittedly bland) IBM-branded counterparts. The yet-to-be-priced 13-inch widescreen Y300 touts discrete NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 graphics, a built-in webcam that automatically recognizes its owners face to log them in, and weights just 4.85 pounds. The Y400 maintains the "same design theme" on the Y300, but packs a 14-inch LCD, a "flush-mounted" touchpad, and swaps in a two-watt "subwoofer" for the uber-snazzy webcam. On the desktop side, the Q lineup starts at $1,017 and offers a stylish, trendy design, detachable swivel webcam, multimedia jog dial, tower speakers, ATi Radeon X1300 graphics card, VGA / S-Video outputs, Sonic Gear HS555 headset, and an optional 19- or 20-inch LCD. If you're scouting a design-focused PC on the cheap, the H series hits at just $699, offers an optional 17- or 19-inch widescreen display, touts an "anti-bacterial keyboard," and boasts its ability to be a "basic, family-friendly computing system." While Levovo certainly spruced up its latest offerings, warranty lengths were slashed right along with prices (just 30 days of free phone support and one-year of coverage), and while the desktop systems will begin shipping anytime, the fancy new notebooks won't hit shelves until mid-December.Read - Lenovo Y Series notebooksRead - Lenovo Q / H Series desktops
And the next-gen winner is ... IBM?
Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are all in a battle to get their product in your living room. Given that most consumers have either constrained time or money, they won't be able to get all three. Slice it how you may, there will be one definite winner in the next-gen marketplace; (drum roll) that winner is IBM. Regardless of which console a consumer ultimately chooses, IBM will be getting a cut of the profits. IBM developed the processor in the Wii and Xbox 360 and IBM also has their name on Cell, along with Sony and Toshiba. Owning the processor trifecta is more than enough to make up for losing Apple's business to Intel. No other company stands to win regardless of which console takes the top spot. Even ATI, whose chip is in the Wii and 360, could stand to take a back seat to Nvidia if the previous generation's sales numbers repeat themselves. No matter what turns out, we already know IBM won the console wars. Now that's settled, we should start arguing over which IBM chip will win. [Thanks, Gamer Jay]
IBM's Donald Rosenberg Joins Apple as General Counsel
In the news today, Apple announced that Donald J. Rosenberg, senior vice president and general counsel of IBM, will be moving to Apple to take over similar duties there. "We're thrilled to welcome such a seasoned professional to our executive team," said Steve Jobs, according to today's Apple press release. "Don has a broad range of experience that includes litigation, securities, intellectual property and antitrust, and he will be responsible for overseeing all legal matters and government affairs for Apple." TUAW is curious to see how Mr. Rosenberg handles the matter of the messy $85 million in stock options recently discussed on this weblog.
Clipped Tags: IBM's solution to RFID security woes
Remember how we've been harping forever about how awful RFID is, security-wise? Specifically, how everything from your credit card data to your passport info can be hacked pretty easily? Well, IBM's new solution to this problem is not to change the way RFID works, but rather, to just snip off part of the antenna. Calling the new technology "clipped tag," Big Blue claims that this would reduce the range of RFID tags from 30 feet to mere inches, meaning a potential malfeasant would have to get awfully close to their target to steal data. Fortunately for us, clipped tags are set to ship this week, according to InfoWorld. The magazine also interviewed Dr. Ann Cavoukian, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Canada, who said that "the clipped tag concept solves a problem she has wrestled with for years: how to protect a consumer's privacy while still offering them the benefits of RFID technology." And as we all know, as Ontario goes, so goes the rest of the world. [Via The Inquirer]
