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|  | Ambitious BEAR robot by Vecna has VIA inside
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
If you frequent YouTube, you have probably come across a video of this robot - a cartoon re-creation of it going up some stairs to rescue a wounded soldier. Vecna are getting closer to being able to show a live demo - well not with the wounded soldier. Their goal is to make the BEAR robot semi-autonomous.
Inside this robot is a hardware platform we all know, the VIA EPIA. Chris Taylor, a new writer here at VIA Arena, shot a few emails off to Vecna, did some research and now offers up his first article for the site on this most interesting topic. Read it here. |   |
| Trident announces rugged PC
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The old saying that computing is now ubiquitous (it makes me cringe when ever I read that over-used phrase) isn't really quite true. Try taking a standard PC or notebook on a boat, 4WD trip, camping, dirty factory - anywhere where there is the risk of exposure to the elements, and you'll find that computers can be quite restricted. Trident have just the solution: "The MMB Mobile PC from Trident is powered by an energy efficient, cool running VIA C7 1 GHz processor, eliminating the need for fans and vents. The MMB Mobile is sealed to IP65 on all but one side where the connections are placed. An optional 1 inch skirt provides further protection once fitted." Source: ElectronicsWeekly.com. | |
| Samsung Q1b "UMPC and a half"
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
It's been a while since I've seen the Samsung Q1b UMPC in the news. After all, it's probably about 6 months old now. I still think it's one of the best UMPCs I have worked with. It's very light and the battery life is still unrivaled by any other design. Product-Reviews.net has more. | |
| Two Linux updates
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
- Installation guide: how to install VIA’s driver for the VIA Solomon VT6656 – 802.11 a/b/g Wireless LAN controller
- VIA Linux Solomon VT6656 Driver Binary V1.13_20070719
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| Let others take care of your data
Monday, July 30, 2007
Zonbu, the tiny PC that consumes just 15 watts, is in the news again. When I first heard about the device, which stores data on Zonbu's server and doesn't have its own hard drive, I appreciated the idea, but I wondered if the average consumer would accept not having their own copies of their own files. But then I realized that most people do that all the time with email anyway. The Web 2.0 concept, that you might say is being realized in the Zonbu design, is actually already in use without most of us realizing. The Zonbu "uses free, evolving open-source software. And, much as they do with Web-based e-mail like Google's Gmail and other applications, consumers may be more inclined to let their data be stored on another company's servers and avoid the tedium of backing up data." Source: MercuryNews.com. | |
| Zonbu as a server
Monday, July 30, 2007
Zonbu's design of a Linux-based client in your home that keeps all of your data on Zonbu's server has been almost turned on its ear by the random musings of this ZNet blog which suggests that the unit be used as a back-up server for multiple PCs. It then goes on to explore other possible uses for such a device: "Consider a network of sensors and RFID chips, in your lawn, on your pets, on your jewelry, your car keys and wallet. Consider home security tied to the same box, cameras monitoring the perimeter, lights going on-and-off irregularly under a randomized program on the Zonbu." Don't laugh too loud, these things are coming! | |
| | Video interview with VIA VP
Friday, July 27, 2007
At the tale end of Computex in June, Hexus TV sat down with VIA's VP of Marketing, Richard Brown and interviewed him about VIA's upcoming products. It was during the Computex trade show that VIA showed off the Mobile-ITX platform and the VIA NanoBook reference design. Both products are talked about in depth in the interview. Check it out here. Just a word of warning - Hexus must have Intel sponsoring them at the moment. So when you click on the link to "VIA's Future Technology Revealed!" the play window above actually shows an Intel logo. It's just a placeholder. Click on play and the interview with VIA's VP will start. Just thought I'd warn you - maybe I was just having a blonde moment, but I thought the link was wrong at first! | |
| VIA's PowerSaver technology gets certification in China
Friday, July 27, 2007
VIA has issued a Press Release to announce that the China Standard Certification Center (CSC) has awarded certification to the PowerSaver technology of the VIA C3 and C7 range of processors."China’s equivalent of the Energy Star program in the US, the CSC aims to encourage energy efficiency through a certification program that rewards power saving and environmentally friendly designs. Formerly the China Certification Center for Energy Conservation Products (CECP), the CSC is a non-profit organization that encourages manufacturers to produce resource-efficient products and helps consumers make more sustainable purchase decisions." The certification recognizes that the technology has "practical applications in the effective reduction of processor power consumption, resulting in greater energy efficiency and economic benefit for businesses and consumers." | |
| Vista with open source office on an affordable PC aimed at students
Thursday, July 26, 2007
When I hear about a $298 computer, I assume that it's probably running Linux. Everex in the US are, however, offering a VIA C7-D based PC, including the keyboard, mouse and speakers, for that price, that runs Windows Vista Home Basic. But keeping the costs down and still making the PC fully functional for students right out of the box, is having Open Office.org 2.2 preinstalled. The New York Times reports that "The GC3502 has a gigabyte of memory, an 80-gigabyte hard drive, a rewriteable DVD drive and a network card; full configuration details are at www.everex.com/gc3502. The computer is sold at Wal-Mart stores..." | |
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| Most recent blog entries |  |
| | | Update in Process | | John Gatt's Babblings
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| | @Me dot com | | John Gatt's Babblings
| By John Gatt onTuesday, August 19, 2008 9:34 AM | |
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| | Updating my iPhone | | John Gatt's Babblings
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