Microsoft Tries To Flatten Competition With Surface (Part 2)

We're quickly learning that Ultra books can take many shapes and sizes, provided they adhere to Intel's sub-1-inch Z-height requirement. Toshiba's new Satellite U845W not only sets a new precedent in the Ultrabook space, but also presents a new form fac­tor for notebooks in general. The screen is 14.4 inches diagonally, with the unique resolution of 1792x768, making it the first portable device with a 21:9 aspect ratio. According to Toshiba, this distinct panel makes the U845W the perfect Ultrabook for movie buffs and productivity hounds alike. The former group will appreciate that they can view 2.35:1 movies in their original format – no horizontal black bars needed. The latter group will like how the wid­er display better accommodates multiple open windows – Toshiba’s Split Screen Utility helps out with a preconfigured grid that automati­cally resizes windows as they are dragged to various points on the screen. The U845 has a starting price of $1,000.

Toshiba Widens Ultrabook

Intel Plans Brain-Like Neuromorphic CPUs

Intel researchers have published a proposal for a new, neuromorphic chip design – hardware that mimics the human brain.

Intel's technique differs quite a bit from IBM’s cognitive chips, which were first announced almost a year ago. While IBM’s brain chips use traditional silicon circuits containing so- called ‘neurosynaptic cores’ with ‘programmable synapses’ and ‘Teaming synapses,’ the method proposed by Intel instead uses multi-input lateral spin valves and memristors. The LSVs are itty-bitty magnets that change their magnetism depending on the rotation of the electrons coursing through them, while memristors either increase or decrease their elec­trical resistance depending on the direction of the electrical current's flow.

The Intel researchers say that by arranging these parts into specific configurations, the LSVs can basically act as neurons, while the memristors mimic synapses. They also claim that the neuromorphic CPUs are amazingly energy efficient, using 15 to 300 times less power than current CMOS technology.

Brain-Like Neuromorphic CPUs

The group claims that the chip would be good for processing tasks similar to what hu­mans do, such as ‘analog-data-sensing, data-conversion, cognitive-computing, associa­tive memory, programmable-logic, and analog and digital signal processing.’ One big ca­veat: At this stage, Intel's neuromorphic CPU is entirely theoretical, while IBM's brain-done is already a prototype. That being said, you can read all about Intel's neuromorphic chip in the company's white paper proposal: bit.ly/L5H7HT.

Microsoft Previews Windows Phone 8

June was a busy month for Microsoft announcements. Besides dropping the bombshell of a Microsoft-branded Surface tablet for Windows 8, the company released details of the upcoming Windows Phone 8 (expected sometime this fall). Most significantly, the mobile OS will shift to the NT kernel, sharing many of the core elements of the desktop OS. This will make it easier for developers to code for both mobile and desk­top apps, while still maintaining backward compatibil­ity with existing apps. The shift also enables support for multicore processors and SD cards (as opposed to the spotty SD support found on WP7).

Another big change is NFC support. Combined with a new Wallet hub, this will allow users to store credit card and other membership/reward card information se­curely on their phones for easy financial transactions. You can also expect speech recognition via Audible.

Windows Phone 7 users, unfortunately, will be un­able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8 on today's hard­ware, but an update to Windows Phone 7.8 will at least give them the new Start screen, which features different-size tiles and new colors.

Google's One-Two Tablet Punch

Google's Nexus 7 tablet

By now you've no doubt heard about Google's Nexus 7 tablet – the 7-inch tablet made by Asus that will start at $199 and presumably give Ama­zon's Kindle Fire a run for its money. The Nexus 7 is competitive not only for its price and superior specs – a 1.3GHz Tegra 4 quad-core proc, 1GB RAM, 1280x800 resolution, up to 16GB of stor­age, 1.2MP front-facing camera, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean – but also for its close integration with Google Play. Previously called Android Market, Google Play will make it super easy for Nexus 7 users to purchase apps (naturally), as well as movies, TV episodes, books, and magazines (in­cluding Maximum PCI). Sound familiar?