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Intel (Also) Goes for Open Source

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Intel follows the example set by the Raspberry Pi and launches a similar stripped-down open source PC-- the Minnowboard, essentially an x86-based PC motherboard with a caseless design.

MinnowboardReportedly the first open source PC with an Intel x86 processor, the Minnowboard development kit is based on Via Technologies processors. The board includes a 1GHz Intel Atom E640 processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM, HDMI port, ethernet, USB ports and microSD slot.

The Minnowboard design measures 10.16cm-square, and its board schematics and design files are freely available under a Creative Commons license.

Panasonic Claims First ReRAM Product

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Panasonic claims it will soon start mass-production of the first computer products with mounted ReRAM, the faster, lower-power alternative to NAND flash memory.

Panasonic MN101RAlso known as memristor or "memory resistor," ReRAM combines the properties of a resistor and memory in a new circuit element. Memristor technology requires less energy, is faster than present storage technologies and retains information even when the power is off.

Numerous companies are working on ReRAM projects (such as HP and Hynix) but Panasonic insists it is the first to get the technology "in a microcomputer," in this case the 8-bit MN101LR series microcomputer.

Strategy Analytics: Android Top Tablet Dog

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According to Strategy Analytics Android dominates the Q2 2013 tablet market, with the OS making 67% of global shipments reaching 51.7 million units with 43% Y-o-Y growth.

Android tablet shipments total 34.6m units through devices from both big OEMs (Samsung, Amazon, Google) and white box ODMs.

Strategy Analytics tablets

On the other hand the iPad sees Q2 2013 shipments dropping by -14% Y-o-Y to 14.6m units as iOS market share falls from 47.2% in Q2 2012 to 28.3%. One has to keep in mind the quarter saw no new iPad launches, even if the iPad mini has been on the market for a while.

Toshiba Adds Voice to Ultrabooks

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Toshiba launches a pair of mid-range additions to the Satellite laptop range-- the 14-inch E45t ultrabook and the 15-inch E55, both with aluminium construction and 802.11ac wifi support.

Toshiba LaptopThe E45t is the more interesting of the two, since it features voice control via pre-installed Dragon Assistant software. Toshiba says the ultrabook recognises voices from up to 0.9m, with commands allowing one to web search, post social media messages, watch Youtube videos, play music and even simply switch the thing off through the power of their voices.

Inside are a Core i5 Haswell processor, 500GB HDD (plus 32GB SSD cache) and a 1366 x 768 resolution touchscreen.

Kaleidescape Redesigns Cinema One

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Kaleidescape hopes for a wider customer base as it redesigns the Cinema One player with a sleeker form factor the company says is as easy to install as any off-the-shelf Blu-ray player.

Kaleidescape Cinema OneLike the original Cinema One, the redesigned player stores up to 600 DVDs inside an internal HDD. It can also store up to 100 Blu-ray discs, if with connection with a separate DV700 Disc Vault.

The player doubles as a Blu-ray player, and offers the same on-screen movie guide seen in other Kaleidescape systems. An online Kaleidescape Store allows download of 1080p/24 quality movies.

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