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While the debut of a new PC OS historically results in double-digit DRAM shipment growth, IHS iSuppli predicts the Windows 8 launch will not follow the pattern-- global DRAM shipments will grow by only 8% Y-o-Y in Q4 2012.

The iSuppli totals also include DRAM shipments headed for tablet and smartphone use.

How come growth will remain lackluster? First off, Windows 8 requires no more DRAM than Windows 7 does, meaning it will not boost memory orders from OEMs.

Meanwhile the economic situation continues to make PCs an unattractive purchase for customers.

Historically, the release of a new Windows version resulted in double-digit DRAM growth-- according to iSuppli, back in Q1 1992 the Windows 3.1 release saw DRAM shipments growing by 29% Y-o-Y, while the Windows 95 launch boosted shipments to 23% Y-o-Y in Q4 1995.

During both periods DRAM growth was on average 11-14% Y-o-Y.

More recently, the Windows 2000 and Windows XP launches caused DRAM shipments to grow by 49% and 41% in Q1 2000 and Q1 2001 respectively. The Q1 2007 Windows Vista release caused shipments to grow by just 24% Y-o-Y, while Windows 7 saw further reductions in DRAM shipments with just 18% Y-o-Y growth in Q4 2009.

"As DRAM enters an era of diversified applications, the lack of a boost from a new operating system will prove less significant," iSuppli concludes. However, while the current situation results in less spectacular quarter-to-quarter shipment growth, it will also help diffuse the effects during lower periods.

Go In a Break from the Past, Windows 8 Will Not Spur a Surge in DRAM Shipments (IHS iSuppli)

Video conferencing software-based applications (Skype, Facetime, Lync, Vidyo, etc.) may all use different video codecs (VP8, H.264AVC, H.264SVC, H.263, RTVideo, etc.)

Now work is underway in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to standardize on a video codec designed specifically for use over the Internet: a royalty-free video codec to be mandatory in browser-based real time communication.

The requirements attempt to address the needs of the most common Internet video transmission applications and to ensure good quality when operating in conditions that are typical for the Internet. These requirements address quality, bit-rate, and loss robustness. Other desirable codecs properties are considered as well.

Go Internet Engineering Task Force on Video Codec for Internet

Not even the mighty Google can stand up to the wrath of nature-- the company cancelled its New York October 29 Android event at the face of Hurricane Sandy, before revealing the Nexus 4 smartphone and Nexus 10 tablet on the Official Blog...

The grapevine already revealed what Google had in store for the launch event mind, even if a surprise Nexus 7 update joins the 2 new devices.

The Google trio runs on the latest Android "flavour"-- 4.2, with features such as Photo Sphere (allows users to create 360-degree panoramas), wireless display connectivity (via Miracast), gesture typing and multiple user support.

First revealed is the Nexus 4 smartphone. A collaboration with LG, latest Android flagship is a 4.7-inch device with a 1280 x 720 (320ppi) display, Qualcomm S4 quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 8MP rear-facing camera and either 16 or 32GB of storage.

Connectivity options include HSPA+ and NFC, while wireless charging also features.

Google also reveals its take on the iPad killer with the Samsung-made Nexus 10-- a full-grown tablet with a monstrous 2560 x 1600 (300ppi) 10-inch display. It carries a 1.7GHz Samsung Exynox dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, front-facing stereo speakers and built-in NFC, as well as a micro-HDMI port.

Handwritten notes get a lick of wifi-powered paint with the Livescribe Sky Wifi Smartpen-- an audio-recording pen saving handwritten notes and linked audio files directly to Evernote accounts.

Like earlier Livescribe smartpens the Sky demands users to write on proprietary physical notebooks (the paper has microdot patterns the smartpen tracks notes and audio with). However the Sky drops USB connection with PCs in favour of a wifi radio and automatic content beaming content Evernote accounts.

The chunky-looking pen also has an OLED display guiding users through the setup process, and either 2, 4 or 8GB of onboard storage.

The company promises it will provide compatibility with Google Drive, Dropbox and Facebook accounts from 2013, while the Sky Smartpen is available now.

Go Livescribe Sky Wifi Smartpen