Within a couple of hours,
Netgear et
Devolo has both released a new solution for Power Line Communications (PLC), a.k.a. Broadband for Power Line (BPL), able to reach speed transfer of 200 Mbits/s.
If the transfer speed really turns to be close to 200 Mbits/s and not only a marketing cllaim, the PLC could become a real alternative to WiFi in buildings where materials prevent wireless network to be properly deployed, or for users who does not want to secure a WiFi network but still want internet connection without installing Ethernet cables.
Thanks to Laurent, Stephane and Jean-Paul for the photo.
As it is already the case in the USA, Apple has decided to build up partnership with Supermarket companies in France, and especially with Carrefour (European leader). the decision seems to have been taken with the release of the first MacIntel products, making it easier for customers to compare with PC manufacturer offers (in Supermarket, mostly Acer, HP, Medion, etc).
If Carrefour can benefit from the iPod Halo effect to sell Apple hardware, no doubts that other Supermarket will also start selling Apple products beside iPods.
It seems that Intel is ready to fire back to any AMD technology innovations, even to the Threading Hardware system we jsut mentioned
yesterday.
According to
Xtremesystems, Intel is ready to launch its own Threading Hardware solution, named Core Multiplexing. It seems the technology is already implemented in the Core 2 Duo and could simply be activated via a firmware update...
So in the future, non optimized applications will benefit from multicore CPU, even though it will never be as fast as a multicore-aware version of the same application. So this technology might be important for already existing applications, but developers should always try to get the best out of multicore CPU; especially for Pro applications.
Intel has unveiled client chipset able to manage both the fixed and mobile versions of the WiMax wireless broadband technology.
The first version, a.k.a. 802.16d-2004, known as Fixed WiMax version is expected to replace broadband cable or ADSL access point to redistribute internet connection to clients via the local wire-based network.
The second version, a.k.a. 802.16e-2005, known as Mobile WiMax version manage the fixed wireless applications, but in addition bring support for roaming among base stations (something similar to the mobile phone technology).
Intel is expecting to release by the end of the year a chipset that will support both WiMax and WiFi. Once integrated in notebook, users will enjoy a new "era of mobility"... if WiMax networks are already deployed...
As expected, Intel has officially released its Core technology-based Xeon CPU (aka WoodCrest). This new processor has faster than its predecessor while releasing up to 40% less heat. Hereafter is the price list of the current WoodCrest Xeon models available from Intel (price per unit for 1000 units order).
- Xeon DP 5110: 1.60 GHz, FSB1066, 4 MB cache L2, 209$
- Xeon DP 5120: 1.86 GHz, FSB1066, 4 MB cache L2, 256$
- Xeon DP 5130: 2.00 GHz, FSB1333, 4 MB cache L2, 316$
- Xeon DP 5140: 2.33 GHz, FSB1333, 4 MB cache L2, 455$
- Xeon DP 5150: 2.66 GHz, FSB1333, 4 MB cache L2, 690$
- Xeon DP 5160: 3.00 GHz, FSB1333, 4 MB cache L2, 851$
Price for companies such as Apple or Dell are of course be much lower (part of undisclosed information in Intel and Apple partnership).
Hereafter is a photo of a Intel motherboard supporting 2 Xeons.
It is likely a very similar motherboard design that will be used in the future Xserve models, whereas the Mac Pro will probably feature a motherboard with additional PCI-e slots.
Whereas it seems now almost certain that Steve Jobs will not be there at the Paris Apple Expo in September, Apple has released a PR yesterday announcing Steve Jobs keynote at the WWDC.
In addition, Apple unveils part of the topics that will be discussed during the Keynote: preview of Mac OS® X "Leopard".
While being during summer holidays, for sure the WWDC will attract many developers as well as news networks (the Mac Pro should be introduced at the WWDC).
