Monday May 14, 2007

- iPod and Pacemakers: Questionable Scientific Data to (Re)Invent the Wheel - Eric - 10:37:51

Once more, we witnessed the dark side of internet when it comes to non critical news, and how some websites like to spread a story without bringing much criticism to ensure large exposure and audience. A study authored by a 17-year-old high school student and "supervised" by researchers at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Institute at Michigan State University claims that Apple’s iPod music player could interfere with pacemakers. Nothing new in summary!
Indeed, without mentioning the small number of patients enrolled in this study, making all results and conclusions statistically questionable or non significant, we should also mention that there was no other digital music players tested! Something really surprising for a so called-scientific study...
In addition the conclusion correlated with more serious studies performed over years, as early as the pacemakers were invented and massively used to prevent cardiac disorders in patients: as a micro-electric device, all pacemakers are sensitive to external electric and magnetic fields! This is probably even written in the instruction manual or information concerning limits of use.

Once more, Apple and its current exposure and success are directly used to promote third-parties works or stories. So if you plan to release or announce a new product, story or devices, we strongly advise you to identify all possible and potential links with any successful Apple-branded products, it will ensure you a massive exposure to the media via internet.

- The True Power Consumption of our Computer - Lionel - 10:35:22

Hardware.fr published an interesting article (in French unfortunately) aiming to dissect and identify the power requirements of our computer taking all components one after the other. If some parameters can not be translated directly for our Mac, the article provides power consumption values for RAM modules and HD.

It also illustrates that adding a component in a computer in addition to its value, has also an impact on power consumption, and one should become more energy-aware not globally but although individually (simply install what you really need - Think globally, act locally). Last but not least, the article shows that 1000W PSU do not deliver more than 500-600W effectively, and that the main problem is not really power required in load, but rather the power burnt for nothing when being idle or in sleep mode. Power management system for desktop should be strongly improved in order to reach similar level than the one found in notebooks, being constantly plug to the main power does not mean that you should use as much as possible...

Apple could use this point for a Greener Apple campaign...

[translation by Linathael]

- Intel Finalizing its 45 nm CPUs for Mass Production - Lionel - 10:25:44

Source : http://www.tgdaily.com/

Intel does not intend to let AMD recover and regain market share with its future Agena/Kuma CPUs. So Intel has pushed validation and debugging steps of the Peyrin as much as possible. Design of the LGA775 packaging is finished and even Wolfdale (Peyrin's desktop brother) could have reached the final pre-release status, being ready to be send away next month to system integrators. Intel can have 2 Fabs ready for mass production volumes of Peyrin then later Wolfdale as early as Q3 2007, making transition to 45nm notebook and desktop CPUs possible in 2007. Apple might have to adapt with this 3 months in advance on schedule status, and potential speed up some hardware turn over.

[translation by Linathael]

- Apple's Santa Rosa-based Notebooks Tomorrow? - Lionel - 10:23:38

According to Apple Insiders and Think Secret, Apple should start unveiling its Santa Rosa-based hardware model tomorrow. In addition to the Mac Book, MacBook Pro and iMac it should also include Mac mini. Funny enough, this is the same website that stated middle of last week that migration to Santa Rosa was delayed ...

There is no need to argue about rumors when a simple analysis demonstrates that Apple is probably the last computer company not having announced its Santa Rosa-based models, as HP, Dell, Toshiba, Sony and Co have already done it since weeks, with the availability beginning of May. Apple will not delay further this introduction as many users have postponed their purchase.
So, tomorrow, around 13h00 CET, the Apple Store should be closed down and new products introduced.

[translation by Linathael]