Filed under: TECHNOLOGY | Tags: Companies, Economic, Microsoft, Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Research, Monopolies and Oligopolies, Personal computer, Washington Times
TECHNOLOGY
Not content with a PC on every desktop, Microsoft wants to see every available surface become a computer screen. It has already developed a multi-touch Surface Computer (which is being used in AT&T stores), and turned that vertical in a multi-touch wall. Now, it’s latest project at Microsoft Research is a Sphere (see video). (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/29/microsoft-researchers-get-fancy-with-a-sphere-display 7/29)
Fueled by an interest in vinyl among younger consumers, turntable sales have jumped from 19,000 in April 2007 to 32,000 for the same month this year. Also, vinyl-record sales were up 70% in March and could total 1.6 million by the end of 2008, compared with CD sales, which fell 15% last year, according to this article. The Washington Times (7/28)
Dell has confirmed that it is developing a new lightweight Studio Hybrid desktop that will be aimed at the consumer market. The computer, which will come in a variety of colors and is designed to rest vertically or horizontally, is expected to be about 80% smaller and use 70% less energy than the average desktop. Pocket-lint.co.uk (7/29) , Electronista (7/28)
Fox became the first studio to step up and help finance digital cinema upgrades with the 14,000 screen Digital Cinema Implementation Partners comprised of exhibitors Regal, Cinemark and AMC. The group says widescale upgrades can’t happen until three other studios agree to chip in, according to THR. (Cynopsis 7/29)
Toshiba experienced a 2.8% drop in sales during its first quarter, due in large part to a global economic slowdown. Bright spots during the quarter came from TVs and hard-disk drives, according to the company. The Washington Post/Associated Press (7/29)
Matsushita will begin test production next year of organic light-emitting TV displays and could have them ready for market by 2011, a Japanese newspaper is reporting. OLED, considered the next generation in flat-panel TV sets, offers higher video quality and uses less energy than current liquid-crystal displays. Google/Associated Press (7/29)
Elan Home Systems now is offering the VIA!Valet10.0-EM, a touch-panel system that allows homeowners to control audio and video devices as well as security systems. The product has a 10.2-inch diagonal LCD screen that offers 60% more viewing space than the company’s previous VIA!Valet model. ElectronicHouse.com (7/28)
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