USB 3 and eSATA may be the king and queen when it comes to external speed, but no technology is more promising than Intel’s Light Peak. While USB 3.0 was a marginal, linear progression from USB 2.0 and 1.0 before it, Light Peak is exponentially faster. For example, USB 3.0 has a theoretical top speed of 5.0Gbps. Though real-world speeds tend to hover around 100-130MB/s. Still, that’s a helluva lot better than their previous technologies. Light Peak on the other hand has a theoretical top speed of 10Gbps, which will obviously offer at least double the real-world transfer speeds. But what’s slightly surprising is that Intel showed off the successor to Light Peak — mind you, Light Peak still has 3-5 years before we actually see it in mainstream products.
If Light Peak is all the rage in geek world currently, the successor has to be something special, right? Right! Light Peak tops out at 10Gbps. Ok, awesome. But Intel’s even faster laser-based technology will allow data transmissions of up to 12.5Gbps across (4) laser beams, netting nearly ~50Gbps of total bandwidth. That’s inane! But that’s just the beginning…
I may favor many aspects of Android over other mobile platforms, but there’s one area that sucks pretty bad all around — soft (onscreen) keyboards. The iPhone’s keyboard is still the one to beat. Android’s default keyboard as well as just about every other keyboard I’ve tried are marginal at best. Of course, 3rd part options such as Swype do go a long way into introducing new and innovative methods of inputing characters on a screen.
Another newcomer however has quite a bit of potential as is shown off in the video (inside). Not only is the prediction algorithm eerily amazing, the keyboard changes orientation on the fly depending on where your digits land, to keep the keyboard constantly in the right position. Even more mind boggling is the “invisible mode” where the keyboard completely disappears, leaving users the ability to simply tap out messages onscreen wherever they please. Of course, some basic knowledge of a standard keyboard layout is needed. Even then, the feat is pretty astounding to witness. Sounds impossible doesn’t it? Well, hop inside and prepare to be flabbergasted.
USB 3.0 currently has nerds fixated as it offers substantial speed improvements over USB 2.0. Compared to it’s cousin — eSATA — the difference is much less and at many times neck and neck. But even things such as USB 3.0 and eSATA are child’s play for what Intel’s Light Peak promises. Blowing past USB 3.0′s 5Gbps speeds to a scorching 10Gbps is quite the claim. Can it deliver…?
Call it creativity. Call it ingenuity. Or if you want to be a debbie downer, call it a creation from someone with way too much time on their hands. Whatever your stance may be, there’s no arguing the Keyboard Chair designed by Nolan Herbut isn’t a looker. Generally we see keys in a very flat and non-chair like shape. But in the name of design and modern geekery, exceptions can be made.
While I’m pretty sure the actual softness or cushiness (scientific term) won’t be all that great, looking at the bright side is generally best at times like these. So it’s not soft or too comfortable to sit on, ok. *Bonus* When wearing shorts — or nothing at all — comparing key marks in your skin could grow into a favorite past time no? No.
In all seriousness though, this isn’t really a chair meant to be sit on for long periods of time, but instead one that we gaze at in awe, trying to forget the umpteen dollars we spent on a chair that will rarely, if ever see the bottoms of our…bottoms?
Disappointed that brand new computer you purchased doesn’t have the latest and greatest in terms of USB speed? Simple solution: make it fast. The GH-UIPE302 PCIe USB 3.0 card is a rather inexpensive upgrade option for PC enthusiasts who want to get on the USB 3.0 bandwagon a little early. Can’t say I blame them though. While USB 2.0 used to seem fast back in the day, things such as lossless music files, 10 megapixel+ images stored in RAW, and HD movies have shown us everything USB 2.0 isn’t anymore — fast.
For the price of one nice dinner (or two slightly lesser dinners), you add the newest edition to the USB family to your computer with relatively little know-how and wrench time on your and very little work on the end of your wallet’s. $42 seem like the right price for (2) USB 3.0 ports?
Tired of having to constantly replace batteries in all of your wireless devices? I know I am. Throwing away cash and time on batteries is no one’s chosen task in life. Wireless computer accessory makers routinely tout their devices and products life-span on a single set of batteries. In regards to wireless mice and keyboards, a solid 10-18 months isn’t out of the norm. I generally don’t have any complaints either. A solid year seems good enough, right?
Not to Logitech. Announced today, the Wireless Desktop MK710 by Logitech is the world’s first 3-year life span wireless keyboard and mouse combo. The new ultra low battery consumption is made possible by a more refined RF adapter which is exponentially more frugal with it’s transmissions than past versions. One of the battery saving techniques used by the MK710′s RF chip is that it dynamically shuts down the wireless signal when not needed — much more often than it’s predecessors. Resume time waiting for everything to reconnect after the signal is severed is said to be almost non-existent.
Sounds pretty interesting wouldn’t you say? I wouldn’t mind picking up a MK710 myself. Price wise, it’s a mid to lower high-end product, priced solidly at $100. There’s cheaper options out there if you so choose, but it’s also far from the most expensive keyboard and mouse combo I’ve seen. Think an MK710 is in your future? Get yours in Europe starting this month and the US come April.
Tapping out your text messages via physical buttons is old, old technology. Touchscreens are a new technology. Why hamper the new with the ‘ol ball and chain of old? Such is the problem Swype sets out to correct. Originally debuting on the Samsung Omnia II, Swype developers stated that other platforms would be supported in 2010. Looks as if they got the ball rolling a little early as anyone itching to try out this innovative new way to text on touchscreens can now give it a go on their Android devices.
Simply point your browser to Droidmuff and download the zipped file. Be sure you have “install from unknown sources” checked under Settings > Applications or else you won’t be able to install Swype. After you install Swype, head on over to Settings > Language & Keyboard and uncheck “Android Keyboard”, moving that green check mark of acceptance to “Swype” keyboard instead.
I’ve been playing with it for a good 30 minutes and have found that even in beta form, it’s pretty darn stable extremely stable (read: near flawless) and fast to use. By the time the finished product rolls around it’ll no doubt be faster than the old “tap-lift-tap-repeat” method we’re all so accustomed to. The only things I would like to see added are auto period inserts after a double space and auto caps.
(To capitalize a letter, simply start with the letter of the word as usual and then flick up above the keyboard window and back down onto the keyboard, continuing your slide and glide texting — brilliant!)
Anyone wondering how it stacks up in regards to functionality such as word correction/auto spelling etc. with the default Android keyboard can make note that it meets or exceeds the stock keyboard in every area — something I can’t say for Better Keyboard, a popular 3rd party keyboard.
Simply put: Swype is the way to text on touchscreens from here on out. Consider yoruself missing out on life if you can’t use Swype on your device.
Attempts to artificially limit customers in the digital age, especially when smartphones, OS’s, and exclusive programs are involved only pushes hackers and developers harder in opening up the platform or program at hand. For today’s “That didn’t last long moment”, we’re looking at the new Samsung Omnia II and it’s exclusive “Swipe” keyboard. This new keyboard is unique because it allows you to “swipe” across the board to spell out words instead of having to actually life, press, lift, press. Once you get the hang of it, swipe input can actually be as fast or faster than traditional typing. The only problem with Swipe however is that it is an Omnia II exclusive for now. I don’t know about you, but I certainly wouldn’t switch to the Omnia II just for Swipe. Hell, it would take a lot more to get me to do that.
Outsiders looking for some Swipe goodness don’t have far to look. If you’re an owner of a Touch Pro 2, Diamond 2 (Pure) or other VGA+ device, you’re in luck. Swipe theoretically supports your phone. Each phone is different however and therefore issues and hiccups do arise. Go ahead, grab the those .cab files and do some file switcheroo’s on your WinMo smartphone of choice and in no time flat you’ll be a swipin’ fool.
Now if only Swipe would make it’s way to other platforms…
One of the main draws to the iPhone is the touchscreen only design making it smaller as well as giving users access to countless keyboards and languages without the need for costly hardware changes. However, some people still want a bit more physical interaction in their lives. Introducing the iTwinge. For those of you who just simply must have something to touch, this little doo dad slips over the bottom half of the iPhone that is normally displaying a keyboard and gives you something a little more tangible to handle. It appears that it is an actual hardware piece that plugs in to the iPhone dock — unlike other solutions such as the Pogo Stylus which is a fancy coating that allows more precise input while giving the illusion of being physical and still working on the iPhone’s magical touchscreen. Well that was fast. The iTwinge isn’t a piece of “hardware” in the typical sense. It is as in reality just a funky sleeve that slides over dear iPhone and gives it a more “physical feel”. Request stands: Anyone care to shed any info or experiences? For a touch over $30, is this dock-able/sleeve keyboard “enhancement” worth it?
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USB 3 and eSATA may be the king and queen when it comes to external speed, but no technology is more promising than Intel’s Light Peak. While USB 3.0 was a marginal, linear progression from USB 2.0 and 1.0 before it, Light Peak is exponentially faster. For example, USB 3.0 has a theoretical top speed of 5.0Gbps. Though real-world speeds tend to hover around 100-130MB/s. Still, that’s a helluva lot better than their previous technologies. Light Peak on the other hand has a theoretical top speed of 10Gbps, which will obviously offer at least double the real-world transfer speeds. But what’s slightly surprising is that Intel showed off the successor to Light Peak — mind you, Light Peak still has 3-5 years before we actually see it in mainstream products.
