20th February 2008 Archive

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UK PC maker launches three-core Phenom line

AMD's 8000 series in the wild

UK PC supplier Mesh has jumped the gun on AMD's official announcement and begun offering desktops based on the chip maker's three-core Phenom 8000-series processors. Mesh is currently listing a pair of tri-core systems on its website, one based on the 2.1GHz, 2MB L3 Phenom 8400, the other on the 2.3GHz, 2MB L3 8600. The 8600- …

PCs 20 Feb 06:02
Ricoh unwraps 10Mp digicam duo

One for you, and one for me

Ricoh has unveiled two ten-megapixel cameras: a redesign to an earlier model and a brand-spanking new snapper. Ricoh's R8: replaces the R7 Ricoh’s 7.1x optical wide-angle zoom lens Caplio R8 is the successor to the existing R7 camera, and improves on its 8.1-megapixel predecessor by also doubling the 2.7in LCD's resolution …

Cameras 20 Feb 08:56
HD DVD firesale begins on eBay

Defunct format sell-off

eBay said today it expects to an increase in listings for HD DVD products following Toshiba's announcement yesterday that it is going to ditch its optical disc format. "With a large variety of now defunct entertainment formats, including Betamax and Mini Disc being regularly traded and ultimately becoming collecters items, [we …

HD 20 Feb 09:02
Intel brings forward tech for low-cost PCs

More desktop, notebook Eee-alikes on the way

Intel has brought forward the launch of its 'Shelton' platform for budget-priced PCs, it has been claimed. Originally due in Q3, the technology for desktops and notebooks will now debut in May. Shelton is based around the 45nm, single-core 1.6GHz 'Diamondville' processor and variants of the 945G integrated chipset. …

PCs 20 Feb 09:19
Sony sells $835m PS3 CPU plant to Toshiba

Consolation prize?

Sony today re-iterated its plan to sell its Cell processor chip factory to Toshiba, which will pay ¥90bn ($835m) for the facility. Toshiba's buying the plant in Western Japan, but it'll be run by a joint-venture co-owned by the two giants. The JV was announced in October 2007, part of Sony's plan to exit the costly chip …

Bits 'n' Chips 20 Feb 09:38
Turn your monitor into an HD TV, says Asus

Add-on box

Want an HD TV on the cheap? Asus this week launched a box that'll turn a standard flat-panel PC monitor into a hi-def telly. There's an element of 'solution seeking problem' here, we think. But bear with Asus for the moment. Its HDTV Suite-HDMI - as the box is called - incoporates inputs for HDMI, VGA/DVI, TV aerial, RCA …

Gadgets and Gizmos 20 Feb 11:19
Intel rolls out Skulltrail high-end gaming mobo

Dem bones, dem bones

Intel has formally launched 'Skulltrail', its two-CPU gaming motherboard that's ready for both AMD's CrossFire and Nvidia's SLI multi-GPU technologies. Skulltrail - which Register Hardware reviewed last month - can take two quad-core 3.2GHz Core 2 Extreme QX9775 processors - essentially a pair of server-oriented Xeon CPUs with …

PCs 20 Feb 11:38
Mio DigiWalker C620T true 3D satnav

Review All-terrain armoured transport

Every office has a luddite, even an organisation so devoted to the new and the technological as Register Hardware. There's always at least one person who clings to his or her fear and loathing of some aspect of the modern world. For instance, whenever a new satnav system would arrive here, our very own exemplar of the breed …

GPS and Satnav 20 Feb 12:02
Sony beams down Bluetooth Walkman

Media player line-up extended

Sony has cut the cord and unveiled the latest walkman media players, now with Bluetooth connectivity to ensure you’re never entangled by cables when transferring music or just singing along. Sony's Walkman: ships with either 4GB or 8GB The player comes with a choice of 8GB or 4GB capacity - dubbed the NWZ-A828 and the NWZ- …

Media players 20 Feb 12:28
Ringin' in the old days

Update for the old classic retro phone

If you long for the…ahem… ‘good’ old days of people listening to the wireless and times when telephones were luxury items, then you’re bound to have a soft spot for the retro wired telephone, that’s actually wireless. The Grand Cordless Phone has the looks of a traditional telephone... Yes, it’s a strange concept. But, the …

Gadgets and Gizmos 20 Feb 17:19
Wii Fit to hit UK in April

Mario Kart en-route too

Make a note in your diary and start limbering up, because Nintendo has finally revealed that both the Wii Fit and Mario Kart video games will hit the UK in April. Nintendo's Balance Board for Wii Fit The official UK release date for Wii Fit, which has already sold over 1m copies in Japan since its release in December, will …

Consoles 20 Feb 17:21
Dated disk drive now with 7-in-1 card reader

Floppy disk bytes back

Just when you thought the traditional floppy disk drive was about to breathe its last breath, UK retailer Maplin has given it the kiss of life and unveiled an internal floppy disk drive with 7-in-1 card reader. Maplin's floppy disk drive with 7-in-1 card reader Aside from housing a 3.5in bay for the floppy disk, the unit …

Gadgets and Gizmos 20 Feb 17:31