Ramblings from the Marginalized

For the low price of $4,219.99 you can purchase a PNY Technologies nVIDIA Quadro FX 550G 1GB DDR2 PCI Express Graphics Card from Dell. Yes, you can be the only kid on the block able to play the Electronic Arts game Crysis!

The nVidia® Quadro FX 550G 1 GB DDR2 PCIE Graphics Card by PNY Technologies® is an ideal solution for applications requiring high levels of immersive realism or interactive visualization that utilize Frame Lock or Genlock functionality to choreograph multi-device film and video environments or visualization clusters for effects rendering, scientific or engineering use. Film and video pre- and post-production professionals can easily integrate the Quadro FX 5500 into production workflows allowing effects professionals high creative capabilities while dramatically shortening the time from creative concept to finished production. Moreover, scientists and engineers can develop scalable, open standards driven, visualization clusters.

Tech Specs
• Device Type: Graphics adapter
• Enclosure Type: Plug-in card
• Interface Type: PCI Express x16
• Compatibility: PC
• Graphics Processor / Vendor: NVIDIA Quadro FX 5500
• RAMDAC Clock Speed: 400 MHz
• Video Memory Installed: 1 GB
• Technology: GDDR2 SDRAM 256-bit
• Max Resolution (external): 3840 x 2400 / 24 Hz
• API Supported: OpenGL 2.0, DirectX 9.0c
• Digital Video Standard: Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
• Interfaces: 2 x DVI-I - 29 pin combined DVI ¦ 2 x frame lock - RJ-45 ¦ 1 x genlock out
• Compatible Slots: 1 x PCI Express x16
• Cables Included: 2 x DVI-VGA adapter
• Software Included: Drivers & Utilities, MAXtreme, POWERdraft
• OS Required: Linux, Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP
• Peripheral / Interface: CD-ROM, 350W power supply
• System Requirements Details: Linux - Pentium 4 - RAM 256 MB - HD 50 MB ¦ Windows 2000/XP - Pentium 4 - RAM 256 MB - HD 50 MB

So, how about it? It is worth $4,219.99 to be able to play a game with all the graphic options turned on?

Since the Crysis demo came out I have been hearing nothing but flak from the gaming community about how it is an awesome game but you can't play it because of the graphic needs of the game. If you have $4K (more than I paid for my last computer by a factor of seven) you can buy this powerful graphics card and perhaps play the game on normal graphic settings. I kid!

Crysis says it requires a NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS/640 or similar with 256MB of VRAM (Supported chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT or greater; ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (Radeon X800 Pro for Vista) or greater. Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Integrated chipsets are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required.) for the graphics to work so why not splurge and buy this beast?

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BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Products featuring new technologies dazzled mainstream consumers in 2007 with the Apple iPhoneTM topping the list of the Sixth Annual Most Memorable New Product Launch (MMNPL) Survey. Thirty seven percent of consumers named the iPhone the most memorable new product launch, while two other high-tech products —Windows Vista® at No. 2 and Motorola Razr2TM at No. 9 — made the Top 10. Additionally, the iPod® video nano came in at No. 11.

The study, sponsored by Schneider Associates, BNP Media’s New Products Magazine and IRI and conducted by comScore, surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. consumers about the most memorable new product launches of the year, current purchasing and behavioral trends.

Nabisco had a great year with its Oreo brand as Domino’s Oreo Dessert Pizza finished at No. 4 and Oreo Cakesters came in at No. 6. Oreo has a long list of co-branding projects, with past partnerships with T.G.I. Friday’s (Oreo Madness), Burger King (Oreo Sundae Shake) and most recently with Baskin-Robbins (Oreo Explosion). This year, strong marketing support of both products, including the popular “Domino’s Oreo Pizza Moustache” ad campaign directed by the Perlorian Brothers, gave Oreo two of the most memorable launches of the year.

“These Oreo branded products aren’t mere line extensions. They are great examples of incorporating long-adored products into innovative new platforms,” said Joan Holleran Driggs, editor of New Products Magazine. “As an ingredient in everything from ice cream to pizza, Oreo cookies have found a home in a broad array of product categories. Every marketer should embrace such strategic thinking.”

An interesting trend arose from this year’s list with three “health-on-the-go” products making the Top 10: alliTM Weight Loss Capsules at No. 5, Diet Coke PlusTM at No. 7 and Subway Fresh FitTM Meals at No. 8. Subway continued building its brand with a stunning 90 percent of respondents saying that whether a product is “fresh” has at least some influence on their purchase decision. Seventy eight percent of consumers polled said they look for “whole grains” and 75 percent look for “no trans fat.”

“Consumers are continuing their quest for healthy alternatives,” said Char Partelow, Senior Vice President of Consumer and Shopper Insights at IRI. “Even outside of the top 10, two of the products with the highest awareness among respondents were Dannon Danactive Yogurt Drinks and Hostess 100 Calorie Cupcake and Brownies, reinforcing consumer’s unwavering focus on better-for-you products.”

Recall of new products remained low this year as 77 percent of respondents failed to name a single product in the Top 50 new products launched in 2007, including the iPhone. This is just a slight change from the five-year all-time high of 81 percent who couldn’t recall a product on the Top 50 list in 2006.

“It has become increasingly difficult to launch new products and services that really capture consumers’ attention,” said Joan Schneider, president of Schneider Associates, a Boston-based marketing communications firm, and author of “New Product Launch: 10 Proven Strategies.” “Even with the stunning success of the iPhone, recall is still remarkably low.”

New Product Trends for 2007

The 2007 Schneider Associates, New Products Magazine and IRI Most Memorable New Product Launch Survey asked consumers which trends influenced their purchases most. Seventy four percent said they were more likely to purchase a product if it was “Made in the USA.” Additionally, 67 percent said their purchasing decisions were influenced by the country of origin, perhaps indicating a backlash from the recalls of toys manufactured in China due to concerns over lead paint poisoning.

While the iPhone dominated memorability, just 1 percent of Americans surveyed said it was a “must have” item for this holiday season. Nevertheless, high-tech products still commanded top spots on holiday wish lists. Thirty one percent of all respondents wanted some kind of technology or consumer electronics product, with 9 percent reporting they wanted a flat screen, HDTV/LCD or plasma TV and 6 percent saying they wanted a Nintendo WiiTM (which was No. 2 on last year’s Most Memorable New Product Launch list).

Top 10 Most Memorable New Product Launches 2007

Based on the feedback of 1,024 consumers nationwide, here is the complete Top 10 list, with percentage of respondents who listed the product launch as one they most remember in 2007:

1.) Apple iPhoneTM (37 percent)

2.) Microsoft Windows Vista® (26 percent)

3.) Febreze® Candles (14 percent)

4.) Domino’s Oreo® Dessert Pizza (10 percent)

5.) alliTM Weight Loss Capsules (10 percent)

6.) Oreo® Cakesters (10 percent)

7.) Diet Coke PlusTM (9 percent)

8.) Subway Fresh FitTM Meals (8 percent)

9.) Motorola Razr2TM (8 percent)

10.) Listerine Whitening® Quick Dissolving Strips (7 percent)

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The Ferrari Enzo is a world class driving machine. They are only made in limited numbers and sell for over a million dollars new. If you have enough money (and enough clout to get on the list) you can buy one. For the rest of us we have this, a 1:10 scale Nitro Gas Powered Remote Control Ferrari Enzo.

This 1:10 scale, nitro gas powered RC Ferrari Enzo comes 100% assembled and ready to race. Boasting a 4WD engine, a complete kit with body and a 2CH Pistol Remote Control this car will make a great addition to any collection. This car has a Solid Aluminum Chassis! Besides racing, you can change the body kit into Mercedes, Mustang, Viper and more! The engine can be modified or upgraded, along with new tires, suspension and more. 90% of this car is compatible to other brand parts and modifications such as Traxx, HPI, etc.

Features:
• Maxi.Speed: 55-65 MPH
• Front and Rear Bearing Differentials
• (2) Double speed gear system
• Handy-pull engine
• 4 Wheel Drive System
• No-Flex Chassis Design For Better Performance
• Aluminum Upper Plate and Chassis(2mm)
• Oil-Filled Shock Absorber
• Disc-Shaped Brake System
• Front Universal Joint Shaft
• High Traction Radial Tires
• Servo Saver Linkage System Assembled Chassis w/Radio
• Pre-cut Foam Bumper

Specification:
• Length: 14.96" (380mm)
• Width: 7.87" (200mm)
• Wheelbase: 10.24" (260mm)
• Tread (F/R): 7.56" (192mm)
• Wheel Diameter (F/R): 2.60"x1.02" (66x 26mm)
• Ground Clearance: 0.31" (8mm)
• Gear Ratio: (H)5.78:1 (L)8.24:1
• Weight: 3.53 lb (1600g)
• Engine: 15CXP - .15 Engine

This Ferrari Enzo costs a lot less than the real thing and makes a great gift for the kid in your life (no matter how old he is).

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BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Micron Technology, Inc. (NYSE:MU), today announced production sampling of its new 1Gb DDR2 device fabricated on 68-nanometer (nm) DRAM process technology. The new process, coupled with Micron’s 6F² technology, has enabled the world’s smallest production 1Gb DDR2 memory with a die size of just 56mm². Mass production of its new 68nm 1 Gb DDR2 products is expected to begin early next year, with DDR3 and other low-power DRAM products expected to follow in the second half of the year.

“Micron continues leading the world in development of advanced memory technology,” said Brian Shirley, vice president of Micron’s memory group. “Our 68nm process technology offers our customers best-in-class die sizes, power and speed benefits for their most demanding applications.”

This new advanced memory technology will be targeted at server, mobile and other computing applications where the benefits of reduced die size, faster speeds and lower power consumption are most critical. Upcoming DDR3 products developed on the new process will allow for speeds up to 1600 megabits per second (Mbps). The 68nm process also provides approximately 20 percent lower power consumption when compared to previous process generations. Future DDR3 chips designed on the 68nm process will join Micron’s Aspen Memory® family of energy-efficient products, which are specifically designed for applications where power reduction is desired such as data center servers and notebook computers.

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ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) is setting new benchmarks for tablet PCs with the addition of the Latitudeâ„¢ XT, the thinnest and one of the lightest 12.1-inch convertible tablets available. It is also the brightest in its category with an optional daylight viewing panel. The system starts at $2,499 and Dell will begin to take orders and ship the Latitude XT by the end of the year.

The Latitude XT is also the industry’s only sub-four-pound convertible tablet with pen and capacitive touch capability. Capacitive technology senses the touch of a finger with no pressure required for the system to recognize input. It is also the forerunner to emerging multi-touch capabilities that allow the use of more than one finger for tasks such as zoom and repositioning a picture, to name a few. Other touch features available on the Latitude XT include:

* Accuracy and speed – touch response times on the Latitude XT are faster than the Lenovo X61T¹
* Advanced digital palm rejection technology, helping prevent inadvertent contact that disrupts pen input
* The digitizer technology on the Latitude XT is rated up to 10 times more durable than competing resistive touch digitizer technology
* Maintenance-free, no-battery pen with eraser and “right” mouse click functionality

“We are listening and aim to exceed customers’ expectations,” said Margaret Franco, director, Dell Product Group. “Until now, customers have been forced to make tradeoffs in tablet functionality to have usable systems. With capacitive touch technology, the Latitude XT will revolutionize the way customers interact with their systems, allow customers to take full advantage of tablet technology and enable customers to get more done with greater speed and precision.”

Most competitive tablets on the market today rely on resistive touch that requires the application of force for the system to recognize user interaction. The older technology can be less accurate and durable than capacitive touch and may not support multi-touch. In addition, many customers who use resistive tablets that support both pen and touch functionality may disable the latter because the palm rejection technology is subpar.

Market Impact of Dell Tablet PC

“Dell’s plan to enter the tablet PC market will help promote the platform among its large number of customers and help facilitate the product category to go mainstream,” said Doug Bell at industry analyst firm IDC.

The Latitude XT is designed with the future in mind with the capability to support multi-touch. As the technology matures, the system can serve as a premiere development platform for applications that can take advantage of multi-touch.

“By integrating our DuoSense technology into the Latitude XT, Dell creates the ultimate machine destined to lead the tablet PC market,” said Amihai Ben-David, CEO of N-trig. “Customers using the new Latitude XT will find that the zero pressure touch combined with the accurate stylus changes the usability of tablet PCs. Once they try it, they won’t want to go back.”

As part of Dell’s ongoing goal to be the “greenest technology company on the planet,” Energy Star 4.0-compliant configurations of the Latitude XT will be available in January 2008.

Other features of the Latitude XT include:

* Optional media base for docking and optical media
* Full-size keyboard with dual pointing
* Up to 64 GB² solid state drive; up to 120 GB² hard drive
* Optional battery slice designed to provide up to 9.5 hours of battery life³
* Intel® Core 2™ Solo and Duo ULV processors
* ATIâ„¢ Radeonâ„¢ X1250 UMA integrated graphics⁴

¹ Source: Tablet Benchmark Report, testing conducted by Human Interfaces, Inc. sponsored by Dell, Oct. 2007.

² GB means 1 billion bytes and TB equals 1 trillion bytes; actual capacity varies with preloaded material and operating environment and will be less.

³ Actual battery life will vary based on configuration, usage and manufacturing variability.

⁴ Significant system memory may be used to support graphics, depending on system memory size and other factors.

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DALLAS & BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile), today announced the availability of the new Samsung Katalystâ„¢(a). The Katalyst adds a stylish, slider design to the growing line-up of phones that support T-Mobile HotSpot @HomeSM service.

With built-in support for T-Mobile HotSpot @Home, the Samsung Katalyst provides customers with great wireless coverage when placing calls over a home Wi-Fi network and at nearly 8,500 T-Mobile® HotSpot locations nationwide. When customers leave home or a T-Mobile HotSpot, their calls are passed onto T-Mobile’s wireless network, and the same is true for passing calls from T-Mobile’s network onto Wi-Fi networks. In addition, with the purchase of a HotSpot @Home add-on plan, customers can enjoy the freedom of unlimited, nationwide calling over Wi-Fi.(b)

Available exclusively from T-Mobile, the Katalyst features a sleek, slider design with a sophisticated metallic silver finish and is equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth® wireless technology and a 1.3 megapixel camera. The Katalyst also features advanced messaging capabilities including instant messaging, which enables instant chat and supports AOL®, ICQ, Yahoo!® and Windows Live™ Messenger.

“Since launching T-Mobile HotSpot @Home in June, we’ve worked closely with companies like Samsung to expand our selection of HotSpot phones,” said Saj Sahay, director of product marketing, T-Mobile USA. “The Samsung Katalyst strikes a great balance of style and features with an affordable price, and gives customers who want the calling benefits of HotSpot @Home a great new handset choice.”

“The Katalyst is the next-generation Samsung device to support T-Mobile HotSpot @Home that delivers great features in a sleek, slide form factor,” said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president, Samsung. “Samsung is proud to work closely with T-Mobile to introduce handsets that enhance consumers’ mobile experience.”

Key features of the Katalyst include:
-- Wi-Fi-enabled phone; supports T-Mobile HotSpot @Home
--

T-Mobile myFaves(SM) enabled(b)
-- Bluetooth(R) wireless technology
-- Music player
-- Expandable memory (microSD memory card)
-- Speaker-independent voice recognition
-- Advanced messaging capabilities
-- (SMS, EMS, MMS)
-- Instant messaging (AOL(R), ICQ, Yahoo!(R) and Windows Live(TM) Messenger)
-- Compatible with T-Mobile Address Book
-- GSM/GPRS/EDGE
-- Quad-Band: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
-- Dimensions: 3.97" x 1.98" x .65"
-- Weight: 4.1 ounces (with standard battery)
-- Main Display: 176 x 220 pixels, TFT, 262K

The Katalyst is available exclusively through T-Mobile at select retail stores and online at www.t-mobile.com. For more information, visit www.t-mobile.com or www.samsungmobileusa.com.

(a)Model number SGH-t739

(b)With HotSpot @Home service, regular plan minutes are used when call does not originate on Wi-Fi network. Use of some device features incurs separate, additional charges, and use of myFaves requires a T-Mobile myFaves rate plan. See t-mobile.com for more information.

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SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology and the leading producer of high-end graphics memory, announced today that it has developed the world’s fastest memory, a GDDR5 (series five, graphics double-data-rate memory) chip that can transfer data at six gigabits per second, which is more than four times faster than that of memories in state-of-the-art game consoles today. Graphics memory is installed in desktop PCs, notebooks, workstations and game consoles to move huge volumes of video or animated images simultaneously.

Samsung’s GDDR5, which will be introduced at a density of 512 Mbit (16Mb x 32) chips, is capable of transmitting moving images and associated data at 24 gigabytes per second.

“We’re pushing image enhancement to a limit never before realized, enabling the smoothest, clearest animation that gamers have yet to experience,” said Mueez Deen, Marketing Director, Graphics Memory, Samsung Semiconductor. “Samsung’s 512Mb GDDR5 will enable the kind of graphics hardware performance that will spur software developers to deliver a new level of eye-popping games.”

The new Samsung graphics memory operates at 1.5 volts, representing an approximate 20 percent improvement in power consumption over today’s most popular graphics chip – the GDDR3.

Samples of Samsung’s new GDDR5 chip have been delivered to major graphic processor companies last month and mass production is expected in the first half of 2007.

Samsung expects that GDDR5 memory chips will become the de facto standard in the top performing segment of the market by capturing more than 50 percent of the high-end PC graphics market by 2010.

A technical paper on Samsung’s new 6Gbps graphics chip is the only one on GDDR5 technology to be selected for presentation at ISSCC 2008.

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MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ronald DeMeo, MD, MBA, president and chief executive officer with Radiation Shield Technologies (RST), today announced the company’s acquisition of Russia and Singapore patents for Demron, the world’s first nuclear radiation-blocking fabric. Demron will be exhibited during the National Institute of Justice’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Conference, which takes place Wednesday, Nov. 28 – Friday, Nov. 30, at the Harbor Beach Marriott, 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Booth number: 28.

At the conference, Mr. DeMeo will deliver a presentation titled: “Anti-Nuclear Protection: New Technologies for Protection against Dirty Bombs” at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30, in room A.

Demron is an advanced radiopaque nano-polymeric compound fused between layers of fabric and manufactured into several lightweight, nuclear-blocking garments. Demron is used in full-body nuclear, biological, and nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) suits, tactical anti-nuclear vests, high-energy nuclear suppression blankets, medical X-ray vests and aprons.

“Demron is a liquid metal that feels like fabric and is cool to the touch,” said DeMeo, the surgeon who developed Demron. “It’s the world’s only full-body radiation protection fabric that shields against X-ray and low-energy Gamma emissions while providing full anti-chemical and biological protection. Demron is a lead-free, toxin-free, and PVC-free nuclear-blocking material that allows heat dissipation and resists chemical permeation and cracks.”

Numerous universities and government laboratories have confirmed Demron’s ability to block radiation. Demron has several U.S. patents.

Added DeMeo: “Demron is receiving extensive recognition in the United States, and we expect the Singapore and Russia patents will enable us to expand Demron’s market potential.”

Demron suits are made from a unique nanotechnology that surpasses the current NBC suits, which provide limited protection against radioactive particulate sources.

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