RIM launches BlackBerry Torch 9860 and BlackBerry Torch 9810 Smartphones in Singapore

The new BlackBerry 7 operating system has been touted to offer a significantly faster, and more fluid browsing experience. Built on the WebKit browser engine, RIM says its BlackBerry 7 smartphones deliver 40% faster browsing results than BlackBerry 6 smartphones, as well as optimized zooming and panning for smoother web navigation

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 is an evolution of the BlackBerry Torch 9800, which was RIMs first smartphone with a capacitance touch screen and a slide-out keyboard. Equipped with a significantly faster 1.2 GHz processor under its hood for a zippy user experience, the Torch 9810 incorporates the same form factor as older Torch. In addition, the Torch 9810 has a 3.2" display that sports a VGA resolution of 640 x 480, as well as a vastly expanded 768MB of RAM and 8GB of onboard memory.

The BlackBerry Torch 9860, on the other hand, is a touch-only BlackBerry. With a depth of just 11.5mm, the Torch 9860 comes with an even larger 3.7" display with a WVGA resolution of 800 x 480. The Torch 9860 shares the same 1.2GHz processor and has the same amount of RAM and onboard memory as the Torch 9810.

Gregory Wade, Regional Managing Director, East Asia at RIM, said: "This is an exciting period for RIM and we are thrilled to introduce two new BlackBerry 7 powered smartphones in Singapore. Both of these new BlackBerry Torch smartphones offer a full touch display and feature RIMs next generation of hardware and software to deliver the ultimate in communications, multimedia and productivity."

For more information, visit http://sg.blackberry.com/

RIM Intros First Wi-Fi BlackBerry Smartphone in Singapore

Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry® 8820 in Singapore,the first dualmode BlackBerry smartphone combining EDGE/GPRS/GSM cellular andWi-Fi® connectivity. The BlackBerry 8820 smartphone supports the 802.11 a/b/gWi-Fi standards to enable data access for users in Singapore over Wi-Ficonnections in the enterprise, as well as through public hotspots and wirelesshome networks. In addition, it is a quad-band GSM/GPRS and EDGE-enabledsmartphone that provides global wireless voice and data capabilities withbest-in-class performance.

Featuring RIM's thinnest smartphone design with a full and highly tactileQWERTY keyboard, large and bright display (320 x 240), user-friendly trackballnavigation system and exceptional voice and data functionality, it also comeswith media player enhancements, and a microSD / microSDHC (microSD HighCapacity) expandable memory slot that can support current and future generationsof microSD memory cards up to 32GB.

Through its built-in GPS, the BlackBerry 8820 can pinpoint its location andprovides "out-of-the-box" support for a wide variety of location-basedapplications and services, including BlackBerry® Maps. “With built-in cellular,Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity features, the BlackBerry 8820 smartphone introduces anew level of mobility and productivity to organizations and individuals inSingapore,” said Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific, Research In Motion.“The BlackBerry 8820 offers all the renowned power and usability of theBlackBerry platform together with the convenience of Wi-Fi access at home andwork, as well as through Singapore’s nation-wide public hotspots.”

The BlackBerry 8820 works in conjunction with both BlackBerry® EnterpriseServer and the BlackBerry® Internet Service and can seamlessly switch betweencellular networks and a Wi-Fi network to allow users to access email, InstantMessaging, organizer, web browsing and other mobile data applications.

To meet various security requirements, the BlackBerry 8820 is compliant withWi-Fi security protocols including WEP (Wireless Equivalency Protocol), WPA (Wi-FiProtected Access) and WPA2, as well as Cisco Compatible Extensions for simple,secure connectivity with Cisco wireless solutions. For enterprises that requireWi-Fi users to access the corporate network through a VPN (Virtual PrivateNetwork), the BlackBerry 8820 includes IPSec-based software that supports themost commonly deployed VPN gateways from vendors including Cisco, Check Pointand others.

The BlackBerry wireless platform gives customers the capability to deploy avariety of applications. Thousands of applications and business solutions fromthird party software providers can further extend the BlackBerry 8820 to supportbusiness needs such as CRM, sales force automation, field services, businessintelligence, supply chain management and continuity of operations, as well as abroad range of industry-specific applications for sectors including health care,law enforcement, government, financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical,professional services, real estate, manufacturing, wholesale and retail.

For product availability, please check with M1, SingTel and StarHub.

TI Unveils Battery Management Chips

Texas Instruments Incorporated (NYSE: TXN - News; TI) today introducedseveral new battery management integrated circuits (ICs), including itsnext-generation Impedance Track(TM) "gas gauge" chipset, to improve batteryperformance and protect multi-cell, lithium-based battery packs used innotebooks and other systems.

Next-Generation Impedance Track Gas Gauge

TI's bq20z90 next-generation Impedance Track battery gas gauge chipset, whichintegrates new state-of-the-art battery authentication technology, is designedto work with TI's newest analog front end (AFE) protection IC. Requiring a thirdfewer components than its predecessor, the 99-percent accurate bq20z90 chipsetwas designed with ease-of-use and smallest real estate in mind. The gas gaugeclosely monitors battery capacity, impedance, cell balance, open-circuit voltageand other critical parameters of a 7.2-V, 10.8-V or 14.4-V battery pack andreports the information to the system host controller over aserial-communication bus. See: http://www.ti.com/sc06160 .

TI's Impedance Track gas gauge technology, launched in 2004 with the bq20z80chipset, precisely measures changes in impedance, or resistance caused bybattery age, temperature and cycle life, to accurately predict run-time ofbattery packs with two, three and four cells in series. An exact "startingposition" is determined for instant state-of-charge, and total capacity iscalculated from the amount of capacity that exists, which eliminates the needfor a full-charge and discharge cycle.

The bq20z90 drives a three-, four- or five-segment LED display for remainingcapacity indication. For those designs that do not require the displayindicator, TI also introduced its bq20z70 gas gauge chipset without the LEDdisplay driver.

Front-End Battery Protection

The bq20z90 is designed to work with TI's new bq29330 AFE protection circuitwith two integrated linear dropout regulators (LDOs) to further maximizefunctionality and reduce external component count. The device utilizes an I2Ccommunications interface to allow the bq20z90 to monitor safety batteryconditions such as voltage, individual cell voltages and cell- balancing data,and report the information to the host system. See: http://www.ti.com/sc06160b .

A designer can program critical safety parameters such as current protectionthresholds and delays into the bq29330 to increase flexibility of the batterymanagement system. The device also provides protection for overloadshort-circuit in charge and discharge conditions, while providing battery cellover-voltage and under-voltage protection.

Integrated SHA-1 Based Authentication

The bq20z90 integrates SHA-1, 128-bit decryption functionality, which easilyidentifies potentially unsafe batteries not approved by original equipmentmanufacturers for use in their devices. If the battery information checks out,the system can allow normal system operation with the battery pack. Amanufacturer can program the system to take action to protect the consumer ifthe battery pack response is not correct, or if the battery pack is not approvedor determined to be defective. In addition, TI introduced a bq26100 protectiondevice for those designers who prefer a discrete implementation of the SHA-1protection feature. See: http://www.ti.com/sc06160c .

Smart Battery Test Board

In addition to the new battery gas gauge chipset, TI has developed a uniquedevelopment platform aimed at battery pack suppliers. TI's new bqMTester smartbattery development board simplifies production of battery modules at a fractionof the cost. bqMTester eliminates the need for an onboard computer and expensivecalibration/traceable power supplies and electronic loads. It calibrates andprograms electronic smart battery modules based on advanced battery fuel gauges,such as the bq20z90, bq20z80 and bq20z70 devices with Impedance Track. Inaddition, bqMTester makes tracking battery modules in production easier byprogramming serial number, date, pack lot code and other defaults. The bqMTesterboard can be ordered at http://www.ti.com/bqmtester .

Pricing and Availability

The bq20z90 and bq20z70 gas gauge chipsets, bq29330 protection AFE and bq26100authentication circuit are available in volume production from TI and itsauthorized distributors. The bq20z90 is packaged in a 30-pin thin shrink smalloutline package (TSSOP), the smaller bq29z70 in a 20-pin TSSOP, the bq29330 in a30-pin TSSOP package and the bq26100 in a tiny, 6-pin SON package. Suggestedresale pricing in 1,000 piece quantities is $ 3.30 for the bq20z90, $ 2.90 for thebq20z70, $ 1.45 for the bq29330, and $ 1.30 for the bq26100.

Evaluation modules for the bq20z90 gas gauge chipset, the bqMTester developmentboard, reference designs, application notes and technical documentation areavailable through http://www.ti.com/impedancetrack .

Solar storm hits Earth today, could damage electrics

A solar storm has rocked the Earth today, with the potential to cause damage and disruption to electrical systems.

Solar flares have been firing from the Sun all week, causing concern for some space weather forecasters, and despite signs of the storm easing down on Thursday, it is back to intense levels today.Despite the threat to technology and the chants of some doomsday groups, scientists believe that these storms pose no threat to people.The effect of the storm on our planets magnetic field caused high frequency radio communications from Africa to Australia to black out for a two-hour period. Scientists have not yet identified any other damage caused by the storm, but there were significant worries about the potential for it to knock out electrical grids, destroy satellite chips, and upset GPS tracking. Some airlines also rerouted flights as a precaution.Last month the UK warned of the threat of rogue nations launching nuclear weapons into space, which would have a similarly disastrous effect upon technology. There were also warnings about the effects of solar flares, prompting calls for replacements of delicate chips on satellites and other essential technology.To get an idea of the potential damage a solar storm can do, there was a significant one in 1989 which knocked out the power grid in Quebec, Canada, resulting in six million people having no power.Another solar flare fired off late on Thursday and scientists are currently analysing when it will hit Earth. It is not yet clear if it will cause any damage to electrical equipment here.Solar flares and storms are a natural part of the Suns 11-year cycle, which is expected to peak next year. We will likely see stronger and more frequent activity from the Sun in the build-up to that.Source: Associated PressImage Credit: NASA

OCZ Ultra-Slim Mini-Kart USB Flash Drives

OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-highperformance and high reliability memory, today announced the second addition totheir reputable flash product line—the OCZ Mini-Kart USB 2.0 Flash Drive series.The ultra-slim design of the Mini-Kart makes data storage and transferringeasier and more portable than ever.

The OCZ Mini-Kart is the ideal solution for anyone seeking ultimate portabilitywith their personal USB flash drive; The lightweight Mini-Kart housing is 2.8mmthick, making this compact unit small enough to store in your wallet, ensuringthat it is always handy to access or transfer documents, music, pictures andvideos from your home or work computer. As a result of the incredibly thinMini-Kart profile you’ll never have to unplug surrounding USB ports to makeroom, a common problem with many oversized competitor drives.

"Miniaturization is the biggest trend in the semiconductor industry," commentedDr. Michael Schuette, VP of Technology Development at OCZ Technology. "Theultra-thin miniature USB 2.0 Mini-Kart drive is designed with ultimateportability and reliability in mind, and is the perfect vehicle for transferringanything from valuable files and multimedia to huge game demos from one rig toanother.”

Users can access files stored on the Mini-Kart from the convenience of any USBport thanks to True “Plug and Play” functionality. Instantaneously play music,view images, or open files as if the Mini-Kart was an onboard hard drive. TheMini-Kart features a glowing blue LED in the base of the drive to signalread/write activity.

The OCZ Mini-Kart Flash Drive series will be available in 512MB, 1GB, and 2GBcapacities so users can choose from a variety of prices and storage preferences.OCZ is committed to providing superior products and service to our customers.The OCZ Mini-Kart is designed to be the most portable USB flash memory drive onthe market and comes backed with a 3 year warranty for the ultimate peace ofmind.

Scythe Unleashes Yasya CPU Cooler

Scythe has unveiled its Yasya CPU cooler (model no: SCYS-1000), targeting over-clocking enthusiasts.









Measuring 130 x 108.5 x 159mm and weighing 848g, it features anickel-plated copper base, six copper heat-pipes, a T.M.L.F. (TridentMulti Layer Fin) structure, V.T.M.S. (Versatile Tool-Free MultiplatformSystem), and is bundled with a Slip Stream 120mm PWM fan that runs atspeeds of up to 1,900 RPM at 37 dBA. The Yasya, fully compatible withall Intel LGA775/ 1156/ 1366 and AMD 754/ 939/ AM2/ AM2+/ AM3/ 940processors, is bundled with a fan speed controller, and can bepurchased from authorized resellers and e-tailers at a MSRP of USD 57come early March 2010.


Features:

Trident Multi Layer Fin StructureUnparallel Six Heatpipe ConstructionSlip Stream 120 mm PWM Adjustable

News via [Scythe]