Nov/090
AMIMON’s WHDI wireless HD for netbooks and laptops
The market leader in wireless High Definition semiconductor solutions(AMIMON), today announced the availability of WHDI™ modules which can be embedded into notebook PCs and netbook PCs. The WHDI modules are available today with a mini-PCI form-factor of 50mm*30mm and will also be offered with a standard Display-Mini card form-factor of 44.4mm*26mm based on the interface defined by the PCI SIG® which uses Displayport™. Additionally, these cards are designed for the WHDI™ (Wireless Home Digital Interface™) standard and are capable of wirelessly delivering full uncompressed 1080p/60Hz HD content throughout the entire home.
The AMIMON WHDI modules’ compact form factor enables seamless integration into PCs. The WHDI modules are also designed for low power consumption suitable for battery-powered devices.
Notebook PCs embedded with the new WHDI modules are expected to be in the market in 2010 offering consumers the ability to connect their notebook wirelessly to any WHDI-enabled HDTV or, through an external WHDI-to-HDMI adaptor, also to any HDTV. The new modules will also enable external wireless PC-to-TV accessories (’dongles’) which connect to the PC and TV via HDMI.
With WHDI consumers can view the entire content of their notebook screen on their TV. Content such as Internet video, flash media, digital photos, PC games can all be viewed and experienced on the TV with a convenient wireless connection.
“PCs are increasingly becoming a source of multimedia entertainment like Hulu, YouTube, etc. Consumers will be able to wirelessly connect their PCs and watch all this cool new content on their big screen TV anywhere in the home,” said Noam Geri, vice president of marketing and business development for AMIMON. “WHDI is gaining momentum with TV OEMs and now also PC OEMs set to offer consumers multiple WHDI enabled products in 2010.”
The WHDI modules are based on the revolutionary video modem technology operating in the 5GHz unlicensed band, pioneered by AMIMON and the backbone of WHDI. WHDI co-exists in the same frequency spectrum with Wi-Fi and uses similar RF building blocks and antennas. The WHDI synergies with Wi-Fi enable a roadmap to integrated WHDI + Wi-Fi semiconductor components which will offer notebook OEMs the prospect of a very low cost WHDI wireless HD link to the TV.
The WHDI Modules are designed and manufactured by AMIMON’s ODM Partners. Key features include:
* Based on AMIMON’s AMN 2120/2220 WHDI chipset, designed for the WHDI standard
* Compact form factor
* Support for full high definition resolutions up to 1080p/60Hz
* Practically no latency – less than 1 millisecond
* Hollywood approved HDCP 2.0 copy protection
* Low power consumption modes for portable devices
* Low cost
* 5GHz unlicensed band with support for Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)
Nov/090
Clarity Aids Seniors Enjoy Conversations Once Again with the D613 Cordless Phone
It is already a wide known fact that one out of three adults over the age of 65 in the US struggles hearing the voice of their close ones, especially when having a phone conversation. Even more, it seems like hearing loss affects almost 36 million Americans and it still remains an overlooked health issue. A division from Plantronics, namely Clarity, that is specialized in building amplified telephones, just introduced a new cordless phone this year, the Clarity D613, which is now available nationwide at RadioShack.
The D613 uses Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology 6.0 and is here to provide seniors with an affordable means and a powerful solution to once again enjoy phone conversations with their beloved ones. What the manufacturer seems to have missed is that by using loud sound, a device can only damage the hearing of one more in time, and knowing that the D613 amplifies sound up to 30dB, I fear wondering what will happen in time.
“This year, more than any year before, we believe people are seeking truly helpful, but also affordable, gifts,” said Carsten Trads, president of Clarity. “For someone with hearing loss, a simple conversation is one of the best gifts possible. With affordability in mind, we created our new DECT phone for people like your parent, grandparent, sister, uncle or friend who are missing out on these conversations. We all love a good holiday sweater, but we want people to know there are life changing products like this available too.”
Anyway, it seems that is the only way to provide seniors with a crisp, clear and interference-free communication. Additionally, the phone comes in an ergonomic design with large, soft touch buttons that make usage a lot easier for people with arthritis, as well as aiding ones with a bad sight thanks to the bold numbers and text. Pricing for this one is at $89.99.
Nov/090
Cooler Master Showing the HAF 932 AMD Edition PC Case
Along with its first introduction to the public, the Cooler Master HAF 932 PC chassis kept winning a slew of awards, as well as users’ appreciation. I really can’t say, but either it is because of the rugged good looks, the outstanding usability or just the superior cooling performance, but it is quite clear that the HAF 932 has become one of those classics in the hardware community, just like we all remember the classic IBM case.
I really wonder how a company can improve one of its products, especially one that is already highly appreciated by the targeted community. In this case (ha!), the manufacturer teamed up with CPU and VGA builder AMD, and became more than proud to announce the introduction of the re-branded HAF 932 AMD Edition. Bringing one inspired and elegant AMD inspired design, and the same award-winning (if they say so) features and performance, the new HAF 932 AMD Edition provides customers with yet another outstanding solution for building their performance PCs around (actually, in).
Starting with the bold racing red color scheme, the HAF 932 AMB Edition is sure that will grab the attention of anyone that might enter in a store that has it exposed. Somehow completed by a see-through acrylic (just like Ferrari has on the back?!) side panel that has engraved nothing else but AMD’s dragon, namely an awe-inspiring figure that certifies the synthesis of power, strength and wisdom. Enough with the outside, let’s get inside. The HAF 932 AMD Edition offers a superior cooling system comprised of two massive 230mm fans, where the one on top of the HAF 932 AMD Edition can be outfitted with up to three 120mm fans for incomparable air exhaustion.
This will even provide for those of you that are planning to add water cooling to their rigs, enjoying that the HAF 932 AMD Edition does not only offer convenient retaining holes, but also makes it very easy to access the liquid coolant fill port. Pricing, however, is a little bit high, at $246.