The Tech Report: miscellaneous newsThe Tech Report: Current developments in personal computing: miscellaneousThird-gen Intel vPro Technology debuts- September 22, 2008 During a "virtual event" on its website this afternoon, Intel unwrapped its third-generation vPro Technology. If you've been keeping track, you'll know Intel introduced the first vPro tech in early 2006 with the aim of simplifying enterprise PC management. Since its debut, vPro has allowed IT staff to...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15560 Windows 7 shots show UI polish, updated apps- September 22, 2008 When it developed Windows Vista, Microsoft seems to have focused on under-the-hood changes at the cost of some superficial polish. Take a look at the antiquated font installation dialog and the odd mixture of new-and-old control panels (like the Windows XP-style "Display Settings" window), and you'll see what I mean. Windows...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15558 Chrome to get Firefox-style add-ons, custom scripts- September 22, 2008 Google's Chrome shows serious promise as a web browser, but calling it stripped-down would be an understatement: the browser flaunts its beta status with a distinct sparseness of features. Although that aspect has actually contributed to Chrome's popularity among many users, Google also wants to seduce those who like...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15553 Saturday science subject: Healthy gamers- September 20, 2008 Sitting in front of a computer or TV playing games several hours a day doesn't exactly help make you fit. However, as the New Scientist reports, a recent U.S. study suggests gamers may be fitter than the average American. Researchers at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles,...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15552 UPDATED: Activision goes after individual game pirates- September 19, 2008 Pirating games may get you in as much legal trouble as exchanging music on peer-to-peer networks. Two gaming sites have uncovered evidence that Activision is going around suing pirates, taking an aggressive, case-by-case approach much like the RIAA and MPAA. According to a report by Edge Online, Activision has sued...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15549 First Android phone to match iPhone 3G at $199- September 18, 2008 You might have heard the rumors by now: T-Mobile may unveil the first handset based on Google's Android mobile platform next week. That's all well and good, but where are the specifics How much will the device cost When will scruffy Linux enthusiasts be able to show up at...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15543 Mirror's Edge comes November 11but not for PCs- September 18, 2008 If you were looking forward to playing Mirror's Edge on your PC this fall, prepare for disappointment. Shacknews reports that DICE's futuristic first-person free-running title won't hit Windows machines until this winter (possibly next year). If you have an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 in your living room, though, you'll...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15542 Killer NICs find their way into Dell gaming PCs- September 18, 2008 Remember Bigfoot's Killer NIC Bigfoot Networks introduced this network card last year, promising to dramatically shrink latencies in games. The card essentially works to speed up UDP traffic, and it includes a built-in Linux distribution that can run so-called FNapps like a firewall, BitTorrent software, or voice-over-IP software for...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15539 AMD launches tuning tool for hardcore gamers- September 18, 2008 If you call yourself a hardcore gamer or enthusiast, chances are you've encountered one of those online guides with instructions on how to disable Windows processes. Following those guides can sometimes free up memory and CPU cycles, but it...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15536 Stereoscopic glasses coming this year from Nvidia- September 17, 2008 In our podcast last Saturday, we talked a little bit about Nvidia's plans in the field of stereoscopic 3D. Nvidia demoed its technology at the Nvision 08 show in August, and Scott found that it worked better than past implementations. If that piqued your interest, then you might find Maximum...http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15533 |