EFi-X shuts down EFi-X USA, says it doesn't support Mac clones

The Mac cloning soap opera just keeps taking crazy twists and turns -- Art Studios Entertainment, makers of the EFi-X dongle, have shut down EFi-X USA's plans to sell "Millennium" machines capable of running OS X just hours after they were announced. ASE CEO Davide Rutigliano sent us a statement saying that EFi-X USA was misinterpreting ASE's EFi-X certification program, that ASE will "NEVER sell machines or condone the sale of machines that compete with any brand," and that he personally ordered the project abandoned. Indeed, a visit to EFi-X USA's page confirms that the machines have been killed, although we're unsure what the terse statement "EFi-X USA LLC fights the clones and the clonemakers" is supposed to mean. All part of another strange chapter in the Hackintosh saga, we suppose. Check ASE's full statement after the break.
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As you know, EFI-X uses a list of compatible to EFI and UEFI hardware. As strange as it seems, people have found difficulties to put together machines compliant with our standards, and we decided to create a Certification Program. This way not only we can make sure that people get the right hardware, (as non compatible hardware will even void their EFI-X warranty) but this opens the way to a much broader support, to new and exciting hardware, based on the user's requests.

This, today, created a monstrous misunderstanding. Our USA distributor, following (I have to say erroneously) the certification program built up a quite nice PC, but it was presented to the press in a totally erroneous way to which we at Art Studios Entertainment Media are absolutely unrelated to!

To be honest it wasn't intentional of them, but of course when I said that we at ASEM do not condone the merchandising of clones, I meant it. The press saw the "Millennium" project as a clone project, and I immediately ordered it to be scrapped and abandoned. Because we at ASEM do not sell or condone the sale of clones that compete with ANY brand. We have our own clientele and our own small and nice market share, and we are really happy that way.

Therefore if there is any brand that would like to have their hardware certified and decides to market it the proper way, we at Art Studios are extremely happy to evaluate their proposal. But we will NEVER sell machines or condone the sale of machines that compete with any brand.

The main point of EFI-X was innovation and integration, we are very proud of it and we like to keep it that way. We are the only one on the planet to offer such a device with such technology, and we are happy about it and very happy about our heterogeneous fans coming from all possible IT worlds, that understood and appreciated us and our unique philosophy.

And I can also proudly say that part of this philosophy was to respect all the brands that we admire, and follow their example to change the IT world into something better and friendlier for all of us.

Therefore, even though we are absolutely unrelated with last night's "stunt", I do reaffirm ASEM's spirit and philosophy of total respect and gratitude towards our existing affectionate customers. We may eventually in the future enforce our Certification Program, to deliver a more complete and better thought-after product to our clientele, but that will be made in total respect and fairness.


[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: efi x, efi x usa, efi-x, efi-x usa, Efi-xUsa, EfiX, EfiXUsa, hackintosh, mac clone, MacClone, osx86, psystar ]

Flying plasmonic lens system could lead to denser chips / disks

Last we heard, IBM was busy extending optical lithography down to 30-nanometers in order to keep Moore's Law intact, and some two years later, the process is still being honed by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley. Reportedly, gurus there with IQs far greater than ours have developed a new patterning technique (plasmonic nanolithography) that could make "current microprocessors more than 10 times smaller, but far more powerful." Additionally, professor Xiang Zhang asserts that this same technology could eventually "lead to ultra-high density disks that could hold 10 to 100 times more data than disks today." The secret to the madness is a flying plasmonic head, which is compared to the arm and stylus of an LP turntable; the setup enables researchers to "create line patterns only 80-nanometers wide at speeds up to 12-meters per second, with the potential for higher resolution detail in the near future." In layman's terms? That CPU you purchased last month will, in fact, be old hat in due time.
[Via: Slashdot ] [Tag: california, chip, circuit, circuits, CPU, dense, density, integrated circuits, IntegratedCircuits, microchip, Nanotechnology, optical lithography, OpticalLithography, photolithography, processor, research, science, silicon, university, University of California, UniversityOfCalifornia ]

Next version of Windows Home Server promises Time Machine-like UI

As we've seen, Microsoft's job postings can often be one of the best places to get early word of potential new products, and it looks like the company's recruiters have done it again, with a new ad offering a glimpse of what might be in store for the next version of Windows Home Server. Most interestingly, the posting includes the little tidbit that Microsoft is looking for someone to help it create a "Time Machine compete UI for backup and restore," as well as a Windows Media Center integration UI, and a Live Mesh integration UI. According to Microsoft, that will help it position Home Server as "THE backup and Media Server within the home" by the time this next release rolls around which, considering that they're still looking for people to help build it, likely won't be anytime soon.
[Via: istartedsomething ] [Tag: home server,HomeServer,job posting,JobPosting,microsoft,windows,windows home server,WindowsHomeServer ]

NVIDIA releases new Quadro Plex D CUDA desktop rigs

NVIDIA's really pushing the GPU-as-CPU angle at SIGGRAPH this year -- we've already seen the PhysX and CUDA-powered GeForce Power Pack for consumers, and the company is also updating the Quadro Plex series of visual co-processors for workstation customers. The new Quadro Plex 2200 D2, designed for large datasets and models, crunches data through two Quadro FX 5800 GPUs (totalling 480 CUDA cores) and 8GB of RAM, while the Quadro Plex 2100 D2 is optimized for large multidisplay rigs with four Quadro FX 4700 GPUs and support for up to eight monitors. Sounds fun -- and we're guessing the people who can justify the $10,500 starting price for these rigs think so too.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: cuda,nvidia,quadro fx,quadro plex,Quadro Plex 2100 D2,Quadro Plex 2200 D2,quadro plex d,quadro plex d2,QuadroFx,QuadroPlex,QuadroPlex2100D2,QuadroPlex2200D2,QuadroPlexD,QuadroPlexD2 ]

CherryPal PC Offers Subscription-free Cloud Computing That Runs Off Two Watts of Power [Cloud Computing]

CherryPal's cloud-based computer is unique because it offers the technology without subscription costs, and only draws two watts of power. The machine has no moving parts, and uses hardware encrpytion to provide a secure link to the cloud (which is run by Amazon).
To offset the costs of the cloud server, short ads are inserted whenever you open a program, but appear at no other time, to remain relatively unobtrusive. Though the device only has a 400 MHz Freescale MPC5121e mobileGT processor and 256 MB RAM, its user experience factor doesn't drop off because most of the work is done in the cloud. In fact, you are hardly exposed to the Linux-based OS because nearly everything is run from a modified version of Firefox. CherryPal PC also has a 4 GB NAND Flash storage, 802.11g wi-fi, two USB 2.0 ports, 10/100 ethernet, VGA out, and headphone out. It has a footprint of roughly 6 inches by 4 inches and is about an inch tall. It also comes out of the box with programs like iTunes, Open Office, custom media player and IM client, with more programs to appear. Each computer's has a cloud storage limit of 50 GB, which is likely to be expanded. Max Seybold, the CherryPal Founder and CEO, said the hardware is nearly indestructable, and claims you could play tennis with the box and it would still work fine. He sees the CherryPal as a computer for developing nations, schools and/or teenagers who only need a computer to write a paper, listen to music, or browse the internet. The CherryPal is available now and will start shipping at the end of the July for $249.

CherryPal Announces World’s First Two-watt, $249 Personal Computer
Ultra-green PC has no moving parts; 80 percent few components MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (July 21, 2008) – CherryPal, Inc., maker of green, affordable, easy-to-use personal computers, today formally launched its CherryPal™ cloud computer, the most energy efficient and affordable desktop computer available. CherryPal is a completely new type of PC that has no moving parts, contains 80 percent fewer components, uses only two watts of power, and is highly secure. The CherryPal, which is currently available for pre-orders, retails for $249 and requires no monthly subscription fee and no other hidden costs. “Today’s typical PC is based on a computing model created 25 years ago, before the Internet, web browsers and global warming,” said CherryPal CEO, Max Seybold. “We have developed a new computing model that makes CherryPal the easiest to use, greenest, most affordable computer available today.”
CherryPal is the Greenest and Most Affordable The CherryPal desktop consumes just two watts of power, compared to the 65 watts of power used by the average desktop machine, delivering a 97 percent decrease in energy consumption. In addition, it also uses 80 percent fewer components, dramatically reducing the amount of resources it takes to manufacture a PC. And because there are no moving parts, the CherryPal desktop can last a decade or longer, eliminating the need to replace a computer every 2-to 3 years.
CherryPal is the Easiest PC to Use The CherryPal desktop is dead simple to set up and boots in 20 seconds. Users simply enter a username and password to access the CherryPalCloud, which offers an incredibly simple, intuitive interface. CherryPal has no exposed operating system, so all application and functions are managed solely by a Firefox-based browser. CherryPal does all operation system and application upgrading and installation, meaning there is no maintenance required. Because there are no moving parts, there is little possibility of hardware failure. CherryPal also offers a free 24/7 helpline. The CherryPalCloudв„ў Innovation CherryPal has removed the hassle from personal computing by moving most of the software and data that traditionally sits on the desktop to the Internet. Instead of accessing programs and data from your desktop computer, the majority of information is processed and stored on the web in a highly secure environment called the CherryPalCloudв„ў, which is automatically accessed at boot-up. The CherryPalCloud removes many of the headaches typically associated with traditional personal computers, including: application downloads, software upgrades and crashing operating systems, because everything is maintained in the CherryPalCloud by CherryPal administrators;
viruses and hackers, because the user’s hardware is no longer exposed to local bugs and viruses;
lag time, because the majority of cumbersome software applications are stored in the CherryPalCloud, the computer operates just as fast – if not faster – than a traditional PC. CherryPal HyperCloud™ Technology CherryPal is the only company that provides a patent-pending combination of both hardware and software encryption, making it highly secure. The CherryPal also offers a patent-pending single software layer technology. This collapses the operating system and browser into one layer, where there had traditionally been three separate layers. It makes the computer exponentially faster and virtually eliminates any risk of bugs or viruses for the user. CherryPal is also the first company since Apple Computers to use a Power Architecture-based processor in a personal computer by employing the Freescale MPC5121e mobileGT processor. This chip allows for built-in graphics and audio processing, all while consuming only 400 MHz of power. The CherryPal Hardware Specs:
Freescale’s MPC5121e mobileGT processor, 800 MIPS (400 MHz) of processing
256MB of DDR2 DRAM
4GB NAND Flash-based solid state drive
WiFi 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
Two USB 2.0 ports
One 10/100 Ethernet with RJ-45 jack
One VGA DB-15 display out jack
Headphone stereo audio out 3.5mm jack
9vDC 2.5mm10 watt AC-DC adapter power supply
10.5 ounces
1.3” high, 5.8” x 4.2” wide CherryPal Software CherryPal’s operating system is based on a version of open source Debian/GNU Linux that has been highly customized; the browser is based on a version of open source Firefox.
The user applications currently available are:
OpenOffice.org office productivity suite;
iTunes;
A CherryPal-brand media player that supports all common files formats;
A CherryPal-branded instant messenger that supports all common IM programs.
More programs will be added on an on-going basis. The current storage limit is initially set at 50 gigabytes (GB), although the limit will likely be increased in the future. CherryPal’s Business Model CherryPal is rolling out a robust “Brand Angels” program that uses advocates and users as its sales force. Brand Angels will communicate their honest experiences with the CherryPal product in exchange for a free CherryPal desktop. Brand Angels receive a small commission for each system sold; buyers also receive a small discount when they purchase their CherryPal from a Brand Angel.
CherryPal’s revenue model is based on advertising, which will be rolled out later this year. However CherryPal’s technology does not allow anyone to view any information about its customers. Pricing and Availability The CherryPal is now available for pre-orders in the United States for just $249, with no monthly subscription or hidden fees at www.cherrypal.com. Orders will begin shipping at the end of this month.
For more information on CherryPal and its desktop product, please go to www.cherrypal.com, where its new web also launched today.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 goes live

That nasty Windows Home Server data corruption bug might finally be a thing of the past, as WHS Power Pack 1 has gone live after a month-long beta test. Not much else to the enhancement suite: x64 support and support for backup to external media are along for the ride, but otherwise it's mostly performance tweaks. Go on and grab it now, you crazy home-server admins.
[Thanks, Neal]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: beta,bug,data corruption,microsoft,power pack 1,PowerPack1,windows home server,windows home server power pack 1,WindowsHomeServer,WindowsHomeServerPowerPack1 ]

ZFS file system coming to Snow Leopard server edition

It's been almost exactly a year since we heard any chatter over Apple's adoption of the supposedly rock solid 128-bit ZFS file system, but it appears to be heading into the next version of the company's OS... at least for servers. According to the promo page for Snow Leopard for OS X servers, the redundant, error correcting, dynamic volume expanding format will be available when the new system drops, though there's no mention of whether it will make its way onto the standard version of the software. With data handling that's this tight, our only question is why wouldn't it make the cut?
[Thanks, Mark]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: 10.6, 128-bit, leopard, os x, os x 10.6, os x server, OsX, OsX10.6, OsXServer, snow leopard, SnowLeopard, zfs, zfs file system, ZfsFileSystem ]

Tranquil PC announces Intel Atom-based Harmony home servers

Well, doesn't Tranquil PC seems pretty stoked about their new Atom-based Harmony home servers? Though they're not exactly mind-blowing (to us, anyway), two new fanless models should be shipping in June: the T7-HSAi (left, with a single 3.5-inch drive or two 2.5-inch drives) and T2-WHS-A3i (right, with up to two 3.5-inch drives), both featuring Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, 512MB or 1GB RAM options, and running Windows Home Server. With base configs and 500GB drives, the T7 will start at ?278 ($550 US), and the T2 at ?299 ($590 US).

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: T2-WHS-A3i,T7-HSAi,tranquil pc,TranquilPc,whs,windows home server,WindowsHomeServer ]

G4 Cube shell used to house Mac mini and friends

In Apple-loving households, there's a decent chance the Power Mac G4 Cube will never lose its luster. Case in point: one particular fanboy (yeah, we said it) took a gutted Cube housing and neatly fitted his Mac mini, Airport Extreme and "accessory HDD case" inside. Of course, he did have to exercise quite a bit of patience and showcase his cutting skills in order to make the optical drive accessible, but the end result is certainly something to be proud of. Hit the read link for the gallery of shots taking you from start to finish.

[Via: Nowhere Else ]
[Tag: airport extreme,AirportExtreme,apple,cube,diy,g4 cube,G4Cube,hack,mac,mac mini,MacMini,mod ]