Intel Advances Solid State Storage

Intel Monday announced availability of its latest line of solid-state drives (SSD), which replaces the company's earlier X25-M SATA (Serial ATA) SSDs.

The new SSDs -- dubbed the Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) SSD 320 Series -- take advantage of 25 nm NAND flash technology. They also add new features such as increased security, including 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard support, as well as upgraded power management capabilities, such as redundant storage in case of power failure.

Available now, the SSD 370 Series come in 40, 80, 120, and 160 GB sizes as well as 300 and 600 GBs, the company said in a statement.

Intel's pitching the new, third-generation SSD line as delivering greater space with higher access speeds for less money.

"Our third-generation SSDs have larger capacities and performance improvements while providing better reliability and data protection, along with a 30 percent price drop," an Intel spokesperson told InternetNews.com.

Intel first delivered the X25-M SDD drives during the summer of 2008.

The first generation SSDs were built in a joint venture with Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU), using then-new 34 nm technology. After a slightly bumpy start, however, they have done very well, according to the company. The new line is targeted at everyone from consumers to PC enthusiasts to IT organizations.

The SSD 320 Series is designed for both desktop and laptop PCs and, because they are solid state, are more rugged than hard disk drives (HDD).

"An upgrade from an HDD to an Intel SSD can give users one of the single-best performance boosts, providing an up to 66 percent gain in overall system responsiveness," the Intel statement said.

The SSD 320 Series uses a 3 gbps SATA II to interface with what the company claims is more than a billion SATA II PCs worldwide. The drives can handle 39,500 input/output operations per second (IOPS) on random reads and 23,000 IOPS for random writes, the company said.

Overall, the SSDs deliver sequential write speeds as high as 220 MB per second (MBps), and read speeds as high as 270 MBps.

As for price, the 40 GB SSD costs $89 in thousand-unit lots, while 80 GB drives run $159. Additionally, the 120 GB SSDs are $209 and 160 GB cost $$289. At the high end, 300 GB drives cost $529, while the 600 GB drives run $1,069.

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Oracle Q3 Earnings Build On Sun

Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) is continuing to grow its business, with strong revenues for its third fiscal quarter. Growth is coming from all sectors, including hardware from its Sun Microsystem acquisition.

"We saw strength across all regions, industries and product segments," Oracle President, Mark Hurd, said during the company's earnings call. "Engineered systems have fundamentally changed the game. The systems actually changed the entire value proposition of both hardware and software."

Oracle reported third quarter 2011 revenues of $8.8 billion, a 37 percent year-over-year increase. Net Income was reported at $2.2 billion, representing a 78 percent year-over-year gain. Earnings per share were up by 75 percent to $0.42 per share for the quarter. Moving forward, Oracle provided fourth quarter revenue guidance for total revenue growth on a GAAP basis to range from 10 percent to 14 percent at current exchange rates.

While growth came across a number of segments, one particular area highlighted by Oracle during its earnings call was a 29 percent growth in their software license revenue stream.

"You can really see our momentum in our Apps business as we continue to take share from SAP," Oracle President, Safra Catz said during the call. "So over the last couple of years, our new license revenue for applications has grown 53 percent in constant currency or about more than 10x faster than SAP over the same period."

Growth is also coming from improved execution on the hardware side of Oracle's business. A key part of that business is the technology that Oracle acquired as part of the acquisition of Sun Microsystems.

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Java Founder Gosling going to Google

Google's Java credibility is about to get a major boost.

James Gosling, the creator of Java is now a Google employee.

Gosling was among the many former Sun employees that were not happy with the new Oracle ownership. Gosling left Oracle in April of 2010 and has been looking for a home ever since.

One of the major things that has changed over the course of the last year is the fact Oracle is now suing Google over Java. How that will now play out with Gosling at Google will likely keep journalists like me very busy over the coming months and likely years to come.

"One of the toughest things about life is making choices," Gosling wrote in a blog post." I had a hard time saying "no" to a bunch of other excellent possibilities. I find it odd that this time I'm taking the road more travelled by, but it looks like interesting fun with huge leverage. I don't know what I'll be working on. I expect it'll be a bit of everything, seasoned with a large dose of grumpy curmudgeon."

Will Gosling help drive Google's efforts on the JCP (Java Community Process) for Java 8 and beyond? I sure hope so.

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Microsoft Adjusts Pricing for Client Access Licenses

With the recent revisions of some of its business software offerings, Microsoft announced new pricing for the so-called "client access licenses" (CAL) that users must have in order to access those products.

However, the changes in configuration and costs won't take effect until August.

The changes may not be difficult to spot, however, especially when it comes to price.

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has two types of CALs -- a Core CAL and an Enterprise CAL (ECAL) Step Up edition. That is, a customer who needs more than the Core CAL provides antes up to upgrade to the ECAL option.

In the current version, the Core CAL provides licenses for basic server products such as Windows Server, Systems Center Configuration Manager, SharePoint Standard edition, and Exchange Standard edition, according to a Microsoft FAQ (as PDF) online.

By comparison, the ECAL Step Up option currently adds CALs for Active Directory Rights Management Service (RMS), Forefront Unified Access Gateway, and Forefront Endpoint Protection (FEP) Suite. It also includes CALs for Systems Center Client Management Suite, besides SharePoint and Exchange ECALs.

Right now, the ECAL Step Up bundle provides both Standard and Enterprise CALs for Microsoft Lync 2010.

Released in November, Lync is Microsoft's latest shot at a unified communications package, "unifying enterprise voice, instant messaging and Web, audio and video conferencing -- all within the same user experience and back-end infrastructure," the company said last fall. Lync replaces Microsoft's Office Communications Server.

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Panasonic HDC-SD60K (black)

Panasonic's quartet of entry-level HD camcorders the HDC-HS60, TM60, TM55, and SD60 delivers a good performance, as well as solid video quality for their class. The SD60 is a great value, and avoid paying the unnecessary price premium for the hard drive in the HS60.

Is it just me, or are four nearly identical versions of the same product a wee bit much? Panasonic seems to be taking a carpet bomb approach to the entry-level HD camcorder market, with those four models in the slim range between $500 and $700. The HDC-SD60, TM55, and TM60 are all identical save the amount of built-in memory: none, 8GB, and 16GB respectively; the TM60 is an exclusive to Best Buy. The HS60 includes a 120GB hard disk, and because of that has a slightly different design. Reviews of all four products are based on testing of the SD60 and HS60.

Overall, the camcorders have a comfortable-to-grip design and feel well built. If your hands are large or you simply don't like the tubular design of the flash-memory models, the HS60's hard disk sticks up on the right side, giving you a little extra edge to grip. None of them have an accessory shoe, so the top of the camcorder simply has a zoom switch and shutter button for still photos. Unusual for the price class, the series includes an LED video light for shooting in dim environments. Though it's a nice touch, don't shine it directly at people--it's quite blinding.

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Flip UltraHD (2009, black)

This is the 2009 version of the Flip UltraHD. While it's still available through some retailers, note that the updated 2010 Flip UltraHD is now available.

Every six months or so, Flip Video--slated to be absorbed by Cisco by the end of the year--puts out a new model or two of its popular YouTube-friendly point-and-shoot mini camcorders. Late last year it was the MinoHD. Now, for spring 2009, the company brings us two updated versions of the Ultra: a higher-end model, the UltraHD, which shoots 720p (1,280x720) high-definition video, and a less expensive Ultra, which shoots 640x480 VGA video.

For starters, the transflective LCD on the back is bigger, measuring 2 inches, compared with 1.5 inches. The buttons are also bigger and the UltraHD, which comes in black or white, has a sort of rubberized, matte finish that allows you to grip the device a bit more easily.

Most importantly, this model comes with a set of AA-size NiMH rechargeable batteries you can charge in the unit by simply connecting the camcorder (via its trademark flip-out USB connector) to the USB port on your computer. Alternatively, you can swap in a pair of standard AA alkaline batteries if you don't have time to charge. That standard battery backup option is a nice convenience, but there's a drawback: the batteries are bulkier and heavier than the slim lithium ion type built into the MinoHD. So by default you're getting a bigger, heavier camcorder--the UltraHD weighs 6.1 ounces versus 3.3 ounces for the MinoHD. That said, the UltraHD is still pocket-friendly, just not as pocket-friendly as the MinoHD.

One thing we don't like about the new design is the chrome plastic trim on the sides of the unit. It looks good but you'll find your self continually wiping off fingerprint smudges with the soft, velvety pouch that ships with the product. We would have preferred some sort of brushed metal, or a brushed-metal look. Another minor ding: there's an HDMI output on the side for HDTV connections, but no bundled cable. That's not a huge deal, but Kodak, for instance, includes an HDMI cable with the Zx1, which retails for about $50 less.

Like the MinoHD, the UltraHD shoots 720p video at 30fps, H.264 compressed, and encoded as MPEG-4. The unit lacks a memory card slot, which is too bad, but its 8GB of internal memory allows you to record 2 hours of video. That should be ample recording capacity for most folks, but if you're on a vacation and shoot a lot of video, it would help to have a laptop along for the ride to offload your video as you run out of memory.

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Apple's iPad 2 is the 'Holy Grail' of computing

Eleven months ago, Apple released the first iPad, a touchscreen handheld computer that redefined tablets, disrupting the laptop/desktop market just as the iPod did to music players and the iPhone did to smartphones. On Friday, 15 million iPads later, Apple released its successor, the iPad 2. Many people -- myself included --predicted long lines and sell-outs, just like last year. So did Apple deliver?

Lines formed across the U.S., even though this year's iPad 2 launch offered many more places to buy the new tablet than last year. In addition to Apple's retail stores, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, AT&T, Verizon, Sam's Club, and select Apple resellers had a limited number of iPad 2s available on Friday.

Over 100 people were waiting in line a half hour before the iPad 2 went on sale at 5 p.m. Staffers kept us informed of inventory levels: the 16GB models went first, followed by the 32GB versions, until only 64GB 3G models were left. I got the last one available after the guy in front of me decided he really wanted another model and decided to try another store nearby; he handed me the iPad 2 that became mine. Thank you, sir.

Look and feel

The iPad 2 is 7.3 in. wide x 9.5 in. long x .34 in. thick -- thinner and lighter than the first-generation version. The 9.7-in. 1024 x 768-pixel screen is the same, framed by a black or white border. The aluminum at the edge of the screen flows into the flat back, but it's hard to describe the graceful physical design. There's no side lip like the previous iPad had, and the result is a beautifully sleek unibody design. It's hard to believe devices will become thinner than this. Of course, they will, but for now: wow. The thinner iPad is easier to hold, and the aluminum body -- in concert with the oil-resistant oleophobic coated glass -- gives it a sturdy, luxurious feel.

The iPad 2 is noticeably lighter. While officially it's just a few ounces -- the old one weighed 1.5 pounds, this one, 1.3 pounds -- the difference is enough that the iPad 2 feels at first as if you could use it extensively without propping it in your lap. Don't be fooled; If you don't prop it up, your wrist will still get tired of holding it, albeit it takes longer for fatigue to set in. Still, any weight savings is a step in the right direction, especially since build quality remains high.

Given the three storage options, I'm often asked whether the move from 16GB to 32GB or even 64GB is worth the cost. That depends on several factors, including the size of your iTunes library and whether the iPad will be a home or travel device. If the iPad will mainly stay home, iTunes Home Sharing should offset the need for more storage, as you can access your computers' iTunes libraries on your local Wi-Fi network and play their content on the device wirelessly. This includes movies, TV shows, podcasts, music and music videos, which you access from either the built-in iPod or Video applications.

In general, though, I've always felt it's better to have too much storage than too little; I'd have bought a 256GB model if I could. Then again, my iTunes library is nearly 1TB in size.

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Smartphone OS shootout: Android vs. iOS vs. Windows Phone

The past year has been a remarkable one for smartphones, with the meteoric rise of Google's Android OS, the restart of Microsoft's mobile strategy with its much-ballyhooed release of Windows Phone 7 and the continuing success of Apple's iPhone, buoyed by its new availability to Verizon subscribers.

Which smartphone operating system really is the best? More important, which one is best for you?

If you're in the market for a new smartphone, choosing which one to buy has much to do with the operating system that runs the phone as with the hardware itself. To help you decide, I put the latest versions of the three top mobile operating systems through their paces: Android 2.3, Windows Phone 7 and iOS 4.3.

There are, of course, two other smartphone operating systems out there: RIM's BlackBerry OS and Hewlett-Packard's webOS. However, we decided not to include them at this point.

Although RIM still has a considerable presence, its market share has been plunging, dropping from nearly 36% to just over 30% in the most recent quarter, and its developer support has been anemic, with an estimated 20,000 apps available even though it's been around for far longer than the iPhone and Android platforms, each of which has hundreds of thousands apps. (Windows Phone 7, which was launched just last October, has about 9,500 apps.) In other words, it no longer feels like a contender.

If BlackBerry makes a comeback, we'll include it in our next roundup. We'll also be watching HP's webOS, which will be available on several new devices this summer.

I concentrated as much as I could on the underlying operating systems, not the hardware on which they run. To get the truest look at Android, I tested it using a Samsung Nexus S, which ships with a version of Android that hasn't been customized by either the device maker or the service provider. For a look at Windows Phone 7, I chose the HTC Surround. And for iOS, I looked at the iPhone 4.

I've compared the platforms in several different categories, including ease of use, app availability, features, integration with desktop and Web-based apps, customization and platform openness. Come along for the ride and see if you agree.

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Internet Explorer 9 speeds past the competition

Throw away what you think you know about Internet Explorer -- because the just-released IE9 will turn it all on its ear. Think IE is sluggish? Think again, because according to SunSpider tests, it rivals or beats the speed demons Chrome and Opera. Believe that IE sports a tired-looking interface? No longer --- it now has the same type of stripped-down look that Chrome originated, and that the latest version of Firefox uses as well.

IE9 (available only for Vista and Windows 7) also introduces other goodies, such as HTML5 support, Windows 7 integration, a double-duty address bar and more. It's clearly Microsoft's best shot at stopping the erosion of its market share by rivals Firefox and Chrome.

All unneeded buttons and controls have been eliminated, and tabs are now at the top of the browser. (For a bit of simple eye candy, the top and the sides of IE9 are transparent.) The arrangement works. Web pages take center stage, with very little to distract you. There's not even a search box; as with Chrome, the address bar does double-duty as a search box.

Three small icons on the upper-right corner of the screen give you access to IE9's options: a Home button, a Favorites button for managing bookmarks, and a Tools button shaped like a gear. The Tools button leads you to most of the browser's other features and options, such as security, privacy, add-ons, customizing search and so on.

There's another new feature to the IE9 interface as well. When you open a new tab, it displays thumbnails of pages you frequently visit. Rival browsers have done this for some time, but IE9 adds a new twist: At the bottom of each thumbnail is a bar that shows how frequently you visit each page. The longer the bar, the more you've visited the page. And there are some very useful other things you can do from this page as well, including reopening your last browsing session, reopening tabs you've closed during the browsing session, and getting recommendations for sites you might want to visit, based on the sites you frequently visit. You can also launch an anonymous browsing session, which IE terms "InPrivate Browsing."

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Google patches 6 serious Chrome bugs

Google on Thursday patched six vulnerabilities in Chrome, and as usual, silently updated users' copies of the browser.

The update to Chrome 10.0.648.204 also included two more blacklisted SSL certificates that may be related to last week's theft of nine digital certificates from a Comodo reseller.

Google's second-most-serious ranking in its threat scoring system. Of the half-dozen bugs, two were "use after free" flaws -- a type of memory management bug that can be exploited to inject attack code -- while a second pair were pegged by Google as "stale pointer" vulnerabilities, another kind of memory allocation flaw.

As is Google's practice, the company locked down its bug-tracking database, blocking access to the technical details of the patched vulnerabilities. Google usually unlocks the bug entries several weeks, sometimes months later, to give users time to update before the information goes public.

Google paid out $8,500 in bounties to three different researchers for finding and reporting the six vulnerabilities. So far this year, Google has cut bounty checks totaling $58,145.

Frequent-contributor Sergey Glazunov took home $7,000 for reporting four of the bugs patched Thursday, bringing his 2011 bounty total to $20,634. Glazunov has become the most prolific of the independent researchers who specialize in rooting out Chrome flaws, reporting 14 of the 54 bugs attributed to outsiders.

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Nokia Astound coming to T-Mobile April 6 for $79.99

ORLANDO, Fla.--Though T-Mobile and Nokia are both in a state of flux, they're joining forces to offer an affordable smartphone for the U.S. market.

Today, both companies announced that the Nokia Astound will be available from T-Mobile starting April 6 for $79.99 with a two-year contract. The Astound is basically a rebranded version of the C7, and features the same sleek design, 3.5-inch AMOLED touch screen, a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera capable of 720p HD video capture, and a front-facing camera for video calls.

The Symbian 3-based smartphone offers some enhancements, such as the addition of a portrait keyboard, and comes preloaded with the usual Ovi Maps, Ovi Store with support for carrier billing, including Swype, Slacker Radio, and Fruit Ninja. The Astound also supports T-Mobile's Wi-Fi calling feature and has an embedded NFC chip.

We got some hands-on time with the device at a special event here at CTIA 2011 and actually liked what we saw. The smartphone's design quality is top-notch, and though Symbian 3 trails the other mobile operating systems in ease of use and functionality, it looked nice and worked smoothly on the Astound.

It certainly won't appeal to everyone, but the Astound's wallet-friendly price tag will fit the bill for some, especially since data plans for the phone start at $10 per month. Check out our hands-on photo gallery below for more.

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